The Governor's Speech

Gentlemen of His Majesty's Honorable Council, Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly

Upon the Receipt of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Bull, which I shall lay before you acquainting me that the Upper Creeks had murder'd many of their Indian Traders by the Instigation of the French, and that they Expected an Immediate General Indian War from the Creeks, and probably the Choctaws would also join them which would put these Southern Provinces between Two Fires; so that our Neighbouring Provinces would be in Imminent danger. I thought it my Duty by the Advice of his Majesty's Council to call you together, and if Necessary to put this Province into a State of Defence, and to Support our Neighbours; since which by the Blessing of our God Colonel Montgomery has given the Cherokees a Considerable Stroke, which, I hope, by following the Blow will bring that Nation to Peace, and may prevent the General Indian War; I therefore want your Advice and Assistance if Necessary to put this Province into a Respectable State by renewing the Militia Law; and if Troops should be found necessary during this Short Session for the Immediate Assistance of our Neighbours that I might have it my power to raise what Troops you may think Necessary for his Majesty's Service, being unwilling without immediate Danger to put this Province into any unnecessary Expence.

I shall therefore leave it to your own Wisdom and Prudence how far you will arm, further than Passing the Militia Law under due Regulations for your own Safety and hope whatever you do it may be done with dispatch, that I may dismiss you to attend your Own Private Affairs having nothing further to recommend to you.

Arthur Dobbs

The Governor's Answer to the Address of the Council

Gentlemen of his Majesty's Council

I Return you Thanks for your so readily promising to Concur in such Measures as the Assembly shall think proper to agree to the Making Provision for the Safety and Defence of this and the Neighbouring Provinces in case the Indian War should continue and become General so as to put this Province into a respectable State.

Arthur Dobbs

The Governor's Answer to the Address of the Assembly.

Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly

I Retain the due Sense of Your Assurance at this critical Juncture of Joining in such Measures as may redound to his Majesty's Honor and Service, and the true Interest and Advantage of the Province, and Your Resolution of Proceeding upon Business without waiting for a Majority of Members; but must Observe to you that your Quorum now to proceed upon Business is by his Majesty's Instructions fix't at fifteen, to which Number the House must now Adhere.

I shall not enter into a disquisition of what Part in a former Assembly in framing of an Aid Bill; but must now inform you, that in framing future one’s; I can pass no Bills which retrenches his Majestys Prerogative Executive Power which is his Just Prerogative All the Priviledges delegated to the Assembly is the Quantum of the Supply to be granted and the Pay of the Troops, and the ways and Means of raising the Supply all other Regulations are inconsistent with the Rights of the Crown.  And to shew the Sense of the British Commons upon the Priviledges claimed by the Colonies I have ordered a Copy of their Resolutions in May 1757 transmitted to me, to be laid before you to apprize you of the Sense of that House in respect of the due Rights of the Colonies upon Resolutions of the Assembly of Jamaica about the Receipt and Application of Publick Monies.

North Carolina
Govrs. Speech to the Council & Assembly—

Rx with the Govrs. Letter of 21. July 1760—

Reced Novr. 24
Read —— 26. 1760.

E.29.