America and West Indies: September 1710, 14-30

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 25, 1710-1711. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1924.

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'America and West Indies: September 1710, 14-30', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 25, 1710-1711, (London, 1924) pp. 214-220. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol25/pp214-220 [accessed 23 April 2024]

September 1710, 14-30

Sept. 14.
Barbados.
393. Col. Lillington to Lord Dartmouth.Repeats letter of Sept. 2, and refers to that of Aug. 3. [Save for the dispute about the Treasurer], the country has not been more quiett or easie for eight years, etc. Signed, G. Lillington. 2½ pp. [C.O. 23, 48. No. 46.]
Sept. 16.
Whitehall.
394. Mr. Popple to John Graves. H.M. having directed the Lords Commissioners of Trade to report what may be the best and most effectual means for the speedy settling and securing the Bahama Islands, they desire you will consult such persons as you think best acquainted with the state of the said Islands, and let them have as soon as possible your joynt opinion thereupon, particularly with regard to stores of war, the materials for fortifying of Providence, and the number of soldiers, etc. [C.O. 5, 1292. p. 219.]
Sept. 16.
Boston.
395. Cols. Nicholson and Vetch to Mr. Popple. We could not leave this place without saluting you by a line as well to acknowledge your many favours as to begg the continuance of the same as an addition to your many former to desire you would please to tender our most dutifull regards to the Rt. Honourable Board: we are just going abroad in order to put in execution H.M. commands, and hope by next oppertunity to acquaint their Lordships of our success,etc. Signed, Fr. Nicholson, Sam. Vetch. Endorsed, Recd. 12th, Read 14th Nov., 1710. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 865. No. 50; and 5, 913. p. 258.]
Sept. 16.
Boston.
396. Same to the [Lord Dartmouth] Secretary of State. The oppertuneity of this small runner offering, although her arrivall be uncertain, and the account wee can as yet give your Lordship of the affairs of this intended Expedition, but very imperfect, yet we could not but judge it our duty by every opertuneity that offered to give your Lordship a short account of what progress we had made. The men of warr and transports under their convoy arived all safe here upon July 15 in pretty good health, we lost no time in despatching H.M. commands to the severall Governments concerned in the present Expedition, and as soon as the said Governours arived here, and the Councill of Warr appointed by H.M. for concerting the proper orders and quotas to the respective Governments, they returned to put the same in execution, the season haveing been so far advanced and no directions sent them to prepare for the Fleet's arivall together with the vast expence and disapointment of last year made it a buiseness of some time to get their troops, transports and provisions ready, the last being very scarce and dear, particularly pork and beef. Wee have been under a necessity by advise of the Councill of warr to put H.M. to some charges here, though wee have been as frugall as possible in all points, and have not charged H.M. with anything save what imediately concerned the troops and saylors under Her imediate pay as the Hospitall ship for the marines, seamen of the men of warr, and company of gunners and mattrosses belonging to the traine, which we was necessitate to hire, man and victuall at H.M. charge, the troops of the country here haveing provided Hospitall ships, surgeons and all other conveyniances for their own troops, the greatest part of the other expence being for provideing gunns, carrages and other stores of warr not sent over, and are absolutely necessary, the insufficiency and deficiency of severall stores sent over or pretended to have been sent over from the Tower hath very much augmented this expence, a particular account of all which togeather with the surveys upon the same we have transmitted to the Board of Ordnance and my Lord Treasurer, and as your Lordship and the Ministry may be assured that we shall be the best husbands posible we can of the Queen's money, so on the other hand we should be blamed to undertake such an enterprize without the stores judged by the Councill of warr and Engineers to be absolutely necessary for the same, whose advise and opinion we have always taken in everything relateing to the service, as your Lordship will see by the Minits of the said Councill of Warr, which shall be transmitted to your Lordship by the first safe oppertuneity, which we judge will be the Mast Fleet. Your Lordp. will perceive we mention Engineers in the plurall number, Capt. Redknap who resides here is Engineer for the Government haveing with the Governour's consent offered his service to go as a voluntire. As to the number of the Marines notwithstanding H.M. order was for 500, yet no more then 400 have been sent, and the want of the fifth part of the regular troops upon whome our great dependance must be is a very considerable disadvantage besides that the last years allarm and this years expectation of us at Port Royall hath rendred that place much stronger and harder to be reduced then it would have been last spring, however we doubt not but by God's assistance to give your Lordp. a good account of the same before long. As to the garrissoning of it when reduced, that must be consulted upon the place both with regard to the number and cors, but one thing seems to be apparent, that the Governments concerned depend upon H.M. maintaineing and paying the garrison, and as we hope the valueableness of that fort and country will soon appear to H.M. and the Parliament, so we doubt not effectuall meas [ures?] will be taken to setle it so well with Brittish subjects when it shall be reduced to H.M. obedience that there may be no danger of looseing a place which by the account of all people who pretend judgment in that affair will be capable of supplying the whole Brittish Navy with Navall Stores of all sorts. Enclose letter from the Government of Rhode Island. Signed, Fr. Nicholson, Sam. Vetch. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 9.Nos. 65; and (duplicate) 113.]
[Sept. 18.] 397. Berkeley Seymour to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Prays for a favourable report upon his petition. v. Aug. 14. Endorsed, Recd.18th, Read 19th Sept., 1710. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 717.No. 14; and 5, 727. pp. 181, 182.]
Sept. 19.
Whitehall.
398. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Handasyd. Acknowledge letters of July 9 and 22. As to what you write in relation to the escheat that will fall to H.M. upon the condemnation of Mr. John Sutton; it is proper to move in that matter as it now stands, it being against Law to make any grants of forfeitures before conviction. We are glad to find the good effect of your Proclamation relating to the Pirates at the Sambalas, and we hope that their ill success will prevent others from attempting the like for the future. We are well pleased to perceive that the trade to the Spanish Coast is like to increase, and do heartily concur with your wishes that it may go on successfully. We shall at all times be ready to do you what service lies in our power, but what you write in relation to your self and regiment being a military affair and intirely foreign to the business under our management, you will do well to apply to the proper place. When that shall happen, we will not be unmindfull of what may concern you. H.M. having been pleased to appoint the Lord Archibald Hamilton Governor of Jamaica, his Commission and Instructions are passing with all possible speed, and we believe it may not be long before he be ready to sail from hence. [C.O. 138, 13. pp. 293, 294.]
Sept. 19.
Whitehall.
399. Same to Governor Parke. Acknowledge letters of June 8th and 30th. As to the Government of Mountserrat, we are inform'd that it is given to Col. Pearn, who was lately, or still here. But as we have not yet seen him, nor were made privy to the passing of his Commission, we cannot say any further upon that subject. You say that you were surpriz'd that you heard nothing from ye Earl of Sunderland, or from us, of ye Order directing you to come home. As yt. matter was not transacted at our Board, we could not give you any accot. of it; we have only been inform'd that it was a letter from my Lord Sunderland to yourself. As 'tis probable from wt. you write yt. you may be come away before this letter will arrive, we will only wish you a good voyage, etc. [C.O. 153, 11. p. 66.]
Sept. 22. 400. John Graves and others to the Council of Trade and Plantations. A scheme of what would be necessary for the fortifying and securing the Bahama Islands. A regiment, 30 or 40 grate guns, tools, masons,etc., a sloop, transports and 3 small men of warr, etc. "The reason wee propos a Rigement is our having advise that the enemy are sett down at Providence and on Exuma." Signed, John James, George Ball, Patrick Davidson, Jno. Graves. Endorsed, Recd.Read Sept. 22, 1710. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1264. No. 100.]
Sept. 22.
Whitehall.
401. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Dartmouth. H.M. having been pleased by her Order in Council, Aug. 18, 1708, to appoint Wm. Bird Esq. a Member of the Council in Virginia, and his name having by omission of ye transcriber been left out in the Instructions to the Earl of Orkney, we pray your Lordship will move H.M. that Col. Spotswood may admit him into ye same precedency he formerly enjoyed in the said Council (of. Aug. 18). 1p. [C.O. 5, 1341. No. 11;and 5, 1363. p. 217;and 5, 1335.p. 58.]
Sept. 25.
Whitehall.
402. Lord Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following, "that you may consider of the contents of it, and come the better prepared to answer any question at the General Council which is to meet at Kensington at 11 o clock to-morrow morning," etc. Signed, Dartmouth. Endorsed, Recd. 25th, Read 26th Sept., 1710. 1p. Enclosed,
402. i. Attorney and Solicitor General to Lord Dartmouth, Sept. 8, 1710. Wee have perused the Representation made by the Council of Trade (v. Aug. 30), and wee look'd into severall Commissions granted by King Charles II upon his resuming the Government of Barbadoes and later commissions, but cannot find any mention made of appointing the Treasurer of the dutys granted by the Generall Assembly. Indeed the Earl of Carlisle's Commission, which was granted to Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham in 1646 gives him power by himself or such person as he shall employ to collect and receive all rents, customs and duties payable to the said Earl of Carlile; but since the Crown of England hath appointed Governors and Commanders in Chief of the Caribbee Islands, wee do not find any particular appointment of the Treasurer for the duties granted by the Assembly in Barbadoes, by the Governor or Councill; but by the Act of Generall Assembly, 1670, wee find William Bate was appointed Treasurer in the Act of Assembly in like manner as Coll. Down's and Mr. Ball have lately been appointed; which observations induce us to be of opinion, that since there hath been nothing in the Instructions hitherto given to Governors as we can find, and since the Generall Assembly have been so long in possession of this practice of nominating and appointing the Treasurer for the dutys they give, and since the Governor and Councill have all along consented to such nominations and appointments in the said Acts, and the Crown of England hath seemingly allowed thereof by ratifying the severall Acts of Assembly, where such nominations and appointments have been incerted, it may not be adviseable for the Government in Barbadoes to dispute this appointment of the said Treasurer with the Generall Assembly, but do conceive it will be best to putt an end to this dispute by H.M. sending instructions to the Governor and Councill in Barbadoes to allow of such appointments by the Generall Assembly. Signed, Ja. Mountague, Ro. Raymond. 2 pp. [C.O. 28, 13. Nos. 42, 42 i.; and 29, 12. pp. 300–303.]
Sept. 26.
Kensington.
403. Order of Queen in Council. Directions are to be sent to the Governor and Council of Barbados to allow of appointment of Treasurer by the Genl. Assembly,etc. (v. Aug. 30, and preceding). Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. 23rd, Read 26th Oct., 1710. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 13. No. 44; and 29, 12. pp. 305, 306; and 5, 11. No. 56.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall Privy Garden.
404. Gregory King to Mr. Popple. The Comptrollers of the Accounts of the Army having recd. from the Lord Dartmouth a report made by Mr. Walpole Secry, at Warr upon the petition of Col. Jones Regiment in the Leeward Islands with a signification of H.M. approving the method proposed in it in order to the full examination of the abuses complain'd of, etc., they desire extracts out of the accounts and proceedings of your Honble. Board relating thereto, or to any complaints of the Governor or Council or of the soldiers or inhabitants with respect to the Governor or Col. of the Regiment there, or to the strength of the said Regiment, which Governor Parke complains is not above half a Regt., or about 260 men, when the muster-rolls seem to make it 600 strong, etc.Signed, Grery. King (Secretary to the Comptrollers of the Army).Endorsed, Recd. Read. Sept. 27, 1710. 2 pp. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 31; and 153, 11. pp. 67, 68.]
Sept. 26.
Whitehall.
405. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Report upon the Bahamas. of. Aug. 28. We have again consulted with Mr. Graves, late Collector of your Majesty's Customs there, and with other persons late inhabitants in, or traders to the said Islands, who have delivered to us a scheme of what they thought necessary for the fortifying and securing the Island of Providence, but as the demands by them made seem to us too high, we have reduced the same, and shall only lay before your Majesty what we think of absolute necessity for the aforesaid service. In June 1706 we represented that if 100 soldiers with officers and stores of war were sent thither, and the remaining inhabitants summoned from the other Islands to that of Providence they might joyntly be able to defend themselves agt. the attempts of the enemy. But as we have been informed that of 150 families formerly on the Island of Providence, there are not now above 12 remaining, those too dispersed in the other Islands; and that the enemy are set down upon the Island of Providence and Exuma, we humbly submit it to your Majesty whether it may not be necessary to send thither a greater force with stores etc. according to the annex'd proportion. The side of the Fort next the sea having been demolished by the French and Spaniards, it will want reparation; but till it has been survey'd, we cannot judge what repairs may be wanting. Till the Fort be repaired and barracks built, hutts may be raised in some few days, sufficient to lodge the soldiers and inhabitants, and to secure them from the weather; for the doing of which, as also for the repairing the Fort, there will require several workmen, with their proper tools, to be sent from hence, according to the annex'd proportion. And whereas there were formerly in the Fort and other parts of Island of Providence 40 guns mounted, most of which have been carry'd away by the Spaniards, we humbly offer that 30 or 40 great guns, with carriages and other necessaries, be sent thither. As the soldiers and inhabitants will want a subsistance, till a compleat settlement can be made, we further humbly propose that provisions be sent for them for one year. And for the better administration of the civil and military Government there, that your Majesty be pleased to send over with your Royal Commission a Governor well experienced in military affairs, and fitly qualify'd for such an employment as was done in some other Proprietary Governments during the late war. Annexed,
405. i. A proportion of what is necessary for the fortifying and securing the Bahama Islands. [C.O. 5, 1292. pp. 220–223.]
Sept. 27.
Kensington.
406. H.M. Warrant to the President and Council of Barbados, for passing an Excise Bill with a Treasurer appointed by the Assembly, etc. as No. 403. Duplicate of Order in Council Sept. 26 annexed. Countersigned, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 22, 23; and 34, 35.]
Sept. 28.
Whitehall.
407. Lord Dartmouth to the President of Barbados. Encloses preceding. H.M. look't upon this of so great importance, that before she came to a resolution in it, she had the advice of the Council of Trade upon it, and the opinion of her Atturney and Sollicitor Generall, after which H.M. thought fitt in Councill to give the directions preceding. I give you this account that the Council may the more readily pay obedience to H.M. pleasure therein. Signed, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. p. 23.]
Sept. 28.
Whitehall.
408. Lord Dartmouth to Governor Parke. Acknowledges letters of Nov. 25, March 29, May 11 and June 30, etc. Signed, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. p. 24.]
Sept. 28.
Whitehall.
409. Same to Governor Handasyd. Acknowledges letters of April 29, June 4 and July 22, upon which I have nothing in command to tell you, but that you having desired to return home, H.M. has appointed my Lord Archibald Hamilton to be Governor of Jamaica in your place. Signed, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 23, 24.]
Sept. 29.
Whitehall.
410. Mr. Popple to Gregory King. Reply to Sept. 26. Encloses papers desired (v. Nov. 12, 1708, April 24, 1710). [C.O. 153, 11. pp. 69, 70].