View source for Robert Carter to Wythe, 20 June 1774

[[wikipedia:Robert Carter III|Robert Carter]], a plantation owner living on the [[wikipedia:Northern Neck|Northern Neck of Virginia]] writes to [[George Wythe]] in Williamsburg, Virginia to inform him of the leasing contract he has established between himself and the families living on his land. Carter relays the terms of the contract, stating that yearly rent must be paid to his residence at Nomony Hall, and that if any rent is left unpaid after 60 days, then he would be allowed to seize their property and hold it for himself. Carter closes the letter by admitting that many families on his land still owe him payment from their yearly rent and inquires of Wythe what may be the best solution to force them to pay their debts and exact the proper consequences.<ref>Robert Carter to George Wythe, June 20, 1774. [https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1430j Robert Carter Letter Books and Day Books,] David M. Rubenstein Rare Book &amp; Manuscript Library, Duke University.</ref> 

==Letter text== 
===Page 1===
<blockquote> 

::::::::::::::::W<sup>ms</sup>burg June 20<sup>th</sup>, 1774   

Dear Sir  

There are many families now living on tracts of Land lying in the northern neck in Virg<sup>a</sup> belonging to me, some of whom hold by Leases, some on a promise that I will Acknowledge Leases &mdash; All the Leases I have executed, and stand engaged to execute have therein the following Covenants &mdash;

"The if the Lessee shall at any time, make a breach or failure of any part of the Covenants in the Lease yͭ<ref>"That." See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorn_(letter)#Abbreviations </ref> it shall and may be lawful for myself, my heirs or Assigns, to Re-enter the Said Land & Premises & the same to hold again Retain & enjoy, as if no Lease had ever been Made"  

"That yͤ<ref>Ibid., "The."</ref> yearly Rent is to be paid at Nomony hall in Westmoreland County and if it (shall) 
</blockquote>

===Page 2===
<blockquote>

Shall happen yͭ yearly Rent, or any part thereof should be behind & unpaid by yͤ space of 60 days after yͤ days, and at the place aforesaid appointed for the payment thereof, that it shall & may be lawful to and for myself my Heirs & Assigns, into & and upon the said Land & Premises to Reenter, and the same to hold, maintain, retain, and enjoy, as of my or there former Estate &mdash;" 

There are great Arrearages of Rent due from the families mentioned before to me who refuse to pay the same, also to Surrender to me their tenements pray sir, what are the legal Steps to force such Debtors to pay my demands, and to dispossess them.   

::::::::::::::::I am Dear Sir <br />
:::::::::::::::::Your most Ob<sup>t</sup> Serv<sup>t</sup> <br />
::::::::::::::::::Rob<sup>t</sup> Carter 

To <br />
M<sup>r</sup> Geo: Wythe 

</blockquote>

==See also== 
*[[Robert Carter to Wythe, 4 October 1772]] 
*[[Wythe to Robert Carter, 2 July 1774]] 

  
==References==
<references />

[[Category:Letters and Papers]]
[[Category: Letters to Wythe]]