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To His Excellency George Burrington Esqre His Majestys Cap. Genl & Governor in Chief of North Carolina.

Sir,

Your Excellency was pleased to ask me some time ago what the Fees of the Secretary's Office of this Province might amount to Annually, which I could not at once resolve before I had looked over that office

wherein I have acted for these eight or nine years past, & find for the last three or four years from the great Distractions in the Government, occasioned by the weakness of Sir Richard Everard late Govr here it has not exceeded £400. per annum, but before that time it could not amount to less than £600, and I am confident that if the Quit rent of Lands were no more than Two shillings per. hundred which is the same rent as in Virginia, that the Secretary's office for some years to come would be worth considerably more than ever from the vast number of Surveys made at Cape Fear which is not yet Patented, and the great quantities that would be every day taken up there, as well as in many other parts of the Governmt if the Quit rent was lessened, for till that is done I am persuaded there will not One Patent be taken out, Everybody choosing rather to loose their Land than pay so high a Quit Rent, and your Excellency very well knows there has not One Patent issued since your arrival so that indeed the Secretary's office at present for want of Patents issuing is now scarce worth One hundred Pounds per. annum. Clerkships excepted.

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