We his Majesty's most Dutiful and Loyal subjects, the Members of His Council of North Carolina, beg Leave to return your Excellency our most humble and hearty thanks for your speach at the Opening of this Session.

The critical and important situation of affairs in America at this Juncture, we are fully sensible of; and hope that the great and wise disposer of all things (as at every other Period of importance since the beginning of this War) will render the event favourable to our holy Protestant Religion Liberties and Possessions

We view with the greatest Pleasure the distress'd and Indigent circumstance of the implacable and inveterate enemy to Britain and the British name; the French, whose present wretchedness and Calamity (drawn on themselves by their own unjust designs against, and wicked practices in his Majesty's American dominions) we hope will speedily not only be productive of a firm and Lasting Peace, but will effectually secure our holy Religion and give his Majesty's faithful American Subjects the Peaceable possession and enjoyment of all North America.

His Majesty's Paternal affection to his Infant Colonies at this time, in fully purposing to Act vigorously (for their preservation) against the French on this Continent, the ensuing Campaign is no less conspicuous than in any other instance during the whole course of the present war and the event of such design is too interesting to leave the Least room to doubt that the faithful representatives of his Majesty's Dutiful and affectionate Subjects of North Carolina, will to the utmost of their Power, second such valuable and important Purposes, from the success of which only, can be derived, that perfect peaec and happiness, which now is, and so long has been ardently wish'd for, by all his Majesty's (but more especially, American) subjects. We assure your Excellency we shall with the utmost Cheerfulness concur with the other House in every measure that may tend, either to the Security of the British dominion in America, or in Enacting such Laws as will be most consistent with the interests of this Province—