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Sept. 3.
Whitehall. |
64. Mr. Secretary Addison to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Several papers and reports from your Lops.
having been laid before the King, and the Lords of the Committee,
I am to signify to your Lops. H.M. pleasure on each of them
respectively. (i.) As to your Lops.' report of April 16th last,
H.M. [approving of the same and] being further well satisfied
with the conduct of Governor Hamilton in declining to receive
any part of the sum granted by the Assembly [of the Leeward
Islands] till H.M. pleasure should be known therein etc.; H.M.
is graciously pleased to permit the said Governor to receive the
£1,000 pr. ann. during his Royal pleasure; and your Lorps. are
to prepare a new Instruction in the place of the old one beforementioned, which may effectually restrain Governors from
receiving gifts and presents, and yet not be liable to the difficultys
and objections mentioned in your Lops.' report. (ii.) Pursuant
to your Lops.' report of the 6th of May last, etc., H.M. approves
of the conduct of the Fishing Admirals [Weston and Cleeves],
as justifiable by law and agreeable to their duty. But in consideration that Gallantry als. Tulon among others remaining at
St. Peter's, took the oaths of fidelity to H.M., and engaged in
the Fishery in confidence of Her late Majesty's letter, and the
orders given thereupon; it is H.M. pleasure, that the produce
of the fish taken by the said Tulon at St. Peter's and sent to
Bilboa be restored to him, after the said produce has been returned from Bilboa to H.M. according to the tenour of your
Lops'. report. (iii.) Upon your Lops'. report of 31st May last,
relating to the piracys committed in the West Indies, and
particularly in the seas about Jamaica, H.M. being sensible that
the British Trade in those parts is thereby in great danger,
He has been graciously pleased to give such orders thereupon
as have been recommended by your Lops'., in the first place H.M.
has signified his pleasure to the Lords of the Admiralty that one
fourth rate, and two fifth rate men of warr be ordered to those
seas to suppress the pirates, and protect the Trade, unless their
Lops. have already made other sufficient provision for that
service, in which case they are to acquaint me therewith, that
I may lay the same before H.M. without loss of time. 2ly.
H.M. has ordered a Proclamation to be prepared, with an assurance
of H.M. gracious pardon to the said pirates, provided they come
in, and surrender themselves within a limited time. 3dly. H.M.
has appointed a Governor of the Bahama Islands, who will be
enabled to drive the pirates from their lodgement at Harbour
Island, and Providence, represented by your Lops. to be the
great receptacle of the pirates. (iv.) In answer to your Lops.
of the 8th of July last, containing the extract of a letter from Col.
Hamilton etc., relating to a settlement intended by the French
at Sta. Lucia, and the confiscation of a British ship at Martinico:
and your letter of Aug. 6th, containing the copy of a letter from
Col. Spotswood etc., concerning the seizure of an English ship
by the Spaniards, and making several of H.M. subjects prisoners,
I am to acquaint you that I have received H.M. commands to
transmit the former to H.M. Envoy Extry. at the Court of Spain,
that the proper applications may be made for redress in H.M.
name, on the respective complaints therein exhibited. (v.) In
pursuance to your Lops'. report of the 26th of July last, on the
petition of Capt. Rogers, about fortifying and settling the Bahama
Islands, H.M. being very well satisfied with your Lops.' representation of the importance of those Islands to the British Trade
and Navigation in those parts, as also with the character which
is given of the said Captain Rogers by the most considerable
merchants of London and Bristol, as a person every way qualified
for such an undertaking, He is pleased to appoint the said Capt.
Woodes Rogers to be Governor of the Bahama Islands, and of
the Garrison which shall be sent thither, and to order your
Lops. to prepare draughts of a Commission and Instructions for
that purpose, that the same may be laid before H.M. for his Royal
approbation. (vi.) Your Lops.' representation of the 16th inst.
upon the memorial of Lord Archibald Hamilton etc., having been
also laid before H.M., He is graciously pleased to approve the
same; and whereas your Lops. have set forth, that the Assembly
of Jamaica did neglect to reimburse the £2,706 6s. 3d., tho' recommended by H.M. letter, 13th May, 1715, I am to signify to your
Lops. H.M. pleasure that the said sum be paid to the Lord
Archibald and others, to whom the same is due, out of the first
and readiest of the Revenues of that Island unappropriated, but
in case your Lops. find the entire Revenue of the sd. Island to
be appropriated, your Lops. are to draw up an Instruction for
Sr. Nicholas Lawes to recommend to the Assembly at their next
meeting in the most effectual manner to make provision for so
just a debt: and whereas the memorialists lent the said sum to
supply the exigences of the Government, and this debt has stood
out so long a time, and whereas likewise very large interest has
been allowed by an Act of Assembly on the 10th Nov. last to
Col. Heywood the present Commander in Chief of Jamaica, for
money advanced by him on the like service; it is H.M. further
pleasure, that interest be also payed to the memorialists, according
to the ordinary rate of interest in Jamaica, for so long a time as
they have been kept out of their money, and as to the arrears
of salary and other debts claimed by the Lord Archibald Hamilton out of the Revenues of Jamaica, H.M. defers to declare
His pleasure therein, till Sr. Nicholas Lawes, after his arrival
there, shall have transmitted an account of what shall appear
to be justly due to his Lop. (vii.) Your Lops. having, 28th
Aug. last, represented the necessity you are under, of having
recourse from time to time to several of the Plantation Laws,
but by reason the said Laws are contained in several large bundles
of parchment, it is difficult and tedious to come at what is immediatly wanted; for which reason your Lops. think it will
be for H.M. service that you should have an order to H.M.
Printer to print from time to time such of the said Laws as your
Lops. should send him, H.M. is graciously pleased to comply
with this your Lops.' proposal, and I am to give such an order
to H.M. Printer as is therein mentioned. Signed, J. Addison.
Endorsed, Recd., Read 4th Sept., 1717. 5 pp. [C.O. 152, 12.
No. 34; and 153, 13. pp. 92–100.] |
Sept. 3.
Hampton Court. |
65. Mr. Secretary Addison to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Referring following for their opinion what H.M.
may fitly do therein. Signed, J. Addison. Endorsed, Recd.
27th Sept., Read 23rd Oct., 1717. Superscribed, |
|
65. i. Petition of Edward James, John Beswick, William Hayman and other Merchants residing in Jamaica to H.R.H.
Prince of Wales, Guardian of the Realm. Since the
cessation of arms concluded between Great Britain
and Spain, 1712, a great number of sloops and vessels
belonging to H.M. subjects in Jamaica and laden with
very valuable effects have been pyratically and unjustly
taken and seized by Spanish vessels and by them carried
into Trinidado and other Spanish ports etc. Governor
Lord A. Hamilton did dispatch letters and persons
in their behalf to the several Governments of the Spanish
ports to obtain justice and restitution, and to know
the reason why such vessels were so illegally taken
and detained, but no satisfaction could be obtained etc.
Several of the said seizures were made within sight
and under the land of Jamaica, and depredations have
even been committed within the country; divers of
H.M. subjects killed, wounded and made prisoners
in defence of their ships and goods, and some of them
murder'd in cold blood, etc. Pray for relief and satisfaction. Signed, Wr. Parrott, Agent for petitioners.
The whole, 1 p. |
|
65. ii. Planters and merchants concerned in Jamaica now
residing in Great Britain to H.R.H. the Prince of
Wales, Guardian of the Realm etc. To same effect as
preceding. Pray that Mr. Pitt's departure to his government may be expedited, with suitable instructions, etc.,
and that the Trade may be protected by a sufficient
number of proper ships of war, etc. Dec. 28, 1716.
Signed, John Orgill and 42 others. 1¼ pp. |
|
65. iii. List of British sloops and vessels taken by the Spaniards
since the Peace and carried into Spanish ports. Total,
37; Value, £76, 143 10s. 6d. (including £600 for 24
negroes carried off from Major Cook's plantation to
Trinidado, by Spaniards who landed in the night-time). Endorsed, Recd. 27th Sept., Read 23rd Oct.,
1717. 1 large p. [C.O. 137, 12. Nos. 90, 90 i.–iii.;
and 138, 15. pp. 477–484.] |
Sept. 3.
Nevis. |
66. Governor Hamilton to the Council of Trade and Plantations. About the latter end of July last I had an Order brought
me by one Clement Crooke Esq. of St. Christopher's from H.M.
in Council bearing date the 30th March last containing directions
for allowing examinations to be taken on oath and certified
under the Seals of these Islands for supporting a complaint
made against me on behalf of one Martha Assaillie; as well as
orders for my making a state of the matters in question; in
obedience to which order I immediately appointed John Pinney
and John Spooner Esqrs. to act as Commissioners on my behalf
for taking the examinations of such persons as should be produced
as witnesses on behalf of the said complainant, whereupon they
met at the Island of St. Christopher's some short time after,
and in conjunction with John Willett Esq. on behalf of the
said complainant took several examinations on her part, the
which were brought to me about the latter end of the last month
by the said Crooke in order to have the Seal affixed thereto,
which I have accordingly done but do not think it proper to
have them transmitted until I can cross-examine the said witnesses
and take the examination of several to justifie my conduct in
that affair, which I shall do with the utmost expedition as soon
as I come to the Island of St. Christopher's; But as I am apprehensive that some farther complaint may be made against me
under pretence of my delaying or disobeying H.M. Order I take
this opportunity to acquaint your Lordships that nothing on
my part shall be wanting to render obedience to H.M. commands
etc. Signed, W. Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd. 18th, Read 19th
Nov., 1717. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 12. No. 55; and 153, 13. pp.
172–174.] |
| Sept. 3. |
67. Mr. Secretary Addison to John Basket, H.M. Printer.
I am commanded to signify H.M. pleasure to you, that you
do print all such Plantation Laws, as you shall from time to
time, receive for that purpose, from the Lords Commissioners
for Trade and Plantations (v. Aug. 28). Signed, J. Addison.
Endorsed, Recd. 4th Sept., Read 18th Oct., 1717. Copy. 1 p.
[C.O. 323, 7. No. 110.] |
Sept. 3.
Hampton Court. |
68. Mr. Secretary Addison to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Referring following for their report. Signed,
J. Addison. Endorsed, Recd., Read 4th Sept., 1717. ¼ p.
Overleaf, |
|
68. i. Petition of the Agents of Barbados to the King. The
Bishop of London hath lately given a Commission to
one Gordon, by the power of which he doth attempt to
erect an Ecclesiastical Court there, from which no good
can result, but abundance of mischief, and it is to be
apprehended from the temper and principles of many
of the Clericks there, but more especially of Gordon,
and two other priests whom the said Bishop hath recommended to benefices there, one of which is Dominick
Langton, formerly a Friar, and who a few years ago
was censured by the House of Commons in Ireland,
for obstructing the conversion of several Papists to
the Protestant Religion, and other scandalous practices,
that such a Court will clash with your Majesty's civil
Government, and the municipal laws of that country,
and that the officers of the said Court being very numerous, and having most of them no other subsistance, but
what must arise from the exercising this spiritual jurisdiction, will probably stir up innumerable suits etc. in
order to get money by them. If this Court is suffered
to go on, it will probably ruin the flourishing state of
that Island, by embarrassing the Government, vexing
and tormenting the gentry, depauperatting the substantial freeholders, and utterly ruining the common
people. Pray for H.M. relief etc. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 15.
Nos. 11, 11 i.; and 29, 13. pp. 389–391.] |
Sept. 4.
Whitehall. |
69. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Hunter.
Enclose Mr. Secretary Addison's letter Aug. 22 etc. Continue;
The reports of your removal are malicious and groundless.
This you may make known in such manner as you shall think
the most likely to silence such reports and defeat such practices
for the future. We shall do all that in us lyes to discourage the
same as opportunity shall offer. Set out, N.J. Arch. 1st Ser. iv.
327. [C.O. 5, 995. pp. 337, 338.] |
Sept. 4.
Whitehall. |
70. Mr. Popple to Mr. Solicitor-General. The Council of
Trade and Plantations desire your opinion in point of law upon
the inclosed Act of Barbados, 1717, to clock the intail of certain
lands in the parishes of Christ Church and St. Michael, and to
vest the fee simple in Alice Tickle and Francis Jemmot respectively,
etc. [C.O. 29, 13. p. 388.] |
Sept. 4.
Whitehall. |
71. Same to Same. Asks for his opinion in point of law
upon an Act of New York, 1712, to enable William Anderson
to sell a lot of land in Queen Street etc. [C.O. 5, 1123. p. 452.] |
Sept. 4.
Whitehall. |
72. Same to Same. Encloses Act passed at St. Christophers
26th March last, to impower the Surveyors of the highways to turn
the Windward Common path to the Eastward of Clay Hill in the
quarter of Basseterre, for his opinion thereupon in point of law
etc. [C.O. 153, 13. p. 107.] |
Sept. 5.
Hampton Court. |
73. Copy of H.M. Warrant to Governor Hamilton, for
receiving £1,000 per ann. that money in lieu of house-rent,
pursuant to an Act of Antego. Countersigned, J. Addison.
Endorsed, Recd. 7th, Primer'd 9th Sept., 1717. 3¾ pp. [C.O.
152, 12. No. 37; and 324, 33. pp. 94–96.] |
| Sept. 5. |
74. List of (37) planters in the French Quarter that have
no plantations in the English Quarter, and of those who have (18).
List of lands given back to French Protestants or belonging to
them. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Bladen), Primer'd, 5th
Sept., 1717. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
74. i. List of those who have built houses by vertue of grants
in the French town Basse Terre. 30 names. ¾ p.
[C.O. 152, 12. Nos. 36, 36 i.] |
Sept. 5.
Hampton Court. |
75. Order of King in Council. Approving Representation
of Aug. 29, and appointing John Colleton to the Council of
Barbados. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read
6th Nov., 1717. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 21; and 28, 39.
No. 5; and 29, 13. pp. 424, 425.] |
| Sept. 6. |
76. A computation of the charge of transporting 500 Palatines
to the Bahama Isles. Provisions, clothing, bedding, passages
and medicine, £2,500. £5 per head to be advanced by the
undertakers for their support and repaid by their produce in
3 or 4 years, £2,500. "There is a person in London who will
procure £50 per annum for a minister and £30 per annum for
a schoolmaster for them etc. P.S. Since the above was drawn
up, 100 of these Palatines have sold themselves for servants
to Pensilvania for 5 years and their children that are 20 years
old to serve to that time and 5 years after, the 400 left cannot
do the like for want of masters, and having sold all their clothes
and utensils to subsist themselves will soon be in a miserable
condition" etc. Without signature. [? By Messrs. Sam. Buck &
Co.] 1¼ pp. [C.O. 23, 12. No. 76.] |
| Sept. 11. |
77. Deposition of Samuel Cox of Barbados. On 7th Aug.
his long boat with some negroes on board was blown away [? to
Martinique, v. Nov. 17. 1718] etc. Signed, Sam. Cox. Endorsed,
Recd., Read 25th Nov., 1718. ¾ p. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 40.] |
| [Sept. 11.] |
78. Sir Nicholas Lawes to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Prays that H.M. pleasure may be fully declared concerning the continuance and subsistance of the soldiers, the
payment of the publick debts and supporting the Revenue of
Jamaica. The Act to oblige several inhabitants to provide themselves with a sufficient number of white people seems to indicate that
it is the intention of the makers of this law not to subsist the
soldiers beyond Sept. 19th, 1717. The necessity of the continuance of the soldiers has been lately owned by the present Govr.
and Council, for the Commander of the man of war Snow having
made an offer to the merchants to convey ships clear of the
pyrates, so they could procure him 30 or 40 soldiers, the Governor
and Council determined that the present circumstances of the
Island would by no means admit any soldiers to be spared from
it. Endorsed, Recd. 11th. Read 27th Sept.. 1717. 1¼ pp.
[C.O. 137, 12. No. 68; and 138, 15. pp. 326–329.] |
| Sept. 12. |
79. Samuel Barwick to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
In July. 1715, the writer obtained leave from Governor Lowther
to come to England. Having been detained by the deferring
of the decision of the Lords of the Committee in the appeal of
the Widow Peers from the Court of Chancery in Barbados,
respondent applies for extension of leave etc. (v. Aug. 29). Signed,
Saml. Barwick. Endorsed, Recd., Read 12th Sept., 1717. 1¼
pp. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 13.] |
Sept. 12.
Hampton Court. |
80. H.M. Commission to John Wentworth to be Lt. Governor
of New Hampshire. Countersigned, J. Addison. Endorsed,
Recd., Primer'd 20th Sept., 1717. 1½ pp. Set out, N.H. Hist.
Soc. Coll. I. 142; and N.H. Prov. Papers, II. 712. [C.O. 5,
866. No. 123; and 324, 33. pp. 97, 98.] |
Sept. 12.
Hampton Court. |
81. H.M. Warrant for John Colleton to be of the Council of
Barbadoes. Countersigned, J. Addison. [C.O. 324, 33. p. 99.] |
| Sept. 12. |
82. Col. William Codrington to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Offers £8 per acre for several plantations, containing
2,000 acres, in the Capisterre division of St. Christophers. Signed,
Wm. Codrington. Endorsed, Recd., Read 27th Sept., 1717.
½ p. [C.O. 152, 12. No. 41.] |
| Sept. 13. |
83. Joseph Martyn, Micajah Perry and others to the Council
of Trade and Plantations. Reasons offered against disposing
of the late French part of St. Christophers in the gross, or to any
others than the present Proprietors. Purchasers in gross will
either resell at excessive terms or develop them in large parcels.
Small plantations should be encouraged for peopling and strengthening the Island. The present possessors have an equitable
claim to the lands they have improved etc. Signed, Joseph
Martyn, Micajah Perry, Danl. Alford, Wm. Coleman, Alexr.
Woodrop, John Travers, Joseph Travers. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 25th Sept., 1717. 7 pp. [C.O. 152, 12. No. 38.] |
