Hillsborough May 3d 1768.
The undissembled respect and warm regard which I have for your Excellency makes me fond of embracing every opportunity of writing, and the gratitude which I feel for the vigorous means adopted and the power delegated, with the favour of a couple of letters to me in the difficulty of the late times to which (under God and the loyalty and courage of a few brave subjects) I verily believe I owe my present existence, vastly enhances my desire of returning to your Excellency my unfeigned & hearty thanks for such your unequalled goodness to me in so doubtful a season, For your Excellencys information of my conduct on being honoured with your Commands, the descent which I made on two of the principal violators (in these parts) of the civil & natural rights of mankind, the retreat and success of the enterprise the subsequent measures taken by me on my return, and the visit paid to the limits of this little Village this day, together with the behaviour of the rioters, and the small, loyal and steady Band of Officers and men assembled in Town, I beg leave to refer you to your Excellency's Secretary who was an eye witness of part and bore a considerable share of the business of this day. I shall only observe on the matter that it will afford me the most singular pleasure if my conduct and behaviour should in any measure meet with your Excellency's approbation—I have forwarded your Excellency's letters to Colonel McCulloch, Colo Osborn Jeffreys and Colo Harris but am confident I shall have no occasion to make any application for aid
from any other regiment of Militia than that of Orange. It shall be my care to endeavour by a suitable conduct to remove all rancor and distrust, & if possible conciliate the minds of the infauated and deluded and to establish and strengthen the loyalty and subjection of, the inhabitants in general of this County. I may now I think venture to say that I shall accept of your Excellency's invitation to Brunswick, (given in a former letter) on His Majesty's birthday, and would willingly hope that the late madness of some of the people of this County will not incur on the whole the heavy forfeiture of the loss of your Excellency's visit to Hillsborough the ensuing summer—This is the greatest misfortune which I dread from the late lawless and unprovoked insurrection. As Mr Edwards will be the bearer hereof I shall only add that I desire an offer of my respects to Her Excellency and that I am with the highest sense of gratitude and greatest respect and duty