|
| [Oct. 16.] |
100. Alexander Strahan, Agent to the 4 Independent Companys
of Foot at New York, to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following to be laid before H.M. Continues:— I would
humbly offer it to your consideration, whether the accts. from
those parts of the defection of the five nations of the Indians may
not make this augmentation more requisite etc. Endorsed,
Recd. 16th, Read 31st Oct. 1712. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
100. i. Extract from Brigadier Hunter's letter to Alexander
Strahan, Jan. 1, 1711/12. Urges him strongly to sollicite
the augumentation of the troops at New York, on account
of the building of two new forts in the Indian countrys.
"Another cogent reason is the tarr manufacture, for
in time of peace I by these hands with a small allowance
to the workers for the working days only can pursue it
tho' the Palatines were not here, there is no doing with
that turbulent race of men but a strong hand and severe
discipline. I have found all other mesures ineffectual,
and have been oblig'd to disarm them and keep them
to their work by a small detachmt. in their neighbourhood, etc. Whether they would regiment them, or add
2 companys independant, I am indifferent, but for
discipline sake, I wish they may be regimented. The
Governor being Col. needs no pay, the Major's pay is a
trifle, and the rest of the staff we have already." ¾ p.
[C.O. 5, 1050. Nos. 53, 53 i.] |
Oct. 18.
Jamaica. |
101. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to [? the Earl of Dartmouth.]
Acknowledges letter of June 24th in favour of Mr. Lewis Galdy.
Signed, A. Hamilton. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 51. No. 63.] |
Oct. 20.
Windsor. |
102. Order of Queen in Council. Approving representation of
Sept. 8th, (q.v.) and granting H.M. royal pardon to Mars, a negroe,
Hosea and John, two Spanish Indians. Signed, Edward Southwell. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 11. No. 87.] |
Oct. 20.
Windsor. |
103. Order of Queen in Council. Approving representation
of Sept. 25, and confirming Act of Virginia to enable John and
Frances Custis to sell part of Col. Parke's land entailed on the said
Frances, etc. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. Read June
24, 1715. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 1316. No. 116; and 5, 1364. pp.
206, 207.] |
Oct. 20.
Windsor. |
104. Copy of H.M. Commission to Francis Nicholson to be
General and Commander in Chief of the forces in Nova Scotia
or Acadia, and in Newfoundland. Countersigned, Bolingbroke.
Endorsed, Recd. Read Jan. 29, 17 12/13. 2 pp. [C.O. 217, 1.
No. 4; and 218, 1. pp. 34–36.] |
Oct. 20.
Windsor. |
105. Copy of H.M. Commission to Francis Nicholson to be
"Governor of our Province of Nova Scotia, or Acadia, in North
America; and of our town and garrison of Annapolis Royal,"
etc. Signed and endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 217, 1. No.
5; and 218, 1. pp. 36, 37.] |
Oct. 20.
Barbados. |
106. Governor Lowther to the Earl of Dartmouth. Captain
Bungo Hardman, Commander of the Blenford man of war, arriv'd
here with your Lordshipe's of Aug. 21st on the 10th inst., and
on the 11th I published the proclamation your Lordship sent me
in relation to the Truce. The line that's mentioned in the
Queen's Proclamation, and your Lordshipe's letter, I take to be
the equinoctial line, and not the Tropick of Cancer as some
conjecture. I will do my utmost endeavour to see the cessation
of hostility duely complyed with, and shall punctually observe
H.M. commands in not sending any prisoners to Great Britain
without sending at the same time sufficient proofes of their
crimes. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 28,
43. No. 79.] |
Oct. 20.
Jamaica. |
107. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to [? the Earl of Dartmouth.]
The Defyance by which I have now ye honour to write to your
Lop. was first intended to saile the beginning of August, but
ye accidents wch. have detain'd her, have likewise prevented my
writting sooner. Refers to letters to Board of Trade re imbargo
and martial law and the hurricane. People have pretty well
refitted their houses, and by ye favourableness of ye wether since
I hope their canes won't suffer so much as was at first expected.
But there are two matters wch. have lately happen'd and wch.
being national I have thought necessary to inform yr. Lop. of.
Both have been done by ye privateers of this Island against
what I presume was the intent of the American Act of Parliament,
tho' they seem to have evaded the letter of it; one fact has been
ye robbing ye Spaniards near Carthagena, in an intercourse of
trade wth. ye Dutch, the other has been comitted on ye coast of
Cuba by using some crueltyes on ye Spaniards to discover their
effects and money in an intercourse of trade wth. English
vessels. Of these I have recd. complaints from ye respective
Spanish Govrs., and from ye Spanish and Dutch traders and from
our own, and have endeavour'd to give ym. all possible assurances
yt. such actions, as being highly disagreeable to H.M. inclinations
towards ye Spaniards as well as ye Dutch, shall be strictly
enquired into and discourag'd; I have order'd a prosecution on
ye Stat. of H.6.c.4, against ye first, and am advis'd by H.M.
Attorney General here that restitution may be thereupon decreed
out of ye effects wch. I have ordered to be detain'd in ye Agent's
hands belonging to that privateer. The second fact is not so
well prooved nor seems so obnoxious to any statute, tho' in this
too all shall be done yt. can by law. But my Lord it is from
the difficulty I meet with in such prosecutions and my inability
effectually to redress these disorders yt. more inclines me to give
yr. Lop. this information, etc. Recommends for the Council,
Mr. Brodrick (May 5), Coll. James Archbould and Col. John
Sadler in the room of Cols. Long, Edlyn and Mumbee, the first
having been off ye Island near 6, ye others above two years,
without any of them having signify'd to me their intentions to
return, etc. Prays his Lordship to present to the Queen an
Address forwarded to the Board of Trade, "wherein the body of
this Island have endeavour'd to express their duty to H.M. on
this happy occasion," etc. Signed, A. Hamilton. 2¾ pp. [C.O.
137, 51. No. 64.] |
Oct. 20.
Antigua. |
108. Governor Douglas to [? the Earl of Dartmouth.] Acknowledges letter of Aug. 21st " with H.M. Proclamation for observance
of the Truce, which I have published in all the four Islands with
the usual ceremony and notifyed the same to the Governour of
Martinique and all whom it might concern: I have also made
some considerable progress in recovering the decayed trade and
credit of this Island, wch. was chiefly occasion'd by the late
confusions, and continued by ye present heats, and divisions, to
which, it's humbly hoped a few examples of justice wou'd put a
very speedy conclusion, the chief promoters of the many murders
and rebellion being supposed to have reached London befor now.
I shal take all imaginable care to see the cessation of hostilityes
duely complyed with. Your Lordship's further orders, in the
signification of H.M. pleasure, that none of her subjects be hereafter sent prisoners from the plantations to Great Britain, unless
sufficient proof of their crimes is sent at the same time, shal be
observed with all possible exactness," etc. Signed, Walter Douglas.
2 pp. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 93.] |
Oct. 21.
Windsor Castle. |
109. The Earl of Dartmouth to Governor Lowther. The
enclosed petition of Richard Carter having been laid before the
Queen, H.M. was pleased to referr it to the consideration of the
Attorney Generall, whose report is annext. You will see it is his
opinion the petitioner ought immediately to be restored to the
exercise of his profession, and H.M. commands me to signify her
pleasure to you, that he be restored accordingly. Signed, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. p. 178.] |
Oct. 21.
St. Johns. |
110. Archibald Cumings to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In complying with your Lordships' commands, I take
leave humbly to represent to your Lordships the state of the trade
of this country. This year abundance of ships came to load fish,
but the bad fishery has obleidged a great many to goe away dead
freighted here has been some quantities of tobacco pitch and
tarr imported this year more then the country could expend so
it is shiped off for the Straights and for Portugall and one whole
sloop lading of logwood for the Straits contrary to the Acts of
Trade here is also brought in from Portugall and Fyall brandy
fruit oyl and bacon and sometimes linins and canvis of the
produce of that country contrary to law and shiped off for the
other Plantations. Also my Lords here came an English ship
from Holland with canvis powder potts linnens and other
merchdize of that country and cordage which is contrary to law
and prejudiciall to the trade of Great Brittain. Refers to the
prejudice to trade by ships coming hither from Spain under
Spanish colours, etc. as April 22. Signed, Archd. Cumings.
Endorsed, Recd. Read Dec. 12, 1712. Addressed. ¾ p. [C.O.
194, 5. No. 17; and 195, 5. pp. 285, 286.] |
Oct. 24.
Windsor Castle. |
111. H.M. Warrant to Governor Lowther, directing him to
permit Erasmus Lewis (v. Oct. 13, 15) to execute his office by
Provost Marshal General by his deputy or deputys, "Wee having
thought fitt in regard to his being employed in our service as
Secretary to our right trusty and wel beloved cousin and
Councellor, William Earl of Dartmouth, one of our principal
Secretarys of State, and upon other considerations us thereunto
moving, to give and grant unto him our leave and licence to
continue and remain in this our Kingdom of Great Britain till
further signification of our pleasure," etc. Countersigned,
Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 178–180.] |
Oct. 29.
Windsor Castle. |
112. The Queen to the President of the Council of Maryland.
No Governor having been sent thither since the death of Col.
Seymour, our petitioner Sir T. Lawrence Secretary of Maryland
still remains without redress, as ordered March 30, 1710 etc.
Wee accordingly signify our will and pleasure to you that at the
first Assembly which shall meet, after your receipt of these our
Letters, you do in the strongest and most earnest manner
represent to them that the several orders Wee have made in
Council and letters Wee have been pleased to write in his behalf,
after his case had been fully examined by Our Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations and by Our Attorney General, who all
agreed in representing the hardship thereof, have hitherto meet
with no complyance, but that on the contrary because Wee had
laid our commands upon Governor Seymour not to pass any law
for the future whereby the advantage of the licences to ordinarys
should be taken for the Secretary's Office the Council and
Assembly at that time being did on Dec. 3, 1708, pass an ordinance
directing and empowering the Justices of the County Courts to
grant licences to ordinary keepers and to take recognizances for
their keeping good rules and orders in their houses and settling
the rates of liquors etc., which pretended ordinance being contrary
to commission to our Governor wherein it is expressly declared
that laws, statutes and ordinances shall be passed by him with
the advice and consent of the Assembly is therefore null and
void and this proceeding altogether unwarrantable and illegall.
You are further to acquaint them that Wee expect they should
forthwith pass a law for regulating ordinarys without limitation
of time or at least for a longer duration than it has hitherto been
made and that the benefit of the licences be thereby appropriated
to the use of the Secretary for the time being as fully to all intents
and purposes as the said Sir T. Lawrence or any other Secretary
of that Province hath at any time heretofore had or lawfully
enjoyed the same, and that Wee do further expect that they give
to Sir. T. Lawrence an equitable consideration for the mean profit
of the said office which he hath lost since 1704. And it is Our
further will and pleasure that you use your utmost endeavour by
pressing these matters home to them and by all other proper ways
and methods (the choice whereof wee leave to your prudence and
discretion) to procure a complyance with these Our commands.
Countersigned, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 184–188.] |
Oct. 29.
London. |
113. G. Bonnin to the Earl of Dartmouth. I am sent here as
an eye-witness and on(e) of the chief evidences of that unparalleled
rebellion and murder of Antigoa by a special warrant of Col.
Walter Douglas against Sam. Watkins and Dan. Makinen and
others to come, as chief actors in that barbarous fact. Prays
for maintenance if he must wait long, etc. Signed, G. Bonnin.
Endorsed, R. Nov. 1. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 7, 1. No. 21.] |
Oct. 29.
York, in St. Johns harbour. |
114. Commodore Sir Nicholas Trevanion to [? the Earl of
Dartmouth.] I writt you by Capt. Owen in the Solebay which
brought me your letter and the Queen's Proclamation. Att the
latter end of September the men of warr under my command had
taken 5 prizes of considerable value three of which their men was
sent to Placentia. I immediately sent an express to Monsr.
Cost-De-Bel, the Governour, that if the officers and men would
return their ships shou'd be restored; the other two I gave
liberty that they might proceed on their intended voyage; now
the men are return'd from Placentia with a letter from the
Governour (enclosed). And I have restored their ships to their
great satisfaction. I sent three expresses and this comes by the
second, and I doubt the first is lost. I leave this Island in a very
good condition and the people very well satisfied, etc. Prays
to be appointed to settle affairs here in the spring, if Placentia
is to be delivered up etc. Signed, N. Trevanion. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
114. i. M. de Costebelle to Commodore Sir N. Trevanion.
Plaisance, Nov. 3, 1712. Accepts his offer as above,
and sends 4 dozen of wine, and begs to be allowed to
purchase a box of soap and candles. I am told that some
of our fulibustiers contrary to the laws of war and my
orders, have committed outrages on your territory.
If I can learn the names of these scoundrels, I will have
them punished as they deserved, etc. Signed, De
Costebelle. French. 3½ pp. |
|
114. ii. Address of the inhabitants and merchants of Newfoundland to the Earl of Dartmouth. Return thanks
for so early a notification of the cessation of arms, and
pray that Sir N. Trevanion may be continued as
Governour, etc. 97 signatures. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 24.
Nos. 10, 10 i., 11.] |
Oct. 29.
York, in St. Johns harbour. |
115. Commodore Sir Nicholas Trevanion to the Council of
Trade and Plantations. In complyance with the orders that I
recd. from your office, this brings you an acct. of the condition
and state of Newfoundland. 'Twas the 18th Sept. before I
arrived; I have done what lies in my power for to settle the
inhabitants; and to decide all matters relateing to the affairs
of the country; Monsr. Cost-de-Bel Governour of Placentia has
given me his word, he will nott make them uneasie till he hears
farther from France. I have writt to the Principal Secretary of
State, and to Lords of the Admiralty; that I may come hear the
next year to settle this country if it be a peace; I desire the interest
of your honble. Board. Signed, N. Trevanion. Endorsed, Recd.
Read Dec. 10, 1712. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
115. i. By Sir Nicholas Trevanion, Knt., Commander of
H.M. ships and garrisons and Governour in Chief att
Newfoundland. A record of several Courts held att
St. Johns for the better discipline and good order of the
people, and correcting the irregularities by them
committed, contrary to good laws and Acts of Parliament, all which was debated att severall Courts held;
wherein was present the Admirall and Vice-Admirall,
merchants, and cheif inhabitants, and witnesses being
examined, it was brought to the following conclusion— |
|
Article (i) That orders be put up att publick houses, and other
convenient places, for the suppressing drunkenness,
cursing, and swearing, and other irregularities. (ii)
Whereas it was confirmed last year by Capt. Josiah
Crow, that Mr. Jacob Rice, minister of St. Johns, was to
have from the shallops 3, the two-men boat 2, and the
skiff one quintals of dry merchandable fish, and I find
that the planters are very backward in paying him
though they gave from under their hands; he informs
me he gott but 100 quintalls of fish, this fishing season;
I do confirm what Commandore Crow, and the Court
with the inhabitants did agree to, for the minister's
subsistence and to encourage the Minister to remain in
this country. (iii) I do confirm John Collyns Esq.
Governor of Fort William of St. Johns, and that it is
appointed, during the cessation, that 20 able men lies
in the Fort every night. (iv) I granted a warrant to
call Mr. Benger before me, relating to Sir William
Hopkins' plantation att Ferriland, which is now in the
possession of the Widow Clapp, and the tenement that
was formerly in the possession of Sir David Kirk, but
Mr. Benger did not appear in Court. (v) Mrs. Benger,
wife of James Benger did appear relating to a tenement
formerly in the possession of William Bennett decd.,
and Mrs. Benger is willing to allow to the heirs of Bennett,
to one Tomson Reeve £10 per annum till it is further
decided. (vi) As to what has happened to other matters
between the merchts. and masters of ships, and planters
and boatkeepers, relating to debts, I don't mention the
parties being satisfied. |
|
(Replies to Enquiries. v. Aug. 2.) (i) As to the numbers of
English planters etc. v. scheme annexed. (ii) The
planters receive sustenance from the countries, and kill
but very few beavers, and other wild beasts. (iii) The
inhabitants have most part of their salt provisions from
Ireland; the fresh provisions as bread, pease and other
necessaryes, from New England and Pensylvania,
they have their salt from Lisbon, and the Isle of May;
and in war time from prizes brought in here. (iv) I
have given strict orders, that no trees should be cutt
down or rinded, nor woods sett on fire, but what is
necessary for the building of the stages and other
uses, which I hope will be duly complyed with, and that
there is no trees cutt down upon the account of making
oyle. (v) I have took all the care I could; to settle
all matters between the fishing ships, and planters; to
possess the fishing ships with what was their right, and
the planters with theirs, there has been severall
complaints of that nature, and I have done what lies
in my power, to settle it for the little time I have been
here, not arriving till Sept. 17th. (vi) I have had no
complaints of the fishing ships; that the inhabitants,
or by-boat keepers, have possessed their stages, cookrooms, or train-fatts, or other conveniences, but att the
arrivall of the ships they have had quiett possession.
(vii) I have took all the care that I could that the
by-boat keepers and fishing ships do carry such number of
freshmen and greenmen in proportion to their respective
companies as the Act directs me. (viii) I have had no
complaints from any persons that there is any expunging,
cutting out, or altering, any marks of any boats or
trainfatts, or converting them to their use, or removing
the same from the places where they have been left by
the owners. (ix) I have had no complaints from any
persons that there is any person leaving the country;
or any other time, that they do not destroy, deface or
do any detriment, to the stages, cookrooms, etc.; or
to the materialls thereunto belonging which had been
possessed either by himself or others, and that all
persons during their stay here, does content themselves
with what is necessary for their own use, and repair
the defects that may be in their stages or other conveniences by timber fetched out of the woods, and that they
do not committ any spoil upon stages already built.
(x) I have had no complaint that any Admirall, ViceAdmirall, and Rear-Admirall of any Harbour do ingross
any more beach or flakes then they pitch upon at their
arrivall. (xi) Att my arrivall here I sent proper
orders to all the Admiralls of the harbours, to give me
an account as my Instructions directs me, and likewise
to the cheif planters of every little cove, to give me an
account of what boats, and fish, and of the inhabitants
living in that port, (annexed). (xii) Att my arrivall
here, I held a Generall Court twice a week, the Admirall
and Vice-Admirall att my assistance, and whatever
differences happened, we endeavoured to settle it,
relating to planters and boatkeepers, servants, etc.
(xiii) I took care to send to all the Captains of the men
of war and Admiralls of the Harbours; that no ballast
should be thrown out of any ship to the prejudice of
that harbour, which they have assured me they have
complyed with. (xiv) There has been due care taken
that the inhabitants, boat keepers and fishing ships,
and all others concerned in fishing, that their offalls, has
not been any ways offensive; their stages being so near
the water, they throw it in, so that it's presently washed
away. (xv) I took all possible care that the Lord's
day should be duely observed, by the inhabitants and
ships' companies, by sending a watch att sermon time,
and setting up of strict orders, and where I have found
any so offending, I took due care to give them corrections,
both housekeepers and the agressors. (xvi) There
is none but H.M. subjects that fishes or takes bait in
these ports that are inhabited by the English. (xvii)
There is great care taken that the fish is preserved with
good salt, and sent to markett in a very good condition.
(xviii) There is no wine nor brandy brought from New
England; only rum and molossus, which is the liquor
the servants drinke in this country; it has proved a
very bad year of fishing, so that the planters are in
debt for themselves and servants, to the masters of
ships and merchants, wch. they are to pay the year
ensuing, if they are able. (xix) It was Sept. 17th before
I arrived here, so that I could not gett the masters'
names; for most of them were gone before my arrivall,
but you will find by the scheme there was 20 sail
belonging to America, they brought bread, pease, rice,
rum, tobacco, molossus, and cattle, and other necessaryes
to supply the inhabitants of this country. (xx) The
provisions brought here is from England, Ireland, and
New England, and it is disposed of here to the planters
and inhabitants, for their subsistence; the New
Englandmen return home in their ballast. (xxi) I gave
you an account in the former article of the provisions
brought hither, there is sugar and tobacco, but I can't
find any cotton-wool, indico, ginger, fustick, or any
dying wood that is brought here, nor any put on board
of any ship bound for Spaine, Portugall, or any other
forreign part. (xxii) and (xxiii) v. No. 115, ii. The
food and sustenance for the men is beef, fish, pease and
other provisions, what they can gett, their beer is brewed
with molossus and spruce. They goe out of the harbours
in shollops 7 men and 5 men in a boat.: They catch
their fish with hook and line. The first part of the year
their bait is muscles and lances, and about the middle
of June, their bait is capleing, squid and fresh herring;
and the end of the year they fish with herring only,
which they have nets purposely for taking the sort of
bait. (xxiv) The price of fish this year is from 30 to 36
ryalls per quintall, good merchanable fish; the broken
fish which they call refuge fish is sold for 20 ryalls per
quintel, and carried to Spain and Portugall, and the oyle
that is made of the livers of the fish, is carried to
England: the value of the oyle is £16 per tun. (xxv) v.
No. ii. They load with dry fish, bound to severall ports,
as Spain and Portugall; but there is 8 ships this year
that could not gett their loadeing, and was forced to go
in their ballast to Virginia to seek freight. (xxvi) I
have given strickt charge to take care not to discharge
any men but to carry back what they brought from
England. (xxvii) I have made the best enquiry I can
to know what inhabitants there are att Placentia;
there are 500 men and 200 women and children. There
has been great quantities of fish catched there this
year and sold for 22 ryals a quintal. (xxviii) There is
a fort and platform consisting of 60 guns; ammunition
and victualls they have from France and Canada, what
quantities of ammunition I can't be informed with,
and provisions there is no want. (xxix) As to the
number of ships from Placentia this year was about
30 sail, which most of them came to make a fishing
voyage, and some to buy fish in order to carry to markett,
which came there with necessaries for their subsistence:
the ships that fish upon the banks, is taking of codd and
salting of them, and carrying of them in bulk to France,
and in the Bay; they fish upon the coast of Canada,
and salt their fish after the same manner. (xxx) There
is no other nation besides England and France, except
the Spaniards come by stealth, into harbours where
they are not discovered. (xxxi) As to the New Englandmen, I have took care to see them all out of port, so
that they may not carry away any of H.M. subjects.
7 pp. |
|
115. ii. Scheme of the Fishery of Newfoundland. Fishing
ships, 66; Sack ships, 17; ships from America, 20.
Burthen of fishing ships, 8000 tuns. Men belonging to
the ships, 1423. Fishing ships' boats, 198. By-boats,
70. Inhabitants' boats, 300. By-boatmen, masters,
75, servants, 520. Quintals of fish, made by fishing ships,
20,030; by-boats, 13,900; inhabitants' boats, 30,500;
Total, 64, 430. Quintals of fish carried to market,
57,550. Quantity of train made by fishing ships, 180
tuns; by-boats 150 tuns, inhabitants' boats 336 tuns;
Total, 666. Number of stages, 389. Number of
inhabitants; men, 1509; women, 185; children, 323;
Total, 2017. Signed, N. Trevanion. York, in St. Johns
Habr. Oct. 29, 1712. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 5. Nos. 16,
16 i., ii.; and 195, 5. pp. 271–284.] |
Oct. 29.
Boston, New England. |
116. Governor Dudley to Lord Bolingbroke [my Lord Bullenbrook]. I humbly congratulate your Lordship's advancement,
and since my Lord Dartmouth's removal, pray to be allow'd
to represent the present state of affayres in H.M. provinces where
I have the honour to command. I have had a hard summer to
prevent the inroads of my French and Indian neighbours from
Quebeck. Early in the spring I sent a party of 60 men 250 miles
into the deseart between us and Quebeck, where they cut of a
small factory of Indians, of whom they destroyed tenn of their
best men, and the rest fled towards Mountreal, and left their
beaver and pelts in the English hands. This party gave notice
and alarm to M. Vodriel, who supposing us to be more then we
were, raised 200 Indians and French who come upon our frontiers
of this Province and Newhampshire for 7 or 8 weeks flying from
place to place, which obliged me to keep out 300 foot and two
troopes of horse the most part of the summer, which prevented
their falling upon any village of our frontiers. At length they
march'd of, carrying with them only the heads of two little girles,
and since the middle of September I have been at quiet. A few
dayes since I have receiv'd from Sir Nicholas Trevanion H.M.
proclamation for a cessation of armes, which I have made publique,
the gentlemen of H.M. Councill and the Representatives of the
Province and the first regiment of this town in armes attending.
And the articles which H.M. in her princely wisdom has procured
demonstrate her care for all her good subjects, especially those of
North America, as well as her superior interist in the disposation
of the affayres of Europe, to the satisfaction of all good men that
love the Government and their own interest. I have obeyed
H.M. commands in the Instructions to return bills of exchange
for the expences here, which are humbly laid before my Lord
Treasurer. The great affayres before H.M. relating to the warr
must content everybody in the delay of lesser matters, and the
merchants concern'd must have patience, but I most humbly pray
of your Lordship that they may not be forgotton least it be a
discouragement to any future service from them as well as the
undoing those that made those supplyes and depend on their
bills. I am sensible that expedition ended very unfortunately,
but I beseech your Lordship to believe me there was nothing
left undone in the power of these Governments that it might
have succeeded, and I humbly pray they may be satisfyed in
their just expectations. I am inform'd that some Clerks and
Accountants were intended to be sent to examine those accounts,
nothing shall be more acceptable to me then to receive them here,
and yeild them all assistance for H.M. satisfaction. I am not
personally concern'd one farthing in all those accounts. And if
they can be shortned by any examination, I will approve myself
to H.M. and my Lord Treasurer by assisting in it with all application. But if after all my sincere endeavours in that affayr, I
should lose my reputation with the people here, and H.M. favour
I should be the most unfortunate man liveing, etc. Signed, J.
Dudley. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 751. No. 82.] |
Oct. 29.
New England, Boston. |
117. Governor Dudley to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to letter of April 8th and acknowledges receipt of
letter of Feb. 1st requiring an account of stores of war etc. All
these stores left by Generall Hill could not be in the year's account
ending June 24, 1711 already sent but are now making ready to
come in the mast fleet, wherein the thousand small armes will be
contayned, of which I am advised by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Dartmouth, Feb. 13. That supply and a happy peace by H.M. most
gracious provision for us, I hope will secure us and prevent our
being further chargable to H.M. on that head. I humbly thank
your Lordships' favour to Mr. Wentworth, whose warrant to
serve in H.M. Councill is receiv'd and he is sworn, and serves
very well being a man of good estate and loyalty. In the article
of that letter referring to the division line between H.M. Province
of the Massachusets and the Colonyes of Conecticut and Road
Island, I had no reference to the petition of Wayt Winthrop and
others referring to land in the Narraganset country, but only to
the division line between the Massachusets and the two other
Colonyes. That matter stands thus, in 1628 the Massachusets
Charter [was] granted by King Charles I to severall gentlemen,
and the bounds [of] the grant therein exprest and set down and
the south bounds of the said grant were to be three miles southard
of Charles River, or any branch of it, etc., by an east and west
line, which was accordingly run by skilfull artists and markt
out in 1642, and the Surveyors' returns upon record, etc. In
1662 Conecticut and Road Island obtayn'd their charters, and
were both bounded by the south line of the Massachusets, which
lines they have since pretended to examine, and alledge that it
comes too far southward, and so deprives them of lands belonging
to those Colonyes. The Government of Road Island two years
since sent some members of their Generall Assembly to treat
about it, and upon a conference of two or three dayes were better
informed and submitted to that antient line, run before the grant
of their Charter, which agreement was accordingly signed by
them, and is of record in both the Goverments, but the Colony
of Conecticut remayn unsatisfyed and there has been suits at
law for damages thereabout, and I have been often told that they
had layd their complaint before H.M., which was the reason
I wrote thereupon to your Lordships, as I am commanded in
the Instructions for this H.M. Goverment. The inhabitants of
this Goverment adjoyning to Conecticut are at a tolerable
quiet at present, but the chalange will hardly be ended untill
H.M. upon a full hearing shall please to determine the controversie,
which will demand time when H.M. more important affayres
will allow. I have passed the summer with my French and
Indian neighbours tollerably without any considerable loss, and
have now received from Sir Nicholas Trevanion at Newfoundland,
H.M. proclamation for a cessation of armes, which every good
man here hopes will be followed by a happy peace agreeable to
those articles wherein H.M. has shew'd her princely wisdom
and care for all her subjects in North America, and will give them
leave to return to their imployments for their own benefit, and the
supply of Great Britain with naval stores, and what else they may
be directed to for H.M. service, which I shall put forward with all
dilligence while I have the honour to serve H.M. here. Signed,
J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. Dec. 29, 1712, Read July 6th, 1713.
2¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 865. No. 93; and 5, 913. pp. 422–426.] |
Oct. 29.
New England, Boston. |
118. Governor Dudley to Mr. Popple. Acknowledges letters
of June 1st and 13th. I am surprised to read the death of the
Earl of Winchelsea, etc., etc. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed
as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 865. No. 94; and 5, 913. p. 427.] |
Oct. 29.
Boston. |
119. Governor Dudley to the Earl of Dartmouth. Acknowledges letters of Feb. 13, and July 2nd and 8th. Repeats parts of
No. 117. Concludes:—I have served H.M. here faithfully these
ten years, and the country has been well defended to the
observation of my enemyes, if I have any, and I have left nothing
undone to the observation of the Ministry in all things, and have
had but a mean support, and yet am not willing to lose my station,
if I may have H.M. favour to continue in it, etc. Signed, J.
Dudley. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 898. No. 24.] |
Oct. 30.
Boston in New England. |
120. George Lee to the honble. Sir Stephen Fox att his
lodgeings in Whitehall. A letter on private affairs. Thanks for
care of his family, etc. and endeavours to procure him a captain's
commission, which he hopes will be done when the establishment
of Annapolis and Placentia is settled, etc. Signed, George Lee.
Endorsed, Rd. Jan. 1st, 1712 (13). 2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 751. No.
83.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
121. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Dartmouth. Enclose Mr. Cunynghame's letter of Aug. 12 (cf. Aug.
29th). [C.O. 153, 12. p. 21.] |
Oct. 31.
New York. |
122. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. I had ye honour of your Lordps.' letter of June
12th by the hands of Mr. Dupré, who arrived here on ye 18th
inst. having left ye Sorlings man of warr when she touched at
Rhode Island. Since ye arrival of that ship Capt. Graves in the
Dullidge brought me H.M. Orders and Proclamation for a cessation
of arms by sea and land, who being in hast to proceed to Boston
with the like dispatches and from thence straight for Brittain,
I have not time to give your Lordps. soe exact and perticular
accounts of ye affaires on this side as is requisite, but shall supply
that defect by the Hector and Shoreham who are now prepareing
for their returne. I most humbly and heartilly thank your Lordps.
for the honour and justice you have done me in your Representations to H.M. and that to my Lord High Treasurer, and must
suffer with patience untill the more important affaires at home
shall afford leasure to apply ye proper remedys. It would be a
crime to doubt it after what you have done. As to ye Palatins,
my substance and creditt being exhausted, I had noe remedy left
but by a letter to the managers of ye work to intimate to that
people that they should take measures to subsist themselves
dureing this winter upon the lands where they were planted,
and such as cold not, might find it by working with the inhabitants
leaveing with the Commissarys their names and the names of
ye places or landlords where they are imploy'd dureing that time,
that they may be in readyness upon the first publick notice given
to returne to ye work which they have obliged themselves by
contract to pursue. Upon this intimation some hundreds of
them took a resolution of possessing the lands of Scoharee and
are accordingly marched thither, have been buissy in cutting a
road from Schenectady to that place and have purchased or
procured a quantity of Indian corn toward their winter subsistance. It being impossible for me to prevent this, I have been
ye easier under it upon these considerations that by these meanes
the body of that people is kept together within ye Province,
that when it shall please H.M. to resume the designe of prosecuteing that work that body at Scoharee may be imploy'd in working
in the vast pine-woods near to Albany, which they must be
obliged to doe haveing noe manner of pretence to ye possession
of any lands but by performing their part of the contract relateing
to that manufacture, and that in that sittuation they serve
in some measure as a frontier to or at least an increase to the
strength of Albany and Schenectady, but if ye warr continues, or
should by any misfortune break out again, it will be neither
possible for them to subsist or safe for them to remain there,
considering the ill use they have already made of arms when
they were intrusted with them. The tarr work in the mean time
was brought to all ye perfection that was possible in the time.
The trees have received their last preparation, and staves
prepared for the barrells, the magazine almost finished and ye
road between it and ye pine woods almost compleated. Mr.
Sackett who has had ye direction of that work ever since Mr.
Bridger did basely desert it, assures me that the trees promise
beyond expectation; the best of it in our present circumstances
is that ye longer they stand now the more tarr they will yeild,
provideing it does not exceed a year or two. The reasons of the
difference between the method of prepareing the trees which
your Lordps. have transmitted to me and that we follow are
obvious. The sun has much more force here than in Moscow,
which oblidges us to consult and follow the seasons of the yeare in
our several barkings. I myselfe have observed that where by
mistake the trees have been first rinded on the side where the
sun's heat had most influence, the ground neare it was filled with
turpentine drein'd by't from ye tree. My friends in England
who know nothing of ye matter press mightilly the sending over
a quantity of tarr to convince the world of the solidity of ye
project. To your Lordps. I referr them who are sufficiently
appriz'd of the time absolutely requisite to produce ye first
quantity in the manner it is done in all other countrys from whence
wee have had it, and shall conclude this subject with this reflection;
If ye production of that quantity of tarr requisite for ye Navy
in H.M. own plantations be a reall advantage, or rather at this
time indispensably necessary to Great Brittain, if the world is
convine'd that tarr is made out of pitch pine, of which we are here
sufficiently perswaded our trees yeilding as much turpentine,
(which is ye same substance) as any in the world, if a sufficient
number of hands duely instructed and imploy'd are ye instruments
and means of produceing it, which are now here at great expence
and soe imploy'd, if all this I say be true as undeniably it is,
then I shall still conclude it impossible that this design can
be dropt when it is brought soe near to ye pitch of perfection.
By the inclosed Minutes of Assembly your Lordps. will observe
that nothing is yet done or to be expected from them toward the
support of Government. I communicated to them as I was
directed your Lordps.' sentiments with relation to their proceedings. What regard they pay to them, your Lordps. will be
appris'd of by their resolves of Oct. 30, whereby they still insist
upon ye Councill's haveing noe right to amend money bills, a
notion but lately broached, the practice of almost all former
Assemblys standing on record against them in that matter.
The indecent heats and undutifull expressions in their house upon
the reading your Lordps.' letter are not fitt to be repeated.
Two things they avowedly declare they will never depart from,
that is the appointing of sallaries and the custody of ye publick
money, and now haveing for severall years starved the Government, they consume the time dureing their severall sessions in
bantering it, that is by prepareing bills which they know can never
pass, and others which if passed would raise noe money, whilst in
the mean time their frequent sessions cost the country more
money than an honourable support of Government would amount
to. I have nothing to hope for from a new Assembly for ye
reasons formerly alleadged to your Lordps., which experience
has since that time confirm'd, the same members being return'd
for ye last to one man. I shall only add, and I pray God my
prediction may prove false, the remedy for those evils if delay'd
will cost more then ye Province is worth. Such bills as shall
passe my consent this sessions shall be transmitted by the next
conveyance. My constant attendance on the Assembly here
hath oblig'd me as constantly to prorogue that of the Jerseys.
Neither can I promise myselfe any good issue from that meeting,
if those gentlemen formerly mentioned continue in the Councill,
that faction upon all occations vilifye and affront the Government
in all it's branches. One of them Peter Sonmans, an alien, lately
after haveing given orders to a servant of his (to whom it seems
dureing a former administration Mr. Bass had intrusted the
Records of the Eastern Division of that Province) not to show
them to those who had not only my order but Mr. Basse's for
that purpose, upon heareing of a second application and
complaint to me from the parties concerned, thought fitt to
break open the trunck in which the Records had beene kept and
carry them out of the Province. Some time after the Cheife
Justice haveing issued out his warrant for a search, and another
for apprehending the said Sonmans, the Records were sent
from New York by a permitt for Philladelphia. But Mr. Basse,
who is likewise Surveyor of the Customes at Burlington, as he
affirms to me suspecting there might be some prohibitted goods in
the said trunck when at Burlington, and haveing a key sent him
by an unknown hand sealed up in a blanck peice of paper, had ye
curiosity to open ye trunck, where to his great surprize he found
all the Records of the Eastern Division safe and sound, and
swears he will now never part with them more but with his life.
I suppose ye collusion is palpable enough to your Lordps., but I
shall make all more plain by the next conveyance. In the mean
time the taxes are paid with daily difficulty and prosecution
occasioned by the ill example and countenance of some of these
gentlemen and matters of Government in the high road to the
same confusion that raigns in this Province, whilst the remedy
is easey and noebody hurt by't. Our Indians are now quiet
againe, a very good Fort and Chappell built in the Mohak's
country, where I have at present 20 private men and an officer,
the other in the Onondagues country is like to meet with some
opposition by ye evil arts of French emissarys, but I hope to
get ye better of that and carry on ye work this summer. The
Missionary for ye Mohaks is arriv'd and upon his departure for
his mission, I doubt not but he will be kindly receiv'd, etc. P.S.
I need not inform your Lordps. of the loss that must attend ye
interruption of ye tarr work if it is resumed by reason of ye want
of a yearly succession of prepared trees. Signed, Ro. Hunter.
Endorsed, Recd. Dec. 29, 1712, Read March 11, 17 12/13. 7 pp.
[C.O. 5, 1050. No. 58; and 5, 1123. pp. 70–79.] |
Oct. 31.
New York. |
123. Governor Hunter to the Earl of Dartmouth. Refers to
enclosure. Acknowledges letter of July 8th, which gave us no
small comfort, assureing us of the remittances for the publique
service being speedily answer'd. Copies of all my vouchers went
home by the Virginia Fleet, etc. Acknowledges letter of Aug. 21st,
etc. The Fort in the Mohaks' countrey is built and garrison'd by
an officer and 20 men who are very well receiv'd. That in the
Onondagues is like to meet with some obstruction which I make
no doubt to conquer. I must earnestly intreat your Lordp's.
generous assistance toward a remedy for my present insupportable
pressures. If I had so much as in a thought departed from H.M.
interests, service, and commands, I should not think myself
intitled to 't, but upon that confidence I throw myself at your
Lordp's. feet, etc. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Holograph. 2 pp.
Enclosed, |
|
123. i. Copy of No. 122. [C.O. 5, 1091. Nos. 79, 79 i.; and
(duplicates), 80, 80 i.] |
Oct. 31.
New York. |
124. Governor Hunter to Lord Bolingbroke. Your Lorp.
will undoubtedly hear what I have communicated to the Earl of
Dartmouth and the Lds. Commissioners of Trade with relation
to the deplorable and dangerous situation of H.M. Government
in this Province, and I can not doubt your Lorp's. generous
assistance toward a speedy remedy so much being at stake. I
have formerly beg'd your patronage to your friend Mr. Harrison
who deserves much more then I have in my power to do for him.
The present Secretary of ye Jerseys is one of the vilest of men.
I am confident Mr. Harrison would fill that post to the satisfaction
of all men concern'd. I am much concern'd that I have no
returns to the representations against that person and some others
of the Council there who are in many instances a lawlesse and
worthlesse race of men, and the quiet of that Province is in
danger by their continuance in these parts. I would fain resolve
all into the hurry of more important affaires at home, which
I now hope is well over, etc. P.S. I most humbly thank your
Lorp. for the justice you have procur'd me as to my rank and
commission, etc. Signed, Ro. Hunter. 2¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 1085.
Nos. 4,; and (duplicate) 5.] |
Oct. 31.
Westminster. |
125. H.M. Letters Patent appointing George Tucker
Provost Marshall of Bermuda, in the room of Edward Jones.
Countersigned, Cocks. Endorsed, Recd. 15th Dec. 1712. 1 p.
[C.O. 37, 9. No. 23.] |
