America and West Indies: November 1705, 6-10

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: November 1705, 6-10', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 22, 1704-1705, (London, 1916) pp. 680-685. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol22/pp680-685 [accessed 19 March 2024]

November 1705, 6-10

Nov. 6.
Boston.
1436. Mr. Addington to Mr. Popple. Encloses Minutes of Council, Journals of Assembly, and Laws of the Massachusetts Bay, 1701–1705, etc. The piratical gold upon Quelch's condemnation is shipped on board H.M.S. Guersey, etc. Signed, Isa. Addington. Endorsed, Recd. Dec. 31, 1705. Read Jan. 23, 1705/6. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 864. No. 1; and 5, 912. pp. 99–104.]
[Nov. 8.] 1437. Merchants and Traders to the Queen. Pray that some proper person well skill'd in the making tarr, raising and curing hemp, etc., may be sent over to New England and Colonys adjacent to instruct the inhabitants with a view to carrying out the intent of the Act for the encouraging the importation of Naval Stores, which will otherwise be utterly lost. 33 Signatures. Inscribed, H.M. refers this petition to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Signed, C. Hedges. Whitehall, Nov. 8, 1705. Endorsed, Recd. Read Nov. 9, 1705. 1 large p. [C.O. 5, 863. No. 147; and 5, 911. pp. 473–475.]
Nov. 8.
Whitehall.
1438. Mr. Byfield's receipt from Woolwich Ropeyard for 8 barrels of South Carolina tar, etc., as Oct. 24. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1263. No. 49.]
Nov. 8.
Whitehall.
1439. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Hedges. In answer to yours of 3rd inst. Mr. Dummer may by his Agents in Jamaica and elsewhere give notice to the Spaniard of his undertaking to bring letters to and from Europe in the course of trade, as a matter of his private doing, without any public authority from hence. But we do further offer that in case of his carrying such letters to and fro, they be opened by the Governor of Jamaica, or the Governor of other Plantations. And for those going from hence, that they be first examined by order of a Secretary of State, least a criminal correspondence be carryed on in behalf of the French, who are in great measure at present Masters of the Spanish West Indies. And that the like examination be had of ye property of all goods and bullion coming to or going from Europe in Mr. Dummer's packet boats for the use of the Spaniards, or pretended to be such. As to a further incouragement of the trade with the Spaniards, he may be referred to the directions given to the Governor of Jamaica. 2 pp. Autograph signatures. Enclosed,
1439. i. Copy of Lord Nottingham's letter to the Governors of Plantations. [See No. 116.i.] 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 3. Nos. 23, 23.i.; and (without enclosure) 324, 9. pp. 114, 115.]
Nov. 9.
Whitehall.
1440. W. Popple, jr., to W. Lowndes. In reply to letter of Nov. 2, the Council of Trade and Plantations desire you to represent to my Lord High Treasurer that as to the settling a certain number of Ports [in Maryland] for the lading and unlading goods, they have been so sensible of the benefit it will be to H.M. Customs, that they did in May last humbly represent etc. [See April 23.] And their Lordships do hope from the answer which they are in some time expecting from Maryland, that the Assembly have complied in building of towns and warehouses and in the setting out and appointing of proper sheds, wharfs and keys: in which case the scheme proposed by Col. Seymour will be of use; and to which purpose H.M. Instructions have been sent to Coll. Seymour for Maryland, as likewise to Coll. Not for Virginia. Their Lordships conceive that in case the Assembly do not comply with H.M. directions herein, H.M. may settle Ports in Maryland by her own authority, pursuant to an Act of Parliament in that behalf. [C.O. 5, 726. pp. 334, 335.]
Nov. 9.
Whitehall.
1441. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Hedges. Reply to letter of Oct. 27. We were preparing a report to H.M. upon a similar letter from Col. Seymour. As to the arms and ammunition, we humbly conceive the proposals made by him to be very proper, but we do likewise offer that there being already settled in Maryland a revenue of 3d. on every hhd. of tobacco exported for the providing of arms and ammunition for the use of the Province, and as Coll. Seymour writes, there being a summ in Bank there appropriated for that use, and money sent over to Coll. Blakiston (Agent for that Colony here) with orders to lay out this mony for the best advantage of the Province, we hope this service is sufficiently provided for at present. We likewise think it will be very necessary that a storekeeper be settled in that Province, for the good and safe keeping of the public arms and ammunition, and that H.M. may be pleased to direct Coll. Seymour to appoint such an Officer, with a fitting maintenance out of such part of the revenue arising there as he shal judge proper. We do likewise approve of Coll. Seymour's proposal of reducing the provincial judges to such a number as he and the Council may think proper, and humbly offer, that H.M. send him suitable directions in that behalf. We have had a very good character of Mr. Bladen, who acts as Attorney General of Maryland, as well from Coll. Seymour as others, and are of opinion that he may deserve the sum of 100l. sterling proposed by Coll. Seymour, which H.M. may likewise direct to be paid him out of the revenue to be raised in that Province. As to the settling a certain number of Ports etc., repeat preceding. Autograph signatures. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 721. No. 5; and 5, 726. pp. 336–338.]
Nov. 9.
Philadelphia in Prov. of Pensylvania.
1442. Lt. Governor Evans to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to letter of Feb. 14. H.M. Proclamation for ascertaining the current rates of foreign coines, I am with the greatest concern and regrett oblig'd to acquaint your Lordps. notwithstanding all the authority can be made use off in this case by the Govmt. here has not hitherto been effectual to bring ye People to that Regulation of money therein commanded in their mutual Dealings and Bargains, wherein Trading men have alwayes been found to have taken great Liberties. And though I have pressed the entring on that meathod as early and earnestly as was possible to those of H.M. subjects that I am Honour'd and Intrusted with ye command of, yett, what with the inconvenience of formere contracts and great scarcity of money, and other difficulties to be removed, they seem'd very desirous or rather resolv'd to take measures therein from those of our neighbouring Govmts. that are not only much more considerable in trade, But nearer the influence of your Lordps.' more immediate Directions, and seeing they have not yett entred upon the practice of it, ye People here are unwilling to be the first, mistrusting in some measure their own managemt. in an affaire where the whole Continent of the Queen's Plantations in America is equally concern'd; However, ye Officers for Collecting and receiving H.M. Dutys do receive money according to the Regulation. All I have to offer to your Lordps. is to assure [you] that I have not been wanting in my duty and obedience herein to H.M., and beg your directions etc. I have now, in persuance of H.M. sacred commands requiring me to putt the inhabitants of this Govmt. in the best posture of Defence in this dangerous time of warr, settled as regular a Militia as (with the consent of the Representation of the People) I could induce them to be sensible of the necessity off, for ye Queen's Honour and the safety of Her subjects, obliging all those of the Lower Counties from 16 years of age to 60 to furnish themselves with arms and ammunition and to inlist in Companies under Commission'd Officers. The Quakers in those Counties being so very inconsiderable for numbers, and likewise pleading a Privilege of exemption to the Representatives of the sd. Counties from a clause of a Charter granted by the Propr. to the Province and the Territories before my arrival [see Nov. 2], which is that none should be molested or disturbed on account of their Religious Persuasions, for which reason and considering the very small number of those People, they inclin'd, against all arguments to the contrary, to exempt them. However, there is att this time a Militia as well appointed and regular as any I know off on the Main, considering the number of inhabitants and the Infancy of the Thing, it being the first that was ever seen here that deserv'd the name of one. And in the Province, where the Quakers are the Cheif Body of the People, I have likewise caus'd as many companies as possible to be rais'd of such as can bear arms, of whom there might be more, if some who screen their disaffection to ye Govmt. under the specious pretence of a more sacred name, did not too much endeavour to alienate ye minds of such as they can prevail on from joyning in obedience to H.M. commands to provide for their own security. I inclose an Addresse to me from all or most of the Traders of note in this Province, complaining of great hardships they lye under in shipping off their tobacco to the West Indies, where alone it is at present (they say) vendible, which though it more properly belongs to H.M. Commissioners of the Customs, yet as nothing can be accounted fforeign to yor. Lordps. Board that relates to H.M. Plantations, so I hope you will not think it unworthy of your notice, but favourably forward an effectual redresse, which would be a very great ease to the people in general, and especially to those of the Lower Counties, who are and have alwayes been from the very beginning susteined upon the Bottom of Planting Tobacco, For the very great scarcity of money, almost incredible, making it impossible for them to pay the dutys in money, and the Collectors refusing to take them in specie according to the expresse words of the Act, where money is not to be had (which is but too exactly their case) causes so great a stagnation in that Trade, that if it be not remedied, it must shortly lay them under the greatest hardshipps, etc. Signed, John Evans. Endorsed, Communicated by Mr. Penn. Feb. 22, 1705/6 [q.v.]. Read March 1, 1705/6. 6 pp. Enclosed,
1442. i. Traders and Inhabitants of Pensilvania to Lt. Governor Evans. (1) The Collectors formerly took the 1d. per lb. export duty on tobacco in currant money of the Province plus 25 p.c. Now that the value of a shilling etc. has been fixed by H.M., they not only insist on being paid in money, but also continue, by order of the Surveyor General, the advance of 25 p.c. (2) Tobacco, so shipped, when lost or taken by our enemies, as about ¾ ths of all the shipping we had at ye beginning of this warr is already lost that way, we are denyed the priviledge of shipping the same quantity again custome free, a privilege for the reasonableness of it granted by the Act of Tonnage and Poundage, and generally practised in the neighbouring Colonies etc. Pray for the Governor's intercession for redress. Signed, John Van Laer, Robt. Turnham, Tho. Murray, James Thomas, Wm. Hall, Antho. Palmer, John Hunt, Nathl. Curtys, Tho. Norton, Wm. Poole, Nehemiah Allen, Clem. Plumstead. Tho. Masters, George Claypoole, Robt. Grace, S. Graham, Sam. Peres, Richard Hill, Benja. Godeffroy, A. Scott, Benja. Wright, Jos. Growdon, Edwd. Shippen, junr., Hercules Coutt, Joseph Shippen, Edwd. Shippen, Wm. Trent, Isaac Norris, Saml. Finney, George Roch, Joseph Pidgeon, Samll. Preston, Wm. Fishburne. Same endorsement. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1263. Nos. 66, 66.i.; and (without enclosure) 5, 1291. pp. 337–343.]
Nov. 10.
Burlington in New Jersey.
1443. Lt. Governor Ingoldesby to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Since my arrivall and publication of H.M. Commissions appointing me L.G. of New York and New Jersey I have not been allowed by my Lord Cornbury to act, and not being of the Council or acquainted with the affaires of either of the Provinces, has been the only reason of my silence etc. About the beginning of Nov. last, his Lordship left the Province of New York, where I then was, and went to New Jersey. In a little time after a letter came from the frontiers at Albany, directed for H.M. Service to my Lord Cornbury, being sent from the Gentlemen at Albany appointed to manage the Indian affaire, to him; this letter having been delivered to me, and the Messenger that brought the same discoursing in the town that severall Indians were seen skulking about Albany and Schonectady, and that the people there were much frightened, and I being informed that that letter was sent to my Lord Cornbury on that head, I conveened the Councill, who advised me to open the letter, which I did in Councill, and found a paper inclosed in Indian and Dutch, which I imediatly gott translated into English, and sent expresse to Burlington to his Lordship. Refers to enclosures, by which your Lordships will perceive that my Lord Cornbury directs me (while he himself is in New Jersey) to repair thither, he having appointed that for my station, and New York to be left without either Governour or Lieut. Governour. I imediately obeyed, and on my arrival at Burlington waited on his Lordship for his directions, but did not nor have to this day received any instructions from him. About three months since (I having been before that time commanded to Burlington by his Lordship) and then residing there, one of our cheif Indian Sachims, having travelled from this country to Pennsylvania to trade and having gott a pass from the Governor of that Province to Burlington, and being arrived here, he applyed to me for a passe to the Province of New York, which I granted to him. My Lord Cornbury told me that I had done what I had no power to do, that it was his prerogative only to grant passes. Whereon I desired that his Lordship would please to give me instructions that I might know what I had to do, but he told me he did not design I should act at all, and that therefore he would not give me any instructions, adding further that when he was in either of his Governments of New York or New Jersey, he was in both. These are the only two acts of government I have done since my arrival here, of which I believe it my duty to acquaint your Lordships. I humbly pray that since my Lord Cornbury does not think fitt to give me any instructions, that your Lordships will give me directions how I shall discharge my duty to H.M. etc. Signed, Rich. Ingoldesby. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 12, Read April 5, 1706. 3 pp. Set out, N.Y. Docs., iv. pp. 1162, 1163. Enclosed,
1443. i. Copy of a letter from Onnondage received by B. Freerman. Schonectady, Nov. 2, 1704. An Onnondage Indian is arrived from Canada, and gives an account about the belts sent by Col. Schuyler, vizt., that the two Castles, Kagnawage and Kanossadage, were willing to accept of the offers sent by the said belts, but that some of them dare not, but would rather referr it to their Governor, who thanked them that they had submitted the matter to him, and acknowledged them to be their head. The Governor answered that Corlaer's Lake or the Lake Rodsio was locked up for them in this matter, as also in regard of merchandize, and that it was ill people that passed that way, but that it was only a path for soldiers, but that the path of peace runn through the Lake of Cadaracqui to Onnondage. And further that four Kagnawages Indians are gone out to fight against the English, and another twenty, which this Indian saw go out of Chambly and sayd they would go and fight a place called Aorage. The French this last fall were intended to make an attack somewhere, but it was stopped by the Sachems. As also that an army was preparing with great vigour to make an attack this winter over the ice, but on what place, it was kept secret. And lastly this Indian had seen 7 French spyes at the hout Kills by the Little Falls. Signed, Barnardus Freerman, Adam Vrooman, Lawrence vander Volgen. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. Set out, N.Y. Docs., iv. pp. 1163, 1164.
1443. ii. Lt. Gov. Ingoldesby to Governor Lord Cornbury. New York, Nov. 12, 1704. Encloses preceding. Signed, Rich. Ingoldesby. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. Set out, N.Y. Docs. iv. p. 1164.
1443. iii. Governor Lord Cornbury to Lt. Governor Ingoldesby. Burlington, Nov. 15, 1704. Yours came to my hands last night. It was no small surprise to me to find that you had opened a letter directed to me, when you had no instructions from me to do it, etc. You know very well that I have appointed your station in this place. I hereby require you forthwith to repair to your duty here etc. Signed, Cornbury. Same endorsement. Copy. 1 p. Set out, N.Y. Docs. iv. pp. 1164, 1165. [C.O. 5, 1049. Nos. 11, 11.i.–iii.; and (without enclosures) 5, 1120. pp. 441–446.]