607 | To Thomas Pownall

    Boston Ap. 20 1768

    Dear Sr:

    I have made myself severely censured by myself for so long neglecting to acknowledge my Sense of your Kindness in your Letter of Sep 3.1 I was desirous to write at Leisure & many Things have happened upon that Account as well as others which have occasioned my postponing it from Day to Day; untill it has become a Burden upon my Conscience.

    Before I received your kind Advice I had begun to act upon your Plan. I have kept wholly upon the defensive for a year & a half. But I have to do with such a wicked Set of People, that they won’t allow a Governor to be neutral in their Disputes with Great Britain, but expect that he shall Side with them in their Pretensions against the Parliament. It is in Vain therefore, untill all the Disputes with the Parliament are over for a Governor (in these Parts at least) to endeavour to be popular. Besides, the independent Salary which would greatly increase the Powers of Government, seems to be postponed to latter Lammas.2 I know not which is the greatest, the Encouragement which that Act gave to the Friends of Government, or the discouragement they have received from the non Execution of it. Certain it is that the Kings Cause has suffered greatly by the Delay of carrying that Act into Execution: From hence the Opposers of Government have received great Assurances that they shall be able to overturn that Act.

    You judge perfectly right of the Expediency of giving Representations^ves^ to the Americans. Above two years ago I recommended that (not Officially) as a very advisable Measure, at which Time others might have been pursued with good Effect.3 At present if the Question was to be put, I would pronounce it to Be the only Measure left to prevent a Seperation of America from Great Britain. It will indeed be attended with Difficulties; but at this Time what can be proposed that will not. For the Proof of this read the Farmers Letters, which will now form the American Political Creed; read the Letters from our House; & see how they can be effectually answered but by giving them Representations which pulls up all their Pretensions by the Root. I could carry this Subject to a great Length, if I had time, but must stop for the present.

    I will take Care to have every Thing done at St Croix in the best Manner consistent with Œcononony.4 You mentioned Dr: Franklin as a Partner.5 I know not how this is; I have never received a Warrant for him; nor do I know of any Grant made to him: and I have allways understood the Partnership to be confined to the Bay of St Croix. If there is any Thing left unlocated there besides the 120,000 Acres, the Lieut: Govr: of Nova Scotia is my very good Friend6 and will do any Thing in his Power to assist our Partnership.

    All our Disappointments in wild Hemp7 have arose from the Indians: Nothing has being left undone by me or Col Goldthwait.8 All I was able to get last Summer was a little Seed, which I shall sow & send you some of the produce: you will perceive I write in a Hurry: my public Business is so increasing by the Disorders of the Country that I am scarce ever out of one.

    I am &c

    Tho Pownall Esqr:

    L, LbC     BP, 6: 107-110.

    In handwriting of Thomas Bernard.