America and West Indies: December 1687

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

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'America and West Indies: December 1687', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, (London, 1899) pp. 474-485. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol12/pp474-485 [accessed 26 April 2024]

December 1687

Dec. 1–5. 1,539. Copy of the London Gazette, containing loyal addresses to the King from the Ministers of the Gospel in New England and from the inhabitants of Hartford. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 79.]
Dec. 1. 1,540. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Draft report on Ayliff Rainsford's appeal read and approved.
Answer of the Governor and Council of Antigua to Charles Henderson's petition read. Agreed that the matter be heard within eight months.
Extracts of several letters from Captains Allen and Crofts read (see No. 1,507I.). Copies to be sent to Lord Howard of Effingham.
Sir Edmund Andros's letter of 28 September last read. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 116–118.]
Dec. 1.
Whitehall.
1,541. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. On the petition of Margaret Henderson, agreed to order John Gunthrop to attend the committee if he be arrived in England, or if not to appoint a hearing of the matter within eight months. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 283, 284.]
[Dec. 1.] 1,542. Petition and reply of Margaret Henderson to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Recounts the original story of Archibald Henderson's case (see No. 604I.), and continues:—I went to Antigua myself in 1684 to recover my brother's plantation, but was foiled by the packing of juries and other irregular practices. It is owned that my brother was arbitrarily banished without indictment or conviction, a thing unknown in England, but no depositions as to the crimes for which he was banished have been furnished to you. It is owned, too, that he had not forfeited the plantation, since he had left an attorney with power to sell it. It is said that the plantation afterwards became forfeited because it lay so long unimproved; but surely when people expressly put it out of Henderson's power to improve it, it is hard that it should be forfeited. I beg the restoration of the plantation to my son as my brother's representative. 3½pp. Endorsed. Read 1 Dec. 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 80, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 280–283.]
Dec. 1–11 1,543. Instrument for preventing acts of hostility between the English and French in America until 1–11 January, 1688–9. Signed, Sunderland, Middleton, Godolphin, Barillon d'Amoncourt, Dusson de Bonrepaux. Printed in New York Documents III., 505. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LXIX., pp. 181–183, and Vol. XXII., pp. 136, 137, and Vol. XXV., pp. 79–83, and Vol. C., pp. 21–23.]
Dec. 1. 1,544. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Edward Broughton produced a deputation from the patentee of the clerkship of the Supreme Court, which was allowed. Order for payment of £72 to Ensign Bull, due for service done against rebellious negroes. Order for payment of a quarter's salary to the Governor, and for the audit of certain accounts. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 176, 176A.]
Dec. 2.
Whitehall.
1,545. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition of Philip Siveret, master of the ship Joanna, for the restoration of the ship, pending the decision of his case, to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report (see No. 1,492). Signed, Wm. Blathwayt. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 375.]
Dec. 2.
Whitehall.
1,546. Order of the King in Council. Report of Lords of Trade and Plantations on the appeal of Dame Ayliff Rainsford against a decree of the Court of Chancery of Barbados. We recommend that the decree be reversed, and the money withheld from appellant be thereby restored. Dated 19 November 1687. Ordered accordingly. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 455, 456.]
Dec. 2. 1,547. Minutes of Council of Maryland. James Heath produced a commission from Lord Baltimore as clerk of the Upper House of Assembly, and a letter of recommendation from his Lordship. Order for issue of military commissions to nine officers. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LIV., pp. 128–130.]
Dec. 2.
Boston.
1,548. Governor Sir Edmund Andros to the Earl of Sunderland. I have received a letter from Governor Dongan, copy enclosed, informing me of the French aggression, and asking me for troops, with copy of my reply. I shall endeavour to put the militia in as good order as possible, and should be glad to receive the King's instructions. Signed, E. Andros. 1¼pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Jan. 87–8. Enclosed,
1,548. I. Governor Dongan to Governor Sir E. Andros, Albany, November 18, 1687. The French have built two forts on this side the lake and have invaded the King's territory without provocation. Please detect me two hundred of the youngest and lustiest of your militia, with good arms, and a hundred red coats, with fifty horse. If Connecticut be under your government, please order them to send me two hundred more, with fifty horse. I give the soldiers here the same pay as the King's. I have already made arrangements for the supply of provisions at fivepence a day per man. It will be for the King's service if you will see that money is sent for their provisions. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Jan. 87–8.
1,548. II. Governor Sir E. Andros to Governor Dongan, Boston, 2 December 1687. I have received yours of 18th ult., and shall be ready to assist with the force for which you ask, or with any other that this Colony afford, against the King's enemies all times. Pray give me further information. Copy. Endorsed as the preceding. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., Nos. 81, 81I., II., and (covering letter only), Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LVI., pp. 372, 373.]
Dec. 2 1,549. Minutes of Council of New England. Governor Dongan's letter of 18th ult. asking for soldiers read. An answer to be written promising him assistance. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 161, 162.]
Dec. 3–13. 1,550. Memorial of the French Commissioners. We propose to agree with the English Commissioners on a written engagement, whereby all acts of violence shall cease till the boundaries can be settled; but there is the matter of the Iroquois to be cleared up, on which we offer as follows. The Indians acknowledged the dominion of the French in 1604 and 1610 when those countries were annexed by Sieur Champlain; and in 1665 and 1666 all the Iroquois placed themselves under the French King's protection by treaty with M. de Tracy. They revolted shortly after, but were reduced, and M. de Tracy retook their lands and forts. There is due record of this. These documents are supported by forts erected by the French, so an English treaty of 1684 cannot be pleaded against the ancient rights of the French. The matter is really settled by the Treaty of Neutrality of 16–26 November 1686. It was not then pretended that the Iroquois were British subjects. Signed, Barillon, Dusson de Bonrepaux. French. Translated in New York Documents III., 507. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 169–172.]
Dec. 4.
Whitehall.
1,551. The King to Governor Lord Howard of Effingham. Ordering the appointment of William Byrd as auditor of Virginia in place of Nathaniel Bacon, resigned. Countersigned, Bellasis, J. Ernle, H. Fox, Godolphin. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 179, 180.]
Dec. 6 1,552. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Richard Salter sworn of the Council. Order for writs for the election of an Assembly. Colonel Thomas Lewis sworn of the Council. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 65, 66.]
Dec. 6 1,553. Lieutenant Governor and Council of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Forwarding quarterly returns of the Council's proceedings and of imports. Signed, Edwyn Stede, Th. Walrond, Fra. Bond, John Farmer, John Gibbes, John Hallett, Richard Harwood. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 457, 458.]
Dec. 6.
Whitehall.
1,554. The King to Leutenant Governor Stede. Ordering that Quakers shall not be molested for their worship, that they shall be admitted to all offices without taking an oath, and that no fine be imposed on them for neglect of military service exceeding the price of the hire of a substitute. Countersigned, Sunderland. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 459.]
Dec. 7
Jamaica.
1,555. Lieutenant Governor Molesworth to William Blathwayt. By the last ships arrived one Mr. James Wall, with a deputation from Lord Rochester as Postmaster of the island, in virtue of which he stopped all the letters that came by the ship, and charged the merchants sevenpence halfpenny for every one and proportionately for packets, and this without first acquainting me of his intention. Afterwards he shewed me his deputation, and asked me for an order to that purpose, which I refused, as he was an officer of an office not established, and as to which I had no instructions, though I offered to summon the Council to hear what he might have to say. The merchants at the same time petitioned against him for having illegally taken their money, offering several reasons against the office itself, which will be laid before you. The report that the Duke of Albemarle had a patent for the wreck was likely to have prevented the coming in of most of the sloops. The men were refractory, and would have forced the masters to share at some of the uninhabited islands, but through the prudence and management of the commissioners whom I had appointed for the purpose, they came dropping in one after another, though many of the masters had trouble enough with their men. At last Council Mr. James Wall, who said that he had seen the Duke's patent for the wreck, was examined about it, and said that he had seen the rough draft. The Council accordingly agreed to make a proclamation to check the hot pursuit of the wreckers.
One George Lenham, who was sent with my commission after pirates, heard at Providence of some who had burnt their ship and raised a fort of eight guns on a neighbouring island for their security. He accordingly sailed thither, beat them out of it, and brought off the men with their goods, and three or four Portuguese negroes, who were the only witnesses that could be produced against them. It appeared from their account that they had taken a Portuguese ship off the coast of Brazil, and on this evidence the men were condemned. Though pardon had been promised, not one of them singly would make the least confession. At last the pardon was offered to all, when it appeared that they belonged to three sloops, which left Carolina in company, with the resolution to take some good ship and sail with her to the South Seas. At last they got a Dutch vessel of good force, with which they took another, and sailed away south, but were beaten back by foul weather at Magellan's strait, and forced into Providence. There they burnt their ship (as Woollerly had done before them), and hearing of the proclamation for pardon of pirates were intending to go to New England. Their spoil was condemned, though it was of little value; an account will be sent to you of it. I hear that Captain Spragge has been forced through the Gulf by a gale, and driven to Virginia. Signed, Hder. Molesworth. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 68–74.]
Dec. 7 1,556. The secretary of Jamaica to William Blathwayt. Forwarding duplicate minutes of Council and patents for land granted. Signed, F. Hickman. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 21 Jan. 87–8. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 82.]
Dec. 8 1,557. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Order for cancelling the appointments of all sub-rangers, and for all such as held the office to cease their duties till they shall have received re-appointment from the chief rangers. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LIV., p. 131.]
[Dec. 9.] 1,558. The case of Charles Henderson, infant and heir of Archibald Henderson. A repetition of the matter set forth in previous memorials. 1¼pp. Endorsed. Recd. 9 December 1687. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 83.]
Dec. 13 1,559. Instructions to Matthew Plowman as collector and receiver of New York. Printed in New York Documents III., 501. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 140–146.]
Dec. 14 1,560. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Appeal of Richard Scott heard and dismissed.
Draft letter to Lord Howard of Effingham, forwarding the letters of Captains Allen and Crofts approved.
Petition of Philip Siveret, of the ship Joanna, referred to Commissioners of Customs for their opinion.
Memorandum of documents sent and received. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 119–122.]
Dec. 15. 1,561. Lords of Trade and Plantations to Governor Lord Howard of Effingham. Forwarding the extracts of letters from Captains Allen and Crofts against him for his vindication. Signed, Jeffreys, Craven, Middleton. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 177, 178.]
[Dec. 15] 1,562. "The case of Richard Scott against Samuel Dyer, to be heard in Council on appeal from Barbados." A pr_cis drawn up for the use of the Lords of Trade and Plantations, with marginal notes scribbled in another hand. Large sheet. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 84.]
Dec. 16.
Whitehall.
1,563. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition and appeal of Sir Timothy Thornhill to Lords of Trade and Plantations for their report. Signed, William Blathwayt. ½p. Annexed,
1,563. I. Petition of Sir Timothy Thornhill to the King and Lords of Trade and Plantations. Recounting the story of his quarrel with Richard Harwood and his trial for using treasonable language, which he denies that he ever uttered; and adding that he was tried by jurors to whom he objected, and that Harwood, who was the prosecutor, also sat as judge. Asks for an examination of the case, and a reversal of judgment. Copy. 3 pp. The whole endorsed. Recd. 21 Jan. 87–8. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 85, and (order only), Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 439.]
Dec. 16.
Whitehall.
1,564. Order of the King in Council. Report of Lords of Trade and Plantatios. Recommending the dismissal of the appeal of Richard Scot against Samuel Dyer, but that Dyer shall refund a sum of money which he confesses to have taken, over and above his due. Dated 15 December 1687. Ordered accordingly. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 456, 457.]
Dec. 1,565. Petition of Richard Scott to Lords of Trade and Plantations. You were pleased to relieve me in the matter of my appeal from the Court of Chancery of Barbados, but have made me no allowance for costs. I beg that I may be allowed something at least for the security that I was forced to pay into the Courts at Barbados. 1 p. Annexed,
1,565. I. Account of the money paid by Richard Scott to the registrar for costs, £260. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., Nos. 86, 86I.]
Dec. 18–28.
Quebec.
1,566. Governor de Denonville to Governor Dongan. I have received your letters of 31 October and 10 November on the 3rd inst. by Major Macgregory. I am glad to see your good disposition towards friendly correspondence between us. I have already told you that the great design of the King my master in this country is the conversion of infidels and to unite all these poor, barbarous people in the bosom of the Church. Can you believe that the King your master, who has done so much for religion in his own dominions, can contradict my master in his pious designs? They cannot be contrary to his interests; and the Treaty of Neutrality lays down that the two Kings shall reciprocally abandon savages who war against the subjects of either of them. I shall leave the justice of the dependence of the Five Nations to be regulated by our masters, and accept your offers in your letter of 31 October, assuring you that I never made war but against my will, and wish to restore peace in the country, a good understanding between us, and the establishment of religion. You ask me to send you a messenger to treat, and I do not think I can send a more acceptable person than Father Vaillant, Jesuit, who is not unknown to you. He knows what is necessary for the encouragement of religion, and is fully instructed of my intentions. I shall gladly ratify all that he concludes with you. Though I know you are not ignorant of French I have sent with him M. Dumont, who speaks English. I need not say that I do not question but that you will give them a safe return. Signed, Le M. de Denonville. Copy. 3¼pp. Endorsed, Recd. 28 May 88. Printed in New York Documents III., 517. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 87.]
Dec. 19.
Jamaica.
1,567. Governor, the Duke of Albemarle to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I arrived here this morning, and, in the hope that it will not be troublesome to you, give you the following account of the voyage. We left Spithead Sept. 12, were forced back to St. Helens on the 13th, left it again on the 19th, anchored in Plymouth Sound in a storm from the S.S.E. on the 21st, left it October 5th, and anchored in Madeira road the 21st. We left Madeira on the 25th, and on November 25th anchored in Carlisle Bay, Barbados, where I was extremely kindly received by all the gentlemen of the country except the Deputy Governor, who was confined by illness, but none the less shewed me great civility, treating me all the while I was there. I found him a very good man and wholly devoted to the King's service. When I first went ashore I found the militia of Bridgetown drawn out. both horse and foot in very good order, and I reviewed the rest of the militia at different places and times, under my commission, as could most conveniently be done. I found them, for militia, very good men, and indifferently well disciplined, and seeing them very willing to learn, left them the best instructions I could for their improvement. I left Barbados on the 5th December, anchored in Nevis Roads and went ashore, but did not meet Sir Nathaniel Johnson, who had been absent five weeks in other parts of the Government. I find the militia very ill, both as to men and arms, most of them being boys. The excuse was that their best men had gone to the wreck. The forts are in fairly good order. On the 11th I left Nevis for St. Christopher's, and landed there the same day. I found the two regular companies in very good order, and the militia very good men and well disciplined. Colonel Hill entertained me very kindly, and the same evening I set sail, arriving here on the 19th at Port Royal. Next day I went ashore, and was most kindly received by the Lieutenant Governor and Council. I reviewed the regiment at Port Royal, which is in pretty good order, but will soon be better, the men being good and willing to learn. The castle and forts are something out of order at present, but I purpose speedily to repair them. Thence I went to Spanish Town, where I found the King's house, as at Port Royal, in so ill a state as to be unfit for any private person. I am therefore obliged to rent the Lieutenant Governor's house and another at Port Royal. Everything is so dear that I hope my suggestion for the rebuilding of the King's houses will not be thought unreasonable. From New York we hear that Colonel Dongan has received a letter from the Governor of Canada saying that he hoped to keep Christmas with him, and refusing to restore Major Macgregory and the other prisoners formerly taken by them on their tour of discovery. Whereupon Colonel Dongan had raised what forces he could, horse and foot, and marched on the 3rd November from New York to Albany, all the neighbouring forces of the province having orders to join him at Sanicetead [Schenectady]. The Senecas and Maquas are with Colonel Dongan, and have had several disputes with the French, killing several of them. There are many French prisoners in Albany, and since Colonel Dongan's march the French have released the English prisoners. There has been some suspicion of a rising of negroes since my arrival. Three have been severely whipped, and two of them are also to be transported. Signed, Albemarle. P.S. I have written to tell you that the whole Council have asked me to recommend the re-admission of Sir Henry Morgan to the Council, which I earnestly do. Two closely written pages. Endorsed. Recd. 16 March. Read 10 April 88. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 88, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 74–80.]
Dec. 19. 1,568. Minutes of Council of New England. Orders confirming sundry grants of land to Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton and others.
Dec. 20. The bills declaring the laws passed by the Governor and Council in Connecticut to be in force, and the bill for enlarging the jurisdiction of the inferior courts ordered to be blended into one.
Dec. 21. The two bills, made into one, were read.
Dec. 23. Petition of Robert Orchard complaining against the late Government of Massachusetts. The case to be recommended to the judges of the several Courts. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 162–166.]
Dec. 20. 1,569. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The Duke of Albemarle's commission was read, and he was sworn in as Governor. The Council also took the oaths. Order for a proclamation continuing all officers in their posts. The Duke communicated his instructions respecting the suspended Councillors. It was arranged that Sir Henry Morgan and Colonel Ivy should be heard on Friday 24th. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 177, 177A.]
Dec. 20.
Whitehall.
1,570. The King to Lieutenant Governor Stede. Directing Benjamin Skutt to be sworn of the Council of Barbados. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 435.]
Dec. 21–31. 1,571. The French Ambassador to the King. Since the outrage committed by the captain of the Mary Rose, the King my master has received letters from the Governor of Martinique. I am ordered to ask reparation for the matters therein reported. Mess. de Blenac and de Maits write that they have punctually observed the Treaty of Neutrality, but that the English Governors have not. They report that though in accordance with the 10th article they have restored all the English residents and slaves who had gone to the French islands, yet the English Governors have sent the French runaways and slaves who took refuge with them to New York and other places in North America. I am to beg your orders to prohibit such dealings in future, and to enjoin punctual execution of the treaty. Signed, Barillon. French. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 26 Apr. 1688. Annexed,
1,571. I. Extract from a letter from Count de Blenac to the King. The Governor of Barbados, apparently unaware that the royal orders had been issued as to the Treaty of Neutrality, sent me a ship express with copy of the Treaty in March. Nevertheless, at the beginning of May the English man-of-war Mary Rose returned to Dominica from Barbados, disturbed the French in their workshops, carried off some of their goods, and took some of them prisoners. They also seized a ship which had gone there for wood for a voyage to Europe, and committed certain acts of hostility against the Caribs, though negotiating with some of them. Other of the Caribs, unaware of these negotiations, attacked the English on shore, whereupon the ship sailed back to Barbados. The Governor of Barbados always upholds and excuses the actions of the captain of the Mary Rose, alleging that the French, who were actually on board the ship at Dominica, acted with the Caribs in their attack upon the English; a position which cannot be proved and can hardly be seriously advanced. According to the treaty the French Governors have orders to restore all English runaways, white and black, to St. Christopher's, Antigua and Montserrat, and this has actually been done. But when we claimed French runaways from the French portion of St. Christopher's and from Guadeloupe, we found that they had been sent to New York. Dated, St. Pierre, Martinique, 17 September 1687. French. 2½pp. Endorsed. Recd. 26 Apr. 88. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., Nos. 89, 89I.]
Dec. 21. 1,572. Warrant for the Seal of Virginia. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 181–182.]
Dec. 21. 1,573. Colonel William Byrd's receipt for the Seal of Virginia. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 182, 183.]
Dec. 21.
Virginia.
1,574. Governor Lord Howard of Effingham to the Earl of Sunderland. I wrote from New York of the serious consequences that might ensue should the French succeed in transferring the Senecas from the Government of New York to that of Canada, and that I was confident that the Council here would represent the matter to the King. I now enclose the statement of their views. I take this opportunity to crowd in a petition of my own that I may come home this spring come twelvemonth on a year's leave. I dare not own that anything of my private concerns, the disposal of my children, and the settlement of my affairs, has a share in this petition, for these must give way to the King's service, but my private affairs do much require my further care. If leave be granted, I beg instructions as to the settlement of the Government here. I should prefer to see it vested in the Council, with the senior Councillor to preside, rather than in any specially commissionated Deputy Governor. Signed, Effingham. Holograph. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 19 March. Read 10 April 1687–8. Annexed,
1,574. I. Extract from minutes of Council of Virginia, Oct. 21, 1687. The Governor acquainted the Council that he had used his visit to New York to endeavour to recover the prisoners carried off from Virginia by the Seneca Indians, and had renewed the former treaty with the Senecas, much to the honour and satisfaction of the English. The Council ventured to represent to the King that nothing can be more vital to the future prosperity of Virginia than the preservation of this peace with the Senecas. This can only be attained by the maintenance of those Indians under the influence and protection of the Government of New York. If the French succeed in reducing them by force under the Government of Canada, the consequences will be most serious to Virginia. Signed, Nicho. Spencer. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., Nos. 90, 90I., and (without enclosures), Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 195–198.]
Dec. 22. 1,575. Governor Lord Howard of Effingham to the King. An extremely fulsome letter requesting leave of absence (see No. 1,574), the great object of the said leave of absence being "to behold your Majesty's gracious face," and suggesting the vesting of the Government in the Council, presided over by the senior member. Signed, Effingham. Holograph. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 19 March 1687–8. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 91.]
Dec. 22. 1,576. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Colonel Nedham reported a suspected rebellion of negroes. The matter was referred to a committee of Council, as were also certain other affairs. William Chapman shewed his patent for the clerkship of the Crown, which was allowed. The Council explained their proclamation of 6 July as to wrecks. Order for removal of a bridge over the place where the King's ships careen. Adjourned till Monday 2 January 1688. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 169A, 170.]
Dec. 26. 1,577. "Entries from the wreck, in the Naval Office" since the Duke of Albemarle's arrival (see No. 1,555). Eleven sloops in all entered from Dec. 22 to Dec. 26, with plate, etc., to the value of 5,995 dollars. 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 92.]
Dec. 27. 1,578. Minutes of Council of New England. Bill as to the laws in Connecticut and for settling courts read. Ordered that the superior Courts in Essex be reduced to two circuits in the year. Bill amended accordingly.
Dec. 29. The bill thus amended passed. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 167, 168.]
Dec. 31. 1,579. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Thomas Clegatt appointed Coroner of Calvert County. John Craycroft discharged from being a coroner and Ignatius Craycroft appointed in his stead. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LIV., p. 132.]
1,580. "The case of the ship Swallow, seized at Jamaica by Captain Talbot." The appeal of Captain Talbot against the judgment of the Court in Jamaica on this case was allowed by the Lords of Trade and referred to the Commissioners of Customs, who have reported thereon (see No. 1,212). Query 1. Will not such an order as that suggested by the Commissioners of Customs destroy the logwood trade, since other ships, that are undisputably free, will hardly venture in it? 2. By what law is any ship, English or other, hindered from carrying logwood from Honduras to foreign parts, as they will be forced to do if so severely handled at Jamaica. 2 pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 93.]
Jamaica. 1,581. Quarterly returns of goods imported, 1686 and 1687. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXIII.]
1,582. List of stores of war at New York. Signed, Ger. Baxter. Long sheet. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 94.]
1,583. Quarterly returns of imports and shipping from the Naval Office of New England. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIII.]
1,584. Acts of Barbados.
Act for an impost on imported liquors. pp. 173–178. Passed Feb. 23.
Act to continue sundry expiring Acts. pp. 191, 192. Passed 17 May.
A second Act for the same. p. 193. Passed 20 October.
Act appointing a committee to revise the laws. p. 198. Passed 12 July.
Act to levy a duty on shipping. pp. 199–207. Passed 12 July.
Act for making a present to the Governor. p. 211. Passed 12 July. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVI., pp. 173–211.]
1,585. Quarterly returns of goods imported into Barbados [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. X.]
1,586. Petition of the Council, and Assembly and inhabitants of Montserrat to Governor Sir Nathaniel Johnson. For years past we have groaned under the exactions of unreasonable and oppressive fees by the secretary and marshal. We have hitherto sought redress in vain, until you passed an order in Council for regulating of their fees. We now beg you to send to England, for confirmation, an Act for the establishment of the fees of the marshal and secretary, an Act for relief of prisoners, and an Act to remove excessive charges upon warrants of execution upon negroes, horses, and cattle. We doubt whether the present joint secretary and marshal may not write to Sir James Cotter, the patentee, to hinder the confirmation of these Acts. We beg you therefore not only to move the King to confirm the Acts, but to write to Sir James Cotter, that we are so far from desiring to diminish his profits that we are ready to make him an annual payment equal to that paid him by his deputies, if he will allow us to appoint our own officers to these posts. We beg also that the secretary and marshal be allowed to take no fees other than those on the establishment, until the King's pleasure be known. Large sheet. Endorsed. Recd. 4 May 88 from Sir N. Johnson. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 95.]
1,587. A general account of the bullion and coined money brought from the wreck on the banks of Ambrosia. Total value, £10,782. The King's share, £988. 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 96.]