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Jan. 8.
Nevis. |
16. President and Council of Nevis to [? Mr. Secretary Vernon]. We have a report from Leeward that the Scotch have resetled their former settlement, but the news wants confirmation. We are credibly informed that about two months since there past by these islands four prittey large ships from Scotland, with men, arms, ammunition, etc. bound for that place. H.M. Regiment of Foot late under the command of Col. Francis Collingwood, decd., is and have bin some time out of quarters in all the islands only this, the respective Assemblies positively refusing to quarter them any longer, notwithstanding our constant endeavours to intreat them to it, particularly at St. Christopher's,
where there is five companies, which number they desired at the Regiment's arrival, and less we could not post there. We must do the several Councils of the islands justice, that they have been always willing the men should be quartered. It is impossible they can live upon their subsistence without some assistance. The charge of quartering two or three companies is inconsiderable. Major Spencer Broughton has been very diligent and careful of the Regiment as any man could be. There have been a great mortality amongst them: the Colonel, four Captains and Capt.-Lieutenants died, besides several lieutenants and many of the men. What remains is now healthy. Signed, Wm. Burt, Mich. Smith, Dan. Smith, Richd. Abbott, Wm. Buttler. Endorsed, R. 23 Feb. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. No. 53.] |
Jan. 8.
Nevis. |
17. President and Council of Nevis to the Council of Trade and Plantations. We are honoured with yours of June 23 last relating to Col. Collingwood's being appointed by H.M. Lieut.-General of the Leeward Islands. He died some months before the Commission came over; had he not we should have been very observant to your Lordships' commands. Repeats information about the Regiment as above. Here lately arrived H.M.S. Margitt (? Margate), Capt. Tho. Urrey, to attend this Government in place of H.M.S. Queenborough. Capt. Urrey dying we thought it very fit for H.M. service to remove Capt. Billingsley out of the Queenborough, commanded home, into the Margitt, he being a very diligent officer, have had the seasoning of the country, as also a good pilate in all the islands. Pray your Lordships will not take it amiss, and that he may not suffer by staying. We humbly desire you to favour him to the Admiralty in continuing him in the said ship whilst amongst us. Signed as preceding. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 26. 1699/1700. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. No. 54; and 46. pp. 33, 34.] |
| Jan. 8. |
18. Dr. Cox to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I have consulted the chief of those concerned in subscriptions to carry on the design of planting Carolana or Florida, and those who had agreed to settle in that country. I acquainted them with the great difficulties I had met with and the most material objections, and suggested the expedient of establishing a Colony between Virginia and Carolina. They have unanimously rejected it, and account themselves deluded by me. The subscribers will speedily, if not prevented, dispose of their money otherways, the planters of their persons. Though I am in a private and mean station, I greatly value the reputation of integrity which I will never relinquish and I would not altogether abandon some small pretensions unto common prudence, therefore I humbly request your Lordships will return, as an answer on my part to H.M. Order in Council, the memorial I presented to your Board, asserting H.M. just right to the Province of Carolana or Florida, whereof I am the unworthy Proprietary, my title being allowed by all those eminent lawyers with whom I have advised, and that you will transmit therewith an Abstract
of the produce of that Country. If any further proof be required, I must send unto America, whence those discoveries have been made. To bring over so many persons will be, I apprehend, a very unnecessary expense and of very dangerous consequence, for our design is already too publick, and some subtle neighbour potentates may anticipate and exclude us. I intend to publish within a few days what hath been by me effected within 20 years last past at the expense of above 10,000, and am content to be severely censured if it doth not manifestly appear that I have acted with a most sincere design of love and service unto my dear country; though indeed I must ingenuously acknowledge not with due regard unto my private interest. Signed, Dan. Coxe. Endorsed, Recd. Read, Jan. 9th, 1699/1700. Holograph. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 4. No. 35; and 26. pp. 144, 145.] |
Jan. 8.
Whitehall. |
19. Earl of Jersey to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The King refers the enclosed memorial to you for your opinion. Signed, Jersey. Endorsed, Recd. Read, Jan. 12, 1699/1700. Enclosed, |
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19. i. Baron de Belmonte to the King. The Portuguese Jews living in Jamaica. The Assembly, without regard to the letters of denization and naturalisation granted to them by Your Majesty and your predecessors, has imposed a special tax of £3000, besides general taxes, upon the Portuguese Jews, and in the last session almost imposed a special tax of £5250 upon them. Your Majesty is besought to instruct the Governor to maintain and observe their privileges, and to allow them to enjoy the free observance of their religion and not to oblige them to bear arms on the Sabbath or other solemn feasts, unless the enemy be in sight. French. Copy. 1¾ pp. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 9. Nos. 6, 6. i.; and 57. pp. 1–3.] |
Jan. 8.
Whitehall. |
20. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Abstract of informations against Mr. Day, L.G. of Bermuda, agreed upon and ordered to be given to Sir Thomas Day whenever he requires it. Letter from the Governor of Jamaica, Oct. 23, read. Answer directed. |
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Ordered that the Secretary write to Sir William Ashurst to enquire for what time the Companies at New York have received their subsistance and pay, or what prospect he has of their receiving them ? |
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Two letters from Governor Grey, Oct. 20, read. Answer directed. |
| Jan. 9. |
Secretary ordered to ask Mr. Burchett whether any of H.M. ships have been ordered for New England, to fetch Kidd and other pirates, and when such ship will be ready to sail. |
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Order of Council, Jan. 4, about Tobago, read. Instructions ordered to be given to Governor Grey accordingly in his next letter. |
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Letter from Dr. Cox declining the proposals he made to the Board, Jan. 2, and desiring that his memorial setting forth H.M. right to Carolana, alias Carolana Florida, may be laid before H.M. as his answer to the Order in Council, Dec. 21, read. Representation ordered to lay it before H.M. accordingly. |
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Lord Bellomont's letters, Aug. 24, and Sept. 15, considered. [Board of Trade. Journal, 12. pp. 311–313; and 97. Nos. 5, 6.] |
Jan. 9.
Nevis. |
21. Wm. Burt to [? Mr. Secretary Vernon]. Since Commissary John Taylder's death, I have finished what he had left undone, and by H.M. ship bound home from this Government have sent his books and papers relating to that affair to the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Renalagh. There remains an overplus of £1120 in my hands of the money which was ordered for payment of the late regiment commanded by Col. Henry Holt, and H.M. by his instructions to the late Capt. General has allowed the Commander-in-Chief for the time being £350 per annum as a salary in case of the death or absence of the Capt. General, and I have had the honour of serving H.M. in the station of President now 18 months, and hope I have discharged that trust faithfully. I pray your favour that said salary may be paid me out of said sum. Signed, Wm. Burt. 2½ pp. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. No. 55.] |
Jan. 9.
Admiralty
Office. |
22. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. Some time since H.M.S. Rochester was ordered to New England to bring home thence Kidd the Pirate and his accomplices, but, being much disabled by bad weather, was obliged to return to Plymouth, since which the Advice was appointed for this service and sailed from Spithead a week since. I know not of any other ship at present designed for those parts. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Recd. Read Jan. 10, 1699/1700. [Board of Trade. New England, 37. pp. 231, 232; and 10. No. 8.] |
| Jan. 9. |
23. Abstract of charges against Samuel Day, Lt. Gov. of the Bermuda Islands, delivered to Sir Thomas Day's solicitor. (i) He has imprisoned Mr. Randolph and (ii) others, especially Col. White, upon frivolus pretence, (iii) has turned out members of Council and put in others without giving any reason; (iv) he squanders H.M. powder in salutes to himself; (v) does not suffer any depositions to be taken till he has been consulted; (vi) refused to admit a Collector of Customs appointed by Mr. Randolph, Surveyor General of Customs; (vii) as in the case of the Jamaica vessel, Isaac Adderly, Master, he exacts what exorbitant fees and gratuities he pleases. In particular he refused to sign Mr. Nicholas Trott's ticket for removing to Carolina till he paid £50 for his use. Endorsed, Jan. 9, 1699/1700. 2½ pp. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 4. No. 2; and 29. pp. 246, 247.] |
Jan 9.
London. |
24. Sir William Ashhurst to William Popple. Being only empowered by my Lord Bellomont by letter of attorney to receive
and remit to him what money should be ordered for the New York troops, I cannot be exact what time they were cleared. But by the account Mr. Abbot has given into the Treasury, there is about £17,000 due to those companies. I have only received £500 in March last to answer some Bills my Lord had drawn upon me and in Aug. £965 2s. for 18 weeks' subsistance from Lady Day last. I have frequently solicited the Treasury and left several memorials but without any effect. I don't expect payment of these arrears till either Parliament provide for it, or H.M. is pleased by application to him to direct it. Signed, Wm. Ashhurst. Endorsed, Recd. Read Jan. 10, 1699/1700. 1 p. [Board of Trade. New York, 9. No. 7; and 54. pp. 34, 35.] |
| Jan. 10. |
25. Attorney General to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I have considered of the Act for Preventing Frauds and Regulating Abuses in the Plantation Trade, in relation to H.M. approving of the Governors of the Plantations, and I am humbly of opinion that H.M. may by Commission under the Great Seal of England empower the Earl of Bellomont by name, or the Governor of any neighbouring Plantation for the time being, to approve or disapprove any of the Governors of Proprieties or Charter Governments from time to time. Signed, Tho. Trevor. Endorsed, Recd. Read, Jan. 19th, 1699/1700. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 4. No. 37; and 26, p. 149.] |
Jan. 10.
Whitehall. |
26. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Burchet's reply (Jan. 9) read. |
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Sir Wm. Ashurst's reply, Jan 9, read. |
