America and West Indies: August 1698, 26-31

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 16, 1697-1698. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1905.

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'America and West Indies: August 1698, 26-31', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 16, 1697-1698, ed. J W Fortescue( London, 1905), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol16/pp406-410 [accessed 10 October 2024].

'America and West Indies: August 1698, 26-31', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 16, 1697-1698. Edited by J W Fortescue( London, 1905), British History Online, accessed October 10, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol16/pp406-410.

"America and West Indies: August 1698, 26-31". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 16, 1697-1698. Ed. J W Fortescue(London, 1905), , British History Online. Web. 10 October 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol16/pp406-410.

August 1698

Aug. 26.
Whitehall.
777. William Popple to the Attorney-General. I send you back the laws of Maryland returned by you two days ago. The Council of Trade earnestly desire you to despatch your opinion thereon. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 9. p. 207.]
Aug. 27.
Virginia.
778. Governor Sir Edmund Andros to William Popple. Forwarding minutes of Council, lists of ships, copy of the laws in force and accounts of the public revenue. The orders as to the rules for conducting correspondence have been communicated to all officers. Signed, E. Andros. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 13 March, 1698–9. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 6. No. 61.]
Aug. 27.
Islington.
779. Edward Walrond to Council of Trade and Plantations. I enclose a deposition of John Cruse, also Colonel Holt's letter to Governor Codrington. I shall send for Captain Bugdon's answer to the question, how many days after Arthur's trial he returned from his cruise. Signed, Edward Walrond. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 29 Aug., 1698. Annexed,
779. I. Deposition of John Cruse, cooper, formerly of Antigua. I was in the sloop Barbuda, belonging to Governor Codrington, when she sailed from Antigua to Nevis three or four years ago. At Nevis Captain Julius came on board her while at anchor and showed authority to take her under his orders, whereupon he took her to Spanish Town, where the Barbuda was taken alongside a Spanish ship and lay there three or four days until Captain James Weatherhill arrived in the sloop Charles from Antigua; and on the day following we took on board five pipes of brandy and other goods from the Spanish ship, and shifted them on to the Charles, which then sailed to Nevis. 1½ pp.
779. II. Copy of a letter from Colonel Holt to Governor Codrington. See No. 670 I. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 5. Nos. 116, 116 I., II.]
Aug. 27. 780. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Philip Clarke was brought up in custody and examined, after which he was bound over in £1,000 to take his trial at the next Provincial Court. On his objecting that he had already given heavy security, it was shown that this was on another account, and on his failing to give good security he was committed. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. 605–607.]
Aug. 28.
Whitehall.
781. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices of England. Submitting a draft instruction empowering the Governor of New York to suspend the Lieutenant-Governor and appoint another in his place. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Ph. Meadows, John Pollexfen, John Locke, Abr. Hill. Here follows copy of the instruction. [Board of Trade. New York, 52. pp. 387–392.]
Aug. 29. 782. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Robert Mason was brought up in custody and examined, when the Governor reproved him for feigning sickness. He was first accused of misconduct as a vestryman in selling a parish-slave, and order was given to prosecute him for breach of his vestryman's oath. His accounts as Treasurer of the Western Shore were next examined, and he was told that he must produce vouchers. Gerard Slye was then called in, and accusations against him and Mason were further heard.
Aug. 30. Robert Mason swore to his accounts as Treasurer. Certificate to the Provincial Court to order the prosecution of Slye, Mason and others. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. 607–612.]
Aug. 29.
Whitehall.
783. Mr. Yard to Council of Trade and Plantations. The King having ordered the squadron designed for suppression of the pirates in the East Indies to proceed on her voyage, and having appointed three persons to accompany the Commander in Chief as Commissioners, desires you to prepare a draft of such powers and instructions as you think necessary. Signed, R. Yard. ½ p. Endorsed, Read 29 Aug., 1698. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 4. No. 132; and 34. p. 318.]
Aug. 29. 784. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Walrond's letter of 27th inst. read (No. 779), also an Order in Council of 25th inst. on his petition (No. 774). Agreed to represent that his petition be granted.
Mr. Yard's letter of this day, ordering draft instructions to be prepared for the Commissioners of the expedition against pirates, was read, and some progress made with the said instructions.
Aug. 31. Mr. Walrond's letter of yesterday read (No. 785). Order for the papers etc. therewith enclosed to be returned to him, and that he be instructed that he can get what further depositions he pleases as to the Spanish ship.
Instructions for the Commissioners of the expedition against pirates further considered.
Sept. 1. The aforesaid instructions were completed, and a representation signed and sent with them to be laid before the Lords Justices. [Board of Trade. Journal, 11. pp. 197–199.]
Aug. 30.
Islington.
785. Edward Walrond to Council of Trade and Plantations. I have obtained an account from Captain Bugdon of all that relates to Captain Robert Arthur, and enclose his journal. Please let these papers be returned to me. John Cruse omitted to state in his depositions that he saw only one negro and one mulatto on board the Spanish ship though he saw many suits of clothes, which is a material circumstance to corroborate the story of the murder of the Spaniards. Signed, Edward Walrond. ½ p. Inscribed with a memorandum of an entry from Captain Bugdon's journal. Endorsed, Recd. 31 Aug., 1698. Annexed,
785. I. Copy of Governor Codrington's summons to Henry Walrond to attend Council and state his evidence against Robert Arthur. 1 June, 1697. ½ p.
785. II. Copy of Governor Codrington's order to Captain Bugdon to land Henry Walrond and any other witnesses concerned to attend Council and state their evidence as to Robert Arthur. ½ p. Both enclosures endorsed, Originals sent in Mr. Walrond's letter of 30 Aug., 1698. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 5. Nos. 117, 117 I., II.]
Aug. 30.
Philadelphia.
786. Robert Quarry to Council of Trade and Plantations. After the seizure of the East India goods mentioned in my letter of 25th inst. (No. 772), I ordered them to be put in the custody of the Marshal of Admiralty until the trial. Yesterday the Sheriff under a warrant of the Justices took them from his custody by force. I hope you will now be satisfied that neither Commissions nor Acts of Parliament will be obeyed here. About a week ago a vessel came in here from Curaçoa, which put her goods ashore and according to custom will take in provisions and, when cleared, will load in the lower Counties. I have advice that there is a vessel now loading tobacco without entry. There is no checking this illegal trade without a small man-of-war, nor will that effect it while the Government remains in the present hands; for if they forcibly take seized goods from the custody of the law, what can I do but complain to you? I expect to be sent to gaol for asserting my commission, but that shall not deter me. The Governor of this place has not the King's approbation as the law requires, and ten days ago he committed Mr. Randolph to custody only for telling him that he ought to have that approbation before he acted as Governor. Unless some speedy course be taken, the King may save the cost of keeping officers here and summon them home. Signed, Robt. Quarry. 2 pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read 24 Oct., 1696. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 2. No. 28; and 25. pp. 248–250.]
Aug. 31.
H.M. Ship
Winchester in
St. John's
Harbour in
Newfoundland
787. Captain Norris, R.N., to Council of Trade and Plantations. Since my arrival on the 10th inst. I have done my best to fulfil your orders. I enclose copies of all the papers relating to the soldiers and the fort of St. Johns. On the 30th the company was formed, and I contracted with the master of the John and William for passage for the rest of the soldiers, 56 in number, for twenty shillings ahead, they being all desirous to return to England. When I arrived I found the ship aforesaid laden with the King's provisions lying upon demurrage. As the fort would hold no more provisions I distributed them among the men-of-war, and discharged the ship. By the state of the provisions in the fort you will see the great quantities they will have to last them a year, which in my opinion will be defective and spoiled before they can be served out. I would suggest that next year another twelve months' provisions should be sent, that the old provisions may be sold by public auction, and that the proceeds of the sale may go towards the subsistence of the fort. I hope to be able to answer your enquiries satisfactorily before my departure, having sent to all the ports to take an exact account. I have already found several unfree ships here, but all belonging to English owners and sailed according to the Act of Navigation, so in my judgment they are not foreigners. Therefore I have not molested them in their trade this year, but have taken bonds from them to answer all suits of law that may be commenced against them for trading in unfree ships. The ship of which you had an account from Leghorn is not yet arrived, but here is a ship with an Irish master and a crew of foreigners which he pretends to belong to English owners, though he has nothing more to show than his orders, which are writ in French. I have confined this master and crew to their ship, that they may not be informed of the manner of our trade in this country, and I intend so to detain him until we sail, when I shall let him steer his own course, so he does not make for Newfoundland again. I have sent an inhabitant to Placentia to give information of their trade, contracting to give him £10 on his return, which I hope you will approve. Signed, Jno. Norris. P.S.—Nothing has been sent from the Office of Ordnance to this port as you intended. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 28 Sept. Read 25 Oct., 1698. Enclosed,
787. I. Copy of the papers relating to the soldiers in the fort at St. Johns, Newfoundland.
Colonel Thomas Handasyd to Commodore Norris. King William's Fort, 15 August, 1698. I beg that for the preservation of the men and the stores you would order the healing [?] of the store-houses and barracks in this fort; for by the extremity of the winters here it will be impossible to secure the men dry in their beds or the stores without repairs.
Upon this orders were given to Colonel Handasyd to contract for the necessary repairs, for which he presented accounts [given in full] for £28 5s. Copies of the receipts for payment of the same.
Nominal list of the officers and soldiers in King William's Fort, 25 August, 1698: 11 officers, 12 sergeants, 12 corporals, 7 drummers, 44 privates.
Accounts of the money to be paid to the officers and men going home to England, £140 15s., and to the officers and men staying in Newfoundland, £244; with copy of Colonel Handasyd's receipt for the whole sum of £384 15s.
Nominal list of the Independent Company formed for the garrison of King William's Fort: Lieutenant William Lilburn, 1 ensign, 3 serjeants, 3 corporals, 2 drummers, 43 privates. Nominal list of the officers and men of the train, returning to England, 20 of all ranks, and of those to be left at Newfoundland, 7 of all ranks.
Return of the provisions in King William's Fort on 22 August, 1698. The condemned stores, unfit for food, include 2,042 lbs. of bread, 1,164 lbs. of beef, 20 gallons of pease, 15 gallons of oatmeal, 114 lbs. of butter, 1,992 lbs. of cheese, 10 gallons of beans.
Order of Commodore Norris for the condemned stores to be thrown into the sea.
Receipt of the master-gunner for a deputation from Lord Ranelagh, for distribution of money to the soldiers and regulation of their subsistence; and of £565 17s. for subsistence of the Independent Company. The whole, 7½ pp.
787. II. Account of the Ordnance stores in the forts and batteries of St. Johns, Newfoundland. Printed form. 3 large pages. Endorsed, Recd. 28 Sept. Read 25 Oct., 1698.
787. III. Commodore Norris' account for £1,000 received from the Postmaster-General. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. Nos. 124, 124 I.–III.; and (without enclosures) 25. pp. 253–255.]