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| March 21. |
Col. Peter Schuyler and Robert Livingston having arrived from Albany, a message was sent to them desiring their company as Members of Council. They returned no manner of answer and did not come. |
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Letter from Hendrick Hansen, at Albany, in reply to letter of March 6, engaging to subsist the soldiers there for a fortnight, wch. the Council approved of as a service to H.M., for that it will support the forces until such time the money since sent arrives. |
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Five barrills of powder etc. ordered to be delivered for the soldiers on the solemnity of the funeral of Lord Bellomont. |
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Ordered that a soldier's pay be applied to paying his rent due to widow van Bossah. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 466–469.] |
| March 21. |
277. Mr. Thurston to Mr. Blathwayt. I most humbly pray Mr. Popple may have directions to write to Mr. Birchett signifying the mistake of 3 men's provisions, and that you will be pleased to take into consideration the bedding etc. necessary for the additional men, that the office of Ordnance may be making provision accordingly. Signed, J. Thurston. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 21, 1700/1. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 2. No. 33; and 195, 2. p. 428.] |
March 21.
Whitehall. |
278. William Popple to Mr. Burchett. I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to acquaint you that no final answer can be returned to your letter of the 8th instant, concerning the men that are to be sent to Newfoundland, till the Establishment for that Company, which is at present depending before the Treasury, be settled. Only in the meanwhile, whereas the first direction given to this Board concerning those men expressed that they should be 40 and a captain, they are now intended to be but 37 and a captain, so that the provisions for three men may be retrenched. [C.O. 195, 2. pp. 428, 429.] |
| March 24. |
279. Articles of High Crimes and Misdemeanours charged upon the Governors in the several Proprieties. Signed, Ed. Randolph. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 24, 1700/1. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1260. No. 100; and 5, 1289. pp. 4–11.] |
| March 24. |
280. Minutes of Council of the Massachusetts Bay. H.E. having received a letter from the Council of New York of the death of H.E. the Earl of Bellomont, ordered that Mr. Duncan Campbell go to New York with letters of condolence to the Countess of Bellomont on this sorrowful occasion. 20l. paid him for his journey. |
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The General Assembly at their last Session having past a resolve that a General Fast be appointed to be observed throughout this Province on such day as this Board shall order, and that if the unhappy news of H.E. the Governor's death should prove true, it be therein particularly deplored, Proclamation ordered appointing April 24 for that purpose. [C.O. 5, 788. p. 39.] |
| March 24. |
281. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Randolph presented to the Board a paper (March 24) upon the misdemeanours of Governors in the Proprieties. |
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Draught of letter to Governor Grey read. |
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Letter to Mr. Lowndes ordered. |
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Further progress made in preparing an answer to the Order of the House of Commons, March 12. |
| March 25. |
Letter to Governor Grey signed. |
| March 26. |
Nicholas Gillibrand was granted a copy of the letter from this Board to Mr. Secretary Vernon, Oct. 31 last. |
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Further progress made with answer to the House of Commons. |
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Representation upon the state of the Propriety and Charter Governments agreed upon. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. 420–423; and 98. Nos. 55–57.] |
| March 24. |
282. Minutes of Council of New York. The Gentlemen of the Council having appointed to meet this day to consult and give the necessary orders for the more honble. interment of his late Excellency, and to resolve on further measures for support of the soldiers and supply of their subsistance etc., ordered the Messenger to acquaint Col. Peter Schuyler and Robert Livingston, that they should meet and consult with them, to which Mr. Livingston made no other reply (the Messenger not meeting with Col. Schuyler) than demanding if Col. Smith was not yet come to town. Neither met to sit in Council. |
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Ordered that, to avoid any mistakes or difference between H.M. soldiers in pay and the Militia of this Province on account of place at the interment, the officers of the former lay their proposals before the Board. Powder etc. ordered for the batteries on this occasion. Ordered that Col. Abr. Depeyster give such orders as he thinks most proper to the gunners of the batteries, and discourse the Capt. of H.M.S. Advice about the number and method of firing the minute guns. |
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Ordered that Col. Abraham Depeyster and Robert Walters endeavour to find persons that will advance 300l. more on Bills given by the private creditt of the Gentlemen of H.M. Council, and that notice be given to the paymasters of Albany that more money shall be sent to them by the first oppertunity for the subsistance of the soldiers. |
| March 25. |
The Messenger waited on Col. Schuyler and Mr. Livingston, and acquainted ye sd. Mr. Livingston, he not meeting with Col. Schuyler, that the Council satt this morning, to which he gave no answer, nor did either of them meet with the Council. |
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The officers of H.M. forces in pay laid before the Board proposals of a method for the drawing up, marching and firing them
and the Militia at Lord Bellomont's interment. The Council agreed upon the necessary orders and desire Col. Depeyster to appoint adjutants to see that they be carried out. |
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Col. Depeyster informed the Board that he procured 133l. more on the private creditt of the Gentlemen of Council, and the Managers of the pay of the forces at Albany announcing that the last money sent will be wholly expended on Sat. next, ordered that the 133l. be immediately sent up, with assurances that there shall be further care taken for their constant supply to prevent their being discouraged or deserting. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 469–472.] |
March 25.
Whitehall. |
283. William Popple to William Lowndes. The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations desire you that Mr. Baker, Solicitor of the Treasury, may be directed to furnish this Board with 50 copies of the late Act of Parliament for the more effectual suppression of piracy, to be sent to the Plantations. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 35. pp. 408, 409.] |
March 25.
Whitehall. |
284. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Grey. Enclosing H.M. letter (No. 246, ii.) and copies of the petitions and memorials referred to, and directing him to send answers accordingly. Signed, Stamford, Lexinton, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, John Pollexfen, Ab. Hill, Mat. Prior. [C.O. 29, 7. pp. 303, 304.] |
| March 26. |
285. The King to Governor the Earl of Bellomont. Warrant to stop Mr. Weaver's salary for the year and a half he was absent from his duty. Given at our Court at Kensington, March 26, 1701. Countersigned, Ste. Fox, H. Boyle, Richd. Hill. Endorsed, Recd. Read April 30, 1701. Copy. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1046. No. 11; and 5, 1118. pp. 267–269.] |
| March 26. |
286. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Having formerly on several occasions humbly represented to your Majesty the state of the Governments under Proprietors and Charters in America, and perceiving the irregularities of those Governments dayly to increase, to the prejudice of trade and of your Majestie's other Plantations in America, as well as of your Majestie's revenue arising from the Customs here, wee find ourselves obliged at present humbly to represent, that those Colonies in general have no ways answered the chief design for which such large tracts of land, and such privileges and immunities were granted by the Crown; that they have not conformed themselves to the several Acts of Parliament for regulating Trade and Navigation, to which they ought to pay the same obedience, and submit to the same restrictions as the other Plantations, which are subject to your Majestie's immediate Government. On the contrary, in most of these Propriety and Charter Governments, the Governors have not applyed themselves to your Majesty for your approbation, nor have taken the oaths required by the Acts of Trade, both which qualifications
are made necessary by the late Act for preventing frauds etc. They have assumed to themselves a power to make Laws contrary and repugnant to the Laws of England and directly prejudicial to Trade; some of them having refused to send hither such Laws as they had enacted, and others having sent them but very imperfectly. Divers of them have delayed Appeals to your Majesty in Council, by which not only the inhabitants of those Colonies but others your Majestie's subjects are deprived of that benefit in the Plantations under your Majestie's immediate Government, and the parties agrieved are left without remedy from the arbitrary and illegal proceedings of their Courts. These Colonies continue to be the refuge and retreat of Pirats and Illegal Traders, and the receptacle of goods imported thither from foreign parts contrary to Law, in return of which commodities those of the growth of these Colonies are likewise contrary to Law exported to foreign parts, all which is likewise much incouraged by their not admitting appeals as aforesaid. By raising and lowering their coin from time to time, to their particular advantage, and to the prejudice of other Colonies, by exempting their inhabitants from duties and customs to which the other Colonies are subject, and by harbouring of servants and fugitives, these Governments tend greatly to the undermining the trade and welfare of the other Plantations, and seduce and draw away the people thereof. By which diminution of hands the rest of the Colonies more beneficial to England do very much suffer. These independent Colonies turn the course of trade to the promoting and propagating woollen and other manufactures proper to England, instead of applying their thoughts and endeavours to the production of such commodities as are fit to be encouraged in those parts, according to the true design and intention of such settlements. They do not in general take any due care for their own defence and security against an enemy, either in building forts or in providing their inhabitants with sufficient arms and ammunition, in case they should be attacked, which is every day more and more to be apprehended, considering how the French power encreases in those parts. This chiefly arises from the ill use they make of the powers entrusted to them by their Charters, and the independency which they pretend to, and that each Government is obliged only to defend itself, without any consideration had of their neighbours, or of the general preservation of the whole. Many of them have not a regular militia, and some (particularly East and West New Jersey) are no otherwise at present than in a state of anarchy and confusion. And because the care of these and other great mischiefs in your Majesty's Plantations and the introducing such an administration of Government and fit regulation of Trade as may put them into a better state of security and make them duly subservient and useful to England, does every day become more and more necessary, and that your Majestie's frequent commands to them have not met with due complyance, we humbly conceive it may be expedient that the Charters of the several Proprietors and others, intitling them to absolute
Government, be reassumed to the Crown, and these Colonies put into the same state and dependency as those of your Majestie's other Plantations, without prejudice to any man's particular property and freehold, which being no otherwise so well to be effected as by the Legislative power of this Kingdom, we humbly submit the same to your Majestie's Royal consideration. Signed, Stamford, Lexington, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, John Pollexfen, Abr. Hill, Matt. Prior. [C.O. 5, 1289. pp. 12–17.] |
March 27.
Whitehall. |
287. Answer of the Council of Trade and Plantations to the Order of the House of Commons, March 12. Signed, Stamford, Lexington, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Jno. Pollexfen, Abr. Hill. A review of the work and proposals of the Council of Trade, since March 21, 1699, abstracted in this and preceding volumes of the Calendar. [Board of Trade. Trade Papers, 15. pp. 167–191.] |
March 27.
Whitehall. |
288. Journal of Council of Council of Trade and Plantations. Draught of an answer to the Order of the House of Commons of the 12th inst. agreed upon. |
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Minute of Council, March 20, relating to the 4½ per cent. in Barbadoes, read. |
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Lord Bellomont's letter, Jan. 2, further considered. |
| March 28. |
Answer to the Order of the House of Commons, March 12, signed and delivered to Mr. Blathwayt, to be by him presented to the House. Further progress made in considering Lord Bellomont's letter of Jan. 2. |
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Ordered that the Secretary write to Mr. Taylor (v. March 31). [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. pp. 424, 425; and 98. Nos. 58, 59.] |
| March 29. |
289. Minutes of Council in Assembly of Barbados. Error brought by John Waterman found good and judgment reversed. Error brought by Dorothy Love, alias Reid, against John Thomas was continued by consent. |
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Error brought by James Clinckett against John Pead was three times called, and, nobody appearing, was dismissed. |
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Error brought by James Cecil to reverse a judgment given against Richard Lyne, executor and guardian of James Cecil, jr., upon an action of dower brought by Dorothy Cecil heard, and judgment reversed. |
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The Assembly presented an Act for raising a levy to defray the charges of repairing the fortifications, which was read three times and consented to. |
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Petitions of Samuel Nockold, merchant, for the drawback on 50 pipes of Madera turned sour, read and granted. [C.O. 31, 6. pp. 403, 404.] |
| March 29. |
290. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. The House met by special summons from His Excellency. Col. Abell Allyne was re-elected Speaker. |
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Bill for raising a levy read a third time. |
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John Lucie Blackman granted leave to bring in a bill to dock an estate taile. |
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Petition of William Heysham and Roberts referred to a Committee. |
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Bill for the exchange of Philip Trowell's lands read. |
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Petition of Edward Cordwent for a drawback on Madera wine granted. |
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Address to H.E. passed for payment of 40l. to Capt. Robert Arthur for the use of his house for the sittings of the Council and Assembly. The House adjourned till April 14. [C.O. 31, 6. pp. 434–436.] |
| March 29. |
291. Minutes of Council of New York. Resolved that this Board will sit on Tuesdays and Fridays, and whenever H.M. service shall require it. No other money being as yet to be procured to be advanced on the private creditt of the Members for paying the soldiers' weekly subsistence due this day, Col. Depeyster and Mr. Weaver offered to advance ready money for the subsistence of the two companies in this City, to be repaid them out of the first moneys that can be raised by Bills of Exchange given on the private creditt of the Gentlemen of the Council. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 473, 474.] |
| March 31. |
292. Minutes of Council of New York. Isaac de Riemer, Mayor, and David Provost, Alderman, appointed to be Justices of the Supreme Court of Judicature to be held the first Tuesday in April. |
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Memorial of the Commissioners of Accounts read. Ordered that Peter Schuyler and Robert Livingston be served with a copy and desired to give in their answer on Fryday next. |
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Answer of Paroculus Parmyter, Naval Officer, to Mr. Weaver's Memorial read. Ordered that the latter do bring his proofs before the Board on Tuesday sevennight. |
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Petition of Johannes van Cortlandt read and referred to a Committee. |
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The Naval Officer informing the Board that he hath lately seized the goods of Bartholomew le Feurt, an alien, and that they being bona peritura he hath taken security from him to pay the value thereof if they shall be condemned in the Court of Admiralty, ordered that the said goods be delivered out of the Custom House to Le Feurt. |
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Remonstrance of Col. Schuyler and Mr. Livingston read. |
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Ordered that the Clerk of the Council do not deliver to any Member or Members of this Board any copy of any Minute or Order of Council unless he is ordered to do the same by the Members in Council. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 474, 475.] |
March 31.
Whitehall. |
293. William Popple to Mr. Taylor. The Council of Trade and Plantations, understanding that H.M. Household are now about to be paid, desire you to move the Lords of the Treasury for payment of half a year's allowances and salaries for this Office,
and that you would further mind them of the Bill of Incidental charges which was laid before them, Jan 17. [Board of Trade. Miscellanies, 11. p. 103.] |
| March 31. |
294. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Thurston desiring a certified copy of the forming of the Company at Newfoundland, Aug. 29, 1698, ordered that the same be given him by the Secretary. |
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Lord Bellomont's letters, Jan. 2 and 16, considered. Directions given for preparing an answer to them and others that have been lately before their Lordships. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. p. 426; and 98. No. 60.] |
