America and West Indies: May 1700, 27-31

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 18, 1700. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1910.

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'America and West Indies: May 1700, 27-31', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 18, 1700, ed. Cecil Headlam( London, 1910), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol18/pp284-296 [accessed 4 December 2024].

'America and West Indies: May 1700, 27-31', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 18, 1700. Edited by Cecil Headlam( London, 1910), British History Online, accessed December 4, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol18/pp284-296.

"America and West Indies: May 1700, 27-31". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 18, 1700. Ed. Cecil Headlam(London, 1910), , British History Online. Web. 4 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol18/pp284-296.

May 1700

May 27. 473. Solicitor General to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I have considered the Acts passed in the General Assembly of Nevis, April, 1698, and the Act renewing them, Jan. 5, 1698/9, to which I see no objection. Signed, Jo. Hawles. Endorsed, Recd. 28th May, Read 9th Sept., 1700. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. No. 71; and 46. pp. 77, 78.]
May 27.
Hampton
Court.
474. Earl of Jersey to the Council of Trade and Plantations, referring enclosed petition for their opinion and desiring their report upon what allowances have heretofore been made by the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay, New York and New Hampshire, or may be expected from them, towards the maintenance of their Governor. Signed, Jersey. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 30, 1700. 1 p. Enclosed,
474. i. Petition of John Champante, Agent of New York, to the King. Lord Bellomont is now reduced to very great straits owing to the several expensive journeys His Majesty's service has obliged him to take, and because he has already so engaged his credit for victualling and supporting His Majesty's forces in the Province of New York that he is incapable of doing anything farther either towards theirs or his own support. His Lordship had, before he left England, a gracious promise from His Majesty that the fixed salaries for the several Governments should be 1,200l. for Massachusetts Bay, 1,000l. for New York, 300l. for New Hampshire, and that in case the said Provinces did not settle such annual salaries, then His Majesty would make up the same from hence. Since his entrance upon the Governments he has only received 400l. per annum from New York, Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire refusing to make any settlement of annual salary. His Majesty's direction for settling a due provision for his Lordship's support is humbly solicited. Signed, J. Champante. 1¾ pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 10. Nos. 42, 42.i.; and 38. pp. 20–23; and, (memorandum of above, ½ p.,) New York, 10. No. 2.]
May 27.
Charles
Town.
475. Edward Randolph to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I arrived here the 10th inst. from Providence, and writ to you thence via Jamaica, enclosing papers relating to Read Elding, Dep. Gov., taking and bringing in as a prize the briganteen Bahama Merchant of Boston into Providence harbour. The inhabitants are alarmed lest the Spaniards of the Havannah will drive them off from their new settlements, the walls of the fort at Providence next the harbour are level with the ground. I enclose a copy of Thomas Smith's deposition, by which it appears the Governor of the Havannah entertains and protects pirates, which have lately taken several vessels in the Gulf of Florida, as also two letters from Read Elding. By the enclosed list taken out of the Custom House, it appears that, notwithstanding the severity of the Spaniards used to all masters and others who have logwood aboard, they have brought 260 ton from Jan. 25 to April 26, all which is shipped off for London. They have now found out the true way of raising and husking rice. There has been above 300 tuns shipped this year to England, besides about 30 tuns to the Islands. They are very much improved in making silk, and everybody has planted mulberry trees to feed their worms. They work very kindly, and, if the country were put under His Majesty's immediate government, this would soon be the most thriving Plantation upon the continent. Signed, Ed. Randolph. I am happening to Bermuda, though my lameness continues. Endorsed, Recd. 29 July, Read 30th ditto, 1700. 1 p. Enclosed,
476. i. Abstract of above. 1 p.
476. ii. Governor Read Elding to the Council of Trade and Plantations. New Providence, April 12, 1700. I have received your instructions by the hands of Esq. Randolph. Repeats substance of No. (318). Endorsed as above. 1 p.
476. iii. Duplicate of preceding.
476. iv. Duplicate of No. 318. ii.
476. v. List of entries of ships importing braziletto and logwood into Carolina, Jan. 25–Apr. 26, 1700. Six ships, totalling 11 tons of braziletto, and 260 tons of logwood. 1 p. Same endorsement. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 5. Nos. 51, 51.i–v.; and (without enclosures) 26. pp. 286–288.]
May 27.
Charles
Town.
476. Edward Randolph to Mr. Secretary Vernon. I arrived here on May 10 from Providence, where I left the inhabitants in a dissatisfied and unsetled condition, because the Lords Proprietors have had no regard to their good Government and security, fearing the Spaniards, their neighbours at the Havannah, will once more ruin them and drive them off from their settlement, as they not long since did. The Governor of the Havanna entertains and protects pirates, which lately robbed and took several loaden vessels in the Gulf of Florida, as appears by the deposition of Capt. Thomas Smith. Those pirates were upon the coast nigh this harbour that day I arrived, and might have been easily surprised, but the Governor living a great way from this town (which is a great fault), they lost the opportunity for want of present orders, giving them time to victual and return to the Gulf. The Bahamas are some of them very large and capable of as great improvement as Barbados or Jamaica, 'Tis a mighty prejudice to trade, and a greater to the Crown that those noble persons and others to whom they do belong either do not or will not regard their own interest nor the well-being of the poor inhabitants who live scattered, some upon one island and others very remote upon another, in no condition to secure one another, their fort at Providence lying level with the ground next the harbour. 'Tis reported here that the Lords have appointed another Governor to succeed Governor Webb. Mr. Blake, the present (Deputy) Governor, drives a fine trade of seizing and condemning vessels. Right or wrong, he is sure to be the gainer, having the Judge always on his side and his creatures at his back to appraize them and their ladings, sometimes at not half their first cost, by means, if the judgment be confirmed, His Majesty's third part comes to little, but if the judgment be reversed and orders are sent to make satisfaction to the owners, they come off with very great loss, besides trouble and charge, as Mr. Renue's case, who will be a great looser, and the [same] must be expected of the sloop Turtle of Barbados, Robert Cunningham, master, unless the Governor be ordered to pay the full of the first cost of vessel and cargo with the full advance upon their goods. The Cole and Bean galley of London, Paul Welch, master, cost in London 1,200l., with the charge to fit her out, she was bought by George Logan, one of the appraisers, for 755l., Carolina money, for the Governor. He has sent her to the Bay of Campeechi to load log-wood, and intends to sell her and her loading at Curaçao. Her cargo cost 2,700l. in London: 'tis appraised here at 1,740l. 19s. 3½d. by George Logan, James Stanyan, a Planter, and Lewis Pasquerea, one who is the Governor's clerk, and lives in his house in town. The Governor has one third part of those goods at the appraised value, and a bond is given to the Collector for His Majesty's third part of 755l., the appraised value of the galley. I enclose a copy of the deposition of Wm. Joel, of Bermuda, from whom Governor Blake without any proceedings at law privately conveyed 80l. in money and goods into his own and his creature Stanyan's pockets, under pretence his sloop was not registered. [See Cal. 1699. No. 193.] I humbly recommend this poor oppressed Joell's condition to your Honour's charitable consideration, and what orders you shall please to send to Governor Blake to pay him or his attorney the money, let them be directed to Mr. Alexander Parris, merchant in this town, who is his sole attorney, and you will thereby revive the drooping spirits of one who was lately a stout able seaman. Signed, Ed. Randolph. 2¾ pp. [America and West Indies. South Carolina, 620. No. 5.]
May 27.
Whitehall.
477. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Governor and Company of Connecticut. We are not a little surprised that we have yet received no answer to our letter of April 24, 1699, wherein we sent you H.M. Order in Council of March 9, 1699, relating not only to the particular cases therein mentioned, but also to the general course of justice in the Colony, and to appeals from thence to His Majesty in Council, which letter we are well informed was delivered to Gov. Winthrop, July 24. This long delay gives us just reason to doubt of your having rendred that speedy and punctual obedience to H.M. Order, which we writ you was expected from you by his Majesty, as you would answer to the contrary, and is at least a neglect of your duty to inform us of your proceedings in a thing which we so expressly recommended to you. We therefore once more give you to understand that we wait with impatience for an account of that obedience which His Majesty has required from you in so necessary a matter, that we may lay your answer before him. Signed, Stamford, Lexington, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, John Pollexfen, John Locke, Abr. Hill, Geo. Stepney. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 26. pp. 215, 216.]
May 27. 478. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Letter from Mr. Haynes, etc., May 7, read. Since they therein set forth the unwillingness or incapacity of the Navy Board to settle any fixed price with them for pitch and tar for His Majesty's Plantations as the reason for their applying themselves hither, ordered that the Secretary acquaint any of them, when they call here, that if the Navy Board want any power to treat and contract about those matters, they know where to apply themselves to have it.
Letter to the Governor and Company of Connecticut signed.
Progress made in preparing draughts of a Commission for the trail of pirates in America. Ordered that the Secretary write to the Hudson's Bay Company to know whether they desire any such Commission should be settled for Hudson's Bay.
May 28. Letter from Mr. Burchet, May 17, read.
Letter from Mr. Randolph, Bermuda, Jan. 31, and from Mr. Randolph and Col. White, Bermuda, Feb. 20, read. Papers transmitted therewith laid before the Board. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. pp. 53–57; and 97. Nos. 96, 97.]
May 28
Maryland.
479. Governor Blakiston to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Since my letter of March 12 I have received yours, seeming chiefly a cover to His Majesty's letter of November 10 relating to pirates. This coast at present seems to be environed with them, an account whereof your Lordships will have more fully and perfectly from my friend Gov. Nicholson, he having done a signal piece of service in taking one of them, which had on board one hundred and odd men, and they had taken two of the most considerable ships, one from Virginia, the other from Maryland, but, thank God, were both retaken again. Gov. Nicholson was so kind to send me up an express with information of his success, as also an account how the coast was infested with pirates. Two days before I received his letter there were cleared four or five of the largest ships trading to this Province, but I hope it will prove very fortunate our having Capt. Coode here, who I immediately ordered under sail, and, I hope, overtook the ships then in the Bay, the wind being something contrary for them, and he will be able to give them timely notice to avoid the danger that threatened them, after the performance of which I directed him to go for Virginia for intelligence how we may proceed in the clearing those ships now ready to sail, and I also ordered him to wait upon Governor Nicholson, if he had any commands for him in His Majesty's service to attend there, for his men may be of use, though his vessel is not, she having but four guns, with as many pattereros, so that she is no more able to be a guard to the coast than a sloop. If Capt. Cood's ship were answerable to his seeming diligence and industry for His Majesty's service, I am confident he would never be found tarde. The Assembly met April 26. I send herewith transcripts of the Laws and the Journals of the Council and Assembly. The Sessions of Assembly was of a much longer continuance than was expected, though it lasted but 12 days, which was occasioned by H.M. Order in Council for the repealing of the law for the establishment of the Protestant Religion, of which I enclose a copy. It was brought in here by the Quakers and delivered me publicly in company of several gentlemen whose names are upon the minutes of the Council Book. The order for the repealing that law seemed very much to affect the people, and being so openly delivered by the Quakers occasioned me to summons the Council, whose advice was to lay it before the Assembly at their meeting, which I did, and it was unanimously agreed to that it should be repealed and a new law drawn up for the establishment of religion here, leaving out those clauses which pointed the reasons of its being made null; those paragraphs which it contained of contrary natures did seem unreasonable to most thinking persons here, and a diminution to His Majesty's just prerogative, which was carried on by some hot-headed people then in power here, but I hope there is an end of all those heats and animosities, the law being now purged of all those dregs, and contains nothing but what is, I hope, essential to itself, and that it will not in the least be thought to interfere with H.M. Instructions of re-enacting a law twice, for I should be very tender and cautions of making the least false step in any of my Instructions. I hope, when you peruse the Journals of Council and Assembly, you will have a favourable opinion of my proceedings, all things having been carried in the channel of a good agreement, so that I hope the good correspondency which at first I made with the country will be mutually preserved. Signed, N. Blakiston. Endorsed, Recd. July 26, Read July 30, 1700. Holograph. 3¼ pp. Enclosed,
479. i. Copy of Order in Council, Nov. 30, 1699, repealing the Act of Maryland, For the service of Almighty God, etc. 1 p.
479. ii.–v. Memoranda of Acts and Journals of Council and Assembly of Maryland, April 26–May 9, 1700. 4 slips. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 4. Nos. 4, 4.i.–v.; and (duplicate of letter), No. 5.; and 9. pp. 500–506.]
May 28.
Admiralty
Office.
480. J. Burchett to Mr. Popple. This morning my Lords of the Admiralty received and read a letter from the Earl of Jersey, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State, together with an extract of a letter from our Consul at Algiers, giving an account of what has passed between the Dey and himself relating to passes to secure the ships of His Majesty's subjects, which trade to the Plantations from hence and from one Plantation to another, from the ships of that Government, a copy of which letter I am commanded to send you for the information of my Lords of the Council of Trade. And the King's pleasure being signified to my Lords that they should consider of this matter and give the necessary directions, their Lordships think that all possible dispatch ought to be made in the dispatching Passes to the several Colonies, since the Algerines have limited the time for the ships and vessels being supplied therewith to September next. Wherefore my Lords have given orders for preparing them accordingly, and intend to send to the respective Governors a certain number with a recommendation to them not only to be careful in the delivery of the same, but to take sufficient security from the masters and owners that they shall not be employed to any indirect use, and that at the end of the voyage they be returned, and others will be delivered to them, under the like conditions, when they set out again. And as for the ships that trade from hence to the Plantations, their Lordships do intend to move His Majesty by memorial on Thursday next that he will be pleased to issue his Royal Proclamation, requiring the said ships to take out such Passes for their security, should they meet with Algerines in their trading voyages.
This method my Lords do hope may answer the end designed, and it is conformable to what the Lords of the Council of Trade proposed Dec. 19 last, but their Lordships having by the said letter proposed further to prepare particular Rules and Instructions relating to the Plantations as might be most proper, in addition to those relating to Passes in His Majesty's other dominions, my Lords are desirous their Lordships will prepare such Rules as soon as conveniently they can, and meantime give them their opinion of what my letter acquaints them is intended to be done, with relation to this business of Passes. Signed, J. Burchett. Annexed,
480. i. Extract from letter from Mr. Robert Cole, H.M. Consul at Algier, April 13, 1700. I have had long discourse with the Dey, the conclusion of which was that all His Majesty's subjects trading in the way of Algiers be supplied with the Admiralty Passes, and, because of the distance of the Colonies from England, the Dey has given me till September next for their being furnished, after which time I am to deliver the counterpart, and such of our navigation as these cruizers shall meet withall unprovided of them when the time is out, they will bring them up, confiscate their goods, pay the master his freight and discharge the ship and men; so that it's absolutely necessary immediate care be taken for the sending those instruments to the Plantations for the safety of His Majesty's subjects, as often as these ships go out. I addrest myself to the Dey, and he positively forbids their going into the channel. [Board of Trade. Trade Papers, 15. pp. 57–60.]
May 28.
Whitehall.
481. William Popple to Samuel Clark, Deputy Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company. The Lords Commissioners for Trade having received order from His Majesty to prepare Commissions for the trial of pirates in H.M. Plantations, they desire to know whether the Hudson's Bay Company desire that any such Commission should be settled for Hudson's Bay. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay, 3. p. 91.]
May 28. 482. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts Bay. His Excellency the Earl of Bellomont communicated to the Board what he proposed to recommend to the consideration of the Great and General Court or Assembly appointed to convene to-morrow, viz., the settlement of the College, the support of the Ministry, the fortifying of the port of Boston, providing for the support of the Government, and to prevent the defection of the Five Nations and other Indians that were in danger of being seduced by the French, and the making of an Act to prevent the escape of pirates and other prisoners from prison, and to punish prison-keepers that shall wilfully and negligently suffer escapes, His Majesty, by his royal letter, which was read, having particularly recommended the making of such a law. The Council concurred. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. p. 294.]
May 29. 483. Wm. Thornburgh to Wm. Popple. The Lords Pro- prietors of the Bahama Islands are glad that the Council of Trade and Plantations (May 24) are of opinion that the Governor's bond is a likely means to keep him within his duty, and hope they will likewise be of opinion that no greater burthen ought to be laid on them than the law hath laid, the Lords Proprietors having, as they conceive, done all things that the law requires of them, whereof they desire their Lordships to make a just report to the King, as they doubt not but they will, and be pleased to make their excuse for not complying in giving them personal security as proposed, being a matter altogether new, prejudicial to their interest as Proprietors, and of no advantage in the least to His Majesty's service. Signed, Wm. Thornburgh. Endorsed, Recd. 29 May, Read 5 June, 1700. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 5. No. 53; and 26. pp. 216, 217.]
May 29. 484. Attorney General to Mr. Popple. In the case of the Cole and Bean galley, Admiralty Court, South Carolina, I am of opinion that Mr. Edmund Bellinger was qualified to make the seizure, and prosecute the same as informer. But I think an appeal ought not to have been refused to the master and owners. Signed, Tho. Trevor. Endorsed, Recd. May, Read 14 June, 1700. ¾ p. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 5. No. 52; and 26. pp. 222, 223.]
May 29.
Boston.
485. Minutes of Council in Assembly of Massachusetts Bay. The Representatives were sworn, and signed the Declaration and Association:—
For the County of Suffolk:
Boston, Capt. Timothy Clarke.
Isaiah Tay.
James Barnes.
Capt. Bozoun Allen.
Roxbury, Capt. Timothy Stevens.
Dorchester, Capt. Samuel Clap.
Milton, Capt. Thomas Vose.
Brantrey, James Bracket.
Weymouth, Capt. Stephen French.
Medfield, Capt. Samuel Barber.
Hingham, Joshua Beale.
Dedham, Capt. Daniel Fisher.
For the County of Essex:
Salem, Capt. Manasseh Marston.
Phillip English.
Ipswich, Major Francis Wainwright.
Nathaniel Knowlton.
Newberry, Tristram Coffin,
Lynn, Capt. John Burrill.
Marblehead, Capt. John Legg.
Beverly, Samuel Balch.
Wenham, Walter Fairfield.
Rowley, John Dresser.
Andover, John Abbott.
For the County of Essex:
Haverhill, John White.
Topsfield, Tobijah Perkins.
Boxford, John Peabody.
Glocester, Thomas Riggs.
Salisbury, Capt. Henry True.
Aimsbury, Thomas Fowler.
County of Middlesex:
Charlestown, Samuel Phips.
Jacob Greene, junr.
Cambridge, John Leverett.
Newton, James Trowbridge.
Watertown, John Paige.
Sudbury, Peter King.
Marlboro', Thomas How.
Concord, James Minot.
Chelmsford, Joseph Hildreth.
Bilrica, Capt. Joseph Tompson.
Wooburne, Capt. Edward Johnson.
Reading, Capt. John Brown.
Maulden, Capt. William Green.
Medford, Peter Tufts.
Sherborne, Obadiah Morse.
County of Hampshire:
Springfield, John Pynchon, tertius.
Northampton, John Clarke.
Hadley, Daniel Marsh.
Hatfield, Capt. Samuel Partrigg.
Westfield, Isaac Phelps.
County of York:
Yorke, Samuel Donnel.
Kittery, Charles Frost.
County of Plymouth:
Plymouth, Nathanl. Warren.
Situate, Capt. Benj. Stutson.
Marshfield, Samuel Sprague.
Bridgewater, Elihu Brett.
Duxboro', Capt. Seth Arnold.
County of Barnstable:
Barnstable, Thomas Hinckley.
Yarmouth, Thomas Sturgis.
Eastham, Israel Cole.
County of Bristol:
Bristol, Ebenezer Brenton.
Taunton, Robert Crosman.
Swanzey, Ephraim Peirce.
Rehoboth, John Hunt.
Little Compton, Henry Head.
County of Nantucket, James Coffin.
They elected John Leverett, Speaker. The House of Representatives proposed to proceed to the election of Councillors by putting in votes for 19 Councillors for the territory formerly called the Colony of Massachusetts, five for the territory formerly called the Colony of Plymouth, three for the late Province of Maine, and one for Sagadahock. The Council negatived this proposal twice, declaring the old usage best, viz. 18, 4, 3 and one Councillors respectively for the above-mentioned territories, and then two at large within any part of the Province. The Representatives adhered to their proposal. A conference between the Houses was held and the Council consented for this time to put in votes for 19 for the late Massachusetts Colony, and the rest of the Election to proceed according to former usage. The Council and Assembly accordingly elected as Councillors or Assistants;—For the late Massachusetts Colony:—William Stoughton, John Pynchon, Wait Winthrop, James Russell, Elisha Cooke, John Hathorne, Elisha Hutchinson, Samuel Sewall, William Browne, Isaac Addington, John Phillips, Jonathan Corwin, John Foster, Peter Sergeant, Daniel Peirce. Penn Townsend, John Appleton, John Higginson, Saml. Partrigg. For the late Colony of New Plymouth:—Barnabas Lothrop, John Thacher, Nathaniel Thomas, Nathanl. Byfield. For the late Province of Maine:—Eliakim Hutchinson, Joseph Hammond, Samuel Donnel. For the territory between the River of Sagadahock and Nova Scotia:—Joseph Lynde. For the Province at large:—John Walley.
May 30. His Excellency approved of the above elections, and excused Samuel Donnel from serving. The remaining 27, except John Higginson, who was not present, were sworn Councillors. Samuel Partrigg took his place at the Board. His Excellency addressed the Council and Assembly:—My proposals last session for the settlement of the College and fortifying the harbour were so coldly entertained that I am almost discouraged from renewing my advice. The settlement of the College will best be obtained by addressing the King for his royal charter of privileges; the fortifying of the harbour is in your own power to do. I recommend to your care the ministers in the remote parts of the Province who have narrow stipends, and also the French Minister of this town, who is destitute of a maintenance, because there are so very few families here. Let the present raging persecution of the Protestants in France stir up your compassion for him. I wish for your sakes the French Protestants had been encouraged among you; they are a good sort of people, very ingenious and industrious, and would have been of great use for peopling this country and enriching it by trade. You know that the French Missionaries have debauched the Eastern Indians from their obedience to the King, and that it was at their instigation they murdered so many of your people this last war, and are now at the devotion of the Jesuits to act over again such another tragedy. It seems to me that the suffering Jesuits or other Popish Missionaries to live in this Province, and poison the Indians with their gross idolatry and superstition, is derogatory to English laws and government, and I wish you would this session without further delay make a law for punishing such Popish Missionaries as shall at any time presume to come within this Province. I find they are no less industrious to debauch our Five Nations in the Province of New York, taking indefatigable pains to work on some by fear and menaces, on others by enticement and flattery. The messengers I lately sent to encourage them inform me that several of our forward fighting Indians that were best affected to us have lately been dispatched out of the world by poison. The parting with Canada to the French and the Eastern Country called Accadie or Nova Scotia, with the noble Fishery on that coast, were a most execrable treachery to England, and intended without doubt to serve the ends of Popery. 'Tis too well known what interest that King favoured that parted with Nova Scotia, and of what religion he died. I have now in my hands his original order to the Governor of Nova Scotia to surrender that country to the French, and 'tis observable the Secretary of State that countersigned the Order afterwards died a Papist. Such fatal misgovernment in the late reigns ought to give us the highest veneration for our true Protestant King. I am commanded by His Majesty to recommend to you the passing a law to prevent the escape of pirates, etc. You would do well to make a law that shall effectually prevent the clipping and debasing the currant coin and also the exportation thereof, both which are become too universal a practice, and tend very much to the impoverishment of the Province. The management of the Eastern Indians in such a manner as to bring them again under the obedience of His Majesty is necessary above all other things, and worth your care. To the House of Representatives I recommend the provision of supplies.
The Representatives retired. A Bill for the better regulating of prisons was drawn up, read twice and committed.
A Committee was appointed to draw up a bill for suppressing and punishing any Popish Missionaries found in the Province.
Bill relating to the duty of a Coroner read twice and committed. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. pp. 337–343.]
May 30.
Hudson's Bay
House.
486. William Potter, Secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In reply to your letter of 28th inst. the Company with great grief do say their sufferings in Hudson's Bay by the French, their disappointments and hard usages by the Articles of the late Peace and the present discouragements they are under by being prosecuted by H.M. Attorney General in a suit of law, lies so hard upon them, that they are not in a capacity to send any ship to Hudson's Bay this year, nor shall they have any way of sending a Commission, whatever occasion there may be of it. Signed, Wm. Potter. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 30, 1700. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay, 2. No. 26; and 3. p. 92.]
May 30.
Hampton
Court.
487. Order of King in Council, approving of the Memorial of the Lords of the Admiralty relating to Passes for ships trading in the way of the Algerines, and ordering that a copy thereof be sent to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, who are to consider and settle the method and manner of granting them. Signed, John Povey. Annexed,
May 30.
Admiralty
Office.
487. i. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to the King. Considering the time limited by the Government of Algiers for supplying the ships in H.M. Plantations with Passes, we have determined forthwith to send to the respective Governors a fitting number thereof to be distributed to them from time to time, and to recommend that they take sufficient security that they be not employed to indirect uses; but as for such ships as shall trade from this Kingdom and that of Ireland either to the Plantations or to any other parts where they may probably meet with the ships of Algiers, we humbly propose that His Majesty issue forth his Royal Proclamation requiring the owners and masters of all such ships to take out such Passes for their security before they proceed on their voyage. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Haversham, Geo. Churchill, D. Mitchill. [Board of Trade. Trade Papers, 15. pp. 60–63.]
May 30.
Hampton
Court.
488. Order of King in Council, approving of the above memorial of the Admiralty, and directing that Passes be given to English trading to and from the Plantations and other remote parts, and from one Plantation to another. H.M. Consul at Algiers is to acquaint the Dey that Passes shall be granted to His Majesty's subjects trading in the way of the Algerines, but, in regard the time proposed by the Government of Algiers till September next will be too short for supplying English ships at present in the East and West Indies and other remote parts with such Passes, he is to insist that the time be enlarged to 18 months from the last declaration of the Dey or to such further time as he can obtain, being not less than 6 months after Sept. next; and that if any ships belonging to His Majesty's subjects be seized for want of such a Pass, the owners may reclaim such ship and goods, bringing proof that they do truly and bona fide belong to His Majesty's subjects; and that pursuant to the VIIIth Art. of the Treaty with Algiers the ships of that Government be hindered from cruizing near or in sight of any of His Majesty's roads, harbours, ports, towns or places in Europe or elsewhere, or any ways disturbing the Peace and Commerce of the same. Endorsed, Recd. 18th, Read 19th June, 1700. Copy. 1¾ pp. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 5. No. 65; and 35. pp. 282–284.]
May 30. 489. Minutes of Council of New York. Sundry payments ordered. Sale of the Adventure to George Anderson ordered. 6l. paid to John Carter for reading prayers to the soldiers of the garrison at Albany. Commission for the trial of Platt delivered. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 318, 319.]
May 30. 490. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Letter from Mr. Burchett, May 28, read.
Letter from Lord Jersey, May 27, read.
Letter from Mr. Potter, Sec. of the Hudson's Bay Co., read.
May 31. Order of Council, 30 May, relating to Passes, read. Their Lord-ships considered the matter and looked into what has been done therein for some time backward, and ordered that Vice-Admiral Aylmer be desired to call to-morrow, to explain the ground of his intimating to Mr. Secretary Vernon, July 17, 1699, that the Algerines had agreed our ships might go free for 18 months without Passes, if those at remote distance could not be furnished there-with sooner, "and so to prolong the time till it was otherwise adjusted." Progress made in considering the Rules necessary to be observed in relation to furnishing and giving out Passes to ships in the Plantations.
June 1. The Secretary informed their Lordships that Admiral Aylmer was out of town. Further progress made in the business of Passes. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. pp. 57–60; and 97. Nos. 98–100.]
May 31.
Boston.
491. Minutes of Council in Assembly of Massachusetts Bay. Bills for the regulation of prisons, and relating to the office of a Coroner were amended in Committee.
Benjamin Browne was elected Councillor for the late Province of Maine.