|
May 16.
Montserrat. |
505. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
I tooke the opertunity of the Weymouth being in my Govern
ment to viset Nevis and the other Islands. As I was returning
to Antigua, I met this packet. Acknowledges Order in Council
re Mrs. Bowden's petition, and thanks for report. I am well
assured I shall clear myselfe of all manner of crimes laid to
my charge etc. All the best people of my Government will
justifie me, but tis hard contending with a man worth £100,000,
etc. Refers to enclosures May 4. etc. Signed, Daniel Parke.
Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 6, Read Nov. 15, 1709. 2 pp. [C.O. 152,
8. No. 36; and 153, 10. pp. 396, 397.] |
| May 16. |
506. E. Jones to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Prays that there may be no further proceedings in his case
till there be a full Board. (See Journal of Council, May 9 and
16.) Signed, Ed. Jones. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 16, 1709.
2 pp. [C.O. 37, 8. No. 79; and 38, 6. pp. 447–450.] |
| May 16. |
507. Mr. Eyre to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. Signed, R. Eyre. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read
17th May, 1709. Recd. from Mr. Jones. Addressed. 1 p.
Enclosed, |
|
507. i. Proposed alterations in the draught of a letter to the
Earl of Sunderland relating to Mr. Jones. See Journal
of Council, May 12, 1709. 4 pp. [C.O. 37, 8. Nos.
80, 80.i.; and (without enclosure) 38, 6. p. 455.] |
| May 163. |
508. Alterations in same proposed by Sir Thomas Parker
and Sir Peter King. Endorsed, Recd. (from Sir John Bennet
16th, Read May 17th, 1709. 6½ pp. [C.O. 37, 8. Nos. 891, 81.i.] |
May 16.
Claven House. |
509. Commission from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina
to Fortescue Turberville, for taking probate of wills in South
Carolina. Signed, Craven, Palatine; Beaufort, Craven for ye
Lord Carteret; M. Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson, M. Ashley
for Jos. Blake. [C.O. 5, 289. p. 217.] |
| [May 16?] |
510. Receipt for Lady Granville by the Lords Proprietors
of Carolina for the discharge of liabilities of Lord Granville,
late Palatine. [C.O. 5, 289. p. 218.] |
May 17.
Whitehall. |
511. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Reply to letter of May 15, etc. Finding great difficulties in proposing a method to employ the poor Germans in
such manner as they may be able to support themselves, we
pray the favour your Lodship would give us an opportunity of
conferring with your Lordship upon that affair. [C.O. 389,
36. pp. 404, 405.] |
May 17.
Whitehall. |
512. Mr. Secretary Boyal to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. It is H.M. pleasure that you should make out
and report to her a true state of the pretensions. of the Crown of
England to any Colonys or places in the West Indies which are
now in the hands of the French. And you are like wise to give
an account of what towns, places or territorys they have taken
from us in those parts during this present warr, or we from
them. Signed, H. Boyle. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 18, 1709.
1 p. [C.O. 323, 6. No. 76; and, 324, 9. pp. 292, 293.] |
May 18.
Barbados. |
513. Governor Crowe to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Since the inclosed coppy of my last, there is another
packet arrived, but I am not honoured with any letters from
your Lordps. thereby. Refers to Minutes of Council, May 12,
and the reasons for suspending the admitting of Messrs. Sharpe,
Walker and Beresford into the Council (see supra May 14),
in which I have followed the advice of the majority of the
present Council as well as the Assembly. These three Gentlemen are so unacceptable to the majority of the People here, as
your Lordships will perceive by the Addresses sent home to their
Agents, that I was afraid it would have occasioned some tumult
especially when I perceived by their hott Address they were for
having the sword bore no longer in vain, and here are many
needy Gentn., who having spent their estates, would embrace
the least occasion to hurry us into civill commotions. Another
reason I had for suspending the swearing of said Gentlemen
was, the aversion they have for the Members of the present
Assembly, who have such interest in their country that it's
impossible by any dissolution to alter, and in admitting the
three Members, they with Mr. Cox and Mr. Pilgrim would
have had a majority in Council, so have stopt all publick
business, and infallibly ruined the Island. Hopes for H.M.
approbation. Refers to enclosure. So soon as the Representation H.M. orders the affidavits are to be taken to comes, it
shall be punctually obeyed. I cannot but take notice, your
Lordps. had all these papers under your consideration, but
does not advise any particular that my answer was short in.
Your Lordps. cannot forgett what distraction this place was in
before my arrival, occasioned by the male administration of
these very Gentln., which was the reason. I had directions in my
Instructions to turn them out, which was done accordingly.
And I am confident their proceedings since have not any wayes
lessened their former crimes. Indeed their private peek against
me was only occasioned by obeying that Order. Encloses Act
for appointing of Agents. On the Assembly's petition to stop
the packet for their papers, I gave directions accordingly, which
is the first time that any of them has been detained a minute here.
Signed, M. Crowe. Endorsed, Recd. 29 June, Read July 6,
1709. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
513. i. (a) Speech of Governor Crowe to the Assembly of
Barbados, March, 22, 170 8/9. |
|
(b) Reply of Assembly to preceding. The elections
have been made with more liberty under your Excellency
than for some years before. Such persons as did
zealously and violently concurr with Sir B. Granville
in ye oppression of ye honble. George Lillington and
others are very unfitt to sitt as Justices for tryall
for their own accomplices, etc. The different senti
ments of some former Assemblys were only occasioned
by forced elections, etc., Copy. Endorsed, Recd, June
29, 1709. 3½ pp. |
|
513. ii. Minutes of Council of Barbados, May 12. Same endorsement. 4 pp. |
|
513. iii. Certificate by 4 Members of the Council of Barbados that they approve of the Assembly's address
concerning the suspending of the swearing of Messrs.
Walker, Sharpe, and Beresford. May 12, 1709. Signed,
Geo. Lillington, John Milles, John Hallett, John Frere.
Same endorsement. ½ p. |
|
513. iv. Address of the Assembly of Barbados to the Queen,
May 17. The people are under a very great consternation and dissatisfaction on the report of Messrs.
Sharpe, Walker and Beresford being restored to the
Council, by bringing fresh into their memories the
oppressions and miseries they had so greivously suffer'd under in Sir B. Granville's governmt. by their
ill designs, etc. Endorsed, Recd. June 29, 1709. Copy.
2 large pp. |
|
513. v. Duplicate of May 14. No. iii. |
|
513. vi. Address of the Assembly of Barbados to Governor
Crowe, thanking him for not admitting Messrs. Sharpe,
Walker and Beresford to the Council, etc. May 16,
1709. Same endorsement. Copy 2. pp. |
|
513. vii. Deposition of Isabella, widow of Benjamin Cryer.
May 9, 1709. On Dec. 14, 1708, Wm. Walker desired
her to offer Governor Crowe £1000 to stop the proceedings at the Grand Sessions against him, which
H.E. refused. Signed, Isabella Cryer. 1 p. |
|
513. viii. Deposition of Mrs. Cryer. In Dec, 1708 Alexander
Walker approached Governor Crowe through her, offering to withdraw the charges against him and to pay
him £800 sterl. down and a very handsome present every
six months, as they had done Sir B. Granville, if he
would join there party in the Assembly. etc. H.E.
refused. Signed, Isabella Cryer. Endorsed, Recd.
June 9, 1709. 1½ pp. |
|
513. ix. Deposition of Rev. G. Ramsay, May 16, 1709. In
Jan. 1706, the Rev. Samuel Beresford proposed to
offer the Governor £100 for the living of Bridge Parish.
Signed, Gilbert Ramsay. Same endorsement. ½ p.
[C.O. 28, 12. Nos. 26, 26.i.–ix.; and (duplicate of
No. 1) 28, 12. No. 22; and (without.enclosures) 29,
11. pp. 469–473.] |
May 19.
Craven, House. |
514. Commission from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina
for John Danson to be Receiver General for North Carolina.
Signed, Craven, Palatine; Beaufort, Craven for ye Lord Carteret, M. Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson, M. Ashley for Jos.
Blake. [C.O. 5, 289. p. 213.] |
May 19.
Craven House. |
515. Instructions for John Danson, (supra). Signed us preceding. Signed, Craven, Palatine; Beaufort, M. Ashley, J.
Colleton, J. Danson. [C.O. 5, 289. pp. 214–216.] |
May 19.
Whitehall. |
516. W. Popple to Mr. Rowland Tryon. Asks for an account
of French encroachments in the West Indies, as following.
[C.O. 324, 9. p. 293.] |
May 19.
Whitehall. |
517. Mr. Popple to Col. Lodwick. The Council of Trade
and Plantations having under consideration some matters relating to the French incroachments upon H.M. Dominions in
America, desire that you will let them have as soon as possible
you can, an acct. of such incroachments as the French have
made in New York. [C.O. 5, 1121. p. 367.] |
May 19.
St. James's. |
518. Order of Queen in Council. Referring following to the
Council of Trade and Plantations for their report. Signed,
Edward Southwell. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 1, 1709. ¾ p.
Enclosed, |
|
518. i. Address of the Assembly of Barbados to the Queen.
Allege obstruction of justice and evasion of tarial of
Wm. Walker for prosecuting George Lillington on a
pretended charge of high treason, etc. See A.P.C.,
II. No. 1088. Signed, William Grace, Clk. of Assembly. Copy. 2 pp. [C.O. 28, 12. Nos. 21, 21. i.,
and 29, 11. pp. 454–457.] |
May 19.
Whitehall. |
519. Mr. Popple to Mr. Campbell. The Council of Trade
and Plantations having under consideration some matters relating to the French incrochments upon H.M. Dominions in
America, desire that you will consult with the rest of the merchants trading to Newfoundland, and let them have as soon
as possible you can an acct. of such incroachments as the
French have made there. [C.O. 195, 5. p. 90.] |
May 19.
Whitehall. |
520. Mr. Popple to the Governor of the Hudson's Bay
Company. The Council of Trade and Plantations, having under
consideration some matters relating to the French incroachments
upon H.M. Dominions in America, they desire that you will
let them have as soon as possible you can, an account of such
incroachments as the French have made upon the territories
within the limits of the said Company's Charter. [C.O. 135, 3.
p. 108.] |
May 19.
St. James's. |
521. Order of Queen in Council. Petition of Lord Baltimore, for relief from the Order of Nov. 7, 1685, granting to
Wm. Penn half an isthmus of petitioner's land in Maryland, is
to be heard on June 9. Cf. A. P.C., ii., No. 1077. Signed,
John Povey. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 720. No. 5.] |
| [May 23.] |
522. Petition of the Governor and Company of Adventurers
of England trading into Hudson's Bay to the Queen. Repeats
the Company's case against the French as given in previous
Volumes of this Calendar 1699–1701 and Jan. 19, 1702. Notwithstanding the losses and discouragements they have laboured
under, and during the war, the Company have brought from
thence between 30 and 40,000 skins per annum, and doubt not,
if they were reinstated in their right according to their Charter
to bring the importation to 100,000 skins per annum. The
Country doth abound with several other commodities, of which
Petitioners have not been able to begin a trade by reason of
the interruption from the French, as with whale-oyl, whalebone,
of which last your subjects purchase from Holland and Germany
to the value of above £26,000 per annum. If the French come
once to be entirely possessed of Hudson's Bay, they will undoubtedly set up a whale-fishing in those parts, which will
greatly tend to the increase of their navigation and to their
breed of seamen. There is carried thither and consumed there
nothing but of the product and manufacture of England, Petitioners encouraging and daily bringing the Indians to wear
coarse cloth instead of skins, which in process of time will
considerably advance the woollen trade at home. It must needs
reflect upon the honour of Britain to relinquish to the French
territory of which their violent usurpation in a time of Peace
was alledged as a main Article in the first Declaration of War
against that Kingdom. If the French could pretend to any
right to the said Territories by the Peace of Ryswick, this right
must needs be determined by their notorious infraction of the
said Treaty. When your Majesty in your high wisdom shall
think fit to give Peace to those Enemies whom your victorious
arms have so reduced and humbled, Petitioners pray that the
French King be obliged by such Treaty to renounce all right
or pretentions to the Bay and Streights of Hudson, to quit
and surrender all Forts and Settlements erected by the French
or which are now in their possession, as likewise not to sail
any ship or vessel within the limit of the Company's Charter,
and to make restitution of the £108, 514. 19. 8. of which they
robbed and dispoiled your Petitioners in times of perfect amity
between the two Kingdoms. [See C.S.P. 1699. No. 150 etc.]
Annexed, |
|
522. i. Report of the English Commissioners, 1687, and His
Majesty's Resolution thereupon. The whole endorsed,
Recd. Read May 23, 1709. 4 large pp. [C.O. 134,
2. Nos. 31, 31.i.] |
| [?May 23.] |
523. Governor and Company of Hudson's Bay to the Queen.
A deduction of the right and title of the Crown and Company
to the lands within Hudson's Bay and Streights etc. 1497–1689.
Contrary to the Treaty of Ryswick, the French still keep possession of the greatest part, etc. Cf. C.S.P., 1699. No. 150.
2½ printed pp. No date, signature or endorsement. Cf. May
19. [C.O. 134, 3. Nos. 16, and (duplicates) 17, 18.] |
May 23.
Antigua. |
524. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses Address to H.M. [see May 4] signed by
above double the number of those that have sign'd the Articles.
This was done by my friends when I was at St. Christophers.
They have twice their estates, and noe arts were used. etc.
I have alsoe sent an adress signed by the whole Councill and
Assembly of Montserrat, and I daresay every inhabitant of that
Island (the Governour and nephew excepted) would signe it if
desired, etc. Signed, Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 6,
Read, Nov. 15, 1709. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
524. i. Address from the Council and Assembly of Montserrat to the Queen. Governor Parke has not been
guilty of any male administration in this Island, but
has been indefatigable for the preservation of H.M.
Islands, having visited this Island much oftner than
any other Generall ever did in the same compass of
time, etc. Signed, Edward Buncombe, Speaker, Jno.
Bramby, John Hartt, William Finch, Antho, Ravell,
Denis Daly, Joseph Kirwan. Thomas Lee, William
Frye, John Daly, Geo. Liddell, W. Gerrish. Endorsed,
Recd. Aug. 6, 1709. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 8. Nos. 37,
37. i.; and (without enclosure) 153, 10. pp. 398, 399.] |
May 23.
Whitehall. |
525. The Earl of Sunderland to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. The enclosed Petition having been laid before the
Queen, I was commanded by H.M. to transmit it to you for your
opinion, etc. Signed, Sunderland. Endorsed, Recd. 9th, Read
27th June, 1709. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
525. i. Petition of Thomas Onslow, Edward Broughton, Benjamin Way and Thomas Bernard on behalf of themselvs
and many other merchants of Jamaica, to the Queen.
Your petitioners or those under whom they are intituled
were merchants adventures in Jamaica about 1693,
and did then contract with Sir James De L' Castillo
and Don Francisco Portio, subjects to the King of
Spaine and Factors for the Assiento, for introduction
and importing Negroes to the Spanish West Indies
by grant from his said Catholick Majestie, for monies
and Negroes to be delivered at Porto Bello and Carthagena, which were deliver'd accordingly, whereby the
petitioners had justly due to them according to their
said contracts 86, 014 peices of eight, which money
or great part therof was putt on board severall shipps
at Carthagena by the Factors of the Assiento there for
the use of the petitioners, but by the contrivance of
the Spanish Governor and the said Portio was taken
out of the said ships and deteyned from the petitioners
to their great detriment and damage. Your Petitioners
being left without remedy in the ordinary course of
bussiness did apply to Sir W. Beeston then Governor of
Jamaica, who severall times sent to the Spanish Governors of Panama to demand satisfaction for the petitioners, but not being able to obtaine any redress from
them. It on the contrary appearing manifestly that
they were privy to, connived at and encourag'd the
defrauding the petitioners in the premises, the petitioners on Aprill 2, 1696, apply'd by petition to his
late Majesty in Councill, which was referr'd to the then
Committee for Trade and Plantations, but by reason
of severall accidents that than happen'd, and after
the alteration of the Spanish Government and the ensuing warr, the petitioners have hitherto been without
releife. In regard the said debt was contracted with
those in publick authority, and that the petitioners are
ready to make appear that by reason of the artifices,
delayes and fraudulent proceedings of the Spanish Governors, your petitioners have not been able or can
obtaine their just debts without your Majesty's gracious
interposition and favour, by demanding and securing
in some Treaty or otherwise that reparation be made
your petitioners for their great losses and damages in
the premisses, the want whereof will not onely be a
very great loss, damage and discouragement to your
said petitioners, but if past by with impunity be an
inducement to such base practices hereafter. Your
petitioners therefore humbly pray your Majesty to give
such orders for the obtaining justice and releif to the
petitioners, as your Majesty in your great wisdom shall
think meet and proper. 1p. |
|
525. ii. iv.–vi. The case, receipts etc. of the Merchant Adven
turers in the late Assiento under Don Nicholas Porcio,
setled in Jamaica, 1693, 1694. 6pp. [C.O. 137, 8.
Nos. 41, 41. i.–vi.; and (without enclosures) 138, 12.
pp. 401–405.] |
| May 23. |
526. United Societies of London for Mines royal etc. to
the Council of Trade and Plantations. Propose to employ the
poor Palatine Protestants in the silver and copper mines of
Merionethshire etc. Endorsed, Recd, (from Dr. Stringer) Read
May 23, 1709. 1 p. [C.O. 388, 76. No. 58.] |
May 23.
Treasury Chambers. |
527. Mr. Taylour to Mr. Popple. My Lord Treasurer desires the opinion of the Council of Trade and Plantations, in
what manner the German Protestant Refugees may be most
properly disposed of. Signed. J. Taylour. Endorsed, Recd.
Read May 24, 1709. 1p. Enclosed, |
|
527. i. Mr. Coleby to the Lord High Treasurer. There are
1100 more of the German Protestants come over, and
600 more lye at Rotterdam for passage. They are very
poor and sickly, and if they are not quickly disposed
of, will breed a sickness in the City, etc. 1 p. [C.O.
388, 76, Nos, 59, 59. i; and 389, 66. pp. 406, 407.] |
| May 23. |
528. Copy of an Act of Maryland for the reliefe of poor
debtors, etc, with criticisms thereupon. Endorsed, Recd, (from
Mr. Perry etc.) May 23, 1709. [Cf. Oct. 17, 18, 1709.] 6¼ pp.
[C.O. 5, 716. No. 63.] |
May 24.
Antigua. |
529. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following. Signed, Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd.
Aug. 6th, Read Nov. 16, 1709. 1p. Enclosed, |
|
529. i. Account of guns and stores of war at Montserat,
Dec. 1, 1708. Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 6, 1709. 1 p. |
|
529. ii. Account of guns and stores of war at St. Kitts,
Dec. 6, 1708. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
529. iii. Account of the capture of H.M.S. Adventure, 44
guns, 194 men, Capt. Robt. Clarke, by the French man of
war Valeur 36 guns, 286 men, Monst. Du Clair, Commr.
March 1, 1709, between Montserrat and Martinique
signed 2 sail. After chasing the Valeur and engaging
her, the Capt. several officers and many of the crew
were killed or wounded. The Valeur offering to board
the Adventure, the crew of the latter refused to fight
on, saying they had no small arms, and struck the
colours. etc. Signed, Jno. Wilkinson, Master; Robt.
Northoner, gunner, William Harwood, Carpenter, Same
endorsement. 2¼ pp. |
|
529. iv. List of men captured on board H.M.S. Adventure.
Unwounded, Seamen 64, Marines 6, Soldiers from Antigua, 6. Wounded, Seamen 67, Marines 9, Soldiers from
Antigua, 12. Killed, seamen, 21, marines 3, soldiers 5.
Same endorsement. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 8. Nos. 38, 38. i.–iv.; and (without enclosures) 153, 10. pp. 400, 401.] |
May 24.
Antigua. |
530. Governor Parke to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses 3 Acts of Nevis. All temportary Laws shall
be sent by the first opertunity after passed. I will endeavour
to the utmost of my power to procure laws for establishing
of Courts, but hitherto I have had no success. Signed, Daniel
Parke. Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 6, Read 16th Nov., 1709. 1 p.
[C.O 152, 8. No. 39; and 153, 10. pp. 401, 402.] |
May 24.
Antigua. |
531. Same to Same. Acknowledges letters of Nov. 25, Jan.
19 and July 13. Meeting the packett, I had not time to make
my answer, but shall doe by this. I thanke your Lordshipps for
haveing Mr. Tankard put out of the Councill. When ye Minutes
of Councill arrives which I sent home in the last fleet, which
sailed the 6th inst., your Lordshipps will see with what insolence he behaved himselfe on a publicke day, March 8th, and
doe not doubt but I shall be thought to have acted with great
moderation in this insult, as well as that of the Riot, though
both was design'd to make me committ some rash action or other.
It is true there was seaven Councellours at St. Christophers
and att Antigua, when Coll. Phipps and Col. Byam were awor,
and neither of them were in the list. I must have five to make
a Councill if 3 of the 7 are and have been for some time
and are like to continue in such a condition as not to be
able to come to Councill. What shall I doe in such a case,
I cannot act anything without a Councill, this was the case of
both the Islands att that time. Coll. Williams is one of the
Councill in my instructions, but he never was sworne, and
Major Lyons has not been able to come almost this 2 year in
St. Xphers, Capt. Crooke never was above twice at Councill,
and Capt. Willett sometime for 4 months together is not able
to come. When I sent the lists, Col. Wm. Byam was not
upon the Island though he has one of the best estates in it,
neither was Major Samuel Byam, who has alsoe one of the
best estates, they are both come since, and the reason I did
not put in Col. Phipps was I then thought him too young,
and his father-in-law Col. Crispe was of the Councill, and I
did not thinke it proper to have father and son sitt together.
When his father died I swore him in his place, he then being
almost 3 years older. I protest I follow my instructions, and
near as it is possible, but all accidents can't be provided against,
and of two evills I ought to choose the least. I hope your
Lordshipps will not think I have done amiss. They could not
make a Councill at Nevis, Coll. Smith being off the Island, soe
that at the request of the Lt. Governour and Councill I ordered
John Norwood the Commissioner of the Customes to be swore.
I hope your Lordshipps will lett him be confirmed. I am
glad your Lordshipps have put in soe many out of the lists
I sent it is a kindness to me, for when I put in one I disoblige four or five. I hope your Lordshipps will have soe much
goodness for me as not to put in any that have signed Articles
untill they have proved them true. I obeyed your Lordshipps'
commands to the uttmost of my power in what related to the
negroes, in my letter of Aug. 23 last I asked severall of the
best men what quantity of negroes would supply these Island [s]
every year, and they all answer'd me soe that I was not able
to make any tollerasble judgmt., the merchants named about
1000, the Planters 2000, some 3000, other more modest said
1500. There is 3 Patent places, the Secretary, the Navall
officer, and the Marshalls, they all give secureity and take oaths,
the Deputy Secretary will not informe me either what his place
is worth, or what he gives Sir Charles Hedges for it, there is
noe sallary allowed to any of them, their profitts arise from
their fees. I desired the Marshall (ever since I had your
Lordships' first letter about it) to informe himselfe, which
he has, and he tells me it is worth about £600 per annum. I
must confess I never thought it worth halfe soe much. The
Navall Officer is one Col. Williams, who is above 80 years old,
yt. is worth about £300 per annum. The Marshall tells me he
has made this year £120 besides some advantage he getts from
French prissoners, the difference between this mony and
sterl. is 50 p.c. I want a good Secretary that is a stranger.
Sir Charles writt me that Mr. Rhodes would come and be
Secretary. I wish he had, or any other that was a stranger.
Indeed all the officers should be strangers, had there been a
stranger Marshall, Mr. Poggson had been hanged for basely
murdering. Col. Johnson, and some others punished as they
deserved. This present Marshall has been forced to fight severall duels, before he was able to doe his duty in quiet. I tooke
him out of the Regiment, being a briske bold young Gent. that
carryed armes there. I begg your Lordshipps may have his
Commission Confirmed, he very well deserves it. |
|
When I come to answer their second Article about Chester's
murdering Sawyer, you will see how hard a matter it is to
punnish an inhabitant, and how absolutely necessary it is to have
all Ministeriall officers strangers. I will give your Lordshipps
a little hint of that murder. Sawyer was a Gentleman's son
of Virginia, he came here with a cargoe, he had some dealings
with Chester and came in ye evening to speake to him. Chester
taked up a great tankard of punch and flings it att him, and
hitt him behind the ear, he staggered when he received the
bnlow, went home, languished all yt. night, and the next morning
he walked out complaineing of his head, but not being able to
walke where he designed, he put into a house and there fell
downe dead, the Jury brought it in that he died of an appoplexy,
the reason I appeared in it was this, the Corroner sent a warrant
to the Constable to summons a Jury of Inquest, they innocently
tooke the first they mett among which there were severall
masters and mates of shipps that were strangers, when they
saw the returne of the jury, they were frightened, and this
very Nevin and Dr. Macckennen went out of towne to meet the
Corrnoer, and desired him to discharge those sommoned, and
to summons a jury of the Gentlemen of the Country, they had
with them some of their friends for that purpose, sent for out
of the country, the Foreman was one William Flanvill, who had
had an inquest sometime before on a white servant-maid he
had tyed up and unmercifully beat her so that she immediately
dyed, and there came from her out of her mouth a great
quantity of bruised blood (as those that were not of the Jury
said), but the Jury on their oaths said it was liquid lodinum,
and that she had poysoned herselfe. Mr. Sawyer had a great
contusion behind his ear with the marke of the edge of the
tankard, yett he died of fitts. I had at that time noe difference
at all with Chester, nor with anybody else, my broweating
of evidence, etc., was this: —I ordered the body to be brought
out into the street, and exposed, and made everyone of the jury
see the contusion, and had the withnesses seperated and examined apart, by which means I discovered a great deale of
roguery, and that a poor woman had been offered £50 (which
she refused) to swear that the negiores in taking up the body
had lett it fall on that side, which was the cause of the contusion,
Daniel Mackennen, that worthy Member of the Assembly, and
article subscriber, with another surgeon gave it as their opinion
that the died of fitts, I asked them what they thought of the
contusion, they gave me for answer only a politick shrugg;
this was my first act of tyranny and breaking in upon their
constitutions, and indeavors to ruin the Country. I had not
concern'd myselfe, if I had not been told that the first Jury was
discharged, and yt. William Granvill was sent for and made
foreman, he being considerably in Chester's debt at yt. time.
I would have sent your Lordshipps a duplicate of the Minutes
I sent by Capt. Buor, but the Secretary was not pleased to
gett them ready, he has promised them against the next packett,
but perhapps he will serve me as he used to doe, the last are
soe ill writt, I wish they may be read, he getts those to write
that will doe it cheapest. I shall send the Order of the Councill
to Nevios about the two Laws repealed, and your Lordshipps'
observations about that I sent home. I have your Lordshipps'
orders for not passing laws of an extraordinary nature, which
I shall religiously observe, had I not been soe nice and which
apas'd their bill here for Privileges, I then should not only
have been payd my sallary, there being due to me £2000, but
I should have had a gratuity besides, as apears by a message
sent me from the Assembly, and the next morneing one of their
Members came privately to me and assured me that gratuity
should be a good thousand pound. I leave your Lordshipps
to judge if my refuseall of this Law, and £3000 is not a great
argument of my avaritious temper as they charge me with in their
article about the Chancery, though I gett nothing by holding a
Court of Chancery but fatiegue, having noe fee, but I suppose
they would insinuate bribeery, and then all ye Councill must be
bribed, for they all sitt with me. I thinke I have answered
every part of your Lordshipps' commands. The Council and
Assembly having formerly addressed me to make the Lieutenant
Governour Chief Justice, I then refused it as not being willing
to displace him I found possessed of it, though he was very
unfittly quallified, being noe lawyer, and having murdered a
man that had noe weapon, but he haveing layd downe, and the
Council once more addressing me to put in the Lieut. Governour, I did it, I hope it will not be thought I have acted
amiss since there is noe other in the Island fitt for it but
himselfe, being a good lawyer and has the reputation of a very
honest man. It is very rare any writt of error are brought
before ye Councill, there has not been any in my time, and
if ever there should come any, there will be Councellours enough
besides to try it, in Barbados, and other Goverments there
are choice of men to be had, but it is not soe here, for except
it be ye Lieut. Governour, there is not a man in the Island
understands anything of the Law. Signed, Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 8. Read Nov. 16. 1709. 5 pp. [C.O. 152, 8.
No. 40; and 153, 10. pp. 403–412.] |
May 24.
Antigua |
532. Same to Same. I had not the honour to receive any
command from your Lordshipps by this pacekett, but by the
dilligence of my Agent Mr. Micajah Perry, I had a coppy of
the articles sent. Indeed it is noe wonder to us all now they
were soe very carefull to swear people to secrecy, before they
would lett them be seen, they talked of noe less then fourscore
at first, and as I am informed soe many wer sent up with
their Ambassadour to Coll. Codrington and he reduced them,
and licked them into ye forme they now apear in. I must
confess were they true, or but any one of them, I very well
deserver to be hanged, but they are all falce, notwithstanding
the affidavits they have gott to support them. I hope to recieve from your Lordshipps by ye next packett directions how
and before whome I shall answer them though almost all of
them are already answered in the Minutes of Councill. Your
Lordshipps will find that some of the Articles will be much to
my honour, even that of the Chancery, which they say all good
people look upon with horror. Your Lordshipps will find it
is only Mr. Nevin and Samuel Watkins, and all bad people
thinke of it with horror, as they have reason, could Mr. Baron
or 20 more I could name bring there causes before me, their
adversarys would look upon the Chancery with horror. I am
soe cautious that I never sitt in Chancery, but all the Councill
sitts with me as if they were sitting in Councill, and I asks
their opinions in the same manner, it is very true I have often
publickly told Nevin I would have noe manner of regard to
what he should avver to be Law for two reasons, first because
he is no Lawyer, and the next is I have noe opinion of his
integrity, but whenever we had any cause that admitted of a
dispute, we have stated the case home, with orders to the parts
to bring us the opinion of two able Chancery men, and I shall
governe myselfe accordingly. I shall send your Lordships the
proceedings of ye Chancery in answer to this Article, by which
you may see if there be the least reason for such a villanous
reflection; what villany is couch'd under the first article, and
all that for noe other purpose but to take of those two great
persons from doeing me any more good, but I hope I have
the honour to be soe well knowne to them that it will make
noe impression on either of them to my disadvantage, they
had as I am informed a worse article of this kind, and to
support it gott one Kate Sullivian's affidavit, she was formerly
Codrington's wench and she layd two bastards to him, but
she giveing him the pox, he turned her off, but haveing occasion
for affadavitits, she was sent for to lend an oath, but it soe
happned that some time after she fell sicke and thinkeing she
should die, she confessed she had perjured herselfe, for which
she had £16 given her, and that Perrie, Tankard, etc. had subscribed a paper to give her £100 more if the Genll, was turned
out, that article I find is left out, it relateing to a great Lady,
but soe very scandallous, I dare not mention it, though Codrinton has been heard to report it in Barbados, little dreaming
his Irish wench had soe squeamish a conscience. I find myselfe
well rewarded in the 9th article for all the fatiegue and charge
I underwent about those lines at St. Johns, which your Lordships will find in the Minutes of ye Councill now before you
were done by virtue of a Law made by myselfe, Councill and
Assembly, had I a mind to have delivered them up to the
French, would it not a been as easy for me to a carry'd them
to Monk's Hill, and done it there as at St. Johns. I have never
done anything but with the advice of my Councill, I have
sometimes acted by theire advice though contrary to my owne
opinion, but never acted in any one thing without them as the
Minutes will make apear. The two bribes I am charged with
to have recieved from Mr. Chester, the £150 for some brandy,
his account will make that apear to be falce. I never had one
farthing of him in my life in ready-money, I payd him £800
sterl. for 20 negroes, there was a mistake in that account, and
I can prove I told him of the mistake many months before ye
brandy, and the next time I settl'd another account with him,
which was above 6 months after the brandy, hee allowed me
this mistake, and that it may apear how carefull I was to have
the brandy seized haveing put centrys at almost all the warehouses in towne, but when my friends told me the whole Island
would be strangely alarmed at it, I order'd the centrys to be
taken of, but before I did it, I sent for the Collector and
Navall Officer, and ordered them with their officers to goe and
search for prohibited goods, for that I had an account that a
great quantity of brandy had been landed the night before, they
told me they could not break open doors without a warrant, I
sent imediately for ye Deputy Secretary, and order'd him to
write two warrants, which I signed, but not haveing officers
enough, whilst they were searching one place they removed it
to another; as I am inform'd there was to the vallue of £1500,
if I had seized it, I should have got £1000, what reason had
I to quitt £1000 for £150, to an enemy. This shall apear
by the affidavitts of the Collector, Navall Officer and Depty.
Secretary, (who is one of my enemys) and by Chester's owne
account, and for the tenn barrils of flower I am charged with,
Mr. Roach was by, he will clear me of that suffitiently; Chester
himselfe for severall months has been ashamed of it, and curses
those that put him upon it, he was enraged at looseing his
Dutch cargoe, and they made him quite madd by telling him
twenty storys wch. he had since found to be falce, that at that
very time he was heard he would be content to lye seaven
years in Hell to be revenged of me, and now repents of it, and
never goes near any of them. I will not trouble your Lordshipps
with any more of them now, they never expected this, they
were in hopes £5000 would turne me out, the articles were only
designed for a pretence. Yet I must say something to the
14th article. I gave that Order; the Councill and Assembly
haveing addressed me soe to doe, and I daresay it is in the
Minutes sent home, if not it shall be sent. When I gave that
order, I told them it should only be in force untill they could
make a Law, to exempt the Islands from paying powder, but
they neglecting soe to doe, I countermanded my order, this is
my suspending the Laws, this I take notice of because I find
it in the petition of the London Merchants. I had hithertoo
Charity enough to thinke it was only their factors here that
drove only a trade to the Dutch and French Islands with their
effects, and that it was they alone that used tricks to defraud
the Queen of her 4½ p.c, but this Petition of theirs has altered
my opinion, this zeal of theirs could not proceed from nothing,
it is strange to thinke soe many men should desire an injustice
to be done on hearsay. My Lords, the Queen has noe friend here
but myselfe, and if a Governour is to be removed when the
merchants don't like him, he must either not doe his duty, or if
he does he must expect to be turn'd out for his reward, those
merchants echo what those that have signed the Articles have
writt to them, the fresh articles they say is my neglect of
the fortifications, the Minutes will testifie how often I have
pressed that to the severall Assemblys. I hope they don't
expect I should build them at my owne charge. Then for the
enemy's landing and taking of negroes, there never has been
one negroe taken of since I came, but before my time there
was a great many taken of forty at one time, they alsoe intimate as if I open'd their letters, for my justification the officers
that have allways given them out and taken them in shall make
their affidavitts, that directly nor indirectly I never gave them
any manner of orders, or ever concerned myselfe about them,
they bring me my letters when the Packett arives, and they
call for them when she sayles. They might have as well put
in their Petition that I was a Mahometan or a Jesuit. Signed,
Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 8th, Read Nov. 16th, 1709.
4 pp. [C.O. 152, 8. No. 41; and, 153, 10. pp. 413–420.] |
May 24.
Whitehall. |
533. The Earl of Sunderland to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses following, H.M. being desireous to have
your advice, and particularly to know from you when Port
Royal was taken by the French. Signed, Sunderland. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 25, 1709. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
533. i. Address of the Council and Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay to the Queen. Oct. 20, 1708. It's nothing
short of 20 years that your Majesties good subjects of
this Province have been wasting under the calamitys
of a distressing and expensive war, taking the commencement thereof from the rebellion and eruption of
the Eastern Indians in 1688, save only the intervention
of 3 or 4 years cessation after the Peace of Reyswick,
during the continuance whereof they forbore to commit
their bloody villanies and outrages. The French not
daring then openly to avow, assist and protect them
therein, yet in those years we were put to a very
consuiderable charge in keeping constant guards and
espyals over them to prevent surprisals by their perfidy
and treacheries. And very soon upon the new declaration of war with France, they broke out again in open
rebellion and hostility, committing divers barbarous
murthers, just after a repeated and fresh recognition
of their duty and allegience to your Majesty. We
have been sharers in common with other our fellow
subjects to a great degree in losses both of men and
estate at home and at sea, both in the former and the
present war, our trade is greatly diminished and we
are very much exhausted, our yearly expence for our
necessary defence, and to prevent the incursions of
the enemy, is vastly great. But by the good Providence of God, in the early advice from time to time
given of the motions of the enemy, and the prudent
methods taken by your Majesty's Captain General to
observe them, and preparations made for their reception in their descents upon us, has prevented those impressions which probably we might otherwise have felt,
and they have been forced to return back ashamed,
not without loss on their part. But we have no prospect
of the end of these troubles and of being eased of our
heavy and insupportable charge and burthen, whilst
we can act only defensively, and have to doe with
enemys and rebells within our very bowells, who like
beasts of prey, seek their living by rapine and spoil,
and are such monsters that their barbaritys and crueltys are horrendous to humane nature, and they are
animated and encouraged to such barbaritys by the
French setting the heads of your Majesty's subjects at
a price upon bringing in their scalps, and they kill
many in cold blood after they have received them to
quarter; they have the advantage of retiring for shelter
to the obscure recesses of a vast rude wilderness, full
of woods, lakes, rivers, ponds, swamps, rocks and mountains, whereto they make an easy and quick passage by
means of their wherries, or birch canoes of great
swiftness and light of carriage, the matter whereof
they are made being to be found almost everywhere,
and their skill and dexterity for the making and using
of them is very extraordinary, which renders our tiresome marches after them inaffectual. These rebels have
no fixed settlement, but are ambulatory and make frequent removes, having no other houses but tents, or
hutts made of bark or rinds of trees, matts, etc., which
they soon provide in all places where they come, so
that it is impracticable to pursue or follow them with
any body of regular troops; they are supported and
encouraged by the French who make them yearly presents gratis of cloathing, armes and ammunition, besides
the supplys they afford them for the beaver and furrs
which they take in hunting, and constantly keep their
priests and emissaries among them to steady them in
their interests, and the bigoteries they have instiled into
them. The French also oftimes join them in their
marches on our frontiers. We humbly conceive, with
submission, that the most probable method of doing
execution upon them and reducing of them, is by men
of their own colour, way and manner of living. And
if your Majesty shall be graciously pleased to command
the service of the Mohawks and Nations of the Western
Indians, that are in friendship and covenant with your
Majesty's several Governments, against these Eastern
Indian rebels, for which they express themselves to
stand ready, and to whom they are a terrour, they would,
with the blessing of God, in short time, extirpate or
reclaim them, and prevent the incursions made upon
us from Canada, or the East. The force of the Enemy
is chiefly bent against this your Majesty's Province
and Province of New Hampshire, whilst we are a
barrier to ye others. A letter from Monsieur Vaudreuil, Governour of Canada, to Mr. Brouillan, late
Governour of Port Royal, was sometime since happily
intercepted, and came to our Governour's hand, wherein
he writes thus, namely, that he endeavours to keep all
quiet on the side of Orange (or Albany) having command from the King his Master not to have any quarrel
with your Majesty's subjects on that side, or with the
Mohawks, which he hath strictly observed, and they are
in a profound peace, having met with little or no loss
on the land side, either in men or estates this warr,
which has proved so very chargeable and grievious to
us, in respect of both, which we made bold humbly to
represent to your Majesty in 1704 etc. In the former
war, when your Majesties subjects of Albany with
their dependant Indians acted offensively against the
enemy by partys frequently issuing forth into the woods,
they greatly distressed the French and the Indans in
their interests, made considerable spoils upon them,
and prevented the descents from Canada upon these
Plantations, which now are frequent. We pray leave
in most humble manner further to offer to your Royal
consideration the very great disadvatage this your
Majesty's Province is at all times under, more especially
in time of warr, by reason of Port Royal remaining
in the hands of the French, which was orginally a
Scotts Colony granted and begun, and is included in
the Royal Charter, or Letters Patent of this Province
granted by their late Majestys King William and Queen
Mary; the situation whereof makes it a Dunkirk to us
with respect to navigation, it lying so apt and commodious for the intercepting of all shipping coming to,
or going from hence to the eastward, and is a fit
receptacle for privateers, who can soon issue out thence,
and are near hand to send in their prizes, as also to
annoy our Fishery, whereof we have had frequent experience, to the very great hurt of the trade of our
Nation, and the diminution of your Majesty's Revenue.
If your Majesty shall be graciously pleased, during
the continuance of the present war, by your Royal
Armes to reduce that Countrey and take it by force
out of the French hands, or if by the blessing of God
the just armes of your Majesty and your Allies be
followed with repeated glorious successes, as of late
they have been, so that the French King find himself
under a necessity of suing for peace, and a treaty
be thereupon negotiated, and your Majesty in your
princely wisdome shall think fit, that place may have
a consideration in that Treaty to be restored to your
Majesties obedience, and setled by your Majesty's British
subjects. It will be of the last importance to your
Majeties. good subjest, trading to and from these Provinces, and a general security to them, and also of
singular benefit and advantage for the providing of
masts for the use of your Majesty's Royal Navy,
whereof that Countrey affords great plenty, which are
now grown scarce nearer hand, and prevent the French
King of that yearly supply he has from thence of
Naval Stores. Signed by Order, Isa. Addington, Secrey.
Council; Thomas Oliver, Speaker. 2 closely written
pp. [C.O. 5, 865, Nos. 16, 16. i.; and 5, 913. pp.
66–74.] |
May 24.
London. |
534. Mr. Tryon to [? Mr. Popple]. States English claim
to St. Kitts. H.M. having made grants of several Plantations in
ye French part during the warr, which are now settled at great
expence, the restoreing them to ye French must prove very
runius to ye present possesors, if a recompence be not made.
etc. The weak condition all those Islands are now in makes it
highly necessary for their safety, that a cessation of hostilletys,
with a time fixed for restitution of what shall be taken afterwards, be obtain'd as soone as possible, the only man of warrt
they had for a gard being taken, land ye enemy's privaters
being very numberus exposis them to ye danger of haveing their
negroes etc. carried of, all suplys intersepted, and upon a
prospect of peace ye enemy wont faile to improve their time as
much at our expence as possible, as has allways been usuall
with them at such junctures, etc. Signed, Rowld. Tryon. Endoresed, Recd. 25th, Read 27th May, 1709, 2 pp. [C.O. 152, 8.
No. 17.] |
May 24.
Crochett Fryers. |
535. Mr. Merrett to Mr. Popple. Reply to May 19. Refers
to enclosure. When the last peace was concluded, our tradeing
ships abroad did not enjoy the Peace but in several places and
latitudes therein specified, so that the enemy tooke more merchant
ships within two months before and after the peace took place
than they tooke in all the yeare before, from which it may
be presumed that severall ships were fitted out by the enemy
for that intent, wherefore I humbly offer that it will highly
conduce to the safety of trade that in the Peace now on foote,
one article may be that all ships taken on either side after the
date of the Peace, (or sonner if it shall be thought convenient)
shall be restored to the Proprietors in the same condition they
were in when taken, which if published may prevent the capture
of a great many ships, especially those comming home from
long voyages. The duty French shipping paid here, which occasioned them to lay the same on our shipping in Frence, was
much to the prejudice of our shipping, as we had and may have
20 times the ships go to France, etc. Signed, Solomon Merrett.
Endorsed, Recd. 24th, Read 27th May, 1709. 1¼ pp. Enclosed, |
|
535. i. Merchants trading to Newfoundland to the Council
of Trade and Plantations. Repeat former statements as
to French encroachments and the value of the Newfoundland fishery. London, May 21, 1709. 18 signatures. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 4. Nos. 91, 91. i.; and (without enclosure) 195, 5. pp. 91, 92.] |
May 24.
Whitehall. |
536. Mr. Popple to Mr. Taylour. Reply to May 23. 40/s a
day per 100, would be a competent provision for the German
Refugees. And whereas the 1100 Germans last arrived are still
on ship-board for want of proper places to put them in,
the Council of Trade and Plantations propose that they be lodged
for the present in a large rope yard at Deptford, now not in
use, and which might be fitted up for them at a small expence,
etc. [C.O. 389, 36. pp. 407, 408.] |
| May 25. |
537. Abstract of the list of the German Protestant Refugees.
(See May 9.) Endorsed, Recd. Read May 25, 1709. 1 p. [C.O.
388, 76. No. 62; and 389, 36. p. 410.] |
May 25.
Petty France, Westminster. |
538. Mr. Chamberlayne to [Mr. Popple?]. Enclosed following. Signed, John Chamberlayne. Endoprsed, Recd. May
25, 1709. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
538. i. Proceeding of a Committe for lodging and relieving
the German Protestant Refugees. Temple Exchange
Coffee-house. May 20–24, 1709. 3½ pp. [C.O. 388,
76. Nos. 60, 61; and (without enclosure) 389, 36.
p. 409.] |
| May. 25. |
539. Rowland Tryon to [? Mr. Popple]. H.M. predecessors
have always claimed St. Lucia, Dominico, Tobago, etc., notwithstanding the French have at times possesst several of them,
when both nations were in peace, but the Governors of Barbados have as often sent and disposest them, particulerly from
St. Lucias. The French have allways with great industry cultivated a frindship with the native Caribbeans and formented ye
cruilltys frequently exercised by those canibals upon the English
and countenance that nest of bararus natives and runaway
negroes yt. are setled upon St. Vincents and Dominico. Allso
when any negries run of from Barbados, or any other of our
Islands to theirs, they have always refused to deliver them
when demanded, tho in times of peace. It would be of great
advantage to the Nation if liberty could be obtained to export
our woolen manufactorys, herrings etc., from Britain and the
British Islands to those possest by ye French, wch, by their
Laws and allso by a Treety between them and the Dutch we are
debar'd. Barbados is well scituated for all the trade to those
parts of the Spanish West Indies that lye from the River Arnasones to Rio Delahathe, therefore greate regard ought to be those
to that trade, for generally we can go and come between those
costs and Barbados upon a strech with a Trade wind, It's
allso to be observed if the French should be suffered to keep
Petiguavas, they will by degrees possess themselves of all Hispaniola. Signed, Rowld. Tryon. Endorsed, Recd. 25th, Read
27th May, 1709. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 28, 12. No. 20.] |
| May 25. |
540. Richard Harris to Mr. Popple. Sir B. Gracedieu
shewed me your letter of May 19. What seems absolutely necessary, especially for Jamaica, is to remove the French from
among our settlements in America. In Canada they have prevented the people of New England for many years from extending
the limitts of that Country. What they have done at Newfoundland is wel known. By being fixed att Martinico and Guadalupa, they intercept all ships coming with provisions from our
Northern Colonies, without a supply whereof the planters must
suffer and their negroes perish, which was the case of Barbadoes
in 1694, when of 27 such vessels 24 were brought in by privateers to Martinico in 4 months. But the French settlements on
the north side of Hispaniola, now called La Coste de Sta.
Domingo are a sad and greivous thorne in ye side of Jamaica,
which were first begun by malefactors or others banished from
France, and were farther improved by the bucaniers and other
pirates setling among them, who durst not returne to their
country, but in ye first warr after the Revolution, the French
subjects being drove from St. Christophers went down thither
and largely extended those settlements, etc. described. It May
justly be computed that the French are in possession of more
than 2/3rds of that fine Island, which by degrees they have tho'
unobserved and without noise possessed themselves of in a very
few yeares time. From hence arise 3 great mischiefs to Jamaica
and Great. Brittain, (1) The productions of Hisopaniola being the
same as those of Jamaica hinder the vent of ours among our
neighbours, (2) In time of peace they wil quickly interfere with
us in our trade with the Spaniards. (3) In time of warr those
of Hispaniola lying to windward of Jamaica, and but 25 leagues
distant, can in a sudden invade and, before our inhabitants
can have any notice, which was the case when M. Du Casse
invaded it in the late warr, etc. Whether the French may be
forced to yeild up these Colonies again to ye Spaniards, I know
not, etc. Signed, Rd. Harris. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 27,
1709. 2½ pp. [C.O. 137, 8. No. 40.] |
| May 25. |
541. Arthur Freeman to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Prays the Board to write to Governor Parks about the
Act to enabler Robert Freeman, etc., sent over by them in 1707,
or that he may have it pass here. Signed, A. Freeman. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 25, 1709. ¾ p. [C.O. 152, 8. No. 16.] |
May 25.
Jamaica. |
542. Governor Handasyd to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Since mine of the 1st inst. sent by the Tiger of Bristoll,
nothing extraordinaty has happened. In a sloop taken by
H.M.S. Roebuck bound from Cuba to Carthagence letters were
found that give advice of a French squadron's being arrived,
or was every day expected at Carthagene, and directions were
therin sent to prepare their effects to ship on board them; the
truth of it I must confess I much question, the Spaniards and
French very often giving out false reports. The galleon is
still at Carthagene and a great fleet at La Vera Cruz, and
also some ships at Havanna, all which' I am informed are very
rich. I have already given your Lops. an acct. of the success
H.M.S. Portland has had in the taking a French Guinea-man;
off Porto Bell, in which engagement the French own they lost
90 men, besiders what were wounded. I had on board the
Portland 560 soldiers, of which double the number were killed
and wounded that there was of sailors. The great fitigue the
Regiment is under by serving on board the men of war, having
had there at once betwixt 2 and 300 men, and the hard duty
at land, is the occasion I shall want a great many recruits,
if the Regiment is not relieved, and therefore I hope your Lops.
will befriend the Agent and my officers in that affair, that I
may not lie under the censure of not having done my duty,
if any attempt should be made. I send the Acts passed the
last Sessions, with the Minutes of the Councill and Assembly,
and an account of the stores as near as I can from the time
of my entring into the Government, which I likewise send to
the Board of Ordnance. I am now very busy in repairing the
fortifications and making a new line for guns at Port Royall.
This packett goes in H.M.S. Severn accompany'd with the
Scarborough, and 15 or 16 merchants ships under their convoy.
The men of war have on board them considerable riches, and I
hope they will have a good voyage. Our sloops are all returned
from the Spanish coast; who say they have had very indifferent
trade especially in our woolen manufactures, and have sold
little or nothing but negroes, for the Spaniards complain they
have not mony to buy them necessarys. The Island is at present
healthy and likewise the men of war, but very thin of sailors,
for they would not be able to send a ship to sea without a third
part of their complement were soldiers. Signed, Tho Handasyd.
Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 6, Read Nov. 11, 1709. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
|
542. i. Account of stores of war at Jamaica Dec. 12, 1705—May 24, 1709. 4 pp. |
|
542. ii. Account of stores of war issued for land and sea
service. Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 6, 1709. 1 p. [C.O.
137, 8. Nos. 64, 64. i., ii.; and (without enclosures)
138, 13. pp. 34–37.] |
May 26.
Jamaica. |
543. Governor Handasyd to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I must in a particular manner recommend to your
Lops.' favour the confirmation of a private Act for the sale of
part of the estate of George Joy Esq. decd., whereby the ffamily
of that gentleman, whose behaviour in his lifetime deserved
very well of the Government will be preserved from runine, and
his creditors be satisfield their just debts, a matter which could
by no other means be effected. Signed, Tho. Handasyd. Endoresed, Recd. Aug. 6, Read Nov. 11, 1709. 1 p. [C.O. 137,
8. No. 65; and 138, 13. p. 13.] |
May 26.
Craven House. |
544. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. It having been represented to us that the
French about 8 years since made several settlements upon the
river Messisippi, which settlements if they are suffered to continue will be of dangerous consequence not only to the Province
of Carolina, but very prejudicial to all other H.M. Colonies in
America, we therefore desire that your Lops. upon this occasion
of a Treaty for a General Peace, would lay this matter before
H.M. in Council, that the French may be obliged to relinquish
such settlements for the security of all H.M. Colonies and
Plantations, which are of so great consequence to the Crown
and People of Great Britain. Signed, Craven, Palatine, Beaufort,
Craven for the Lord Carteret, M. Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 30, 1709. 1 p. [C.O. 5,
1264, No. 68; and 5, 1292. p, 136; and 5, 289. p. 219.] |
| [May 27.] |
545. William Atwood to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Petitioner, late Chief Justice of New York, having notice
that a letter is come from the Governor of New York to desire
one who succeeded him may be continued in possession, acquaints
your Lordships that a report from, Mr. Attorneym, when Solicitor,
upon his claim to a restitution lyes with ye Earle of Sunderland
to be presented to H.M. with a petition against him, falsely
suggesting that, upon a report from ye Boade, his suspension
by ye Lord Cormebury was confirmed by H.M. Prays the Board,
that, if they acquaint H.M. with ye Governor's desiring has
successor's continuance, they will at ye same time certify petitioner was never heard at the Board upon any complaint against
him, and asks for papers, etc. Signed, Wm. Atwood. Endorsed Recd. May 27, Read June 9, 1709. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5,
1049. No. 103; and 5, 1121. pp. 368, 369.] |
| [May 27.] |
546. Col. Jory to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Refers to the miserable condition of the 4 hostages carried off
from Nevis by the French to Martinique. [1706]. Insists on
the necessity of making St. Kitts altogether English etc. Signed,
Jos, Jory. Endorsed, Recd. Read 27th May, 1709. 1¼ pp.
[C.O. 152, 8. No. 18.] |
| [May 27.] |
547. Constantine Phipps to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Similar memorail re St. Kitts. Signed, Con. Phipps.
Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 8. No. 19.] |
| May 27. |
548. Mr. Campbell to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
A deduction of the English title to Newfoundland, and an
account of French encroachments (cf. May 19). The losses
susteyned from the French by H.M. subjects trading in and to
Newfoundland during this warr only amounts by a very modest
computation to £300,000 sterl., wherein I have the misfortune to
be a large sharer. Signed, Ja. Campbell. Endorsed, Recd. Read
May 27, 1709. Addressed. 2 pp. [C.O. 194, 4. No. 92.] |
May 30.
Whitehall. |
549. Mr. Popple to Mr. Attorney General and Mr. Solicitor
General. Whereas many poor people are lately arrived from
the Palatinate in Germany, most of whom are husbandmen, and
H.M. being desirous they should have relief, etc., the Council of
Trade and Plantations desire your opinion to-morrow morning
if possible, (1) whether H.M. has a right and power by law
to grant parcells of lands in her forests, chaces and wasts to any
of her subjects, with licence to build cottages and inclose the
said lands, in order to convent the same to tillage and husbandry; (2) what security H.M. may give to indemnify the
respective parishes from the settlements of poor families amongst
them, who shall be admitted to dwell in the said cottages.
[C.O 389, 36. pp. 411, 412.] |
