America and West Indies: November 1731, 11-15

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 38, 1731. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1938.

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'America and West Indies: November 1731, 11-15', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 38, 1731, (London, 1938) pp. 335-346. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol38/pp335-346 [accessed 26 March 2024]

November 1731, 11-15

Nov. 11.
Whitehall.
480. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Encloses, for the information of the Lords Commissioners, extract from Lt. Govr. Dunbar's letter, 11th Sept., giving an account of some extraordinary proceedings before the Judge of the Admiralty in New Hampshire etc. [C.O. 5, 917. p. 13.]
Nov. 11.
Whitehall.
481. Same to Mr. Carkesse. Similar letter to preceding. [C.O. 5, 917. p. 13.]
Nov. 12.
Whitehall.
482. Same to Mr. Fane. Refers to acts of the Massachusetts Bay, (i) for ascertaining the numbers etc. of Representative, 1692, confirmed 1695, and (ii) for enlarging the pay of the members etc., 1726, which last being only temporary expires by its own limitation in 1730 etc. Desires his opinion whether upon the expiration of the second act, the clause in the first relating to the sending a Representative to the General Assembly by each town consisting of 40 familys (repealed by the last) does not revive. [C.O. 5, 917. p. 14.]
Nov. 12.
Whitehall.
483. Mr. Popple to Thomas Nisbett and Henry Norris. The Board desire to speak with them concerning trade between Sweden and the West Indies etc. cf. Aug. 31st. [C.O. 389, 28. p. 463.]
Nov. 12.
Boston.
484. Governor Belcher to the Duke of Newcastle. Encloses following. Continues: By which your Grace will see, that it's doubtfull whether those ships (v. 1st Nov. No. 461) may reach old Spain this year etc. Signed, J. Belcher. Endorsed, R. 5th Jan. 1 p. Enclosed,
484. i. Deposition of Richard Waite, master, John Little, mate, of Plymouth, and Maurice Pate of Boston and John Lile, passengers, of the sloop Union. Boston, Nov. 5, 1731. On 21st Sept., on voyage from Jamaica to Boston, in the latitude of 21 deg. 30 min. in the windward passage off the Hogstys they saw, a Spanish galloon, 4 or 500 tons burthen, 24 guns and about 100 men very much wrecked, having no rudder, bowsprit, lyon, and nothing but jury masts etc. which hailed the sloop and fired a shot at her. They went on board and brought off an interpreter, who told them that about 5 weeks before they made up a fleet at the Havanna of 3 men of war and 4 large galloons. But a few days after they sailed for Cadiz, they met with a violent storm and the ships fell foul one of another and all of them recieved very considerable damage, particularly the flag ship struck this galloon etc. Three of the ships were driven on shore upon the Keys called Mara Provouz about 10 or 12 leagues to the northwards of the Hogstys in the windward passage aforesaid etc. The interpreter told them not to be afraid if they should see any of the aforesaid ships, for they were very much broken in the storm and could not follow them etc. He said they had money enough on board the aforesaid galloon, and that the flagship had on board 30 millions of money etc. Signed, Richd. Waite, John Lyle, Morris Pate. 1¼ pp.
484. ii. Certificate that above was sworn to before him. Signed, J. Belcher. Sealed. ½p. [C.O. 5, 898. Nos. 98, 98 i.]
Nov. 13.
Jamaica.
485. Governor Hunter to the Duke of Newcastle. Encloses copy of following. Will send by the next ship an account of the proceedings of the Assembly, which has not as yet entered on any business. He cannot as yet make any judgment of their intention, "which at any time is not an easie matter, being so mutable" etc. P.S. Since my writing of what is above the master of a vessel from New England call'd Benjamin Tout has been with me and informs me, that on the first of this month he was attack'd by one Fandanio formerly a guarde de coste but now a declar'd pyrate, he fir'd on him under a black flag, took him, strip'd him and plundered him of all his cloaths and provisions and some of his salt fish, carried him first into Monte Christo in the north side of Hispaniola, and then to Barraco and Cuba, and after having used him very ill dismiss'd him. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, R. 7th Febry. 1½ pp. Enclosed,
485. i.–iv. Duplicates of following covering letter and enclosures i–iii. [C.O. 137, 53. ff. 384, 384v., 385v.–386v., 388, 388v., 390–394, 396, 398.]
Nov. 13.
Jamaica.
486. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations. On the 4th of this month I had the honour of your Lordships' letter of 28th July etc. Capt. Brook the Commander of that unhappy expedition against the rebels was recommended for that service by the Genl. Assembly, one of their number and a Capt. of the Militia, upon his return he was by a country Court Martial mulcted of all his pay due for the time he had served, and that was all. The next country party that was sent out under the command of one Peters of my own choice tho' nothing so considerable, had better success, having surpriz'd the rebels in their chief town, kept possession of it three days, but contrary to his Instructions left it after having set it on fire, his pretence was that his men would not stay longer nor suffer him to detach for provisions. There has been now for some time pass'd an expedition on foot against the same rebels settlements, the force consisting of a country negro party in conjunction with the regular forces at Port Antonio under the direction of the Commanding Officer there, but hitherto retarded by unaccountable and unforeseen accidents, such as the rains in an uncommon season of the year, and the general sickness of the troops occasion'd in a great measure by those rains, but in my opinion more from rum, the King's ship the Lime, which carried the reinforcement from this side the Island, being shatter'd and put back by lightning, and several men particularly of the two Independent Companys kill'd, and other rubs in my way which I have got over as well as I could; a fresh detachment being arrived there in another ship the Tartar, so that I am in hopes if the fluds permitt they are march'd out before this time. As to the Musketoe Indians, it is but too true, they were not satisfied with their treatment when here last, neither had they much reason to be so, having had their arms which were given them taken from them upon their return home; but by the report of all who were acquainted with them they are utterly unfitt for such service in the rocks and mountains, their own country consisting of marshes and boggs, and all or most of their expeditions there performed in canoos, neither did they indeed do any service when here, pretending they were impos'd on in assurances given them, that the rebellious negroes had neither arms or ammunition, they have however lived in strict amity and correspondence with this Island; Their King has sent his excuses for not having been here upon the account of his wars, but according to his desire I sent him a parchment Commission with a great Seal and trapings to it as usual. I send you the copy of their last letter I received from their Capt. General to convince your Lordships that we live still in as good an understanding as ever; Their King having signified his inclination to me of going to England, I thought fitt to putt it off under the pretence of the season of the year, but the real reason was our then situation with Spain, thinking an eclat of that kind at that time might perhaps draw into consequence; but if he applys in earnest again and comes hither, I shall send him home in one of the King's ships unless I have orders to the contrary. The representations from the Council here to H.M. transmitted to the Duke of Newcastle will inform or convince your Lordships of ye necessity of a force here; your Lordships will observe from the state of the Island which I had the honour to send you the vast disproportion in the numbers of whites to blacks, and I assure you that in the opinion of the men of substance and sense here, the arrival of these two Regiments at that time was so seasonable, that it was look'd upon as a special stroke of Providence in their favour, for their plantation negroes were grown to that degree of insolence that they durst hardly order them out to work, and have been very tractable ever since; altho' the regular forces have been of little use hitherto in their reduction for the reasons above given, yet their removal from this island as it is industriously given out to be intended, must be attended with fatal consequences by the incouragement it would give to the slaves in rebellion and to others to rebel, and the militia no ways to be depended on consisting chiefly of hired servants and these of the worst sort, and very few. Our Genl. Assembly met according to their prorogation on Tuesday last the 9th inst. but have not as yet proceeded on anything except formalitys. I send herewith a copy of what I said to them and their answer, I can as yet make no judgement as to their resolutions but shall by all opportunitys apprize your Lordships of what passes. I must in duty observe that the great source of all our evils on this side is the indolence and inactivity of the men of figure and substance, who generally speaking not only ly by in the election of members of Assembly, but will give their interest for the choice of such as are recommended to them by their lawyers, and those who make that interest are for the most part men of low fortunes and desperate circumstances and want personal protection. There has been in all the former additional duty acts as they are call'd an imposition on convicts imported here, this which your Lordships mentions is indeed the highest, but seem'd to the body of the people here absolutely necessary to prevent such from coming from the northward, for none are imported directly from England hither, and our trading people in our towns who used to sleep with their doors open heretofore are since the arrival of some of these convicts here oblig'd to keep watches on their counting and storehouses, several of that kind particularly, two in the last Supream Court were condemn'd and executed for fellonys. I for my part can not think that the merchants at home have any just ground to complain of the additional duty on negroes, for if they are sold here the planter pays it, if carried abroad the Spaniard. I shall do my best to git it moderated, tho' the Assembly are much distress'd for ways and means. The Protestant bill, as 'tis call'd, was repeal'd by an act here, those who promoted it in the Assembly thinking it guarded in such a manner that it could be of little use, and so grew indifferent about it, which facilitated the passing the repealer in both houses, but in my humble opinion it may be of some in deterring at least the native Irish Papists of which our servants and lower rank of people chiefly consists from pouring in upon us in such sholes, as they have done of late years, they are a lazy useless sort of people who come cheap and serve for deficiencys, and their hearts are not with us, so that the country have great obligations to your Lordships for recommending it to H.M. approbation and I hope you will add to them by gitting the repealer to be disapproved. I have done my best for H.M. service and the benefitt of the people committed to my care, I may have err'd in judgement but my conscience acquitts me of all willfull errors, which I flatter myself intitles me to the continuation of your Lordships' favour etc. P.S. Several partys of the rebel slaves have made incurtions lately in different parts of the Island. One of them between the barracks which is built on the road towards their chief settlement and Port Antonio, altho' there was a party of soldiers and other arm'd men at that barrack at that time. It has been built since the detachment of the country ordered on this expedition arriv'd there, and a road clear'd to it from Port Antonio almost half way to their chief settlement. They there kill'd one negro, wounded three very dangerously, and carried off a negro woman; they have also been down at St. David's to the windward, where they have kill'd one and carried of another; they have also murder'd two of the soldiers in St. James's who had been stragling from their barracks, one of their heads cutt of and the body of the other has also been lately found in the woods there; several negroes have deserted their masters lately, particularly twenty of Col. Nedhams on the north side; "and without doubt will joyn the rebels if they have not already don 't." Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 8th Feb., 1731/2. 9 pp. Enclosed,.
486. i. Address of the Assembly to Governor Hunter. 10th Nov., 1731. Return thanks for speech (infra) and promise sincere endeavours to promote welfare of the country etc. Signed, John Stewart, Speaker. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 1 p.
486. ii. General of the Musketo Indians to Governor Hunter. Misquittos, 17th July, 1731. The long and as I hope continuall amity and comerce between those of your Nation, more especially Jamaica, and as Misquittos Indians under the rule of my royal master Peter of these territories King, induces me allways to have good will and respect to your honble. Government as has been to your predecessors; and not forgetting yor. many former friendships, I have by the bearer of this (Geo. Wood) sent you a sloop of English built taken by the Spaniards last year in or near the bay of Hundor's [? Honduras], wch. when I found man'd arm'd and fitted in a hostile manner cruising on the boarders of our coast with our enemy ye Spaniard on board I have made bould to drive them out of her etc., desireing the favour if there be any part of the sloop as salvage or otherwise from the owners coming etc., you would send the following goods by the bearer, vizt. small arms, powder and shott, flints, beads, orbrs. axces and sume fine hatts etc. Signed, Charles Hobby, Capt., his mark. Same endorsement. Copy. 1 p.
486. iii. Speech of Governor Hunter to the Council and Assembly. Urges on the Assembly the continuing the additional subsistance bill for a longer time and the passing of the annual bills which expire about March, to save another meeting before that time etc. Copy. Same endorsement. 1 1/3 pp. [C.O. 137, 19. ff. 108–112, 113v., 114, 115, 116, 116v., 117v., 119v.]
Nov. 13.
Jamaica.
487. Governor Hunter to Mr. Popple. On the 4th of this month I reced. yours of 10th June with their Lordships' commands to lay before them an accot. of laws made, manufactures set up, or trade carried on in this island, which may affect the trade, navigation and manufactures of Great Britain, had there been anything of that nature here I had not fail'd to acquaint their Lordships before now, but upon the strictest examination and best information I can find nothing of that kind here. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 8th Feb. 1731/2. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 19. ff. 120, 123v.]
Nov. 14.
Charles.
Town.
488. Governor Johnson to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The 20th of last August we finished the Sessions when I gave my assent to the following acts vizt., (i) Confirming the ancient and approved method of drawing jurys by balloting etc.; (ii) for erecting two chappels at Santee: (iii) for remission of arrears of quit-rent; (iv) tax bill for 1731; (v) for reprinting the currency; (vi) appointing an Agent to sollicite the affairs of this Province in Great Britain; (vii) for establishing five ferrys; (viii) for the better regulation of the Indian trade; (ix) to revive several laws; (x) for obliging persons living and residing in the several counties and precincts to serve on jurys in Charles Town; (xi) for appropriating £104,775 1s. 3¼d. towards the payment of the publick debts. I now transmit the said acts with the Journals of the Council and Assembly and Naval Officer's account of ships entered and cleared 24th Dec. 1730—29th Sept. 1731 etc. It is pursuant to the 19th Article of H.M. Instructions that I have obtaind the act for remission of arrears of quit-rents and registring patents etc. in which act pursuant also to the said 19th Instruction provision is made for the registring of all lands, and for the easey recovering of H.M. quit-rents, and that all quit-rents shall be paid for the future in Proclamation money, and does repeal from the time of H.M. assent to the said law, the act mentioned in the said Instruction for ascertaining the prices of land etc., which the people were so very fond of, and was the foundation of the disputes between the late Lords Proprietors and the people, and occasioned the non-payment of quit-rents for above twenty years past, which your Lordships thought so necessary to be repealed. The quit-rent law now pass'd is of that consequence to H.M. service, and the people's property's, that it took up much time and debate betwixt the Council and Assembly to adjust it and by it they think they have effectually secured the payment of H.M. quit-rents, in Proclamation money, which they apprehend by the former law, for ascertaining the prices of lands etc., they were not obliged to. They hope H.M. upon this Happy Revolution (of being now under his immediate Government, and complying with his Majesty's Instructions as above) will graciously settle and confirm all their titles, derived from the Lords Proprietors, however deficient they may have been for want of power in them to grant, or any commission or omissions in the form or manner of their conveiyances; and accordingly in this act it is very amply provided for; I would fain have excluded the large grants of Landgraveships, casiqueships and baronies, as being prejudicial to the well settling of the Province; but so many people have during the long time the land office has been shut up, purchased under those titles, that almost everybody in the Province are more or less concern'd in the support of them, so that the Council and I found it impossible to carry the points so necessary for H.M. service without confirming those titles however deficient they may be in law. They plead equity as having paid considerable summes for their purchases under those titles; that the law they agree now to part with vizt. for ascertaining the prices of land etc. has a clause that effectually confirms all deficient titles; that many sales settlements, and mean conveyances have been made under them, that they have greatly improved the said lands and great summes of money have been payd for purchasing of Baronys as yet not layd out or survey'd; and they further plead that every Government in America has one time or other past acts to determine and secure titles to lands; and as the reserved quit-rents are continued to H.M., which consequently makes it no detriment to his immediate interest, the Council and I consented to this part of the law, as what was absolutely necessary for the peace and tranquillity of the Province, and hope it will meet with H.M. approbation. Pursuant to H.M. 20th Instruction an act is past suspending the sinking the present paper bills amounting to £104,775, for seven years, which law appropriated £5000 a year arising from the dutys upon negroes and other goods, for the subsisting and buying tools and provisions for one year for such poor Protestants as shall come to settle here, and for the charge of laying out townships for them, pursuant to H.M. 43 Instruction. Mr. Purrey a Swiss gentleman has already pitched upon a place for a township, which I am going to lay out for him, he having undertaken to bring over one hundred familys to settle it, and as soon as may be I propose laying out other townships for the same purpose. This act gives the greatest ease, and satisfaction imaginable to the people in general, and the merchants as well as planters, seem intirely satisfyed with it, for the want of circulation was such that the act for calling in and sinking £45000 of these paper bills, is now found to be as prejudicial to the trading as the planting interest, our bills having acquired such a currency, that for these 9 or ten years past, there has been no variation in their value, notwithstanding a private bank of £50,000 this currency is set up and circulated, besides several merchants' promisary notes which pass as money, so great is the want of currency to circulate in trade, which is very much increased of late years, so that I hope this act will likewise meet with H.M. approbation. The want of more paper currency is very great, the Assembly is very desirous of having more, but as the sessions has been very long, and that to settle it upon an equitable and sure foundation will require much time, the consideration of the 21st article of H.M. Instructions relating thereunto is defferd till the next meeting of the General Assembly which is to be the third Tuesday of this month. I recommended to the Assembly your Lordships' sentiments (v. 2nd April) relating to a summons instead of a capias in civil actions; but the experience they have had of the ill use that has been made of the summons law when in force, and of the great grievance it proved to the subject, makes it impossible ever to bring the Assembly to consent to pass such a law again, and the more because it is contrary to the usage and custom of England. As to the act for settling the Courts of Justice past in 1726 the Jury law herewith sent in a great measure remedys the inconveniencies which the aforesaid law brought on the trading interest, for now creditors may at their option, bring their actions for debt, either in the Court of Charles Town, or in the precinct Courts where the debtor lives, which is greatly to the satisfaction of the merchants, and the clause obliging people who live in the counties to serve as jurymen in Charles Town weekens the authority of the precinct courts, which the Colony was too young for, and the merchants much complained of, and they are likewise much pleased at the repeal of a clause in the same law viz. for settling the titles of the inhabitants etc., which clause obliged creditors to sue executors within the space of two years or loose their debts; and the complainant Mr. Lownds is likewise benefited by it, all the law business being brought now to Charles Town, and I having induced the Assembly to allow for the keeping of prisoners such as fellons etc. is a very beneficial article to the Marshall's place. There has not been a tax raised these four years past; but they have now past an act for raising £27,905 for the service of the current year, (enclosed). There have been no Courts of Justice held these four years for want of a jury, but now by the jury act a new jury box is fill'd. The rest of the laws past relating purely to the publick utility of the Province, I dont trouble your Lordships with remarks upon them. Pursuant to the three orders from H.M., 30th Nov. 1730, I have appointed by patents Robert Wright Esq. Chief Justice, James Abercromby Esq. Attorney General, and Theophilus Gregory Esq. Master in Chancery during pleasure. I have likewise sworn Mr. St. John as Surveyor General etc. Pursuant to the 52nd article of my Instructions I herewith send your Lordships a copy of Judge Trot's commission, and the late President and Council's, and my proceedings upon his demanding to be invested in his authority; he is the only person that makes any claim of places by virtue of the late Lords Proprietors' commission; I shall only observe he has been divested of that post ever since General Nicholson came Governor, and then acknowledged his authority ceased, and never claimed it before the purchase law pass'd. Pursuant to my 106th Instruction, I have induced the Assembly to raise £800 sterl. for building a small fort and barraks at Alatamaha and Port Royal, and I design soon to set out for those places to give the necessary directions for the buildings and removing a detachment of Capt. Massey's company to Alatamaha; the Assembly call this £800 a loan to H.M., hopeing they shall be reimburs'd, they do it in pure compliance to H.M. pleasure, for they are of opinion the company would be of more service at Port Royal. The Assembly in consideration of my long attendance in England, in solliciting the publick affairs of the Province, particularly the endeavouring their being put under H.M. immediate government, as a mark of their esteem, and without any desire or application from me, have made me a present of £500 sterl., they have likewise allowed me in the estimate for the £500 sterl. by way of sallary as also £114 sterl. a year, the rent I actually pay for the house I live in; I used my utmost efforts to have this settled during my government, agreable to H.M. Instruction, and lost it by one vote, which gives me some hope at their next meeting to carry it, the summe being so moderate, notwithstanding the aversion all America show to precedents of this nature, which influences our people very much. I do solemnly protest to your Lordships now the Independent Company is separated from the Government the perquisites of it are not worth £100 sterl. a year, so that without that allowance it is impossible for me to support the dignity of my office. They likewise give by the year a sallary of £100 sterl. to the Chief Justice, which is all I could possibly bring them to do. The stores of war H.M. has been graciously pleasd to supply this Province with, are arrived; our fortifications are intirely ruined by the hurricanes, and will cost a great deal to repair. I will use my utmost endeavours to induce the Assembly to begin the repairs at their next meeting. I have orderd the storekeeper and gunner to prepare their accounts pursuant to my 101st Instruction, to be transmitted to your Lordships; as likewise pursuant to my 47th Instruction an account of the establishment of jurisdictions, courts, officers etc. I have received Mr. Popple's letter of the 10th of July which shall be answerd as soon as possible. P.S. Nov. 19th. The Assembly met according to adjournment, but being a very busy time of the year, only past a short act, to make good a deficiency in the tax act, and adjourned till the 18th of January. I send your Lordps. the resolutions I am come to with the advice of ye Council relating to the granting, and ye form of grants as settled in Council; as likewise a copy of my Proclamation about surveying lands upon ye Surveyor Genll's, arrival. Signed, Robt. Johnson. Endorsed, Recd, (from Mr. Furie) 26th Jan., Read 16th Feb., 1731/2. 8 pp. Enclosed,
488. i. Answer to the Board's Queries of 16th June, 1731. South Carolina has but very mean stocks of sheep so that they are supplyed with all their woolen goods from Great Britain, except some small quantity of course cloth made there with which they clothe their negros, composed of wool and cotton (which grows in the country) mixt, but as wee compute upwards of 20,000 negros in the Province, wee do not suppose 1000 of ym. are thus clothed, but by the course cloths from England. Here are very great stocks of nett (? = neat) cattle, so that they make their own candles and soap, and ship off some beef in barrels and some pork to the Sugar Islands, and some of the hides tann'd here, for which they have in return rum, sugar and molosses, they make also some shoes for their own consumption, but not in any proportion to what they use, their linnen they have all intirely from Europe. A small quantity of silk is made here the most of which is sent home raw, and would be great advantage to Great Britain if duely encouragd as well as to the Province, but for want of people that commodity is not capable of being augmented. Potashes may well be made here, if a bounty were given, and the great duty taken off. It is thought hemp and flax would grow well here, if the fresh rivers were well settled with people which at present they are not. Pipe and hogshead staves, hoops, and most sorts of lumber are here as good as in most parts of America. Rice is at present the staple, but by reason of the great quantitys made and the confind market it is apparent by the enclosed account, must rather be lessened than augmented, or the planter will be ruined by his industry. Pitch, tar and turpentine has been made here in greater abundance than all the rest of the Northern Collonys together and the Naval Officers quarterly accott. I sent your Lordships, shows the quantitys shipt last year. The dutys by an act passd in the late Governor Nicholson's time are as followeth vizt., on negroes above ten years old 28s. 7d. sterl. pr. head; under 10,14s. 3½d. On do. pr. head for finishing a State house in Charles Town, 2s. 10½d. On all goods imported from Great Britain for maintaining a watch in Charles Town, 6s. pr. ct. on the English prime cost. The foregoing are all the duties I can learn do in any wise concern the trade of Great Britain. It is to be noted, that his Majesty has given leave to appropriate for seven years to come the duty on negros, which is accordingly done by the act for ascertaining H.M. quit-rents, and for any other dutys layd on goods and merchandises from the Plantations, as I humbly conceive they do in no wise affect or concern the Trade or Navigation of Great Britain, herewith your Lordships have a schedule of all the dutys in general. The dutys on negros and liquors was past in the late Genl. Nicholson's time, and is in your Lordships' office, and now by the forementiond act continued in force for seven years from the date or ratification thereof. Endorsed as preceding. 2¼ pp.
488. ii. Naval Officer's quarterly account of rice, pitch, and turpentine exported from Charles Town 29th Sept., 1730–1731. Totals:—Rice, 48,314 barrels; Pitch, 16,602 barrels; tar, 1895; turpentine, 2709.
Negro slaves imported during same period, 1533. Same endorsement. 1 p.
488. iii. Tariff of duties payable on imports and exports (hides and leather) by the act of 1721. Same endorsement. 2 pp.
488. iv. Minutes of Council of S. Carolina relating to the methods of granting lands and fees for same, in Proclamation money, Oct. 19, Nov. 2, 1731. Printed, 6 pp.
488. v. Form of a grant of land, 1731. 1 p.
488. vi. Proclamation by Governor Johnson, 4th Nov. 1731. No survey of H.M. lands not yet purchased to be made without warrant from the Governor and a deputation from the Surveyor General. Such warrants will be issued to persons applying by petition to the Governor in Council on 17th Nov. etc. Signed, Robert Johnson. Printed. 1 p. Nos. iv–vi. endorsed as No. i.
488. vii. Copy of the Commission of Chief Justice granted from the Lords Proprietors to Nicholas Trott, 8th March, 1707. Endorsed, Recd. 26th Jan., 1731/2. 1 p.
488. viii. Minutes of Council of S. Carolina, 14th Oct., 1729. Upon Mr. Trott claiming the office of Chief Justice, by virtue of a former patent from the Lords Proprietors, resolved that, until they receive Instructions from H.M., the Board will not alter the present establishment. Endorsed, Recd. 26th Jan., 1731/2. Copy. 1 p.
488. ix. Minute of Council, 25th Feb., 1730. H.E. having in obedience to H.M. sign manual of 30th Nov. appointed Robert Wright, Chief Justice, ordered that Mr. Trott be acquainted therewith, in reply to following memorial. Copy. 1 p.
488. x. Memorial of Nicholas Trott to the President and Council of S. Carolina, claiming office of C. J. (v. Nos. viii, ix). Signed, Nicholas Trott. Endorsed, Recd. 26th Jan., Read 16th Feb., 1731/2. Copy, l¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 362. ff. 54–57v., 58v.–62v., 63v.–67, 68, 69v., 70, 71, 72, 73v., 74, 75, 75v.]
Nov. [—.].
Charles.
Town.
489. Governor Johnson to the Duke of Newcastle. Repeats parts of preceding and refers to papers therein sent to Board of Trade; also to his letter of 12th Aug. Adds:—I received the honour of your Grace's letter of 30th April last, ordering me to give all due encouragement to the Agents appointed by my Lord Carteret for taking up baronys and collecting his quit rents here, which I shall be sure to obey. Signed, Robt. Johnson. Endorsed, R. 6th Feb. 3½ pp. [C.O. 5, 388. ff. 38–41 and (duplicate, dated 15th Nov.)]
Nov. 15.
St. James's.
490. H.M. Warrant granting leave of absence for one year on his urgent affairs, to Alexander Henderson, Attorney General, Jamaica. Signed, Holles Newcastle. [C.O. 324, 50. pp. 7, 8; and 324, 36. p. 284.]