America and West Indies: November 1687

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

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'America and West Indies: November 1687', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, (London, 1899) pp. 463-474. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol12/pp463-474 [accessed 26 March 2024]

November 1687

Nov. 1.
Hartford
1,497. Minutes of Council of New England. Robert Treat, the Governor, and John Allyn, the secretary of Connecticut, were sent for and came, when it was resolved that they and the rest of the magistrates should attend his Excellency in the afternoon. The Governor then signified the King's order for annexation of Connecticut, and took over the Government.
Nov. 2. Justices of the Peace appointed. Order for the rate lately levied to be applied to the expenses of Government and for the debts of Connecticut to be ascertained. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 153–157.]
Nov. 4. 1,498. Lords of Trade and Plantations to Governor Lord Howard of Effingham. Ordering him, in conjunction with Lord Baltimore, to procure the passing of a law prohibiting the export of tobacco in bulk from Virginia and Maryland. Signed, Jeffreys, Sunderland, Hamilton, Bellasys, Godolphin, Dover, J. Ernle.
The like letter was written to Lord Baltimore. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 160, 161.]
Nov. 4. 1,499. Order of the King in Council. For the preparation of warrants appointing Samuel Shrimpton, William Brown, jun., Simon Lynde and Richard Smith to be of the Council of New England, as recommended by the Lords of Trade and Plantations. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 364.]
Nov. 4. 1,500. Commission to Matthew Plowman to be Collector and Receiver of New York. Printed in New York Documents III., 500. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 138–140.]
Nov. 6. 1,501. John Spragge to [William Blathwayt]. I enclose some papers left with me by Judge Palmer. I am certain that no answer to De la Barre's letter of 1684 was sent to Sir John Werden and hope it is with you. If so, pray let it be produced with the others. Signed, J. Spragge. Holograph. ½p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 58.]
Nov. 7. 1,502. The King to Governor Sir Edmund Andros. We approve of your proceedings in respect of the revenue, as reported in your letter of 31 August (see No. 1,414), and direct you to carry your proposals for the increase of customs and excise, etc., into effect, sending us an account thereof half yearly. The casual profits of the Crown which are not mentioned in your account must not be disposed of without our order. Countersigned, Sunderland. The whole of Sir E. Andros's statement is transcribed in the body of the letter. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 359–363.]
Nov. 8. 1,503. Journal of Council and Assembly of Nevis. Captain John Netheway's commission as Deputy Governor of the island read. The Deputy Governor asked the Assembly to make preparations for a fitting reception for the Duke of Albemarle. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 162, 163.]
[Nov. ] 1,504. Report of the Commissioners for executing the Treaty of Neutrality with France to the King. After frequent conferences with the French Commissioners as to Hudson's Bay, we opine that your Majesty has a right to the whole bay and the whole trade thereof, and that you should support the company in upholding that right, as the trade will be lost if the French are suffered to remain in the bay. The French have declared their readiness to regulate the boundaries between the two Crowns in America, and we beg your authority to treat with them for adjustment of the same. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXV., pp. 74, 75.]
Nov. 10. 1,505. The King to Governor Dongan. We have received your letters. You will demand from the Governor of Canada the liberation of the prisoners that he has taken of our subjects, both Indian and English, together with the restitution of their goods. You will, at the same time, give him notice that we own the Five Nations as our subjects, and shall protect them as such; but you will keep them from doing injury to the French and cause satisfaction to be made for any injury, provided the French leave them unmolested. If, despite this declaration, the people of Canada persist in invading our dominions and annoying our subjects, you will protect them, arming and levying if need be all persons within your Government, and pursuing the French, if occasion require, beyond the limits of your Government. You are hereby empowered to build forts and batteries and to invoke the help of neighbouring Colonies. Printed in New York Documents III., 503. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 163–166.]
Nov. 11.
Whitehall.
1,506. The King to Governor Sir Edmund Andros. If the people of Canada continue to invade our dominions and molest our Indians, and your assistance be invoked by the Governor of New York, you will assist him to the uttermost of your power. You are hereby authorised to arm and levy your inhabitants for the purpose, and to pursue the French, if need be, within their own territory. Countersigned, Sunderland. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 368, 369.]
Nov. 11. 1,507. Samuel Pepys to William Blathwayt. Captain Crofts being ordered home from Virginia to answer to the complaints of Lord Howard of Effingham, it is unnecessary for me to offer any report on the case to the Lords of Trade. But as Lord Howard should have the opportunity of justifying himself against the complaints of Captains Crofts and Allen, I enclose you extracts containing those complaints from Captain Allen's letters. Signed, S. Pepys. 1 p. Endorsed. Read 1 Dec. 87. Annexed,
1,507. I. Extracts from letters of Captain Allen, H.M.S. Quaker, and Captain Crofts, H.M.S. Deptford, to Mr. Pepys. From Captain Allen, 29 Dec. 1685. The Virginians are very angry at my staying here, because I won't let them cheat the King. They say I spoil the trade, call me old rogue and old dog, and when they see the ketch, say, "Here comes the devil's ketch." If they don't mind their manners they will come under the lash of the law as in Maryland. When I am away they hire small vessels and ship tobacco to New York and Newfoundland, where it is re-shipped to Holland, and bring back French brandy. From the same, 8 Jan. 1686–7. I hope a great deal of tobacco will reach England this year, for I have defeated the vessels of New York and New England. From Captain Crofts, 10 April 1687. The Governor is very unkind to us, and told me that if I did not obey his orders he would send me home in irons. He says that his footmen would make as good captains as we, and makes it his business to enquire of all masters if we take any bribes. I have carried several ships to be tried by him and the General Court, but he discharged them all without trial. There was a barque of eighty tons from New England with seven bales of dry goods on board and only four of them entered. The Court said that the bales might have got wet on the voyage, and so four have been made into seven, and cleared her. Another, a British ship, had entered but ninety-two hogsheads of tobacco out of two hundred. Lord Howard said it was the collector's fault, and cleared her. I seized a French ship with brandy, but Lord Howard said that it was Governor Dongan's, who had written to him about her, and ordered me to discharge her. I did so, and she was seized afterwards by the collector, by my Lord's order, and condemned. My Lord threatens to report me. If he does, I ask for a chance of defending myself. He says he will have me out if I follow Captain Allen's orders instead of his, but I follow Captain Allen. From Captain Crofts, 2 June 1687. Lord Howard is very severe with me. They say that, by a local Act, all vessels arriving with liquors are free on paying three-pence a gallon. Cruising off the Cape of Virginia I meet with vessels from New York and New England which are employed in illicit trading, and it is for fear of my meeting with them that my Lord is so unkind to me. Again, most of the collectors of Virginia are of the Council, and my Lord takes it ill that I should examine their ships especially. He has twenty shillings for every small vessel that comes in and thirty shillings for others, besides other charges. I have given you an account of the escape of a sloop which we had taken. Her sails were secured in one of the collector's houses, but were taken away. My boatswain has been on board since the 21st February, but he is now a prisoner on board Captain Allen for selling part of the rigging. The gentleman has not been aboard me since the 13th March. He also is aboard Captain Allen as a prisoner. They say my Lord is their friend, and care nothing for me. We chased a supposed privateer in Rappahannock lately and found her to be an Irishman. Captain Allen and I were at once recalled by my Lord, but we waited four days and he never told us for what reason he sent for us. From Captain Crofts, 16 June, 1687. My Lord has incensed the country against me greatly, because my cruising checks smuggling. From Captain Allen, 17 June 1687. I understand that Lord Howard has sent home complaints against Captain Crofts. People out here, whom I thought I might have trusted, have treated me very ill. I have told Lord Howard that I will protect Captain Crofts in any unjust action. He summoned Captain Crofts before the Council at Jamestown. This is, I think, beyond his power. Such differences should be submitted to the King, or tried by Court-martial, for I do not think the Council here competent to deal with affairs of the Navy. Copy. 8 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., Nos. 60, 60I., and (covering letter only), Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 176, 177.]
Nov. 12. 1,508. Letters patent granting to Sir Robert Holmes all goods that he shall take from pirates for three years. Countersigned, Pigott. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 135, and Vol. C., pp. 25–31.]
Nov. 12. 1,509. Answer of John Palmer to the French Ambassador's memorial (see No. 1,492). It is true that the ship Joanna of Piscattaway in New England came direct from Malaga to Pemaquid, a dependency of New York, landed her cargo of wines, etc., on the western side of the Penobscot river without making any entry at the King's custom house, and covered it up with boughs of trees and old sails. The ship then sailed away to Piscattaway, leaving two men in charge of the cargo. I had then just been sent by Governor Dongan to inspect Pemaquid. On receiving information as to the Joanna, I, knowing that Penobscot was well to westward of the St. Croix, and therefore English territory, and that the ship was the property of an English subject, ordered search to be made for the cargo. The cargo was found as described by Ensign Thomas Sharp, and most of it brought by him to Jamestown in Pemaquid, where it was condemned before a Court and disposed of according to statute. I know little of the Treaty of Breda, but Penobscot is undoubtedly the King of England's territory, both before and after the treaty, and subject to the Governor of New York. I did not, therefore, think it my business to question the Governor's orders, but only to execute them. In Sir Edmund Andros's time no doubt was ever made but that Penobscot belonged to the King of England, this same M. de Castine, who now complains on behalf of the French, never hesitating to obey Sir Edmund's orders whenever he sent for him to Pemaquid. Nor have the French ever before made any such pretence, though there are several English subjects settled now between the Penobscot and the St. Croix. The goods do not belong to a French subject but to inhabitants of New England, who have grown rich by this illicit trade; so I say no more as to the claim for restoration of the ship and goods. Signed, J. Palmer. Holograph. 3 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 12 Nov. 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 61.]
Nov. 15. 1,510. Warrants for the appointment of Samuel Shrimpton, William Brown, junior, Simon Lynde and Richard Smith to the Council of New England. Countersigned, Sunderland. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 365.]
Nov. 15.
Treasury
Chambers.
1,511. Henry Guy to the Commissioners of Customs. Forwarding extract of a letter from Sir E. Andros for report. Signed, Hen. Guy. ½p. Endorsed. Enclosed,
1,511. I. Governor Sir Edmund Andros to Mr. Pepys, 30 June 1687. All ships are obliged to remain in harbour for three or four months of the winter, owing to the ice Both the King's ships, Kingfisher and Rose, were thus kept in port all last winter. I propose that in future those ships shall be ordered to winter further to southward, at Virginia or elsewhere. Again, some convoy is necessary for ships coming from Salt Tortugas with salt for the New England fishery, and I propose that that season should be chosen for this service, and the ships at New England appointed for it instead of lying frozen up all the winter. Extract. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., Nos. 62, 62I., and (Enclosure only), Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 369.]
Nov. 16.
Custom
House.
1,512. Commissioners of Customs to Lords of the Treasury. We have nothing to object to Sir Edmund Andros's proposal as to the employment of the men-of-war about New England in the winter (see No. 1,511I.). Signed, Jo. Werden, N. Butler, D. North, J. Buckworth. Copy. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 63, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 370.]
Nov. 16. 1,513. The English Commissioners for settling the dispute with France in America to the King. To the complaint of the French that Colonel Dongan has supplied the Iroquois with arms we advise the answer, that the Five Nations are your subjects, as shown by their treaty with the Governor of Virginia in 1684; and that you will take care that reparation shall be given for all injuries committed by them, provided that the French abstain likewise from doing them injury. We recommend also that you protect and support these Indians and give Governor Dongan the necessary orders for the same; and we ask for power to treat for the fixing of boundaries with the Commissioners. Printed in New York Documents III., 508. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 173–175.]
Nov. 16. 1,514. Memorial of the English Commissioners to the French. Repeating the purport of the foregoing abstract. Printed in New York Documents III., 509.
English version. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 175–177.]
French version. [Ibid., pp. 177–179.]
Nov. 16. 1,515. Memorandum. The English Commissioners for executing the Treaty of Neutrality delivered to the French Commissioners a paper stating the King's views on the several matters in dispute, and his authority to treat for the adjustment of boundaries. The French received them and proposed a prohibition of all acts of hostility on both sides during the further negotiations. Memorial delivered by the English Commissioners as to Hudson's Bay. The King is satisfied as to the right and title of England to the whole of Hudson's Bay and the trade thereof, and therefore bids us insist thereon as well as on satisfaction for injuries done to the Company by the French. French translation of the same. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXV., pp. 75–78.]
Nov. 16. 1,516. Answer to the reply of the French Ambassador respecting St. Lucia. There is nothing new herein which has not already been cleared in favour of the King of England's title in the first answer. The French pretend no possession until 1643, against the English possession of 1605 and 1626. As to the 12th article of the Treaty of Breda, it proves the King of England's title beyond dispute. The French allow that the island was in English possession in 1664, which was before the war, and the pretended surrender by a few vagabonds cannot be entertained; and the Treaty of Breda only contemplates the restitution of prior and rightful possession. 1½pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 64.]
Nov. 16. 1,517. French version of the preceding. Draft, with corrections. 1½pp. Endorsed. 16 Nov. 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 65.]
[Nov. 16.] 1,518. Memorial of demands on which the English expect satisfaction from the French at St. Christopher's. (1.) The restitution of several plantations sold by false contracts to the French after their capture of the island. (2.) Satisfaction for wilful devastation by the French since the Treaty of Breda. (3.) Restitution of thirty-nine guns taken from the English forts. (4.) Restoration of negroes belonging to the English, both stolen and (5) fugitive. (6.) Restitution of half the salt ponds and a tract of land near them. (7.) Satisfaction for obstruction to the free transport of goods from one English part of the island to another. (8.) Satisfaction for receiving and harbouring the barbarous Indians. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 66.]
Nov. 16. 1,519. French version of the foregoing. Draft, with corrections. 2 pp. Endorsed. Nov. 16, 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 67.]
Nov. 17. 1,520. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Appeal of Dame Ayliff Rainsford heard. Agreed that the decree against which she appeals be reversed.
Memorandum of documents sent and received. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 112–115.]
Nov. 17. 1,521. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The Governor reported that Mr. James Wall had brought a deputation for the office of Post Master from the Earl of Rochester. Copy of the deputation. Petition of the merchants against the proceedings of James Wall in extorting money illegally (see No. 1,555). They represent that the Post-office does not exist, and should be erected, if at all, by Act of Parliament, though there would be so little for it to do that it would only be a useless burden. The ships deliver the letters at the doors of Port Royal without charge. In remoter parts it is different, but at least reasonable rates should be fixed, and the power should not be given to private persons to levy arbitrary exactions. The Council refused to publish the deputation. Proclamation recalling wreckers. Order as to the payment to be made by Mr. Hickman to the patentee of his office, and for the delivery to Mr. Hickman of the official papers in the hands of Mr. Egleton's executors. Order for sundry payments. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 174–176.]
Nov. 17. 1,522. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. On the motion of the Lieutenant Governor a proclamation was issued, prohibiting any person from fishing for the wreck lately discovered on the shoals near the coast of Hispaniola, the King having granted the sole right of fishing to the Duke of Albemarle. Those now employed on the wreck must return and pay the King's tenths on their gains. 1½pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 68.]
Nov. 19. 1,523. Copy of Judge Horsdesnell's receipt for papers delivered to him by William Blathwayt. Three papers referring to treasure recovered from the wreck, and a packet for the Governor of Bermuda. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 140, 141.]
Nov.
Whitehall.
1,524. The King to Governor Sir Robert Robinson. Ordering him to proceed without delay to examine and report on the case of James Smailes, of the ship Bachelor's Adventure, and to cause Smailes to be released from custody and to receive satisfaction for damages, if he deserve it. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 141–143.]
Nov. 19. 1,525. Minutes of Council of New England. Order fixing a day of thanksgiving for the King's health. A bill to be prepared to enforce observance of the laws passed by the Governor and Council in Connecticut, and for settling other matters there. Charles Morton ordered to attend and answer for seditious expressions and a seditious sermon. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 157, 158.]
Nov. 21. 1,526. Henry Guy to William Blathwayt. Forwarding the papers concerning the perquisites of the Government of Jamaica (see No. 1,374). Signed, Hen. Guy. ½p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 69.]
Nov. 23. 1,527. Petition of Nicholas Lynch and others of Montserrat to Sir Nathaniel Johnson. Returning him thanks for the impartiality he has shewn towards Roman Catholics, and asking him to relieve them from the burden of maintaining Protestant Ministers. Copied below. Order of Sir Nathaniel Johnson. That ministers, both Catholic and Protestant, shall in future be paid not from the Treasury but by the vestries. The whole. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 26 July 88. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 70.]
Nov. 23. 1,528. Petition of Colonel John Devereux, Marshal of Montserrat, and Richard Nugent, Secretary. Asking for a decision as to the validity of the patent for their offices granted to Sir James Cotter, as it has been called in question. Copied below. Order of Sir Nathaniel Johnson, 23 November 1687, declaring the patent valid. 2 pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 71.]
[Nov. 23.] 1,529. Memorial of the French Ambassador and Envoy Extraordinary. We have not yet received a reply to our memorial complaining of the action of Captain George Beach at Dominica, of Captain Temple at Tobago in 1686, and of the seizure of a French vessel off Newfoundland by an English pirate. We beg once more that the French ship captured at Dominica may be restered, and such proceedings forbidden to the English captains in future. French. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 23 Nov. 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 72.]
Nov. 23. 1,530. Minutes of Council of New England. Bill for enforcing the laws of Connecticut read and amended. Bill concerning select men amended.
Nov. 24. A bill concerning select men rejected. Charles Morton bound over in £500 to take his trial at the next Superior Court. Order for James Atkins to be prosecuted at the same time for spreading false reports. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 158, 159.]
Nov. 24.
Montserrat.
1,531. Order of Governor Sir Nathaniel Johnson for the regulation of the fees of the Secretary and Provost Marshal. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 26 July 88. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 73.]
Nov. 25.
Whitehall.
1,532. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Governors of Carolina. We enclose you copies of two letters from the King respecting the suppression of pirates, and the conservation of the royal rights to the wreck at Hispaniola (see Nos. 1,463 and 1,470). You will take care to execute these orders and report to us. Signed, Craven, Bath (for Lord Carteret), P. Colleton, Tho. Amy. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 133.]
Nov. 27. 1,533. Declaration of Captain George St. Loe respecting Bermuda. I arrived at Bermuda at the end of July 1686 by order of Sir James Russell, and saw letters from Governor Cony asking for the assistance of a frigate, as the island was in a state of rebellion. I was boarded by the master of a Bermuda ship, who told me that if I said the word he and the people would bring Cony prisoner on board me, and I was offered several presents if I would take their part against Governor Cony. The Governor several times asked me to be of his Council when the trial of the articles exhibited against him was going forward, but I excused myself till I saw the insolence of the people towards the Governor. Lieutenant James Farmer endeavoured to obstruct the Governor's evidence, and would have struck him had I not stepped in between them. Then Farmer said that this was what they had long expected, slavery. I asked if the Governor had taken anything from them, and was told no, but that it was his intention, in which I suppose they referred to the crown lands, etc. The Governor published throughout the island that all might freely come and give evidence against him. There was no obstruction to the witnesses as William Righton pretends. Governor Cony caused the Council to be removed from his house at St. George's to the middle of the country, but the Council and I found the witnesses ignorant of the evidence against the prisoner. They reviled and abused him, but I could not find that he had injured any. I only found them to be a mutinous, turbulent, hypocritical people, wholly averse to kingly government. The country were of opinion that they might turn out the Governor without violating the law, and said they could produce a precedent for it in a Governor of Providence; and when I advised them to the contrary, Samuel Trott gave me a book entitled, "The Liberty of the Subjects of England," by which he would make it appear that they had power to send the Governor home prisoner, but not the Governor them. The sheriff would not obey the Governor's warrants, but the Governor, by what I could find, stood firmly for the King's interest. Signed, G. St. Loe. Sworn 9 Jan. 1687–8 before William Beversham. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 74.]
Nov. 28.
Boston.
1,534. Governor Sir Edmund Andros to Lords of Trade and Plantations. On the 18 October last I received the order for annexing Connecticut to this Government, which I at once communicated to the Council here, and to the Governor of Connecticut. I went shortly after to Hartford, where the General Court was assembled, and on the 1st inst. the King's Commission and orders were publicly read, the old Government was dissolved, and the Colony was taken over by me. Governor Treat and Secretary Allyn were sworn of the Council, and next day I appointed the principal officers, civil and military. I then went to Newhaven that I might return by the sea side and settle all those districts, when the people in general shewed ready submission to the King's orders. Lately several persons in Essex made a disturbance about the payment of their rates, chiefly in the town of Ipswich. They were tried, convicted, and fined and bound over to keep the peace. The rates have been assessed more to the King's advantage than before, and all is quiet and in good order. I have finished a palisade fort of four bastions in Fort Hill, with a house for lodging the garrison, which is much wanted, till a really fitting fortification can be built. Signed, E. Andros. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Jan. 1687–8. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 75, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 373, 374.] Annexed,
1,534. I. Minutes of the Council of New England, November 1, 1687, Hartford. The Governor communicated his orders to annex the Colony of Connecticut. Robert Treat, Governor, and John Allyn, secretary, were sent for, as also the magistrates, and the Governor having read his commission, received Connecticut with the Government of New England. Robert Treat and John Allyn were then sworn of the Council.
November 2, 1687. The Governor in Council nominated the Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace as follows.
County of Hartford. County of New London.
JUSTICES. JUSTICES.
John Talcott.
Samuel Willis.
Humphrey Davye.
In
quorum.
Edward Palmer.
James Fitch.
Samuel Mason.
Benjamin Newbury. George Denison.
John Wadesworth. Daniel Witherley.
Samuel Talcott. John Chapman.
Giles Hamblyn. Matthew Grizell.
John Chester.
SHERIFF. SHERIFF.
Phineas Willson. Richard Edgcombe.
County of New Haven County of Fairfield
JUSTICES. JUSTICES.
William Jones.
James Bishop.
William Rosewell.
In
quorum.
Nathan Gold.
Jonathan Selleck.
Samuel Sherman.
In
quorum.
Andrew Leete. Joseph Haley.
Thomas Trowbridge. John Burr.
Richard Bryant. Joseph Gudson.
John Beard. Thomas Fitch.
Jonathan Lockwood.
SHERIFF. SHERIFF.
John Hudson. William Sydenham.
Ordered that the rate lately appointed for payment of the county's debts be continued, and both debts and rate be ascertained. The Governor travelled to Fairfield and saw the civil and military officers sworn. 4½pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Jan. 87–8.
1,534. II. Names of the late magistrates in the Colony of Connecticut.
Robert Treat, Governor. Andrew Leete.
James Bishop, Deputy John Wadesworth.
Governor. James Fitch.
Nathan Gold. Samuel Mason.
John Talcott. Benjamin Newbury.
John Allyn. Samuel Talcott.
William Jones. Giles Hamblyn.
John Winch (dead).
1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Jan. 87–8.
1,534. III. List of the several towns and military officers in the four counties of Connecticut.
Hartford County. Eight towns. John Talcott, major; six captains, seven lieutenants, eight ensigns.
New London County. Seven towns. Edward Palmer, major; four captains, six lieutenants, six ensigns.
New Haven County. Six towns. Robert Treat, colonel; three captains, six lieutenants, six ensigns.
Fairfield County. Seven towns. Nathan Gold, major; four captains, seven lieutenants, seven ensigns. Large sheet. Endorsed as the preceding.
1,534. IV. Proceedings of a Town-meeting at Ipswich, 23 August 1687. Protesting against the levying of a rate without the consent of an Assembly, voted by the whole town twice. Certified copy. 1 p. Endorsed as the preceding.
1,534. V. Proceedings of a similar meeting held at Topsfield 30 August 1687, for the same purpose. The language is milder than in the case of Ipswich. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed as the preceding.
1,534. VI. Proceedings of a Spanish Court held at Boston 3 October 1687 to try certain information laid against certain of Ipswich. The ringleader, John Wise, a minister, was suspended from his ministry, fined fifty pounds, and required to find security in £1,000 for good behaviour. Robert Appleton received the same sentence; the rest lighter penalties. 44 pp. Endorsed as the preceding.
1,534. VII. Abstract of proceedings against John Wise and others of Ipswich 3–24 Oct. 1687. 2 pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., Nos. 75I.–VI.]
Nov. 28. 1,535. The same to the same. An abridgment of the foregoing despatch. 1½pp. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Jan. 1687–8. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 76, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 372.]
Nov. 28. 1,536. Governor Sir Edmund Andros to Lord Dartmouth. I have given you an account of the new batteries making at Castle Island, and of my new fort at Castle Hill. The work has been somewhat delayed by my departure to annex Connecticut. The hill is now levelled about 150 feet square (the polygon interior), which earth being carried into the place for bastions, I have enclosed as a fort with palisades, and erected a timber house to lodge the garrison till a fit fortification can be made. Sackers or long guns will be best for arming it, but we have not enough here, and no field-pieces. I beg for a supply of ammunition and small arms, and some hand mortar pieces like those at Tangier. The small arms should be strapped. We have none here but a few old matchlocks, and we shall want some soon if the French persist in their invasion. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 18 Jan. 87–8. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 77.]
Nov. 30. 1,537. Minutes of Council of New England. Order for the Justices of the Peace to see to the relief and maintenance of the poor throughout the dominion. Samuel Appleton committed to custody, not having found security as ordered. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 160, 161.]
Nov. 1,538. Memorial of the French Ambassador. The French and English in the Island of St. Christopher's have announced that it would be a great convenience if a tribunal could be erected, composed of subjects of both nations, to adjust any disputes between them. The King my master has written to M. de St. Laurens authorising him to approach the English Governor on the subject, but the King of England should give the like orders to his Governor to arrange the affair authentically. French. 1½pp. Endorsed. Nov. 87. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXI., No. 78.]