May it Please your Excellency.

We his Majesty's Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Members of his Council for this Province Beg leave to return your Excellency our sincere and hearty Thanks for your Speech at the Opening of this Session.

The Critical situation of Affairs as remarked by your Excellency, through the unnatural Alliance of the three greatest powers in Europe against the King of Prussia, not only threatens the Liberties there; but must in their Consequences extend to these remote parts. The unjust seizing of his Majesty's Germanick Dominions by the French, in open Violation of the most solemn Treaties, plainly shews that the Scheme that Court has long formed, of attaining universal Monarchy, will be prosecuted whenever they have it in their Power. It was no doubt with that View they Invaded his Majesty’s Dominions in America, a View so well known to the British Ministry, that no Cost, nor Pains, have been spared for the Relief of the Colonies. And although our Forces have not been able to make any Impression in dislodging the Enemy, from their unjust Encroachments. Yet We trust that the Almighty Power, who has in a visible manner heretofore protected the Cause of Religion and Liberty, will not (unless we be wanting to our selves) suffer us to fall a Sacrifice to Popery and Tyranny. But at all Events we are fully satisfied the Sons of Freedom can never yield to Crouch under the galling Yoke of Slavery, but will to the last Man shed their Blood in defence of the glorious Cause of Liberty and Property.

His Majesty's paternal Goodness so conspicuous in all Cases, warms our Hearts with an inexpressible Gratitude. The fresh Instances of it in sending over Artillery and Ordnances Stores for Fort Johnston and procuring us a Sum, to relieve us from the Difficulties we Labour under for supporting our Troops, when out of the Province, and to enable us to compleat the Fortifications already begun, must Animate us with the greatest Chearfulness, to contribute all in our Power to Assist our Neighbours, as well as to Defend our own Country.

We shall with all readiness join the other House in passing such Bills, as may be necessary for the welfare of this Province, and not suffer any private or selfish Views to be prevalent, but to the utmost of our Power study the common Good.

Permit us Sir to say, The Sense we have of the Inestimable Blessings We enjoy under his Majestys just Administration, will encourage us to exert ourselves for the Defence of our Religious and Civil Rights, against the Attempts of any insolent Invader, and to drive from our Frontiers an Enemy no less Cruel, than Perfidious.

Your Excellency's just Regard for the Trade of this Colony, as well as for all other things relative to its welfare, in pointing out the Defectiveness of several of the Laws made for those Purposes; demand our grateful acknowledgments; And your Excellency may depend that we shall use our utmost Endeavours, to render your Administration Easy and Prosperous.

North Carolina.
Copy of the Address of the Council to Govr. Dobbs, in answer to his Speech

In Governor Dobbs's Lre of 29. Decr. 1757.

D.24.

Received Apl 9
Read May 10. 1758.