Robert Carter writes to London merchant William Dawkins March 25, 1721, concerning the possible purchase of some lands owned in England by the heirs of a man named Ashton. He states that John Fitzhugh has claimed since his return to Virginia that he bought the lands and left the deeds in England to be executed. If that proves to be the case, that ends the matter, but he asks Dawkins to investigate as he would acquire the property if available. He reports that the Spaniards at St. Augustine have taken men and the cargo from a ship which then escaped, and that pirates are fitting out in Santa Domingo; he hopes that protection will be provided for "the Security of our Trade." Carter has added in his hand to the draft a request for salt to be sent.
I wrote to You from Williamsburg an answer to Yors relating
to some lands, That were offered to You to Sale in Stafford County under the
care of Mr. Thomas Lee
belonging to Some persons in England that are heir [s]
to one Ashton, since I have made Enquirey into these Lands and am
informed it is a Seat worth buying John Fitzhugh
since his Arrival
hither has reported he has bought them for two hundred pound
but had left the Deeds behind him to be Executed after he came away
which makes me think It is nothing but pretence, if you'll give
yourself the Trouble to Enquire into the Title if the claiming persons
can make me a good Sale I should not care if I were the purchaser
whoever can buy a good Title to It for two hundred & fifty pound
I believe It may be well worth the money, If Fitzhugh has bought
It there's no more to be said, but if not You will oblige me to keep
a Treaty on foot until You can Inform me of all the particulars
relateing to It --
We begin to look hard for the London Ships, The Spaniards
[illegible]
of Saint Augustin continue to play the rogue a Vessel lately
arrived hither went thither with goods, The Master and Six of the
men were taken out of the Ship and their goods the remaining
part of the Crew to prevent the Ship's being made a prize run
away with her, a Vessel from Barbados reports that Six
pirates were fitting at St. Demingo the biggest of them 36
Guns another 18 It is [not] to be doubted some of them will infest
our Coast this Spring but sure there will be some care taken of us
for the Security of our Trade, I want
Salt if You can find a way
to send me 3 or 400 Bushells it will be very welcome