Document: Order allowing Lewis Morris to have the guardianship of his deceased brother's orphan child

The Governor-General having received and read and considered the petition of Lewis Morris, requesting in substance the guardianship of the minor child of his deceased brother, the late Richard Morris, and of his estate, without any exception, to be managed and administered for the behoof of said orphan child, further to enjoy the same privileges as are granted and allowed to the neighboring Colonies of New England and Virginia, &c.It is ordered:The Petitioner is allowed to have the guardianship of the surviving orphan child of his deceased brother, the late Richard Morris, and granted such power to take into his keeping all goods, effects, negroes and servants, as belonged in true ownership to the said Richard Morris at his decease, on condition that he pay therefrom the deceased's funeral expenses, but he shall, first of all, deliver in here a correct inventory of all the property left by the deceased, to be recorded in the Orphan Chamber, which being done, the necessary letters of administration shall then be issued to him. What regards the Petitioner's request to import into this government some necessaries for upkeep and maintenance of said orphan and estate, the petition is allowed, provided it be done with such ships as are already here or will hereafter be permitted, and on paying such customs and public duties as are paid by other inhabitants. Regarding the request that he may have such privileges as are granted to New England and Virginia by the Proclamation, dated [ ] last, the petitioner’s request is refused and denied, being an inhabitant of Barbadoes, which consequently cannot be considered with the neighboring Colonies of New England and Virginia. Moreover, the Petitioner shall be at liberty to show where any property belonging to the plantation is lying, and then order will be given for its restitution to the rightful owner. And finally, the Petitioner is allowed to employ such substitutes and servants as in case of his living or dying, shall from time to time, with advice of the Orphan Chamber here, be deemed necessary for the greatest advantage of the orphan, on condition that the Petitioner and his agents shall remain bound at all times to afford said Orphan Chamber due account, proof and balance of their administration.Dated Fort Willem Hendrick, this 11th of October, 1673.