Mess^rs Goldsborough and Harrison from the Lower house ac-
quaint his Excellency that there is a sufficient Number of Members
met to make a House and wait his Excellencys Commands.

Col Plater is Sent to the Lower house to acquaint the Speaker that
his Excellency requires their immediate attendance in the Upper
house.

The Lower house Attend and his Excellency is pleased to make
the following Speech.

Gentlemen of the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly.

The possibility of your undergoing any inconveniences from
being convened at this early Season would have determined me
against meeting you so soon had not the Receipt of a Letter from the
Governor of Virginia made me Apprehensive the Welfare of this
and the neighbouring Colonies might Suffer from any longer delay.
[See pages 408-411.]

Alarmed at the Prospect of Seeing our common Enemy Masters
of all the Country adjacent to the Inhabited parts of these Provinces
his Majestys Faithful Subjects in Virginia Sollicit our Aid to defeat
their ambitious Enterprize; in the Event of which I am persuaded
you will think this Province too much interested not to exert them-
selves on this Occasion. Lest my enlarging on the many obvious
Motives which must incite you to answer our neighbours expecta-
tions should be construed to imply suspicion, for which your late
Address on the Earl of Holdernesses Letter leaves not the least
Room, I shall only communicate to you the Letters which I have
Received from his Majestys Governors on the Continent respecting
this Affair and also one from the Lords of Trade, whereby we as
well as the other Colonies are required to Send Commissioners to