Robert Carter writes to John Chelton (Chilton), [April 6, 1724], to explain that he cannot issue warrants for surveys to be made for land on Cub Run. Carter understands that, although Chelton and others had had surveys for land in the area made in 1714, and had presented them to Thomas Lee, then the proprietors' agent, they and Lee had differed about the details and "deeds" were not issued. He tells Chelton that he cannot become involved with the dispute with Lee. He would do a disservice to others who have had patents in the area since, and to the proprietors who have had no rents, were he to issue patents for these lands. He tells Chelton that since he became the agent, he has issued orders to the surveyors to look for the best lands there for his children, and that John Savage is preparing the survey since John Coppege's death. He has refused George Mason's application for lands in the area, and will refuse all others until "I am served." He promises to assist Chelton once his own surveys are completed, and sends Chelton three warrants (not present), reminding Chelton of the fees due for them.

     Yours of the 31st of March came to me Yesterday
at Church which I shall now answer, It seems you were at

some charge in the Year 1714 for the laying out some land
on the Cub run a branch of the Bull Run in Stafford
County and that upon presenting these Surveys to the
proprietors Office Colonel Lee the then Officer and You
differed about the Composition and that he would not
pass your Deeds, In the first place you are to know
that I do not take my self at all concerned to Vindicate
Colonel Lee in that Office or to make good what he did
not carry on to perfection, but I must suppose in this --
matter that he demanded of you no more than the Settled
Composition and upon your refusal of payment he
denied passing your Deeds as I should have done had
I been in his place, whether he did you injustice or
no You [illegible] are to dis pute it with him, but I am sure if I
should comply with your desire and make you a
title by Deeds upon them Surveys to take place from 1714
I should do a great piece of injustice both to the proprietors
and to all persons that have taken out warrants Since
for any of those Lands, to the first that they have had
no Quitt [sic] rent nor Composition all this time, and other ad
venturers to be at the charge of warrants &Ca: and yet
to pass Deeds of a Prior Date to destroy all they have bee[ ... ] [n]
doing, Certainly upon a full Consideration you wil[ ... ] [l be]
of Opinion I have neither reason nor power to [ ... ] [oblige]
you

     But I shall now tell yo[ ... ] / [u a]