The present seems the most proper time for so great a national purpose, in order to prevent the _French_ getting the start of you, which they will exert all their _power_ and _abilities_ to _effect_; for they are now not only making great preparations to carry on that trade themselves, but they have already made several _contracts_ with _British_ merchants to supply them with _Negroes_. So intent are they to secure, by every method they can contrive, as great a number as possible of those useful people, on which the prosperity of the _French_ colonies depend: besides, as _peace_ is concluded, his majesty’s ministers, in whose department it is, will have leisure to examine minutely into the reasons that induced you to make such application. Therefore there cannot be a doubt from their known _abilities_, and willingness to promote the _public good_ by their care of the _trade_ and _commerce_ of these _kingdoms_, but they will give their most serious attention to any proposal you may lay before them for so good a purpose, as the _extending_ and _preserving_ the _African trade_; and will be as desirous as yourselves to pursue such plan as appears to them most reasonable for promoting the general advantage of the _British colonies_, and consequently the _mother-country_. The editors will not intrude farther on your time, than to hope something will be done to secure that valuable branch of commerce to the _British subjects_, they being very desirous to promote the prosperity of the _British colonies_, and to assure you that they are with great respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedient, and most Humble servants, London, 11 April, 1763. The EDITORS. Considerations on the Peace, As far as it is relative to the Colonies, and the African Trade. Since the preliminary articles of peace were published by authority, we have heard many persons in coffee-houses and other places, censure and blame our negotiators, for their not having obtained better terms.