My Lord,

I did myself the honor of writing You the 1st of this month, when I took the liberty of giving Your Lordship the best account in my power of the present state of this Province: every day's experience convinces me more and more of the justice of the observations I then made, nor have I one word to retract of what I wrote.

The Lieutenant Governor after adjourning the Assembly to the 1st of June, and calling a Council to settle the ceremonial of the new Governor's reception, retired into the Country. Every thing remained quiet here, the Committee continuing to sit with great Assiduity and secrecy, till the 5th instant, when they published a Letter to their Provincial Congress which Your Lordship will find in the News papers I enclose, and confirms my Account of the manner they received that conciliatory motion, which the Humanity and Tenderness of the King's ministers alone dictated.²

A few days ago we had Accounts of an Action near Boston, but very confused, and carrying evident Marks of falsehood, and misrepresentation; but as it cannot at present be contradicted it has raised the spirit of the party most astonishingly, and nothing less is talked of than storming Boston, and totally destroying the British Troops. Violent resolutions have since been proposed in the Committee here, but the moderate party have so far prevailed, that they seem now resolved to take no desperate steps till after the meeting of the Provincial Congress, which they have appointed on the 1st of next month instead of the 20th; but they declare on every occasion, that if any attempt is made to seize their Delegates, all the servants of Government here will be immediately secured as Hostages, and sent into the back country.

It is said that as soon as the Provincial Congress meets it will be proposed to raise 2000 men, which they mean to pay by voluntary Tax of a moidore³ on each negroe. A Test and Association is already framed, to be presented to every inhabitant in the Province, and those who refuse to sign it will be under a necessity of leaving the country. Some of the most moderate object to its being offered to the servants of Government, and will oppose that step in the Congress, but I should apprehend it will be carried against them, and if General [Thomas] Gage does not strike some successful blow within a few weeks, I have not a doubt but that there will be a total change of Government here, and the very slight mask they now condescend to wear entirely thrown off.

A Letter has been read in their Committee from a Mr. [Arthur] Lee in London informing them that it had been proposed to Ministry to grant freedom to such Slaves as should desert their Masters and join the King's troops; this has raised a great ferment, and furnished the Committee with a pretext to mount a Guard of 100 men every evening, with a Patrol of Horsemen. They had decency enough to send two of their body to the Chief Justice Mr. Gordon, the eldest Councillor then in Town, not to ask his leave, but to acquaint him with their intentions; for the Guard was ordered, and mounted that evening; he immediately dispatched an Express to the Lieutenant Governor who came to Town next day, called a Council, and gave his Sanction to a measure which was taken without his privity. He immediately returned to his Retreat.

At this Council Mr. Barnard Elliot resigned his Seat at the Board, and Mr. John Drayton it is said means to follow his Example. His son William Henry Drayton is under suspension, and is one of the most virulent Incendarys in the Province, so that the Council is reduced to Mr. Skottowe the Secretary/Mr. Gordon the Chief Justice/Mr. Irving the Receiver General/Mr. Gregory the Judge and/Mr. William Bull Junior, a very young man indeed, who knows not as yet of his Appointment, but who I dare say will not accept the Honour intended him as he is strongly linked to the other party.

In this situation My Lord little remains for the New Governor⁴ to do but to guard against giving the Sanction of the little Authority he possesses to the dangerous measures the people here are pursuing. Of the Assembly he must be particularly careful: they have a Tax Bill now ready to present to the Council, which they know neither that House nor the Governor can give their assent to; for I have great reason to think the Original Bone of contention 1500 £ to the Bill of Rights Society is in some way or other provided for in it, and I know there is another Article no less exceptionable viz a Grant of 3000 £ sterling to the 8 Delegates now at the General Congress. The moment this Bill is rejected they will be prepared to open their Bank, and issue Certificates to what amount they please; I shall therefore think it my duty strongly to recommend to His Excellency to be prepared to dissolve them before they have time to give their proceedings the least Colour of Legality.

After this I see nothing His Lordship can do but to wait with patience to take the advantage of any change that may be produced by the success of his Majesty's measures to the Northward, in the mean time giving all the Encouragement, and Countenance in his power to the friends of Government here, but Protection He cannot afford them.

I hope Your Lordship will not think me guilty of too much presumption if I beg leave with great submission to observe that two Regiments in this place under a proper Officer would prevent many rash and disagreeable Steps that will in all probability be taken. The situation of this Province between Georgia that has refused to join the Congress and North Carolina where there are many friends of Government, added to its great Opulence, renders some force much to be wished for; and as things are come to such an extremity would tend greatly to promote His Majesty's service. If even a couple of Frigates under the Command of a Spirited, Steady, Cool Officer were stationed in this harbour, the good effects of such a measure would soon be seen; but the King's Friends in this Province, (who are not a few if they durst appear) are in the lowest state of despondency, expecting every moment to be drove from their Occupations, and Homes, and plundered of all they have earned by the unremitted industry of many years.

This is a Freedom my Lord which nothing but the warmest Zeal for the Service of my Sovereign and my Country could excuse: a freedom which this moment, in this place would cost me my Life were it known; but when I had Your Lordship's permission to write you on the state of Carolina, I was determined that while I conveyed assured facts, I would have no reserve in declaring my sentiments, flattering myself it would be the strongest proof I could give of the perfect Respect with which I have the Honor to be My Lord [&c.]

N.B.  Although the Action near Boston happened the 19th of last month, except such an Account as Your Lordship will see in the Papers published under their own influence, not a tittle is known either in this or the neighbouring Provinces. Many gross and infamous flasehoods will therefore be daily circulated to the great discouragement of the Frien9s of Government, the deception of the Timid, and Unwary, and of course to the Detriment of the King's Service; nor can it be prevented but by regular intelligence from General Gage by Sea.