|
Dec. 22.
Virginia. |
799. Lt. Governor Spotswood to Governor the Earl of
Orkney. The enclosed Address, Articles, etc. will lay open the
unreasonable conduct of my adversaries etc. What single
instance do they give of the many hardships which they say I
daily exercise upon the people ? Certainly if here had been any
grounds for this accusation, the new humour of sending no
grievances to the Assembly could never have prevailed so universally throughout all the countys, as it has most remarkably done
at this juncture etc. Proposes to send over a full answer to all
the charges against him. The chief contrivers of this plot against
him, tho' behind the curtain, are Mr. Commissary Blair and Mr.
Ludwell; the first by his brother, and ye other by his son in law
(Grimes) dictating to the cabal of malecontents among the
Burgesses all the measures they would have the house take to
affront and thwart him. These two Burgesses (Blair and Grymes)
are noted for the most violent men in the house etc. Continues:—When I before gave your Lordship an account of the Spring Session,
I informed you of what Grimes had moved both in his county and
in the House, for ye removal of yr. Lordship, and how tenaciously
he has pursued those endeavors, is now manifested by the
enclosed Address; the penman whereof everybody here concludes
to be the Commissary. When there was lately a stiff debate in
Council about allowing an article in the Book of Claims, for
giving Mr. Byrd £300 to present and solicit ye Address, I asked
Mr. Commissary whether he would declare himself to be so much
your enemy as to vote for paying a solicitor to get your Lordship
removed; nevertheless he violently argued, and gave his vote
for paying that sum. Presses him to exert his intrest to check
these turbulent spirits etc. I know Byrd's advice from London
is: "Furnish me only with a complaint that carries but the face
of a grievance from ye Assembly, I will weary out the Ministry
here with it, until I gain my ends in removing him" etc. A
victory for this hereditary faction of designing men would raise
them to an insulting hight of power etc. I take ye power, intrest
and reputation of the King's Governor in this Dominion to be
now reduced to a desparate gasp, and if the present efforts of
the country cannot add new vigour to the same, then the haughtiness of a Carter, the hypocrisy of a Blair, the inveteracy of a
Ludwell, ye brutishness of a Smith, the malice of a Byrd, the
conceitedness of a Grymes, and the scurrility of a Corbin, with
about a score of base disloyalists and ungrateful Creolians for
their adherents, must for the future rule this Province. What
I mean by the present efforts of ye country is, that the Counties
have of themselves begun to address me, in order to testify the
general easiness of the Country under my administration, and
to protest against the late proceedings of their Representatives.
Urges him to use his intrest that the one family faction may not
procure another voter in the Council in the room of Mr. Berkley,
recommending Mr. Cole Diggs etc., and opposing the reinstating
of Mr. Porteous: "for when I called that person to Council, I
was strangly imposed upon, not knowing the affinity and attachment he had to the Family, and taking his character from them"
etc. Signed, A. Spotswood. Endorsed, Recd. from my Ld.
Orkney 24th March, Read 10th April, 1719. Copy. 7 pp. [C.O.
5, 1318. No. 59.] |
Dec. 22.
Virginia. |
800. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Having
long struggled with a sett of men here, whose designs for many
years have been to engross into their own hands the whole power
of the Government and to forme a new plan thereof according to
their own caprice, but directly opposite to the interest of their
Soveraign, as well as of their Mother Country; It is no wonder
that I now share with the rest of my predecessors, the effects
of their resentment: it being too well known for these thirty
years past, that no Governor has longer escaped being vilifyed
and aspersed here, and misrepresented at home, than he began
to discover the intrigues and thwart the politicks of this formidable party, etc. Thus a Governors asserting the undoubted
prerogative of the Crown in the nomination of Judges, is in the
language of these men, a subversion of the Constitution; and his
endeavours to obtain a just payment of the Kings Rents a depriving the people of their ancient rights and priviledges, and by such
false glosses the ignorant are imposed on to believe, and the
knavish encouraged to hope for mighty libertys and advantages by
adhering to this Party, and chusing such Representatives as are
agreable to them. But notwithstanding these and many other
artifices to foment dissatisfactions among the people, the Country
in general is so sensible of its present happiness, that with all
the industry of the Party, not one grievance came to the Assembly
which mett here on the 11th of last month; and indeed if ever
any people had reason to be easy under a flourishing trade and
moderate taxes, an exuberant Treasury, and a profound Peace,
it is certain those of Virginia ought to be so. Under these happy
circumstances this last Session of Assembly mett, and as the
peaceable state of the country gave me no occasion to demand
anything in behalf of the Government, everyone expected the
Burgesses had nothing else to do, but to call for the few bills
which remained unfinished at their former Session, and to lay
the levy for discharging the publick creditors: but instead of
proceeding on any of their bills that lay before them, the first
business they went upon was to re-enact a law which H.M. had
very lately repealed viz. that declaring who shal not bear office
in this Country. This bill brought in by Mr. Grymes the Deputy
Auditor, soon passed the Burgesses without removing the very
objection for which it was formerly repealed; and being sent to
the Council found as easy a passage there, tho not without the
opposition of some of that Board and particularly Collo. Jenings,
who having been at yor. Lordps. Board, when the repeal was under
deliberation, argued for leaving out those parts agt. which your
Lordps. took exception; but all objections were in vain, the
avowd design of this bill being to exclude from offices, all persons
recommended from England. The reasonableness of this sett
of Councelors, will further appear by the inclosed Minuts of
Council, wherein they advise me to pass this bill, notwithstanding
the many just exceptions; I represented it lyable to. After
passing this bill and one other which I shal mention hereafter, the
Burgesses seem'd inclined to no other business. All petitions
brought before them, were immediatly referred to the next
Assembly, and their Grand Committee converted into a trifling
Office of Enquiry into the Capitol furniture; in which they spent
five or six days at the expence of £400 to their country to examine
into the state of a few old chairs and sconces of less than £50 value.
When many of the more sensible members of that House, tired
out with these amusements were return'd home, as apprehending
no business of moment would be brought in, and others believing
their presence unnecessary, were gone to take the diversion of a
horse race near the town, the Party managers watched that
opportunity to bring in an Address to the King, with a long roll
of Articles; in the first charging me in general with subverting
the Constitution of their Government, depriving them of their
ancient rights and priviledges, and daily exercising hardships
on H.M. good subjects: and in the second with divers particulars
facts to prove their pretended accusation. Without examining
the truth of any one of these Articles, the Address containing the
general charge was first put to the vote, and carryed by the
suffrages of 22 against 14 that opposed it, there being then no less
than 15 Members absent, who would have been of the latter
opinion. Having thus obtained their Address to pass, the Speaker
was immediately commanded to sign three fair copys, wch. were
brought in ready drawn for that purpose; and then they proceeded
to consider the Articles, but upon hearing the falsehood of many
of them exposed, those who readily voted for the Address upon
the faith of their leaders, began to be startled and would not so
easily give in to what they found could not be proved, and so
put off the debate till next day, when eight of the Articles were
entirely struck out as groundless, and the rest which are intended
to support their charge so much altered from the first draught,
that those who opposed the Address consented to let them pass
purely to expose the weakness and malice of my accusers. I
herewith transmitt to yor. Lordps. a copy of the Address and
Articles as they passd the House, whereby your Lordps. may
judge whether the latter, if they were really true, are sufficient to
convict me of subverting the Constitution of the Government,
or oppressing the King's subjects. I have also added the whole
Articles given in that yor. Lordps. may see the malice of these
men in charging me with crimes wch. they themselves could not
justify to be true. Time will not allow me at present to enter
upon a full answer to this charge neither would it be proper to
send one by this uncertain conveyance: but I shall in a very
short time send over a Gentleman well acquainted with the
affairs of this Country etc., who will be able to give yor. Lordps.
a true light into those things which my adversarys have industriously misrepresented, or which their Agent Mr. Byrd may craftily
insinuate to my prejudice: and besides I have not the least
doubt of your allowing me a reasonable time to be heard etc. In
the mean time refers to enclosures as a brief answer. When your
Lordps. shal be pleased to consider the first of the Burgesses
Articles I hope you will be pleased to entertain a more favourable
opinion of Virginia than to beleive that the persons concern'd
in that unintelligible composition, are the wisest or most learn'd
of its legislators: but tho I ought not to quarrell with my accusers'
understandings, I may be allow'd with justice to expose their
dishonesty, wch. in this particular is very notorious etc. I am
accused of putting a misconstruction on the law for settling the
titles and bounds of lands, and of endeavouring to extend that
clause thereof making three years non-payment of quitt rents a
forfeiture of the land granted after the passing that law, to other
lands wch. were granted long before. Now, my Lords, I do
affirm, that this charge is utterly false. I never had a thought
of extending that law etc. and no occasion. The Law cited was
passed in 1710, and in less than three years therafter viz. in 1713
another Act of Assembly was made declaring what shall be accounted
a sufficient seating etc., wherein there is a clause declaring in
express words, That all lands for which the quittrents shal be
three years in arrear, shal revert to the Crown. This I acknowledge to have construed according to the sense it will naturally
bear, according to the intention of those that made it, and the
interpretation the whole country put on it till of late, that a
party of the Council thought fitt by their own absolute will and
pleasure to declare it to have no meaning at all etc. I challenge
them to produce one single instance of any man's paying more
quittrents than he is bound to, by the condition of his patent, or
that I have disseised any one of his freehold for non-payment by
colour of this Act: a power being still lodged in the Governor to
regrant the land forfeited to the same proprietor from whom it
reverts. As the chief design of this law was to obtain, justice
to the King without the least intention to injure the subject, so
I have on divers occasions declared that if the Burgesses would
by a new law, make a reasonable provision for the just payment
of the quitt rents, I would consent to the repeal of this, and I
even offerred to consent, that it might be declared by law that
whoever should enter the true quantity of his lands on the
Receiver Generals books, should incur no forfeiture for the nonpayment of his quittrents untill a reasonable time after the same
should be demanded by the Kings Officers: But the party who
have always opposed the Kings interest, foreseing that this would
necessarily tend to the obtaining a true rent roll of the Colony,
would by no means hearken to this proposal. From all which
your Lordps. will judge, whether my endeavouring to obtain a
just payment of the Kings rents, according to the express words
of a law in force, or this party of men aiming to defraud their
Soveraign of the acknowledgment due by the very condition of
their own patents, be most like an attempt to subvert the Constitution ? and whether a people have just cause to complain of
the hardship of a law, who refuse all overtures for amending it ?
My accusers designed to represent me as a person so ignorant as
not to understand the common sense of their laws, or such a
tyrant as to wrest them to purposes quite forreign to the true
intent thereof etc. They knew very well that the law made in
1713 is that which I have always contended for etc. As soon as
they found the people alarm'd at this law, and preparing to give
up a true account of their lands to prevent the forfeiture thereof,
they spread a report about the countrey that the Kings Attorney
General in England had declared his opinion that this law
extended only to lands granted after the passing thereof, and that
no man had occasion to fear the forfeiture of any lands patented
before: they declared this to be their own opinion too on all
occasions, and to make it the more publick took an opportunity
to argue it on the General Court Bench, without having any case
in judgment before them wch. required their opinion in that point:
and to show the people how little they valued the effect of that
law, divers of the same party let their lands run in arrears, as an
example to others to act the same part. I can scarce believe that
the Kings Attorney General gave any such opinion, unless it was
on the law with which I am now charged, for all the lawyers here
are clear that the Act in 1713 doth extend to all lands whatsoever,
as indeed it was the intention of the makers that it should. The
other three Articles will appear to be very frivolous, when I
come to set forth the truth of the matters etc. I shal only now give
a brief character of the persons chiefly concerned in framing the
present accusation against me etc. The two late Officers of the
Revenue are particularly offended at my enquiry into their mismanagements. Yor. Lordps. may be pleased to remember that
in Aug. 1714 I received a particular charge from yor. Board to
transmitt an account of the several branches of the Kings
Revenues, the application, and manner of auditing thereof; I
no sooner began this inquiry, than I found many abuses in the
collection and the utmost confusion in the accompts of these
Revenues, which I thought highly necessary to reforme: but as
both the Officers strenuously opposed any such regulation, so
Mr. Byrd thought fitt soon to withdraw to England, carrying with
him all the books of the Revenue (if he ever kept any) and has
continued there ever since, ready on all occasions to do me ill
offices, instead of returning to clear himself of those frauds wch.
have been discovered in his management during his being Receiver
General. This Gentleman (as is publickly talkd here) has advised
his accomplices that they had no other way to carry their point,
than by getting the Assembly to petition H.M. to remove me. And
Collo Ludwell his chief correspondent here, undertook that task.
As both these gentlemen were closely united in their opposition
to my endeavours for reforming the abuses in the Revenue, so the
latter (who is a man of implacable malice and resentment) can
never forgive my suspending him from the office of Auditor:
He it is, who with the assistance of his brother in law Mr. Commissary Blair, the constant instrument of faction against all former
Governors, has set himself up for the Head of that Party etc.
Amongst the two and twenty Burgesses who voted the present
accusation against me, there are Mr. Grymes the Deputy Auditor
son in law to Mr. Ludwell, a man of the same principles with him
in relation to Government, and pursuing the very same schemes
in the management of the Kings Revenue. Mr. Corbin married
to one of the same family etc., and turned out of the place of
Naval Officer, for no less an offence than forging the late Queen's
letter, for clearing a ship in his district etc., and consequently a
person disobliged etc. Mr. Blair brother to the Commissary and
both partners in trade with Mr. Ludwell; a member chosen (by
much industry) for the almost deserted corporation of James
City, merely for his remarkable scurrility and insolence. Three
more of the same party displaced from being Justices of the
Peace, and one from the office of an Agent under the Tobacco
law for evil practices in their offices by the advice of these very
Councelors who now use them as their tools; and divers others
disobliged for being refused the imployment they had a mind to,
as indeed it is very common for some here to look upon anything
that's refused them to be so much taken away from them, and
the less they are qualify'd for the offices they aim at, so much
the greater is their resentment for being denyed. These are my
only accusers, for as to several others drawn in to vote on the
same side, they have already owned their error in being so easily
imposed on, by the crafty insinuations of these Party managers,
and it will not appear strange if among two and fifty men (of
which the Burgesses House is composed) there should be found
some of weak understandings, as well as others liable to corruption
and neither prooff against the arts of an industrious party when
they have so great a point to carry. But however this Party of
men may triumph in their gaining a small number of the Burgesses to joine with them in an unrighteous accusation, their joy
is like to be but short lived, the people in general begining already
to condemn their proceedings, and as the principal gentlemen of
the country are resolved to given publick testimonys of their
satisfaction with my administration, and their dislike of the late
Assemblys behaviour I doubt not in a short time to send yor.
Lordps. Addresses from most parts of the Colony vindicating me
from what I am charged with; as I now send copys of what I
have already recieved on this occasion. In my letter of the 14th
of August last, I gave yor. Lordps. an account that one Capt.
Tach a noted pyrate in a ship of 40 guns run ashore in June, at
the mouth of Ouacoch Inlett in North Carolina where that ship
and two of the four sloops he had under his command were lost,
and that he and his crew had surrendered to the Governor of
that Province. Since which one Howard, Tach's Quartermaster,
came into this Colony, with two negros which he own'd to have
been piratically taken, the one from a French ship and the other
from an English brigantine. I caused them to be seized pursuant
to H.M. Instructions, upon which, encouraged by the countenance
he found here, he commenced a suit against the officer who made
the seizure, and his insolence became so intollerable, without
applying himself to any lawful business, that the Justices of the
Peace where he resided thought fitt to send him on board one of
the Kings ships as a vagrant seaman. Hereupon he caused not
only the Justice who signed the warrant but the Captain and
Lieutenant of the man of war to be arrested each in an action of
£500 dammages. And one of the chief lawyers here undertook his
cause. This extraordinary behaviour of a pyrate well known to
have been very active in plundering divers vessells on this coast
but the year before, occasioned a more strict enquiry into his
course of life after his departure from hence, and at last it came
to be discovered that tho he and the rest of Tache's crew, pretended
to surrender and to claim the benefite of H.M. Proclamation, they
had nevertheless been guilty of divers piracys after the fifth of
January for which they were not entitled to H.M. pardon. I
therefore thought fitt to have him brought to a tryal, but found
a strong opposition from some of the Council agt. trying him by
vertue of the Commission under the great Seal pursuant to the
Act of the 11th and 12th of King Wm. tho I produced the King's
Instruction directing that manner of tryal; but having at length
overcome their scruples, I had this person tryed and convicted of
taking and destroying no less than twelve ships and vessells
after the 5th of January and long after notice of H.M. Proclamation. About the time of this tryal I received advice from North
Carolina, that Major Bonnett who was one of Tach's associates
and surrendered with him, was gone out again in a sloop, and
betaking himself to fresh piracys had been taken by some vessells
fitted out for that purpose by the Government of South Carolina.
That Tach with divers of his crew kept together in North Carolina
went out at pleasure committing robberys on this coast and had
lately brought in a ship laden with sugar and cocoa, which
they pretended they found as a wreck at sea without either men
or papers, that they had landed the cargo at a remote inlett in
that Province and set the ship on fire to prevent discovery to whom
she belonged: and having at the same time received complaints
from divers of the trading people of that Province of the insolence
of that gang of pyrates, and the weakness of that Governmt. to
restrain them, I judged it high time to destroy that crew of
villains, and not to suffer them to gather strength in the neighbourhood of so valuable a trade as that of this Colony. Having
gained sufficient intelligence of the strength of Tache's crew, and
sent for pylots from Carolina, I communicated to the Captains
of H.M. ships of war on this station the project I had formed to
extirpate this nest of pyrates. It was found impracticable for
the men of war to go into the shallow and difficult channells of
that country, and the Captains were unwilling to be at the charge
of hyring sloops wch. they had no orders to do, and must therefore
have paid out of their own pocketts, but as they readily consented
to furnish men, I undertook the other part of supplying at my
own charge sloops and pilots. Accordingly I hyred two sloops
and put pilotes on board, and the Captains of H.M. ships having
put 55 men on board under the command of the first Lieutenant
of the Pearle and an officer from the Lyme, they came up with
Tach at Ouacock Inlett on the 22nd of last month, he was on
board a sloop wch. carryed 8 guns and very well fitted for fight.
As soon as he perceived the King's men intended to board him, he
took up a bowl of liquor and calling out to the Officers of the other
sloops, drank Damnation to anyone that should give or ask
quarter, and then discharged his great guns loaded with partridge
shott, wch. killed and wounded twenty of the King's men who lay
exposed to his fire without any barricade or other shelter; he
resolutely entered the first sloop which boarded him, nor did any
one of his men yeild while they were in a condition to fight. His
orders were to blow up his own vessell if he should happen to be
overcome, and a negro was ready to set fire to the powder, had
he not been luckily prevented by a planter forced on board the
night before and who lay in the hold of the sloop during the
action of the pyrats. Tach with nine of his crew were killed, and
three white men and six negros were taken alive but all much
wounded. The loss of the King's men is very considerable for
the number, there being (?) ten killed in the action, and four and
twenty wounded of whom one is since dead of his wounds. I do
myself the honour of giving yor. Lordps. the particulars of this
action because, it has, I hope, prevented a design of the most
pernicious consequence to the trade of these Plantations, wch.
was that of the pyrats fortifying an Island at Ouacock Inlett and
making that a general rendevouze of such robbers. While the
preparations for this service were carrying on, I proposed to our
late Assembly and prevailed with them to pass an Act giving
rewards for apprehending and destroying of pyrates, by which
there is to be paid particularly for Tach £100, and half the rewards
promised by H.M. Proclamation, for every one of his, or any other
crew of pyrates taken on this coast, to be paid out of the publick
money now in the hands of the countrey's Treasurer: but I did
not communicate to the Assembly nor Council, the project then
forming agt. Tach's crew for fear of his having intelligence, there
being in this country and more especially among the present
faction, an unaccountable inclination to favour pyrates, of which
I begg leave to mention some instances. Besides the favour
shown to Tache's Quarter Master in advising him to sue for his
liberty and for his pyratical effects; some of the same gang
having pass'd through this countrey in their way to Pensilvania,
and contrary to my Proclamation assembling in great numbers
with their arms, and endeavouring to debauch some sailors out
of the merchant ships to joine them, the Officers of the Government could find none to assist in the disarming and suppressing
that gang. On the tryal of some pyrates lately brought hither,
arguments have been used to justify their villanys, and to acquitt
them, upon the bare allegation of their being forced into that
wicked Association without any proof, or so much as a probability of their acting by constraint. I received some days ago the
honr. of yor. Lordps. of the — of August and H.M. Commission
for pardoning pyrates, wch. came very seasonably to save Howard
the Quartermr. then under sentence of death, but by H.M.
extending his mercy for all piracys committed before the 18th
of August, is now set at liberty. I must on this occasion intreat
yor. Lordps. directions as well concerning the effects of this man
as of others wch. appear to have been piratically taken. By
H.M. Instructions I am commanded to seize and secure the effects
of all pyrats brought in here; untill H.M. pleasure be signifyed
therein: and by H.M. late Commission, I observe that all forfeitures are remitted to such as surrender within the time therin
mentioned: what I am therefore in doubt of is, whether by the
remitting all forfeitures, H.M. intends only to restore the pyrates
to the estates they had before the committing their pyracies, or
to grant them a property also in the effects wch. they have
piratically taken. There is besides the two negro boys, about
£50 in money and other things taken from the aforenamed
Howard, and now in the hands of the Officer who seized it on
H.M. behalf, of wch. and inventary is lodged in the Secretarys
Office here. I therefore pray yor. Lordps. advice and commands
how these effects are to be disposed, where the person in whose
possession they were found is pardoned. I also expect from
North Carolina a considerable quantity of sugar and cocoa, wch.
were in the possession of Tach and his crew, and appear to have
been the lading of that ship wch. they lately brought in there
under pretence of a wreck, but in reality was taken piratically
near Bermuda from the subjects of the French King, and the men
put on board a ship of the same nation taken at the same time,
as some of Taches crew now in custody alledge. If these men
were saved alive it is probable they may lay claim to the lading
of their ship: but if they are not, there is some consideration
due to the Officers and men who rescued the same out of the
hands of the pyrates etc. Observing by the publick prints as
well as the letters from divers of the merchts. that the French
settlement on Mississippi, begins to make a considerable noise
in the world, I cannot forbear taking notice of one particular
circumstance thereof, for which I cannot find any foundation.
It is advised by a letters from South Carolina inserted in the
Political State for the month of August last, that the French had
formed a design in conjunction with some of their neighbouring
Indians to cutt off the Cherikees, and the writer of that letter is
so particular as to mention the precise time, when, and the number
of men by whom, it was to be put in execution. The traders
imployed by the late Indian company who have been among the
Cherikees all the last summer arrived here a few days ago with
about 70 horse load of skins, and brought in with them four of
the Great men of that Nation, declare that they heard of no such
discourse there; tho they left the Cherikee country long after the
time mentioned for this supposed attack from the French:
besides that the Cherikees being a numerous Nation consisting of
upwards of 4000 fighting men, and seated in the fastnesses of the
great mountains are not so easily to be destroyed by the small
numbers wch. the Carolina intelligence says are marching against
them. So that it is not improbable, but that the French hopes
from their new settlement may be as ill grounded, as the Carolina
fears of their Indian neighbours. But whatever may be the
progress of this new Colony, it is certainly the British interest to
obstruct its growth, not only by interrupting the communication
between that, and Canada, but by extending our commerce
among the Indians, and particularly by cultivating a good
correspondence with these Cherikees who are now very friendly
to the English, and especially to those of this country imployed
among them by the gentlemen of the late Indian Company and
who have furnished them with arms and ammunition in greater
proportion than the people of Carolina are capable of supplying.
By the account I have had from our Indian traders these Cherikees
are little farther distant from Virginia than they are from Charlestown: They are an increasing people, and the rather to be courted
because of the barrier they may afford us agt. this new settlement
of the French: whereas those Indian Nations that inhabite among
or near the British settlements are of small account, by reason of
their daily decrease, such are the Cattawbaws who from a powerful
nation, are of late become much lessend, by a remarkable dispensation of Providence in rendring their women for the most part
barren; as if Heaven design'd by the diminution of these Indian
neighbours, to make room for our growing settlements. The
scarcity and dearth of iron, which the merchants of England have
for some time complained of, and the people here have sensibly
felt, may I hope be happily remedyed by the late discoverys of
mines in this Colony: one of which has been found at the head
of Rappahannock River, by some German miners wch. I employed
in that service, wch. is reputed richer than any in Europe, and
lyes within less than ten miles of water carriage. Several gentlemen here are concerned with me, and ready to set up an iron
works if it may be allowed: and I am not without hopes of discovering other mines of a nobler mettall, as soon as the country
comes to be seated nearer the Great Mountains (over which I
discovered the passage) and which may serve to check the vain
boasts of the Spaniards, as if the Treasures of the Universe are
solely committed to them. I shall conclude this letter with
informing yor. Lordps. of the death of Mr. Berkeley one of the
Council here, in whose stead I humbly recommend Mr. Cole
Digges, a gentleman of good parts, and of an estate wch. may be
reckoned amongst the first in this country, he is descended of an
honble. Family in England, and his father served for divers
years with great reputation in the office of a Councelor and
Deputy Auditor here. This gentleman lives near the seat of
Government, and is on that account preferable to others whose
remoteness makes them unwillingly attend on the business of
the Council. Signed, A. Spotswood. Endorsed, Recd. 13th,
Read 29th April, 1719. 13 pp. Enclosed, |
|
800. i. Minutes of Council of Virginia, relating to the Bill
declaring who shall not bear office etc. Same endorsement.
2 pp. |
|
800. ii. (a) Address of the House of Burgesses of Virginia to
the King. Nov. 20, 1718. We lay before your Majesty
several attempts of the Lieut. Governor towards the
subversion of the Constitution of our Government the
depriving us of our ancient rights and priviledges and
many hardships wch. he dayly exercises upon your
Majestys good subjects. Pray H.M. to receive some
particulars from the Honble. William Byrd Esq. "whom
we have desired to appear in behalf of your oppressed
subjects of this Colony being deprived of any other
means whereby to make known to your Majesty our
just grievances by our remote scituation, which misfortune we find greatly increased by being governed by a
Lieutenant Governor while the Governor in chief resides
in Great Brittain to which we attribute many of the
difficulties we now labour under. It is with great
comfort we behold your Majesty earnestly imploying
yourself in defence of the liberties not only of your own
subjects, but of all Europe." etc. Signed, Daniel
McCarty, Speaker. |
|
(b) Instructions to Wm. Bird, Agent for the Colony of
Virginia. To present the above Address to H.M. and
the following particulars against the Lieut. Governor.
That he hath by a misconstruction of our laws as much
as in him lay perverted many of them particularly that
for settling ye titles and bounds of lands, which makes
it a condition of the patents, that they are to forfeit
them if they fail three years of paying their quit rents,
which he hath endeavoured to extend to lands granted
before that law which have no such condition in their
patent or grant. His construction of the law for finishing
of the Governor's House, whereby he lavishes away the
country's money contrary to the intent of the law and
even beyond what the words of the law will bear, and
hath hitherto refused any redress therein. That he
endeavoured to deter ye Justices of the Countys from
levying the Burgesses salary settled by law. That he
hath by provoking speeches and messages abused the
House of Burgesses and thrown undeserved reflections
upon them. That this Country hath no way to represent
its grievances but by an Agent, that we seldom complain
but when much opprest by our Governor in which case
the Governor will hardly be prevailed with to consent
to the paying an Agent for his trouble and necessary
disbursments, wherefore you are to endeavour to obtain
an Instruction to our Governor to consent to any such
necessary payment when the House of Burgesses shall
meet. Copy. 1½ pp. |
|
800. iii. Copy of Instructions of Wm. Bird as originally brought
in to the House of Burgesses, containing 14 grievances
against the Lt. Governor (v. covering letter). Endorsed,
Recd. 13th, Read 29th April, 1719. 1 p. |
|
800. iv. Lt. Governor Spotswood's messages to the House of
Burgesses Nov. 22 and 28. Copy. 2¼ pp. |
|
800. v. Copy of Lt. Governor Spotswood's Speech to the
House of Burgesses when proroguing the Assembly.
Endorsed, Recd. 13th, Read 29th April, 1719. Copy.
2½ pp. |
|
800. vi. Address of Henrico County to Lt. Governor Spotswood.
Disown the charges brought against him by the clamours
of a few prejudiced men etc. Same endorsement. Copy.
½. p. [C.O. 5, 1318. Nos. 61, 61 i.–vi.] |
Dec. 23.
St James's. |
801. H.M. Warrant to the Attorney and Solicitor General
to prepare Commissions impowering Governors of Plantations
to pardon pirates according to the Proclamation of 21st Dec.
Countersigned, J. Craggs. Copy. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 196–201.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
802. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Representation upon Act passed in Antigua 2nd Oct. last for laying an
additional duty on wines and other strong liquors wch. shall be
imported into this Island, the purport [of] which Act is to revive
an Act of the same nature pass'd in 1717 which laid an additional
duty of 20s. p. pipe on all Madera wines, and 50 p. cent. on other
liquors imported for sale over and above what was laid by a
former Act pass'd 1697 for raising an impost on all liquors
imported etc. And it enacts that no sum of money to be rais'd
by this Act shall be issued, but by virtue of an order in writing
sign'd by the Commander in Chief one of the Council and the
Speaker of the Assembly and is to continue in force three years
from ye time your Majesty shall be pleas'd to confirm the same.
By your Majesty's Instructions to your Govr. he is requir'd to.
take care that no money be issu'd but by warrant under his hand
by and with the advice and consent of the Council; But by the
foresaid Act this power which your Majesty has thought fit to
lodge in your Governour, is in effect taken from him, since no
money can be issu'd but by an order under the hand of the
Governour, one of the Council and Speaker of the Assembly,
which we conceive derogatory to your Majesty's Royal Prerogative, and ought not to be allow'd of besides that the mony to be
rais'd by this Act is not given to your Majty. as required by your
Majesty's Instructions to the Governour, therefore we humbly
offer, that Your Majty. be pleas'd to signifie your disallowance
of the said Act which can be of no prejudice to the Island since
the Governour not knowing how far this duty might affect the
trade and shipping of this Kingdom, had a clause inserted declaring that the Act shall not be in force till your Majesty's pleasure
be known, pursuant to his Instructions in that behalf. So that
upon the receipt of your Majesty's disallowance of the said Act
they may have an opportunity of passing another not lyable to
these objections. [C.O. 153, 13. pp. 382–384.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
803. Circular letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs to Governors
of Plantations. I am to acquaint you, that on Tuesday the 16th
inst. a great Council was held at St. James's, where H.M. signed
a Declaration of War against Spain, and ordered, that the same
should be published the next day by the Heralds at Arms etc.;
and H.M. having communicated the same to both Houses of
Parliament, they have presented Addresses to assure H.M. of
their assisting and supporting Him in the sd. war; and I am
commanded to send you a printed copy of the sd. Declaration,
with a signification of H.M. Pleasure, that you cause it to be
proclaimed in the places under your Governmt., that His subjects,
having this notice, may take care to prevent any mischief, which
otherwise they might suffer from the enemy, and do their duty
in their several stations to annoy the subjects of Spain; and H.M.
would have you be very rigorous and severe in preventing any
ammunition or stores of any kind from being carried to them,
and you are to use all proper methods, that may be most effectual
for this purpose. The Regent has also agreed, that the like
Declaration of War shall be made in the name of the French King
at Paris. I am further to acquaint you, that since the King's
last Proclamation bearing date the 5th of September 1717,
relating to the surrender of the pirates in the West Indies, H.M.
has been pleased to issue another Proclamation of the same kind
(which I herewith transmit to you) for enlarging the time of
their surrender to the first of July next; and that the terms thereof
may be most strictly and punctually complied with, I transmit
to you at the same time H.M. Commission under the Great Seal,
authorizing and commanding you to grant H.M. full and free
pardon to all such pirates, as are, or shall be entituled thereto,
by surrendring themselves within the time limited by the sd.
Proclamation; as likewise H.M. Commission under the Great
Seal for the trying such other pirates as have been, or shall be
taken, after their having refused the terms of H.M. mercy offered
to them. But as to those, who have surrender'd, or shall hereafter surrender themselves, pursuant to the two abovementioned
Proclamations, it is H.M. pleasure, that you should grant His
free and gracious pardon to them without any exception or reserve.
And I am the more particular in signifying H.M. commands upon
this occasion, because there has been a general outcry and clamour
here, as if great advantages had been, or were proposed to be
made by particular persons upon the surrender or pardon of the
pirates. As these practices are very unjustifiable in themselves,
so they must tend in a great measure to defeat H.M. gracious
intentions, and be of dangerous consequence to the Publick, and
therefore I am hereby to acquaint you, that in case any of H.M.
Governors, or any others concerned in the surrender or pardon
of any of the pirates shall receive any sum of money or any other
gratuity or advantage whatsoever on account thereof, it is H.M.
intention, that he or they so offending shall be prosecuted with
the utmost severity of the Law. I hope you will not imagine,
that what I say upon this head, is pointed at you, or any other
person in particular, since it is by the express order of H.M. in
Council, that I have been directed to give this intimation in a
circular letter to each respective Governor in the West Indies.
Signed, J. Craggs. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 202–204.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
804. Same to the Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, the
Governor and Company of Connecticut and of Rhode Island, the
Lords Proprietors of Carolina and Lord Guilford, Guardian to the
Lord Proprietor of Maryland. As preceding, omitting last paragraph relating to pirates. Signed, J. Craggs. [C.O. 324, 33. pp.
204–206; and 5, 1233. No. 58.] |
Dec. 24.
St. James's. |
805. H.M. Warrant for a Commission to John Knight to be
Secretary and Clerk of the Crown of the Leeward Islands, and
revoking the Letters Patent of Charles Hedges. Signed, J.
Craggs. Copy. [C.O. 324, 33. p. 210.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
806. Mr. Tilson to Mr. Popple. Encloses following, by my
Lord Stanhope's order, to be laid before the Council of Trade and
Plantations for their consideration. Signed, Geo. Tilson. Endorsed,
Recd. 24th, Read 31st Dec., 1718. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
806. i. William Comes to Lord Stanhope. I am a sailor etc.
There came into Cales five ships from New England
full of stores of masts, oak, timber and plank for that
King's service. I hope it will be enquired into and
wicked men punished, all other ships are seized no more
but your humble servant. Signed, William Comes. ½ p.
[C.O. 5, 867. Nos. 21, 21 i.; and 5, 915. p. 240.] |
Dec. 24.
Nassau on Providence. |
807. Governor Rogers to Mr. Secretary Craggs. By the
ship Samuel, 11th Nov., being the first oppertunity I have had
since my arrival, I sent three men prisoners being accused of
piracy and the evidences etc. I was at that time too weak to
bring them to a tryal, for most of the people here having led the
same course of life notwithstanding their seeming concurrence of
being quiet under the present Government, I did not know but if
I had adventur'd to have try'd them and brought to execution,
but an insurrection might have rescued them from the guards and
since I did not think myself secure to try the pirates I did not
give myself time to consider the power I had to try them in case
of necessity, wch. I have since done my reasons are here enclosed
wch. I was not willing to make publick here, or even to trust a
coram of my Council. A little after the Samuel's departure, I
receiv'd advice of Sir George Bing's success against the Spaniards
in the Mediterranean which wth. other circumstances seem'd to
me that the war were either proclaim'd or on foot. These advices
I was glad to believe for on my strong remonstrances to the
people of the great probability of an actual war I readily procur'd
their assistance wch. wth. much application and expence of
provisions and liquors having supplied whilst at work extravagantly with both, the fort is now made tenible and in the
manner laid down in the draught herewith sent. The people did
for 14 days work vigorously, seldom less than 200 men a day, but
nothing but their innate thirst of revenge on the Spaniard could
prompt them to such zeal, which was so strong that they forgott
they were at the same time strengthning a curb for themselves.
Having lately had intelligence of certain pirates who had run
away wth. some vessels fitted out of this port and where they
might be found I equipped a sloop with sufficient men and arms
under ye command of Capt. Hornigold and Cockram who had
themselves been pirates, but accepted of H.M. Act of Grace and
by their behaviour since my arrival gave me full confidence of
their sincerity, wch. has been successfully confirmed by their
apprehending them to the number of 13, three whereof dyed of
their sincerity, wch. has been successfully confirmed by their
apprehending them to the number of 13, three whereof dyed of
their wounds; I am glad of this new proof Capt. Hornigold has
given the world to wipe off the infamous name he has hitherto
been known by, thô in the very acts of piracy he comitted most
people spoke well of his generosity. These last prisoners were
brought to me when I was made stronger and after a leisure I
had to persue and consider of my power invested by my Commission and Instructions etc. Encloses proceedings etc. One George
Rounsivell I reprieved under the gallows, till I know H.M.
pleasure etc. He is the son of loyall and good parents in Dorsetshire etc. Begs his intercession with H.M. etc. Continues:—I
design to send an accessary of piracy and such evidence as I can
best procure by a ship yt. I believe will saile hence in about a
month. I have five more now in custody suspected guilty of
piracy since H.M. Act of Grace. As soon as the Fort is finish'd
and all the guns mounted wch. I hope will be done before the
Christmas holy days are over, I will then do the best I can to make
examples of some of them. By wch. time I hope to have more
of them in custody, we having two small cruizers mann'd with
50 men now out to look for two pirates yt. are newly sett up wth.
about 15 men each. It's near three months and a half since Capt.Havana carrying a letter from me and some Spaniards that was
left here wth. him, and promis'd to return in three weeks at most,
but now I hear he's got at New York and writes hither that the
Spaniards designe to begin wth. us first and yt. the Governour of
the Havana takes no notice of my passes but keeps the men of
this Governt. that falls into their hands in custody, this Capt.
Whitney, H.M.S. Rose, left me in a great extremity, to go to the
Havana carrying a letter from me and some Spaniards that was
left here wth. him, and promis'd to return in three weeks at most,
but now I hear he's got at New York and writes hither that the
Spaniards designe to begin wth. us first and yt. the Governour of
the Havana takes no notice of my passes but keeps the men of
this Governt. that falls into their hands in custody, this Capt.
Whitney pretends he was drove from the Havana to New York
by stress of weather. I very much wonder how it was possible
he could shere clear of Providence that lyes so directly in his way.
There are three more of H.M. ships at New York that has layne
there some time whilst the pirates has been very troublesome to
us and Carolina and almost everywhere in the West Indies. I beg
if any of H.M. ships are order'd this way for the future, that they
may be under ye direction of ye Goverment and Council,
especially whilst they are here, and then we may be capable to
joyn them in serving the Publick. I would not undergoe the
like fatigue and risque as I have done ever since I have been here
for the proffits of any employ upon earth but I hope I am now
out of danger at least of ye pirates, and if the Spaniards come
it must be with a greater force then I hope they'l spare for some
time, whilst I may have recruits and another Independt. Company
from England, no time shall be lost to make this place not less
considerable then can be expected after so many misfortunes
and disappointments amongst a very odd sort of people wth. so
small a beginning. I hope ye extraordinary charge I have been
forc'd to put the Gentlemen to, that has been so generous to
employ me in serving ye publick will be made up by the publick,
my utmost ambition being to demonstrate myself deserving the
honour and trust H.M. has been pleas'd to bestow on me etc.
Signed, W.R. Copy of letter sent by James Ker via Carolina.
10 pp. [C.O. 23, 13. ff. 20–24 v.] |
Dec. 24.
Whitehall. |
808. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Enclose
following and refer to Representation of Dec. 19 upon the Newfoundland trade, "which in our opinion can never be retrieved
but by your Majesty's assent to some Law for preventing the
many difficulties and abuses it doth at present labour under,"
etc. Annexed, |
|
808. i. Heads of a Bill for remedying the abuses in ye Newfoundland Trade. Abstract:—(i.) Trade and Fishery to
Newfoundland to be open and free to all H.M. subjects,
provided the fishing ships are victualled in this Kingdom
with all necessaries, salt excepted, for the whole voyage
or fishing season. No alien or stranger (not residing in
Great Britain) shall take any bait or use any sort of
fishing or trade in Newfoundland or in any of the islands
or places adjacent. (ii.) No fishing ship to carry to
Newfoundland any other person than such as truly
belong to the ships company. Masters, owners or
freighters to give bond at the Custom House in £100,
not to transport any other, and to bring back into this
Kingdom all such fishermen or other persons as they
shall carry out, mortality and danger of the seas excepted,
as also such persons as shall be employ'd from Newfoundland in British ships with fish for market voyages. In
case of deserters, the masters paying such persons' share
or hire to the Collector at the port whence the ship set
out, shall be discharged of their bonds; or if no complaint
be made against them in three months after their
return. (iii.) No fishing ship to carry more than 60
persons to 100 tons burthen. (iv.) Fishing ships to
carry one green or fresh man in every five. The master
to take oath thereof before the Collector at the port
from whence he intends to sail, without fee. (v.) No
fishing ship to depart out of Great Britain directly for
Newfoundland on a fishing voyage, in any year before
10th March, nor to the Isles Cape Verd intending from
thence to Newfoundland, before 15 Jan. (vi.) According to the ancient custom used in Newfoundland, every
such fishing ship from Great Britain, or such fishermen
as shall first enter any harbour or creek in Newfoundland
in behalf of his ship, shall be Admiral of the said harbour
or Creek during that fishing season, and for that time
shall reserve to himself so much beech or flakes or both,
as are needfull for the number of such boats as he shall
there keep, with an overplus only for the use of one boat
more than he needs, as a privilege for his first coming
thither. The masters of the second and third fishing
ship to be Vice-Admiral and Rear Admiral etc. All
ships arriving to be accommodated according to the
time of their arrival with such beech or flakes as they
shall have necessary use for and no more etc. (viii.) And
whereas several of your Majties. subjects inhabiting
in Newfoundland have possessed themselves of beaches,
flakes, stages, rooms and other conveniences for fishing,
over and above what is necessary for the drying, curing
or husbanding their fish, and making of oyle, to the
great prejudice and discouragemt. of the Fishery; none
of the inhabitants shall henceforth retain or possess in
any year, during the fishing season, any beach, flakes,
stages, rooms, trainfats, or places for fishing, other than
such as are needful for the number of boats they shall
respectively keep and actually employ in the Fishery
there, and all others released for the publick use of
fishing ships etc. (viii.) No inhabitant or planter shall
alienate, sell or dispose of his stages, rooms, flakes,
beach trainfats or fishing places to any person; if he
shall quit the same, they shall remain to the publick
use of the fishing ships etc. Nor shall any person who
may hereafter become an inhabitant in Newfoundland
pretend to or meddle with any stage, room, beach, flakes
or other conveniencies, or make use of any such until
30 days after the arrival of the Admiral or the three
first fishing ships in each respective harbour. (ix.) No
ballast to be thrown into the harbours. (x.) No damage
to be done to stages etc. on departure, but these shall
be repaired with timber from the woods and not by
breaking down stages left etc. (xi.) Trees not to be
rinded etc. (xii.) Marks of boats or trainfats not to be
defaced. Nets and bait not to be stolen etc. (xiii.)
Capital crimes to be tried in any county in England.
(xiv.) And whereas it has been found by experience, that
the selling and retaling of wine, beer, rum, and other
strong liquors to the seamen and fishermen at Newfoundld. was always prejudicial to the Fishery, and that
for many years past the Adventurers have been greatly
discouraged by the negligence, debaucheries and disorders of the fishermen and seamen from engaging in
the said Fishery; No person shall set up or keep any
tavern or victualling house in Newfoundland, for selling
of wine, beer, rum or any other strong liquor, nor shall
sell or cause to be sold either publickly or privately,
any such liquors by retale, to any seaman or fisherman
or other person whatsoever, on penalty of forfeiting
all the wine, or the other strong liquors that shall be
found in his own, or in the possession of him or them that
imploy'd him, one half whereof to the informer or
informers, and the other half to your Majesty, for the
use of your Majesty's ships of war, and of your Majesty's
garrisons in Newfoundland. (xv.) All wines, rum or
other strong liquors imported from any place except
Great Britain shall be forfeited and similarly disposed of.
(xvi.) And whereas the masters of the ships in general
permit the seamen to run into the inhabitants' debt
for strong liquors in order to secure their wages on
account of what ye inhabitants owe unto the said masters;
whereby many of the poor seamen have been constrained
either to remain in ye country as servants to the planters
or inhabitants, or to dispose of themselves for New
England; and in the meantime their families become
burthensome at home to their respective parishes; to
prevent therefore this pernicious practice, no wages,
hire or share of the voyage shall become due to any
seamen or fishermen whatsoever serving on board any
of the fishing ships that proceed annually to Newfoundland, until ye ship arrive at her discharging port, and
her lading shall be put on shore; nor shall the masters
advance wages to any of their ship's company etc., on
penalty of repaying the same again at the expiration of
the voyage etc. (xvii.) Deserters shall lose their wages
and be brought home by one of H.M. ships of war and
committed by the chief magistrate at the first port in
this Kingdom for 3 months hard labour. (xviii.) The
Admirals of the Harbours in Newfoundland shall take
bonds in £100 from the masters of all vessels bound
thence to New England or any other Colony conditioned
to depart before or at the time your Majesty's convoys
shall sail for Europe, and not to return to Newfoundland
again that year, nor carry away any seaman or fisherman
belonging to the fishing ships, or to any other ships
bound to any port in Europe. In case of refusal, such
master's ship to be seized by any of your Majesty's
ships of war, and sequestred to your Majesty's use. If
any of the inhabitants, or of the merchants of New
England shall seduce or prevail with any of the seamen
or fishermen belonging to the fishing ships to remain in
the land after the departure of the Fleet, he shall be
brought home by the Commander of your Majesty's
ships of war and forfeit £20. (xix.) And for the further
encouragemt. of the Trade and Navigation of this
Kingdom, no unfree ships shall be permitted to fish or
trade in any part of Newfoundland. (xx.) Admirals of
the Harbours to preserve the peace, see that the aforesaid
rules are duly put in execution, and to keep Journals
etc. (xxi.) and to settle disputes between the inhabitants
and masters of fishing ships. Appeals to lie to the
Commander of H.M. ships of war etc. (xxii.) The Lord's
day to be strictly observed by all, and the Admirals
in their respective harbours to appoint some proper
person to read prayers etc. (xxiii.) Commanders of
H.M. ships and the fishing Admirals to be empowered to
apprehend all offenders for any crime committed in
Newfoundld. on shore or at sea, and to bring them into
Great Britain. (xxiv.) The said Commanders or Admirals
shall on or about 20th Sept. yearly publish in their
harbours and upon the shore these orders and laws and
forbid all seamen or fishermen to remain in or upon
Newfoundland after the departure of the ships to which
they belong. [C.O. 195, 6. pp. 464–484.] |
| Dec. 25. |
809. Office expences of the Board of Trade, Sept. 29—Dec.
25, 1718. v. Journal of Council. [C.O. 388, 77. Nos. 49, 52, 55,
56.] |
Dec. 27.
Port of New Hampshire. |
810. Robert Armstrong, Collector of Customs in New Hampshire, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to
enclosed account of timber exported from New England to Spain
and Portugal, and to Lord Bellomont's letter as to the necessity
of preserving the timber of New Hampshire for the use of the
Crown, and the ill consequences that might attend sending it
abroad (v. C.S.P. 1699 ff.), "wch. is now partly come to pass, for
I am satisfied that the strength of the Spanish fleet is now partly
owing to the timber exported from hence," etc. Signed, Robt.
Armstrong. Recd. 3rd, Read 5th Feb., 1718/19. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
810. i. J. Bridger and R. Armstrong to Sir Matw. Dudley.
Portsmo., New Hampshire, 20th Oct. 1718. It would
be serviceable to the Crown that New Hampshire be
purchased and Mr. Allen's title surrendered to H.M.
It would in a great measure supply the Navy with masts,
tarr, hemp, plank etc. Signed, J. Bridger, R. Armstrong.
Copy. 1 p. |
|
810. ii. Account of foreign and plantation commodities
imported into the port of New Hampshire 25th Dec.,
1715–1716. 1 p. |
|
810. iii. Account of timber exported from New Hampshire to
Spain and Portugal, 1712–1718. cf. Dec. 18. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 867. Nos. 28, 28 i.–iii.; and (without enclosures)
5, 915. pp. 248–250.] |
Dec. 28./Jan. 8, 1719.
Rio Essequibo. |
811. Commandant Vanderheyden Rézen to the Directors of
the Dutch West India Co. Signed, P. Vanderheyden Rézen.
Endorsed, Read 30th March (N.S.) 1719. Dutch. Addressed.
Seal. Postmark. 2 pp. [C.O. 116, 22. No. 1.] |
1718. Dec. 30.
Portsmouth. |
812. Mr. Bridger to Mr. Popple. I have been here since
22nd Aug. on my duty and must remaine in order to preserve
H.M. woods, or leave them to the spoyle of the people etc., tho'
no salary from 19th June etc. Prays for a representation from
the Board in his behalf to the Admiralty or Treasury, etc. Signed,
J. Bridger. Endorsed, Recd. 7th, Read 10th Feb., 1718/19.
Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 867. No. 29; and 5, 915. pp. 252, 253.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehall. |
813. Mr. Tickell to Mr. Popple. Encloses following to be
laid before the Council of Trade and Plantations. Signed, Tho.
Tickell. Endorsed, Recd. 30th Dec., 1718, Read 2nd Jan., 1718/19.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
813. i. Circular letter from Mr. Secretary Craggs to the
Governors of Plantations. Copy of No. 803. [C.O. 323,
7. Nos. 136, 136 i.; and 324, 10. pp. 221–225.] |
Dec. 31.
St. James's. |
814. Secretary of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the
Governor of South Carolina. Encloses Declaration of War with
Spain (No. 804) and Mr. Craggs' instructions that he should use
his utmost endeavours to prevent any ammunition or stores of
any kind from being carry'd to them etc. Signed, R. Shelton.
[C.O. 5, 290. pp. 131, 132.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
815. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Chancellor
of the Exchequer. We have now under our consideration the
incouraging the importation of Naval Stores and particularly
timber and iron from America etc. Desire his attendance on
Friday at 9 a.m. Mem. The same letter was writ to the Rt.
Honble. Mr. Smith. [C.O. 324, 10. p. 220.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
816. Mr. Secretary Craggs to the Governor of the Leeward
Islands. The trustees of John Douglas are to remain in the quiet
enjoyment of the plantation of Pensezy bien in St. Christophers,
until H.M. shall think fit how to dispose of that part which was
the French settlement etc. In case you have already given any
grants to dispossess those persons, you are to recal the same.
Signed, J. Craggs. [C.O. 324, 33. p. 207.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
817. Same to Same. Similar instruction to preceding as
to grants of land held by Michael Lambert, John Heldon, William
Woodrop, Anthony Tahi, James Thomas, and Edward Warner.
Signed, J. Craggs. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 113; and 324, 33.
p. 208.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
818. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses
following for their report thereon. Signed, J. Craggs. Endorsed,
Recd. 1st, Read 21st Jan., 1718/19. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
818. i. Memorial by the Baron de Sohlenthal. London. Dec.
4/15, 1718. Envoy Extraordinary of the King of Denmark
and Norway, he is instructed to represent to the King of
Great Britain, that the Directors of the West Indies at
Copenhagen have received information from the
Governor of St. Thomas, that the Spaniards, and
particularly the Governor of the Island of Porto Rico,
nearest to St. Thomas, have formed the design of
surprising and seizing it, only awaiting an Order from
the Court of Spain, and some troops to reinforce those
which are there having there already three ships of war
and a barque of 12 guns. This information is confirmed
by several people who have come from Porto Rico,
and add that they threaten to execute this design next
year since they did not think themselves sufficiently
strong at present. As the preservation of this Island
is of the utmost importance to his Danish Majesty, and
the Spaniards have no right or pretention to it, nor will
they ever be able to prove, that they have been given
occasion for any conflict, still less for such violence, the
King my Master flatters himself, that His Britannic
Majesty, by his natural inclination for Justice, and by
the friendship and common interest existing between
the two Crowns, will not only disapprove entirely of
an enterprise so contrary to all equity, but also that he
will be pleased to give such orders, that his Governor
in the neighbouring Islands may lend assistance to the
said Island against the Spaniards in such case, in order
that the evil which is to be feared therefrom may
be averted and prevented etc. Signed, Le, Baron de
Sohlenthal. Copy. French. 2 pp. [C.O. 152, 12.
Nos. 125, 125 i.] |
| [Dec. 31.] |
819. Joshua Gee to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The monopoly of tar by the Govr. and Company of Stockholm
about 20 years ago oblig'd the Parliament to encourage the making
that commodity in our own Plantations, and soon brought down
the price of Swedish tar, and now we have so much of our own
that we send great quantities to Hambro', Bremen, Holland,
Portugal etc. Within these three years the King of Sweden set
forth an edict, by wch. he oblig'd all that wanted his iron to
bring their silver and gold for it etc. Notwithstanding the care
taken last Session of Parliament to incourage the importation of
iron, the quantity imported falls very short of a sufficient supply,
and England does not make a third part enough for her own
consumption, and even what is made is very much to the prejudice
of our growing timber, and may in a short time render it so scarce,
that we shall not have enough for building our own shipping etc.
Norway have advanced the price of their boards above 90 p.c.
and their timber to an extravagant price. If the King of Sweden
shou'd carry his conquests over that country, our supply of iron
and timber will depend on his will and pleasure. The English
Plantations in America abound with wood iron and copper oar
etc. and all sorts of timber, but are not brought from thence,
because a duty is imposd on them here. And therefore, for want
of proper incouragement, we are forcd to send out ready mony to
Sweden for iron, and to Norway for timber and boards etc. At
the same time we suffer this great wound in the ballance of our
trade, we neglect the many advantages we have in our own
Plantations, and put the inhabitants there upon the necessity of
working up their own wooll for cloathing themselves, to the great
prejudice of the manufacturers of this Kingdom. Sweden and
Norway drew from Great Britain and Ireland for iron, copper
timber and freight etc. £400,000, all wch. commodities we might
have from our own Plantations and brought home in our own
ships, and all purchas'd with our own manufactures etc. If we
have our supply of timber and boards from our own Plantations,
the navigation of Sweden and Norway will soon sink, and ours
increase, and we shall have a new supply of seamen, and our
navigation will be very much incourag'd and ships that go to
Virginia, Maryland etc. for freight, when they meet with disappointments, instead of coming home empty, will at least have
opportunities of taking in a loading of boards etc. If the dutys
were taken off from timber, boards pipe-staves and copper, it
would be sufficient incouragemt. for persons to engage therein.
But iron works are such chargeable undertakings, that some
bounty or reward besides the taking off the duty will be necessary
to incourage persons to lay out their estates in erecting them, etc.
The iron oar of America has been found upon trial to be as good
as the best from Sweden, none exceeds it for gunn barrils, nor will
bear a better proof, nor tis thought make better steel etc. If pott
ashes were made, it wou'd not only consume the underwood and
help to clear the land, but be of great advantage to the publick.
That the erecting iron works may no way interfere with our iron
manufactures, and that in that respect the Plantations may have
their supply of iron and iron manufactures from England as they
now have; it is proposed that all iron made in the Plantations
shall be directly imported into England, and all such iron as shall
be exported again shall be stampd wth. a stamp made for that
purpose at the same port where the same shall be exported.
Endorsed, Recd., Read 31st Dec., 1718. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 323, 7.
No. 135; and 324, 10. pp. 212–219.] |
| [1718.] |
820. General Description of the Spanish West Indies,
written in 1718. By Capt. Domgo. Gonzales Carranza, Principal
Pilot to the King of Spain for the Flotas. Translated from the
original Spanish manuscript and presented to the Duke of Newcastle, one of H.M. Principal Secretarys of State, 1740. Decorated
title page, with sketches of the two hemispheres. Descriptions
of the Spanish West Indies, Bay of Mexico, shoals and coast as
far as New Spain etc., with sailing directions, currents etc. [C.O.
319, 2. pp. 1–69.] |
| [1715–1718.] |
821. Extracts of letters from Captains of H.M. ships on the
Barbados station to the Governor, 1715–1718. Copy. 3 pp.
[C.O. 28, 43. pp. 457, 457 a.] |
| [? 1718.] |
822. Petition of Sir John Eyles to [? Mr. Secretary Addison].
Prays that John Floyer may be appointed Naval Officer of the
Leeward Islands now vacant by the death of Edward Perry.
The place is worth only £100 a year, arising from perquisites, so
that, unless it is granted for life, no deputy will execute it. Sir
John entered into a bond to compensate Floyer after Mr. Secretary
Stanhope had withdrawn his appointment as Attorney General of
Barbados, Sir John having intervened on behalf of the then
Attorney General, Mr. Carter. Having been assured that Mr.
Floyer would be soon preferred to a Commission of £300 pr. ann.,
he undertook to make good that amount until he received such
Commission etc. 1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 43. pp. 458, 458 v.] |
| [?1716–1718.] |
823. Capt. Coram to Mr. Stanhope. Clause proposed to be
inserted in bill for the better regulating of the Charter and Proprietary Governments. Signed, Thomas Coram. Copy. 2 pp.
[C.O. 5, 12. ff. 109, 109 v., 110 v.] |
