Bermuda febry the 1st 1775
No 15
My Lord  The General Assembly have met and Proceeded to Business, and they have passed several Bills, which I shall transmit to Your Lordship for His Majestys Confirmation, as soon as such Bills can be transcribed, and I can meet with an oportunety of Conveyance.
In Answer to the last Clause in Your Lordships letter No Six, I must Apologize, if the propositions Contained in my letter No 11, were imperfectly or loosely Stated.
I mean not to misrepresent the People, or to Exaggerate their behaviour in any Shape, by mentioning their former behaviour to my Predecessors, as well as their irregular behaviour, at any time since my Arrival.
I have no private Views, I mean only to do my Duty diligently, as His Majestys Servant, and Strict Justice to the People.
but I thought it my Duty, to represent to His Majesty that it is Necessary, that a Company of Soldiers Should be quartered in these Islands, or that a Sloop of War should be Stationed or directed to Cruise, or look in at some convenient opportunity in order to prevent any Illicit Trade from foreign Ports, or other irregularities, as these People will not, nor dare not, inform against each other.
I likewise represented, that a Requisition from His Majesty to provide for the Annual Contingencys of Government, and the Necessary Repairs bf the fortifications; I was in hopes would meet with the desired Effect, by the Assemblys Compliance if Your Lordship should think proper, to Recommend to His Majesty, to make any such Demand.
the Schooner Hope, His Majestys Sloop of War, commanded by Lieutenant [George] Dawson, was drove by a Gale of Wind, off the Coast of North America and perhaps may be reported to be missing. I have the pleasure to inform Your Lordship, that the Schooner is Safe, in the Harbour at the West End of Bermuda, repairing some little damage received. And I purpose to send this letter to be forwarded by Lieutenant Dawson.
I have the honor to be My Lord [&c.]