America and West Indies: March 1699, 13-20

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 17, 1699 and Addenda 1621-1698. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1908.

'America and West Indies: March 1699, 13-20', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 17, 1699 and Addenda 1621-1698, (London, 1908) pp. 101-110. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol17/pp101-110 [accessed 24 April 2024]

March 1699



March 13. Fort William Henry.	170. Minutes of Council of New York. Petition of Joseph Langdon (Jan. 5), on report of the Justices that the woman interceded for is an object of mercy, granted. Accounts reported and warrants ordered for payment:— £210 7s. 3½ d. for coals, fire wood and candles for the Fort William Henry, Sept. 2–Jan 3; £320 19s. 0½ d. for timber, carpenter's work, etc. for the buildings in the Fort of New York; £29 16s. to Col. Stephen Cortlandt for gifts to the Indians and other incidents of the Government; £100 to Captain John Nanfan, Lieut.-Governor of New York, on account of his salary, and other items.
March 14.	Attorney-General ordered to appear and inform the Council what is proper to be done about prosecuting Mr. Adam Baldridge, whom the Council of Trade and Plantations have ordered the Governor to prosecute as a harbourer of pirates at St. Mary's Island near Madagascar. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 194–196.]
March 13.	171. Proprietors of West New Jersey to Council of Trade and Plantations. We have again elected Col. Andrew Hamilton Governor of West Jersey, and request that in the report you make upon the petition of the Proprietors of East Jersey that he may again be Governor of that Colony you will certify His Majesty of our humble desire of his approbation. Signed, Tho. Lane, Paul Dominique, E. Richier, John Moore, Michael Watts, John Bridges, Robt. Michel, Wm. Hamond. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 13, 1698/9. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 2. No. 58; and 25. pp. 377–378.]
March 13.	172. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Letter from Mr. E. Jennings, Virginia, Aug. 6, and Sep. 6, and from Sir Edmund Andros read. They related to copies of laws and public proceedings not received with them.
	Journal of Council of Barbados, July 28—Nov. 1, and Acts of the General Assembly, Aug. 9—Sept. 27, laid before the Board and the Acts referred to Mr. Attorney or Solicitor General for opinion.
	Order of Council, March 9, upon petition of Proprietors of East New Jersey concerning Perth Amboy read.
	Memorial from Proprietors of West New Jersey, desiring His Majesty's approbation of Col. Andrew Hamilton, the Governor chosen by them, read.
	Letter from Lord Bellomont, New York, Dec. 14, read with several papers enclosed and a letter from Mr. Weaver.
	Enquiry ordered of the Attorney and Solicitor General for their answer to what has already been writ them concerning the New England address about appeals, and of Mr. Brenton for the occasion why that business has not sooner been dispatched. [Board of Trade. Journal, 11. pp. 411–414; and 96. No. 44.]
March 14.	173. Minutes of Council of Montserrat. Act for billeting Col. Collingwood's regiment read and assented to. The proposal of the Assembly that James Cruickshank be allowed 20,000 pounds of sugar per annum, provided he preach every Sunday, catechise and read prayers in the afternoon, agreed to "until this island is provided with another minister, and no longer." Lieut. Smith allowed eighteenpence per diem or twelve pounds of sugar for three months. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. p. 542.]
March 14.	174. Council of Trade and Plantations to Sir Thomas Trever, knt., His Majesty's Attorney General and Sir John Hawles, knt., His Majesty's Solicitor General, enclosing some Acts of the General Assembly of Barbados, passed there Aug. 9—Sept. 27, and desiring their opinions thereon. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 44. pp. 243–244.]
March 14.	175. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Members of the new Assembly were returned and sworn. They chose a Speaker, who made a very dutiful speech, which His Excellency returned. [Board of Trade. Barbados. 65. pp. 389–390.]
March 15.	176. Petition of John Miller to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Chaplain to the forces in New York, 1692–1695, petitioner, returning to England with Col. Fletcher's leave on his father's death to take care of his affairs, was taken by the French and kept prisoner four months, and was not settled in any employment till October, '96. He prays that he may be allowed full pay till the day he arrived in England, and half pay from then till he was settled in employment; the amount to be paid by Col. Fletcher out of the sums he has at his disposal for that purpose. Signed, John Miller. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 15, 1698–9. 1 p. [Board of Trade New York, 8A. No. 16; and 53. p. 291.]
March 15.	177. Copy of a Proviso to be inserted in Mr. Welbye's patent for the office of Secretary of Barbados obliging him to residence there sent to the Board of Trade and Plantations by Mr. Ellis for their opinion;—"Provided that the said William Welbye do transport himself to our said island or islands within the space of six months from the date of these our letters, and do reside there and do not return from thence into this our kingdom without our licence first had and obtained." The Board replies by—
	(1) Extracts from the Letters Patent to Sir Thomas Lawrence, Secretary of Maryland, dated 1690 and 1698, in the same sense.
	(2) Extract of a representation of the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations and
	(3) Extract of an Order of Council, 16 Feb. 1698/9, based upon the foregoing representation (q.v.). Endorsed, Recd. Read March 15, 1698/9. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 7. No. 80.]
March 15.	178. Hudson's Bay Company to the Lords Commissioners. With reference to the French claims to Hudson's Bay and in answer to our memorial and ample deduction of March 4, we have received a frivolous paper whereby the French are said to insist upon one single point, viz.: To be maintained in a place they call Port Bourbon in the river of Ste. Therèze, places and names unknown to us and we believe to the best geographers in the world, by which it appears they mean Port Nelson. If this is all the French have to offer we will presently expose the weakness and falsity of their case. Meantime we must point out that the copy of their claim came to us abridged and unsigned. We request that the French be obliged to exhibit their whole claim and make what answer they can to us; that papers on either side be equally authenticated and signed; that all papers on either side be laid before your Lordships and ourselves verbatim and unabridged. [America and West Indies. Hudson's Bay. No. 539. pp. 9–11.]
March 15.	179. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. John Miller's petition read, and copy sent to Col. Fletcher for his speedy answer.
	Mr. Ellis sent the draft of a proviso to be inserted in Mr. Welby's patent for the office of Secretary for Barbados relating to his residence there, with intimation that Mr. Secretary desired the opinion of the Board thereon. Extracts of Mr. Laurence's and Sir Thomas Laurence's patents, and of the Representation of Feb. 9 and Order of Council relating to the residence of patentees sent him.
	Mr. Ellis sent a copy of the instructions (Jan. 26) given to Captain Fowlis, Commander of the Deal Castle, for cruising between the Ness and Beachy to prevent the exportation of wool, with enquiry from Mr. Secretary whether one of these instructions be not too strict with relation to foreigners in alliance with us. He was informed that their Lordships find it a very nice and difficult point, and do not see how we can safely search and stop any foreign ship out of port for having wool or any other commodity aboard.
	Letter from Col. Fletcher promising a speedy answer to Mr. Miller, read.
	Mr. Lucas was informed of their Lordships' views and desired time to consider them.
	Lord Bridgewater was desired to communicate to the Lord Chancellor a copy of Lord Bellomont's letter of Dec. 15, relating to judges and lawyers in New York. [Board of Trade. Journal, 11. pp. 414–417; and 96. Nos. 45 and 45A; and Trade Papers, 14. pp. 234–237.]
March 16. Kensington.	180. Order of King in Council. The representation of the Council of Trade and Plantations re Col. Fletcher referred to Mr. Attorney General and Mr. Solicitor General. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read April 13, 1699. [Board of Trade. New York, 8A. No. 17; and 53. p. 292.]
March 16. Kensington.	181. Order of King in Council. According to the above representation, Col. Fletcher is charged to have sent home full muster-rolls of his own company, signed in Jan., 1696, when the men were not really half the number. An extract of this part of the representation to be sent to the Right Hon. the Lord Walden, Commissary-General of the Musters, or his Chief Deputy, Mr. Crawford, to re-examine the said Muster Roll. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. April 26, Read April 27, 1699. [Board of Trade. New York, 8A. No. 18; and 53. p. 293.]
March 16. Kensington.	182. Minutes of Council of New York. Request of Commissioners of Customs for a boat considered. Furniture necessary for officers' lodgings in the garrison to be estimated. Two beds for the soldiers of the Lieut.-General's Company ordered. All lotteries that have not a licence prohibited. Richard Floyd, jun., having without authority cut up a drift whale that had come ashore at Col. William Smith's manor of Saint George's in the county of Suffolk, Island Nassau, ordered to appear before the Board. Richard Whodle, J.P., and Thomas Holmes, J.P., ordered to seize all blubber, bone, and oil belonging to the whale and deliver it to Henry Smith, son of Col. William Smith. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 196–198.]
March 16. Carolina.	183. Edward Randolph to Council of Trade and Plantations. After a dangerous voyage I landed at Charlestown, South Carolina, and administered the oath to Mr. Joseph Blake, one of the Proprietors and Governor of this Province. But he is not allowed by H.M. Order in Council to be Governor; the Act of Parliament for preventing frauds being not taken notice of by the Proprietors. There are but few settled inhabitants in this Province, the Lords have taken up vast tracts of land for their own use, as in Colleton County and other places where it is most commodious for settlement, which prevents peopling the place and makes them less capable to preserve themselves. As to their civil government 'tis different from what I have met with in the other Proprieties. Their militia is not above 1,500 soldiers, white men, but have through the Province generally four negroes to one white man and not above 1,100 families, English and French. Their chief town is Charlestown and the seat of Government, where the Governor, Council and Triennial Parliament sit and their Courts are holden, being above a league distant from the entrance of their harbour mouth, which is barred, and not above 17 foot water at the highest tides and very difficult to come in. The harbour is called by the Spaniards St. George's. It lies 75 leagues North of St. Augustine belonging to the Spaniards. It is generally laid down in our English maps to be 2 deg. 45 mins. within the Southern bounds of this province. In 1686, 100 Spaniards with negroes and Indians landed at Edistoe, 50 miles S. of Charlestown and broke open the house of Mr. Joseph Mourton, Governor of the Province, and carried away Mr. Bowell, his brother-in-law, prisoner, who was found murthered two or three days after; they carried away all his money and plate and 13 slaves to the value of £1,500 and their plunder to St. Augustine. Two of the slaves made their escape from thence and returned to their master. Some time after Governor Mourton sent to demand his slaves, but the Governor of St. Augustine answered it was done without his orders, but to this day keeps them and says he cannot deliver them up without an order from the King of Spain. About the same time they robbed Mr. Grimball's house, the Secretary of the Province, whilst he attended the Council at Charles Town, and carried away to the value of about £1,500. They also fell upon a settlement of Scotchmen at Port Royal, where there was not above twenty-five men in health to oppose them. The Spaniards burnt down their houses, destroyed and carried away all that they had, because, as the Spaniards pretended, they were settled upon their land. And had they at any time a sufficient force they would also destroy this town, built upon Ashley and Cooper Rivers. This whole bay was called formerly St. George's, which they likewise lay claim to. The inhabitants complained of the wrong done them by the Spaniards to the Lords Proprietors, and prayed them to represent it to His Majesty, but not hearing from them fitted out two vessels with 400 stout men well armed, and resolved to take St. Augustine. But James Colleton came in that time from Barbados with a commission to the Governor, and threatened to hang them if they proceeded. Whereupon they went on shore very unwillingly. The Spaniards, hearing the English were coming, left their town and castle, and fled into the woods. The truth is there was a design on foot to carry on a trade with them. I found the inhabitants greatly alarmed upon the news that the French continue their resolutions to make a settlement at Messasipi River, from [whence] they may come overland to the head of Ashley River without opposition. 'Tis not yet known what care the Lords Deputies intend to take for their preservation. Some ingenious gentlemen of this Province, not of the Council, have lately told me the Deputies have talked of making an address to the Lords Proprietors for relief. But 'tis apparent that, all the time of this French War, they never sent them one barrel of powder or a pound of lead to help them. They conclude they have no reason to depend upon them for assistance, and are resolved to forsake this country betimes if they find the French are settled at Meschasipi, or if, upon the death of the King of Spain, these countries fall into the hands of the French, as inevitably they will if not timely prevented, and return with their families to England or some other place where they may find safety and protection. It was one of the first questions asked me by several of the chief men at my arrival, whether His Majesty had not sent over some soldiers to preserve them from the French, saying they might all live in this plentiful country, if allowed half pay for two or three years at furthest, and afterwards they will maintain themselves and families in making pitch and tar and planting Indian corn. His Majesty will thereby have so many men seasoned to the country ready for service upon all occasions. Five such men will do more service, by sea or land, than twenty new raised men from home. They may be brought hither in the Virginia outward bound ships, 100 or 150 men in a year, till they are made up 1,000. I heard one of the Council, a great Indian trader and has been 600 miles up in the country west from Charles Town, discourse that the only way to discover the Meschasipi is from this Province by land. He is willing to undertake it if His Majesty will please to pay the charge, which will not be above £400 or £500 at most. He intends to take with him 50 white men of this Province, and 100 Indians who live two days' journey east from the Meschasipi, and questions not but, in five or six months' time after he has His Majesty's commands and instructions, to find out the mouth of it and the true latitude thereof. The great improvement made in this Province is wholly owing to the industry and labour of the inhabitants. They have applied themselves to make such commodities as might increase the revenue of the Crown, as cotton-wool, ginger, indigo, &c., but finding them not to answer the end, they are to set upon making pitch, tar and turpentine and planting rice, and can send over great quantities yearly, if they had encouragement from England to make it, having about 50,000 slaves to be employed in that service, but they have lost most of their vessels, which were but small, last war by the French and some lately by the Spaniards, so that they are not able to send those commodities to England for a market, neither are sailors here to be had to man their vessels. If the duties upon these commodities and upon rice were suspended for a time it would encourage the Planters to fall vigorously upon making pitch and tar, etc., which the Lords Proprietors ought to make their principal care to obtain from His Majesty, being the only way to draw people to settle in their Province, a place of greatest concern to the English navigation in these parts. Charles Town Bay is the safest port for all vessels coming through the Gulf of Florida, in distress, bound from the West Indies to the Northern Plantations; if they miss this place they may perish at sea for want of relief, and having beat upon the coast of N. England, New York or Virginia by a North West wind in the winter, be found to go to Barbados, if they miss this Bay, where no wind will damage them and all things to be had necessary to refit them. I formerly presented you with proposals for supplying England with pitch, tar, masts and all other naval stores from New England. I observed when I were at New York in Sept. last abundance of tar brought down Hudson's River to be sold at New York, as also turpentine and tar in great quantities from the Colony of Connecticut. I was told if they had encouragement they could load several ships yearly for England, but since my arrival here I find I am come unto the only place for such commodities upon the Continent of America. Some persons have offered to deliver in Charles Town Bay upon their own account 1,000 barrels of pitch and as much tar, others greater quantities, provided they were paid for it in Charles Town in Lyon dollars, passing here at five shillings per piece, tar at eight shillings per barrel, and very good pitch at 12 shillings, and much cheaper if it once became a trade. The season for making these commodities here being six months longer than in Virginia and more Northern Plantations, a planter can make more tar here with fifty slaves than they can do with double the number in those places, their slaves living here at very easy rates and with few clothes. The enclosed I received from Mr. Girard, a French Protestant, living in Carolina. I find them very industrious and good husbands, but are discouraged because some of them having been many years in this Province are denied the benefit of being owners and masters of vessels, which other the subjects of His Majesty's Plantations enjoy, besides many of them are made denizens. If this place were duly encouraged, it would be the most useful to the Crown of all the Plantations upon the Continent of America. I enclose a draft of the town and castle of St. Augustine, with a short description of it by a gentleman who has been often there. It's done exactly true, more for service than for show. The Spaniards now or the French, if ever they get it, will prove dangerous neighbours to this Province, a thing not considered nor provided against by the Lords Proprietors. I am going from hence to Bermudas with H.M. Commission to administer the oath to the Governor of that island, with a commission for the Judge and other officers of the Court of Admiralty erected there, from whence I believe it necessary to hasten to the Bahama Islands, where a brigantine belonging to New England was carried in as a wreck, the Master and sailors, being pursued by some persons who had commissions from Governor Webb, believing they were chased by Spaniards, forsook their vessels and went on shore amongst the natives to save their lives. The want of a small vessel to supply the loss of the frigott which was appointed by the Admiralty to transport me from one Plantation to another makes me stay a great while at one place for a passage to another, which is uncertain, difficult and dangerous. P.S.—I have by the extremity of cold last winter in Maryland and Pennsylvania and by my tedious passage in the winter time from New York to this place got a great numbness in my right leg and foot. I am in hopes this warm climate will restore me. I pray you to direct that the little residence I am to make in these parts may be in this Province and that a vessel well manned be sent me hither, my intentions being not to lie idle: for when the hurricane times come here I can go securely to Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania and New England, without fear of being droven from those Plantations by N.W. winds, and when they come I can pass from one Plantation to another without difficulty. Signed, Ed. Randolph. Endorsed, Recd. June 9, Read June 28, 1699. 4 large pp. with abstract prefixed and annexed. Enclosed,
	183. I. Peter Girard to Edward Randolph.
	Number of French Protestant refugees—
	At Charlestown	195
	At Goes Creek	31
	At East Branch of Cooper River	101
	At " Santee River	111
	Total in Carolina	438
	I may undertake myself to procure every year at the end of the bridge of Charlestown, 1,500 barrels of good tarr at 8s. per barrel, 50,000 weight of pine gum at 10s. per cwt. and a parcel of Cyprus mast for the second and third rate of English men-of-war. Signed, Peter Girard. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 3. Nos. 22, 22 I.; and, without enclosure, 25. pp. 448–459.]
March 16.	184. Council of Trade and Plantations to John Lucas. We believe it will be most conducing to a good understanding between Mr. Lucas and Col. Codrington, that Mr. Lucas do acknowledge his having unadvisedly used divers passionate and reflecting expressions upon the honour of General Codrington deceased, and that he is sorry for the same, desiring to live with Col. Codrington in good correspondency and with due respect. Upon which this Board will intercede with His Majesty to remit the £200 upon mutual release to be given on both sides. No signature. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. No. 9.]
March 16. Kensington.	185. I. Order of King in Council granting the petition of Sir William Phippard, in case the Council of Trade have no objection. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read, March 17, 1698/9. Enclosed,
	185. I. Petition of Sir William Phippard, owner of the William and Elizabeth of Pool, master, Richard Trigain. Laden with tobacco from Yorke River to London, she was on the 2nd Oct. taken by a French pirate near the banks of Newfoundland, the master and several sailors taken. out of her, and the ship forced to sail to Antigua, where the Government would oblige the ship to unload, though the owner and master have entered into bond with the King in the sum of two thousand pounds that the cargo shall be landed in some port in England. The owner prays that orders may be sent to the Government of Antigua granting the immediate discharge of the ship without unloading, or otherwise that he may be relieved of the penalty. Copy. Signed, John Povey. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. Nos. 8, 8I.; and 45. pp. 328, 329.]
March 16.	186. Minutes of Council of Massachusets. £10 each allowed to Major James Converse and Capt. John Alden for fetching prisoners from the Indians. John Pickering of Salem, assignee of Humphrey Coombs, paid £3 owed to him as extra pilot on board H.M.S. Newport, 1695. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. p. 196.]
March 17.	187. John Lucas to the Council of Trade and Plantations: I have read your opinion and assure your Lordships I never did use any passionate and reflecting expressions on the late General Codrington otherwise than in the letter of grievance and other papers laid before you. I cannot with safety to my reputation in the Island of Antego in the least recede from what I have alleged against the late General, so fully known by the whole island. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 17, 1698/9. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. No. 10; and 45. p. 331.]
March 17. Whitehall.	188. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Vernon. We are of opinion the petition of Sir William Phippard may be granted on these terms, that his ship be permitted to sail from Antegoa without unlading or any other pretence of hindrance in order to come to the River of Thames to be there discharged at the Custom House, and that he will thereupon be accountable for any claim that may be made on His Majesty's behalf. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Ph. Meadows, Jno. Pollexfen, Abr. Hill. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 45. p. 330.]
March 17. Foxhall.	189. John Miller to the Council of Trade and Plantations, sitting at the Cockpit. Petitions that Col. Fletcher may be quickened in answering his petition for arrears of pay. Signed, John Miller. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 17, 1699. 1 p. [Board of Trade. New York, 8 A. No. 19; and 53. p. 291.]
March 17.	190. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Copy of representation and order of Council upon Col. Fletcher's case ordered to be sent to Lord Bellomont.
	Order of Council, March 16, upon petition of Sir Wm. Phippard read, and upon Sir William engaging his word, his petition recommended to Mr. Vernon.
	Mr. Lucas replied that he was not willing to comply with the suggestions made for accommodating his difference with Col. Codrington. His business decided to be taken into consideration. Letter from Mr. Miller praying for despatch upon his petition read. [Board of Trade. Journal, 11. pp. 418–419; and 96. No. 46.]
March 18.	191. John Hallam and Nicolas Hallam to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The petitioners do not complain of an obstruction of justice as to a case of their own, as your representation seems to intimate; their petition aims at obtaining a grant of the estate of John Liveen for themselves. Copy. 4 pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 21, 1698/9. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 2. No. 59.]
March 18.	192. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Nevis. As on the 9th, the Assembly pressed for the reply to various Acts and for the sealing and despatch of the Act to empower the Treasurer to sue. To this the Council agreed. The Assembly proposed to discharge the guarders on the forts; that Col. Pym should be sent for to show cause why he should not pay his debt of 5,964 pounds of sugar to the Treasurer, and that three Assembly men instead of two should be elected in each division. The Council refused to agree to the last proposal. The Assembly proposed the purchase of Mrs. Martha Gibson's house for a prison. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. pp. 492–494.]
March 18. New Providence.	193. Deposition of William Joel, late master of the sloop Success of the Bermudas. He cleared his sloop with Sir William Beeston, Governor of Jamaica, March 24, 1698. Being bound with his loading of salt to Bermuda he sprang his mast and went to get another at South Carolina, where Mr. Blake, the Governor, forced him to pay the sum of £80 in money and goods for a register for his vessel, before seven months of the time for registering was expired. Since which Joell's vessel and loading were taken by Hind the pirate, and he lost all his papers and the use of his right hand in defence of his ship. Copy. Sworn before Read Elding, Dep. Governor. 3 pp. [America and West Indies. Bahamas, 452. Nos. 61, 62.]
March 20. Deal.	194. Mr. Bevis Hill to William Popple. Encloses receipts from Jonas Clay, master of the St. John Factor, and John Raynsford, master of the Elizabeth, bound for New England, for letters to Lord Bellomont. (Feb. 3.) Endorsed, Recd. March 21, 1698/9. [Board of Trade. New England, 9. Nos. 57, 57i., ii.]
March 20. Fort William Henry.	195. Minutes of Council of New York. His Excellency's Commission for the Vice-Admiralty of the province and adjacent provinces read and recorded. Thomas Parmyter, late gunner and supervisor of the buildings within the Fort, summoned and for his frauds debarred of his pay.