America and West Indies: August 1689, 16-31

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 13, 1689-1692. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1901.

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'America and West Indies: August 1689, 16-31', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 13, 1689-1692, (London, 1901) pp. 127-137. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol13/pp127-137 [accessed 19 March 2024]

August 1689

[Aug. 16.] 353. Petition of Ralph Lane to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The main request of my former petition is to be admitted to appeal to the King, which, though denied by the Governor, has been allowed in many cases. I beg to be admitted to appeal. 1 p. Inscribed. Read 16 August, 1689. [America and West Indies. 456. No. 20.]
Aug. 16. 354. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King. On the petition of Ralph Lane we recommend an instruction to Colonel Kendall to enquire into the whole matter, and give facilities for the petitioner's appeal to you in Council. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 134, 135.]
Aug. 16.
Whitehall.
355. William Blathwayt to Phineas Bowles. My Lords have represented to the King the complaints of Captain George as to H.M.S. Rose, and send copy of the following letter, which has been written by the King to the Government of Massachusetts, for the information of the Admiralty. Draft. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 31.]
Aug. 16. 356. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Petition of Ralph Lane, and Lord Stirling's claim to Long Island considered. On report of the law-officers, agreed to advise that the Act of Virginia for attorneys of 1680 be repealed. Agreed to recommend William Sharp to be of the Council of Barbados. Petition of the Royal African Company read (see No. 259 I.) Copy to be sent to the merchants for their advice. Ralph Knight's petition also referred to the Royal African Company (see No. 294 I.)
Aug. 17. Letter from Mr. Bowles of 14th read (see No. 335). The Admiralty directed to provide transport for Colonel Kendall. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. CIX., pp. 253–256 and (as to Jamaica) Vol. XXXII., pp. 275, 299.]
Aug. 17. 357. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Desiring the Commissioners of the Admiralty to take the usual steps as to Colonel Kendall's passage to Barbados. Signed. Wm. Blathwayt. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., p. 153.]
Aug. 17.
New York.
358. Address of the Committee of Safety of New York to the King and Queen. Announcing the loyalty of the province, the formation of the Committee of Safety, the appointment of Leisler as Captain, the repair of the fort, and the general resolution to defend it. Signed. Samuell Edsall, Peter De La Noy. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 19 Dec., 1689.
359. Copy of the foregoing. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 10 April, 1690. [America and West Indies. 578. Nos. 47, 48.]
Aug. 19.
New York.
360. George McKenzie to Francis Nicholson. We had on Friday night the most troublesome alarm that we have had yet, for no greater reason than the arrival of four gentlemen in the lower town, Mr. Brattle, Mr. Leverett, Mr. Emdeson and young Mr. Mackarly, who came only for divertisement and to see the place. They happened to come in the evening and alighted at Mr. Merrit's, when some people immediately informed Leisler of the arrival of some strangers who had refused to answer when challenged by the sentinel at the State-house, but had run into Merrit's and shut the doors and windows (which was afterwards known to be a lie). On this Leisler sent a party to bring them into the fort, an alarm was beat up, and a report spread that you and Sir Edmund were come with a design to take or surprise the fort. The gentlemen told me that for all their begging they were not allowed a hearing, but were kept almost till next morning before they were released; nor had they escaped so well but for some letters about them giving an account of their quality, for they were all of the University of Boston. In this alarm several people were seized and are still kept in prison. The Mayor is now at Albany. It is believed that if he were here he would keep the others company. Many merchants and others are leaving, and unless orders soon arrive from England I doubt there will be few English of any reputation left in the place. Signed. Geo. McKenzie. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 23 Oct., 1689, from Captain Nicholson. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 49.]
Aug. 19.
Nevis.
361. Henry Carpenter and Thomas Belchamber to Commissioners of Customs. On the 26th June the Irish on St. Christophers deserted to the French and declared for King James, under which pretence they seized several English gentlemen as they passed through French ground. The inhabitants on the Windward side fled to the fort, whereupon the Irish and French immediately fell a plundering. Most of the people to Leeward then fled to the fort likewise, and on the 17th the French fleet appeared and laid siege to the fort, which surrendered on the 5th August. (The details of previous letters of August 15th are here repeated.) On the news of the Prince of Orange's landing in England two thirds of the negroes here were ordered to repair the trenches and forts, which are now much better than ever, so that little but that work and the guarding of them was thought about, until on the 14th inst. Count de Blenac returned to Martinique. We expect him to visit us at the latter end of next month, and unless we have a fleet to prevent him those Islands will be in great danger. As soon as the Irish rose in St. Christophers we ordered the deputy-collector to send all the sugar and goods belonging to the customs over here. One sloopload arrived, but before the rest could be shipped the Governor and Council ordered all the sugar in the Island to be seized for the King's use to buy provisions for the fort, which was done; but no care having been taken to move it to a safe place, it was burned and destroyed with the rest. The sloop which brought the load of sugar is impressed to carry the Irish to Jamaica, lest they should serve us as they did St. Christophers. The Irish in Montserrat and Antigua are disarmed. Sir Timothy Thornhill has arrived with troops from Barbados. Copy. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. from Sir Rob. Southwell, 23 Oct. 1689. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 35.]
Aug. 20.
New York.
362. Jacob Leisler to the King and Queen. I beg to advise you by the bearer, Ensign Joost Stoll of your Majesties' fort, that on the news of Sir Edmund Andros's arrest in Boston, several meetings were held here, at which I, as one of the five captains of militia, assisted. Captain Francis Nicholson has made several propositions, which had but a show for the interest of the Colony, while his violent carriage has discovered his malicious design, whereof particulars would be too long, but which has moved several of the inhabitants to preserve the fort for your service, and to prevent him from firing the town as he intended. The fort has been thus held for one month by the said captains in turns, and on the day of my watch came the order from Connecticut to proclaim your Majesties. I immediately proceeded to the proclamation, which was solemnly done on the 22nd June, on which day we had miraculous deliverance from a fire which had been kindled in three different places—in the turret of the church and in the fort. Six thousand pounds of powder were under the same roof with the fire, and the offender is suspected to be a papist who has been there before. Thus the city and people were saved from this hellish design. The committees of the neighbouring counties and of this city, with all the captains, being met to concert measures for the defence of the Colony, they thought fit to elect one of the captains to command the fort until your further order. I was chosen, and have accordingly performed the duty since the 1st of July last. I have made an inventory of everything therein, and seeing its miserable state have repaired the gun-carriages, curtain and bastions, and have made a new battery of seven guns by the river-side to the west of the fort. I am now mending the breast-work and palisades, and have reopened the well in the fort which was closed by Colonel Dongan. There are fifty barrels of powder in the magazine, of which nearly half is only fit for salutes, so I have secured some more from the merchants. We have bullets sufficient for our powder. I have fifty men in the fort, whom the country has promised me to pay, besides which the trainbands mount one company on guard every night, as we have bad news from St. Christophers and Surinam. Moreover we heard of Sir E. Andros's escape from Boston to Rhode Island, where Colonel Dongan landed on the same day, being set on shore at New London, apparently to join him. This made me suspicious of some bad design, to which also Colonel Bayard is privy. He went to Albany five or six weeks ago, where Major Cortlandt is gone to join him, doubtless to confer with the greater liberty, for both were counsellors of Captain Nicholson. But I watch over them and over others who, under the appearance of the protestant religion, are still affected to the papist, which (sic) are in greater numbers here than in all New England. On the 16th, after watch set, three scholars with ten attendants from Boston came over the ferry from Long Island, and entering a tavern despatched a horseman away post haste. We had notice that Sir Edmund Andros designed to come here, so finding that the strangers had no pass I alarmed the city: and in half-an-hour about five hundred men came courageously to arms, though most of the troopers failed to appear, being overawed by some disaffected people, friends to Sir Edmund Andros. I was obliged to secure eight of these last, whose confinement gives great satisfaction to the people. I durst not let them go for fear of exposing them to the rage of the country. The aforesaid travellers proving to be honest men, the soldiers were dismissed, on which they offered their service to work on until the fortifications of the city and fort were complete. Mr. Innes, the English minister, lately departed, and on the testimony of the Dutch and French ministers has been proved to be contrary to our religion. I shall secure sufficient provisions in the fort, which I shall defend to the death. "There is none but your Majesties' soldiers in the fort and the committees to whom the oath of fidelity to your Majesties is administered, they that exercise here the justice have refused to administer the oath which has obliged me to send for one, Captain Gerardus Beekman, justice of the peace from Long Island, they have not had the zeal for the inhabitants having neglected hereto to offer them to take of them the oath of fidelity." Signed. Jacob Leisler. Two closely written pages without a full stop, and in the style of the last sentence. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Dec., 1689. Printed in New York Documents, III., 614. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 50.]
363. Duplicate of the foregoing.
Copy of the foregoing. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Apr., 1690. [Ibid. Nos. 51, 52.]
Aug. 20. 364. Account of an assay of the powder in the fort at New York, giving the degrees of elevation required by each of fifty barrels, after two trials on the 17th and 20th August. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 10 April, 1690.
Duplicate of the above. [America and West Indies. 578. Nos. 53, 54.]
August
[New York.]
365. John Tudor to Francis Nicholson. This letter goes by that worthy hero Ensign Stoll, who is sent hence by the noble Committee of Safety to their Majesties to give an account of affairs here. Lest they should be slack in telling the truth I add this present. On Saturday June 22nd Mr. Leisler proclaimed King William and Queen Mary, having got a printed proclamation from Major Gold and Captain Fitch, who came from Connecticut for that purpose, but proclaimed in the meanest manner you can imagine. After proclaiming them before the fort the Captain summoned the Mayor and Aldermen to do the like at the City Hall. They answered that they were very ready to do so on the first orders that they should receive, whereupon Captain Leisler, Lodowyck, de Browne and Depeyster with their companies marched to the City Hall with Gould, Fitch, the worthy Mr. Edsall and others in the van. On reaching the State House, where the Mayor and Aldermen were assembled, Leisler delivered the proclamation to the Mayor, who read it privately to himself and handed it back again, saying they were ready to deliver it if there were any order to do so. Leisler asked that the Clerk of the Court should read it. The Mayor replied that he was not there, and that it was usual for the Secretary who had read the proclamation at the fort to read it again. This put all the captains in a great rage; but the person who had read it at the fort did read it again, and the captains departed in a great huff. On Monday 24th the Mayor and Aldermen proclaimed the King's order for the continuance of all officers in their posts, which affronted the captains and their gang very much. Tuesday 25th, Mr. Plowman being a papist was discharged from the Custom House, and Bayard, Haynes, Paulus Richards, and Wenham put in in his place, which so much affronted the other party that they came down with force and arms and pulled them out by the hair of their heads, cutting and slashing at Colonel Bayard so that he was hard put to it to escape with his life. He was obliged to escape to Albany, where he remains. He has written to the Secretary of State from Albany, but his letter has strangely miscarried.
Our present Government is by a Committee of Safety, as they term themselves, wherein I may boldly say that there are not two men of sense. De la Noy and Edsall are the two chiefs. Some towns have chosen men and sent them in, but others refuse. In short the greatest Oliverians that were in the Government are made Committee-men, who rule at so strange a rate that I cannot express it, denying all power but their own and turning out militia officers at their pleasure. Some say openly that there has been no legal King in England since Oliver's day, and they imprison persons at their pleasure in the fort. Thomas Clarke is still in custody, and others have been arrested but are now released. This ambassador Stoll was the chief actor in the affair at the Custom House. Mr. Cox, to shew his fine clothes, undertook to go to Amboy to proclaim the King, and was drowned on his way home, which accident startled our commanders a good deal. There is a good rich widow left. He was drowned by slipping out between the canoe from which he was embarking. The water was not above his chin but very muddy, and bobbing his head he received a ton of water in. They brought him ashore alive, but could not restore him. Sir Edmond escaped from Boston about a fortnight ago, but was recaptured at Rhode Island. Macgregory and others are here. To requite Colonel Dongan for his kindness he offered Leisler to bring back Dongan a prisoner, if he would give him four men and a halbert, saying that it was not safe for him to be at liberty. I hope news will come from England soon or I fear things will go very ill here. Signed. John Tuder. 4 pp. Inscribed. Recd. 23 Oct. 1689. Printed in New York Documents, III., 616. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 55.] [Ibid. No. 56.]
366. Rough abstract of the foregoing. [Ibid. No. 56.]
Aug. 20. 367. Colonel Thomas Hill to ? . I am sorry to report the loss of St. Christophers. Want of ammunition and sizeable shot was the cause; we had not two rounds per gun. The French are masters at sea, and unless a fleet arrive soon the rest of the Islands must follow St. Christophers. All that keeps me from returning home by this ship is the hope of the arrival of our fleet and of the recapture of St. Christophers. I hope the fleet will bring plenty of arms, ammunition and stores, or with the twelve hundred men arrived from St. Christophers provisions will run short here. I am afraid that it will not arrive in time to save the Islands. I wrote in February of the things wanting in the fort and of the need for recruits. The soldiers are six years in arrear of pay and have neither victuals, clothes nor arms. We are screwed and taxed up to the height and no care is taken either of our persons or estates; and considering what we contribute to the revenue I am surprised that we are so much neglected. Captain James Phipps was shot in the shoulder and is dead, much lamented by all. Several others were killed and wounded. The French far outnumbered us, having many experienced officers with them, and their small arms and powder were much better than ours. Extract. Copy. 1 p. Recd. 22 Oct., 1689. Endorsed. Read 6 Nov., 1689. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 36, and Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 43. pp. 178–180, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 451, 452.]
Aug. 20. 368. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Prideaux and Mr. Walker to be recommended for the Council of Barbados. Memorial of the African Company, as to Don Santiago de Castillo's privileges, referred to the law-officers. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., p. 257.]
Aug. 20. 369. Memorial of St. Jago del Castillo, Commissioner-General for the introduction of negroes into the Spanish Indies. 1. For liberty to buy provisions etc. in the King's Colonies for ships. 2. For permission for ships to land part of their cargo, in order to careen, without paying duty. 3. For leave to buy negroes of British subjects for exportation, and import produce of the Spanish West Indies. 4. That if any sailor sell goods unlawfully it shall not be legal to confiscate the ship. 5. That all debts contracted on account of the Assiento may be sued for according to the laws of England, but that in case of differences with foreigners the Governor of the Colony may decide. 6. That the Commissioner may exercise his own religion in his own house.
Minute. That the memorial was approved and recommended by the Royal African Company. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 203–5.]
Aug. 20. 370. William Blathwayt to the Attorney and Solicitor General. Forwarding copy of the memorial summarised in the preceding abstract for report. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., p. 205.]
Aug. 22. 371. Report of the Attorney and Solicitor General on the memorial of the African Company respecting the powers to be granted to the Commissioner of the Assiento (see No. 369). 1. This can be met by reasonable construction of the Acts of Navigation. 2. Unloading to careen is lawful if bona fide, but such an article is dangerous as giving facilities for secret trade. 3. Negroes are merchandise and can no more be exported under the Act than other goods. 4. It will be difficult to draw distinctions between the acts of owners, merchants, officers and seamen. 5. The laws and customs of the place must be observed, but due regard will be had to the King of Spain's orders or his subjects' contracts. 6. Private exercise of religion will not be gainsaid. Signed. Geo. Treby, J. Somers. 1 p. Endorsed. 22 Aug. 1689. Read at the Committee 23 August, 1689. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 20, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 279, 280.]
Aug. 23. 372. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Answer of the merchants and of the African Company to Mr. Knight's petition [see next abstract]. Sir Francis Watson's letter of 6 June read [see No. 177]. Report of the Law officers in the Assiento read. Draft instructions for Colonel Kendall read and referred to the Treasury. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 258, 259.]
Aug. 23. 373. First answer of the African Company to Ralph Knight's memorial. We offer the following remarks on Mr. Knight's representations. Soon after the Duke of Albemarle's arrival an Assembly was elected, which was fairly chosen, but was dissolved for some unknown reason. Shortly afterwards a person of small reputation was taken out of the gaol and made Provost Marshal, and then writs were issued for a new election. By the help of this Provost Marshal and other ill-affected persons freedom of election was so far violated that two thirds of the Assembly were illegally returned by votes of servants, seamen and others. The late King on 30 November ordered matters to be restored to the same state as at the Duke of Albemarle's arrival. We beg therefore that the proceedings of this Assembly may be cancelled. As to the address in favour of the poor planters, we have given them such large credit that our last returns show them to be indebted to us £90,000. Of this last Assembly over twenty members are in our debt, and so far from grateful acknowledgment have passed an Act to defraud us of one sixth of our due. The trade with the Spaniards was countenanced by the Governor under instructions from the late King. Signed. Sam. Heron. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 23 August, 1689. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 22, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 300–302.]
Aug. 23. 374. Answer of the merchants and planters of Jamaica as to the petition of the Royal African Company. (see No. 259 I.) The Act for raising the value of pieces-of-eight and all other Acts passed by that Assembly are unconstitutional, the Assembly having been improperly elected. We beg therefore that all its proceedings may be cancelled. Thirty-seven signatures. 1 p. Endorsed. Read at the Committee, 23 Aug., 1689. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 21, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., p. 276.]
Aug. 23. 375. Order of the Privy Council. Referring Colonel Kendall's proposals as to his salary (see No. 265) to Lords of the Treasury for report. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., p. 80.]
Aug. 23.
Custom House
376. Commissioners of Customs to Lords of the Treasury. We have received a letter from Mr. Edward Randolph of 29 May, reporting that he had been thrown into the common gaol, that his books and papers had been seized and that the Acts of Navigation are violated as heretofore. We understand that orders have already been dispatched for Sir Edmund Andros and Mr. Randolph to be sent home, but we beg that orders may also be given for the enforcement of the Acts of Navigation, for Mr. Randolph's books and papers to be sealed up and sent to one of the Secretaries of State and that those concerning the Revenue may be for the present deposited with us. Signed. Robert Southwell, G. Boothe, Jo. Werden, T. Pelham, Robt. Clayton, P. Warde. 1 p. Endorsed. Read in Council, Sept. 2, 1689. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 32.]
Aug. 24.
Office of
Ordnance.
377. Commissioners of Ordnance to the King. In reply to your order for despatch of great quantities of guns and stores to the Caribbee Islands, Barbados and Guernsey, we report: 1. Caribbee Islands. There are no sackers in England of fifteen feet in length; but eighteen of the ordinary length can be supplied. The 1050 muskets cannot be supplied until the Dutch arms arrive from Holland. The powder and the rest of the stores are ready to be sent. 2. Barbados. Forty whole culverins cannot be spared; we can supply twenty ordnance of near that nature and twenty demiculverin. 3. Jamaica is fully supplied. Signed. Goodricke, Jo. Charlton; Ch. Myddelton; T. Gardiner, Tho. Townsend. [America and West Indies. 601. No. 12, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 70–71.]
Aug. 26. 378. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. A paper of particulars needed for the regiments in the West Indies read, and ordered to be laid before the King. [The King on the 29th gave his orders thereon (see Nos. 384, 385).] [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 260, 261.]
Aug. 27.
Admiralty.
379. P. Bowles to William Blathwayt. In reference to your letter as to shipping to convey Colonel Kendall to Barbados and ordnance stores to the Leeward Islands, the Board of Admiralty desire to know what provisions or further necessaries of any kind must go with the West Indian Squadron and to what places they must be carried. 1 p. Endorsed. [America and West Indies. 601. No. 13, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 74–75, and Vol. XLVII., p. 441.]
Aug. 28. 380. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The King to be moved to order £1,700 to be imprested to the victuallers of the Navy, and for money for arms in accordance with the report of the officers of Ordnance (see No. 377). Mr. Spencer's letter of 10 June, read, announcing that their Majesties had not been proclaimed in Maryland and asking for supplies of ammunition. The King to be moved to name a Governor for Jamaica. Ralph Knight's petition on behalf of the Council and Assembly of Jamaica read (see No. 383) and referred to the African Company. Petition of Margaret Hill read (see next abstract). Agreed to move for the payment of the arrears to the companies in the Leeward Islands. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp 262–264.]
Aug. 28. 381. Petition of Margaret, wife of Colonel Thomas Hill, to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Colonel Hill for the last six or seven years has spent much of his private money in supporting the the two companies at St. Christophers, which were in danger of starvation. No pay or subsistence has been sent to them for years, and they are now driven into the fort at St. Christophers by the French. I beg that at least their arrears of pay may be sent to them to encourage them and enable them to subsist. 1 p. Endorsed. Read 28th, Ordered 29th August, 1869. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 37.]
Aug. 28. 382. News from New England concerning the Indians. On Friday 28th June the Indians surprised Cacheta under pretence of trading. They were hospitably entertained, but in the dead of night attacked the place, killed twenty seven, Major Waldern among them, and took twenty seven more. ½ p. A hasty note from the Exchange. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 33.]
Aug. 29. 383. Petition of Ralph Knight to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The African Company have objected to the laws passed in Jamaica since the Duke of Albemarle's death, and other persons have scandalously and untruthfully objected that the Assembly that passed them was two-thirds of it illegally elected. I beg that the Company or the other persons concerned may give you in writing particulars of such illegal elections, and of such other matters as they intend to insist upon at the hearing before your Lordship. Copy. 1 p. Within, Order for the delivery of the petition to the African Company, 28 Aug., 1689. Endorsed. The original delivered to the Company, 29 August. [Board Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 23.]
Aug. 29. 384. Orders of the King in Council. On recommendation of the Lords of Trade and Plantations, ordered that the Treasury furnish £3,000 for payment for 4,000 arms, now lying at Dort, for the plantations; that 200 barrels of powder be sent to Jamaica and 75 with 500 muskets to the Leeward Islands; that 100 barrels of powder be sent to Virginia; that the three months provisions of the regiment be doubled; that the regiment be cleared and have two months' pay advanced, to enable it to provide itself with shoes, stockings and other necessaries. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 72–74, and p. 103 and Vol. XLVII., pp. 433–437.]
Aug. 29. 385. Order of the King in Council. On the petition of Margaret Hill (see No. 381) ordered that £1,000 be at once despatched to Colonel Thomas Hill's agent in order that two years' arrears may be paid to him, and clothes and other necessaries provided for the soldiers. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 437, 438.]
Aug. 30.
Admiralty.
386. Phineas Bowles to William Blathwayt. Respecting his letter of August 27 (see No. 379) desires further to know about instructions to the West Indian Squadron. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 441, 442.]
Aug. 30. 387. Answer of the Royal African Company to the petition of Ralph Knight. Knight was one of the majority of the Assembly of Jamaica who was unduly elected, as we can prove on a hearing of the case. Signed. Sam Heron, Secy. ½ p. Endorsed. Recd. 30 Aug. 1689. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 24, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., p. 302.]
Aug. 30.
Admiralty.
388. P. Bowles to William Blathwayt. The Board of Admiralty require an answer to my note of 27th (see No. 379) if possible at 5 o'clock this evening. Note. [America and West Indies. 601. No. 14, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 75.]
Aug. 30. 389. William Blathwayt to Lord Baltimore. Ordering him to attend the Lords of Trade and Plantations on the 31st. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., p. 121.]
Aug. 31. 390. William Blathwayt to Lord Baltimore. The Lords understand that, notwithstanding the orders given to you, King William and Queen Mary have not been proclaimed in Maryland. They think therefore that you would do well to send a duplicate of the orders thither, as they are about to despatch a messenger thither at your expense. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., p. 122.]
Aug. 31. 391. William Blathwayt to Mr. Bowles. In reply to yours of 30th I can only acquaint you at present that the King has ordered three months' provisions more to be sent with the regiment to the Leeward Islands, and two Governors to sail for Jamaica and the Leeward Islands with the West Indian Squadron. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 76, and Vol. XLVII., pp. 442, 443.]
Aug. 31.
Office of
Ordnance.
392. Commissioners of Ordnance to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The demands for guns and stores lately made for the West Indies are of such consequence that we think it our duty to point out the expense, and the inconvenience and difficulty of granting such large quantities, for our magazines are very low at present. By our books we find that the Colonies have been supplied with stores at divers times, but there is no certificate how those stores were expended or disposed of. We beg that enquiry may be made as to the disposal of stores in Jamaica, Bermuda, Newfoundland, Virginia, Leeward Islands and Barbados, or great embezzlement may result. The stores delivered to them were reckoned to be worth near 10,000l. and they should be accounted for. Our stores have been extremely exhausted also this year, and without considerable supplies of money they cannot be replenished in less than twelve months. Signed. Goodricke, Jo. Charlton, T. Gardiner, Ch. Myddelton, Tho. Townsend. 1 p. Endorsed. Presented 2 Sept., 1689. [America and West Indies. 601. No. 15, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 78, 79.]
Aug. 31.
Ordnance
Office.
393. Proportion of Ordnance to be issued to the Leeward Islands. A tabulated list. 2 pp. Endorsed. Presented by the Officers of Ordnance 11 Nov., 1689. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 38, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 453, 454.]
Aug. 31. 394. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Lord Baltimore attended. Orders given renewing directions for the proclamation of their Majesties in Maryland. Mr. Flypse's letter of 10 June read (see No. 187). Agreed to move the King as to New York. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 265, 266.]
Aug. 31. 395. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. To recommend that a Governor be forthwith sent to New York; that presents be sent to the Indians of the Five Nations, and that two new foot-companies be raised for New York. Printed in New York Documents, III., 618. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 202, 203.]
August. 396. Order of the King in Council. Report of Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have examined the Earl of Stirling's claim to Long Island and find that in 1674 he released all his rights therein to the Duke of York for £300 a year, to be paid out of the surplus revenue, or to accumulate. There are now fourteen years' arrears due, there having been no surplus. We recommend that the pension be continued to him on the same terms, and that the Earl be at liberty to keep an agent in New York, to examine the public accounts. Ordered accordingly. Printed in New York Documents, III., 606. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 197–199.]