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His Excellency, the Most Noble Henry Duke of Beaufort Palatine, the Rt Honble Wm Lord Craven, The Rt Honble John Lord Carteret, The Honble Maurice Ashley Esqre Sir John Colleton Bart and John Danson Esqr and the rest of the true and Absolute Lords proprietors of Carolina in America To the Honble Francis Nicholson Esqr Greeting.

Many Complaints having been Transmitted to us, relating to very great Disorders that have been lately committed in Her Majesty's Province of North Carolina, which Complaints tho in some Measure prov'd by Affidavits, have given us so Imperfect an Account of the said Disorders, that we were not thereby enabled, to lay the same before Her Majty to receive Her Royal: Commands relating thereunto; To the end therefore that Her Majty may receive a more certain Information of all those Illegal proceedings and Disorders, We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in the Ability Faithfulness and prudent Circumspection of you the said Frances Nicholson, have Nominated, Authoriz'd Constituted and Appointed, and by these presents do Nominate Authorize, Constitute and

appoint You the said Francis Nicholson, to be Our Commissioner to enquire into the aforesaid Illegal proceedings and Disorders and by a full Examination of the Affidavits and Allegations on both Sides, to Informe us what was the Occasion of them and who were the Authors or Abettors of them and to represent to Us what you shall think to be the most proper Expedient to put an end to the same; And we do hereby Authorize You after you have made enquiry into the said Disorders, to appoint such persons as you shall think most fit and proper to represent Us as Deputies in the Council of the province aforesaid; And we do hereby desire you to transmit to Us, an account of Your actings and Doings in Execution and performance of this Enquiry and Power, in Writing under your Hand and Seal, with what Convenient speed you can; And we do hereby require and Command our Deputy Governor, president of the Council Secretary Commanders in Chief and all other Officers or persons whatsoever, within the said province to Deliver or Cause to be delivered to you or to such persons as you shall appoint all such attested Copies of Records, and all Accounts and papers whatsoever relating to the premises without any Fee or Charge for the same And that they the said Deputy Governor presidt and other persons above mentioned be at all times aiding and assisting to you the said Francis Nicholson in Execution of the power hereby granted to you as they will answer the same at their peril

Given at Craven House this 31st day of Janury 1712-13

Recd 25th Feby1712-13
Read 25th Feby1712-13

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