America and West Indies: March 1694, 1-15

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 14, 1693-1696. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1903.

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'America and West Indies: March 1694, 1-15', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 14, 1693-1696, (London, 1903) pp. 254-260. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol14/pp254-260 [accessed 25 April 2024]

March 1694

March 1. Whitehall. 911. Order of the King in Council. Granting the petition of Isaac Richier, and referring it to Lords of Trade and Plantations to take care everything may be done in order thereto. Signed. William Blathwayt. ½ p. Enclosed,
911. I. Petition of Isaac Richier to the King. Governor Goddard on arriving at Bermuda in August last demanded of me £1,000 as half the profits of the Government since he received his Commission, and on my demurring seized all my cellar and goods, arrested me and kept me in close confinement for a time, and though he has now released me on parole, threatens further persecution unless I pay the money. I offered him to give security to answer this or any other matter in England, which he at first agreed to accept but afterwards refused, and seized all goods of mine that he could lay hands on. I beg that my property may be restored on my giving security to answer any action in England, and that evidence may be allowed to be collected for my defence. Copy. 1½ pp. The whole endorsed, Recd. 5 March, 1693–4. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 2. Nos. 18, 18 I.; and 28. pp. 98–101.]
March 1. 912. Copy of the preceding order. ½ p. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 2. No. 19.]
March 1. 913. Minutes of General Assembly of New York. The Representatives not being come, the Assembly adjourned till to-morrow.
March 2. The Representatives were sworn.
March 3. Henry Pierson chosen Speaker and approved.
The Governor recommended consideration of the reinforcement of Albany and the frontiers from 1 May next; of the regular payment of the troops weekly or fortnightly; of securing the Indians, who are staggering, by presents or otherwise; of the continued expense of the war; and of repair to the fortifications. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 674–676.]
March 2. 914. Minutes of Council of Barbados. The Governor at the Assembly's request consented to leave three or four rooms at Fontabelle furnished, against Colonel Russell's arrival. The Assembly brought up an Act for presenting the Governor with £500. Orders for sundry payments. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 447–449.]
March 2. 915. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. On the report of the Committee for the new Governor's reception, it was agreed to ask the Governor to leave Fontabelle and leave some of his rooms furnished for Colonel Russell, which he consented to do. Address passed to present the Governor with £500; also addresses for payment of the clerks' and marshals' salaries, and for payment of £50 to buy fresh provisions for Colonel Russell's reception. Adjourned to 20th. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 364, 365.]
March 2. 916. The Agents for Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The King has promised to ease the Island of free quarter for the regiment to be stationed there, provided it will bear the cost of transportation. We have no authority to undertake this expense nor fund to discharge it; and we can therefore only renew our importunity that men may be sent out as soon as possible, while for quartering them the people must cast themselves on the King's goodness and mercy. Unsigned. 1 p. Endorsed, Read 5 Mar. '93–4. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 55.]
March 2. 917. The Same to the Same. We have read the copy of the reasons for annulling the Barbados Act for limiting freight, and the report of the Commissioners of Customs thereon. We have received no intimation of the reasons why it was passed, though we are well informed that it was due to combination of the masters of ships to take no goods on board under twelve shillings per hundred-weight; and we doubt not that if the Council and Assembly had supposed that there would have been application for disallowance of the Act, they would have transmitted their reasons for having made it. We therefore beg that the Act may not be annulled on the petition of the merchants, but that copies of the reasons against the Act and of the report of the Commissioners of Customs may be sent to the Governor, with orders to repeal the Act if it be found inconvenient, and if not to send the reasons for passing it. Signed. Edw. Littleton; Wm. Bridges. 3 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 5 March, 1694. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 56.]
March 2. 918. Copy of an Act of Barbados to present Governor Kendall with £500. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 15 May, '94. Read same day. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 57.]
March 2. 919. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Companies formed to trade to Pennsylvania and New Jersey attended, and were told to propose clauses to prevent stock jobbing.
Agreed to recommend the appointment of Henry Hartwell and James Blair to the Council of Virginia. [Board of Trade. Journal, 7. p. 270.]
March 2. 920. Memorandum. Recommending the confirmation of Colonel Hartwell and the appointment of Mr. Blair to the Council of Virginia. Scrap. Endorsed, Presented by the Bishop of London. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 5. No. 45.]
March 2. 921. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Recommending the appointment of Henry Hartwell and James Blair to the Council of Virginia. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 36. p. 251.]
March 4. 922. Commissioners for Victualling to William Blathwayt. We beg for a letter to the officer at Barbados to take no custom for the rum and sugar delivered to the King's ships in the West Indies. The proportion is three quarters of a pint of rum and a quarter of a pound of sugar per day to every man. Extract. ½ p. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 58.]
March 5. 923. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Montserrat. Joint Committee appointed for audit of the Treasurer's accounts. A gunner appointed to Kingsale Fort. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., p. 326.]
March 5. 924. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Agents of Barbados made their proposals as to the sending of a regiment to that Island, which it was resolved to lay before the King.
Governor Nicholson's instructions approved, and his passage to be provided for. It was ordered that all Governors should be sworn before the Council, and their despatches not delivered to them until they are sworn.
Governor Richier's petition (see No. 911 I.) read. Agreed that his appeal be admitted and the usual orders given as to collection of evidence.
Sir William Beeston's letter of 19 October read (see No. 635), and Colonel Rose from Jamaica was heard, after which decision was taken. [Board of Trade. Journal, 7. pp. 271–276.]
March 5. 925. Memorandum. Colonel Nicholson asks for orders for transportation of himself and family to Maryland; also that Mr. Randolph may be appointed to the Council. Draft. ½ p. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 106; and 8. p. 175.]
March 5. 926. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Agreed to recommend that Colonel Nicholson and his household be given passage to Maryland on one of the King's frigates; also that the Governors be ordered to be sworn in Council to observe the Acts of Trade, as has been usual. Memo. The King gave orders accordingly. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. p. 176.]
[March.] 927. Memorandum of Colonel Nicholson. Proposing that an Act of oblivion be sent to Maryland for all offences done before Governor Copley's arrival. ¼ p. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 107.]
March 5. 928. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. To lay before the King the correspondence with the Agents as to the despatch of a regiment to Barbados, with their proposals that 300 of the 500 men required be drafted out of the old regiments and sail immediately, while the residue be raised and sent out by next opportunity. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 44. p. 61.]
March 5. 929. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. To advise the suspension of the Barbados Act for limiting freight, till further order. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 44. p. 69.]
March 5. 930. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Agreed to lay before the King Sir W. Beeston's letter of 19 October and Mr. Fulke Rose's memorial, and to recommend the despatch of three frigates to Jamaica, one of them immediately; also to recommend that impressment of seamen be forbidden in Jamaica without the Governor's leave, and that Colonel Edward Stanton be appointed to the Council. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. pp. 184–185.]
[March 5.] 931. Representation of Fulke Rose. Jamaica has lost most of her seamen owing (1) to the discouragement given them in Lord Inchiquin's time, when their share in prizes was withheld; (2) to the earthquake and the subsequent sickness; (3) to the pressing of seamen born in the country for the King's ships, while many men who could better be spared are cleared for a piece of money. Many men have fled to Providence or Curacoa, and some grown desperate have joined the French. We beg that no men may be pressed by the King's Captains without the Governor's leave; and that all men-of-war coming from England to Jamaica may bring with them supernumerary men.
The French force at St. Kitts, which was sent down to Petit Guavos, has greatly strengthened that settlement. They have a man-of-war of forty-four guns, and many privateers which have ruined the remoter settlements of Jamaica, taken away ships and goods and carried off negroes to the value of £30,000. Nothing can stop this but a fourth-rate and a fifth-rate frigate, good sailers. Of the fleet of fourteen ships that last sailed from Jamaica two are in England, one in Wales and three in Ireland. Of the rest the French have got two, one foundered at sea, two were wrecked on the British Isles, and of three we have no news. Such misfortunes have attended the fleet ever since the war began. To remedy them we recommend that the ships sail from England by the last day of December and return twelve weeks after their arrival at Jamaica, by which means they will have a summer voyage and fair weather. ½ pp. Endorsed, Read. 5 Mar. 1693–4. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 7. No. 30; and 53. pp. 180–182.]
March 5. 932 Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. For the merchants and planters of Barbados to be summoned to the meeting, on the business of the Acts for limiting freights, and for free-quartering of soldiers, and of the sending of a regiment to Barbados. Draft. ½ p. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 59.]
March 5. 933. John Povey to the Agents for Barbados. Summoning them to attend the meeting of the Committee of Plantations the same evening. Draft. ½ p. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 60.]
March 5.
Whitehall.
934. John Povey to the Attorney General. Forwarding copy of William Penn's patent for Pennsylvania. ½ p. [America and West Indies. 599. No. 10.]
March 6. 935. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for a patent for land to be granted to Jacques Guyon. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 510.]
March 6. 936. Minutes of General Assembly of New York. The opinion of the law-officers as to a disputed election sent down to the Representatives.
March 7. The Representatives brought up a bill concerning pilotage, which was redrafted and returned.
March 8. The Representatives asked to see the Collector's accounts. Order was given to the Collector to shew his books to such members as might be appointed to view them.
March 9. The Pilotage bill passed by the Representatives and returned. It was then passed. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 676–679.]
March 8.
Whitehall.
937. Order of the King in Council. That a fourth-rate frigate be forthwith sent to Jamaica; that impressment of seamen in Jamaica be forbidden without the Governor's leave; and that supernumerary seamen be sent out in the frigate aforesaid. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 183.]
March 8.
Whitehall.
938. Order of the King in Council. That the stores desired by the Agents for the Leeward Islands be provided and despatched by the Board of Ordnance. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 44. pp. 167, 168.]
March 8. Whitehall. 939. Instructions to Francis Nicholson as Governor of Maryland. Lord Baltimore is still to receive half of the two shillings per hogshead duty. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. pp. 150–171.]
March 8. 940. J. Bulfinch to Lords of Trade and Plantations. At a meeting of all the subscribers to Sir Matthew Dudley's Company it was resolved to accept the clause against stock-jobbing. It was desired that an addition may be made enabling those who can make it appear that their losses compel them to sell their stock, to do so on obtaining permission from the Governor or Deputy-Governor, and three Assistants. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 12 March, 1693–4. [Board of Trade. New England, 7. No. 21; and 35. p. 56.]
March 8. 941. Minutes of Council of New York. Orders for sundry payments. Samuel Bayard and Arent Schuyler refused the patent for the land which they desire, it having been already bought for the King's service. The Governor reported that in case of alarm during his absence he had directed 1,500 militia to encamp at New York, with three troops of horse, Colonels A. Depeyster, Thomas Willett and Caleb Heathcote to command the foot, and Colonel van Cortlandt the horse.
March 9. Committee appointed to consider the running of the boundary line between New Jersey and New York. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 510, 511.]
March 12. 942. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantation. The parties concerned in the importation of Naval stores were again heard.
Dr. Payne's petition for the office of Registrar in Maryland read and dismissed.
Extract from a letter of Governor Fletcher to William Blathwayt of 5 October read (see No. 604). [Board of Trade. Journal, 7. pp. 277, 278.]
March 12. 943. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. On consideration of Governor Fletcher's letter of 5 October, (No. 604,) agreed to recommend that the King order a pardon for the six persons condemned as accomplices of Leisler, to be passed free of charge under the Great Seal. Ordered accordingly on the 15th March. [Board of Trade. New York, 48. pp. 91, 92.]
March 12. 944. Petition of William Payne, D.D., to the King. For grant of the place of Commissary of Probates, etc. in Maryland, in consideration of the orphan children of his murdered brother, John Payne. Inscribed, Recd. 12 March. Nothing. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 108.]
March 12. 945. Report of the Lords of the Admiralty. We have examined the memorial of Mr. John Taylor as to the supply of Naval stores, for which he has already had a contract since 1691. He has already imported five loadings of timber, and in the last ships a parcel of rosin which proves good and useful. He has built one ship in America and is about building another. He has been of good service, and in our opinion deserves encouragement. Signed. Falkland, J. Lowther, H. Priestman, R. Rich. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. and read 16 March, 1693–4. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 74; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 334–335.]
March 12. 946. Report of the Lords of the Admiralty. We have considered the proposals of Sir Stephen Evans and Mr. Allen, and think that they should have fitting encouragement without exclusion of others from the like trade, and that the King should have the refusal of all goods. Signed. Falkland, J. Lowther, H. Priestman, R. Rich. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. and read 16 March, 1693–4. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 75; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 336.]
March 12. 947. Report of Lords of the Admiralty. We have read the proposals of Sir Matthew Dudley and others and think that they should receive all fitting encouragement. We see no objection to their being incorporated, but not to the exclusion of others from the like trade; and the King should have the refusal of all Naval stores. Signed. J. Lowther, H. Priestman, R. Rich. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 12 March. Read 16 March, 1693–4. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 76; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 337.]
March 12. 948. Copy of the foregoing. Endorsed, Read 22 July, 1696. [Board of Trade. New England, 7. No. 22.]
March 13. 949. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for payment of a quarter's salary to Chidley Brooke, and for refitting Albany Fort with stockades. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 511, 512.]
March 14.
Antigua.
950. Governor Codrington to Governor Kendall. I am sorry to lose so good a neighbour, but since it is your own desire I am sure England will be more to your satisfaction. Blenac sent me some prisoners a few days ago under flag of truce, from whom I learn that the French expect no more than four ships; but a few days past nine ships passed to windward of Barbuda and stood to south-ward, which made me doubt they might be from Petit Guavos. This made me send a flag of truce to Martinique to ascertain their strength, and I shall let you know if I hear anything worth your knowledge. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 5 July, 1694. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 61.]
March 14. 951. Lord Sydney to the King. Forwarding estimate of the stores required for the Leeward Islands. Total estimated cost, £517. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 44. pp. 168, 169.]
March 15. 952. Minutes of Council of New York. Orders for sundry payments. Resolved that John Reaux's services be accepted on board the man-of war, provided that Captain Evans take care that he shall not escape. Patent for land granted to John Ward. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 512–513.]
March 15. 953. Minutes of General Assembly of New York. Bill against unlawful laws received from the Representatives, and read twice. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 680.]
March 15.
Whitehall.
954. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the Governor of Barbados. Directing the insertion of a clause in the Act concerning John Kirton. Signed. Somers, C. Carmarthen, P. Pembroke, C.P.S., Shrewsbury, Bridgewater, H. Goodricke. Draft. 1¼ pp. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 62.]
March 15. 955. Lords of Trade and Plantations to Governor Goddard. Ordering him to release Isaac Richier, restore him his goods and allow him to return to England, on his giving security to answer all actions against him and to prosecute his appeal before the Privy Council against all the accusations against him; also that he be given full facility to collect evidence on his behalf. Signed. Carmarthen, P.; J. Somers, C.; Pembroke, C.P.S.; J. Bridgewater, Shrewsbury, H. Goodrick, W. Bridgeman. Copy. 1¼ pp. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 2. No. 20; and 28. pp. 101–103.]