Robert Carter writes to his son John, then in London studyinglaw, July 19, 1720, about an opinion that he has received from SirRobert Raymond in England concerning "Mr. Lee's Deed of Settlement,"expressing his dissatisfaction with it. Sir Robert's opinion hadindicated "a wide Difference between a bond Debt and a debt upon Simple Contract" and Carter expounds upon the trouble such aninterpretation will create for the colonists. He asks John to attemptto see Sir Robert or another able attorney to have certain points inthe opinion expanded upon, and adds that he will consult lawyers inVirginia. He sends family news, and indicates his need for aschoolmistress for "my three Younger Children . . . at home wth. me Mary, Lucy, & George," noting that he haswritten Mr. Perry about one, but John may be able to assist.
=couragemt. Therefrom for the recovery of my money, Sr. Robt.
I can do no more but ghess [sic] at his meaning, all Yor.
Source copy consulted: Robert CarterLetter Book, 1720 July-1721 July, BR 227, Huntington Library, ArtCollections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California. Printed:Wright. Letters of Robert Carter. . .. pp. 32-34.
 Sir Robert Raymond, later Lord Chief Justice, wasAttorney General in 1720. He was regarded as the foremost lawyer ofhis day.
 In law, coverture is the status of a married womanconsidered as under the protection and authority of her husband.
 Sir Robert Raymond's clerk's handwriting wasterrible.
This text revised December 16, 2008.