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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Gabriel Johnston to Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle
Johnston, Gabriel, ca. 1698-1752
April 10, 1739
Volume 04, Pages 337-338

[B. P. R. O. Am: and W. Ind: Vol. 23. P. 375.]

My Lord [the Duke of Newcastle]

I have the Honour to acquaint your Grace that a little before last Christmas I ordered Writts to be issued for calling an assembly of His Majestys subjects of this Province which accordingly mett at Newbern on the sixth day of February last and have passed severall very beneficial Laws particularly an Act for granting his Majesty a Rent Roll and for the more effectual collecting of his Quit rents An Act for the Improvement of the Trade and Navigation of this province, An Act for the more speedy administration of Justice by establishing of Circuit Courts and a great many other good Laws, more than has been passed by all the Assemblies, since the foundation of this Colony. It is with great pleasure I now inform your Grace that after a few years struggle, During which I have suffered infinite Hardships and no means have been left unattempted to induce me to depart from my Instructions matters are at length brought to this happy Issue and in a Country where Disorder and Confusion have prevailed from its first Settlement, the foundations of peace and good order are at last so firmly laid.

-------------------- page 338 --------------------

I was assured at the breaking up of this session by the most considerable Members of both Houses that at their next meeting in November they were firmly determined to pass such other Laws as might be judged necessary for his Majesty's services and the publick good.

I have ordered the Secretary to make out a fair Copy of the Acts and other proceedings of this Assembly which shall be speedily transmitted to your Grace by

Your Grace's most, &c.,
GAB: JOHNSTON.

North Carolina April 10th 1739.