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May 1.
Whitehall. | 211. Mr. Popple to Isaac Addington. Acknowledges letters and
public papers. Col. Nicholson, who is on his return to your
parts, has promised to convey this letter to you, and will, I
doubt not, give you a particular account of his negotiations
here, with relation to the late intended expedition against Canada,
and of what has been done in order to a revival of that undertaking. [C.O. 5, 913. pp. 235, 236.] |
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May 2.
St. James's. | 212. Additional Instruction to Governor Hunter, revoking
clause in additional Instruction of Jan. 26, directing him to
take care that a clause be inserted in grants of land to Palatines
declaring said grants void, if the grantee apply himself to the
making the woollen or such like manufacture; it having been
represented unto us that the inserting such clause is unusual
and unnecessary, sufficient provision in that respect having
already been made by the Laws in that behalf, etc. A. R. [C.O.
5, 210. pp. 207, 208.] |
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May 2.
St. James's. | 213. Additional Instruction to Governor Hunter. Approving
Representation of Council of Trade as to illegal trade and Flags
of Truce, we strictly charge you that whenever you shall think
it convenient or necessary for exchanging of prisoners or upon
any other account whatsoever to send out ships with Flags of
Truce to any Islands, Colonys or Plantations in the possession
of our said enemys, you take particular care that no more goods
or provisions be laden on board such ships or vessells than
what shall be necessary for such their voyage, and that you do
not under any pretence whatsoever offer or allow of any such
traiterous and illegal practices as have been heretofore used of
sending to our said enemies Islands, Colonys or Plantations any
supplys of provisions or other goods whereby they have been
assisted, comforted and relieved to the great prejudice of our good
subjects in those our Dominions. A.R. The like Instruction
was sent to the Governors of Jamaica, Leeward Islands, New
Hampshire, Virginia, Barbados, Bermuda, and the President
and Council of Maryland. [C.O. 5, 210. pp. 209, 210.] |
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May 2/13.
Fort Kykoveral, Rio Essequibo. | 214. P. Van der Leyden Rezen to the Directors of the Dutch
West India Company. Signed, P. Van der Leyden Rezen.
Endorsed, Read Sept. 15, 1710. Dutch. 5¼ pp. [C.O. 116,
21. No. 1.] |
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May 2.
Whitehall. | 215. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Dudley.
Acknowledge letters of Jan. 31 and Feb. 3. We have laid before
H.M. what you write in relation to the great expence the
Provinces under your Government have been at for their defence
and the late intended expedition against Canada, as also what
you say in relation to the ready complyance of both Provinces
with H.M. commands touching the said expedition, and what
you say abt. your having a Quota of men superiour to the neighbouring Provinces and to the revival of the foresaid expedition,
and must refer you to Col. Nicholson, the bearer hereof, for an
account of H.M. pleasure thereupon. Refer to letter of Jan. 16,
and proposal for the passing of an Act of Parliament for the
preservation of mast trees in New England (q.v.). But this
proposal being made towards the end of the last sessions, nothing
was done therein. However, we shall early the next sessions
again humbly propose to H.M. the passing of such an Act,
which can only prevent the great spoile and waste in H.M. woods
in those parts. Upon your recommendation of Richard Waldron,
Winthrop Hilton, Joseph Smith, Mark Hunkins, and Thomas
Packer, to be members of Councill of New Hampshire, we did
propose accordingly (v. Dec. 1705, March 1707, 1709), and H.M.
gave directions to a Secretary of State to prepare warrants for
H.M. signature accordingly; but upon enquiry we do not find
that any such warrants have been prepared, or that any person
appear'd to solicite the dispatch of them, or to take out the same,
if they had been signed by H.M.; wherefore you will do well to
send us a list of such persons as you shall judge fitly qualifyed
to serve H.M. in that station, and who will employ some person
here to take out the warrant for the same; and when we shall
have received such a list, we shall propose so many of them to be
Counsellors, as shall be found requisite to make up the number
12 compleat. As to the Act passed by the Genll. Assembly of
the Massachusets Bay in 1705, for the better preventing a spurious
and mixed issue, etc., wherein there is a clause relating to a duty
upon negroes, we shall take the same into consideration, with
what you write thereupon, and give you an account of what shall
be done therein. We are glad to hear from you that the supply
of ordnance and stores of war sent by H.M. for New Hampshire
are safely arrived there, and doubt not but the disposal you
mention to have made of them in the Fort and elsewhere, will be
for the service of the said Province; you have done well in taking
and securing the thousand small arms sent by H.M. for the late
expedition to Canada, which otherwise as you observe might
have been lost; whereas they will now allways be ready as any
future service may require. As you have from time to time
with great care and diligence, endeavoured as much as in you
lay, to promote the encrease and production of Naval Stores,
so we doubt not but you will continue to do the same, and as
occasion offers give Mr. Bridger all the assistance in your power
in the due execution of his office. We have considered the
Representation of the Principal Merchants of the Massachusets
Bay to yourself, containing proposals for the farther incouraging
the production of the said stores in New England, and are to
acquaint you that, before the receipt thereof, we had laid before
H.M. the substance of the principal matters therein set forth
upon Col. Hunter's going over H.M. Governor of New York,
and his taking with him 3000 Palatines, to be settled there at
H.M. charge, etc. But we must observe to you, that what is
proposed by the last clause in the merchants' foresaid Representation, is not likely to be complyed with here, nor indeed is
it reasonable, to suppose that altho' the goodness and fitness of
such stores be certifyed by officers in the Plantations, they will
be taken or accepted into H.M. stores in this Kingdom, before
their goodness and quality have been examined by persons
appointed by the Navy Board to do the same. There is yet no
complaint come before us, relating to the line of division between
Connecticut, and your Government, nor do we hear that there
is any before H.M. When anything of that nature shall be
referred to us, you may assure yourself, we shall be ready to hear
what you and the Assembly of the Massachusets Bay may have
to offer thereupon, in order to the laying a true state of the matter
as it shall then appear to us, before H.M. We are sensible you
find it very difficult to furnish the Commanders of H.M. ships of
war with men; however your endeavours to supply Capt.
Teat is commendable, and all that we conceive you could do in
that matter. [C.O. 5, 913. pp. 236–242.] |
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May 2.
Whitehall. | 216. Mr. Popple to Govenor Dudley. Acknowledges letters.
Mr. Collins has promised to lay before their Lordships a full answer
to Mr. Bridger's complaint (v. Feb. 3), which so soon as he shall
have done, you may expect a further account of that matter from
their Lordships, etc. [C.O. 5, 913. p. 243.] |
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May 4.
Whitehall. | 217. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Enquires how the duties
collected in Jamaica by virtue of the Act for the encouragement
of Trade, are accounted for here, and applyed, and whether
those duties were payable before the said Act. [C.O. 138, 13.
pp. 114, 115.] |
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May 5.
Whitehall. | 218. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Encloses extract of
Governor Handasyd's letter. March 25, relating to the bad
condition of H.M. ships, and the arrival of two French men of
war. [C.O. 138, 13. p. 116.] |
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| [May 5.] | 219. Petition of Merchants, Owners and commanders of
privateers at Jamaica to the Queen. Upon the rumour of
the encouragement given by the Act for the encouragement of
the trade to America, severall hundreds of seamen, your Majesties
subjects who were in the service in the Dutch at Curasow etc.
quitted it and resorted to Jamaica, which some hundred of
Forreigne seamen have done likewise, and severall inhabitants
of this Island fitted out privateers and abundance of prizes were
takeing from the enemy, particularly the French, whose trades
in these parts, were it not for the advantage of useing the Spanish
ports would be thereby entirely ruined. Untill July last noe
customes or dutyes were exacted on any prize goods, except
some dutyes laid on some particular comodityes by an Act of
this Island passed April 14 last, which were demanded by Charles
Chaplin, Receiver Generall and Collector of the Imposts of the
Island. The said dutys, tho' they fall very severe in some
instances, did not so far discourage your Majesties subjects
but that they continued to annoy to a greater degree than ever
was known before, and the owners of the said private men of
warr have constantly divided among the marriners the neat
produce of the respective prizes according to their agreemts.,
without reserveing any summes on account of customes and dutys,
(other then those demanded by the said Chaplin), believeing
either that no other customes and dutys were payable to your
Majestie, or that your Majestie was graciously pleased to remitt
them, because that noe demand was ever made by any officer
whatsoever untill the above mentioned month. Peter Beckford,
jr., Collector of the outward-bound Customes of this Island, gave
out that he had instructions for the Commissioners of Customs
not only to collect such customes and dutys as should become
due and payable to your Majestie by vertue of the Act for the
encouragement of the trade to America for the future, but likewise
to prosecute all owners and agents for your Majesties ships of
warr or privateers that have disposed of prize cargoes and not
pd. the sd. customes and dutys. Very soon after Beckford
pretended he had the above-mentioned instructions, one Capt.
Charles Pinkeman haveing brought into the harbour of Port
Royall a French prize, the Vigilant, and haveing according
to the demand of the said Beckford made an entry of the said
prize goods, he demanded for customes and dutys £25 p.c. ad
valorem on all the said prize goods without exception, being
made sensible of his mistake, he afterwards demanded 15 p.c.
under colour of an Act of Parliamt. passed in England in the
second yeare of your Majestie's reigne, which is expired, and
actually collected of Pinkeman and his marriners £1,600 on
pretence of customes and dutyes; this proceeding haveing
occasioned a very great murmur and discontent, he refunded
£400 to the captors, under pretence of finding out his mistake.
The Commissioners of Customs have agreed with Beckford to
allow him the third pt. of the said customes in lieu of a sallery,
which occasions Beckford to be very rigid in the execution of the
pretended office, demanding dutyes pro rata for all prize goods
as they are sold here without regard to the book of rates, or the
English prices and vallues, and prompt paymt. without any
deduction or abatemt. whatsoever. One Capt. Darby Donovan,
Commander of a private man of warr. the Charles, having brought
into Port Royall a French prize, L'Aurore, being very leaky, the
Court of Admiralty, on motion of the Captor's proctors, ordered
the goods of the sd. prize to be landed, and appraised and put
into a publick storehouse, as they are oblidged to do by the
Act. Yet Beckford, on pretence that the goods were forfeited
by being landed without haveing pd. the customes and dutyes
procured a Justice's of Peace's warrant to seize them, altho' the
Captors offered to make a due entry of the said goods and to
give undeniable security to pay such customes etc. as should
appear really due. The Clause relateing to the Customes and
Dutys, there being no proviso that, upon the paymt. of them in
this Island and certificate thereof given, allowance shall be
made upon an importation of the said prize goods into great
Britain, or an exemption from the taxes laid thereon by the
Assembly here, contradicts the title of the American Act so far
and is soe unhapily calculated with respect to the interest and
circumstances of this Island, that if the sd. clause was put in
execution with the utmost caution and care to render it supportable, it must be in time the certaine ruin of this Country.
Beckford has been soe far from useing any tenderness in this
affaire, that he has actually prosecuted some Agents for Customes
and Dutyes, altho' they have actually accounted with their
respective captors and made no deductions for the said dutys,
and in severall instances exceeded both the intent and letter
of the law, and by his threatening speeches and violent and
arbitrary way of proceeding has alarmed the privateers to that
degree that some of them have actually acquitted the Island,
and the rest threaten to follow and enter into foreigne service,
if there is not some speedy redress. As there will be an imediate
end of privateering if the above-menconed clause in the American
Act stands repealed, and the French have by the free use of the
Spanish ports such advantage over the inhabitants of this Island
by the way of trade that can only be ballanced by the encouragemt.
of privateers, that if the sd. privateers should desert this Island,
it would be extreamly exposed to the enemy, and its loss would
be irreparable, Petitioners pray H.M. to give such reliefe in the
premisses as shall seem fitt. Signed, Charles Gandy, Tho.
Perkin, John Ramsey, Richard Sleign, Will. Hayman, Sam.
Tudman, Peter Day, Tho. Simson, Alex. Hamilton, Robt.
Tredwey, Tho. Tyldesley, Will. Crombie, John Beswick, John
Willard, Tho. Fagg, John Yannes, Tho. Wells, Wm. Hall, Tho.
Novell, John Lodge, John Ga, Wm. Lodge, Robt. Howard,
Wm. Tempest, Tho. Colbey, Darby Dovanan, John Marshall,
John Sparkes, Robt. Buckingham, George Hall, Garritt Moore,
John Gibbens, Sam. Tynes, Edger Tipper. Endorsed, Recd.
May 5, 1710. 2½ pp. [C.O. 137, 9. No. 1; and 138, 13.
pp. 117–126.] |
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May 6.
Custom house, London. | 220. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Encloses following (cf.
Feb. 25, May 4), relating to the customs payable by the Act
for the encouragement of trade to America. The duties payable
on prize goods in the Plantations by virtue of the said Act are
applicable to the different fonds charged by the respective Acts
that lay the same. They were not payable in the Plantations
before the said Act. Signed, Cha. Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd.
8th, Read 9th May, 1710. 1 p. Enclosed, |
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| 220. i. Copy of the Solicitor General's opinion about the duty
on prize goods in the Plantations. Signed, Jam.
Mountague, May 25, 1708. Endorsed as preceding.
1½ pp. |
| 220. ii. Copy of a presentment to the Lord High Treasurer,
with his order thereupon relating to the duties on prize
goods in the Plantations. Signed, Godolphin. June
14, 1708. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
| 220. iii. Commissioners of Customs to the Officers in the
Plantations about the duty on prize-goods there.
Sept. 25, 1708. Signed, S. Clark, W. Culliford, J.
Werden, J. Stanley. Same endorsement. Copy. 1 p. |
| 220. iv. Scheme of the duties payable upon prize goods in
the Plantations. Custom House, London. Nov. 11,
1708. Signed, by Order of the Commrs., Richard
Savage, Secy. Same endorsement. 1¾ pp. [C.O.
323, 6. Nos. 102, 102 i.–iv.; and (without enclosures)
324, 9. pp. 432–434.] |
May 6.
Barbados. | 221. Governor Crowe to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
By Capt. Span I received your Lordps. of Dec. 9, and immediatly
ordered the entring in the Council Books those papers your
Lordships was pleased to direct, as also the breaking of the Great
Seal, which shall be sent per H.M.S. Greenwich, the new one is
now in use, and that for Bermudas I have ordered to be sent per
first good conveyance. By the extracts in your Lordps. of Jan.
19, I perceive the intelligence of an illegal trade at Curaçoa
from H.M. Collonies, I have endeavoured what has in me layn
to prevent it from hence, as I formerly advised your Lordps.
Haveing no orders for any of H.M. ships to conduct me home,
and least any delay should be numbred among the many crimes
I am censured with, I intend to embarke on a merchant ship,
Capt. Swan Commander, who is now loaden and will sail in three
dayes for London, being the first that has offered for that Port
since H.M. orders. The Councill has not thought fitt to pass
the excise or Levy Bills from the new Assembly, altho' I have
layd before them the necessity thereof at this juncture, their
being no money in the Treasury, and it is but this very day that
the three gentlemen has brought me their papers to attest to goe
under the seal, notwithstanding my sollicitations for them long
agoe. I shall leave all necessary instructions with Major
Lillington, who is the first in H.M. Council, and hope so to
acquit myself as to have the honour of continueing amongst,
my Lords, your Lordships' Most obedt. humble servants, Signed,
M. Crowe. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 17th July, 1710. 2 pp.
[C.O. 28, 13. No. 31; and 29, 12. pp. 114, 115.] |
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May 6.
Barbados. | 222. Governor Crowe to the Earl of Sunderland. The
Frankland Packet arrived here three dayes ago, but I was not
honoured with any from your Lordship. The enclosed is a
duplicate of my last, the ship I intend to imbarke on is fully
loaden, so I hope to leave this Island in 3 dayes. Signed, M.
Crowe. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 43. No. 40.] |
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| May 8. | 223. Charles Mason to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Thes are to certifie that Capt. Edward Cowley was in Holland
the last year of his Majesty's reigne, King William, for the
carying on the designe of peopling and planting Tobago, and
was very much encouraged by Charles, Earle of Maxellfild,
[?Macclesfield, Ed.] who finding by the report of Capt. Cowley,
the Governer, that severall in England did all they could to
frustrat that undertaking, delivered a petition with his owne
hands to H.M. att Loo, who received itt very graciously, and
promised his Lordship itt should be according as was requested
in the pettion. Capt. Cowley lived very handsomly and keptt
the best of Company, which must be a great expence to him.
Signed, Cha. Mason. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 17, 1710. ¾ p.
[C.O. 28, 13. No. 26.] |
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May 9.
Whitehall. | 224. The Earl of Sunderland to the President of the Council
in Maryland. I enclose a petition of John Chidly and Peregrine
Brown of London, merchants, who alledge that they are very
unjustly dealt with by one James Frisby, who has defrauded
them of a number of negroes to the value of £2700, I desire you
will enquire into this matter, and give them all the assistance in
your power towards the recovery of their just rights. Signed,
Sunderland. [C.O. 5, 210. p. 211.] |
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May 9.
Whitehall. | 225. The Earl of Sunderland to Governor Hunter. I
have received the favour of yours of April 10th, and enclosed
the Instruction you desired concerning the Palatines, and another
(v May 2) etc. I have given directions to the Commissioners for
the exchange of prisoners about facilitating Monsr. Varenne's
exchange, and you may depend upon his being kindly used, and
that all possible regard shall be had to your recommendation by,
Signed, Sunderland. [C.O. 5, 210. p. 211.] |
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| May 10. | 226. Sir Wm. Ashhurst to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I received some time since a Commission from the
Assembly and Council of Massachusets Bay, empowering me
to be their Agent here, but was obliged to decline, my health
not permitting me. etc. However lest the Province should
suffer in its interests, till the Assembly's further pleasure shall
be known, I have desired the bearer, Mr. Dummer, to take upon
him that post. He is a native of the country, and fully acquainted
with all things relating to their trade and Government, and
was desired to be assisting to me, if I had accepted of the Agency.
My humble request is therefore to your Lordships, that you will
please to order his admittance to yr. presence upon such occasions
as relate to the Province, etc., etc. Signed, Wm. Ashhurst.
Endorsed, Recd. Read June 6, 1710. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 865. No.
45.] |
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May 10.
Bristol. | 227. Merchants of Bristol to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. We beg your Lordships pardon for this trouble,
which we give you at the request of the merchants in this City on
acct. of the Trade to Newfoundland, wch. is much decayed of
late years. We doubt not your Lordships' perticular regard for
it, when H.M. shall think fit to treat of a peace with France, and
your concurance with us, that if the whole country. islands and
banks were subject only to Great Britain, it would very much advance the generall trade of this Nation and increase our seamen.
Signed, Antho. Swymmer (?), Master of the Society of Merchants;
Robert Yate, Wm. Dames. Endorsed, Recd. 13, Read 16th May,
1710. Addressed. ¾ p. [C.O. 194, 4. No. 134.] |
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May 11.
Antigua. | 228. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
I here send the Minutes of the Generall Councill and Assembly,
mett at St. Kitts, your Lordshipps will see the privilleges they
insisted upon, if they be agreeable to the English Constitution,
or not. I have had a hard game to play, my predecessours
used to lett them do what they pleased, and found their account
in it, for the Assembly in returne made them presents. I might
have had presents too, if I had pleased to do the same things, for
I was offer'd it. I must confess they acted more prudently, but
I can't much commend their honesty, they betrayed their trust
(for gaine) by giveing away the prerogative, and conniveing at
a clandestine trade, and were quiet in their Government though
they hardly kept any one of their Instructions, and had not any
sent from home to fish for complaints against them. I (on the
contrary) have followed all my Instructions, have punctually
obey'd all my orders, have maintained the prerogative, have
prevented their clandestine trade with the French and Dutch
Islands, and have considerably increased the Revennue of the
Crowne, and now behold my reward. The malefactors have
claymoured, I have never been paid my sallary for house-rent,
they have raised vast summs (and I don't doubt but some
merchants of Curaçoa and St. Thomass's have contributed) to
gett me out. by bribery, and what protection I have had at home,
and what incouragement the Assassines have had there in carryeing on their complaints, the world shall know, and I have and
shall spend more to defend myselfe then I have gott by my post.
I may add to this the loss of the use of my arme by assassination,
and Col. William Thomas. and that virtuous parson Mr. Field,
who by all circumstances were the contrivers of itt, and fledd
into England, there had their affidavitts taken against me, and
it is given out, 'tis upon their affidavitts the order was made for
calling me home, to answer to their false articles, as if a voyage of
three thousand odd hundred miles were a trifle. I have once
more called an Assembly for Antigua. I shall lay your Lordshipps' letter (about the negative voice) before them, I wish it
had come some months ago; but I am of opinion, if they are
pleased to allow the Queen that, they will start some other
priviledge that I must not allow them, but however as I have all
along done my duty, so I shall to the last moment I am in my post,
etc. I had long since settled these Islands in an honest method of
Government, and hurt nobody, if I had had the protection at home
I ought to have had till it had apeared I did not deserve it. I
must do your Lordshipps the justice to owne, I have no reason
to complaine of your justice in the matter of the complaint,
though they impudently gave out at first they had secured
two of the Board that had dined with Nivine at Robert Chester's
in the Citty; I confess I did not believe it when it was reported,
and much less since, when I found they opposed the hearing before
your Lordshipps: that was the wisest thing they ever did, for
had the complaint been heard before your Lordshipps, they
knew your Board would not have grudged time to have inquired
into the bottome, and after a faire heareing have made a just
report, which would have been no service to them. My friends
write me word the order is that they are to signe the articles
before wittness, and take their affidavitts publickly and that
I have liberty to interrogate them, if it be soe, I shall be
satisfied, provided I have justice at last, etc. etc. Notwithstanding all this clamour, and the great paines that has been
taken, and vast summs expended, to make me apear a villain,
a tyrant and oppressour, you will find at the conclusion I have
all along acted with zeale for her service, that sent me here, and
with a due regard for the good of the people, and that I have
taken no man's ox nor ass from him, and as for tyranny, that is
impossible, for no man has been punished, and yet here has been
as base murders and other crimes committed as ever was heard
off, but their jurys have allways accquitted them. One would
think it were impossible that men should so openly and barefacedly perjure themselves, but yet they do, had I had authority,
many that have signed the articles, had long since been hanged,
and justly too, Tankerd some time since waylay'd a man, (a poor
midwife's husband) and shott him because the man had sent to
him for a debt he owed him, the man died, and Tankerd was
carryed to Barbados in the Hector man of warr, tho' I told Captain
Clarke of the action, but I suppose he found his account in it.
Codrington (that Machivall) that was the author and contriver
of all this villanny against me, is now answering for it, and a
Vollpony (fn. 1) will he made takes place so that the most of his estate
goes to those he mortally hated, before he died he was in great
perplexity before he died to alter his will and accordingly sent six
times for one to do it, but those about him prevented the
messengers going. He lived like a wretch and dyed unlamented,
and had not the pleasure to heare of the order for my comeing
home, and they say he broke his heart, not being able to get the
better of me, for the news we had before was, that I had intirely
gott the better, and the complaint layd aside, and we were going
all to be friends, till a Bristoll man arrived at Nevis, brought the
news of this order, then they fired their gunns and drank my Lord
Sunderland's health, etc., and the Generall Assembly, that was
then sitting and going on upon bussiness, begann to renew their
messages about their chimericall priviledges, etc. Had the news
not come but for tenn days, I have reason to believe the Assembly
had made some good laws, and repealed some very badd ones.
I here send the Minutes of Councill of Antigua, to the 14 March
last. Signed, Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd. 3rd, Read 7th July,
1710. 4 pp. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 24: and 153, 11. pp. 42–48.] |
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May 11.
Antigua. | 229. Same to same. I have by this packett reciev'd three
letters from your Lordshipps, Nov. 29, Jan. 19 and 24. In the
first your Lordshipps advise me to follow my Instructions, which
is what I have allways punctually done, and what relates to the
soldiers that I ought to lay before the Secretary of Warr. Your
Lordshipps may remember by my Instructions I am to send
from time to time to your Lordshipps what relates to my Goverment, but that I might noways be wanting in my duty, I have
not only severall times sent to your Lordshipps, but also to Mr.
Wallpole, Secretary of Warr, and to my Lord Sunderland the
Secretary of State, to informe them of the miserable state of the
Regiment, but those great men never did me the honour to
answer any one of my letters; I also writt to Mr. How the Pay
master, so that the lives of a great number of the poor soldiers
that have perrished meerely for want of their pay and cloaths
does not lye at my door, nor shall I think I have done my duty
till I have brought Col. Jones to a Court Marshall to answer for
his false musters, and not paying or cloathing his Regimt.
It is impossible for me to perswade the Assembly to do anything
when every shipp for this 18 months past brings them news I
am to be removed. Your Lordshipps very mildly reprimands
me for falling into the same error as that your Lordshipp(s)
complained off, Nov. 25th, by admitting Mr. John Norwood
into the Councill of Nevis, when it appeared on your bookes
there was tenn besides the Lieut. Governour upon the Island.
I thought I had suffitiently satisfied your Lordshipps in my
answer to that complaint, that I was guilty of no error then nor
am I now, but what I did was agreeable to my Instructions, for
there was but Six Counsillours on Nevis when I order'd Mr.
Norwood to be swore, nor did I do it till I had recieved severall
letters from the Lieut. Governour that he could not meet a
Councill for want of Councillours. for there must be five besides
himselfe to hold a Councill; I had the same reason for not
recommending Mr. Norwood as I had for not recomending Col.
William Byam. for at the time I sent your Lordshipps those
lists, Mr. Norwood was not at Nevis, nor Col. William Byam at
Antigua. After I sent those lists, Mr. Norwood was apointed
Commissioner of the Customs for Nevis. and St. Kitts, and went
and lived at Nevis, and it has allways been the custome to put
in the Commissioner of the Customes into the Councill, and that
was my reason and no other, for he is a stranger to me, nor shall
it be any concerne to me whether he be confirmed or not. I have
been so often affronted in matters of greater moment, this will
be a trifle. Your Lordshipps sent me out an order to sweare
four more into the Councill, which made them up tenn, but the
order never came to me till some months after Mr. Norwood
had satt, as will apear by the Minutes of the Councill of Nevis.
I returne your Lordshipps my most humble thanks for your
promise in not putting in any those that have signed articles
against me. I have reciev'd a letter from Sir C. Hedges in
relation to what I writt to your Lordshipps about his Secretary.
What I writt is true, nor did I write all the truth, for I never
could to this day gett a coppy of all the Laws to send to your
Lordshipps, as I am oblieged to by my Instructions, tho' I have
demanded them from time to time, ever since I came, allmost
every time the Councill sitts, as his under-Clerk can justifie,
and when the complaint went first home. I could not gett the
Minutes of the Councill for 8 months together, and when I
did gett them, I was forced to buy the paper, which cost me 30s.,
for he pretended he had no paper, nor would he buy any himselfe.
In answer to your Lordshipps of Jan. 19, about clandestine trade,
what is there mentioned is a trifle to what has been done. I
have all along prevented that trade to the utmost of my power,
and have in a great measure put a stopp to it, and in short
this, and supporting the Queen's Prerogative is the greatest
grieveance. If your Lordshipps remember, about 18 months
since I writ from St. Kitts, wherein I gave you an account of
one La Mount that came there with a sloope laden with dry goods
from Curaçoa. I imediately ordered two wayters on board, the
next day the Assembly mett, and were in an uproare, and were
going to article against me, and did draw up a parcell of stuff,
which I answered and made them ashamed of their articles, so
that they never sent them home. Mr. Perrie (who has been
Codrington's chiefe Instrument in all these claymours) when he
was first made a Commissioner of the Customs for Antigua was
a little zealous, in preventing the clandestine trade, but they soon
made it his intrest to be quiet, and has given them no disturbance
ever since I came. But on the contrary has discouraged those
that I have sent to seize prohibitted goods, but I understand he
is put into a very good post, he is made Surveyor Generall of
the Customes, but I don't doubt but suffitiently to expose both
him and them that have advanced him. I am oblieged to your
Lordshipps for the concerne you express for my assassination,
all the leading men of the party were privvy to it. I was shott
at twice before, but I find instead of hurting their cause, it has
done them a kindness, for as they give out, they have at last
obtained an order for calling me home to answer their articles.
If it be true, I hope I shall have damages given me in case they
don't make out their articles. I shall only say now what I have
all along. I desire strickt justice. However I am dealt withall.
I will do myselfe the justice to print a true account of my
administration etc., and then the world shall be judge, whether
I have behaved myselfe well or ill, for I vallue my reputation
more then all the Govermts. the Queen has to give. I am glad
your Lordshipps has at last given me your opinion of my insisting
upon the Negative voice, when that dispute first begann, I showed
them that paragraph of my Commission which your Lordshipps
mention, but to no purpose, they said they were in possession of
it, for Governours allways allowed it them, and I was look't
upon as a tyrant, for offering to take away their priviledges.
I have long wayted for your Lordshipps' orders about the rioters,
and have so long deferr'd calling a Sessions for that reason. If
there be an order for calling me home, as my friends write me
word there is, I admire that your Lordshipps or my lord Sunderland has not sent it me. Whatever the order is, I shall religiously
obey it, etc. Signed and endorsed as preceding. 5 pp. [C.O.
152, 9. No. 25; and 153, 11. pp. 49–55.] |
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May 11.
Antigua. | 230. Governor Parke to the Earl of Sunderland. I have
not had the honour to recieve any letter from your Lordshipp
since that dated Feb. 24, 1708. Acknowledges Seal. I have
very often writt to your Lordshipp and Mr. Wallpoole about
the deploreable condition of Col. Jones Regiment, that they were
neither clothed, paid not recruited, nor the officers that are at
home ordered to their posts; but I have never recieved any
answer either from your Lordshipp or Mr. Wallpoole. The
soldiers (in hopes of some reliefe) have at last petitioned me and
the Councill so that I shall bring Coll. Jones to a Court Marshall
for false musters, and not paying cloathing or recruiteing his
Regiment, great part for want of which have perrished, and are
reduced to about one third of a regiment, and many of them
want armes. Though Mr. Wallpoole never did me the favour to
answer my letters, yet I find care was taken to supercede all the
officers I put in, though I took that care to give the Commissions
as became their due, for I allways made the eldest Lieutennant
Captain, the eldest Ensigne Lieutennant, and the Ensignes I
made out of the young Gentlemen that came over and carryed
armes in the Regiment for preferment. I had a nephew of my
owne (who is no discreditt to the Regiment) yet before I gave
him a Commission, I made him carry armes, and then made him
no more then youngest Ensigne, in which post he has continued
three yeare. I have not advanced him because I would do no
injustice to the other Ensignes. One would think in four yeares
(that I have had the command of these Islands) I should be able
to preferr my own nephew higher then an Ensigne, but I must
take it as a great favour he is that, for he is the only one that has
not been superceded. I think the officers very hardly used as
well as soldiers to have strangers put over their heads that never
served, and some children. I was in hopes your Lordshipp would
not have suffered such injustice to have been done the Regiment
and my selfe to be so used when I had a warrant for what I did,
not only by my Commission but by the perticular establishment
of this Regiment signed by the Queen and Lord Treasurer.
When first I had an account of the great number of Pallatines
that were come into England, I writt to your Lordshipp that
if I had a good number of them sent to St. Xphers, they would
have been of great service to the Nation and to this Goverment,
and there was good land enough there for them, but I had not
the honour to recieve any answer to my letter, and since, I heare
great numbers are sent to Carolina, where (submitting to your
Lordshipps' better judgement) I thinke they will be of less service
to England, then they would have been here. I am extreamly
concern'd it has never been my good fortune to please your
Lordshipp in any one thing I ever proposed. When the Union
was on foot, I proposed the takeing of Martineque and settling
it with the Scotch, for which your Lordshipp writt me an angry
letter. I offered (with 2000 men) to take Porto Rico, which is
a better Island (take it in all respects) then all these Islands,
put them together with Barbados joyned to them, and I was
morrally sure of success, but I have had Cassandra's fate never to
be creditted. Since the arriveall of this packett, there has been
great rejoiceing among those that have subscribed the Articles.
Parson Field and Thomas has writt them word they had at last
done my bussiness, they had an order for calling me home, they
fired their gunns, and drank your Lordshipp's health, as their
chiefest friend. I don't much wonder at their impudence,
wretches that have no notion of honour, and will justifie assassination (as many of them have done) will do anything. Nivine
(who is their Agent in England) has (at my table) justified the
murder of the Arch-bishopp of Saint Andrews. Perrie (that was
Codrington's chief Agent here, and Commissioner of the Customs),
justified publickly King Charles' murder, and bid me take
warning by him, upon which and their feasting on a calfe on Jan.
30th, my friend's called them the Calve's Head Clubb. This
man is since made Surveyor Generall of the Customes, tho'
ever since I came he has to the utmost of his power discouraged
all seizures, and by his neglect lost a considerable summ due to
the Queen from the late Collector. They give out he was
preferr'd for quarrilling with me; had his quarrill arose from my
discourageing the Custome-house Officers in their doing their duty
it would have been just he should have been preferred, but the
case is reverse. 'Tis true when he first had his Commission he
was zealous in doing his duty, which was before I came, and the
people were ready to stone him for it, but they soon made it his
intrest to be quiet, and for this four year past he has been as
deaf dumb and blind as they could wish; as to his personall
virtues, since I came another man's wife, one Kate Atkinson, a
notorious woman, has lived with him, and he has a mulatto
bastard by one of Col. Long's negroe women. The only good
thing I know in him is, as he proffesses himselfe a Presbyterian,
and an enemy to the Episcopall Church and Monarchy, he never
plays the hypocrite so farr as to recieve the Sacrament in the
Church, this is his greatest merritt. I shall not trouble your
Lordshipp more about him, till I publickly accuse him, which
I will do as soon as I gett home. I admire your Lordshipp did
not send me by this packett this order they so rejoyce at, when I
recieve it, I shall religiously obey it; if it be in order to be truly
informed of my actions, I shall have reason to rejoice provided
I have justice done me at last, though I have the fateague of a
3000 mile's voyage, if not I shall take care the world at least shall
know the truth. Signed, Daniel Parke. 5 pp. [C.O. 152,
42. No. 18.] |
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May 11.
St. James's. | 231. Order of Queen in Council. Referring following to the
Council of Trade and Plantations, and to H.M. Attorney and
Solicitor General for their report. Signed, Chris. Musgrave.
Endorsed, Recd. 14th. Read 15th Sept., 1710. 1 p. Enclosed, |
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| 231. i. Petition of Wait Winthrop, Elisha Hutchinson, John
Leveret, and William Tayler, in behalf of themselves
and the rest of the Associated Proprietors of that part
of the Narraganset Country called the Mortgage Lands,
to the Queen. Recount their concession and the
commission appointed to enquire into it by Charles
II., who reported in favour of Petitioners. "Since
which all persons that pleased have settled themselves
upon parts and places of those lands as seemed them
best, and shelter themselves under the Government of
Rhode Island, who pretend to protect them therein to
the great prejudice and damage of your petitioners and
their associates, who would settle towns and make great
improvement upon the same, being generally good land
and very capable thereof." Pray H.M. confirmation
of the said lands pursuant to the report of the aforesaid
Commrs. Copy. 2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 865. Nos. 49, 49 i.;
and 5, 913. pp. 253–257.] |
May 12.
Plymouth. | 232. Col. Nicholson to [?Mr. Pringle.] Acknowledges letter
of 4th, with H.M. Instructions relating to ye plunder. My lord
Sunderland's letter to me and Coll. Schuyler I read to the Indians
on board ye Royall Soveraigne in presence of Admirall Ellmore.
I was in hopes to have reced. H.M. commands concerning the
men of warr with us and those gon to Newfoundland our assisting
one another. But I hope that affair will be adjusted and sent
after us. Inclosed is a copy of a paper wch. my Lord Dursley
was pleased to give me. But I suppose that the men of warr and
severall of ye merchant ships are bound to Newfoundland, Port
Royall and Canada. I am heartily sorry yt. I have reced. no
orders about ye Chappell house and Indian fort for ye conveniency
and securing ye two Missionarys because ye Indians do depend
upon these things being gon about as soon as they arrive there,
and that ye two Ministers be sent to them with all possible
speed. I desire that you'l be pleased to communicate these
affairs to my Lord Sunderland, etc. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. 1½
pp. Enclosed, |
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| 232. i. [?Paper referred to in preceding as communicated by
Lord Dursley] Rochell. April 22. 1710. Monsr. Du
Clair's squadron is ready to sayle with ye first fair wind
and consists of five of the [French] King's ships
(enumerated). It is said these ships are bound for
Brazill to possess themselves of an island or some
other place where there are gold mines, they are
victualled for 7 or 8 months, etc. It's certaine nobody
but Monsir Du Clair himselfe knows where he is to goe.
There are here a great many merchant ships that will
saile with him, three or four that carys from 18 to 24
guns and men proportionably are bound to St. Domingno,
one of 26 guns is bound to Guinia, and is to cruize for
two months being man'd with 110 men. There are
likewise some ships from Nantz and Bordeaux that are
come to joine with them, and they will make up a fleet of
about 80 ships. They have been frightened with an
English squadron said to be at sea, but it is not known
whither that will hinder them from putting to sea.
Details of other French ships arming at Rochfort and
Dunkirk. Copy. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 9. Nos. 52, 53.] |
| May 12. | 233. Mr. Solicitor General to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Reply to March 22. Having heard Mr. Baber on
behalf of himself, of Mr. Compier, the Receivour General of
Jamaica, and of Mr. Winter, Clerk or Register of the Court of
Chancery there, against the Act for regulating fees, and Col.
Lloyd and Mr. Aylmer, one of the members of the Assembly,
for it, and having compared this Act with that of 1684, I most
humbly certifie that in my humble opinion the officers have no
reason to complain, for this Act is more for their fair profit and
advantage than the former; But the clauses which oblige lawyers
to take retaining fees under a penaltie, and restrain Plaintiffs
from retaining more Council than one, till 10 days after a declaration be deliver'd to, or a subpoena in the cause serv'd on the
defendant, and the clause which requires certain qualifications
in writing clerks, seem to me to be very unreasonable, and there
is nothing in the law or practice of England, which favours any
such regulation. I have no objection to any other part of the
Act, but think it reasonable and for the good of the Island.
Signed, R. Eyre. Endorsed, Recd. 13th, Read June 15, 1710.
2 pp. Enclosed, |
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| 233. i. W. Popple to Mr. Solicitor General, March 22, 1710.
Duplicate. [C.O. 137, 8. Nos. 7, 7 i.; and (without
enclosure) 138, 13. pp. 134–137.] |
| May 12. | 234. Mr. Solicitor General to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Reply to April 24 q.v. I have consider'd of the
Charter of the Massachusetts Bay, and humbly conceive that the
words "private persons" must be construed to mean "particular
persons," and not bodies politick, touns, villages, colleges, or
schools; but 'tis my humble opinion that the Crown has no more
power to cut timber upon the lands granted to bodies politick,
etc., under the two former Charters, than upon the lands granted
to private persons, for when the inheritance of lands was granted
or disposed of by virtue of former Charters, in which the trees
growing upon the lands within this province or territory were
not reserv'd to the Crown, the trees pass'd as part of the inheritance, and an exception or reservation in a subsequent Charter
can't deprive the Proprietors of their interest in those trees
which was well vested in them before. The clause (referred to)
therefore can be of no consequence in regard to any trees growing
upon lands granted by vertue of any former Charter, but will
have its intended effect upon all grants pass'd under this. Signed,
R. Eyre. Endorsed, Recd. 13th, Read 15th June, 1710. 1¾
pp. Enclosed, |
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| 234. i. Duplicate of No. 205. [C.O. 5, 865. Nos. 46, 46 i.;
and 5, 913. pp. 244–247.] |
May 13.
Barbados. | 235. Wm. Sharpe, Alexander Walker, and Saml. Beresford
to the Council of Trade and Plantations. You will permit
us the honour of laying a true and full state of our complaints
against Mr. Crowe, with all the proofs for maintaining our
Representation delivered to himself, Sept. 1, 1708, which we
were so happy to have H.M. approbation thereof. Your Lordships will please to observe Mr. Crowe's disobedience to H.M.
repeated orders through the whole course of his Government, as
well as in this affair, and our punctual observation on them, for
he not only disobeyed H.M. Order of restoring us to the Councill,
but also rejected the methods which H.M. had prescribed for an
impartial examination into our complaints, which disobedience
H.M. was pleased to resent (cf. Jan. 22, Feb. 19, July 2, 1709),
and to order him at his peril to restore us to Her Council, etc.,
which Order we delivered to Mr. Crowe, Sept. 22 last, and press'd
him in Councill, Sept. 29th, to enter H.M. Order in the Councill
Books, and to give the necessary directions thereon, but he then
refused to do either, upon which we petitioned him Oct. 11,
of which he took not the least notice, till the 27th when a vessell
arrived, and brought an account that H.M. had been pleased to
recall him from his Governmt., and to appoint another method
for transmitting our papers. Then indeed Mr. Crowe on the 28th
issued his Orders to Mr. Beckles pursuant to our foresaid petition,
since which time we have been using our utmost endeavours to
get these papers finished. But having many persons to deal
with, together with their great distance from the place of the
Judge's residence, the searching several offices for certificates
and other Records, our often attendance on publick affairs,
but cheifly the apprehensions people form'd to themselvs from
the Governour's, and his Party's arbitrary tempers, prevented
us from laying these papers before Mr. Crowe till the 4th instant,
when we delivered them to him in Council, and prayed that he
would give us copys of the depositions, proofs and other papers
he had sent home against us; but, according to his usual manner,
he refused the same, and ordered us to attend him at Pilgrims
for the seals, which we did. Your Lordships will please to observe
that Mr. Grace, Clerk of the Assembly, was only summon'd to
appear before ye Govr. to prove the Minutes, which he had
attested; but by a management of H.E. and his creature Mr.
Downes, Mr. Grace was sent out of the way the preceding night,
notwithstanding which contrivance, immediatly after the
testimonials had been writ and the seals affixed thereto, Mr.
Grace came, who not being appris'd of the Governor's design,
seem'd to resent the usage very much, saying the Governor knew
very well where he had been, and upon what occasion, and offered
to be sworn to the Minutes. And though Mr. Sharpe and Mr.
Walker (Mr. Beresford being absent thro' indisposition) several
times earnestly prest the Governour, that Mr. Grace might be
sworne to the Minutes of the Assembly, yet he refused the same,
saying with a great deal of warmth, that he had something else
to doe, than attend us. Refer to Minutes, their Representation
and the Report of the Board of Trade in detail. Since the delivery
of our letter and papers on the 4th inst. to Mr. Crowe, he
takes all possible measures to discountenance those who have
either the honour or resolution to obey H.M. orders, an instance
whereof will appear from the deposition of Mr. James Brown,
whom he ordered to be summoned to take the oaths on pretence
of his being a Jesuit. This looks the more arbitrary on this
occasion, when there's not the least grounds for the same: and
that Mr. Crowe keeps one Domingo Vaus, a profess'd Roman
Catholick, as his darling servant. 'Tis not strange to see Mr.
Crowe go on in a continued course of disobedience, when he has
the mobb and militia of a country, so much at his beck that he
can prevail on them to sign an Address in his favour in contempt
of your Lordships' report, H.M. gracious approbation thereof,
and Royal Order for his return to answer our reports. We hope
your Lordships will lay before H.M. the dangerous consequence
of drawing such a crowd of poor, illiterate, ignorant servants, and
other people together into arms, as was done on the 6th inst.,
where their Commanders brought Addresses ready drawn to the
heads of their several Companys, the truth whereof such miserable
poor souls cou'd never know, however apprehensive of their
officer's power, they signed the same. The same people so
influenced by a like authority might be brought to sign any
Address whatsoever, etc. Appeal to the Board's protection.
Signed, Wm. Sharpe, Alexander Walker, Saml. Beresford.
[C.O. 29, 12. pp. 232–244.] |
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May 13.
(N.S.) Rio Essequibo, Fort Kykoverall. | 236. P. Vanderheyder Réze to the Dutch West India
Company. With 19 enclosures. Signed as above. Endorsed,
Read, Aug. 21, 1710. Dutch. 4½ pp. [C.O. 116, 21. Nos.
3, 3 i.–xix.] |
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May 15.
Boston. | 237. Col. Vetch to [? the Earl of Sunderland]. I cannott
but still judge it my duty by every opportunity that offers to
let your Lordship know the state of these Governments to which
I had the honour to bring H.M. royall commands; which were
then loked upon by them as the best news ever came to the
Brittish Continent, but the non-arivall of the promised fleet
and troops is like to prove the reverse of the same, not only
by reason of the vast expense it ocasioned, which all proved to
no purpose, but by giving the French the alarum, they are now
not only better secured against any attempts can be made upon
them, but more frequent in their attempts against thiss country
particularly by sea, in so much that within these five days last
past they have taken nine vessels in thiss bay within fifteen
leagues of thiss town, which it is almost impossible to prevent
while the French possess Port-royal; for att the same time
besides the man of warr that attends thiss station the country
maintain a good sixt rate galey and a sloop with 70 hands:
only to guard thiss bay. The season being so farr advanced,
without my having the least orders, relating to the Expeditions
being renewed, mightily discourages all the people who had so
readily complyed with H.M. orders last year, and were in hopes
of having the enterprize renewed thiss spring. If peace should
putt a period to the design I should be glad to receive your
Lordship's commands, how to dispose of the provisions and
other preparations I have made here conform to H.M. orders;
which I doubt not will be wanted, towards the reduction of some
parts of New Spain; towards which I should be verry ready to
contribute my mite of advice and assistance having bein formerly
uppon that coast: but if H.M. shall not think fitt to prosecute
any of these two projects: I hope your Lordship will please to
countinance me with your recommendation to H.M. for some of
the vacant Governments in America, in any of which I doubt
not to approve myself deserving of the same. P.S. Give me
leave to beg your Lordship's favour and justice to me with H.M.,
and my Lord Treasurer, that since I am here oblidged hitherto
to maintain the rank and character of a generall officer, my
pay and allowance may be accordingly, etc. Signed, Sam.
Vetch. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 9. No. 54.] |
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May 15.
Whitehall. | 238. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Enquires what difference
there is in the duty on prize goods and in those imported as
merchandize, etc. cf. May 6. [C.O. 138, 13. p. 128.] |
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