Skip to main content

New Bern March 17th 1755.

Dr. Aleck,

I last friday received yr. favour of Aug: last by Secretary McCulloh who then arrived here, and still do any thing I can do for Alexk. McCulloh the auditor Genl at present there is no new fee Bill as the former was not repealed, however if any addition if made to the Fees next Session he will stand fair as he is Bror. in Law to the Speaker my freand Jack Campbell, the people here are much against the Auditors being Concernd in followg their accounts and Indeed the Place was not at all Suited for him as he is no accountant and does not Know the Method or what he ought to Check in accts. however I shall advise him and assist him all I can if any others was in his Situation I Shoud be obligd to represent it to the Treasury or to his Principal Hor. Walpole.

I thank God I have Settled peace in the Colony by Keeping my self Detached from any Party and giving no Countenance to any who would prevent the Union in the Province, which I shall Steadily adhere to. I thank God I Keep my Health very well and have purchased a Plantation of about 900 acres 10 miles from home on a fine navigable River dry sage fine Lime Stone Springs and will be of a reasonable distance of the Seat of Government whether I fix it here or higher up Neuse River I Shall be within an Easy Days Journey of it and I have taken out a warrant to have a Patent for about 1000 acres more in My daughter Fannys name of Islands and Lands adjoyning mine on the other Side of the River which is not 200 yards wide all Cypress woods and Swamps fit for rice windows &c. which with my Plantation I design to give her as an addition to her fortune which will be very valuable once the Captal is fixd. I have parted with the assembly in perfect Harmony and done Every thing for Britain and the Colony that they Could have reasonably Expected in the Time I dont doubt but by the Time you have seen my Speech and the addresses at our meeting here, and I herein send you my message about the French Schemes.

I Coud wish you had as much harmony at home as I have brought about here for the good of Ireland in which So many of My friends are Imbarkd on Each Side of the Question those private party Quarrells must hurt the publick upon the Eve of a war, and I really Cant See how Ireland can now be well fixd. again with Britain but by the Scheme you mention and as you Know I am somewhat Enthusiastical and that God Almighty often Brings good out of Evill, Contrary to the numbers of the Instruments Employd. in it, So I Cant think Prudence has Some thing Extraordinary to bring out of these Confusions at home and the French Schemes abroad to the advantage of the protestant Cause in Europe, and Spreading it over this part of America. I have got a tolerable Establishment for the Clergy here which will be daily better, and I have been Endeavourous for the good of Ireland all I can, having Sent over a Strong Memorial from this province backd. by Strong Reasons from my Self to the Board of Trade to Inlarge our Trade with Ireland by allowing us to Send from hence Indigo rice and naval Stores without touching in England which will Enable us to Send over lumber and many other Commodities to Ireland which they now gett from foreigners and we can take many more Linnons from you and not [run will] Lennons and other Manufactures which we must do if we have no returns to make to Europe, and have desired that our Trade may be opened to Spain and Portugal for naval stores, and to take their wines salt and fruit in return and the Ballance in Bullion which will give us returns to Britain to pay for all our Manufactures from thence. I shall be well pleased to hear from you that your heats were abated, and that all unite in the publick good of Britain and Ireland. Make my Compliments to all friends I am with Truth

Dr. Aleck:

yr. Most affectionate

Humble Servt.

Arthur Dobbs