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May it please your Lordships

—— had no particular comands nor instructions from the [Lords Propriet]ors Board save that by General Nicholson. now no answer [fro]m the Board nor your Lordship of my letters gives me occasion to doubt that my letters miscarried and came not to hand. Wherefore thought it my duty, to justify myself not to be guilty of so great a neglect. Governor Hyde deceased Sept 8th 1712, and I entered on the administration Sept 12th; since which time have sent two to your Lordship in each of which enclosed a letter to his Excellency the Palatine and rest of the Lords Proprietors, under a flying seal for your Lordship to

peruse. My first letter to you dated Sept 20th 1712 (a copy whereof is enclosed) I delivered myself to Baron Graffenreid, who was then [goin]g to Verginia; and he told me that the Governor of Verginia took care —— his letters to London with his own pacquets, and that there was no —— they would come safe to your Lordships hands. —— second letters, dated April 2d 1713 immediately after the taking great Indian Fort I sent into Verginia, and know they came to Baron Graffenreid who was then in Verginia I would have sent [your Lord]ship copies of all, but the state of affairs being much altered, and they being long, thought it not worth while to trouble your [Lordshi]p with them. What reason Baron Graffenreid to conceal [or] keep up my letters, I know not. I took him for a man of honour and integrity, but have found the contrary to my great loss.

The land I mentioned in my other enclosed to your Lordship, I reserved [and k]ept clear from being taken up by any other person so long as I had the power, expecting to have heard from your Lordship. But now the power being taken out of my hands, and a new General surveyor appointed, I know not how it may be. I have not been wanting, neither in person nor estate, to the uttermost of my power for the safety of Her Majesty's subjects here, and defence of this your Lordships country; which, it hath pleased God hath not been unsuccessful, the fire of difference and division amongst the people being in a manner extinguished, most of our Indian enemies killed, taken, submitted or fled, so that there is but about forty or fifty enemies left that we can here of. The Quakers, though very refractory and ungovernable in Mr Glovers and Governor Hydes administration, yet since I have concerned, must needs acknowledge they have been as ready (especially in supplying provision for the forces) as any others in the Government. If your Lordship think convenient to procure the Surveyor General's place for my son, I shall take it as an extraordinary favor; and if any ways I can be serviceable to your Lordship here, you shall need but to command who most sincerely is

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