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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from James Adams to John Chamberlain
Adams, James
September 04, 1710
Volume 01, Pages 733-734

[From N. C. Letter Book. S. P. G.]
MR. ADAMS TO THE SECRETARY.

Va, 4 Sept., 1710.

Sir:—

About a week ago I waited upon the Honorable Mr. Hyde, who was appointed governor of our country; and, as far as I can learn, he thinks it not advisable, as things have happened, to go into North Carolina till he hears again from England; so that God only knows when our distractions are to have an end. Though we be a numerous and considerable body of people, yet we seem to be below the care of the lords proprietors, who, I am afraid, are abused by a misrepresentation of the country, made by the Quakers and their faction, or trust too much to the management of Mr. Danson a proprietor, of the aforesaid sect, who receives his informations from those of that party, particularly one Porter, a person notoriously infamous, whose practice is, in conjunction with the Quakers' adherents, when they hear of any man going from this country who is not of their interest, to write scandalous lies and calumnies against him to the lords proprietors, to lessen the said person's credit in what he shall say in relation to the state of the country. Thus they served Mr. Gordon and others, and hearing of my intentions for Europe, have probably done the same by me. But I hope the testimonies sent from the two parishes where I have lived ever since my arrival in the country, are sufficient enough to prevent all my enemies from doing me any mischief that way. Mr. Glover has been solicited by worthy persons in Virginia,

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who pity the lamentable condition our colony has so long been in, to write the state of the country, and dedicate it to the parliament of Great Britain and commissioners of trade; but it is resolved to be silent till he learns the determination of the lords proprietors.

I have lived here in a dismal country about two years and a half, where I have suffered a world of misery and trouble, both in body and mind; I have gone through good report and evil report, and endured as much as any of your missionaries have done before me; wherefore, I humbly pray you, and hope the honorable society will now be pleased to alter my mission to South Carolina, where I doubt not but, by God's assistance, I shall be able to do more good; and whoever succeeds me here will have this advantage, that none of the country will be prejudiced to his person (as all who adhered to the Quakers are to mine); and this in my opinion, will not conduce a little to the success of his labors. I have lodged above this year past in the house of a planter, an old man, who, before the Quakers got the government in their hands, was one of our councillors. He has, after his own decease and his wife's, left a considerable legacy for the encouragement of a minister in the parish where he lives, which is as follows, viz: A very good plantation, upon which he lives, with all the houses and some household furniture, two slaves and their increase forever, together with a stock of cows, sheep, hogs, and horses, with their increase forever; all which, immediately upon the old people's decease may moderately be valued at £200, and in some years after may prove a moderate living for a minister in itself. The old gentleman's name is Sanderson.

Since my last I have baptized forty persons, whereof six were adult palatines: the number of communicants last Easter was twenty-five.

We have in this precinct about seventy or eighty Indians, many of which understand English tolerably well, but our own distractions have hitherto prevented my thoughts of doing any great matters among them, considering the bad examples we show them.

I understand, by my lord of London's letter, that the society has been pleased to augment my salary, for which I desire to offer my most humble thanks.

I beg you will be pleased to let me hear from you by first opportunity, and remain with all respect, sir,

Your most humble servant,
JAMES ADAMS.