happy years were fervently wished to be added to His Majesty's life.' … 'On the 9th, being the day appointed for returning thanks … the attendance on divine service was very full. A sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Mr Johnson' … and 'the officers were afterwards entertained at the Governor's, when an address on the occasion of the meeting was resolved to be sent to His Majesty.'
The address as a whole may be 'taken as read,' but the following paragraphs are perhaps of sufficient interest to be placed on record here:—
'The little community which has now the honour of addressing your Excellency for the first time, cannot pass it by without anticipating in idea the many and memorable occasions which will be represented hereafter to His Majesty's faithful subjects of this distant settlement, to congratulate him and his illustrious descendants—whether extending the arts and blessings of peace, or covered with the trophies of necessary and glorious war.
'Although from remoteness of situation, and want of intercourse with the seat of government, we are the last in His Majesty's far extended empire to testify our joy on this occasion, we trust that our zeal and fidelity to his royal person will for ever remain unquestioned, as we know them to be pure and unalterable.'
Phillip sent it to Grenville with the following short
