Robert Carter responds to a letter from Mrs. Mary Colston, August 9, 1723, concerning her desire to take out a patent on waste and surplus lands in and adjacent to lands originally patented to James Williamson in Richmond County. He explains that waste and surplus lands are patented in different ways, and that he believes that Williamson's orphans should have first chance to patent any surplus in their father's land. He suggests Mrs. Colston consult Colonel Charles Barber as to her claims so that Barber may satisfy Carter about them.

     Your's of Yesterdays date hath put me upon
taking a review of Yor. Former Lettrs. to Witt of the 11th & 16 of July last
Yor. designe is If I understand You right to take up all the Surplus lands in
A Pattent for three hundred & fifty Acres Granted to the orphs. of James Willi
=amson as also all the Waste Land between that Pattent Samfords Pat.
& Richardsons Creek, Now You are to Understand these are things of
Different Natures, Surplus Lands are to be taken up in one Method
and Waste Lands in Another, and there ought to be two Entrys and
two Deeds, And If there be Surplus Lands between within the bounds
of the Pattent granted to Williamson's orphs. It Should Seem that
they ought to have the preference before You, The best Advice [I]
can give You, is to Consult Collo. Barber in this Affair who frequ[ently]
comes to our Court, And if he can Sattisfie me, that tis Your r[ight]
to have the preference to these lands, I Shall be willing to go [into]
Measures for confirming them to You, Upon Your pay[ment of]
the fees and Charges, And pray Madm. before I take [ . . . ]