The farmer and mechanic., 1915-06-15


try. He made long trips into the In
dian lands and cultivated friendly re-
lationS with them. The correspond
ence of the times indicates that as
Surveyor General he possessed some
influence with the Lords Proprletors.
He with Edward Mosely, was appoint
ed commissioner to settle the boun-
dry line between Virginia and caro-
lima (Col Records NO. /, p. 7l6).
In August, 1910, they met the Virginia
commissioners at Williamsburg, and
then and there began the long series
of dallyingS that resulted IN the loss
to North Carolina of a part of her
true boundary. (Col. Rec, Vol. |, p
1850.
The records of this remote period
are very scant, but there is evidence
that John Lawson, MAJ. christopher
Gale. and Lionel Reading went to
England about the same time, in 1908.
This was during the Cary troubles,
and it is probable, and possible, that
they were partly Influenced in max
ing the journey by desire to lay be-
fore the prOprietors of the unhappy
divisions among the settlers, and to
try to devise means to Stralghten
out the tangle of conflicting authority
between President Glover, Col. Cary
and others, as we'll as, to consider the
growing discomfort Of the Indians.
jor Christopher Gale was living in
Bath Town at this time, and the rec
ords show that Lionel Reading pur-
chased lot adjoining Gales, though
he resided on his plantation on the
south side Of the river nearly oppo-
site the town. In January, 1908, Lionel
Reading made his will, and gave
power Of attorney Of even date for
the administration Of his business
during a contemplated, prolonged alb
documents John Lawson was a sub
| scribing witness. (Records Of Beau
| fort county, Book /, p. 253 and Will in
| Sec. States office, Raleigh). Lionel
| Reading was captain in the Indian
War, a justice Of the peace of Bath
! county, a justice of the court of the
county, a trustee of the Bath library,
| later appointed a commissioner to
pass on the land titles that had be-
come unsettled from the grants made
during the disputed authority of Cary
as Governor and Glover as President; !;
he was opposed to Cary and his name
appears among those signing a petit
| ton to remove the three restless spir-
its, Col. Cary, Mr.. Porter ard Mr.
Mosely from having any share in
the government (See Public Laws
1915, and Col. Rec. vol. 1, p. 7s7 and
Hathaway's Hist. Reg. vol. 2, p. ISL. }
| Lionel Reading had previous to this
made a complaint as to the danger
| threatening the settlers from the
growing discomfort Of the Indians.
About the same time John Lawson
made his will. and gave a power of at
tOrney in view Of an absence from
home. There is proof that the three
men, Lawson, Gale and Reading, We're
In England at the same time, 1708-09
and that Christopher Gale was ap-
pointed, while there receiver general
to supply the Palatines from the quit
rents Of the proprietors that were tc
, paid to him. (Col. Rec Vol. /, D. 71e.]
From these facts and others, it is as
} sumed that stopher Gale Johr
Lawson and Lionel Reading returned
to North Carolina actually in charge
/ of the first party of the Palatine:
: to arrive on these shores. Compare
; the foregoing with Baron De Graffen.
: reid's statement which says: Meas
, ures taken for the transportation O.
. the colonists I had appointed
| as first directors of that crowd, three
, persons, notables from Carolina, who
happened to be in London, and who
mad hved already several years il
Carolina. One was receiver-general
t another generalsurveyor, the third ;
e JuStce or the peace; all Of them ap
. peared to that effect before the rOva
] | committee where they received thei
instructions and were confirmed i,
t their authority above these people OF
: sea and land in my absence; indeed
: could not depart then on account O
q small colony from Bern, which wa,
to follow shortly afterwards.'' (Co]
s Rec vol. l. p. 90S.) From the fore
q going taken in conjunction, it is fat
to assume that John Lawson. survey
o or-general, Christopher Gale receiver
9 general, Lionel Reading Justice of tn
. peace, each had charge severauy Of
section of the Palatines on the frs
q expedition to Carolina by authorit
q OF Baron De Graffenreid and the roy
e al committee.
. De Graffenreid relates further n.
=, after landing in the county of Abe
marie, on Chowan river, at the resi-
, dence of rich settler. Colonel Pol
=, lock, OF the council of North Caro-
3 ma, he took care of them, supple