America and West Indies: February 1739, 1-15

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 45, 1739. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1994.

'America and West Indies: February 1739, 1-15', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 45, 1739, (London, 1994) pp. 21-37. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol45/pp21-37 [accessed 27 April 2024]

February 1739, 1-15



41 February 1	John West to Harman Verelst requesting consent of Trustees for Georgia for his return to England because of illness, and licence to dispose of his land and possessions in Georgia. Signed. Illiterate. 2 small pp. Addressed. [CO 5/640, ff 269–269A]
42 February 2	John Yeamans to Thomas Hill enclosing the following. Signed. 1 small p. Endorsed, Recd., Read 2 February 1739. Enclosed: 42 i Ordnance Office, 27 September 1735. List of ordnance stores supplied to Antigua. Copy. 1 p. 42 ii State of the Council of Antigua. Gilbert Fleming, lieut-general, in England; Edward Byam, lieut-governor, in Antigua; Nathaniel Crump in Antigua; John Frye in Antigua; George Lucas in England but going over; George Thomas in Pennsylvania, governor thereof; John Duer lately resigned; John Vernon in France; Josiah Martin in New England; Charles Dunbar, Councillor in all the islands, resides chiefly at Antigua; Samuel Byam in Antigua; Edward Byam in New York government: it is apprehended this last gentleman was never appointed; Benjamin King lately proposed, in Antigua. ¾ p. 42 iii State of Council of Montserrat. Gilbert Fleming, lieut-general, in England; Thomas Diggs, lieut-governor, succeeded by Forbes, deceased, succeeded by Col Carpenter now in England; George Wyke in Montserrat; Richard Cooke in Montserrat; James Cruickshanks resigned; John Daily resigned; Simeon Bouveron in Montserrat; George Wyke jnr in Montserrat; John Roynon dead; John Osborne in Montserrat; John Webb in Montserrat. ½p. [CO 152/23, ff 183–188d]
43 February 5 Antigua	Governor William Mathew to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations sending duplicate of minutes of Assembly of St Christopher's to 12 September 1738, and duplicate of minutes of Council of Montserrat for quarter ending Christmas last. John Williams, member of Council of St Christopher's, died a few days since. Signed. 1 small p. Endorsed, Recd., Read 10 April 1739. [CO 152/23, ff 205, 205d, 208, 208d]
44 February 5 Georgia Office	Harman Verelst to James Oglethorpe to be forwarded to Georgia by the lieut-governor of New York. On 29th of last month and not before, the Trustees received your letter dated 19 September last giving an account of your arrival in Georgia. They had applied for a supply to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer and prepared a petition to Parliament before the receipt of that letter. Your letters of 7 and 19 October were received on 22nd of last month which occasioned the Trustees to resolve to amend their petition and apply for the payment of debts by unforeseen accidents and therefore not provided for in the grant of the last session in Parliament, resolving to get as much as possible granted this session. The papers you sent with your letter of 7 October were also received and the Trustees, out of a due concern for the welfare of the colony and to ease you as much as possible under the great weight you labour in that faithful discharge of the trust reposed in you, have agreed to your directing the issue of the 500l in sola bills which you took over with you and are to be issued for the support of the most necessitous objects and for assistance of the industrious inhabitants; and the Trustees have reserved money in the bank for the payment of them on their return to England. They have also agreed to send you by Capt Shubrick (whom Mr Revel has engaged to go to Georgia 15th inst with 40 tons of provisions for your regiment) 15 tons of beer in barrels, the use and produce whereof is to be applied for the Trustees' servants to be employed in cultivating lands for the religious uses of the colony, being to be paid for out of that money. They have also agreed to send you by the same ship 600l more in sola bills for the use of their servants and have reserved 400l out of the money for building churches and 200l out of the money for religious uses to answer them, and the servants' labour in those services or the produce thereof must be so applied.
44 February 5 Georgia Office	The Trustees, when they know their success in Parliament, intend to send over a commission to state and determine the public debts in Georgia and for that purpose to name William Stephens, Henry Parker and Thomas Jones, who are to sign to each account what shall appear due to be paid in England and thereby to discharge the effects in Georgia from any claim, that they may be applied for the service of the colony until the arrival of the sola bills to be sent after the next supply is voted for the support of the colony for the ensuing year. The Trustees are very sensible of the difficulties you labour under and the dangers you are exposed to and bless God for your great deliverance in the late mutiny. They much approve of your conduct under these hardships and are truly animated with a most commendable zeal for the preservation and welfare of the province, which you have endured so many fatigues and gone through so many eminent dangers in the establishing of. They are very sensible of the Spaniards' desire to possess it, but as it never has been (to the Trustees' knowledge) possessed by them they have reason to hope it never will. As to Mr Causton's and Mr Bradley's conducts the same commissioners will be empowered to examine and determine thereupon, and the Trustees expect that the same care should be taken for Mr Bradley's giving security to answer the event as well as Mr Causton's. This comes by the way of New York in hopes to reach you before Capt Shubrick's arrival. Entry. 2 pp. [CO 5/667, pp 209–210]
45 February 6 Whitehall	Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Lieut-Governor George Clarke acknowledging letters of 22 October and 21 November 1738. In the first you acquaint us with your having dissolved the Assembly, and at the same time for your reasons of so doing you refer us to the papers enclosed therein. We have considered them very maturely and thereupon have thought proper to give you by the first opportunity this early testimony of our approbation of your conduct in this affair. You certainly have acted as became you, both in communicating your instructions to them and in adhering to it yourself. We hope when the next Assembly meets you will find a better disposition in them to concur with you in such measures as are necessary for the support of the government and we would recommend to you to cultivate a good understanding with them; but should you have the same difficulties to struggle with, we still promise ourselves that no consideration will induce you to come into a bill for sinking the paper money unless a proper provision be made for the support of the government. As to the answer you made to part of the message sent you by the Assembly, that you could not give your consent to the appropriation of the money, we must observe that the right of issuing of money, when given by the Assembly, belongs to you as HM's governor, as also the appointing the officers necessary for that purpose, but the appropriation of it is in the Assembly agreeable to the constitution of England. Your other letter, which takes notice of your interview with the Six Nations and of the advantages you hope to receive from it, though not so great as you had expected, gives us another opportunity of commending your conduct; and we doubt not but you will continue to use the same vigilance as you have hitherto done in preventing the French from gaining any footing among the Indians, as nothing can be done of that nature which will not affect our commerce in the most sensible manner. Entry. Signatories, Monson, M Bladen, Edward Ashe, R Plumer. 2½ pp. [CO 5/1126, pp 82–84]
46 February 6 Savannah	William Stephens to Trustees for Georgia. Very little has occurred to me worth your attention since my last of 2 January whereof I now send copy together with a continuation of my journal, from whence your ready discernment may in a great measure lead you to judge how affairs in general stand with us at present here. As to what has been doing in the south it would ill become me to make a narrative of matters not within the compass of my knowledge, especially when they have been so closely under the general's own eye for a good time past so that what intelligence you have from thence to be sure comes pure and genuine as from a springhead, whilst I find myself often under some difficulty in separating truth from falsehood, lest in taking things on their first appearance, perhaps disguised, I should fall into unpardonable mistakes. I would not be misunderstood here to mean any of those inquiries which are immediately under Mr Jones's discretion relating to Messrs Causton and Bradley: they are mysteries too deep for me to attempt the fathoming, and I can make no doubt but Mr Jones gives you information from time to time what progress he has made, etc, though whatever letters he may have wrote to England none have taken place in the ordinary packet which I send and run the common risk with others in case he has sent any. It is sufficient for me (as I humbly apprehend) so to do my best in narrowly watching the dispositions and actions of people here in general, together with what steps (or of late I may say large strides) they take towards making themselves more and more uneasy, that the truth of everything may appear as it is, which I have endeavoured in those daily observations I have made.
	Howsoever unacceptable it may be to you or disagreeable to myself, I think it is incumbent on me now to lay before you a new list of the freeholders of this town, etc, by comparing which with what I sent you soon after my first coming here you may see the difference and how that set of people are decreased, though the number of souls inhabiting this part of the colony is certainly multiplied, reckoning the foreigners that have been imported with their families who are mostly employed in service either of the Trust or private persons; many of them likewise have been disposed of in the south. I had it in my intention to make a perfect list of the numbers of men, women and children distinctly but we are at present in such a fluid way and so many alterations almost daily happen that what I cannot set down with certainty I conceive is better deferred a while till we return to a more fixed and permanent state, which in good time I make no question will come to pass and that this froward infant of six years growth, which has been tenderly nursed, will learn to do more for itself than hitherto has been done, though I dare not venture to answer for the immediate amendment of some peevish and dogged dispositions who make their own will their only guide. It must not now be denied that there are some few among those noted to be away who have taken pains and endeavoured to live, but failing in their expectations of a crop, without help from the stores, and no wages to be had for their labour now if hired, necessity has driven them to seek their bread where they can find it, and whenever such can do it here they will certainly return to their own homes. But I think I can safely affirm that the return of at least two thirds of all that are gone off is rather to be feared than wished. It is true indeed they added to the number of fencible men and during the vapouring of the Spaniards they were looked on as useful; but since HM has been pleased to appoint a regular force for our defence ploughshares and sickles I conceive at present more adapted to the use of the husbandmen here than guns and swords, which nevertheless they ought not wholly to lay aside.
	Mr Causton showing me a paragraph of his letter which he said he purposed to send to you by Capt Thomson, wherein he alleged that at the time he meant to put an end to the work of roadmaking under Mr Williams's inspection I prevailed with him to continue that work a while longer believing the general would like it and procure your approbation, I think it my duty to offer a few words the better to illustrate that passage. It was some short time before Michaelmas last (about 10 or 12 days as I remember) when Mr Williams told me that Mr Causton had taken a sudden resolution to break off that work, which having no previous notice of would be very detrimental forasmuch as there was a bridge newly framed and set up at a considerable expense over a creek on that road about half a mile out of town and unless the road leading near to it was raised to a proportionable height so as gradually to surmount the crown of the arch all that was done would be of no effect; therefore he wished I would speak to Mr Causton about it and persuade him to continue the men in that employment those few days only till Michaelmas which would bring it to a proper period and the way to the bridge would be made more commodious, otherwise it was not passable; which knowing to be true from seeing it myself, I promised him that I would talk with Mr Causton upon it and when I did so should know better how far it was proper for me to meddle in such an affair. But I well knew that Mr Causton had sometime before reduced the number of those workmen from 17 or 18 to 10, which I always understood to be a prudential act of saving from himself; wherefore imagining this likewise to be so, indeed I went so far as to say when I conferred with him that I apprehended it was not a matter of very great moment if the men went on for a few days more as was requested considering the circumstances of things relating to it and I could not suppose the general would think much of it, whom we expected very soon and who (it was known presently after) was at that time landed at St Simon's. Whereupon it was agreed to and the men all discharged accordingly at Michaelmas, the time appointed, after finishing what appeared to be so necessary that without it the whole road beyond must have been useless. Signed. 2½ small pp. [CO 5/640, ff 270–271d]
47 [February 6]	Memorial of Henry Popple, agent of Governor Alured Popple, to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations requesting augmentation of the independent company in Bermuda and supply of a complete set of arms for it. 1 large p. Endorsed. Recd. 6 February, Read 7 February 1739. [CO 37/13, ff 77–78d]
48 February 7 Palace Court	Minutes of Common Council of Georgia. Ordered that stationery to the value of 25l be purchased to be carried over by Rev Mr Whitefield. Letters of 6 November 1738 from Mr Bolzius and Mr Gronau were referred to committee of accounts. Read letter from Mr Urlsperger to Mr Ziegenhagen of 27 January 1739 concerning colonists setting out from Augsburg; letter of acknowledgement and thanks to be sent, also letters to Daniel Wolters at Rotterdam and the English minister in Holland. Passage of said colonists to be paid out of money appropriated for Salzburghers. Entry. 2 pp. [CO 5/690, pp 197–198]
49 February 7 Palace Court	Minutes of Trustees for Georgia. Received receipt from the bank for 40l paid in by Adam Anderson. Sealed petition to House of Commons for supply. Entry. 1 p. [CO 5/687, p 106; entry of petition in CO 5/670, p 374]
50 February 7 Savannah	William Stephens to Harman Verelst. After so much as I wrote you in two letters of 2nd and 3rd ult I may imagine you will expect me to be more brief now, wherefore I shall avoid all rambling excursions and come to those points only which I apprehend it necessary you should be acquainted with: the first of which is relating to that affair of my late good friend Col Horsey whose family might with reason expect me to be ever ready in doing them what service lay in my power, and I am sure I am so from my heart; wherefore it really affects me very grievously to think how ill I have been able to demonstrate it by any act of mine since I received those letters, powers and instructions from Capt Samuel Horsey and yourself in what manner to solicit those demands that the family in all appearances have so just a claim to from the government of Carolina, which I formerly (more than once) wrote you I had immediately acquainted our general with, who was then in the south but expected here every week since, from the time I received those orders which was towards the latter end of November, in all which time nevertheless I have not had the honour of any commands from him relating to it. And without his advice and assistance it was not proper for me to stir as I was very justly cautioned to act in it wholly under his conduct. And we yet continue here daily waiting his coming to this place which was once his delight but by degrees he seemed to grow more enamoured with the southern settlements and the late mad behaviour of these people with their representation, etc has more and more estranged him from it, insomuch that it has even been surmised by some he would show them a mark of his resentment by passing by this place without stopping at the time he first went to Charleston; but I hope he will not carry things to those extremities for there is yet a remnant here of such as I apprehend worth more regard who never wilfully meant to offend. (This by the by.) Till I see him or hear from him what can I say? Surely he means nothing but good to the family which he gave such large proofs of friendship to the father of, and as soon as he allows me to proceed it will quickly appear with what a hearty goodwill I go about it. In the meanwhile let me entreat you to persuade them not to suffer any ill impressions to be made as if I wanted a ready disposition to serve them, and I am continually in hopes of an opportunity soon to convince them effectually of that truth, but till then I have but little heart to write letters of no significance. When opportunity offers, a ream of foolscap paper in folio and the like of post paper in ditto would [be] very acceptable, not knowing easily under our present wants where to get it. Little or none of what [?I had] has been applied to wrong uses and what I have seen filled I hope has not been all wasted. Pens, ink, wax etc we have plenty of left. I had thoughts of adding here a few small things which I should also be glad of for my own private use but I rather postpone that till another time when I may ask your leave to mention them. Signed. PS. Pray be so good as to forward the enclosed by the post to the Isle of Wight. 1 small p. Addressed. [CO 5/640, ff 272, 272d]
51 February 8 Whitehall	Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to the King recommending approbation of Act passed in New York in 1737 for confirming agreement and exchange of lands in Oysterbay. Entry. Signatories, Monson, M Bladen, Edward Ashe, R Plumer. 1 p. [CO 5/1126, pp 84–85]
52 February 8 Savannah	Thomas Jones to Harman Verelst. The instructions given me by the Trustees I find impossible strictly to comply with unless I act without any regard had to their interests or the rights of others. I have by every opportunity that offered informed Gen Oglethorpe with the situation of the Trustees' affairs here and have been from time to time favoured with his orders which to the best of my power I have complied with. But he, the general, having been detained at the southward for three months past, I have been ever since in one continued scene of strife and wrangling. The threats I hear of actions being brought against me by some, and of being that or otherwise destroyed by others, do not in the least terrify me if I can by any means prevent their honours' good intentions in establishing this colony from being defeated and their effects secured from plunder and waste for the future. What has been done of that nature for two years last past you will in a short time discover, though too late for a remedy.
	That part of my instructions relating to the notices to be affixed on the doors of the stores at Savannah and Frederica has been complied with as per my letter to you in October but I have had no account from Mr White of the remain of stores at Frederica, the general having taken that affair under his care and inspection. The instruction to issue the stores under my care pursuant to the orders of William Stephens Esq, Mr Thomas Causton and Mr Henry Parker or any two of them I have not strictly conformed to but have had the general's orders for my guidance in issuing provisions, etc to such as had demands on the store, as also for magistrates and other officers, the widows and orphans, the Trustees' servants, and some others. But such who had no demand on the store I have conformed to the directions given me by Col Stephens and Mr Parker for the most part, yet have refused to comply with Mr Parker's and Mr Causton's orders in some instances, particularly in their order for issuing out of the stores to Mr Causton 100 bushels of corn and a large quantity of damaged corn for his cattle, the quantity not mentioned but so much as he should have occasion for. I told them that the stores being nigh exhausted of all sorts of provisions excepting corn, I could not find how the Trustees' servants and others that were to be provided for by the store could be supplied if so large a quantity was issued to one person who I heard had more corn this year raised on his own plantation than any three others in the colony. They said they would get Mr Stephens to join them in that order. I went immediately to Col Stephens and represented to him how destructive it would be for him to concur with them in such unreasonable demands when it was evident Mr Causton had plenty of corn by him as well as other provisions of all sorts. Mr Causton had taken out of the stores on 16 September (being the next day after he had received the copy of the Trustees' orders per Capt Piercy) a large quantity, as you may see by the particulars (enclosed) taken out of the daybook, though some people (who say they counted the barrels of beef on the bluff as they were taking them into the periager for Oxtead) assert there were six more than he is charged with; and about two in the morning of the following night several barrels of beef and flour were conveyed out of the store to Mr Parker's house (but none put to his account) which were seen by Mr Sterling's family who live next door to him, and he has been often reproached therewith but was silent thereat as I am informed.
	I found an inventory taken 25 June last of the provisions and other effects then in the store, and having the invoices of what had been delivered into the store since that time, I imagined that I could easily . . . (fn. 1) the issues set down in the daybook if any such frauds had been committed; but I found one of the daybooks (no 37) commencing from 24 June to 27 July missing (which book I had in my inventory of the books in the counting-house taken 20 October last). I have reason to suspect that Mr Causton had prevailed with my servant (whom I put into the counting-house to take care of the books) to connive at their conveying that book away. I have discharged that servant and his family. I cannot find any one person whom I can confide in (excepting one Mr Harris who came over with Capt Thomson and who assists me in the store) but what by flatteries and presents are corrupted to betray the trust reposed in them.
	The instructions I had to examine into Mr Bradley's demands and conduct I have not been able to comply with. I went to his house the next day after my arrival and acquainted him with the instructions I had received. He said that he was then indisposed but hoped in a few days he should be able to settle his accounts with me and in the meantime would order his son to write out his account with the Trustees. I sent to Mr Causton desiring him to order Mr Bradley's account from 25 December 1737 to be given me; which could not obtain till 22 December, which is very defective. I examined the daybooks (at some leisure hours) and find many mistakes and omissions therein as you will see by comparing it with that which I have taken (no 4) though am not certain having nobody to assist me in examining it. Please to observe the valuation of the provisions which were then given me (no 1) at which I was surprised and desired to be informed when any provisions had been bought into the store at those prices. The clerk told me that they were valued by the prices set to Mr Causton's but desired I would give them leave to examine the account again and some days after brought me that marked no 2. I had some time before told Mr Causton that he had been very injurious to Mr Bradley, Mr West and some others by rating some goods issued to them at double the price he had charged the same goods to others, thereby enhancing their debts. But now Mr Causton, after three years declared enmity, is entered into a professed amity with Mr Bradley and has been entertained at his house at dinner. Before this friendship commenced I attended him (Bradley) several times but could not prevail with him to enter into any account on the footing of his agreement with the Trustees (of which I had a copy) nor would he account for the provisions, tools and other effects he had received out of the store, alleging that he was not stinted as to provisions and other necessaries for himself and his family, that the Trustees had not provided him with the thirty servants they had promised, and that Gen Oglethorpe would satisfy me about the whole affair. When the general came here I acquainted him with what had passed. He (the general) allowed that Mr Bradley's servants arriving in the colony some time before he came himself, he (the general) had employed them in the Trustees' service for some time and therefore would allow provisions for all his servants for one year from their arrival. As soon as the general was gone for the camp at the southward I applied again to Mr Bradley who now refused to give any other account than what you have enclosed (no B). He hath ever since taken all opportunities of insulting me, saying that the Trustees had sent me over hither to starve the inhabitants and oblige them to leave the colony, and that I had refused to give him provisions which the general had ordered me to do several times in his hearing and which he saith I owned unto him, which is not true. What . . . of, neither have I had leisure . . . that what is done thereon might have been procured to be effected for . . . (fn. 2) If it does or has produced anything there's no account of it. His son's 5-acre lot is well improved, where he also makes bricks. He has under his direction (besides those he calls his own servants) these Dutch servants whose names, ages, etc you have enclosed (no C) and who have their provisions and clothing from the store. Three of the women servants are his or his son's concubines as commonly reported, one of them lately delivered, another big with child. Two joiners or carpenters (servants) have been constantly employed in making chairs, bureaux [MS: buroes] and decorations for his house as I am told and have seen them when I have been at his house so employed. The livestock delivered unto his care I can have no account of: he saith that he gave an account thereof to Col Stephens and will not give another; the increase he calls his own.
	The general having judged it advisable that Mr Causton and his clerks should have access to the books in order to make out his account, I would not interrupt him therein though there has not one account been attempted to this day excepting what is called a cash account which has been formed from Mr Causton's minutes (not produced) and the receipt-book, which after three months close application was completed and a copy delivered to me whereby it appears that Mr Causton has paid 800l more than he had received, which affords matter of great triumph to his new associates. But the frauds in that account are too barefaced: I doubt not but you will readily discover them. Only give me leave to hint that many of the payments for which there have been receipts given as cash were goods delivered and the persons' accounts not debited for those goods nor any mention of such issues in the daybook. Robert How (who comes over with Capt Thompson) his receipt of 9 November 1737, for 6l 9s 2d, can inform you whether he received any money at that time: it was linen cloth sold him at 4s 6d per yard which cost 2s 3d an English ell (which advance on the price of some goods issued hath been the common practice for some time past, by which means a very large sum of money must have yearly accrued to the Trustees but I find no account kept of profit and loss). Several of the payments were in discharge of his private debts, some for drafts he had given for the value received of persons which are returned protested. The account, together with the other accounts and vouchers, I suppose will be transmitted you as soon as the general arrives here (which I expect daily). I will not trouble you with any observations I have made on the accounts till I know what course the general will take but intend then to give you what light I can into any of the accounts. Only that the Trustees may not be deceived by the certified accounts sent over I would mention one instance. You will find that the same practice has been used in most of the other certified accounts. In October last Mr Causton (pursuant to the general's order) delivered me a list of the debts owing to persons in this colony which had not been certified for my guidance in issuing effects out of the store towards their satisfaction, which I send herewith (no D), amounting to 6673l 12s 11d (though far short of the debts incurred). Mr John Brownfield (whose account you will find in that list) who had been at variance with Mr Causton for a long time, I understand, went often to Oxtead and lay there seve[ral] (fn. 3) nights. In December (about the time of the association) I went to the counting-house and found the balance due to Mr Brownfield greatly enhanced whereupon I desired to see the vouchers. The last article in that account was 31l18s 3¼d charged to the Trustees, as also several other articles to the amount of 70l and upwards which I found by his bills of parcels to be goods delivered Mr Causton and charged to his account. I found likewise that all those sums which Mr Causton owed him before April last had teen included in the certificate given him by Mr Causton as for goods delivered for the Trustees' use into their magazine at Savannah. I took a copy of the certificate and showed it Mr Brownfield and asked him whether he did not then know that Mr Causton had certified a falsehood in order to defraud the Trustees (he combining with him therein) of a sum of money. He replied that others who had dealings with Mr Causton had done the same, which I find to be true and few if any of those sums were placed to Mr Causton's account until of late which you may discover by the interlineations in his accounts . . . (fn. 4) of the fraudulent methods used by Mr Causton in his accounts wherein the greatest part of them were interested, I soon lost their friendship and that brought on a reconciliation of the greatest enemies to one another and a continual resort to Oxtead (Mr Causton's seat) which at length produced their famous representation and other libels which are pretended to be dropped in the streets. There is no person here that I can apply to for any advice or assistance besides Col Stephens. Mr Christie I believe wishes well to the Trustees' interests but is overawed by Mr Parker who on all occasions acts with the greatest partiality in favour of Mr Causton and his friends. He comes sometimes to the store reeling and (when in that plight) complains of the Trustees their treatment of Mr Causton and himself. He has seven heads (Dutch servants) for whom he demands clothing as well as provisions. He has had out of the store since 21 October last in provisions to the value of 23l. He stands indebted by his account in the books 239l12s if rightly stated. I have not examined his account but find therein several of his private debts paid by Mr Causton on the Trustees' account.
	The Charles (one of the transport ships), Capt Stuart, has taken in her loading here from Mr Robert Williams for St Christopher's. It was generally reported that Mr Causton designed to go with him for St Christopher's in order to go from thence to Eustatia. I acquainted the general therewith and the reasons I had to believe that report, viz the rude language used by Stuart in some companies concerning the general and the Trustees, the frequent going of Capt Stewart in company of Mr Parker, Robert Williams and Hugh Anderson to Oxtead, Mr Causton's continuing at Oxtead a fortnight having been in town but once in that time, and his conveying his effects from Oxtead and removing them to other places privately in the nighttime, all which I could make evident. The general thereupon wrote to Mr Causton, and also to Mr Fallowfield (the naval officer) commanding him to go on board the Charles and there remain until she sailed and prevent Mr Causton or any other person under bail from going out of the colony. He wrote at the same time to Capt Stuart charging him at his peril not to attempt such things. These letters came to hand 4th instant. Stuart's ship was laden and at Tybee; he was to sail on 6th instant. Fallowfield has been on board ever since (though unwillingly) and now Stuart says he does not know when he shall sail. Being in daily expectation of the general's coming to Savannah ever since the beginning of December last I have delayed writing, having no certain account to give of any affairs but shall for the future give such broken accounts as I am able. I have not time to peruse what I have written nor take an exact copy, only some minutes that I may not trouble you with the repetition of the same again. I hope his excellency will arrive here before Capt Thomson goes from Charleston and shall have the satisfaction of acquainting the Trustees with greater certainty how affairs are in this country. Signed. 4 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 14 May 1739. [CO 5/640, ff 273–274d]
53 February 9 Whitehall	Duke of Newcastle to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations enclosing the following. You are to lay before the House of Commons copies of such papers as are in your office. Signed, Holles Newcastle. ¾ p. Endorsed, Recd. 10 February, Read 13 February 1739. Enclosed: 53 i Resolutions of House of Commons, dated 6 February 1739, requesting copies of all petitions, etc made to the Admiralty and the Board of Trade since the Treaty of Seville relating to losses by depredations of the Spaniards; copies of all letters from British governors in America, HM's minister in Spain, and consuls in Europe, to Secretaries of State, the Admiralty and Board of Trade, relating to the same; and copies of all letters from any commander-in-chief or captains of HM's ships to Secretaries of State, Admiralty and Board of Trade, relating to the same. Copy. 1¾ pp. [CO 323/10, ff 136–139d]
54 February 9 Whitehall	Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Privy Council. Pursuant to Order of 12 January last we have considered the petition of John Yeamans, agent of Montserrat, for grant of ordnance, etc. Mr Yeamans has attended and represented that in 1712 the French invaded this island and destroyed all the houses, mills and other works therein, ruined their fortifications and what military stores were then in the island, and after carrying off the Negroes and all moveables of value left the island in a most miserable and distressed condition; that they were reduced by that calamity to borrow a considerable sum of money to resettle the said island for which they were obliged to pay a large interest; that in 1737 they suffered extremely by a fire which laid almost all Plymouth Town in ashes, which was followed by an inundation that undermined the fort and destroyed the magazine which with several houses was washed away, and that in August last they were visited by the severest hurricane that was ever known there in the memory of man; that notwithstanding this succession of calamities they have at their own expense laid out large sums of money in rebuilding and repairing several public works, in particular a new magazine which is almost finished, and have raised additional works to Plymouth Fort; they are also willing to repair such other batteries and forts as are necessary for their defence but are utterly incapable of furnishing themselves with a proper supply of military stores. In our representation to HM of 11 April 1734 we proposed a supply of military stores to be sent to the Leeward Islands but Mr Yeamans informs us that in the distribution of these stores a very inconsiderable share was sent to Montserrat. Considering the distressed condition of this island and the danger it is at present exposed to, we recommend that the prayer of the petition be granted so far as necessary for their forts and batteries. Entry. Signatories, Monson, M Bladen, E Ashe, R Plumer, 3 pp. [CO 153/16, pp 155–157]
55 February 11 Georgia Office	Benjamin Martyn to Robert Trevor, minister at The Hague, requesting protection of seven passengers from Augsburg on their way to England and thence to Georgia in case they meet with any difficulties in Holland. Entry. ½ p. [CO 5/667, p 211]
56 February 12 Georgia Office	Same to D[aniel] Wolters at Rotterdam. Seven persons from Augsburg will shortly arrive at Rotterdam on their way to England and thence to Georgia. The Trustees request that all assistance be given them; and have informed Mr Trevor by this post. Entry. ½ p. [CO 5/667, p 211]
57 February 14 Palace Court	Minutes of Trustees for Georgia. Consideration of a proper day for presenting the petition to the House of Commons was postponed to next meeting.Entry. 1 p. [CO 5/687, p 107]
58 February 14 Savannah	Thomas Causton to Trustees for Georgia. Your orders dated 19 May being under seal of your Common Council I thought myself particularly obliged to give it a separate answer, and as your later orders are a con tinuance of your censures I determined (at the same time) to pursue my defence. I am sensible that the want of knowing the necessity of the expenses of the colony as mentioned in your orders dated 12 June, which (I now apprehend) far exceeds your conjecture, must naturally raise a surprise and some doubts how far my conduct could be justified. And I may (by sad experience) be allowed to say that it is my great unhappiness the weight of a discretional power was in any shape laid upon me before a just account of the circumstances of the colony both as to public and private affairs, and especially before a more perfect calculation of the charge of those things judged necessary for its defence and support was duly explained and by some proper channel conveyed to you. I hope I may be excused from believing that such a calculation was expected from me, not only because the execution was in a great measure to depend on my conduct and therefore (with humble submission) improper for me to attempt, but also that the events from the good or bad success and from the accidents to which such undertakings were liable, was a task too difficult for my explanation or for my judgment to guard against. Both which reasons being considered, I imagine that I could contribute to such an explanation no other wise than by directing the accounts to be properly stated after the execution of the facts, the employing people for that end, and the transmitting them (when done) for your approbation. To effect this I made choice of such persons as I could find most properly qualified, concerning whose neglects I have frequently complained, and I hope may take the liberty to say (when I find myself accused on that account) that as (in the course of so many years service under various approbations of my conduct) it was yearly evident that those necessary accounts were not completed, I ought to have been relieved by such an assistance of more proper clerks who might from time to time have shown to you in a proper light the nature and extent of such an expense from whence a more perfect calculation might have been formed. And your unparalleled goodness forbids me to believe that you will censure me for not performing what was either then improper or impossible for me. Neither can I believe that, although my distresses urged me to supplicate your favours for my joining this colony, I had thereby subjected myself to what calumny or envy should (possibly) suggest without being duly heard or proved.
	As the application of the several values mentioned in your orders can be no way explained but by the accounts no particular reasons can be given till those accounts are completed, in doing which I give my daily attendance and if any extraordinary fact has occasioned those applications will as minutely as I can set forth such facts and transmit them with the accounts. And as the necessity of such expenses arises from various causes I must confess myself incapable to relate the whole, but am apt to think that when you shall see the accounts and have considered from them and other facts which I am apprehensive will soon (most necessarily) be laid before you in the name of the inhabitants such necessity will sufficiently appear. And if it can be believed that the industrious people have hitherto laboured under difficulties arising from the nature of the settlement, and attended with such unavoidable but fatal truth, I hope you will grant that such prudent means ought to be used as might stop the growth of such discontent as well to preserve the reputation of the country as the safety of those who had courage to continue in it and despise those false representations which ill-disposed persons were industrious to publish. Had I in any shape taken upon me to represent what appeared to be the real reasons of those difficulties I should naturally have been guilty of presuming to correct where my duty was to obey. But such is my unhappy fate that (at present) on the one hand I undergo your censures for purchasing what I venture to call necessary subsistence and as such was the only means to defend the industrious under their difficulties and preserve their future expectations, and on the other hand exposed to the public resentments of my countrymen for persuading them to persevere in planting and thereby contributing to complete their destruction.
	The parcels which you observe to be purchased and were not the proper species of provisions or fit for those whom you contracted to provide for were never so purchased but when common food could not be otherwise obtained, and have been issued either upon a proper value to the creditors of the store (or where necessity might sometimes otherwise require) on such a reasonable advance as (according to the best of my judgment) was sufficient to guard against necessary charges and unavoidable waste. An account of the several sums certified and to whom due was with the several extracts as mentioned in my letter of 14 January delivered to Gen Oglethorpe soon after his arrival, and as all the accounts are now bringing to a balance those balances will soon be exactly taken and transmitted. Capt Thompson informed me of your objections to his account certified 21 January 1737/8 agreeable to your abovementioned orders, and for the better justification of the values thereby said to be advanced to the several people therein mentioned I beg leave to observe that Rev Mr Bolzius had at that time upwards of 5l sterling value in account with the store in his favour; that part of Mr Broadie's servants being then employed on the western road the value in said account would thereby be soon repaid, which if I had not agreed to he must have sold those necessary tools with which (as a carpenter) he proposed to get his bread, and I imagined that the recommendation which he brought from Mr Provost Hossack, a copy of which (having been transmitted) might be judged a reasonable inducement for such a credit; that Mr Thomas Upton having delivered me Mr Verelst's letter signifying that the Earl of Egmont was certain that the sum of 30l sterling would be paid to the Trust for his account, I was led to imagine that the answering for such a credit on his behalf would be approved of and needed no particular reason from me; that John Moore Mackintosh, Samuel Smallwood, Euan Mackintosh, Ensign Hugh Mackay and John Rea, being each of them in your service and thereby entitled to their several establishments, it would be easily supposed that if they had occasion to purchase anything of Mr Thompson, as the value of such purchase would stand in account against such establishments it was not immediately necessary to give other particular reasons; that John Warwick having been recommended by Gen Oglethorpe as one who had a genius for planting and showing a great desire to employ himself in that manner, I confess my zeal for giving the utmost encouragement to so necessary a work led me to answer for the value therein mentioned and as such value was of small extent I hope to be excused for not assigning particular reasons; that James Smithe's being mentioned to be employed in erecting the sawmill, Mr Robert Williams's servants on the western road, and Patrick Graham in attending the silk, the value for their uses would stand against their respective demands. And although it may be erroneously mentioned that the generality of the said values are advanced, it will appear that they were no other way so than because the respective demands on the store were not and could not (by reason the proper vouchers were not received) be then entered to account or otherwise explained. As Mr William Williamson transmits his own account to his relations I apprehend that such value will either be answered by them to the captain or repaid to you. And as to the value on my own account I humbly hope that neither the value there mentioned or any other value in any other account will be judged to be done with any ill design or unreasonable, having always been strictly careful that the smallest matter which has in any shape been liable to a thought for the particular use of self or family should be exactly entered to my particular account, always confiding that when you should think proper to reward my services you would (as you are pleased to mention in your abovementioned orders dated 19 May) further reward me for the great burthen which has lain upon me for several years past. And I must beg leave so much the more to insist on your belief in this manner because I can and do defy any person whatever to prove that I have either spent my time luxuriously or idly, but contrariwise that all my actions will demonstrate a design to promote the welfare of the colony. And because of sundry malicious and false reports which probably may have reached your ears I can and do defy anyone to prove or show that I have carried on any secret trade or been a factor for anyone, that I have by any means or channel amassed or procured for myself at any time any unjust gains or made any remittances in money or goods to England, the West Indies or any other place whatsoever. As the reasons for all the several articles with which my account stands charged will more properly be laid before you when I shall transmit such account I beg that nothing will be (in the meantime) construed to my prejudice, being extremely anxious that you should be minutely acquainted as well with all the particulars and the reasons for them as also of the purposes to which they have been applied. Mr Henry Parker not having paid me any rent on account of Mary Cooper it has not been in my power to make her any remittance pursuant to her letter of attorney, and when I do receive any such rent will not fail to account for it agreeable to your commands.
	Your orders dated 4 August last mentioned the receipt of my journal to 24 July 1737 and I humbly apprehend that you have since received a continuance thereof to 25 September following. As the business of the colony would not reasonably permit myself to transcribe such journals I was obliged to employ Samuel Hurst (one of the clerks) for that purpose at such times as your other services would admit; and as his time (being in no shape an accountant) was taken up in copying letters, papers, daybooks and accounts, the transcribing such journals was consequently delayed. I have continued to keep as perfect a diary of my proceedings as my time would allow and am sorry it has not been in my power to transmit it to its proper time, being always sensible that thereby I should (in a great measure) remove those doubts which ill-disposed people might have raised and my conduct have received a more favourable construction. As I am certain I have at all times duly confined myself to those facts which in some capacity or other came under my cognizance in discharge of my duty to you, free from any thought of aspersing anyone in a private capacity or character, as is suggested here, I hope (from your known justice) that although it might be proper to show Mr Thomas Jones those diaries before he left England he will not be countenanced in making his observations upon it here to my prejudice. I should be more particular in this affair but such is my desire to vindicate my conduct and obey your commands that I (at present) choose to undergo the worst event than seem to expect your favour further than my actions shall be found (on an impartial inquiry) to deserve.
	I am sorry to find myself charged with presuming to disregard your orders dated 14 December 1737 by certifying the accounts of Capt James Macpherson, Robert Williams & Co, and Messrs Ellis & Ryan, because I can take upon me to say that every one of those persons were acquainted with those your orders and were then told that they must consequently hazard such objections as you would certainly make should payment for them be demanded in England. Capt Macpherson as commander of the garrison at Fort Argyle demanded such certificate and represented to me that he had been at extraordinary charges in providing horses and necessaries for his company on credit and that, unless he was enabled to continue such a credit to his people by an immediate payment or such an assurance as he could raise a credit upon, it was impossible for him to keep the people in garrison and threatened that unless I complied with his demand he and his men would immediately quit the service. This proceeding of Capt Macpherson, as it was sudden and seemed to be very extraordinary, I could not (with humble submission) think it proper for me to deny his request because such denial might have given him a pretence to have executed his threats, which (if done) would certainly at that time have exposed the colony to many dangers, the Spaniards and French being then very busy among the Creeks and other neighbouring nations of Indians in making presents, forming treaties and stirring them up against us. I was at that time very dangerously ill and therefore in a more particular manner than usual consulted Col Stephens and the magistrates as to this matter and now enclose copies of the captain's letter and my answer on that occasion. As to Mr Robert Williams & Co and Messrs Ellis & Ryan, I am certain that I not only frequently repeated to them that you had determined all payments should be made at Savannah but also that many accounts prior to theirs would be certainly sent back for like payment here and that they must expect (as the necessary expenses of the colony had exceeded your calculations) to wait for such payment till an account of those expenses could be laid before you and affairs would permit a suitable remittance. And it was never otherwise told them or anyone else than that as many certified accounts might be returned for payment here and many other sums likewise due to sundry persons which were not certified, a far less sum would be remitted (at present) than would be sufficient to discharge them and that therefore each person so concerned could only expect such a part as was agreeable to their demands and the other immediate services of the colony would admit of. And I can take upon me to say that all my expressions were of this nature to everyone who had (from the time of your said orders) any demands upon the stores, and therefore if it shall thus appear upon an impartial inquiry and that the providing further stores was necessary I hope you will believe that I thereby endeavoured to discharge the general part of my duty, and although the sense of my own integrity and variety of business prevented the thought that such particular reasons was necessary you will receive such endeavours in mitigation of the charge for dispensing with your commands, and contrariwise believe that I did render as punctual an obedience as was consistent with the then circumstances of the colony.
	My cash account is likewise sent wherein all your sola bills, as also all other cash that hath in any other shape come to my hands since 6 February 1735/6, is duly accounted for. And as it thereby appears that the discharge exceeds the charge I beg leave to say that I am apprehensive some part of my own particular cash has been appropriated to the use of the colony besides the sum of 50l which I mentioned in my letter of 14 January to have drawn in favour of Messrs Montaigut & Co on Mr Oglethorpe for the purchase of hogs and other provisions in December 1736. As errors may possibly be discovered on a further perusal of the accounts I have not charged the cash account as such but have left it for my credit (till such further examination is taken) when my particular account shall be laid before you. The general heads of accounts for 1736, as mentioned in my letter of 26 May last, were all then drawn out and the copies were finished; but though the utmost charge was given they appeared (upon examination) to be so very full of errors through the incapacity of the clerks that it could not have answered the design which by my said letter is mentioned. But lest it should be doubted if such heads were prepared or some false reason suggested for its not being sent I enclose it to Mr Verelst, and that those errors may be amended those general heads are put into other hands to be rectified and will with a continuance to the end of my acting as storekeeper be transmitted. I have herewith enclosed Mr Jenys's whole account after a full re-examination which I imagine will clear up the objections which Mr Verelst has made upon it to your satisfaction. The reason for my suffering Mr Bradley's bill on Mr Verelst to be charged in said account is because Mr Thomas Jenys produced Mr Oglethorpe's letter to his brother as an authority for such a charge, and having shown the copy of such letter to the general I have herewith enclosed it.
	The inventories of remaining stores taken 29 September 1738 are herewith enclosed, witnessed by the respective clerks that took them, wherein those articles purchased here or of which I have any bills of parcels are according to such cost charged and the condition noted. Upon the arrival of Gen Oglethorpe I gave Mr Jones possession of the stores and expected to have received an immediate receipt, but he thought fit to issue away the most necessary part without any examination or giving such receipt contrary to the opinion of those whom you had authorized to direct him and afterwards refused such receipt under a pretence that he must examine into the value of every particular. I have also entered on those inventories such annotations as I have been able to inform myself of, which Mr Jones after more than a three months possession thought proper to make. But having no receipt to this hour I thought it necessary that the clerks should certify their own actions and (they tell me) are ready (if occasion require) to swear it is true. The French prisoners mentioned in my journal were taken (among others) at a battle by the Chickesaw Indians when the French attacked those Indians; and Mr Thomas Andrews, one of the traders in that nation, having acquainted Mr Oglethorpe that he had been the means of preserving the lives of these and one other of the said captives from a cruel death (Mons Bienville, brother to the governor of New Orleans, the son of a secretary of France, a priest and nineteen other captives having been burnt), Mr Oglethorpe enjoined him (before his last return to England) that at any price whatever he would redeem and bring them all three to Savannah. In pursuance of which the said Andrews with four Chickesaw Indians set out for this place: one of which captives being taken (on the way) with a flux and not recovering by the remedies which the Indians administered, they thought proper to hang him; the other two arrived here to whom I issued allowances from the store and they waited upon the general at his arrival.
	The blanks left in my journal for sums paid was intended to be filled up from the ledger but as it was forgot (the books not being at hand when the said journal was transmitted) I humbly hope that such an omission will not be thought very material because the accounts themselves will sufficiently show what those sums were. I am sorry I should be supposed to be Mr Ellis's factor when it is well known and can be proved that I have denied all offers of that kind and am ready to answer any charge for being in any shape concerned (with design) in anything whatever unbecoming the character of one who steadfastly was your (only) dutiful servant and the great trust you were pleased to repose in me. The beef mentioned in your said orders was (at first) purchased for the use of the stores, and being soon discovered to be unwholesome (after a proper condemnation) received such a fate as the law directs. And I humbly apprehend that neither he (fn. 5) nor anyone in his behalf can have any just complaint or charge upon that account. I have enclosed Mrs Watson's letter of attorney to me together with the defeasance of a judgment which she was pleased to send, as also her husband's whole account with the store which some time since, subsequent to his discharge from his confinement, were all examined and adjusted with his consent. The sum of 46l 8s 7d Carolina currency has been allowed to Rubrick Kalcher upon the application of Rev Mr Bolzius agreeable to Mr Vatt's letter and your orders.
	I humbly hope that what I have mentioned in my letter dated 14 January with regard to the credit taken myself for servants brought as well by Capt Thompson as also by Capt Hewitt, and also to the credit given to Mr Broadie and Mr Upton, will receive your approbation. Those servants delivered to the credit of Archibald MacBean being particularly subject to your commands, he has no pretence from any act of mine to deny a return of or immediately pay for them. Those to Alexander MacLeane, Benjamin Mackintosh, Lieut John Moore Mackintosh, and Kenneth Bayley were delivered to them respectively at the particular request of the said lieutenant being the commanding officer at the Darien; and I have therefore given them notice that such payment is expected. Those in the service of James Anderson being duly charged to his account, there appears to be due to him the sum of 77l 3s 8¼d sterling on a balance. Lacklan MacBean's wife is with her husband, and he being a man of substance (at present) in the Indian nation I hope to be excused for such a credit which he will not fail to satisfy at this return.
	Having thus endeavoured to lay before you satisfactory answers to your several commands beforementioned, I beg leave further to offer to your consideration how far anyone, though endowed with far greater qualifications than I can presume to be possessed of, can possibly in every part acquit himself when thus loaded with business (which I will venture to call here of the greatest consequence) without proper assistance, especially when I imagine it will be allowed to be necessary (as well for my better executing so general a trust as for manifesting to the world my fidelity with regard to the expense) all accounts and entries ought and were kept and entered by such persons as seemed to be best qualified. And I beg leave further to offer how far it was possible for me to confine the expenses of the colony to your limitations (which my own safety as well as my duty required) when three-fourths of the time was elapsed for which those limitations were calculated before they arrived, and consequently before I could possibly make such alterations as were agreeable to those limitations, the time for which they were calculated would be wholly expired and (if the King's forces arrived according to expectation) other different orders might be reasonably expected. And I am very apprehensive that had I omitted any reasonable endeavours to keep the people together till those forces arrived I should have exposed myself to a just censure because when the Italian silkwinder was supposed to have left the colony through discontent I was told by letter that you were much surprised to hear it because it was in my power to have prevented it. From whatever quarter your doubts of my conduct or good endeavours may arise I can take upon me to say that no wilful act of mine has occasioned it and as my past services were rather the effects of your choice than my intercession I cannot yet believe but you will favourably accept such endeavours. Signed. 7½ pp. [CO 5/640, ff 275–278d]
59 February 15	Lieut-Governor William Gooch to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations acknowledging letters of 9 August and 6 October. Members of Council of Virginia are the same as for three years past and are all resident. Having received no application from the Cherokee or Catawba Indians since my last to you I know not what state they are in with the northern nations; neither have either of their parties been seen on our frontier, probably occasioned by the winter which affords little for their subsistence. But if the spring tempts them to renew their hostilities and to make the like returns of barbarity through our inhabitants, it is not to be imagined that people who have now arms in their hands will suffer the heathens to insult them with impunity. I was well acquainted with the treaty made in 1722 and with the arts the Indians have used to explain themselves out of it. By that treaty the Northern Indians were never to cross Cohongorouton River nor come to the eastward of the great ridge of mountains, nor were the Indians belonging to Virginia to pass those bounds to the westward. But now truly those Indians, pretending to be lords paramount of all the lands on the western side of those mountains, insist upon it as agreed by the treaty that, as they were not to pass to the eastward, the English were not to get to the westward. They certainly laid no claim, as they do now, to the lands on Shenandoah River or anywhere else to the westward. If they had, it is to be presumed such a demand would not have been admitted since it might have been easily foreseen that the subjects of HM would soon extend their settlements beyond the mountains and that the sooner HM was possessed thereof the more effectually would the French be excluded from fixing themselves on this side the lakes and the River Mississippi, from whence the greatest danger to the British colonies on the continent is to be apprehended. As it was with this view only that I urged the expediency of bringing the Six Nations, as they are called, to a nearer correspondence and a stricter alliance with this country, which I judged would be best accomplished by their treating with me in this government where with less controversy if not with more decency I might hope to prevail over the notion they have imbibed of their being allies only to New York, and that they are to be influenced by that government which on many occasions has been directed more for the sake of engrossing the skin trade than a regard to the British interest, I am very glad you have had the goodness to write to the governor of New York, and I hope it will have such effect that he will either oblige the Six Nations to make peace with the Southern Indians or restrain them from passing through the limits of Virginia to attack them; and I dare engage for the Cherokees and Catawbas they shall never pass that way to molest them. And surely, if his Indian commissioners, who have the direction of all their affairs and motions, have any regard to HM's service, to the common safety of HM's subjects, or to the interest of the Indians themselves, they will use all their endeavours to dispose the Six Nations to such a reasonable conduct, since it is certain that those nations by travelling six or seven hundred miles to fall upon the Cherokees and Catawbas only weaken their strength by the loss they sustain in those long marches and encounters, and at the same time weaken those southern nations who are firmly attached to the British interest. You will now judge that in the quarrel between these savages the safety of HM's subjects is all we aim at, for we have not nor ever had any manner of trade with the Northern Indians, and indeed the trade we have had with the Southern Indians is now so fettered with new regulations by the Trustees for Georgia that it is like to be lost to us. When any further application shall be made to me on the behalf of the Southern Indians I shall most cheerfully obey your orders without regard to the expense it may occasion or the trouble it may give me. Signed.
59 February 15	Names of Council of Virginia: James Blair, William Byrd, Cole Diggs, John Robinson, John Carter, John Grymes, William Dandridge, John Custis, William Randolph, John Taylor, Philip Lightfoot, Thomas Lee. Persons fit to supply vacancies: Henry Armistead, John Allen, Francis Willis, John Lewis, Henry Fitzhugh, John Robinson jnr, Charles Carter, Lewis Burwell jnr, Thomas Nelson, Richard Randolph, Robert Bolling, Benjamin Harrison. 3 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 17 April, Read 2 May 1739. [CO 5/1324, ff 153–154d]