America and West Indies: February 1711, 1-10

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 25, 1710-1711. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1924.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. Public Domain.

Citation:

'America and West Indies: February 1711, 1-10', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 25, 1710-1711, ed. Cecil Headlam( London, 1924), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol25/pp351-361 [accessed 10 December 2024].

'America and West Indies: February 1711, 1-10', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 25, 1710-1711. Edited by Cecil Headlam( London, 1924), British History Online, accessed December 10, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol25/pp351-361.

"America and West Indies: February 1711, 1-10". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 25, 1710-1711. Ed. Cecil Headlam(London, 1924), , British History Online. Web. 10 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol25/pp351-361.

February 1711, 1-10

Feb.—April. 629. Permit for 8 ships to sail for America without convoy. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 55, 59, 60, 65, 82.]
[Feb.] 630. Petition of Alexander Skeene to the Queen. Prays leave to return to England for the recovery of his health, and to appoint a Deputy to act for him as Secretary of Barbados and Clerk of the Courts. Signed, in behalf of petitioner, Rowld. Tryon. Endorsed, Feb., 1710/11. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 43. No. 54.]
Feb. 1.
Whitehall.
631. Lord Archibald Hamilton to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Being informed by Richd. Thompson, a Member of H.M. Council in Jamaica, that he has at present no thoughts of returning to that Island, by which there will be a vacancy in the said Council, of which he will inform you himself, therefore I take the liberty of recommending Mr. Richard Rigby, a gentleman of ability and qualifyed for that trust, etc. Signed, A. Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd. 3rd, Read 5th Feb., 17 10/11. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 9. No. 29; and 138, 13. pp. 315, 316.]
Feb. 1.
Whitehall.
632. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Queensberry. Having considered the petitions of the Royal African Company, and of several Planters and inhabitants of Barbadoes etc. (v. Dec. 9, 1710), we enclose a Representation thereupon to H.M. Annexed,
632. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Refer to Representation of 3rd Feb., 1708, upon the trade to Africa, and proceedings in Parliament. Passages relating to the Plantations are:—As to the supplying the Plantations with sufficient numbers of negro's at moderate prices, and the giving a credit to planters, as proposed by them, we conceive the same to be absolutely necessary, and therefore it will be proper that in such law as shall be passed for settling the trade to Africa, some provision be made for the foresaid purposes, in whatever manner that trade shall be settled by Parliament. In answer to the petition of the planters of Barbadoes, the separate traders do say, that the law made in Barbadoes some years past, whereby papermoney was made current in payment for negro's and all other goods, has been the occasion that the said Island hath since that time been slenderly supply'd. By the Minutes of the Council and Assembly of Jamaica in 1710, it appears to be the general desire of the planters and others that the trade to Africa be left free and open to all your Majesty's subjects, as what they conceive will be most for the benefit of the British Plantations. Quote petition of planters and merchants. And it must be admitted, that Jamaica in regard to its situation, and the great share it has in the Assiento trade, is more concern'd in the negro trade, than all the other British Plantations. Conclude: If the regulations and provisions contain'd in the scheme of the Separate Traders be judged by your Majesty in Parliament proper and effectual for preserving and well carrying on the said trade, for maintaining the forts and settlements [in Africa] etc., we are humbly of opinion it will be for the greatest and general benefit of this Kingdom and the Plantations thereunto belonging, that the said trade be free and open for all your Majesty's Subjects, to trade to Africa from any part of Great Britain, or from the said Plantations, in a regulated Company. under such regulations and provisions as aforesaid. [C.O. 389, 21. pp. 441–457.]
[Feb. 2.] 633. William Penn to the Council of Trade and Plantations. To what I have already offered upon the head of surrendring my Govmt. of Pensilvania, I desire leave more particularly to add the following considerations that from them a right judgmt. may be made of my intentions in the proposals laid before the Board. When that Governt. was first granted me, I could not easily imagine I should ever be obliged to treat thus of a surrender. I had then good reason to hope that if by my industry and vast expences I should make a settled Colony of it, and add such an improvemt. to the Dominions of ye Crown, I might without interruption peaceably enjoy the advantages of it to myself and posterity; yet so it proved, that soon after its first settlemt. the easy ear the Ministry from time to time lent to the unjust complaints of some designing and prejudiced men, has rendred my possession of it a perpetual uneasiness. In less than two years after my first going over, I was obliged to return in its defence, and before I could gett ready for a second voyage it was actually forced out of my hands, and tho' not long after restor'd to me, yet the attacks against me still continued to my great expence and trouble. At length when in ye year 1699 I transported myself and family with a full intention to fix there, in less than two years more I was again obliged very hastily to return, to save my Govmt. from being wrenched out of my hands as was then design'd in my absence. And the troubles that have since that time been given me, upon very groundless causes are but too well known to this Board to need any repetition; All which has been so inexpressibly to my loss, that I can scarce hope in the short remains of my period of life to retrieve it. For my own future ease therefore in my declining years, and that of my family, I think it more convenient to deliver it up into the hands, that it has been so often alledged to be most proper for, and who have so often appeared desirous of getting it out of mine, and shall choose to retire from that series of troubles that have so unreasonably been given me. Yet as I have not only been a deep sufferer, but have, I think, a large merit on my side, I have good reason at my going off to expect a consideration, with regard as well to these as to the value of what I am to surrender. As to the value of the Governmt. 'tis very difficult from its present condition to make any just calculation: less than 30 years agoe, the whole was a wilderness, out of which is now raised a thriving well settled Colony, able and willing to support itself, and may doe it equal to any other on the main, in proportion to the number of its inhabitants. The trade of the place is large, and has aug mented the Queen's Revenue by a great many thousands, the improvemts. are even surprizing to those who have view'd them and consider the infancy of the settlemt. The poorest there (who in Engld. could not live) have encouragemt. to marry and multiply, to the great increase of the consumption of English manufactures, and thereby of ye Revenue both here and there: from all which 'tis obvious, that it is not the present value only that is to be estimated, but what it is continually growing and improving to in futurity, tho' even at this instant 'tis considerable. The supplies from Assemblies, imposts generally laid on merchandise, fines arising from ye Courts, forfeitures from illegal trade, with divers other emolumts. in Govmt. will immediately amount to a considerable income, and continually increase with the numbers of the people. Now as this whole improvemt. has been begun and advanced to this height by my means and interest, I hope none will think it strange if I believe there is much due to me on that score. And to sett this in a clearer light, I desire it may be considered from parallels of the same kind. What a vast expence such a settlemt. would have proved to the Crown, had it been carried on at the publick charge, but 'tis now done without one peny of such money. The toil, fatigues, disappointmts. and expences have been mine, 'tis now made a regular well settled Colony, and I am to give up the fruits of it, just as they become ripe, to the Crown. Nor is it only the profits I have mentioned that I am to surrender, but with them all my powers of Govmt., the Crown will have the whole administration, the appointmt. of all officers, the regulation and direction of all publick affairs under its immediate care. And how the powers of Govmt. have in all ages been rated, sufficiently appears in this, that from the desire of these have most of the struggles and wars since the Creation had their principal rise and spring. I think therefore upon the whole I may very justly expect a valuable consideration on the several accots. I have mentioned, and cannot doubt but the Lords Commissioners will concur in the same opinion. I crave leave therefore to hope that this Board will not account it a merit, to make in behalf of the Crown a hard or pinching bargain with me, who so little deserve an unkind treatmt. on this score, and am so unable to bear it. I shall add nothing further but that as in my first Memorial I hinted I must alwayes expect, there will, upon the surrender, be a due regard had both to the people that went over [? with] me in respect to their religious perswasions and to myself and family that may be settled there. Signed, Wm. Penn. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 2, 17 10/11. 2¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 1264. No. 110; and 5, 1292. pp. 250–254.]
Feb. 2.
Whitehall.
634. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Dartmouth. Enclose Mr. Keens' charges against Major Lloyd etc. (v. Jan. 26, 31) to be laid before H.M. [C.O. 195, 5. pp. 192, 193.]
Feb. 5.
Whitehall.
635. Mr. Popple to Lord Archibald Hamilton. Reply to Feb. 1st. When Mr. Thompson shall have informed the Council of Trade and Plantations that he do's not intend to go to Jamaica, their Lordships will take this matter into further consideration. [C.O. 138, 13. pp. 316, 317.]
Feb. 5.
Whitehall.
636. Lord Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. H.M. would have you examine when and upon what occasion and for what reason the naming and appointing a Governor was taken from Lord Baltimore, etc. Signed, Dartmouth. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 7, 17 10/11. 1 p. Enclosed,
636. i. Charles Lord Baltemore to the Queen. Petitioner's Ancestors at great hazard and expence made a settlement an hundred miles up into the Continent beyond Virginia, now called the Plantations of Maryland, and your Petitioner now holds the same as sole Proprietor thereof, by vertue of Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England from his late most sacred Majesty King Charles I: and thereby was always allowed to have the right of nameing and appointing a Governour to reside there, until soon after the late Revolution, when his late Majesty King William (for reasons of State unknown to yr. Petitioner) appointed a Governour, and continued so to do, during his whole reign, tho' your Petitioner endeavoured by petition to obtain his said right. Since your Majesty's most happy reign Governours have been appointed by your sacred Majty., which your petitioner humbly conceives your Majty. would not have done, could your Petr. have been heard before your Majty. Petr. doubts not to make out his right before your Majty., and having never acted or done anything to forfeit the same, humbly hopes that your Majty. will be graciously pleas'd to restore him thereto, tho' he shall never presume to appoint any Governour without your royal approbation. Prays to be admitted to make out his said right by his Councell in such manner as H.M. may think fit, ye Proprietors of other Plantations being allowed the like priviledges. 1 pp. [C.O. 5, 717. Nos. 26, 26 i.; and 5, 727. pp. 224–227.]
Feb. 5.
Whitehall.
637. Lord Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and Plantations. H.M. would have you prepare a clause, as you propose (v. Jan. 26th), that no drawback of custom be allowed on the exportation of forreign unwrought iron and steel to the Plantations, and that you offer the same to the House of Commons by some of your Members, to be inserted in some Bill, etc. Signed, Dartmouth. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 7th Feb., 17 10/11. 1 p. [C.O. 323, 7. No. 7; and 324, 9. p. 450.]
Feb. 8.
Virginia.
638. Lt. Governor Spotswood to Lord Dartmouth. I'm sorry that I must here continue the disagreeable account of the irregular proceedings of our late Assembly, which having mett according to the adjournment mentioned in my last begun with the same ill temper with which they seperated, so that I was obliged on Jan. 31st to put an end to their contentions by a dissolution. The shortness of time will not give me leave to send by this conveyance the transcript of their Journals and the few laws they have pass'd, which are only three publick and two private Acts, and neither of much consequence. No arguments of mine or of the Council could prevail with the House of Burgesses to enter into any measures for the defence of the country, or for making good the Treaty with the Tuscaruros, tho' even that was concluded at the instances of their House. The just claims of many publick creditors obstinately rejected after the services had been approved of as a general benefitt to the country, and in short they were resolv'd not to depart from that general maxim of recommending themselves to the people by opposing everything that required expence; and indeed most of the late Burgesses had reason, since that was the only qualification they had to merit the people's choice; but tho' this has made some difference between me and the Burgesses, it has occasioned none with the country. I have not had the least dispute with any one member of the Council, nor do these very persons who composed the House of Burgesses shew any dissatisfaction with my administration, but on the contrary express as much confidence in my managment as in any Governor they have ever had: so that this unaccountable behaviour of the late Assembly will in all probability give a new turn to the humours of the people, and make them choose for their next Representatives persons of more disinterrested principles: but I shall first be well assured of that disposition before I call another Assembly. In the meantime I'm takeing all necessary precautions for securing the country against the Indians, and by the voluntary offers of several Gentlemen of the Council to advance money on the credit of the Revenue for making good the Treaty with the Tuscaruro Indians, I hope to keep that nation in our interest, and by that means put a speedy end to the present danger; unless the French (who 'tis said now trade with Indians not very remote) should find means to unite their Indians with those concerned in the massacre and furnish them with arms and ammunition to attack us. This is the more to be feared, because I have advice from persons who have lately lived among the Indians, that the Senecas (a numerous people) have of late been very industrious to unite all the scattered bodys of Indians on the frontiers of this and the neighbouring Governments, and seem more particularly provoked against us on account of one of their King's being killed some time ago by an inhabitant of this Colony as he was hunting. If they should for this prosecute a revenge, such a combination of all our neighbouring Indians might put our frontiers in a very unhappy condition, considering how ill we are provided to encounter an enemy that is no otherways to be reduced, but by a continual pursuit through the woods and desarts, a fatigue which our people will never be able to endure without the conveniency of tents to secure them against the weather. I therefore humbly offer to your Lordp's. consideration to move H.M. for a supply out of the Tower of about 300 soldiers' tents, some small arms and powder with two brass three pounders mounted on feild carriages for an expedition; such a supply would be of the greatest service, if we should be reduced to a necessity of pursuing the Indians, or of attacking them in their forts; and without which it will be extreemly difficult to free ourselves effectually from the incursions of that enemy: but the present danger seems much more to threaten North Carolina where the Indians daily gather more strength, and have already beseiged a party of the inhabitants in a small fort they built for their better security. That country is so miserably distracted, that they are not like to do anything for their own defence; their late Assembly having in a manner resolved to sacrifice the country to the rage of the heathen, because they could not introduce into the Government the persons most obnoxious for fomenting the late rebellion and civil war there. The Palatines are the only persons who now live undisturbed upon a neutrality concluded with the Indians by the Baron de Graffenried while he was their prisoner, and for which he is sufficiently persecuted by the other inhabitants, who would have him enter into a war with the Indians without affording him the least assistance either of provisions of war or victuals, of both which he is in mighty want; he has always declared his readiness to break with the Indians as soon as the other inhabitants should take measures to prosecute a war effectually; and to do it sooner would only expose his handfull of people to be destroyed or starved out of the place, and he depends so little on the faith of the Indians or on the good nature of his neighbours that he has lately proposed to me to remove with the Palatines into this country, to settle on H.M. land as well as divers other inhabitants of Carolina, who despair of any protection there. The settlement of the Palatines together with such a number as the Baron proposes to invite from Swisserland and Germany, would prove of great benefite to this country, and a strong barrier against the incursions of Indians if duly disposed above our inhabitants. I must therefore pray your Lordp's. directions, what encouragements may be proper to be given for such a design either in ye quantity of land or the terms of granting it. I must also pray your Lordp. to move H.M. for some speedy orders that this Colony, Maryland and Carolina may assist each other if either be attackt, and since such an assistance may be render'd very precarious if left to the regulation of an Assembly, your Lordp. will also be pleased to consider of some more effectual means than their resolutions. Signed, A. Spotswood. 3½ pp. Enclosed,
638. i. Duplicate of No. 710 i. [C.O. 5, 1337. Nos. 8, 8 i.]
Feb. 8. 639. Petty Expenses of the Board of Trade, Michaelmas to Christmas, 1710. v. B. of T. Journal. 4½ pp. [C.O. 388, 76. Nos. 111–113.]
Feb. 8.
Whitehall.
640. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Dartmouth. Enclose following to be laid before H.M.
640. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Refer to the settlement of the Palatines upon Hudson's River, as described by Governor Hunter and Mr. Bridger supra. The greatest number of the Palatines are setled in three towns, where they have already erected their huts, upon 6000 acres purchased by the Governor, lying in the east side of Hudson's River about 100 miles from New York. Opposite thereto and belonging to your Majesty, on the west side of the said River, lyes another tract of land, extending about a mile in length to the side of that river, on which land the rest of the Palatines are seated in two towns. Which said settlements are very commodious, as well in regard of the fertility of the soil, as that they are adjoyning to the pine lands, and that ships drawing 15 foot water may come up to them. Mr. Dupré has informed us that when he came away, the number of the Palatines so setled was 2227, who were then employed in clearing the ground for Indian corn and gardens; and are this spring to be set on work in preparing the trees for the production of tar and other naval stores. Your Majesty's said Governor and Surveyor do say that this great and usefull undertaking of providing this Kingdom with Naval Stores cannot fail of success if duly encourag'd and supported hence, there being pines enough for a constant supply of tar, for the use of all the shipping of Great Britain. In order to produce tar, the trees must be rinded in the spring, after wch. it is necessary that they should stand two years that the sap may be lost, and only the gummy substance remain to be run into tar, by burning the trees after a particular manner; wherefore till the Palatines can make tar, in order to reimburse your Majesty, what has already been or shall be further advanc'd for their use, the Governor proposes that they be subsisted at the rate of 6d. per day for persons above ten years of age and 4d. a head per day for children under ten years; to defray which expence and other charges incident to ye said undertaking (as is more particularly set forth in an estimate now laying before the Lords of your Majesty's Treausury) he craves an allowance of £15000 a year. In regard it was so late before the said Palatines were seated, and for that the weather in that country is usualy very hard during the winter season, they could not by their labour contribute towards their own livelyhood during any part of the first year, which time may to that purpose be reckon'd lost; therefore the Governor proposes that the said allowance of £15000 a year be made for two years from Midsummer, 1710, within the first of which two years (though a great part of their labour will be employed in the spring to prepare trees for making tar) he computes they will be so far able to contribute towards their own livelyhood that the said sum of £15000 will in a great measure answer the rest of that year's expence on account of the said undertaking; and that within the latter of the said two years, the produce of their lands will contribute towards their support to such a further degree that the second £15000 will be sufficient to answer the second years expence, and to make good the deficiency of the former year. For the subsistance of the Palatines upon their arrival at New York, the Governor carryed from hence bills of credit for £8000, and has drawn bills on your Majesty's Treasury for that and for a further sum of £4,700, all which mony he says has been expended in subsisting and settling of those people; and that he has transmitted an account thereof to the Lords of your Majesty's Treasury, whereby he says it does appear that he has disposed of that mony with good management, and therefore prays ye said bills may be complyed with. If the production of Naval Stores within your Majesty's Dominions in America be incouraged and brought to such perfection that sufficient quantities thereof may be imported from thence for the use of the Royal Navy and of the rest of the shipping of Great Britain (which we are credibly inform'd may be done), the said stores (bought there with the produce of the woollen and other goods from Great Britain) being consumed here, in lieu of such as are imported from the Northern Crowns, the doing thereof will not only turn the ballance of that northern trade in favour of this Kingdom, but your Majesty and your subjects will for the future be at a greater certainty of being from time to time supplyed with Naval stores from America, than can be depended upon from the Baltick and Norway, especially in case of a rupture with either of the said Northern Crowns. Therefore we presume humbly to offer our opinion that the said Palatines be supported in order to their carrying on and improving the said manufacture of Naval Stores, so greatly advantagious and beneficial to the navigation of this Kingdom. In our proposal, we humbly offered to your Majesty that Mr. Bridger should be ordered, with 3 or 4 other persons as his assistants to repair to New York, to instruct the Palatines in manufacturing tar etc. Accordingly he repaired thither, and has been very serviceable in finding out lands proper for the settlement of the Palatines, and in the seating them thereon, but has had no consideration for such his services, in regard the Governor is not sufficiently impower'd by authority from your Majesty to make any allowance for the same, etc. Wherefore we humbly offer that out of such mony as your Majesty shall be graciously pleased to advance on account of the Palatines, the Governor be directed to pay Mr. Bridger a yearly salary of £100 during such time as he shall be imployed at New York in instructing them. [C.O. 5, 1122. pp. 267–276.]
Feb. 8. 641. Draught of a clause to be inserted in a Bill to enact that no drawback of Custom be allowed on re-exportation of foreign unwrought iron and steel to the Plantations. [C.O. 324, 9. p. 451.]
Feb. 8.
Whitehal.
642. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Request payment of office expenses and salaries from Michaelmas to Christmas, 1710. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 16–18.]
Feb. 9.
St. James's.
643. Order of Queen in Council. Referring following to the Council of Trade and Plantations for their report. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. 20th, Read 21st Feb., 17 10/11. 1 p. Enclosed,
643. i. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Queen. Pray for H.M. approbation of Charles Craven whom they have appointed Governour to succeed Major Edward Tynte, decd., he being a person of integrity and capacity, well affected to H.M. Government, and now in that Province, etc. Signed, Craven Palatine, Beaufort, M. Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1264. Nos. 111, 111 i.; and 5, 1292. pp. 263–265.]
Feb. 10. 644. Address of the Representatives of New Jersey to the Queen. We your Majesty's most dutifull and loyall subjects having taken into our consideration your Majesty's royal letter to H. E. Coll. Robert Hunter concerning the money given by the Assembly of this Province to the late Lord Lovelace, humbly represent that it being given by the Assembly which with the other Acts past dureing his Lordps.' administracon are lost or mislaid, we thought ourselves obliged both in justice and gratitude to his memory, to pass another Act dureing the present session of this Assembly for making the prints of those Acts as effectuall as the originalls would be were they in the Secry's. Office whereby they might more regularly be transmitted for your Majty's. approbation, being greatly desirous to preserve the gracious opinion your Majty. in your letter are pleased to express of our justice to that noble Lord, but your Majties. Council of this Province haveing made and insisted on severall amendments to that Bill, which wee thought reflected on the memory of the Lord Lovelace, and seemed to confirm an Act past dureing Col. Ingoldesby's administracon which took from his unhappy Lady the greatest part of wt. was given her Lord, whereby or. just intentions in passing the aforesaid Bill this present Session being defeated, Wee have besought H. E. Col. Robt. Hunter to lay before yor. Majtie. Under the Seale of this yor. Province the prints of the aforesaid Acts which wee hope will hope will answear yor. Majties.' grations intentions, etc. Signed, By order of the House of Representatives, John Kay, Speaker. Feb. 10, 1710. Parchment. 1 large p. [C.O. 5, 1091. Nos. 20; and (duplicate) 21.]
Feb. 10. 645. Address of the Representatives of New Jersey to the Queen. Wee do with all humillitie render yor. Majtie. our most hearty thanks for removeing yor. Lieut.-Governour Col. Richard Ingoldesby from the Governmt. of this yor. Majties. Collony and exempting us from the charge and hardships we then sustained. Yor. Majties.' goodness lays us under the greatest obligations to the best of Princes in sending H. E. Robert Hunter, etc., who we are morally assured will approve himself to yor. Majtie. and your subjects here by a steady and impartiall administration of Justice, then which nothing has been more wanting in this yor. Majties.' poor and hitherto abused Collony. A Representation of which we have made to H. E., who we hope with the first oppertunity will lay a true and impartiall accot. thereof at yor. Majties. Royall feet, and wee implore such relief as the necessitie of our circumstances requires, and to your Majties.' royall wisdome shall seem most fitt. Wee doe assure yor. Majty. wee will support yor. Governmt. as our duty obliges us and be obedient to all yor. Majties. commands to the utmost of our abillities when wee are honoured with the knowledge of them, etc. Further compliments. Signed as preceding. Feb. 10, 1710. Parchment. 1 large p. [C.O. 5, 1091. Nos. 22; and (duplicate) 23.]