A Collection Transcribed
and Digitized
by Edmund Berkeley, Jr.
List of Letters
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About This Collection
Electronic Text Center
, University of Virginia Library
Summary
Letter from Robert Carter to [Mann Page, April 5, 1724]
Robert Carter writes to an unidentified correspondent, probably his son-in-law, Mann Page, [April 5, 1724], informing him of the death of Daniel McCarty and soliciting his support for George Eskridge for the post of collector of Potomac River, an opening created by McCarty's death.
Letter from Robert Carter to [Mann Page,
April 5, 1724]
-1
-
[Corotoman, Lancaster County, Virginia]
Honble: Sr
This is a hasty Errand occasioned by a Lettr: to
me at Church this Day which gives me an Accot of Captain McCartys
Death last night, Eskridge
is gone to Stafford but in Expecta
tion of his Neighbours Death every minute leaves this Lettr:
to be dispatched away to me Earnestly pressing me to write to
the Governour
in his favour for McCartys place our friend
ship hath been so long and strong I cannot deny him Accord
ingly my Coach man comes post with my Express now my
desire to you is that you will let your Man ned who is better
Acquainted with the Town carry this Express and Charles
will Supply his room until he comes he may go over to new
Quarter and there take a horse to Town by your Order I have
ten a line to the Commissary
knowing he is always at
hand
you know the Maxim Vis unita fortior
whether you will think it proper to say a word in
Eskridges favour I shall submit Entirely to you I pur
pose by my man that is come for my Children
to write Several Lettrs: to Williamsburg have onely time
at prsent to bid you all hail from
Sunday 4 of the Clock
If there be any hopes of a Answer from the Governour it will
be very proper ned waits for it
NOTES
Source copy consulted:
Robert Carter letter book, 1723 June 16-1724 April 23, Robert Carter Papers (acc. no. 3807), Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.
The name of Carter's home, the county, and colony have been added for clarity to this unheaded draft.
Because Carter's son-in-law, Mann Page lived in Gloucester County, just across the York River from Williamsburg, and because of the affectionate tone of this letter, the editor believes that it was sent to Page, also a member of the Council.
Most references cite the date of Daniel McCarty's death as 1724 May
4, and cite his tombstone inscription: "Here lyeth the body of Daniel McCarty, who departed this life the fourth of May 1724 in the forty fifth year of his age. He was endowed with many virtues and qualifications, but the actions proceeding therefrom bespeak their praise." (See, for instance, Kukla. Speakers and Clerks. . . .
p. 100.
The inscription is quoted from an email, 2002 July 30, William M. McCarty to the editor. Dr. McCarty has been working on a book on the McCarty family for some sixty years.)
There is no indication in the minutes of the Council that Eskridge was given the post that Carter sought for him. (McIlwaine. Executive Journals of the Council. . . .
, 4[1721-1739].
)
[1] Vis unita fortior means strength united is stronger.
This text, originally posted in 2002, was revised July 26, 2011, to strengthen the modern language version text.