But since it has been thought advisable to withdraw the troops from and to abandon the posts ; since the colonies themselves do not think that a general regulation for commerce consists with their interests, and have each for itself desired to make its own regulations, and since it is become more difficult in the present state of the colonies to create a general fund to defray the expence, I must confess that I do entirely concur in the measures which have been proposed by the Board of Trade, and are the foundation of those instructions which I have it in charge from His Majesty to recommend to your attention, not doubting but that, through your assistance and with your advice, the colonies will be induced to adopt such regulations for the commercial part, as will improve the trade and fix the affection of the savages, and in the end produce all those advantages which you seem to think would have been derived from the execution ot the plan suggested by the Board of Trade in 1764.

I am with much Esteem & Regard Sir

Your Most Obedient Humble Servant Sir William Johnson Bar*. Hillsborough.

SECY. POWNALL TO SIR W^. JOHNSON.

Whitehall 13th. October 1768.

Sir,

Your dispatch to the Earl of Hillsborough numbered 3, was received at this Office yesterday, and immediately communicated by express to his Lordship who is in the country at some distance.

I have his Lordship's directions to acquaint you that it will be impossible for him to write to you upon the subject of this dispatch