Copy of a representation from the Lds. Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices, about the defence and security of the Northern Colonies in America, Dated Sept. 30th, 1696, 1720

Locke proposes to shift the financial burden of colonial defense to the colonies and to unify their militias by "putting them all under one military head or Captain-General." He further proposes that the Captain-General assume the governorship of any Crown colony he occupies; the exemption of Quakers from compulsory militia service in return for militia fees; and the intensification of efforts to convert the neighboring Indians to Protestantism.

Manuscript copy of a report written by Locke when serving as a Commissioner of the Board of Trade. Locke notes the decentralized nature and uncertain financing of the colonies' defenses against the French and Indians, commenting that the Americans are "crumbled into little governments." He terms the Governor of New York's claim that he can rely only on Crown-financed soldiers "almost incredible....in the middle of above 40,000 English that he has in his neighborhood."

With: ALS from William Popple to Charles Townshend, 1st Viscount Townshend. Whitehall; 1720 Jul 22. Popple summarizes Locke's recommendations and sends this copy of his report.