North Carolina Newbern. Decr. 4th 1762.

Sir

I Received your Excellency's favor of the 13th of October with great Pleasure acquainting me with the Reduction & Capitulation of St. John's in Newfoundland under The Good and Prudent Conduct of Collo. Amherst, with so litle loss, As it must be a great pleasure to you, as well upon your Brother's Account as the Publick Good, Since the French can have no Claim now under the Uti Possidetis, but what his Majesty may Grant or deny at his Pleasure. I also congratulate your Excellency upon the Prospect we have of a Glorious, And permanent Peace as not Preliminaries were Signed before the Conquest of Havanna was Known in England.

This goes by Lieutenant Thomas Howe, who was employed by Major Rogers to raise Recruit's in this Province to make up the Number demanded from South Carolina which I countenanced; as the Number demanded could not be raised in the South Province, He has Suffered greatly by the Desertion of the men before they could be deiver'd over in South Carolina, as he Served this Province as Lieutt. in our Provincial Troop's during the Cherrokee Warr, and is deseireous to Serve in his Majestys regular Troop's. I therefore recommend him to your Excellency in Case you have an oppertunity of a Vacancy, as a Worthy young Gentleman and Shall be much Oblidged to your Excellency for any favor you can Shew him in fixing him in the Army.

I have had no account whether the Recruit's, I Sent from this Province [a]s I have not heard from Capt. William's since he went in an ill State of Health to [C]harles Town to gett a Passage for new york. I have also reason to believe that all the Dispatches I inclosed to your Excellency to be forwarded to Lord Egremont and the Board of Trade were thrown over Board from the Packet which was Attacked in her Passage Home, So that I must send Duplicates after my Holding this assembly and return to Brunswick.

As the Assembly will only Pay the Garrisson's of Fort's Johnston & Granvile untill the conclussion of the Peace it will be nessceary for his Majesty's Service as well for the Prevention of an Illicit Trade as for the defence of the Sea Coast and Preservation of his Majesty's Fort's and Stores, and to give Some Weight to the Goverment against a Lawless Rout, and Riseing Spirit of republican Independency. That the Goverment Should have Some Support dependant of Brittain, as this will be proper to be Considered off soon after the Peace, I Shan't apply in England untill I know Wither if he agreeable to your Excellency, to recommend it, as it will be nessceary to have Some British Force to Keep Down the riseing Spirit of Independancy—And don't doubt but the Assembly will allow the Garisson's Provision's, as allow'd in the other colonies.

I Therefore hope that your Excellency will let me Know your Sentiment's upon this Head That I may apply in England: If you think proper to aprove of it. I am with great Regard and Truth

Your Excellency's

Most Obedient

Humble Servant

Arthur Dobbs

P.S. I Hope your Excellency received my report of the Reason's for my putting Capt. Joh[n] Dalrymple Commander of Fort Johnston, under Arrest for having Deserted his Command departing from this Province without leave and Contrary to my Orders, and Having Neglected his Duty and Attendance without License for above a year and Half, since he gott his Commission, as also for Breaking his arrest.

Arthur Dobbs

New Bern Decembr. 6th 1762

Governor Dobbs.
Newbern, No. Carolina, 4th. Decr. 1762,
Recd. & Ansd. 25th. Janry. 1763.