Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Circular letter from Wills Hill, Marquis of Downshire to [the colonial governors]
Downshire, Wills Hill, Marquis of, 1718-1793
May 13, 1769
Volume 08, Page 39

-------------------- page 39 --------------------
[B. P. R. O. Am. & W. Ind. Vol. 273.]
Circular from Earl Hillsborough to Governor Tryon

Whitehall May 13th 1769.

Inclosed I send you the gracious Speech made by the King to his Parliament at the close of the Cession on Tuesday last.

What his Majesty is pleased to say in relation to the Measures which have been pursued in North America will not escape your notice as the satisfaction his Majesty expresses in the approbation his Parliament has given to them and the assurances of their firm support in the prosecution of them together with his Royal Opinion of the great advantages that will probably accrue from the concurrence of every branch of the Legislature in the resolution of maintaining a due execution of the Laws cannot fail to produce the most salutary effects.

From hence it will be understood that the whole Legislature concur in the Opinion adopted by his Majesty's servants that no measure ought to be taken which can any way derogate from the Legislative Authority of Great Britain over the Colonies, but I can take upon me to assure you notwithstanding Insinuations to the contrary from Men with factious and seditious views that his Majestys present administration have at no time entertained a design to propose to Parliament to lay any further Taxes upon America for the purpose of raising a Revenue and that it is at present their intention to propose in the next Cession of Parliament to take off the duties upon Glass Paper and Colours and upon consideration of such duties having been laid contrary to the true principles of Commerce.

These have always been and still are the sentiments of his Majestys present servants and by which their conduct in respect to America has been governed and his Majesty relies upon your prudence and fidelity for such an explanation of his Measures as may tend to remove the prejudices which have been excited by the misrepresentations of those who are Enemies to the peace and prosperity of Great Britain and her Colonies and to reestablish that mutual confidence and affection upon which the Glory and Safety of the British Empire depend.

I am &c
HILLSBOROUGH.