America and West Indies: October 1695

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Addenda For 1688-1696. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1969.

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'America and West Indies: October 1695', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Addenda For 1688-1696, (London, 1969) pp. 27-34. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/addenda/1688-96/pp27-34 [accessed 19 April 2024]

October 1695

Oct. 2, 3, 4, 5 99. Minutes of the Council of Maryland in Assembly. Already calendared as above, No.2074. [C.O. 5/718 ff.236–238]
Oct. 3, 4, 5 100. Minutes of the Council of Maryland. Already calendared as above, No.2076. [C.O. 5/718 ff.227–228]
Oct. 3 101. Journal of the House of Burgesses of Maryland. The meeting prorogued from the previous day. Ordered that writs be issued to the sheriffs of Talbot and Somerset Counties for the election of representatives in place of Col. Henry Coursey, deceased, and Major William Whittington; now Sheriff of Somerset County.
Oct. 5 Letters of excuse read from William Frisby and Henry Hooper. Committees of Agrievances, of Accompts and of Laws appointed. [C.O. 5/718 ff.249–252]
Oct. 7, 8, 9 102. Minutes of the Council of Maryland. Already calendared in Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series, 1693–1696, No.2079. [C.O. 5/718 ff.228 and 228v]
Oct. 7, 8, 10,
11
103. Minutes of the Council of Maryland in Assembly. Already calendared as above, No.2080. [C.O. 5/718 ff.238–238v, 239v–241v]
Oct. 7 104. Journal of the House of Burgesses of Maryland. The following papers read: (1) The Governor's instructions to Thomas Tasker, relating to his journey to New York; (2) the Governor of New York's answer; (3) Mr. Tasker's report to the House; (4) his account of the sum of 199l. 18s. 1d. transmitted for the assistance of New York; (5) letter of Governor Sir Edmund Andros of Virginia to the Governor of New York signifying the compliance of his colony with the royal commands; letters to the Governor from (6) the Archbishop of Canterbury (7) the Bishop of London. Resolved that a bill be prepared imposing a 10 per cent. duty on European goods exported from Maryland into Pennsylvania.
Oct. 8 Action taken upon several proposals submitted by the Governor and Council, as follows: (1) Resolved, with reference to the proposal that the case of New York be considered and that the House make up a sum proportionate to what Virginia has contributed, that the King be further addressed. (2) Upon John Povey's letter relating to the advancement of coin being read, resolved that the law already prepared is sufficient and that the House will await its return from England. (3) Resolved that the question of the purchase of dead men's estates by the appraisors of the same is provided for by an Act of last sessions. (4) Resolved that certain provisions be inserted in the Law about Rangers. (5) The question of an encounter between rangers and Indians referred to the Governor. (6) Ordered that the land at Williamstadt be laid out, that the land adjacent be purchased for a town and that the island be set apart for public buildings. (7) A bill for the advancement of trade in Annapolis and Williamstadt through the constitution of courts for merchant suitors, read and rejected. (8) Resolved that the Committee of Laws enquire as to the repeal of the act for naval officers' fees. (9) Deliberation as to where the vicinage shall arise in provincial courts, with the inspection of the Act relating thereto, deferred until Thursday next. (10) Certain interpretations put upon the law for regulating appeals and writs of error. (11) The interpretation of the law about furs referred to the Committee of Laws. (12) Bill already ordered to be prepared for levying an imposition upon imported European goods. (13) Ordered that the money already levied by the Act for the imposition upon furs and other exported commodities be kept in the bank. (14) Resolved that the Act against the exportation of deer, elk-skins and raw hides be repealed. (15) Ordered that the Committee of Laws prepare a bill for keeping a distinct docquet of every county's business in the provincial court. (16) Resolved that the provincial court make such orders as are required for the appointment of auditors in every county, and for the fees to be charged. Resolved that the courts in the province make rules for the speedy trial of actions in which merchants are suitors. Ordered that Major William Whittington account to the House as Treasurer of the Eastern Shore.
Oct. 10 Act imposing a duty of 10 per cent. on all European goods exported, read the first time and committed for amendment. Ordered that the Committee of Laws prepare a temporary bill in accordance with the Governor's proposals for the revision of the law relating to the impanelling of jurors. Resolved that no agent be sent to England for the discussion of assistance for New York.
Oct. 11 Kenelm Cheseldyn elected Speaker in the place of Robert Smith, absent through indisposition. The following report presented by the Committee of Agrievances: (1) that the master of a vessel, though only obliged to pay 2s. 6d. yearly to the officer for his permit, must none the less take out a new permit for each voyage, against the intention of the Act made 21 Sept. 1694; that this is a grievance; that the same permit should serve for 12 months for the same vessel even though the master be changed; (2) that all ships built since 21 Sept. 1694 or to be built should be free of duty for any liquor imported into the province from any locality, except Pennsylvania and East and West Jersey; (3) that the Committee appointed in Sept. 1694 to audit the accounts of the receivers of the 4d. per gallon on rum etc., together with all treasurers, naval officers and other collectors should present their accounts to the House. Action taken hereon: (1) ordered that the Committee of Laws inspect the Act for naval officers' fees and make such provision therein as will answer the report; (2) deferred until the next day; (3) ordered that public treasurers produce their accounts to the House before Monday next. Committee of Laws ordered to prepare a bill confirming title to those who, in accordance with former Acts, have taken up lots in towns and built thereon.
Oct. 12 Ordered that proposal (2) of the Committee of Agrievances be referred to the Committee of Laws and the Act thereby amended. [C.O. 5/718 ff.252–255v]
Oct. 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19
105. Minutes of the Council of Maryland in Assembly. Already calendared in Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series, 1693–1696, No.2091. [C.O. 5/718 ff.238v–239v, 241v–248]
Oct. 15 106. Minutes of the Council of Maryland. Already calendared as above, No.2092. [C.O. 5/718 ff.228v–229v]
Oct. 14 107. Journal of the House of Burgesses. The petition of Kent Island referred to a full House. The following resolutions passed upon proposals of the Governor and Council: (1) that the parish church of Williamstadt be built within the port, `and the parish laid out as convenient as may be to it'; (2) that ships now in the country or coming thither, when filled, be cleared; (3) that a lot near the place where the church of Annapolis is to stand be laid out for the minister; (4) that the Governor issue a proclamation against the exportation of corn; (5) that the Governor issue a proclamation against all persons seeking to induce inhabitants to migrate from the Province to their own damage.
Oct. 15 Proposal that Kent Island shall continue as by Act of Assembly established, carried. Thomas Tasker, Treasurer of the Western Shore, produced his account. Message from the Governor and Council read; states that the Emperor of Piscattaway's young Indians run out and bring in prisoners and carry them to other parts of the Province; the Emperor fears that strangs Indians may be introduced; this would be prejudicial both to him and to the English; referred to the whole House tomorrow. Act appointing rangers, read the first time and passed. Act for the imposition of 10 per cent. upon European goods exported, passed. Act for regulating the provincial courts, read and passed with amendments. Acts (1) for laying an imposition upon certain commodities exported from the province and (2) for appeals and regulating writs of error read the first time and passed.
Oct. 16 Major William Whittington, Treasurer for the Eastern Shore presented his account. The following resolutions passed upon proposals of the Governor: (1) That a letter, to be prepared by the Committee of Laws, be sent to Mr. Povey suggesting that if the Lords of Trade shall not approve the bill for the advancement of coins already drafted and sent to England, they shall make other proposals to meet the circumstances. (2) That letters, prepared by Peregrine Coney, be sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London, thanking them for favours and for their friendship towards the Province. Bills, sent to the Council the previous day, returned, with a statement that they will pass with amendments; these inserted. Bills (1) securing to several persons rights in town lands, (2) for the imposition of 4d. per gallon on imported liquors read the first time, passed and sent to the Governor and Council. These returned with the following proposals: (1) that, in its address to the King, the province congratulate him on his success; (2) that, in the matter of the Act for the imposition of 4d. per gallon on imported liquors, ships built before the making of the Act be omitted from its operation.
Oct. 17 Ordered that the Governor be requested to do what he thinks fit in the matter of the Emperor of Piscattaway's complaint, mentioned in the message of 15 Oct. The consideration of the Order in Council of 17 Aug. 1695 referred to the next Sessions. Voted that the Act for dividing and regulating several counties be not altered. Bill for the naturalization of Michael Curtis and others read the first time and passed. Bill for securing to several persons rights in town lands read the second time and passed. Resolved that the Governor, in accordance with his proposal, advance as much money for the assistance of New York, as with what has already been transmitted will make up the quota proportionable to the Colony of Virginia, viz. 133l. 8s. 7d.; John Perry, postmaster, ordered to go to New York therewith. Resolved that Robert Mason be Treasurer for the Western Shore and Major Thomas Smithson Treasurer for the Eastern Shore. Resolved that the additional duty of 3d. per hogshead shall not continue after the expiration of the present Act therefor. Resolved that if the Governor's agent pay `Esquire Blathwayt' 50 guineas and John Povery 50l. he be reimbursed out of the public revenue.
Oct. 18 Bills for the imposition of 4d. per gallon on imported liquors, for regulating the provincial court, for laying an imposition upon several imported commodities, for appointing rangers, for imposing a duty of 10 per cent. on all European goods exported, for appeals and regulating writs of error, for the naturalization of Michael Curtis and others, read the second and third times and passed. Bill for reviving the temporary laws of the province read and passed. Bill for securing to several persons rights in town lands read the third time and passed. All these bills sent to the Council.
Oct. 19 Message from the Governor and Council signifying their approval of the bill for the payment of money to New York. Ordered, in accordance with a proposal contained in the same message, that the vestries of parishes where there is no minister, but where churches exist, shall spend certain sums on the building of chapels of ease. On the Governor's recommendation that the House should write to the Government of New York and send one of its members, ordered that no letter be written nor messenger sent, except John Perry, `the post'. Requested that no proceedings be taken against Philip Lynes and the others who have gone security for masters of ships, until advice arrives from England, and that no bail, other than their own bonds, be exacted for their appearance. Certain bills assented to by the Council brought down. Bill for the payment of 333l. 16s. 8d. towards maintaining forces at New York read the second and third times and passed. Petition of Kent Island, and the report and recommendation of the Committee appointed to state the public revenue, referred to the next Sessions. Bill for the payment and assessment of the public charge read the first, second and third times and passed. The following bills taken to the Governor in Council: (1) for the imposition of 4d. per gallon on imported liquors, (2) for regulating appeals and writs of error, (3) for securing to several persons rights in town lands, (4) for imposing a duty on several exported commodities, (5) for appointing rangers, (6) for the naturalization of Michael Curtis and others, (7) for the payment of 333l. 16s. 8d. towards the maintenance of a force at New York, (8) for reviving the temporary laws, (9) for paying and assessing the public levy; to all of which the Governor assented. The Governor thanked the House for its care in making these and other laws, hoped that its members, since they were for the most part magistrates, would observe and execute them and that they would dissuade the inhabitants of their counties from being disheartened by rumours of heavy taxes and from leaving their homes. House prorogued until March 20. [C.O. 5/718 ff.225v–262]
Oct. 17, 18,
19
108. Minutes of the Council of Maryland. Already calendared in Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series, 1693–1696, No.2097. [C.O. 5/718 ff.228 and 228v, 229–235]
Oct. 109. Copy of Acts passed in October 1695: (1) for the regulating the proceedings of the provincial court and lessening the charge of evidence's attendance, (2) for appeals and regulating writs of error, (3) for the imposition of four pence per gallon on liquors imported into this Province, (4) for securing persons rights to town lands, (5) for the laying an imposition on several commodities exported out of this Province, (6) appointing rangers for the defence of this Province, (7) imposing the duty of ten per centum upon all European commodities exported out of this Province, (8) for the naturalization of Michael Curtis and others, (9) for the payment of three hundred thirty three pounds six shillings and eight pence sterling toward the maintaining their Majesties forces in New York, (10) reviving the temporary laws of this Province, (11) for payment and assessing of the public charge of this province. Copy authenticated by Tho. Brooke, Deputy Secretary. Papered seal attached. 28½ pp. Endorsed: Duplicate. Recd. 26 Aug. 1696. [C.O.5/718 ff.263–279]