|
Oct. 1.
Councill Office. |
1127. Mr. Southwell to Mr. Popple. Encloses copies of
Order in Council, Sept. 24, repealing Acts of New England, etc.,
which has been divided into two parts by Lord Sunderland.
Signed, Edward Southwell. Endorsed, Recd. 3rd, Read 13th Oct.,
1707. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 864. No. 193; and 5, 912. pp. 388, 389.] |
| Oct. 3. |
1128. Capt. Chadwell, of the Flying-Horse sloop, to Robt.
Holden. Reply to queries concerning the present state of the
Bahama Islands. Inhabitants about 600 (300 freemen), dwelling
upon Elutheria, Catt Island, Little and Great Exuma, Providence
Island etc. They live scatteringly, in little hutts, ready upon
any assault to secure themselves in the woods. No administration
of Justice: the strongest man carrys the day. The enemy was
last October upon Providence Island; they plundered there
houses and carryed away there slaves; took abt. 16 guns out
of ye Forte, and left 12, whole but spiked up; the Forte whole,
not defaced anything. When assaulted flies into the woods.
Trade:— braziletta-wood cutting; getting tortoise-shell;
hunting for wrecks; rakeing sault, and makeing provission to
keep them. The trade is moste from Jamaica, some from Corasao,
St. Thomas, Carolina, Bermoodas, for liquor and dry goods.
Abt. 20 vessells trades there a yeare of abt. 40 tuns burthen,
which load with salt and wood. Exuma and Elutheria are the
places for trade. Providence Town is burnt down; abt. 3 houses
standing in ye woods, small hutts are in ye town where ye others
was burnt, but destroy [ed] last Oct. Forte itself in good condition,
ye houses within it burnt, no resorte of trade to town; abt. 20
men on ye Island. Woodwork and iron will be ye greatest expense
to make the Fort good. Workmen there. The cost will not be
much. The people bravely armed with small arms and
ammunition enough; they chuse theyr Commanders as they
please; when any alarum is given ym., if not able to resist,
retires into ye woods, and there stands upon there guard, and secures
what they have by hideing it in ye woods. They have about a
dozen of small vessells amongst themselves, some of abt. 16 tuns.
They fitted out last Jan. a privateer of about 20 tuns, and went
on ye coast of Cuba, Capt. Walker, commander, wth. 35 men,
took abt. 5 small vessells, and made abt. 50l. per man. The
people would increase much, if a Goverment were settled, rather
decrease now, for want of one. They are very desireous of a
Governor, and wonders ye Lds. Propriators sends ym. not one;
they seem devoted to ye Lds. Propriators and loves ym., for their
great privilidges; differences are left to be decided when a
Governour arrives. Vessells of 300 tuns and better may trade
to Providence; Ryall Harbour for a vessell of abt. 100 tuns, ye
best of harbours. Harbour Island has 3 fathom water at low
water, fitting for vessells of 200 tuns but showly [=? shoaly]
within; Hockin Island for vessells abt. 70 tuns; these all.
Providence is ye cheifest place, and ye people generally affects
it; ye Forte redily repaired and lies best for bringing trade to;
Ryall Harbour ye best for securety, and naturally strong, soon
made defenceable, but there is no fresh water there. Harbour
Island is easilie fortified, has fresh water plenty. Providence
must be ye place. Signed, Saml. Chadwell. Endorsed, Recd.
Read Oct. 22, 1707. (With Queries, 1½ pp.) [C.O. 5, 1264.
No. 14.] |
Oct. 3/14.
Fort Kijkoveral. |
1129. Commandant Beeckman to the Dutch West India
Company. Signed, Samuel Beeckman. Dutch. 4½ pp. [C.O. 116,
20. No. 8.] |
Oct. 3.
Whitehall. |
1130. W. Popple, jr., to Governor Dudley. Letters from
the Council of Trade and Plantations are sent you by the way
of Virginia, their Lordships not knowing then of any other
conveyance. Encloses Orders of Council of Sept. 24th. [C.O. 5,
912. p. 386.] |
Oct. 8.
Barbadoes. |
1131. Governor Crowe to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Acknowledges letters of June 26 and Aug. 7 and encloses
duplicates, Prays for H.M. pleasure about the Cartell with
Martinique, which, as it was mannaged only served the French
to gett intelligence and promote their trade; I shall observe
H.M. order in admitting Mr. Berrisford into the Councill, as I
have done in dismissing Messrs. Sharpe, Cox, Mills and Walker,
and putting ye gentlemen I formerly advis'd your Lordships
in their places, who are very acceptable to all here, and I doubt
not will impartially answer the trust. I find Coll. Cleland,
Holder's and the other gentlemen's petition lay before H.M.,
soe I shall be expecting her Royall pleasure therein from your
Lordships per next, and follow Sir E. Northy's opinion in granting
administrations, and as soon as possible gett transcripts of the
severall branches of the Revenue since 1698, to lay before your
Lordships, in order thereto, the Assembly, amongest others,
has now a Bill sent them from the Councill for appointing an
impartiall Committee to examine all disbursments relating to
the publick, the Act formerly pass'd for that end being deficient.
But I must observe, that said Assembly, notwithstanding the
many admonitions I have given them for promoting peace and
union, have spent more time in resolves against private persons,
than in dispatch of the pressing publick affairs, or rectifieing
the inconveniencys the Island now lyes under for want of some
amendments to the Mattross Act that [is] lately sent home,
takeing away H.M. prerogative in appointing those that should
guard the Forts etc.; Coppy of the amended Bill, as it now lyes
before the Assembly, and that of the Paper Credit, your Lordships
will find inclosed, as alsoe the names of the severall Forts and
Batterys with the guns thereon, and an exact list of all the
inhabitants of this Island. I have taken a review of the Melitia,
which did not ammount to 3,000 horse and foot, many of them
without armes and indeed the meanest men that ever I saw in such
a number, the want of money and dearness of all sorts of
provisions, haveing distroy'd or banish'd most of the poorer
sort, and the Act of Melitia is soe favourable to the rich, that
they seldome or never appear, except on alarms. Said Act
wants amendments, and in passing of any for the futter, I shall
punctually observe your Lordships' directions. I beg your
Lordships would be pleased to lay the two inclosed before H.M.
for her Royall approbation. I have keept the Courts of Error
and Chancery soe exact that there is not now a cause depending
in either, and the Judges allwise clear their lists in the Lower
Courts. I have ordered the Cheif Baron of the Exchequer to
ffinish what lyes before him; The Deal Castell returned about
six weeks agoe, and in her Mr. Codrington the late Governour
there; The Indians I advised your Lordships of (in my former)
upon a disgust (I supose) given by some private person, which
I cannot yett find out, took two boats in the night and went away
without advising any thereof. I sent down two of H.M. ships,
as soon as they could be gott ready to know the reason, and by
them the presents I designed for their Cheif; They had good
lodgeings, wanted for nothing in towne, and when ere
came to see me entertained at my owne table. One great
obstruction to the business in the Assembly is, that not withstanding by H.M. Commission and my Instructions, the majority
which is 12, should be a quorum, they still keep to their old rule
of 15, conterary to the oppinion of the late Attorney Generall
Northy, which was transmitted to Sir. B. Granville. I humbly
beg your Lordships to send me H.M. pleasure herein; it's a
hard matter to gett 15 together out of 22 in this sickly Island
which is soe indebted, that the Guners, wch. are now on duty
in the Forts, want above 18 months, some 2 year's pay, which,
with the necessity of raiseing funds for the other unavoidable
suport of the publick, I have often recomended to the Assembly
without any other returne then that they will provoid for the
same when the publick accounts are settled. I thought it proper
to lay this before your Lordships, that H.M. may know I have
not been wanting in adviseing them to take care for ffutter
events, and I had raither with patiance and perswasions induce
them to provoid what is necessary for their suport, then create
a new charge and ffresh animositys in the Island, by choosing
a new Assembly before the time of this is expired (if it otherwise
can be avoided). Indeed my Lords this Island is in a miserable
poor condition, the weighing of the money and late pernitious
paper Act haveing carryed it all off, and I doe not find a spirit
among the merchants to endeavour on any methods to replenish
us. My whole time is taken up in redressing of poor petitioners,
whose oppression has been the occasion of soe many leaveing
the Island. Signed, M. Crowe. Endorsed, Recd. 23rd, Read 26th
Jan., 1707/8. 6 pp. [C.O. 28, 10. No. 56; and 29, 11. pp. 161–166.] |
Oct. 8.
Antigua. |
1132. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations. My last to your Lopps. was of the 4th of Aug. Since
that time, I have not heard from Europe, and this the only vessell
bound for England and tho' but a little inconsiderable slupe
and bound to Bristol, I thought it my duty to give your
Lopps. an acctt. of the state of these Islands. The people haveing
made good cropps began to be in good humour, and they had
allmost forgot their losses by the French (wch. hapned to them
just before I arrived) but to our great misfortune on Aug. 29,
in the night we had a terible storm, wch. is called here a
Hurricane; Antigua has the least damage, yett they have suffer'd
very much; but in St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat, most of the
Houses are blown down, and those that stand are miserably
shatter'd; for my own part I have lost allmost all I have; ever
since I came I have been building a House at St. Kitts, wch.
is now blown down, and the ffload has caryed away all the timber
into the sea; I had hyred a Plantation there, and am obliged
to leave it in repair, wch. will cost me as much as one whole year's
sallery and perquesites comes too; all my furniture in my House
in Antigua is spoyl'd; I do assure your Lopps. I am now much a
poorer man than when I came, wch. is very hard after haveing
endured so much sickness and fateague. All the vessells in
the Harbours were drove ashore, and one Bristol ship oversett
and lost; the Child's Play man of warr drove on shore at St. Kitts
and is lost, but the men all saved; the Winchelsea was sent to
convoy some vessells; she was seen that evening off St. Kitts,
but has not been heard of since; I am affraid she and all her
men are lost; for there is come ashore at St. Bartholomew's
some part of the wrack of a great ship and one man drown'd
wch. by discription was the Capt's. taylor; I have been ever
since a prisoner in this Island, for want of a vessel, but I have
perswaded the inhabitants to fitt out a slupe wch. I hope will
be ready to sayle next week, as soon as she is ready, I will vissit
the other Islands. This Island is at a very great expense in
quartering of the soldiers, and since this misfortune the people
begin to grumble very much, especially since there is no care
taken as we hear of for the paying the soldiers, who have not
received one farthing pay since they came. Every thing is very
dear, and if your Lopps. does not procure us some nimble ffrigotts
to protect us from the privateers we shall all starve, for they are
so numerous they will take all vessells bound to these Islands.
We have expected the London ffleet since July last, God send
them safe to us, otherwise we shall be in a very miserable condetion.
If H.M. had any money to spare, it would be very great charety
in her to send us some provesion, and nayles for to rebuild
our Houses. Signed, Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd. 10th,
Read 11th Dec., 1707. 3 pp. [C.O. 152, 7. No. 28; and
153, 10. pp. 84–87.] |
Oct. 8.
Barbados. |
1133. Cols. Sharpe, Cox and Walker to the Council of
Trade and Plantations. Complain that, by some disingenious
misrepresentations of our actions during Sir B. Granville's
Government, Governor Crow has been pleased to remove us
from the Council, in obedience, as he says, to H.M. positive
commands. The things we are charged with, are voting for the
late Paper Act, being persons much in debt, and voting for the
Triennial Law. We acknowledge, that we voted for the late
Paper Act, but utterly deny that it was with any such design
as has been most maliciously represented to H.M. The miserable
state and condition to which this Island was reduced at that time,
through the want of cash, the sale of negroes, cattle and the product
of the Island at half the real value, cheifly induced us to consent
to that Law, nor could we think of a more proper expedient to
prevent that general ruine we apprehended would ensue upon
the dayly mellancholly instances we had of men's estates being
exposed and sold at publick sale, than to erect some other measure
of trade in the room of silver, of which we were drained, etc.
Repeat defence as in enclosures of Aug. 2. When H.E. removed
us from the Councill, he exprest a great reluctance and concern
at the unpleasant office, and gave us the heads of several complaints he said had been preferr'd against us, and a copy of H.M.
Instructions to him, relating to the same, which he was pleased
to declare was a possitive order, in obedience to which he
suspended us. We shall alwayes, my Lords, most chearfully
submit to H.M. commands, but we cannot conceale our concern
that we alone should be mark't out as proper objects of H.M.
displeasure, whilst others as much concern'd in passing the said
repealed Laws, who also obstructed the passing the releiving
Law, and against whom the other charge would more justly lye,
should still be permitted to sit at that Board and enjoy H.M.
grace and favour. We presented the inclosed Address to H.E.,
and prayed the publick seal, in order to lay the same in forme before
H.M., but he was pleased to deny us that favour [see Jan. 23, '08],
which obliges us to lay the same before your Lordships, humbly desiring your Lordships would be pleased to do us all the good offices
in order to our restoration, and that when this affair is layed
before H.M. in Councill, your Lordships will be pleased to do us
the justice you think we deserve. Signed, Wm. Sharpe, Saml.
Cox, Alexander Walker. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 15, Read Feb. 10,
1707/8. 3½ pp. [C.O. 28, 10. No. 64; and 29, 11. pp. 191–196.] |
Oct. 9/20.
Fort Kijkoverall, Essequibo. |
1134. Commandant Beeckman to the Dutch West India
Company. Signed, Samuel Beeckman. Dutch. 2½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
1134. i. ff. Clearings, accounts, requirements, etc. Dutch. 44 pp.
[C.O. 116, 20. Nos. 9, 9.i.–xxvi.] |
Oct. 10.
Boston. |
1135. Governor Dudley to W. Popple. My last letters to
your Office were of May 26, since which I have had no letters
from their Lordships, nor from my Lord Sunderland's Office, but
am every day in hopes of the mast fleet under convoy of H.M.S.
Reserve, there being, two days since, a runner out of that fleete
arrived, by whom I hope I shall receive their Lordships' commands,
and by whom also I may return the year's accounts, having had
no opportunity with any safety so to do by any conveyance
this year. The forces that I mentioned in my last gone upon
the French Settlements to the Eastward are well returned, they
went out 1,000 land men, and have been upon the French coast
4 months, have burn'd about 150 good settlements at Port Royall,
considerable farms, and destroy'd 1,000 great cattle, besides
sheep and hoggs to a greater number, which is all they have,
and left nothing standing for their winter support, but thought
it not advisable to attempt the Fort, being a regular work and
guarded with 600 men, and so impassable is the countrey, that
they could not without great difficulty bring up any cannon,
nor had I any mortarrs more than two 50 pounders to send with
them, which were inferiour to the enimy's in all points. In this
whole occasion I have lost but 25 men out of the whole force,
who have brought me home more prisoners, and so I must be
content for this winter. I hope by the frigott returning to lay
the whole matter so before H.M. as to obtain the assistance and
cover of some shipps and force from home, which may remove
that troublesome neighbour. I have had this summer 20 small
partys of the enimy, none above the number of 50 from the French
side, Quebeck and Mont-Real, and tho' with great secrecy coming
upon the out parts, have been allways mett and defeated;
and the last week a fleet of cannoes of 62, containing 300
salvages, making their advance upon the Province of Mayn,
were met and diverted with a considerable loss, of which I cannot
yet give a particular account. This is by a Virginian that will
run the adventure, and I wish it may come safe to your hands etc.
Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. 19th, Read 22nd Jan., 1707/8.
2 pp. [C.O. 5, 864. No. 197; and 5, 912. pp. 397–399.] |
| Oct. 13. |
1136. Mrs. Sharpe to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
This fleett from Barbados brings me an account that your Lordships
will receve from H.E. Mr. Crow, a charge from the Assembly
against the Councill in Generall, and also there perticular answers
to it. I do not hear ther is any new matter in it, but what
has already bin layd before your Lordships by Mr. Sharp etc.
I have from Mr. Sharpe some reasons to beleive H.E. espouses
an intrest your Lordships have lattely had just reason to condem,
and that he desined soone after the departure of the fleett to
suspend al those Members of the Councill the Assembly has bin
pleast to charge. But would not do it before, to debar them of
making ther just complants to your Lordships. Prays for the
protection of Mr. Sharpe. Signed, B. Sharpe. Endorsed, Recd.
Read Oct. 13, 1707. 1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 10. No. 34; and 29, 11.
pp. 104, 105.] |
Oct. 13.
Whitehall. |
1137. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Dudley.
Acknowledge letters of Jan. 1, and May 26. We must commend
your care and zeal in promoting the manufacturing of Naval
Stores, and doubt not of your further continuance of the same.
All that we can say in relation to Mr. Bridger's particular
incouragement, and to what he desires in relation to deputies,
clerks and travelling charges, is, that we have laid the same before
my Lord Treasurer. We know that before his going over he
presented Memorials to the like purpose, which were not then
complied with, and Mr. Bridger agreed to perform the service
for the salary then settled, so that we fear there will not be any
new addition made thereunto. In the list of the present
Councellors of New Hampshire we find Samuel Penhallow omitted,
for what reason we know not, not having heard from you that
he was either dead or dismiss'd the Council. Neither do we
know how Nathanael Ware and John Hilton came to be Members
of that Council, not finding their names upon any of our lists.
As to your desire of new Counsellors, it is about a year since a
representation was made to H.M. for the admission of Richard
Waldron, Winthrop Hilton and Joseph Smith; But no person
being appointed here to solicit and take out the warrants for the
same, 'tis probable they will not be dispatched till that be done.
[C.O. 5, 912. pp. 387, 388.] |
Oct. 14.
Whitehall. |
1138. The Earl of Sunderland to Governor Crowe. Acknowledges letters of June 5, July 30 and Aug. 8. H.M. being at
present at Newmarket, I have not been able to lay them before
her, which I will do with the first opportunity, and by the next
pacquet boat I will send you a particular answer thereto. Refers
to Orders for dismissing Col. Cleland and Mr. Holder. Signed,
Sunderland. [C.O. 5, 210. p. 65.] |
| [Oct. 18.] |
1139. Observations upon the paper entitled the Rise, Progress,
and Determination of the Bank of Barbados. In favour of Major
Woodbridge and Alexander Walker. Endorsed, Recd. (from
Mr. Walters) Oct. 18, Read Nov. 3, 1707. 9 pp. [C.O. 28, 10.
No. 48.] |
| [Oct. 18.] |
1140. Certificate by Governor Crowe that Patrick Mein
deposed that the following documents were sworn to before him.
Aug. 7, 1707. Signed, M. Crowe. Endorsed, Recd. (from
Mr. Walters) Oct. 18, Read Nov. 3, 1707. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
1140. i. Deposition of John Holder. Aug. 6, 1707. He
never gave William Walker any gratuity for the passing
of the Paper Act, nor knew of Alexander Walker doing
so, beyond what is mentioned in his reply to the
Assembly, etc. Signed, John Holder. ¾ p. |
|
1140. ii. Deposition of Wm. Walker. Before the Paper Act
was brought in, or he had seen it, he was told by Sir B.
Granville that Alexander Walker and John Holder were
to be equal sharers of the profits arising thereby. After
the Bill was past John Holder told deponent to send
A. Walker to him to settle their parts of the profits.
Signed, Wm. Walker. Aug. 6, 1707. 1 p. |
|
1140. iii. Deposition of Alexander Walker. He never paid
William Walker, nor knew of his receiving a reward
of 200l. for promoting the Paper Act, as the Assembly
alleges. Signed, Alexander Walker. Aug. 6, 1707. ¾ p.
[C.O. 28, 10. Nos. 49, 49.i.-iii.] |
| [Oct. 18.] |
1141. Speech of the Speaker of the Assembly of Barbados
to Governor Crowe upon laying before him the Resolutions of
the Assembly against the persons concerned in the Paper Act.
The visible, eminent and universall desolation of this once
fflourishing, but now poor, decayed Island (occasioned by the
many invasions made on our rights, liberties and propertys
by the avarice of those who ought to have preserved us), and the
great violence and oppressions wee laboured under caused almost
a totall decay of trade, Justice and legall proceedings, and miserably
distracted, discontented and impoverished and disabled us even
beyond the hopes of recovering ourselves out of the labyrinth
of our amazing confusions. As such hardshipps imposed on us
make your Excellency's generous answer to our humble Address
shine with the greater lustre, so it hath given us entire satisfaction
and content, etc. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Walters) Oct. 18,
Read Nov. 3, 1707. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 10. No. 50.] |
| [Oct. 20.] |
1142. Duplicates of Nos. 835, 836. Endorsed, Recd. from
Mrs. Sharpe, Read Oct. 20, 1707. [C.O. 28, 10. Nos. 34.i., ii.] |
Oct. 21.
St. Johns. |
1143. Major Lloyd to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The men of warr by whom I hoped for ye subsistance and
cloathing for ye soldiers here, being not arrived, I pray your
Lordshipps' consideration of ye condition of ye Company, that
they may be supplied by ye first men of warr that are sent to
this land. And whereas in 1705, bedding was sent for ye use
of this garrison, it was decayed and rotten to that degree, that
severall of ye ruggs would not beare their owne weight. In
1701 there was likewise bedding sent in ye same ill condition,
the hardshipps of ye weather, together with ye small number
of men allowed for this place, makes ye duty and fateague of a
soldier very great, therefore humbly pray your Lordshipps will
give orders that their usage may be better, and that bedding
(the which they are in great want of) be sent them next year.
Inclosed is a muster roll of ye Company and an estimate of ye
damages done ye French (in their Northern fishery in this land)
by our men of warr; whom I with 40 soldiers joyned at ye request
of the merchants and inhabitants, who dureing my absence
voluntarily allowed 100 of their men to do duty for ye security
of ye garrison. Two years' provisions being sent here in 1705,
I did that winter, and likewise ye last, lend to ye inhabitants,
to be repaid in like specia, what they had occasion for, the which
method saved H.M. a great deal of provisions from being damnified,
supported many inhabitants in their necessity, gives the soldiers
content and satisfaction in haveing what's new and good, and I
hope will meet with approbation of your Lordshipps. It was
agreed this year by H.M. Officers here for a generall exchange
of prisoners with the Governor of Placentia, which was accordingly
done. I beg leave to observe to your Lordshipps two
inconveniencies that may attend ye same. First, ye French
immediately imploy the prisoners that are returned to them
in sloops on this coast, wch. may prejudice our merchants;
secondly they may be prevailed on to winter at Placentia, which
may endanger ye whole land. Last year the Commodore sent
me your Lordshipps' Instructions to him, which, according to
his request, I answered according to my judgment. If in any
respect I have been amissive in not giveing your Lordshipps an
account of this land, it is because I beleive it to great a presumption
in me so to doe without your Lordshipps' commands etc. Capt.
Robert Latham (who was Ingenire here, being going for England)
has at all times behaved himself with utmost diligence, etc. etc.
Prays that he may return next summer to ye land, which I
presume, by his knowledge of this countrey and love of ye people,
will be of great advantage to H.M. interest and service. Signed,
Tho. Lloyd. Endorsed, Recd. 28th, Read 29th Dec., 1707. 2 pp.
Enclosed, |
|
1143. i. Muster-Roll of the Company at St. Johns, July 25,
1707. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. |
|
1143. ii. Duplicate of Aug. 30. No. 1. [C.O. 194, 4. Nos. 34,
34.i., ii.; and (without enclosures) 195, 4. pp. 391–394.] |
Oct. 21.
Whitehall. |
1144. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Enclose following to be laid before H.M. in Council.
Annexed, |
|
1144. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Your
Majesty having been pleased to dismiss Cols. Cleland,
and Holder, there are now two vacancies in the Council
of Barbados, and Col. Tobias Frere, formerly one of the
Members of your Majesty's said Councill, having at his
own desire obtained leave, in Sir B. Granvill's Government,
to lay down the said employ, being unwilling to comply
with severall things then expected from him, and being
now desirous to serve your Majesty again in the same
station, we humbly represent that he, being a person of a
very good character and reputation, and no ways engag'd
in the late disorders which have happened in Barbadoes,
and well qualifyed to serve your Majesty as a Counsellor,
be restored to his place, with the same precedency he
had when he laid down. And Major John Pilgrim having
been likewise recommended to us by several of the
principal inhabitants and merchants trading to that
Island, as a person fitly qualifyed, he being of a good
ability, well affected to your Majesty's Government,
and having a considerable estate upon the place and
noways concerned in the aforesaid disorders, and it
being for your Majesty's service that the said Councill
should be compleat, we further humbly offer that he
be appointed a Member of your Majestie's said Councill.
[C.O. 29, 11. pp. 107–109.] |
Oct. 21.
Southwark. |
1145. Mr. Cox to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following extract from a letter from his brother Samuell
Cox of Barbadoes, July 27, 1707:—"I am surprized to find
our Chief to be so great a favourer of the Scotch Collonell
[? Col. Cleland. Ed.] and his followers, who are utter enemies
to the peace and prosperity of this place. The Coll. has often
said that when his bird came he would do all our businesses,
and make a greater turn than he had done in Sir Bevill's time,
when he turned out four of the Councill and a great many Field
Officers, and got himself made a Coll. and a Member of the Councill.
In short the Scot rules in chief, the Bird has only the title, for
everything that the Collonel dislikt in the President's time,
he has either reverst or exploded, and he has so far possest our
Cheif with an opinion, that the Queen could not give any man
a patent for [that] Navall Office, he said, which the Law had
given him, that thereupon I was ordered to bring my patent
to him, which he read, as also the report of the Commissioners
of the Customes and the Lords Committees of Trade to the
King and Councill, in favour of the patent, notwithstanding
all which our Chief said the Queen could not give away his right,
and that he would have it, and in 2 or 3 dayes I found that if
I did not comply with him, I should run a great risque of being
ruin'd. For the Coll. and his party had so far wrought with some
Kts. of the Post that it was openly reported that some things
would be sworn against me, that would be my ruine. Wherefore
being unwilling to trust them I went to our Chief and submitted
the office to his pleasure, on condition that he would let me
officiate for him and defend me from the aforesaid Kts., wch. he
promised to do, but would not promise to continue me in the
Councill, if he should have an occasion of turning out the rest
of the old Councill, so that wee daily expect to be suspended
that Board, wch. would be no trouble to me, if I could then be
sure to live quietly, wch. I much suspect. I pray you to take
care that our Chief dos not get my patent for the Navall Office
made void. Our Chief was not satisfied with my resignation
of the whole profitts of the Navall Office, to be accompted for
on the oaths of myself and Clerk, without deducting any charge
whatsoever, but he obliged me to give a bond of 1,000l., to pay it
to another Scott, Alexander Skeen, the publick Secretary, and
would have 300l. per annum during his Government, wch. is
more by 50l. per annum than it will make during the war. But
my reasons for complying with such hard terms are, that I was
willing to keep the office in my custody in case of his death,
and another was that my enemies, who knew nothing of it, might
not rejoyce at my losse. I desire you to procure H.M. leave for
my coming to England, alledging it's for the recovery of my
health, for here is no living under such management, for some
can do nothing right and others can do nothing wrong, therefore,
if there be not a speedy alteration in this Government, above
one half of the inhabitants will go off. Patrick Mein, Esq. and
severall others are so weary of it that they have offerred to sell
their estates a great pennyworth, that they may leave the
Island." Signed, Charles Cox. Endorsed, Recd. Read Oct. 21,
1707. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 28, 10. No. 37; and 29, 11. pp. 111–115.] |
Oct. 22.
St. Christophers. |
1146. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following to be laid before H.M. The Adress
was drawn and signed before I came down, I could not delay
the packett so long untill a Councill and Assembly might be
called. Otherwise I would have had the compliment they have
made me in it left out. The substance of the Adress is true etc.
Signed, Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd. 23rd, Read 26th Jan.,
1707/8. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
1146. i. Address of the Lt. Governor, Council and Assembly of
St. Christophers to the Queen. Return thanks for
H.M. bountiful care since the losses sustained from
the enemy, although the ships intended for releif of
this Island did all miscarry, but one. Thanks for ships
and stores of war. Acknowledge Governor Parke's
assiduous labours in superintending erection of fortifications, etc. Represent their great losses by the enemy
and the late hurricane (see Oct. 8). Return thanks
for H.M. care in sending over Col. Lillingston's Regiment
for their defence. "But at the same time we lay before
your Majesty our incapacitys at present to provide
free quarters for any part of the officers and soldiers;
But at the request of our Generall (to whom wee will
not deny anything in our power), wee have undertaken
to give quarters for one company for three months;
in that time the Collonel may take care to have them
paid, which with some small matter allowed from those
in Antigua (who have free quarters allowed them) may
very comfortably subsist them. But our greatest
discouragement consists in our dread and apprehensions
of being injur'd and abused by the insults, depradations
and affronts of officers and soldiers, as wee suffer'd by
those of Col. Whetham's Regiment (who instead of protecting and defending your Majesty's subjects) did robb
and plunder them of their stock, cattle, goods and effects,
and (withdrawing themselvs out of your Majestie's
garrisons) did incamp themselves in the late French
part of the Island, where they committed severall
violencies, mischeifs, and insolencies till the arrivall
of Col. Park, who to his everlasting honour restrained
them, and kept them to their duty in the garrisons.
We therefore pray your Majesty to direct that what
troops you shall hereafter please to send for ye defence
of these Islands, the Collonel come with them and be
obliged constantly to pay and cloath them, etc. The
cloathing last sent out for Col. Whetham's Regiment
were little or nothing worth, and, before they came
out, what was bought for the soldiers here by their
officers, that the poor soldiers were obliged to pay double
the cost out of their pay, above and besides the deduction
of ye twopences, and they were without swords, and
by that means less fitt for service, having been here
five years before they had mountings sent them from
home, their firelocks fit for no service. And for want
of an Armourer, they could not be mended, and great
part never received any pay, nor are ever like to receive
any. And whereas there was no Chirurgeon on this Island
belonging to Col. Whetham's Regiment, severall of the
soldiers belonging thereunto being upon duty in the
Fort on Brimstone Hill some time since happened
to be wounded and maim'd by the blowing up of the
magazeen by lightning. The Commanding Officer then
upon this Island, Major William Gore, did possitively
neglect and refuse to take any care or make any provision
for the said wounded men. The Country therefore (in
compassion to the poor distressed soldiers) did employ
a chirurgeon to take care of them, and the commanding
officer refusing to pay for their cure, the publick have
been obliged to pay the said chirurgeon 75l. currt. money."
Pray H.M., "in compassion to our present deplorable
circumstances, to remit unto us the duty of 4½ p.c. by
applying the same to the use of the fortifications of this
Island, and that an able gunner upon a fixed sallary
may be sent out to take care of and manage the guns,
our poor and unhappy circumstances rendring us totally
uncapable to encourage by payment or satisfaction
such an officer." Pray that an Agent for the Royal
African Company may reside amongst them, and that
the Company may send them "such quantitys of slaves
as our Island can purchase; the want of such conveniency
is very detrimentall and prejudiciall unto us, wee being
obliged to goe to other Islands to purchase what slaves
we have occasion for, and be at severall extraordinary
charges for the passage of such slaves bought off this
Island, besides other expences as well as the freight
of our sugars that must be sent thither for the payment
of the same, as likewise the risque of enemies that we
run in war-time between Island and Island, besides
the discouragement of our trade, by sending our sugars
to load vessels that are in other Islands, which might
more reasonably be directly shipp'd from hence, they
having the name to send so much sugar from their
Island, when actually a great part is sent from ours."
Pray that when H.M. shall accept of any overtures of
a Peace, this Island may be kept whole and entire
to the Crown, and the land given to none but those
that will come and inhabit the Island etc. etc. Signed,
[Council:—] Michael Lambert, Fos. Crisp, Hen. Burrell,
Stephen Payne, Jno. Davis, J. Panton, Wm. Willett.
[Assembly:—] J. Peteres, Speaker, Francis Phipps,
Clemt. Crooke, John Willett, Jno. King, Isaac Jolly,
Will. Wooddrop, Jos. Estridge. Endorsed as preceding.
Copy. 8 pp. |
|
1146. ii. Same to Governor Parke. Pray that above Address
may be presented to H.M. with all possible speed.
Signed and endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 7.
Nos. 31, 31.i., ii.; and (without enclosures) 153, 10. p. 101.] |
Oct. 22.
Whitehall. |
1147. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High
Treasurer. Presuming your Lordship will think it necessary,
upon the late change in the Commission of this Board, that a
new Privy Seale be passed for the same, we take this occasion
to offer to your Lop. that the business of writing clerks in this
office is so much increased, that it is impossible it can be done
as it ought without more hands than we have hitherto had, in
consideration whereof we have added another clerk as absolutely
necessary for the work, and pray your Lordship's favour in the
establishment, according to the annexed paper. Although this
addition seems to increase the charge of this office to 60l. per
annum, yet it is no more than 40l., for your Lordship does now
allow 20l. per annum out of the incidents for one of the clerks
etc. Enclosed, |
|
1147. i. Proposal for a new establishment for the under office
in the service of the Council of Trade. (Increase from
1,110l. to 1,150l.) See B. of T. Journal. [C.O. 389, 36.
pp. 334–336.] |
Oct. 22.
St. Christophers. |
1148. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to letter of June 26. To the uttmost of my power
I endeavour to get Monk's Hill fortified. I have been myselfe
for six weeks, day after day, looking over the work. But there's
no perswadeing them to doe anything, but as they are frighten'd.
I have often called on the Deputy Secretary to write me out the
Journalls of the Councill and Assembly. I was promised them
per this packett—and now they tell me they were done, but in
the hurricane they were lost, which I beleive is true; I will endeavour to get them by the next, what can be had; 'tis for my creditt
that the Jour[n]alls were read before the Queen and Councill,
that it might be seen what pains I have taken to get the Islands
fortified, etc. The Queen hath noe Revenue in these Islands,
but the 4½ p.c., which is collected by officers put in per my Lord
Treasurer. They accompt with the Commissioners of the
Custome-house, who have a Commissioner here to overlook
them, who when any vacancy happens, has power to put in
others. He is also Commissioner for prizes, but he has had nothing
to doe, for there has been no prize taken since I came to the
Government, there is no such thing since I came as any body
fined, in these small Islands, almost all the inhabitants are
related; they must be tryed by jurys, who will always clear
their friends, even of murther. There is no such thing as Escheats,
for they are also to be found by a jury. Since I came I had
two jurys summoned to find an escheat, but they would not find
for the Queen, though it was a plain case, as I thought. I am
to govern them by Law, and if a Jury has no regard for their oaths
I cannot help. The Queen has no Quit-rents, as in Verginia
and other places; For the Land is held, paying a peppercorn the
year, if demanded. I appointed a Receiver for the occational
Revenue, but he has not received one farthing since I came.
There can be nothing received but by seizure of illegall Traders
there has been no one seized since I came, for Col. Codrington
has, and is like to pay soe dear for seizeing vessells, that I beleive
for the future, hardly any will ever be seized. I have called
up the Navall Officer for his Lists. I have every six months
sent them to my Lord Treasurer, as I am directed. And the
Navall Officer tells me plainly there never was but one given,
and he will give no more. That if I would be at the charge of
another to send to the Lords of the Trade, I may. Which if
your Lordshipps insists upon, I will. But what costs 18d. in
England, cost[s] 10s. here; though my sallery has not the
same proportion. If ever any part of the old Seal is found,
it shall be sent to your Ldpps. I am obliged to your Ldpps.
that Col. Hamilton and Col. Lamberts are confirm'd Lt. Governours
for though I had no interest, one way or other, haveing put in the
next in succession, but yet, if they had not been confirmed, it
would have been a slurr upon me. I am not a little pleased
your Ldpps. approves of my distributing the Queen's Bounty.
I shall observe your order relating to Mr. Pogson, and to probatts
of wills etc. I have been hithertoo verry carefull in passing of
Laws. All that has past has been sent you, except the temporary
laws, for quartering of souldires, and sending their negro's to
work on publick works, which they will not be perswaded for
to last above six months, soe that before you can receive them,
they will be expired. And for the future, I shall observe your
Ldpps.' orders in passing all laws; hithertoo I have done the
same thing your Ldpps. now orders me, and I think I have
followed every Instruction I brought with me, or have received
since, soe farr as 'twas possible. Signed, Daniel Parke. Endorsed,
Recd. May 26, Read June 22, 1708. [C.O. 152, 7. No. 44;
and 153, 10. pp. 148–150.] |
| [Oct. 22.] |
1149. Virginia Merchants to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Suggest method of measuring ships in Virginia
by the gun-deck, as, being afloat, they cannot be measured by
the keel there. A ship of 400 tuns will not bring above half
so many tuns of tobacco, except tunnage of goods be regulated.
Signed, Micajah Perry and 5 others. Endorsed, Recd. Read
Oct. 22, 1707. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1315. No. 72; and 5, 1362.
pp. 262, 263.] |
Oct. 22.
Whitehall. |
1150. W. Popple, jr., to Rich. Savage. Encloses copies
of preceding, and of the clause in the Act of the 6th and 7th
William III, for the opinion of the Commissioners of the Customs
thereupon. [C.O. 5, 1362. p. 263.] |
Oct. 23.
Whitehall. |
1151. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Enclose following to be laid before H.M. |
|
1151. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen.
Representation upon the complaint of Sir T. Laurence
in accordance with the report of the Attorney General
July 31, q.v. We humbly offer that the Act of Maryland,
1704, complained of, being now expired, it will not be
proper for your Majesty to repeal the same, but that
your Majesty may signify to the Governor, under your
Royal Signature, your dislike of the said Law, requiring
him not to pass any law for the future whereby the
advantage of the Ordinary licences shall be taken from
the Secretary's Office. We conceive it for your Majesty's
service that at the next Assembly the Act concerning
Ordinaries be made perpetual, or at least for a much
longer duration than it has hitherto been made, and the
benefit of the licences appropriated to the use of the
Secretary, etc. as July 31. [C.O. 5, 726. pp. 481–488.] |
Oct. 23.
Whitehall. |
1152. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Enclose following to be laid before H.M. |
|
1152. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. We
have considered the Petition of Richard Budge etc.,
and humbly take leave to lay before your Majesty the
state of the fact as it appeareth to us. Budge, in 1702,
being commander and part owner of the Hope, came
from the Bay of Campeachy, laden with logwood, and
in his voyage towards Holland, whither he was bound,
was obliged to put into New Jersey for wood, water
and provisions. Lord Cornbury hearing thereof, seized
the said ship, and upon pretence of illegal trade caused
her to be tryed, condemned and sold, together with
her cargo. Budge thereupon appealed to your Majesty's
High Court of Admiralty here, where, upon examination
of the proceedings had by the Lord Cornbury, the said
proceedings and sentence were reversed as illegal and
arbitrary, and a decree for restitution accordingly
made. Petitioner, not knowing how to get satisfaction,
did humbly apply to your Majesty by petition for redress,
which petition your Majesty was pleased to refer to
Dr. Bramston and Sir John Cook, who reported the
illegallity of the proceedings against the said ship
and cargo, and that the Lord Cornbury or his Officers
ought to make full restitution of the said ship and
loading, or the value thereof, which, according to an
affidavit made, amounted with charges to 4,200l. 5s. 0d.,
whereupon your Majesty was pleased to order the
Rt. Hon. Sir Charles Hedges, then one of your Majestie's
Secretaries of State, to write to the Lord Cornbury,
requiring him to make the petitioner satisfaction for
the said ship and cargo. Petitioner thereupon returned
to New York and delivered the said letter to his Lordship,
and petitioned his Lordship for satisfaction according to
the tenour of the said letter, but after 9 months'
expence of time there, he cou'd obtain nothing, his Lordship only telling him that he must apply to your Majesty
for one third part, and to the informer for another,
which informer was only nominal, having no share in
the prosecution, nor any part of what the said ship
and cargo were sold for, as he himself informed the
petitioner. Petitioner was hereupon obliged to be at
further expence of time and mony in returning to
England, in order to lay the hardship of his case before
your Majesty, for your Majesty's favourable and
effectual directions in his behalf. As a further aggravation, the said cargo of logwood, which was solely owned
by the petitioner, and which cou'd not be subject to
damage by lying, was, together with the said ship,
immediately sold, and at an under value, without
waiting for the issue of the said Appeal, which ought
to have been done. The loss, including the charges of
prosecution, and the petitioner's expences in his voyages to
and from New York, amounts in the whole to 4,775l.
Petitioner is by such oppressive and unjust proceedings
deprived at once of his whole subsistance, which he
had acquired by the industry of the best part of his
life, and having a wife and five children, they are,
and have been for near five years, reduced to the utmost
want and necessity. He communicated the abovesaid
Petition to the Lord Cornbury's Agent here, for his
observations thereupon, but he having signified to us
that he had no knowledge of that matter, nor received
from the Lord Cornbury any account thereof, and his
Lordship not having taken notice to this Board of
anything relating thereunto, we are humbly of opinion
that the Lord Cornbury has acted illegaly, to the
great oppression of the petitioner, and that in so doing
he has justly deserved your Majesty's censure, and
ought to make reparation for the wrong done, in order
whereunto we humbly offer that the judgment upon
the Appeal against his Lordship be put in execution
according to the ord'nary course of Law. [C.O. 5,
1121. pp. 99–103.] |
Oct. 23.
Whitehall. |
1153. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Enclose following for H.M. signature. [See
Aug. 4.] |
|
1153. i. Circular letter from the Queen to Governors of Plantations. Whereas we are sensible that effectual care
ought to be taken to oblige the Members of our Council,
to a due attendance therein, in order to prevent the
many inconveniencies that may happen from the want
of a quorum of the Council to transact business as
occasion may require, It is Our will and pleasure that
if any of the Members of our said Council shal hereafter
wilfully absent themselves when duly summon'd without
a just and lawful cause, and shall persist therein after
admonition, you suspend the said Counsellors till Our
further pleasure be known, giving us timely notice
thereof. And We hereby will and require you that
Our Royal pleasure be signified to the several Members
of Our Council, and that it be entred in the Council
Book as a standing rule, etc. [C.O. 324, 9. pp. 147,
148.] |
Oct. 24.
Whitehall. |
1154. W. Popple, jr., to W. Lowndes. Prays for 20 more
copies of the Act of Union for Governors, it being feared that
the ship is lost etc. [See Oct. 31.] [C.O. 324, 9. pp. 148, 149.] |
Oct. 24.
Whitehall. |
1155. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Quote letter concerning raid on the Bahamas.
See Sept. 22. This account of the weak state of defence of the
said Islands, and the little care taken by the Lords Proprietors
for the security thereof, gives us occasion to remind your Lordship
of our Representation of June 17, as a thing of such moment
to H.M. service, that in our opinion it is necessary H.M. pleasure
be declared thereupon. [C.O. 5, 1292. pp. 15, 16.] |
| [Oct. 24.] |
1156. List of persons turned out of the Commission of the
Peace at Barbados, and of those put into their places by Governor
Crowe:—Col. John Mills, Chief Judge of the precincts of
St. Michael's and his 3 Assistants, Lt. Col. Wm. Carter, Major
Zach. Shute, and Major Alex. Coningham turned out; Major
Danl. Hooper, Lt. Col. Thomas Prideaux, and Henry Evans, all
four actors in the tumult at the late Grand Sessions, put in their
places. Charles Buckworth, Judge of the Court of Admiralty,
a most ingenious man, turned out, and Major Woodbridge putt
in his roome, aged 26. Major Thomas Beckles, Cheif Judge
of the precincts of Christ Church, and his four assistants, James
Ainsworth, Lt. Col. Jos. Sheen, Capt. Wm. Cogan, and Capt.
Thomas Terrell, turned out, and Capt. Richd. Brewster (an old
Scottish fool), and Lt. Col. John Whetstone, Capt. Robt. Hooper,
Othoriell Haggett and Peter Mascall, put in their places; all,
except Haggett, were deeply concerned in the said tumult.
Raines Bates, Saml. Berresford, and Col. George Peers are not
admitted to be sworne in Councell. Col. George Peers' Regiment
is given away from Lt. Col. Benjamin Bullard and Major Beckles'
to John Hallett, who never served in any office before, and knows
not what to do with the Regiment, for none of any knowledge
will serve under him. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Cox) Read
Oct. 24, 1707. ¾ p. [C.O. 28, 10. No. 42.] |
Oct. 24.
Whitehall. |
1157. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Collonel Crow having signifyed to us (Aug. 8th)
that the Assembly of Barbadoes had prepared a Bill in their
House for the encouragement of the importation of money,
whereby they propose to raise the rates of foreign coin in that
Island, which Bill he had refused to pass, till H.M. pleasure be
known, and whereas we represented to H.M. (June 10) that for the
preventing of the mischeifs that did arrive by the non-execution
in some of the Plantations of H.M. Proclamation for regulating
the rates of foreign coin, that an Act of Parliament be pass'd
here for the better inforcing of the same, we are still of ye same
opinion and desire your Lordship would please to receive H.M.
pleasure upon our said representation accordingly. [C.O. 29, 11.
pp. 134, 135.] |
Oct. 25.
London. |
1158. Mr. Dummer to Mr. Popple. Gives sailings of the
Frankland packet-boat, out and home, 123 days, having met
with contrary winds. Signed, E. Dummer. Endorsed, Recd.
Read Oct. 27. Addressed. ¾ p. [C.O. 323, 6. No. 42.] |
Oct. 25.
Customhouse, London. |
1159. Mr. Savage to W. Popple, jr. Encloses following, etc.
Signed, Richd. Savage. Endorsed, Recd. Read Oct. 27, 1707.
½ p. Enclosed, |
|
1159. i. Order of King in Council. Edward Cranfeild is
appointed Clerk of the Navy Office in Barbados.
March 15, 1693(4). See Acts of Privy Council, II.
No. 528. Signed, Wm. Blathwayt. 1 p. |
|
1159. ii. Commissioners of the Customs to Lords Commissioners
of the Treasury. Feb. 16, 169¾. Report referred to
in preceding. Copy. 1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 10. Nos. 44–46; and (without enclosures) 29, 11. p. 136.] |
| Oct. 27. |
1160. Copy of Samuel Cox's Patent under the Great Seal
constituting him Naval Officer of Barbados. June 16, 1703.
Countersigned, Wrighte. Endorsed, Recd. Read Oct. 27, 1707.
½ p. [C.O. 28, 10. No. 43.] |
Oct. 27.
Whitehall. |
1161. W. Popple to Josiah Burchett. Encloses extract
of letter from Governor Handasyd relating to the misbehaviour of
Commodore Kerr, and the sailing of the galleons, to be laid before
H.R.H. the Lord High Admiral. [C.O. 138, 12. pp. 154, 155.] |
Oct. 27.
Admiralty Office. |
1162. Mr. Burchett to W. Popple. In reply to preceding.
Last night in Cabinet Councill, H.M. was pleased to lodge the
like complaint with H.R.H., and give directions therein. Signed,
Jos. Burchett. [C.O. 138, 12. p. 155.] |
Oct. 28.
Whitehall. |
1163. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Having received a letter from Governor Crow,
Aug. 8, wherein he writes, that, finding by the resolves of the
Assembly, and the Counsellors' own confession their guilt in
voting for the Paper Act, I shall obey H.M. Instructions,
in turning out of the Councill Cols. Sharp, Cox, Mills and Walker;
we desire your Lordship to lay before H.M. our humble opinion,
That the only Instruction to which Mr. Crow can referr is a clause
which the late Board were directed to add to the body of his
Instructions [No. 612], quoted. This can have no relation to the
present case, for by this Instruction he was only to examine
into the misbehaviour committed by them in their places as
Counsellors; and we are the more confirm'd in this opinion by
another standing clause in his Instructions, which with good
reason directs him to allow the Counsellors freedome of debating
and voting in all affairs of publick concern, that may be debated
in Councill. And all the reason that Mr. Crow alledges for his
design of turning them out, is their voting for the Paper Act,
so that if Counsellors in the Plantations must be accounted
criminals barely for voting in their legislative capacity (though
they be in an error, which is the case of Col. Sharp and the
3 others above-mentioned) it will be difficult to find persons
of any tollerable ability to serve H.M. in these stations. And
as a further inducement to our opinion, that the foresaid
Instruction was not intended to relate to their voting for the
said Paper Act, we must observe to your Lordship, that it was
known here before Mr. Crow's Instructions were prepared that
these 4 Counsellors had voted for the said Bill, as was accordingly
represented to H.M. by the late Commissioners of this Board,
notwithstanding which, H.M. was pleased to direct that the said
Counsellors should be continued in their places, and that Mr. Crow,
upon his arrival in Barbadoes, should examine into their misbehaviour as Counsellors. Besides, we must acquaint your
Lordship that as soon as Col. Sharp, and the other three Counsellors
above-named, perceived the inconvenience of the foresaid Paper
Act, they did even before they had notice of H.M. repeal of the
said Act (and particularly Col. Sharp as President) all that in
them lay to prevent the said inconveniencies by endeavouring
to have a Bill past in the Assembly, for remedying the same,
which was still opposed by those who have been concerned in
keeping up the divisions in that Island. The crime alledged
against them by Mr. Crow being, as we conceive and have reason
to beleive, only an error in judgment, we cannot think it a
sufficient reason for their suspension from the Councill, and
therefore we are humbly of opinion that H.M. letter be writ
to Mr. Crow directing him not to displace or suspend the said
four Counsellors, and in case he have already suspended them,
that he restore them to their places and precedencys in the
Councill of Barbadoes. This appearing to us as a matter of
consequence for H.M. service, we humbly offer that H.M. pleasure
herein be signified to Mr. Crowe by the pacquet boat now ready
to sail. [C.O. 29, 11. pp. 137–141.] |
Oct. 29.
Kensington. |
1164. H.M. Warrant granting Samuel Cox, Naval Officer
in Barbadoes, leave of absence for the recovery of his health
and to appoint Thomas Beckles his Deputy. Countersigned,
Sunderland. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 38. No. 66; and 5, 210. pp. 67,
68.] |
| Oct. 30. |
1165. Capt. Gardner to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The officers of Brigadier Handasyd's Regiment here have
rais'd 270 men in order to recruitt the same, which are now in
the Savoy and in Tilbury Fort, the nautiousnesse of those places
has occasioned feavers by which there must follow a great loss
of the officers if not tymely prevented, for the govermt. only
allows them 4l. per man for every man they shall embarke on
board the packett boat at Plymouth. Prays their Lordships
to prevail with the Admiralty to have them carryed to Plymouth
with what expedition may be possible, and with Mr. St. John
to have the officers' allowance enlarg'd from 4l. to 5l. per man
to prevent their ruine, etc. There is alsoe hardships upon the
Coll. haveing the off-reckonings of the respitts stopt from him,
notwithstanding he has provided cloathing for a compleat
Regemt., etc. Signed, Rot. Gardner. Endorsed, Recd. Read
Oct. 30, 1707. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 7. No. 63; and
138, 12. pp. 163, 164.] |
Oct. 30.
Whitehall. |
1166. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor
Handasyd. Acknowledge letters of June 19, and 25, and Aug. 29.
We are sorry to perceive the great quantities of goods you mention
to have been brought by the French to the Spanish West Indies,
have been furnish'd from hence. Refer to letter of June 26.
Looking upon this as a matter of great consequence, we hope
you will take all due care on your part to prevent the French
from carrying on that trade for the future, and we wish you had
given us the causes and reasons which in your opinion have
occasioned the decay of our trade in those parts, as likewise
your thoughts touching such remedies as are most proper to be
apply'd, which method you are desired to observe in the like
cases for the future. We are sorry to hear the Militia are so
considerably decreased from what they were in Aprill, 1706.
As to your Regiment, etc. refer to letter of June 26. We shall
take into consideration what you write in relation to Mr. Brodrick
and Mr. Oldfield's being appointed Members of Councill in the
rooms of Col. Sadler deceased, and Col. Low now in England,
and give you due notice thereof. We approve of your care and
dilligence in endeavouring to prevent illegal trade, and we hope
that the condemnation of the sloop you mention will be a means
of deterring others. We must recommend that you do continue
as much as in you lyes, to discourage and prevent such practices.
We have transmitted what you writ touching the galleons, and
Commodore Kerr, to H.R.H., etc. Quote Mr. Burchett's reply,
Oct. 27. And as to your desire that we would continue to give
you our advice in all matters relating to your Government,
you may be sure wee shall not be wanting to doe the same as
occasion shall require. P.S.—Since the writing what is above
we have been attended by your Agent, Capt. Gardner, etc. See
preceding. [C.O. 138, 12. pp. 159–162.] |
Oct. 30.
Whitehall. |
1167. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Crowe.
Since our letter of Aug. 14, a duplicate whereof has already been
sent you, we have received yours of July 30 and Aug. 8. We
perceive that you still omit to sign the duplicates of your letters,
and therefore we must remind you thereof, that such duplicates
may be signed for the future, least the originals should at any
time miscarry. We are sorry to perceive that the inhabitants
have been so remiss in keeping the harbours clean. It is so
great an obstruction to trade that we doubt not but you will use
your utmost endeavours to perswade the Assembly to pass some
Act for remedying the present and preventing the like abuse
for the future. As to your enquiry about your sitting as sole
Judge in the Court of Chancery, we can only tell you what the
constant practice has been, and which you may much better
know in Barbadoes, that the Counsellors have always had their
votes in all causes depending in that Court, which method being
conformable not only to yours, but to all H.M. other Governors'
Instructions, we cannot think it fitting to advise any alteration
therein. As to your proposal of a fit person to muster the men
of war, we agree with you that it might be of service, but as that
is a matter in the Province and immediately under the direction
of the Lord High Admiral, you should first take your proposal to
H.R.H. We desire you to explain that paragraph, wherein you
say, that, in examining of Patent offices, you find none for the
Clerk of the Market nor Casual Revenue. What you mean by
Casual Revenue we want to understand, whether it be the
Receiver of that Revenue you mean, or what other office
it is, we desire you in your next to explain. In the doing
of which we expect that you be particular in letting of us
know how that Revenue arises, who has hitherto been the
Receiver of it, whether he has acted by himself or deputy, and
lastly, whether ever, or when those accounts have been auditted.
In the meantime we must take notice that you ought to have
inform'd us, who the persons are you have put into those offices,
and what the value of them is, that we might have been the better
inabled to have laid before H.M. what should have appeared
proper upon the examining that matter. We desire you therefore
not to omit to give us a particular answer to these inquiries in
your next. We shall expect the planns of the forts and fortifications which you promise, and we think it is incumbent upon you
to move the Assembly in the most effectual manner, that they
do all that in them lyes towards the compleating of Fort St. Anne
which will tend so much not only to their honour but security;
for we are apprehensive that during this time of war, no great
assistance can be allowed out of the 4½ per cent. As to the
fortifying the other places proposed by Col. Lilly the Engineer,
we think you ought also to endeavour the effecting of it, as soon
as the state of the Island will permit. We are sensible that the
Act, for remedying the inconveniencies arisen by the Paper Act,
was not so full as it might have been; but we are satisfied it was
the best the President could then obtain, who has appear'd to us
very zealous in that matter, and which H.M. has been pleased
to take notice of by the Earl of Sunderland's letters of March 21
last, both to him and to yourself. However, that Act having
been approved of by the Merchants and Planters here, H.M.
was pleased to confirm the same, as you will have perceived
by our letter, Aug. 14. When the supplemental Act you mention
comes to our hands, we shall consider the same. You are in the
right not to have consented to the Bill for encouraging the
importation of coin, which would have been contrary to your
Instructions, we have however laid that matter before H.M.,
whose directions you are to expect as well upon this as upon
our representation upon the subject of coin, a copy whereof
we sent you in our last. You have done well in restraining
unnecessary salutes, which was a needless consumption of the
publick powder. We must also commend your behaviour
towards the Indians of St. Vincent's and Dominico, and are of
opinion that your sending presents to the Kings of the said Indians
will be of service. However, we think you ought to be watchfull
least the French get too great an interest amongst them. We
are glad to understand from you there are so few Causes depending in the Court of Chancery, and that the Inferiour Courts are
duly held. We hope your equity in the administration of justice
will prevent such complaints as have formerly been made upon
that subject. We shall expect by the next conveyance, according
to your promise, the list of the inhabitants, distinguishing the
number of Christians and slaves etc., but you are to take notice
that we do not expect the names of each particular person, as
was sent us from some of the Plantations, but only the number
in general. We desire you to send us by the first conveyance
the report of the Committee appointed to examine into the
publick debts, and how the money raised for two or three years
last past has been expended, which, as we suppose, coming under
ye denomination of the Casual Revenue, will be of use to us.
As to your design of turning Cols. Sharp, Cox, Mills and Walker
out of the Councill etc. Repeat gist of Representation, Oct. 28.
We doubt not but you will receive H.M. directions herein (in
case they can be dispatched time enough) by this packet boat.
We send you here inclos'd H.M. Order for dismissing Col. Holder
from the Councill, etc., which you are to see entred in the Councill
Books and observed accordingly. Having been informed that
you have claimed the appointing the Naval Officer as your right,
alledging that the Queen could not give the same away by patent,
and that you have thereupon obliged Mr. Cox to give you a bond
of 1,000l. for the payment of 300l. per annum, to Mr. Alexander
Skene during your Government, which is alledg'd to be 50l.
per annum more than the place is worth during the war;
and though this be an extraordinary proceeding and disrespectfull to H.M., yet we are willing to let you know
our thoughts thereupon before we represent the same to
H.M. We find that from 1676 or 1677, the place of Naval
Officer in Barbadoes has been executed by four severall persons,
all commissionated under the Great Seal of England, viz., Capt.
Abraham Sandford, Capt. Carmichael, Mr. Cranston, and now
by Mr. Cox: that Mr. Cox had a patent for the said place from
his late Majesty, that the said patent was renewed in the second
year of her present Majesty's reign; that he has continued to
execute the same during the Government of former Governors
without any molestation from them, and without any misbehaviour alledged against him in the execution of that office.
Now whether the nomination of the said Naval Officer be in
the Crown or in the Governor, we think in this particular you
have acted very arbitrarily and contrary to your Instructions
one of which directs you, "upon the misbehaviour of patentees
or their deputies to suspend them from the execution of their
places till you shall have represented the whole matter and
received H.M. directions therein; but that you shall not by colour
of any power or authority granted to you take upon you to give
grant or dispose of any office or place which now is or shall be
granted under the Great Seal of England, any further than that
you may upon the vacancy of any such office or suspension of
any such officer put in any fit person to officiate till the said office
be disposed of by H.M."; and therefore you ought in this case
to have waited till there had been a judicial determination of
this matter in Law, or till you had represented the matter to
H.M. and her further pleasure had been declared thereupon.
But your claiming the nomination of the said officer, and exacting
from Mr. Cox a bond of 1,000l., we can by no means think
for H.M. service to be allowed. We are the more surprised
at this proceeding for that you have taken no notice of it in your
letter to us, nor given us any account of the persons by you
turned out of Commission or of those put into office, amongst
which last, we perceive Mr. Sandford to be one, and most of the
others to have been deeply concerned with him at the riot at the
Court of St. Michael's, whose proceedings have been highly
disapproved by H.M., as you will have perceived by our letter
of Aug. 14. And therefore we must advise you to be cautious
how you employ in publick stations persons who have been
notoriously guilty of disturbing the publick tranquility of that
Island. [C.O. 29, 11. pp. 142–152.] |
Oct. 30.
Whitehall. |
1168. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Parke.
Acknowledge letter of Aug. 4. The first thing you write about
is the Acts for House rent. This relates to a letter writ you by
the late Commissioners of this Board. However, we shall
take the Acts you refer to into consideration, and then let you
know our opinion. We perceive that the reason for the late
Commissioners taxing you with a breach of your Instructions
in swearing Mr. Panton and Mr. Willet into the Councill of
St. Christophers, proceeded from their not having from you or
the preceding Governor frequent accounts of the state of the
Councill in each Island, and that was the same reason for what
we writ you in relation to the Counsellors of Nevis. We expect
therefore that you give us constant accounts of any alterations
that happen in the said Councills either by death, absence,
suspension or otherwise. We shall take notice of the persons
you have recommended to fill up vacancies at Antegua as occasion
shall offer, and shall expect from you the lists for the other Islands
that you promised us. H.M. has appointed Mr. Lawrence Crabb
to her Council in Antigua. What you write in relation to Mr.
Baron shall be communicated to him at the first opportunity.
We are sorry for your indisposition, but hope that by this time
you will be season'd to the country. We are sensible of the
reason you give for the decrease of the people in the Leeward
Islands, and therefore we think you ought as much as in you
lies to give all manner of discouragement to anything that tends
to the depopulating the said Islands; particularly to the breeding
up of slaves to handicraft trades, which would be more to the
advantage of Great Britain and to the Islands themselves that
the natural born subjects of these Kingdoms were imployed
therein. We expect from you a list of the inhabitants, expressing
what are Christians and what slaves, but not their names,
specifying how many males, how many feemales, and how many
fit to bear arms. The sending of these accounts cannot be of any
prejudice to the Islands, if you do take care to direct the captains
of the ships to whom you intrust them, to throw your packets
overboard with a weight fastened to them in case of imminent
danger from an enemy. [C.O. 153, 10. pp. 76–78.] |
Oct. 31.
Customehouse, London. |
1169. Mr. Savage to W. Popple, jr. The Commissioners
of Customs will reply [to Oct. 22] in a few days. Signed, Rich.
Savage. Endorsed, Recd. Read Nov. 3, 1707. Addressed. ½ p.
[C.O. 5, 1315. No. 73; and 5, 1362. p. 264.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
1170. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Refer to letter of June 13, and quote Capt.
Gardner's Memorial, Oct. 30. We desire your Lordship to receive
H.M. pleasure thereupon. [C.O. 138, 12. pp. 165, 166.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
1171. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. There being reason to fear that H.M.S. Ruby,
on board of which were dispatches for the Governors on the
Continent of America, has been taken and carried into France,
and the said dispatches lost, we desire you will present to H.M.
enclosed duplicates of Instructions relating to the devolution
of Governments upon the death of Governors etc. for H.M.
signature. [C.O. 324, 9. p. 149.] |
| [Oct. 31.] |
1172. Messrs. Stehn and Dorrien, of London, Merchants,
to the Queen. On behalf of the owners and freighters of a neutral
ship, the Betty galley of Stade, pray for a passport for said ship
to trade with the Spanish West Indies. Signed, Stehn and
Dorrien. Annexed, |
|
1172. i. H.M. refers this petition to the Council of Trade and
Plantations for their opinion. Oct. 31, Whitehall.
Signed, Sunderland. [C.O. 389, 19. p. 175.] |
