The affairs of Europe, and particularly of these Colonies are in so critical a situation, that I have thought it absolutely necessary to call you together at this Time.  Our all is at stake Our holy Protestant Religion, Our Liberties and Possessions are all now to be fought for; and his Majesty and the Parliament of Britain, under the great weight of Debts and heavy Expence they must bear, are obliged to exert their Whole Force to secure their Liberties, Rights & Possessions and without our Joining, to our Utmost, in our own Defense for our Safety, In order, for the picture to get rid of the Neighbourhood of a Cruel, false and perfidious Enemy, we must submit to Popish superstition and Idolatry, and become Slaves to the arbitrary Power of France. 

His Majesty having therefore fitted out a great Armament and Body of Troops to give a speedy Issue to this heavy war, expects from us, that whilst the great Operations are carried on to the Northward, that we shoud Joyn our utmost force to secure our Southern Provinces from any Attack, least we may loose on the one side by an Attack from the Missisippi and the French Islands, as much as we may gain Northwards. 

His Majesty therefore having Committed the whole Military affairs of these Provinces to the Care and Conduct of His Excellency the Earl of Loudon, giving Instructions to all the several Governors to act in Concert with him, and to support his measures and Operations, He summoned all the Southern Governors upon this Continent to meet him at Philadelphia, to Consult upon measures for our own Security whilst he Carried on the operations in the Northern Provinces in Consequence of which, our several Quotas, were fixed, In order to our defending our Southern Frontier; a Copy of which I Lay before you, and Dont doubt from the Constant and ready zeal which you have hitherto shewn in supporting his Majestys Rights, and our holy Religion, Liberties and Possessions, but that you will concur in your Proportion of the Expence and Forces to be raised, as being the only means by the Assistance of God, of getting rid of a much longer and greater Expence. 

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly. 

I shall Lay before you an estimate of the expence that you may the Better form your Judgement in raising the supply in the speediest and best manner for the case of the Inhabitants. And I am further directed to acquaint you, that His Majesty having been pleased to Grant Artillery and Ordnance Stores for Fort Johnston, at Cape Fear, Which are now daily expected. He has commanded me to appoint a Store-keeper to take charge of them who is to Correspond with the Board of Ordnance that they may know the state of these Stores and I am ordered to apply to you for a proper Salary for such Store-Keeper as being a necessary Expence upon the Colony. 

Gentlemen of his Majestys Council, Mr. Speaker & Gentlemen of the Assembly. 

I shall lay nothing more before you at this time but shall recommend it to you to Dispatch the Bussiness Before you; and to prepare a Bill that the Quota of Men to be furnished by this Province may be raised with the Greatest dispatch, and with the least Expence Possible, as they are to act in your own Colony, or for the immediate Defense of your necessary Barrier and Frontier, South Carolina; and shall be Disbanded whenever the service for which they are raised is over.