The Affairs of Europe Great Britain and these Colonies are at present in a very critical Situation by Means of a most unnatural Alliance entered into between the house of Austria and France into which they have drawn the Empress of Russia against the only Protestant Power of Germany who can support the Civil and Religious Liberties of Germany; His Majesty has his Germanick Dominions overrun by a superior French Army, and consequently the Protestant Interest of Germany and Europe is in the greatest Danger yet notwithstanding this Diversion of the French Troops. All the forces that Great Britain cou'd spare for the Relief of these Colonies have made no Impression in dislodging the French from their unjust Encroachments upon these Colonies, God Almighty upon Account of our Sins having caused the Elements to fight against us by contrary Winds detaining the forces from coming to our Assistance

Since his Majesty is at so extraordinary an Expence upon Account of these Colonies and the British Parliament at his Recommendation hath granted the Sum of £50,000 to the Colonies of North and South Carolina and Virginia upon Account of the Difficulties we lie under, in supporting our Forces when sent out of the province; I hope this Instance of his Majesty's Paternal Goodness will make us contribute with Zeal our Contingent towards the Support of the Colonies and our own Security as well upon Account of the Security of our Western frontier as to keep the Catawbas Indians in our Interest and to secure the forts upon the Sea Coasts, which may enable us to have forces in Readiness and to spare when demanded for the Security of South Carolina. 

 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly 

I have ordered the Accounts of our Expences to be laid before you, and hope you will think it very proper to keep up the same Number of Troops you have now in pay, that we may secure the Peace of this Province and be ready to assist our neighbouring Colonies when required, and out of the Proportion we are to have of the Sum granted to these Colonies by Parliament we shall be able to pay any Debts we have contracted out of the Province above the Supplies granted for that purpose and to spare some to furnish the forts necessary to the Security of our Sea Coasts. 

I acquainted you at your last Meeting that his Majesty had ordered us Artillery and Ordnance Stores for fort Johnston and had ordered me to appoint a Store keeper, and to apply to the Assembly to give him a proper Allowance; I can now with pleasure acquaint you that they are arrived, and I have pursuant to my Orders appointed a Storekeeper at £80 ⅌. Annum this Currency, and hope you will provide for the Payment of it and a proper Sum for Contingencies. 

Gentlemen of his Majesty's Council, Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly

There are several Bills necessary to be amended: The Bill for providing an established Clergy has been in some Counties evaded, by combining to elect only such Vestrymen who they know will not act, by which Measures Money can be raised nor Clergymen appointed by keeping the Nomination in their own Power; and a new Vestry will vary the Sum given, when they accept of a Clergyman to the lowest which the Laws allow, by which Means no Churches are erected; It wou'd seem more reasonable to lay a general Sum upon all Taxables in the Province and pay the Clergy out of that Sum and build Churches out of the Overplus until Clergymen can be procured to the several Counties. 

The Inspecting Act is most grosly abused in respect to Beef and pork, in the Manner of killing and packing by putting in unmerchantable Beef and Pork, killed when it is hot, not bled properly, and rolled in the Sand and Dirt to add to the Weight, for want of having houses to Swing it upon, & Caskes to contain the Pickle by which Means it is blown upon in foreign Markets, and sold under half price. 

I shall not mention any more to you at this time when our Thoughts shou'd be turned to our Defence and future Safety, & make no doubt but you will exert the same Zeal for the Support of our holy Religion Liberties and Possessions against most perfidious and cruel Enemy that we may hereafter live in peace & safety and avoid a future great Expence which must be unavoidable in Case we do not exert ourselves at this Critical Juncture, by forcing the French from our Frontiers who make all the Indians our Enemies.