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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Advertisements by Robert Johnson and George Burrington concerning the North Carolina/South Carolina boundary [as printed in the South Carolina Gazette]
Johnson, Robert, 1677-1735; Burrington, George, 1680-1759
September 1732
Volume 11, Pages 18-20

[B. P. R. O. So Carolina B. T. Vol: 7. e. 77.]
South Carolina.
Two bits of printed Paper relating to the Dispute about the Boundaries between South and North Carolina; referred to in Col: Johnson's letter of 15. Dec: 1732.


Recd Febry 22d 173⅔.

I being very much surprized at His Excellency Governor Burrington's Advertisement in this Paper of the 27st Instant relating to the Boundaries of the two Colonies of North and South Carolina and his manner of interpreting His Majesty's Instruction relating thereunto think it proper for the better information of those concerned to publish what I know concerning the Intention of His Majesty's said instruction which is as follows.

Governor Burrington and myself were summoned to attend the Board of Trade in order to settle the Boundaries of the two Provinces Governor Burrington laid before their Lordship's Col: Moseley's Map describing the Rivers of Cape Fear and Wackamaw and insisted upon Wackamaw River being the Boundary. from the mouth to the head thereof, &c:

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We of South Carolina desired their Lordships would not alter their first Resolution which was that a Line should be run beginning at the sea thirty miles distant from the mouth of Cape Fear River on the South-west Side thereof &c: as the first part of the Instruction published by Governor Burrington sets forth: and their Lordships then concluded that that should be the Boundary unless the mouth of the Wackamaw River was within thirty miles of Cape Fear River, in which case, both Governor Burrington and myself agreed Wackamaw River should be the Boundary. And I do apprehend, the word mouth being left out of the last part of the instruction, was only a mistake in the wording of it. And I think it proper farther to inform those it may concern that I have acquainted the Rt Honourable the Lords of Trade of the different Interpretations Governor Burrington and myself have put on His Majesty's aforesaid instructions and have desired His Majesty farther orders thereon

R. JOHNSON.

I am informed that several persons in South Carolina have taken out Warrants there to survey land there on the North side Wackamaw River and on the Lands formerly possessed by the Congoree Indians which are now within this Government: therefore to prevent unadvised people from parting with their money to no purpose and to give Satisfaction to all persons whom it may concern I have transcribed His Majesty's Instructions for ascertaining the Bounds of the two Governments of North and South Carolina.

Instruction the 104th “And in order to prevent any Disputes that may arise about the Southern Boundaries of our Province under your Government We are graciously pleased to signify our pleasure that a Line shall be run (by Commissioners appointed by such each Province) beginning at the Sea 30. miles distant from the mouth of Cape Fear River on the South-west thereof, Keeping the same distance from the said River as the course thereof runs to the main source or head thereof and from thence the said Boundary Line shall be continued due West as far as the South-Seas; but if Wackamaw lies within 30. miles of Cape Fear River then that River to be the Boundary from the Sea to the head thereof and from thence a due west course to the South-seas.

For the satisfaction of all Men that bought Lands of the late Proprietors, (before the King's purchase was completed) situated

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on the North side Wackamaw River or in any other part between Cape Fear River and the line given by His Majesty to this Government I give notice their Rights and titles to all Lands so purchased as aforesaid are deemed and allowed to be good and lawfull by this government.

N. B. The above recited Instruction is the same in His Excellency Governor Johnson's and mine except the word Southern before boundaries which is altered to Northern in His. The head of Wackamaw river is within 10 miles of Cape Fear River and is not distant so much as 30. miles in any place but a few miles before it runs into Winyaw Bay.

GEORGE BURRINGTON.

North Carolina.
Sept: 11. 1732.