America and West Indies: April 1711, 21-30

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: April 1711, 21-30', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 25, 1710-1711, (London, 1924) pp. 466-472. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol25/pp466-472 [accessed 19 March 2024]

April 1711, 21-30

April 21.
Nantaskett.
820. Receipt for some letters from Major Jno. Livingston to be delivered to General Nicholson in London, with instructions etc. Signed, Jno. Dean. 1p. [C.O. 5, 751. No. 80.]
April 23.
Antegoa.
821. Isaac Royall to Mr. Ayon. Yours per Mr. Rodney came safe to hand, per which perceive Col. Lambert's fire was soon extinguisht, Mr. Rowe give a very indifferent character of him, etc. Since your departure, the health, success and good voyage to Capt. Plum is frequently repeated, and in all companys where the poore Loyalists dare express themselves with freedom. Since the knowledge of the Address from the Leeward Islands to H.M. came to the light of the rebellious faction, their barbarous insults have not been so frequent as before, by some few of them seeming to have some concern on their brows. Those that had not made over their estates by sham seales before the murther of the Generall have since been very industrious in doeing it. It's beleived that some of the Toppers will leave the Island in a little time, others doe frequently express themselves with all the envy and malice that Hell itself cou'd vent. I heard severall of them within these three days say, that if H.M. resented what they had done, they wou'd serve some other Prince, for they were one and all, and if H.M. hang'd one, she shou'd hang all, so little sence have they of their horrid crime, that the greatest part still persist in the justification of the action. To see how those bloodthursty villaines are hugg'd by the Lieut. Governor, nay like children in the arms of their parents, and no notice taken of the Loyalists, the measures he has taken since his arrivall amongst us is surprising to all thinking men, undoubtedly he has endeavoured to stifle that bloody trajedy as much as possible, as will appear I beleive when the matter is truely and faithfully looked into. If he should be confirmed in the Government as they give out he will, Genll. Parke's friends have no business to stay in this Island. Pray use your utmost endeavours to prevent it, etc. Myself, Capt. Matthews and French seem to be pointed at above all others in the Island, etc. There are severall very materiall affidavits prepared since your departure, which will be sent if possible to get an opportunity to send them to St. Christophers, not dareing to send them per the packett from hence for fear of a search, etc. Wee hope you'll be frequent in your Addresses to H.M. in our behalfs for Her speedy protection. The Address that was signed by 23 of the most eminent Gentn. of the Island, of Genl. Parke's friends, by some means or other took light, and diligent enquirys were made, and so strict that wee were forced to burn it, etc. I have sent you a copy. Forgett not to desire that the Councill and Assembly books be demanded home, which will be justification to Genl. Parke's action and a condemnation of theirs to the greatest degree. When the news of your departure came to the Lt. Genll's. ear, he expressed himself with a great deal of concern, and offered £500 to know who carryed you off, as Oglethorp told me. You had undoubtedly shared the Genll's. fate had you stay'd three days longer. Signed, Isaac Royall. 2 pp. Enclosed,
821. i. Address from Antego to the Queen. A few of your Majesty's dejected but loyall subjects of this Island privately meeting together do lay ourselves prostrate at your Royall feet, for protection of our lives and interests for adhereing to that late loyall person, Governor Parke, etc., who was murthered in a most barbarous manner, the particulars being such as were never paralleled even amongst the Heathens, much less amongst those called Christians, and who stile themselves Protestants. Our lives, Great Queen, are so much in danger, that wee dare not trust the acquaintance of this our Address even with our friends, for that the diligence of our enemys is such as nothing can scarcely pass their knowledge, and the attempt to discover to your Majesty the truth of that affaire wou'd be of fatall consequence to your Majesty's supplicants. They have gained by threats and promises an Address signed by all the Councillors (Col. John Hamilton excepted) wherein the truth is wholly hid, at which meeting was permitted to sitt in Councill two certain Gentn., one of which did not appear there since the late Genll's. comeing to his Government, and the other for above two years before he was murthered, both which signed the Address, and which wee doubt not but your Majesty by your penetrateing judgment will easily see thro' the veil drawn over that bloody scene. When the full truth is laid before you, your Majesty will approve the late Generall's conduct, etc. Signed, The Hon. Col. John Hamilton: Joseph French, Treasurer; Capt. Wm. Matthews; Richd. Buckeridge, Collr. of Customs: John Brett, their Naval Officer; Isaac Royall, Capt. John Wickham, Majr. Jeremiah Blizard, James Raleigh, Capt. John Roe, Cesar Rodeney, John Haddon, Tho. Turner. 2 pp. [C.O. 152, 42. Nos. 61, 61 i.]
April 23.
St. James's.
822. The Queen to Governor Douglas. In accordance with the Representation of the Council of Trade, April 19, Our will and pleasure is that, upon your arrival in the Leeward Islands, you do in the most effectual manner recommend Edward Buncombe's case to the Council and Assembly of the Montserrate or to the General Council and Assembly of the Leeward Islands, that reparation may be made to him etc. Countersigned, Dartmouth. Annexed,
822. i. Duplicate of No. 817. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 75–79.]
April 24.
Whitehall.
823. Lord Dartmouth to Governor Douglas. I am again commanded to acquaint you that H.M. thinks it for her service you should go to your Government as soon as possible; the enclosed letter which I have just now received from the Admiralty gives me hopes that you may stil have the benefit of the Leeward Convoy, which I heartily wish, and that you may have a good voyage. Signed, Dartmouth. Annexed,
823. i. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Lord Dartmouth. Admiralty Office, April 24, 1711. The ships of war bound to the Leeward Islands are at Spithead under orders to proceed on their voyage in company of Sir Hovenden Walker, as farr as their way shall lie together. Signed, J. Leake, G. Byng, J. Wishart, Geo. Clarke. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 79, 80.]
April 26.
Mountseratt.
824. Lt. General Hamilton to the Lord Dartmouth. Since my last from Antigua (v. April 5th), I had the Flagg of Truce return'd from Martinique with an answer from M. de Phelipeaux the French King's Generall relating Mr. Bermingham whome I had demanded, who saith that the said Bermingham has declared himselfe to be a Irish Roman Catholick and desired his protection, which he could not refuse soe consequently to doe all the injury to his fellow subjects he is capable of, but has (God be praised) hitherto been frustrated in all his undertakings except that upon Berbuda, which he took by treachery before he was discovered to have taken sanctuary amongst the enemy, by comeing ashore in that Island under pretence of having been taken by the French and there landed, he being well aquainted with ye manager or Commander Col. Codrington had there was courtiously received and entertain'd but soe it was that ye said Bermingham had a number of men Brittish and Irish runnagadoes like himselfe with some French men lodged in the adjacent woods, and when he did see a fitt oppertunity seiz'd the Commander took and blew up the Castle, and carried off both white and black to Martinique, from whence the first are returned by the Truce who gave me this account and doe further say that he was then out with some privateers. As soon as the man of warr came in to Antigua, which was on ye 9th instant, I embarqued imediatly on board of her and took with me two sloops with a detachment of H.M. troops out of Col. Jones's Regiment, and proceeded to this Island from thence to Nevis and St. Christophers and soe to Anguilla, where I arrived the 12th at night, but said Bermingham who had been there and attempted to land was gone (as by advice they had from St. Martins) to the Windward Islands with six sloops, with which number he had appeared off of Anguilla, upon which I resolved imediatly to sett saile to protect, or relieve the place he should attempt, since I have been at St. Christophers and Nevis, where I gave such directions as I thought might in the best manner secure them against any attempt of his. I arived here yesterday where I mett the Evelin packett, by whome this and my former comes, by whome I have advice from Antigua that ye privateers have been very busie about that Island and is believed that Bermingham is of the number; they have taken two shipps just off of the Harbour, soe that it is impossible for the best Generall to order or the most dilligent Captain of any one shipp to protect the trade to and from these Islands, besides the man of warr now on this station is soe foul, her sailes and rigging soe much worne, in short everything out of order for want of a store here, that should shee goe to Leeward with any of the loaden shipps to see them clear of the Islands by ye opinion of all the officers on board it would be impossible for her to turn to windward again, but be obliged to goe either for Jamaica or New England, by which your Lord shipps perceives of how little service one single shipp is to soe many Islands, the consideration of which is humbly submitted to your Lordshipps. Bermingham has twice attempted to land on this Island, severall times at Antigua, one's at each of the two Dutch Islands of St. Eustatia and Sabat, but by the timely notice I had given them was frustrated everywhere, and am in hopes may in a little time fall into our hands, there being a reward offer'd of £300 for any that shall take and secure him, soe that he may be brought to condigne punishment, etc. After I have settled things here in the best posture I can possible, which for want of small arms and other stores of warr throughout all the Islands as well as this, I cannot doe soe efectually as I could wish, however shall doe the best in my power for her Majesties service, and then proceed to the Island of Antigua, to quiett in the best manner I am capable the minds of those unhappy people and waite impatiently for Her Majesties gratious directions how to proceed till which time I take that Island to be in double danger, of a watchfull crafty cunning, neighbouring enemy, however I shall not faile in the maine time to give all the incouragement of hopes to the people to quiett their minds, in order to incourage them to doe their duty in resisting the common enemy, and shall in every particular to the utmost of my power discharge my duty to H.M. etc. P.S. I have ye three spy's Bermingham landed at Anguilla now on board ye man of warr in order to be tryed as soon as I gett to Antigua, the sloops I had with me the one belong'd to this Island, the other to Capt. Norbury, Commander of H.M.S. Lark, who lent her for the service. Signed, W. Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd. 23rd, Read 27th June, 1711. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 71; and 153, 11. pp. 334–339; and 152, 42. No. 62.]
April 27.
Whitehal.
825. Wm. Popple to Mr. Attorney Generall. Encloses abstract of papers referred to in the petition of Wait Winthrop relating to the Narraganset Country etc. for his opinion. "Tho' the Representation was made upon the Dutchess of Hamilton's petition, yet it includes the cases of all, or most of the other claimants." [C.O. 5, 1292. pp. 308, 309.]
[April.] 826. Executors of Col. Parke to [? the Council of Trade and Plantations]. Express satisfaction at the instructions given to Govenor Douglas. Petition for leave to informe the Board of the state of Antigua since the murder, as they are requested to doe by severall of the Council and others, who have not only been forced to act under the immediate influence of the assassination, but also the cheife places of honour, proffit and trust, civill and military are taken out of the hands of those who continue loyall to their Sovereign, and conferr'd on the most active in this horrid assassination. Such is the daring insolence and inveterate malice of the assassins, that they have not only waylaid the Justice of the Peace, before whom our affidavitts were taken, with a designe to murther him, but allso all those who continue loyall, and were in the interest of the late Genll., are threatned to share his fate, and they have given out that if H.M. touches the hair of any of their heads, they will deliver the sword into other hands. Pray that any additional instructions may be given to Governor Douglas that may be thought necessary. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 42. Nos. 46 and 67.]
April —.
Antigua.
827. Mr. Morris to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to letter of Feb. 27. I was in hopes the Generall Councill and Assembly wou'd a done something notable on that occasion, the Lt. Generall sending for all Col. Parke's friends to answer to all such interrogatorys as should be put to them. Refers to enclosures. I am sorry men in such posts and on such occasions should give the least occasion or handle for remarkes, as I can't but make some on his late conduct, for all part of mankind must beleive the late Generall's friends could not give any account why he was put to death, so altogether improper to exhibite interrogatorys to them, when on the contrary the Lt. Generall ought to 'a cited those his executioners, to 'a known what reasons they had to put him to death, by which irregular proceedings I beleive, was the occasion the Generall Councill and Assembly did nothing that I can learn, and indeed we could not expect better from the begining; for all the members of the Assembly for this Island were the cheif actors in the murther, and one of the Councill for this Island was of that faction, and had not appeared in Councill for three years before Col. Parke's death (which persons wou'd never been allowed to sit judges of their own actions in any Government but this, and had the unfortunate Col. Parke appointed any Member of the Councill for the General Councill, without taking the voice of the whole Councill) he would 'a bin thought partial. But in this Government 'tis thought regular; and to give those gentlemen the better opportunity to compleate their repeated threatning of securing the sword (v. Feb. 27), wee have a general removall of the late Generall's friends, from the Treasurer to the Gunner of a fort or platforme, and there is also to be a regulation in the militia, and wee the Loyalists shall have no opportunity of sending your Lordships any proofs, all the Justices of our side to be put out, and in short all posts of trust and proffit is, and will be put into their hands. I very well remember when our Lt. Generall came up to this Island (after the death of our late Generall) he being in the house of our Lt. Governor, he exclaimed against the unjust proceedings of the late Generall, in his depriving all the Lt. Governors of their perquisites, by leaving orders at all the Islands, that no letters of administration should be granted but by himself, and leaving blank passports for vessells, as also blanck lycences, all of which was a very great crime in him. Soon after this declaration, Col. Samuell Parry of this Island applyed himself to the Lt. Generall for letters of administration on the estate of Capt. John Syms of Mountserat, brother-in-law to said Parry, who was kill'd in Spaine, wch. letters was denyed him, the said Parry alledg'd to the Lt. Generall letters would be granted in Mountserrat to another brother-in-law there, unless his Honour would grant him the first, at which the Lt. Generall told him not to be afraid of that, for he had left orders there, no letters of administration should be granted in his absence. And since his departure from this Island to Leeward, it appears he left blank lett passes for as many vessells as lie could learn would sail before his returne, two of which Col. Parry paid for his two sloops, arid I doubt not but on the first occasion wee shall find blank lycences left; so that those acclamations proves but an intended peace of State policy. Some days past I was assaulted by one Mr. Drolinvaux, Mr. Smith, Jackson and Grills, the usage I had from them I have sworn to (enclosed), the first two of them I mentioned (Feb. 27) as being very active in the murther of the late Generall, since which Col. Jones gave Smith a commission in his regiment, which I presume is a gratuity for his rebellion, and firing that day against H.M. colours, the two latter are subalterns in the same regiment, and of the same faction, etc. By such early proceedings your Lordships may perceive what ministry wee shall live under if he is made Generall, as I am informed these Gentlemen have addressed H.M. in his favour; but our hopes is that H.M. will in no wise think him a fit person to command here, for if he should, all wee Loyallists must move to some other of H.M. Governments, or be contented to submitt to a greater oppression than wee do now, and the greatest hopes of speedy relief wee have is, from the impression wch. may be made on H.M. by the Addresses our neighbour Islands have sent her, shewing their Christian like detestations of so barbarous an action, etc. Signed, Thomas Morris. Enclosed,
827. i. Thomas Morris to Lt. General Hamilton. I just now received following summons for my attending the Council relating to the death of the unfortunate Col. Parke, in whose favour there may be a great deale said, bug think this is very severe, for I can't take it otherwise than commending me to run in that fire, which has been so long kindling, and is now burning at the heighth it is, my life is but a span, and should I he anyways active in the favour of that gentleman, it soon would be Shortened to an inch, so that knowing my destiny, I desire the few days I may have to live may be in peace, and without the fear of being hedg'd. I assure your Honour my lipps are seal'd, and shall remain so till H.M. commands be to the contrary, so hope you'l excuse my absence, and give me leave to rest as I am. Signed, Thomas Morris. copy.
827. ii. Copy of summons to Thomas Morris to appear before the Lt. General and General Council at St. Johns, to be examined as to the death of Governor Parke, etc. Signed, Tho. Kerby, Cik. Council. [C.O. 153, 11. pp. 339–345.]