Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Alexander Spotswood to the Board of Trade of Great Britain
Spotswood, Alexander, 1676-1740
October 15, 1712
Volume 01, Pages 886-887

-------------------- page 886 --------------------
[B. P. R. O. B. T. Virginia. Vol: 13. O. 134.]
COL SPOTSWOOD TO THE LORDS OF TRADE OCTOBER THE 15th 1712


Virginia Octr 15th 1712.

My Lords

The arrival of the Dunwick Frigate with Her Majties Proclamation for a Cessation of Armes gives me the opportunity of a few minutes to informe your Lordps of the present scituation of affaires in these parts.

The Indians continue their incursions in North Carolina and the death of Collonel Hyde the Governor, which happened the beginning of last moneth increases the misery of that Province so much weakened already by their own Divisions that no measures projected by those in the Government for curbing the Heathens can be prosecuted.

This unhappy state of Her Majestys subjects in my neighbourhood is the more afflicting to me because I have very little hopes of being enabled to relieve them by our Assembly, which I have called to meet next week; for the mobb of this countrey having tryed their strength in the late election, and finding themselves able to carry whom they please, have generally chosen Representatives of their own class: who as their principal recommendations have declared their Resolution to raise no tax on the People let the occasion be what it will. This is owing to a defect in the Constitution which allows to every one tho but just out of the Condition of a servant that can but purchase half an acre of Land an equal vote with the men of the best estates in the country

The militia of this Colony is perfectly useless without arms or ammunition and by an unaccountable infatuation no arguments I have used can prevail on these people to make their militia more serviceable the fear of enemys by sea (except Pirates) are now happily removed by the Peace which if on no other account than that alone: ought to be received here as the greatest and most valuable blessing. but the insurrection of our own Negroes, and the Invasions of the Indians are no less to be dreaded while the people are so stupidly adverse to the only means they have left to protect themselves against either of these events. I shall for my own part take all the care I am capable of (under these disadvantages)

-------------------- page 887 --------------------
for the safety of Her Majestys Subjects and still endeavour to testify to your Lordships that I am with all due respect

My Lords
Your Lordsps
Most Dutiful a
Most Obedient Humble Servant.
A. SPOTSWOOD.

(Endorsed)

Letter from Coll Spotswood Lt Govr of Virginia Dated the 15th Oct 1712

Recd Dec 29th 1712
Read Feb 26th 1712