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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from George Burrington to Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle
Burrington, George, 1680-1759
July 01, 1731
Volume 03, Pages 139-140

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[B. P. R. O. Am: & W: Ind: Vol. 22. P. 13.]

North Carolina 1st of July 1731.

May it please your Grace

By his Majesty's Instructions I am commanded to transmit to one of the principal Secretarys of State Copies of the Proceedings of the Governor's Council, and Assembly with my report and remarks which haveing done, with care and diligence, I now do myself the honour to address them to your Grace.

My Lord

I have used my endeavours to settle this Government as commanded by the King's Instructions, if the Council would have assisted me much might have been effected, Mr Smith the Chief Justice, Mr Ashe and Mr Porter Councellors violently opposed me, the Assembly by their instigation instead of observeing his Majesty's Instructions, and makeing Laws for the good of their Country, in concert with the before named Councellors imployed themselves in promoting private Agencys and Complaints, Smith resigned his seat in Council, it is beliv'd here he is gone to England to complain against me, I treated him with great kindness and gave him very good advice, he might have lived very happily in this Country if he had either understanding or honesty I have reason to think this ungratefull youth was seduced by Mr Rice Secretary of this Province Coll: Bladen's Brother in Law, before his comeing everything looked well, he stayed but a short time then returned to his Family in South Carolina, I have heard from London and it is commonly reported here that upon any Complaint I shall be dismissed and Rice promoted to the Government by Mr Bladen's Interest, Mr Montgomery the Attorney General is very intent to prejudice me on all occasions, he came with Recommendations from Coll: Bladen.

The Province notwithstanding the Artifices that have been used is in a peaceable and quiet condition, I hope to keep it so, till such time as I am honoured with your Grace's commands, no good can be expected from an Assembly before.

My Lord

The Inhabitants of North Carolina expect they shall have Liberty to take up Land on smaller Quit Rents than are now sett for new surveys, being double to what is paid in Virginia and twelve time more then the Proprietors received, this circumstance is very prejudicial to all the

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Officers more particulaly the Secretary two thirds of his perquisites accrued by Warrants and Patents for Land, when affairs are rightly settled the incomes of the several Officers will be the full value I named them to your Grace. I cannot flatter myself so much to think your Grace will looke upon my Report, or the Journals. The Favour I desire of My Lord Duke is to allow the Liberty of defending myself against my base enemys if attackt and that he will not pass Judgment upon me before my defence is seen, after that if your Grace finds me upon the strictest examination in fault, I will never complain punish me ever so severely, haveing acted with great care and precaution am certain my conduct will prove blameless (I hope commendable) therefore am fully satisfied your Grace will not permit Mr Bladen to ruine me if he attempts it.

Your Grace was infinitely good in generously promoting me to this Government, I will allways act in the best manner for his Majesty's service, and take care never to give my Lord Duke cause to be displeased.

I fear writing more would make this letter too long, therefore have instructed Mr Fury to inform your Grace, when commanded.

I am Your Grace's most humble and most devoted servant
GEO: BURRINGTON.