|
| June 21. |
222. Thomas Johnson's receipt for £25 recd. from Richard
Shelton for the transportation of John Dalzele to Virginia or
Carolina, in order to serve Lord Carteret 7 years (if required) (cf.
June 15). Signed, Tho. Johnson. Copy. [C.O. 5, 290. p. 98.] |
June 21.
St. James's. |
223. Lord Carteret to Governor Eden. H.M. having been
graciously pleas'd to grant the request of some gentlemen, who
were taken in rebellion at Preston, that they may be transported
into H.M. Colonies and Plantations in America; the bearer hereof
John Dalzyel, Esq., brother to the Earl of Darnworth being one
of those gentlemen, and H.R.H. the Prince of Wales having
commanded me to give him his liberty; I do desire you to receive
him kindly as an inhabitant, and do him what friendly offices
may be in your power. Signed, Carteret. [C.O. 5, 291. p. 41.] |
June 22.
Whitehall. |
224. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Governor
Hamilton having inform'd us that he has visited the chief of the
Islands under his Government and finds them all in a defenceless
condition, their forts and platforms very much out of order, most
of the guns dismounted and ordnance store and ammunition
wanted everywhere, and Lt. Genl. Mathew having given us the
like information, and sent us an acct. of what stores of war
are remaining there, as also of what is wanting; we humbly
take leave to annex a copy thereof, and thereupon to represent,
that these Islands being in a manner surrounded by the French
and Spaniards, unless they are sufficiently provided with Ordnance stores, they may be in danger upon any rupture and even
in times of peace from the buccaneers and pirates that infest
those seas, wherefore we are humbly of opinion, it will be for
your Majesty's service that the said Islands be speedily supply'd
with the several particulars wanting, according to the said
annex'd account. Annexed, |
|
224. i. List of Stores of War remaining in the Leeward Islands
and wanting there. [C.O. 153, 12. pp. 419–421.] |
June 22.
Whitehall. |
225. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses following for their report. Signed, James
Stanhope. Endorsed, Recd. 23rd June, Read 4th July, 1716.
¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
225. i. Proposals of Col. Charles Douglass for the disposal of
the late French part of St. Christophers. The delay
in settling these lands costs H.M. over £30,000 a year
in customs. Of the 21,500 acres available, after allowing
for grants to French Refugees, salt pans, bad land upon
the coast to be given gratis to poor people, proposes
that remaining 10,000 acres of good land should be
granted to the undertaker for £16,000, he giving security
to plant, cultivate, till, and manure at least 7000 acres
thereof within two years etc. 2¼ pp. [C.O. 152, 11.
Nos. 10, 10 i.; and (without enclosure) 153, 12. p.
422.] |
| [June 22.] |
226. Joseph Boone and Richard Beresford, Agents for
Carolina, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refer to
letter and address of the Assembly (v. March 15), and enclosed
list of imports and exports of South Carolina, in the navigation
whereof were imploy'd about 100 ships. Continue:—The
preservation of this Province is of very great consequence to
H.M. (1) because its present produce is suitable and necessary to
the occasions of Great Brittain, and in some particulars are such
as Great Brittain doth not produce; (2) because it is a barrier
and might be made a bulwark to all H.M. Collonys on the S.W.
part of the Continent against French, Spaniards and Indians, etc.
The country is proper for the produce of indigo, silk and cochineal
as well as Royall mines, etc. The security desired may be effected
if some forts and garrisons were placed on both sides the Gulph
of Florida att Providence, att Port Royall and on the banks of
the Isthmus of Florida towards Mobile on the borders of our
frontiers, etc. Signed, Joseph Boone, Richd. Beresford. Endorsed,
Recd. 22nd, Read 23rd June, 1716. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
226. i. Account of imports and exports, South Carolina, 6th
June, 1712–13. Imports:—Prime cost, £25,420 15s. 6¼d.
Includes wine, rum, sugar, beer, cider, molasses, flour,
logwood, salt fish, and 262 negroes. Exports:—73,790
deer skins; 75 Indians; rice, 12,677 barrells, 200 baggs;
pitch, 4580 barrels; tar, 2037 barrels; turpentine, 661
barrells; tallow, 29 barrells; leather, 1965 sides; beef,
1963 barrells; pork, 1241 barrells; sugar, 6 hoghds;
snake root, 5 barrells; oyle, 29 barrells; candles
and soap, 76 boxes; garlick, 37 barrells; logwood and
braziletta, 143 tunns; salt fish, 6 barrells; sweetwood
bark and cocoa. There are great quantities of salt,
boards, staves (lumber) etc. exported which pay no duty,
etc. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1265. Nos. 29, 29 i.; and (without
enclosure) 5, 1293. pp. 5–7.] |
June 22.
Whitehall. |
227. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Governor of New Yorke.
The Proprietors of New Jersey having constituted James
Alexander to be Receiver General and Collector of all their quittrents, and praying H.M. directions to you to assist him, etc., you
are to give him all the protection and countenance in your power
in the faithfull discharge of the aforesaid office. Signed, James
Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190. p. 351.] |
June 22.
Whitehall. |
228. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to Governor Hamilton. John
Thornton is to remain in the quiet enjoyment of his plantation in
Basseterre, till H.M. shall think fit how to dispose of that part of
St. Christophers, wch. was the French Settlement, etc. Signed,
James Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190. pp. 351, 352; and 152, 11.
No. 17.] |
June 23.
Whitehall. |
229. Mr. Popple to Messrs. Boon and Beresford. Desires
their attendance before the Board to make good the statements
in their (following) memorial particularly as to the products of
Carolina and the Bahama Islands, and the valuation of Carolina,
etc. [C.O. 5, 1293. p. 20.] |
| [June 23.] |
230. Richard Beresford to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The present state of South Carolina is as follows. That
Province having for a year past been engaged in war with the
Indians, numbers of its inhabitants have been destroy'd by fire
and sword and many more have deserted the place. The small
number of white men (fit to bear arms) that are left continue to
desert the Province, and had not the Government of Virginia
and North Carolina sent to their assistance about 200 men (for
part of whom they were obliged to consent to terms almost
impossible to be complied with) many more if not the greatest
part of the present inhabitants would in all probability have
deserted. The whole Province being thus distressed and
despairing of further assistance from other American Colonies
as also from the Honourable the Lords Proprietors of that
Province, were under a necessity of making application to the
King and Parliament to enable em to subdue or reduce their
enemies to reason. Accordingly their case by petition from their
Agent and severall merchants of London trading thither was on
the 9th of Augst. last laid before the Parliament and after an
examination before the Committee. the Honourable House of
Commons were pleas'd to address H.M. to send to the assistance
of Carolina such supplies as should in his great wisdom be thought
needfull, the charge of which to be made good in the next aides.
Whereupon H.M. was graciously pleas'd to send a sufficient
quantity of arms and ammunition, but the unnatural rebellion
obstructed sending men. By advices since the said stores of
war were sent which came with petition from the Upper and Lower
houses of Assembly of that Province to H.M. for releif and
protection it has been represented that a supply of men and money
is the chief of what they stand in need of without which they
are in the greatest danger of loosing that Province, the remaining
small number of its inhabitants being almost wearied out through
continual fatigue and the charge insupportable. A second
petition from the Agent, merchants and others to the King,
praying that some of the rebels who petition'd for to be transported might be sent to Carolina to serve in the time of their
extremity until better provision could be made for them was
under the consideration of H.M. and the Lords of the Council.
By other letters and advices received the beginning of March
last from the most interested and credible inhabitants it appeared
that notwithstanding they had made peace with one nation of
their Indian enemies they were still obliged to employ all the
force of white men they could raise together with many of their
black slaves against those nations of Indians who were the
forwardest to begin the war and have since committed the greatest
barbaritys. All which representations and applications being
made to this Government and also by proper persons here made
known to the Honourable the Lords Proprietors and no sufficient
assistance sent them, about the beginning this instant June arrived
here from that Province another address to the King and a letter
from the Assembly there very plainly setting forth their present
state, which having been shown to the Honourable the Lord
Cartwright and others the Lords Proprietors, they have signified
their dislike thereto and as we have too much reason to fear will
not only refuse to consent to what may be necessary on their parts
but also endeavour to invalidate the said representation which
obliges us the more earnestly to make all the application we are
able, that the condition of those distressed subjects may in the
most effectual manner be laid and come under the consideration
of H.M. and the Government with the greatest expedition, etc.
By many former circumstances as well as by the late letter from
the Assembly, there is too much reason to be assur'd that the
French (who live and trade with the Indians from Quebeck and
along the Lakes of Canida, and southward too and down the great
River of Messisippi to Fort Movilla scituated on a River near the
mouth of the said great River with the Bay of Mexico) have
stirred up and encourag'd several nations of Indians to this warr.
And as the French have of late years (very far with the bounds of
the charter of Carolina) settled themselves on the back of the
improved part of that Province by which they are as near those
Indian settlements who were in alliance with Carolina as the
English there are, and thereby having possessed themselves from
the northermost part of the sea to the southermost on the back of
all the most valuable Brittish Plantations and Colonies on the
main of America and having with them very numerous nations
of Indians, 'tis too obvious what they (especially South Carolina)
must expect whenever a rupture with France may happen if not
before. It's also as obvious how formidable the French will
grow there during peace considering how industrious they are
in frequently supplying their settlements with people etc., an
instance of which we were lett to know by late advances from
France that shipping with men and women were going from
Brest to their New Colony Luciana on Messisippi which by the
small number of inhabitants in Carolina the French had the
opportunity to begin and by the present troubles with our
Indians are encourag'd to increase. Carolina being the only
Southern frontier of all Brittish America both to the French and
Spaniards who have shelter'd those very Indians who commenced
this present war with the English, it is humbly presum'd that a
settlement of H.M. subjects on one of the Bahama Islands (now
inhabited only by a few scatter'd English settlements notorious
for being without Government etc.) with a small garrison there it
being on the eastermost side of the Gulf of Florida, and the like
Settlement and garrison on Port Royall Island adjoyning the
main land of Carolina on the opposite side of the Gulf, and as
occasion might be vessels appointed to attend that short cruise
would be the greatest security imaginable not only to Carolina
but to other American Colonies possest by the English. Those
Islands being a very pleasant and profitable climate when protected and encouraged will very soon florish and fill with inhabitants and in some measure deter the French from increasing their
Settlements on Messisippi for as much as it will be difficult for
any ships to come through the Gulf (as all Spanish galloons and
French from Messisippi and Movilla are obliged to) but they will
be discovered. Port Royall Island hath an extraordinary
harbour for shipping by all pilots allow'd to be the best upon
the coast of Carolina having about 4 fathom water on the most
difficult enterance and abounds with provisions and naval stores
and amongst the Bahama Islands it is beyond doubt there wants
not the like advantages for such an undertaking. In time of
peace it is much more adviseable to make such settlements on the
said Islands then in time of war. Carolina being thus circumstanced and capable of affording greater quantity of valuable
produce then any other part of Brittish America as the best of
rice in abundance all manner of timber in great plenty pitch tar
turpentine rossin indigo and silk which has been manufactur'd
in London and proves to be of extraordinary substance and
lustre, provisions, etc., 'tis humbly hoped the King and Parliment
will be of opinion that it merits a particular notice and protection,
etc. If the inhabitants of Carolina and the Bahama Islands were
more numerous and protected severall other productions would
thrive well in that climate, as sugar, fruit, coffee, olives, Spanish
vines etc. Cotton wool has been tryed and comes to perfection,
not to enlarge on the mines of silver if not gold which are expected
to be found in the Appalatia Mountains, scituate between the
Frenches new Settlements on Messisippi and the improv'd part of
Carolina. There are also great quantitys of cedar and cypress
far exceeding any Norway deals being free from knots of curious
white colour and great lengths proper for floring of the most
magnificent buildings. The cedar for some uses far exceeds any
other sort of wood and at the request of some noblemen and
gentlemen of this nation hath been brought into this Kingdom
but the importers being obliged to pay duty for it as sweetwood
amounts to a prohibition the further importation thereof has been
quite discourag'd, our navigation lessen'd and given to foreigners
of whom we purchase in part with money and loose the advantage
of freight. Signed, Richd. Beresford. Endorsed, Recd. Read
23rd June, 1716. 4pp. Enclosed, |
|
230. i. A demonstration of the present state of Carolina.
Value of the Province the year before the Indian war
by assessment, vizt. lands, negroes, stock and merchandize, £709, 763. This has been diminished by
desertion, destruction etc. at least one third. Debts and
bills before the war, £44,000. Since the war, £100,000,
etc. 2pp. [C.O. 5, 1265. Nos. 30, 30 i.; and 5, 1293.
pp. 8–19.] |
| June 24. |
231. Petty expenses of the Board of Trade, postage, stationery, coal, etc. Lady Day to Midsummer. 5 pp. [C.O. 388, 77.
Nos. 16–19.] |
June 25.
St. James's. |
232. Order of King in Council. Approving Commission for
Thos. Pitt to be Governor of Jamaica, etc. Signed, Edward
Southwell. Endorsed, Recd. 8th, Read 16th Jan., 1716/17. 1p.
[C.O. 137, 12. No. 36; and 138, 15. p. 187.] |
| [June 26.] |
233. Copy of James Colleton's plea when Judge in his own
case against Sir John Colleton, April 15, 1701. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 26th June, 1716. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 14. No. 52.] |
| [June 26.] |
234. Col. Cleland to Sir John Colleton, Oct. 8, 1712. Proposes, on behalf of John Colleton, a settlement of the dispute
between them, etc. Signed, Wm. Cleland. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 26th June, 1716. 2¼ pp. [C.O. 28, 14. No. 53.] |
| June 26. |
235. H.M. Warrant accepting the surrender of Leonard
Compere, and appointing Richard Mill Receiver General of
Jamaica. Endorsed, Recd. Read 3rd Oct., 1717. Copy. 1p.
[C.O. 137, 12. No. 70.] |
June 28.
Whitehall. |
236. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Refers following for their report, what may be
fitly done therein. Signed, James Stanhope. ¼ p. Overleaf, |
|
236. i. Petition of William Popple to the King. Having for
several years serv'd the Crown as Secretary to your
Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations,
he has discharg'd that office with integrity and zeal
for ye publick service. Had he allow'd himself the
liberty of receiving voluntary gratuities, he might e'er
this have raised a considerable fortune; but notwithstanding the temptation of a numerous family, he has
contented himself with the bare income of his salary.
He did so far prefer the publick to his private interest
(at a time when he could not have the least prospect of
reward) that he run the greatest risque of being turn'd
out of his place, which would have happened had the
late Queen liv'd a few days longer, for his place was
actually offer'd to another. The late Earl of Halifax
(not to mention others) was so sensible of the service
he had done, that after your Majesty's happy accession
to the Crown, his Lordp. bid petitioner think of asking
something for his family; whereupon he prayed his
Lordp. to intercede with your Majesty for a grant of
the Plantation call'd Pensez y bien, containing between
4 and 500 acres of land in the late French part of St.
Christophers, but his Lordp. dying soon after, nothing
was done, etc. Prays for said grant. 1 p. The whole
endorsed, Recd. 28th June, Read 4th July, 1716. 1 p.
[C.O. 152, 11. Nos. 11, 11 i.; and 153, 12. pp. 422–424.] |
June 28.
Antigua. |
237. Governor Hamilton to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses duplicate of May 25th. Continues:—Presently after which I left Nevis, and came hither, where I am
regulating the Militia, and geting the forts and platformes
repaired, and doing such other matters as I hope will be for the
service of H.M. and the good of the Island. Encloses Acts, which
I should have transmitted sooner, had I not been prevented by
visiting the other Islands, in doing of which I do assure yor.
Lordships that my self and family, have suffered more than a few
inconveniencys, having nothing to transport us but sloops, in
which the accomodations, are not much better than those in the
common hoys at home, they being built much after the same
manner, and many of them not much bigger. I hope the Acts
that I have assented to, will be adjudged by yor. Lordships to be
for H.M. service, and the good of the Collony, and that your
Lordships will get them layd before H.M. etc. Signed, W.
Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd. 10th Sept., 1716, Read 5th April,
1717. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
237. i. List of Acts of Antigua 1715, 1716. Same endorsement.
1 p. [C.O. 152, 11. Nos. 53, 53 i.; and 153, 13. pp.
8, 9.] |
June 28.
Whitehall. |
238. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Representation upon Sir E. Ernley's petition (v. April 28th). Quote
objections v. John Colleton (May 15). In answer, it has been
observ'd to us, that several of the present Council have suits
depending and that it is the constant practice when any Councillor
has a cause to be heard, for him to retire from the Bench; but
whether any of the said Councillors had any considerable law
suits depending at their admission; or whether there were any
objections made to them upon that account does not appear
to us. And as we have been informed that the said suit between
Sir John and John Colleton is in a fair way of being determined in
a few months time, if your Majesty shall be graciously pleas'd to
approve of Wm. Carter (v. 20th April), agt. whom we have not
heard of any objection, Mr. Colleton may have an opportunity
of being recommended to your Majesty's favour for the first
vacancy after the said suit shall be determined, etc. [C.O. 29,
13. pp. 334–336.] |
June 29.
Whitehall. |
239. Mr. Secretary to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses following, to be considered when the
state of South Carolina comes to be debated at your Board.
Signed, James Stanhope. Endorsed, Recd. Read 4th July, 1716.
1p. Enclosed, |
|
239. i. Assembly of South Carolina to [?Messrs. Boone and
Beresford]. Enclose duplicates of former Address and
a new Address to be laid immediately before H.M., etc.,
being now fully convinced that the Lords Proprietors
are neither able nor willing to afford that assistance
to this province as is absolutely necessary to preserve
itt from ruin and desolation, etc. Wee have recd.
from Mr. Kettleby their replies to some queries putt
to the Lords Proprietors by the Lords Commissioners for
Trade etc. (v. C.S.P. 1715. Nos. 516 i., 517). To their
answer to No. 1 wee say, Their Lordships have sent no
such orders to this government. They have not above
12 or £1400 in their Receiver's hands, 7 or £800 of which
he tells us is due to their officers here, and that by a letter
from one of that Board he has orders to remitt the remainder home to them as soon as possible. To No. ii.
That this Province did send to the value of £2500 in
goods (prest from the merchants in Charles Towne upon
that extraordinary occasion) to New England, which
goods they are to be paid for by a tax levyed upon
the estates of the inhabitants of this province and
for which wee are not at all oblidged to ye Proprietors.
We doe not know of any money that their Lordships
have laid out in England for the use of this province,
att least if they have 'tis so small a matter that it can
be but of little service, etc. The vessell their Lordships
mention which was ready to saile with their orders is
arrived and was not sent att their Lordships' charge,
being hired by our Agents att the charge of this province
to transport such warlike stores as H.M. should think
fitt to send us, etc. Those other vessells mentioned
by their Ldships. which would be ready to saile in a
very short time after were only merchant ships bound
here upon their own accounts, and as to their Lordships'
orders the Government has received none since the
commencement of the warr. To No. iii. It was
unreasonable in ye Lords to expect that this province
in ye condition wee were and still are in could send
vessells and provisions for the transportation [of H.M.
garrisons in North America], we having noe vessells
belonging to this Government and what ships are here
be only merchantmen who are in a hurry to get their
effects off from this troublesome province besides the
additionall charges which have been so great that this
province could not have supported itself under itt. To
No. iv. We think their Lordships' answer wants a
clearer explanation, not being able to judge thereby
whether they intended to repay with what is and will
be hereafter due to them from this province, or whether
they intended the same should be paid out of the
produce of the estates of ye inhabitants, if the latter,
wee look upon itt as if thereby their Lordships did
intend to evade the repayment of that money, they
knowing well that ye great debt this province has
already contracted for it's immediate defence and will
further be oblidged to contract for it's future defence
added to that additional charge would have as effectually
ruined us as our enemies could possibly have done had
wee not made any resistance against them. To No. v.
As to their Lordships being willing to surrender the
Governmt. to the King wee have but little to say etc.,
but we doe affirme that unless H.M. doth take ye
immediate government into his own hands, this settlement will be entirely ruin'd and as to their Lordships'
continually defending and supporting this province
when invaded by the French and other enemies, wee
say itt is no such thing, neither have they disbursed one
penny towards the defraying the charge of that invasion
nor of any of the former invasions which were made
upon us by the neighbouring Indians and by the
Spaniards from St. Augustine, neither did they contribute
anything towards the great expence wee were att in
fortifieing this place att the beginning of the late warr,
unless the summ of £400 Carolina money which was
designed to hire a vessell to fetch some guns from one
of H.M. ships which was drove ashore on the Bahama
Bankes, but the guns never came and that is the only
money that ever the Lords Proprietors laid out for the
defence of this province from the first grant of their
charter to this time, which is but a small part of the
great charges this province has been att, etc. Wee have
something further to add, etc., that is, that the said
Proprietors are neither able nor willing to support and
defend this Colony, etc. For if they had been in a
capacity to have supported itt of themselves, it would
be unreasonable to beleive they would have applied
themselves to H.M. etc., and it appears to us that they
are not willing because they have absolutely refused to
surrender up or mortgage their charter to H.M. for a
security of the repayment of the charges H.M. should
be at in granting the assistance desired, etc., which
had they complyed with wee have good reason to
beleive wee should have had assistance from the Crown
long before now, etc. Wee are forced to conclude yt.
we are ye most unfortunate of all H.M. subjects being
immediately under the Government of gentlemen who
are not able to afford us that protection which all other
H.M. subjects doe enjoy, which oblidges us earnestly
to press you to use your utmost endeavours to gett the
Government of this province into H.M. immediate
care and protection, etc. There is but little alteration
in ye posture of affairs, saving that upon the murder
committed by the Charakee Indians upon some of the
head men of the Creek Indians, that the whole nation
of the said Creeks removed from their old habitations
some days nearer to the French att Moville and wee
are informed by some of our people (who were prisoners
amongst them and are now gott home to us) that the
French have promised the Creeks yt. as soon as there
is war between Great Britain and France (which they
tell them they expect to hear every day) they will
joine themselves with them and our other enemy
Indians and totally destroy this province, and in the
mean time they supply them with arms and ammunition and give them all the encouragemt. they possibly
ca[n to disturb ?] us in our settlements. You must
needs be sensible what a long and bloody warr was
carried on by a small handfull of Indians (assisted
by the French att Canada) against New England who are
a numerous people what may wee expect who are but a
small people and have severall great nations of Indians
who are our enemies, and who are also supplied and
encouraged by the French att Moville, for these reasons
it is gentlemen that wee again press you to lay our
circumstances before the king and [ ], if possible,
such a supply of men to settle in the countrey as may be
for the future security of the same. As the publick
acknowledgements of this province are justly due to the
Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations for their
hearty zeale and readiness to serve this distressed Colony
at home in it's greatest extremity, you are therefore
directed and ordered to give them the thanks of this
House for such their strenuous and sincere endeavours
etc., and likewise to desire that they would be pleased
to continue the same affection towards us, by making all
the earnest application they can possible unto such
person or persons as they shall think proper so as to
obtaine the favour of his Most Gracious Majesty to
take this government under his immediate care and
protection. Refer to enclosures. By the contents of
Governour Craven's speech wee have reason to beleive
that he will att his arrivall in England endeavour to
insinuate that this province is out of all danger from
our Indian enemies, but wee can in no wise concurr
in our judgements with him in that affaire, etc. Seeing
that the Lords Proprietors are not capable of affording
this province releif and protection wee order you to
desist making any further application to them. There
is just now arrived in the Shoreham man of warr an
agent from Virginia with whom wee hope to make up
all differences between that Government and this.
Signed, by order of ye House, Tho. Broughton, Speaker.
3½ pp. |
|
239. ii. Governor Craven's speech to the Assembly of South
Carolina. It is a considerable time past since I received
permission from their Lordships the Proprietrs. to
return to England, to settle my private affairs; but the
Indian war breaking out, I readily put off my voyage,
etc. But seeing (thro' God's blessing on our endeavours)
the clouds that then threatned ruine and destruction
to this Colony are now blowne over and dissipated, our
enemies for the most parte defeated and fled away, and
the war itself in a manner extinguish'd, I cannot but
reassume my design to return home, and am now
ready to take my departure, etc. Asks for their
directions, "if in any case he can be serviceable to
Carolina, in his absence." Recommends loyalty, unity
and obedience to his Deputy, etc. Signed, Charles
Craven. Endorsed, (Recd. from Mr. Boon and Mr.
Beresford) Read 13th July, 1716. 1p. |
|
239. iii. Reply of the Assembly of South Carolina to Governor
Craven's speech (supra). Return thanks for his speech
and wish him a prosperous voyage etc. Continue: We
can't but take notice of that part relating to our Indian
war, etc. It is ye unanimous opinion of this House,
and of ye whole province, that those clouds of danger
and destruction are still hanging over us, and in all
humane probability will be ye ruine of this Colony, unless
ye immediate blessing of God, and ye charitable assistance of our gracious Sovereign interpose, and dissipate
the same. What obliges us farther to be of this opinion,
is, that notwithstanding ye small defeats and disappointmts. our Indian enemies have met with, they are not
wholy discouraged from prosecuting ye war against us.
The greatest and most warlike part likewise of our
Indians which were in friendship with this Governmt.
are now in ye interest of ye French and Spaniards, and
as we are inform'd, not only protected, but abetted
and set on by them to disturb, and (if possible) ruine
this Colony; When we consider the vast charge we have
been at in carrying on this war, and large expences wch.
must necessarily accrue in ye future prosecution of ye
same, and setling the necessary garisons for ye future
security of this province, without receiving ye least
help or assistance from ye Lords Proprietors, we cannot
but think that their Lordships, instead of using their
endeavours to save and protect their Colony in its
distressed condition, and being instrumts. of our
receiving assistance from ye Crown, they have been ye
sole bar to our relief. We shall always be glad of shewing
proofs to ye world of our firm and steady loyalty to our
most gracious Sovereign King George (whom God long
preserve) and we flatter ourselves, that we have not,
in any of our words or actions, given room for any
person to doubt of our firm adherence to his interest,
and good wishes for ye succession in the Illustrious
House of Hannover. At the same time that we make
this publick acknowledgment of our sincerity to our
Sovereign, we take ye liberty to say, that it had been
highly pleasing to us, and ye whole province in general,
if some notice had been taken in a publick manner, of
ye disrespectful language and talk made use of by some
persons against his said most Gracious Majesty, and the
Succession: As we are ye representatives of ye province,
we should have been very glad if yor. Honr. had been
pleased to have conferred wth. us upon the choice of a
proper person for ye administration of the Governmt.
in yor. absence, but as it is in yor. Honr's., whatever
person you shall appoint in yor. stead, we shall be
ready to concur wth. him in all things that may be
for ye welfare and good of this Colony. We give yor.
Honr. our unfeigned thanks for ye kind proffer to make
use of yor. services in England, and if yor. Honr. would
be pleased to use yor. interest in procuring the Governmt.
to be taken into ye immediate care and protection of ye
Crown, as ye other Plantations are, we shall esteem it
as a great favour; we further take ye liberty to return
yor. Honr. our hearty thanks for yor. services to ye
province since ye comencemt. of ye war, etc. Signed,
Tho. Broughton, Speaker. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1265. Nos.
31, 31 i., 32, 33; and (without enclosures) 5, 1293. p.
21.] |
