We his Majesty's most dutifull, and loyal subjects, the Members of His Majesty's council, for this province, with pleasure, Imbrace this, the first opportunity, (of our meeting together) of Congratulating your Excellency, on your safe arrival in this province; And we beg leave to assure you, we have a lively sense of His Majestys Paternal care, and Tenderness, in Intrusting the Goverment, to a Gentleman, whose benevolent Character, and experience, in publick affairs, gives us the most sanguine hopes, that under his prudent administration, an end, may be put to all the divisions, under which this Province has already too long Groaned; and that peace, and Happyness, may succeed to Rancour, and Party.

We are to return to your Excellency our sincere, and hearty thanks, for your speech; and to express, the great satisfaction, it gives us, to observe, You have pointed at those things only, which may conduce, to the Happyness, safety, and peace of this Goverment, we shall therefore, in duty to his Majesty, and our Country, readily concur, with the other House in passing such laws, as may be most Effectual, For the Encouragement of Pious, and learned Clergymen, to Instruct, the Inhabitants, in true Religion, and Virtue. For the more easy Collecting, His Majesty’s Quit Rents, that he may be enabled to discharge, the great arrears, due to the officers of this Government. For the supporting, the credit of our paper currency; and fixing a permanent fund, of credit, that our Character in foreign parts, may be established. For the extending our trade, into the Continent, and laying our Indian Traders, under proper Regulations. For the granting such a further aid, to the Colony of Virginia; as a Country already exhausted (by a Considerable sum before granted for that purpose) can Possibly spare.

We shall also readily agree, with the other house, in providing a sufficient fund, to erect publick buildings, at such place, as the seat of Government, may be fixed at, and for the other purposes your Excellency mentions.

We look upon it as our duty, to return His Majesty, our sincere thanks, for having removed the bone of contention, that occasioned our late divisions, and nothing can give us a more sensible pleasure, than the prospect, we have of a Coalition, under your Excellencys administration; and that Instead of hard, and Injurious terms, all parties, may be so united, that as they are under one government, so they may all Joyn, for the general good, by the enforcing the many good laws, already made, and for the future, heartily Joyn, in making such others as the Necessitys of the Government may Require. And as appointing a Committee, for a new Revisal will be the only means whereby the deficiencys, of the laws, (already made) can be found we shall chearfully concur in appointing, such persons, as may be most Capable, for that purpose.

It is with the greatest satisfaction, that we observe your Excelly's Inclinations; to promote true Religion, and Virtue; the wealth, Peace, and Happyness, of this province; as well as the Increase and Improvement, of its trade, and your wise resolution, for Establishing a Union, of Affection in the people of this Government; by giving of incouragement, or Countenance, to those only, who will Concur, in so good a Purpose. As for our parts, as we are unanimous in our Sentiments, unbyassed, by the prejudices of Parties, and having no other view, nor anything more at Heart, than the wellfare of the Province, we shall use our utmost endeavours, by a steady Conduct, to reconcile the affections, of the people, to one another, and by that means, under your Excellency's administration, prosperous, and easy.

We think it, an Indispensible Obligation, on us, to return His Majesty, our sincere, and grateful thanks, for having been graciously pleased, to send over, to this province, a thousand stand of armes, and we flatter ourselves, that through your Excellencys intercession, we may Obtain an Independant Company, with Artillery, and proper stores, for our forts, to defend us against the Insults, of our Enemies.