An Address to the Inhabitants of North Carolina
and
An Address to the Burgesses of North Carolina
By William Borden

AN
A D D R E S S
To the INHABITANTS of
NORTH-CAROLINA, &c.

IT is evident, That Mankind is liable to fall into many Casualties, and meet with grievous Misfortunes, in travelling through a howling Wilderness, by taking indirect Measures and following wrong Courses: And would it not be high Ingratitude (if not a gross Sin) in any Man, who seeing his Neighbours in imminent Danger, on the Borders of a Desert, even almost arrived at the Brink of Destruction, and not call earnestly to them, and labour hard to inform them of right Ways, in which they might travel with Ease and Safety? Well,

Thus it appears, in the Eyes and Understanding of the Author, to be the very Case and present Circumstance of the inhabitants of North-Carolina, which gives just and necessary Occasion for all the honest hearted, who reside in the Government, to call aloud to them, and labour to advise and inform them better.

It is generally allowed, That from the Liberties of Magna-Charta, all free-born Subjects to the Crown of Great-Britain, have a native Right, not only to think their own Thoughts, but to speak freely also in all Cases, Matters, and Things, relating to their own Affairs, whether Publick or Private.

And whereas, the Government of North-Carolina hath Liberty, from the King, to make wholesome Laws and Statutes, agreeable to its Constitution, for a Publick Benefit; Does it not, therefore, highly behove the Inhabitants to examine and consider, strictly, how far and how often it hath been mistaken in its Views, in Times past, respecting a Paper Medium? Hath not our Paper Mediums, in Times past, instead of having a good Tendency, ever been a Snare and Perplexity, and Burthen to the People? And is it not to be feared, will end or terminate to the Ruin or [2] grievous Hurt of many of the Commonalty? However, let that terminate as it may, what is past cannot be revoked; nor can Yesterday be recalled: But does it not now (especially at this Juncture) highly behove the Inhabitants, to shape better Courses, and take more direct Measures, respecting a Medium, for publick Uses, as well as for Trade and Commerce, lest the Government be reduced to the lowest Poverty, exposed to open Shame, and appear ridiculous and scandalous in the Eyes of its neighbouring Governments, and the Commonalty be destroyed in their Interests? Does it not highly behove all the Inhabitants, to a Man, to consider well, which Way they shall treat the King with Honour, in discharging themselves, not only of their Quitrents, but by relieving themselves also in all their other Affairs? And when a Method is prescribed for the one, doubtless it may serve for the other also.

But, perhaps, some may query, What Proposal can be made, whereby the King shall be honourably treated, in Regard to his Quitrents, &c? Others, perhaps, will answer and say, Let us rate our Manufactories, in Order to pay our Quitrents and publick Charges: But if it is possible to prescribe some regular Method, to pay our Quitrents in Gold or Silver, according to Patent, Will it not then be a gross Imposition, to pay the King his Dues, with our lumbering Commodities? And to say, we will make him Amends, by undervaluing our Labour, and let him have our Commodities at a low Rate: Pray what will all this amount to, but a burthensome and base Imposition upon the Inhabitants, and the only Way to dishearten the People, and give the Governments, on each Hand, the Advantage over us? And will it not, also, have a direct Tendency to discourage the further Settlement of the Country? Which all must allow will not be very consistent with the King’s Interest, as well as for the common Advantage of the Province.

If this be the distressed State of North-Carolina, for want of a proper Currency, or useful Medium, whereby every Man may be enabled (honourably) to discharge his Duty to his King, in Respect to his Quitrents, as well as to promote Trade and Commerce (that necessary Article) in the Government, let it be well considered and examined into, Whether a new Emission of Paper Bills cannot be made useful to relieve the Inhabitants in their Distress, when all the former Emissions have had a Tendency, rather, to lead the Commonalty into further Intanglements, and to aggravate their Punishment? Let it be now examined into, Whether a new Emission of Bills cannot be projected, that shall afford them Relief. Cannot a Scheme be calculated for a Paper Currency that shall circulate freely, and be serviceable, in common, to the Inhabitants, both gentle and simple, and not be liable to be hoarded up in the Chests and Coffers, and hid in Holes and Corners, and in the End be made a Trap and Snare to the Commonalty? To which may be answered, Yea; as may more fully appear, by a Scheme hereto annexed. Have not the Commonalty a native Right (according to the English Establishment) to hear, see, think, speak, and act, rationally, for themselves? Is not the General Assembly of North-Carolina constituted from Home? Does it not consist of three Branches, to wit, Governor, Council, and House of Burgesses, in Representation of King, Lords and Commons, in Great-Britain? If so, Are not then the House of Burgesses, in North-Carolina, one Branch of the Legislature? Are they not elected, to that Service, by the major Vote or Voice of the Commonalty? Are they not thus appointed, by each several [3] County, in the Province, to give due Attendance at the General Assembly, there to appear, as Eyes for the Commonalty, as Ears for the Commonalty, and as Mouths for the Commonalty? And, as they are thus sent forth, as it were, with the Lives and Liberties of the Commonalty in their Hands, to represent and serve the Commonalty, in carefully guarding the Country, that no unwholesome Laws be inadvertently made, that may prove burthensome and destructive to the Inhabitants; how essentially necessary is it then, for every honest-hearted Burgess, to think freely, and speak freely, in Behalf of the Commonalty, as he is in Duty bound, and, if possible, to suffer no inadvertent Proposal whatsoever, to be passed into a Law, that may in any wise be hurtful to the Commonwealth? And how vile must all such Burgesses appear, in the Eyes of every honest-hearted, thinking Man, who, for sinister Views and Self-interest Sake, will betray so great a Trust? And inasmuch as there is too great an Aptness in Man, to be warped and swayed by Self-interest and sinister Views; how essentially necessary is it therefore, for every of the Commonalty, to a Man, in every County, to be exceeding thoughtful and more than common careful, for the future, in the Choice of their Burgesses? For let it be considered; Is there any Man made a Burgess, till he is elected and created a Burgess by the Commonalty? Is it not then the Commonalties immediate Concern and Business, to elect Men, who seek to be strictly just in their Principles, who will labour faithfully, also, to serve their King and Country with Integrity of Heart, in Matters of so great Consequence as are committed to their Charge? Let it be considered further, also; Can a legal General Assembly be held in the Province without a proper Set of such Burgesses? Is not the House of Burgesses one Branch of the Legislature, without whom no authentick Law can be enacted or made in the Government? If the Case be so, let it again be considered; If wild Steerage be made in the Province, whose Door then does the Fault lie at? Does the Fault lie at the Governor's Door, who represents the King's Person, and sits in General Assembly waiting to give his Assent to all wholsome Laws that are enacted, having the Concurrence of both Houses? Let Charity be extended to the Governor; let him be excused. Is it owing then to the Council or Upper House? If it is known that the Misfortunes and heavy Burthens the Commonalty labours under, are owing to them, Why then are they not tax'd with it? Or is it not owing rather to the Weakness, Simplicity, and Folly of the Commonalty themselves, whose Right and Privilege it is, to nominate and appoint the whole House of Burgesses, who are a House of Instruments created by the Commonalty, to give Attendance in the General Assembly, in the Commonalties Stead and Place; there to act in all Matters and Things redounding to the King's Interest, and the Commonalties Good? Now if the Commonalty neglect this great Privilege and Point of their Duty, are they not then grossly to blame? If the Commonalty, instead of voting for Men of Integrity, who have the Good of the Country at Heart, will vote for selfish Men, who, with private Views, are seeking in every Shape, privately to milk and gull the Commonalty, to advance their own private interests; are not the Commonalty then much to blame, when instead of carefully chusing judicious Burgesses, who will labour faithfully to serve them in their Streights and Difficulties, and strive hard to relieve them in their Distress, do perhaps care and make Choice of heavy Task-Masters, who lord it over them? And what shall be said then in this Case? Does it [4] not evidently appear, That it is chiefly, if not altogether, owing to the Thought and Conduct of the Commonalty, whether they move forward or go backward, whether they stand still, or whether they entirely fall? How highly then does it behove them to double their Diligence, as in Duty bound, for the Interest of their King, the Promotion of his Country, and for their own Good? Can it be supposed there are any, who (knowing the miserable and distressed State the Commonalty labours under) when a solid Proposition is made in General Assembly for the Country's Relief, that will presume to discourage or strike a Death to it, except it be such who are empty or void of Wisdom, Honesty, and common Humanity; even such whose vicious Inclinations move them to think, that by keeping the Commonalty in a State of Poverty and Distress, they may have the greater Opportunity to gull Mankind, reaching, in their Imaginations, after the Fat and the Fleece, when the poor Sheep, by being kept to short Meat, are not able to get it? Which has also a direct Tendency, not only to sink the Value of the Government and destroy its Prosperity, but it tends also, in the End, to frustrate all such Men in their vicious Views and Mistaken Notions, of acquiring Honour and Interest to themselves; and by their avaricious and mean Way of Thinking and Acting, they may be instrumental to reduce the Government and themselves also, to a low State of Poverty and Shame. Wherefore let it be duly considered, whether it is not a Duty incumbent upon the Commonalty, when they have elected their several Burgesses, to caution them strictly to observe, that whenever a Proposition is offer'd in General Assembly, in Behalf of the Publick, that nothing be acted thereon, either for it or against it, but what shall be exposed to publick View in Print, whereby the Commonalty, whose Right it is, may be satisfied, who are seeking the King's interest, and the Commalties Good, and who are (in their mistaken Imaginations) seeking their by-Ends, and pursuing their own selfish Views. With what Abhorrence ought all such selfish Burgesses to be looked upon, whose Actions, and plausible Projections and Schemes, have a direct Tendency to the Downfal, Disgrace and Shame of any People? Whereas, on the other Hand, every honest, sincere-hearted Burgess, that leaves all selfish Views, and seeks the common Good of his fellow Creatures; whose Labours, Projections and Schemes, have a Tendency to teach Frugality and promote Industry, is worthy of double Honour; without doubt it will be allowed on all Hands, that to propagate and promote Industry in the Province will redound to a publick as well as a private Good, which if wisely order'd, in a publick Manner, will produce all Manner of Necessaries of Life, so far as the Soil and Climate will bring forth: And this Thing called Industry, or Labour, with the Produce of it, must be allowed to be the Foundation and main Wheel of all Trade and Commerce; All which, if prudently entered upon, and honestly pursued, may be a Means to advance the King's Interest, by rendering his Government more valuable, and make the Commonalty a happy People; but if the Foundation Work is never properly laid, nor the main Wheel in Trade and Commerce never set a going, how can it be expected the Buildings shall ever go forward, or that the smaller Wheels and lesser Movements shall ever go round to a publick Advantage? Does it not highly behove the Commonalty of North-Carolina, to behold and consider well, the miserable State of the Government? How are the Inhabitants puzzled and put to their Shifts, in regard to Trade and Commerce? And how grievously are the Commonalty streightned, in buying them Necessaries of Life, for want of a proper Medium? And how helpless is [5] the Province in respect to Navigation? Are not the Inhabitants (for want of a proper Navigation in the Government) obliged to purchase all their foreign Necessaries at the very last and dearest Hand? When, perhaps, a Parcel of Goods or Merchandize have passed through the Expence of Navigation &c. in the neighbouring Governments, and have passed through the Hands of many Merchants or Traders, and they have all had their Profits on them, and Livings from them, then, perhaps, poor North-Carolina Planters have the Honour of eating, drinking, and wearing some of the riff-raff Remains, at a dear Rate: Pray, consider, then, what all this amounts to, but a supporting Navigation and Trade in the neighbouring Governments, at the Expence of the poor North-Carolina Planters: And, will this do? Is it possible this can redound to the King's Honour? Will this advance his Government? Will this make the Commonalty a happy People? Have the Navigators been in a Dream? or the Compass unhung, and the Watchmen asleep? Does not the present State and Condition of the Government make it manifest? What can be said to this? Can the Honour of the King's Government, and the Commonalty of North-Carolina, any more be supported by this Way of Management, than a Ship without a Botton can be supported above Water by pumping? Is it not all the same as labouring to pump the Ocean dry? Pray let this Point be well consider'd: And if any, for Information, shou'd query, What Remedy can be prescribed? Let it be observed, That the Globe consists of several different Climates; it's evident, likewise, that it produces sundry different Necessaries for the Use of Man; And, without all Doubt, it was so ordered, that Mankind shou'd have a Correspondence one with another. And whereas there is no Mill, or other Machine, can move, effectually, to the Advantage of its Maker, without Wind, Water, or some artificial Strength, to give it a Motion, so neither can the Province of North-Carolina hold a Correspondence abroad, nor carry on a pleasant, profitable, and proper Trade amongst themselves, without a proper Medium to circulate amongst them, in Proportion, as from Time to Time there may appear to be a necessary Demand for it.

It’s very evident that Nature, under the Order and Dictates of Providence, has been exceeding kind to the People of North-Carolina, even from its first Settlement to this Day: And may not the Advantages that Nature has afforded the Government, in Time past (considering the Manner of Improvement the Inhabitants have made of them) be compared to Rivers of Water, that run plentifully for the Use of Man? But if those Rivers are continually running out on every Hand, and are not, by some Means or other, supplied in Proportion, must they not then, of Consequence, be drained dry? And is not this evidently seen to be the State of North-Carolina? It is evident to our View, That it hangs, as it were, behind all the Provinces in America, belonging to the Realm of Great-Britain: Are not many of the Inhabitants very poor and needy? But notwithstanding, Friends, Neighbours, Countrymen and Partners, whose Welfare is earnestly sought for, be not disheartened, or dismayed, at the Difficulties you labour under: Let the honest-hearted amongst you be rather encouraged, and well-assured, that by a more mature Thought, and better Conduct, amongst the Commonalty, in electing and advising their House of Burgesses, there may be Methods and Means prescribed to advance the King's Honour, by putting the Province into a flourishing State, and making his Subjects a happy People; so that they who have but little in the World, may reap in a plentiful Manner, and they who have much, may advance in Proportion.

[6] The foregoing being left to your Consideration, it may not be amiss to say something respecting a Paper Currency; That is to say, on what Footing it may be most proper to put it forth, and how it may be most carfully improved, for the King's Interest as well as for a publick Benefit, since every common Capacity knows, or may know, that by taking wrong Paths, or indirect Measures, Mankind is led into Difficulties, if not to entire Ruin; which, in Order to escape, let the following Ideas or Comparisons be solidly considered off:

Admit there were two wealthy Householders, having, each of them, many Sons and others of the Household, and each of those Householders put forth a Quantity of Bills of Credit, for each of their Families Use and Service; the first Householder furnishes his Sons, and others of his Household, with their several Quotas thereof upon Loan, making the said Bills their Mark and Center, by obliging them to pay in again the same Bills of Credit, with Interest, except they will redeem them with the Produce of their Labour at a very under Price; inasmuch then the said Bills will answer in lieu of their Labour, which they foreknow must go at an under Price: How natural is it therefore, for those Sons and Servants of his, to turn Idle-packs, by jockeying, sharking, and perplexing each other, that by any Means they may procure said Bills, to discharge their Obligations, rather than to lie under the Name or Notion of a Disadvantage? The one, perhaps, in his Streights, sells a Plantation, and another a Yoke of Oxen, the Third a breeding Mare or Cow, under a Notion of getting those Bills of Credit; which Manner of trafficking and trifling away their Time, neither adds to their Lands, nor increases their Cattle, nor cultivates the Earth; the Consequence of which is, that what the one gets, the other must loose: And by thus neglecting their proper Business, their Household comes to Poverty and Shame.

But the other Householder, wisely considering, that Food and Raiment were all that they wanted to support this Life, and inasmuch as Bills of Credit had no intrinsick Value in themselves, and, of Consequence, would be of no Service, except they were made to answer in lieu of Money, to make an even Ballance between Neighbour and Neighbour, for proper Utensils, &c. to encourage Industry, whereby to procure Necessaries of Life; he, therefore, neither obliged them, nor yet encouraged them, to pursue those Bills of Credit, (as pursuing Birds in the Air) neither did he make those Bills their Mark or Center, which, when caught, afforded them neither Food nor Feathers, but wisely made the Necessaries of Life their Mark, and Gold and Silver their Center; obliging them to bring in the said Necessaries of Life, at their just Value, whereby the Household were plentifully and cheerfully furnished with the Comforts of Life, and all were encouraged together.

Well, if this be a proper Comparison, that conveys any Idea, is it not Time then to consider well of what is already written, together with the Tendency of it? and also of the great and mighty Handy-works of the Creation, which are evident to our View, and may teach to any People Knowledge? It is evidently seen that all Sorts of Creatures, of what Kind soever, have, in some Sort, a Scrabble in the World to live and support their Species; some Beasts, in the Wilderness, feed upon Grass, and other Herbs, and some upon other Fruits of the Earth; the Catterpiller spins her Webb on the Oak or Apple Tree, and depends for Food on the Leaves thereof, which come by Nature, (without any Cultivation or Propagation of their [7] own) and they often times eat themselves out and perish; Some Sort of Birds find Use for Hair and Feathers, to build their Nests, others make Use of Sticks; the fishing Hawk is diligent (after her Kind) to get Fish for the Support of herself and Specie; the Eagle, we may observe, is very dexterous, also, to look out sharp, tho’ not with any View of lending the industrious Hawk a helping Hand, lest they shou’d both come to Poverty and Want; but the brightness of her View is only to take away what is already caught.

In a peculiar Manner, we may behold the industrious Bees; it may be observed of them, that so soon as they are quietly hived and got settled, and not confused in their own Government, they immediately set to work with Courage, and gather their Wax, and draw Honey from almost all Sorts of Flowers: We may observe also the Toad, which is an Annimal that often lies partly hid under Ground, whose native Food is Worms, Flies, and Fleas; notwithstanding which, at Times, they will hop round those Hives of Bees, and when they find them engaged in their Wax and Honey, they are so avaricious and hungry after them (whether by Instinct or ill Habit I leave) that without any Thought how, or wherewith they shall be supported for the future, they make those industrious Bees their Prey; and those Bees, with their Honey in their Bowels, (when eaten by them) altho' extracted from spacious Flowers, yet it's the Nature of that under-ground Animal to convert it to Poison, yea, of a poisonous Quality to all those who suffer their Hands to partake thereof or their Heads to be infused with it: And it is even further worth our Observation, that when diligent Bees multiply and swarm, the young Swarms, naturally incline to assume to themselves their native Manner and Form of Government; notwithstanding which, many of them (through Loss of their native Guide, or Want of proper Aid) get shatter'd, confused, and become useless in the Creation, even unworthy of Notice, although surrounded with rich and spacious Flowers: How apt are such ill-governed, shattered, and confused Swarms (for want of regular Guides to lead them in a native and free Manner) to grow lazy, contentious and quarrelsome? In and amongst such Swarms, Strife is often created, (no doubt with some seeming, though rude, Authority) whereby they are prompted, in an angry Humour, to sting, poison, and kill each other, to the total destruction and Overthrow of themselves, even in their own Hives. Now, were it given to those Bees (which are created innocent in their own Nature) to conceive and see clearly, that the Reason of their lazy, indolent, contentious, and quarrelsome State, was owing to a poisonous Disposition in their unnatural Guides, by which they have suffered themselves to be governed; and could see also, it's poisonous Quality, how nearly resembling the Toad, that converts all he commands with his Mouth to Poison: How natural is it to conclude, that those disordered and misled Swarms would be surprized at their own State and Condition, and be ready to fly for Shame, with Abhorrence of their past rude Conduct, and consult better Measures, to establish their Hive in a peaceable and better Settlement for the future.

But Mankind (the most noble of all in the Creation) seeing the Weakness and Frailty of all those Creatures, it may be reasonably thought and expected of and from them, That they will act upon more rational Principles, in getting the Necessaries of Life, and supporting their Specie in the World, than either the dumb Beasts of the Field, the flighty Fowls of the Air, or the creeping Insects which crawl upon the Face of the Earth.

[8] And is it not evident also to our View, that when a Hive of Bees are not shattered nor confused amongst themselves, but having regular Guides to aid them in a prudent Manner, How mutually do they proceed in their Business? whose Interest is inseparable, they being dependent one on another, in regard to the Preservation and Support of each other; all being engaged and employed in their proper Work, to the mutual Advantage of their little Community. And how do they carry on their Affairs together, with far more Dexterity and Ingenuity, Yea, far more honourable, in providing and procuring their Necessaries, than many of the Creatures forementioned.

May it not then reasonably be thought and expected of and from Man, (a rational Being) that they should far exceed the Bee (a poor Insect) in their Method and Manner of prescribing Ways and Means that shall tend to a general Advantage of a Government? These Similes or Comparisons may serve to convey cautionary Ideas, in order that nothing may be projected on the one Hand, or adhered to on the other, but what may tend strictly, to the Revival and Preservation of a sinking Government; the only Remedy and Means, whereby both Province and People, in their distress'd State and Condition, may be rebuilt, repaired and recovered, and like as all industrious well-governed Swarms of Bees are prosperous in gathering their Wax and Honey, even so both Gentle and Simple may be made to abound, in a plentiful Manner, with all the Comforts of this Life, by Dint of Industry and good Husbandry: For as those former Benefits and Privileges, we have received, that came as it were by Nature from the Wilderness, served the Inhabitants, then in the Infancy of the Province, as well for a Medium as for Food and Raiment; it is now evident to our View, that those native Benefits have had their Time, they are almost eaten out and gone; Is there not then a Duty incumbent upon us, to emulate or strive to excel the Catterpiller, in labouring to encourage and assist each other, to cultivate and propagate something, substantial, in lieu thereof? In order that it may be so, I am willing (if it may be so received) to cast in a Mite, in some proper Structure or Building, furnished with all necessary Proposals, founded upon Reason, that may invite the Governor, Council, and House of Burgesses to view it; tending strictly to the mutual Benefit and Welfare of the Province of North-Carolina; having due regard to the King's Honour and Interest therein, which consists in the Prosperity and flourishing State of his Kingdom and People. And whereas the Government of North-Carolina labours, perhaps, under almost as many Difficulties as can be named, for want of a proper Medium, the following Proposition is therefore offered to the mature Consideration of the Province, together with some Accounts, stated in Form, shewing (according to the Author's Apprehension) the great Benefit and Advantage that would accrue to the Government, by granting an Emission of Bills of Credit, upon the Faith and Credit of the Province, Liberty first of all (with due Submission) being asked and obtained from the King, if Need be.

Admit therefore the Government was to grant an Emission of an Hundred Thousand Pounds, Bills of Credit; be the Sum more or less, as may discretionally, be adjudged there should be a necessary Demand for; the said Bills to be made equal in Value to Proclamation, as established by Parliament, and to go forth upon Loan, on Land Security, for the Encouragement of Industry, and the landed Interests, which it behoves every wise Planter to consult: The natural Tendency of which Scheme [9] (if rightly considered) is, that those Bills of Credit (if wisely negociated) will terminate to the furnishing the publick Treasury with an equivalent Sum, in Gold and Silver, to redeem them; and they also, in the mean Time, be a Means (gradually) to introduce a lively Trade in the Government; which will admit of a Growth, and may, eventually, be far more valuable to the Province, that ten Times the Value given it from far, which will as evidently appear hereafter.

It is further proposed, That an Agent, or faithful Trustee, be appointed (by a Majority of Votes) in each County, by Act of Assembly, in order to receive their several Counties Quotas, or Proportion, of the said Bills of Credit, with proper Instructions: That those Trustees dispose of said Bills upon good warrantable Land Security, free of Interest or any other Incumbrances: Saving only, the proportionable Quota, or Part of the Charge of Plates, Paper, Printing and Signing; with necessary Expences in making said Bills of Credit; on Conditions, that the Borrower pay, annually, into the Hands of the Agent or Trustee aforesaid, the one tenth Part of what he received, in good merchantable Commodities, of the Produce and Manufacture of the Government (meaning such Commodities only, as are suitable for a foreign Trade or Market) and at such Prices as the same Commodities are sold for, in common, at Philadelphia or elsewhere in the neighbouring Governments, for Money of equal Value; by which Means those County Agents or Trustees, at ten annual Periods, will gradually be possessed of the whole Value of said Emission of Paper Currency, in good Country Produce, even such as in itself is valuable; and let those Agents or Trustees be so qualified and furnished with Instructions, that, as they receive those annual Tenths, in Country Produce as aforesaid, they may have Orders also, to sell the said Country Produce, or barter it away, to and with any Ship Masters and Merchant Traders, as shall and may import suitable Goods or Merchandize into the Government; always observing, duly, to contract with the said Ship Masters and Merchant Traders, that one Quarter Part of the Pay for said Country Produce, be in Gold and Silver, and the other three Quarters in Goods and Merchandize by Wholesale, for the Account and best Advantage of the Province; even such Goods and Merchandize as may be adjudged the most suitable for the Use and Service of the Inhabitants; and when the said Goods and Merchandize are so purchased, by the Agent or Trustee, by Wholesale, for the Account and Service of the Province, let those Agents or Trustees be impower'd further to sell or barter the same away, in small Parcels, to and with the Inland Traders and other Inhabitants for the Produce and Manufacture of the Government as aforesaid; even such Commodities as is or may be suitable for a West-India Trade or Market; always observing, duly, that a reasonable Advantage be made in the Sale of the Goods and Merchandize, aforementioned, in order to defray the Commissions and necessary Charges that shall or may accrue upon negociating the Affair; and in like Manner, let those Produce or Manufacture of the Province, so purchased, be again sold to Ship Masters and Merchant Traders, as aforesaid, for one Quarter Gold and Silver, and the other three Quarters in West-lndia, or other suitable Goods, and Merchandize, fit for the Use and Service of the Inhabitants: The Silver and Gold so purchased and received to go, annually, into the publick Treasury; and the Goods and Merchandize so purchased and received, by the Agents or Trustees, to be again negociated in like Manner as before described, and so on. By which Means, if the Affair is prudently [10] negociated, it evidently appears, (to the Author's Understanding) that at the Expiration of a reasonable Term of Years, the Treasury would be furnished with One Hundred Thousand Pounds, in Gold and Silver, absolutely and clearly gained to the Province, by honest Industry; which will be there a valuable Pledge. (Let this be noted) that this Gold and Silver, so gained, will be lodged in the publick Treasury, a valuable Pledge, which will keep up the Value and Credit of the said Bills; and whenever the Government thinks fit to put a Period to their passing as a Medium, the said Gold and Silver is there, ready, to redeem them from those who have them in Possession. Now if this Hundred Thousand Pounds, Bills of Credit aforementioned, (which in themselves are of no Value) may have a Tendency to furnish the transient Traders, and all Buyers and Sellers in the Province, with a wholesome and safe Medium in their Trade and Commerce, and may tend also to enable the Government to introduce, carry on, and support a lively Trade, according to the provincial Scheme afore described; and out of their Nothingness, may tend (with prudent Management, in a reasonable Run of Years) to enrich the Province with One Hundred Thousand Pounds in Gold and Silver, (which in itself has an intrinsick Worth) therefore I query: If this Proposition were set on Foot, and was thus to opperate, to the enriching the Government a Hundred Thousand Pounds, in a reasonable Run of Years, pray, who then has the Inhabitants of the Province been at work for? Hath it not been for themselves? Is it not evident, that they borrow the Money of themselves? Do they not set themselves up in the World upon their own Foundation, even upon the Value and Credit of their Lands; and by one Consent have improved those Bills to their own Advantage, without Use or any other significant Incumbrance, saving only the Charge of making them; which is paid also out of the same Specie?

Thus, the Author is of Opinion, It may be clearly seen, that the Province of North-Carolina, from its miserable State of Poverty, (saving the solid Soil, which is immoveable) may not only provide itself with a credible Medium, to stand fast and steady in its Value, but may thereby raise itself up in the World, and be enabled to build on a right Foundation; even first of all, in their Business at Home; secondly, on a proper Bottom, for Navigation, Trade, and Commerce Abroad; and save themselves from the vast Charge of supporting Navigation, in the Neighbouring Governments, at the Expence of the Inhabitants of North-Carolina.

Hence may also be seen, on due Consideration, That the Streams formerly mentioned, which are running out on every Hand, to the impoverishing both Publick and Private, may, by this Scheme, (if honestly pursued and improved) be turned and brought home, proportionately, to every of our Doors; whereby the Welfare of the Country may be credibly recovered, to the Honour of the King, and to the common Comfort of all the Inhabitants.

And further to evidence, That such a Scheme, improved in such a Manner, would have such a Tendency; the following explanatory Accounts are formed, under a Supposition, that a Hundred Thousand Pounds were granted, by Act of Assembly, as aforementioned; and that Ten Thousand Pounds, of the same, were alotted as a proportionable Quota, to be negociated by an Agent or Trustee in Craven County, for the Account, common Benefit, and Use of the Province of North-Carolina; and the Formation of the aforementioned Accounts is introduced by an Account [11] stated, by a supposed Agent or Trustee, for Craven County, betwixt the Province of North-Carolina and himself, (Agent or Trustee) in Manner following:

Province of North-Carolina, to and with Timothy Toaster, Agent, or Trustee, for Craven County.

[20] Thus, from the foregoing Accounts (by diligently negociating one annual Tenth or Thousand Pounds, in Craven County) is strewn, That in five Times turning the said Thousand Pounds; whether it be accomplished in one Year, or whether it may require more Time than a Year; be that as it may; yet it evidently appears, that by five Turns of said Thousand Pounds, in Trade, there is, thereby, conveyed into the publick Treasury a Thousand Pounds, in Gold and Silver; and at the same Time there is an out-standing Debt, remains due to the Province (from Jeffry Jillpot and Company) of Five Hundred and Ninety Pounds Nine Shillings and Nine Pence, contracted to be paid in Bills of Credit; which is sufficient to pay the Agent or Trustee, Three Hundred Forty Eight Pounds Four Shillings and Two Pence, for his Commissions, Porterage, &c. and when said Charges are so paid, there yet remains due, from Jeffry Jillpot and Company (in Favour of the Province) Two Hundred Forty Two Pounds Five Shillings and Seven Pence, in Bills of Credit: And it is likewise farther to be considered, that the One Thousand Pounds aforesaid, has not only, in five Turns in Trade, furnished the Treasury with One Thousand Pounds in Gold and Silver, clear of Charge, with Two Hundred Forty Two Pounds Five Shillings and Seven Pence, good to the Province, in Bills of Credit; but the Inhabitants of Craven County has been, perhaps, supplied in the mean While with West-India Goods, and other Necessaries, for their Use and Comfort, to the Value of Three Thousand Seventy One Pounds Six Shilling and Six Pence, at prime cost.

Now, if this be the good Effects of negociating and turning One Thousand Pounds, in Craven County, Pray, let it be considered, That as this is but One annual Tenth of what is negociated in the Province; the Treasury, then of Consequence, will be furnished or supplied, from the several Counties in the Province, with Ten Thousand Pounds, for every five Turns in Trade; and will have good in its Favour at every five Turns in Trade aforesaid, Two Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty Two Pounds Fifteen Shillings and Ten Pence in Bills of Credit.

Now whereas it so evidently appears, That this Scheme hath so grand a Tendency to a publick Benefit, as well as of private Service in the Province; therefore if any other Schemes, for a Paper Currency, is proposed in the Province, pray let their Authors produce them, that they may be examined and proved, whether they are of equal Weight, or whether they will, eventually, contribute more than this to a publick Good; whereby the Inhabitants may also be in a Capacity, honourably, to discharge their Duty to their King, in regard to Quitrents, &c.

N. B. The foregoing Script is left to the mature Thought of all judicious People in the Government, who have Opportunity of reading it; and it is referred to their solid Consideration. And as the Author conceives it is evidently manifest, that there would be an Advantage to the Publick, by thus encouraging the Inhabitants, in Manner Aforesaid, to bring in the Produce of their Labour, in lieu of Bills of Credit, a Query therefore arises, Whether it would not be as proper a Method to bring in the Value of the Quitrents in like Manner, seeing it appears, evidently, to be in no wise chargeable to the Publick; but quite the Reverse; as is sufficiently manifested, by the Run of Accounts hereto annexed?

But as a Town or City cannot so properly be built in a Year, even so this, perhaps, may (gradually) be brought to pass. In the mean Time, it's the Author's [21] Opinion, that the Quitrents may also be discharged in the aforementioned Bills of Credit, in as much as they are equal in Value to Proclamation: And it may, perhaps, without Difficulty be so ordered, that the Receiver General may, at proper Seasons, exchange them in the Treasury, for Gold and Silver; and when said Bills are so brought home and centered in the Treasury, there arises another Query; Whether the same Bills, so brought home as aforesaid, may not, by a new Life given them, by Act of Assembly, be again lent out in Manner as formerly, to supply their Place again, as a Medium?

AN
A D D R E S S
To the BURGESSES of
NORTH-CAROLINA.

Second Month, 1745

HAVING a native Right to advise with you, who represent the Government, (as I doubt not, upon due Consideration, but you will readily grant), be pleased then to peruse the following Lines, viz.

I, having heard that you are returned home from the General Assembly, may say, am surprized to hear so little you have done, tending to a Publick Good: I wou'd query; Have you weightily considered the miserable distressed State of the Government? The Reasons why it is so, and that it shou'd be thus far astern, or as it were, behind all the rest of the Governments (belonging to the Realm of Great-Britain) in America? Let me solidly query; Have you weightily considered of that weighty and necessary Point aforementioned, and of the Reasons why it so happened? The Inhabitants, without doubt, were in Hopes you were then going with Resolution on that Design and Purpose, as well as to labour to establish some Encouragements in a prudent Manner for its Recovery, by laying a proper Foundation for the Inhabitants to build upon; even to propagate and raise proper Produce: The Effects whereof, to furnish and supply the Inhabitants, as well with a Proportion of Silver, necessary, as all other foreign Commodities as shall or may be wanting; a material Point to have entered upon Years ago; and much more so in our Day, if you, that are Members of the present House of Burgesses, carelessly neglect such great and weighty Points of your incumbent Duty. Pray, for what Use then are you elected to attend the General Assembly?

[22] 2dly, As you represent each County in the Province, as Ears, Eyes, and Mouths for the People, I query therefore; How stands the Affair of Trade and Commerce in the Government? Does it appear to your View, that we have an equal Chance with our neighbouring Governments? If not an equal Chance with them, then, Why is it that Navigation, and Trade abroad, is not prudently promoted in the Government? Why is it not wisely encouraged and set on Foot as far as may be agreeable with Reason, and Toleration from our Mother Country, in Order that our Importation of foreign Necessaries, for Eeating and Wearing, may come to us at the first and best Hands?

3dly, And in order, that every Capacity may discover the Reason, why the People of the Government labour under such a low State of Poverty and Distress, in respect to Trade and Commerce let the Accounts of Merchandize in our neighbouring Governments be carefully examined into, which will evidently demonstrate to us, whether we have an equal Chance with them, Yea or Nay. We may be well assured, that except our Navigation and Manner of Trade and Commerce, be so calculated, that we can, at all Times, sell the Produce of our Labours, at its true Value, equal in Proportion with our neighbouring Governments, and be put in a Capacity, also, in the Course of our Trade and Commerce, to purchase all our foreign Necessaries at an equal or proportionable Lay with them; I say, except our Scheme for Navigation, Trade, and Commerce, be thus calculated, there must of Consequence, be Poverty on our Side; in which State, we are made even a Prey to our neighbouring Governments, in respect to Trade and Commerce; as by Information it evidently appears. We may find, that at New-York, Beef is sold from 40 to 60 s. per Barrel; which being reduced to our Currency, at Six for One, is 12 to 18 l. per Barrel, our Money; Pork, we may find, goes from 50 to 80 s. per Barrel; which being reduced, at Six for One, is 15 to 24 l. per Barrel, our Money: And, moreover, even the many Sorts of Timber, in our neighbouring Governments, became valuable, by Means of a proper foreign Trade; whereby many of the Inhabitants (instead of being at an immence Charge to burn it in Heaps) were enabled, by the Produce thereof, to clear their Lands.

And on the other Hand, it is said, That Sugar, by the small Quantity, is sold from 4 to 8 d per Pound; which being reduced, at Six for One, is 2 to 4 s. per Pound, our Money; Melasses is said to be sold, from 16 to 18 d. per Gallon, by the Hogshead; which being reduced at Six for One, is 8 to 9 s. per Gallon, our Money: Thus it may appear, by a reasonable Computation, to any Eyes, except they are blind, and to any ones Understanding, except it is stupified, that what Sugar the Inhabitants of New-York expends in their Families, at 2 to 4 s. per Pound, our Money, we cannot expend the same in our Families here, under 5 to 7 s. and 6 d. per Pound, in our Way of Trading; and so, in like Manner, what Melasses they expend in their Families, at 8 to 9 s. per Gallon, our Money; we must expend the same in our Families here, at 25 to 30 s. per Gallon, in our Way of Trade, or otherwise go without it. Salt also, from 2 to 3 s. in New-York, which being reduced, at Six for One, is 12 to 18 s. per Bushel, our Currency, for which we must give 30 to 40 s. per Bushel here: And so, in some Proportion, we may conclude it is with other Merchandize.

[23] Well, if the Case be so, pray consider then. What does all this amount to? Does it not plainly shew, that we are supporting Navigation, Trade, and Commerce in New-York, or other of our neighbouring Governments, who are trading with us, at the Expence of our own Inhabitants, to the impoverishing the Publick, and starving the Private, which tends, eventually, to the Destruction of the whole Province: And I query; At whose Door does the Fault lie, that it is so? Is not this proper Business for you? And that you weightily consider those Affairs, and as carefully pursue proper Remedies? Is it possible for the Government to subsist and keep Pace with the neighbouring Governments, while we are running in those indirect Paths? Is it possible that the Commonalty shall steer clear of Poverty whilst in those Paths? In which State, Is it possible for them to cultivate their Lands, and be instrumental to propagate the King's Government according to their Pattents? Or, Is it possible for them to accomplish two or three Day’s Work in one Day, or to raise two or three Acres of Corn in one Acre of Ground, and all other necessary Produce in Proportion thereto? Or is it not rather, so far inconsistent, with a rational Idea, that the Labourer is obliged to work upon such Terms, the Effects whereof, will hardly purchase him wherewith to cover his Nakedness, unless the Employer suffer Loss? I appeal to your own Consciences, Is not the State of the Government even such? They that have six or eight Negroes, with proper Utensils for Business, have rather a Scrabble to live, without being, as it were, held up by the Head or Heels, by King or Commonalty, or in some other Shape, than their Plantation Business can afford them, under the present State of the Province. What Encouragement is this; to introduce Foreigners for the further Settlement thereof? Or, How shall a poor Man be able to support his Family, or comply with his Landlord, for his Rents? Or be they not so poor, in common, for Reasons before-mentioned, that they become rather a Charge to him, Which Way, in the Universe, can you think, that the Inhabitants (excepting such as join upon the other Governments) shall be able to discharge themselves, even of their Quit-rents, &c. and carry on their other Affairs on such heavy and discouraging Terms and Conditions as the Government of the Province now stands? I could heartily wish those Affairs were made the chiefest Concern of your Minds, in respect to the Government; and that you, (as a first Movement) might, in a regular Manner, give it a proper Motion, and it's to be hoped, nor do I doubt at all, but that, if those Points are regularly moved, in the House of Burgesses, the other two Branches of the Legislature would co-work together with you, whereby such wholesome Laws might be Enacted, that the Government, from its low and distressed State of Poverty, might be recovered: Doubtless there may be Means and Methods proposed, whereby the Province may be preserved and raised over all those Difficulties it labours under; provided the Legislature carefully lay the Foundation, in a proper Manner, and be more than ordinary careful, also, not to undervalue the Province nor the Produce of it, themselves, for that it is, at present, so destitute of a Medium, whereby to promote Trade and Commerce amongst ourselves: Such a Mistake, indeed, might be looked upon, as a gross Imposition upon ourselves, and in no wise conducive to establish good and wholesome Governments in the Province: Such a Mistake would be inconsistent, in respect to propagating the King’s Government, and Interest in it, as it would also be again our own, to be obliged to quit and ne[24]glect our Plantations, and flee to the neighbouring Governments for Relief of Necessaries, as well as for a Medium for Trade and Commerce, perhaps at 150 per Cent. Loss to the Publick; and may we not be well assured, that the King bars you not from acting, encouraging, and supporting his Children? Has he not rather waited, as in Compassion, for several Years, that you might propose something in a proper Manner to answer as a Medium, even for his Quit-rents? What stood in your Way? Or what hindered you, that Bill was not prepared and presented to the Upper House, in order to have a Pass to the Governor, for his Assent, with the King’s Approbation, to a Proposition well approved of? May we not reasonably conclude, that the King (as a Father) hearing of our Poverty, matters not whether a Medium be prepared of Paper, leather out of old Shoes or new ones, provided it be upon a proper Footing, which may tend to propagate and populate his Government? But no doubt, was weary of the old Currency, emitted without Conditions of Cultivation or Propagation, excepting the Interest thereupon arising; which Sort of Paper Currency, with all its Interest, has ever been as Traps and Snares, perplexing and vexatious, tending even to Poverty itself: And will it not (if not already accomplished) leave us in that Condition? But, as it ever was, so perhaps it is now, None so blind as they, who, in their Imaginations are above Learning, or at least, will not see: What an Imposition would it have been upon the Merchants, Yea, even to Nations, provided their Mariners would not be advised, nor put by, of their former Methods or Manner of Navigation, who usually made it a three Year’s Voyage to the East-Indies, which is now often accomplished in eighteen Months, censuring perhaps all those, who had a clear Sight of more direct Methods, without looking through their Spectacles? But, as it did not then touch nor ruffle any but the proud, peevish, and guilty, is it not even so now? Men of just Principles, Honour and Integrity, are willing as well to hear as they are to see; they are as willing to perceive and understand as they are to speak.

Now, to shew by what Method or Means the Government may find Relief, I refer you, first, to a Proposition, directed to the Inhabitants of North-Carolina; and, upon your mature Consideration thereof, doubt not but you will find Encouragement to proceed in such Manner, agreeable thereto, as may meet with Concurrence in the Upper House, and the Governor’s Assent, (the King’s Approbation being first asked and obtained) but, if not, there may be other Methods, whereby the Province may find Relief from its distressed State and Condition.

We may be well assured, that the Inhabitants will be glad to have the Benefit of their own Labour, and hope the Legislature are as willing they should, it being for the Interest of the Government. I query, Where is the Man among us, that having the Opportunity (at any Time) to exchange the Produce of his Labour, at the first and best Hand, where perhaps 50 l. may be far better to him than 100 l. but would readily embrace it? How natural is it for Men to be pleased at such Opportunities of Advantage? But if it should be manifested and made evidently to appear, that such a Thing might evidently be brought to pass, by the Help of the Legislature, and if any Man or Set of Men, should rise up in Opposition, what can be said of them? Will it not evidently appear, that such Opposition must be owing to either Prejudice, Ignorance, or some selfish Views? How can it be construed otherwise? I would therefore offer a Proposition to the Governor, Council, and House of Burgesses, for their Perusal and Consideration:

[26] Firstly, I would propose, That an Agent or Trustee be appointed (by a Majority of Votes) in each County, to provide suitable Store-houses for Merchandize.

Secondly, Each Tithable to bring in (annually) for a Term of Years, such a Part of the Produce of his Labour, as you may, discretionally, think to be sufficient to supply the Inhabitants with foreign Necessaries.

Thirdly, Let the Agent or Trustee afore-mentioned, for each County, be authorized to receive the Produce, aforesaid, from each Tithable, in such as shall be good and merchantable, and of the Manufacture of the Province, suitable for a foreign Market, and at such Prices as the same Commodities are (in common) sold for at Philadelphia, New-York, or elsewhere, for Money of equal Value.

Fourthly, Let these Agents or Trustees be so qualified and furnished with Instructions, That (as they receive those annual Tithables, in Country Produce, as aforesaid) they have Orders to exchange or barter the same away, to and with any Ship Masters and Merchant Traders, as shall or may import suitable Goods and Merchandize into the Government, always observing, duly, to contract with said Ship Masters and Merchant Traders, that such a Proportion of the Pay, for the said Country Produce, as you may think proper, be in Silver and Gold, and the other in Goods and Merchandize by Wholesale, agreeable as it is purchased in the Governments afore-named, for the Account and Benefit of the Publick, even such Goods and Merchandize as may be adjudged the most suitable for the Use and Service of the Inhabitants; and when the said Goods and Merchandize are so purchased by the Agents or Trustees, that they be impowered further to deliver to every of the Inhabitants (in Proportion to their Tithables) the said Goods and Merchandize at prime Cost, as purchased by the Agents or Trustees aforesaid, as also their Proportions of Silver and Gold; reserving only a certain Quota or Proportion, for defraying the Charges of Commissions of Porterage, &c.

By thus negociating Trade and Commerce, in a publick Manner in the Government, for a certain Term of Years, I humbly conceive, that by a reasonable Computation it will appear, that fifty Pounds, then, will be far more valuable to each Inhabitant, than an Hundred Pounds is now.

For whereas, in our present Manner of trafficking, when the New-Yorkers can expend Sugar in their Families, at Two to Four Shillings per pound our Money, we must, at same Time expend it in our Families, at Five to Seven Shillings and Six Pence per Pound; and when the New-Yorkers can expend Melasses in their Families, at Eight to Nine Shillings per Gallon, our Money, we must at same Time expend it in our Families, at Twenty Five to Thirty Shillings per Gallon; and when the New-Yorkers can purchase Salt, at Twelve to Eighteen Shillings per Bushel, we in our wild and rude Manner of trafficking must purchase the same here, at Thirty to Forty Shillings; and even so it is, in some Proportion, with all other Goods and Merchandize; and when they defray their Charges of clearing their Lands by their Timber, we must be at an immence Charge to burn it in Heaps.

Now, admit the Query was put to the Inhabitants of North-Carolina, Man by Man, whether they would chuse to remain in the perplexed State and Condition they are now in, in respect to Trade or Commerce, as well as in regard to paying their Quit-rents and publick Taxes, &c. Or whether they would chuse, rather, to be taxed Five, Ten, or Twenty Pounds per Annum, to promote such a Trade as [26] afore-described, whereby they might be furnished with Necessaries, at the best Hand, as also with Gold and Silver to encourage all our Affairs, I doubt not but all rational Men would rather chuse the latter, and if so, Why should any Opposition arise, every Man having the Benefit of his Labour at the best Hand? Is it not evident, that Mankind has been learning and gaining, by Experience, throughout all Ages in making their Necessary Utensils of what Sort or Kind soever, even in building their Shipping as well as in making the Scale and Quadrant, graduated from the Elements, to navigate them, as well as other Scales, Weights and Measures proportioned, to give or find the just Quantity, Weight or Value of Gold and Silver, even also of Gold Dust, as well as all other Commodities whatsoever? I therefore query, Is there not a Duty incumbent upon the Inhabitants of North-Carolina, who are almost destitute of a proper Medium, Trade and Commerce, weightily and maturely to consider which Way a proper Remedy may be calculated, in order to relieve the Government from its naked and distressed State?

We have Information, That upon some extraordinary Immergency, the King (of his fatherly Kindness to his People) is pleased to grant them Liberty of making a Paper Currency: Have we not also a native Right and Privilege to Address the King? Who knows but he, of His Royal Clemency, may grant to poor North-Carolina the same Favour of making a Paper Currency, provided it may be Emitted upon a sure Footing, and founded Upon certain Conditions of Industry, which may have a direct Tendency to encourage his loyal Subjects, and advance his own Interest in the Province, by enabling the Inhabitants to promote Navigation, and make proper Improvements of their Time and Labour, to the mutual Advantage of both King and Country, although we must allow Necessaries of Life to be the main Wheel in Trade and Commerce: Notwithstanding which, Is it not evident, that a proper Medium is a material Article, and may be called one of the first Movements in giving it a proper Motion, to give Strength, Courage, Resolution and Life to the Inhabitants, each and every of them, to proceed with Diligence, in his proper Business. Is it not even (comparatively speaking) as the Blood of Life, which circulates from Member to Member, throughout the whole Body of all living Creatures? And is it not evident, that when the Blood is obstructed in any of the Members, the whole Body suffers with it? If this Comparison conveys a true Idea, What Care then ought to be taken, that the Government be furnished with a proper Medium, even a Currency (founded upon Industry, and anchored by Gold and Silver) that will have a free Circulation, and admit of no Obstruction, lest our Navigation, Trade and Commerce, remain to be an intolerable Charge, without any Prospect or Hopes of any Advantage to King or Commonalty, as it is now managed amongst us, the direct Tendency of which, is even Poverty itself, whereby both Gentle and Simple, Province and People, may (if not already so) become almost without Notice.

Pray consider, what Business, of any Consequence, have we going on in the Government? Are we not all halt and lame, for want of a Medium? Does it not affect even the whole Inhabitants of the Province?

I leave this to the mature Consideration of the People of each County.