To Messrs James Watson, Robert Lytle, Thomas Hart, Francis Nash,
William Johnston, James Thackston, and James Munro of Hillsborough.
Effectually to remedy the outrages, indignities and injuries which you inform me by your letter of the 30th of last month has been offered to the Superior Court of Hillsborough and the Inhabitants of that Borough by an enraged Mob, requires the interposition of the Legislative Body. I rest under a full belief that every redress in their power will be lent to strengthen the arm of Government and make reparation for the sufferings of their injured countrymen, and this confidence is founded on the principle that every Member of Society has a perfect right to claim and to receive the protection of the community as long as he pays a due obedience to its constitutions. I have this day ordered a summons to issue for His Majesty's Council to meet me at Newbern as soon as possible when I shall lay before that Board your letter and consult on the proper measures to be taken in the present melancholy exigency of your affairs.
As the security and felicity of the Inhabitants of this Province are the Bounds of my ardent wishes in my publick character so are my resentments limited to those who seem for the present to have subverted
these blessings and despised their Sovereign's most gracious lenity so lately extended towards them.