The Merchants having waited on the Ministry with a Paper expressing their Sentiments that a Paper Currency in America would be advantageous to both Countries, the same was referred to the Board of Trade for their Opinion. The Board, it seems, are clearly and strongly against it; and, to convince and convert the Merchants to the same Opinion, have sent them down an Extract of their Report in 1764, which was read at their Meeting last Week, and seemed to make some Impression. They desired Dr. B.F. however, to furnish them with his Sentiments upon it in Writing, that if it should appear practicable, they might defend the Opinion they had given. Accordingly, on Wednesday last, at another Meeting, he gave them some Remarks upon it, a Copy of which I send you, together with a Copy of the Report. Several of the Merchants expressed their Satisfaction with the Remarks as a full Answer, but were to consider them farther among themselves, and are to meet again on Tuesday next. There is, however, such a general Clamour at present, and so much Ill-humour, against America, that I doubt very much our Success in getting the Restraint taken off, if the Merchants here do not make it their own Cause.

The Ministry have been pushed hard in Parliament lately, and it has been thought by many that they must fall. Since Lord Chatham’s Return to Town, it is said they are better connected and confirmed.