The Virginia Gazette

May 11. Yesterday the Society of the Free British Fishery, went from Mercer's Hall to Leicester House, where his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (with the winning Affability which so greatly distinguished his universally lamented illustrious Father) accepted of being their Governor, and they all had the Honour of kissing his Royal Highness's Hand.

The Speech addressed to his Royal Highness was as follows:

May it please your Royal Highness,

"The President, Vice-President, Council and Society of the Free British Fishery, encouraged by his Majesty's Royal Approbation, humbly approach your Royal Highness, to intreat your favourable Acceptance of being their Governor, an Honour condescended to by your illustrious and much lamented Father, whose Princely Virtues were eminently conspicuous, by his constant Attention to, and his generous Concern for, the Welfare of this Kingdom, and the Prosperity of its Commerce.

"As we consider the Success of this national Undertaking, from which the most lasting Advantages are expected, to have depended greatly upon his gracious Protection, we cannot but hope for the same Benefits from the Influence of your Royal Highness, the Inheritor of all his Virtues, to our Endeavours, and prove the most auspicious Omen of its Success."

To which his Royal Highness returned this most gracious Answer.

GENTLEMEN,

I return you my Thanks for this Mark of Duty to the King, and of your Regard to me. You may be assured, I shall always be glad to contribute every Thing in my Power to the Success of your laudable Attempt, for extending the Commerce of his Majesty's Subjects.