Sir,

When your Excellency's letter of Saturday [October 14] came to hand, the Day was so far spent, that I had no Prospect of an Opportunity to take the Sense of the Citizens upon it, till Monday, and then unfortunately, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee I mentioned in my last Letter, and many of the members, were out of Town.

On Tuesday Morning they met and deliberated upon it, and had a second Convention for that Purpose in the Evening, and the Result of their Councils appear in the written Answer they sent me, and which I now have the Honour to transmit to your Excellency.

Permit me to add, Sir, that the friendly and respectful Terms in which People of all Ranks express themselves, concerning your Excellency on this Occasion, and their anxiety at the Thought of your retiring from the Capital, are very satisfactory to the Corporation, & in particular to your Excellency's Most obedient humble servant,