Robert Carter writes to Richmond County sheriff William Downman, [December 27, 1723], strongly urging him to do his duty in seizing the lands and property of murderer Thomas Glascock and offering to let him read the appropriate law book about the requirements in such a case. Carter notes that the seized property and lands belong to the proprietors and that he had the opinion of the governor and attorney general to that effect in an earlier case.

     I have waited in expectation of Colonel Barber who was Coroner
and sat upon the body of the Docter the Slain Man and found [illegible] Glascock
guilty of the murder and of his flight for it upon the Inquest which
was taken before him which the Law calls a Conviction upon
record and upon this [illegible] the murderer had forfeited his Lands
his Goods &c and You as Sheriff ought immediately to have
seized the Estate and the profits of the Land for the King and you
the Law makes answerable for the Same these things belo[ ... ] [ng]
to the Proprietors by their Grant I had Mr Attorney's Op[ ... ] [ini]
on and Colonel Spotswoods too in a Case of a like natur[ ... ] [e one]
Edwards of Westmoreland by name and his Esta[ ... ] [te was]
delivered to me by the Sheriff what Colonel Barber has [ ... ] [ . . . ]
this Estate I can't tell as this Case is the Law in [ ... ] [ . . . ]

     If You have not yet made the seizure I think it is your duty
immediately to do it but for your better instruction You may
consult Mr Daltons officers sheriff under his title forfeiture
there You may read Your duty at large before you
proceed to alter the property of any of the estate I should
be glad to see you the next week in the Oyer and Terminer Court
if the weather be fair believe I shall hardly be at home

     I doubt You have been slack in Your duty in the pursuit
of this Murderer the afforesaid book will give You directions
what you ought to have done my being concerned so much in
this affair will justify this Letter to you from Sir