Alexander Spotswood, Her Majestys Lieutenant Governor, Vice Admiral and Commander in Chief of the Colony and Diminion of Virginia To Robert Hix, John Evans, David Crawley Richard Jones and Nathaniel Irby Whereas Her Most Sacred Majesty, by her Order in Council, bearing date at the Court at Windsor, the 26th day of September 1709, hath been pleased to signify her Royal Will and pleasure, that the Trade from this Colony with the Western Indians, be carryed on without any Let, hindrance or Molestation whatsoever, and that no dutys be Leveyed or demanded of any of her Majestys' Subjects of this Colony for any Goods or Merchandizes which shall be carryed by them to the said Indians, or back from thense by way of Trade And Whereas You have represented to me that You are now bound out on a Trading Voyage to several nations of Indians to the South West of this Colony, and desired my Passport for your better protection in your going and returning with your goods and merchandizes, I do therefore, hereby give and grant unto you full License and Liberty to trade and traffick with any nation of Indians whatsoever, except the Tuscaroras, and such others as shall be actually in league with them And I do by these presents Signify to all her Majestys' Subjects of the sevl Colonys & plantations through wch you may have occasion to pass, that it is her Matys' will & pleasure that they suffer and permitt you freely and quietly to pass and Repass with your goods and Merchandizes, without any Lett, hindrance or Molestation, on pretense of any Dutys Or Impositions to be demanded for ye same, or any other account whatsoever, Provided always, that you take a Certificate from the naval officer, that the Goods you carry out of this Colony, are such as have been Legally imported here. Given under my hand and the seal of this her Majestys' Colony and Dominion, at Wmsburgh, the Eleventh day of July 1712.
Virginia Calendar of State Papers, Volume 1, p. 155-156
Know all men by these presents that we Robert Hix of the County of Surry, John Evans, David Crawley, Richard Jones, & Nathaniel Urven of the County of Prince George, in the Colony of Virginia Securitys are held and firmly bound unto Our Sovereign Lady Anne, by the Grace of God, of Great Brittain, France & Ireland, Queen Defender of the Faith &c, in the sum of Three hundred pounds Sterling, to the which payment, well and truly to be made to our said Lady the Queen, her heirs and successors, We and every of us bind ouselves One & every of our heirs Executors and Administrators, jointly and severally firmly by these presents, Sealed with our Seals, Dated the _____ day of July 1712.
The Condition of this Obligation is such, that Whereas, the above bound Robert Hix, John Evans, David Crawley, Richard Jones and Nathaniel Urven have obtained from the honble Alexander Spotswood, her Majty Lieutenant Governor of Virginia a passport or License for Trading with the Western Indians If Therefore, the said Robert Hix, John Evans, & Co shall not by themselves or either of them or their, or either of their servants, during the time of their being out on the present trading Voyage, directly or indirectly trade or Traffick with any of the Tuscarora Indians nor with any other Indians in League or Alliance with them, nor permitt or Suffer such Trading to be carryed on by any person going out in their Company, under the protection of their Passport. And also shall and will well and truly observe & performe all & every the Instructions which shall be given them by her Majestys' said Lieutenant Governor for their better Conduct in the sd Trade, then this Obligation to be void, Or else remain of full force & Virtue. Signed sealed & Delivered in present of . . .
Calendar of Virginia State Papers and other Manuscripts, 1652-1781 Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond, ed. William P. Palmer, M.D., Vol.1, pgs. 155-156, Richmond 1875. (reprint of the Virginia State Library, 1968, Kraus Reprint Corporation).
Contributed by Sidney H.