Revd Sir, [to the Secretary]

When I was preparing to leave this Province in the Spring, many of our communion told me they thought it my duty to continue not only because they were pleased with my labours but more especially because a great number in the County had turn'd Baptists for want of a clergyman and for encouragement they assured me that next Easter Monday a Vestry was to be chosen that wod do me justice—they perform'd their promise; for ye New Vestry called the Tax gatherers to account & paid my Salary faithfully; and withal gave me to know they would slip no opportunity of purchasing a Glebe and making convenencys for me, and that in acting thus, they did nothing but was very agreeable to the body of the People; They also allow'd me more time to officiate in remote places than the former Vestry had done—These considerations prevailed with me to agree for another year—By riding thro' the Upper parts I plainly see they require 3 missionaries, one to the South near ye Branches of Pedee River another upon Neuse 120 miles above Newberne and the third in the North towards Virginia—The People seem much inclined to encourage Missionaries and often complain of their being pester'd with sermons of Baptist Teachers, whom I always found to be as grossly ignorant as those they pretend to teach. I should be under no doubt of a Missionarys doing very well in those parts had not the rulers of this Province pass'd a Law last April for issuing paper Bills to the value of £23000 Proclamation money—when I was at Cape Fear the beginning of this month I had some of my Salaries paid in these new Bills, and offer'd them at 10 per cent Discount for cash but can get nothing for them.

I cannot give a particular account of the persons I have baptized since Michaelmas 1747 it frequently happening that I am not so well acquainted as to desire any to take the number: several spectators have told me I Baptized above 100 in one day—Two white adults I baptized by dipping—Last Whitsunday I had 95 communicants—I received your favour of Febry 4. 1747 & purpose to draw in Bills till the Venerable Society sees fit to appoint me their Missionary for the Northern District in the Upper Parts—If I can obtain leave of the Parish I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you next Summer and am in the mean time Revd Sir