To His Excellency George Burrington, Governor of His Majesty's Province of North Carolina.
Sir,
In obedience to your Excellencys directions I here send you an Estimate of the Value of the Secretary's office upon a Medium for seven years last past, I believe at present it is not of the value it was which is wholly owing to the High Quit rent that is put upon the Land; for it was a great Inducement to the settlement of this little Colony, that Land was to be taken up at a Quarter the Value that it was in our Neighbouring Province of Virginia, and the Quit rent being the same as in Virginia all new comers into that Province chose to come in here but now that the taking up of Land is made more difficult than it is in Virginia & the rent is double to what it is there, it will rather drive People from hence thither than Encourage any of them to settle here; And I believe your Excellency is very sensible that this is the true ground for the stop that is put to all business, not one survey or Patent having been made or issued that I hear of since your Excellencys arrival, and I am afraid few
will be made unless the Quit rent is altered for People will always settle where they can live with most Ease, and are least Burthened. I could not help saying this much because perhaps when the Estimate is seen, it might be asked why the office is not so good now as it was.
200 Patents one year with another |
£122 |
“ |
10s
|
“ |
— |
200 Warrants for taking up of Lands |
50 |
“ |
— |
“ |
— |
Lapse & Escheat Patents about 80 one year with another |
100 |
“ |
— |
“ |
— |
Clerks office |
100 |
“ |
— |
“ |
— |
To Wills, Probates & Am̄ icons yearly |
80 |
“ |
— |
“ |
— |
To Council Business yearly |
50 |
“ |
— |
“ |
— |
Writts of Escheat & Testimonials |
40 |
“ |
— |
“ |
— |
Sallery per. annum |
40 |
“ |
— |
“ |
— |
£582 |
“ |
10 |
“ |
— |
I have formerly made much more of it, but the Distractions heretofore in the Government prevented many from coming in that otherwise would have settled here. And your Excellency may perceive by the Estimate that the principal Fees in the office is what arises from the Settling Lands.