Newbern the 11th March 1771.
In the course of this Session I laid every matter before the House, recommended in your Lordships correspondence, and urged every other point that I considered would be beneficial to his Majestys service and the prosperity of this colony, and was honorably seconded by the Legislature in those views. There was however one
step taken that gave me much concern. It was the resolves passed respecting Mr Henderson one of the Associate Judges. This was done by surprise in a very thin House composed of the friends of a member of the House who stood charged by Mr Henderson with having perjured himself. I am sensible Mr Henderson will have a more favorable verdict at the next Session, a majority of the members who happened to be absent when this unfair advantage was taken, declaring afterwards their disapprobation thereof.Mr Henderson, my Lord, is a man of probity and a firm friend to government as well from principle as from the duty of his office and who from his spirited endeavours to preserve the last Hillsborough Superiour Court against the insults of the insurgents, by the malice of his enemies and those of government, has had his house, stables, four horses and many other effects burnt last winter, sufferings which pleaded for more humanity than he received from the representatives of his countrymen.
I will trouble your Lordship with one more occurrence of this Session which respects my application for a fund to carry any necessary military operations against the insurgents, which my message to the House page 211 will set forth. Their answer tho' I think a very indirect one is under page 234 already transmitted. The substance of this answer will evince the great difficulties and embarrassments administration labors under, money being the nerves and sinews of government both civil and military.
The five hundred pound note of credit in page 92 will be expended in remounting some iron cannon, nine pounders, other little incidental charges and in carrying a line of intrenchmeuts from Neuse to Trent River, in length about fifteen hundred yards, which will with those two rivers encompass the whole town.