6 | To Lord Barrington

    Perth Amboy feb 18th 1760

    My Lord

    I received Your Lordships lett favor of Nov 14th last fryday75 & want words to express my thankfullness to your Lordship for you[r] kind & Earnest Care of us. I need not repeat to your Lordship, that it is upon my Childrens account only that I have solicited this advancement, in regard to ourselves, we shall quit this place with regret, as the People have joined with the Country & Climate to engage our Affection for it. & therefore Your Lordship must not be suprised if some years hence when I can better afford to perfer ease & pleasure to profit, I shall trouble your Lordship to get me sent back to Amboy: which I suppose will allways be an easier task than the present has been; as competitors for governments are, in General, more attentive to the income than the Situation.

    I have not been able at [as] Yet to form any Certain Judgment of the Value of that Government: It is generally said to be worth £1500 Sterling pr. an If so, as it is undoubtedly a cheaper market than NYork, I think we shall live for half that Money; especially as Mr. Pownall has established a life of reserve76 which tho’ I could not so well begin it myself I can follow, & shall, as far as it is Convenient with the honours of the Place. As I am order’d to stay here ’till Mr. Boone comes, I reckon I shall not set out for Boston till some time in May next; as soon as I get a little settled there, I will acquaint your Lordship with the particular situation & the Circumstances of the Governmt. It is one good one, that, as I am assured, Mr. Pownall has brought it into very good order; & I doubt not but I shall keep it so, as I have no reason to fear that any impracticable instructions will interfere.

    I this day recd. a letter from Genl. Amherst,77 desiring that I would set my Assembly about providing for the Campaign, But I must have a letter from Mr. Pitt78 before they will mind me. It seems to me inevitable that the Provincial troops must take the field this Year, tho’ there is little more to do than to take possession. But I hope the amazing Series of Success, that has attended his Majesty’s arms, will authorise him to retain Canada: and I can Assure your Lordship that that Acquisition only will be worth all the Expences of the War.

    We are extreamly concerned for Genl. Barrington’s misfortune, but flatter ourselves that a Cure with a recovery of the Sight has been brought about; especially as we see in the papers, that he is going with a Command to Germany. We beg your Lordship will present our Congratulations to him on the Great honours he has deserved of & recd. from his Country.79

    Our Compliments wait on Ladies & all our Friends. I am with the greatest Gratitude

    my Lord your Lordships most obedient & most humble Servant

    Lord Barrington80

    L, LbC BP, 1: 194-196.