We his Majesty's most dutiful and Loyal Subjects, The Members of the Assembly of North Carolina, return Your Excellency our Thanks for Your Speech at the Opening of this Session. The Critical Situation of Affairs in Europe excite our Anxiety for the Welfare of Great Britain, whilst We are under the greatest Concern that a Succession of Disappointments shou'd have rendered ineffectual the several Aids We have granted to His Majesty for the Defence of his Colonies. There is nothing more precarious than the Events of War, tho' ever so prudently conducted. The best concerted Schemes by unexpected Accidents are often frustrated, But these Uncertainties can never diminish our Duty to the best of Kings, nor lessen our Attachment to the Interest of those We represent. 

We are truely sensible of the Obligations We owe to his Majesty, and his Parliament, for their Bounty so seasonably bestowed on this Province at a Juncture when it’s Inhabitants are greatly impoverish'd by frequent, tho’ necessary Taxations imposed for no less than the Defense of the British Territories in America 

The Expediency of what you have been pleased to recommend in Respect to securing our Forts and Frontier is so apparent that We shall zealously exert ourselves to effectuate those valuable purposes. 

We hope the Sums already raised will be sufficient for paying the Debts contracted out of the Province and for finishing the Forts, but if upon inspecting the Accounts they shou'd fall short We shall consult on ways and Means by which the Deficiency may be made good, that our Proportion of the Moneys granted by his Majesty and the Parliament may be transmitted to us without any Deduction. 

We shall make an adequate Allowance for the Care which has been taken by the Storekeeper Your Excellency has been pleased to appoint; and beg Leave to express our Gratitude to his Majesty for the Artillery sent for Fort Johnston, a part of which We hope may by your Excellency's Direction be applied to the Use of Fort Granville it being a place of the greatest Importance to the Trade of this Colony

We shall take into Consideration what You have so justly remarked in Relation to the Clergy, and your Excellency may be assured that due Attention shall be given to every other Matter you have been pleased to recommend. 

Your Excellency's assiduous Application to publick Business, the Candour wherewith you have represented our Affairs to his Majesty, and your steady Adherence to every thing that may advance the Welfare of those under your Government justly merit our warmest Thanks and most sincere Wishes for your long and happy Administration.