We his Majesty's most dutifull and loyal Subjects the Members of the Assembly of North Carolina, beg leave to return Your Excellency our Thanks for your Speech at the Opening this Session.

We congratulate Your Excellency on the Success of his Majesty's Arms, and the surprising Progress made by the King of Prussia, by which we have the Pleasure to perceive that the King of Kings who directs the Events of Battles has disconcerted the Schemes of our Enemies, and manifested his Power in favour of the Protestant Interest.

We are convinced of the Expediency of preserving a good Understanding with our Indian Allies; and with a View of fixing them in our Interest at a former Assembly appropriated a Sum of Money for building a Fort near the Catawbas, for the Defence of their Nation; but soon after the Fort had been begun we learned that the Indians, from what Reasons we cannot yet discover were much displeased, and rather esteemed what we had done as an Encroachment on their Possessions, than thanked Us for the Money we had expended for their Preservation; however as we know the Importance of their Friendship, shall use the best Endeavours by which it may be conciliated, and pursue the most effectual Means in our Power to secure a good Correspondence with them and confirm them in their Allegiance to his Majesty.

The Importance of Fort Johnston to the Trade of Cape Fear is obvious, and that of Fort Granville to three other the most considerable Ports in the Province not less Evident, that it would be inexcusable not to enquire into the State and Condition of these Fortresses: We shall also examine the Accounts of the Commissioners and if the Money already granted is not sufficient, raise such other Sums as may enable them to finish the Forts, and Your Excellency to employ a proper Force to defend them.

It gives Us Concern that Your Excellency has been under a necessity of applying to General Forbes to supply the Companies sent from this Province to the Ohio; We hoped that the Sum we had raised would have answered the whole Expence of our Troops on that Expedition, and still Hope that Remittances may be made out of that Fund to discharge what the General has advanced; But in Case it should be deficient we shall chearfully grant such other Sums as will supply the Deficiency and pay our Companies till their return, that we may receive the Money granted by the Parliament in Specie, and therewith sink an equal Sum in our Bill Money, by which our Paper Currency will be secured from Depreciating below the legal Exchange, and our Taxes for calling it in lessened

The Defects in the Vestry Act are such as require Amendment, and we shall endeavour to remove the Inconvenience taken Notice of by your Excellency.

The Regard Your Excellency discovers for the rising Generation, and future Ages in recommending the establishing Schools for the Education of Youth is a fresh Instance of that public Spirit and benevolent Disposition which has ever been discernible in all your Conduct, and we beg leave to assure Your Excellency that nothing shall be wanting on our Part to promote a Work of such interesting Consequence, ^tho' at Present we are somewhat at a loss in what Manner to accomplish it^ the Sum of Six thousand Pounds having been heretofore granted for that purpose by an Act under a suspending Clause which has not yet had the Royal Assent.

The Assurances Your Excellency has been pleased to give Us, of your desire to tender the Taxes as little Burthensome to our Constituents, as the Circumstances of the War will admit, deserve our Acknowledgment; and your inviolable Attachment to his Majesty's Interest, and the constant Endeavours you have used to secure his Subjects in your Government in the enjoyment of their Rights, and Priviledges, are Considerations which excite our most ardent Wishes for your long and happy Administration—