|
| June 1. |
The following remarks were made as to the answers of the Burgesses:—(1) We do not know how far it may be legal to excuse poor men from being constables. (2) Colonel Talbot has not yet reimbursed his fees. (5) We differ from your opinion that the law as to lists of taxables needs no amendment. (8) You offer no suggestion for preventing the late sailing of ships in future. (17) The Governor complains that the parishes are not well laid out nor named. (18) The Governor declares that the House must be responsible for all blood spilt and damage done by privateers for want of a cruiser. (24) It was not intended that the exploring party should be an expense to the country. Mrs. Herman's petition for cancelling an agreement with a vestry left to the vestry. The Delegates were summoned for a conference respecting the Indians. (See preceding abstract.) |
| June 2. |
A petition from William Sharp, as security for a merchant, was received from the Burgesses, read and returned to them. |
| June 3. |
Message from the Delegates that they adhere to their opinion in the said petition. A proposal put forward as to the records of County and Provincial Courts. Report of the Committtee on Indian affairs, which was approved. (See preceding abstract.) Order for copy of the proposals to be sent to Sir Edmund Andros, |
| June 4. |
The Council agreed to a resolution of the Burgesses respecting William Whittington's fees. Bills as to small debts and Church lands read a first time. Message from the Delegates asking that they may not sit till the return of the members who are gone on the mission to the Indians. Instructions to the gentlemen appointed to go upon the said mission. Copy of the letter to Sir Edmund Andros forwarding copies of the proposals respecting the Indians. Bill as to County Courthouses read and an amendment proposed. |
| June 5. |
The bills read yesterday were returned to the Delegates. Report of the Committee of Laws respecting the proposed Militia Bill received from the Delegates. Answer to the above report:—The Council does not approve these proposals; the Delegates may consider to have the law passed now, as proposed, and for twelve months to be given for the people to model and fit themselves to it, otherwise the Governor must enforce the present law. He intends to inspect the militia this summer and will take a copy of the old law in one hand, with the officers necessary to enforce it, and of the proposed law in the other, that the people may see that an easier law than the present was proposed to the Delegates, but rejected. A Naturalisation Bill received from the Delegates was rejected, as contrary to the Act of Parliament for preventing frauds. A resolution of the Delegates against an address for a separate convoy read. Bill as to executions for officers' fees read a first time; proposed to insert a clause as to records of the Courts. Bill respecting the State-house read a first time and an amendment proposed. Bill as to Church lands read a second time and amended. Mrs. Herman's private bill read a first time. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 14. pp. 173–205.] |
| June 1. |
1,052. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Orders for several accounts to be paid or examined. Order that the ships for London sail on the 10th and that the Bideford go out for six days. Proposed to the Assembly that a good sailing frigate, lately come in, be taken up to assist the Bideford. |
| June 2. |
Orders for sundry payments. Message from the Assembly that they thought it unnecessary to take up the ship, as proposed. Bill for payment for the ships hired for the island's service, received. |
| June 3. |
The amendments to the powder-duty bill reported, and the bill returned to the Assembly. The Assembly brought up a bill for an impost on liquors. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. pp. 218–221.] |
| June 7. |
1,053. Minutes of Council of Maryland. A patent was produced granting to Henry Earl of Romney and Mr. John Glover the King's share of all ships, also a commission from the Admiralty for enforcing the same, which were ordered to be recorded. |
| June 8. |
The Law-Officers reported, on a question submitted to them on the 3rd inst., that the Provincial and County Courts should be warned to take none but good security for all appeals. The question whether the Governor and Council should not take a special oath as judges of appeal was not answered. The Law-officers produced a report as to the prosecution of several navigation bonds, on which the Governor announced that though he had promised to suspend
that prosecution pending the King's pleasure he had been obliged to revoke it, as several of the parties were endeavouring to make away with their property and so defraud the King. It was thereupon ordered that execution be issued. Order for the King's Collectors to prepare their accounts for transmission to England, and that John West be appointed Naval Officer for Pocomoke. George Plater brought up the accounts of the Revenue. Warrants for payment of the Governor's salary. Two members added to the Provincial Commission. A proposal from the Delegates to enlarge the powers of County Courts was referred to the Law-officers, who reported favourably thereon, and an order was made accordingly. The Justices of the Provincial and County Courts were nominated. (The names are given in full.) Order for better care of the arms in Patuxent district. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. 268–279.] |
| June 7. |
1,054. Journal of House of Delegates of Maryland. The business of Colonel Talbot's fees referred to next Assembly. Order as to completion of unfinished public buildings. Resolved to bring in a bill to appoint two councillors and a delegate of each county to apportion the levy on the 11th of October. |
| June 8. |
Bill as to execution for officers' fees read a third time and passed. Bill for reformation of jeofails read a second time. |
| June 9. |
The bills sent to the Council yesterday were returned assented to. Bill for redressing the public credit read a first time. Several queries in the Council of Trade's letter laid before the house, and answered as follows:—4th Query. Few or no families are come into Maryland to reside—especially from Pennsylvania—and few except single persons removed hence to Pennsylvania. Mostly women are of late come from England and Ireland as servants, about sixty souls. Some of the meaner inhabitants have sought shelter from their creditors in the lower counties in Deleware Bay and the Carolinas, and indeed the low prices paid by the merchants have obliged many of our people to try their fortunes elsewhere. 6th Query. All the inhabitants being labourers are employed in tobacco-planting, except coopers and carpenters. There are a few sailors and a very few artificers, perhaps one sixtieth of the rest. 7th Query. We export little to England beyond tobacco, except a few furs and sassafras roots. 8th Query. The Colony exports little to other Colonies except a few foodstuffs and lumber to Barbados, and rum and molasses to New England. 9th Query. Our trade ebbs and flows with the fall and rise of the market in England. The crops are less than they used to be, owing to the exhaustion of the soil. 10th Query. This Colony suffers much from lax enforcement of the Acts of Trade in other Colonies. 11th Query. The Order in Council of 14 Feb., 1694, continued to be observed by the last fleet that sailed hence, but it is many ways prejudicial and discouraging to our trade. 12th Query. We think illicit trade has been much reformed by the proclamation of 17th Aug., 1695. 15th Query. There are quantities of lofty pines in the South of the province, especially on the eastern shore, very fit for masts and yards and growing close to creeks and coves, but there is want of labourers and artificers,
The tar made here is fitter for wood than cordage, but the inhabitants have occupied themselves little with such things. 16th Query. Our only production is tobacco. There is likely to be trouble unless our boundary with Pennsylvania be settled. The Justices of Pennsylvania harbour our fugitive mariners and servants. |
|
The two following resolutions were sent up to Council:—(1) That all inducted parish ministers read prayers every morning at the County Court while the Court continues. (2) If there be two ministers they shall take it in turn at alternate Courts. Address to the Governor praying him to pass the bill for naturalisation of two foreigners already sent up to him. The Council sent down certain questions upon the House's answers to the queries of the Council of Trade, which the House answered as follows:—6th Query. We know of no woollen manufactures in Somerset and Dorset Counties, except that the people were driven to make linen and woollen for their own needs from want of goods from England. 8th Query. Indian corn and wheat are produced here, but little exported. 11th Query. If single ships are obliged to call on the Governor of Virginia, it is a great delay and discouragement to our trade. 12th Query. We think that emigration of our people to Pennsylvania is trifling, and that to Carolina due not to the establishment of manufacturers but to the currency of money. 13th Query. We think the land at the head of the bay very proper for settlement and wish it were seated. 14th Query. We conceive that the poverty of the province is too great to tempt any enemy, and that our present militia is a sufficient defensive force. 15th Query. The best way to convert the Indians is for the English to set them a good example and for the clergy to learn their language. As to the answer to be returned respecting the militia of this province, we think the present arrangements will suffice till the proposed alterations can be further considered, and meanwhile we beg the Governor to give commissions to the officers. |
| June 10. |
Message from the Governor that he would pass the Naturalisation bill, if a saving clause were inserted as to the Act of Parliament for preventing frauds. The following bills were read and assented to: Church lands bill, Public officers' fees bill, Mrs. Herman's private bill, County Court-houses bill. Several Addresses to the King and Council of Trade read and approved. Public levy bill read; bill to redress public credit read a third time. Orders as to the State-house. Naturalisation bill read and assented to; bill to settle disputes of English with Indians read and assented to. |
| June 11. |
The bills sent up to the Council yesterday were returned assented to, with some proposals. Ordered thereupon that smoking tobacco be forbidden, under penalty of ten shillings fine, in the new State-house. Resolutions as to despatch of ships and the public levy sent up to Council. Public Levy bill read a third time. Resolutions as to the care of arms and ammunition sent up to Council and returned, assented to. The House assented to the Governor's proposal that the breeding of Indian youths in schools would be a good method to convert the Indians, if any would be so charitable as to educate them. Officers' Fees bill read a third time and assented to. A committee appointed to enquire as to ferries made its report. Orders for payments. Resolved that a letter be written to Mr. Povey to present the address respecting Navigation
bonds and promising him due satisfaction for his trouble. The Governor sent down a letter from the Council of Trade, as to the quota for New York and a payment to be made to three ministers. Order for the ministers to be paid from the public funds, the money to be repaid from the King's revenue. Message to the Governor that the House is ready to attend him. The House attending, the Governor assented to eleven bills. Six Addresses were brought up to the Governor and approved. The Governor then said that a late Act of Parliament limited the duration of any one parliament to three years, that this was a good example for Maryland, and that as the present Assembly had already continued three years, he did dissolve it. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 15. pp. 173–187.] |
| June 7. |
1,055. Minutes of Council of Maryland in Assembly. Account of the Revenue laid before the Delegates. Messages from the Delegates with their resolutions as to Colonel Talbot's fees, public buildings, the public levy, and that Councillors who hold places of profit shall be paid in money. The Council assented to the first three of them, conditionally, but deferred their decision as to the last. A resolution of the Delegates as to ferries was answered that the Council had no objection, though their own like proposal on the same subject had been rejected. |
| June 8. |
The Delegates' answers to the queries of the Council of Trade brought up. The Council's further queries, and the Delegates' answers (see preceding abstract). Message from the Delegates proposing to repeal a duty on divers commodities and on offices. Answer enquiring which are the laws under which the duty is levied. Bill to settle disputes with Indians, read a first time. A private bill concerning Henry Wall read a first time. Act for reformation of jeofails read a first time. |
| June 9. |
A new member of the House of Delegates brought up to be sworn. Proposals brought from the Delegates as to arms and ammunition. The Delegates' resolutions as to prayers at County Courts received. The Delegates' message and the Governor's answer as to a Naturalisation Bill. |
| June 10. |
The Privy Council's letter about the pirate Every read and sent down to the Delegates. Query put whether the militia as now armed are a sufficient land force. The Governor abjured all responsibility for any consequences that might ensue from want of a naval force. Eleven bills and several addresses received from the Delegates and assented to. |
| June 11. |
Proposed to the Delegates to empower persons on every river to take charge of letters brought by ships. The Governor's message as to the education of Indian youths. The Delegates' regulation forbidding the smoking of tobacco in the State-house. The public levy bill assented to. The Delegates' resolution as to arms and ammunition brought up. Bill to redress public credit received and returned. Journal of the Committee of Accounts read and passed. The Governor's message as to the quota for New York and the payment of ministers. Answer of the Delegates, authorising the payment of £154 for assistance to New York, conditionally. Bill for that purpose passed. Several bills and addresses passed. The Governor dissolved the Assembly. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 14. pp. 205–229.] |
| June 7. |
1,056. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Order for payment of £167 for entertainment of French and Indian prisoners, of £15 18s. Od. for provisions supplied to the soldiers, of £1 8s. 0d. to Robert Gutteridge, messenger of the Representatives, on account of a journey to Plymouth, and of £20 to Jonathan Tyng for keeping an Indian sagamore for four years. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. pp. 93–95.] |
| June 7. |
1,057. Journal of General Assembly of Massachusetts. Bill for prosecution of the enemy again read and debated. |
| June 8. |
Militia bill passed into an Act. Vote from the Representatives for revival of late Act for Courts rejected, and a new bill ordered, with the words objected to by the Lords Justices omitted. Proposals of the Representatives for abating excise and other duties read. Several inhabitants of Watertown attended and were heard. |
| June 9. |
Vote of the Representatives of £20 to Peter Aspinwall and others agreed to. The proposals as to excise again debated. Bill for Courts brought in. |
| June 10. |
Bill for Courts read and debated. Bill for raising £4,700 by a tax on polls and estates received from the Representatives and read a first time. |
| June 11. |
The tax and excise bills were again debated. Vote for a payment for the maintenance of prisoners agreed to. Order of the Representatives for a Committee to consider the petition of the town of Hatfield agreed to. |
| June 12. |
Courts bill and Tax bill debated. [Board of Trade. New England, 48. pp. 155–159.] |
June 7.
Whitehall. |
1,058. William Popple to Mr. Tucker. In reply to yours of 29th ult. (No. 1,046), I have looked into the papers presented to the Council of Trade upon the occasion of the preparing of a project for a Treaty of Commerce, and I find no more on that subject than was transmitted to Mr. Secretary Trumbull on 5 and 17 April last. But I observe in the close of a letter from the Deputy-Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company an intimation of damages done to that Company in ships and goods, which the Council of Trade had not been directed to enquire after. I wrote, however, again to Mr. Clarke, the Deputy-Governor, for a particular account of those damages, and will forward to you his reply as soon as I receive it. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 34. p. 168.] |
| June 7. |
1,059. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Extracts of several letters from Sir William Beeston to Mr. Blathwayt up to 27 March were read (No. 868). |
|
Mr. Thornburgh's letter of 20 May was read (No. 1,040). Order for the Secretary to write again to him for a copy of the patent of the Bahamas. |
|
Mr. Basse, upon notice, promised to give the security required of him before his nomination to the Government of the Jerseys should be recommended. |
|
Order for a second letter to be written to Mr. Penn as to the security to be given for his Deputy-Governors in Pennsylvania. |
|
Mr. Lowndes's letter of 14 May with Mr. Brooke's petition read (No. 1,025). Two Orders in Council of 11th May as to the laws of New York, and one of 17th as to Bermuda read (Nos. 1,010, 1,011, 1,029). |
|
Mr. Tucker's letter of 29 May read (No. 1,046). The Secretary's answer to him of this day was approved (No. 1,058). |
| June 8 |
The Secretary reported that Mr. Penn had promised to send the answer required of him. |
|
Lieutenant Sydenham presented a petition on behalf of himself and his two fellow lieutenants (No. 1,063), and was acquainted, for answer, with the resolution that had been taken. Mr. Brooke presented an abstract from the Custom-house books in support of the prayer of his petition (No. 1,064). The Secretary was directed to send both to Mr. Sansom for the report of the Commissioners of Customs. |
| June 9. |
A number of Orders in Council of 20 August, 1697, 11 February 1697, 25 March 1697, and one of 31 December, 1696, relating to several of the Plantations, were received and read. |
|
Lieutenant Shanke presented a petition (No. 1,069). The Council informed him of the purport of the Order of Council of 11 March last (No. 794) upon his case. |
|
Copy of the Marquis of Hamilton's deed received (No. 1,070). |
|
The reading of the New Hampshire papers was finished. |
| June 10. |
Order that notice be given to the Clerks of the Privy Council to send the Orders in Council either sealed or signed. |
|
On information of a ship going to Bermuda, the Secretary was ordered to inform Mr. Boscawen that the Council is prepared to support his recommendation of Mr. John Kendall to be Governor there. |
|
The Secretary was directed to apply again to Mr. Lowndes for speedy supply of £150 for incident expenses of the office. |
|
On the Memorial of Lord Bellomont as to recruits, etc., the Secretary was ordered to acquaint him how those matters stand. |
|
Order for Mr. Heathcote to be informed that the matter of the Scotch East India Company's establishment in the West Indies will be considered on Monday. [Board of Trade. Journal, 10. pp. 116–125.] |
| June 8. |
1,060. Petition of Shadrach Walton, Commander of the fort at Piscataqua, to Council of Trade and Plantations. I came to England by advice of Mr. John Usher to urge upon you the necessity for sending a company of soldiers to New Hampshire, and duly did so. I now hear that the fort has been violently seized by one Hincks. I beg for an order for my expenses, and for me to command the fort as formerly. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 8 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. New England, 8. No. 108.] |
| June 8. |
1,061. Petition of Charles Story to Council of Trade and Plantations. New Hampshire is in great confusion by reason of actual rebellion, raising of horse and foot, and seizing of the Government by John Hincks and others. I was ordered to come to England and lay these matters before you, which I did at my own charge, as the annexed schedule shews. I beg that you will give orders for regulating the horrid and illegal proceedings in New Hampshire, reimbursing to me my expenses. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 8 June, 1697. Annexed, |
|
1,061. I. Account of Charles Story's travelling expenses from Piscataqua to Boston by land, Boston to Londonderry
by sea, Londonderry to Dublin by land, Dublin to Liverpool and thence to Chester by sea, and from Chester to London. Total, £38 10s. Cost of return passage £20. Total, £58 10s., besides expenses in London and a year's loss of time. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New England, 8. Nos. 109, 109 I.] |
| June 8. |
1,062. Petition of William Brooke, merchant, to Council of Trade and Plantations. I am the appointed agent of Governor John Goddard, who, as I hear, has fallen under your displeasure for not discharging Mr. Richier from prison on receipt of the King's order. If you will give me opportunity I doubt not to prove to your satisfaction that Mr. Goddard did nothing but his duty therein. He did not suffer Mr. Trott to take execution, Richier having appealed, until Mr. Trott sent to England to complain thereof, and then, being advised that appeal did not stop execution, I gave notice to Mr. Goddard, who thereupon allowed execution to proceed. The King's letter said nothing of Mr. Trott's execution, and I was advised, and I gave Mr. Goddard notice thereof, that it would not justify his discharging Richier from prison. The complaints of other persons have never been mentioned in Bermuda nor heard of here until your report, and I have reason to believe that they are framed by Richier's friends and that Mr. Goddard can answer them satisfactorily. I beg therefore that I may be heard by counsel on the point of law affecting Richier's case, and that I may have time to answer the other matters before Mr. Goddard is recalled. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 8 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. No. 10.] |
| June 8. |
1,063. Petition of Lieutenants Shanke, Sydenham and Wright to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Repeating their petition of 13 April (see No. 926), with the following addition. On our voyage to New York we met with three French privateers, which so disabled us that we were forced to put into Spain to refit, but being unable to obtain provisions returned to England in November. Application being made to the Queen and Council to refit us for our voyage, subsistence was paid to the two Captains both for officers and soldiers, from 1 August, 1694, to 31 January, 1695, besides provisions on board. At our landing in New York the Captains charged both officers and soldiers for their provisions on board out of that subsistence, showing no order for the same. We beg that this article may be included in your order for examination of our case. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 8 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. No. 26.] |
| June 8. |
1,064. Abstract of an account from the Custom-house books showing some allowances made to Jahleel Brenton for his expenses on a voyage from New England to England. Total, for two voyages, £350 12s. ½ p. Endorsed, Presented by Mr. Chidley Brooke. Recd. Read, 8 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. No. 27.] |
June 8.
Whitehall. |
1,065. William Popple to William Thornburgh. By Order in Council of 4 February last, of which I sent you a copy on the 13th February, the Council of Trade was required to consider the
Letters Patent granted to the Proprietors of the Bahamas and their execution thereof. For this purpose I have several times asked you for a copy of the said Patent, but you have not thought fit to supply me with one. I am now to require of you a positive answer to my letters aforesaid, as the Council desires to lay a representation concerning those Islands before the Lords Justices. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 25. p. 81.] |
June 8.
Whitehall. |
1,066. William Popple to Jeremiah Basse. The Council of Trade thinks it expedient that the security required from Governors of Proprieties should be given in here before their names are submitted for the Royal approval. You will take your own measures for expediting what is necessary in your case. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 25. p. 82.] |
| June 8. |
1,067. Minutes of Council of Barbados. George Payne admitted to continue to place clerks in the several Courts of Common Pleas for one month, and James Hannay continued as Marshal of those Courts for one month. Accounts for cost of entertaining the French flag of truce recommended to the Assembly. |
| June 9. |
Excise bill read a first time. Militia bill and Powder-duty bill received from the Assembly, also the accounts for the entertainment of the flag of truce, passed. Conferrers appointed to meet the Assembly concerning the bill for Agents. The Assembly requested that the fleet might be detained till the 17th, but the Council ordered it to sail on the 15th. A petition for payment for hire of a ship received. The Conferrers on the Agents bill reported that they had contended that the Assembly should submit four names for Agents, of which the Governor and Council should select two, that the Agents should be continued for as long as the Assembly thought fit, not exceeding two years at once, that their salary should be £250 a year, and that they should correspond with a committee consisting of three Councillors and five Assembly-men. Order for mustering Garth's (late Frank Russell's) regiment. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. pp. 221–223.] |
| June 9. |
1,068. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Order for payment of £20 to Peter Aspinwall and his party of Indians employed against the Indian enemy. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. p. 95.] |
| June 9. |
1,069. Petition of Lieutenants Shanke and Sydenham to Council of Trade and Plantations. We served in New York as Lieutenants under Governor Fletcher and have not received subsistence nor clearings for several years. We understand that the Governor is sending over money to discharge the same. We beg that the money may not come to the hands of Governor Fletcher, but may pass under the control of Lord Bellomont. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 9 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. No. 28.] |
| [June 9.] |
1,070. Copy of the Marquis of Hamilton's deed of feofment in certain lands in New England, granted by the great Council of Plymouth, 22 April, 1635. Certified copy. 3 pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 9 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. New England, 8. No. 110; and 36. pp. 201–204.] |
| [June 9.] |
1,071. Copy of the Order of the Lord Justices in Council of 20 August, 1696, concerning the oaths to be taken by the Governors of the Proprietory Colonies. ¾ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 9 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 4. No. 53; and 34. p. 169.] |
| June 9. |
1,072. William Popple to the Secretary of Customs. Referring to him the petition of Chidley Brooke (see No. 1,025) and asking to know what has formerly been done by the Commissioners of Customs upon like occasions. [Board of Trade. New York, 52. p. 144.] |
| June 10. |
1,073. Memorial of Richard, Earl of Bellomont, to Council of Trade and Plantations. I think it my duty to lay before you the necessity for sending 200 recruits to complete the four King's companies in New York, which are the only standing force which the King has in America. To this end and to avoid parting with so many men from the Army in England, I propose that I may be allowed to raise 200 men here in England. To meet the expense, I would point out that there is a considerable sum now ready to be paid from the Paymaster-General's office for the subsistence of the King's forces in New York, which by all accounts are reduced to less than half their establishment, and I would propose that part of that money be devoted to this end. I learn that a quantity of firearms were lately sent to the Governor of New York for distribution to the Five Nations. I am advised that this present would be more acceptable to the Indians if it were made up partly of arms and partly of powder. I beg that Lord Romney, Master-General of the Ordnance, may be empowered to use his discretion in apportioning the said present, to the value of £200. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 10 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. No. 29; and 52. pp. 146–147.] |
June 10.
Whitehall. |
1,074. Order of the Lords Justices of England in Council. Cancelling a previous order of 11 May; and directing that the Ordnance Office shall deliver to Lord Bellomont such quantity of warlike stores, to the value of £200, as he shall desire, in order to make up an acceptable present to the Five Nations of Indians. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 18 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. No. 30; and 52. pp. 157–158.] |
| June 10. |
1,075. William Popple to the Earl of Bellomont. With reference to your memorial of this day the matter at present stands thus. Governor Fletcher has been directed to endeavour to keep up the four companies in New York by the continuance of a fund voted by the Assembly for that purpose. The complaints of the Lieutenants against their superior officers have been referred to the general officers at the Horse-guards. The Council of Trade some time ago represented to the King the necessity for punctual payment of the subsistence of the four companies at New York, and very lately, upon a memorial of your own, they have urged particularly to the Lords Justices the expediency of paying the arrears of off-reckonings and subsistence due to these forces, upon your arrival in the province. A proportion of powder and other
stores was sent with the arms lately despatched to New York. Upon all the heads therefore the Council do not see what more remains for them to do. [Board of Trade. New York, 52. pp. 148–149.] |
| June 10. |
1,076. Minutes of Council of Maryland. A second petition of William Sharp, to be allowed to purchase a new writ of error, was read and referred to the law-officers (pp. 260, 261). Letter from Sir Edmund Andros read reporting the arrival of two frigates and other ships from England, also letters from the Council of Trade of 1 February, and from the Privy Council of 27 August. Proclamation for the arrest of Henry Every and others. Letter from Captain Andrew Douglas, of H.M.S. Harwich read, reporting his arrival in Virginia, and that his stay was limited to thirty days. Order for this information to be published, for the clearing of homeward-bound ships intending to sail under convoy of H.M.S. Harwich, and for preparing the accounts of the revenue to be sent him by this fleet, and for all accounts of Naval officers and Collectors to be brought in and filed in the new State-house at Annapolis. |
|
Walter Campbell removed from being Sheriff of Dorchester County. Order for two gentlemen to be nominated by the County Court for appointment to succeed William Whittington, removed from being Sheriff of Somerset County. John West's commission as Naval officer was signed, and orders were given for swearing him in. Orders to prepare commissions for Sheriffs. George Plater presented and swore to the shipping lists of his district. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. 279–284.] |
| June 11. |
1,077. William Thornburgh to William Popple. I shall not fail to lay your letter of 8th inst. (No. 1,065) before the Proprietors of the Bahamas at their next meeting, which cannot be expected till after the end of term, upon Lord Bath's account. I conceive that the delay can be no prejudice, since the letters are recorded in the Patent Office, to which you can have recourse any day in the week. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 25. p. 83.] |
| June 11. |
1,078. Minutes of Council of Virginia. The proclamation received from England as to Henry Every and other privateers was read, and copies were directed to be sent to the sheriffs. The letters of the Council of Trade of 24 September, 1696, and 1 February, and of the Admiralty of 26 January, 1696–7, concerning impressment of seamen, were laid before Council. Order forbidding a pilot or any other person to go to any ship upon her arrival, but ordering that he shall give notice thereof, and of the report of the boat's crew sent ashore, to the nearest magistrate. The Governor appointed persons to fill the vacancies among the Coroners. George Williamson was suspended from his office of Surveyor for taking entries in the Blackwater land without authority; and notice thereof was sent to the Trustees of the College. A complaint of a forcible entry on land was heard, and the accused were ordered to attend next Council. Captain Douglas having brought in a prize, it was resolved that the Governor appoint a judge and officers to try her. |
| June 12. |
Nicholas Spencer produced his commission and was sworn Collector of the King's dues on South Potomac River, as also
Peter Heyman for James River; William Trevethan was also sworn Surveyor of the King's Customs on Elizabeth River. Peter Jenings produced a commission from the principal Commissioner of the Prize Office, which was recorded. The Governor read a letter from the Governor of Maryland, dated 4 June, enclosing the relation of certain proceedings of a Committee of both Houses concerning the Piscattaway and Acokick Indians. The Council declared that they did not understand the meaning thereof. A Judge and officers of an Admiralty Court were appointed. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 53. pp. 65–68; and 73–80.] |
| June 12. |
1,079. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Orders for payment of £100 to the Commissioners for war for sundry expenses, and of £20 to the minister of Deerfield. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. pp. 96–97.] |
June 12.
Jamaica. |
1,080. Governor Sir William Beeston to William Blathwayt. I have received yours of 19 February. I find that money is scarce and wanting in England, as it is here. If the King had been pleased to order it, £5,000 might have been saved here, and the soldiers would have been better contented to be free and as useful to the country. I know not what to answer about the Commissary, his allowance not being appointed, nor what is to be done with the money in his hands which arose from the sale of perishable and useless goods. I shall take care that the officers make up their accounts the best they can, but there were great expenses and embezzlements too by the former officers, of which they know nothing. I hope that it is not expected of me to take more than a general care, for I cannot keep the store-houses and deliver out the particulars; I do receive the money and pay it to the Commissary when the muster is made up, and take the best care I can that the soldiers have it; but I cannot see every man paid that is quartered forty or fifty miles away. I have had more trouble in my time than all former Governors put together. Everything is much dearer than in peace, and the charge for officers, both for sea and land, has lain on me very considerably, besides the perpetual trouble. Yet I have not been considered in the least, nor have I allowance for anything except £1,000 per annum salary, which does not pay for the meat on my table, besides all other charges; so that in the condition I am it is no matter who comes—they will soon see their mistake and that the whole salary to a bigger family will not find their ordinary table, much less bear their charges, for there's not a penny to be gotten honestly here but what comes by the salary. I am sorry, since money is so scarce, that the King was put on the charge of Mr. Lilly. An engineer without men or money is like a man-of-war without guns—useless; and so he is here, and the amount of his salary is thrown away. The same sum yearly laid out in the passage of people here to fill the country would have done us good. We are not so ignorant as Mr. Lilly (to get himself employment) has represented us to be. We, who know all parts of the island, know both where and how to fortify it much better than he, who knows very little of it. We did not need him to point out to us the
original defects of Fort Charles, but neither he nor we can now alter them without pulling down the whole fabric, which we cannot do, and the times would not permit us to do it if we could. What he says about a moat and palisade about that fort is nonsense, and would endanger the carrying away of the fort by the sea or at least make a lodgment for the enemy to keep us by their small arms from the use of the great guns. If our Agents were the promoters, they have supererogated in this as in stopping the Act, (which by the way loses the King much custom every year as well as grinding the faces of the poor). They would do better to obey their orders from hence than to give their own notions about a place they know only by hearsay. |
|
13 June.The Princess Ann and Hollandia came in to-day from Nevill's fleet. They met Pointis's squadron with all the wealth of Carthagena, but were outsailed and took only one ship with 800 barrels of powder and 100 negroes, which is said to be worth £20,000. Mr. Nevill is gone on the coast of Hispaniola in search of them, but we doubt they are out of the West Indies before now and hastening home. All this loss is by the delay of our ships. Had they been here but ten days sooner they had secured all. The French have left Carthagena and brought away the guns, but not demolished the town nor the walls. The galleons we suppose to be gone to the Havanna, whither I guess Admiral Nevill will shortly follow them. Here is no news yet of Colonel Beckford's dormant commission; if I should miscarry it would be our loss, for the Council will never agree if it come to their turn. Signed, Wm. Beeston. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 30 September, 1697. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. No. 58; and 56. pp. 130–134.] |
| June 14. |
1,081. Minutes of Council of Montserrat. Jasper Scheurman was bound over to keep the peace. Order for all owners of canoes to keep them chained within fifty feet of one of the forts. Order for Acts to be prepared, to compensate those whose negroes are stolen by privateers, and to entitle all freeholders. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. p. 524.] |
June 14.
Tregothnan. |
1,082. Mr. Boscawen to William Popple. Yours of 10th having informed me of my obligations to the Council of Trade in respect to Mr. John Kendall, I have written to him this day to wait upon the Council, to whom I return my thanks for their favour to him. Signed, J. Boscawen. ¾ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read, 21 June, 1697. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. No. 11.] |
| June 14. |
1,083. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Thornburgh's letter of 11th inst. read (No. 1,077). |
| June 17. |
A paper upon tithes of tobacco in Maryland was read (No. 1,090) and referred for further consideration. [Board of Trade. Journal, 10. pp. 125–126.] |
| June 14. |
1,084. Journal of General Assembly of Massachusetts. Courts bill debated. Tax bill amended and sent down. |
| June 15. |
Courts bill again debated. Bill for an impost and the tax bill ordered to be engrossed. |
| June 16. |
Tax bill passed into an Act. Courts bill agreed to and sent down to the Representatives. Sundry small payments voted by the Representatives were agreed to, |
| June 17. |
Two orders of the Representatives as to laying down the bounds of Rehoboth and as to a small payment agreed to, as also a bill to assess the town of Edgarton for arrears of poll-tax. Bill empowering Justices of the Peace to decide differences not exceeding forty shillings proposed. |
| June 18. |
Votes for salaries and for sundry small payments received from the Representatives and agreed to. Bills for empowering Justices and for Excise passed into Acts. Bill for Courts and for reviving the Act for precedents ordered to be engrossed. Order for a General Council to meet on the 25th to appoint Justices of the Superior and County Courts. James Taylor sworn Treasurer. Bill as to Watertown rejected. John Walley elected Commissioner for the office of impost, etc. Bills for town-rates and to restrain exportation of provisions, received from the representatives and read. |
| June 19. |
Bills to secure the Treasurer for money advanced to the public and to provide for Lord Bellomont's reception, received from the Representatives and agreed to. John Walley, Nathaniel Byfield and James Convers elected Commissioners of Excise. Bills to revive the Precedents Act, to establish Courts, for town-rates, and to restrain exportation of provisions passed into Acts. Prorogued to 21 July. [Board of Trade. New England, 48. pp. 159–169.] |
| June 14. |
1,085. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Captain Douglas applying for thirty seamen for H.M. Ships Harwich and Southsea Castle, orders were given to the Collectors and Commanders-in-Chief to make enquiry after seamen in their districts and report to the Governor. On report of Captain Mason that certain Piscattaway and Acokick Indians had made a settlement in the woods on this side Potomac, he was ordered to warn them that it was not safe for them, and to protect them from hurt by any of the inhabitants. Captain Douglas's prize having been condemmed was made over to Auditor Byrd to do what is right in such matters. |
| June 15. |
The rule of Court of 1676, directing how process at common law shall be had against a Councillor, was read and referred to the Attorney-General for report. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 53. pp. 69–71.] |
| June 15. |
1,086. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Order for the field-officers to inspect the arms, see to their repair, and change the defective arms that cannot be sold. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. p. 284.] |
June 15.
Whitehall. |
1,087. William Popple to John Ellis. I have informed the Council of Trade of what Mr. Secretary Trumbull required of them; and have already written to Mr. Tucker on the subject (see No. 1,058). I am now to inform you that the Council of Trade have nothing more to offer upon that subject with relation to the state of America, either before or since the war, than what was sent to Mr. Secretary Trumbull on the 5th and 17th of April. No answer has yet been received from the Deputy-Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company on the matter referred to in my letter to Mr. Tucker. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 34. pp. 169–170.] |
