America and West Indies: March 1687, 17-31

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'America and West Indies: March 1687, 17-31', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, (London, 1899) pp. 343-353. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol12/pp343-353 [accessed 26 April 2024]

March 1687

March 17. 1,188. Minutes of Council of New England. Order for the Treasurer to produce account of the expenses for repair of the castle and the fitting of the house on Fort Hill for the soldiers. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., p. 118.]
March 17. 1,189. Minutes of Council of Antigua. Report of collision of the troops with the runaway negroes, where Captain Carden and some of his men were wounded. Order for fresh parties to pursue. The negroes brought in, among them one who was proved to have been in correspondence with the runaways, and was expected to run away and join them. Ordered that his leg be cut off. The rest, against whom nothing can be proved, are remanded in custody. Order for the members of Council to secure the negroes who are returning from the runaways, after their late rout. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 101, 102.]
March 17.
Barbados.
1,190. Lieutenant Governor Stede to [the Earl of Sunderland]. Only my long and terrible sickness, which has brought me near to the grave, has prevented me from thanking you before for your extreme favour. We are quite quiet here and in fair health, though the long and unknown cold weather begins to breed fever and ague among us, and all classes complain of a poor crop of sugar and great mortality among Christian servants, negroes, and cattle. Unless the price of sugar be good, people here will grow very poor, and be unable to pay their debts. Certain persons have lately obtained promotion to the Council through the mediation of their friends at home, and this has encouraged many more to attempt the like. This may in time prove very prejudicial, for these solicitors at home take no thought of the qualifications of the persons that they recommend, but only strive to advance their friends or to gain a name for success therein at Court. I have therefore sent to the Lords of Trade a list of persons well qualified for the Council, as well as a list of those who are trying to obtain appointment to it, though, in my opinion, unqualified, and enclose you copies for your perusal. Methinks it is hard that a man of Sir Robert Legard's circumstances should be able to write to his son-in-law, Sir Timothy Thornhill, lately a member of the Council, but now suspended, that in case I had di_d he had interest enough to get him, Sir Timothy, made President of the Council, or in effect Governor. Sir Timothy is a man of such vicious inclination, and so full of all manner of lewdness and debauchery, that he has corrupted most of our youth here, and though he now stands under heavy obligations for his good behaviour, yet he observes them little, but continues in the same way of drinking, profaneness, and execrable swearing. He obtained by surprise the testimony of many loyal men as to his loyalty, but these now much regret that they gave it. Some publicly refused in Council to give it, but were prevailed upon in private to do so, and many were drawn into it by his making use of my name, without and contrary to my leave, as though I approved of it. He now makes a sort of Monmouth's circuit to go and feast in the several quarters of the island, thereby attracting the giddy and unsteady to favour him and imitate his loose disposition, and prevailing with them to cry up those he likes and to cry down the honest and sober. I beg that if the present charge against him be passed over, that the King will at any rate not restore him to his former commands here without good testimony first given of his amendment; otherwise his triumph will find no end until everything be in confusion. He already boasts that he will shortly have his revenge on his enemies, and remove many good men from their stations who have served the King faithfully and opposed his vicious inclinations. Pardon me for troubling you with these matters in the midst of your weightier business. I was glad to do you service in respect of Sir Thomas Montgomery, the Attorney-General. He has, however, enjoyed little health here and little benefit from his office. There is no salary attached to it, and little business to bring in fees or perquisites; while the offenders against the Crown laws are few in number, Sir Timothy Thornhill being the greatest of them. I hope that if his health be restored Sir Thomas will not think his time utterly lost in coming out here. I shall do my best to improve his venture for him.
I am sending to the Lords the depositions in the cause of Judge Daniel against Sir Richard Dutton, which show the malice and falsehood of Sir Richard very clearly. His malice against me is shown by his appointment of Sir Timothy Thornhill as Major-General of the forces (see next abstract). I beg you to obtain for me a warrant for the payment of my salary, for by the time when this reaches your hand I shall have held office tow years without my allowance. I hope that when settled it will not be less than was allowed to Sir Richard Dutton, for my service will, I trust, prove to be greater and my experience is no less than his. In this expensive place the Governor has no perquisites, only the King's salary, and therefore cannot be compared with the Governor of Jamaica for instance, where the salary and the perquisites each of them far exceed the combined salary and perquisites of this place. Signed, Edwyn Stede. 3½ pp. Annexed,
1,190. I. A list of the Council of Barbados.
Thomas Walrond.
Francis Bond; going shortly to England.
Sir Robert Davers, Bart.; going shortly for England.
Sir Timothy Thornhill, Bart.; at present under suspension.
John Hallett.
Henry Quintyne.
John Hothersall; going shortly to England.
Christopher Codrington; left the island last December. No knowledge when he may return.
Richard Harwood.
John Reid, jun.
Benjamin Scutt (daily expecting appointment to the Council).
There are also three members in England, Sir John Witham, Colonel Henry Walrond, and John Peers, who have not been absent two years, and will therefore have a right to re-admission on their return; so that the number of Councillors far exceeds twelve.
Names of persons well qualified to serve in the Council.
William Walker, clerk; eminent for piety, learning, loyalty, and sound judgement in temporal as ecclesiastical matters.
William Chester, late Attorney-General; an upright and loyal man, well conversant with the laws.
John Farmer, a loyal and intelligent man of good estate.
Willoughby Chamberlaine, a young man of five and twenty, a good scholar, loyal, honest, and of good estate.
William Sharpe, a man of like loyalty and ability.
Colonel John Waterman, thoroughly acquainted with the business of the island, well principled, and of good estate.
The appointment of any of these would be a gain to the King's service, and by the time they are employed I may find others as well qualified. The island is not at present rich in men fit for the Council, though many think themselves so. The gentlemen whom I have named are not aware that I have done so, and, therefore, may not press much for the honour, as others far less qualified have done and are doing. The names of these, whom I judge ill-qualified, are John Davis, John Bromley, Nicholas Prideaux, Cornwall Somers, John Salton, Edward Binney. 2½ pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LX., Nos. 11, 11I, and (enclosure only) Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 412–414.]
March 19. 1,191. Lieutenant Governor Stede to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Treaty of Neutrality and the royal orders thereupon are lately come to my hand. I have ordered Captain George Beach, of H.M.S. Mary Rose (Captain John Temple being dead) to publish it in St. Lucia; St. Vincent, and Dominica. I have caused the King's arms to be fitly and decently carved in wood and to be affixed in the most notable places in those islands. I hope that the French will not presume to shoot them down and break them in pieces in an insolent and scornful manner, as they formerly did, as soon as the frigate had left them. I hope also that in future they will make no pretence to sovereignty over these islands, though I am told that, because express mention is not made of what belongs to each dominion, they still lay claim to them. Sickness has long prevented me from taking the examination of witnesses in the cause between John Daniel and Sir Richard Dutton, but I now enclose them in accordance with your orders. Indeed, Sir Richard Dutton need not have troubled you to order that the witnesses might be examined without discouragement, had he not called to mind his own foul practice in the case of Sir John Witham, when he permitted no such fair examination of witnesses. I might justly remark on many of his wilful errors in his answer to Judge Daniel's petition, wherein he seems more careful to tell a fair story than to relate matters of fact, many of which he utterly denies, though they now lie before you under his own hand and the seal of the island. I beg only to make one observation on his irrelevant reflections upon me in his answer, thinking, I suppose, by vilifying me to magnify his own wisdom and services; I mean in his appointment of a major-general over my head, though his commission could not be of force after he had left the island. To shew you that he did this to hinder the King's service rather than to forward it, putting in as he did a rash, hot-headed young man as major-general, he did not think it necessary to do so when he left his own deputy, a man of no more military experience than myself. Indeed, before he left the island he removed Colonel Codrington from being major-general and ordered that immediately after his departure Colonel Henry Walrond should cease to be lieutenant-general. His care for martial affairs cannot have been great when he deprived Sir John Witham, a man of no martial knowledge, of two such officers. The petition of the Quakers which you sent me for my report is under examination, and the report shall shortly be forwarded.
All is quiet here, and everyone strives to show his zeal for the King's service. Many are striving, through their friends in England, to be promoted to the Council, among whom are some who seem to me ill-qualified in respect of loyalty, ability, and integrity. I therefore enclose the names of the Councillors in residence or expected here, and would ask if the King wishes to have more than twelve members of Council in being at once. I also give the names of six persons qualified for that trust, which is no unimportant one. I also give the names of others who, as I gather, have applied for that honour, but are not, in my opinion, fit for it, and should at least give further proof of their resolution to serve the public interest, which heretofore they have not given (see preceding abstract). I have reported to the Lords of the Treasury my measures for the security of the King's revenue. H.M.S. Mary Rose recently took a Dutch ship at St. Vincent. It is said that she was richly laden, and that the officers and seamen got the most valuable part of the cargo, nothing having been brought to me but the ship herself, with her rigging much pillaged and nothing on board but a little lumber of small value, the whole estimated at no more than £250. As it was perishable and perishing I have ordered it to be disposed of, as also the ship, which is worm-eaten, and not worth repair. Signed, Edwyn Stede. 3¼ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 25 May, 87. Annexed,
1,191. I. Deposition of John Daniel. Some time before Christmas, 1684, I received an information from serveral persons as to blasphemous language used by Sir Timothy Thornhill, and reported the same to Sir Richard Dutton. Half an hour later Sir Richard sent one for me and told me to draw out a proper presentment of the case with depositions, which I did, and delivered it on the 17th December. Sir Richard then told me that the presentment was made out of malice. I denied this, and leaving Sir Richard went down to the Court of Grand Sessions, where I was told that my name was struck out of the Commission of the peace, and that I was dismissed from the judgeship of the Court of Common Pleas. Sir Timothy afterwards began an action for defamation against me, but dropped it. Copies of documents are annexed. Signed, John Daniel. Sworn 23 February, 1686. 1¼ pp.
1,191. II. Copy of the letter written by John Daniel to Sir Richard Dutton, complaining of Sir Timothy Thornhill, with names of the witnesses. 1 p.
1,191. III. The Deposition of Colonel Thomas Helme as to Sir T. Thornhill's language. Sworn 16 December, 1684. Scrap.
1,191. IV. Deposition of Francis Brooking as to blasphemous language used by Sir T. Thornhill. Sworn 16 December, 1684. Scrap.
1,191. V. Deposition of Dorothy Green to the same effect. Sworn 16 December, 1684. Scrap.
1,191. VI. Copy of Sir Timothy Thornhill's action against John Daniel for defamation. 1½ pp.
1,191. VII. Writ served on John Daniel to appear at the Court, 22 January, 1684–5. Signed, Wnl. Howe. Original. Scrap.
1,191. VIII. Copies of the depositions taken on behalf of Sir Richard Dutton against John Daniel, 16 February, 1687, Four witnesses were called to prove that one occasion Daniel was drunk. At the close Sir Timothy Thornhill declared that he could produce no more evidence, and believed the rest of Sir Richard Dutton's charges to be untrue. 4 pp. Attested copy, dated 4 March, 1687.
1,191. IX. Depositions taken on behalf of John Daniel, 16 February, 1687. Several witness to character. List of documents put in. 9½ pp. Copies. Attested. 4 March 1687.
1,191. X. Deposition of Honoria Savery as to blasphemous language used by Sir Timothy Thornhill. March 23 1685. Reaffirmed 4 March 1687. 2 pp.
1,191. XI. Deposition of Elizabeth Brooking. To same effect, and of same date. Reaffirmed 4 March 1687.
1,191. XII. Deposition of Richard Walter, taken 4 March 1687. As to Sir Timothy Thornhill's expectation of recovering £2,000 damages by his action for defamation against John Daniel. 1 p.
1,191. XIII. The Lieutenant Governor and Council of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. 4 March 1686–7. We have examined the evidence adduced by Sir Timothy Thornhill on behalf of Sir Richard Dutton against John Daniel. We have always known Mr. Daniel as a loyal, good, and religious man, and were surprised at Sir Richard Dutton's character of him. But Sir Richard is convicted of error by his own hand, for Mr. Daniel was made judge by Sir Richard himself at his first arrival in the island. We send the documents to your Lordships, only adding that from our own knowledge of Mr. Daniel and the testimony of many witnesses we believe him to be free of the reflections cast on him by Sir R. Dutton, who has so far forgotten himself as to deny his own acts recorded by his own hand. Signed, Edwyn Stede, Robert Davers, Tho. Walrond, Fran. Bond, Henry Quintyne, Richard Harwood, John Hallett, John Gibbes, John Reid. Copy in Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 25, 26.
1,191. XIV. The Council of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. 4 March, 1686–7. In the course of our enquiry we discerned at the close of Sir Richard Dutton's answer to John Daniel a great scandal attempted upon our Lieutenant Governor. We think it our duty to you and to him to observe that our Lieutenant Governor's martial conduct does not deserve Sir Richard Dutton's reflection. Sir Richard himself was far more untrue to his Commission, for he never shewed nor left behind him one instance of military ability, whereas Colonel Stede, though lame and sick, has greatly improved both the militia and the forts. We believe that if occasion called for it he could give a very good account of his sufficiency in military command. Signed, Tho. Walrond, Robert Davers, Fran. Bond, Henry Quintyne, John Hallett, Richard Harwood, John Gibbes, John Ried. 3 pp. Copy in Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 27, 28.
1,191. XV. A duplicate of No. 1,191 I. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 409–412.]
March 23. 1,192. Sailing orders from [Lieutenant Governor Molesworth] to Captain Spragg, H.M.S. "Drake." You will sail to the port of Campeachy and there ask for the restitution of certain English prisoners, and deliver over to the Spanish authority the mulatto who is supposed to have guided the French pirates to the capture of several towns. You will make diligent search for Coxon wherever you go, and do your best to take him. You will also ask for English prisoners from the Governor of Vera Cruz and the Viceroy of Mexico; but will go under no forts and castles unless you are assured of a safe passage out. Copy. 2 pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LX., No. 13.]
March 24. 1,193. Minutes of Council of Antigua. Depositions taken against the negro George (see No. 1,189), proving mutinous behaviour on several occasions. List of the negroes still in the mountains, twenty-two in all. Ordered that the negro George be burned to ashes. Ordered that another negro who has done good service as a guide be pardoned. Orders for safe custody of Mr. Sampson's negroes. Ordered that in consequence of the continued defiance of the runaway negroes all of them, or of those who have helped them, who are taken, are guilty of death. All white owners of the fugitives who entertain or receive them shall be judged enemies of the country. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 103–109.]
March 24. 1,194. Edward Randolph to the Earl of Sunderland. I transmit the laws passed in Council for confirmation. The extremity of the winter has greatly obstructed the despatch of public business, but we labour under a greater difficulty, for among those chosen out of the several Colonies for the Council, there is not one who rightly understands the laws peculiar to the Courts of England, from whence arises a great lack of persons fit to be judges or other ministerial officers. They have made themselves titles to very large tracts of land, so that at present it is not safe to bring titles of land before them when the King's right is involved, for the judges are also parties. This makes all matters relating to the King go on very heavily. The Governor, besides my leaving a second writ of Quo Warranto against the Charter of Connecticut, has used all means to persuade them to surrender it. The inhabitants are very anxious to be under this government, and the addition of the Colony may in turn contribute about £3,000 a year towards defraying the public charge. They send formal and dilatory letters to gain time, very much to the damage of the whole territory, for as our fisheries and shipping cannot be carried on without supplies of provisions from thence, so their produce cannot find a market except with us. Their Charter should, therefore, be prosecuted effectively. The Governor has settled the officers, civil and military, in the whole government, and has chosen well qualified persons. I have sent the transactions of Council. Signed, Ed. Randolph. Holograph. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 17 May, 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LX., No. 14.]
March 25. 1,195. Edward Randolph to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Among the laws transmitted, that for continuing and establishing rates and duties was passed with great difficulty; not that it is a novelty or a hardship, for there is nothing in it which is not transcribed from the people's printed law-book, and the proceeds will not exceed £1,000 in New England money; but they have always accounted themselves a free people, and look upon this Act as a clog to them and their estates. The Governor has settled all military and civil commands, and ordered a return of the military stores which were purchased by the county during the late Company's time. The country is so naked and unprovided for defence that it will cost much money to put the castle and forts, at best of little strength, into reasonable repair. The Quo Warranto has been served in Connecticut. That Colony wishes to be annexed to this government. The Governor has sent an officer and twenty-two men to take over the fort of Pemaquid. He also gave notice to the members of the Third Church at Boston that he intended to use the building for the service of the Church of England, without obstructing them in their own use of it. We find it difficult to raise a maintenance for our minister, and nothing will obstruct the settlement of the Church of England here so much as to have the minister precarious. He is a sober and diligent person, and wants only a good encouragement for his support and some three or four assistants, for there are thousands of men, women, and children unbaptized. The Charter of Connecticut ought to be prosecuted to effect. I know they will employ none to defend it, but let the law take its course. Signed, Ed. Randolph. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 342, 343.]
March 29. 1,196. Pass for Robert Mason to travel to New England. Countersigned. Sunderland. Copy. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LX., No. 15.]
March 30.
Boston.
1,197. Governor Sir Edward Andros to Lords of Trade and Plantations. On my arrival I summoned the Council to meet on the 30th December, when they were all sworn, and proceeded to business, as far as the winter weather would admit of their sitting. The General Council met again at the latter end of February. Their proceedings have been sent to you. I have settled the militia and Commission of the Peace, and taken care for the observance of the Acts of Trade and Navigation, fixing certain ports where all ships must be entered or cleared. Connecticut has not yet submitted, though another writ has been served on them and the King's wishes signified to them. They pretended loyalty and readiness to obey, and acted to the contrary. Another assembly and General Court has been convened for this day at Hartford on the subject. The Act of Revenue will not be sufficient to defray the ordinary expenses of government without Connecticut, but it was found to be in accordance with my instructions. This country has sustained great loss of late by the Indian war, two great fires in Boston, some disasters at sea, and the blasting of the wheat for some seasons past. The people are generally but poor. Fishery and timber make their chief trade and support, and they are wholly supplied by Connecticut with provisions, without which they could not carry on their trade. I have found here, in different places, about eighty iron guns of all sorts, most of the carriages bad, few other materials, no magazines of powder or other stores of war, no storehouses nor accommodation for officer or soldier, and no fortification, which last is much wanted. The castle on Castle Island, which commands the channel, has four bastions, but very small and inconsiderable, no yeards, the walls about ten feet high and out of repair, the guard-rooms under the batteries of the curtains, and a room over the gate. The Indians in these parts are much diminished, and there are none considerable except a few towards Pemaquid. The French settlements in Nova Scotia are few and far distant. Mons. Perrot, the new French Governor, lives at Port Royal on the other side of the Bay of Fundy. On notice from Colonel Dongan I have sent an officer with a detachment of soldiers to take over the fort of Pemaquid. There being no place for service of the Church of England except in the town-house, which is not convenient before Easter, I asked the use of the South meeting-house at Boston at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when we had the liturgy of the Church of England, service, and the sacrament. I shall continue this for the present. I send the names of the twelve men best qualified to fill vacancies in Council. Signed, E. Andros. Holograph. 3 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 May 87. Read 15 June 87. Annexed,
1,197. I. Names of persons best qualified to fill vacancies in Council. Samuel Shrimpton, William Brown, jun., Simon Lynde, Richard Smith, Francis Brenley, Peter (?) Sandforth, Charles Lidgott, Humphrey Lusamb, Eliakim Hutchison, Jonathan Curwin, Sampson Sheafe, James Russell. In the handwriting of Edward Randolph. Signed, E. Andros. Boston, 25 March 1687. 1 p. Inscribed. Recd. 18 May. Read 15 June 87. 1 p.
1,197. II. The Governor and Council of Connecticut to Governor Sir Edmund Andros. Hartford, January 6, 1686. We have received your letter and congratulate you on your appointment to the Governor of New England. You say that you are authorised to receive the surrender of our charter. Sir, the King at his accession ordered us to continue as we were until his further pleasure was known. We have heard nothing from him since, and beg you therefore to excuse our compliance, though our own inclinations sufficiently prompt us to union with our ancient neighbours. We hear that religious freedom and other changes are granted in your Commission, which will be of singular use to us. Your letter shall be communicated to the General Court. Signed, Robert Treat, Governor, John Allyn, Secretary, 1 p. Endorsed. Read in Council [New England]. January 12, 86. Recd. from Sir Edmund Andros, 18 May 87.
Jan. 6. 1,197. III. Copy of foregoing. Endorsed. Recd. from Sir E. Andros, 25 March 1687.
1,197. IV. The Governor of Connecticut to Sir E. Andros. Hartford, 26 January 1686. I should have paid my respects to you before now, but for the severity of the season. I hope that my late congratulations may not be misconstrued. Though the severity of the winter made it difficult to travel, I have convened the General Assembly and communicated your letter, and present you herewith with their humble understanding of the same (see next abstract). Old rights and privileges are hard to give up. I hope you will construe the seeming backwardness of our Court's compliance with favour. They say they are resolved to submit to anything they can with a safe conscience, and in all things to shew themselves loyal subjects. Signed, Robert Treat. Holograph. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 18 May 1687.
1,197. V. The Governor and General Court of Connecticut to Sir E. Andros. Hartford, January 26, 1686. We congratulate you on your arrival and wish you prosperity. The Governor has informed us that you are authorised to receive the surrender of our charter, if tendered by us, and to receive us under your care and charge. After consideration we answer that, having received the King's letters soon after his accession to continue with our present government till his further pleasure, we have since, on the serving of two Quo Warrantos on us, addressed his Majesty praying for a continuance of our present privileges. As we have yet received no order therein we are content to remain as we are, and be always loyal subjects, as you will find us if it be our lot to be joined with the Colonies under your government. Signed, Robert Treat, Governor, John Allyn, Secretary. 1 p. Endorsed by Sir E. Andros, 12 February 1686; by Edward Randolph. Read the 15th of February in Council; and by a clerk in England. Recd. 18 May 87.
1,197. VI. The General Court of Connecticut to the Earl of Sunderland. Hartford, January 26, 1686. We have sent addresses to the King but received no answer. Two writs of Quo Warranto were served on us, but after the time for appearance had lapsed. We therefore prepared an address, and appointed an attorney to represent us in case of legal proceedings. Since then another Quo Warranto has been served on us on December 28 last, requiring an appearance within eight days of the feast of the Purification, which is so soon that owing to our remoteness and the severity of the season we cannot make the return that we ought. We have therefore again empowered Mr. William Whiting to act for us, that judgment may not go against us by default of our appearance. We beg that we may be continued in our present state, but if not we should prefer to be joined to Sir Edmund Andros's government, rather than to any other. Signed, John Allyn, secretary. Certified copy. March 17, 1686. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 17 May. Read 18 May 87.
1,197. VII. The Governor and Council of Connecticut to Sir Edmund Andros. Hartford, March 17, 1686–7. We have received your letter of 25 February, and thank you for your advice; but as to the present surrender, we have (as we have already informed you) addressed the King and the Secretary of State asking to be left as we are, or if not to be joined to your government. This was the resolution of our last General Court, and, whatever may be our inclinations, we have resolved to adhere to it and leave ourselves to the King's disposal. Signed, John Allyn, secretary. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 18 May 87.
1,197. VIII. Account of ordnance and military stores found in New England, December 1686. 2¼ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 May 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LX., Nos. 16, 16I.–VIII., and (letter and Enclosures Nos. I., VI., and VIII.) Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 344–351.]
March 30.
Boston
1,198. Governor Sir E. Andros to the Earl of Sunderland. Repeats the substance of the foregoing letter to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The new French Governor of Nova Scotia is very active. Our fishing parties are afraid of being disturbed in their fishery off the coast, where they find plenty of fish, though very [few] this way. Signed, E. Andros. Holograph. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 May 87. Read 15 June 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LX., No. 17.]
March 31. 1,199. Minutes of Council of Antigua. Order concerning a negro woman, who promised to act as a guide against the runaway negroes and herself ran to them, that she is worthy of death as soon as captured. Order for fresh parties to pursue the fugitives. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., p. 111.]