so small a duty, as to be inferior to the first impositions of that sort in the mother country. These now enacted, unless a freer vent is given to our staple, I am persuaded will soon draw out all the little silver and gold we have or can procure, distress us to an extremity, and frustrate the very end of the law. end of the law. But when the Americans reflect upon the Parliament's refusal to hear their Representations when they read abstracts of the speeches within doors, and the ministerial pamphlets without, and find themselves tantalized and contemned, advantages taken of their silence heretofore, and Remonstrances forbidden in time to come; and above all, when they see the prospects of innumerable loads arising from this connection with an over-burdened nation interested in shaking the weight off of their own shoulders, and commanding silence in the oppressed Beast on which it is cast; what can be expected but discontent for a while, and in the end open opposition. The boldness of the Minister amazes our people. This single stroke has lost Great Britain the affection of all her Colonies. And now the redress of the grievances of the Provinces in all other respects, the commission of them to the law of such as will govern them with spirit, mildness, dignity, and generosity, and a Ready, able upright administration of justice, by such whose experience of their peculiarities will inspire confidence in the Inhabitants, are become absolutely necessary. This will sweeten the late unpalatable draught. and Art may prevent the evils which Force must inevitably bring on.

But I shall not trouble your Excellency any further upon this subject, I mean only to give a hint of the temper of this country, where many thousands claim an interest in your Patronage, and would rejoice in the return of their Pro-Consul.

I am highly obliged by your condescension respecting the message my polite friend Mr Boon was pleased in my behalf to render acceptable to your Excellency. When

ever you think me able to serve his Majesty and the Public, your call will be one of my greatest inducements to contribute my mite. And whether in or out of Imployment I shall always be glad of an opportunity to shew that I am with undissembled sincerity

The Hide Packet carried my last dated 16th Aprilwith an addition of the 27th-I am since oblig'd to you for your favor by the April mail which arriv'd before the March Old St. John got here before either in Boston in a short passage from Dover, he seems sadly shrunk & weather beaten, but Madam as full as she can hold.

I can easily conceive the business of the wise ones, in establishing turnpikes, draining marshes, dividing commons, &c: &c: I paid for it last Winter. My friend Napier sent me the votes and proceedings at large and 1 read them fairly through, but if I ever do it again, I'll give them leave to convert me into a Turnpike.

The Colonists have no doubt of the Billeting Bills passing or any thing else that is brought in, whether just or no their apprehensions I shant pretend to say, but they seem convinc'd that not only doing the thing itself is meant at home, but an air of both severity & contempt is design'd to go along with it, & it has its effect to the full — I could wish to see Squire Pownall's performance, but if he intends to turn Author General he should not be so

prolix, he is said here to affect being the patron of the Billeting Bill from his great acquaintance with & experience of America, I believe there are many such, who make America by falling into the humor of the times, the handle for their own dirty purposes, not caring one farthing so they do but succeed, what is the consequence either to the mother country or the Colonies.

I took it for granted Gates was done with this part of the world & with the army, as to service, but since he does go out, it's a pity S Harry could not step in, we know something of him the other is new to us & perhaps we shan't tally so well.

Inclos'd I send you a letter from, he sent me another order on Forman of the Artillery for £164. 5. 10. but he won't pay it. The Niagara man of the Artillery is got out of his head & thrown things into confusion, however Coll Vaughan, no doubt will set all right. My Lord Adam Gordon is here & goes up in a few days to see M Falls, &c he appears to be very communicative & easy, his plan is to proceed from thence to Canada & to return here through Boston to take his passage in a packet about August next, but I should imagine it will be OctoberLeary does not come down from Smoaker, he wishes you back most cordially- Your Wine is special good, I had a sip of it tother day, it has contracted both the old tart & look, About the fall I believe you may think of moving it & introducing it into good company. Pray let Coll: How know if he is not come abroad, that I send by this conveyance a letter for him from Niagara.

The old man has paid me a quarter's salary £225. to March, & £156. 5. some other perquisites which shall be explain'd in your acc! when render'd. This & some other money I have converted into a Bill of Exchange drawn by De Lancey & Watts on the contractors for four hundred pounds sterling now sent you of this date N? 110.

The old Gentleman is retir'd to Long Island, if he has

any inuendo's he keeps them to himself, he never sees any of us but in Council & then reluctantly enough, 'tis strange doing buiness when all confidence, harmony & real respect is banish'd.

Gen! Gage desires me to pay his compliments to you, he has nothing particular to write - My friend Napier will forgive me my neglect by the Packet you mention when he receives my following letters which make ample amends. I beg you will pay my regards to all our friends- I wrote by Davis to most of them.

The Noble Lady & her Lover are going up to S: Will Johnson's in a day or two, to observe orders I supposeStrange inconsistent plan, 'twill be just going up the hill & coming down again.

The Papers shall be given to some passenger, but whom I don't yet know.

CERTIFICATE IN FAVOR OF JANE THOMPSON.

I do hereby certify that while I commanded at Fort Pitt and the Communication, I gave leave, with General Monckton's approbation to the late Anthony Thomson, a Tanner, to establish a Tan Yard near Fort Pitt, for the advantage of the Troops, & Traders; and that the said Anthony Thomson, was besides allowed to cultivate as much Land about the said Tan-yard as would be necessary for his own use & Family, and as his Widow Jane Thomson has been intirely ruined by the Indian War, & lost all the Improvements her late husband & herself had made

upon that Place; I do hereby recommend her to the Officer commanding His Majesty's Troops in that Department to be permitted, as far as will be found consisting with his orders & the good of the Service, to rebuild the said Tan Yard & have the use of the adjoining Land in preference to any other Person: Given under my hand at Philadelphia the 20th June, 1765.

HENRY BOUQUET.

DEAR SIR,

WATTS TO MONCKTON.

NEW YORK 24th Sept 1765.

Permit me to tell you that your friends on this side the water, & the Colony universally like your farewell less than anything you ever did, tho' not so much as in the least. to lessen, I believe as sincere a regard as people could entertain for a Governor. You are a little tho' obliged to his honor too, tho' perhaps it may have escaped your observation, he has I believe without designing you any favour made such a lively contrast, as will be remembered as long at least as this generation lasts and probably much longer. You will also have another undesigned obligation to him, for I am much mistaken if he leaves his successor much to do about the Loaves and Fishes that can be cleared off, this is a matter they must settle. It is whispered as if this almighty charge would affect the new appointment, but I should imagine things are gone too far for that, nor is it an object important enough, to be considered when the waters are so troubled, the ship must be first laid to, and the waves a little smoothed. Mr Moore may be a very good man, but I cannot think still the appointment wise, the northern colonies have always considered the planters