DOBBS, Arthur, colonial governor, born in Ireland in 1784; died in Town Creek, N. C., 28 March 1765. He had been a member of the Irish parliament, and was known for his attempt to discover the Northwest Passage. He became governor of North Carolina, 1 November 1754, and retained the office until 1765. He adopted conciliatory measures toward the Indians, but his administration was a continued contest with the legislature. The representatives of the people, who did not hesitate to leave the government expenses unprovided for when the governor insisted upon unpopular measures, thwarted his zeal in behalf of the royal prerogative. When he attempted to establish the Anglican Church, they were ready to welcome it, so long as their own vestries were permitted to choose their ministers ; and when he wished to collect quitrents from the people, who were nearly all tenants of the king, they deferred, from time to time, the adjustment of the rent roll. Governor Dobbs was the author of " Trade and Improvement of h'eland" (Dublin, 1729); "Captain Middleton's Defense" (1744); and "An Account of the Countries Adjoining to Hudson's Bay" (London, 1748).