that a number of officers be made at Phila if the Hon! Board should think proper to appoint them, the Inhabitants would think that I was the procuring cause of them, which if possible would make them more inveterate against me- If the Honourable Board should think it best not to order me to return I hope they will be pleased kindly to take into consideration the abusive treatment I have received for exerting myself in order to prevent his Majesty's being defrauded of that part of his Revenue which is due to him at that port, and make such provision for me elsewhere as they in their great goodness may think I am deserving of- Whether the Gov has or intends to do any thing in consequence of the abuse that I have rec'd. I know not - M Williams acquainted me that the Merchants had so far interfeared in the affair of the wines, as to engage that they should be all returned back to the Store from whence they were taken, and that he and the Coll: had promised them if that was done no further notice should be taken of the Behaviour of the

Mobb on Saturday evening — Mr Williams engaged that I had not nor would not represent the behavior or Treatment I had meet with if the wines were returned, this request I think the Merchants ought to have applyed to me to grant, but as M: Williams had given his Honour that I should not write any thing of the matter I did not- I dont mean to cast any reflection upon M Williams for I dare say what he did he meant well in, yet I cant but say that I think the behavior of the people in general on Saturday night & on the Sunday night following when I was so injuriously treated to be of too high a nature to be hushed up- Notwithstanding the Merchants agreed to return the same wines that were taken from the Store as far as possible, they did not do it till five or six days after & then returned not near the Quantity that was taken, and instead to delivering Madeira wine it was no better than mean Fyall as Mr. Swift the Collector declared who tasted of

them, and said that it was his opinion they would not fetch more than the cost of condemnation & sale - M: Williams when he was informed of this declared that he would not receive them, and that he would make a full representation of their conduct- I left Phil: the day after the wines were seta & so am unable to give any account of what took place after I came away I have thus endeavoured as faithfully & truly to represent to ye Board the Conduct of yo People at Phil in consequence of yo seizure on y fifth Inst. as nearly as I can recollect- If I should be wrong in some particulars tho I believe I am not M: Williams will more correctly & fully acquaint the Hon! Board, which he said he should do very soon after I left Phil

That I may not lie under the imputation of neglecting to give your Lordship the earliest information of any important occurrences in this province I inclose your Lordship a copy of the Resolutions of a self-summoned Committee from most of the Counties of Maryland. They met at a public house in this town the 28th inst. and the two following days and could hardly agree among themselves what articles from England should or should not be made use of. I was in hopes that from the dissentions. among themselves the meeting would have come to nothing

or I should have taken notice of it in my letter to your Lordship of the 21st inst. No. 1. Though several of the Deputies were members of the Lower House of Assembly, yet, as their meeting could only be looked upon as a private one, I could not possibly interfere, and am really of opinion it will lose its Consequence by not being taken notice of. Among the enumerated articles in the inclosed list there are many they cannot possibly do without; and as soon as necessity breaks through one Article, interest & convenience will soon set aside the others.

As the whole of this has been treated by me as a private transaction (which as Governor I was unconcerned in) I submit to your Lordships superior judgement, whether you will take any notice (officially) of having received this information from me.

Without his Majesty's express orders for that purpose, signified to me by your Lordship, or instructions from the Lord proprietary, I shall not at the meeting of the Assembly make mention of this Convention. Taking notice of it would probably induce them to repeat their Resolves when legally assembled, and I am in hopes they will now rest contented and the Session go off peaceably.

Sir Harry Moore died yesterday after some days illness of a mortification in the bowels. Today Mr Colden is expected in town once more to take upon him the adminis

tration of the Government; He fairly lives himself into office, being they tell me as hearty as when you knew him. I never saw him since he left the city upon Sir Harry's arrival, and retired to Long Island. A fine mess of pottage is left behind for him by his predecessor who had not time to go through with the grand land matters that were upon the carpet. The old man seems to be the son of fortune in his advanced years.

The next office in government will soon be vacant too, your old chief justice having been at death's door with a flux and I think will hardly ever get abroad again. I went to see him upon this event, but he was so low Mr Horsmanden did not choose it should be mentioned to him. My friend Napier I suppose, is taking the country air, not having heard from him lately.

My respects to Col! Barré, Col! Amherst, Col! Hall, and all the friends I have the honor to know of your circle.

I had the honor of informing you that the Session of Assembly was opened on friday last the 17th inst., contrary winds having prevented a sufficient number of members meeting on the Tuesday before, to which day they stood

prorogued by proclamation. Your Lordship will see by the addresses from each house in answer to my speech all of which are inclosed, that there is a pleasing appearance of harmony here.

I communicated the intentions of the Ministry to the province by the Channel of the Gazette immediately after I received an account thereof from your Lordship and shall shortly repeat it by a Message to the lower House, if thought necessary by the Council.

By their advice I did not touch upon it in my speech, having great reason to apprehend that some of them would Express their dissatisfaction at any part of the late revenue act remaining unrepealed. They say that, whilst the duty upon Tea continues, it may serve as a precedent for laying others. If Sixpence pr pound at home was reserved from the drawback instead of three pence collected here, their minds would be relieved from the apprehensions they are under on that account. Your lordship may depend on my taking the greatest pains to confirm them in the belief of your assurances that it never was the design of his Majesty's present Administration to lay any further duties for the purpose of raising a revenue in America. On the whole I think I may venture to assure your lordship that we may shortly expect an end of our troubles in this part of the world. Tranquility seems to be returning; Lord Botetourt has the same pleasing prospect before him; Is very much liked in Virginia and has great reason to expect that the Session which was opened on Tuesday the 17th inst. will be got over smoothly.

I am &c.

[Prop. Z. 4 Recd 7 Nov. 1770.]

ROB EDEN.