 Reading was still the senior member of the council, and the administration devolved upon him.His age and infirmities were such that he at first declined to act, but he finally consented to assume the duties.He assumed the office on 9 September 1757, and on the 10th wrote to Thomas Pownall, the Governor of Massachusetts, whose commission also named him Lieutenant-Governor of New Jersey, asking to be relieved immediately of office due to infirmities and ill health.