America and West Indies: November 1702, 6-10

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 20, 1702. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1912.

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'America and West Indies: November 1702, 6-10', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 20, 1702, ed. Cecil Headlam( London, 1912), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol20/pp703-715 [accessed 6 December 2024].

'America and West Indies: November 1702, 6-10', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 20, 1702. Edited by Cecil Headlam( London, 1912), British History Online, accessed December 6, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol20/pp703-715.

"America and West Indies: November 1702, 6-10". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 20, 1702. Ed. Cecil Headlam(London, 1912), , British History Online. Web. 6 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol20/pp703-715.

November 1702

Nov. 6. 1122. Petty expenses of the Board of Trade, June 29–Nov. 2. 7l. 9s. 7d. 1 p. [C.O. 388, 75. No. 60; and 389, 36. pp. 149, 150.]
Nov. 6. 1123. Account of Coal for the Board of Trade, 21l. 1s. 0d. ½ p. [C.O. 388, 75. No. 61.]
Nov. 6. 1124. Account of postage for the Board of Trade, June 19—Oct. 2, 1702. 6l. 3s. 1d. 1 p. [C.O. 388, 75. No. 62.]
Nov. 6. 1125. Account of Mr. Churchill, the Stationer, June 26–Sept. 29. [Dutch paper, Dutch pens, bags of sand, quills, ink etc.] 13l. 6s. 3d. 1 p. [C.O. 388, 75. No. 63.]
Nov. 6. 1126. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High Treasurer. Enclosing above accounts together with that rendered July 7. Signed, Dartmouth, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Jno. Pollexfen, Mat. Prior. [C.O. 389, 36. pp. 151, 152.]
Nov. 6.
Whitehall.
1127. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Letter from Mr. Bennet, the Councillor, read.
Letter to the Lord High Treasurer, signed.
Mr. Birch presented a certificate of his having given security for his observance of the Acts for Trade in the Bahama Islands, which was read. [C.O. 391, 96. pp. 262, 263; and 391, 15. No. 177.]
Nov. 7. 1128. Order of the House of Lords, that the Council of Trade and Plantations do lay before this House in writing an account of the State of Trade of this Kingdom since the last Session of Parliament. Signed, Math. Johnson, Cler. Parliamentor. [C.O. 389, 18. p. 3.]
Nov. 7. 1129. Journal of House of Representatives of New York. H.E. gave his consent to the Bill for raising 1,800l., and the House attended the publication thereof before the Court House.
Bill for the better settling the Militia read the first time. Printed by William Bradford. [C.O. 5, 1185. p. 10.]
Nov. 8.
Boston.
1130. Governor Dudley to the Council of Trade and Plantations Enclosing the following. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 9, Read Jan. 13, 1702/3. 1 p. Enclosed,
1130. i. Address of Council and Representatives of New Hampshire to the Queen. Portsmouth, New England, July 21, 1702. We humbly assure your Majesty of our constant and steady obedience to your Majesty's Government under H.E. Joseph Dudley in all things. And whereas this small Province is very small, lying near and always exposed to the danger of the French and Indians, both in our frontiers to the sea and in a long and open tract of undefensible villages to the main-land, we most humbly beg that we may obtain your most Sacred Majesty's protection over us. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 9, 1702/3. ¾ large p.
1130. ii. Address of Governor, Council and Representatives of New Hampshire to the Queen. July 21, 1702. Loyal Address on death of King William and H.M. accession. Same endorsement. ½ large p.
1130. iii. Memorandum of three Acts of New Hampshire, 1702. ¼ p.
1130. iv. Memorandum of Minutes of Council in Assembly of New Hampshire, Aug. 28, 1701—Sept. 9, 1702. ¼ p.
1130. v. Memorandum of Minutes of Council of New Hampshire, Oct. 30, 1701—Oct. 8, 1702. ¼ p. [C.O. 5, 862. Nos. 134, 134.i.–v.; and 5, 910. pp. 349, 350.]
Nov. 8. 1131. Governor Dudley to the Earl of Nottingham. The Dreadnought convoy for the mast men has stayed till this date that I might acquaint your Lordship that all the provisions I had your Lordship's warrant for to be sent to Jamaica are in cask and most of them on board two ships I have hired, and two or three fayr days will dispatch all ready for the first fayr wind. I have two Captains are very diligent in raysing Volunteers for H.M. service in the West Indies in obedience to H.M. warrant; one has got about 40 men with great difficulty, and I am hoping to proceed; but I have yesterday a prisoner from Quebeck that assures me he was present when the Governor of that place agreed with and dispatched 2 or 300 Indians, who I must expect every day upon the frontiers. However, I shall do my utmost, as is my duty; but it is insinuated amongst the people that they are only demanded to fill up the companies from England, and to be put on board Admiral Benboe, which I have assured them is a false information, and humbly pray your Lordship that, if they arrive in Jamaica, there may be orders to keep them intire companies, and that they may be kindly treated, being the first men that ever issued from this Province. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed, R. Jan. 11, 1702/3. Copy. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 863. No. 3.]
Nov. 9.
Bermuda.
1132. George Larkin to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Since I disposed of the sloop I purchased to carry me to Jamaica, an opportunity offered for my going in the sloop Blessing; I agreed with the Master for a passage, but he would not carry me without the Governor's tickquett. I went down to town on purpose, and drew an order which I sent by Dr. Starr to the Governor; his answer was that when anything came regularly from the Secretary, he should not be against signing it. Upon this I sent him with it to the Secretary, afterwards writ to him, and in the evening went to him myself. He told me the Governor would sign me a tickquett in the morning. Next morning I went to the Secretary again, he writt a tickquett and carryed it to the Governor, who put him off till 12 o'clock, and thereupon I writt to the Governor and he sent me an order for appearing before him and his Council next day. I gave my attendance accordingly from 9 till 1, and then the Secretary was sent to tell me that I must attend on Thursday, upon which I writ a second letter to the Governor. I attended again all that day, and they took the affidavits of some scandalous persons against me, but I was not admitted to hear what they swore, and as yet can learn very little of the matter, etc. The Governor and Council are angry with me because I have represented the hardships and oppressions some English gentlemen labour under here and they are afraid I should do the same to your Lordships, and therefore endeavour to extenuate their faults by casting all the dirt they can on me, and contrive to keep me here that their complaints may reach your hands first. Most of the English Gentlemen here, seeing me so basely and barbarously used, are much discouraged and declare they'll leave the Island. It's a misfortune for any Gentleman that comes here to be commissionated under the Great Seal of England, the Bermudians have a mighty antipathy against it. Never any Governor that come here since the Charter Government, or Gentleman was sent by the Crown, but was imprisoned before his departure.
Part of my charge is conteined in the Governor's warrant for my attendance. If they would have admitted me to examine witnesses, I could have proved that Mr. Jones several times petitioned to the Governor to have the accounts betwixt the Crown and him adjusted, and upon a fair account there was 23l. due to him. As to the fines, I could have proved that Jones was a prisoner near upon two months since my coming here, and was set at liberty; that I delivered a petition for Jones to the Governor to hear the causes depending against him; that he and his family were published in Church according to the custom of the country that he intended to depart in the Shaddow, that he was not underwritten nor any action entered against him, and that the Governor promised him when I was ready to sail he should have a tickquett, and sent Minors, the Secretary, to assure him of it afterwards, and declared he would give 20l. Jones was gone. I could, my Lords, have proved that the Governor and the Secretary were the contrivers of Jones' going off, in hopes to saddle me with a complaint to your Lordships, and not disoblige White, Walker, and Spofferth, of whom he stands more in fear than in offending H.M. They are Governors; Mr. Bennett is but an 0 amongst them; these persons and one or two more are perfect incendiaries, and unless your Lordships procure an order that they shall never be employed in any office, this country will never be quiet. I could have proved that I always declared and told Jones that unless he had the Governor's tickquett, he should not go in the Shaddow, or I would not, for that I would not do a thing contrary to the custom of the country, or in contempt of a Government; that when I was ready to sail, I sent for the pilot to carry me out, and he declared that he had orders from the Governor not to do it, and afterwards said, if he had done it, he would have run the sloop upon the rocks and sunk her, and the Governor afterwards sent and took away two of the men from the sloop, upon which I sold her to Mr. Holbeek for 50l. loss. As for Mr. Harvey's going off, I never knew anything of it, directly or indirectly, until Mr. Spofferth told me upon the road as I came down for a tickquett. The reason, as I since am informed, for his going off privately was, that he in Gov. Day's time was a Justice of the Peace, and one Thomas Smith being a prisoner for pretending to be owner of two or three shares of land, which his son Daniel Smith and two of the Griffens (who had been abroad with Every) had purchased with the money they had gotten by pyracy, Dickison, who is now a Justice of the Peace, comes to Mr. Harvey one Saturday and demands the benefit of the Habeas Corpus Act in behalf of Smith, and Mr. Harvey desired time to consider of it till Monday. Dickeson then came to him again, and Harvey told him, if he would bring another Justice, it should be done. This matter rested so till the Governor came, and since Smith has brought his action against Harvey and recovered 300l., which is appealed.
They have examined one Henley, a Lieut. in Capt. Sands' Company, against me, who says that he heard me say to Col. Day that I opposed the Governor or Government, upon his account. This Henley is noted for a man that will swear anything. The words I said were that the Governor and Country were extream angry with me for taking his part, however, I did not think myself in the wrong, because he had once the honour to be Governor here, and I saw him very much oppressed. They have likewise taken the affidavits of a common strumpet and the hangman, that I desired leave of the Marshall the night I was imprisoned to go to the Governor, and carried with me the duplicate of the Commission and the King's letter to the Governor of Jamaica, and desired the Governor since he had imprisoned me to take care of them. The Governor sent them back again to me, and they say I swept them off the table and ordered them to be thrown out of dore; I valued no Commission that could not protect me from being imprisoned, when I had done nothing that was ill or to deserve it; whereas there were other papers, and I had given the duplicate and letter to Dr. Starr to take care of, and he delivered them to me after the Governor had given me his Liberate. I have desired copies of these affidavits, but he says he cannot let me have them, but is really ashamed to see such actions, and truly I cannot find that ever there has been a fair, just, honest thing transacted since Mr. Bennet came to this Government by him or his Council, but all tricks and villainy, and Mr. Bennett intends to keep me here until your Lordships send an order for my proceeding upon the service or return for England. I intend to take the oaths of my witnesses next week, and transmit them to your Lordships by the first opportunity.
When your Lordships send an order for my proceeding upon the service or my return, if the ship that's run upon the rocks shall be thought a perquisite of the Admiralty, if I am appointed a Commissioner, I shall do my Lord High Admiral all the service I can; this is a chargeable place, and I hope your Lordships will discharge me as soon as may be. Signed, Geo. Larkin. Endorsed, Recd. 1, Read April 20, 1703. 3 pp. Enclosed,
1132. i. Abstract of preceding. 1½ pp.
1132. ii. Copies of several papers relating to Mr. Larkin's desiring a ticket of the Governor of Bermuda for leave to depart. Nov. 1–3, 1702. Endorsed as preceding. 3 pp. [C.O. 37, 4. Nos. 14, 14.i., ii.; and (without enclosures) 38, 5. pp. 368–374.]
Nov. 9.
Whitehall.
1133. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Letter from the Earl of Nottingham [Nov. 4], directing a Thanksgiving to be observed in the Plantations, read. Circular Letters to the Governors ordered to be prepared accordingly.
Order of the House of Lords, Nov. 7, read. Directions given for preparing an account accordingly.
Ordered that the Addresses from Virginia, July 29, be sent to Mr. War to be laid before Lord Nottingham in order to their being presented to H.M.
Upon notice that a Council is to be held at St. James's on Wednesday in the evening, ordered that the hearing appointed for the business of Appeals in Barbadoes be put off till Wednesday next.
Mr. Jory's Memorial, that Col. Ward may be constituted Lieut. Governor of Nevis, being considered, their Lordships thought fit that Mr. Jory should make his first application to the Queen, it not being usual for this Board to represent their opinion upon matters of that kind, unless they be referred to them by H.M.
Nov. 10. Upon consideration of the Petition of Sir John Fleet etc. relating to a ship impressed into their late Majesties' service in Jamaica, during the Government of the Earl of Inchiquin, Ordered that the Petitioners, when they call, be acquainted that the matter of their petition relating to money, it is not under the cognizance of this Board, but that they ought to apply themselves either to the Lord High Treasurer, or the Treasurer of the Navy, as they understand to be most proper.
Nov. 11. Representation upon the Bermuda Act to prevent the Suppression [sic] of officers, signed.
Representation upon Mr. Penn's Petition, signed.
Circular Letters to the Governors of Plantations, directing a Thanksgiving to be observed there, signed. Ordered, that one copy of the said letters to the Islands be sent by Mr. Dummer's Packet-boat, which is shortly to sail from Portsmouth, enclosing that for Bermuda under a cover to Barbadoes; and that one Copy likewise of the letters to the Continent be enclosed to Barbadoes, to be sent forward from thence by the first convenience.
Letter from Col. Dudley, relating to New Hampshire, July 23, read, and papers transmitted therewith laid before the Board.
Ordered that a Representation be prepared with the opinion of this Board that Col. Dudley may have H.M. permission to receive the present of the Assembly of New Hampshire.
Letter from Col. Dudley, Boston, Sept. 17, read, and papers therewith received laid before the Board. Directions given for preparing another Representation thereon. [C.O. 391, 15. pp. 263–270; and 391, 96. Nos. 178–180.]
Nov. 9. 1134. Journal of House of Representatives of New York. The House adjourned till to-morrow.
Nov. 10. Upon the petitions of W. Hallett, T. Hicks etc. and Richard Smith, Resolved, that the setting up a Court of Equity in this Colony without consent of General Assembly is an innovation without president, inconvenient and contrary to the English Law; that the Court of Chancery, as lately erected and managed here, was and is unwarrantable, a great oppression to the subject, of pernicious example and consequence; that all proceedings, orders and decrees in the same, are, and of right ought to be declared null and void, and that a Bill be brought in according to these two Resolutions.
Bill for settling the Militia read a second time and committed.
The City and County of New York are granted leave to bring in a Bill to raise 50l. per annum for a Free School.
Mr. Gouverneur attending, was ordered to attend to-morrow.
In consideration of the great and extraordinary charge and expence H.E. the Lord Viscount Cornbury has been at in bringing over himself and a numerous family, after a long, tedious and dangerous voyage, and the travels, difficulties and hardships sustained since his arrival, occasioned not less by the present war than by the dangerous and mortal disease with which the City of New York has been lately most grievously afflicted, Resolved, nemine contradicente, that a Bill be brought in for raising 2,000l. to be presented to H.E.
Nov. 11. Mr. Gouverneur, attending, produced the Copy of an Act of Assembly for naturalizing foreigners in this Colony. After some debate, he was called in again, and Mr. Speaker inquired of him if he had taken or subscribed the Oath of Allegiance required by that Act? He answered that he had taken the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament instead of the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy before Capt. John De Peyster, the then Mayor of New York. Asked if he could make it appear to this House that he had taken or subscribed the Oath of Allegiance before the same was abrogated by Act of Parliament, 1st William and Mary, he answered that he could not be positive, but believed he had. He was then ordered to withdraw, and, the question being put, whether it appeared to the House he hath qualified himself as a natural born subject, according to that Act of Assembly, it was carried in the negative, and Resolved, that Mr. Gouverneur is an Alien.
A motion being made and question put, Whether any Bills passed as Laws, when an Alien is Speaker, are binding to the subject? it passed in the negative. Resolved, that a Bill be brought in accordingly.
Bill, for preventing doubts and mistakes and for continuing process and judicial proceedings, sent down, was read three times, passed, and sent up.
Upon their petitions, Resolved that the imprisonment, arraignment, trial and condemnation of Col. Nicholas Bayard and Alderman John Hutchins was and is illegal, unjust, null and void, a most malitious wresting and abuse of Law and Justice, a high violation of natural right, of most dangerous consequence, and that whosoever hath been guilty of the same, ought to be prosecuted and punished as betrayers of the rights and liberties of the subjects in this Colony, and that a Bill be brought in to prevent the like prosecutions for the future.
Petition of Derrick Benson, relating to a ferry, referred.
Committee appointed to calculate the quotas for the 2,000l. ordered to be levied yesterday.
Petition of inhabitants of East Chester, Lower Yonkers, and Mile Square in the County of West Chester, read and ordered to lie on the table.
Memorial of Capt. John Tudor read and referred. Printed. [C.O. 5, 1185. pp. 11, 12.]
Nov. 10.
Boston.
1135. Governor Dudley to the Council of Trade and Plantations. By advice of an intelligent person two days since arrived from Quebec, we are assured that there are 200 Indians of that part listed and clothed and armed coming down to joyn the Eastern Indians to fall upon our Eastern frontiers, whom I I have therefore put into the best posture those poor settlements will bear, and shall have the fifth man in every part of this Province in readiness to march upon the first advice of the enemy's approach, and must yet expect damage by them, who are always in small parties scouting at great distances from each other in the several parts. I have in obedience to H.M. commands procured the bread and other provisions for Jamaica, which was ordered, and it is now shipping in two large ships, and the Gospir will be ready in a few days to sail with them, when there will be no ship of war left for the guard of our coasts here; I am also using all methods to encourage two foot companies of volunteers as H.M. has commanded for the service in the West Indies, and hope to obtain them if this new motion of the Indians do not prevent me, but must observe to your Lordships that I have no assistance, but the contrary, from several Gentlemen of the Council here, who privately insinuate that they will be broke at their arrival at Jamaica, and disposed of otherwise then in entire companies. I shall also be at a great difficulty for arms and cloaths for them, and I have no direction what establishment to put them upon, but shall yet do my utmost to send them and hope H.M. orders will meet them there with all encouragement, being the first men that were ever sent out of the Province for the service of the Crown. I have a great difficulty with the Assembly to get money raised necessary to support any forces against the Indians, and any establishment for a Governor and other officers of the Civil List, my Lord Bellomont having satisfied himself in getting 3,000l. in these two Provinces for one year's service besides near as much at New York, and left no establishment for any officer, civil or military. I have from the Assembly their compliments and addresses of thanks for the sea-service before-mentioned, and the peace hitherto with the Indians, which was more than they expected, and depended wholly upon my personal knowledge of them and travail to Pemaquid to meet them, and that is all I have of them to support me, unless by your Lordships' favour I may obtain H.M. direction to be supported out of the Revenue of the Province where I am. The service I hope to do in raising of men is dayly obstructed by the young men running away to Road Island, but 60 miles distant from this place, where they are harboured, and that Province lying secure do's nothing toward the public charge. The Assembly here is yett setting, and I shall not fayle to urge them on the business of Pemaquid agreable to the return of their own Committee sent to attend me thither in the summer, and humbly pray that a garrison may be sent thither to maintain it, the charge being so great, our establishment here being 20d. per diem, and not lately altered, because all wages are proportionable, no handicrafts man at less than 5s. a day. I hope for some winter conveyance for the issue of this Assembly, the Dreadnought and the sloop Shirk being now both bound away with the mast men and about other ships, which I have ordered to draw together to Piscatiqua, from whence they will sail I hope in three days. I humbly offer to your Lordships Col. Nathaniel Byfield for Judge of the Admiralty, and Mr Paul Dudley, barrister-at-law, for Attorney General, who are the fittest persons I can offer here, though there is no manner of salary for either of them. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. 11, Read Jan. 13, 1702/3. Holograph. 4 pp. Enclosed,
1135. i. Abstract of preceding. 1¼ pp.
1135. ii. Return of the Committee of Council and Representatives of the Massachusetts Bay referring to the Fort at Pemaquid, Oct. 27, 1702. Propose that, the stones being already in place, the ground already trenched and the foundation probably still good, and lime to be had near and easy, the Assembly order that there be a sum of money granted to be paid in two years for the raising of the walls of the Fort, that H.M. be humbly addressed to put a garrison of 100 men under proper officers to secure the same for the future, the charge of its maintenance being so very great, and the other frontiers of the Province being so far extended, that puts the Province to almost an unsupportable charge in times of war with the French and Indians. Signed, J. Hawthern, in the name of the rest.
1135. iii. The Assembly of Rhode Island to Governor Dudley. In answer to your demands of the Militia of this Colony, we humbly offer that by our Charter granted by King Charles II, the sole power of the Militia is granted to us, as well as by her late Majesty, Queen Mary, Aug. 22, 1694. [See Cal. A. & W.I., 1694.] We cannot but conceive it our duty boath with respect to H.M. service and our own peace and preservation in this time of war to endeavour to continue the Militia as formerly till we shall receive further orders from H.M. Signed, by order of the General Assembly, Newport, Nov. 17, 1702. Weston Clarke, Sec. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 11, 1702/3. Copy. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 862. Nos. 135, 135.i.–iii.; and 5, 910. pp. 340–348.]
Nov. 10.
Barbados.
1136. President and Council of Barbados. We have per this conveyance transmitted to your Lordships the Minutes of Council, May 20—Aug. 5, as also a duplicate of those sent by H.M. sloop the Otter, which was unfortunately taken by a French privateer and carried into Martinique. Upon Sept. 1st, we sent downe a Flag of Truce to Martinique to know upon what terms the French would be with us about the Exchange of prisoners during the war. In answer thereto, they sent some proposals, a copy whereof with our answer we have enclosed, as also the deposition of one who met a squadron of French men of war convoying the Spanish gallioons. Sept. 19, here arrived a small sloop from Curraco, who gave us the following intelligence, that Admirall Benbow with nine saile of men of war met Monsieur Du Case with his squadron between St. Martha and Carthagine where they had a running fight, but cannot tell who had the better, tho' it is judged Admiral Benbow had, the other being observed to make the best of his way from him.
We must beg leave to lay before your Lordships the great charge we are at in fitting out vessels to keep our coasts clear, and secure our inward and outward bound ships. We have in less than three months expended above 4,000l., and all is not able nor sufficient to clear us of the vast number of privateers come from Martinique and other the French Islands, so that, if we have not some good sailing vessels from home, it will be very detrimental to our trade. Signed, John Farmer, Presdt., Wm. Sharpe, Pat. Mein, Tob. Frere, David Ramsay, Rd. Scott, Ben. Cryer. Endorsed, Recd. 23, Read Jan. 26, 1702/3. 4 pp. Enclosed,
1136. i. Abstract of preceding. 1 p.
1136. ii. Certificate of Tho. Harrison, Oct. 20, 1702, that there has not been any clause depending in the Court of Chancery of Barbados since Nov. 29, 1699, wherein Thomas Hodges or any person for him hath been concerned. In the cause wherein he was complainant v. Thomas Horne, a decree for 2,000l. sterl. was passed against the defendant on that date. Signed, Tho. Harrison, Cl. Canc. ¾ p.
1136. iii. Certificate that for 2 years and 10 months last past no action has been entered or depending by Thomas Hodges or Attorney in the Court of Common Pleas for the precincts of St. Michael's. Oct. 20, 1702. Signed, Arthur Slingesby, Cl. Cur. 1 p.
1136. iv. Certificate that for 2 years and six months last past no action was entered or depending in the Court of Common Pleas held for the precincts of Christ Church at the suit of Tho. Hodges. April 20, 1702. Signed, [? J.] Chase, Cler. Cur. 1 p.
1136. v. Similar Certificate as to the Court of Common Pleas for the precincts of St. Peter's. April 13, 1702. Signed, Wm. Burnet, Cl. Cur. 1½ pp.
1136. vi. Similar certificate as to the Court of Common Pleas for the precincts of St. James and St. Thomas. Same date and signature as preceding. 1½ pp.
1136. vii. Similar certificate as to the Court of Common Pleas for the precincts of Saint Andrews and St. Joseph's. Same date and signature as preceding. 1½ pp.
1136. viii. Reply of Mr. Chilton, Attorney General of Barbados, to Mr. Hodges' complaints against him. Signed, E. Chilton. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 23, 1702/3. 6 closely written pp. Cf. Cal. 1700, 1701.
1136. ix. Copy of Proposals made by the French to the President and Council of Barbados, with their answer thereunto. Signed, John Farmer, President. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 23, 1702/3. The proposals in French. 3 pp. [See Minutes of Council of Barbados.]
1136. x. Copy of the Deposition of Dan. Watkins, Commander of the sloop Hopewell. Oct. 23, 1702. On July 17, in the latitude of 31 and 10, proceeding from Jamaica to Pennsilvania, in the Phœnix sloop, Deponent met with 30 French men of war, which carried from 82 to 36 guns, also 12 tenders, which were convoying 8 galloons from the Havanna to Cailes [? Calais]. One of the men of war fired a great gun at Deponent, and the Admiral Chatternan [Chateaurenault] asked what news was at Jamaica and how Admiral Benbow did. It was answered that it was Peace, that Admiral Benbow was very well, his men healthy, and that he had under his command 17 sail. The Admiral asked if they had any money on board the sloop. It was answered none. Then the Admiral took the sloop's clearance and endorsed his name, saying that he did it for the sloop to pass without being stopt, in case they met with any French or Spanish vessels. The Admiral asked for and was given one of Deponent's cards [maps] to keep them clear of Bermudos. Signed, Daniel Watkins. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 23, 1702/3. 1¾ pp.
1136. xi. Memorandum of Minutes of Council of Barbados, May 20—Aug. 5, 1702. ¼ p.
1136. xii. Memorandum of Journal of Assembly of Barbados, Aug. 4—Oct. 13, 1702. ¼ p.
1136. xiii. Memorandum of Naval Officer's List of Ships entered and cleared at Barbados, Dec. 25, 1701—March 24, 1702. ¼ p.
1136. xiv. Memorandum of Naval Officer's List of Ships entered and cleared at Barbados, March 25—June 24, 1702. ¼ p. [C.O. 28, 6. Nos. 87, 87.i.–xiv.; and (without enclosures) 29, 8. pp. 278–282.]
Nov. 10.
Barbados.
1137. William Roberts to the Earl of Nottingham. The enclosed was left with me for conveyance by Capt. Summers, who sayled hence the 6th inst. for Jamaica, and behaved himself very brave to windward of this Island in defending his ship against a French privateer. Our Island is infested with French privateers, there being now fitted out of Marteneque 15 sayle, and more they are a-fitting. They have taken 17 sayle of vessels wch. were bound in and out of this Island, and are now a great plague to us, having but one man of war to defend our Island, and being here so long sayles but indifferently. Our Island have been at a great charge in fitting out two vessels of war, a sloop and a briganteen, in order to keep with the man of war to windward of the Island, to preserve the ships inward bound. This island wants 3 or 4 good frigotts to preserve the ships inward and outward bound. The French at Martenique are become very populous by the surrender of St. Christopher's and their deserting several other small islands adjacent, and who[me] have nothing to live on but by privateering, who must have inevitably sterved were it not for the taking so many of our ships. Your salt fish was sold at 7½d. per lb. there, and beefe six to eight pounds per barrel. All this I know to be true myself being sent hence to Martineque a Flag of Truce for the exchange of prisoners. Signed, Wm. Roberts. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed,
1137. i. Robert Summers to the Earl of Nottingham. Nov. 5., Carlile Bay, Barbadoes. Soon after your Lordship's Instructions came to my hand for H.M. service, I satt saile. On the coast of Ireland we were chased per a French privateer, but after about an hour's dispute with him got clear. We were several times chased since, but not in much danger till the 3rd inst, about 7 a.m., at which time a privateer of the Governor of Martineco, who had five days before taken t[w]o ships of 10 guns each, belonging to Bristol and London, came up with us and fired a volley of small shot upon us. We gave her the like return, and maintained a fight with her for 8 hours, in which time she took a briganteen belonging to New England and bound to Barbadoes with us, who being of no force put herself under our protection, but we had the good fortune to retake her again, and put her in possession of her own men again, taking the French that had boarded her prisoners, who told us that the first shot we exchanged with them killed 7 of their men. During our engagement we so warmed her sides that she, finding no advantage at a distance, endeavoured to come on board us, but just as she ranged under one quarter, we rackt her quite through the hull, which so disabled her that she immediately left us, but in her retreat retook the briganteen, who by this time was fallen a great way astern, being a dull sailer. We had in this action 3 or 4 men wounded and two killed, one of which was son to Capt. Whetstone, Commander of H.M.S. Canterbury, who was a passenger on board us, our rigging and sails being all shattered extreamly, having above 150 shots through our ensigne, and everything else answerable. In this condition we came to anchor this morning here. I immediately delivered H.M. packet to the President, and hope in a short time to give your Lordship an account of the delivery of the other at Jamaica. Signed, Robt. Summers. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 38. Nos. 3, 4.]
Nov. 10.
Barbados.
1138. John Farmer to the Earl of Nottingham. Acknowledges receipt of letters etc. Our coast is much infested with French Privateers, fitted out of Martineque, who are strongly manned, and have taken above 20 of our merchantmen etc. as letter from William Roberts above. Signed, John Farmer, President. Endorsed, R. Jan. 22, 1702/3. 3 pp. [C.O. 28, 38. No. 5.]
Nov. 10.
Whitehall.
1139. William Popple to Richard Warr. The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations have ordered me to transmit unto you the inclosed Addresses [See March 21] to H.M. from Virginia and to desire you to lay the same before the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Nottingham, that they may be presented to H.M. as his Lordship shall think fit. Signed, Wm. Popple. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1339. No. 8; and 5, 1360. p. 326.]
Nov. 10. 1140. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Letter from Lord Nottingham, May 7, about Declaration of War, read. Also a letter from the same with a pacquet for Col. Codrington to be sent forward. Also H.M. most gracious Order of May 30, 1702, granting the duty of the 4½ per cent. to the repairing etc. of the fortifications.
Ordered that Capt. Alexander Forrister have a Commission to command a privateer, he giving security as the Law directs, the vessels taken up in the country's service being already manned, and gone out two cruises since, according to the Address of the General Assembly.
Petition of a French Master of the Neptune of Nants, brought in prize by Capt. Foljamb, H.M.S. Kinsayl, dismissed.
Petition of Charles Thomas that he might have leave to send Walter Rust in the Flag of Truce now going down to Martineque in order to recover some debts due to him there, granted.
Earl of Nottingham's pacquet to Col. Codrington was forwarded by Richard Cocran, an inhabitant of Antegua, with directions, if he met with an enemy and could not avoid being taken, to throw the pacquet into the sea, according to his Lordship's commands.
34l. 4s. 9d. paid to Dr. Claudius Hamilton for attendance on French prisoners.
Disbursements for necessaries for the Council Chamber made.
Ordered that the ships that are already loaden have leave to sail hence on Thursday next under convoy of H.M.S. Kinsale and brigantine Lark.
Ordered that the Flags of Truce with the French and Spanish Prisoners go in two days after the fleet is sayled hence, and those persons who go in them observe such Instructions as they shall receive from the President. [C.O. 31, 6. pp. 298–302.]