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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from William Tryon to William Petty, Marquis of Lansdowne
Tryon, William, 1729-1788
January 12, 1767
Volume 07, Pages 425-426

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[From Tryon's Letter Book.]
Letter from Governor Tryon to Earl of Shelburne,

Brunswick the 12th January 1767

I am to acquaint your Lordship, the death of Mr Robert Jones late Attorney General of this province who died the 2d of October was notified to me the 15th of the same month, I immediately disposed of that commission during pleasure to Mr Marmaduke Jones a gentleman of the first credit and capacity in his profession in this country. He acted I am told with distinguished abilities as one of the Justices in the General Court Law, which was repealed in the year 1760, because the Justices were appointed during good behaviour. As I know of no gentleman in this province of better capacity and more diligent than himself or stands so free from any private connection in this country, I beg leave to recommend him to that office. Mr Jones has been resident in this province many years; is about 43 years of age, was educated in England and is cousin to Sir Marmaduke Wyvell.

I take the liberty to inclose a letter I have received from Mr Jones pointing out the real benefit and utility that would arise to the inhabitants of this province as well as the more effectual discharge of the Crown business in the several courts of law by his Majesty's creation of a Solicitor General in this colony: The facts he states I believe to be strictly true and the inconveniences are certainly very evident from the Governor's not having at all times within a reasonable distance of his residence, an officer of the Crown conversant in law matters, a circumstance he is at present deprived of near half the year, on account of the extensive circuits both the Chief Justice and the Attorney General are obliged to take; should his Majesty in his wisdom think proper to create an officer of such rank and title, I will humbly submit the expediency of his Majesty's granting him a salary on the quit rents equal to that of the Attorney Generals, and of obtaining an Act of the Legislature here for allowing him to take the same fees in the Courts he is concerned in for the Crown as the Attorney General is entitled to, in like cases by Act of Assembly passed in April 1748. The several Laws passed last session of Assembly (prorogued the 7th of last month), I expect will be delivered to

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me in a few days with the Journals of the Council and Assembly, all which shall be transmitted to you by the first opportunity.

I am &c.