(No 1.)
Sir, It was not 'till the 27th of Novr that your Dispatch to Lord Dartmouth of the 27th of August was received here, when I had the honor of laying it before the King; and I have it in command from His Majesty, to express to you His Majesty's Approbation of your Zeal for the public Service, and of the unalterable Attachment you have shewn to His Person & Government, from the first Commencement of the present unhappy Disputes, which have involved His Majesty's faithful Servants in the Colonies, in Difficulties & Distress, that are only to be equalled by the Fortitude with which they are borne.
Your Letter contains a great deal of very useful Information, and your confidential Communication of the Characters of Individuals, more especially of such as come over into England, is of great Advantage; and you may rest assured, that every possible Precaution will be used, that no part of your Letter shall transpire.
An Armament, consisting of seven Regiments, and a Fleet of Frigates & small Ships, is now in readiness to proceed to the Southern Colonies, in order to attempt the Restoration of Legal Government in that part of America. It will proceed in the first Place to North Carolina, and from thence either to South Carolina or Virginia, as Circumstances of greater or less Advantage shall point out; ー If to the latter, it may have very important Consequences to the Colony under your Government, and therefore, you will do well to consider of every Means, by which you may, in Conjunction with Lord Dunmore, give Facility & Assistance to its Operations. I am, Sir [&c.]
