|
June 1.
Whitehall. |
252. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Since our letter of May 17, we have received a
Memorial from the merchants of Bydeford, (No. 250). We referr
your Lordship to Representation of June 2 last, and shall now
only observe that from the first discovery of Newfoundland till
about ye 9th year of King James I., the English were the sole
possessors of that Island, and of the Fishery in those parts, at
which time the French first began to fish at Newfoundland, and
in the reign of King Charles I., they were allowed to fish to the
westward of Cape Raze, paying 5 p.c. for all their ships going
thither. King Charles II. confirmed to them the foresaid liberty
of fishing free and discharged of the said payment of 5 p.c.,
as did likewise his successor King James II., which several confirmations so accepted of are an evidence that the French had no
other right to that Fishery than what they derived from the
Crown of England. King William did not confirm those grants,
but on the contrary in the 10th and 11th of his reign an Act was
passed, Chap. 25th for resuming that Fishery, and for reinstating
the subjects of this Kingdom in the sole enjoyment thereof.
Tis to this Fishery that the great encrease of their shipping and
numbers of seamen are owing. And another advantage they have
by that trade is, that of late years 4 or 500 sail of ships have
been employed therein, which is a much greater number than
what has been employed by H.M. subjects. The French have the
best and most convenient part of the Country for fishing; for
their harbours lying to the southward are seldom annoy'd with
the ice, whereas ours being more northerly, rarely are clear of
it, till the beginning of May, and in their harbours there is a
much greater plenty of fish, and more early in the season than in
ours, whereby the French are frequently enabled to supply the
markets in the Streights before our ships can sail from Newfoundland. By all which it may appear of what advantage it
will be to the Fishery and Trade of this Kingdom, if upon a Treaty
of Peace the entire possession of Newfoundland and the right of
Fishery in those parts be delivered up to the Crown of Great
Britain. [C.O. 195, 5. pp. 146–148.] |
June 4.
St. Jago de la Vega in Jamaica. |
253. Governor Handasyd to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Acknowledges letters etc. of Nov. 25 and Jan. 19,
1709/10. As to what your Lordship says in relation to Capt.
Gardner's answer about the recruits, I thank your Lordps. for
your care, as well in regard of me, as of my Regiment: I must
say, I have received 78 or 79 recruits by the two last pacquetts,
but most of them being the sadest mortalls that ever was sent
out of the Kingdom, being of all nations and languages, and
of as many religions. I am sorry to say that I thinke H.M.
service, as well as my honour and reputation will very much
suffer in case any attempt from the enemy be made on this side,
by the sadness of such mortalls. I know no other reamedy on
my part but patience: which I do assure your Lordships I have
had opportunity enugh of tryall, since I have been concern'd
as Governor of Jamaica. I pray God send me and H.M. Regiment
under my command with honour out of it. And I heartly
wish some ingenious brave man had the Goverment with all
my heart. As to what your Lordships is pleas'd to say about
my disbursements upon the account of private intilligence, what
I did in that case, I gave an accot. from time to time of it;
and if I had not done what I did, it had been imposible for me to
have preserved the Island from the misfortunes of the enemy's
invasions: as I now do experience, since I can have no farther
intilligence, and as to the rebursement, I never expect a farthing
of it, without your Lordships' assistance. As to what your
Lordships says in relation to the decay of the Spanish trade,
I gave an accot. some time agoe, that the reason of it was by
the French carrying all comoditys to the South Seas, and selling
them there, as cheap as wee can sell them here; which discourages
the Spaniards from buying in these parts, and so are ready to
sterve, as well as our other merchants here. As to the Flags
of Truce, there has never been admitted to come into this harbor
but two Spanyards, the one from St. Auga upon Cuba, and the
other from Porta Prince. And one French man from Pettaquavous, which I wou'd not suffer any to converse with him, but
order'd a Captain of a man of warr, and my owne son to stay
constantly by him, that nobody did converse with him, or he with
them: and so soon as wee had put wood and watter on board of
him, he was order'd imediatly to sayle under convoy of a man
of war, who had orders to see him to his owne port. As to the
Spanyards, I treated them with a great deal more civility,
and gave them leave to buy such things of our merchants as
the law admitted, provided they were put on board English
vessells to be carryed to the Spannish coast. As to the ambergreasse, I did all that lay in my power to support H.M. intrest,
and put myself to between £47 and £48 expence; but shall sett
that on the backside of my booke, as well as severall other actions,
that I have caused to be brought against other persons for clandestine trade, but never found that any of them has had any effect,
notwithstanding all the expences and paines I have been at the
Jureys has always been pleas'd to bring in their virdicts ignoramus,
or to that effect, except one sloop seized upon by Commadore
Carr, and here condemed in the Admiralty Court, but since
repeild in England. As to the Counscelers here, I think that they
are no sooner put into the Councill, but they are troubled with
one distemper or other, which they pretend makes them uncapable
of doing their duty, so that I am the hardest putt to it to gett
a Councill when there is a necesity for it. As to the Pyrats
I gave you an accot. of before, I think most of them are either
perished for want of support, or disperced elsewhere, there is
not now above 200 that I can hear of upon the Spanish coast,
and there is 37 of them come in hear (power sorry fellows) upon
the proclamation. As to the escheats, I think it a very great
discouragement to any person for ye future, for the discovering
of them, by putting themselves to so much expence as they do,
being 3 quarters of a year before they can regularly go through
the Courts; besides the vast charge they are at to bring up their
wittnesses to every Grand Court. I dar say that the 1/8th part of
the land of this Island has had no heires for this 30 or 40 years
past, nor pays no quitt-rent, notwithstanding the hardships
the Treasurey lyes under, not being able to defrey one half of
the yearly expences for the payment of the Governor, and other
sallerys which are allowed on. As to the disputes between the
Collector, Captors and private saylors belonging to the privateers,
etc., your Lordships must have an Address from the Councell,
Assembly and your humble servant before this time, by which
accot. your Lordships will be informed the hardshipps this power
Island lyes under. As to the proposalls of the 1000 Palitinates,
in case they are sent over upon these proposalls, I beg leave to
give your Lordshipps my oppinion what the faite will be, the
nature of the planters in this part of the world are very ready in
great promisses, but very backward in any performances. I
remember that I have lost of my recruits since I came into this
Island above 50 that have starved for want of lodging etc., and
was not in my power or the officers to releive them, any other
way than in money. Notwithstanding very few was taken into
their houses, untill there was a law made by the Assembly which
obliged them therein. In case every planter that has 50 negros
[were obliged? Ed.] to take a woman and one child into their
plantations, to those that have 100 negroes to take four, and so
on, to those that have 4 or 500 in greater or lesser proportions
for six months, and to furnish them with provisions and necessarys
such as the plantation affoards, untill their husbands could
clear ground, and build little houses to live in, and to plant corne
and roots for their support, after which time their Familys may
be united together in such parts, with such allowances of land
as H.M. should thinke fitt to assigne them, now unpossessed,
but in case it's left to the discretion of the planter what allowance
of provisions he will give each of them, or whether he will give it
them gratis, or bring them in as servants, I dread the consequence,
but shall leave the further management thereof to your Lordships.
As to the accot. you have sent me of the illegall trade, I do not
know what to do in it, since I have no wittnesses to make it
appear; it will be only putting myself to more needless expences.
There being 2 or 3 Gallons at Carthagenia, in number in all 9
shipps, 7 being Spaniards, and 2 French, by the last accots. I
had, they are making all the preparations they can to go for
Europe. Our Commadore, Capt. Spann, is out with 4 men of
warr; but what success he may have, God knows; he has
about 150 of my Regiment on board the 4 shipps. There has
been taken and brought in here 2 small French sloops laden
with hides, tallow etc., and also 2 French privateers, and have
also retaken two of our Sugger Drovers, whose business it is
to fetch and carry things to and from the Island. Wee are
sevearly pliqued with the enemy's small privateers, when ours
meats with them, they commonly dust their dublitts. Ours has
also brought in a large Spanish ship, about 250 tunns, which they
say is loaden with Canary, Spanish brandy, vinager, olives,
sweet meats, razions, and some dry goods; the value of which
I do not know; but it's beleiv'd will prove a considerable prize.
They had in passengers and men belonging to the ship 157
men, and the privateer that tooke her had no more than 65 men
on board. Our Fleet it's beleived will sayle the 14th or 15th
with Capt. Harris, Commander of the Kingston, Capt. Man,
Commander of the Portsmouth, with 10 or 12 merchant men under
their convoy; which I pray God send safe to great Brittin, etc.
Signed, Tho. Handasyd. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 19th July,
1710. 3 large pp. [C.O. 137, 9. No. 13;and 138, 13. pp.
157–165.] |
June 4.
St. Jago de la Vega in Jamaica. |
254. Governor Handasyd to the Earl of Sunderland.
Acknowledges letters of Feb. 8 and 11. As to Capt. Fisher
Wansworth's effects, he left the care of his affaires to 3 gentlemen,
who has proved his will etc., and am of the oppinion that they
are very honest men, etc. I have recd. yr. Lordship's orders
for hireing of saylers for manning home the Kingston and
Canterburry. As to the Kingston she is already mann'd, and I
beleive with little expence to H.M., what with passengers and
English saylors, and some French prisoners of war, etc. As to
the Canterburry, I am informed she will require more to put
her in a condition to sayle home, than she is worth; but shall
be able to give your Lordships a better accot. when Commador
Spann comes in, etc. As to the decay of the Spanish trade, the
reason thereof is, by the French carrying all commoditys to the
South Seas, and selling them there as cheap as wee can sell them
here, which discourages the Spaniards from buying in these
parts, and so are ready to sterve, as well as our merchants here.
Repeats parts of preceding. Signed, Tho. Handasyd. 3 pp.
[C.O. 137, 51. No. 22.] |
|
[?] |
255. Same to Same. Acknowledges letter of Oct. 7, 1709,
in the behalf of Mr. Robt. Hay. Compliments etc. Signed,
Tho. Handasyd. No date. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 51. No. 23.] |
June 5.
London.
Ye Rainbow Coffee-house, Ludgate Hill. |
256. John Phillips to [the Earl of Stamford.] Proposes to
inform him of certain "indirect practices that are acted by a
person employed in H.M. service in the Plantations," etc., "and
expect you will give me satisfaction for my trouble," etc. Signed,
Jon. Phillips. Endorsed, Recd. June 6th, Read 19th July, 1710.
1 p. [C.O. 5, 865. No. 47; and 5, 913. p. 248.] |
June 6 (N.S.)
Rio Essequibo, Fort Kykoverall. |
257. P. Vanderheyder Réze to the Dutch West India
Company. Signed as above. Endorsed, Recd. Sept. 22 (N.S.),
1710. Dutch. 8 pp. [C.O. 116, 21. No. 2.] |
June 7.
Whitehall. |
258. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Encloses extract from
Col. Jenings' letter, March 10, relating to a sloop hired at New
York. [C.O. 5, 1363. p. 188.] |
| June 7. |
259. Account of losses sustained by Mr. Campbell at the
taking of St. Johns, May, 1705, and of property left in Newfoundland by his Agent Colin Campbell, etc. Total, £10,737 2s. 6d.
Attested by Colin and Ja. Campbell. 3 pp. [C.O. 194, 4.
No. 137.] |
June 8.
Antigua. |
260. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Whilst I was rejoiceing with my friends on May 29 in comemoraction of the Royall Famally's and Monarchy's being restored,
I had an order brought me by one Nivine for comeing home to
answer to complaints; I assure your Lordshipps this order as
severe as it is did noways damp my mirth but added to it, for
now I shall have an opertunity to expose their perjurys, and all
their other villannys, and prove they assassinated first my
reputation and then my person for no other reason but my
zealously maintaineing the Queen's prerogative, and my indeavours
to make them honest, and all the bribery, opression and tyranny
I have been charged with, I shall not only clear myselfe off, but
fix it on them; the people are told I can't punish them for whatever they shall say, swear or do, so that now they are secure,
and may committ all sorts of villanny in relation to Generall
Parke with impuneity. I must confess the order is so worded
that it may admitt of such a construction, for no one is to be
troubled for what they shall say or doe against me, either by the
civill or millitary power, so that it seems to debarr me of the right
of an Englishman. They have chose three magistrates to take
their affidavitts, whose characters I shall sett forth when I
arrive in England. They cite all sorts of people to apear before
them, and then swear them to answer to all such questions as
shall be asked them relateing to me and some of my intimate
friends have been forced to discover on their oath all my private
conversation and actions; I think this may be very properly
called a Court of Inquissition, for my part I am glad of it, for in the
conclusion it will be for my honour, and I heartily wish the
jest were to go round, and that all that have the honour to
serve H.M. were to pass through such a tryall; I have no other
notice given me when the Court of Inquissition are pleased to sitt
then by fixing a note on the Court House door, as if I were an
outlaw, and all this glorious usage of the Chief Governour shall
not provoke me to say an angry word, tho' all people that have
any notion of honour or Goverment, are shock'd at it, yet I am
not because at last this my cause is to be heard before the Queen,
who I have no doubt will do me justice in the conclusion. My
two chief enemies are dead, Codrington and Hodges, the Governor
of Mountserratt, whome had he lived I would have suspended,
for I found out his clandestine trade and his altering the records
to gett a summ of money, tis thought my discovering his roguery
broke his heart. I have not as yet put in anybody, at present
the President of the Councill acts as Lieutennant Governour, and
I begg your Lordshipps that no one be made Lieutenant Governour
till I have the honour to lay it before the Queen and Councill.
For tho' it is of small sallary, and taken but little notice of in
England, yet 'tis of great consequence. I am surprized that
neither your Lordshipps nor my Lord Sunderland should mention
this order to me, for as yet I have had no notice of any such order,
but from Mr. Perry (my Agent), and the complainants. Signed,
Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 7th Sept., 1710.
3 pp. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 29; and 153, 11. pp. 61-64.] |
June 8.
Antigua. |
261. Same to the Earl of Sunderland. Duplicate of preceding. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 24.] |
June 9.
St. Jago de la Vega in Jamaica. |
262. Governor Handasyd to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. I have little to add since my last, a duplicate of
which is here inclos'd, excepting a very barbrous murther which
has happened upon a poor man, who was servant to one Mr.
John Sutton, a planter here, who barberously caused him to be
strangl'd, as he lay sleeping upon his bed, by six slaves; the
reason appears to be, this poor man was sent for before the
magesterats to be an evedence against his master, who it seems
was guilty of perjury. His master lock him up all the day in the
boyling house to secure him from the constopples, and at night
order'd this barbarity to be done, and comitted, obligeing himself
to give every negro 5s. in money, and a gallon of rumm. And
tooke care to send all white people off the plantation, untill this
barbarity was committed. Whether the Jury will bring him in
guilty or not, I cannot tell. But I must say there is very few
people put to death here for committing of murther or fellony.
In case he be convicted, as by the Coroner's inquest it appears
to be imposible to avoide it. Then I beg your Lordshipps'
favour in procureing me the preferance of the Escheat, since it's
what has always been customary to the Governor. Since this
8 years I am concern'd in this Island, I have been at great
expences not only for intillagence, but also upon publick days of
rejoyceing about 3 times a year, which I never charged a farthing
for, and also upon persueing H.M. intrest about the ambergresse
and other matters that I have been at great expences upon. And
in case this should happen, I should make no other pretentions
to any disbursements that I have been at for H.M. intrest, or
the Island's. I send 4 Acts past the last Sessions, and also
the Minuts of the Counsell and Assembly. P.S. It will be the
latter end of August before wee can know whether found guilty
or not. Signed, Tho. Handasyd. Endorsed, Recd. 7th, Read
11th Sept., 1710. 2 pp. [C.O. 137, 9.No. 17; and 138, 13.
pp. 286–289.] |
June 10.
Virga. |
263. Col. Jenings, President of the Council of Virginia,
to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Pursuant to H.M.
commands, I have appointed Col. Philip Ludwell and Mr.
Nathaniel Harrison to be Commissioners on the part of this
Colony, who will speedily have a meeting with the Commissioners
of Carolina to settle the method of proceedings, but the season
of the year will not permit them to go about surveying the bound
till Sept. It is with much concern that I find myself obliged
so frequently to inform your Lordships of the great damage
done on this coast by privateers; it is now about seven weeks
since they were first discover'd about the Capes, since which they
have taken and plundered the William and Mary of London
bound in hither, with Palatines, but the passingers on board
being too numerous for them to keep, they lett the ship go; a
few days thereafter, the ship Lark of Falmouth, Edward Poor,
master, was taken, and the cargo of English goods, (which
amounted to 6 or £700) taken out and the ship burnt. On the
29th May, one of the privateer sloops came and anchored in
Linhaven Bay at night, and in the morning by break of day landed
their men, plundered two or three houses, and carry'd off one of
the inhabitants, with some negros, and next day fell in with the
James of Plymouth of nine guns, which after two hours dispute,
they took and sent to Petit Guavas; since which another
privateer sloop took and plundered a sloop from Bermudas
bound in hither, the master of which reports that a ship of 30
guns from Martinico is speedily expected on this coast, besides
the vessels abovementioned, there has been taken on this coast
two sloops belonging to North Carolina with provisions, and our
look-outs report that they have seen two other vessels burnt.
but what they were is not known, there being no men set on shore.
I inform'd your Lordships in my last of the arrival of H.M.S.
Enterprize, but she was in so bad a condition that the Captain
has been ever since employed in refitting her, she is now ready to
sail bound for New York to clean, and then to proceed to the
Bahama Islands, to put in execution an order from Col. Dudley
for discovering the strength of the enemy in those Islands, after
which she will return hither to attend as guardship, but that
cannot be expected till September, so that in the meantime
this coast will be left without any manner of defence, and unless
the convoy with our London fleet do arrive speedily, I do not
see what should hinder the Privateers, not only to ly within the
Capes and intercept the Trade, but to come into ye Rivers and
destroy ye ships there. I used all the arguments possible to
engage the Captain of the Enterprize to stay for the defence of
ye Country and delivered him copy of the opinion of the
Council, inclosed. But in answer he urged his orders from Col.
Dudley, which was in pursuance of Instructions from my Lord
High Admiral, and that he could not delay the putting them in
execution, nor could he attend this station, till that service was
over. I also understood from him that upon his being ordered
hither, the Admiralty had recalled their directions for hyring a
sloop to attend this Coast, which has been a very unhappy
resolution for this country, for certainly such a vessel would
have been of much more service than the Enterprize. Had such
a vessel been here now. we should not have been so unhappily
at the mercy of the enemy, nor H.M. subjects suffered so
considerable losses on this coast. I have again, as it is my duty,
represented this to the Admiralty, and humbly pray your Lord
ships will be pleased to use your more powerfull interest at that
Board for obtaining a 4th rate man of war, and a sloop to be
imployed for the defence of this Country, and that they may be
appointed entirely for this station, without being sent upon other
intermediate services, which being lyable to many accidents
may hazard the safety of this country and trade, as this expedition
of the Enterprize is now like to do. Since my last, two of the
negros that were ringleaders of the intended insurrection have
been condemned and executed, and I hope their punishment
will secure us against future attempts of this nature. This being
intended by a runing ship, I have not thought it safe to send the
publick papers, but shall by the first opportunity of a convoy.
Signed, E. Jenings. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 25th Aug., 1710.
2½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
263. i. Minutes of Council of Virginia, April 19, 1710. Copy.
2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1316. Nos. 49, 49 i.; and (without
enclosure) 5, 1363. pp. 192–197.] |
June 11.
Barbadoes. |
264. G. Lillington, President of the Council of Barbados,
to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The Governor having
left this Island on May 15th, in a very divided and turbulent
condition, as it has been for some years past, I endeavour'd
by all the means I could, and particularly by severall speeches
to the Councill and Assembly to bring them again to an Union
and good agreement, and assur'd them, that as no person had
recd. more injurys then myself, soe I would sett them an
example, and that I was resolv'd to sacrifice all resentment to
duty and our common interest as the persons concern'd should
really find. This promise I have kept, and carried it soe far as
to putt all my chief adversaries, from whom I have recd. the
greatest wrongs in Sir B. Granville's time, into the Commission
of the Peace, in hopes that such an example would have been
followed by a generall union and reconcilemt. How much I
have been disappointed in this the Minuits of Councill and
Assembly, and other papers sent herewith will shew. By which
it will appear, that this Island has been now severall months
without a Treasurer, and without a Revenue, and that two Excise
Bills have been flung out by the Councill in about 3 months time,
only because the Assembly had nominated Mr. Downs for
Treasurer. It likewise appears. Mr. Downs desir'd the Assembly
to nominate another Treasurer, that the displeasure conceiv'd
agt. him by some of the Councill might not obstruct the publick
good of the Island; which the Assembly thankt him for offering;
but did not think fitt to doe. After which I prorogued the
Assembly, and on their first meeting I exhorted them to bring
in a new Excise Bill in such manner that all future disputes with
the Councill might be avoided. The same day they passed a new
Excise Bill, and named a new Treasurer, Mr. Ball, and sent it
up to the Councill, and there it sticks, the Councill having rejected
Mr. Ball for Treasurer, and ordered their Committee to putt in
another Treasurer, soe that I see no probability that this or any
other Excise Bill will pass, till two or three of the most violent
Members of the Councill are gratified with the dissolution of the
Assembly, and the election of a new one, which I doe not think
fitt to be done att this time. Thus the Govermnt. is left without
any Revenue to support it; the Island exposed to danger and
in confusion, and no prospect of relief but what should be
produced by speedy and effectuall orders from H.M. I am much
mistaken if I have given any Members of the Councill just cause
of discontent, and yet some of them have began a kind of paper
warr agt. me here, and have likewise threatned to complain
to H.M. Knowing my own integrity and good intentions in
all I have done, I shall expect Her determinacon with great
impatience, and doe humbly pray your Lordships that it may be
speedily done, and that the reall offenders may be duely censured,
and they and others thereby effectually discouraged from the
like for the future. I am far from thinking all the members of
the Councill, who have sign'd the paper sent home herewith
guilty of ill designs in soe doing, but your Lordships on the
severall informations formerly sent home, will find and distinguish
who are the leaders and who are the persons led. The complainants doe always take care to have their affairs well sollicited
in Brittain, whereas there being no Agents for the Island, now in
England, I can only lay these matters before your Lordships,
etc. Signed, G. Lillington. Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read 28th
August, 1710. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
|
264. i. Abstract of proceedings in the Government of
Barbadoes from the departure of Governor Crowe,
May 15, to June 8, 1710. (v. Minutes of Council
and preceding letter.) The Council insisted that they
had an equall power to reject as the Assembly have
to nominate a Treasurer. The Assembly insisted on
the Treasurer they named. Seven members of the
Council, Messrs. Sharpe, Cox, Chamberlain, Walker,
Alleyne, Pilgrim and Salter then pressed for the dissolution of the Assembly, and presented a paper to the
President justifying their attitude. Their points
answered. Three members were against the dissolution,
and the Attorney General gave his opinion that it was
an extreme measure, and all proper remedies should be
first tried in the then excited state of the Island. The
President therefore prorogued the Assembly (as supra).
Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 15th, 1710. 16½ pp. |
|
264. ii. Seven members of Council of Barbados to George
Lillington, President. Paper referred to in preceding
q.v. Signed, Wm. Sharpe, Sam. Cox, Timothy Salter,
Middleton Chamberlen, Alexander Walker, Tho. Alleyne,
John Pilgrim. June 6, 1710. Endorsed, Recd. Aug.
15, 1710. 4 pp. |
|
264. iii. Minutes of Council of Barbados, Dec. 17, 1690,
relating to the manner of choosing a Treasurer.
Endorsed, as preceding. 2½ pp. |
|
264. iv. Deposition of Col. John Milles. Governor Crowe,
at a meeting of the late Assembly, declared in Council
the sureties (Col. Christopher Coddrington, Guy Ball,
Thomas Horne, and Thomas Hothersall), offered in
behalf of Col. Downes as Treasurer, and it was acknowledged there could be none better. Signed, John
Milles. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
264. v. Certificate that the Memorial (No. ii.) was delivered
to the President of the Council, June 10, etc. Signed,
A. Skene. Same endorsement. ½ p. [C.O. 28, 13.
Nos. 35, 35 i.-v.; and (without enclosures) 29, 12. pp.
245–248.] |
June 11.
Barbadoes. |
265. George Lillington to the Earl of Sunderland. To same
effect as preceding letter. Addressed. 2½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
265. i. Duplicate of No. i. supra. [C.O. 28, 43. Nos. 41,
41 i.] |
June 13.
Bermuda. |
266. Lt.-Governor Bennett to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. The last letter I have been favoured with from
your Lordships which hath arrived here (but I understand the
Governor of Barbados hath a packt. for me with a new Seal)
was dated July 15, 1709, which I answer'd Oct. 30. Inclosed
are affidts. taken agst. one James Briggs, who is charged with
piracy and in custody here. He pretends he was examined and
cleared by Sir Char. Hedges in 1700, but produces noe voucher
for the same. But if he could, these depositions are fresh matter,
and I pray your Lordps'. directions what must be done therein,
the Act for more effectual suppressing of piracy being expired.
Also is inclosed the trials of severall sailors that belonged to a
sloop called the Flying Fame, Capt. Hobart Commander, for
combining and conspireing to run away with the said vessell,
and goe a pirateing. Likewise is inclosed the trials of several
soldiers belonging to H.M. Indipendt. Company of Foot here
att a Court Marshal, for confederating and agreeing with those
sailors to joyne in the running away with the sloop, and to goe
a pirateing with them. As also for contriveing, conspiring and
agreeing togeather, that when they were released from their
confinemt., they would take an opportunity to seize some vessell,
and run away with her for France, and there Collins (one of them)
was to acquaint his brother (who he said was a Lieut. Colonell)
from whence they came, and to request him to inform the French
King and to send Force, and he (Collins) would undertake to
conquer these Islands, and prescrib'd ways of doing it, and severall
other matters which the Judge Advocate drew up by way of information (inserted in the tryals), and exhibited to the Court as being
contrary to the 10th Article of war; and upon a full hearing the
soldiers were all found guilty and sentence of death passed upon
them: but I suspended execution until H.M. pleasure was
further known. It was proposed amongst them that after they
had entred the town with a French Force, the first thing was to
secure the Governor, but they concludeing I would not be easily
taken, Collins replyed he would value shooting the Governor
noe more than to shoot a dog, upon which Anthony Kenty, one
of them (as appeared on their trials), said, God forbid I should
have anything to doe with his blood; which tenderness engages
me to become a most humble supplycant to H.M., that she would be
gratiously pleased to extend her mercy to that man; and doe
pray that when your Lordps. make a representation of this matter,
that my most humble supplycation for Anthony Kenty may be
reported. Pardon me, my Lords, if I mistake the means or
manner of addressing myself to H.M., which I conceive in this
case could not be soe properly done as thro' your Lordps. or
the Earl of Sunderland as Secretary of State, to whom I have wrote
to the same purpose. As also concerneing the pirate, and
transmitted all papers relateing to both matters, conceiveing
it my duty soe to doe. This Country has been very sickly for
these severall months last past by an acute distemper (the Doctors
wants a name for) which took people with a pain in their head and
side, and usually killed in five dayes, and was concluded
infectious. Others have been afflicted with a flux, soe that few
Familys throughout these Islands escaped one of them: but now
the inhabitants in generall are indifferent healthy. Signed,
Ben. Bennett. Endorsed, Recd. 13th, Read Nov. 14, 1710.
Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
|
266. i. Copy of the trials of several soldiers in Bermuda for
conspiring with some sailors to run away with the sloop
Flying Fame and turn pirates. See preceding. Feb.
9, 1710. Signed and endorsed as preceding. 10 pp. |
|
266. ii. Trials of Capt. Hobart's sailors for conspireing to run
away with the Flying Fame etc. See preceding. Same
endorsement. 8 pp. |
|
266. iii. Depositions of Samuel Saltur, William Richardson,
Ricd. Jenings, and Joseph Dill, as to acts of piracy
committed by James Briggs, now in custody. March,
1710. Endorsed, Recd. Nov. 13, 1710. 4 pp. [C.O.
37, 9. Nos. 8. 8 i.-iii.; and (without enclosures) 38,
6. pp. 494–498.] |
June 13.
Bermuda. |
267. Same to the Earl of Sunderland. Duplicates of
preceding, and copy of writ of error relating to Mr. Jones,
Secretary. [C.O. 37, 28. Nos. 4, 4 i.-vii.] |
June 13.
Bermuda. |
268. Same to Mr. Popple. Acknowledges letter of Sept.
14, etc. This country has been very sickly, of which unhappyness I have partaken myself, and also my private Secretary, Mr.
Davis, who has been given over, and still in a languishing
condition, so that one of us for above these eight months hath
been always incapassitated for business: and he goeing with
me to view the Fortifycations and amunition intrusted to the
care of the Militia Officers, took down all the Memorandums from
me in order for the makeing up and transmitting an account of
the same, and when I have been in condition to proceed thereon,
he was soe ill as not to be able to explain the Minutes he had
taken, which has been truly and only the reason that acct. has
not been sent. etc. Signed, B. Bennett. Endorsed, Recd.
13th, Read 14th Nov., 1710. Holograph. 2 pp. [C.O. 37,
9. No. 11; and 38, 6. pp. 504, 505.] |
June 15.
London. |
269. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen.
Representation upon Capt. Edward Cowley's petition, April
20. The petition is quoted with the evidence in support of it. v.
May 17, 25. [C.O. 29, 12. pp. 107–109.] |
June 15.
Custom House, London. |
270. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. The Commrs. having
received a letter from Mr. Perrie, Surveyor Generall of the
Leeward Islands, wherein he complains of an unwarrantable
proceeding of the Governor of Antego, send you a copy to be laid
before the Council of Trade and Plantations. Signed, Cha.
Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read 20th June, 1710.
Addressed. ½ p. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 20; and 153, 11. p. 29.] |
June 16.
New York. |
271. Governor Hunter to Mr. Popple. I arrived here two
days agoe, we want still three of the Palatin ships, and those
arrived are in a deplorable sickly condition. All is quiet on
the Frontiers. By the next occasion I shall be able to inform
their Losps. more particularly, this ship being ready to sett sail
for Lisbon, etc. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd 11th,
Read 28th Aug., 1710. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1049. No. 160;
and 5, 1122. p. 170.] |
June 21.
Whitehall. |
272. Mr. Popple to Charles Carkesse. Reply to June 15.
The Council of Trade and Plantations have frequently reciev'd
complaints of the like nature from several of the Plantations, and
lately represented to H.M. that her pleasure be signified to
the several Governors in America, that whenever they shall have
occasion to send flags of truce to any of the French Islands,
they take care that no more goods or provisions be permitted
to be laden on board such vessels, then what shall be necessary
for the voyage, which H.M. was pleas'd to order to be done
accordingly, and further their Lordships have writ to the said
Governors, directing them that when any flags of truce do arrive
from the French Islands, that the persons who come therein
be not permitted to come on shoar, nor speak with any persons
but such as the said Governors shall appoint, so that if the
Governors observe these directions, their Lordships hope the
abuse complained of may be prevented. [C.O. 153, 11. pp.
35, 36.] |
June 21.
Whitehall. |
273. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Dartmouth.
Enclose copies of letter from Governor Parke, April 24, and
petition from the Regiment in the Leeward Islands, to be laid
before H.M. [C.O. 153, 11. p. 37; and 152, 39. No. 119.] |
June 25.
Barbadoes. |
274. George Lillington to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Since my last letter (June 11), nothing of much importance has hapned. The Excise Bill, and the other tax are not
yet passed, and I doubt will not, by which the Government still
continues without any Revenue, and the Island extreamly
expos'd; and I have reason to fear it will soe continue till some
effectuall remedie be applyed by H.M. Att the Grand Sessions
which sate last week, there were severall Address made by the
Grand Jury (enclosed). Notwithstanding the respect shewn to
me [therein], I think it my duty to observe that Grand Jurys in
this Island are not appointed and return'd as in England, but are
always compos'd of such persons as the Cheif Justice is pleas'd
to appoint. And that severall of the Grand Jury were persons
whom the late Govr. had remov'd out of the Commission of the
Peace, and some of them for good reasons, as particularly the
Foreman of the Jury, who was unanimously censur'd by the
Governor and Councill in 1708, on a complaint against him by the
Attorney Generall, and was thereupon turned out from being a
Cheif Judge, as may appear by the Minuits of the Councill, in
the Plantation Office. Signed, G. Lillington. Endorsed, Recd.
8th, Read 11th Sept., 1710. Addressed. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
274. i. (a) Address of the Grand Jury of Barbados to the Queen,
Return thanks for the recall of Governor Crowe.
Signed, Joseph Salmon jr., Tho. Harper, Christo. Fowler,
John Trent, Robt. Harrison, Stephen Browne, Jno.
Wiltshire, John Rolstone, Jer. Chace, Cha. Egerton
jr., Henry Taitt, Alexander Anderson, J. Scott, Richd.
Sandiford, Joseph Hannis, Mathew Keynell, Saml.
Maverick, Wm. Cogan, Goner Platt, Thos. Palmer, Thos.
Carew. |
|
(b) Address of the Grand Jury to George Lillington, President
of Barbados. We gratefully acknowledge your impartiality in establishing the Commission of the Peace,
particularly in reinstateing severall gentlemen illegally
displaced by Mr. Crowe, etc. Our divisions have a fatall
influence upon our credit, and we have so many growing
rivalls in our staple commodity that nothing but united
counsells cautiously resolved upon and vigorously
executed to the improvement of our advantages by
art and nature, can put us upon a ballance. Signed as
preceding. |
|
(c) Address of the Grand Jury to William Sharpe, Alexander
Walker, and Samuel Berresford. Return thanks for
their great and unselfish services in charging Mr. Crow
with male-administration, etc., also to Lord Sunderland
and the Commrs. for Trade, etc. Signed as preceding. |
|
(d) Same to William Sharpe, C. J., June 15, 1710. Return
thanks and present preceding addresses. Signed as
preceding. |
|
(e) Presentments of the Grand Jury of Barbados, June
13–16, 1710. That the laws against cursing and swearing be put into force. That all due encouragement for
the advancement of good literature, so much heretofore
mentioned in former presentments, be noe longer
delayed. That the indifferent state of the highways be
amended, and surveyors of highways severely punished
for failures in their dutys. That effectuall care be
taken that the streets and common shores of St.
Michael be frequently cleansed and repaired, the neglect
whereof has been the occasion of many distempers and
consequently may tend to the discouragement of trade.
That owners of tottering and decayed buildings about
the townes be obleidged either to rebuild or pull them
downe. That for the commodious loading and
unloading of vessells, a strict and dilligent enquiry be
made into the condition of the wharffs, and those out of
repair amended. That the great Bridge leading from
the towne to Carlisle Bay be speedily built at the publick
charge. That many practices have of late been used to
procure hands to a petition addrest to H.M. in favour of
Mr. Crow; that the same has been tendered to troops of
the Militia upon duty to signe it, children and servants
have been prevailed with to putt their hands to it,
and many illiterate persons have bin deluded to allow
their names to be putt to it, under a pretence that the
same was only to prevent taxes; all which practices
have bin designed to misrepresent the inhabitants as
approveing Mr. Crow's administration, when the same
was grievous to the greatest part of the Island. That
propper application be made to H.M. to ascertain the
value of gold as well as silver coine throughout H.M.
Plantations in America. That in passing an Excise
Act, care be taken that the person nominated to be
Treasurer be neither a member of Councill or of the
Assembly; out of debt, of a clear and unspotted
reputation, and that he doe not hold or intend to hold
the same in trust for another, or give any consideration
for his appointment but reap all the profitts to his own
propper use, and that by the said Act he may be
obleidged to frequent and fair accomptings, thereby to
retreive the lost creditt of the Country. Signed as
preceding. Copy. Signed, Norman Mackaskell. The
whole endorsed, Recd. Sept. 8, 1710. 7 pp. |
|
274. ii. Copy of proceedings of the Court of Grand Sessions,
St. Michael's, Barbados, June 13–15, 1710. Endorsed
as preceding. 13½ pp. [C.O. 28, 13. Nos. 39, 39 i.,
ii.; and (without enclosures) 29, 12. pp. 266–269.] |
June 25.
Barbados. |
275. George Lillington to the Earl of Sunderland. Duplicate
of preceding letter. Addressed. [C.O. 28, 43. No. 42.] |
June 26.
Newcastle. |
276. Governor Crowe to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I dispatch this express on purpose to acquaint your
Lordps. of my arrival here this morning. I shall take the first
oppertunity from hence in order to waite on your Lordps.
Signed, M. Crowe. Endorsed, Recd. 28th, Read 30th June,
1710. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 13. No. 28; and 29, 12. p. 110.] |
June 27.
Whitehall. |
277. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Handasyd.
Acknowledge letter of March 25. Having already acquainted
you (April 4) that the Flottilla was arrived at Cadiz, we have
only to add, that if it could have been possible that timely notice
of its departure had been transmitted hither, such measures
might then have been taken as to have intercepted that Fleet
before they had got into Port. We have again laid before the
Commissioners of the Admiralty the bad state H.M. ships of war
are in at Jamaica, as likewise what you write of the arrival of
two French men of war in those parts. We have also laid
before H.M. the Address to Her (March 25), together with our
observations, etc. Copy enclosed. We do not as yet hear of
any complaint made against you by the owners of the Elson
gally. If any such complaint does come before us, we shall
take care that no wrong be done you. Repeat objections to the
Act for regulating fees, a hardship upon practicers at law, for it
may happen they shall be then retained against a friend or nearest
relation, or perhaps in a cause which they may think unjust,
etc. Enclose Mr. Solicitor General's opinion thereupon, which
you will do well to lay before the Assembly, and endeavour to
get them to pass a new Act for regulating fees, not liable to the
objections Mr. Solicitor has made; otherwise we shall be obliged
to lay the abovementioned Act before H.M. for her disallowance.
[C.O. 138, 13. pp. 137–140.] |
June 30.
Antigua. |
278. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
I have not reciev'd any letter from your Lordshipps by this
packett, only duplicates. The Complainants have taken severall
affidavitts against me to support their villannous complaint;
all their affidavitts to any crime they have charged me with,
I have proved perjuries. I have also proved they designed to
assassinate me that night the riot was committed. When your
Lordships sees the whole, you will be amazed that so much
villanny should be acted against a Governour in so small a
place, and without any provocation except it was his indeavours
to make them honest, and to establish some forme of Government
amongst them. As yet they have subscribed to no Articles
against me, only taken some ridiculous affidavitts, so that I know
of no answer, but I shall religiously obey the Queen's Order,
and come home with the first man of warr. Signed, Daniel
Parke. Endorsed, Recd. 8th, Read 11th Sept., 1710. 1 p.
[C.O. 152, 9. No. 30; and 153, 11. p. 65.] |
June 30.
Antigua. |
279. Same to the Earl of Sunderland. Duplicate of preceding.
[C.O. 152, 42. No. 26.] |
