America and West Indies: July 1696, 1-10

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 15, 1696-1697. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.

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'America and West Indies: July 1696, 1-10', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 15, 1696-1697, (London, 1904) pp. 27-37. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol15/pp27-37 [accessed 17 March 2024]

July 1696

July 1. 64. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Churchill appointed stationer to the Council. Order for a warrant for delivery of the records of the office to the Secretary. The report required of the Navy Board was altered so as to extend their enquiry back to the year 1660. Sir Christopher Wren, attending, was ordered to draw up an estimate of the cost of preparing the rooms for the Council. [Board of Trade. Journal, 9. pp. 8–9.]
July 1. 65. Minutes of Council of Barbados. The question of a Committee to correspond with the Agents considered, and four members sent down to the Assembly, to be joined by four members of the House as a standing committee. The Assembly desired to know the wants of the forts and magazine, which the Governor promised to answer to-morrow. Order for payment of £20 to Charles Barrett for the expenses of his ship, which had destroyed a French privateer. The amended bill for supply of the soldiers was brought up, and passed. A paper as to Commissioners for repair of the forts was also brought up.
July 2. The Governor produced an account of the wants of the magazine The Assembly desired an account of the stores therein, whereon the Governor asked the Council's advice, and, opinions being divided, told the Assembly that the Council were not yet ready with their advice on the question. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. pp. 107–111.]
July 1. 66. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Antigua. Message from the Governor pressing for the completion of the fortifications at Monkshill and proposing an Act to compel the inhabitants, on an alarm, to send their horses into the forts. The Assembly agreed to make arrangements as to Monkshill, but thought the proposed Act needless. Mr. Edward Walrond swore to his deposition against Mr. John Palmer. The Governor promised to enquire into a complaint of the Assembly against Captain Julius (to whom they had refused a reward for captured Indians) of unseemly language.
July 2. Act for carrying on Monkshill fortifications signed. The Governor desired the Assembly to sign the Association for defence of the King, and to prepare an Act for bringing in horses on alarms, both of which things they did, and the Act was accordingly passed. The Assembly preferring a charge against John Palmer of using reproachful language against Queen Mary and of contemptuous behaviour in refusing to give security, the Governor answered that he would summon Palmer to answer for the same. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. pp. 175–177.]
July 1. 67. Journal of House of Burgesses of Maryland. The House attended the Governor, who informed them that since last prorogation he had received several packets. He then informed them of the discovery of a conspiracy to assassinate the King, and of the association Signed by Parliament to defend his person, and said that doubtless so good an example would be followed in Maryland. He then gave them several letters and printed papers relating to the news and trade of England; and the Burgesses returned to their house.
July 2. Resolution for issue of writs for election of burgesses to fill seven vacant places. Committees of accounts and laws appointed. Upon proposal from the Governor it was resolved that the Committee of Laws draw a new Act of Religion. Resolved to present an address of congratulation to the King. Message to the Governor asking him to deal with the matter of one white servant woman and two Indians now in custody for murder. The proposals were received from the Council, and resolutions passed on them as follows:— (1) That all the Indian lands be adjusted and the bounds ascertained. Referred for consideration and legislation at next Sessions. (2) That all masters of ships give account on oath of the letters that they bring and of what goods are consigned to any person. Assented to. (3) What shall be done as to the ships left in the country? Recommended that they be permitted to sail, as they are got ready. (4) Shall the export of corn be still prohibited? It is desired that the prohibition be continued. (5) What shall be done as to the prisoners in custody for murder? The House desires that they be tried by a Special Commission. (6) That Colonel Beal be permitted to go home and take all necessary care about the Indians. Assented to. (7) That an allowance be made to him for two Indians brought to Annapolis. Ordered accordingly. (8) That all persons of general employ in the province shall reside in town. The House thinks that such restriction will hinder capable men from accepting employment. (9) That, in view of the danger from foreign Indians, two men be added to the party of rangers. Agreed to. (10) That an order be passed for certain strange Indians now among the Piscattaways to come down to the fort. Agreed that Colonel Beal carry the order. (11) That the school law be altered, that the King be made supreme patron of the school and the Bishop of London Chancellor, that the King be asked to appoint Trustees and Guardians to act with those appointed by the province, and that the school be called King William's School.
July 3. Bill for Religion read a first time. Moved that the King be addressed as to the subject of navigation bonds. Message to the Council, deprecating any alteration to the Act for free schools, which is so long and has been so widely published. Order for William Bladen to be paid from the tobacco levied in Anne Arundel County. Journal of the Committee of Accounts approved. The House resolved itself into a grand committee to confer with the Governor and Council. After conference, the following proposals and information were made to the Indians; that the Pamunkeys, Chopticoes and Mattawomans must live with the Emperor of Piscattaway while the war lasts ; that all who refuse to do so after the harvest shall be reckoned enemies; that they must hold no correspondence with strange Indians without giving notice to the Government and receiving its consent; that rather than give up the garrison on the Potomac the Governor will reside there himself with five hundred men; that the Indians must not wander outside the bounds of the garrison without leave of the commander, lest in this time of war they be mistaken for enemies; that though they shall live under the Emperor of Piscattaway while the war lasts, they shall retain their royalties and return to their own homes as soon as the war is over; that they live amicably and in obedience to the Emperor; that the Indians on the branches of the Potomac had been sent to, and if they refuse to come and live under the Emperor or leave the province, the Governor will go up himself and rout them; that they shall not entertain the Anacostan King, but deliver him to the English, who will give a reward for him; that they may sell their lands to the English if they will, but that they had better do so before a magistrate, so that they be not cheated. To all of this the Emperor agreed. The Governor then told them that in a few days an Indian would be tried for his life, and asked what they had to say for him. They said that they would say nothing for him, but pleaded for a younger Indian who was likewise accused of murder. The Governor then said that the young Indian should be liberated if they would pledge themselves to his good behaviour; which they did, and the Indian was then delivered to them. The Indians were then dismissed, with the exception of those required as witnesses in the coming trial.
July 4. Bill for Religion read a second time and sent up to Council. Resolved to send an address of thanks to the Privy Council for their care of the province. The Governor recommended to the House to consider the letter of the Governor of New York, saying that if they would send him any more money he would advance the same; he also acquainted the House that if they thought fit to pass the Act of Religion as proposed he would bear the expense of the same. Bill to settle the fees of the Clerk of Council read a first time. Supplementing Bill to the Act to impose a duty on officers read twice and sent to Council. In the matter of New York the House thanked the Governor for his generous offer, but seeing how incapable they were at present of repaying him and that they had already paid to New York more than £130 above the contribution required by the King, they felt under no obligation to contribute more. [America and West Indies. 557. No. 15.]
July 1. 68. Minutes of Council of Maryland in Assembly. The Burgesses attended, when the Governor made them a speech (see preceding abstract) recommending in particular an address of thanks to the King for relieving them of the quota, and acquainting them that he had sent home the grievances formulated last session.
July 2. Sundry proposals were sent down to the Burgesses and returned with answers; and the answers to the first nine of these were agreed to by the Council (see preceding abstract). Message from the Burgesses as to the Indians in custody for murder. Order for the lawyers to report if Indians can be tried by English laws.
July 3. The Burgesses and Council met in conference to meet the Indians, when the Governor made several proposals to them (see preceding abstract). Order for a special Court for trial of the Indians accused of murder (pp. 89–95). The Bill for Religion was received and read. Congratulatory address to the King approved and Signed. The Chancellor's petition as to his fees referred to the Burgesses (p. 96).
July 4. Proposed to the Burgesses that an ordinance pass to compel the justices of the County Courts to sit for twelve hours in Court in summer and for eight hours in winter, and that the clerks record their compliance therewith. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 14. pp. as cited].
July 2. 69. Minutes of the Council of Massachusetts. Nathaniel Thomas sworn of the Council. Order for the 23rd of July to be kept as a day of fasting and prayer. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. pp. 32–33.]
July 2. 70. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Order for the Justices of Somerset County Court to answer for their rejection of an allowance to a Militia Colonel for transport of arms and ammunition. Petitions received from two vestries read and orders given there upon. Orders for building two chapels of ease in Dorchester County. Colonel John Addison was directed to go up the river to inspect the garrison and take any necessary precautions against the Indians.
July 3. John Salter attended in the business of the leasing of Talbot County Court, and the Attorney-General was ordered to prosecute him for breach of his agreement. A deposition was given in, complaining that the rangers do not live beyond the settlements on the frontiers, as ordered, and that both parties of them had once been in at the same time. Captain John Oldston, one of the commanders, was admonished to amend this and to obey his instructions strictly, and, if his officers would not comply therewith, to obtain other officers in their place.
July 4. Commission to the Emperor of Piscattaway to be Governor of all Indians within any part of the province on the Western Shore, read and approved. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. 123–128.]
July 3. 71. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Order for an Order in Council to be prepared, in lieu of a warrant, for taking over the records of the Plantation Office. It was made a rule of the office that all officers employed therein shall attend constantly and diligently in person. Further inquiry and inspection was made as to the rooms designed for the office. Doorkeepers and messengers were appointed, and Jacob Tonson was appointed joint stationer with William Churchill. The Chancellor promised advance-money for incident charges. Mr. Charles Pilsworth's paper as to the plantations was received (see Enclosure No. 1, Aug. 20 post) and consideration thereof postponed. [Board of Trade. Journal, 9. pp. 9–11.]
July 4.
Jamaica.
72. Governor Sir William Beeston to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I had made up my letters and given my despatches to the Russell, galley, when at two on the morning of the 30th of June the master of the express-boat brought me your letters of 10 May and 28 April. I venture to think that the former is misdated, as the ship left England on the 7th of May, and the matter of the latter seems to have been before that of 25 April. I had already received some information of the defeat of the plot against the King. A day of thanksgiving was solemnly kept for it, with bonfires, firing of cannon and all other expressions of joy that we could make. As soon as Captain Moses came in well banged from the coast of Hispaniola I sent a sloop thither, which returned on the 30th of June with a French prisoner, who relates that ships of war, some of them of eighty guns, were newly arrived from France, that they stayed at Petit Guavos but eight days and then went away fourteen sail (but he knows not whither, nor who is the commander), that they took none of the Island people with them and that it is a month since they sailed. Whether this be Mons. Renaut or not I cannot learn, but I am of opinion that, whoever they are, they are gone to bomb Carthagena, in hopes either to take the town by sudden surprise or to frighten the people out of a sum of money to save it. I fear it may be no hard attempt to take it, touching suddenly on a people not used to war, who never saw a bomb, and who are mostly made up of churchmen and a few worn out old soldiers. The galleons also are now in the harbour, so that if they get the town they will get them also. When they return (unless they take and keep Carthagena) I expect them here, but have no apprehension of them in respect of the Island, though I fear they may bomb and destroy Port Royal, to avoid which I have given all the necessary orders that I can, and intend to lay the men-of-war so as, if possible, to prevent their bomb-ketches coming within reach of the town. I have also ordered Colonel Knight to take the powder out of the magazine and distribute it in four or five parts of the town, so that it may not all be blown up at once, nor the fort be destroyed, nor the men be disheartened to stay there and defend it, for should the powder remain there and be fired it would destroy the fort and all in it. I have also given all necessary orders to the Colonels of Militia and to Major Montjoy, who commands what remains of Lillingston's Regiment, and I hope the French will not be able to prevail upon us in these parts of the Island, where what strength we have is near together; but if for mischief's sake they fall on the out parts, I cannot defend them on account of the long and difficult marches and the hazard of withdrawing forces from our place of strength and our stores of provisions and munitions. I beg, therefore, that the King may know that nothing on my part shall be wanting for the preservation of the place, according to the numbers of men that we have, which are much beneath what this great Island deserves for its defence. I am in hopes of giving a good account of the place if they should attempt us, but these continued assaults are a vast charge, and, without assistance, will weary the people and make them think of removing. I hear from England that some malicious persons have made very unjust complaints of me, without cause or truth. I have desired Mr. Heathcote on my behalf to lay my cause before you, and I beg your justice, to which I willingly refer myself, it being too uneasy and unhappy to serve the King at so great a distance, and that everyone who pleases should take the liberty to write what untruths they think fit with impunity. Mr. Brodrick can give you an account of everything. Signed, Wm. Beeston. Postscript, 5 July. We have advice that four large French ships were seen on about the 20 May going to Westward, below this Island, which may give reason to believe that they are gone to intercept the New Spain fleet or fall on Havana. They seem to be many and strong, and go to the rendezvous, wherever it be, two or three together. If they take that town, all the Spanish navigation and ours from the Island will be intercepted, and if they do fall on us with this great force, it will go hard with us unless we have assistance. I have this day prorogued the Assembly till September, proclaimed martial law and embargoed the port. 3 pp. A short abstract is attached. Endorsed, Read, 5 Nov. 1696. Answd. 23 Nov. 1696. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. No. 8; and 56. pp. 26–29.]
July 5.
Jamaica.
73. Governor Sir William Beeston to William Blathwayt. My letters were ready when the commander of the galley fell ill until the 30th of June, when two letters arrived from the Lords of Trade. We held a public thanksgiving for the deliverance of the King from the plot against him, and an address from the Council and Assembly to the King has been sent to England. As soon as I received the warning in the second letter from England as to French designs against us, I issued orders to all the Colonels. (Here are repeated the account of the measures taken for defence, the reports as to the French fleet, and his belief in its destination being Carthagena, almost in the same words as in the preceding abstract.) I have your letters of the 20th, 21st, and 28th of April. That from Mr. Clarke I have given to Montjoy, and they are signing the Association, as have the Council and Assembly, with great cheerfulness. I intend to send it to the several parishes, and doubt not of a hearty concurrence. Some few rotten members we have here, but not enough to do any harm. I have sent the accounts of all that I have received and paid about the subsistence to the Lords of the Treasury. I have credit enough for above a year more, besides the money that is in the Commissary's hands by the sale of sundry things. In all these matters I shall not fail to discharge my duty. If the King be satisfied with my services I shall think myself happy, whether he continue me here or command me home. I have just had news of the French fleet on the 20th of May. (Here the postscript given in the preceding abstract is repeated.) I have prorogued the Assembly to September next. By persuasion and patience I have at last obtained of them to appropriate the additional duties on imported wines and exported negroes to the revenue, but could not prevail for an equivalent bill for the revenue to that made in the Duke of Albemarle's time. They still think that because it is perpetual and they desire it may only be temporary, the King will not assent to it, but when once that is done they will add to the revenue to get it repealed again. The Acts and other papers shall be sent by the next opportunity. I have proclaimed martial law and embargoed the port, but there is no occasion for me to detain the express to England. Signed, Wm. Beeston. 2 pp. Endorsed, Read 5 Nov. 1696. Answd. 23 Nov. 1696. A short abstract is attached. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. No. 9; and 56. pp. 30–33.]
July 6.
Maryland.
74. Council and Burgesses of Maryland to Lords of Trade and Plantations. All the papers sent to the Governor as to the wicked and traitorous conspiracy against the King have been laid before us, and we have made our solemn public thanksgiving for his deliverance. We thank you for the speedy and effectual preparation made for our defence and security against foreign enemies, and for your true relation of the King's deliverance to prevent mistakes and errors, which are too commonly brought to us at this distance. Though the general embargo laid on ships was a very great impediment to the trade of this province, yet we very cheerfully submit to it, since the ships and mariners might so immediately conduce to the King's service. We beg you to lay our humble addresses, herein enclosed, before the King. Signed, on behalf of the Council, Hen. Jowles, Chancellor; on behalf of the House of Burgesses, Kenelm Cheseldyn, Speaker. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 21 June, 1697. Read 7 July, 1697. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 3. No. 5; and 9. pp. 48–49.]
[July 6.] 75. Enclosures sent with the foregoing letter.
75. I. Address of the House of Burgesses of Maryland to the King. Thanking him for exempting the Province from providing a quota of men for defence of New York, in consideration of her contribution in money; representing that the sums so given were all that the Province could possibly afford; and begging to be exempted from further payment towards the support of New York, the frontiers of Maryland being threatened by increasing danger. Signed, Kenelm Cheseldyn, Speaker, and by forty-four more. Large page. Endorsed. Recd. from Mr. Povey, 10 Aug. 1697. Read 18th. [This address is entered in Board of Trade. Maryland, 9. p. 71.]
75. II. Address of the Council and Burgesses of Maryland to the King. We are certainly informed that when you sent Governor Copley to Maryland you instructed him to apply one-fourth of the shilling per hogshead duty to the supplying the province with arms and munitions of war; but he, not making us aware of this, applied the whole of it to his particular use. As he has left landed estate in Maryland we beg that this estate may answer to you for the fourth part aforesaid and that the money may be applied to our defence according to your instructions. Forty-eight signatures. Large sheet. Endorsed, Recd. 29 Aug. 1696. Read 31st. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 3. Nos. 5 I., II.]
July 6. 76. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. A necessary woman for the office was appointed. Order for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to be reminded as to the advance money required. On Mr. Pilsworth's paper, it was ordered that a representation be made to the Lords Justices of the importance of the subject and of the inability of the Council, just at present, to deal fully with it.
July 7. The representation aforesaid was signed. Further consideration of the rooms of the office. [Board of Trade. Journal, 9. pp. 11–12.]
July 6. 77. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Captain Oldston attended and denied the truth of the allegations against his rangers.
July 7. Captain Oldston handed in a paper saying that Thomas Roberts, his Lieutenant, was unfit for his place, and asking for Tobias Scarburgh to be appointed in his place. Order for the paper to be sent to Roberts for his reply. Order for arms and ammunition to be delivered to Colonel Ninian Beal. Order for a return of all persons married without licence since the Governor's arrival, also for the Colonels of the frontier-counties to keep their militia always in readiness for service.
July 9. Order for the quarter-part of the shilling per hogshead duty collected this year to be applied to the repair and fixing of arms. Order for the accounts of shipping to be prepared, for transmission to England. Order for all the Colonels to see to the repair of their arms and to the exchanging of their old powder for new, and that the Collectors tell the Captains of the King's ships that it will be a kindness to the province if they will make such exchange. Reprieve granted to Ann Smith, under sentence for murder. A petition of Thomas Tench, that certain rigging on board his ship now under seizure may be restored to him, was considered and granted conditionally.
July 10. On the information of Matthew Scarburgh as to an illegally trading vessel from Philadelphia, Colonel David Brown, the Naval officer and the Collector were ordered to enquire into the matter, and to appoint an officer to be in charge of the inlet where she was seen, if they think expedient. List of the Justices of the newly divided Counties; and order for their commissions to be issued. On the petition of Henry Denton orders were given for the payment to him of an annual allowance of 6,000 lbs. of tobacco as Clerk of Council. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. 126–137.]
[July 10.] 78. Duplicate copy of Minutes of Council of Maryland, 1st to 10th of July. 13 pp. [America and West Indies. 557. No. 14.]
July 6. 79. Journal of House of Burgesses of Maryland. Bill for Religion sent up to the Council. Bills for free schools and for revival of temporary Acts read three times and sent up to Council. Bills for keeping the Sabbath, for the Clerk of Council's fees, and to supplement the Act for a duty on offices, received from the Council. Resolved to address the King to thank him for the disengaging the province from contributing to the assistance of New York. In reply to a question of the Governor whether Papists should be secured, the House answered that like himself they apprehended no damage from them. Several of the new members contributed subscriptions to the free school. Mr. Anthony Workman gave £150 to the building of a house on a lot which the Governor had already given, and £10 towards building the said house, to be enjoyed by him for his life, and afterwards to pass to the school. He promised also to keep all the improvements on the said lot in good repair.
July 7. The Bill for Religion debated. Message to the Governor, acquainting him that they could not agree with the alteration which he desired therein, and desiring that the bill might be deferred to another Assembly. On the petition of the inhabitants of Dorchester, it was resolved to repeal the Act against striking fish in that County. Agreed to a proposal of the Governor that a place be made in the State-house for the King's picture.
July 8. The Bill for Religion debated. Message to the Governor asking for a reply to the message of yesterday and assuring him that all that has been done therein has been in honesty of heart and for the service of God, the King and the Country. Committee appointed to inspect the laws of the province. Message from the Governor, that, since the Burgesses require more time to consider the Bill for Religion, he begs that they will despatch the other business before them. Several members, justices of the provincial Court, appointed to apportion the public levy. The Treasurer for the Eastern Shore reported that he had 12,200 lbs. of tobacco in hand from the duty on public offices. Bill to repeal the Act against striking fish in Dorchester County read thrice. 2,000 lbs. of tobacco granted to William Bladen for his services to the beginning of this session. Bill for assessing the public charge of the province read three times. The Speaker and the House attended the Governor, when the following bills were assented to. Supplementary bill to the Act for raising a supply, bill against profane swearing, bill to revive temporary laws, bill to repeal the Act as to fish in Dorchester County, bill for assessing the public charge. The Governor than said that he was sorry they would not agree to pass the Act for Religion, but that he understood that the King would not assent to an Act containing two things of different nature as this did, namely, spiritual and temporal things. If the bill were passed as it stood, they would have to carry their causes to Westminster Hall. He hoped that none would doubt the King's justice, who was still fighting for their cause. For himself, he desired the Burgesses to speak freely if he had infringed any of their privileges, and advised them, if they thought that further confirmation thereof was needed, to address the King for a declaratory Act, which he would use his interest to procure. He admitted that they had made many good laws, but if the Act for Religion were unfinished, their work was imperfect. He then prorogued them till to-morrow.
July 9. The House waited on the Governor, who made them a speech to the same effect as yesterday's on the Bill for Religion, telling them that the inclusion of the words "fundamental laws of the Kingdom of England" would make them carry all their causes to Westminster Hall. He added that he would be willing to further an Act declaring their rights and privileges. The Burgesses then returned, and appointed a Committee to draw up reasons for and against passing the bill. The following message was then sent up to the Governor. We have again considered the Bill for Religion, and while earnestly desirous of forwarding the same from our duty to God and the King, we cannot be altogether unmindful of our rights and liberties. We deprecate all misunderstanding between ourselves and the Governor, and to find a middle way have substituted the words "laws and statutes of England" for "fundamental laws of England." We have no fear of infringement of our liberties by the King or the Governor, acknowledging the fairness and freedom of his administration. We believe ourselves entitled to all the privileges of free-born British subjects; we believe that the King has exposed his royal person to danger for preservation of those privileges; and we doubt not that the King will willingly confirm them. We rest the inclusion of the present clause in the Act for Religion on the following grounds:—(1) The privileges of Church and subject are granted together in King Henry's Great Charter, and also (2) in Lord Baltimore's Charter for the seating of Maryland, and also (3) in the first Act passed here after King William took the Government into his hands. Message ends. Resolved to add to the said bill the words "in all matters and causes where the laws of the province are silent." Message to the Governor. Your last messenger brought us a caution to explain the words "laws and statutes of England," and we have added words for the purpose.
July 10. Message from the Governor recommending the addition of the words "in this His Majesty's province of Maryland." Resolved that letters be written to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, Mr. Blathwayt and Mr. Povey. The Bill for Religion was sent up to Council, and, the House attending, the Governor gave his assent thereto. The Governor then prorogued the Assembly to the 16th of September, the fleet being not yet arrived. [America and West Indies. 557. No. 15.]
July 6. 80. Minutes of Council of Maryland in Assembly. Proposed by the Governor to the Burgesses to send further assistance to New York, he being ready to advance the money. Message from the Governor to the Burgesses' reply as to the securing and disarming of Papists (see preceding abstract).
July 7. Message from the Burgesses as to the Act of Religion (see preceding abstract). A message prepared in reply.
July 8. Message from the Burgesses that they think the proposed order, as to the hours of sitting in County Courts, unnecessary (p. 95). Answer of the Burgesses respecting assistance to New York (p. 97). The Bill for Religion amended and returned to the Burgesses. Exchange of messages as to the said bill (see preceding abstract).
July 9. Further messages exchanged as to the Bill for Religion (see preceding abstract). The Governor required a certificate from the lawyers in the Lower House, that there was nothing in the bill under which any person, in a case of meum and tuum could remove his cause to Westminster; which was given.
July 10. The Act for Religion was assented to and the Assembly prorogued. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 14. pp. 96–107.]
[July 10.] 81. Authenticated copy of the laws passed by the Assembly of Maryland from 1 to 10 July. 19 pp. [America and West Indies. 557. No. 16.]
July 7. 82. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices of England. A paper relating to the present state of the Northern Colonies in America was laid before us by the Duke of Shrewsbury at our last meeting, which we judge to be of such importance that, in the unsettled state of our office we lay it before you direct. (The paper in question will be found under date 20 August No. II. infra. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 34. p. 11.]
July 8.
Whitehall.
83. James Vernon to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Enclosing the memorial of William Bridges on behalf of Governor Russell, for their report (see No. 47). Signed, Ja. Vernon.¼ p. Endorsed, Read 10 July. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 7. No. 4; and 44A. p. 1.]
July 9. 84. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. On the news of the capture of H.M.S. Newport, ordered that an embargo be laid on all outward bound ships till further order. Advised that a shallop be sent express to Pemaquid Fort to give intelligence of the capture of H.M.S. Newport and of the French ships of war being gone to St. John's River. Ordered accordingly, and that forty men be despatched to reinforce York, Kittery and Wells. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. pp. 33–34.]
July 10. 85. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. The representation to the Lords Justices was delivered, and progress in the matter of the rooms for the office reported. Resolved that Mr. Bridges's memorial, as to Governor Russell's request to be allowed to accept a present from the Barbados Assembly, be the business first considered after the delivery of the records. Order for enquiry to be made as to linen and paper manufactures in the Kingdom, and as to imports from Sweden and Denmark. [Board of Trade. Journal, 9. pp. 13–14.]