Gentlemen

About a month since I received a petition in the name of the Inhabitants of Blackwater and Carrotucke subscribed by many of the same setting forth they are Inhabitants of right belonging to this his Majestys Colony and Dominion of Virginia and desire so to be received for that they hold their Land of his Majesty by patent granted unto them by his Majties Governors of this Colony and under the Seal of the same Notwithstanding which they had been threatened and molested by you, I have therefore with the advice of the Council at this instance of the House of Burgesses given my order to the Sherif of Lower Norfolk County to take into his List of Tithables all such Inhabitants of Blackwater and Corrituck as hold their Lands by patent from his Majtyes Governor of this Colony, and have commanded and required the said Sherif to demand and receive Quittrents for all such Lands so holden of this Government, As likewise all such publick and County dues as is levyed on others the Inhabitants of the County of Lower Norfolk, Of which that you may have the knowledge, and to the intent the aforesaid Inhabitants of Blackwater & Currituck may not by your Demands be in any sort molested disturbed or Griev'd You receive this Letter it being a protection due from