210 | To Charles Townshend

    Boston. May 18th 1763

    Sr

    I beg leave to take the earliest opportunity to congratulate you on your being placed at the head of the Commission for Trade & Plantations with Powers sufficiently ample for the great purposes for which you are designed.781

    British America has wanted nothing more than to be well known to the Mother Country. it is not for many years that her importance has been rightly understood. At this time, when her rights have been effectually vindicated by a successful War & firmly secured by an honorable peace, it must be a great additional Pleasure to her Inhabitants that their interests are put into the hands of one so well acquainted with them, as you, Sr, are known to be.

    In the course of five years residence in this Country, I have given particular attention to the Policy of the several Governments that have lain within my view, & particularly that of the Province over which I now preside: & I have of course formed conclusions, within my own breast, concerning the present state of the Colonies both in regard to their original Constitutions & the modern modes of their administration. This Province alone affords an ample field for such disquisitions: but they are too delicate for any but private letters.

    I shall be very proud to be honourd with yr commands to deliver my sentiments upon such subjects as you may think I may contribute any useful information: I have now before me the queries782 sent me from the Lords Commissioners some time ago. I have deferred answering them only upon account of my desire of being as exact as possible in regard to those subjects which are fluctuating; particularly the Number of the People: The ascertaining this will be the Work of a whole Summer; & could not properly be set about till after the conclusion of Peace

    I have the Honour &c to783 be, with great respect, Sr, Your most obedient & most humble Servant

    The Right Honble Charles Townshend Esq

    L, LbC BP, 3: 60-62.