I have only to acknowledge since my last Your Lordship's requisitional Letter of the 12th. of December, which I recd. the 15th. instant after the Meeting of the Assembly, which I had appointed to meet upon Sir J. Amherst's Letter of the 9 of February acquainting me that your Letter was upon the way.

It is with the greatest Concern that I am obliged to inform your Lordship of the Obstinacy & Disregard the lower House of Assembly have shewn by denying the Aid His Majesty required, and the Resentment which I was obliged to shew by dissolving them after repeated Sollicitations and short Prorogations to reconsider and reflect upon their Proceedings; and to shew the several Steps I had taken, I have inclosed with this the several Speeches Addresses and Answers, and their last pitiful Resolution of giving a handful of Men with very indifferent Appointments as our Currency is near 200 for 100 Sterling, and wod. not give Bounty Money to raise the Recruits desired—I therefore immediately upon the Dissolution summoned the Council, who Unanimously concurred with me; that the Men allowed were not sufficient to defend the Forts, and that it wou'd be necessary for His Majesty's Service that I shod. augment the Garrisons by compleating them to 65 Men—upon which I have added a Captain and Ensign to the Garrisons, and added 15 more Men so as to make the Garrisons of fort Johnston 40 Men, too few for a Fort which holds our only Magazine and 30 Guns, 18 and 12 Pounders besides Swivels; they also thought it would be of Service to raise the Quota of Recruits demanded—As we have no fund to pay these except the Money lodged in our Agents hands in London paid by His Majesty from the Treasury by order of Parliamt. and that regularly can't be drawn for but by the Governor Council and Assembly, and the Assembly having been called upon to apply it having neglected the same, upon the Concurrence of the Council that it wod. be expedient to raise the Recruits and compleat the Company to garrison the forts, I have advanced my own Money to expedite the raising the Recruits and Men for the Forts, not doubting but my Bills will be paid by the Agents, though their Obligation to the Lords of the Treasury be not fully complied with, and if any Objection shod. be made to it, I hope for your Lordship's Approbation of my doing it for His Majesty's Service & the Safety of this Province.

I hope you will see by the Papers inclosed that I have done my utmost for His Majesty's Service, and the Safety of the American Colonies and Acquisitions.

If the Recommendation of the Members of Council for the American Colonies be within your Appointment, & don't continue in the board of Trade, as we have three Vacancies in the Council, I beg leave to recommend Wm. Dry Robert Palmer and Hugh Waddell Esqrs. as proper Persons to fill up the Vacancies.