America and West Indies: January 1688

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: January 1688', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, (London, 1899) pp. 486-491. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol12/pp486-491 [accessed 23 April 2024]

January 1688

Jan. 3. 1,588. Minutes of Council of Barbados. List of members returned to the Assembly. Judge Foster elected speaker, to whom the Lieutenant Governor commended the consideration of the delay and the wants of the country, the collection of the laws, the continuance of certain expiring Acts, and the law against swearing and drunkenness. A joint committee appointed to consider the wants of the island. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 66–68.]
Jan. 3. 1,589. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for a ship to cruise off Long Island for the protection of whale-oil exported from the Government. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 11.]
Jan. 4.
Jamaica.
1,590. Clerk of Council of Jamaica to William Blathwayt. I forward duplicates of the minutes of Council last transmitted. The minutes since the Duke of Albemarle's arrival you will receive from his secretary. Signed, F. Hickman. 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 1.]
Jan. 7. 1,591. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for arrest of Samuel Eborne at suit of Richard Smith. Order for payment of the sloop cruising to protect the whale oil.
Jan. 8. Order for pressing a sloop to salve a stranded ship. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 11–13.]
Jan. 10. 1,592. William Blathwayt to Henry Guy. Forwarding the petition of Philip Siveret for report of the Lords of the Treasury. ½p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 2.]
Jan. 13. 1,593. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The Duke of Albemarle communicated his instructions. Those referring to pirates' goods, to a donation in St. Andrew's parish, to the petition of Matthew Meverell and Abraham Gill, to James Littleton, to Sarah Harrison, to be made over to a committee. Orders, for colonels of regiments to give an account of ammunition, for the naval officer to furnish his accounts quarterly, and for certain payments. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 179–181.]
Jan. 13.
Whitehall.
1,594. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition of Thomas, Lord Culpeper, and others to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed, Wm. Bridgeman. ½p. Endorsed. Recd. 6 Feb. 87–8. Enclosed,
1,594. I. Petition of Thomas, Lord Culpeper, and others to the King. We claim title to all such part of the Narragansett and Niantic countries as was not sold before by the Indian Sachems, and to be owners not only by purchase but by deed. We have been labouring at great expense to establish a settlement of French there, but have met with much obstruction. We beg for instructions to the Governor of New England to grant us patents for such land, not exceeding 60,000 acres, as we shall choose to have surveyed at our own cost, that the French plantation shall be part of the land, and that we may have the benefit of the adjacent waste lands till they are disposed of. 1½pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 3, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII., pp. 1, 2.]
Jan. 14.
Treasury
Chambers.
1,595. Henry Guy to Commissioners of Customs. Referring to them the order in Council of 2 December 1687 by which the petition of Philip Siveret is referred to the Lords of Trade and Plantations. This minute is written beneath the order in Council. The whole 1 p. Annexed,
1,595. I. Petition of Philip Siveret to the King. For the restitution of his ship and cargo, confiscated by John Palmer at Penobscot. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., Nos. 4, 4I.]
Jan. 19.
Custom
House.
1,596. Commissioners of Customs to Lords of the Treasury. On the petition of Philip Siveret (see preceding abstract), the enquiry into the matter ordered by the King will necessarily take up much time, and meanwhile the ship will be rotting and will be totally spoiled. We think that if the petitioner give security for the value of the ship, and to abide by the order of the King or of a Court of Justice, his ship may be delivered to him. Signed, N. Butler, Will. Culliford, D. North, Jo. Werden. 1½pp. Endorsed. Recd. 20 Jan. Read 25 Jan. 1687–8. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 5, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 376.]
Jan. 19.
Bermuda.
1,597. Henry Hordesnell to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We arrived here 15th inst. I was received into the office of Chief Justice yesterday, and shall order an assize about the beginning of next March, before which time I think the country cannot be ready. So far as I can see, one or two assizes will settle the place in such a method that it will not want a judge again in seven years; for once moving according to the laws of England they will be able to decide disputes for themselves, so that the King need not be at the expense of a judge constantly at this place. If I think it necessary for his service I shall willingly stay, and I beg you to move him to give me some sure salary, so that I can support his honour in my station. I can give you no further news as to the wreck. Signed, H. Hordesnell. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 4 May 88. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 6, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 151, 152.]
Jan. 21. 1,598. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Samuel Barry sworn of the Council. His Grace asked the advice of the Council: (1) As to pirates. (2) As to injuries from neighbouring powers, on which the Attorney General was ordered to report. (3) As to trade in general. (4) As to the Spanish trade. Hereon the Council decided that it would be advantageous if effected. (5) As to logwood cutting. (6) As to the fisheries at South Cays. Hereon the Attorney General was ordered to report. (7) As to granting passes to trading ships. The Duke proposed that masters should give security for their good behaviour while absent, and for their return within a certain time, but the Board objected that this would be ruinous to trade; and the matter was referred to the Attorney General. (8) As to the Guanaboa rebellion. Extracts from the minutes of Council were ordered to be taken. Ordered that the Attorney General and clerk of the Council report on all these matters. The consideration of light coin referred to the Attorney General and Chief Justice. Order for an embargo on all sloops. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 181, 182.]
Jan. 21. 1,599. Bond given by Joseph Buckley, of the ketch Gabriel, on clearing for the plantations. Copy. ½p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 7.]
Jan. 22. 1,600. Circular. The King to the Governors of the Colonies. Announcing the cessation of hostilities with France to the 1–11 January, 1688–9. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 20, 21.]
To the Governor of Leeward Islands. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 285, 286.]
To the Governor of Bermuda. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 143–145.]
To the Governor of New England. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 378.]
To the Governor of New York. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 179–181.]
To the Governor of Virginia. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 190–192.]
To the Proprietors of Carolina. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 136.]
Jan. 22. 1,601. The King to the Governor of Maryland. A copy of the circular above abstracted, certified by Nic. Blakiston, 26 November 1689. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 8.]
Jan. 22.
Whitehall.
1,602. Circular. The King to the Governors of the Colonies. Ordering the publication of the proclamation against pirates of 20 January, and that all assistance be given to Sir Robert Holmes in suppressing them, and in taking to himself the profits thereof, which have been granted to him. Countersigned, Sunderland. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 17–19.]
To the Governor of Barbados. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 451, 452.]
To the Governor of Jamaica. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 63–67.]
To the Governor of Leeward Islands. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 287, 288.]
To the Governor of Bermuda. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 145–148.]
To the Governor of New England. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 379, 380.]
To the Governor of Virginia. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 187–189.]
To the Proprietors of Carolina. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 134.]
Jan. 23. 1,603. Minutes of Council of New York. Samuel Eborne brought before Council, and the case dismissed in the costs. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 14, 15.]
Jan. 24. 1,604. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Bill for a committee for public accounts brought up by the Assembly and passed. Committee to consider the wants of the island continued.
Jan. 25. Rebates of duty granted to sundry applicants. The King's title to ten acres of land in St. George's parish granted to Paul Lyte for £20. Order for publication of the proclamation against pirates, and for all silver taken out of wrecks and brought from Bermuda, to be left in the owners' hands, on their giving security to pay the King's moiety. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 69–72.]
Jan. 25. 1,605. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Orders for the embargo to be continued, and for sale of three galleys now lying in Port Royal. Petition of St. Jago del Castillo praying that four thousand pieces of eight, belonging to the Assiento, may be stopped, and not carried off the island. After some examination the matter was referred to the Judge of the Admiralty, and it was ordered that the money should be secured. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 182–184A.]
Jan. 26.
Barbados.
1,606. Account of the plate brought by the ship Raven from the wreck. 974 pieces of eight, ten small broken pieces, weighing 831 ozs., one sow of 956 ozs., two plates and one drop 47½ozs., one sow 738 ozs., one bar 646 ozs. The master swore that the King's moiety had been paid to Mr. Constable on the spot. Signed, John Hallett, Edwd. Cranfield. 1 p. Endorsed.
Duplicate of the foregoing. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., Nos. 9, 10.]
Jan. 27. 1,607. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The King ordered that all the Lords of the Privy Council should be a standing committee of the Board of Trade and Plantations. List of the members. (Sir Nicholas Butler and Edward Petre are two new names.) [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 123–125.]
Jan. 27.
Whitehall.
1,608. Order of the King in Council. Report of Lords of Trade and Plantations, dated 25 January, recommending that the ship Joanna be redelivered to Philip Siveret, on giving security to abide by any future orders that may be given in respect thereto. Ordered accordingly. Signed, Wm. Bridgeman. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 377.]
Jan. 27. 1,609. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The Attorney General presented his report on the several matters submitted to him. List of injuries and damages suffered from the French and Spaniards by the British subjects in Jamaica. Captain Smith, R.N., of H.M.S. Falcon, represented that he required provisions. The naval officer ordered to supply them. The naval officer represented that at the request of the Admiralty the Royal African Company had forbidden its factors to supply the King's ships with provisions, but that the ships were so ill supplied that they could not dispense therewith. The Governor undertook to represent the matter to the Lords of Trade. Report of the Attorney General on the Post office. The Postmaster ordered to attend next Council day. Report of the committee of Council on wreck-money. Order for a man guilty of piratical practices to surrender within three months or be declared a pirate. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 184A-191.]
Jan. 28.
Bermuda.
1,610. Governor Sir Robert Robinson to William Blathwayt. I am busy settling the differences between Smailes and his antagonists. He was enlarged on 12 May last by order of myself and Council, we looking on the whole island as a confinement, though he lay under execution legally taken by a former court. His mishaps render him a very disloyal subject, and extremely obnoxious to civil government. It was his own obstinate humour that got him into all his trouble, through which he has also tried to ruin several persons of known worth and honesty here. His confinement quickened his invention, or rather knavery, so far, that he made a very long and tedious complaint against Colonel Cony and several others, and flung a charge of three thousand pounds at Deputy-sheriff Hubbard, though he never acted but by order of Colonel Cony or of the Court. However, the committee was forced to refer it to common law. His petition, on examination, proved to be quite false, and we now discover that he had no pretence to any estate. I should be glad to have orders what to do with him, that others may not be retarded by his false and malicious actions. In my opinion, so ill a man has not been heard of in the West Indies. Colonel Cony will attest this, and I shall send you several depositions on oath to the same effect. I enclose the account of the plate. Signed, Robt. Robinson. 1½pp. Endorsed, Recd. 22 May. Read 14 June 88. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 11, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 148–151.]
Jan. 28. 1,611. Henry Hordesnell to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Some small sloops have arrived from the wreck since my last, but Sir John Narborough was there before them. I find it impossible to collect all the King's dues, Sir Robert Robinson taking only a tenth (besides what he extracted for himself), while the masters, believing that the King's dues had been paid, shared the rest with their men and dispersed the money in various purchases. I enclose an abstract of the account, by which you will see how much the King is defrauded. There are here twelve brass or copper guns taken by Sir Robert Robinson, none of them very serviceable, as part of the King's tenths. Every day I hold examinations, but am forced at great expense to employ a stranger to summon the justices, as the inhabitants are not to be trusted. I have met only one, a Quaker named Robinson, whom I can the least believe to be just. He would not pay the tenths to Sir Robert Robinson, nor be forced to pay him anything, but gave security to pay the King's dues. He has since paid £400 (according to local rates) as a full moiety to the King, freely and cheerfully, and I can find no one who can charge him with more. This poor Quaker is hated by all the rest for his honesty. Mr. Constable has discharged three or four men and given them receipts in full, but does not mention how much he received, nor will the masters tell. Altogether I suspect a combination against the King's profit, it being a maxim here that a man cannot get an estate by being honest. Provisions are dearer here than in London just now, and want of trade will ruin the place. Free trade granted to the inhabitants with all the King's dominions would much encourage them, and would increase the King's customs. There is little legal business here, most cases being simply brawling and quarrelsome matters, unworthy the notice of a judge or the expense to the King, for without a considerable salary a judge cannot support himself. Signed, H. Hordesnell. Endorsed. Recd. 22 May. Read 14 June 1688. Annexed,
1,611. I. Account of the bullion received from the wreck. Total, 11,582 lbs. Received for tenths, 1,388 lbs. Remains due to the King, 4,403 lbs. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 28 May 1688.
1,611. II. Duplicate of foregoing account. 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., Nos. 12, 12I., II., and (letter only), Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 153–156.]
Jan. 28.
Bermuda.
1,612. Abstract of several depositions taken against James Smailes by the Governor, and Governor in Council, as to Smailes's drunken, mad and profigate habits. Dated. 1½pp. Endorsed. Recd. 22 May 1688. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 13.]
Jan. 31.
Jamaica.
1,613. Copy of recognizances taken from masters of vessels going to the west off Hispaniola. Large sheet. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 14.]
1,614. Duplicate of the foregoing. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXII., No. 15.]