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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from William Legge, Earl of Dartmouth to Josiah Martin
Dartmouth, William Legge, Earl of, 1731 - 1801
March 03, 1775
Volume 09, Pages 1140-1141

[B. P. R. O. Am. & W. Ind: No. Carolina. No. 222.]
Circular from Lord Dartmouth to Governor Martin,

Whitehall, 3rd March, 1775.

Sir,

Since my letter to you of the first of February a Duplicate of which is inclosed with this I have conversed with Mr Cholmondely

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on the subject of Mr Edwards' conduct of the impropriety of which he is fully satisfied and will in consequence appoint another Deputy.

The difficulties which have accompanied the establishment of proper Courts of Justice from the obstinate adherence of the Assembly to their erroneous opinions respecting the Laws of Attachment will I hope be soon removed as their Agents here in that Business Mr Barker and Mr Elmsly have desired to be heard and have presented a Memorial in which they have stated the matter in a way that I think will lead to Accommodation.

I have at length the satisfaction to acquaint you that the Lords of the Treasury have signified to me their approbation of a Bill for the more regular collection and payment of the Quit Rents inclosed in your dispatch to me of the 18th July 1775, and also of the additional clauses transmitted with your Dispatch No 24. And I am to signify to you his Majesty's commands that you do use your Endeavors to get a Law passed conformable thereto; And as it has been represented to the Treasury that there are many extensive Tracts of Land held by no other Title than that of Possession the Proprietors or their Predecessors having either never taken out any Patent or Grant from the Crown or having lost or mislaid that Patent, Deed or Conveyance and that the Proprietors of the Lands will naturally avoid having any connection with the Register's Office, it is their Lordship's opinion that it may be proper that some provision should be made in the Law for preventing any detriment that may in such cases arise to the Revenue.

I am &c:
DARTMOUTH.