America and West Indies: June 1705, 18-30

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 22, 1704-1705. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1916.

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'America and West Indies: June 1705, 18-30', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 22, 1704-1705, (London, 1916) pp. 540-550. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol22/pp540-550 [accessed 20 April 2024]

June 1705, 18-30

June 18.
Windsor.
1186. Governor Parke's Instructions. Signed, Anne. R. [See May 10 and 17.] 51 pp. [C.O. 152, 39. No. 104.]
June 18. 1187. The account given by R. Sampson of the late affair in Newfoundland. Two companies of French soldiers each between 40 and 50, 90 Indians and between 2 and 300 inhabitants of Placentia crossed to the Bay of Bulls and thence to Petty Harbour, 7 miles from St. Johns, on Jan. 19, wch. they took, and arrived at St. Johns about ½ an hour before day. On Jan. 21 they surprised the harbour, they having not kept this winter any guards, and killed on yt. morning and during their stay there 9 of the inhabitants, viz., Wm. Legassick, his brother and one servant, Tho. Lewis, — Abbott, a servant to John Bradbery, John Bromwell, and two more, some of the soldiers and artificers belonging to the Garrison, being admitted to lie in ye harbour, likewise suffered, viz., Peter Wyld and John Moulding carried to Placentia, and Wm. Rickitts, gunner, — Roberts, Carpenter to the Fort, was killed, John Sheremon, soldier, together with his wife and child was killed; there being no guard kept in ye North Batterey, they took ye cannon, there being 13, with which they annoyed ye South Battery, having found two barrels of powder which belonged to the Forte in ye Queen's storehouse by ye waterside; ye first day they arrived, about 200 of the enimie went towards ye South Batterey, commanded by Lieut. Robert Latham, who had with him 12 soldiers and 15 inhabitants, ye French fired on them out of ye woods very much with two great gunns, wch. they found on ye South point, in ye main garrison we had two men killed, Jonathan Bargery, serg't., and John Feild, an inhabitant. … The French sent very often small parties between 10 and 20 to amuse the garrison, which were generally commanded by a serjeant, but to ye South side they always sent a Commission Officer. Quidi Vidy being a harbour a mile from St. Johns, having about 100 men fit to carry arms, the enemie gave them their liberty to live in their own houses without any confinement, but had ye ordering of their own things as before, there was no houses, craft nor stages destroyed, yet they never endeavoured to come to ye assistance of ye Garrison, but to ye contrary, one Richd. King proposing going to ye Fort, the English inhabitants of Quidi Vidi told ye enemie of him, and they had him presently kill'd: several were suspected at St. John's of having a correspondence with ye enemie, having particular favours shew'd them. Feb. 26 they left ye harbour of St. Johns having destroyed all ye houses, boats etc. except four houses: they took all ye inhabitants with them to Petty Harbour, 4 of wch. was killed on the road, viz., John Weak, Wm. Hammott, Richd. Peters and another, from whence the inhabitants had liberty to return, except 60 or 70 which they carried with them to Placentia, several of which since made their escape and gave account that M. Subercass was arrived at Placentia, that there was a small vessell designed for St. Johns with boombs, but was drove back by bad weather, and that after they went to Placentia they were ordered to unload her, yt. ye French left at Placentia, while they went to St. Johns, but 30 or 40 men fitt to carry arms. The French in their return burnt Bay Bulls, Ferryland, Renoos, Ferrenoos, Aqua Fort, Brecast by South, Harbour Maine, Brecast by North, Portugrave, Harbourgrace, Carboneer, ye inhabitants of ye later went to a small Island with most of their effects, where they secured themselves. Ye Cannada Indians went to Trinity Bay in order to ravage and destroy that coasts. Mr. Collin Campbell and one Pemberton were sent from ye French Governor to ye Fort 2 or 3 times with a Flagg of Truce, and the French having found some papers with John Roope they forced him prisoner with them to Placentia and put him on board their guard-shipp in order to send him to France. He told deponent they were so incensed against him that he was afraid they would never release him, and farther that there was 7 men killed at Torbay, and ye harbour and houses burnt. Signed, Rich. Sampson. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 20, 1705. 2½ pp. [C.O. 194, 3. No. 66; and 195, 3. pp. 481–486.]
[June 19.] 1188. W. Atwood to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Two Memorials, desiring a certificate to the Lord High Treasurer as to his salary as Chief Justice of New York, etc. Signed, Wm. Atwood. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 19, 1705. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1048. Nos. 116, 116.i.]
June 19.
Whitehall.
1189. Certificate as to Mr. Atwood's salary, as it appears from the papers in the office of the Council of Trade and Plantations. (See preceding.) Signed, Wm. Popple, jr. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1048. No. 118; and 5, 1120. pp. 296, 297.]
[June 19.] 1190. Merchants trading for Newfoundland to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Campbell's affidavit shows that the inhabitants of Newfoundland are by the late incursions and barbarities of the French reduced to the utmost extremity of want and misery, and rendered incapable of defending themselves. Pray the Board to represent to H.M. the need of an immediate reinforcement of men, arms and ammunition. 37 signatures. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 19, 1705. 1 p. Enclosed,
1190. i. Affidavit of Mr. Campbell (cf. preceding and June 15). Signed, Colin Campbell. 2½ pp. [C.O. 194, 3. Nos. 65, 65.i.; and (without enclosure), 195, 3. pp. 477, 478.]
[June 19.] 1191. R. Downes to the Council of Trade and Plantations. (see April 23.) Answer to the reasons of the Governor and Council of Barbados for not admitting him to the Council. (1) He has had a Commission as Lt. Col. for many years; hence his friends in England that took out the mandamus made the mistake of calling him Colonel. Respondent knows of no other Richard Downes in the Island except one, who was never more than Captain. (2) The Council was not complete when he first waited on H.E. with H.M. mandamus. (3) It is quite untrue that he has been the author of faction and disorder. (4) He never asked William Weaddell for his vote, but after he had voted and been threatened to be indicted for the same, respondent asked him what his freehold was that he polled upon, to which he said that he married a woman who, he understood, was possessed of 10 acres of land for her life; but on the trial it appeared that the land was by her husband's will to go to her children at a certain age, upon which the man was prosecuted for his mistake. (5) Utterly denies that he made use of the publick moneys for his own occasions when he was Treasurer. His accounts are now before the Committee of both Houses, which they cannot pass without an order from the Governor to allow several sums which respondent paid according to the direction of the Laws, though without H.E.'s particular direction, which the Governor has not yet done. Hence the delay, and not any fault of his. He never preferred one or postponed other payments, but when there was money in the Treasury paid the orders as they were brought to him without favour. (6) He never slighted H.M. mandamus, but spoke of it with respect and honour. (7) He never turned his wife out of doors, nor suffered her to live in poverty; she did not leave his house till she had got 150l. per annum alimony allowed her. Denies that he lived with another woman, and had he not been advised that the Governor and Council had no jurisdiction of that matter, could have cleared himself of that aspersion. (8) Denies that he evaded the Laws, violated the freedom of election, or caused any sham freeholders to be made to vote for him, or caused part of the Assembly to go out of the House in relation to his contest with Lt. Col. Battyn or otherwise, for it's publicly known what some of the Members of the Assembly left the house for, which was to hinder a bill from passing which was then depending in the house for raising two companies of granadeers. (9) Denies that he behaved insolently to the Governor. Prays for H.M. order for the Governor to admit him of the Council. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 19, 1705. 3¾ pp. Enclosed,
1191. i. Richard Downes to the Governor and Council of Barbados. Prays that several sums of money paid by him according to the Laws as Treasurer, may be allowed by H.E. Order. Copy. 1½ pp.
1191. ii. Minute of Council and Assembly of Barbados, July 28, 1704. The Joint-Committee of Accounts were of opinion that they could not pass Mr. Downes' accounts without H.E. Orders for the sums disbursed by him. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 7. Nos. 160, 160.i., ii.; and 29, 9. pp. 325–337.]
June 20.
Whitehall.
1192. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Hedges. Some days since Mr. Campbell gave us an account [June 15] of the destruction made by the French upon several harbours in Newfoundland, which he saying he had likewise given to you, we did not then write upon that subject. But having since received the enclosed account from Mr. Sampson [June 18], which we find in severall particulars to differ very much from Mr. Campbell's, and having been attended by severall merchants trading to Newfoundland, and discoursed with Capt. Lloyd, we transfer to you our observations, suspecting that there have been some treacherous correspondence held by some of H.M. subjects with the French in those parts. Enclose the petition of merchants [June 19], with our opinion that for the present such ammunition and materials, as shall be judged necessary for the Fort, may be put on board the convoy now going thither. Autographs. 1½ pp. Annexed,
1192. i. Copy of petition of Merchants (June 19). 2 pp.
1192. ii. Copy of Affidavit of Colin Campbell (June 15). 3 pp.
1192. iii. Copy of Richd. Sampson's Affidavit (June 18). 3½ pp.
1192. iv. Observations by the Council of Trade and Plantations upon some informations relating to Newfoundland. (1) Mr. Campbell says the French destroyed all the dwellinghouses except 2 or 3, Sampson says, except 4. Capt. Lloyd names the owners—Bengar, Coleworth, Fletcher, and Campbell, who makes the above affidavit. Capt. Lloyd says that one Greasy, a native of Jersey, had 7 cattle saved to him. Other discrepancies and omissions in Campbell's account are noted. Campbell has alledged to us in discourse that the French let him goe only upon his intreaty, having taken 30 of his servants; and that John Roop, who has perfected the Boom, went voluntarily away with the French and has some command in one of the ships. [C.O. 194, 22. Nos. 30, 30.i.–iv.; and (representations and enclosure iv. only), 195, 4. pp. 1–3; and (duplicate of No. iii.) 194, 22. No. 30.v.]
June 20.
Whitehall.
1193. W. Popple, jr., to Mr. Wain(e), Capt. of the sloop Friendship of Boston. The Council of Trade and Plantations desire you to make as particular an affidavit as you can before the Mayor of Plymouth or any other J.P., of all within your knowledge relating to the late attempts made by the French upon Newfoundland, as likewise to what happened to yourself and ship (see June 15). [C.O. 195, 4. p. 4.]
June 20.
[20m/4 (Jun) 1705.]
1194. Mr. Penn to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Honble. ffrds. I begg ye dispatch of the Laws, that wt. can may be done before the surrender, and then there will be ye less to condition for. I am ready wn. you please to let me know you are for me. Your respectfll. ffriend, Wm. Penn. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 21, 1705. Addressed. Sealed. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1263. No. 21; and 5, 1291. p. 153.]
[June 23.] 1195. Newfoundland Merchants to the Queen. Refer to the value of the Newfoundland trade and the damage done by the recent incursion of the French, estimated at 140,000l. sterl. Petitioners being informed there are two men-of-war now ordered thither with only one company of soldiers, propose that 500 or 600 men are necessary there, or two men-of-war to winter there, together with the present garrison and the company now going, otherwise fear the surviving inhabitants will leave the Island, etc., etc. 101 signatures. 1 large p. Enclosed,
1195. i. Affidavit of Colin Campbell as to the attacks by the French. To same effect as June 15. Signed, Colin Campbell. 2½ pp. [C.O. 194, 22. Nos. 37, 38.]
June 24.
Barbados.
1196. Governor Sir B. Granville to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Acknowledges letters etc. of April 12, 20 and 26. The powder duty here has never been paid nor so much as ever demanded from the pacquetts. Refers to letter etc. of June 10. Encloses 4 Acts lately passed. In the Minutes of Council your Lops. will see an information against Mr. Chilton, the Queen's Attorney General, and Mr. Lillington, one of the suspended Councellours, since that the Court of Oyer and Terminer has bin held, and they have both bin tryed and found guilty of high misdemeanours. Mr. Lillington was fined 2,000l., which he has paid, and has not demanded any appeal, which if he had I find by my Instructions I am to grant in all fines above 200l. Mr. Chilton's sentence was to pay a fine of 75l. and to lye in prison during the pleasure of the government. Their crimes will appear in the proceedings etc. [See July 16.] By the death of Sir Henry Pickering, whom I had sworn into the Council some months agoe, the Members of it are again reduced to six, so that there is a vacancy I am to fill up, etc. Signed, Bevill Granville. Endorsed, Recd. Sept. 3, Read Oct. 31, 1705. Holograph. 3½ pp. [C.O. 28, 9. No. 17; and 29, 9. pp. 402–405.]
[June 25.] 1197. Governor Lord Cornbury to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Intercedes for the widow of Dr. Bridges, that H.M. may grant her the salary due to her husband as Chief Justice of New York. Signed, Cornbury. Endorsed, Recd. 25th, Read June 28th, 1705. Copy. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1048. No. 117; and 5, 1120. pp. 310–312.]
June 25. 1198. Capt. Lloyd to Sir Charles Hedges. Prays for an addition of gunners, ammunition and gun-carriages, etc. for Newfoundland, and an armourer, for want of whom 600 fire-arms long since sent by the Ordnance thither have been hitherto wholly useless. And whereas information is given that the French upon retiring nailed up 13 of the guns upon the North Battery, prays that proper instruments be sent out. Prays for instructions in case provisions and clothes fail, for subsisting French prisoners, and the charge of spies, etc. Signed, Tho. Lloyd. 2 pp. On back,
1198. i. Notes by [? Sir C. Hedges]. Mr. Lloyd to go to the Secretary of War for disbursements. To make Bills, and if reasonable will be allowed, etc. [C.O. 194, 22. No. 32.]
June 26. 1199. H. Greenhill to W. Popple. Encloses following. [See June 20.] I have disburst for the Notary Publick and the Seal of the Corporation, 12s. 2d. Signed, Henry Greenhill. Endorsed, Recd. Read July 3, 1705. 1 p. Enclosed,
1199. i. W. Waine to W. Popple. I have made the affidavit desired (June 20). Signed, Wm. Waine. Addressed. Postmark. ¾ p.
1199. ii. Deposition of W. Waine. On arriving from New England at St. Johns, April 12, Deponent went to the Commander at Fort William. On his way he saw that the houses of St. John's, saving about five or six, had been burnt or destroyed, and likewise the stages and fishing-boats for the most part. The Governor informed him of the attack by the French. Corroborates Mr. Campbell's account of the taking of his sloop Friendship and the sinking of the letters. June 25, 1705. Signed, Wm. Waine. Sworn before Thomas Darracott, Mayor. Seal of Plymouth. 2¾ pp. [C.O. 194, 3. Nos. 67, 67.i., ii.; and 195, 4. pp. 5–13.]
[June 27.] 1200. Sir H. Ashhurst to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to Mr. Feild and Mr. Wyeth. [June 5.] Their arguments do not invalidate the reasonableness of his demand for a respite until the answer from Connecticut is received to the matter of fact as to the Law and whether the Quakers have suffered by it or are liable to do so. He owns in his Memorial that they live peaceably in that Colony, not abusing their liberty of conscience. Signed, Hen. Ashhurst. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 27, 1705. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1263. No. 22; and 5, 1291. pp. 154–156.]
June 27.
Whitehall.
1201. Sir Charles Hedges to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I desire to know if you have any objection to the following. Signed, C. Hedges. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 28, 1705. 1 p. Enclosed,
1201. i. Richard Scott to the Queen. Prays for further leave to stay in England for the recovery of his health, and to continue of the Council of Barbados, provided he arrive there by Michs., 1706. Signed, Richd. Scott. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 7. Nos. 161, 161.i.; and 29, 9. pp. 347–349.]
June 27.
Whitehall.
1202. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Report upon the petition etc. of Richard Downes and answers, summarized. (See April 23, June 19 etc.) The Governor's not admitting him to the Council of Barbados upon your Majesty's letter did not proceed from any disrespect to your royal authority, but he transmitted his reasons, in order to know your Majesty's further pleasure thereupon. We take leave to add, that in case your Majesty be pleased to restore the Four Suspended Counsellors and confirm those whom the Governor had put into their places, according to our Representation of March 29, the number of the Councill is at present complete. [C.O. 29, 9. pp. 338–346.]
June 27.
Whitehall.
1203. W. Popple to Mr. Penn. Mr. Feild and Mr. Wyeth having acquainted the Council of Trade and Plantations that they were obliged to go into the country and that you would take care of their business, I send you the inclosed letter to them, that you may, if you think fit, return an answer thereto. Annexed,
1203. i. The Council of Trade and Plantations send you the inclosed Memorial from Sir H. Ashhurst for your speedy answer, and desire you to give them instances of any People's having been persecuted upon ye Connecticut Act against Hereticks. W. Popple, jr., Whitehall, June 27, 1705. [C.O. 5, 1291. p. 157.]
June 28.
Whitehall.
1204. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Handasyd. We send you the new Seal and warrant for using the same. You are to cause the old Seal to be broken before you in Council and transmitted to this Board, etc. (as July 28). [C.O. 138, 11. p. 399.]
June 29.
Bermuda.
1205. Lt. Governor Bennett to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Further reply to Aug. 24. According to your Lordships' command, Daniell Smith was brought to his trial on June 25 and was acquitted, the whole proceeding of which I will transmit in my next. As to what relates to the magazine ships not coming here as formerly, I have sent the reasons for it under the Council's hands, and their opinion about the quantity of tobacco planted, and also a certificate under the Justices' hands, what was made last year and has been planted this, and the Collectors' account of what quantity hath been exported since my arrivall here. I acknowledge what your Lordships say relating to the account of the revenue, but Mr. Spauforth (the commissionated auditor) was never soe ill as to be imagined he could be so long incapassitated; but care is taken for a speedy transmission, as well of those as every thing else mentioned in that paragraph, and I desire your Lordships to believe the cause that every parte of my Instructions has not been comply'd with, did not proceed from any willfull neglect, but for want of time or more Clarks. It was impossible for me to do more than I have since my coming here. I pray my Lords recollect the confus'd state of this Govermt. when I arrived, and also the condition of those that had been fortifications, and not one man in the country that knew how to give directions, so that my attendance was constantly in one or other of them to my great fatigue and expence. When they were tollerably in a posture for service, I began to discipline the militia, who were wholly ignorant, and now (in character) as good as any in the West Indies. Next comes Mr. Larkin, who took up all my time and what help could be had for a year and a halfe, and had every of those my voluminous pacquets arrived which were sent to your Lordships occasioned by him, it would then be convincing the pains I have been obliged to take to justify my injured reputation. What I transmitted to your Lordships was about one fourth of what was sent, for the same I returned to the Secretary of State and my brother, besides what accounts I thought necessary to give to severall of my friends whom I presumed would serve me on occasion. After this barbarous dispute was over, I proceeded to compleat the fortifications and militia, and to put in execution the design of forming a troop of Horse Granadiers I formerly acquainted your Lordships of, which is now so far effected as to have above 100 on the list, and seldom less than 60 appears at an exercise in the field (one-third of them entred being on their affairs generally att sea) they consist of people of the best circumstance, and begin so much to value themselves that severall are in scarlet and many have sent abroad for cloath to appear in the same, soe that in a year's time I doubt not but they will be all in one colour, and many more say they will list when accouter'd, the encouragement by seeing soe many (contrary to all expectation) come in, and to get more I thought convenient to dignify the troop by the name of H.M. volunteer troop of Horse Granadiers (which I hope was noe crime) and made men of interest their Officers (viz.) Col. Charles Walker, Lieut. Cole, John Trimingham, the Major is to be Lieut.-Coll. Wm. Outerbridg, formerly soe to the regiment of Foot, Henry Tucker, First Lieut., Ralph Noden Second Lieut., there are also two Brigadiers, men of very good estates considering this country. I always am with them when they draw out, and used to exercise them till of late, but the Officers now being very well quallified for that duty, I leave it to them; with this troop, and the Company of soldiers H.M. was pleased to give me a Commission for (the men whereof we can take up behind us) I can always depend of having att least 100 Granadiers, which must do good service against an enemy when landing, and by being on horseback we can waite on their boats along shoar, and from time to time send word to the regiment of militia to halt or march, as occasion requires, which will save them from being fatigued. Having thus given an account how I have employ'd my time, I desire your Lordships to consider whether I could have much to spare, indeed my duty (to which with pleasure I have been a slave) would oblige me to attempt anything, but nothing but that and my allegiance could prevail to undergoe the same again, especially that part in which I was forced to be easy under daily insults, affronts and reproaches and used with more contempt than scoundrel, and all the hopes of satisfaction I have left (Larkin being dead), is that your Lordships and the world are satisfied I have been injured. Pursuant to your Lordships' commands, H.M. Orders of Council have been published, and duely registred, as also H.M. approbation of the Act for raising a publick revenue, etc. As for those Acts, Refers to letter of March 31, said to be past in 1694, 1698 and 1701, I always concluded they were transmitted at large amongst the rest, for my orders to the Secretary were to prepare a transcript of all the laws then in force, and when I received your Lordships' letter, I sent for him to give me his reason why they were not included, he told me he could not possibly recollect, it being soe long time since, and desired me to assure your Lordships he had no manner of design in omitting them, and hoped your Lordships would judge favourably of him; I have now transmitted authentick copys of them, excepting that for the support of the Government which I conclude your Lordships has already. I also received H.M. letter relating to prizes, to which all care and obedience shall be shown. Repeats letter of' April 4, etc. Signed, Ben. Bennett. Endorsed, Recd. Nov. 4, 1705, Read May 28, 1706. Holograph. 5 pp. Enclosed,
1205. i. Duplicate of enclosure No. iv, April 4.
1205. ii. Account of Tobacco made in Bermuda, 1704. Total, 19,862lb. Estimate for 1705, 9,138lb. Signed, Fra. Jones, Will. Tucker, Dll. Johnson, Tho. Burton, George Darrell, Tho. Forster, Wm. Outerbridge, John Dickinson, Richd. Gilbert. Endorsed, Recd. Nov. 14, 1705. 1 p.
1205. iii. Report of the Council of Bermuda in reply to enquiry of Aug. 24. (1) In the ship called ye Magazine, commonly sent by the Bermuda Company once a year, was always sent stores of war and necessaries for the Island, the Company positively forbidding all manner of trade with any but themselves, commanding seizure to be made on all manner of dry-goods not imported by them and confirming the whole produce of these Islands to be remitted in ye said ship, only a liberty given to their Governor and Council here, that if she fail of carrying ye whole (wch. was but seldom), that then they might employ another ship on the same terms, consigning the produce to the Company, who laid such a restriction by commanding the Governmt. not to suffer any vessels to be built wch. exceeded 5 tons. Under wch. bondage these Islands laboured until they were relieved by a quo warranto brought against the Company's Patent for a dissolution. (2) Some time after the original settlement of the Islands, the earth was rich and fertile, but of late years experience hath taught us it will not yield half yt. encouragement as formerly. And likewise before the Company's dissolution, the price of tobacco was reduced to so low a rate, by their severitys, which never since could be advanced, therefore it's in vain to plant tobacco, the produce whereof would not find bread for the planters, so that the quantity now planted is not much more than what hath its consumption here. (3) When such vast quantitys of tobacco was planted, the greatest part of this settlement was in the hands of tenants, wch. had no other ways for payment of their rents but by the produce of the same, not having regard to the preservation of timber, by wch. they could reap no benefit. But now ye greatest part of this Island is come into ye hands of Free-holders, who dilligently takes care for ye growth and preservation of timber, wth. wch. they raise mighty advantages by ye building of small vessels, some whereof are exposed to sale, others are employed in ye service of ye neighbouring Plantations, so that great part of ye ground, wch. formerly was planted, is now suffered to grow up into groves of cedars and preserv'd for the uses aforesaid. The remainder being too little to produce provision for ye many inhabitants here, there being imported yearly 10,000 bushels of Indian corn beside severall other sorts of provisions. Signed, Richard Peniston, Cha. Walker, Anthony White, Thomas Harford, Mich. Burrows, St. George Tucker, Benja. Hinson, Sam. Spofferth, Patrick Downing. Endorsed as preceding. 2½ pp.
1205. iv. List of clearances of tobacco, April 29, 1701—June 2, 1705. Custom House, Bermuda. Total, 50,882lb. in 30 vessels (chiefly Bermudan sloops bound for Barbados, Nevis, etc.). Endorsed as preceding. 1½ pp. [C.O. 37, 7. Nos. 26, 26.i.–iv.; and (with enclosure ii. only), 38, 6. pp. 175–182.]
[June 29.] 1206. Bristol Merchants trading to Newfoundland to the Queen. Pray that such a strength may be sent thither as may secure the inhabitants and fishery etc. (cf. June 23). 25 Signatures. Endorsed, Read June 29, 1705. 1 p. Enclosed,
1206. i. Affidavit of R. Sampson. Recounts attacks upon St. Johns. The French seized Torbay but set the inhabitants at liberty upon promise that they would not stir from their houses, threatening that if any one did, they would kill all the rest. Two or three did attempt to get into St. Johns', whereupon the French murdered all the rest. They surprized Quitty Vitty and set the inhabitants at liberty under the same promise, plundering their moneys, cloths, etc., and burning sundry of their dwelling-houses. Deponent never heard nor does he believe that any of the inhabitants were suspected to be in the French interest or holding any correspondence with the enemy. The French acknowledged the great bravery of Lt. Moody and the loss of about 100 men; besides that deponent saw 3 boats for carrying off their sick and wounded. The inhabitants and garrison also highly commend Lt. Moody. All very much blame Mr. Roop for having industriously disswaded the inhabitants from complying with the frequent advices and earnest desires of Lieut Moody to assist in guarding and watching that harbour last winter, etc. Signed, Richard Sampson. 2 pp. [C.O. 194, 22. Nos. 35, 35.i.]
[June 29.] 1207. Newfoundland Merchants to [? Sir Charles Hedges]. Insist on the value of the Fishery and Colony. The subjects of England did for many years enjoy all the great advantages arising therefrom, untill in the reign of K. Charles II the French by various artifices and clandestine methods obtained leave from that Prince to fish in some parts on that coast which were pretended to be less frequented by the English, and thereupon at first took possession of some obscure and remote harbours, and then by degrees of above one half of the harbours of that Island, etc. The French settlements there and in Canada being very much inlarg'd they threaten to beat off the English, unless a good land and sea force be sent speedily thither, etc. 11 Signatures. Endorsed, Read June 29, 1705. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 22. No. 36.]
June 29.
Whitehall.
1208. W. Popple to Mr. Lowndes. Encloses letter of Lord Cornbury relating to the widow of Dr. Bridges to be laid before the Lord High Treasurer. [C.O. 5, 1120. p. 318.]
June 30.
(30m/4, 1705.)
1209. Mr. Penn to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I returne you the Laws, desireing you would please to allow them yr. notice as soon and fast as you can, that a ship intending thither within a month may carry the people the satisfaction of their haveing a Governmt., for ye exceptions, they may be in ye nicest parts supply'd by the Queen's grants or in ye Surrender till mended by fresh Laws. I hope you will consider ye business of the mony, either to drop it or make it practicable, since at present I don't finde the Govermts. of ye Continent have comply'd with the Regulatn. Your Respectfl. friend. Signed, Wm. Penn. Endorsed, Recd. Read July 6, 1705. Addressed. Sealed. Holograph. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 1263. No. 24; and 5, 1291. p. 161.]