For Sir F. Rogers,
My & have been some time in awaiting a reply by instalments with interest.
If it should appear that the Stamp Act does not produce an increase in the Colony Revenue sufficient to meet the increased Expenditure, it seems essential to the Duke of Buckingham that it will be to levy additional direct taxation on the residents in the Colony.
With regard to the Mint, however, the undersigned writing under this Lordship's consideration, am to state that his Lordship does not consider there is justification to put any further expense on the Colony for that Establishment. If it be required for coining Lordship should be concerned.
It should be considered advantageous & should be enclosed for Imperial Interests if it is then to be for this Locality to decide whether it should be left to keep the mint open for a further period at the Imperial Expense; if it is of no advantage to the Empire, the Duke of Buckingham would then have full discretion to close it.
There is ground for making the Colony support such...