|
Feb. 1.
Jamaica. |
339. Governor Handasyd to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I think myself obliged by this opportunity to acquaint
your Lops. that the Assembly after sitting 4 weeks have made
ready two Laws, one for the quieting possessions, the other the
settling the ffees of the severall Offices of this Island. After
many disputes for and against them, by the advice of the
Councill and Attorney Generall, as your Lops. will see in the
Minutes of the Councill of Jan. 29, which I shall send you by
the first packett-boat or man-of-war, being very well assured
the Assembly resolved to enter on no other business, till satisfaction was given them in relation to these two Bills, and
most part of the objections that were to them before being
removed, I have at last passed them which I hope will be
approved of by H.M. and your Lops. I have not been backward
to put the Assembly in mind how much they will be obliged
to H.M., if she is pleased to give her royall assent to them,
and therefore do assure myself they will enable the Treasury to
pay its contingent charges for the support of the Government.
The Quartering Act expiring was another motive of my passing
these two Bills, and I hope it may be the means of the Assembly's making a better provision for the Officers and soldiers
of H.M. Regiment here, as well as the Treasury. The enclosed
paper will give your Lops. an account of what prizes have
been taken and brought in here since my last, the value of
them I am not acquainted with, but believe some of them were
very considerable. Here are severall sloops and other vessells
going to trade on the Spanish coast under convoy of two
men of war. A French privateer sloop and periago lately
landed on the north side of this Island, and took off 32 slaves,
they likewise took 3 sloops from thence, 2 of which were loaden
with ffurstick and piemento, but of no great value. The good
news of the glorious success of H.M. fforces, under the comand
of his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, we had the other day
by a runner from Bristoll, which puts me and the Regiment
under my command in hopes of being soon relieved. Mr.
Wager designs very shortly to sail with all the fforce he can
make to windward, to endeavour to intercept some merchant
ships coming from Old France to Hispaniola under convoy of
two men of warr, one of 70 guns, the other of 50, which are
to cruize there some time, and then go down to the Havanna,
where they are to bee joined by a ffleet from La Vera Cruz,
which is very rich, to strengthen their convoy home. I have
given instructions to all the privateers commissioned from hence
to join with some Dutch privateers that lie to windward, if
they can, and cruize between La Vera Cruz and the Havanna,
in hopes to fall in with that fleet, which is now under a very
weak convoy. I have been obliged to put on board Mr. Wager's
squadron betwixt 200 and 300 men of H.M. Regiment, to help
to man the ships, which makes the duty very hard on those
left on the Island. I shall give your Lops. a more particular
account of affairs here by the first packett boat that arrives,
or man of war that sails from hence. |
|
P.S. Since my concluding this letter here is arrived in the
harbour of Port Royall a Gunea ship of 300 tonn retaken by
H.M.S. Jersey from two French privateers, who took her off
Cape Tiberoon in her way to this Island. Signed, Tho. Handasyd. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 4th April, 1709. 3 pp.
Enclosed, |
|
339. i. An account of prizes brought into Port Royal since
Nov. 12, 1708=10. (4 French and 4 Spanish). Same
endorsement. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 8. Nos. 33, 33. i.;
and (without enclosure) 138, 12. pp. 377–380.] |
Feb. 2.
Whitehall. |
340. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Report upon the petition of the Bahama Merchants etc., Dec.
30, 1708. We have heard the petitioners, as also the Lords
Proprietors by their Council. It did appear to us, at the
said hearing, that these Islands have been wholly neglected;
that no arms, ammunition or stores of war have been sent
thither by the Lords Proprietors these 20 years past; tho'
frequent applications have been made to them upon that account; that the side of the Fort next the sea, upon the Island
of Providence (which was the only place of strength) has
been demollished and still lyes unrepaired; that the guns that
were in the Fort have been spiked up and thrown over the
wall by the French and Spaniards, when they plundered the
said Islands in 1703, as they have done 2 or 3 times since,
insomuch the inhabitants have deserted to such a degree, that
of 150 families formerly on the Island of Providence, there
are now but 12 remaining, and those dispers'd. So that the
Petitioners have fully proved the allegations of their petition.
etc. Repeat argument for resuming the Islands to the Crown.
See June 17, 1707. In the meantime, since the defenceless
state of those Islands hath been thro the neglect of the Proprietors, we humbly offer that, to prevent their falling into
the hands of the enemy, and for the better administration of
the Civil and Military Government there in time of war, your
Majesty be pleased to send over with your Royal Commission a
Governor well experienced in Military affairs, and fitly qualify'd
for such an employment, as was done in some other Propriety
Governments during the late war; and which your Majesty
may legally do in the present case, according to the opinion
annexed. And we further humbly offer that your Majesty be
pleased to send along with the said Governor at the least one
compleat company of foot for the defence of the said Islands,
and that such Governor be impowered and enabled by a suitable number of gunners, with a supply of warlike stores and
other necessaries, to be sent from hence to repair the said
Fort, and to put the said Islands in a good state of defence,
as has allready been humbly proposed, May 24, 1706, June 17,
1707. [C.O. 5, 1292. pp. 92–95.] |
Feb. 2.
Whitehall. |
341. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. Refer to letter of Dec. 9, 1708. It being
some time since the Virginia Fleet arrived, we desire to know
whether you have received any further account of the goods
of the Virginia Indian traders seized in S. Carolina, etc. [C.O.
5, 1292. p. 96; and 5, 289. p. 153.] |
Feb. 3.
Craven House. |
342. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Reply to preceding. Since the arrivall of
the Virginia Fleet, we hear that the Loyal Johnson from Carolina,
on board of which our Secretary and Attorney General are,
fell short in her voyage, and was left in Virginia, but we
are dayly in expectation of her arrivall, etc. Signed, Craven,
Pallatine; Beaufort, J. Colleton, J. Danson. Endorsed, Recd.
4th, Read 7th Feb., 1708/9. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1264. No. 60; and
5, 1292. p. 98; and 5, 289. p. 153.] |
Feb. 3.
Westminister. |
343. Certificate of the Queen's Remembrancer's Office that
Governor Tynt has given security in £2000 to observe the Acts
of Trade. Signed, Hen. Stevens. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb.
9, 1708/9. ¾ p. [C.O. 5, 1264. No. 61.] |
Feb. 3.
St. James's. |
344. Order of Queen in Council. Referring Representation
upon the Bahamas, Feb. 2, to H.M. Attorney and Solicitor
General, who are to report, with all convenient speed, what they
conceive may be fit to be done thereupon. Endorsed, Recd. 9th,
Read 15th Feb., 1708/9. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1264. No. 62; and
5, 1292. pp. 132, 133.] |
Feb. 4.
[15. N.S.] Platientia. |
345. Major Lloyd to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The Garryson of St. Johns haveing been surprised on Dec. 21
last and carryed by the Enemy before ye soldiers could gett
under armes, I take leave to acquaint you therewith by this
which goes by the way of France, therefore cannot expect to
say more then to pray your Lordshypps I may be demanded
by ye commanding officer of St. Johns next summer according
to ye Chartell formerly settled between ye commanding officers
of both nations for exchange of prisoners in this Collony,
in order to my being tryed there by a Court Martiall for ye
justification of my behaviour relateing to ye misfortune that
happen'd. Signed, Tho. Lloyd. Endorsed, Recd. 17th, Read
20th June, 1709. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 4. No. 95; and
195, 5. p. 110.] |
Feb. 4.
Whitehall. |
346. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Enclose following for H.M. signature, at the first
convenient oppertunity, the convoys bound with the trade for
Virginia having orders to sail with the first fair wind after
the 10th. Annexed, |
|
346. i. Additional Instruction to Governor Hunter. Revoking Instruction about granting lands in Virginia,
April 30, 1707. The method of granting lands is to
be according to the Charter and Laws of Virginia,
"due care being taken that in all such grants of lands
hereafter to be made, regard be had to the profitable
and unprofitable acres, and particularly that every pattentee be obliged in the best and most effectual manner
to cultivate and improve 3 acres part of every 50 acres
so granted within the term of 3 years after the passing
of such grant. And in case of failure thereof, such
grant or grants to be void and of none effect. [C.O.
5, 1362. pp. 350–355.] |
Feb. 5.
African House. |
347. Royal African Company to Mr. Popple. Ask for
names of ships that have, since the passing the Act to settle
the trade to Africa, imported negroes into Jamaica and Antegoa,
and the number of such negroes imported by the separate traders
into each of these Plantations. Signed, John Pery, Sec. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 7th Feb., 1708/9. Addressed. ½ p.
[C.O. 388, 11. No. 110; and 389, 20. p. 316.] |
Feb. 8.
6 p.m. |
348. James Campbell to Mr. Popple. I was this day to waite
on you, but came too late, from thence I went to ye House
of Lords to waite on my Lord Stamford, but missed of him.
At my return to ye Citty, I just now received the favor of
yours, and in answer send you the inclosed coppy of a letter
I had last night by the Lisbon male from Newfoundland, etc.
Signed, Ja. Campbell. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 9, 1708/9. Holograph. Addressed. Sealed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
348. i. H.E. to James Campbell. Harbargrave Island, Jan.
4, 1708. I writ you by Mr. Archey Cummings, who
I hope is safe with you. I am now to informe you
of the misfortun of the countrey since Mr. Cumming
left this countrey. On Dec. 21 the French from Placentia to the number of 160 cam to the Fort of St.
Jones, and ther with skaling ladders gott over the
work without any resistance, only two small armes
the sentry fir'd. Major Loyd then asleep in his bed,
and after the French gott into the Fort, the inhabitants
in the new Fort rose in armes, and would have taken
the Fort again from the French, but the shouldiers
could not gett the keyes out of the Major's house, but
when the French cam he could find them, soe from
some of those men that have made their escape to
those respective Islands, Harbargrav and Carbanere
Island the Fort was actually sold to the French, or
els that number would never have taken it, they surrender'd the Castle next day, being never an officer
in it to command it. Wee have petition'd the Queen
to send us succors betimes in the spring, for I doe
hope if we can have succors betimes in the spring,
we shall be able to keep those Islands from the insults
of the Ennimie. I hope you will doe what you can to
the Government, or els we shall make noe voyages this
yeire insuing, etc. Signed, H.E. Copy. 1 p. [C.O.
194, 4. Nos. 83, 83.i.; and 195, 5. pp. 79, 80.] |
| Feb. 8. |
349. Deposition of Capt. John Wentworth, Commander of
the Lusitania, and Capts. Thomas Lemon and Isaac Goswill.
Have used the trade to Barbados upwards of ten years, and
have in time of peace as well as war been obliged to clere
at the Secretary's Office, and take out a licence to saile, signed
by ye Governor and attested by ye Secretary. The fee for
the licence to ye Secretary hath never bine less then 3/9.
Signed, J. Wentworth, Tho. Lemon, Is. Goswill. Endorsed,
Recd. Read Feb. 14, 1708/9. ¾ p. [C.O. 28, 12. No. 5.] |
| Feb. 9. |
350. Copy of the Privy Seal for establishing the salaries
of the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, as appointed
May 4, 1708:—£1000 per annum to Thomas, Earl of Stamford,
William Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, John Pulteney,
Robert Monckton, Sir Charles Turner, and in proportion to the
day of his death, to the executors of Lord . . . . Herbert of
Cherbury lately decd. £400 per annum to the four Clerks
of the Privy Council for dispatch of orders and business relating to the Council of Trade; and £73 to be divided equally
between the two Doorkeepers of the Council Chamber; £500 to
Wm Popple, Secretary, and £650 to be divided amongst the
under-officers, etc. Signed, John Tench, Deputy to Thomas
Gosling. 7½ pp. [C.O. 388, 76. No. 50; and 389, 36. pp.
380–387.] |
| Feb. 10. |
351. Order of Committee of House of Commons (appointed
to consider of methods for the more effectual execution of the
Laws now in force for excluding from the House of Commons
Officers and such as receive pensions during pleasure.) The
Commissioners of Trade are to lay before the Committee on
Tuesday an accompt of such pensions during pleasure as paid
by them. etc. Signed, Tho. Onslow, Chairman. Endorsed,
Recd. Read Feb. 11, 1708/9. ¾ p. [C.O. 388, 76. No. 48; and
389, 36. p. 377.] |
Feb. 11.
Whitehall. |
352. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Enclose following to be laid before H.M. |
|
352. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen.
Representation upon the complaints against Governor
Crowe. Cf. Dec. 3, 1708. We have received his
answer and the Minutes of Council Sept. 25, 1708,
whereby it appears that he has suspended the Complainants from the Council, during your Majesty's
pleasure, without assigning any other cause for his
having so done, than that they delivered to him the
said Articles of complaint, which he terms a false,
libellous and scandalous paper. When the Complainants are prepared with their proofs, and the Governor
to make his defence, as by your Majesty's Order (Dec.
30) is directed, and the complaint shall thereupon have
been fully heard in such manner as your Majesty shall
think fit to appoint, it will then appear whether the
Governor has been guilty of what is laid to his charge;
therefore we shall not presume now to offer anything
to your Majesty in regard either to the truth or falsehood of the matters contained in the said complaint.
But we thought it our duty so far to enter into the
consideration of the complaint and answer, as to
whether the complainants had thereby given just cause
for such their suspension; and thereupon do find that,
as the Complainants affirm the said articles of complaint
were by them delivered to the Governor in a private
and respectfull manner at his own house, no other
person being present or privy thereunto, which method
they say they took the better to prevent any heats or
disorders in the Island on that account. As they took
this method to acquaint the Governor with the complaint they intended to lay before your Majesty of his
maleadministration, so have they taken care in the
framing thereof not to make use of any scurrilous or
indecent expression, which might give just offence. Nor
does the complaint seem to be without ground, since the
Governor in his answer does admit several of the
facts, tho' not as the same are set forth in the complaint; however that will more fully appear, upon such
further examination as your Majesty shall think fitt
to direct. In the meantime, there does not appear
to us any good reason for the Governour's having suspended the complainants from the Council. If they
had laid this complaint before your Majesty without
acquainting the Governour therewith, and upon it your
Majesty had thought fit to have put the same into a
method of examination, in that case we cannot imagine
that the Governor wou'd have suspended them from
the Council, while the complaint was under examination, and there seems to be less reason for his doing
it in the present case, which differs only in their
having given him a copy of the complaint in the manner
before-mentioned, whereby he might be better prepared
to make an early defence, and if inocent, be the sooner
eased of the weight of so heavy an accusation. Tho' it
be the undoubted duty of every Member of that your
Majesty's Councill to pay all due and lawfull submission
to the authority wherewith your Majesty has been
pleased to intrust the Governour; yet if upon a complaint made to your Majesty by any of the Members
of that Board (who in some cases have a concurrent
power with the Governor and in others are assistants
to him) the persons so complaining shall by reason
thereof without any other cause be liable to suspension, we think that such proceeding will greatly tend
to discourage all manner of complaint, how just or well
grounded soever the same may be; and that thereby the
Governor will be left without any sort of cheque in
the administration of Government. Wherefore we do
humbly propose that the suspension of the said Counsellors, William Sharpe, Alexander Walker and Samuel
Beresford be taken off, and that they be restored to
their respective places in that your Majesty's Council.
[C.O. 29, 11. pp. 398, 410–415.] |
Feb. 11.
Whitehall. |
353. W. Popple to W. Lowndes. Encloses Gov. Parke's complaints as to illegal trade in the Leeward Islands, (Oct. 1,
1708) to be laid before the Lord High Treasurer. [C.O. 153,
10. p. 304.] |
Feb. 11.
Whitehall. |
354. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Dudley.
In pursuance of Order in Council, Jan. 27, you are to take care
that the stores of war ordered for New Hampshire be not issued,
but as the necessary defence of the inhabitants shall require;
and that you transmit to us and to the Board of Ordnance regular
accounts of the expenditure and remain of all such stores, as
by your Instructions and our letter of Aug. 4 last you are
required to do. You are therefore to give the necessary directions both in New Hampshire and the Massachusets Bay that
H.M. pleasure herein be punctually and duly complied with.
[C.O 5, 913. p. 51.] |
Feb. 12.
Whitehall. |
355. Mr. Popple to Thomas Corbin. Encloses letters for
Col. Jenings, to be forwarded by the convoy for Virginia,
etc. [C.O. 5, 1362. p. 356.] |
Feb. 13.
St. James's. |
356. Order of Queen in Council. Messrs. Sharpe, Walker
and Beresford are to be restored to their places in the Council
of Barbados, etc. Warrant to be prepared accordingly. Cf.
Feb. 11 and 19. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Feb.
25, Read March 2, 1708/9. 1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 12. No. 15; and
29, 11. pp. 424–426.] |
Feb. 13.
Whitehall. |
357. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Quotes Governor Handasyd (Oct. 27, 1708) as to need of sailors at Jamaica, for the
Lord High Admiral's information. [C.O. 138, 12. p. 360.] |
Feb. 14.
Customhouse, Lyme. |
358. Thomas Jans to Mr. Popple. Encloses following.
Signed, Tho. Jans. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 3, 1708/9.
¾p. Enclosed, |
|
358. i. List of ships wch. sailed from Port Lyme Regis
to the fishery at Newfoundland, Christmas 1707–1708,
=1. Signed, Tho. Jans, Collector, Wm. Bennett. 1 p.
[C.O. 194, 4. Nos. 88, 88. i.] |
Feb. 14.
Whitehall. |
359. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Representation on petition of Mary Bowden (April
22, 30th, and Nov. 12, 1708.). It appears by the report and
affidavits transmitted from St. Kitts, that she could not show
any title to the Plantation, nor that she had made any improvement thereon; that Governor Parke had paid her the full of
what her negroes were appraised at; and that he was so far
from hindring her from coming over to this Kingdom, that
when (upon her endeavouring to come away) she was arrested
for debt (which was the true reason of her being stopp'd) the
Governor himself became her security, upon which she was
discharged. And therefore we humbly represent, in concurrence
with the oppinion of the Lieut. Governor and Councill of St.
Christophers, that it does not appear the petitioner had any
ground for complaint against Governor Parke, and that her
allegations are not true. [C.O. 153, 10. pp. 305–307.] |
| Feb. 14. |
360. Deposition of J. Warters as to the rights of the
Provost Marshal of Barbados. Similar to No. 362. Signed,
J. Warters. Endorsed, Recd. Read. March 1, 1708/9. 1 p. [C.O.
28, 12. No. 14.] |
Feb. 14.
Whitehall. |
361. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Committee of
the House of Commons (v. Feb. 10). No such pensions are paid,
nor ever have been paid by us to any person whatsoever.
[C.O. 389, 36. p. 378.] |
Feb. 14.
London. |
362. Deposition of Mr. Woodbridge, Judge of the Court of
Admiralty, Barbados, till Sept., 1708, that George Hannay and
James Hannay, Provost Marshal, and George Hays, Deputy
Marshal, executed the office of Marshal of the Admiralty and
received the profits thereof. Signed, Dudley Woodbridge. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 1, 1708/9. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 12. No. 11.] |
Feb. 14.
London. |
363. Deposition of Patrick Mein, formerly Judge of the
Court of Admiralty, Barbados, to the same effect as preceding.
Signed, Pat. Mein. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 1, 1708/9. 1 p.
[C.O. 28, 12. No. 12.] |
| Feb. 15. |
364. Deposition of Tho. Foulerton and Wm. Heysham.
George Hannay, as Provost Marshal, used himself or by Deputy,
to levy executions upon the judgments obtained in all or most
of the Courts of Common Law. Before his death the Judges
of the respective Courts began to claim a right of appointing
their own Marshal by vertue of an old obsolete law of the
Island, but Mr. Hannay contested the matter and maintained
his patent. Whilst the office of Provost Marshal General extended all over the Island it was better executed than it has
been since. The offices of Marshal of the Assembly, Marshal
for the Council and Court of Errors, Marshal of the Court of
Admiralty, Serjeant at arms for the Court of Chancery, were
always, dureing our residence in Barbados without interruption
or dispute executed by Mr. Hannay and his deputies. Signed,
Tho. Foulerton, Wm. Heysham. Endorsed, Recd. Read March
1, 1708/9. 2¾ pp. [C.O. 28, 12. No. 13.] |
| Feb. 15. |
365. Order of Committee of the House of Commons (See
Feb. 10). The Commissioners of Trade are to lay before the
Committee the establishment of their Office, and whether the
persons therein named are interessed for themselves or in trust
for any other person, and for whom. Signed, Tho. Onslow,
Chairman. Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read 18th Feb., 1708/9. ¾ p.
[C.O. 388, 76. No. 49; and 389, 36. p. 379.] |
Feb. 15.
New York. |
366. Joshua Kocherthal to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Returns thanks for the favours of the Board to himself and the poor German Protestants. See C.S.P. 1706–8.
Signed, Josua Kocherthal. Endorsed, Recd. Read Aug. 29,
1709. Addressed. Sealed. Latin. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1049. No.
108.] |
Feb. 15.
Whitehall. |
367. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Boyle. In obedience to H.M. commands (Aug. 4, 1708), we
have examined the complaints from Antigua against Governor
Parke, etc. March 9, 1707/8. As to what relates to the dissolving
of the Assembly, we find by the Minutes of Councill in Assembly, March 1–5, 1707/8, that the Assembly did sit but three
days, but that their dissolution was by advice of the Councill
there in regard the Assembly did refuse or neglect to proceed
upon the publick business of the Island, unless some unwarrantable priviledges by them claimed were first complyed with,
not for addressing in behalf of the woman who complained of
having soldiers put into her house. We find by the foresaid
Minutes that Mrs. Cardro, or Hasings, the woman named in the
Address, had no right or title to the said House, she having
forfeited the land whereon it was built, by not complying with
the directions of the Law of that Island, relating to the seating
of lands; the said lands and house (if it can be called so,
being but 8 foot square) were thereupon granted to another
person, who likewise forfeited the same, and for the same
reason; that one of the Lieutenants of the Regiment having complain'd to Col. Park that the Magazine [s] were so crouded
that he feared they might get distempers, Col. Park ordered
the said Lieutenant to put some of the said soldiers into that
House, which he did accordingly. This is what the complaint
calls sending of soldiers to take possession of a poor woman's
house without law or reason. Having on this occasion perused the several Minutes of Councill, we find that the Governor
has behaved himself with great zeal for H.M. service, as likewise with great care and diligence for the good and security
of those Islands, which in justice to him we cannot but acquaint
you with. Autograph signatures. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
|
367. i. Minutes of Council of St. Christophers, Nov. 12,
1708. 2¾ pp. |
|
367. ii.–iv. Extracts of letters from Antigua, March 9, 1708,
St. Kitts, Nov. 13, 1708 and Governor Parke Nov. 14,
1708, referred to in preceding. Duplicates. 5 pp.
[C.O. 152, 39. Nos. 118, 118. i.–iv.; and (without enclosures) 153, 10. pp. 308–310.] |
Feb. 15.
Whitehall. |
368. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Enclose draught of Instructions, relating to the Acts
of Trade and Navigation, for the Lords Proprietors of Carolina,
to be given to Major Tynte, appointed Governor, they being
to the like effect as those given to them and all other Proprietors
of Plantations on the like occasion. Annexed, |
|
368. i. Instructions referred to in preceding. Cf. March
24. [C.O. 5, 1292. pp. 99–131.] |
Feb. 18.
Whitehall. |
369. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Representation upon the petition of A. Skene (Cf. July 8 and Sept.
20, 1708). Quote charges and defence (Cf. Journal of Council
of Trade, Feb. 14). It appears to us, the said Skeen is not
the first Secretary who hath taken such fees, the like
having been received by his predecessors; however the compelling masters of ships to petition for liberty to sail, whereby
they are put to the charge of having such petitions drawn,
and the 5/s. paid for the Governor's Order upon every petition,
over and above 3/9d. for every licence to sail are an imposition
and burden upon trade, and therefore we humbly offer that your
Majesty signify to the Governor your dislike thereof, and that
for the future masters of ships may be put to no other charge
for licence to sail than that of 3/9d., the ancient and accustomed
fee: and that such signification of your Majesty's pleasure be
entred in the Councill Books there, and that the same may
be made publick. The second charge relates to Skeen's receiving
£210 for procuring a fleet to be stopt in May, 1704. Upon the
whole matter, tho we cannot but adhere to our former opinion
that he has justly incurred your Majesty's displeasure in having
been engaged in the several beforementioned practices, yet in
regard that the aforesaid fees of 12/6 and 5/s. imposed upon
trade were not first introduced and demanded by him, and that
he has continued for more than three years past under a suspention from the execution and profit of his office of Secretary,
that he has past the form of a tryal (tho' we cannot think
the same so regular as it ought to have been) and in regard
of the good character which has been given of him, we do
humbly submitt it to your Majesty, whether he may not be a
proper object of your Majesty's clemency and goodness in directing that his suspention be taken off, and he restored to the
execution of his office; which if your Majesty shall be gratiously
pleased to doe, we presume that the punishment he has already
undergone will deter him from the like practices for the future.
[C.O. 29, 11. pp. 403–409.] |
Feb. 19.
St. James's. |
370. The Queen to Governor Crowe. You are to restore
Messrs. Sharpe, Walker and Beresford to their respective places
in the Council, etc. Countersigned, Sunderland. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 23, 1708/9. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 12. No.
10; and 29, 11. pp. 419, 420.] |
Feb. 19.
New London in Connecticut Colony. |
371. Governor Saltonstall to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Upon the arrival of my Ld. Lovelace to his Govermt. I
recd. from him yr. Lordships' letters of May 14 and July 13, 1708.
etc. I immediately caused the 2 Acts of Parliament therein
mentioned to be published, and shall use my utmost care yt.
H.M. Instructions be very punctually observed. Signed, Gurdon Saltonstall. Endorsed, Recd. 9th June, Read 12th Dec.,
1709. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1264. No. 89; and 5, 1292. p. 186.] |
Feb. 20.
Whitehall. |
372. The Earl of Sunderland to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. I desire to know whether you have any objection to the granting such a pass as is desired in enclosed,
and what proviso's or restrictions you will think necessary to
be inserted in a pass in this particular case. Signed, Sunderland.
Endorsed, Recd. 25th, Read 28th Feb., 1708/9. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
372. i. Petition of Peter Diharce, of London, Merchant,
in behalf of the owners of a Spanish ship Nuestra
Senora de Begona, for a pass to proceed on a voyage
from Spain to Newfoundland or New England, and
to return to Spain with goods not contraband. Signed,
P. Diharce. 1 p. [C.O. 388, 11. Nos. 115, 117;
and 389, 20. pp. 323–325.] |
Feb. 21.
Whitehall. |
373. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Committee of
the House of Commons. Reply to Feb. 15. Enclose Privy Seal
(Feb. 9). We certify, each of us for himself, and not one for
the other, that the respective salaries and every part thereof
payable to us by the said Privy Seal are to our own proper
use, and not in trust for any other person or persons whatsoever.
Signed by the Commissioners, Secretary and Officers, Cf. Feb.
9. [C.O. 389, 36. pp. 387–389.] |
| Feb. 21. |
374. Samuel Barons to Governor Parke. Prays that H.M.
Order, July 9, 1705, for the restitution of his ship, the America
and cargo, condemned by Governor Codrington in 1700, may
be put in execution. Case stated. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 21,
1708/9. 3½ pp. [C.O. 152, 8. No. 11.] |
Feb. 22.
Whitehall. |
375. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Representation on Lord Cornbury's letter, Oct. 18, 1708. Foreign
coins are by this Act of Assembly (of New York) raised to a
higher rate than at which they are allowed to be current by
the Act for ascertaining the rates of foreign coins etc.; and we
take leave to instance in one particular, vizt., all Spanish coins
of Mexico, Sevill and Pillar are not to pass at less than 8/the ounce Troy; whereas, according to the proportion settled by
the foresaid Act of Parliament, the ounce Troy ought to be but
6/10¼. Upon this occasion, we cannot but observe that the
Lord Cornbury, in giving his assent to this New York Law,
has acted contrary to his Instructions, whereby he is required
not to permit any Act of Assembly to pass for altering the
price or value of the current coin within his Government without your Majesty's particular leave or direction for the same.
Tho', in the forementioned Act of Parliament, there be a Clause
(quoted) that this Act shall not restrain H.M. from regulating
the rates of foreign coins in the Plantations by Proclamation,
or from giving Her royal assent to any law hereafter to be made
in any of the said Colonies or Plantations, for ascertaining
the current rates of such coins, etc., yet the intent of the
said Law was that there should be but one and the same
value of the same species of foreign coins throughout all your
Majestys Plantations in America. When your Majestys royal
Proclamation for settling the rates of foreign coins was sent
over to New York in 1704, the complaints then made by that
Government were, that if the said Proclamation was duly put
in execution at New York, that Province would suffer very
much thereby, for that the neighbouring Provinces of the Massachusets Bay or Pennsylvania did not pay any obedience thereunto; and therefore the Lord Cornbury suspended the execution
of the said Proclamation within his Government, but they did
not then make any objection to the rates at which your Majesty
was pleased to order the said coins to pass. We further humbly offer, that, should this New York Act be confirm'd by your
Majesty, it may reasonably be presumed the other Plantations
will also pass laws of the like nature, and thereby raise the
value of such coins as they shall think most to their particular
advantage; which method would entirely defeat the intent of
the foresaid Act passed here the last Session of Parliament,
and bring the Plantations under the same inconveniencies as
formerly. We are humbly of opinion that your Majesty be
pleased to signify your disallowance and disapprobation of the
forementioned New York Act. [C.O. 5, 1121. pp. 359–362.] |
Feb. 23.
Admiralty Office. |
376. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. I have received and communicated to my Lord High Admiral your letter. (Feb. 13). As
my Lord High Admiral is very sorry for this great want of
men for the ships in Jamaica, soe is his Lordship not a little
surprized at it, since the Governor is pleased to say that the
shipps are very healthy. However I am to observe to you that
the late Act of Parliament, which restraines the Captains of
H.M. shipps from impresting men, even in the greatest necessity, has undoubtedly put it out of their power of keeping their
sd. ships soe well mann'd as otherwise they might have been,
insomuch that both Rear Admiral Wager and Mr. Baker, who
is now going to succeed him in the command of the squadron at
Jamaica, have orders to send their ships home, when they find
their men soe reduced, as that there are not more than a sufficient number to sayl them; but as it is to be hoped that
the squadron now going will sett forward well mann'd, soe will
they carry with them supernumerary men, the better to enable
the ships to come home which are to convoy the Trade, etc.
Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 24, 1708/9. Addressed. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 137, 8. No. 30; and 138, 12. pp. 371,
372.] |
Feb. 24.
Whitehall. |
377. The Earl of Sunderland to Governor Parke. Acknowledges letter of Sept. 29. I am yet a stranger to any articles
Mr. Nevin may have brought against you. Be they what they
will, you need not doubt of justice and a fair hearing. Signed,
Sunderland. [C.O. 5, 210. p. 132.] |
Feb. 24.
Whitehall. |
378. The Earl of Sunderland to Governor Handasyd.
Acknowledges letters of Oct. 27, Nov. 23 and Dec. 4. H.M.
has not yet come to any determination upon your request to
be recalled, and that your Regiment may be releived. As soon
as I know H.M. resolution in it, I shall not fail to send you
an account by the first opportunity; in the mean time you may
be assured of H.M. favourable acceptance of your service
Signed, Sunderland. [C.O. 5, 210. p. 133.] |
Feb. 24.
Whitehall. |
379. Same to Governor Crowe. Acknowledges letters of
Sept. 6 and 23, and Nov. 2. The charge against you is so
heavy that H.M. could not but grant her letters to the Complainants for their being restored to their places in the Council of
your Island, and for a fair and full examination of this matter,
which I hope instead of doing you any prejudice will prove
of service to you in giving you an opportunity fully to clear
yourself, and then you need not doubt of H.M. justice and
favour, and you may be assured of the good wishes of, Signed,
Sunderland. [C.O. 5, 210. pp. 133, 134.] |
Feb. 24.
Whitehall. |
380. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Crowe.
Acknowledge letter of Nov. 2. As to what you write in relation
to the remissness of the Custom House Officers, and to the
power they pretend to have from hence of disposing of all
inferior places with regard to the Customes in Barbadoes, we
have laid that matter before the Lord High Treasurer. However
you ought to have transmitted the like accounts to the proper
offices. We have had under consideration your answer to the
complaints of Messrs. Sharpe, Walker and Beresford, as also
the Minutes of Council to which you referr us for the reason
of your suspending the said Counsellors; which do's not seem
to us to be well grounded; for the presenting to you in the
manner they did their paper of complaints, is not a sufficient
reason for suspending them from the Councill, especially
H.M. pleasure not being first known upon the complaints,
nor you cleared of what they lay to your charge: wherefore
we have thought it our duty to represent the same to H.M.,
who has thereupon been pleased to direct that they be restored
etc. (Feb. 19). So that the Council as appears by our list
(Mr. Timothy Salter and John Frere having been lately appointed by H.M., and Mr. Middleton Chamberlain being some
time since gone over) will be full, and therefore Mr. Samuel
Berwick and Mr. James Aynsworth are no longer to be continued. Upon this occasion we cannot but take notice that
after you had received H.M. Order for swearing Major Pilgrim
of the Councill, it was 51 days before you did it, which
delay in obeying H.M. Orders you ought not to have been
guilty of. Enclose H.M. letter, Jan. 22. We shall expect the
public accts. you promise us, by the next conveyance. [C.O.
29, 11. pp. 421–423.] |
Feb. 24.
Whitehall. |
381. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Parke.
Acknowledge letters of Oct. 1 and Nov. 3 and 13 and 14.
The Address from St. Kitts transmitted Nov. 3 has been laid
before H.M. As to what you write in relation to the Court
Law, you wou'd have done well to have sent us the title
thereof, the time when it was past, and whether the same be
confirmed here or not, which wou'd have enabled us to have
been more particular in our answer; therefore we shall expect
in your next that you do give us an answer to these particulars,
to the end we may lay yt. matter before H.M., if it shall be
found necessary for her pleasure therein. We cannot but conour with you, that it will tend very much to the advantage
of the Island, that persons be oblig'd to pay the debts they
have already, or may hereafter contract there, and we are
sorry to find the inhabitants refuse to do it, and are therefore
of opinion that you do use your best endeavours with the
Assembly as well in that Island as in the other three under
your Government, to get a Law past to oblige all persons to
pay their just debts; this we take to be the readiest way to
prevent fraud and oppression, and what we conceive will turn
to the good of trade and generall benefit of those Islands.
We must again repeat what we have severall times writt to
you, that whilst you continue to act for H.M. service and the
welfare of the said Islands, the resentmts. of those persons
concerned in illegal trade and dissatisfied with you for doing
your duty shall make no impressions upon us to your prejudice.
On the contrary, we do assure you, that when Mr. Nevin,
whom we have not yet seen, shall lay the complaints you
mention he is to make against you before us, our opinion
will be that the said complaints be transmitted to you for your
answer before any determination be had thereupon. What you
have writ touching illegal trade, has been laid before the Lord
High Treasurer. We have laid before H.M. your answer to
Mrs. Bowden's complaints as likewise to those from Antigua,
with our opinion, that you have fully cleared yourself thereof,
We have not received the accounts of stores of war in each
of the Islands, which you mention to have sent, Nov. 13,
therefore you will do well to transmit the same by the next
conveyance, as well to us as to the Board of Ordnance; and
henceforth yearly accounts of the receipts, expence and remains
of stores of war within your Government or oftener, as oppertunity shall offer, etc., as you are required, July 25, 1708 etc.
Mr. Samuel Barons owner of the America illegally condemned
in 1700 by Col. Codrington, has acquainted us that finding
his business has hitherto been delayed through the neglect of
his former Agent, Col. Thomas, he intends for the future to
employ Mr. Edward William and Samuel Byam as his Attorneys
for the prosecution of that matter; and has thereupon desired
us to recommend it to you to use your interest with those gentlemen to engage them in that undertaking, and protection in
the management thereof, which request of his being founded
upon Justice, and consonant to H.M. former directions given
in his behalf, we do therefore recommend the doing thereof to
your care. [C.O. 153, 10. pp. 311–314.] |
Feb. 24.
Whitehall. |
382. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Handasyd. Acknowledge letters of Oct. 27, Nov. 23, and Dec.
4, 1708. As to the contract made between the French King
and the Duke of Anjou for transporting goods from France
etc. to the West Indies, we have not yet had time to consider
the same fully as it ought to be, but we shall do it at the
first convenient oppertunity, and if thereupon anything occur
to us that may be of use to you for your future directions
in this matter, we shall communicate it to you. The practice of
privateers selling or burning their prizes as you mention in
the first of your foresaid letters, may be of ill consequance, but
having writ fully to you upon the subject of privateers Aug.
23, 1708, we refer you thereto, and only recomend to you that
the directions in that letter be observed as much as possible,
in that case we have reason to hope that the trade with the
Spanish West Indies will increase and flourish again. We have
laid before my Lord High Admiral what you write in relation
to the want of seamen for the ships of war. Wee see no
reason why the Councellors who are Agents for the African
Company should think themselvs not to be within the meaning
of the Act for settling the trade to Africa, it appearing very
plainly to us that they are within the intent and meaning of
that Act, in regard that they are Judges upon Writs of Error
and Appeals in Equity, and therefore if they do persist in the
said Agency, notwithstanding what we writ you June 25, 1708,
and now write, you are to send over to us a list of their
names, that H.M. pleasure may be known therein. We are
sorry to perceive by your letter that you apprehend the Assembly will be averse to the quartering of the Officers of the
Regiment at Jamaica, since H.M. is at the expence of keeping
a Regiment in that Island for their security, we think that the
least return they can make is to give quarters to the said
Officers and soldiers. You will do well therefore to use your
utmost endeavours in this matter. As to what you write about
the Spanish brigantine, taken at sea by the Commander of the
Kingston gally without any commission, we shall consider of
that matter, and by the next oppertunity you may expect to
hear further from us about it. You say that you were not
pleased with the arrival of a flag of truce from St. Iago,
we wish you had explained yourself a little further, for we
do not see if due care be taken, and that the flag of truce
come only for the exchange of prisoners, what the inconvenience
can be. We observe that there was 28 Spanish prisoners exchanged for 12 Brittish, we presume that was done in order
to have a proportionable number of our men return'd when they
fall into the hands of the Spaniards, however we desire you to
explain this in your next. We have not heard of any design
the French have upon the Island of Jamaica, but in case they
should make any attempt, we do not doubt of your zeal and
care to defend the same. As to your desire of having your
Regiment and yourself releived, that matter is now before H.M.,
whose pleasure therein will be communicated to you from the
Earl of Sunderland. We are glad to perceive the Island is at
present healthy, we shall expect the account of stores of war
you promise. As to the laying of embargoes, that is a matter
you ought to be tender in, least it prove an obstruction to
trade. But however when there is an absolute necessity and
when it is for so short a time as what you mention, we have
no objection to it. |
|
P.S. Since our writing what is above we have received a
letter from Mr. Burchet, a copy whereof is here inclosed. [C.O.
138, 12. pp. 367–370.] |
Feb. 25.
Whitehall. |
383. W. Popple to Sir John Cook. Refers to capture of a
Spanish brigantine by the Kingston galley without a commission.
See Governor Handasyd, Dec. 4, 1708. The Council of Trade
and Plantations desire your opinion whether, the aforementioned brigantine having upon her arrival at Jamaica been
seized by the Naval Officer in port, the cognizance thereof does
lye in the Court of Admiralty there, or in what other Court
the same may be tryed. [C.O. 138, 12. pp. 372, 373.] |
Feb. 26.
St. James's. |
384. H.M. Additional Instruction to Governor Hunter, relating to the method of granting lands in Virginia, as Feb. 4
and A.P.C. II. p. 588. [C.O. 5, 210. pp. 137–139.] |
Feb. 26.
St. James's. |
385. H.M. Additional Instruction to Governor Handasyd,
for the more strict observance of his Instructions relating to
escheats as June 15, 26 and A.P.C. II., No. 1059. [C.O. 5,
210, pp. 135, 136.] |
Feb. 27.
St. James's. |
386. Order of Queen in Council. A copy of enclosed petition
by Norman Mackaskell to the Queen, complaining that Governor
Crowe had committed him to gaol for refusing to answer all
such questions as should be demanded of him concerning the
proceedings of the late Court of Grand Sessions (see June 18,
'09, No. xlvi.), and praying for relief therein, is to be sent
to the Governor and Council of Barbados, who are to return
to H.M. in Council a true state of the matter and answer to
petitioner's complaints. Endorsed, Recd. 16, Read 17 Nov.,
1709 1¼ pp. Enclosed, |
|
386. i. Certificate that the above Order has not been read
att the Council, since it was presented to the Governor.
Aug. 31, 1709. Signed, A. Skene. Endorsed, Recd
Read Nov. 23, 1709. 1 p. |
|
386 ii. Deposition of Norman Mackasgell, Deputy Clerk of
the Crown, Barbados. Duplicate of June 18 No. xlvi. |
|
386. iii. Deposition of Giles Cooke, Clerk to Mackasgell.
Corroborates preceding. Signed, Giles Cooke. Endorsed, Recd. Read Nov. 23, 1709. 1½ pp. [C.O. 28,
12. Nos. 48, 48.i.–iii.; and (without enclosures) 29,
12. p. 52.] |
