|
Oct. 12.
St. Johns in Newfoundland. | 533. Major Lloyd to Mr. Secretary Hedges. I received
yours of June 6, and give you my humble thanks for your kiend
caution to me of my behaviour, etc. As soon as ye shypps
departed this land last year, I thought it my duty to view
Platientia, which accordingly I did, and to all outward appearance
it seemed to me to be in a very weake and careless condition
which oppinion was soon after confirmed by a party of French
we took att Ferryland, who gave out that there was not above
350 inhabitants and soldiers that wintered there. This spring
I made ye inclosed proposall to ye inhabitants of St. Johns,
for attempting Platientia, which had they condescended to,
I do not question but we should have succeeded; 42 masters of
families signed for it, but could not prevaile with ye majority.
The 10 of May last I went agen towards Platientia, on ye 14th
I took a strict view of it, and on ye 17th do. arrived back att
St. Johns. Haveing had a report here this summer of a squadron
of men of warr being intended for this land, in order to reduce
ye French, I take leave to offer my oppinion. Every one yt.
knows Platientia must allow ye entrance of ye harbour to be
in breadth not above 50 fathom, cross which there is a strong
chaine yt. runs slanting on ye Lower Fort, which has in it 36 pieces
of canon, ye muzzles of which may almost be said to touch ye
shypps in goeing in, and if one be sunk (which to me is almost
impossible to be otherwise) ye rest cannot pass; neither can
they returne, by reason of ye strong tides there; Further, suppose
they do get into ye harbour, they are of no further use then
landing men in order to attack ye Forts by land; therefore I
humbly conceive ye sending of men of warr to Newfoundland
in order to ye reduceing Platientia are of no further use then ye
transporting of land forces, which must be considerable, if in ye
summer time, in consideration yt. ye French generally have
about 3,000 men att Platientia dureing theire fishing season.
Ye reduceing Platientia is best to be effected by 4 or 500 men,
who shall depart England ye middle of August, and make the
best of their way to a harbour called Capelin Bay, being 13 leagues
to ye southard of St. Johns, giveing ye commanding officer of
the garryson of St. Johns (and none else) an acct. of theire
arrivall; If att any time H.M. approve of this my proposall,
I do engage to effect ye service; and would without dispute
have done it last year, had ye troops, intended, arrived. After
we took a party of French att Ferryland last winter, they have
not since molested any part to ye southard of St. Johns.
March 2nd. I pursued a party of French of 27, who were in
Consumption Bay, tooke some of theire Indians prisoners, but
could not come up with ye rest, since which that Bay has not
been disturbed; dureing my absence this time, 5 French and
2 Indians came to St. Johns and burnt an empty house, and
did no other damage. Repeats part of Sept. 13. So that all
ye damage ye English in this country received since my last
comeing is ye burning an empty house att St. Johns, and ye
carrying away one boat load of fish from Trinity Harbour, and
I am not under ye least apprehension of any damage the French
can do us this winter, etc. Signed, Tho. Lloyd. Endorsed, R.
Nov. 26. Recd. (by the Board of Trade) Dec. 3, 1706, Read Jan. 17,
1706/7. Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
|---|
| 533. i. Major Lloyd's Proposal to the Inhabitants of St. Johns.
The English in Newfoundland are 3 times the number
of the French, and I think the surprising of Placentia
very feasable. I can have from Carbonier, Little and
Great Bell Isles between 2 and 300 men, if you at St.
Johns will agree that one half of your men should goe,
I will lead them etc. Same endorsement. 1¼ pp. |
| 533. ii. Stores of war proposed by Major Lloyd to be sent
next year, if his proposal for taking Placentia be
approved. Signed, Tho. Lloyd. Same endorsement.
1 p. |
| 533. iii., iv. Captains of H.M. ships of war at Newfoundland
to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The Addresses
to H.M. and your Lordships were signed voluntarily.
Signed, Jon. Underdown and four others. 2 pp. |
| 533. v. Traders and Inhabitants of St. Johns to the Queen,
Sept. 24, 1706. Return thanks for "the late great
instance of your Majesty's Royal favour of leave to
form ourselves into a Militia, the only means that cou'd
have inabled us to be serviceable," etc. Praise Major
Lloyd's unwearied bravery. Pray that he be continued
in his command and that his pay be increased etc.
95 signatures. Endorsed, Recd. Dec. 3, 1706. 1 large p. |
| 533. vi. Commanders of Merchant-ships at Newfoundland
to the Queen. In praise of Major Lloyd etc. as preceding.
He supplied necessary provisions to the inhabitants
at reasonable rates etc. 59 signatures. Same endorsement. 1 large p. |
| 533. vii. Inhabitants of Newfoundland to Mr. Secretary
Hedges. Pray that their appreciation of Major Lloyd
and his officers may be laid before H.M. 85 signatures.
Subscribed, |
| 533. vii (a). Commanders of ships at Newfoundland to same.
The above was signed voluntarily. 36 signatures.
Same endorsement. 1 large p. |
| 533. viii. Inhabitants of Consumption Bay to the Queen.
Major Lloyd has scoured the country and secured us
from the enemie, to whome by ill management and
misbehaviour of our late Officer we lay most miserably
open. Pray that he may be continued in command etc.
39 signatures. 1 large p. [C.O. 194, 4. Nos. 2–9
(not including No. vii); and (not including No. ii.) 194,
22. Nos. 70, 70. i.-vii.] |
| Oct. 12. | 534. Affidavits sworn before Commodore Underdown,
Newfoundland, Oct. 12, 1706. Repeat Nos. 173–189. 16 pp.
[C.O. 194, 24. No. 1.] |
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Oct. 12.
Boston. | 535. Paul Dudley to Mr. Secretary Hedges. I troubled your
Honour some time since with an Address referring to proper
ffees for our Court of Admiralty. Acknowledges receipt of table
of fees, to which we shall in all things conform ourselves, altho
it can't be thought that our proceedings can in all things answer
and come up to what they are at home, but are in a more summary
way, and yet convenient enough for our present circumstances.
The table of fees relates to prizes of the Crown only; our
difference has been hitherto only with privateers or their owners
of whom we have hitherto demanded 5 p.c. upon the value, to
be divided one half to the Judge, and so in proportion to the
other officers of the Court, and have thought it very moderate,
considering that the poorest ffactor in this country makes as
much of his business, and especially when the Courts of Admiralty
in Virginia and Maryland have constantly taken, and do still
take, some 15, some 18 p.c. for fees on such prizes. We have
not had above 8 or 10 prizes this warr, and indeed the whole
business of the Admiralty is so very small, and the Court itself,
being by commission from the Crown, so obnoxious to some of
our Gentlemen, that it will be much for H.M. service and interest
to have the several officers encouraged with a handsome allowance in the matter of prizes. Refers to the case of the Charles
lately condemned in this Court. I hope as soon as may be we
shall have your Honour's final determination and direction. The
Gentlemen concern'd kept your Honour's Inhibition in their
pockett near 18 months before ever they serv'd it upon the Judge
or officers of the Court. Signed, Paul Dudley. Endorsed, R.
Nov. 26, 1706. Recd. (by the Council of Trade) Dec. 3, 1706,
Read Feb. 21, 1706/7. Addressed. Holograph. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5,
864. No. 86.] |
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Oct. 13.
Boston. | 536. Lt. Governor Usher to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. From time to time by severall conveyances I
gave your Lordps. an account of the state of this Province
[? New Hampshire], at all times made it my business to follow
and put in execution all orders and directions from H.E., by
reason no provision made for lodging and dyett by the Province
I have bin more absent from the same than otherwise should.
As to H.E., has taken care for repairing the Fort, and is now
in good posture of defence, tho' when I arived could not fire three
guns to doe service, the command of the Fort in good hands,
and due care taken. The French and Indian enemy last sumer
quiett, this sumer about 300 from Canada disperst themselves
in small parties on frontier places of the Massathusets Government,
by H.E. prudent care, next under God, the enemy met with
such a repulce wherever they made an assault, went of with
greater loss then gaine. Wee expect no peace untill the French
at Port Royall and St. Johns be subdued, wch. by command
of a good souldier, may easily be effected, must say we have not
any here fitt for service. H.E. hath admitted Major Vauhan
to be of the Councill, with humble submission did here him say
the King ought not to have the Govermt., but the People. I
charged him with imbezeling the Books of Records, and especially
the booke in 83, 84, 85, wch. Booke there is 23 leaves cutt out,
which was the judgements Mason obtained against the People,
are all cout out, and still keepes the Records by H.E. order.
Also when Vauaghn was Treasurer, disposed of the money contrary
to the grants, all wch. I am ready to prove. Repeats charge against
Partridge. As to the Massathusets Govermt., there were sundry
persons traded with the French and Indjan enemy, supplying
them with armes, ammunition, provisions and clothing. It is
supposed the Indjans made use of some to destroy H.M. subjects,
both in New England and Newfoundland. They were tryed
by Governor and Councill and Assembly, for heigh misdemeanors,
had mults lain on them, all wch. I judge H.E. will give you an
account of. If the Records of tryall should be sent over, their
will appeare very great villany, and had the matter bin strictly
examined, severall great persons would have bin found concern'd.
As to lumber, pitch, tar, etc., I humbly offer, in case the Laws
made by the Govermt. here were put in execution, would answer
the end, with an order to the Governor here to take care of the
same, may salve the charge the Crowne is now at. As to any
orders from your Lordps. H.E. has not thought to commuicate
the same to me, soe not capable to answer. I have serv'd the
Crowne many years, in which I have spent my time and estate
in H.M. service, yet never had lodging nor dyett allowed me
to this day. I value my reputation to be true to the trust
reposed in me, hope your Lordps. will take the same into consideration. Signed, John Usher. Endorsed, Recd. Nov. 25,
1706, Read March 28, 1706/7. Addressed. Holograph. 2 pp.
[C.O. 5, 864. No. 176; and 5, 912. pp. 340–342.] |
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Oct. 14.
Virga., Williamsburg. | 537. Mr. Jenings to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The convoy with our great ffleet of mercht. ships sayled Sept. 17,
etc. Altho nothing of moment hath since occurred I think itt
my duty not to omitt any oppertunity of acquainting your
Lordps. of the quiet state of the country, and yt. our incourageing cropps as well in quality as quantity are gott well into the
houses, where in probability they may for some time lye, here
being but five small ships in the Govermt., and little expectation
of any from England, the consigneing Planters being more
desirous to lett their tobacco for some time lye, than transport
itt after soe large a ffleet, yett ships with goods would bee welcome,
being soe great a want that some parts of the country are
promoteing and applying themselves for the makeing of linnen
and woolen, wch. an early and good supply in some measure
would dash. I have transmitted a list of such Patents that are
prepared to bee signed att the usual time in Oct. for your Lordps.'
consideration. The stop that must bee putt to them I am doubtfull may cause a murmuring, and itt would bee very satisfactory
to have your Lordps.' resolutions and commands therein.
Signed, E. Jenings. Endorsed, Recd. 20th, Read 24th Jan.,
1706/7. Holograph. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 1315. No. 38; and 5,
1362. pp. 90, 91.] |
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Oct. 14.
New York. | 538. Governor Lord Cornbury to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. On Jan. 17, 1705/6, a man of this town, one
Jackson, came to acquaint me that two Ministers were come to
town, one from Virginia, and one from Maryland, and desired
to speak with me. I said they should be wellcome to come to dine
with me, and then I found by their answers that one, whose name
is Francis Mackensie, is a Presbyterian preacher setled in Virginia,
the other, John Hampton, is a young Presbyterian Minister lately
come to settle in Maryland. They talked of indifferent things,
they pretended they were goeing towards Boston, they did not
say one syllable to me of preaching here, nor did not ask leave
to doe it, they applyed themselves to the Dutch minister for
leave to preach in the Dutch Church in this town, who told them
he was very willing provided they could gett my consent, they
never came to me for it, they went likewise to the Elders of the
French Church, they gave the same answer, all this while they
never applyed themselves to me for leave, nor did they offerr to
quallify themselves as the Law directs, but on the Monday
following I was informed that Mackensie had preached on the day
before at the house of one Jackson, a shoemaker in this town,
and that Hampton had preached on Long Island, and that
Mackensie after having preached here on Sunday was gone over
to Long Island with intent to preach in all the towns in that
Island, having spread a report there that they had a Commission
from the Queen to preach all along this Continent. I was
informed on the same day from New Jersey that the same men
had preached in severall places in that Province, and had ordained
after their manner some young men who had preached without
it among the Dissenters, and that when they were asked if they
had leave from the Government, they said they had noe need
of leave from any Governour, they had the Queen's authority
for what they did. These reports induced me to send an order to the
Sherriff of Queen's County on Long Island to bring them to this
place, which he did Jan. 23 in the evening the Attorney Generall
was with me, I asked Mackensie how he came to preach in this
Government without acquainting me with it, and without
quallifying himself as the Law requires, he told me he had
quallified himself according to Law in Virginia, and that having
so done he would preach in any part of the Queen's Dominions
as well as Virginia, and that the licence he had obteined there,
was as good as he could obtein here, I told him that Virginia
was part of the Queen's Dominions as well as this Province,
but that they are two different Governmts., that no order or
law of that Province can take place in this etc. He told me he
understood the Law as well as any man, and that he was satisfyed
he had not offended against the Law, that the penall laws of
England did not extend to and were not in force in America,
to which the Attorney Generall replyed that if the penall Laws
did not take place in America, neither did the Act of Toleration,
nor is it proper, said he, that it should, since the latter is noe
more then a suspension of the former, Mackensie said that the
Queen granted liberty of conscience to all her subjects without
reserve. I told him he was soe farr in the right that the Queen
was gratiously pleased to grant liberty of conscience to all her
subjects except papists, that he might be a papistt for all that
I knew, under the pretence of being of another perswasion, that
therefore it was necessary he should have satisfyed the Governmt.
what he was before he ventured to preach, upon that he told me
that he would quallifye himself in any manner, and would settle
in this Province. I told him whenever any of the people of either
of the Provinces under my Governmt. had desired leave to call
a Minister of their own perswasion, they had never been denied
it, but that I should be very cautious how I allow'd a man so
prone to bid defiance to Governmt. as I found he was, he said
that he had done nothing that he could not answer, soe I ordered
the high Sherriff of this City to take them into his custody, and
I directed the Attorney Generall to proceed against them acording
as the Law directs, which he has done by preferring an indictment
against Mackensie for preaching in this City without quallifying
himself as the Act of Tolleration directs, the Grand Jury found
the Bill, but the Petty Jury acquitted him, soe he is gone towards
New England uttering many severe threats against me. As
I hope that I have done nothing in this matter but what I was in
duty obliged to doe, espetially since I think it is very plain by
the Act of Tolleration it was not intended to tollerate or allow
strowling Preachers, but only that those persons who dissent
from the Church of England should be at liberty to serve God
after their own way in the severall places of their abode without
being liable to the penaltys of certain Laws, soe I intreat your
Lordships' protection against this malicious man, who is well
known in Virginia and Maryland to be a disturber of the peace
and quiet of all the places he comes into, he is Jack of all Trades,
he is a preacher, a Doctor of Physick, a Merchant, an Attorney,
a Councellor at Law, and which is worst of all a Disturber of
Governmts. I should have sent this account sooner but that I
was willing to see the issue of the Tryall. Signed, Cornbury.
Endorsed, Recd. July 31, Read Aug. 17, 1708. Copy. 3 pp.
[This duplicate was enclosed in Lord Cornbury's letter of Feb. 10,
1708.] [C.O. 5. 1049. No. 92; and 5, 1121. pp. 319–323.] |
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| Oct. 15. | 539. F. Duport to [? the Board of Ordnance]. When the
merchants etc. concerned in St. Kitts and Nevis made their
last application for relief, Mr. Sec. Hedges replied that H.M. had
ordered such care shou'd be taken of them as to satisfye all
reasonable persons etc. I find that no small arms or fire-locks have
been ordered for St. Kitts amongst the divers stores shipt on two
transport ships for the use of both Islands, this particular being
what the people there want most for the defence of their forts,
several of their own having burst in the late French invasion.
400 small arms and 6 barrels fine powder, screws etc. the least.
Signed, F. Duport. [C.O. 239, 1. No. 14.] |
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| Oct. 15. | 540. Merchants trading to Barbados to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Your Lordships having been pleased to communicate to us an Act of Barbados for establishing a method
of credit there, and required our opinion of it, we thankfully
acknowledge your Lordships' favour, etc. We are apprehensive
that it will prove of very pernicious consequence, not only to
particular persons, but also to the whole Island in generall, will
introduce greater necessitys than it pretends to relieve, and can
be of noe reall advantage to any other than the person appointed
by the Act to issue out the Bills of Credit, and to his clerks and
under-officers, which our opinion is grounded upon the reasons
following. (1) This Act compelling an acceptance of these Bills
under a large penalty, all creditors by mortgage, judgements, bonds
or other securitys, who lent their money at interest, and perhaps
would continue that credit untill the debtors are better able
to pay than they are at present, will be oblig'd to accept these
Bills which carry no interest to the creditors, and must either
part with them at a large discount, or keep them till the 5 years
appointed for the continuance of this Act expires, which will
be 50l. loss upon everv 100l., and destroy credit in that Island
for the future. (2) Absent creditors, to whose Agents or
Attorneys any Bills shall be tenderd in payment, may loose
a great part or the whole of their debts; for if the Agent or
Attorney refuses these Bills, he forfeits half the value of 'em,
and if he takes 'em and does not present them to the Treasurer
within 20 days after the year from the date of 'em expires, the
Bills are to be voyd, and the Treasurer discharged from receiving
'em. This gives encouragement to the corrupting of Attorneys
and Agents, and leaves the principall creditor without money.
(3) This Act likewise compelling an acceptance of these Bills
in satisfaction of contracts, ffew, if any, persons will import
provisions or other necessarys for life into this Island; or if
they doe, will raise the price of 'em proportionable to the losse
they must sustain by keeping such Bills till the Act expires, or
by the discount they must make upon tendering them in payment. This consequence will affect all the inhabitants equally,
and make those who have Reall Estates, tho' under no pressure
of debts, to take up Bills of Credit in their own defence, and
such who have no Reall Estates, and therefore cannot take up
Bills of Credit, must eat, drink and be clothed at greater expence
than before, and be thereby reduced to poverty. (4) The discount that will attend these Bills, and the rise of provisions thereby
will occasion the rise of sugars and other product of the Island;
the consequence of wch. will be that the sugars, etc. sent from
Barbadoes hither, must either not be sold at all, or at a greater
losse than that Trade can bear, unlesse all our sugar-plantations
were under the same circumstances. (5) Though the Bills issue
from the publick, the ffunds out of which they are to be paid
are private or very uncertain ones, and such as are not so
sufficient a security as persons under a necessity of receiving
them ought to have. For the ffunds are the Estates of such as
take up the Bills of Credit upon their obligations, which are
therefore to be given to the person issuing out these Bills, and
to be in the nature of Judgments at Law, and in case of
insolvency of the obligers, the 3l. per cent interest payable on
those obligations is to be applyed to the payment of the Bills
issued to such insolvents, or those Bills are to be made good
by the publick out of the first ffunds that shall arise, by a warrant
from the Governor for the time being, with the consent of the
Councill. This provision is neither safe nor sufficient, and
depends too much upon the single understanding and integrity
of one man, viz. the person issuing out these Bills. For he is
sole judge of the titles of the Estates to be charged, tho perhaps
not skilled in the Law, and may issue Bills to persons upon
insufficient titles. The obligations are to be made to him and
kept in his custody, and are not ordered to be recorded and if
they should be stolen, lost, destroyd, or carryed from the Island,
or if he should refuse to issue out warrants upon 'em, the debts
are lost, or the publick must bear the burthen: for the security
of 20,000l., which such person gives for ye due execution of his
trust, is not adequate to the great trust repos'd in him, and that
security may likewise prove defective. Negroes which are
declared part of the security for the Bills to be issued, and are
the only Reall Estate some persons have, are subject to so many
contingencys as render them a very slender security, and not
fit to be forced upon any man. The provision against counterfeiting Bills, by ordering them to be endorsed by all persons
tendering them in payment, extends only to Bills of 11l. value,
and to none under that summe, which leave encouragement
to counterfeit Bills of less value, and the Forgers may goe off
from the Island before they are discover'd. If any considerable
losse should happen by any of the accidents abovementioned,
or through the insolvency of the obligers, which the 3l. per cent
will not satisfy, future Assemblys may refuse to raise any fund
to make good such losse. But if none of the accidents abovementioned should happen, there is not sufficient encouragement
for purchasing the lands of such persons who will not or cannot
pay the money due on their obligations when the Act expires.
For the sale is to be made without any judiciall proceeding of
Record upon the bare warrant under the hand and seal of the
person issuing out ye Bills, and by a Bill of Sale from the officer
to whom it is directed, without any return to be made by him
on record, and if the warrant for the sale shall happen to be lost
or destroyed, or the officer who executes it makes any mistake
by deviating from or exceeding his warrant, the sale may be
impeached, and the purchaser lyable to be evicted, and if there
should not be purchasers, or sufficient money in the Island to
pay for the lands expos'd to sale, this Act must be repeated
[? repealed] or the Island depopulated. The allowance to the
person issuing the Bills is very extravagant, ffor if Bills of Credit
to the value of 200,000l. should be issued (as 'tis probable there
will) and continue soe for 5 years, that person will have actually
received 50,000l. down for his trouble and for the salarys of
his clerks and officers, and the creditor who us'd to have interest
for his money will have none, and have paper only for his principall
to be answered by a precarious ffund. Pray that the Act may
not have H.M. approbation. Signed, George Lillington, E.
Chilton, Rich. Bate, Guy Ball, Rd. Scott, James Gohier, David
Miln, Edward Alanson, Thomas Ward, John Saile, Jonath.
Leigh, John Dersley, Edward Lascelles, Matthew Matson, Abrah.
Mendez, R. Hallett, Richard Haynes, Jno. Donaldson. Endorsed,
Recd. Read Oct. 15, 1706. 6¼ pp. [C.O. 28, 9. No. 56; and
29, 10. pp. 134–142.] |
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Oct. 16.
New York. | 541. Governor Lord Cornbury to Sir Charles Hedges. Your
letter of July 13, 1705, was delivered to me by Capt. Budge
at a time when my wife lay at the point of death, which made
me desire him to have a little patience, which he was easy enough
in, after some time, I found that that ship and cargoe had been
appraised at 1,503l. 7s. 1d. York money, and was sold for
1,441l. 0s. 0¾d. the same money at publick vendue, Capt. Budge
himself being present, soe that the charges which amounted
to 494l. 16s. 3¼d. being deducted, my thirds amounted to
315l. 7s. 111/6d. I told Capt. Budge that upon what you
had been pleased to write to me, I was willing to pay him what
my third part amounted to, and though I had not ready money
to doe it with, I would give him warrants upon my sallary as
Governor of this Province, which is the same thing as money,
because they are always paid quarterly etc., but this he refused,
saying he would have money etc. I hope you will be of opinion
that noe more ought to be required of me. There was not above
142 tuns of logwood on board, though in his petition there was
168 tuns, and it was sold at 8l. 10s. a tun, though I am informed
that at that time it was not worth above 6l. in England. If he
had more on board when he came into Amboy, it will follow that
he had landed some of his logwood at Amboy, which would have
been sufficient to have forfeited his ship and cargoe. At the
time his ship was seized Col. Hamilton was Governor, not I as
he falsely declares, and the ship was sold, not by my order by
Peter Fauconier, a creature of mine, as he says, but by order of
the Court of Vice-Admiralty at public vendue etc. I will make
oath, if required, that I never medled with the seizure nor
condemnation of that ship. All the money was paid in the
Court and there distributed according to the Laws of Trade.
I never promised to pay Stephen Stokes 6 months wages due to
him. I told 4 or 5 sailors who came to me for their wages that
they must apply to the Court. If any fault has been committed
in this proceeding, I have had noe manner of concern in it, etc.
Signed, Cornbury. Endorsed, R. Nov. 28. Recd. (by the
Board of Trade) Dec. 3, 1706, Read Feb. 21, 1706/7. 3 closely
written pp. Holograph. Enclosed, |
|---|
| 541. i.–iii. Certificates as to the appraisement and sale of
the pink Hope, New York, April 20, 1703, as above.
Signed, John Tuder, Register of the Admiralty Court,
New Jersey. Oct. 16, 1706. Endorsed as preceding.
5 pp. [C.O. 5, 970. Nos. 43, 43. i.–iii.] |
Oct. 17.
Whitehall. | 542. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Sec. Hedges.
Enclose following to be laid before H.M. Annexed, |
|---|
| 542. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen.
Having received from Governor Sir B. Granville, an
Act of Barbadoes to supply the want of cash etc., and
finding several matters therein contained, of an unusual
and extraordinary nature and importance, which if
put in practice by a continuance of the Act, will, we
fear, involve that Island in new and multiplyed
inconveniences, we therefore thought it our duty,
without any delay, to report to your Majesty our sence
and opinion upon the said Act, together with the grounds
and reasons for such opinion, that so by opening the
merits of the cause, and by putting things in their
proper light, we might the better prepare and fit them
for your Majesties determination. The principal matter
contained in the Act is briefly this; that every person
inhabiting and having an Estate of Inheritance in
Barbadoes, may have a Bill or Bills of Credit, signed
and sealed by John Holder, Esq., nominated in the
Act for that purpose, to the value of the fourth part
of his real Estate; the Bills to pass in all parts of the
Island as ready money to the full value of the sum
therein mentioned, and no person to refuse the same
under the penalty of forfeiting a full moiety of the
summ contained in the Bill; the Bills to pass but for
one year, but renewable from year to year till the last
year before the expiration of the said Act, which is
to continue 5 years and no longer. The end or
intent of the Act is declared in the Preamble, to
remedy or supply the want of cash in the Island and
to help creditors to pay their debts. Upon this we
take leave to observe, that the Act proceeds in an
improper and indirect course for attaining the end
it proposes. The proper method for supplying the
deficiency of cash, is to promote the increase of it by
incouraging a quicker importation of silver, but to
put a disuse upon money in common payments, and
to render it less needfull by setting up Bills of Credit,
or anything else to serve instead of it, tends to slacken
the industry of the merchant in procuring it. By
which method tis justly to be feared that the
Island at the expiration of the Act will labour
under a greater scarcity of money than it did before.
The Act admits any person having an inheritance in
the Island to take out Bills of Credit upon the fourth
part of his Real Estate, but then he must pay 8 in the
100 every year for his Bills, not for 100l. which he
borrows and receives in money, but for a Bill of Credit
upon his land for 100l. to be signed and sealed by the
said Holder. And yet the Act makes no provision,
neither during the continuance nor after the expiration
of it, at 5 years end, for turning those Bills into money
when required. Had the Act, instead of compelling
men by severe penalties to accept of Bills instead of
money, invited them so to do by establishing certain
funds for converting those Bills into money when required,
it might have prevented many inconveniences, wch.
for want of such provision will inevitably insue; for
by the Act as it now stands, every first taker up of a
Bill of Credit for 100l., must pay 108l. for such Bill, which,
when he turns into money [will] never yeild him more
than the summ of 100l. mentioned in the Bill, so that
he must necessarily lose 8 in the 100 by turning his
Bills into money, but if he turns his Bills into goods
and commodities, tho' the Act compells the merchant
of whom he buyes them to accept of Bills instead of
money, yet it does not compell him to sell his goods
at what price the buyer pleases, but the merchant will
consider the charge, risque, trouble and other accidents
to which Bills are more liable than money, and will
rate his goods accordingly, so that this Act will alter
the price of all commodities to the great confusion
and disturbance of trade. The Act imposes an
intollerable hardship upon creditors who have already
lent their monies under covenants and obligations
of receiving the like sums in currant money; but this
Act calls a Bill signed and sealed by Holder current
money, and imposes a necessity on the creditor to
receive it as such. From whence arises a double
inconveniency. First, the creditor who has already lent
his moneys upon good securities, such as mortgages,
judgements and the like, which in Barbadoes carry
with them 10 in the 100, must surrender up these
securities, and take Bills for them, wch. carry no interest,
and also change an unquestionable security into Bills,
the title whereof neither he nor his Counsell were ever
acquainted with. And as to future lenders, no man
in Barbadoes, during the continuance of this Act, will
lend any more money, because of the hardships to
which Creditors are exposed by the Act, to ye manifest
disadvantage of trade, which in great measure depends
upon borrowing and lending. The Act requires the
Treasurer of the Island to accept these Bills in payment
for excise, taxes and all other impositions, whereby
your Majesty's Revenue will be greatly damnifyed,
for Bills will never defray the publick charges with
that advantage as ready money does, besides if the
Treasurer of the Island allows of Bills for good payment, the Treasury there will never be possessed of
any summs in ready money, which how dangerous it
may prove in many sudden exigencies, is not easy to
determine. It is further provided by the Act that in
case any persons who have entered into obligations
to Holder, on account of these Bills, shall prove insolvent,
by means whereof Holder shall be rendred incapable
to answer the demands arising by these Bills, then
such summs or Bills shall be made good out of the
publick funds, which will likewise be prejudicial to
your Majesty's Revenue, by charging it with the
insolvencies of particular persons. The inhabitants
of Barbadoes employing their lands to the production
of sugars and other beneficial commodities, do thereby
often need corn, beef, pork and other provisions to
be imported thither from New England, New York
and other Plantations on the Continent; but this
invention of Bills will be a generall obstruction to this
trade, for the importers from those parts have not
always occasion to take sugars or other the commodities
of the Island in exchange for provisions, and Bills
they will not take, which by the Act are only to have
a currency in the Island, and the currency of Bills
in the Island will prevent the currency of money there,
for particular traders receiving nothing but Bills in
all payments, will not be furnished with a sufficient
quantity of cash to buy those provisions. This new
erected office, in nature of a Land Bank, will be very
chargeable to the people, without any benefit. If a
man has lands in Barbadoes, and his title be good,
and he willing to give a satisfactory interest, his lands
will always be a credit for money, and there is no need
of giving 8 in the 100 to have a credit upon his own
land; But in case he will take up credit as this Act
appoints, he shall have a Bill from the office, which
by force of Law shall pass as ready money, he paying
8 in the 100 for such Bill, so that the Act continuing
for 5 years every person who takes up Bills to the value
of 100l., must pay 40l. for the currency only and
circulation of such Bills during yt. terme. We further
observe that 5l., part of the 8 per cent., are applyed
to him who issues out the Bills, his Clerks and Cashiers,
which is the 20th part of all credit; By means whereof
the persons concerned in the office will be sure to be
gainers, who ever else may be losers. There are many
objections may be made to severall paragraphs in the
Act relating to the manner of ordering and regulating
the Bills, the examination of the titles of lands, the
sales of those lands upon not satisfying the obligations
etc., but we omit them, because, if the principal part
of the Act making Bills to pass as ready money be
rejected, all the rest falls in course. Having duly
considered the whole Act and consulted the Barbadoes
merchants and African Company, and others concerned
in the trade of the Island, we are humbly of opinion
that this Act is hurtfull to trade, injurious to creditors,
prejudiciall to the Revenue and safety of the Island,
and an unnecessary charge upon the inhabitants, and
that therefore your Majesty be pleased to signify your
disallowance and disapprobation thereof. [C.O. 29,
10. pp. 142–152.] |
Oct. 17.
Newport. | 543. Governor and Council of Rhode Island to the Council
of Trade and Plantations. This morning came to our hands
your Lordships' letter of May 31. We will speedily appoint a
day of Thanksgiving. A page of prayers for H.M. and their
Lordships' health as Sept. 14. Signed, West. Clarke, Secretary.
Endorsed, Recd. Nov. 25, 1706. Read Feb. 28, 1706/7. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1263. No. 141; and 5, 1291. pp. 457, 458.] |
|---|
Oct. 18.
Piscataqua. | 544. Mr. Bridger to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
In obedience to my Instructions I am to give your Lordshipps
an account of my proceedings from time to time. After a
passage of 73 days I arrived at Boston Sept. 15. … i am now
at Piscataqua, the mast shipps with sayle being cheifly laden
wth. Naval Stores being now bound for England under convoy
of H.M.S. Dover, and have on board in tarr 5615 (fn. 1) barrell, in pitch
614 barrells, rozin 90 barrells, in turpentine 836 barrells, wch.
is the first year's produce. Those stores were made by the people
without any instructions how to make them, but are all made
of old knotts, therefore I hope your Lordshipps will favour them
so farr as not to hinder theire receiving the premium given them,
and if they do not rise to eaquall goodness with the East Countrey
now, I will engage those for the future, if they will follow my
advice, shall be as good as any ever imported into England.
That in 2 years, for the trees must stand 2 years after they are
prepared, and I hope the Navy will buy this and give the people
incouragment to proceed, for should they meet with any disapointment as to the reward or premium I feare they would
not venter a second attempt, but return to theire spinning
wch. they have made a very great progress in, and every farmer
or planter have now entered on rasing of sheep, wch. will be the
loose of this designe wholly. This beginning shews the people's
present inclinations, and they all here express a generall liking
to the same, and hope to go forward, but they all depend on this
tryall, and as they now succed, so they will proseed. The whole
depends on this very fleet, for every one is at a full stop, till they
heare of the success of this tryall, but I hope all will be well,
and theire expectations answered, and in my humble opinion
[that] H.M. ware better give more for this than twice the
value, than have the people here baulk'd etc. Prays to be
allowed traviling charges. I cannott live with my servant and
two horses under 15s. a day, when I travile, wch. is all the yeare,
for in the summer I must instruct the people, and in the winter
survey the woods, etc. My salary is not more than 200l. a year,
by which I shall be 200l. more out of pocket etc. Then I have
no allowance for pens, paper etc., nor for postage of letters, etc.
I have a large correspondence 900 miles distance. A letter
from Virginia 2s. 6d., more very often, allways 1s. 6d. from
Philadelphia, 1s. from New York and none under 8d. Neither
have I any clerk, wch. 'tis impossible for me to be without and
doe all the buisness I am obliged to, on all wch. I most humbly
pray your Lordshipps' representation to my Lord Treasurer,
having writ to him on the same account, etc. The people must
be humour'd and flatter'd and showed their own interest, and it
would be of good consequence had I mony to make the experiment
of tarr in the proper places etc., and if I might buy any of those
stores here produced on commission for H.M., which if imported
by me as H.M. would save the premiums to H.M., which would
be 30,000l. per annum saved to H.M., etc. I can buy tar for 8s. or
9s. sterling, the freight may be had and is now in this fleet at
5l. per tun in barrells, and I can give timely notice for insurance
if thought proper. I desire no money in hand, but have credit
to draw by bill for so much as is bought, which may be examined
by any if my fidelity should be suspected, and am willing to be on
my oath as to the quantity and price I give, and am very certain
I shall buy the best. This I have proposed to the Lord High
Treasurer, who I am sensible will refer it to your Lordships for
your report, etc. The ships being ready to sail prevents my
giving an account of the state of the woods, which is very bad,
and severall other affaires I must refer till my next. |
|---|
| If your Lordships fix on a sum for traviling charges, I will
get the Governor to certify that I went out such a day and
return'd such a time. Proposes 15s. per diem allowance. Coll.
Quarry have 20s. per diem. Signed, J. Bridger. Endorsed,
Recd. 25th, Read 27th Nov., 1706. Addressed. Holograph.
3½ pp. [C.O. 5, 864. No. 75; and 5, 912. pp. 196–202.] |