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Jan. 6.
Whitehall. |
10. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Remaining draughts of letters from H.M. to the Governors of Plantations relating to the frontiers of New York agreed upon. Progress made with representation upon the Forts etc. of all the Plantations. |
| Jan. 7. |
Further progress made with same Representation. |
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Letter from Mr. Secretary Vernon, Jan. 7, read. Letters ordered to be prepared accordingly. |
| Jan. 8. |
Copy of letter of June 26 last, to Lord Jersey, as to their establishment at New York, ordered to be given to Mr. Attwood and Mr. Broughton, as they desired. |
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Representation on Forts etc. and letters for erecting same agreed upon and ordered to be transacted. |
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Letter from Rere-Admiral Bembow, Jan. 2, read. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. pp. 305–308; and 98. Nos. 3–5.] |
Jan. 7.
Whitehall. |
11. Mr. Secretary Vernon to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I have layd before the King your report of Oct. 15 last, whereupon H.M. has thought fit to direct that your Lordships
should prepare letters for his signature requiring the Earl of Bellomont to use his endeavors with the Assemblys of the Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire to passe Acts to prevent the future spoil of the woods there, and for preserving a nursery of such trees as may be useful for H.M. service, and in case he cannot prevail to get the said Acts passed, that he send over hither the heads of such a Bill as may be proper to be passed here for those purposes. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. Read Jan. 7th. 1700/1. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 862. No. 34; and 5, 909. pp. 342, 343.] |
Jan. 7.
Jamaica. |
12. Governor Sir William Beeston to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I have received your Lordships commands of Aug. 1 about the methods of the Courts, on which having consulted the Chief Justice and the Attorney General, we cannot think of doing it any way soe fully as is set down in the Publick Acts for Regulating Courts and Establishing Fees, both which you have by you, in which all the particulars are fully mentioned, except the Admiralty Court, the method of which is the same as in England; soe that this Island seemes in all things to bee soe provided with necessary Laws, that if your Lordshipps on anything relating to it would but please to order the Laws to be inspected, you would find provisions made for most things necessary, as well as to answer such inquiries as these are, without giving yourselves the time and trouble of writing hither. The Island continues in good health and for the number of people therein and flourishes very much. But there wants inhabitants to fill and strengthen it, and particularly such as would be fitting to make both Civil and Military Oficers, of wch wee are very barren, and altho' wee have pretty numbers of passengers and servants come every yeare to the Island, yet very few or none come to settle here that are qualified for such imploymts. Our trade wth the Spaniards is much abated by their dishonest and uniust dealing, and they threaten us dayly with expectation of a warr, but if that should happen they would have little reason to reioice, for wee should soon bee too hard for them, and our people would not fail to remember the abuses and inhumanitys they have often used to the English Nation. In some of my last I acquainted you that the Council was now reduced to seven; therefore hope you will recommend to H.M. favour such as your Lordpps. shall judge most fitting of those lists you have before you. Signed, Wm. Beeston. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 15th April, 1701. Holograph. 1½ pp. Annexed, |
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12. i. Abstract of preceding, with marginal notes (in Mr. Popple's hand) for reply. ½ p. [C.O. 137, 5. Nos. 33, 33. i.; and 138, 10. pp. 148–150.] |
| Jan. 7. |
13. Minutes of Council of New York. The son and negro of Peter Villepontoon, the person suspected to have murdered David Burgett (Jan. 2), examined and discharged. Proclamation ordered, offering reward of 100 pieces of eight and pardon to any
person who had been privy thereto, for information leading to conviction of the principals and accessories in that murder. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 406, 407.] |
Jan. 9.
Boston. |
14. Minutes of Council of the Massachusetts Bay. Captain William Wormall, Commander and Truck-Master with the Indians at H.M. Fort of Cascobay, having lately seized the sloop Endeavour of Boston, Ebenezer Elwell, Master, on account of breach of the Act regulating trade with the Eastern Indians, and having taken out ye peltry and goods therefrom and left two soldiers on board, with charge to bring the said sloop up to the Fort, the Master and Company overpowering of them and contrary to their wills brought away the same with the two soldiers to Boston. Advised, that the vessel with her appurtenances be apprized and restored to the owners, they giving security to respond the value thereof in case of condemnation upon trial, and that Capt. Wormall be ordered to send the peltry and goods in his hands under seizure to Boston. |
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226l. 15s. paid to Capt. John Fayreweather and the officers and souldiers belonging to H.M. Castle upon Castle Island for wages May 26–Nov. 26, 1700. |
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148l. 12s. 6d. paid to Capt. George Turfrey for the soldiers at Fort Mary at Saco, April 23–Oct. 22, 1700. |
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Account of Mr. James Taylor, Treasurer, approved and ordered to be paid. |
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Capt. Samuel Barbur of Medfield and Capt. Daniel Fisher of Dedham paid various sums on account of soldiers impressed by them in March last.. |
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Mr. Treasurer ordered to lay out the remainder of the 1,000l. granted by General Assembly for carrying on the Trade with the Indians, and dispose of the peltry etc. he receives from the Truck-Masters as best he can. [C.O. 5, 788. pp. 29–31.] |
Jan. 10.
Whitehall. |
15. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Vernon. According to your directions, Dec. 25, we enclose draughts of letters for H.M. Royal signature to the Governments of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, to take care of their own coast, and to the other Plantations respectively to excite them to contribute, in all, the sum of 3,000l. sterl. towards the charge of securing the Frontiers of New Yorke, which sum we fear is the utmost they will contribute at this time. And because the Governments of the Jerseys are in disorder, and without Governours qualified by Law, we have not prepared letters for those Colonies, thinking it more proper for my Lord Bellomont to signify H.M. pleasure to the people there, according to the directions now prepared, in the draught of H.M. letter to his Lordship as Governour of New Yorke. As to the sum of 2,000l., for which H.M. has thought fit that Lord Bellomont draw bills in small sums as (? at) several times, towards the fortifying Albany and Schenectady, we conceive the forts at those places are now in greater danger than his Lordship could apprehend, when he wrote his last letters; and that he will not readily get
credit in New Yorke for money payable by the Treasury here; therefore humbly offer that 500l. thereof be immediately paid to his Lordship's Agent here, to be forthwith returned to him, that the work may be proceeded upon with all possible expedition, after which his Lordship may have time to draw bills for the rest. |
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And H.M. pleasure is to be further known on what person or persons his Lordship shall draw such Bills, according to the course of merchants. We send you herewith a copy of the quota mentioned, to be transmitted accordingly. It is necessary two originals of each letter be prepared that they may be sent by different conveyances. Signed, Stamford, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Jno. Pollexfen, Geo. Stepney, Mat. Prior. P.S.—One draught of fortifications shall be ready when called for. The state of the Fortifications of H.M. Islands is preparing. We enclose the draught of a letter from H.M. to Lord Bellomont for preserving the woods. [C.O. 5, 1118. pp. 76–78; and 5, 1079. No. 59.] |
Jan. 10.
Whitehall. |
16. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Your Majesty having required us to report the state of the Forts in your Majesty's Plantations, we humbly take leave to lay the same before your Majesty, and to propose what we conceive may be necessary to be done for their better security and defence. The settlements of your Majesty's subjects in Hudson's Bay being reduced to a weak condition, may in a particular manner deserve your Majesty's thoughts and recommendation to the Governor and Company of Hudson's Bay, that they employ their best endeavours for the security of their Fort and Factories there. |
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Newfoundland is of great importance, by reason of its trade and fishery, which yield to England about 300,000l. per annum. The Eastern Coast of this Island is inhabited by English, who this last summer were computed to be 3,773. The place of chief strength is St. John's Harbour, which is now fortifying by your Majesty's Command, and if the Garrison, which at present consists but of 40 men under a Lieutenant, were encreased to as many more, to be sent in the spring with the convoys, your Majesty's subjects there will not be so much exposed to an ordinary force by sea, nor be in danger of suffering from an enemy by land, as they did in the late war, when they were destroyed by the French from Placentia. |
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On the Continent your Majesty has one continued dominion for at least 17 degrees, beginning from the River Sta. Croix. Col. Romer has, by order from Lord Bellomont, survey'd all the Coast from St. George's to Boston and sent us draughts of the principal Bays and Rivers, which we humbly lay before your Majesty, with the condition of several places which are thought necessary to be fortified. The entrance into St. George's River being difficult because of several Islands and Rocks in the Bay of Musconcus, a small redoubt and battery upon the neck of what is now called Bellomont's Bay is judged sufficient. About five leagues to the westward of St. George's lyes Pemaquid, a spacious river, and of great consequence as covering three other Rivers, Damarascot,
Sheepscot and Kennebec, and therefore deserves to be well guarded. At the entrance of this River, within two leagues of the main sea, formerly stood a Fort, which at the approach of two men of war with 100 French and 500 Indians was shamefully surrendered, Aug. 1696, and demolished. For the security of this port and harbour, and of all that country, and to encourage people to settle there as formerly, a good Fort ought to be built in the same place or thereabouts. And for its better defence, in case of an attack from the sea, a battery may be raised on the next point of land, and a redoubt or round tower on John's Island. |
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Towards the mouth of Kennebec River, seven leagues from Pemaquid, are many little Islands. On that of Damaras Cove there was before the war a pallisadoed Fort for the defence of the Fishermen, and another on Cape Anawagon, where they used to cure their fish. But to guard the entrance of the River a redoubt ought to be raised on the Island Sagadahock, and a little Fort at New Town in Rouseck Island, two leagues up the River, where there was formerly a small square one pallisadoed. Casco Bay, six leagues from Kennebec, is a convenient bay, on the N.W. point whereof was formerly a village called Falmouth, and a wooden Fort, both which having been destroyed in the late war, the Government of the Massachusets has ordered a new Fort and Trading House to be built thereabouts, which may be of good service. Saco River, about nine leagues W. of Casco, is but small and its navigation interrupted by a sandy bank at its mouth almost dry at low water. Two leagues up the river on the W. side near the Falls, stands a stone Fort and a Tower in the form of an irregular pentagon, which ought to be kept in repair, and Col. Romer has marked out a place on Winter Harbour or Stagegut-point, four miles from the mouth of this river, for the security of the fishery. At Wells and York are villages with little Garrison Houses, which require no further consideration. |
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Piscataway, nine leagues from Saco, is an important River, being the boundary between the Province of Main and New Hampshire. On the great Island at the mouth of this river is a Fort of 30 guns on New Hampshire side, but incapable of defending the River, yet the place where the said Fort stands is very proper for building a good new Fort, such as the growing trade of that place and country requires. Col. Romer has sent a design thereof, and adds that a good strong tower on the point of Fryar's Island, a battery on Wood Island, and another battery on Clerk's Island would be very necessary. |
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The Massachusets Bay has in it many islands, and among the rest Castle Island, not far from Boston, of great security to that Harbour. In the said Island is a Fort which Col. Romer proposes to be repaired and enlarged, and for the better securing the passages and Channels of the Bay, he further proposes some points of land to be provided with Batteries. |
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Rhode Island being the most important place of the South-West side of Cape Cod, is so situated as to be a very convenient harbour, and of security to that part of the country in case it were put in a state of Defence, which it has never yet been, by the mean condition and refractoryness of the inhabitants. |
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In the Province of New York there is a Fort for the security of that City and Harbour which is in an indifferent good condition; from thence 140 miles up Hudson's River is the town and fort of Albany, and about 20 miles from thence on another river is Schenectady, both which are of the greatest consequence towards the security of that Province and your Majesty's other Plantations. |
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In the Onnondage Country a Sod Fort is necessary, towards securing the Five Nations in their allegiance, for which provision is already made by your Majesty's gift of 500l. and a contribution of 1,500l. by the Assembly of New York. |
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The Provinces of East and West New Jersey are without any place of defence, and, being Proprieties whose Governors are unqualified as not being approved of by your Majesty, those Governments are in great disorder, and nothing more can be proposed concerning them than that they should contribute to the defence of New York. Pennsylvania is likewise without fortifications, nor are any desired by the Proprietor, which nevertheless might be requisite for the security of Delaware River. |
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Your Majesty's Provinces of Maryland and Virginia are so situated that they are best secured by shipping and do not require any fortifications. North and South Carolina are under Proprietors, who undertake to provide for their own security. |
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We beg leave to add, that the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, being a numerous and wealthy Colony, enjoying great privileges, by Charter, ought to be required to repair, erect and maintain at their own expense the fortifications in the forementioned places under that Government, and most particularly the Fort at Pemaquid, the chief frontier of that Province towards the French and their Indians, which was well kept up whilst it remained under the immediate Government of the Crown; the said Forts being necessary for the security of the timber and fishery on that Coast, and to encourage the resettling the Province of Main and the more Eastern parts, which have been destroyed and laid waste in the late War, by the mismanagement and neglect of the Massachusets Government. The said Province ought also to be assisting to New Hampshire in their fortifications. New York being another Frontier exhausted by the extraordinary charge it was at for its own defence during the late war, and the several fortifications there being of too great expense to be supported by that single Province, your Majesty has been graciously pleased to appoint 2,000l. towards fortifying Albany and Schenectady, and we hope upon the signification of your Majesty's Royal pleasure to the other Plantations, who are greatly concern'd in the security of that frontier, they may be induced to contribute thereunto according to the proportion which we have stated as follows, |
|
Rhode Island and Providence Plantation |
150l. |
|
Connecticut |
450l. |
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East New Jersey |
250l. |
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West New Jersey |
250l. |
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Pennsylvania |
350l. |
|
Maryland |
650l. |
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Virginia |
900l. |
|
|
— |
|
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3,000l. |
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In this repartition we have omitted North and South Carolina as to any part of that charge, because of the duty incumbent on those Proprietors to maintain and defend that Province, which is likewise a frontier fit to be secured. And in order to excite the several forementioned Plantations to contribute in their respective proportions to the charge of securing the frontiers of New York, we herewith lay before your Majesty the draughts of letters relating to each of the said Plantations, as also to New England, for the fortifying their own coast, in pursuance of your Majesty's commands. Signed, Stamford, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Jno. Pollexfen, Geo. Stepney, Mat. Prior. Annexed, |
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16. i. Draught of a letter for H.M. signature, to Governor the Earl of Bellomont. Whereas it is requisite that the general security of our Plantations upon the Continent of America be provided for by a contribution in proportion to the respective abilities of each Plantation, and whereas the Northern Frontiers of our Province of New Yorke, being the most exposed to an enemy, do require an extraordinary charge for the erecting and maintaining of Forts necessary for the defence thereof, we have been graciously pleased to give the sum of 500l. sterl. towards a Fort in the Onnondage Country, and 2,000l. sterl. towards the rebuilding of the Forts at Albany and Schenectady, and have also by letters under our sign manual directed the Governors of divers of our Plantations to recommend to our Councils and the General Assemblies of our said Plantations, that they respectively furnish a proportionable summe towards the fortification on the Northern Frontier of New York; our further will and pleasure is, that for the better promoting of so necessary a work you also signify to our Provinces of East and West New Jersey that the sums which we have at present thought fit to be contributed by them, in proportion to what we have now in like manner directed to be supplied by our other Plantations, are 250l. sterl. each, and that you accordingly call upon them for the said summes. And you are also in our name, and upon the consideration of our royal goodness and care as before expressed, instantly to recommend to our Council and the General Assembly of New York, that they exert the utmost of their power in providing without delay what further shall be requisite for the repairing, erecting and maintaining of such Forts, in all parts of that Province, as you and they shall agree upon. You are likewise to signify to them for their further encouragement, that besides the contributions to be made towards the raising and maintaining of
forts and fortifications on that frontier, we have also directed that in case the said frontier be at any time invaded by an enemy, our neighbouring Colonies and Plantations shall make good in men (or money in lieu thereof) their Quota of assistance according to the repartition herewith sent you, pursuant whereunto you are as occasion requires to call for the same. And in case of any invasion you are to be aiding and assisting to them in the best manner you can. Ends as following. Annexed, Repartition referred to above. Quota of Money as p. 22 supra. Quota of Men for the defence of the Frontiers, |
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men. |
|
Massachusetts Bay |
350 |
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New Hampshire |
40 |
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Rhode Island |
48 |
|
Connecticut |
120 |
|
New York |
200 |
|
East New Jersey |
60 |
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West New Jersey |
60 |
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Pennsylvania |
80 |
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Maryland |
160 |
|
Virginia |
240 |
|
|
— |
|
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1,358 |
|
|
— |
|
[C.O. 5, 1118. pp. 79–91; and (rough draft) 5, 1079. No. 60.] |
| Jan. 10. |
17. Draft of a letter, for H.M. signature, to Governor the Earl of Bellomont. Whereas our Province of the Massachusets Bay have been very remiss in their duty during the late War, insomuch that they suffered the Fort at Pemaquid (the main security of their frontier Eastward) to be shamefully taken and demolished by an inconsiderable number of French and Indians, nor have they since that time taken any care to rebuild the same, our Will and Pleasure is that you signify unto our Council and the General Assembly of our said Province, that we are sensible of their neglect in not providing more effectually for their own security, and you are therefore in our name to require them without delay to provide for the building and maintaining of such Forts in all parts of that your Government as you, the Council and Assembly shall agree upon, and to be likewise assisting to our neighbouring Province of New Hampshire in building and maintaining such Forts as are needful at Piscataway and elsewhere. And besides the care hereby directed, of raising and maintaining of Forts and Fortifications, you are likewise, in case the Frontier of our Province of New York be at any time invaded by an enemy, to call upon our Province of the Massachusetts Bay to make good, in men or money in lieu thereof, their Quota of Assistance according to the Repartition herewith sent you, assuring them that in case of the like invasion of the Province of the Massachusets Bay, they will be mutually assisted from New Yorke. And you are withall to
signify to them that according to their behaviour in this occasion they will recommend themselves to our Royal Grace and Favour. Given at our Court at Hampton Court, the 19th day of Jan., 1700/1. Countersigned, Ja. Vernon. [C.O. 5, 909. pp. 344–346.] |
| Jan. 10. |
18. Draught of a letter for H.M. Signature to the Earl of Bellomont relating to the security of New Hampshire. You are in our name to require our Council and the General Assembly of our Province of New Hampshire to exert the utmost of their power in providing for the building and maintaining of such Forts either at Piscataway or elsewhere within that Province as are necessary for their security, without being burthensome to their neighbours, any farther than absolute necessity shall require. Concludes, mutatis mutandis, as preceding, from "in case the frontier." Countersigned, Ja. Vernon. [C.O. 5, 909. pp. 346, 347.] |
| Jan. 10. |
19. Draught of a letter for H.M. signature to Governor Nicholson. Whereas it is requisite that the General Security of our Plantations upon the Continent of America be provided for by a contribution in proportion to the respective abilities of each Plantation(s), and whereas the Northern frontiers of New York, being the most exposed to an enemy, do require an extraordinary charge for the erecting and maintaining of forts towards which we have lately given 2,500l. sterl., and have also directed that our said Province should exert the utmost of their power in providing for those and the like occasions, but it being yet further needful that our other Plantations and Colonies on that Continent do also contribute to so greate a worke, wherein their own security is so much concerned, our Will and Pleasure is that you signify to our Council and the present Assembly of Virginia, that the summe which we have at present thought fit to be contributed by our said Colony, in proportion to what we do now in like manner direct to be supplied by our other Plantations towards the fortifications on the frontiers of New York, is 900l. sterl., and you are accordingly in our name to recommend to them that they furnish the said sum, and to take care that the same be remitted for the use aforesaid to such persons as the Earl of Bellomont shall appoint. And in case the frontier of New York be at any time invaded by an enemy, you are also upon the application of the said Earl or the C. in C. of that Province for the time being, immediately to furnish a quota of men, or money in lieu thereof, according to the repartition herewith sent you. And you are withall to signify to our Council and the General Assembly of Virginia that according to their behaviour in this occasion they will recommend themselves to our Royal Grace and Favour. Given at Hampton Court, Jan. 19, 1700/1. Countersigned, James Vernon. [C.O. 5, 1360. pp. 63–65.] |
| Jan. 10. |
20. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to Governor Penn. The amount to be contributed by Pennyslvania, 350l. [C.O. 5, 1288. pp. 406–409.] |
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21. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to the Governor and Company of Connecticut. 450l. to be contributed. [C.O. 5, 1288. p. 409.] |
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22. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to the Governor and Company of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation. 150l. to be contributed. [C.O. 5, 1288, p. 409.] |
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23. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to Governor Blackiston. 650l. to be contributed. [C.O. 5, 726. pp. 12–14.] |
Jan. 10.
Whitehall. |
24. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Representation on Forts, etc., signed. Draught of letter from H.M. to Lord Bellomont, relating to the preservation of the woods, agreed upon. |
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Letter to Mr. Secretary Vernon, enclosing above, signed and sent. |
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Their Lordships observing that some Acts of Maryland, amongst which is one for the service of Almighty God, do lye in Mr. Attorney General's hands, and understanding that Dr. Bray has concerned himself about a report upon that Act, he was sent for and acquainted where the obstruction lyes, that he may take such care therein as he thinks proper. He said he had already been with Mr. Attorney General about that matter, and further promised to solicite the same. |
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Lord Bellomont's letter, Oct. 17, further considered. Directions thereupon given. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. pp. 309, 310; and 98. No. 6.] |
