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Sept. 2.
Pilgrims.
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330. Governor Lord Howe to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. I have the honour to inclose to your Lordsps.
copys of the Journals of the Council and the Minutes of the
Assembly from the day of my arrival to the 12th day of July
inclusive. Upon looking over the Council books I find there had
been an order of his late Majesty in Council to remove Col.
Thomas Maycock from being in the Commission of the Peace,
which as I had not an opportunity of knowing before the last
Commission of the Peace was made out and it having slipt the
gentlemen that had the care of regulating that commission, he
was inserted, but as soon as I found the mistake I immediately
acquainted the Members of the Council with it, who unanimously
agreed that a writ shou'd be issu'd to supersede him, which was
accordingly done etc. Col. Leslie, one of the Members of Council,
is dead etc. Recommends Henry Peers jr. Esq. to supply the
vacancy. Mr. Pilgrim, one of the Members of the Council and
chief Judge of the Bridge Court, being gone off the island for his
health, Mr. French and Mr. Weeks two of his assistants having
desir'd to be excus'd from serving any longer and the Members
of the Council being unanimous in their opinions that the other
two assistants Mr. Young and Mr. Charnock were not proper
persons to be continued in that Court I have with the advice of
the Council fill'd it up by appointing Judge Beccles chief Judge,
Mr. Brace, Mr. Ball, Mr. Nath. Haggat and Mr. Roberts assistants.
Signed, Howe. Endorsed, Recd., Read 7th Nov., 1733. 2 pp.
[C.O. 28, 23. ff. 118, 118 v., 121 v.]
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Sept. 8.
Jamaica.
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331. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The inclo'd copys of the three letters which I lately reced.
from Mr. Draper the Commanding Officer at Port Antonio, Mr.
Ashworth the Chief Magistrate and Commissary there, and Mr.
Swanton, who commanded the 200 sailors will inform your Lordships
of the late miscarriage of the most promising effort for the
reduction of the slaves in rebellion that has hitherto been made.
How the Commanding Officers came to alter the original disposition
I had made is not as yet clear'd up, which was, that the
three different partys consisting of 200 seamen commanded by
their own officers, a detachment of 100 from the two Independent
Companys with their Officers or such as had warrants from me
under the command of Lieut. Allam, and an other of 100 party
men rais'd by an act of Assembly and commanded by one Oliver
should march by three different routs to the negro haunts,
concerting the matter so with one an other as to fall in at the
same precise point of time. Upon information that a body of
200 of the rebels were plundering some out settlements four days'
march distant from their haunts, I wrote to the Commanding
Officer that in case of any alteration in the situation of the rebels
the Commanders might alter or depart from the disposition I had
made and by concert make a new one, but there happen'd no
alteration, for the rebels were and are still in their old haunts.
Upon these advices I assembl'd the Council who agreed and
advis'd that seeing the sailors were immediately to be imbark'd
for Port Royal nothing could be attempted offensively with any
prospect of success, that the partys on foot should be continu'd
for a guard to the settlements next to the rebels and to cover the
town of Titchfield or Port Antonio, and that I should apply to
Sr. Chaloner Ogle that he would be pleas'd to order one of H.M.
ships to be station'd in the Eastern harbour there, as a guard near
the Isthmus which joyns the town to the main against any attempts
the rebels might meditate against that place, which he has agree'd
to do so soon as he has got one ready and which is all that can be
done untill the Assembly meets, which is fixt to the 3d of next
month. But what they will do when met is not easie to be
guess'd, for they seem to be runing headlong to ruin with their
eys open, for they have been forewarn'd of all that has happen'd.
The general cry and opinion at present is for Martial Law, but
besides the great inconveniencys that must follow upon that
resolution, the men to be employ'd in the reduction of the slaves
must be of the same sort with those hitherto employ'd, that is to
say drunken and disorderly, for rum, the ruin of this island, is
easier to come at here than small beer in England, and numbers in
marches through a country consisting of mountains, rocks, and
deep river courses are only an incumbrance, and the rear hitherto
has commonly given way whilst the front was engag'd. If your
Lordships will look back into the history of the several administrations,
I believe you'll be of opinion that it has not been so much
the Governors as Government that has been disagreeable to the
Assemblys. How can it be otherwise, when the men of greatest
substance and best education have ever made it their choice to
ly by at their ease, whilst these of an opposite character are
industrious in getting themselves elected, some for protection of
their persons, others with design to embroil matters and perplex
the administration from private resentments or worse intentions,
and your Lordships well know that there are neither gratifications
or mollifications in the power of the Governor, who with much
difficulty perswades men fitt for them to accept of any employments
in his disposal. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd.
21st, Read 25th Nov., 1733. 3½pp. Enclosed,
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331. i. Lieut. Swanton to Governor Hunter. Port Antonio.
4th Sept., 1733. I am sorry to acquaint your Excellency
of the misfortune which happen'd on Wednesday last
about 4 in the evening. We being within half a mile of
the N.E. river, where we intended to halt for that
night, which is not above 2 miles from Negroe Town ;
the advance guard commanded by my brother was
fir'd at from a new ambush, which they attack'd with the
utmost fury, and being soon supported by the main
body they forced by it, in the doing which several were
killed on both sides. The pylate by me was killed, and
myself wounded at the same time ; our men behavd
themselves at the first with the greatest bravery : At
once there was a general confusion, which I afterwards
understood from Mr. Thompson and the rest of the Officers
proceeded from another of the pylates (one Hossop)
calling out to the people to leave the pass we had gained,
get up the hill, or they would be all surrounded and
cutt off ; who then flying, most of them follow'd him.
Some of the forerunners meeting with the soldiers who
were in our rear, told them I, and most of the Officers
were killed, and passing thro' bushes up to the baggage
where was likewise Officers and soldiers to guard it,
they told them the same, and night coming on order'd
the negroes to lay down their bags and fly, which they
did ; the sailors and soldiers then fell to plundering and
destroying every individual bag and box broke and
threw away all the Surgeon's instruments and medecines,
and pulled the beef and bread all out of the baggs and
hove them down the precipiece ; and to prevent our
rallying, broke open some of the ammunition boxes and
threw away the powder and ball, drank what liquor
they could, and all the rest they started. At this time
I was in the middle of the ambush for some time alone,
but soon join'd by three of my own Officers with some
private men, the whole number being eleven of which
7 only had peices that were serviceable. The rebels
saw us in this condition, and order'd a party to take us
alive, but we had goot under a large rock, where they
did not care to come. All this time the negroes continued
surrounding us, and had left only one pass open
which by the cover of the night, and a shower of rain,
we got thro' into the woods, and fell in with Mr. Allam,
Mr. Thompson and several Officers and a few men :
We agreed that night, to rally in the morning and sent
positive orders for our men to come down, but they
absolutely refused. At dawn of day Mr. Allam's men
had deserted him and most of them with me were
wounded. We then went up the hill to the baggage in
hopes to find the people there, but they were gone ; by
chance Mr. Cox, Surgn. to the land, his medicines were
not entirely destroyed, who assisted to dress the wounded
which are about 14 and 10 killed on the spott. My
brother who lay on the other side the river all night
join'd us the next morning and we are forced to come
back, after having got thro' the greatest difficulty and
by what I can find little left to be done. This morning
all our people will be in from the Breast Work : Hossop
is a prisoner as are some of our deserters etc. His
march and wound prevent him from being more particular.
Recommends Lamb, one of his guides. Signed,
Thos Swanton. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 1½ pp.
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331. ii. Mr. Ashworth to Governor Hunter. Titchfield. 4th
Sept., 1733. Mr. Swanton was so hurried on board the
hulk being fainty and desirous to have the bullet drawn
out of his breast that I had not time to get a thoro'
information of their unhappy proceedings. He gives
hopes to believe that the rebells have not got any of
their ammunition but allows the baggage negroes lost
great part of their provisions ; assures me that the
rebells gave way to the first and 2nd Division of sailors
and that the main body advanc'd with all imaginable
expedition and bravery, upon which 90 od of the rebells
were seen in one gang to move out of an ambush, each
having a gun and above 30 more from another double
arm'd. The engagement was began by Lamb the
principal pylot with young Mr. Swanton leading the
first division consisting of 13, Mr. Swanton following close
with the 2nd. Lamb had timely aprized the partys of
an ambush at hand and every man was prepared. But
the rebells had form'd an ambush on both hands small
distance short of that Lee was kill'd at and on a level
place. Lamb finding himself abreast the muzles of
their guns fir'd and march'd on as did all of those
Divisions. The rebells' fire from both sides was much
superior, kill'd 8 of the first Division, wounded Mr.
Swanton, several others and some kill'd of the 2nd. The
body of sailors advanc'd and tho' the rebells were upon
moving they pass'd several volleys on both sides till they
march'd off, at which as it's said a wicked unlucky
pylott (Henry Hossop) drew away the greatest part up
a ridge imagining the rebells wo'd surround them when
in reality they were marching towards their settlement.
By this Mr. Swanton with few others were left expos'd
which encourag'd some of the rebells to rally, a heavy
showre of rain and night saved him. Refers to Mr.
Draper's account. Continues :—It still remains a
mystery to me the cause of their marching in one body
up the rt. arm of Back river, that the provisions was
lost or left behind, that the soldiers did not advance to
the engagement and why they did not on Thursday
morning when the door was open unite forces and
march into the Negro Town. If they don't fit out again
from Br. Work where provisions etc. is sufficiently
provided it will in the opinion of everybody here be for
the interest of the island to maintain and make good
what we have by securing the Br. Work and Hobbie's
Planta. with strong guards, and a detachment thence
to be frequently searching those quarters, also to secure
Sutton and other expos'd out-settlements. The out
setlers having familys, as the two Passleys and others,
have mov'd into this town and in everybody's mouth
that the rebells will attack this place etc. Will keep a
night watch on the hill overlooking the isthmus etc.
Suggests that a wall be built across the isthmus etc.
Capt. Aubin declares that he will sail for Port Royal the
moment he receives the sailors etc. They will then
have no other asistance than from the hulk moored near
the pass. If the Commodore would order a ship to be
stationed in the Eastern harbour, the rebels could not
succeed in any attempt against the town. This is the
request of the whole town etc. As such a numerous and
well fitted body of men has failed against the slaves,
and as in the engagement they told the party they came
a day too soon, for that Sambo was not to be on Caron
Crow Hill till Thursday (the day agreed on by the
Officers for entring the rebells town, which puts it out
of doubt their having certain correspondence etc.,
presumes this will be enquired into and their means of
obtaining powder and arms etc. Continues : The
consequence which must ensue on their seeing such an
army retreat so confusedly leaving Mr. Sparke's and
possessing Hobbie's plantation many days without
interruption. If the Gentlemen of this Island will
seriously consider these misfortunes, they must (I
think) admit that unhappy Jamaica is in a tottering
state and requires nothing less than the most vigorous
and speediest means to save it from the impending
danger which now seems to be ripe, for everybody
believes their numbers are greatly increased. I will
send the negro taken up and others on suspicion of
corresponding with the rebels by the first opportunity
etc. Mr. Campbell assures me the ammunitia is safe
etc. The sailors are soon to be convey'd on the Deal
Castle. Signed, J. Ashworth. Copy. 2½ pp.
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331. iii. Lt. Draper to Governor Hunter. 4th Sept., 1733.
Breast Work. Forwards Lt. Swanton's report. Cf.
No. i. Describes ambush. After Lt. Swanton was
wounded etc., he ordered Lt. Thompson to march on
with the men "who did with vast deal of briskness and
chear'd up his men with such a spiret as can scarce be
imagin'd who advanc'd with like chearfulness with full
resolution to break in upon their ambush. Weaver ye
pilot being kill'd and Lamb not to be found they calld
out for a pilot to shew them the way. Henry Hossip
pilot went down to them, came up went down again
and came up run away and call'd to ye seamen not to
go down there, if they did they would certainly be all
cutt off, the wild negroes are surrounding you, which
affected the men with so much cowerdice that they all
run after the pilot and abandon'd their Officers" etc.
Thompson ran up to rally his men, but "not one man
would stirr to their assistance notwithstanding they
see ye wild negroes advance within two muskett lengths
of their Commander and ye rest of ye people with him
ye wild negros some said Dam 'em no shoot Backaras
tak 'em alive. Lt. Strutten spy'd a conveneant rock
where he carried Lt. Thos. Swanton too with ye small
body that stood by him there remained all night ye wild
negros call'd out, you Backaras (fn. 1) what make you come
too day you rong Sambo no here till to-morrow.
Lt. Robert Swanton and Badloo who brush'd by the
ambush with ye remaining men of ye advance guard got
into convenient places on each side the river to ambush
ye rebells. As they went along the river they saw 30 of
the wild negros go by them with two and three musketts
apiece. Lamb also saw of another body ninety-six arm'd
in ye same manner pass very near them as they quited
their ambushes, their number was too small to attack
ye main body but fir'd at five stragling negros and
kill'd them, they took their ears. I have seen 4 pr. ye
other pr. some of ye men have stole. Lt. Swanton tells
me 6 or 7 of their men are kill'd and about 16 wounded ;
by all accounts I can have Lt. Swanton and his officers
behaved themselves like men, if their people had stood
by them they must have had ye wisshed success etc. The
Independants plundered the baggage and some got
drunk on rum. The sailors were as bad at plundering
etc. Has proposed several times to Lt. Swanton to fit
out his men again and return to Negro Town. "The
Independants has behav'd ill. Lts. Allam and Scott
went down to Lt. Swanton and order'd their men to
follow but not one of them would. Lt. Allam sent a
corporal to Lts. Robinson and Cample to order them to
march ye men down and none of them came near him"
etc. Lt. Allam is now come in with his officers and men.
I have askt the two commanding officers whey they did
not next day proceed and attack ye Negro Towns.
Signed, J. Draper. Copy. 2½ pp. [C.O. 137, 20.
ff. 180-181 v., 184-186, 187-188, 189 v.]
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Sept. 8.
Jamaica.
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332. Governor Hunter to the Duke of Newcastle. Duplicate
of preceding, mutatis mutandis. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed,
R. Nov. 30th. 3½ pp. Enclosed,
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332. i.-iii. Duplicates of preceding encl. i.-iii. [C.O. 137,
54. ff. 342-347, 348-349.]
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Sept. 9.
Pilgrim.
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333. Governor Lord Howe to the Duke of Newcastle. Transmits
following. Signed, Howe. Endorsed, R. 19th Novr. 1 p.
Enclosed,
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333. i. Address of Council of Barbados to the King. 4th
Sept., 1733. Return thanks for Act for encouraging
trade of Sugar Islands etc., "which we doubt not will in
due time, have the desired effect, and enable your
industrious subjects in this part of the world, to enlarge
their trade as soon as they are upon an equal footing
with their rival neighbours ; whereby the British sugar
commerce must dayly increase, and nurse up and maintain
great numbers of seamen for your Majesty's service,"
etc. Pray for long life of H.M. and his royal Consort.
Signed, James Mytton, D. Clk. of the Council. 1 large p.
[C.O. 28, 45. ff. 271, 272 v., 273 v., 274.]
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Sept. 10.
Nevis.
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334. President of Nevis to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
I do myself the honour to transmit to your Lordshps.
the following Minutes of Council, delivered me by the Secretary of
the Leeward Islands, and his deputys, which are compleated as
near as could be to this day vizt. St. Christophers from 26th
November 1731 to 7 June 1732 ; 2 June 1732 to 18 September
1732 ; 4 October 1732 to 28 June 1733. Antigua—26 July 1731
to 25 June 1732 ; 9 August 1732 to 30 May 1733 ; Montserrat—
5 February 1731 to 3rd January 1732. Nevis—22 October 1731
to 26 February 173 2/3. I cannot but represent to your Lordships
the very great hardships laid upon the Secretary of these Islands,
and his respective deputys, as they are obliged by H.M. commands
to furnish Minutes of Council, and diverse other papers
to be transmitted to your Lordships, that the Legislatures here
should think fitt not to pay them :—especially since they have no
sallarys allowed for this purpose, and their income solely ariseing
from eventual fees. I am the more induced to make this representation
to your Lordshipps because it is much the interest of
this government to have their transactions fairly laid before
H.M., and your Lordshipps, that H.M. might be enabled to judge
of any proceedings in a part of the world so distant from his
Kingdom and give his royal directions therein. I am in hopes
your Lordshipps' interposition herein may occasion some better
regulation for the future in this matter, which can't well happen
to the contrary since H.M. determination in the case of the
Secretary of Barbadoes (a similar case) has put the justice of it
beyond contradiction. I have not been wanting in directing the
respective clerks of the Assembly, to deliver me transcripts of
their respective minutes, in obedience to which, I could wish
I had no occasion to write your Lordshipp they have been
extremely remiss : but as I am tyed up by my Instructions not
to suspend any officer without the consent of at least seven of the
Council of that Island wherein such officer shall happen to reside,
I am not a little apprehensive, that their knowing the difficulty
of my obtaining such consent, has contributed to the growth of
their extraordinary negligence. I enclose to your Lordshipps
also Mr. Smith the Secretary of these Islands tryal for his late
deputy takeing twelve shillings for a writt of execution, a fee that
has been long customary in Antigua, taxt from time to time by
the respective Chief Justices and even continues so to this day.
And as I found he was not so much as chargd as augmenting
himself any one fee whatsoever, I thought it a very hard case,
and an encroachment on his patent, and therefore did suspend
the fine that H.M. might give his determination thereon. Signed,
Mich. Smith. Endorsed, Recd. 21st Nov., 1733, Read 18th July,
1735. 2large pp. Enclosed,
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334. i. Trial of Wavell Smith, Sec. Leeward Islands, for
extortion, 27th Feb., 1731 (v. preceding). Copy. Same
endorsement. 27 pp. [C.O. 152, 21. ff. 52, 52 v.,
53 v.-67 v.]
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Sept. 10.
Annapolis
Royall.
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335. Lt. Governor Armstrong to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses following in reply to enquiry touching the
pretensions of the Seigniors etc. Has nothing as yet from any
of the rest. Alexander Le Borgne is "the son of Mary the
daughter of Seignior James Latour (alias St. Estien) by Madm.
Daunay. She after the reduction of the Province retired to
Canada for about three years and then returned etc. Refers to
the account of these Seigniors he has already given, and which he
has not yet found contradicted by anyone etc. Signed, L.
Armstrong. Endorsed, Recd. 24th Jan., Read 5th Sept., 1734.
1 p. Enclosed,
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335. i. Order by Mr. Adams, upon an order by Lt. Governor
Doucett, 1st June, 1732, that all the inhabitants of
Mines should show their bounds and title-deeds to M.
Alexandre Le Borgne, Sieur de Bellisle, "in order that
he may report to me if there are any lands not granted
by his late father, Emmanuel Le Borgne, then Seigneur
of the Country. Signed, J. Adams. Annapolis Royal.
By order of M. le Governeur. Signed, John Doucett.
French. Copy. 1 p.
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335. ii. Order by Emanuel Le Borgne, Governor of Acadie,
part of New France, that is to say, "depuis la rivière
de L'Isle Verte, rangeant la cote maritime jusques à
la rivière de Mines qui est au cul de sac de la Baye
françoise, and isles adjacent a dit pays," Lord
and Proprietor thereof. La Rochelle, 3rd March, 1668.
All subjects of King of France are at liberty to fish on
the said coast and at the ports thereof, with the exception
of the port and roadstead of Chibectou, where the
said Sieur de Borgne reserves the fishery for himself
etc. ; but they are forbidden to trade with the Indians
there, etc. Signed, Le Borgne. French. Copy. 2 pp.
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335. iii. Order by Jean Adams, Member of Council of Nova
Scotia. Les Mines. 16th April, 1732. Appointed to
examine into the differences between the inhabitants
of Le Grand Pré aux Mines. Le Sieur Alexandre Le
Borgne, eldest son of the late Emanuel Le Borgne,
Sieur de Bellisle and Seigneur of a part of Accadie,
having made it appear that, since the capture of the
Fort he has always remained under the dominion of the
King of Great Britain, and rendered service to his
Majesty's subjects whenever opportunity has occurred,
and rescued their persons and effects from the hands
of the savages, and on that account is obliged to leave
his dwelling at Penobscott with his whole family to live
at Grand Pré where he had not land enough even to make
a garden (ou il n'avait pas de terre seulement pour faire
un jardin), although his father was Lord and Proprietor
of the country, and petitioning me to give him permission
to take lands in the Grand Pré des Mines not
granted by his late Father etc., permission is hereby
granted to him to take possession of all the high and
low land in the Grand Pré and in all the Mines, after all
the grants of the inhabitants obtained from his father
have been fulfilled (on soit fournie) ; so long as he shall
behave faithfully to the King and with obedience to the
Government, until further orders by the Governor etc.
Signed, J. Adams. French. Copy. 21/8 pp.
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335. iv. Commission, by Louis XIV, upon the recommendation
of the Directors of the Company of the West Indies of
Sieur le Borgne de Bellisle to be Governor of part of
Acadie, as in No. ii. 4th April, 1668. Signed, Louis.
Countersigned, De Sionne. French. Copy. 3 pp.
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335. v. Petition of Alexandre Le Borgne, on behalf of himself,
his mother and sister, to Lt. Governor Armstrong and
the Council of Nova Scotia. Without date. Excuses
himself for having so long delayed taking the oath of
allegiance to H.M., whose faithful subject he now is etc.
Refers to his father's Commission (encl. iv) and his
sacrifices and expenditures in settling the country etc.
Refers to Lt. Governor Doucett's order (encl. i) etc.
Notwithstanding, petitioner is still without a morsel of
land, without evicting the inhabitants who have wrongfully
taken possession. Presents his case and prays
that it (encl. vi) may be submitted to H.M. for the
confirmation of his claims, and that in the mean time,
in view of his great distress, above orders (i and iii) may
be put into execution, so that he may be able to cut
enough wood and make hay to support himself. Signed,
Borgne de Bellile. French. Copy. 51/8 pp.
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335. vi. Reply to the claim of the children of the late M. de la
Tour, to inherit from the late M. d'Aulnay, to the
prejudice of M. Le Borgne, creditor for a large sum
(1658), to whose expenditure the settlement of the county
is due etc. French. Copy. 4½ pp. Nos. i-vi endorsed,
Recd. 24th Jan., 173 3/4. Cf. Oct. 23, 1733. [C.O. 217,
7. ff. 31, 32 v., 33, 34-37, 38, 41-42 v., 44-46, 47, 47 v.,
48 v.]
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Sept. 11.
Rhode Island.
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336. Mr. Kay to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
I transmitted to your Lordships the 2nd Septr. 1732 an Act of
this Colony for emitting sixty thousand pounds in bills of publick
credit upon land securitie : and have now inclosed another Act
for emitting one hundred thousand pounds of the like nature.
What the consequences and effectts of those proceedings will
prove, is humbly submitted to yor. Honours. I likewise inclose
an Act of this Colony imposing a tax upon shipping for powder
money, wherein they would oblige me as Collect, of H.M. Customes,
not to clear any vessell (tho' she hath comply'd with all the acts
of the Customs, the acts of Navigation and Trade) until the Master
of the said vessell hath produced a certificate to me that she hath
paid the said tax, for the use of this government which the
Masters and merchantts owners of the shipping refusing to pay ;
alledging itt to be contrary to the King's Instruction to the
severall Governmts. in America ; and there being no penaltie
laid in the said Act, compelling me to observe an act, which I
humbly concieve could not appertain to me, refused to comply
herewith. Since which they have made an additional act which
I have inclosed, and in all submission referr it to your Lordships.
As I am an officer imploy'd by the Lords of the Treasurey and
the Commrs. of H.M. Customes and faithfully discharging my
duty, both as to the Laws of Great Brittain and my instructions
from home, whether this Governmt. laying restrictions upon me
in these proceedings doe not interferr with the said laws. And
humbly lay it before yor. honourable Board ; whether this Act
doth not contemptuously treatt an officer impower'd from home,
in making a penaltie upon him finall by the judgment of a single
Justice of the Peace ; and not allowing him what is common
justice and equitie ; the indulgence of an appeal, which must tend
to make all officers in America, imploy'd from home, useless in
their imployment, And therefore I hope will pardon me, in making
my appeal to yor. Lordships. Signed, Nathll. Kay. Endorsed,
Recd. 5th Dec., 1733, Read 18th Sept., 1735. Holograph. 2½ pp.
Enclosed,
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336. i. Copy of Additional Act to the powder Act. Passed in
Rhode Island, July 20, 1733, obliging the Collector of
Customs not to clear any vessel without a certificate
that she has paid powder-mony, under a penalty of
paying the same himself, to be recovered, if under 40s.
at a Justice's Court etc. Endorsed, Recd. 5th Dec., 1733.
Copy. 2⅓ pp.
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336. ii. Copy of Act.
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Sept. 12.
Virginia.
|
337. Lt. Governor Gooch to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
In obedience to the Board's commands for sending an
annual account of laws, manufactures and trade affecting trade,
manufactures and shipping of Great Britain, repeats part of
Oct. 5, 1732. Knows of no law in that government, which can in
any sense be said to affect the British trade. As to manufactures
repeats Oct. 5, 1732. There have lately been many attempts
made towards the discovery of tin and copper mines. The tin
mines have been discovered since Oct. 5th last, "so that they are
gott no further than the surface." As to trade, repeats Oct. 5th.
Signed, William Gooch. Endorsed, Recd. 21st Nov., 1733, Read
15th Jan., 173 3/4. Holograph. 2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1323. ff. 93-94 v.]
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Sept. 17.
Charles Town.
|
338. Governor Johnson to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following. Has "nothing else material to
impart." Signed, Robt. Johnson. Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read
28 Nov., 1733. 1 p. Enclosed,
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338. i. Deposition of John Calcock (Colcock), mariner. 17th
Sept., 1733. The following is to the best of his knowledge
(and what he could learn at the Havanna) the
particulars of the loss of the Flota who sailed 2nd July
last under the command of Dn. Rodriguez de Torro as
Admiral in a ship of 60 guns, one ship of war of 60 guns
built in the Havanna, and commanded by Capt. Daniel
Ohony, two other ships of 60 guns, 15 merchant ships,
a snow bound to St. Augustine, and a small sloop, in all
which were about fifteen millions of money pr. register,
chochineal, indigo etc. unknown. On 4th July a very
violent storm of wind arose about No. which kept
increasing and going against the course of the sun till at
S.E. it proved a hurricane, in which deponent very hardly
escaped, being about 35 leagues to the westward of the
Spanish Flota near the Tortugas bank in a schooner
bound to this port, the manner of their working their
vessels in the storm is unknown, but on 11th July as he
was entring the Gulph, the wind being scant, was obliged
to stand close in shore, were on the Islands call'd (in
genl.) the Martiers, he saw three large ships, and
presently after it falling calm perceived a launch with
about 20 or 30 hands, who very civilly acosted this
deponent, informed him they were part of the Spanish
Flota cast away, that one of the men of war commanded
by Capt. Ohoney they believed was saved, all the rest
being ashore except the snow, which foundered the
beginning of the storm, and in the end desired deponent
to take in some of the passengers to the Havanna, which
he did, and at his arrival was immediatly seized for the
service of the King, himself and people, with his cargo
of skins turnd ashore, and he obliged to maintain his
people almost five weeks, which time they had kept his
vessel, and at the delivering of her up gave deponent
only 124 ps.8/8 and 5 rials, the men's wages only amounting
to near that sum, without their victuals, hire of the
schooner or detriment of his cargo considered ; but on
his complaint was told he had but two remedies, patience
or beating his head against the wall etc. Hearing of
some design the Spaniards had on Port Royal in this
Province, he asked Mr. Nicholson what might be the
truth of that report, who said such a thing had been
debated of in Council, but the want of a pilot had put it
off, for that time, untill the next Barleventa Fleet should
arrive, which is generally in March or April. Signed,
Jno. Colcock. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 2 pp.
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338. ii. Deposition of Edward McIver late chief mate of the
brigantine John, Andrew Bisset master, 17th Sept.,
1733. Extracts from his journal kept at Havana.
July 2nd. Sailed from hence the Spanish Flota etc.
Describes ships of war, as preceding. The merchant ships
are described as, one Genoese built ship, 20 guns mounted,
400 tuns ; one La Vera Crux built ship 30 guns (this
ship had two teer of ports), 800 tuns ; one Dutch built
frigat 24 guns mounted, 500 tuns ; 4 English built vessels,
each 24 guns, 600 tuns apiece ; one New England built
ship of three decks had 36 guns, mounted two teer of
ports, no wast, 900 tuns ; 6 Old England built frigats of
4 and 500 tuns apiece, some 20 others 24 guns mounted.
One Old England built ship 30 guns mounted, 700 tuns.
One small ship about 90 tuns, 6 guns mounted, and a
snow about same burthen bound for St. Augustine etc.
6th. The Governor ordered a sloop out to discover
whether the Flota had come to damage. 11th. She
returned with an account of 6 sail ashore the So. end
of Key Largo. 6 Sloops was directly sent with provisions
to relieve them etc. 13th. There arrived in the Havana
a launch and 40 men who gave the following accot.,
that two of the men of war, and one of the large merchant
ships (the Admiral being one of the men of war), was
cast away upon a shoal, about 14 miles from the shore,
etc. Describes wrecks. Three ships let go their anchors
and rode it out etc. The rest of the large vessels stuck
fast upon the Banks etc., except Capt. Ohony etc., but
so commodiously cast away that nothing would be lost
etc. 15th. Orders arrived from the Admiral for all
vessels to repair to the wrecks. Describes salvage,
16th Sept., of plate, cochineal and money, "without the
knowledge of any lost, amounting as is said to 15,000,000
ps. 8/8." Continues The following account is what I
had of an English seaman cast away in one of the ships
of war, being an account of their manner of working.
Describes weather, "hard gales from the N.E. which
backed round against the sun till came to S.E. from
whence it blowed a hard storm, with thunder, lightning
and rain, betwixt one and two they handed their main
sail, and wore under their foresail, and when almost
before the wind they instead of easing of their fore sheet,
they cut it, after which the said foresail blowed in pieces,
they also cut their masts and bowspreet away and lay
trying a hull, and likewise throwed 14 guns over board,
and cut all their anchors from the bowes and 10 at night
was fast aground etc. By the 25th Augt. the wrecks
was burnt to the waters edge for the iron work." Signed,
Edwd. McIver. Same endorsement. 4 pp. [C.O. 5,
362. ff. 201, 203-205 v., 206 v., 208 v.]
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Sept. 17.
Charles Town.
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339. Governor Johnson to the Duke of Newcastle. Has
given Mr. Holzenderf (v. 22nd May) a Commission in the Militia,
and will gratify him in all things to the utmost of his power, to
shew his great regard for his Grace's commands etc. Signed,
Robt. Johnson. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 388. f. 108.]
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Sept. 18.
Charles Town.
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340. Same to Same. Duplicate of letter to Council of Trade,
Sept. 17th, mutatis mutandis. Signed, Robt. Johnson. Endorsed,
R. 30th Nov. 1 p. Enclosed,
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340. i., ii. Duplicate of Sept. 17 encl i., ii. [C.O. 5, 388. ff.
109, 110 v.-113 v.]
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Sept. 20.
Experiment
at Port Antonio
in Jamaica.
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341. Capt. St. Loe to the Earl of Westmorland. I have
done myself the honour of writing to your Lordsp. by every
opportunity I could lay hold of, but it has been my misfortune
never to have heard of yr. Ldsp's. wellfare since I left England.
I arrived here the 13th inst, to defend this harbour and town of
Titchfield fm. the insults of the rebellious negroes, who have
done much mischief among the neighbouring plantations, and
most of the people are flown to this place for shelter etc.
Describes the expedition and reverse at Negro Town etc. v. supra.
Concludes : Our seamen are in great wrath, not being supported
in this action, as they think they ought to have been, and by their
passions I perceive will not be easily prevailed on to make a
second attempt, being strangers to bush-fighting. I shall speedily
be relieved here by an other ship, and then proceed on a cruize etc,
Signed, Jon. St. Loe. Endorsed, Recd. (from the Earl of Westmorland),
Read 19th Feb., 173¾. Holograph. 2½ pp. [C.O. 137, 21.
ff. 1, 1 v., 6, 6 v.]
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Sept. 20.
Bermuda.
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342. Governor Pitt to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The honour of your Lordships' leter dated ye thirteenth of Sept.
1732 I have but lately receiv'd. I am very much obleig'd to
your Lordships for the favorable representations, your Lordships
were soe good to make in my behalfe to his Majesty. I have
communicated the contents of yr. Lordships' l'r to the Assembly ;
they desier time to consider, by what method to raise an equivolent
in lieu of ye licences granted for the whale fishery, for the
future, the difference yt. is beetweene us is the three yeares
arreares wch. they seem to think tho' they have had all the
proffitts arising, not to any ways concern them, neither will they
take any method or thought how to pay it, in this affaier I humbly
beg yr. Lordships will be soe good as to instruct mee, for as it is
a parte of my sallary it is as justly my right as any other parte, and
to loose three yeares would bee a hardship upon mee as I conceive,
but in this and every thing else shall submit to yr. Lordships'
decision. I have done my selfe ye honour severall times to
returne your Lordships my thanks for yr. Lordships' interest in
returning the Independent Company from Providence and should
bee glad for H.M. sarvice, and the good of the iland, that wee had
a small man of warr station'd heere, but as there is soe much
difficulty in it, must be contented till a more favorable opertunity.
I shall allwayes esteeme it a great favour to be honourd wth. any
commands from yr. Lordships etc. Signed, John Pitt. Endorsed,
Recd. 15th Nov., 1733, Read 24th Jan., 173¾. Holograph. 1 p.
[C.O. 37, 12. ff. 122, 127 v.]
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Sept. 20.
Bermuda.
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343. Governor Pitt to Mr. Popple. Repeats part of preceding
and encloses acts and votes of Assembly etc. Signed and endorsed
as preceding. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 37, 12. ff. 123, 126 v.]
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Sept. 21.
Hampton
Court.
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344. Draft of letter [? from the Duke of Newcastle] to Governor
Fitzwilliams. As Mr. Colebrooke, who is brother to a gentleman
here of distinction and for whom I have a particular regard, has
been settled some time in the islands under your Government ;
I desire to recommend him, in the most strong and earnest manner,
to your favour and protection. I am persuaded that you will
find him worthy of your friendship, and that his assistance will
be of use to you in the carrying on of H.M. service in your Department,
and I beg you will be assured that I shall be extremely
obliged by any good offices that it may be in your power to do
him. Draft, in handwriting of Mr. Delafaye. 1 p. [C.O. 23,
14. f. 231.]
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Sept. 27.
Whitehall.
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345. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Belcher.
Acknowledge letters and enclosures of 20th Oct., 21st Nov., and
23rd Dec., 1732, and 5th, 8th, 9th, 12th and 13th Jan., 5th Feb.,
10th and 19th May and 28th June, 1733. Continue :—And since
they relate chiefly to ye difficultys which you have had with your
Assemblies, and to ye disputes they have had with the Crown
about fixing your salary, the issuing a greater quantity of paper
mony than allow'd by your Instructions, and to the supply of the
Treasury in an unjustifiable method, we were willing to deferr
answering those letters till their pretensions had been determined
by His Majesty in Council, and by the House of Commons here.
Copies of which determinations we presume have long since been
sent to you, by ye Agent of the Province, and we hope they may
[have] had their p[r]oper effect, by bringing the people under your
Government, to a due sence of their circumstances, of the dependance
they ought to have on their Mother Country, as well as,
of the duty they owe to the Crown ; and that in general their
behaviour will have been such, as to give no occasion of renewing
in the next Sessions of Parliament here a further enquiry into
their conduct. The sense expressed by you in all your letters to
us, as well as in your Speeches to the Assembly, upon their late
extraordinary behaviour wants no approbation from us, since it
has already mett with that of the Parliament of Great Britain, in
rejecting their very extraordinary Remonstrance for the alteration
of the fundamental points, so frequently and so deliberatly
determined by H.M. in Council. We therefor flatter ourselves,
that by the next accounts we shall receive from you, we may be
apprized of ye Assembly's having made a proper provision for the
King's service, and ye necessary protection of the Province, which
will otherwise be exposed to such imminent danger, that we
apprehend the Legislature of Great Britain may think it necessary
to interpose for ye preservation of the Massachusets Bay, if the
Assembly should any longer refuse to take care of themselves.
And if thro' their obstinacy, there should be an absolute occasion
for such an interposition, we would desire to be informed by
you, what duties may be most conveniently laid in New England
with the least burthen to the people there, but adequate to the
services of the Government. We have reced. the returns you
have made to our enquiry concerning laws made, manufactures
sett up, or trade carryed on, which may any ways affect the Trade,
Navigation and Manufactures of Great Britain, and we desire
you will send us once a year at least an acct. of what variations
shall happen, if any shall have been made therein. The Parliament
of Great Britain begins to be very jealous of any manufactures
sett up, or trade carryed on, to the detriment of this
Kingdom. We observe what you write concerning the propagation
of Naval Stores in New England, and have considered your
proposition for giving a bounty thereon. But as the production
of Naval Stores, and of all other things that do not interfere with
the trade and manufactures of this Kingdom, is manifestly for
ye advantage of New England, as well as of Great Britain ; since
the Parliament of Great Britain, have already taken the lead in
giving large encouragements for that purpose, we doubt not but
the Province of the Massachusets Bay will find their interest in
giving such further assistances as may be found wanting for so
desirable an end. In your letter of ye 23rd Decr. last you have
furnished us with very good reasons in support of ye opinion we
have always been of, against the issuing of paper mony in general,
and therefore we refer you to your first letters, for an answer to
what you writ us in those of latter date, desiring leave to give
yor. assent to a bill passed both Council and Assembly for emitting
of £50,000 of yt. currency, to which you prudently declined giving
your assent, as being contrary to your Instructions. The method
prescribed by that bill, you apprehend to be the best foundation
for a paper currency of any yet passed in your Government, and
perhaps it may be so. But as the sume therein proposed was
beyond your Instructions, you will have further time to consider
of it, when for the future you shall give your consent to the
issuing of any paper mony consistent with your Instructions, for
we have not sufficiently consider'd that plan to be able to decide
concerning it. We have considered what you say concerning the
alteration of your 15th Instruction, forbiding you to give your
assent to any law for repealing any other then in being, without
inserting a clause to prevent it's taking effect, till H.M. pleasure
shall be known, but we conceive this article of your Instructions
to be founded upon such good and solid reasons, that we cannot
at present advise H.M. to make any alteration therein. We hope
you have before this received from Mr. Wilks, Agent of the Province,
the sevl. papers we have put into his hands in relation to
the settling of the bounds between the Massachusets Bay and
New Hampshire, and that upon the return of your answer thereto,
no further delay may be occasioned, to the accomplishing a
matter of so much advantage to both Provinces. We have now
under our consideration another bill passed this year in your
Province, for giving you £3000 salary. We shall shortly lay our
opinion thereupon before your Majesty. In answer to such parts
of your letters as relate to the appointment of Councillors in New
Hampshire etc. enclose list of the members as they now stand etc.
[C.O. 5, 917. pp. 83—90.]
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Sept. 29.
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346. Office expenses of the Board of Trade, Midsummer—
Michaelmas, 1733. See Journal. Endorsed, Recd., Read 2nd
Oct., 1733. 6pp. [C.O. 388, 80. ff. 81-84 v.]
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Sept. 29.
Romney at
St. John's.
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347. Governor Lord Muskery to Mr. Popple. Encloses
following. Signed, Muskery. Endorsed, Recd. 25th Jan., Read
9th April, 1734. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed,
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347. i. Governor Lord Muskery's Answeir to Heads of Enquiry
at Newfoundland for 1733. The answers to Nos. 1-31
are chiefly to the effect that the regulations have been
observed. (ii) Prisoners, with witnesses, are being sent
home for trial for felonies committed in the winter.
(xxvii) The Fishing Admirals have little regard to
anything but their own interests. (xxxii) The inhabitants
are subsisted with provisions from Great Britain
and Ireland, and livestock from the Plantations in
America, "together with rum, molosses, sugar, bread,
flower and tobacco to the value of £16,000 sterl,"
(xxxiv) Fishermen are paid £25 to £10 per man. They
are paid in clothing and other necessaries great part,
and the remainder by bills of exchange payable in
England. (xxxv) One boat and fitting costs £100 to
£120 sterl. (xxxvi) The inhabitants have no other
imployment for their servants then taking and curing
of fish etc. (xxxvii) After the fishing season, the inhabitants
imploy themselves in sawing boards, building boats
etc. (xxxviii) The furring trade is carryd on the winter
season in Trinity Bay and to the northward of Cape
Bona Viste, and taken last winter to the value of £170
sterling, but I don't learn that they have any traffick
with the Indians. (xxxix) Their houses are at proper
distances so as not to obstruct the Fishery. (xl) They
claim a right to all the improvements which have not
been posses'd by the Fishing ships since 1685, and what
they do not make use of themselves, they set to hire
to the by-boat-keepers etc. (xli) Five flakes of 120
feet long are allow'd for a boat's room, and built according
to the ancient custom from the shoar up into the land,
nor a greater extent of front room then formerly allow'd.
(xlii) I cannot finde yt. any account has been k pt of the
room belonging to the fishing ships before or since 1685.
(xliii) The fishing ships are victual'd and provided with
all necessarys for the fishery from Great Brittain.
(xliv) No ships are admitted as Admirals but such as
bring with them a certificate from England of their
being duely quallified. (xlvii) From Bredeford and
Barnstable the custom of allowing shares to their ships'
companies, but all others give certain wages. The
charge of a ship of a hundred, fourteen boats and fifty
men, £1500 sterl. (1) The commodities imported from
the American Plantations are for the use and consumption
of the Fishery and not for exportation etc.,
not sufficient to carry on an indirect trade. (li) The
New England merchants carry on their trade by disposing
of their commoditys for fish and bills of exchange,
the former if they cannot dispose of for bills of exchange
they ship to foreign marketts. The value of rum,
molosses, tobacco, bread flower etc. this year amounts
to £16,000 sterl. (lii) At St. Johns are 14 taverns or
publick houses and them kept by the inhabitants only.
The fishermen are generally trusted on the credit of
their masters, who deduct their debt out of their wages,
and many, run so far in debt as not being able to pay the
same, endeavour to get to New England. (liii) I am
informed it's common for the inhabitants to trust their
servants with rum and other stores to the full value and
often more then their wages. (liv) The by-boat-men
and inhabitants alow for their and their servants' passages
from England to Newfoundland £2 10s. pr. man and 30s.
back, paid at the end of the year in merchantable fishes.
(lv) The method of trusting the servants is certainly
the occasion of many disorders. (lvi) I cannot learn
that the commanders of fishing ships leave any number
of men behind them. (lvii) The New England traders
do still continue to carry away numbers of fishermen and
seamen in the ports where H.M. ships do not reside, but
I can't learn that it's for the interest of the inhabitants to
assist or contrive at the carrying away such men, since
by the very means the wages do yearly advance.
(lviii) I have oblidged all the ships belonging and bound
to New England in all the ports I have been into not
to carry any men more then their ship's company brought
with them under the penalty of £500 sterl. (lix) I have
given particular charge to the several Admirals that
they inspect into the curing and husbandring the fish in
their several harbours. 10 hhds. salt is sufficient to salt
100 quintals. It's often the wettness of the season that
prevents the well curing and husbandring the fishes,
not but the fish lying long in the boats and small vessels
the summer season generally take damage before it's
brought into the harbours etc. Nor do I see any way
to prevent such abuses unless some proper persons well
acquainted with fish should be appointed sworn cullers
to cull all fish sold and delivered. (lx-lxii) Has not
been able to get any information in relation to the
French fishery etc. (lxiii) I do not find that the
Officers in the Garrison are any way concern'd in the
Fishery or setting out to hire any fishing stages or letting
out the soldiers to fish. (lxv) Upon the strictest enquiry
I do not find that the Justices of the Peace have proceeded
otherways then in virtue of the Commissions, or that
they have any way enterfeerd with the Fishery etc.
Signed, Muskery.
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347. ii. Scheme of Fishery of Newfoundland for 1733. By
harbours. Totals :—Ships and sack ships (including
63 ships from America) 281. Number of men belonging
thereto, 3926. Passengers on British fishing ships,
1970. Boats belonging fishing ships, 1129. Byboatmen,
2559. Quintals of fish made, 319,670 ; carried to
foreign markets, 223,800, and 550 tierces of salmon.
Train oil made, 1649 tons. Prices, fish pr. quintal,
12s. to 12s. 3d. ; salmon pr. tierce, £2 to £2 5s. 0d. ;
train oil pr. ton, £11 to £12 10s. Seal oil, value £1382.
Furs taken by inhabitants, £182. Number of stages,
451 ; of train fats, 108. Number of families, 336, of
whom 53 kept taverns. Land improved, 50 acres.
Number of inhabitants, 3602 (masters, 315, mistresses,
25, men servants, 2497 ; women servants, 46 ; children,
478). Remained in the county last winter, 2590.
Dead, since return of last convoy, 62 ; Born, 63. Signed,
Muskery. Endorsed, Recd. 25th Jan., 173¾. 1¾ large
pp.
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347. iii. Muster-roll of Garrison at Fort Frederick in Placentia.
Signed, S. Gledhill, Lt. Gov. Endorsed as preceding.
1 large p.
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347. iv. Account of provisions and stores of war at Fort
Frederick. 28th Aug., 1733. Signed, Tho. Prendergast,
Lt. etc. Same endorsement. 7½ pp. [C.O. 194, 9.
ff. 192, 193-196 v., 198 v., 199 v.-202, 204, 204 v., 206-209
v., 210 v.]
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