When I wrote to you last I was indisposed and as the Express was impatient to return, I had hardly time to Consider what I had written; when I recover'd which was in a few days & read the Copy of what I had sent you, I found fault with many of the expressions. I therefore without loss of time laid it before the Council and acquainted them that there were some parts that needed Correction, and I accordingly amended them before the letter was enter'd in the Council Journals which the Council very much approved off, this was two weeks before I receiv'd your last letter and accordingly I send you that Letter so amended, which I hope you will look upon as the only one from me upon that Subject.

When the Messenger arrived many of the Gentlemen of the Council were gone to the Country, to attend the funeral of Lieutent Governor Bull, and I had not opportunity of communicating your Letter to them. I therefore took the liberty to detain your Express, that I might have their advice before I returned my Answer as the Boundary line, the Subject matter of your letter is what greatly concerns this Province.

It would be to little purpose to treat fully of that affair at present, as you have already sent your sentiment to the Bord of Trade, but I cannot help saying that you have been a little premature, for I am perswaded that if you and I had Consulted upon that Matter agreable to your Instruction, that is, had you and some of the Gentlemen of the Council of your Province met with the Governor and some of the Council of this Province at the Place whereby the Instruction the Boundary line was to begin, and there had a friendly conferrence together it might have been productive of a Settlement of that affair to the mutual Satisfaction of both Provinces. Its true I could not possibly have departed from my Instruction, or made any Agreement that would been binding on the Province, but difficulties might have been obviated by Gentlemen acquainted with the Situation and Circumstances of these Counties upon the Spot that will not be so readily removed in London, for I am far from thinking that this matter will have so speedy a determination as you seem to imagine. The Lords proprieters who were so far at least, absolute masters of their own property as to divide it in what manner they pleased Established Cape Feare as the Boundary line, declaring all the Country to the Southwest of that River and from the Atlantick Ocean to the South Sea, to be South Carolina, and after his Majestys Purchase of the Soil He was pleased to fix the Line in the manner express’d in an Instruction to Governor Johnson. I have not heard any reasons argued Since that might induce his Majesty to alter that Instruction nor do I think that his Ministers could advise it till they are more enlighten’d than they possibly be by your letters only, as you have been very short space in this part of the World. Audi alteram partem [latin: “listen to the other side”] is so Just a Rule that their Lordships will never depart from it and they have not as yet given the Province an Opportunity to be heard. In all Events an Actual Survey of some of the Rivers will be necessary to be transmitted to the Lords of Trade and I would propose that it might be done by Sworn Surveyors to be appointed by both Governments respectively and I know nothing that would more Expediate the finishing of this affair. If you do not chuse to agree to this proposal, I hope at least you will permitt those Appointed by me to survey the Rivers in your Government that may be near the Line mention'd in his Majestys Instruction, that is to Say Cape Feare River or any other that may be on this side of it and that you will afford them your Protection by issuing orders to all the Inhabitants of your Province not to give them any lot, hindrance or molestation whatsoever; this will be agreeable to the good Correspondance and harmony that is necessary for the well fare of both I am