America and West Indies: November 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: November 1694, 1-15', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 14, 1693-1696, (London, 1903) pp. 390-399. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol14/pp390-399 [accessed 23 April 2024]

November 1694

Nov. 1. 1,467. "A Letter from New England." Printed Pamphlet in the form of an open letter, giving first a brief summary of the history of New England, and then developing into a bitter attack upon Sir William Phips, "who (they say) learned to write since he was married and cannot yet read a letter." The Pamphlet recounts Phips's misconduct as a judge both in Admiralty and in Chancery, his maltreatment of Captain Short and Jahleel Brenton, his quarrel with the Assembly and his manner of overriding it, and finally describes his treaty with the Eastern Indians as a fraud and as a simple means of monopolising the beaver-trade to himself. The whole, 8 pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 7. No. 41 A.]
Nov. 1. 1,468. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for several payments. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 575–577.]
Nov. 1. 1,469. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Montserrat. The new Assembly was sworn and presented William Frye as their Speaker. Order for repair of the highways. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXVIII., p. 330.]
Nov. 1.
Falmouth.
1,470. William Wallis to the Navy Board. Being come into this port I must acquaint you that we have been a very sickly ship ever since we left Plymouth. Not a day has passed but some of our soldiers as well as seamen have been taken with a strange kind of illness, complaining much of their heads and backs. Several of them endeavoured to go overboard in the night, but were stopped by the watch, and are sometimes raving mad. Of 152 soldiers and our own 21 hands not 40 have escaped this distemper; sometimes 60 or 70, seldom less than 30 or 40, being down at the same time. We have buried five or six since we left Corunna. The doctor having no one to assist him has had business enough and has almost spent his chest of medicines. He now talks of going to London, designing for another voyage, so I beg that the Company of Surgeons may be ordered to supply us not only with a large chest of medicines but with another surgeon; also that the Navy Board may be written to make our two months' provisions into three months', as it will be a winter voyage. Also please give orders for our convoying ship to be refitted or for a new convoy to be supplied. Extract. Copy. 1¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 8 Nov. from Mr. Bridgeman. [Board of Trade. New York, 5. No. 82.]
Nov. 1. Abstract of the foregoing letter, with one or two more unimportant details. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 4 Nov. from Sir W. Warren. [Board of Trade. New York, 5. No. 83.]
[Nov. 1.] 1,471. Memorial of Colonel William Northcott to the Privy Council. My regiment being under orders I apply for the following particulars, which are absolutely necessary for the expedition, viz., that one year's off-reckonings amounting to £2,549, be paid to me to buy clothing and accoutrements for the voyage and to satisfy former clothiers, to whom I have been forced to engage my private credit; also that the Regiment be forthwith cleared, and sixpence a week stopped from each man's pay to answer my credit for purchase of shoes and stockings; also that I be given power to fill vacancies in my own regiment; also that the Commissary be directed to issue a due proportion of money to me for my regiment without awaiting further order from the Commander-in-Chief. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. pp. 307, 308.]
[Nov.] 1,472. Memorial of Colonel Lillingston to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Requesting that a hospital ship may be sent with the expedition; that a different method of payment of the forces may be chosen from that used in the last expedition, since Colonel Lillingston has offered 466 weighty pieces-of-eight to be paid in the West Indies for every hundred pounds paid in here, which is a difference of 66 pieces-of-eight besides a loss of a fourth part through the lightness of former money; that his Commission be made out according to his first proposal, and that the Treasury be asked to despatch the business now before them, to give him a little time to go into the country for his private affairs; and that the men may not be crowded on board the transports, the Commodore being of opinion that 350 men are too many for some of the ships. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. pp. 310–311.]
[Nov.] 1,473. Representation of Colonel Lillingston. Asking that while his regiment is abroad their money may be paid weekly or monthly to his Agent, to be by him paid over to such merchant as the Colonel shall select, that it may be remitted to Jamaica without the charge of exchange or loss by light money, which cost the regiment 35 to 40 per cent. in the late expedition. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 309.]
Nov. 1.
Whitehall.
1,474. John Povey to Henry Guy. Forwarding extracts from Colonel Lillingston's and Colonel Northcott's memorials as to pay etc. of their regiments, for the consideration of the Treasury. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 312.]
Nov. 1. 1,475. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. That the King be moved to send instructions to Governor Codrington to hinder the settlement of the Virgin Islands by foreigners. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 45. pp. 203, 234.]
Nov. 1. 1,476. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. That the services of Captain Elliot and two men who escaped from Petit Guavos and gave warning of the coming attack on Jamaica be represented to the King, and that his Majesty be moved to grant Captain Elliot £500, a medal and chain, and the two men £50 apiece. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 407.]
Nov. 1. 1,477. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Draft instructions for Mr. Murrey read. Sir William Beeston's letter of 7 August read (No. 1,194). Agreed to lay the depositions against Mr. Sutton and Mr. Blackmore before the King, as also the services of Captain Elliot. Colonel Northcott reported that his regiment would be ready to sail as soon as Colonel Lillingston's, which, as he heard, had also made no preparations for want of money.
The memorial of the Agents of the Leeward Islands considered, and decision taken as to the Virgin Islands.
Nov. 2. The question of convoys considered. [Board of Trade. Journal, 7. pp. 371–377.]
[Nov. 2.] 1,478. Memorial of Captain Prince, commanding the Independent Company for Jamaica, to Lords of Trade and Plantations. That all ranks of the company may be cleared before embarkation; that arrears of subsistence may be discharged, to pay for present quarters, and an advance given for subsistence of the men on their passage to Plymouth; and that directions may be given as to the manner of paying the subsistence on arrival at Jamaica. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 308.]
[Nov. 2.] 1,479. John Povey to Henry Guy. Forwarding copy of Captain Prince's memorial (see preceding abstract) for the opinion of the Treasury. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 309.]
Nov. 3. 1,480. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Order for payment of £38 10s. 0d., to John Foster and Peter Sergeant for expenses incurred in England, and of £150 towards the maintenance of the bridge over the Charles River at Cambridge, and of £600 to the Committee appointed to ship Naval stores to England. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 485–486.]
Nov. 3. 1,481. Minutes of Council of New York. Resolved that the King's birthday falling on a Sunday, the celebration thereof shall take place after evening service. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 577.]
Nov. 5.
Jamaica.
1,482. Lieutenant-Governor Sir William Beeston to Sir John Trenchard. On the 23rd October arrived their Lordships' letter of 23 August, announcing the succours that were preparing for us. I communicated it to the Council and caused it to be made known in several parts of the Island, where it has given the inhabitants much joy and encouragement. I hope that our defeat of the enemy and the arrival of that news by our merchant-fleet will not stop the King's preparations on our behalf, for the French are very revengeful, and have a maxim to repay anything that is an affront to their Master's greatness or glory, as they call it. We may therefore expect them again as soon as they have sufficient recruits; and in these matters they are very expeditious. If they be not rooted out of these parts they will always be a rod shaking over this Island. New comers continue to fall sick; several of the seamen on H.M. ships Hampshire and Experiment are dead. Four captains have been buried (one of them, Captain Harman, was killed off the coast of Hispaniola) so that I am much put to it for officers for the ships. I have ordered provisions and houses to be set apart in a healthy part of the Island against the arrival of troops. Our ships sent to Hispaniola could only batter the town of Leogane and capture one merchant-ship, returning on the death of the Commodore, Harman. Signed. Wm. Beeston. Holograph. 1½ pp. Endorsed, R. 11 Feb. '94.
Duplicate of the foregoing. Endorsed, R. 11 Feb. 1694. [America and West Indies. 540. Nos. 44, 45.]
Nov. 6. 1,483. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Order for abatements in the late tax to such towns as were judged to be over-assessed. Order for dissolving the marriage of Edward Hutchins and Susanna Turner, he being already married to another. Order for payment of £500 to the Governor, and of £520 for hire of a ship. Advised that orders be given for despatch of 60 men for the protection of New Hampshire as requested by that Government. [Col. Entry Book, Vol. LXIV., pp. 487, 488.]
Nov. 6. 1,484. Lieutenant-Governor Sir William Beeston to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I write because I am advised that endeavours have been made to blame me before you for putting out Captain Dawes from the Falcon and putting in Captain Bryan, as being contrary to instructions and orders, and that the consequence was the loss of the ship, which was yielded up cowardly. I have sent home the depositions against Captain Dawes, which sufficiently prove his management; and I now enclose minutes of the Council as further proof. His lieutenant was too young and unfitted to command, and the warrant officers were none of them very capable. I had observed on the voyage that Mr. Bryan was a sober man and a good seaman, and for that reason I preferred him. He behaved very well, and when he was attacked it was by three ships of 44, 50 and 54 guns, all fully manned. He fought until many of his men were killed and wounded and the rest forced into the hold, so that when he yielded the ship there were but two men left on deck besides himself. When he arrived at Petit Guavos the Governor would not see him until the Admiral had reported how he had behaved in defence of his ship; and the Admiral reporting that he had behaved with great courage and fought till all his men left him, the Governor gave him a silver-hilted sword and belt, treated him with great respect and lodged him in one of the best houses in the town. As to my violation of instructions, I have received none from the Admiralty, so hope I shall not be blamed. I expect Captain Jones will complain because I did not give him the Hampshire when her captain died. I would gladly have advanced him then, but his commission was but for master and he only came here in command of a packet; but now I find that he is given to drink, which I think not a practice becoming the commander of a King's ship. Having no instructions I have acted according to the best of my judgment. Signed. Wm. Beeston. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 54. pp. 31–33.]
Nov. 6. 1,485. John Povey to the Victualling Board of the Navy. Desiring them to send orders to Falmouth for the victualling of the troops for New York while there, and for completing the victuals for the voyage to the original complement. [Board of Trade. New York, 48. p. 184.]
Nov. 6.
Whitehall.
1,486. John Povey to the Master of the Chirurgeons' Company. The surgeon appointed to take care of the two companies of foot for New York, who is now on board ship with them at Falmouth, has declared his intention of leaving the ship. In this case it will be necessary to provide another surgeon, unless you can stop him by this night's post from coming up, which will be much for Their Majesties' service, in saving delay to the ship. Draft. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 5. No. 84.]
Nov. 6.
Victualling
Office.
1,487. The Victualling Board of the Navy to John Povey. We are very sorry to hear of the hardships suffered by the New York companies; but we do not know how to relieve them at Falmouth, for it is no victualling port, nor have we an agent there. We will write to our agent at Plymouth to do what he can, but as the ship has to be revictualled it had better return to Plymouth. Signed. Tho. Papillon, Simon Mayne, John Agar. 1 p. [Board of Trade. New York, 5. No. 85.]
Nov. 8.
Admiralty.
1,488. William Bridgeman to John Povey. Forwarding extract of a letter as to the soldiers from New York who have been driven back to Falmouth (see No. 1,470). Signed. Wm. Bridgeman. ½ p. Endorsed, Read 20 Nov. '94. [Board of Trade. New York, 5. No. 86.]
Nov. 8. 1,489. John Povey to the Victualling Board. Your letter of 6th (No. 1487) shall be laid before the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Meanwhile the ship with the soldiers is arrived at Plymouth, so pray give your Agent the necessary instructions. Draft. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 5. No. 87.]
Nov. 8.
Whitehall.
1,490. Order of the Privy Council. Referring the petition of Thomas Sutton and Francis Blackmore, complaining that they were suspended from the Council of Jamaica without being heard in defence, to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 407.]
Nov. 8. 1,491. Minutes of Council of New York. On intelligence of an Act to erect a free port at Amboy, it was resolved to write to Governor Hamilton for a copy thereof. Order for granting a privateer's commission to Captain Thomas Trew. Address to the Committee of Trade and Plantations approved, praying for payment of the salary of Lieutenant-Governor to Major Ingoldsby for the time when he acted as such. Accounts of the revenue for the two past quarters presented and signed. Proceedings against justices for neglect in collecting taxes. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 577–579.]
Nov. 9. 1,492. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Montserrat. Committee appointed for audit of the accounts. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., p. 331.]
Nov. 9.
Barbados.
1,493. Governor Russell to Lords of Trade and Plantations. In mine of the 29th ult. I told you of the Tiger returning here a wreck. The merchants were a little shy of furnishing her with stores upon the captain's bills on the Navy Board, so I proposed to the Assembly to pass an Act to lend the King so much money for the service of this ship, or else to indemnify the merchants. At first they boggled at either, but the merchants have now undertaken to supply what is wanted. A ship has arrived from Guinea and reports meeting with a French ship about the latitude of the Canaries, which engaged them. She lost 22 men killed outright, but at last the Frenchman towed his ship off with his boats, and from the cries heard aboard her it is supposed that she lost many men and was much damaged. The ship shipped 700 slaves at Guinea and lost more than half of them on the voyage. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 20 Feb. 1694–5 from Mr. Bridges; Read 22 May, 1695. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 69; and 44. pp. 121, 122.]
Nov. 9. 1,494. Secretary of the Treasury to John Povey. The Queen by Order in Council of 9 August has directed Colonel Nicholson to hire a suitable ship with a suitable commander to cruise for prevention of illicit trading on the coasts of Virginia and Maryland. I send draft instructions which have been prepared for the commanders of such vessels, and am to ask that suitable letters on the subject may be written to the Governors of the Colonies. Signed. Hen. Guy. 1½ pp. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 5. No. 60.]
Nov. 10. 1,495. Certificate of the King's Physicians that John Cliffe is qualified to be apothecary's mate for the Jamaica expedition. Signed. Jo. Hutton, Tho. Millington, Ch. Harel. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 314.]
Nov. 10. 1,496. The Council of New Hampshire to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have passed an Order in Council for protection of John Taylor or his Agents, as directed, and his workmen have been freed from impressment and watch and ward. Signed. William Redford. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 14 Jan. 1694–5. [Board of Trade. New Hampshire, 1. No. 41; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXVII., p. 256.]
Nov. 10. 1,497. A list of presents suitable to be given to the Indians. Clothes, kettles, 50 guns and ammunition. Signed. S. van Cortlandt. [Board of Trade. New York, 48. pp. 201–202.]
Nov. 10.
Barbados.
1,498. List of Acts passed since the arrival of Governor Russell at Bardados. Additional Act to the Act for impost on liquors. Act for a tax on negroes and on towns. Act to appoint a committee for Public Accounts. ½ p. Endorsed, 10 Nov. 1694. Recd. 11 Jan. 1694–5, from Colonel Russell. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 5. No. 70.]
Nov. 12. 1,499. John Povey to the Apothecary General. An additional transport ship having been taken up, another chest of medicines will be required. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 306.]
Nov. 12. 1,500. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Order for payment of the £100 voted to Isaac Addington. Order for a day of thanksgiving on 29 November, and of fasting on 12 December. Letter from the Government of New Hampshire, saying that they will endeavour to pay the men sent for their defence at least a third of their pay in advance, besides subsistence and ammunition. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 488, 489.]
Nov. 13. 1,501. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Thomas Brewster sworn Secretary in place of John Whetstone, deceased. The Bill to prohibit the breaking up of rocks on the shore of the Island was passed. The Governor announcing that he had impressed a brigantine to pursue a French privateer and had pledged his own credit to make good any damage to her, the Assembly thanked him, and undertook that the country should bear the charge. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 489–492; and Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. pp. 25a, 26a.]
Nov. 13. 1502. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Bill for quartering soldiers resumed. Resolved that the officers shall have no additional allowance beyond that granted to the men. Bill to prohibit breaking up of rocks on the shore passed. Sir Robert Davers and Mr. Littleton appointed Agents for the Colony in England, at salaries of £250; but Sir Robert offering to work without salary, his £250 was appropriated to other expenses of solicitation. Committee appointed to search and report as to springs of water. Bill for quartering of soldiers passed. The House undertook responsibility for a brigantine sent against the French by the Governor. (See preceding abstract.) [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 394–396.]
Nov. 13. 1,503. Acts of Barbados passed in 1694.
Act to continue the Act for impost on liquors.
Act for supplying H.M. ships Tiger and Mermaid.
Act to present the Governor with £500.
The abore are dated 2 January.
Act for raising a levy. 20 March.
Act to present the Governor with £2,000.
Additional Act for impost on liquors. 11 October.
Act appointing a Committee for public accounts. 1 November.
Act for a present supply. 1 November.
Act for quartering soldiers. 13 November.
Act for further impost on liquors. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 409–427.]
Nov. 14. 1,504. Commissioners for Transportation to William Blathwayt. We have with much difficulty found a ship of 160 tons suitable for a hospital ship and fit to carry about 90 men. If she is not large enough we must look for another, but a ship of three or four hundred tons will not go for less than £1,200 or £1,300. We presume that a surgeon must be specially appointed to this ship. Please send directions. Signed. Saml. Atkinson, Robt. Henley, John Ellis. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 318.]
Nov. 15.
Boston.
1,505. Lieutenant-Governor Stoughton to Sir John Trenchard. Forwarding the affidavits concerning the complaints and charges against Sir William Phips. Signed. Wm. Stoughton. 1¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 25 Jan. 1694–5. Annexed,
1,505. I. Sworn evidence to support the charges against Sir William Phips. 97 pp. Pages 1 to 57 deal with the charges of Jahleel Brenton; pages 58 to 97 with the complaints of Captain Short. The whole covered by a certificate of authenticity of 13 November, 1694. Signed. Wm. Stoughton. Endorsed, Recd. 25 Jan. 1694–5.
1,505. II. Further evidence in support of the above charges, covered by a certificate of authenticity of date 16 November, 1694. 12 pp. Endorsed as the preceding. [Board of Trade. New England, 7. Nos. 42, 42 I., II.]
[Nov.] 1,506. Abstract of the informations and depositions relating to the complaints against Sir William Phips. This summary gives the pith of Enclosures I. and II. of preceding abstract, page by page. 27 pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 7. No. 43.]
[Nov.] 1,507. Articles offered against Sir William Phips by Jahleel Brenton, Collector of Customs. (1.) That he forcibly took from the Collector a ship seized for the King, and released her, afterwards buying part of her cargo for his own use. (2, 3.) That he kept the cockets for imported goods from the Collector. (4.) That he released vessels seized for breach of the Acts of Trade and Navigation. (5.) That he encouraged masters of ships to rescue forfeited goods, and refused redress to the Collector. (6.) That he did his best to conceal from the Collector everything concerned with the importation of goods. (7.) That he sat as Judge of Admiralty to condemn a vessel taken from the French, which vessel afterwards enjoyed the privilege of a free bottom. Note. "He presumed to condemn her to raise her value, he being one of the greatest owners of her." (8.) That by his encouragement great quantities of goods have been laden in New England by French vessels. (9.) He terrified the King's officers from seizing vessels illegally trading. (10.) He permitted the loading of enumerated articles, collected the customs, converting them to his own use, and gave a certificate in order to protect them from the Collector. (11.) He assisted in making laws nullifying the Acts relating to the Plantation Trade. (12.) He converted to his own use a prize taken by Captain Short. (13.) He impressed, for himself and partners, several persons to fight the French and persecuted them when they endeavoured to escape his private service. He also impressed guns and stores for the same purpose, nominally for the King's service; but when they took a prize worth £10,000 no share was reserved for the King, while the impressed men were also defrauded of their shares.
All the aforesaid articles were proved on oath before the Lieutenant-Governor and Council, though Sir William Phips did all that he could to hinder the proof thereof, threatening the witnesses that they ought to have their ears cut off, and even barring some of them from swearing. The Council also publicly declared themselves parties in the cause, as the Collector had complained against them all; they also refused to let many of the Collector's witnesses be sworn, and did their best to trap and baffle such as were sworn. The Collector will undertake to prove other high matters against Sir William Phips, if unbiassed men be appointed Commissioners. Attached,
1,507. I. Printed copy of the manifesto of the revolutionary party at New York. May, 1689.
1,507. II. Copy of an enactment of the General Court of Massachusetts for duties on imported goods. 22 December, 1691. 2 printed pages. [Board of Trade. New England, 7. Nos. 44, 44 I., II.]
Nov. 15. 1,508. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Affidavits of Benjamin Jackson, contraverting the charges against Sir William Phips, sworn. Note. On the 17th the Lieutenant-Governor and such of the Council as were in the town accompanied Sir William to the waterside, where he embarked. He sailed the same evening. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 489–490.]
Nov. 15. 1,509. Minutes of Council of New York. Orders for certain payments. A complaint of the salt-merchants against a Bermuda sloop for selling salt to the inhabitants in the roadstead, was dismissed. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 580–581.]
Nov. 15. 1,510. Lords of the Treasury to Sir E. Andros. Ordering him to hire one or more small vessels with skilful commanders to examine all ships trading on the coast of Virginia and inspect the Collectors' books, in order to check illegal trading. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 36. pp. 290, 291.]
Nov. 15. 1,511. Minutes of Council of Maryland. The Governor announced that on perusal of Nehemiah Blakiston's accounts, he found that money was still due from his estate to the King, though the administratrix had given bills for a certain sum. Order for proceedings to be taken as to Governor Copley's accounts, and John Coode's accounts. Thomas Tench handed in a paper as Governor Copley's executor, saying that he had no warning, when he disposed of his estate, that Governor Copley was in debt to the King. Deposition of George Plater in confirmation of the statement. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 12. pp. 134–137.]
Nov. 15.
Maryland.
1,512. Governor Nicholson to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I thank you for recommending me for this Government. Sir Thomas Laurence will present this, together with the Journals of both Houses and the Acts, and will inform you of everything. Signed. Fr. Nicholson. 1½ pp. Duplicate. Endorsed, Recd. 26 Aug.; Read. 30 Oct. 1695. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 112; and 8. p. 194.]
Nov. 15. 1,513. The Lords of the Treasury to Governor Nicholson. Ordering him to hire suitable vessels commanded by competent men to put down illegal trading on the cost of Maryland. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. pp. 180–182.]