ction and the dictates of justice may yet avert
the calamities of war, I cannot, under every view of the
relative situation of the province, be too urgent in
recommending to your early attention the adoption of such
measures as will best secure the internal peace of the
country, and defeat every hostile aggression.

"Principally composed of the sons of a loyal and brave band of
veterans, the militia, I am confident, stand in need of
nothing but the necessary legislative provisions, to direct
their ardour in the acquirement of military instruction, to
form a most efficient force.

"The growing prosperity of these provinces, it is manifest,
begins to awaken a spirit of envy and ambition. The
acknowledged importance of this colony to the parent state
will secure the continuance of her powerful protection. Her
fostering care has been the first cause, under Providence, of
the uninterrupted happiness you have so long enjoyed. Your
industry has been liberally rewarded, and you have in
consequence risen to opulence.

"These interesting truths are not uttered to animate your
patriotism, but to dispel any apprehension which you may have
imbibed of the possibility of England forsaking you; for you
must be sensible that if once bereft of her support, if once
deprived of the advantages which her commerce and the supply
of her most essential wants give you, this colony, from its
geographical position, must inevitably sink into comparative
poverty and insignificance.

"But Heaven will look favorably on the manly exertions which
the loyal and virtuous inhabitants of this happy land are
prepared to make, to avert such a dire calamity.

"Our gracious prince, who so gloriously upholds the dignity
of the empire, already appreciates your merit, and it will be
your first care to establish, by the course of your actions,
the just claim of the country to the protection of his royal
highness.

"I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of announcing to you
from this place, the munificent intention of his royal
highness the prince regent, who has been graciously pleased to
signify that a grant of L100 per annum will be proposed in the
annual estimates, for every future missionary of the Gospel,
sent from England, who may have faithfully discharged, for the
term of ten years, the