His Excellency Arthur Dobbs Esqr Captain General & Governor in Chief in, & over His Majestys Province of North Carolina

To John Dalrymple Esqr Captn & Commander of His Majestys Fort calld Fort Johnston

By virtue of His Majestys Royal Commission constituting me Captn Genl & Governor in Chief in & over this Province with full Power & Authority, to appoint all Officers, both civil & Military with in the same

I reposeing especial Trust & Confidence in your Loyalty Courage & Good Conduct do by these Presents constitute & appoint you John Dalrymple Esqr to be Adjutant General to ^this^ the Province of North Carolina with the Rank of Lieut Colonel ^of Militia^ You are therefore carefully & diligently to discharge the Duty of Adjutant Genl by Exerciseing & well Disciplineing All & several the Regiments & Companys as well ^of Militia^ Officers as Soldiers in foresaid province. And I do strictly require & command all Officers & Soldiers ^of the Militia^ to render you due obedience as their Adjt General, as they & every ofem, shall answer the contrary at their utmost peril. And you are to observe & follow such orders & Directions from time to time as you shall receive from me or any other your superiour Officer according to the Rules & Discipline of war

Given ^under my hand & seal of the said province^ at Newbern this thirty first day of March 1755 And in the twenty eight year of the reign of His most sacred majesty Geo: the 2d of Great Britain, France & Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c &c &c