[Extract]

Govr [Josiah] Martin went in incog a few weeks agoe to Fort Johnston and there he still remains  The writ of Election mention the meeting of the Assembly to be on the 12th July no doubt to have laid before them [Frederick Lord] North's olive Branch  you know the Spirit of this province so well as to believe it will be treated with every mark of Contempt. I am asham'd of my Countrymen in England to think they suffer such a villain to exist  However I have this consolation that we have many very able & noble Characters in both Houses of parliament who are true friends to the Constitution as also many Excellent writers who are forever busy in exposing the present Tory Ministers and their infamous designs  by Millen's Brig in Eight Weeks from London we are informed that Nine Tenths of the people at home are in our favour and nothing but American affairs are talk'd of  this vessell left Deal the first day of May and arrived here a few days past  The common Cry is they are ruined unless they have the American Trade upon the same footing it was at the Close of the last War  we have London papers down to the 27th April but what think you when the agreable News reaches St James's of the Kings Troops being continually drubb'd, the loss of Crown point, & the union which now universally prevails throughout the confederated Provinces  the Quakers taking up arms ー and the loss of the Scarborough and a sloop of war ー depend upon it North and the advisers behind the Curtain must wish London alone will be too hot for them ー I hope before the return of Mr Bondfield the Congress will have advises from England relative to the first attack made by the Kings Troops on the Provincials . . . my respectfull Compliments to My very worthy friend Mr [William] Hooper and tell him the Committee of this Town & County sent on his packet sent by Mrs Underhill and directed to his Brother by Express immediately after it came here as also Mr [Richard] Caswell's to whom also please to make my Compliments. I have nothing more to add but that I am with true Esteem [&c.]

[Edenton] 28th June 1775.