Robert Carter writes to the Board of Trade and Plantations, January 14, 1727, that he has carried out instructions directed by the Board to the late governor by giving instructions to the various officers to prepare accounts of the taxes collected under various acts; he expects to send the accounts soon. He sends the Council journals, and will send the journal of a recent meeting once it has been read and approved. Also sent are various reports of taxes, and the Naval Officers' records of imports and exports. The Assembly had been prorogued by the governor before his death, and that proroguation has been continued. Carter intends to propose at the next Council that the Assembly be further prorogued until a new govenor arrives. He closes by reporting the death of Council member Philip Ludwell.

     A

     I had lately the Honr to receive Yor Lordps
Letter of the 30th of June directed to Governor Drysdale, and
have in obedience to Your commands, given directions to the
proper officers to prepare Accounts, as well of the money collected
for the duty on Negros during the containuance of the Act
for laying a duty on Liquors and Slaves, as of the number of
Negros imported since 1718 by the African company & Separate
Traders respectively; and hope by the next conveyance I shal be
able to transmitt both in the manner Yor Lordps require.
                                                                                            The

     The last letter I had the honr to write to Yor Lordps
inclosed the Duplicates of the publick papers sent before by the late
Governor; and as I have advice that the Ships in which both the ones
and the other were forwarded, are safely arrived, I hope those papers
are got to Yor Lordps hands, and that I need not trouble you with fresh
transcripts; but shal pursue Yor Lordps directions in my future
Correspondence.

     B     The Mansell Galley, Capt James Trevisa bound for London,
affording me a Conveyance for the publick dispatches to Yor. Lordps
and Board, I would no longer dilay sending Yor. Lordps the Journals
of council, tho they contain little of moment, or that require any
particular Remark. there remain to be transmitted the Minut[e] s
of a Council held the 14th & 15th of last month, wch are not yet read
and approved: but the next Council wch I intend to call the begining
of next month will give me an opportunity to perfect them, and
to forward the proceedings of both by a Ship I expect to sail Soon
after.
                                                                                            Among

     Among other publick papers which go herewith, is the
last half years Accompt of the two shillings per hogshead, on wch
there is a considerable ballance remaining in Bank; and from the
large demand of Rights for taking up new lands, as well as the Crop
of Tobacco no ready to be Shipd, and which tis believed will near
equal that of the preceding Year, there is reason to expect as
good addition to that Revenue.

     Herewith Yor Lordps will also receive the Naval Officers
accots of the Imports and Exports from Lady day to Christmas last
past, whereby Yor. Lordps will have a View of the Trade of this
Colony for that time.

     C     The General Assembly which was under prorogation at the
death of the late Governor, has been since further prorogued to the
fifteenth of February, and since the publick affairs do not require
my convening it; I intend at next Council a further prorogation, that
whosoever His Majesty is pleasd to appoint Governor here may find
                                                                                            an

     D     I'm sorry to informe Yor. Lordps that Colo Ludwell, who for many
years worthily served as a Member of his Majestys Council of this
Colony dyed on the 10th of this month. I am with the greatest Respect