May it please your Lordship
Having been your Fathers and your Deputy here about these twenty years last past, which your Lordship hath favourably confirmed, think it therefore my Duty to inform you of all matter of moment relating to the government here. The death of Governor Hyde hath been of fatal consequence to this government, who hath laboured under abundance of difficulty since his arrival here, by the divisions and differences amongst the inhabitants here, and the Indian war, all which I believe I may truly [declare] hath been chiefly occasioned by —— and some few evil-disposed persons, with the whole body of the Quakers [who] joined them, and
were chief instruments to stir up Col. Cary to act as he did; and albeit these Quakers were very active in pursuading and assisting the people to rise for Col. Cary against Governor Hyde, yet now in this Indian war, wherein News and pamtico, and the south and southwest shore of Chowan, which is the best part of the government, and in great danger to be greatly deserted, yet they neither will assist themselves nor suffer others, but hinder and dissuade them, all they can, they having great influance on the common people, and will not so much as send their armes to those who are willing to go, and, as I am credilily informed, hide them for fear of their being pressed: and albeit at the last assembly with much struggling we obtained a law that every person between 16 and 60 years of age able to carry armes that would not go out to the war against the Indians, should forfiet and pay £5 towards defraying the charges of the war, yet it hath not had the desired effect, most of all the people refusing still to go: the distemper hath been so epidemical that Governor Hyde could scarcely find any person that would undertake to levy the fines aforesaid. So that we labour now under these difficulties following.—an Indian War heavy upon us. The public some thousand pounds in debt; not able to pay off men goes out to the war, which greatly discourages them, there being no way to pay them but by these fines, which will take a long time and be very difficult to raise, and some customs laid on goods imported, which; our trade now quite failing, comes to nothing, and lastly the disobedience and stubbornness of the people, which is of more consequence than any of the rest, and chiefly occasioned by these Quakers and some few other evil disposed persons, who have been a plague to this government these 4 or 5 years last past who easily may be known by Governor Hyde's reiterated complaints against them to your Lordships.I out of the great cofidence of have of your Lordships great and good character, and intending to lay every thing from me belonging to this country, at your Lordships feet, have inclosed a letter from me to your Board, begging the favor, after your perusal, to have it sealed and delivered at the Board, and that your Lordship, with his Excellency the Palatine and the rest of the true and absolute Lords Proprietors, will assist, what you can, this poor distressed people, not only with armes and ammunition which is greatly wanted, but with what influence your Lordships hath over the government of South Carolina, which are the most capable to assist us with their Indians, and with the least charge, as likewise I doubt not your Lordships may procure Her Majestys order to the government of Verginia, who are near and may readily help. If your Lordships have any intention of taking up a mann in this government,
and if the Indians are conquered, there is by report, a seat of extraordinary land upon Neus River above 25 miles higher than Baron Graffenried's settlement. Navigation to it with boats or shallops——Col Barnwell, commander of the Indians from South Carolina, expected to have had it: Gov. Hyde had entered it, but by his death it is clear. There is several hundred of acres of clear plantible ground, being cleared about three miles long the river side, and will undoubtedly be of great value. I will endeavor to reserve it untill I understand your Lordships pleasure. I being informed that some person here, supposing that the gentleman whom your Lordships have commissioned General Surveyor of this county will not think it worth his time in coming over here and have therefore sent over to procure the place for themselves, Governor Hyde and the councill having in some measure to make up the great charge I have been at these wars, bestowed the place on me, and since his death, with consent of the council bestowed it on a son of mine. If your Lordship thinks it convenient to procure it for him, it shall beside full satisfaction for the charges of the commission, be always most greatfully acknowledged b——How to direct to Lord Carteret—To the Right Honble Lord John Carteret, at the Lord Waymouth's, in St James Square London.