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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina to John Harvey and Council of Albemarle County
Carolina. Lords Proprietors.
February 08, 1680
Volume 01, Pages 283-284

[B. P. R. O. Col: Ent: Book. No. 20. P. 140.]

Whitehall 8th February 1679.

Wee had comissioned Mr Seth Sothell to be Governor of our County of Albamarle and did not doubt but by his prudence he would have remydied the disorders that have been amongst you and established such quiet and good Government that men of Estates might have been incouraged to come to you and adventure their estates there whereby trade would have been increased and you plentifully suplyed with all things but he being taken by the Turkes and carried into Argier, that you might not be without Government Wee have thought fitt that Mr John Harvey should be president of the Councill and execute the authority of the Governor untill the arrivall of Mr Sothell with you, or that wee shall otherwise direct herewith wee send you our Instructions our temporary Laws and fundamentall Constitutions which are to be your guide in the Government of our said County and wee hope that your owne Interest as well as our Injunctions will induce you to use your utmost endeavours to settle order and quiet amongst you without which you can never expect an increase of strength or trade which considerations wee hope will so farr prevail that wee shall not be constrained to

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use force to reduce the seditious to reason the good and welfare of all the Inhabitants of our province being what wee most desire and not the taking away any mans life and Estate.

To the Governor and Councell of the
County of Albamarle in the Province
of Carolina.