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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the North Carolina Governor's Council
North Carolina. Council
December 03, 1720
Volume 02, Pages 396-398

[Council Journal.]

Att a council held at the house of the Honble the Governor Decembr the 3d Anno 1720
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Present
The Honble Charles Eden Esqr Governor Capt General and Admiral
Thos Pollock Esqr Lds proptrs Deputy
ffred Jones Esqr Lds proptrs Deputy
Richd Sanderson Esqr Lds proptrs Deputy
John Lovick Esqr Lds proptrs Deputy

Mathew Wolf Master of the sloop George together with Thomas Predeaux Master of the sloop Hopewell made their appearance who being Examined upon Oath declare Vizt Mathew Wolf saith

That some time about the 18th of October last he set away from Rhode Island in his sloop the George Bound to North Carolina and on his way meeting with contrary winds about the 20th of November last for the sake of a Harbour he put into Virginia where he lay five days and that soon after this Examt arrival there he waited on the Officers of the Customs at the port of Hampton to desire leave to lye while the winds Offered for the port he was bound toe which being granted this Examt fell into discourse with Mr Henry Irvin the Naval Officer and whilst he was talking with him one Samuel Butler in a sloop from New England Bound likewise to North Carolina in order to procure a License to Whale came also to the sd Mr Irvin for leave to lye in the port til the wind offered and this Examt further saith that he heard the sd Irvin tell the sd Butler that the Governor of North Carolina had no power to grant any Licenses for Whaleing but that the Governor of Virginia had the sole authority of Whaleing as far as Cape Fear and that all vessels ought to have their orders from him (meaning the Governor of Virginia) for Whaleing and advise the sd Butler to make a journey to the Governor of Virginia at Williamsburg to obtain Licence from him for fishing in North Carolina saying withal that if they ketched any Fish without the Governor of Verginia's orders if he found any of the Oyle or bone he would seize it which so Terrified the sd Butler that he was at a loss for some time what to doe in the business and that the sd Butler had discoursed with this Examinat about the same who advised him by all means to set away for Carolina assuring him that he believed the Governor there would not only grant him a License to whale but would Protect him likewise.

MATHEW WOLFE

And Thomas Predeaux haveing heard the aforsd Examination read to him saith that he heard the sd Mr Irvin declare the substance of what is sworne by the aforsd Mathew Wolfe saveing that he understood Mr Irvin when speaking of the Governor of North Carolina's Authority about whaleing that his words were (that he did not know by what authority

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the sd Governor granted Licences and that when he mentioned the seizing the Oyle and bone if they whaled without the Governor of Verginia's Authority he understood him the sd Irvin that he would send and seize it

THOMAS PREDEAUX

Which Examination haveing been duly Considered by this Board and the ill Consequences of such threats to the Trade and Wellfare of the Government Its there desire that the Governor would Transmit the above Examination home to the Lords proprietors praying their Lordps to let them know their Sentiment of such useage

By Order
J. LOVICK Secretary