America and West Indies: November 1705, 13-15

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 22, 1704-1705. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1916.

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'America and West Indies: November 1705, 13-15', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 22, 1704-1705, (London, 1916) pp. 685-698. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol22/pp685-698 [accessed 25 April 2024]

November 1705, 13-15

Nov. 13.
Boston.
1444. Mr. Addington to Mr. Popple. Capt. Carey and the cannon for Castle William have arrived. Signed, Isa. Addington. Endorsed, Recd. 31 Dec., Read Jan. 23, 1705(6). Addressed. Sealed. ½ p. [C.O. 5, 864. No. 2; and 5, 912. p. 104.]
Nov. 13. 1445. Copy of Affidavit by R. Sampson, Nov. 13, 1705, that Mr. Colin Campbell endeavoured to suborn him to swear falsely against Capt. Lloyd and Solomon Merret. Signed, Richard Sampson. 1 p. Annexed,
1445. i. Copy of affidavit against Mr. Merret and Capt. Lloyd, which Mr. Campbell endeavoured to make Sampson sign. The whole endorsed, Recd. Read Jan. 3, 1705/6 1 p. [C.O. 194, 3. Nos. 87, 87.i.]
Nov. 13. 1446. (a) An account of goods imported from Pennsylvania from Christmas, 1699—Christmas, 1700.
Quantity. Customs.
cwt. qrs. lb. l. s. d.
Ginger, dry 2 0 0 0 13 0
Melasses 177 0 0 11 4 2
Rice 7 1 13 1 7 10½
Sugar, Brown 4 3 5 0 13 7
Indico 130 0 0 1 6 7
Shruff 4 2 21 1 7 10
Skins Bear, Black 452 64 2 7
Beaver 121 5 14 5
Buck in hair 516 9 3 1
Catt 826 2 6 10
Elk 14 0 19 11
Fisher 96 3 8 1
Fox 1,322 12 10
Mink 783 8 6 8
Musquash 2,163 7 13
Otter 116 3 2
Raccoon 4,721 16 16 11
Wolf, untaw'd 173 26 4 6
Tobacco 64,791lb. 1,414 6
Whale finns 5cwt. 7 3
Wood, braziletto 5 ton 5cwt. 10 4 4
Cow Hornes 700 at 2l. 10s. 0d. 0 7
Skins, Buck, ½ drest 550 at 69l. 6s. 0d. 9 16
Total 1,619 0 1
Signed, Walter Cox. Endorsed, communicated by Mr. Penn. Recd. Read Nov. 13, 1705. 1 p.
(b) Imports from Pennsylvania, Christmas, 1700–1701.
Quantity. Customs.
l. s. d.
Cochcncal 6lb. 0 1 11
Lignum vitæ. 3t. 3qrs. 2 19
Spermacæti, coarse 12lb. 0 0
Sugar, Brown 22cwt. 1qr. 3 3 5
" White 2qrs. 0 4 9
Oyle, traine 1t. 12galls. 0 11 5
Shruff 3cwt. 0 17 1
Skins Buck in hair 791 14 0
" drest 29 1 0
Bear, black 932 132 4 7
Beaver 547 25 17
Cat 799 2 5 5
Elk 28 1 19
Fox 3,811 36 11 0
Fisher 42 1 9 9
Mink, untaw'd 1,062 11 6
Martron 21 0 14 8
Musquash 158 0 10 11½
Musk Ratt 194 0 13
Otter 261 9 5 2
Raccoon 5,525 19 11 10
Wolf, untaw'd 100 16 6 4
Tobacco 269,698lb. 5,937 5
Logwood 60 ton. 285 0 0
Total £6,503 12 1
Signed and endorsed as preceding. 1 p.
(c) Pennsylvania Exports, Christmas, 1701—Nov. 14, 1702.
Quantity. Customs.
l. s. d.
Sassafrass 3cwt. 0 5 8
Shruff 5 "
Staves Pipe 10 "
Skins Buck in haire 1,056
Bear, black 799
Beaver 188 8 17 10
Catt 492 1 7
Elk 14 0 19 11
Fox 1,479 13 19 9
Fisher 717 25 8
Mink, untaw'd 966 10 5 7
Martron 4 0 2 10
Musquash 438 1 11 1
Otter 188 6 13
Raccoone 4,687 16 12 6
Wolf, untaw'd 147 23 19 8
Tobacco 368,439lb. 8,042 14 4
Logwood 43. 14. 2. 0. 207 13 10½
Cow Hornes 12qrs. at 3l. 0 8
Chocolate 45lb. at 7l. 2s. 6d. 3 5 2
Cocoa Nuts 124lb. at 9l. 4s. 0d. 4 8
Skinns, Buck, ½ drest 232 at 34l. 16s. 0d. 4 18
Total £8,505 9 9
Signed and endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1263. Nos. 39–41; and 5, 1291. pp. 226–228.]
Nov. 14.
Whitehall.
1447. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Hedges. Enclose following to be laid before H.M.
1447. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Upon the petition of Nov. 8, we humbly represent that it may very much tend to the promoting the production of Naval Stores in the Plantations, that a Surveyor General of the Woods be appointed (that place being now vacant) with such powers and instructions for preserving the woods from spoil as shall be thought fit, and with directions to instruct the inhabitants as suggested Nov. 8. Propose John Bridger as a fit person to be commissioned with a salary not exceeding 200l. sterl. per annum. [C.O. 5, 911. pp. 476–478.]
Nov. 14.
New Yorke.
1448. Mr. Heathcote to Mr. Secretary Hedges. Encloses duplicate of Nov. 9, with further explanations. Signed, Caleb Heathcote. Endorsed, R. Feb. 8. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1084. Nos. 32, 32.i.]
Nov. 14. 1449. Proprietors of West New Jersey to Council of Trade and Plantations. Repeat part of Memorial of April 17, q.v. With Additions:— An Assembly having been chosen in 1703, pursuant to your Lordships' Instructions, prepar'd Bills for settling the rights of the Proprietors and Planters, and for raising a revenue of 13,000l. per annum for 3 years (which they knew was the utmost the country could bear) for the support of the Government; but H.E. requiring a greater summe, several persons our constant enemies, and invaders of our propertys, and who therefore oppos'd the Bill for settling our rights, undertook to procure an Assembly more obedient to H.E. demands; and by that and other arguments, which out of regard to his Honour, we choose to wave the mention of, prevail'd upon him to dissolve that Assembly, and to call another to sit in Nov. last. The writs were issued and the elections directed to be made in such haste that in one of the writs the qualifications of the person to be elected was omitted, and the Sheriff of one County not sworn till 3 days before the election, and many of the towns had not any (much less due) notice of the day of election etc. Add to the account of the exclusion of the 3 members:—This attempt was seconded by another trick of Revell and Leeds, who immediately sent the following note to the House of Representatives: "Gentlemen, We underwritten, supposing we had good reason to charge 3 of the persons return'd to serve as Representatives in this General Assembly, but upon due consideration find it difficult to come to a true determination thereof until we can by further enquiry find the truth of what we have been informed of; we therefore humbly desire 14 days' time further, that we may be able more fully to inform this House therein, which we humbly suppose at present cannot reasonably be expected from us. We subscribe ourselves your humble suppliants, Tho. Revell, Dan. Leeds. Nov. 15, 1704." The Counties for which they were chosen to serve express'd a great dissatisfaction at the exclusion of their Members, and these and several other Representatives delivered an Address to H.E. for having them admitted to their right, which met with no other reception than being call'd a piece of insolence and ill manners. By this exclusion of 3 Members and the contempt of the Address for their admission, the undertakers gain'd a majority by one in the House of Representatives, who adjourn'd the hearing of this case until they had reap'd the fruits of their iniquity, and accomplished the ends for which it was contriv'd. For whilst this case was depending, a Bill for taking away the qualifications of the electors and the elected and placing the right of choosing and being chosen in the freeholders generally, without any express value of their estates, was pass'd, wherein there is this remarkable and self-condemning declaration of H.E.'s proceedings, viz., That the Representatives met in General Assemblies are and shall be the judges of the qualifications of their own Members. After this and one other Act were pass'd, a day of hearing was allow'd to the 3 excluded Members, and notice of it given to Revell and Leeds, who would not vouchsafe to appear, but having already obtain'd their ends, graciously signify'd by a message their mistake in their objection to those Members. The House proceeded in their enquiry, and by deeds and other authentick proofs was so fully safisfy'd of the estates of those excluded Members, and that Revell and Leeds had been convinc'd thereof at the time of their elections, that the House unanimously declar'd them duly qualify'd, and sent two of their body to acquaint H.E. of it, and to pray they might be sworn. But H.E. (whether out of a desire of assuming the glory of this arbitrary proceeding wholly to himself, or of making the country sensible that notwithstanding the Act so lately passed, declaring the House judges of their own Members, he was resolved to exercise that power for the future, or for what other reason, we know not) told those messengers he must be satisfy'd of their qualifications as well as the House, and still keeps them out of the Assembly. If he can at his pleasure reject 3 Representatives he may reject all, and make what laws he thinks fit, without the formality of an Assembly. Objections to the Bill for taxing all lands without distinction:— There is no other Colony in America, wherein uncultivated lands are taxed, and as this Act was intended, so none more effectual could have been contriv'd to prejudice the country in general and the Proprietors in particular. For if any man who has 1,000 or more acres of land, which he can neither manure nor sell (as most of the first Planters have), he must pay a tax for this land which may eat up the greatest part of the profit of what he can and does cultivate; or he must desert the whole; and if we who have great tracts of land of many thousand acres to sell, let or settle but a few acres to maintain our agents or servants, we must pay a tax for all the residue, which yields us nothing. In consequence of this Act, several persons who had agreed with our Agent for land, have renounced their bargains, and remov'd into other countries, where they can purchase great tracts of land, and preserve them for their posterity to settle on, and we, unless reliev'd from this oppression, must deliver up our lands or our purses. This tax is impos'd by the Act passed in the Assembly for raising a revenue of 2,000l. per annum for 2 years for the support of H.M. Government within that Province. And we have great reason to believe it to be part of the return promised by the undertakers to H.E., for his dissolving the former Assembly and curtailing the last of 3 Members. It is a matter of some wonder to us that after so many Acts of despotick power, H.E. did not assume to himself, or obtain from the last Assembly, an authority of licencing any persons to purchase lands from the Indians, but condescends to apply to your Lordships for an alteration of his Instructions in that particular. There wants only the breach of this Instruction to compleat the ruine of our interests in New Jersey, and we humbly hope your Lordships will not enable him to give that finishing stroke. This Instruction founded upon the right which the Crown of England claims by the law of nations to all countries discovered by English subjects, was intended to assert that right against the pretences of many Planters, who set up the Indians' title in competition with it, and if that right be taken from the grantees of the Crown, all patents and grants of the whole main land of North America have been only Royal Frauds, under the sanction of the Great Seal of England, and no man will ever after purchase lands under that title. H.E. was lately so full satisfy'd of the policy and reasonableness of asserting this right to the Crown and its grantees, that in 1703 he recommended and assented to an Act of Assembly for restraining all persons besides the Proprietors from purchasing lands of the Indians, under great penalties, and for vacating all such purchases formerly made, unless the purchasers took a fresh grant from the Proprietors, of which Act we humbly pray your Lordships' perusal. We are purchasers for ready money, under a grant from Charles II, and are willing to sell our lands and the Indians' title to it at reasonable rates, according to the goodness of their soil and situation, and ought not to be compell'd to accept a quit-rent (much less a quit-rent to be set by other persons than ourselves, as H.E. proposes), instead of selling for ready money, nor ought our properties to be at the disposal of a Governor. 'Tis not the want of a power in the Planters to purchase lands from the Indians, but the taxing of uncultivated lands, and overturning the Constitution for Assembly-men, that has occasioned those persons mention'd by H.E. to remove to Pennsylvania and other Colonies. The usage we have received from H.E. is so contrary to the terms of our surrender of Government, to the assurances we had from your Lordships of the due observance of them, and to the plain Instructions given by your Lordships to H.E., that we humbly hope it will not be thought any immodesty or want of duty in us to protest, as we do protest, against all the proceedings of the last Assembly, wherein by the arbitrary exclusion of 3 Members without any just exception, the country was not duely represented, and to beg your Lordships' intercession with H.M. that the Acts pass'd in that Assembly may not be confirmed by her royal assent. We further pray that Coll. Lewis Morris, who has been a second time suspended from his place in Council by H.E., only for using the freedom which every Member of the Council is entituled to, and ought to exercise, of opposing any Bill brought before them, if he conceives it prejudicial to the interest either of the country in general or of any particular persons, may be restored, and that your Lordships will please to place in the rooms of such as are dead, some of the persons following: Miles Foster, Richard Townley, Hugh Hoddy, Wm. Hall, and John Harrison, who are men of known integrity and estates, and as a further security of our estates there, [and] that no persons may at any time be admitted of the Governor's Council or to be in the Commission of the Peace, or of the Militia, but such who have real estates in the Province, suitable to their stations, and who reside there. Signed, Tho. Lane, Paul Docminique, Jno. Bridges, Rob. Michel, Tho. Burrow, Fra. Michel, Eben. Jones, Jos. Brooksbank, Jno. Norton, Jno. Bennett, E. Richier, Tho. Skinner, Richard Greenaway, Jos. Collyer, Cha. Michel, Jos. Micklethwait, Tho. Lewes, Wm. Snelling, Michael Watts. Endorsed, Recd. Sept. 1, Read Nov. 14, 1705. 16 pp. [C.O. 5, 970. No. 32; and 5, 994.A. pp. 232–249.]
Nov. 14. 1450. Observations of the Council of Trade and Plantations upon preceding. Embodied in Letter to Lord Cornbury Feb. 4, 1706, q.v. 5¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 970. No. 33; and. 5, 994.A. pp. 250–252.]
Nov. 15.
Boston.
1451. Governor Dudley to Mr. Popple. Since my packetts were sealed, I received the inclosed papers. Col. Hutchinson etc. are a Committee of the Proprietors of lands in the Naraganset Country. They have laboured long enough to be convinced that they can have no right from that Goverment of Road Island, who against the express command of K. Charles II have entered upon those lands and disposed them. I humbly offer them to the Board. I am very sensible the petitioners will ask nothing if that Goverment of Road Island be altered, being well assured they shall have justice done them, but if not they will be very glad if they may have a proper Court appointed for that end. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. Dec. 31, 1705. Read Jan. 23, 1705/6. Holograph. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed,
1451. i. Associated Proprietors of the Mortgaged Lands of the Narragansett Countrey to Governor Dudley. It is upon oppressions from the Governmt. of Rhode Island to the last degree that necessitates this Address. That Government, if it hath not encouraged it hath at least connived at the most unjust and disorderly invasions upon rights and properties made by a great number of fugitives and persons of no fortunes. When we have attempted to make some orderly settlements upon our lands aforesaid, we have been opposed by the intruders, with threatenings as riotous persons; when we have applyed to the Court of Tryals in Rhode Island, we could not obtain justice; when we have addressed the General Court with the greatest modesty and submission, our Addresses have been by some in that Governmt. termed scurrillous, and if others have been more reasonably inclined to do us right, all that could be obtained was that our petitions should be referred to another Assembly, which, when that came, would have no regard to our Memorials. Some in that Government behold the partiality of the great part with regret, and they as well as we must despair of having things better whilst the Freemen of that Colony are increased by the greatest disorders, to maintain a faction that neither fear God nor regard man, that will treat the most sacred attestations of the Crown, the Great Seal of England with ignominy and contempt etc. Recapitulate. history of the Narragansett Country and Mortgaged Lands, 1660, etc. The Government of Rhode Island have rejected the settlement and constitution made by your Excellency (1686), and have let in and countenanced a great number of lewd and dissolute persons, fugitives and such as the Governor and Magistrates in that Colony have of late themselves called vagabonds, who have intruded upon our lands; and particularly the Government hath taken upon it to grant townships and allowed persons that have no right to lay out lotts and settle upon the same within the lands purchased by the Proprietors. Refer to settlement of French Refugees by your Excellency and the attacks of the inhabitants of Greenwich. (See C.S.P., 1699, Nos. 975, 975.xx., etc.) The Proprietors have, since a settlement of the jurisdiction of the Narraganset Countrey by agreement between Rhode Island and Connecticot, brought writs of ejectment against some of the intruders upon their lands, in one of which they with much difficulty obtained a judgment, but have bin since defeated in others by the obstinate partiality of the Jurys. We can have no hopes of any fair trials in Rhode Island. The Assembly rejects all our applications for a fair trial, and when certain gentlemen of that Colony, who are well ascertained of the right of the Proprietors, having treated with them for the purchase of a tract of land in order to a regular settlement of a town in the Narragansett Country, petitioned the Assembly to grant a township to them with rights and priviledges according to their usual form, the Deputies of Rhode Island, after several debates and messages between themselves and the Magistrates of the Colony, have finally voted that no tax shall be granted until the Proprietors are wholly outed their lands, and the lands divided amongst such as they call Freemen of that Colony, many of which are made of such as the Governor and Magistrates the last year called vagabonds etc. Pray H.E. to intercede with H.M. that they may have justice done them. Signed, Elisha Hutchinson, Jno. Saffin, for himself and Capt. Andrew Willet, Benja. Lynde, J. Leverett, Committee for the Proprietors. Endorsed, I received this address yesterday etc. Signed, J. Dudley, Nov. 14, 1705. Recd. 31st Dec., 1705. 9¾ pp.
1451. ii. Copies of papers in confirmation of above. (a) Bounds of the grants from the Council from Plymouth in Devon to Wm. Bradford etc. for New Plymouth in N. England, Jan. 13, 1629. (b) Bounds of the grant from the same to Lord Say and Seale, March 19, 1631. Signed, Elisha Hutchinson. 1 p.
1451. iii. Copy of the Deed of Mortgage of the Narragansett lands, Sept. 29, 1660. We the Sachems of the Naragansets, in consideration of 595 fathom of wampom, required of us by ye Commissioners to be paid within 4 months, do firmly mortgage unto the Commissioners of the united Colonies all our whole country, etc., always provided that in case we shall pay or cause to be paid to the Governor of Connecticut 595 fathom of wanpom, within four months, with the charge of the five messengers sent unto us by the Commissioners, then this mortgage shall be void. Signed, Quissoquons, Neneglad, Scattup, Narraganset Sachems. Their marks. Signed in the presence of Richard Smith, Samuel M. Eldred, Newcom ye Indian, Awashous. Hartford, Sept. 7, 1664 [sic]. Recorded in ye 26 page of ye old Court Book, as attest John Allyn, Secry. 1 p.
1451. iv. Copy of receipt by John Winthrop, Nov. 16, 1660. I have received this day of Capt. Edwd. Hutchinson by the appointment of Major Humphry Atherton and Co., for and by the appointment of Quiscoquons, Neneglad and Scuttup, 735 fathom of wampom peage, in full discharge of the above contract. Signed, John Winthrop. Recorded in the 27th page of the old Court Book, Hartford, Sept. 7, 1664. Attested, John Allen, Secy. A true copy, Nathl. Coddington, Assist. 1 p.
1451. v. Secretary of Connecticut to Major Atherton. Hartford, Oct. 13, 1660. Upon consideration of your desires respecting the wampom to be paid by the Narragansets, the General Court decided that the sum of wampam imposed by the Commissioners shalbe accordingly performed unto our Governor here, as also 140 fathom for the charges of the Messengers. Upon payment whereof the agreement is to be surrendered. Signed, Danl. Clark, Secr. A true copy, N. Coddington. 1 p.
1451. vi. Grant of the Narraganset Country, except that part already alienated, to Major Humphrey Atherton and his Associates upon condition that they pay the above charge of 600 fathom of wampom peag, always providing that if within 6 months we pay them back, this writing shall be void etc. Oct. 13, 1660. Signed, Suckquanish, Nenagrat, Scuttup, and Scuttup for his brother, Wequakanuit. Indian witnesses:— Pawatuck, John. English witnesses:—Valentine Whitman, Reuben Willis. Recorded in the old Court books at Hartford, Sept. 7, 1664, per John Allyn, Secretary. Vall. Whitman made oath that he saw the Sachems sign the above. Aug. 20, 1683, before me, Danl. Smith, Assist. A true copy, N. Coddington. 1¾ pp.
1451. vii. Deposition of J. Button and others that this spring Scuttup, in presence of 2 or 300 Indians in behalf of himself and friends delivered possession by turf and twigg of ye land at Petaquamscott and the country thereabout to Capt. Edw. Hutchinson, Capt. Willm. Hudson and Richard Smith, jr., etc., declaring the land to be already sold by deed by the rest of the Sagamores as well as by himself to Capt. Hutchinson and Co. Signed, John Button, John Rhodes, Wm. Cotton, Ambros Leach. Sworn before me, Sept. 22, 1662, Jo. Endicott, Govr. Acknowledged by the first three, Aug. 29, 1664. Attested, Edwd. Rawson, Sec. True copy, N. Coddington. 1 p.
1451. viii. Declaration of Scuttup and the other Narraganset Sachems. Dec. 28, 1664. Whereas we made over all our lands to Major Atherton (as in Nos. vi. and vii.), and whereas I, Scuttup, of my own voluntary mind sent Wiskhunk and Sepewampshe, two of my Councellors, and John Indian for an interpreter unto Boston, to desire of Capt. Hutchinson and Co., that I, in regard of my sickness, as they have bin always friends to me, so they will continue to be to my sister, after me, and to all the Indians under me, etc. In sure confidence of their love to us, I together with my sister and Councellours in behalf of the rest of the Indians, do hereby declare that we do all so well approve of ye Government and manners of the English that we voluntarily desire to be governed by their Laws and Governors, and desire to be no longer under the Indian Government etc., and therefore have made choice of our own accord of our loving friends, John Winthrop, Govr. of Connecticot, Capt. Thomas Willet of Plimouth Colony, Capt. Edw. Hutchinson of Massachuset Colony and the rest of the Company concerned with them, to settle us and our people under the Government of such English within the United Colonies as they themselves shall make choice on etc. Signed, Scuttup, alias Mehomer, Queneniquis, Wiskwowk, Councelor, Sepowond, Councelor, Mokey, John Indian, Joseph Dallaware, Lowidwick Updicke. (With totem marks.) Copy. 1½ pp.
1451. ix. Deposition of Joseph Dallawar (or Dollewar). On Dec. 28, 1664, Scuttup, in presence of a great number of Indians and of Thomas Staunton of Stonington and Richard Smith of Narraganset etc., confirmed the above sale of lands to Major Atherton and delivery to Capt. Hutchinson as in preceding. I witnessed the preceding deed. Signed, Joseph Dollewar. Kingstown, Feb. 16, 170¾. Copy. 1 p.
1451. x. Copy of Agreement between the Agents of Connecticut and Rhode Island. (See C.S.P., 1663, No. 433.) 1½ pp.
1451. xi. Extract of Report of the Commissioners upon the Claims to the Narraganset Country, Oct. 20, 1683. (C.S.P., 1683, No. 1986.) 1 p.
1451. xii. Minutes of President and Council of New England in King's Province, New England. Rochester, June 23, 1686. Joseph Dudley, President. (Cf. C.S.P., 1686, p. 261.) Justices sworn. Ordered that the 3 towns be called Rochester (formerly Kingston), Feversham (commonly called Westerly), Dedford (formerly Greenwich), etc. Forasmuch as sundry persons have been deluded, and whilst no Government was settled upon the place, have been encouraged without licence from the Proprietors to build and make improvement upon the Mortgage Lands, to the end that they may have seasonable time to make their composition, that so they may either upon purchases, rents or other good agreements enjoy their improvements etc., ordered that no possessor of any such lands be molested before Aug. 20; and in case, upon treaty with the Proprietors, they receive not satisfaction, their complaints shall be heard by the President and Council at Boston etc. Copy. 2 pp.
1451. xiii. Act of Rhode Island. Oct. 30, 1672. (See C.S.P., 1672, No. 951.) Copy. 1 p.
1451. xiv. King's Commissioners to the Magistrates of Rhode Island. Sept. 15, 1665. (See C.S.P., 1665, No. 1033.) Copy. ½ p.
1451. xv. K. Charles II to the Governor and Magistrates of Rhode Island, Feb. 12, 1678/9. (See C.S.P., 1679. No. 890.) Extract. ½ p.
1451. xvi. General Assembly of Rhode Island to Lt. Gov. Cranfield. Desire to see his Commission etc. Warwick, Aug. 21, 1683. The letter referred to C.S.P., 1683. No. 1253. Copy. 1 p.
1451. xvii. Governor Sandford to Governor Cranfield. Newport, Nov. 11, 1682. Express their submission to H.M. letter of June 5, 1682, (C.S.P., 1682. No. 539), and their congratulations on his appointment etc. Copy. 1 p.
1451. xviii. H.M. Commissioners to the Assembly of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Aug. 22, 1683. Reply to No. xvi. We cannot but wonder that you doubt of H.M. Commission, etc., intimation of wch. you have already received from H.M. and us, with our design of meeting here, where H.M. Commission hath this day been read, but found not that respect from ye Messengers of your letter as to be heard read, though Civilly desired etc. If you send any persons in whom you can repose any trust, they may see and take a copy of it. Signed, Wm. Wharton, Regr. Copy. 1 p.
1451. xix. Proprietors of the Narraganset Mortgage lands to the Governor Cranston, Council and Assembly of Rhode Island. Feb. 16, 1704 (5). Repeat complaints of the hardships they meet with in the Court of Trials and appeal for redress (see No. 1 supra). Signed, on behalf of the Proprietors, Wait Winthrop, Elisha Hutchinson, John Saffin, J. Leverett, Nathl. Coddington. On back, It is the opinion of the House that this petition be referred to the next Assembly etc. And at the setting of the next Assembly not called for. Copy. 3¼ pp.
1451. xx. J. Sheffeild and C. Arnold to the Governor, Council and Assembly of Rhode Island. May 5, 1705. Pray to be allowed to settle a township in the Narraganset Country, towards which they have already made some progress. Signed, Joseph Sheffeild, Caleb Arnold. On back, Referred to next Assembly etc. 1¼ pp.
1451. xxi. Assembly of Rhode Island, June 19, 1705. Vote sent up, that the petition of Capt. Arnold and Capt. Sheffeild (preceding) be answered, they paying 200l. into the Treasury, and Mr. Whiple and partners shall have 20,000 acres adjoyning on the south side of the land petitioned for by Arnold and Sheffeild, they paying 200l., always provided that it infringe not on the land of Ninecraft, or the land of Westerly, or any other lawful purchase, and also to raise a tax of 600 to be paid by the last of November. Passed to the House of Magestrates. Subscribed, This House agree etc. Past to the House of Deputies. On back, To the House of Representatives. Our opinion is that the petitions of Arnold, Shieffield, and Whipple be referred to ye Assembly in October. Past to the House of Deputies. It is the opinion of this House that the raising of money be referred to Oct. next also. Past from the House of Dept. to ye House of Magestr. 2 pp.
1451. xxii. House of Magistrates of Rhode Island to the House of Deputies. May 3, 1704. Whereas in time of differences between Conecticut and Rhode Island about boundarys etc., many things have been done by many persons on the Narraganset Country by making settlements on the said lands, having no rights to the same, and contrary to the Acts of Assembly of the Colony, and whereas many persons in said country within the Colony and some of the other Colonys challenge clame in said country of soyle, all wch. have made great contests etc., it is therefore proposed that there might be some persons chosen to order the boundarys of Greenwich be settled of the land granted by ye Colony etc., and to inspect the several claims in the Narraganset Country and propose what may be for the ending of all controversies etc. Past to the House of Deputies and by them flung out. Copy. 2 pp.
1451. xxiii. Queries put by Governor Cranston to the Assembly of Rhode Island, June 19, 1705, which were returned without answer from the House of Deputies. What right hath the Colony to the Mortgaged lands, and should they make a disposition of them, etc., etc. Copy. 1 p.
1451. xxiv. Act of Assembly of Rhode Island. Every town at their town-meeting hath power to make such men freemen of their towns as they judge may be meet etc., and all such persons shall have votes for ye choice of all officers in ye town where they dwell, and ye names of all such freemen being presented to ye Assembly, if they pass by vote to allow them freemen of ye Colony, then shall they have their votes of electing general officers att the times of election. Copy. 1 p.
1451. xxv. Copy of Governor Cranston's Warrant to Joseph Crandall, Espetiall Constable, Dec. 2, 1699, to arrest certain men of Westerly who have obstructed the meeting of the justices there, by remonstrating against the choosing of rate-makers, according to an Assembly Act at Warwick, Oct. 25, 1699, etc. Copy. 1 p.
1451. xxvi. Remonstrance of the Westerly men (referred to in preceding), Nov. 22, 1699. Lord Bellomont has advised to forbear distraining for taxes until the controversy betwixt Connecticut and Rhode Island be decided. Wherefore we desire to have no trouble from Rhode Island for rate money, and hereby positively refuse to doe anything in order to making a rate or paying any money until things are settled and it be determined who we of right belong to etc. Signed, James Pendleton, Joseph Pemberton, Georg Denison, Joseph Staunton, John Lewis, Daniell Crum, John Babcock, Edward Wilcock, Joseph Pendleton, Edward Bleuen, Roger Larkin, James Lewis, Israell Lewis, Joseph Babcock. Copy. 1 p.
1451. xxvii. Capt. Fones' evidence as to Pierre Ayrault. July 23, 1700. (Cf. C.S.P., 1699, No. 975. xx.) Signed, John Fones. Copy. 2¾ pp.
1451. xxviii. P. Ayrault's Remonstrance against some irregularities and inhumanities committed against him by inhabitants of East Greenwich, in Naragansett, July 23, 1700. I was dragged to Court late at night by force on a warrant they refused to read to me, and my wife struck and flung on the pavement. Samuel Davis and Abner Spencer siezed my son, Daniel, without any cause and flung him on the stones, etc. Aug. 7, 1700. Copy. 1¼ pp.
1451. xxix. P. Ayrault to [? Governor Dudley]. Repeats his complaint and asks for redress. Signed, Pierre Ayrault. 3 pp.
1451. xxx. Copy of agreement (referred to in preceding) between Richard Wharton, Elisha Hutchinson and John Saffin on the one side and Ezekiel Carre and Peter Berton, French Gentlemen, and their associates on the other for settling a town in the Narraganset Country. Nov. 4, 1686. Copy. 1½ pp.
1451. xxxi. Map of the French settlement in Narraganset referred to above, and list of the 51 families of French settlers turned out by the Rhode Islanders. 1 large p. [C.O. 5, 864. Nos. 9–40; and (without enclosures) 5, 912. pp. 106–110.]
[? Nov. 15.] 1452. Memorandum of a proposal [? by Francis Farnandoe, see Nov. 24] for H.M. to fit out 2 ships one of 50 guns and one of 30, to intercept the Spanish fleet with war chest etc. ½ p. [C.O. 137, 45. No. 69.]
Nov. 15. 1453. Further proposals for the same expedition. Endorsed, R. Nov. 15, 1705. 2 pp. [C.O. 137, 45. No. 70.]