Some explanation is necessary regarding quotations and dates
in the text. Except in a few cases where use of the original forms
has seemed preferable, quotations from documents have been
changed in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization so as to con-
form to modern English usage. As to dates, writers on this period
are always faced with a difficulty. Before 1752 two calendars were
in use in England; the Julian or Old Style was the legal calendar
and was eleven days behind the Gregorian or New Style which
was used in all other European countries except Russia. More-
over, the year in England began on March 25 and not on January
I as in other countries. In the present text all dates mentioned
prior to January 1, 1752, are given in the Old Style, but the year
is taken as commencing on January 1. In the footnotes, however,
the actual dating of the document is cited, and will often be found
to be in both styles; for example, January 14/25, 1732/3. This
no longer applies after January 1, 1752. A Bill to regulate the
commencing of the year and correct the calendar had passed
Parliament in the spring of 1751. The correction of the calendar
was made by calling the day after September 2, 1752, the 14th,
thus omitting the discrepant eleven days.

Finally, acknowledgment must be given to all those persons
who, in one way or another, have assisted and encouraged this
study, to Professor G. S. Graham of King's College, London, for
his helpful criticism and advice, and to the editors of the Georgia
Historical Quarterly and the William and Mary Quarterly for
permission to use material published in their journals.

T. R. R.

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