of the southern their enemies from self interest, and if ever there is the least occasion will be more uneasy under such a ruler, whose heart naturally will be where his treasure is, than under a person they judge unprejudiced and disinterested.

I cannot send you the papers by this packet, as no passenger is going, but Richards follows in three or four days and shall carry them. You will think the printers all mad, Holt particularly, who has been cautioned over and over again, and would have been prosecuted, but people's minds are so inflamed about this stamp act, it would only be exposing Government to attempt it; what will be the end of all this bitterness on both sides, I own I cant see. The task may seem easier in theory than it may prove in the execution, for I cannot conceive there will be silver or gold enough to carry this Act and the high duties that are laid, through, and what shall people then do in a new country where property so frequently changes hands, must everything stagnate, and will not a universal discontent prevail. Man is man, and will feel and will resent too, even in little matters that may prove in their consequences essential. The very article of wearing what plain cloaths the country affords and being content with a plain frugal dress must affect the British manufacturers Exceedingly and will raise a riotous mob as soon as any one thing. But I've done, I am sure you must be weary of the subject.

The Mayor has received your letter, and the Speaker shall soon have his; The Assembly meets 15th Oct', to the great terror of the old gentleman, who sincerely, if ever he was sincere, wishes for the arrival of the new Governor, since he must come. The Colony is now more incensed against him than ever; conscious of its dislike and terrified at mobs, which to be sure are wretched masters, he has got the Fort armed beyond whatever you saw it in the height of the war; howitzers on the curtains, cannon facing the gates and the Broad Way, as if poor Montcalm was at

King's Bridge, besides every other apparatus of battle in a foolish ostentatious way as can be conceived, tho' G―― has I believe tho' of late checked it, for the old man himself said with a seeming pleasure that the guns were shotted with grape "but that it was none of his doing" which nobody believed. Only think what Government is come to and laugh at us.

You will hear from the corporation and from the Assembly in due time. I fancy they will contrive to get your representation since they are not to have the Life. I saw plainly the effect letting Greenwych would have, if done by your own approbation or order, but in the way it was conducted, the consequences were not quite so evident; how nicely tho' it tally'd by entire accident, no astrologer could have divined it better with all his art.

The bill remitted on Duncan is not paid nor, I am afraid, will be, I gave Coll Vaughan and him all the necessary notice and caution.

I wrote you 11th Augt by the Cumberland packet, and the 19th following by a ship of Mr Hassonclover's, Capt. Hunter, since which I have neither rec or paid anything for you. Should any hints occur to you in settling by and by with the old Gent. please to communicate them; I shall follow your directions strictly; you will be pleased to think how I am to dispose of your things in my custody. I have mentioned them to you all repeatedly, they wait your commands. The wine is very good. I dont mention this as a discharge from your service for I flatter myself you will still favour me with your friendship and with the direction of what little you may have to do in our part of the world. I mention it as a thing that may be done now without any discovery. I shall always retain a grateful sense of your many particular favors and shall always resent them as far as my mite will extend. I will learn too not to persecute you with such long letters, for I am really often ashamed to look over such an immense.

tract as I have filled up. My respects to the family and to all friends, and believe me with the greatest truth

Dr ST

Yr most faithfull

& obld Humb. Sert

J. W.

Inclosed is the Post Office Acc! amounting to £67. 1. 5 a lumping matter.

We have not met to receive a communication of your letter to the Council, 'twill come with an ill grace for he says he has neither Council, Assembly, or Corporation, neither has he, to his mind and the devil of a condition the Colony would be in, if he had, and the interests of the Crown in the bargain. Gov Barnard you will see in the papers, has made a most ridiculous declaration to his Council about the stamps. There is a parody of it in yesterday's paper well enough.

DEAR SIR,

WATTS TO MONCKTON.

NEW YORK, 12th Oct 1765.

I have none of your favours to answer nor anything to add on business since I wrote you the 24th ult. by the packet For fear any objections should be started tell me whether you have not a right to the half of the salary and of all the emoluments of Government as usual, till S H. M. qualifies here, for as it is the inheritance of an Englishman to intermeddle in every body's business more than his own, I have already heard it questioned, whether the appointments to this Government did not stop upon your removal to Berwyck. How the old man understands it I dont know, but you understand the old man, and if he once

construes it in his own favour he will be bloody tough. He communicated your whole letter to the Council which was very gratefully received. Yesterday the Assembly was prorogued from 15th to 29th inst. tho' they were by their former prorogation to have met on business; so determined is his Honor to avoid meeting them, but pay day will nevertheless come, and the heavier by being put off. Yesterday we were summoned among other things too, to consider of Cunningham's famous appeal. His majority in Council 26th July directs the Commander in chief and Council to receive and hear his appeal with liberty for him to appeal still farther to the King in Council if he dislikes the determination here; how it will end God knows, but the measure is so unconstitutional and unprecedented that neither the lawyers or judges know how to act or how to bring it properly into Council by way of appeal as is directed. This fell like a thunderbolt upon us, we had all the encouragement in the world to hope the contrary. Even M Thurlow one of the King's own Counsel at law had given his opinion to Mr Charles in writing that it was unconstitutional, which we have now before us; still this unexpected direction is come upon us, not to the Governor, he has not a line, but thro' the hands of an Irish boy Cunningham's attorney. It seems as if everything conspired to make bad worse. This is more detested than the S. A. which has made the Colonys mad already. The order is quite silent about what has passed in America on the subject, makes no distinction on the points we were contending, but as if nothing had happened, merely orders the Governor or Commander in Chief to admit Cunningham's appeal &c. Tell our friend Coll Barré, our apprehensions are better founded than he imagined and that doctrine of this kind can as yet be adopted in England. Committees are met from Boston, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Lower Countys, Maryland and South Carolina, at this place to confer on a dutiful

representation to his Majesty "for averting the evils already brought upon and still impending over America." To do 'em justice, I believe they have deputed some of their best people, and I imagine the fruits of their deliberations will be sensible and moderate enough. Brig Ruggles is Chairman, Otis aimed at it and would have succeeded but they thought as he had figured much in the popular way, it might give their meeting an ill grace, but it is observed Otis is now a quite different man, and so he seems to be to me, not riotous at all.

My regards to all friends, pray tell Col' Amherst when you see him, with my compliments, the Indian Corn he wrote for went in Richards the latter end of last month. I wrote my friend Napier about the same time by the Hyde packet, I have not one line from any of my friends by this packet, the Harriot, that sailed in August and arrived about a week ago. I give this to Sir William Johnson's son whom Lord Adam Gordon takes under his wings to pass a twelve month at home. He has our absurd ridiculous papers too, I wish they may do no harm, complaining of grievances and running stark mad are two different things. I dont find any body who so much as suspect the authors of them. If it should not be disagreeable to you to extend a small portion of your usual civility to this young gentleman I am sure the father will bear a grateful remembrance of it. And pray if it falls occasionally in your way be so kind as to introduce him to my friend Napier: I have not time to write him. O how we pant for the new Governor's arrival, even tho' he should be as hot as pepper pot itself, 'tis better than the venomous stream we at present drink from.

I remain, Ever,

Dear Sir,

Yr faithfull & Aft Humb1 Serv

Honb' Gen. MONCKTON.

JNO. WATTS.