America and West Indies: September 1690

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 13, 1689-1692. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1901.

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'America and West Indies: September 1690', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 13, 1689-1692, (London, 1901) pp. 317-325. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol13/pp317-325 [accessed 19 April 2024]

September 1690

Sept. 1.
Cowes.
1,043. Captain Breholt to William Blathwayt. I have arrived from Barbados with Sir Thomas Montgomerie a prisoner on board. I shall expect your orders as to him at the Downs, whither I am now proceeding. Signed. Davy Breholt. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 52.]
Sept. 1.
Isle of Wight.
1,044. Sir Thomas Montgomerie to William Blathwayt. I have been sent home a prisoner from Barbados. Had I enjoyed Colonel Stede's favour I should be at the end of my misfortunes, for Mr. Chamberlayne was discharged and acquitted without so much as an examination, and we were both committed for the same crime. He threatened me with your enmity in pursuing my case, but I hope you will not so readily become a party in so ill a design. I beg you to acquaint Lord Nottingham of my arrival, and if he will not take my word for my appearance, that he will accept as security the bearer. Colonel Kendall bade me write to you, and assured me that my request would be easily granted, he sending no more against me but matter referring to that already sent. I have said much in my letter to Lord Nottingham to answer the charges against me, or at least to incline his lordship so far that it can stick nowhere except for want of friendship in despatch, which is what I beg of you. Signed. Tho. Montgomerie. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 53.]
[Sept.] 1,045. Petition of Captain Hugh Montgomerie to the Earl of Nottingham. That he may enter into security for the appearance of his son, Sir Thomas Montgomerie, and that he may be discharged from the ship New Exchange. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 54.]
Sept. 2. 1,046. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Order for payments in rebate of duty and for a negro executed. Sir Timothy Thornhill sworn of the Council. The Governor read letters from General Codrington and Admiral Wright asking for a further aid of men for attack on the French Islands. The Council decided that no more men could be spared, nor provisions for them. The Assembly brought an order for payment of £200 to Admiral Wright, which was passed, and the Assembly asked that a frigate might be detailed to cruise about the Island, which being granted, a portion of the guards from the forts were discharged. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 143, 144.]
Sept. 2. 1,047. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. A present of £200 voted to Admiral Wright. The fees of clerks of Court and of Marshals considered. Order for them and for sundry more officials to attend and bring a list of their fees. Order for a bill to ascertain employment of forfeited bonds for leaving the country without licence. Bills concerning importation of Christian servants read. Bill ordered to prohibit negroes from selling any commodity unless a white person be with them. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 243–245.]
Sept. 3. 1,048. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Samuel Bernard appointed of the Council. Payment of accounts sanctioned. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. p. 67.]
Sept. 4. 1,049. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Several merchants called in as to arrangement for convoys. The Hudson's Bay Company said that they expected ships back in October, and wanted no outward convoy till May. The Africa Company said that they desired a convoy for the ships taking ammunition to their castles. The Virginian and Maryland Merchants desired a convoy for their ships in about a month; which ships could not return till they had stayed three months. They reckoned the ships at sixty and the men at twelve hundred. The Merchants to the West Indies reckoned their ships and men at the same figure, and would have them ready to start on 20 October. The Commissioners of Customs reported in favour of sending a fleet to Virginia and Maryland this year. Ordered that the minutes be laid before the King.
Sept. 5. Colonel Kendall's letters of 14 April and 26 June read (see No. 968). Agreed to recommend that an advice boat be at once sent to Barbados with orders for the squadron to remain, and with account of the arrangements made in consequence. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 329–339, and Vol. C., pp. 100–121.]
Sept. 8. 1,050. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The trade of America considered, and orders given for collecting information. The reports of the merchants to Virginia and Maryland to be laid before the King. Agreed to move the King for a further supply of ammunition for the West Indies. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 340, 341.]
Sept. 10. 1,051. Presentment of the Commissioners of Customs. The Commissioners having found that the Collector appointed by them has been obstructed by the Governor, Sir Robert Robinson, in Bermuda, submit to the Lords of Trade and Plantations an affidavit of the Collector, Samuel Trott, in order to obtain for him admission to his office. Signed. Robt. Clayton, G. Boothe, O. Warde, Rich. Temple, Jo. Werden. On next page. Affidavit of Samuel Trott. As to the refusal of Sir Robert Robinson on several occasions to recognise his commission and his obstruction to him in executing his duty. Copies. The whole, 4¼ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Sept., 1690. Ordered 16 Oct., 1690. [America and West Indies, 477. No. 31.]
Sept. 11. 1,052. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The merchants again attended. The African Company said that their ships could not return in the spring, and begged that the Barbados convoy might call at the Gambia. They desire to send thirty to forty sail, some in October and some in March. The New England merchants wish to send five ships. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 342–346.]
Sept. 13. 1,053. William Blathwayt to Mr. Sotherne. Directing the preparation of an advice-boat for despatch to Captain Wright as speedily as possible. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol., C., p 135.]
Sept. 17. 1,054. Nehemiah Blakiston to Lieutenant-Governor Nicholson. I am appointed President of the Committee of Maryland, and am requested to thank you for your friendly relations. I send a letter from Captain John Courts with a complaint from the Piscattaway Indians. That their men have been killed is certain, but by whom is not clear. The Convention is to meet on the 29th inst., when we expect some of the Senecas and Susquahannahs to arm and renew their treaty. Pray let me know if I can be of service to you. Signed. Ne. Blakiston. 1½pp. On the next page. Letter of John Courts to Nehemiah Blakiston. 10 September, 1690. I have advice that the Emperor of the Piscattaways complains that all the men whom he sent to the Senecas were killed by some foreign Indians. One only escaped to tell the tale. There are also many strange Indians about the falls of the Potomac, so that all our Indians are on their guard and ask us for assistance. Come and meet us if you can, for it would be a great satisfaction to the Emperor. The late Government was unkind to them. Signed. John Courts. 1 p. Copies. Endorsed. Recd. from Captain Nicholson, 10 February, 1690/1. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 28.]
Sept. 18. 1,055. Minutes of the Council. On the proposal of the African Company it was ordered that ten ships be permitted to go on that trade on 20 October and the rest in March, or the whole in October if preferred. As to Virginia, Maryland and the West Indies one half the ships are permitted to go to the two first, and as many to the West Indies on the 20th October; two men-of-war to be told off to convoy the first fleet, and one to convoy the provision ships to the West Indies. The ships for New England and Newfoundland are permitted to sail. An embargo to be laid on all vessels except coasting craft and ships trading to Northern Europe. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 124, 125.]
Sept. 18. 1,056. Order of the King in Council. For the provision of convoys for the various fleets. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 126, 127.]
Sept. 18. 1,057. Order of the King in Council. That the West Indian squadron do not return until 1st January next, but be employed against the French till then; that Captain Wright be therefore instructed to detail ships for the Islands and for convoys, and that he be informed that victuals will reach him shortly. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 128, 129.]
Sept. 19. 1,058. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The merchants again attending, those trading to the plantations complained of the hardship of being limited to 1,200 seaman this year, and begged for their original number to be allowed them. Lord Nottingham was asked to represent the matter to the King. Agreed on Colonel Sloughter's request to recommend that Mr. Joseph Dudley be made a Councillor of New York. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 347, 348.]
Sept. 19. 1,059. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations for Lord Nottingham. The merchants trading to Virginia, Maryland, and the West Indies represent the necessity of more shipping this year to carry them provisions and necessaries from England. The Lords desire Lord Nottingham to urge this request, which is supported by the Commissioners of Customs, upon the King. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 130.]
Sept. 20.
Isle of Wight.
1,060. Governor Sloughter to William Blathwayt. Our ship has been at Spithead a month to-day. When she came first she wanted nothing but victualling and cleaning. The Admiralty were then so zealous for her sailing that they would not allow time to clean, but now they have taken our provisions from us. Unless the Lord President and the Committee stand by us our voyage will be frustrated and the Colony lost. I understand that Captain King tries to be restored. When he was broke, his company was nineteen men short (which I have since completed) and the rest in a barbarous condition. If he be restored I am confident that not one of the forty he left would serve, but would desert, though they knew they would die for it. Pray see to it that we be no longer delayed. The companies are complete and ready to embark. Signed. Hen. Sloughter. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 261, 262.]
Sept. 21.
Virginia.
1,061. Lieutenant-Governor Francis Nicholson to Nehemiah Blakiston. The next convoy for England sails on the 20th prox. Pray let your ships be ready by that day.
The same to the same, 27 October, 1690. I have received a letter from Mr. John Coode and eight others, and another paper, from which I understand that Colonel Coode continues in chief command of the troops, and with twenty persons to assist him administers the affairs of the Colony. I have caused the person whom you accuse of treason to be arrested, and have taken security for his appearance before the Secretary of State. I have since received a letter from Mr. Blakiston with copy of one from Captain Courts. This intelligence made me send out parties of militia to the head of the Potomac, who could gain no information that any strange Indians had been there. It would be well, in these strange times, to take precautions against the spread of false reports, and that the people on the frontiers be vigilant. Here we have offered rewards for all true news, and punishment for all false reports. I have seen an order from Mr. Blakiston to Captain Rowe of H.M.S. Dumbarton to seize any vessel cleared by Mr. George Layfield. I wonder that he should have done so. Layfield is appointed by Patrick Mein, who was sent to settle the King's affairs on the Potomac, and has the commission of the Board of Customs as Surveyor. I hear too that one Abbington, an ordinary-keeper, takes on him to be collector of the King's Customs in Patuxent River. I hope you will see that the Acts are enforced and their Majesties not defrauded of their dues. Copies. The whole, 3½pp. Endorsed. Recd. from Captain Nicholson, 10 Feb., 1690–1. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 29.]
Sept. 21. 1,062. Order of the King in Council. Giving permission for the prescribed number of men and ships to sail to the West Indies, notwithstanding the embargo. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 132.]
Sept. 22. 1,063. Abstract of a letter from the Lord President. Barbados, the Leeward Islands and Jamaica are allowed 1,200 men in their ships, which will sail on 20 October; Virginia and Maryland are allowed the like number, which sail on 31st October. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 131.]
Sept. 22. 1,064. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The merchants were called in and acquainted with the final orders as to convoys. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 349, 350.]
Sept. 23. 1,065. Warrant of Lord Proprietors of Carolina for apportionment of land in South Carolina to Robert Steevens. Signed. Craven, P. Colleton, Tho. Amy. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 165.]
[Sept. 27.] 1,066. Memorandum by Mr. Gardiner of Bush Lane. As it is designed that the ships permitted to go to the West Indies shall sail with all speed, a vessel should be sent at once to warn the Islands to be ready with their loadings. The Merchants will have such a ship ready to sail in ten days if permitted. Copy. ½p. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 95.]
Sept. 24.
Admiralty.
1,067. Mr. Sotherne to William Blathwayt. The advice-boat to the West Indies will sail from Plymouth in three or four days. Signed. J. Sotherne. ½p. [Ibid. No. 96.]
Sept. 25.
Newport,
Isle of Wight.
1,068. Governor Sloughter to William Blathwayt. Thanks for your good offices. I hope the obstacles to our embarkation will be removed, and our ship victualled, which is not yet done. Mr. Dudley has been persuaded to go with me to New York as a friendly assistant, desiring only to be named a councillor and president in my absence. If it be feasible please accomplish this. I am obliged to write by another hand through a pain in the shoulder. Signed. H. Sloughter. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 161, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., p. 259.]
[Sept. 25.] 1,069. Petition of the officers of the companies lately in garrison at New York and Albany, to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have for long received no pay, owing to the new arrangement by which we were to be paid, after August 1688, out of the revenue of New England. We beg that Colonel Sloughter may be instructed to enquire into the matter and report. ½p. Annexed,
1,069. I. Copy of the warrant for the establishment of the two companies for New York. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 578. Nos. 162, 162 I.]
Sept. 25.
Whitehall.
1,070. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition of the officers of the New York Companies to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed. Cha. Montague. ½p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 163, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., p. 283.]
Sept. 25. 1,071. Copy of No. 1 of the newspaper, Public Occurrences of Boston, giving a brief account of the miscarriage of the expedition to Canada. 3 printed pages. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 121.]
Sept. 25. 1,072. Minutes of the King's pleasure as to next year's trade and convoys. Repeating the orders already given as to the West Indies (see No. 1,063). Of the 1,200 seamen half are allowed to Jamaica and one fourth each to Barbados and the Leeward Islands. The convoys for Virginia, Maryland, Newfoundland and New England will sail on the 31st October, and that for Africa on the 20th or 31st. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 133–135.]
Sept. 27.
Admiralty.
1,073. Mr. Sotherne to William Blathwayt. Enclosing copy of a letter [wanting] respecting the advice-boat for the West Indies. Signed. J. Sotherne. ½p. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 97.]
Sept. 27.
Admiralty.
1,074. Mr. Sotherne to Charles Montague. I enclose copy of a letter [wanting] from the Commissioners of Victualling to the Admiralty, relating to the ships which they have taken up to carry three months' victuals to the fleet in the West Indies, for the King's orders therein. Signed. J. Sotherne. ½p. Endorsed. Recd. and read same day. [Ibid. No. 98.]
Sept. 27. 1,075. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Colonel Sloughter's letter of 20th read (see No. 1,060). Order for provisions to be sent to his ship at once. On a letter from Mr. Sotherne the Lords gave fresh orders as to the allowance of additional ships for the West Indies. Agreed to move the King for a further supply of arms and ammunition for the West Indies. Lord Howard's draft Commission and instructions approved. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 351, 352.)
Sept. 27. 1,076. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Directing the Admiralty to give orders for the speedy despatch of Colonel Sloughter and the two foot-companies to New York. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 261, 262.]
Sept. 27. 1,077. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. That the five provision ships and the men allotted to them be allowed to sail to the West Indies in addition to those to which leave has been granted. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 142.]
Sept. 27.
Isle of Wight.
1,078. Governor Sloughter to William Blathwayt. I understand that the Admiralty intend H.M.S. Archangel to make no stay at New York, whereas the King's orders were that she should stay there during occasion. Lord Pembroke promised me to give orders for her to stay, owning that it was the royal wish. Pray help me, for the matter much concerns the countries near New York as well as the Colony itself. The merchants will readily observe your directions, to gain the benefit of a man-of-war, without which their trade will be lost. Orders are come for victualling the ship which I hope will be done in a week. After this I hope we shall sail, which has been long expected and much desired by me. Signed. H. Sloughter. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 164.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
1,079. Order of the King in Council. That the Earl of Inchiquin examine the case of Francis Hickman, and meanwhile restore him to his office if he thinks his-prosecution unjust, according to the petition of Charles Hickman. Signed. Cha. Montague. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 340–341.]
[Sept. 30.] 1,080. Rough memorandum of the foregoing decision, drawn up for the use of the office. Draft. 1½pp. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 76.]
[Sept. 30.] 1,081. Petition of Charles Hickman to the King. My brother, Francis Hickman, has been suspended from the post of Secretary and Clerk of Council of Jamaica, which offices he had faithfully discharged. Charles Bouchier, the only person who swore illegal practices against him, was appointed in his place. Francis Hickman offered to justify himself, and to forfeit £100 for every shilling unjustly taken, but this was denied him. He was also refused permission to argue his case by counsel before the Board, though the Attorney General, Mr. Symon Musgrave, was admitted to plead against him. On Lord Inchiquin's arrival Hickman petitioned him for relief from suspension, but the Governor, hearing that the whole matter had been referred to the King in Council, thought himself unable to proceed further without orders from your Majesty. Being bound to pay £300, or one half year's rent, in advance for the office I beg that Lord Inchiquin may be directed to enquire into the matter. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 77.]
[Sept. ?] 1,082. Petition of Benjamin Blagge to the King. I have lately arrived from New York, and beg to represent that at the first news of your landing in England the inhabitants thought it necessary to remove Lieutenant-Governor Nicholson. They therefore chose a Council, despite the opposition of the Mayor and Aldermen, and issued new commissions for the Militia. Yet the disaffected party of King James still threatens us. The Lieutenant-Governor begs your approbation of his services, and the Assembly for leave to choose the members of the Council, that they may reap the fruits of their great industry and expense and frustrate the wicked designs of their enemies. 1p. Printed in New York Documents III., 737. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 165, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 263–265.]
[Sept. ?] 1,083. Abstract of the foregoing petition. Draft with corrections. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 166.]
[Sept. ?] 1,084. Memorial of what has occurred in New York, since the news of King William's landing in England, shewing the necessity of removing Captain Francis Nicholson. The said Nicholson neglected to repair the fort, and was suspected of a design to betray it to the French. The people then secured the fort and put Captain Leisler in command. The Mayor and Aldermen were suspended as disloyal to the Royal interest, and on the arrival of the King's letters they were opened by Captain Leisler. Still the partisans of the former government remained malignant and obstructive. They assaulted Captain Leisler in the street, sent superabundance of provisions to their friends in gaol, to affront the authorities; and recently the country people, alarmed at their insolence, flocked into the town and caused another tumult. Fort and city are now safe and want only ammunition, and all who held commissions for Sir E. Andros have been purged from the Militia. Our enemies call our actions a Dutch plot, but we submit them without fear to your Majesty. 2 closely written pages. Printed in New York Documents III., 738. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 167, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 265–270.]
[Sept.] 1,085. A further abstract of Benjamin Blagge's memorial. Draft with corrections. 2 pp. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 168.]
[Sept.] 1,086. Abstracts of Jacob Leisler's letter of 23 June, of Benjamin Blagge's memorial and of some of the depositions relating to the riot in New York. 2½pp. [Ibid. No 169.]
Sept. 30.
Oct. 1.
1,087. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Orders for sundry payments. The Assembly brought up two Bills, one to encourage artificers, the other to secure the liberty of the subject and to prevent men from being committed when they are bailable by the laws of England, which was unanimously rejected. The Assembly complained that owing to their exorbitant extortion of fees it had summoned the Customs-officers before it, who refused to attend. The Governor said that the officers did not amiss, for no power lay in the Assembly as to such matters but in himself only, who on proper representation would regulate the fees and punish offenders. He then adjourned the Assembly for two months. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 145, 146.]
Sept. 30. 1,088. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. William Foster chosen Speaker. Act for securing the liberty of the subject read. Bills as to apprentices, forfeited bonds, and to prohibit Clerks of Court from practising as Attorneys read.