Sir, [Secretary Pitt]

I recd the Honour of yours of the 16th of September last about the Complaints of the Spainards, the Contents of which I shall observe. I have also recd yours of the 30th of Decr and 7th of Janry acquainting me with our Loss of the Princess Caroline and of the recalling of Lord Loudoun, and appointing Genl Abercrombie in his Command, and of Brigr Genl Forbes to command under him in the southern Provinces, and his Majesty's Commands to procure all the Aid we can give from this Province to join in the Operations under Brigr Forbes, and the great Supplies which he has been pleased to send to secure the future peace Safety and Happiness of his American Dominions.

These Letters and Orders did not come to my hands until the 13th of April. I instantly issued a proclamation for the Council & Assembly to meet the 25th ult. but as the Members are far dispersed we could not make up a Number till the 28th, and they have done all this poor Province cou'd do on so short a notice. We passed an Aid Bill in 8 days to make up the 3 Companies we had on foot here of 50 Men 100 Each, so as to send 300 to join General Forbes, and gave £10 Bounty to each able Volunteer to send them with Dispatch, and have raised 50 more in 2 Companies to defend the Forts on the Sea Coast. I have engaged a sloop to carry 2 Companys immediately to Potomac River in Virginia, with what additional Men they can raise, and to leave 3 additional Officers to raise and follow them as soon as possible, and the 3d Company is to march immediately from our Western Frontier by Land to Winchester in Virginia to join the others, having Commissioned a Major to command them, but the Misfortune of this Province is that we have no Cash, our paper Currency at great Discount, and though we can raise and pay Men in the Province, yet we have no Credit to pay them out of the Province even at 50 per cent loss, so that I have been obliged to write to Brigr Genl Forbes to Credit them in their pay and to reimburse himself out of the Dividend we are to have out of the £50000 granted by Parliament to the Southern Provinces.

You may be assured I shall use my utmost Endeavours in promoting the Glorious Cause we are embarked in of securing the Religious and Civil Liberties of Britain and these Colonies, and to get rid at once of our inveterate insatiable Enemies.

The Colonies are highly sensible of his Majesty's paternal Care of us, and of your Zeal and Abilities in promoting the Glory and future Safety of Britain and these Colonies, and have the strongest Hope that after our Correction God will appear in favour of the Protestant Cause of Britain and America, as He has so wonderfully done in Germany. I inclose you my Speech and the Addresses and am with great Respect Sir,