492
December 4
New Providence | President John Howell to Duke of Newcastle. The chief command of
these islands having, as I acquainted you by letter of 8 August 1738,
devolved upon me as eldest Councillor makes me presume to inform
you that three days since a privateer fitted out from Rhode Island brought into this port
the goods, plate and money apprehended and taken out of three small Spanish boats upon
the coast of Cuba, and therewith several packets and letters among which were the
enclosed English, French and four Spanish that contained anything could be of advantage
to HM's service or worthy your notice. And upon this occasion I take leave to represent
to you that our little fortification is very much decayed, the gun-carriages quite rotten and
the soldiers' barracks in so ruinous a condition that they have scarce any shelter from the
inclemency of the weather. I put our militia in array, ordered the guns in the fort and
under the curtains to be mounted in the best manner we could, others to be raised on an
unfinished battery which was intended to guard the east entrance to the harbour, and
guards of the militia to be regularly kept, so that we are under no apprehensions from our
neighbours of Cuba who, we are informed, are penned up everywhere by HM's light
frigates of war and privateers from Jamaica and the northern colonies. I beg you will
represent our wants to HM. A report brought hither from New England that the galleons
were arrived at Port Andero in Biscay made me imagine the paragraph relating to them in
the enclosed letters would be no displeasing news. Signed. 1½ pp. Enclosed:
492 i Translation of part of no 492ix. ½ p.
492 ii Translation of part of no 492vii.½ p.
492 iii Translation of part of no 492x.½ p.
492 iv Translation of part of no 492viii.1¼ pp.
492 v Leogane, 21 November 1739. Governor L'Arnage to Mons Beloquin
acknowledging letter which will be forwarded tomorrow with packet for court of
Spain from the governor of Cuba. French. Signed. 2 small pp, Endorsed, (?by
President Howell) M L'Arnage is general of Hispaniola but I can't learn who M
Beloquin is, the direction of this letter being torn off before it came to my hands.
492 vi Porto Bello, 28 September 1739. Francis Humphreys to Anthony
Weltden, South Sea Company's factor at Havana. Armada of Peru, consisting of two
men-of-war and five merchant ships, arrived at Perico on 31 July. Rupture between
Spain and England is apprehended. The general of the galleys is not expected to move
from Cartagena until advice comes from Spain.Signed. 3 pp.
492 vii Panama, 13 September 1739. Diego de Toledo y Gridino to Joseph de
Torres y Toledo. Peru fleet has been here since last day of July. The galleons are not to
go to Porto Bello until advice comes from Spain. God give us good success with so
heavy a fleet. Spanish. Signed. 1 p.
492 viii Porto Bello, 28 September 1739. Domingo Lopes de Aviles to Fr Joseph
de Aviles at Havana. The Lima trade is at Panama but the galleons do not stir. Spanish.
Signed. 3 pp.
492 ix Porto Bello, 27 September 1739. John Fernandes de Cordova to John de
la Barrera, royal officer at Havana. The galleons are at a stand and will not proceed to
the fair until advice comes from Spain.Spanish. Signed.1½ pp.
492 x Cartagena, 27 September 1739. John Fernandes de Cordova to his wife in
Havana. War is expected. Galleons will not proceed to the fair until advice comes
from Spain. Spanish. Signed. 1 p. [CO 23/14, ff 318–338d] |
493
December 5
Whitehall | Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Privy
Council. Pursuant to order of 9 November we find that in 1701 there
was an independent company of foot in Bermuda but what number it
consisted of and when sent does not appear. We do not find that any other forces were
sent there during the wars of King William and Queen Anne. Entry. Signatories, Monson,
M Bladen, J Brudenell, E Ashe, A Croft. 1¼ pp. [CO 38/8, pp 310–311] |
494
December 5
Whitehall | Thomas Hill to Francis Fane sending six Acts passed in Pennsylvania in
May last for opinion in point of law. Titles stated. Entry.1½ pp. [CO
5/1294, pp 124–125] |
495
December 6
Palace Court | Minutes of Trustees for Georgia. Read Col Oglethorpe's letter of 5
September; resolved to send copy thereof to Duke of Newcastle and to
represent the need of an instruction to lieut-governor of South Carolina
to recommend the passing of a law relating to trade with Indians while Gen Oglethorpe
continues in Georgia. Approved letters to Gen Oglethorpe and Mr Stephens. Entry. 1 p.
[CO 5/687, p 140] |
496
December 5
Georgia Office | Benjamin Martyn to Duke of Newcastle sending copy of letter dated 5
September last received by the Trustees for Georgia from Gen
Oglethorpe. The Trustees acquaint you that HM having given his royal
instruction dated 21 July 1738 to Governor Samuel Horsey to recommend it to the
Council and Assembly of South Carolina to prepare a law for settling the trade carried on
by South Carolina and Georgia with the Indians on such a footing as may be for the
mutual benefit and satisfaction of both provinces, and that the Trustees, having received a
like instruction from HM, did by the next opportunity, viz 25 August 1738 send a copy
thereof to Gen Oglethorpe and recommended it to him to concert proper measures with
the lieut-governor, Council and Assembly of South Carolina for preserving the peace
with the Indians by licencing fit persons under the like reasonable securities and
instructions for regulating their trade with the Indians in both provinces, and appointing
proper persons for settling the boundaries of each province and the nations of Indians
within each boundary, and the computing the number of traders against the number of
Indians in both provinces in order to settle the nations of Indians which one licenced
trader can supply and the nations of Indians which require more traders than one to
supply them, and that for the mutual benefit and satisfaction of both provinces one half of
the said traders should be licenced by the commissioners for South Carolina and the other
half by the commissioners for Georgia, which instruction by reason of the death of
Samuel Horsey and the delay of a new governor's going over has not yet been carried into
execution. The Trustees therefore on this occasion represent to you that they apprehend it
of the greatest consequence for preserving the Indians in the interest of Great Britain that
the said instruction, in the absence of the governor, be immediately sent to the
lieut-governor of South Carolina to recommend to the Council and Assembly there to
prepare such a law while Gen Oglethorpe continues in America, for whom the Indians
have the highest esteem, that no time may be lost in providing such law as may make the
Indians easy in relation to the trade carried on with them in both the provinces of South
Carolina and Georgia. Signed. 2½ pp. Enclosed:
496 i Fort Augusta, 5 September 1739. Gen James Oglethorpe to Harman
Verelst. Copy of no 372. ¾ p. [CO 5/654, ff 238–241d; entry of covering letter in CO
5/667, pp 292–293] |
497
December 5
Georgia Office | Benjamin Martyn to James Oglethorpe by HMS Colchester, Capt
Symonds, and by Mary & Mariane, Capt John Campbell, for North
Carolina. The Trustees acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 4 July
last and are much pleased to find that the resolutions of Parliament and the steps which
they have taken have preserved the colony (which is here represented as almost
abandoned) and thereby covered all the trade of North America from the Spanish
guardacostas. When you have fixed your regulations relating to the prices of provisions
and necessaries with the merchants and sutlers they desire you will acquaint them
therewith and do the same as often as occasion shall be found to make alterations therein,
for they doubt not but there will be an increase of private stores when the colony shall be
better settled than it is at present and consequently provisions may fall in their price. The
Trustees are equally sensible with you that there must be a steady and regular manner of
acting in Georgia which all centres in every man's exercising faithfully the powers given
and not exceeding them, more especially in not exceeding the estimate sent over or
misapplying the sums appropriated to each particular service, which the Trustees expect
their officers and commissioners appointed to make the disbursements will be punctual in
as they shall be answerable for any neglect or disobedience, and if any of them be found
faulty they desire to be informed wherein and to know their names, that a course may be
taken with them by the Trustees. As you have charged the magistrates with divers
offences in your letter the Trustees desire you will inform them who they are, whether
those of Frederica or Savannah or of Savannah alone, which of them have been so faulty,
and whether it is upon your own certain knowledge or only by report of others. |
| The Trustees are very sorry to observe that paragraph in your letter which mentions
the people's frequently striving to deny any authority in you which they attribute to the
factious humour of those who would have liberty to sell their lands, keep Negroes and
indulge themselves in rum, which things you having with vigour declared against in
maintenance of the laws and constitution of the province, it is no wonder that such
persons should endeavour to make it believed you act without proper authority. But they
hope that the wiser part of them, who know you neither can nor would exceed the power
given you by the Trustees and are obedient to you in the execution of those powers, will
be followed and that none for the future be so hardy as to transgress on that head; for in
so doing it is not only you but the whole body of their governors they offend against and
the Trustees will support the powers that stem [MS: shem] from themselves. The Trustees
very much approve the magistrates' conduct at Frederica relating to the trying offences
against the Rum Act at petty sessions as justices of the peace and they will direct the same
rule to be observed at Savannah; but in all cases of property there can be a trial in no other
manner than by juries. The Trustees are of opinion that before anything can be done to
push on improvements to any great effect care should be taken to encourage the
inhabitants to raise their own provisions; and the greater encouragement would be to let
them have good land if it is to be had in the province, for the Trustees believe the greatest
encouragement to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania is that the province consists of good
land. The Trustees will therefore send their instructions to their surveyor upon that head. |
| The Trustees agree with you that it was of great consequence to hear what complaints
the Indians might have to make and to use the necessary means for the preserving them in
the interest of Great Britain. They have just received your letter dated 5 September last
from Fort Augusta and are very much pleased with your recovery from your fever and
with the success you have met with among the Indians in preventing any ill effects which
might have arisen from their misunderstandings with the Carolina traders. They would be
very glad to have as full and particular an account of your transactions with them as you
can send in order to guide them in their future grants. They desire you will be so kind as
to transmit them by the first opportunity the original act of the Indians' cession of lands,
reserving in Georgia an authentic copy of the act, or if it may be improper to send the
original that you will send them an authentic copy of the same. The Trustees referred
your account of disbursements made by Francis Moore to a committee of accounts who
have examined it and made a report thereupon to the Common Council who agreed
thereto and have ordered me to send you a copy of the reports, which is herewith
enclosed. The Trustees observe your thoughts relating to the tenure of lands in Georgia
and do believe that those who made most noise about their lands were those who took no
care of making use of them, being discouraged from it for want of some change. The
matter was long under consideration, occasioned frequent meetings, employed all the
gentlemen of the law, and had the approbation of all the Trustees present, likewise of the
absent who were consulted by letter thereupon. Your letter by Mr Auspurgur dated 16
July last the Trustees have received, together with the silk; and on observing that
paragraph which mentions the not deciding clearly in the act relating to the Indians had
given insolence to the Carolina traders, the Trustees looked back into their minutes and
letters to you in August 1738 and have sent you herewith another copy thereof. But I
should be glad to know if you received the first copy and letters, and if anything hindered
your proceeding to what they therein so earnestly recommended for the preventing such
behaviour in the traders with the Indians. They think it will be very necessary for the
carrying on the Trust affairs in Georgia that you would acknowledge the receipt of their
letters as soon as they come to hand. PS. I have enclosed herewith a copy of the Trustees'
letter to the Duke of Newcastle for his instructions to the lieut-governor of South
Carolina relating to the trade with the Indians. Entry. 2½ pp. [CO 5/667, pp 294–296] |
498
December 5
Georgia Office | Benjamin Martyn to William Stephens. The Trustees have received
your journal to 7 September last and your letter to Mr Verelst dated 10
September. They are glad to find that the disposition they have made
relating to the tenure of lands has had a proper effect on the people by encouraging them
to proceed in an heartier manner in the cultivation of their lands, which the Trustees have
always had so much at heart and which is the best recommendation of them to the
Trustees. The Trustees are sorry to find there is so much difficulty in carrying the Rum
Act into execution, and as they are determined to make it effectual they will speedily
consider of the best means. At present they think the right method will be that which is
carried on at Frederica, trying offences against the Act at petty sessions without juries by
the magistrates as justices of the peace in a summary way. The Trustees are pleased to see
that so good an harmony subsists between you and Mr Jones and have no doubt from
your temper and understanding but it will remain as it will be very conducive to the
preserving a peace in the colony, especially at this critical juncture. They are pleased with
the resolution which you say appears in the people, who may depend upon everything
which the Trustees can do for the safety of the province. The Trustees have given your
son 50l for his past services and intend to give you 25l per annum more for a clerk which
your son will be entitled to on his going over, which he informs the Trustees today will be
very soon. Entry. ¾ p. [CO 5/667, p 293] |
499
December 5
Georgia Office | Harman Verelst to William Stephens. The Trustees have sent you some
stationery ware and are sorry the last proved bad; they hope this will be
better. Robert Williams having attended with demands besides the
certified account of 587l 13s, copies thereof are sent for examination showing balance in
his favour of 27l13s 6½d plus an allowance claimed for twelve months for inspecting work
on the public roads. Entry. ¾ p. [CO 5/667, pp 296–297] |
500
December 6
Whitehall | Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Privy
Council. Pursuant to order of 29 August regarding address of Council
and Assembly of Bermuda for a supply of stores to Bermuda, we send
copies of accounts of all stores sent by the Board of Ordnance between 1660 and 1696.
We have no record of any more stores sent there until 1738 when the governor obtained
an order for fifty barrels of powder and some match and cartridge paper, though by a
paper received from Mr Noden, agent, it appears that thirty-five iron guns were ordered
there in 1701. We have questioned Mr Dinwiddie, surveyor-general of Customs for the
northern district of America and one of the committee to survey the fortifications and
batteries in Bermuda, who assured us that the committee's report was just and that the
inhabitants are willing to provide at their own expense two new batteries and platforms
on the south side of the island provided HM supplies the ordnance. Considering the
importance of Bermuda to our navigation we are of opinion the petitioners should be
indulged in their request so far as relates to great guns and appurtenances. Entry.
Signatories, Monson, M Bladen, E Ashe, J Brudenell, A Croft. 3½ pp. [CO 38/8, pp
312–315] |
501
December 6
Perth Amboy | Governor Lewis Morris to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations
acknowledging letter of 5 July with copies of addresses from Houses of
Lords and Commons relating to paper money in America. Upon which
I summoned a Council to make the inquiries directed but could not get above three of
them together sooner than a few days since when with much ado and the expense of
expresses I got eight of them together and then I laid the addresses before them and
yesterday the committee to whom that matter was referred made the enclosed report. I
am told the ships go in this day or two (if not gone already) and I send this by express to
New York that (if possible) it may reach them and come timely enough to you. Signed. 1
small p. Endorsed, Rec. 18 February, Read 19 February 1740. Enclosed:
501 i 4 December 1739. Report of committee of Council of New Jersey presented
by John Hamilton, setting forth history of bills of credit in the colony since first
issued in 1709 for the expenses of the Canada expedition. At present there is 60000l in
bills subsisting and passing in payment, having been lent out on mortgage. Exchange
between sterling and these bills in 1714 was at 50l per cent advance and has since
gradually risen to 65l and now to 70l. Until 1715 Spanish and French pistoles were
current and were bought and sold for 26s in paper bills, Spanish pieces of eight for 8s
an ounce. From 1715 to the present time pistoles have gradually risen to 28s and pieces
of eight to 9s an ounce. Signed, John Hamilton. 2½ pp. [CO 5/973, ff 138–141d] |
502
December 7 | Francis Fane to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations reporting no
objection in point of law to eight Acts passed in Pennsylvania in 1735.
Signed. 1¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 7 December, Read 11 December 1739. [CO 5/1269, ff
129–130d] |
503
December 7
New York | Lieut-Governor George Clarke to Commissioners for Trade and
Plantations reporting state of Council in New York. The Councillors
are these: Mr Colden, Mr Van Horne, Mr Kennedy, Mr Livingston, Mr
DeLancey, Mr Cortlandt, Mr Lane, Mr Horsmanden and Mr George Clarke jnr. I do not
mention Mr Van Dam and Mr Alexander, you having about four years ago represented
them as unfit to be continued nor for that reason do I summon them to Council. Mr
Colden lives about 60 miles from this town and Mr Livingston at Albany 150 miles from
hence so that they cannot regularly attend unless at the sitting of the Assembly and then
they attend pretty punctually. Mr Kennedy, Mr DeLancey, Mr Cortlandt, Mr Lane and
Mr Horsmanden live in town and attend duly. Mr Clarke is in England and although Mr
Van Horne lives in town I cannot get him to attend either when the Assembly sits or at
other times. So that if either of the five members whom I have mentioned to attend duly
should be ill or called out of town on business there is not a sufficient number to make a
Council to do the ordinary business though upon extraordinary occasions I may act with
three. Mr Van Horne's pretence for not attending when he is summoned (which is
constantly done) is that he is ill though it's well known that he goes frequently abroad
upon other occasions and even at some times when he is summoned to Council. I have
hitherto in tenderness to him forbore to mention this to you but I dare not any longer
delay to obey your commands. If you should judge it necessary that he should be
removed I beg to recommend to you Mr Richard Bradley, the attorney-general, to be
appointed in his room: he lives in town and will give a punctual attendance which will be
some ease and satisfaction to the other gentlemen who live likewise in town. Signed. PS.
The Acts of Assembly are engrossing. I will send them to you as soon as they are finished.
3 small pp. Endorsed, Recd. 18 February, Read 20 February 1740. [CO 5/1059, ff
128–129d] |
504
December 7
Charleston | William Hopton to Harman Verelst acknowledging letter of 14 September and letters and packet for forwarding. Those for Capt Newman and
Midshipman Chetwynd Furzer are returned, they having sailed for
England last October. Packet and letters received from Georgia for forwarding go by
Endeavour, Capt Alexander Hope. Gen Oglethorpe has reported two men killed at Fort
Amelia and a third carried away alive, supposed by Florida Indians. This province is now
healthy and quiet and not much afraid of the Spaniards. Signed. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 18
March 1739/40. [CO 5/640, ff 425–426d] |
505
December 8
Annapolis Royal | President John Adams to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. By
the surprising and melancholy death of Lieut-Governor Armstrong,
being at this time president of the Council I judged it my duty to
convene the members thereof to consider our present state and that of the province, by
whose advice, while I continue in this station, I shall always be directed for the good of
HM's service and from time to time advise you of all occurrences. It hath been observed
that Governor Armstrong has been for a long time frequently afflicted with melancholy
fits, the consequence of which none ever suspected till they found him dead on Thursday
6th instant; on whose body, Major Cosby, the lieut-governor of the garrison, having
ordered the officers to sit, they brought in their verdict lunacy, having found five wounds
in his breast and his sword lying carelessly by him in his bed, which misfortune we
heartily condole. And as the state of Canso as well as of this other part of the province
hath been so frequently represented and [is] so well known to Maj-Gen Philipps, our
governor, I need only remind you that that place with the four companies there must
inevitably fall a sacrifice (in case of a war) to the enemy. Signed. 2 small pp. Endorsed,
Recd. 28 April, Read 29 April 1740. Enclosed:
505 i Minutes of meeting of Council of Nova Scotia on 7 December 1739. Copy.
Signed, John Adams, William Shirreff, secretary. 1¾ pp. [CO 217/8, ff 60–63d] |
506
December 8
Pall Mall | Minutes of Common Council of Georgia. Resolved that additional 25l
be allowed to William Stephens for a clerk. Resolved, on report of Mr
Stephens, that certified accounts for 732l 15s 9d to David Provost, for
345l 19s 3d to same, and for 221l 8s to Thomas Ware, were unexceptionable and should be
paid. Signed draft on the bank for 1300l. Entry. 1½ pp. [CO 5/690, pp 275–276] |
507
December 10
Annapolis Royal | President John Adams to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.
Having wrote to you the 8th instant and that vessel being still here, I
thought it my duty further to add that, as to the present state of the
province, we may be said to enjoy a profound peace. But in case of a war with France this
fort of Annapolis Royal is in no condition of defence, the troops being few in number and
most of them raw and undisciplined and some amongst them it is thought are Irish
Papists. The ramparts are in some places propped up to keep them from falling into the
fossee and the engineer it is said has orders not to repair them. It is therefore my opinion,
without a seasonable reinforcement from Britain or of these companies so much exposed
at Canso, this province will become an easy conquest to the enemy to the great detriment
of the British trade and almost the ruin of that of North America. All which, having since
my last reflected on, I judged it incumbent on me to represent the same to your
consideration. Signed. 1½ small pp. Endorsed, no endorsement but received and read with
letter of 8 December. [CO 217/8, ff 64, 64d] |
508
December 11
Council Office | Temple Stanyan to Thomas Hill requesting attendance of some of the
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations on 13th inst when the
Committee of Council will consider the report on Lord Fairfax's claim
to lands in Virginia. Signed. 1 small p. Endorsed, Recd., Read 12 December 1739. [CO
5/1324, ff 179, 179d, 182, 182d] |
509
December 12
Whitehall | Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Privy
Council. We have considered eight Acts passed in Pennsylvania in 1735.
Titles states. No objection, they relating only to the private economy of
the province. Entry. Signatories, Monson, J Brudenell, A Croft, R Plumer. 1¾ pp. [CO
5/1294, pp 125–127] |
510
December 12
Boston | Josiah Willard to Thomas Hill. By the London, Capt Richardson, I
have sent you the public papers out of my office for half year ending
August last, viz minutes of Council from beginning of March to end of
August, minutes of Assembly for the sessions held in April and May, and Acts (certified
under the seal of the province) passed in the said May session, there having been none
passed in the April session. Advise receipt. Signed. ½ small p. Endorsed, Recd., Read 27
March 1740. [CO 5/881, ff 246, 246d, 249, 249d] |
511
December 12
Palace Court | Minutes of Trustees for Georgia. Agreed to letter to William Stephens
relating to 50-acre lots in Savannah and adjacent villages. Thomas
Stephens attended and delivered a memorial which was read. Entry. ½ p.
[CO 5/687, p 141] |
512
December 12
Georgia Office | Harman Verelst to William Stephens by Carolina Packet, Capt Summesset. The Trustees, being desirous of making the people easy in every
point which they can consistently with the welfare of the province, have
taken into serious consideration the complaints made by some of them of the badness of
their lands either in part or in the whole; and as they are willing every man should have a
complete 50-acre lot of good land they have determined that an experienced surveyor
shall be engaged to take an account as soon as possible of what land has been surveyed for
any of the inhabitants of the town of Savannah and the adjacent villages and to deliver the
account to you and Mr Jones to be attested by you and transmitted to the Trustees, and
likewise to take an account how much of the surveyed lots has been cleared, fenced and
cultivated by any of the possessors, and where any neglect appears he is to set down the
reasons alleged by these for such neglect; but this examinations, the Trustees think proper
should be taken before you and Mr Jones. If any of the people allege that their chief
subsistence depends upon any manual trade exercised by them in the town the Trustees
direct that you should inquire what they have to offer against their surrendering their
45-acre lots and upon what consideration; and if they say that they are desirous to
cultivate their lots but are discouraged by the distance at which they lie from the town,
then the Trustees would know what encouragement they stand in need of to settle upon
their 45-acre lot. The Trustees likewise desire to know what lots are in the hands of
widows and orphans, how they are managed, and what part of them is cultivated, and
likewise they want an account of what lots are deserted and by whom. As you see the
intention of the Trustees is to put every man in possession of a lot of 50 acres of good land
by giving so much of what is good in addition to what shall appear to be bad, of which
bad land the Trustees desire to know the quantity in each lot so as there may be allotted to
each man so much good land as will make up the same equal to 50 acres of good land; and
they also desire to know what good lands lie near thereto either in lots forfeited to the
Trust or reserved for them to grant. They therefore desire that you and Mr Jones will find
out a proper person for a surveyor for these purposes either in Georgia or in Carolina
upon the following terms. For as long as he shall abide in Savannah to be ready to survey
as he shall be called upon by you and Mr Jones he is to be allowed for himself 3s a day and
is to have two men to assist him in the survey when wanted at 1s a day each and provisions
for each of the hired men. These two will be sufficient with the help of the person for
whom the land is to be surveyed and who must undoubtedly think it his own interest to
attend and assist in the survey. And you are desired to send a particular account of the
whole work for the Trustees' consideration as soon as may be. |
| As the Trustees believe the most proper and expeditious way of clearing, fencing and
cultivating as yet unfenced and uncultivated [lands], and those to be run out, must be joint
labour, they desire you will inquire whether the people are willing to undertake it in this
manner which must be for their own interest. Those who are willing may do it under the
direction of the surveyor and upon proper days appointed by him, and to avoid
uneasiness by preference being given to any they think the order in which it shall be
determined should be by ballot. The Trustees are of opinion that the best fences to every
plantation will be ditches, especially as good drains may be made into these from the
lands; and on the tops of the ditches to plant the prickly pear or the royal palmetto. The
Trustees are informed by Mr Auspurger that there are great numbers of prickly pear in
the southern part of the province and that it is the best fence against any sort of cattle as
the leaf of it has such sharp thorns upon it that it's found the cattle will not offend it. And
this tree will be of great use to the planter as it is the only one on which the cochineal fly
will feed, which Mr Auspurgur has seen and killed in the province and found to be the
true one. Every man there must be sensible of the great value of cochineal and the
advantage it will be of to him. As the Trustees are impatient to see the people engaged in
earnest about raising such products as will be of great and immediate benefit to
themselves, and as it is obvious to common sense and is confessed by those who have been
most engaged in it that nothing can be raised so soon as silk, they hope the people will be
no longer blind to their own interest but set themselves heartily to work in planting their
mulberry trees and likewise their vines: for which perhaps the following method (as it is
practised in Lombardy) may be the best. Round every field in a plantation two or three
rows of mulberry trees should be planted at a small distance from each other, and the
vines planted so as they may run up the bodies of the mulberry trees and intermix
themselves with their branches, and the extremities drawn out from tree to tree to hang in
festoons between them. Besides the festoons the vine branches may be extended right and
left and fastened to a row of stakes on each side running parallel to the trees which will
form a sort of penthouse made by the vine branches and make a constant arbour in the
summer; and in the middle the corn may be raised. Entry. 2½ pp. [CO 5/667, pp 297–299] |
513
December 13
Whitehall | Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Duke of Newcastle
sending copy of letter giving an account of French and Spanish designs.
Signed, Monson, Edward Ashe, R Plumer. ½ p. Enclosed:
513 i Charleston, 5 October 1739. Lieut-Governor William Bull to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. Copy of no 404. 5¼ pp. [CO 5/384, ff 65–71d; entry of
covering letter in CO 5/402, p 14] |
514
[December 13] | Considerations delivered to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations,
received from Mr Paris, on Act prepared by Trustees for Georgia for
regulating pilots, laying duty on shipping, and laying another duty on shipping for repair
of beacon on Tybee Island. The Act proposes to lay three several different duties upon
ships and vessels, of (at least), 3d, 1½d and 2½d per ton in sterling money, but does not
seem to contain an equal contract or equal terms between the Trustees and ships going to
trade there. It has no one property or quality of a public Act, for no man can possibly tell
by it what duties or how much he is liable to pay, but that is to depend upon orders and
directions of the Common Council of which he can have no notice or knowledge; nor can
tell what are the duties and services that are to be performed by any pilot or other officer;
nor can possibly have under the Act any adequate penalty against any officer who
neglects his duty to the owner's ruin; nor has it in his power to show what was the
officer's duty in order to prove that he had neglected that duty; nor is there any matter
obligatory upon the Trustees to be done or performed on their parts in consideration of
all those duties; and seems to be, under the name and form of an Act to be approved by
the Crown, really a grant of further powers (in some sort indefinite) to the Trustees or
their Common Council. If any Act at all be necessary or reasonable for any of the
purposes supposed to be intended, it's submitted whether the same ought not to be
conceived, in form and substance both, in terms very different from the Act at present
under your consideration. 4½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. from Mr Paris. Recd., 13 December
1739, Read 31 January 1740. [CO 5/367, ff 140–143d] |
515
December14 | Martin Bladen to Lord Harrington. Enclosed you have my thoughts
upon the assistance that may be expected from the British colonies on
the continent of America towards any expedition against the Spanish West Indies. I have
never heard of more than three expeditions of that sort where the commands of the
Crown had any part: one in King William's time against the French islands and two in
Queen Anne's against Nova Scotia and Canada. I find no copies in our office of any
orders sent to the governors upon these subjects but beyond all doubt orders were sent by
the late queen upon the two last expeditions to the respective governors of the northern
colonies to join their forces to her regular troops and be assisting on those occasions; and
by some transactions in the expedition to Nova Scotia I collect that they were ordered to
act therein as they should be directed by Col Nicholson who then commanded the
queen's forces. And to give them their due they did most heartily concur in both these
expeditions: the first succeeded and the last miscarried. Your commands should have been
better executed if you had given me longer warning but as it is I have turned over all the
books in our office and some out of it that have reference to these matters; and if any
farther information be wanting be pleased to let me have your orders by Mr Weston, for I
was very ill all yesterday and this morning shall be blooded so soon as I have signed this
letter. Yet if it should be absolutely necessary for your service I will venture out in the
evening. Signed. 3 small pp. Enclosed:
515 i Some memorandums relative to the troops intended to be raised on the
continent of North America. (fn. 2) |
| By the present drafts of instructions for the governors they are directed to provide
victuals, transports, and all other necessaries for the forces to be raised in their
respective provinces except their tents, arms, ammunition, clothes and pay, till their
arrival at the general rendezvous in the West Indies; and this was done by the colonies
in the last war. But I find by a private instruction to my lord Shannon, when it was
intended that he should have commanded the expedition against Canada, he was
empowered to provide victuals and transports for the American troops if the colonies
made any difficulties of doing it. It is therefore submitted whether such a discretionary power should not be lodged with Col Spotswood, not to be made use of but on
real occasion. |
| The place of rendezvous for the American troops upon their own continent as well
as the care of their embarkation should be left to Col Spotswood and it may likewise
be necessary that he should fix a reasonable day with the respective governors for the
completing of their levies. |
| Lieut-colonels and majors in full pay as such, and as captains also because they can
have no companies, should be sent from hence to command the several corps to be
raised in America. Suppose 'em in all events to make four regiments whatever their
numbers may be, four lieut-colonels and as many majors will be wanting. There are
many old captains, who either through pique or necessity have been obliged to quit
the service, that would probably be glad to engage with new feathers in their caps
upon this expedition, of which my lord Cathcart will be the best judge. It will likewise
be necessary to send forty old soldiers from hence with commissions of lieutenants,
and if there be not companies enough to employ 'em Mr Spotswood may be directed
to make 'em adjutants, quartermasters and lieutenants en second till vacancies happen.
Good surgeons are very scarce in America and medicines more so. It would be highly
necessary therefore that they should be sent from hence. |
| Tents, bell-tents, drums, arms, ammunition and clothing for the American troops
should meet 'em at the rendezvous in the West Indies on supposition that they may be
4000 men, though no more need be delivered at the rendezvous than the real numbers
require. |
| Orders should likewise be sent without loss of time to Col Philipps's regiment in
Nova Scotia and to the four independent companies at New York to furnish these
troops with a draft of 160 private men, old soldiers, to serve as sergeants and
corporals. I believe Philipps's regiment consists of ten companies on the low
establishment. The four independent companies should be 100 men each but I am
afraid they are both of 'em very far from being complete. However, the number of
men demanded may be equally divided between Philipps's regiment and the four
independent companies, though much the better way if it could be come at would be
to send drafts from England for that purpose. |
| The posting all the staff and field-officers to be left to Mr Spotswood as
colonel-general of the American troops. |
| It is to be presumed that some of the American companies may fall short of their
number and it may become necessary to incorporate one company with another to
make them equal in their numbers. But that should not be done in their own country
for fear of desertion but may be left to Lord Cathcart's discretion after their arrival at
the general rendezvous in the West Indies. |
| It may be for HM's service that the field-officers as well as the lieutenants for the
American corps should be sent thither as soon as possible and blank commissions for
the rest of the officers to be filled up by the governors; that orders should forthwith be
given for completing all the regular troops in America and the West Indies to their
proper establishment. |
| The sugar islands may certainly afford some assistance towards this expedition. Q.
Whether Col Morrice should not be empowered to pick up volunteers at Barbados
and the Virgin Islands? Copy of the governors' instructions to be sent to Col
Spotswood but not of his to the governors because of the article about transport and
provisions. |
| Upon recollection I believe it will be absolutely necesary to send over a
considerable sum of money to North America for the payment of these troops. I find
that 6000l was put on board by Mr Hill upon the expedition to Canada only for a
small refreshment for the regular troops under his command, and whilst he was at
Boston he drew for a further sum but had great difficulty in fixing the exchange
between sterling and their paper money: that difficulty is since much more increased
by reason of the great variety of value fixed in the different provinces on the continent
on their paper currency. The discounts are various, the exchanges exceedingly
uncertain, and the paper of very little value in any other province but that which
coined it. But money may be had upon occasion at Jamaica upon more certain terms. |
| NB. No ship can well get to New York in less than 6 or 7 weeks, and the ordinary
post from New York to Boston at this time of year takes up a fortnight, and so in
proportion to any other place of equal distance, which is about 350 miles; so that in all
probability, if Col Spotswood and Mr Blakeney take up their headquarters at New
York, it will be near a month before they can have a return to their letters from all the
governors on the continent, for the post does not travel at all in the night and very
slow in the day. But after 25 March they will perform that journey in half the time.
From whence I conclude that great part of March will be gone before these levies will
begin to be made and some part of June before they can be complete. |
| Q. If it should be thought proper to direct Col Spotswood to come away with the
first number of people that can be got together, who shall be left to take care of the
rest? Draft. 8 pp. Endorsed, R from Mr Bladen, 9 January. [CO 318/3, ff 25–33d] |
516
December 15
Pilgrim | Governor Robert Byng to Duke of Newcastle notifying arrival on 13th
inst. Commission read and published, oaths taken, declaration made. I
purpose to acquaint the members of the Council with the declaration of
the present war by the infractions of the several treaties made on the part of Spain, the
breach of established privileges of HM's subjects, the insult upon the British colours
together with the violation of the convention made in January last, in consequence of
which the methods therein agreed upon for obtaining security for our trade and
navigation are defeated, as reasons for the declaration which HM for the interest of his
people has thought himself obliged to make. I shall not offer to take any other step than
what the letter of general reprisals authorizes me to do until I am honoured with your
commands. But what I propose is to the end we may be in a situation to oppose the
attempts of the enemy and likewise prepare ourselves by all means in our power to concur
in so just a cause and be ready on my receiving the authentic declaration to execute
immediately by sea and land all acts of hostility whatsoever in the prosecution of this war
against the King of Spain and his subjects. It only remains for me now to wish upon all
occasions success to HM's arms abroad and at home hearty concurrence in all HM's
measures by that agreement in this sessions of Parliament so necessary for the public
good. I shall endeavour to be very observant of HM's commands which I hope may
preserve me in your goodwill. Signed. 2¼ small pp. Endorsed, R, 10 March. [CO 28/45, ff
426–427d] |
517
December 15
Pilgrims | Same to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, notifying arrival at
Barbados on 13th inst. Commission read and published, oaths taken,
declaration subscribed. Obedience to HM's other commands you will
be informed of as occasions offer. Signed. PS. Snow Jane, Samuel Sandys, proposes sailing
this evening. 2 small pp. Endorsed, Recd. 10 March, Read 11 March 1740. [CO 28/25, ff
91–92d] |
518
December 15
New York | Lieut-Governor George Clarke to Commissioners for Trade and
Plantations. The Collector of HM's Customs having given me the
enclosed and having acquainted me that he apprehends a verdict will go
against him upon the trial of the cause by a jury whereby he will be under a necessity of
appealing to the King and Council though the evidence he tells me is very strong in his
favour, I do upon his request give you the trouble of receiving this and at the same time
venture to say that if some method be not fallen upon whereby illicit trade may be better
prevented I doubt it will be to little purpose to bring any cause of that kind to trial by a
jury and the officers of the Customs will from thence be discouraged from exerting
themselves in the discharge of their duty; however, the event of this suit will resolve my
doubts. The Collector informs me that he has sent to the Commissioners of the Customs
copies of all the papers referred to in the enclosed from whom I presume you may have
them if you think it necessary. Signed. 1¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 4 March, Read 13 March
1740. Enclosed:
518 i Court of Admiralty, New York. Case of Archibald Kennedy against sloop
Mary & Margaret, Thomas Fowles. The sloop was seized in August 1739 and the libel
against her proved in court. But Thomas Fowles obtained a prohibition from the
Supreme Court on the ground that the sloop was seized within a county of New
York. If this prohibition was well issued no breach of 15 Chas II c 7 can be tried in the
Admiralty Court but must be tried at common law by a jury who perhaps are equally
concerned in carrying on an illicit trade. 2½ pp. [CO 5/1059, ff 131–134d] |
519
December 15
Charleston | Extract of letter to Governor Richard Fitzwilliam. Since my last to you
dated 9th inst wherein were enclosed letters acquainting you of the
starved, miserable condition of your garrison, we had a vessel from
Providence which gives us an account of a very rich Spanish prize being carried in there
and condemned to the value of 20000 pieces of eight; but if I hear any more in particular
shall take care and acquaint you per first opportunity. Copy. ½ small p. Endorsed, Recd.
from Mr Fitzwilliam, 6 March. [CO 5/388, ff 170, 170d] |
520
December 17
Philadelphia | Deputy Governor George Thomas to Commissioners for Trade and
Plantations enclosing the following. As there will not be any vessel
from hence directly to London this winter I am obliged to transmit it
by one bound to Bristol. Signed. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 7 March, Read 11 March 1740.
Enclosed:
520 i Newcastle, 15 December 1739. Account of Acts of Assembly passed in the
government of the counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware for creating
or issuing bills of credit. In 1723 two Acts were passed for creating the first bills of
credit within the counties, by which 11000l were issued to be current for the term of
eight years, and for the effectual discharging or sinking the said bills it was therein
provided and enacted that a real estate in fee simple of double the value of the sums
lent out should be mortgaged to the trustees of an office erected for that purpose and
that the sums so lent out should be annually repaid into the office in such equal sums
or quotas as would effectually sink or destroy the whole capital sum of 11000l within
the time limited by the aforesaid Acts, which sum being computed in silver as it was
then received and paid among us and reduced to sterling money of Great Britain
amounts to 7111l 1s. In 1726 the sum of 2750l, part of the capital or principal sum of
11000l by virtue of the aforesaid Acts, being totally sunk and destroyed, the counties
found themselves under a necessity to prevent the remaining quotas being sunk
according to the directions of the Acts. Therefore another Act was passed for
continuing the remaining sum of 8250l for and during the continuance of the said Acts
by reemitting or lending out again the quotas or sums to be paid in by the respective
borrowers on the same securities and provisions as were directed by the former Acts.
All of which said sum of 11000l hath long since been paid in to the said trustees and
sunk and destroyed according to the directions of the said Acts. In 1729 the Acts for
issuing bills of credit passed in 1723 being almost expired, and the annual quotas
remaining due on the said Acts by virtue thereof being shortly to be sunk and
destroyed, the number of the inhabitants having greatly increased by the importation
of several thousands of people and there being wanting a sufficient medium to carry
on trade, the counties made a new Act of Assembly for emitting more bills of credit in
lieu of the former bills and accordingly an Act was passed for emitting and making
current 12000l in bills of credit to continue for the term of sixteen years upon the same
security of real estates in fee simple to be mortgaged in double the value of the sum
lent and to be paid in by yearly quotas and sunk and destroyed as by the former Acts
passed in 1723. In 1734 the sum of 3750l, part of the principal sum of 12000l by virtue
of the aforesaid Act, being totally sunk and destroyed and the number of inhabitants
still increasing, one other Act of Assembly was then made for emitting or issuing the
further sum of 12000l in bills of credit to be current for the term of twelve years upon
the same securities of real estates in fee simple to be mortgaged in double the value of
the sum lent out upon mortgage on the like securities and provisions, and at the end of
the term for which the said bills were made current the whole 12000l is to be sunk and
destroyed. All the bills of credit in this present year 1739 current for the counties by
virtue of the several aforesaid Acts of Assembly amount to 17250l, which sum being
computed in silver as now purchased here and reduced to sterling money of Great
Britain makes 10823l 10s 3d. And we find that wheat and all other commodities the
produce of these counties are at this time to be purchased with our bills of credit as
cheap as at the time when gold and silver were the medium of trade here; and
tradesmen and labourers are now paid with bills of credit at the same rates and no
more than before the issuing of the said bills. 1½ large pp. [CO 5/1269, ff 160–163d] |
521
[December 19] | Memorial of Gilbert Fleming, lieut-general of HM's forces in the
Leeward Islands and lieut-governor of St Christopher's, to Duke of
Newcastle praying for passage to his post in one of HM's ships; that Ann & Elizabeth,
John Main master, may have protection for her crew in order to take memorialist's
baggage; and that he may be commanded in whatever services he is capable of. Signed. 1
p. Endorsed, R, 19 December. [CO 152/44, ff 136–137d] |
522
December 20
Whitehall | Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Privy
Council. Pursuant to your order of 9 November last regarding presents
for the Six Nations we have searched the books and papers in our office
and find that, upon a letter from the Earl of Bellomont, governor of New York, to the
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations dated 28 February 1700 desiring presents for
the said Indians, they represented their opinion to King William III on 24 April 1700 in
favour of Lord Bellomont's request and we find accordingly an invoice of goods shipped
for that service on board HMS Advice, which with 12l allowed to purchase in New York
rum and tobacco for the said Indians amounted to 300l sterling, which goods were paid
for by HM's order out of the Exchequer. We also find that the Ordnance Office did at the
same time furnish 400 fusils, 30 barrels of powder, 10000 flints and 1½ tons of lead,
estimated at 500l, in all 800l value, as appears by the two extracts and the invoice hereunto
annexed, the species of goods then sent being much the same as those now proposed. It
also appears by the extract of Col Hunter's conference with the said Indians at Albany in
1710, taken from a journal transmitted with other public papers from that province to this
office at that time and hereunto likewise annexed, that Queen Anne did then send another
present of the like nature for the said Six Nations. A third present of the same kind was
made to the said Indians and delivered by Col Hunter, governor of New York in 1714, as
by the extract of his proceedings with them in September 1714, hereunto also annexed,
more fully appears. A fourth present of much the same species in value as that sent in 1700
appears to have been sent by His late Majesty to the said Indians in 1719 by the invoice
hereunto also annexed. In this invoice only 10l were remitted to the governor for the
purchase of rum, tobacco, etc for that use at New York. It further appears that Governor
Burnett having applied to the Commissioners for Trade in 1720 that the usual presents
might be made to the Indians, this board enclosed an extract thereof to Mr Craggs,
Secretary of State, desiring him to lay the same before HM with their opinion that HM
should be graciously pleased to grant the said presents; and we are informed that in 1722
the sum of 907l 12s 10d was ordered for that purpose. In looking over the journals
transmitted to this office from New York of the usual meetings of the governors of that
province with the Indians there we find several presents were made by the governors to
the said Indians at the expense of the province but it does not appear what the value of
those presents was. Upon the whole we shall observe to you that these Six Nations or
hordes of Indians are the most powerful and warlike of the ancient natives of that part of
North America; that they have always been faithful allies to the British settlements in
those parts; that they are almost as near to the French settlements as to the English; that
the French (in time of war especially) always took great pains to seduce them from the
British interest and in the late war had once got a considerable number of families of them
to Montreal. The method used to keep them steady to the British interest has always been
by making presents to them, which though it be some expense to the Crown not only
secures them in our interest in opposition to the French but is also a great inducement to
inure them to the wear and use of our manufactures rather than the French manufactures,
which has had a visible good effect by letting us into a trade with many nations of Indians
far from our settlements which in all probability we could never have had if it had not
been encouraged by those warlike tribes lying in the way either to protect or interrupt
them in their passage to our settlements, which trade is now grown very extensive in those
parts and greatly beneficial to the British manufactures. To which we may add that these
Six Nations are looked upon to be a great support of the British empire in those parts, for
which reasons we offer it as our opinion that it will be for HM's service that presents
should be sent to them agreeable to what is proposed by Mr Clarke and to former
precedents. Entry. Signatories, Monson, Edward Ashe, James Brudenell, R Plumer. 6 pp.
[CO 5/1126, pp 90–95; none of the enclosures mentioned in this letter has been entered
here] |
523
December 20
Whitechall | Thomas Hill to Francis Fane enclosing thirteen Acts passed in Jamaica
in April and May last for his opinion thereon in point of law, viz Acts
for duty on wine and liquors; for raising money for subsisting officers
and soldiers; for reducing interest of money and advancing the credit of bills of exchange;
for appointing John Sharpe agent; to entitle Jane Stone, free mulatto woman, to
privileges, etc; same for William Cunningham the younger, reputed son of William
Cunningham the elder; for confirming articles executed by Capt John Guthrie and
others; for uniting parts of Carpenters Mountains, hitherto esteemed part of parishes of St
Elizabeth and Clarendon, to parish of Vere; to dissolve marriage of Edward Manning
with Elizabeth Moore; to oblige inhabitants to provide a sufficiency of white men; for
better collecting fines and forfeitures; for vesting Negroes in the Crown for use of the
barracks and clearing roads; to explain Act to oblige inhabitants to provide a sufficiency
of white men. Entry. 3½ pp. [CO 138/18, pp 315–318] |
524
December 20
Bermuda | Governor Alured Popple to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.
On 13 October I received the Duke of Newcastle's letter of 15 June
enclosing HM's warrant empowering me to grant commissions of
marque and reprisal for arming and fitting out private ships of war against the ships,
goods and subjects of the King of Spain. Upon this occasion I must mention to you a
difficulty that has been started here upon the words of the King's order. The words are
these: arming and fitting out private ships of war for the apprehending, seizing and taking
the ships, vessels and goods belonging to the King of Spain, his vassals and subjects or any
inhabitting within his countries, territories and dominions in the West Indies. It is pretty
generally understood that by these words private ships of war empowered as aforesaid are
authorized to go on shore, plunder and burn any Spanish settlement. Some have taken the
liberty of misplacing the King's words and understanding that goods belonging to any
inhabiting within the King of Spain's dominions in the West Indies were lawful prize
although on shore. I will not venture to say that they are wrong in their construction of
the above words but, as they stand in the order, I understand they empower the King's
subjects to seize the goods as well as the vessels and that if the word goods had not been
inserted they must have restored any goods they might have found on board any vessel by
them taken. But as it is not for me to grant commissions in any other words than those the
King has been pleased to dictate I shall thereby avoid any error that might otherways
happen should I endeavour to put any explanation upon them. What led me first into this
inquiry was the arrival of one Thomas Newton the 23rd of October last. He came in one
of our sloops from Turks Islands with a loading of salt and upon his arrival, it being said
he was one of the crew that had plundered Porto Plata, a small town on NE of
Hispaniola, I sent for the man and he told me that one Charles Hall, commander of the
Virgin Queen, a Rhode Island sloop of whose crew he was one, had received a
commission of marque and reprisal from the governor of that colony; that by virtue of the
said commission the said sloop went to Porto Plata and there under pretence of trade,
having enticed some of the principal inhabitants on board whom they secured in irons,
they went into the town and after killing some of the inhabitants and plundering the town
they set the church on fire. As I did not conceive that the words of the King's order did
authorize his subjects to commit acts of this nature I would have secured the man; but as
he had left the sloop on account of this action and would not share any of the plunder so
taken, and as he voluntarily gave me the whole information upon oath, always expressing
his abhorrence of the action, I dismissed him and he now sails on board one of our sloops.
I enclose his information upon this subject and I beg you will have the goodness to
construe every action of mine by the steady desire I have of discharging my duty with the
greatest punctuality I am capable of. |
| Prior to my receiving his grace's letter an affair happened here that I must likewise
acquaint you with and in which I hope I shall meet with your approbation. On 30
September last two sloops were seen in the dawn of the morning standing off and on, one
to the eastward and the other to the southward. That to the eastward did not seem bound
in nor did she attempt that course she ought to have held had she been passing by either to
the northward or southward. She continued in this manner standing off and on till about
10 o'clock and then I sent out the pilot. But he soon returned and informed me that he
met one of our fishing boats returning who had spoken with her, but that a man on board
the sloop having in broken English ordered the boat on board and refusing to say from
whence he came or whither bound, and that he had seen more men on board than were
necessary to sail a sloop of that size, he immediately put afore the wind and came home.
Upon this our town was alarmed and applied to me that I would give them some
directions, judging the sloop a privateer, that about fifteen of our fishing boats who lay
near the sloop were in danger, and that should the Negroes on board be taken the loss
would amount to 1200l. Not having received HM's order at this time I found myself
under great difficulties and therefore waited till noon; but finding the sloop still standing
off and on, sometimes even close by the bar at the entrance into St George's harbour, I
sent for the masters of two of our sloops who lay in the harbour ready for sailing and gave
each of them orders to speak with the sloop to the eastward and that if she wanted any
assistance to carry her out from among the shoals they should put a pilot on board, but
that in any other case they should bring her in for further examination. I put about 150
men on board these two sloops as well armed as possible out of the King's independent
company and the company belonging to this town commanded by their proper officers,
and in about two hours both sloops were under sail. As soon as the sloop to the eastward
saw our two sloops after her she immediately changed her course and stood out to the s.
east which was the only course she could take out of the danger of those shoals she was
got among, and we soon lost sight of the other sloop to the southward. About 6 o'clock in
the evening our sloop came up with the forementioned sloop and brought her to. In the
meantime I manned our forts and kept a double watch all night for it was the general
opinion here that both sloops were privateers. The next morning our sloops returned with
the sloop in question which appeared to be a French sloop bound from Martinique to
Louisbourg in Cape Breton and loaded with rum and sugar. Upon my asking the master
the reason of his hovering about the coast all the morning he said he found himself so
much entangled among our shoals that he could not get out again, and that he wanted
water and was desirous of speaking with the land. As to the former part of his information
I should have been very willing to believe him had he not found his way so very readily
from among the shoals when he found himself pursued, but as to the latter part he spoke
truth. However, as he did no harm, although I am yet convinced he wanted to entice some
of our fishing Negroes on board, who are all good pilots, and to have carried them off, I
discharged him after having supplied him with water and a barrel of pork which he said he
wanted, and he sailed the next morning. I cannot forbear mentioning to you that when I
sent out part of the independent company on board one of our sloops I was obliged to
borrow arms for them, those they have not being fit to fire. I would not trouble you any
more upon this subject but that real necessity obliges me to it. The Duke of Newcastle
was so good as to sign an order for supplying the company with a new set of arms before I
left England and therefore I am in hopes of receiving them when the Bermuda sloop
which has been detained in England by the late embargoes shall return. |
| On 16 August last I was obliged to dissolve the Assembly in order to prevent the
further progress of some heats that I found growing between the Council and Assembly;
the occasion was as follows. The general dread the people of these islands are under when
any person happens to arrive here with the smallpox gave rise to a bill to prevent the
spreading the infection thereof. This bill was sent up to the Council by the Assembly. The
Council, judging some alterations and additions necessary to be made in the said bill,
desired a conference with the Assembly, at which conference several of them were agreed
to; and they being also agreed to by both Houses the bill was sent down to the House of
Assembly that the alterations agreed to by both Houses might be inserted in order to the
bill's being laid before me for my assent. When the bill was returned from the Assembly
the Council re-examined the same to see the alterations were inserted as agreed to, but
were very much surprised to find several others inserted besides those which had been
agreed to by both Houses and no notice given to the Council of them. As the bill had
been agreed to by both Houses with the insertion only of such alterations as were
approved at the conference the Council thought the proceeding of the Assembly a
manifest breach of that faith which ought to subsist between both Houses and sent a
message to them accordingly. But the Assembly insisting upon their right to make any
alteration they thought proper, notwithstanding they had agreed to the bill before and
that the bill was returned to them for no other purpose but to insert such alterations as
had been agreed upon at the conference and by both Houses, I found myself obliged to
put an end to the warmth I found arising between both Houses and I had the pleasure to
receive the thanks of both Houses for having dissolved them. Before their dissolution
they passed two Acts to which I gave my assent, they being perfectly consistent with my
instructions. They are entitled as follows, viz an Act for raising a sum of money for the
payment of the public debts of these islands; and an Act for prolonging an Act entitled an
Act to prevent any person or persons allowing and encouraging any Negroes or other
slaves from rioting and meeting at unseasonable times in his or their houses or
plantations. The former of these Acts was passed upon my recommending to the
Assembly to fall upon some method of paying the public debts, and the tax raised for the
purpose being a poll-tax upon the Negroes of the island I could foresee no objection to it.
The latter Act is only to renew a law of these islands which long experience has proved a
very necessary one, and therefore I hope this and the former will meet with your
approbation. |
| On 22 September I issued writs for calling a new Assembly to meet the 2nd of
October following. They accordingly met and upon my recommending to them the
raising a sum of money to build a new battery and repairing the fortifications they very
cheerfully passed the following Act: an Act for raising money for the speedy repairs of
the several fortifications of these islands. As this Act in no way interferes with my
instructions and is judged here the most equal way of raising the money wanted here for
the above purposes I gave my assent thereto and am in hopes it will meet with your
approbation. The Assembly likewise passed another Act entitled an Act to lessen the
public charges of these islands. As this Act affects only the Councillors and Assemblymen
when they meet in their legislative capacity I should have made no difficulty in giving my
assent thereto; but as this Act repeals a confirmed law passed in 1694 entitled an Act for
payment of the Assembly at all future and succeeding sessions thereof, I took care to have
a clause inserted therein for suspending the execution thereof until HM's pleasure can be
known thereon. By this Act the country will save the salary paid to the Councillors and to
the Assemblymen, the former 5s 4d per day and the latter 2s 8d per day which amounts to
about 8l per day each day they meet in their legislative capacity. |
| The Assembly at the same time they passed these laws proposed another scheme for
saving money as you will perceive by their enclosed copy of their address to me. The
captains of all the forts and batteries belonging to these islands receive a salary from the
public amounting to about 60l a year, and as the captains of the several militia companies
have more trouble and are at a much greater expense in clothes, etc the Assembly thought
the captains of the forts who are at no expense should like the captains of the militia serve
their country without pay, and in their address to me they said there were several
well-experienced men who were ready to serve as captains of the forts gratis for the
honour and service of the government. The governors of Bermuda have always kept the
command of the King's castle in their own hands and for this service six shares of the
public land which lies contiguous to the castle have always been detained by them and out
of the profits thereof they pay a lieutenant. This has been the constant custom during the
time these islands were under a company and ever since, and the rents of these lands
amount to 14l 1s sterling per annum, they being so very rocky and so much covered with
sea sand that they are not worth two shares in a clear part of the island. When I sent up for
the Assembly to give my assent to the two abovementioned laws I told them that I had in
general considered their address and would at present give them an answer to part of it,
but that some part of it requiring further consideration I should defer giving a final
answer to another opportunity. And then I acquainted them that according to the
frequent promises I had made them of doing whatever lay in my power for the advantage
of these islands I was very glad they had furnished me with an opportunity of beginning:
that I would not give up the command of the castle but would take as much pleasure in
seeing it kept in regular repair and ready for defence in case of any danger as if I was to be
paid for it; that I would order the rents of the captain's six shares of land to be paid into
the public treasury for the service of the island and that I would pay the lieutenant out of
my own pocket. The giving up this little perquisite has caused here a general satisfaction
and the more because the Assembly have declared that they had no thoughts of my six
shares of land when they made their address. As I have some reason to believe the captains
of the forts will follow my example, as two of them have since done, I chose to give them
an opportunity of doing it before I gave any further answer to the Assembly's address.
Before I leave the subject of the Assembly I must take leave to mention one affair and to
beg your directions how to act when it shall happen. The Assembly of these islands have
within these twenty years past assumed to themselves a power of choosing a new Speaker
every fourth sitting, notwithstanding the same Assembly remain undissolved. As this
seems to me no less than a power of turning out their Speaker after he has sat three
meetings I am in great doubt whether they have a right to such a privilege, the House of
Commons in Great Britain claiming none such that I ever heard or read of. I should have
had this difficulty to encounter with some time ago had not the dissolution intervened but
as it must happen very soon, the Assembly having met twice since their last election, I
must once more beg you will favour me with your directions how to act. The Speaker
indeed does at the fourth meeting leave the chair and is most commonly re-elected but if
they have a power of choosing one every fourth meeting by virtue of a vote only of their
own House they may by the same authority vote themselves a power of choosing a new
Speaker every meeting or as often as they please. |
| On 23 November last I received two letters from you of 5 July and 4 September last
with copies of the two addresses from the House of Lords and the House of Commons
relating to paper currency and to the value of gold and silver in the plantations. The first
of these addresses does not affect the Bermuda Islands, there never having been any paper
money current here. As to the second all Spanish, French or other foreign coin have
always and are now accounted, received, taken or paid at the rate of 6s 10½d per ounce but
being often scarce the merchants do sometimes give a premium of 5, 6 or 8 per cent in
order to obtain silver to make remittances home. Spanish pistereens have for some time
passed, been received and paid at the rate of 16 pence each, some of them weighing more
but more of them weighing less. This has been done for the ease of the inhabitants who by
general consent, for the more easy circulation of money, have agreed to take them from
one to the other at the above rate. All Spanish, Portuguese and other foreign gold coins
are accounted, received, taken or paid, and have been ever since the passing of the Act for
settling a current value upon foreign gold, at the rate therein mentioned. This Act was
passed here in 1707 and is to continue in force so long as the proclamation enacted by the
Act of Parliament passed in the 6th year of Queen Anne entitled an Act for ascertaining
the rate of foreign gold in her plantations in America shall continue in force and no
longer. Gold and silver have always been purchased and sold as follows, viz gold for 5l to
4l 10s per ounce and silver from 6s 10d to 5s per ounce. An English guinea passes current
here for 1l 8s 8d, an English crown at 6s 8d, and half-crowns, shillings and sixpences in the
same proportion. |
| I return you thanks in the name of these islands for your having transmitted our
address to HM for some warlike stores. My brother, as you referred me to him for an
account of such measures as should be taken for the security of Bermuda with regard to
warlike stores and the augmentation of my company, has acquainted me that the address
relating to stores was referred to your consideration and that my proposal for an
augmentation of my company lies before the King. Could I be so happy as not to be
suspected of views of interest in what I have proposed, I am confident each proposal must
meet with success; but as I may imagine that a governor may sometimes have made the
safety of his government an excuse for proposing something under that colour for his
private gain I can only content myself with hoping I may not be thought of that turn, for
as much as I should be glad to make any honest advantage, as much I shall ever abhor the
thoughts of getting in another way. |
| I have said so much concerning the consequence of these islands to you and to the
Duke of Newcastle that I am fearful of being troublesome, but my duty calls upon me still
to add that I daily find the truth of what I have represented, and although this island
should never produce any commodities whatsoever yet its situation will ever occasion its
being of greater consequence to Great Britain and the American trade than any colony
belonging to HM in these parts. It is for these reasons that you are troubled for a new
addition of warlike stores and an increase of my company that we may be able to preserve
this island in case of an attack. It is true nature has in great measure secured this place by
rocks and shoals but if any of our fishing Negroes should be taken, most of whom are
good pilots, an enemy may be brought to some places of the south side where men may be
landed by boats; and it is for these places that we have addressed HM for great guns to
keep vessels off. It is not here as in other places where there are conveniences for moving
guns: our hills and the want of such conveniences make it very tedious, expensive and
troublesome, and supposing an enemy's ship near enough to land men from boats it
would be impossible for us to move any great gun in time; but if it were possible we have
not one gun to move from any place where it is not wanted. If this should ever be our case
before HM has granted our request the safety of this island would depend upon the
numbers of men I should be able to get together, and the late alarms we have had have
convinced me it would be a small body indeed. I do not mean this as any reproach to the
Bermudians who have shown themselves always ready, but so great a number of our men
being always at sea (except during the hurricane months when we have nothing else to
fear) and the remainder being dispersed, after our batteries are manned the number to be
brought together will hardly deserve to be called a body of men. I hope you will think
that these are good reasons for the stores desired and the increase of my company. If it
should be asked what enemy would ever think of attacking Bermuda, an island that makes
little or no return to Europe, it is truly answered that that island by whose situation the
return made from the sugar colonies may be safely brought into port in case of distress
and the homeward bound trade from the Spanish and French West Indies intercepted by
the possessors of Bermuda, if enabled thereto, is an island well worth taking and
maintaining by any prince who has possessions in the West Indies. I hope my real zeal for
HM's service and the discharge of my duty will plead my excuse if you should think I
have expressed myself with too much warmth. My knowing the truth of what I assert,
and that notwithstanding the information I had in your office Bermuda never appeared to
me to be of such consequence as I now find it to be, has made me detain you longer upon
this subject than I should otherwise have done. |
I shall be extremely glad to receive your directions upon my 73rd instruction for it
causes great uneasiness here, and so long as our merchants live in the country with their
wharfs and storehouses at their own doors, was the instruction to be rigorously complied
with, it would be giving them a great increase of trouble and expense. But as I acquainted
you in a former letter, was the instruction to be altered and no officer appointed at the
west end of these islands with a salary to keep him above bribery, it would keep open a
door to illegal trade. Mr Dinwiddie, who has many years been collector of the Customs
here, will be able to give you more satisfaction concerning the affair, being at London,
than I fear I am able to do at this distance. I am very glad you have approved my conduct
with regard to the French ship; upon every occasion I shall endeavour to deserve your
good opinion. As I propose to send this letter by the very first opportunity that happens I
am afraid not to be able at the same time to send my answers to your queries. I might
indeed have sent you a copy of former answers but I am desirous of sending you the most
exact account that can be given of these islands and the trade thereof. I have therefore
stated several of your queries to the Council that I may not omit anything in my power
towards giving you the information you might naturally expect from my answers. If I
cannot complete them time enough for this conveyance you may depend upon my
sending them by the very next that happens. As you have informed me that you intend in
due time to consider the four Acts of this island sent by my last letter, as likewise the
Bahama Act, I hope you will allow my brother to remind you of them. Signed. PS. You
will receive enclosed besides the beforementioned papers: minutes of Council 5
September 1738 to 10 November last inclusive, Naval Officer's lists from 9 July 1738 to
25 March last, Treasurer's accounts from 10 May 1737 to 22 July 1739, and powder
account from 24 August 1737 to 3 July 1739. 17 pp. Endorsed, Recd., Read 20 March
1740. Enclosed:
524 i 9 November 1739. Address and remonstrance of Assembly of Bermuda to
Governor Popple in reply to speech acquainting them of approaching war. Because of
decay of trade, losses by the Spaniards and by shipwreck, the inhabitants are poor.
Redress of grievances requested, viz neglect of captains of forts which has drawn upon
us the present heavy tax, and the practice of paying several captains out of rents of
HM's lands when worthy and experienced gentlemen would serve gratis. We shall
give an ample sum for fortifications and hope you will redress these grievances. Copy.
Signatory, Henry Tucker, Speaker. 2 pp.
524 ii Information, sworn in Bermuda on 27 October 1739, by Thomas Newton
of Rhode Island, mariner, concerning Virgin Queen of Rhode Island, Charles Hall
commander, which sailed from Rhode Island on 8 September last for a cruise against
the Spaniards by virtue of a commission granted by Governor John Wanton. They
arrived at Porto Plata in Hispaniola on 5 October, attacked and took the town and
plundered it, killing five Spaniards. Informant was discharged at his own request at
Turks Island. Copy, certified by Alured Popple. Seal. 3½ pp.
524 iii Treasurer's accounts of Bermuda, 10 May 1737 to 1 May 1738. Copy,
certified on 24 December 1739 by Alured Popple. Seal. 8 pp.
524 iv Same, 8 June 1738 to 22 July 1739. Copy, certified and sealed as no 524iii.
524 v Powder account of Bermuda, 24 August 1737 to 23 December 1738. Copy,
certified and sealed as no 524iii. 18 pp.
524 vi Same, 6 January 1739 to 31 July 1739. Copy, certified and sealed as no
524iii. 9 pp. [CO 37/13, ff 133–179d] |
525
December 20
Bermuda | Governor Alured Poppel to Duke of Newcastle. In substance same as
first five paragraphs and seventh paragraph of no 524. Signed. 14 pp.
Endorsed, R, 21 March. Enclosed:
525 i Address and remonstrance of Assembly of Bermuda, 9 November 1739.
Copy of no 524i. 2¼ pp.
525 ii Information of Thomas Newton. Copy of no 524ii. 5 pp.
525 iii Accounts of Bermuda. Copy of no 524iv.
525 iv Same. Copy of no 524iii.
525 v Same. Copy of no 524v and 524vi.
525 vi Naval Officer's list of shipping clearing outward from entered inwards to
St George's Bermuda, 9 July 1739 to 25 March 1739. 27 pp. [CO 37/29, ff 99–165d] |
526
December 21
Antigua | Governor William Mathew to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations sending duplicates of Acts and public papers, originals already
sent. Letters of 5 July and 31 August, which arrived on 24 November,
acknowledged. I have sent to the other three islands for the accounts asked for in the
addresses of Houses of Lords and Commons. Signed. PS. Two other Acts of St
Christopher's also enclosed, also minutes of Assembly of St Christopher's from 17 April
1739 to 8 September last. 2 small pp. Endorsed, Recd. 5 May, Read 14 May 1740. [CO
152/23, ff 278–279d] |
527
December 24
Boston | Governor Jonathan Belcher to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations enclosing account of paper currency of Massachusetts. I think
they are done in confirmity to the addresses of both Houses of
Parliament and I hope with good exactness so as to be easily looked into and understood.
Those of New Hampshire are not yet finished and I am afraid will not come out very
complete, the public papers and records of that province not having been kept in so good
order as they have been here, and the misfortune the Secretary met with a few years ago of
having his house burnt wherein were most of the public papers may occasion the account
from thence to be still more imperfect. However, as that province is but small, the
emissions of paper currency have been in proportion. I believe the accounts from this
province may serve for a rule for that, yet I shall get the accounts from thence made out as
soon as possible and transmit them to you. I hope, when the accounts of this kind from
the several plantations are thoroughly examined and considered, they will produce an Act
of Parliament to forbid all paper currency in the plantations for the future; or if it must be
suffered, so to regulate it as that when bills are emitted the several governments shall be
obliged to maintain the value of them unalterably, for the way which most of the
provinces have been in for many years past of emitting their bills is but one continual
fraud on all mankind that gives any credit to them. Duplicate. Signed. 2 small pp.
Endorsed, Recd. 6 March, Read 7 March 1740. Enclosed:
527 i Account of bills of credit made and issued by the government of
Massachusetts for the support of the said government from 1700 to 1738. The
provision made for the sinking and discharging of which bills on their emission was by
taxes on polls and estates and the duties of impost and excise. |
| Year | Rate of silver
per oz. | Exchange between
this currency
and sterling | Sums
Emitted | Ordered to be
brought in |
| 1701 | 7s | 36 per cent | 9000l | 6000l |
| 1702 | ditto | ditto | 10000l | 3000l |
| 1703 | ditto | ditto | 22000l | 10000l |
| 1704 | ditto | ditto | 32000l | 22000l |
| 1705 | 8s | 40 per cent | 22000l | 22000l |
| 1706 | ditto | ditto | 40000l | 26000l |
| 1707 | ditto | ditto | 30000l | 22000l |
| 1708 | ditto | ditto | 32000l | 22000l |
| 1709 | ditto | ditto | 46000l | 22000l |
| 1710 | ditto | ditto | 33000l (fn. 3) | 26000l |
| 1711 | 8s 4d | 50 per cent | 45000l | 22000l |
| 1712 | ditto | ditto | 28000l | 22000l |
| 1713 | ditto | ditto | 14000l | 25000l |
| 1714 | 9s | 60 per cent | 14000l | 22000l |
| 1715 | ditto | ditto | 8000l | 22000l |
| 1716 | 9s 2d | ditto | 11000l | 22000l |
| 1717 | 10s | ditto | 9000l | 22000l |
| 1718 | 11s | 100 per cent | 11000l | 22000l |
| 1719 | 12s | 110 per cent | 15000l | 16000l |
| 1720 | 12s 4d | ditto | 15000l | 17000l |
| 1721 | 12s 6d | 130 per cent | 17000l | 3000l |
| 1722 | 14s | 160 per cent | 45000l | 16000l |
| 1723 | 15s | ditto | 50000l | 17000l |
| 1724 | 16s | 200 per cent | 55000l | 24666l |
| 1725 | ditto | ditto | 70000l | 29667l |
| 1726 | ditto | ditto | 25000l | 29667l |
| 1727 | ditto | ditto | 28000l | 30000l |
| 1728 | 16s 6d | ditto | 36000l | 29000l |
| 1729 | 19s | ditto | 20000l | 20000l |
| 1730 | 18s | 240 per cent | 22500l | 20000l |
| 1731 | 18s 6d | ditto | 14200l | 23500l |
| 1732 | 19s 6d | ditto | - | 26000l |
| 1733 | 21s | 260 per cent | 76500l | 21000l |
| 1734 | 24s | 350 per cent | 30371l | 32025l |
| 1735 | 27s 6d | 400 per cent | 36269l | 47525l |
| 1736 | 27s | ditto | 48000l | 49986l |
| 1737 | 26s 6d | ditto | 81000l | 63704l |
| 1738 | 28s | ditto | 26400l | 51025l |
| 1739 | | | | 67825l (fn. 4) |
| 1740 | | | | 64525l |
| 1741 | | | | 56125l |
Notes:
The sums of bills emitted as above are computed according to the denomination of the
bills and by the exchange or the rates of silver in the several years to be reduced to the
value of money of Great Britain. |
| The bills emitted the first year, viz 170l were bills of the late colony of
Massachusetts and brought in and burnt in that and the next year. |
27000l part of the 1736 emission, was in new tenor bills, viz 9000l. The whole sum
emitted in 1737 was in new tenor bills, viz 27000l. The whole sum emitted in 1738 was
in new tenor bills, viz 8800l. I large p.
527 ii Account of province bills made by order of the General Court and
delivered to the treasurer for which also he gives credit in the several years set against
the sums. Also an account of what bills have been burnt, with the times when, and the
price of silver and exchange. (fn. 5) |