|
|
|
March 19.
|
69. Mr. Fane to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Has
no objection to five Acts of the Massachusetts Bay, 1732. Signed.
Fran. Fane. Endorsed, Recd. 20th March, 1732/3, Read 18th Jan,
173¾. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 876. ff. 18, 18 v., 25 v.]
|
March 21.
Whitehall.
|
70. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of
Newcastle. We have considered the several copies and extracts
of letters from H.M. Commissaries at Seville, with a state of their
proceedings about the right of H.M. subjects to cut logwood in the
Bay of Campeachy, referr'd to us by your Grace's letter of the
17th of January last, wherein you are pleased to desire that if
we have any further proofs or arguments to produce for the better
enabling H.M. Commissaries to support this claim, we would
communicate the same to your Grace, etc. Upon receipt of your
Grace's letter we acquainted Mr. Harris, one of the most ancient
traders to the West Indies, who formerly laid some informations
on this subject before the Board, that we had this matter once
more under our consideration, and should be glad if he could
furnish us with any further lights upon this subject, but we were
inform'd by him that he had not been able to collect any new
matter on this head since the year 1716, when he laid before this
Board all that had then occur'd to him relating thereunto.
These informations were given by Mr. Harris at the time when
the Board were preparing a Representation upon the State of
this trade to be laid before His late Majesty, which bore date the
25th of September, 1717 ; and we find the British Commissarys
have made use of several arguments drawn from our said representation,
in maintenance of our right to cut logwood in the Bay
of Campeachy, and we have nothing further to add to those
arguments which have been very properly urged by the British
Commissarys ; but since the Spanish Commissarys have signified
their being ready to discuss any pretention that shall be produced
on this subject, provided it be with foundation, and proving that
before the year 1670 the Crown of England had the dominion,
possession and property of the lands and places in the Provinces
of Yucatan ; or that the same had been since given up by the
express or tacit consent of His Catholick Majesty, and that the
English have enjoy'd the possession of them without interruption
or dispute, before and till the time of the Treaty of Utrecht ; we
take leave to acquaint your Grace, that upon our re-examining
the several papers and old records in our office, we find several
informations and depositions taken before Sr. Thomas Lynch,
when Governor of Jamaica, copies whereof are inclos'd, which
prove that the English did cut logwood at Campeachy before the
year 1670, and had actually built houses on several parts of the
Province of Yucatan, where the Spaniards had no settlements.
We take leave further to inform your Grace, that at a Meeting of
the Lords of the Council on the 5th of March, 1673, several persons
being examined concerning their losses occasioned by the
Spaniards taking their ships, Mr. Cooke inform'd their Lordships
that "there had been 300, of H.M. subjects inhabiting winter and
summer at Yucatan for eight years then preceding ; and not any
of them within 45 leagues of any Spanish plantations." Thus the
British subjects having been in possession of this trade and of
part of the lands of the Province of Yucatan, previous to the year
1670, by the 7th Article of the Treaty made that year at Madrid,
between the King of Spain and the King of Great Britain, "all
lands, regions, islands, colonies and places whatsoever being, or
situated in the West Indies, or in any part of America, which the
King of Great Britain and his subjects then held and possess'd,
were given up by the King of Spain for ever, with plenary right
of sovereignty, dominion, possession and propriety." And this
Treaty was again ratified and confirmed with the several
priviledges therein contained, by the -st Article (fn. 1) of the Treaty of
Utrecht in the year 1713, without prejudice to any liberty or power,
which the subjects of Great Britain enjoy'd before, either through
right, sufferance or indulgence ; and if in the prosecution of a
trade which the English have so many years been intituled to,
they should at certain times have been interrupted by the
Spaniards ; we think such interruptions, far from invaliding our
right, are subjects of complaint on our side, as so many infractions
of the abovementioned Treaties. Autograph signatures. 4¾ pp.
Endorsed, Copy sent to Mr. Keene and Mr. Castres May 8, 1739.
Enclosed,
|
|
70. i. Information of several merchants about the Logwood
trade, read in Council June 15, 1672. v. C.S.P. under
date. Copy. 3½ pp.
|
|
70. ii. Extract from letters of Sir Thomas Lynch, 10th March,
1671, concerning the Logwood trade. v. C.S.P. under
date. 16th May, 1672. Copies., 3¼ pp.
|
|
70. iii. Depositions concerning logwood cutting on the coast
of Yucatan, 1672. v. C.S.P. 1672. Copies. 3½ pp.
[C.O. 137, 47. ff. 138, 138 v., 140-141, 142 v.-148 v.
and (without enclosures) C.O. 389, 29. pp. 62-5.]
|
March 21.
Whitehall.
|
71. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of
Newcastle. Enclose following to be laid before the King.
Annexed,
|
|
71. i. Same to the King. Submit following, "which are to the
same purpose as those given by your Majesty to Woodes
Rogers Esq., except some few alterations and additions
which have been already approved by your Majesty for
other Governors of your Majesty's Plantations" etc. Continue :
—William Fairfax, John White, Richard Thomson
junr., and William Jones Esqre. etc., being either dead
or having removed their habitations from the Bahamas,
and Whetstone Rogers, Acklan Hurst, Jeremiah Burrows
and Roger Reading Esq. having been recommended to us
as persons every way qualified etc., propose them as
Councillors etc.
|
|
71. ii. H.M. Instructions to Governor Fitzwilliam, as described
above. Dated, St. James's, 10th May, 1733. [C.O. 24, 1.
pp. 222-292.]
|
March 22.
Bermuda.
|
72. [Governor Pitt] to Mr. Popple. Encloses accounts of
revenue and answers to Queries. Concludes :—I hope their
Lordships by your representation to them concerning the whale
fishery have obtain'd some order which will make up it's deficiency
to me, which will be a favour done to —. No signature.
Endorsed, Recd. 25th May, 1733, Read 24th Jan., 1734. 1 p.
Enclosed,
|
|
72. i. Answers to Queries of the Council of Trade and Plantations,
1733. (v. 20th June, 1729). (i) The chief trade
of these islands consists in shipping by which the inhabitants
industriously supply the Brittish Northern Colonies
with salt and from these Colonies carry all sorts of
provisions lumber etc. to the Brittish and Dutch islands
in America ; There belongs to this island about 60 sail
of sloops the largest 100 tons, the least about 20 tons.
These vessels yearly employ about 200 white men and
150 negro slaves as sailors, and on the success of their
navigation chiefly depends the support of H.M. subjects
in these islands. Seldom diminish the number of
shipping, for on sale or misfortune of losing any of them
it's supply'd by building new ones ; they build near 16
sloops communibus annis, and so the number of sailors
are much the same. (ii) These islands have imported
one year with another from Great Britain about £10,000
sterl. consisting chiefly of linnens of all sorts from
baghollands down to oznaburgs, woolens of all sorts etc.
and hatts. Also sundry East India goods, as callicoes,
silks, pepper, spices etc. ; all sorts of brassery ware and
iron ware, considerable quantities for building houses
and their vessells ; haberdashery, cordage and sail duck
etc. These goods are chiefly imported from London,
Bristol and Liverpoole. (iii) The chief trade to Forreign
Plantations are when our sloops to the northward meet
with a freight to Curraçoa or St. Eustatia or when they
load Indian corn from the Northern Collonies and carry
there ; some times directly from this with onions, ducks
and live cattle, in return whereof they bring sugars, rum,
molasses, cocoa and cash the produce of forreign Collonies
and not liable to any duty when imported here. There
is no trade from this to any part of Europe but to
Great Britain except to Madiera for wine. (iv) The
Collector of H.M. Customs here has a searcher whose
duty is to inspect and search every vessell coming to
those islands, and the Acts of Trade are on all occasions
strictly put in force, so that all possible care is taken to
prevent frauds or collusive trade. (v) The natural
produce are cedar trees, palmetto trees and some
quarrys of which they build and slate their houses ; it's of
such a soft quality that they saw it and hew it wth.
axes, looks like congeal'd sand, observed the longer it
stands the more hard it is, of the cedar trees they build
their sloops which are esteemed the best in America for
sailing and duration. Of the palmetto tree leaf they
manufacture a platting for women's hatts which proves
of great use to the poor ; of this commodity they some
years have shipt so much to Great Britain that has
produced from 8 to £10,000 sterl., but the price is much
fallen of late. We may add to the improved produce
onions, cabages and lemons, oranges and potatoes often
sent to the other Collonies, some Indian corn for the
use of the inhabitants, live cattle, plenty of ducks,
turkeys and severall other sorts of poultry carryed to the
islands and sometimes produces good profit, but the
whole produce is not sufficient to maintain the inhabitants,
for their breadkind they depend on Virginia, Maryland,
Philadelphia and New York from whence they
bring Indian corn, bread and flower. Add thereto,
the whale fishery of great benefit, so well as plenty of
other fish for the inhabitants' supply. (vi) No mines.
(vii) The produce in shipping platt, cabage, onions, live
cattle, poultry and whale oyl for sale may be computed
at £10,000 this money, or £7,500 sterling pr. annum.
(viii) Number of inhabitants about 5,000 whites and
4,000 blacks. (ix) The inhabitants of late have rather
decreased, they having moved their families to South
and North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New Providence,
but not to any great number. (x) Militia about
600 besides Officers. (xi) Forts and places of defence :—
The King's Castle, 29 guns mounted, Paget's Fort,
14 do., Smith's Fort, 7 ; Pembrooke Fort, 8 ; Southampton
Fort, 6 ; Tucker's and Sandy's Forts, 6. These are
all placed on the sea coast with regular platforms except
the King's Castle wherein are several battlements well
contrived and elevated one above the other and so
fortified naturally that on occasion would serve for a
safe retreat ; besides which there is on the island St.
Georges, where the town is, severall out batteries with
two or three pieces of cannon in each situate near the
Bays to hinder any invasion by boats and a battery of
nine guns in the Town of St. Georges open to the
harbour chiefly used in salutes etc. All these fortifications
have lately had a through repair at the great
charge and expence of the inhabitants and are now in
good order but in great want of powder, having no
supply since his late Majesty King William of Blessed
Memory ; Heartily desire your application for a supply.
The forts are of no use in case of a war without powder
and the inhabitants have been much oppressed in taxes
in the repairing, so they are not able to supply powder.
They are at an annual expence of a guard at the Castle
and Paget's Fort from whence they make proper signals
when any vessells appear from sea ; In time of war care
has always been taken of giving proper alarms in case
of any suspected invasion. (xii) These are small islands
dropt in the sea distant from North Carolina (which is
the nighest land) 170 leagues. (xiii) The French
settlements have no effect upon these islands in time of
peace, but in case of war we may be in danger if the fortifications
be not regularly supplyed. (xiv) The revenue
consists of a tax upon liquors imported, amounting one
year with another to £600 this money ; tonnage or
powder money, £45 pr. annum ; rents of publick lands,
£120 pr. annum. All which are appropriated for defraying
the contingent charges of Government and keeping
in repair the publick buildings. (xv) Number of acres
of land in each Tribe or Parish :—
|
|
St. George's parish with the islands belonging thereto .. ..
|
1567
|
|
Hamilton Tribe or Balliesbay ..
|
1200
|
|
Smith's Tribe or Harris's bay ..
|
1150
|
|
Devon Tribe or Brackish pond ..
|
1250
|
|
Pembrook Tribe alias Spanish point
|
1250
|
|
Pagets Tribe alias Crowlane ..
|
1175
|
|
Warwick Tribe alias Herronbay ..
|
1250
|
|
Southampton Tribe alias Port Royal
|
1350
|
|
Sandys Tribe alias Somersett ..
|
1250
|
|
Sundry adjacent Islands pr. computation .. .. .. ..
|
100
|
|
|
11,542 acres.
|
|
(xvi) This is the full contents by computation of all the
acres of land contained in these islands. They are all
cultivated and improved to the best advantage ; no
quit-rents ever paid for any of the land. (xvii) The
chief and ordinary expence of the Government is the
salary of the Governor, repair of his house, the Sessions
house, prison and bridges ; the Councellours' attendance
on publick business, the Secretary and Clerk of the
Council, the entertainment of the Judges of Assize,
Attorney Genl., Clerk of Assembly, Provost Marshall, the
Guards to Castle and Fort, Flaggs and pendants, the
Minister's sallary, storekeeper's sallary, Captains in each
fort, gunners' sallary's, with the Governor's firewood
and cellerage amounts annually near £800 this currency.
(xviii) The establishmt. civil consists of etc. Described.
Endorsed, Recd. 25th May, 1733. 7 pp.
|
|
72. ii. Accounts of public rents in Bermuda, 1st July, 1729-1730.
(Totals)—Receipts, £126 18s. 3d. Expenditure,
£131 12s. 3d. Signed and sworn to, Richard Tucker,
Depty. Provost Marshal. Endorsed as preceding. 6 pp.
|
|
72. iii. Account of Powder money, March—Dec., 1730. Totals,
Receipts, £38 18s. 8d. ; Expenditure, £25. Signed and
endorsed as preceding. 6 pp.
|
|
72. iv. Account of the liquor and negro duty, Bermuda, for
1730. Totals :—Receipts, £678 17s. 6½d. Expenditure,
£674 19s. 3¼d. Signed and sworn to, Nathaniel
Batterfield, Treasurer. Endorsed as preceding. 10 pp.
|
|
72. v. Account of liquor and negro duty for 1731. Totals :—
Receipts, £448 19s. 6½d. Expenditure, £491 11s. 6¾d.
Signed and endorsed as preceding. 6 pp.
|
|
72. vi. Account of liquor and negro duty to May, 1732.
Totals :— Receipts, £226 14s. 9d. Expenditure,
£275 0s. 3¼d. Signed and endorsed as preceding. 6 pp.
|
|
72. vii. Account of liquor and negro duty to 8th Nov., 1732.
Totals :—Receipts, £582 8s. 10½d. Expenditure,
£487 8s. 10d. Signed and endorsed as preceding. 8 pp.
Nos. ii-vii. audited. Copies certified by Richard Tucker,
Dpty. Secretary. Signed, John Pitt. [C.O. 37, 12.
ff 124, 125 v., 128, 129-132, 133 v., 134 v.-137, 138 v.-
141 v., 142 v.-147 v., 148 v.-151 v., 152 v.-155 v., 156 v.-
160 v.]
|
|
March 25.
|
73. Office expences of the Board of Trade, Christmas, 1732—
Lady Day, 1732. See Journal of Council. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 3rd April, 1733. 7 pp. [C.O. 388, 80. ff. 69, 72, 73 v.-
74 v.]
|
March 27.
Jamaica.
|
74. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses duplicates of Minutes and Journals of Council and
Assembly. Has sent news of the defeat to the D. of Newcastle etc.
The Assembly met on the 13th of this month. Encloses speech
and reply etc. Continues :—Most of the arm'd slaves on that
service have since deserted but are gone to their respective masters.
The Assembly sets out to all appearance with a resolution to do
business, how far the artifices of a few may prevail at this time
as they have done formerly in clogging the bills or throwing rubs
in the way I know not. Their arts must be more cover'd than
usual to prevail in this time of publick danger and necessity.
I still am of opinion that the faction have something else in view
than barely making my administration uneasie. I have also sent
to his Grace a particular account of an insult and depredation
made by order, it seems, of the Governor of St. Jago de Cuba in
one of our ports (Morant) etc. When this was transacted the
Militia of Cuba were assembl'd in arms in several places, and the
streets of St. Jago barricado'd. The factors at Campechy write
that there the common talk is of an immediate rupture, how
far different is all this from the accounts and orders I have from
home which put me out of all apprehension of any such event.
I once more affirm our Militia here, as it is compos'd, is rather a
drawback upon, than addition to our strength, for the reasons I
have formerly assign'd. They seem inclin'd by a new law to
remedy some things amiss or omitted in their former militia act,
but that already meets with opposition. I shall quickly be able
to make a more thorough judgement of what will be done by the
Legislature towards extricating themselves from their present
difficultys and their security from dangers from within or without,
and shall not fail to inform your Lordships of all ; and nothing
within my power shall be omitted that may contribute to H.M.
service in the safety and preservation of this island. Signed,
Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 21st, Read 28th June, 1733.
2¾ pp. Enclosed,
|
|
74. i. Governor Hunter's Speech to the Council and Assembly,
14th March, 1733. The necessity of their being called
together is apparent. "The languishing state of credit
and consequently of trade, the want of current coin even
for common uses, the late desperate attempts of your
slaves in rebellion, the deficiency of your funds for
keeping a force on foot for their reduction, and the
difficulty of ascertaining and recovering the great debt
said to be due by private persons to the publick, arising
from the neglect of a long standing, in some, who were
intrusted with the receiving and collecting the publick
money, are evils which require your immediate attention
etc. Refers to his previous warnings of the bad consequence
that must attend the indetermin'd and arbitrary
value of the current coin, contrary to the tenure of the
Act of Parliament and Royal Proclamation etc. If his
recommendations had been followed, the want of currency
would not have been so general. "Whatsoever
other real causes there may exist, that of carrying off
your heavy coins, diminishing it a fourth or fifth of its
weight, in places where it may be done with impunity,
and returning it upon you at the former value, is a
palpable and undeniable one. If you think fitt to put
a stop to this practice by a law and in that the currency
be ascertain'd at a higher rate than is prescribed by the
Royal Proclamation, it will be necessary to insert a
clause suspending the execution thereof till H.M.
pleasure be made known." Proposes an act for ascertaining
and collecting the quit rents, and revision of the
Militia Act, which "by the general opinion of the
officers commanding, and by the very indifferent state
and appearance of the several bodys, seems to be
defective." Though they are at present free from
apprehension of foreign dangers, none can answer for
future or sudden events, when their Militia may be their
chief defence. "Repeated instances have confirm'd me
in the opinion I have formerly declar'd, that the penaltys
in your Act for raising partys for reducing the slaves in
rebellion inflicted in cases of mutinys or desertion are
insignificant and unless that is remedy'd, raising forces
for that purpose amounts to nothing but expending the
publick treasure to no purpose, and putting arms in the
hands of your slaves or servants, which they may be
induc'd by caprice or evil arts and insinuations to make
use of against you etc. Recommends to the Assembly to
supply the deficiency that will be caused by the repeal
of the Act for raising several sums and H.M. instruction
against laying any duty on slaves imported (v. 13th Oct.,
1732), and subsistance for the Independent Companies
etc. Continues : "The late bad success of your partys
against the rebels, and the defeat of some of them, by
their own negligence more than the force of their enemys,
made it necessary to make some further attempt, least,
encourag'd by success they should disturb the frontier
settlements and be joyn'd by other slaves of the same
disposition. I with some difficulty fitted out a fresh
party of such of the former as were able to march, some
rais'd by the three adjacent parishes, and the ablest of
the pioneers which I arm'd for this service ; These
partys consisting of about 250 men, compleatly arm'd
and victual'd, march'd off by different routs, and if
my order and their officers engagements are observ'd,
have on Thursday last at noon fallen upon the rebels
from oposite quarters, and I expect every hour an
account of what success they have had. There has been
just now put into my hands a letter from Lieut. Col.
Ashworth to a Member of your house, which I think
necessary to be communicated to you, as it gives rather
a sad prospect then any hopes of success four our partys.
It must induce you to concert and fall upon some
speedy and effectual method for the reducing those
rebels, then has hitherto been thought of" etc. Endorsed,
Recd. 21st June, 1733. Copy. 4½ pp. Enclosed,
|
|
74. ii. Resolutions of the Assembly of Jamaica, appointing
Committees to consider methods for dealing with the
matters mentioned in the Governor's Speech. Endorsed
as preceding. Copy. 1½ pp.
|
|
74. iii. (a) Address of the Assembly to Governor Hunter.
15th March, 1733. Return thanks for Speech (No. i)
and will consider his recommendations therein, "and
in all our proceedings give the strongest demonstrations
in our power of all our loyalty and attachment to H.M.
person, family and government, as well as our tender
and affectionate regard for the interest of those whom
we represent" etc. (b) H.E.'s reply, expressing appreciation
of preceding. 16th March. Endorsed as preceding.
Copy. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 137, 20. ff. 91-92 v., 95-100 v.,
101 v., 102 v.]
|
March 27.
Jamaica.
|
75. Governor Hunter to the Duke of Newcastle. The
narrative of the bad success of our partys shall commence where
Mr. William's letters to Mr. Delafaye, of which I now send
duplicates, left off. On the 17th of last month I review'd the
remains of our partys at Port Antonio which had been more
weaken'd by desertion, sickness and fatigue then otherwise. I
found 40 white and 150 black men arm'd in the field. I pickt out
30 of the most likely and willing of the pioneers and got the
adjacent parishes to furnish about 30 more of their slaves fittest
for such service, and having compleatly arm'd, accoutr'd and
victual'd the whole, by the assistance of Sr. Chaloner Ogle who
lent me some arms and other necessarys, I divided them into four
companys under so many leaders and officers with a sufficient
number of baggage negroes for each : Having discours'd with
these officers who were best acquainted with the situation of the
rebels and the paths that lead to 't, I determin'd to divide our
force, in order to fall upon them from different quarters at the same
point of time, and gave orders accordingly. The necessary
preparations and stormy weather stopt the partys till the 27th
on which day that division commanded by Creswell and Lamb
which was to take the longest rout consisting of 104 arm'd men
and 30 baggage march'd off in good order, after two days march
they according to their orders sent a letter in which they fixt the
time vizt. Thursday the 8th of March at noon when they lay'd
their account with attacking the rebels in their fastnesses. The
other division commanded by Williams (Cornish being sick who
was the commanding officer of that division) consisting of 123
arm'd, 34 baggage which were to take the shortest rout, march'd
off in good order on Sunday the 4th of March, with orders to fall
upon the rebels on their quarter at the same point of time abovementioned.
Being obly'd to meet the Assembly on the 13th inst.,
I set out for Spanish Town on the 7th. On the 14th I spoke to
the General Assembly as in the copie etc. enclosed. On the 15th by
an express from Colo. Ashworth who commands at Port Antonio,
I receiv'd an account of the defeat or rather the shamefull retreat
of our partys etc. Refers to enclosed journals. If this miscarriage
is to be ascribed to the causes mention'd in these journals, your
Grace will perceive where the blame is to be lay'd, for I could not
obtain any other punishment for disobedience, mutiny, or desertion
to be inflicted by their lawe than such as their slaves and servants,
of which this body is chiefly made up, are inur'd to every day of
their lives, and value not. They now seem sensible of their error,
their sense of feeling being quicker, than that of their sight, and
have come to several resolutions, some of which are here inclos'd,
but I shall not undertake for them that they will prosecute them
to effect, for some men of artifice amongst them who will stick at
nothing that will gratifie their spleen may as formerly throw rubs
in the way that may defeat all their good intentions. I shall be
able in a little time to make a better judgement of their proceedings.
The fright rather increasing by the daly desertion of the
negro party men, such of them as I could reach I have order'd to
be disarm'd, and imprison'd. The serjeant English who commanded
in what is call'd the Middle or Upper Negro Town and
retir'd from thence without assisting Morison and his party, whom
I mention'd to have imprison'd in the letter inclos'd to Mr.
Delafaye, was acquitted by a Court Martial, and here inclos'd is a
copy of the declaration of the Court etc. Encloses Assembly's
Address and his answer. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, R.
22nd June. 3¾ pp. Enclosed.
|
|
75. i. Duplicate of preceding encl. i.
|
|
75. ii. Journal of proceedings of the Parties commanded by
Edward Creswell and Ebenezer Lambe, kept by Ebenezer
Lambe. Jan. 27th, 1733. We marched from Port
Antonio to Rio Grande. 28th. Meet St. Mary's and
St. George's negroes, fitted them with ammunition,
provisions etc. March 1st. Marched to Mr. Stringer's
penn, where some of the white men, contrary to our
orders and knowledge kill'd a beef which detained us
there all night. 2nd. Marched to Mr. Hobby's etc.
3rd. By a general review found there were three white
men, two negro shott, and some of the baggage negroes
deserted. The party marched about four miles S. and
S.E. on the top of a high ridge etc. 4th. Marched about
5 miles E. and S.E. on the ridge, and down a steep
gully. About 11 o'clock when the party halted, Caffee
(a baggage negroe) threw down his baggage, took a
calabash of rum out and run from the parties. Hard
rain from about noon. 5th. Describes march down
Fox's River. Encamped at Capt. Peter's hutts etc.
6th. Marched about two miles S. and S.W. up the hill
and on the ridge came up with the rebels' track, and a
hutt that they used for hunting at an old town taken by
Soaper. Marched up the right arm of the Back River
and thence to the top of the Blew Mountain etc. 8th.
Left a guard on the mountain etc. and marched about
one mile to the westward down it. One of the party
negroes accidentally fired his gun which alarm'd the
whole party and struck such a damp on the negroes that
we could not get one of them forward. Cotchman, the
overseer of the pioneers, and I marched in the front to
encourage the negroes and cutt a path to the North
East River, marched about a mile to the westward,
came up with a piece of new ground, marched through it
and coming down to the Man's Town, met with the
negroes that was lying in ambush for us, fired a volley
of near sixty shott at them, not being above thirty
yards distant from us, they drop'd several of their arms
and fell down but did not return one shott at that time.
We went on towards the town where they are now settled
being big with conquest but soon met with a repulse
above the Dancing Place (or platform) where they fired
a large volley at us. We broke through it and went on
to a gully where the rebels fired very smartly at us for
about half an hour, there were several of our negroes
wounded in attempting to cross the gully. I had
crossed the gully with four white men and a negroe
shott and we maintained our ground for a considerable
time against the rebels, there was one of the white
men killed that was with me, and another wounded,
the other two made their escape when they saw that the
party retreated, the rebels came close to me before I
saw them, beating a callabash or drum, one of the
white shott that was wounded lying very bad told me
that the party would be drove off and that the negroes
would take us alive, and that it was best to make my
escape. Meanwhile the negroes fired very hot at us
from the ambuscade, etc. Describes his escape down the
gully, and rejoining Capt. Williams and the party at
7 a.m. on the 9th, when they returned to attack the
rebels. Continues : The party at the first onset seemed
very resolute to attack the rebels, but by the time we
had beat them out of their ambuscades, they began to
grow very sick of it and framed excuses for their not
fighting, viz, that the sun was too hot, that they would
fit [sic] their country and even refused to let the white
men join them in the front, there was a great number
of shott fired by our party at the rebels in the river course
and in the ambuscade, the negroes return'd dropping
shotts at us and sometimes small volleys of seven or
eight guns. We encouraged the negroes and white men
as far as lay in our powers, likewise did Sambo use his
utmost endeavours to get them to go forward and all
to no purpose. About four of the clock in the afternoon
we desired to know their resolution whether they
intended to push forward or not, there answer was that
they would continue there that night and attack in the
cool of the morning, this night we lay on our arms in
one of their ambushcades being fully determined to push
through the rest in the morning. 10th. We order'd
the white men and negroes to look over their arms,
encouraged them to push through their ambush, but they
then desired that the captains should go in the front,
which we did through part of the ambuscade, but the
rebels fireing three or four shott at us (by one or two of
which I was wounded) our negroes began to run from us.
A short time after one of the rebels called to the party
and told us in his country language that if we would not
kill him, he would come in. We promised him very
fair by one of our negroes etc., but when he had a fair
sight of him, he shott him through the body etc. The
negroes seemed very uneasy, and all the perswasions
that we were capable of, would not detain them in
the ambush where most of them hid themselves or went
round back again to the Dancing Place, where they fired
most of their ammunition. Capt. Williams and Sambo
frequently went through the ambush to bring up the
men, but finding at last they refused to fight and that
they were all inclined to run away, we concluded with
the rest of the officers to draw off our men, in order to
save our arms and ammunition etc. We lost in the
engagement two white men and two negroes and had
eighteen or nineteen wounded. We marched about
three miles from the town and encamped there that
night. 11th. Marched down the river to De Laminiar's
old hutts. 12th. March'd to Port Antonio. Signed,
Ebenezr. Lambe. Copy. 4½ pp.
|
|
75. iii. Journal of the proceedings of parties commanded by
Henry Williams. March 4th. Marched to the Breast
Works. 5th. Up Anotta River and lay in Creswell's
open hutts. 6th. Up a very steep high ridge to
Creswell's farthest hutts etc. 7th. We march'd along
the side of the said ridge till we came to the Pointers,
from whence Creswell the cruise before turn'd back.
Here we discover'd the negro town a great distance
from us, so we cut down and proceeded forward etc.
8th. We marched forward to the back of De La Minier's
ambush etc. I heard the report of a gun, which I took
to be a signal of the rebels, so I halted expecting to
hear Creswel's attacking the town (being unwilling to
hazard my party by passing the ambush before), being
now not above a mile off, etc. About four of the clock
in the afternoon I heard them engaged and we march'd
forthwith to their relief, but before we reached the open
ground I met them in the river course all in confusion
being beat off by the rebels. Here we lay on our arms
this night. 9th. We joined the parties etc. as preceding.
Signed, Henry Williams. Copy. 21/8 pp.
|
|
75. iv. Duplicate of encl. ii. preceding.
|
|
75. v. Declaration of Officers appointed to hold a Court
Martial of the conduct of Serjeant Robert English at
Upper Negro Town. Agree that his abandoning it
when the Lower Town was taken by the rebellious
negroes and retreating with his small party, believing
that the rest were destroyed or fled, was a prudent act
of good conduct etc. Eight signatures. Copy. 1 p.
|
|
75. vi. Duplicate of encl. iii. preceding. [C.O. 137, 54. ff. 156-161,
162-164, 166-167, 168, 168 v., 170, 172, 172 v.]
|
March 27.
Jamaica.
|
76. Governor Hunter to the Duke of Newcastle. On the
30th of January last a sloop call'd the Mary, John Harris master,
loaded and bound for the north side of this island, was taken out
of Port Morant Harbour, by a pyrate, as it was then believ'd.
Whilst I was at Port Antonio the said John Harris with his sloop
came into that port, bringing with him the certification from the
Governor of St. Jago etc. Encloses copies of correspondence etc.
Will await H.M. commands etc. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed,
R. 22nd June. 1½ pp. Enclosed,
|
|
76. i. Certificate by the Governor of Santiago de Cuba. 5th
March (N.S.), 1733. "Having received information,
from the Governor of Cuba, which he received from
natives or traders of Jamaica, that there were in the
harbour of Jamaica 24 English ships of war, without
knowing whither they were bound etc., in order to
obtain full knowledge of the truth, I resolved to despatch
a sloop adequately equipped, with orders to sail to the
coast or some harbour of the said island and there to
seize the first vessel they came upon and to bring her
into this port, in order that I might obtain from her
crew full knowledge of what was reported etc., but not
to harm the people or plunder the goods of such vessel.
The sloop of John Harris having been seized accordingly
in Port Morant, and he and his crew having denied that
there was any such armament in Jamaica as reported,
I proceeded against the crew of the sloop who had taken
from the said vessel certain provisions, and I offered to
pay Mr. Harris for them, which he refused, asking only
permission to sell some barrels of flour and other
provisions as a recompence for what had been taken
from him, etc. At his request I have given him this
certificate. Signed, Pedro Ignasio Ximenes. Endorsed,
Copy sent to Mr. Keene, June 29th. Spanish. 2½ pp.
|
|
76. ii. English translation of preceding. 1½ pp. Endorsed,
Copy and translation in French sent to Ct. Montijo,
June 28th.
|
|
76. iii. Deposition of John Harris. 2nd March, 1732/3.
Describes capture of his sloop by the Spaniards, in
which he was wounded by a cutlass on his arm, and
fears he will lose the use of it. They took and bound
his crew and carried them on board their vessel. The
crew they put on board his sloop embezzeled some of the
cargo (enumerated), for which the Governor of Santiago
ordered them to the castle for punishment etc. The
Royal Officers took some provisions from his sloop for
which they paid deponent to his satisfaction. The
Governor and Royal Officers charged him 60 dollars for
duties for his vessel and negroes before they would
allow him to depart etc. Two days before deponent's
departure, the Governor sent out the master of the said
schooner in an armed periauga etc. Signed, John
Harris, his mark. Copy. 2⅓ pp.
|
|
76. iv. Minute of Council of Jamaica. 15th March, 1732.
Request H.E. to send copies of above to Sir C. Ogle ; to
protest to the Governor of Santiago against the above
seizure of a vessel in a port of Jamaica in time of profound
peace, assuring him that he will represent the matter
to the King, and to demand satisfaction etc. Copy.
½ p.
|
|
76. v. Governor Hunter to the Governor of Santiago de Cuba.
Jamaica, 18th March, 1733. Has heard with surprise
and concern of the above "unwarrantable depredation,"
contrary to the "Laws of Nations and the Faith of
Treatys." Thought at first it must be the act of a
pirate, having recently received a declaration dated at
Seville 8th Feb. 1732 and signed by the Ministers of
Great Britain and Spain, prohibiting in the strongest
terms all such outrages by either nation, a copy of
which he is informed has been transmitted to all
Spanish Governors. Is representing the matter to the
King of Great Britain and awaits his orders. In the
mean time expects him to give orders for full reparation
to be made, and the delinquents punished etc. P.S. You
will do justice to both Nations, if you will send me the
names of such of his Britannick Majesty's subjects as
have been so audacious as to give the false information
mention'd in your certificate. Signed, Ro. Hunter,
Endorsed, Copy and translation sent to Ct. Montijo.
28th June, 1733, and to Mr. Keene, the 29th. Copy.
22/3 pp.
|
|
76. vi. Same to Sir Chaloner Ogle. Spanish Town, March 18th,
1733. Encloses preceding, with request that it may be
sent by one of H.M. ships, and that he will second the
instances and demands in it, so far as he shall judge
conformable with his Instructions etc. Encloses copies
of Nos. ii-v, vii. The island has great obligations to
Sir Chaloner for his friendly offices and assistance at
a time when it has been so much needed, and the
Governor has a due sense thereof etc. Signed and
endorsed as preceding. Copy. 12/3 pp.
|
|
76. vii. Extract of letter from Messrs. Dennis and Cocks,
Factors for the Royal British Assiento Co. at St. Jago
de Cuba to Messrs. Pratter and Rigby. 5th March
(N.S.), 1733. Refer to seizure of Mr. Harris. "As far
as we can hear, he has had no other consideration made
him, but the liberty to sell a few barrels of flower and
wine etc. Our Governour has granted a commission of
guarda coasta to the captain of the vessel that took
Harris, and he as such sails in a few days etc., and will
cruize to leward of Cape Cruz etc. His name is Malchor
Barrera, and is an old chap at this practice." Copy. ½ p.
|
|
76. viii. Sir Chaloner Ogle to Governor Hunter. Kingston at
Port Antonio, 23rd March, 1732/3. In reply to letter of
18th (encl. vi), encloses copy of part of his Instructions
from the Admiralty, relating to the manner in which
claims are to be made for unlawful seizures of goods of
H.M. subjects etc. Continues : Unless this Instruction
is comply'd with, it is not in my power to do anything
therein, which is the present case of Harris, who's
deposition only takes notice of the loss of several goods
etc. but has not ascertain'd their particular value, which
must be done, ere a regular demand can be made. As to
any satisfaction to be expected for the usuage Harris
met with from the schooner's people, I observe by his
deposition that those people were seiz'd by the Governor
of St. Jago and put into the castle in order to be punish'd
for their breach of his orders, which is all I think can be
expected on that account : but the moment I receive
from your Excellency a declaratory sentence agreeable to
my Instructions, I will immediately dispatch a man of
war to St. Jago to make a regular demand accordingly.
P.S. I fear the master of the sloop has not behav'd so
justly as he ought to have done, for in the certificate
brought by himself from the Governor (encl. i), I
observ'd he offer'd to make good the damagees for the
loss of any goods etc taken from him by the schooner's
crew, and all he then demanded was liberty to sell
part of his goods, which was allow'd him, and by that
means he own'd himself pay'd to his satisfaction. Copy.
1¾ pp. [C.O. 137, 54. ff. 174, 174 v., 175 v.-178 v.,
179 v.-181, 182, 184-186 v., 187 v., 188, 190, 190 v.] ;
and [copy of iv and duplicate of No. vii, endorsed, copy
and translation sent to Ct. Montijo, 28th June, 1733 and
to Mr. Keene 29th) 137, 47. ff. 151, 152 v., 153, 154 v.]
|
March 27.
Whitehall.
|
77. Duke of Newcastle to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
H.M. having been pleased to appoint William Mathew
Esqr. to be Governor of the Leeward Islands in America ; I am to
desire you will prepare draughts of a Commission and Instructions
for him, in order to be laid before the King for his approbation.
I am, My Lords, your Lordps.' most obedient and humble servant,
Holles Newcastle. Endorsed, Recd. 28th March, Read 3rd April,
1733. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 19. ff. 144, 147 v.]
|
March 27.
Whitehall.
|
78. Duke of Newcastle to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
H.M. having been pleased to appoint Gabriel Johnston
to be Governor of North Carolina etc., you are to prepare draughts
of a Commission and Instructions for him etc., for H.M. approbation.
Signed, Holles Newcastle. Set out, N.C. Col. III. 438.
Endorsed, Recd. 28th March, Read 5th April, 1733. 1 p. [C.O.
5, 294. ff. 66, 71 v.]
|
March 28.
(1st mo.)
|
79. Mr. Partridge, Agent for New York, to the Duke of
Newcastle. Inasmuch as there is a bill lately passt ye House of
Commons for imposing high duties on ye importation of sugar
etc. into ye Northern Colonys from ye Foreign Sugar Plantations,
and is like to be brought up soon to ye House of Lords, the
Gentlemen of New York apprehend if it should pass into a law
will be rather worse in the consequence of it than ye Bill of
prohibitions last year, for that besides ye injury it will be off in
itself almost tantamount to a prohibition, it is divesting them of
their rights and privilidges as ye King's natural born subjects and
English men in levying subsidies upon them against their consent
when they are annexd to no county in Great Britain, have no
Representatives in Parliamt. nor any part of ye Legislature of this
Kingdom, and that it will be drawn into a president hereafter
whereby an incredible inconvenience may ensue : and as we
humbly conceive it will not be deem'd a breach of ye rules of ye
House to hear us before sentence pass upon us, as it is not a
common money bill (wch. is for raising a duty out of ye Kingdom),
we pray this petition may be presented to ye House of Lords in a
proper time after the bill has been read the first time. I am,
in behalf of the New York Gentlemen Thy Friend, Signed,
Richd. Partridge. 1½ pp. Enclosed,
|
|
79. i. Petition of Samuel Baker, George Streatfield, Samuel
Storke, Richd. Jeneway and Rodrigo Pacheco in behalf
of H.M. Province of New York in America, to the Rt.
Hon. the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament
assembled. Petition that the Province may be exempted
from the Sugar Bill, or that they may be heard against
it etc., since it "will be very prejudicial to the Trade
and Navigation, and tend greatly to the impoverishment
of H.M. faithfull subjects in the Northern Colonies,
particularly in the said Province" etc. Signed, Saml.
Baker, Richd. Jeneway, Geo. Streatfeild, Sam. Storke.
1 p. [C.O. 5, 1093. ff. 265, 265 v., 267.]
|
March 28.
St. James's.
|
80. H.M. Commission appointing James Lawes Lt. Governor
of Jamaica, in the absence or on the death of Governor Hunter
etc. Countersigned, Holles Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 50.
pp. 11, 12 ; and 324, 36. pp. 406, 407.]
|
|
March 28.
|
81. [Governor Fitzwilliam to the Council of Trade and
Plantations.] Remarks on 12 Acts of the Bahama Islands. Partly
identical with those of 1st March, 1731. Endorsed, Recd. (from
Govr. Fitzwilliam) 28th March, Read 19th June, 1733. 4 pp.
[C.O. 23, 3. ff. 64-65 v., 66 v.]
|
March 28.
Charles
Town.
|
82. Governor Johnson to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses Naval Officer's list of ships entered and cleared
in this port Midsummer to Christmas, 1732. Signed, Robt.
Johnson. Endorsed, Recd. 28th June, 1733, Read 27th Aug.
1735. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 364. ff. 222, 225 v.]
|
March 29.
Edenton.
|
83. Minutes of Council of N. Carolina 29th March, 1733.
Certified by Governor Burrington, Attested by Robert Forster,
Clerk of Council. 32 pp. [C.O. 5, 308. Nos. 17, 17 i.]
|
March 29.
St. James's.
|
84. Order of King in Council. Approving Representation
of 20th Feb., and appointing Philip Lightfoot and Thomas Lee
to the Council of Virginia etc. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed,
Recd. 16th, Read 19th June, 1733. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1323.
ff. 68, 68 v., 69 v. ; and 5, 21. ff. 27, 27 v.]
|
|
[March 30.]
|
85. Petition of Ferdinando John Paris, in behalf of Thomas
Hanley and other persons, ancient possessors of certain lands in
New York, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The
Equivalent Lands (v. 23rd Feb.), lately yielded by Connecticut
to be esteemed part of the province of New York, were not
unsettled lands, but had been anciently granted to the abovenamed
Hanly and about 100 other families, who had for a long
time improved and settled the same etc. By insinuating,
unknown to the settlers, that they were unsettled and unimproved
lands, Sir Joseph Eyles etc., who had no sort of claim to them, ever
seen them or been at one shilling expence about them, obtained
a grant for them, 15th May, 1730, after they had been yielded
to New York. Under pretence of said letters patent, the abovementioned
settlers have been disturbed in their lawful possessions.
The patentees have recently petitioned H.M. to erect the said
tract into county, with a manifest view to their possession of
those lands. H.M. has not hitherto been pleased by any Charter
here to erect small parcels of lands into counties or to create
jurisdictions in such small tracts, but this has been done by the
Legislature of the respective provinces, who being upon the spot
might do the same in the most just and convenient manner.
This new application is also made behind the backs of the settlers,
who cannot have any notice thereof. If granted, the Patentees
own servants and agents may be appointed to determine whether
their masters or the ancient possessors have the best right, and so
to judge in their own case, which is a thing abhorred in the
English law etc. Prays that the Equivalent lands may not be
erected into or annexed to any county etc. Endorsed, Recd.
30th March, Read 3rd April, 1733. 12/3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1056. ff. 25,
25 v., 26 v.]
|
March 30.
Charles
Town.
|
86. Governor Johnson to the Duke of Newcastle. I take
this opportunity by Mr. Yonge, one of H.M. Council here, who will
have the honour of waiting on your Grace, as soon as he arrives in
London, to inform you that I have used my best endeavours to
get a fort and barracks erected on the river Alatamaha, as I
have been commanded by H.M., for the reception of a detachment
of H.M. Independent Company, and have in order thereto often
recommended to the Assembly to provide money for that service,
to which they had once agreed and voted to provide £800 stg. for
that, and for a fort at Port Royal, and I ordered timber to be
sawed and squared, which was in part done, but that money being
all expended on the fort at Port Royal, and upon the new settlers
arrival in Georgia, they now look upon that place as out of this
Province and Government, so that I am at a loss how to proceed
without H.M. further instructions, and which way the charge of
this building must be defrayd ; without which the detachment
cannot be sent. Mr. Yonge will lay before your Grace a plan of
the Town of Beaufort on Port Royal river, and has directions to
assist Mr. Fury in solliciting H.M. that that port and harbour
may be fortifyed and secured, being very convenient and of great
importance. If this should be consented to, it may be one of the
finest ports in America, for the reception of H.M. royal Navy.
I have therefore defferd granting any of the lotts, that were not
already granted before my time, altho' sollicited thereto, by many
people who would settle there, until I am advised what part of it
may be usefull for stores, a dock, or such other conveniences, as
may be wanted for H.M. own use, for the better careening and
fitting out of the ships of war ; I have prevailed with the Assembly
to purchase 100 acres of land where a fort is erected near Beaufort,
and barracks for the accomodation of the said Company of Capt.
Massey's, which is near finished ; and shall be glad to be hond.
with your Grace's commands in relation to the other fort.
P.S. I am glad I have prevaild on the Assembly to double Mr.
Fury's sallary, with whom we are all very well pleas'd. Signed,
Robt. Johnson. Endorsed, R. 29th June (by Mr. Yonge). 3 pp.
[C.O. 5, 388. ff. 85-86.]
|
March 30.
Charles
Town.
|
87. Governor Johnson to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Duplicate of preceding, mutatis mutandis and without
postscript. Signed, Robt. Johnson. Endorsed, Recd. 28th
June, 1733. Read 27th Aug., 1735. 2¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 364.
ff. 223-224 v.]
|