Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from inhabitants of the town of Wilmington to William Tryon
De Rosset, Moses John, 1726-1767; Harnett, Cornelius, 1723-1781; Burgwin, John, 1731-1803; Jones, Marmaduke, ca. 1724-1787; Toomer, Henry, 1738-1799; Et Al.
July 28, 1766
Volume 07, Pages 242-243

[B. P. R. O. America & W. Indies. Vol. 214.]
Letter from the Mayor and Gentlemen of Wilmington to Governor
Tryon

May it Please your Excellency.

Sir,

It is with Extreme Concern we have observed in your Excellency's answer to the Address of the Corporation of Wilmington expressions which may be construed to charge that Borough with some marks of intentional disrespect towards your Excellency, a Conduct, which from the consciousness of our hearts we can with the greatest justice disclaim, and which from a Love of Order and a regard to Decency we should sincerely Condemn, not only as inconsistent with that dutifull affection towards his Majesty's Representative which we shall always endeavour to Cultivate, but with the gratefull return of Sentiments which your Personal merit justly claims.

If oppressed by the late Act some commotions of the Country seem'd to threaten a departure from Moderation, your Excellency, we hope will not impute these transactions to any other motive than a Conviction, that Moderation ceases to be a Virtue when the Liberty of British Subjects is in danger, but the greater that Danger was, the more reason we have to applaud the honor and justice of the British Parliament, whose prudent resolutions have relieved us from the Melancholy Dilemma to which we were almost reduced.

From His Majesty, whose heart ever rejoices in the happiness of his People, we most humbly and thankfully receive this mark of attention to the Distresses of his American Subjects, and shall always return his Royal Protection and regard with all the affection and obedience of the most loyal subjects of a free Kingdom, joined to

-------------------- page 243 --------------------
that filial Duty and Constitutional connection on which our future happiness and existence entirely depend.

Amidst the variety of disagreeable Events which the late commotions occasion'd, we have with great indignation observed in the Barbadoes Gazette of the 19th of April a paragraph as void of Decency as it is of Truth, well assured that your Excellency's Conduct has been always regulated by no other motive than a Generous Concern for the Public good, and that Duty which you, Sir, and we all owe to a Sovereign ever intent on the Welfare of his People, supported by an Ardent desire to promote the particular happiness of a Province committed to your charge.

We have the honor to be Sir, &c
MARMADUKE JONES
ALEXANDER DUNCAN
JOHN LYON
JOHN BURGWIN
MOSES JNo DeROSSET
JOHN DUBOIS
THOMAS LOYD
WILLIAM PURVIANCE
FREDk GREGG
Wm CAMPBELL
CORNELIUS HARNETT
GEORGE PARKER
JOHN ANCRAM
ANTHONY WARD
JAMES MORAN
HENRY TOOMER
RICHARD EAGLES
Wm WILKINSON
OBADIAH HOLT