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Whitehall 7^th June 1775.

Governor Carleton

Sir,

I have rec^d your Dispatch of the 13^th of March,^[33] N^o 9, and have laid it before the King.

The Enemies of the Constitution appear to be unwearied in their Endeavours to convey every Misrepresentation that may have the Effect to weaken the Hands of Gov^t, and to encourage Faction & Discontent. It is hoped, however, that the Firmness of the present Parliament, in Support of the Measures which the last Parliament thought fit to adopt for America in general, and for regulating the Government of Quebec in particular, will have the Effect to quiet the apprehensions, and remove the Prejudices which ill designing Men have so artfully endeavoured to create.

The Attempt made to raise new Difficulties to Gov^t on the ground of the Petitions from the old Subjects in Quebec, was supported by the whole Strength of Opposition:^[34] — how little Impression it made within Doors, will best appear from the great Majority in both Houses against the Proposition that was moved upon those Petitions; and I have the Satisfaction to assure you, that it met with no greater Encouragement without Doors, and that, to all appearance, the People of England, in general, concur in the Measures which have been adopted for America.

I have also the Satisfaction to acquaint you, that an Account published here of a Skirmish between the King's Troops and the Provincials, in the Neighbourhood of Boston, of which, however we have received no Intelligence from General Gage, has had no other Effect than to increase that just Indignation, which every Friend to Government feels, for the Insult offered to the Constitution, in the rebellious Resistance to the Authority of Parliament, by the People in North America.

I am &c^a

DARTMOUTH.

[32]	Canadian Archives, Q 11, p. 145.

[33]

In this Carleton referred to the continued agitation of the British element against the change in the system of government introduced by the Quebec Act; he referred also to the circulation of a printed translation of the letter addressed to the Canadians by the Continental Congress at Philadelphia; Minutes of the Council were likewise enclosed. See Q 11, p. 129.

[34]	Referring to the motion made In Parliament during the session of 1775 for the repeal of the Quebec Act.