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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Report by the Committee of both Houses of the North Carolina General Assembly concerning public accounts
North Carolina. General Assembly
December 22, 1758
Volume 05, Pages 965-975

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[B. P. R. O. North Carolina. B. T. Vol. 13. D. 48.]


North Carolina—ss.

Reports of the Committee of both Houses of Assembly met at Edenton to examine state and settle the Public Accounts of this Province the 25th Day of November A D 1758.

Present
The Honourable Francis Corbin Esqr Member of Council
The Honourable Lewis De Rosset Esqr Member of Council
The Honourable John Rieusset Esqr Member of Council
Messieur John Harvey Member of the Assembly
Messieur George Moore Member of the Assembly
Messieur James Paine Member of the Assembly
Messieur Benjamin Harvey Member of the Assembly
Messieur Joseph Harron Member of the Assembly
Messieur Michael Coutanche Member of the Assembly
Messieur John Campbell Member of the Assembly

The Committee having met made choice of Mr. John Harvey for Chairman who took his Place accordingly and at the same time nominated Henry Delon Clk of the said Committee.

John Starkey Esqr Public Treasurer of the Southern District exhibited his several Accounts to your Committee on Oath to wit

1st His Acct of Bear Inlet Fort whereby it appears he had in his Hands at the last Settlement one hundred and ninety two Pounds three Shillings and three Pence which still remains in his Hands in Notes.

2nd His Acct of the Money appropriated for Fort Johnston by which it appears that he had in his Hands at the last settlement three hundred and twenty seven Pounds six Shillings and seven Pence, that he has paid by Order of the Commissioners three hundred and twenty four Pounds and one Penny which Sum with his Commissions ballances said Acct he also produced his Vouchers and lodged them with your Committee.

3d His Acct of the old four penny Tax for Public Buildings by which it appears that he had in his Hands at the last settlemt fourteen Pounds five shillings that he has since received twenty two Pounds fourteen shillings and six Pence the Ballance due by John Bryan Sheriff of Craven and hath paid away to Mr. John Fonville one of the Commissioners thirty five Pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee. The sum paid away and his Commissions also ballance this Account.

4th His Acct of the Money appropriated for Fort Granville whereby it appears that he had in his Hands at the last settlement one hundred and forty seven Pounds one Shilling and one Penny that he has credited

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this acct two hundred and fifty eight Pounds ten Shillings and three Pence three farthings the Ballance of his acct of the nine penny Tax and that he has paid away to Capt McNair and to his Order two hundred and seventy seven Pounds one Shilling and one Penny for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee and there remains in his Hands for the use of the said Fort after deducting his Commissions one hundred and twenty five Pounds fourteen shillings and ten Pence three farthings

5th His acct of the six penny Tax for Offices at Wilmington whereby it appears that he had in his Hands at the last Settlement thirteen Pounds seven shillings and one farthing and that he has since received sixty eight Pounds eighteen Shillings and seven Pence Half-penny out of which he has paid to Mr. Jno D'Bois one of the Commissioners seventy eight Pounds five Shillings for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee and there remains in his Hands after deducting his commissions eleven Shillings eight Pence three farthings.

6th His Acct of the four penny Tax for the Printer and Post whereby it appears that he had in his hands at the last settlement forty two Pounds ten Shillings and four Pence and that he has since received (his Commissions deducted) one hundred and fourteen Pounds nineteen Shillings and ten Pence three farthings and that he has paid to Mr. James Davis one hundred and ninety three Pounds six Shillings and eight Pence for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee and there is due to said John Starkey thirty five Pounds sixteen Shillings and six Pence.

7th His Acct of the nine penny tax whereby it appears that he had in his hands at the last Settlement only sixteen Pounds sixteen Shillings and one Penny three Farthings and that he has since received exclusive of his Commissions two hundred and forty one Pounds fourteen Shillings and two Pence which two Sums amounting to two hundred and fifty eight Pounds ten Shillings and three Pence three Farthings he has carried to the Credit of Fort Granville's Account.

8th His Acct of the two Shillings Tax to replace the Money for Public Buildings and Glebes whereby it appears that he had in his hands at the last Settlement nine hundred and one Pounds and nine Pence and that he has since received exclusive of his Commissions six hundred and forty four Pounds, eleven Shillings and one Penny Farthing and there is now in his Hands in Treasurer's Notes one thousand five hundred and forty five Pounds eleven Shillings and ten Pence Farthing.

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9th His Acct of the two Shillings Tax to redeem the three thousand four hundred Pounds first emitted in Notes whereby it appears there was due to him at the last Settlement one thousand and three Pounds eight Shillings and eight Pence Half-penny and that he has since received exclusive of his Commissions five hundred and fourteen Pounds four Shillings and nine Pence and there remains due to said John Starkey four hundred and eighty nine Pounds three Shillings and eleven Pence Half-penny.

10th His Acct of the Tax for sinking the Currency whereby it appears that he has received since the last Settlement exclusive of his Commissions six hundred and five Pounds eighteen Shillings and ten Pence which he paid into your Committee.

11th His Acct of Money received by him for Contingencies by which it appears there was due to him at last Settlement one hundred and ninety two Pounds four Shillings and six Pence Farthing that he has since received exclusive of his commissions six hundred and thirty nine Pounds ten Shillings and nine Pence three Farthings that he hath applyed two thousand Pounds part of what was granted for Contingencies out of the nine thousand five hundred Pounds emitted in Notes in December last and that he has paid away two thousand three hundred and eighteen Pounds six Shillings and seven Pence Half penny for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee and there remains in his Hands one hundred and twenty eight Pounds nineteen Shillings & eight Pence.

12th His Acct how the three thousand seven hundred and fifty Pounds he received of Mr. Barker for Part of the seven thousand Pounds in Notes granted last May whereby it appears that he has paid

£683
2
to Capt Bailey
1250
-
to Capt Paine
500
-
to Capt Waddell
300
-
to Capt Moore
300
-
to Capt McNair
160
-
for transporting the troops
£3193
2
for which he produced his Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee

and there remains in his Hands after deducting his Commissions four hundred and eighty six Pounds eighteen Shillings.

13th His Acct how he paid away five thousand Pounds he had out of the nine thousand five hundred Pounds in Notes granted in December last whereby it appears that he has paid

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£830
-
to Capt Waddell
1100
-
to Capt Bailey
323
9
8
to Capt Grainger
650
-
to Capt Paine
£2903
9
8
for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee

it further appears that he hath applyed two thousand Pounds towards Contingencies and that there remains in his Hands after deducting his Commissions one Pound ten Shillings & four Pence

14th His Acct of the 4s 6d tax laid for the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven and the tax laid on Actions for two Years to redeem the five thousand three hundred and six Pounds issued in Notes for the South Carolina Expedition by which it appears that he has received in part of the 4s 6d tax three hundred and twenty Pounds eleven Shillings & nine Pence farthing and in part of the tax on Actions seven Pounds ten Shillings and after his Commissions are deducted out of the said Sums there remains in his Hands in Notes three hundred and eleven Pounds thirteen Shillings and nine Pence farthing

15th His Acct of Outstanding Debts in his District as may appear by his said Account to which your Committee refer.

James Moore junr Capt of a Company at Fort Johnston exhibited his Accts to your Committee on Oath whereby it appears that he hath received of John Starkey Esqre three hundred Pounds and that he hath regularly expended for inlisting paying cloathing and Provision for his said Company from the time of their inlisting to the twelfth Day of December one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight, four hundred and seventy five Pounds four Shillings and eight Pence and there remains due to him one hundred and seventy five Pounds four Shillings and eight Pence

Charles McNair Captain of a Company at Fort Granville exhibited his Acct to your Committee on Oath whereby it appears that he has received of John Starkey Esqr three hundred Pounds and that he hath regularly expended for Pay cloathing and Provisions for his said Company from the time of their inlisting to the twelfth Day of December one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight five hundred and twenty nine Pounds fifteen Shillings and there is due to said McNair two hundred and twenty nine Pounds fifteen Shillings.

George Gibbens Esq exhibited his Accounts to your Committee for sundry Charges in attending the Cattle carried to Core sound for the Use of Captain Paine's Company amounting to twenty six Pounds thirteen Shillings and he credits the Public twenty two Pounds sixteen Shillings

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and four Pence for Beef Hydes Tallow and five Steers sold and there remains due to said Gibbens three Pounds sixteen Shillings and eight Pence

Robert Jones junr Esqr one of the Commissioners for Building Prison and Offices at Enfield produced his Accounts to your Committee upon Oath whereby it appears that he hath received from the Sheriffs of Northampton Edgcomb and Granville three hundred and seven Pounds one Shilling and five Pence Half penny and that he has expended including his Fees and Commissions one hundred and seventy two Pounds twelve Shillings and three Farthings for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee and there remains in his Hands one hundred and thirty four Pounds nine Shillings and four Pence three Farthings

Mr. Mathew Hardy exhibited his Acct to Your Committee whereby it appears that he has received of John Starkey Esqr two hundred Pounds and of Mr. Benjamin Stead Merchant in Charles Town fifty two Pounds ten Shillings South Carolina Currency that he has delivered to sd Stead fifty one Steers for which he was by the Governor's Agreement to be allowed four Pounds a piece and there is due from said Hardy to the Public the sum of six Pounds It appears by Mr. Stead's Acct that forty three of the before mentioned Steers were buryed and he charges for the Expence thereof sixteen Pounds two Shillings and six Pence South Carolina Currency and there remained in his Hands for Ballance of eight Steers that were killed twenty three Pounds nineteen Shillings and four Pence Half penny like Money for which His Excellency Arthur Dobbs Esqr is to Account.

Mr. John Fonville one of the Commissioners for building Prison and Offices at Newbern exhibited his Acct to your Com̄ittee on Oath whereby it appears that he has received at several times and for Bricks and Plank sold two hundred and sixty six Pounds thirteen Shillings and eight pence and that he hath expended in building the Prison and laying the foundation of the Offices including twenty Pounds he charges for his Trouble three hundred and six Pounds three Shillings and nine Pence and there remains due to said Fonville thirty nine Pounds ten Shillings and one Penny.

Samuel Swann Esqre one of the Committee of Correspondance exhibited the Accounts of that Committee to your Committee on Oath by which it appears that the said Committee has received out of the Treasury one thousand seven hundred and eighty six Pounds 14s 8d that they have remitted to James Abercromby Esq. one thousand and four hundred and seventy four Pounds five Shillings said Mr. Swann's Commissions

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amount to sixty eight Pounds eighteen Shillings and ten pence and there remains in his Hands two hundred and forty three Pounds ten Shillings and ten Pence which it is the Opinion of your Committee ought to be applied towards the Contingent charge of Government if the said James Abercromby is otherwise Paid.

Said Mr. Swann also produced Jas Abercromby's Accounts and it appears to your Committee that by an Act passed in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty one it was allowed there was a Ballance due to said Abercromby of one hundred & eleven Pounds nine Shillings and two Pence Sterling and that his Salary from the twenty fifth of March of the same year to the End of the Session next after the twenty fifth Day of March one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven amounts to six hundred and sixteen Pounds thirteen Shillings and four Pence it also appears to your Committee that he has received from the Committee of Correspondance five hundred and eighty six Pounds ten Shillings and eleven Pence. Your Committee observe that the said Abercromby charges in his several Accounts two hundred and sixty three Pounds eleven Shillings for yearly Gifts to Office Keepers Door Keepers and Messengers, Coach hire Postage of Public Packets and Letters Money paid to Servants of Ministers and many other incidental charges and his extra Services for which your Committee is of Opinion he ought to be allowed one hundred and ninety Pounds Eighteen Shillings he also charges fifty one Pounds four Shillings and eleven pence for interest and eighty three Pounds six Shillings and eight Pence overplus of Salary to the twenty fifth of March one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight which two Sums your Committee is of Opinion ought to be disallowed and there appears due to said Abercromby three hundred thirty two Pounds Nine Shillings and Seven Pence Sterling.

Mr. Francis Brown exhibited to your Committee his Accounts relating to the Fort begun at the Catawba Nation by which it appears that he hath received of John Starkey Esq at several Payments seven hundred and eighty Pounds and of Thomas Barker Esqr sixty Pounds and that he hath expended for goods delivered to the Indians in satisfaction of six hundred and forty Acres of land whereon to build ye Fort forty two Pounds twelve Shillings and nine Pence for Presents to said Indians by the Governor's Order eighty Pounds two Shillings and two Pence Half penny, for a Waggon and five Horses tools Provisions and Wages including his own and the Expences of three Journies to the Catawba Nation seven hundred and twenty eight Pounds seventeen Shillings and three Pence Half penny for which he produced his Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee and there remains due to said Francis Brown eleven Pounds twelve shillings and three Pence

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Your Committee observe there is an Article for Provisions and Wages advanced the Workmen by one Phifer which is unsettled and not charged which ought to be allowed when proved and produced said Mr. Brown also delivered to your Committee an Inventory of several Tools and Goods left at the Fort which with the Waggon and four Horses now in his Care have Cost the Public about one hundred and thirty two Pounds ten Shillings

Richard Spaight Esq exhibited his Accts and Vouchers to your Committee whereby it appears that he had in his Hands at the last Settlement one thousand eight hundred and seventy three Pounds thirteen Shillings and five Pence Half penny and that he hath since paid including his Commissions one thousand six hundred and eleven Pounds and ten Pence Half penny but your Committee do not allow in his said Account

£10
4
pd to James Bryant and William Powell to reimburse them on Acct of the Royal American Regiment
16
10
pd Mr. Powell for Expresses to South Carolina and General Forbes
11
2
8
retained by Mr. Spaight by the Governor's Order it
37
16
8
being the opinion of your Committee that they ought to be produced to the Committee of Claims and paid out of the Contingencies if allowed and
7
6
for his Commissions on said Sum and by that Means
£38
4
2
the Ballance remaining in said Mr. Spaight's Hands amounts to three hundred Pounds sixteen Shillings and nine Pence

Your Committee having considered the Accounts of Mr. Henry Johnston Lieutenant Mr. David Rogers Ensign and Joshua Johnson sergeant in Capt Arbuthnott's Company and finding the said Arbuthnott hath not received out of the Treasury as much as any Captain upon the New York Expedition is of Opinion that they ought to be paid out of the money in the Hands of Richard Spaight Esqr the following Sums to wit

£18
6
to Henry Johnston for his Disbursements as pr acct proved & exhibited to your Committee
81
2
1
to David Rogers for Balle of his acct settled last December by your then Committee
15
2
to Joshua Johnston for Ballance of his Wages as per account proved and produced

Thomas Barker Esqr Public Treasurer of the Northern District exhibited his accounts to your Committee on Oath to Wit

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Fo 1

His acct of the sinking Tax whereby it appears that he has received of several Sherifs
£715
19
of the Collr of the Duty on Spirituous Liquors in Pt Roanoke
277
7
3
of the Collector of Port Curratuck
90
8
2
on acct of the Ballance due the Public from the Estate of Thos Hember late Treasurer of Pasquotank
54
of Henry De Lon on acct of Mortgages due in said County
15
10
3

and after deducting his Commissions there remained in his hands one thousand and ninety five Pounds eleven shillings and eleven Pence which he paid into your Committee.

F 2. 3. 9 & 10 His acct of the Contingent Tax whereby it appears that he had in his Hands at the last settlement forty one Pounds five shillings and four Pence three Farthings that he has since received eight hundred and sixty two Pounds five Shillings and seven Pence Halfpenny and he also credits His Account five hundred Pounds that he has applyed out of the £9500 Grant and he has paid away for claims and Salaries to Chief Justice and Attorney General including his Commissions eleven hundred and forty one Pounds fourteen Shillings and eight Pence three Farthings for which he produced his Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee and there remains in his Hands one hundred and eighty three Pounds five shillings and six Pence

F 4 His acct of the Printing Tax by which it appears that he has received exclusive of his Commissions two hundred and eighteen Pounds five shillings and nine Pence which remains in his Hands.

F 5 His acct of the first two Shillings aid whereby it appears that he had in his Hands at the last Settlement two thousand and forty one Pounds fourteen Shillings and six Pence and that he hath since received exclusive of his Commissions one thousand one hundred and nine Pounds two Shillings and ten Pence and there is now due to the Public in his Hands three thousand one hundred and fifty Pounds seventeen Shillings and four Pence.

F 6 His acct of the nine Penny Tax whereby it appears that he has received since last settlement exclusive of his Commission four hundred and fourteen Pounds three Shillings and two Pence and that he has paid to Capt McNaire and to his Order on acct of Fort Granville including his Comms two hundred and forty nine Pounds twelve Shillings and five Pence for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee and there remains in his Hands one hundred and sixty four Pounds ten Shillings and nine Pence

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F 7 His acct of the second two Shillings aid whereby it appears that he had in his Hands at the last Settlement four Pounds four Shillings and five Pence that he has since received exclusive of his Commissions sixty Pounds six shillings and ten Pence and he paid into the Hands of your Committee four hundred and sixty five Pounds in Notes of the first emission which with the Interest thereon amount to four hundred and eighty five Pounds ten Shillings and two Pence three Farthings and there is due to said Mr. Barker after adding his Commissions for exchanging the Ballance four hundred and sixteen Pounds thirteen Shillings and three Pence

F 8 His acct of the first 4s 6d aid by which it appears that he has received exclusive of his Commissions one thousand six hundred and eighty seven Pounds thirteen Shillings and five Pence Farthing and he paid to your Committee three thousand and ninety three Pounds in Notes of the second Emission amounting with Interest to three thousand three hundred and twenty seven Pounds ten shillings and two Pence farthing and there is due to him after adding his Commissions for exchanging the Ballance one thousand six hundred and fifty six Pounds four Shillings and eight Pence.

F 11 His Acct of the third 4s 6d Aid whereby it appears that he hath received of the Collectors of the Duty on Spirituous Liquors in Port Roanoke and Port Curratuck exclusive of his Commissions twenty nine Pounds eleven Shillings and two Pence which remains in his Hands.

F 12 His Acct of the second 4s 6d aid whereby it appears that he has paid into the Hands of your Committee four hundred and seventy Pounds in Notes of the third Emission amounting with Interest due thereon to four hundred and ninety five Pounds one Shilling and three Pence three Farthings and there is due to said Mr. Barker after adding his Commissions for exchanging the same five hundred Pounds and three Pence.

F 13 His Acct of the £5306 granted in May 1757 whereby it appears that he had out of that Emission two thousand six hundred and six Pounds and that he has paid

£800
to Capt Grainger
1230
to Capt Paine
76
to Mr Wheatley for do Paine
500
to Mr Leach
60
to Mr Brown
£2666
for which he produced Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee

and there is due to said Mr. Barker after adding his Commissions one hundred and thirteen Pounds one Shilling and two Pence

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F 14 His Acct of the £9500 granted in December it appears that he had to emit four thousand five hundred Pounds. That he has applyed five hundred Pounds towards Contingencies paid four hundred Pounds to Capt Paine for which he produced a Voucher and lodged the same with your Committee and three thousand eight hundred and fifteen Pounds in Notes not issued into the Hands of your Committee and there is due to said Mr. Barker including his Commissions three hundred and ten Pounds.

F 15 His Acct of the £7000 granted in May last whereby it appears he had to emit three thousand two hundred and fifty Pounds and that he has paid

£125
to Capt Waddell part of a Warrt in favour of Linsey
500
to Mr Groves Ensign of Capn Bailey
614
to Capn Campbell and to his Order
£1239
for which he produced his Vouchers and lodged the same with your Committee

and there remains in his Hands after deducting his Commissions one thousand nine hundred and forty one Pounds.

17 His General Acct wherein the before mentioned Ballances are stated and there is in his Hands belonging to the Public only two thousand six hundred and ninety one Pounds eleven Shillings and two Pence.

Mr. George Gibbens exhibited to your Committee the Account of his Disbursements on Fort Dobbs on Oath whereby it appears that he has received of Col Lovick five hundred and twenty two Pounds eighteen Shillings and two Pence and that he hath paid away including his own Wages five hundred and twenty two Pounds eleven Shillings and eight Pence the Ballance which is six Shillings and six Pence he paid to the Chairman of your Committee.

Collo Bell produced a Voucher for one Pound six Shillings and eight Pence paid to Jabesh Weeks for Work done on Fort Dobbs was allowed which Sum was dis-allowed when he produced his Accts last November Sessions, for want of Paid Voucher.

Your Committee observe that Colo Bell's Accounts are so confused that they have not time to examine and Report the same.

Your Committee further observe that on the Book of Public Accounts there appears a Ballance of one hundred and twenty three Pounds eight Shillings and ten Pence Half-penny Proclamation Money due to the Public from the Estate of Colo Thomas Swann late Treasurer of Pasquotank County.

Your Committee is of opinion that Henry Delon be allowed as Clerk to your Committee and for that Stationary Ware Copying five Bills his Room Fire and Candles the Sum of forty pounds, and that Mr. Robert

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Wallace be allowed for a Room Fire Candles and Expences for your Committee the Sum of six Pounds.

JOHN HARVEY Chairman
JOSEPH HARRON
FRAs CORBIN
JAS PAINE
LEWIS De ROSSET
JNO CAMPBELL
J RIEUSSET
MICH COUTANCHE
GEO MOORE
BEN HARVEY

22nd Decbr 1758

The foregoing reports were read Approved of by the House to which desire your Honrs Concurrence

By order
SAM SWANN Speakr
Wm Herritage Clk

22d Decr 1758

In the Upper House concurred with

By order
MATT ROWAN P C
J no Smith Clk
ARTHUR DOBBS



Additional Notes for Electronic Version: This report was enclosed with a letter from Arthur Dobbs - See Related Documents.