|
Aug. 11.
Windsor Castle. |
34. The Earl of Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. I am to desire you will let me know what informations you have recd. relating to a clandestine trade carryed on
by one David Creagh in the West Indies, particularly whether
any affidavits have been transmitted to you, or living wittnesses
sent over to prove the crimes with which he stands charged. He
is now on board one of H.M. ships of war, and no resolution can
be taken in what manner to proceed against him till I have your
answer, etc. Signed, Dartmouth. Endorsed, Recd. Read Aug.
13, 1712. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 9. No. 67; and 138, 13. p. 395.] |
Aug. 12.
Whitehall. |
35. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchet. Encloses extract from
Governor Hunter's letter, etc., March 1st, relating to the building
of a galley at New York, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty. [C.O. 5, 1123. p. 49.] |
Aug. 12.
Charles Fort in St. Christophers. |
36. Robert Cunynghame to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Repeats parts of April 30 and July 2. Continues:—General Douglas had me taken up by a falce, scandalous and
malicious warrant (v. C.S.P. 1711–12, No. 392 ii.), for that the
persons he sayes informed him and Council, were not before
the Council, but at the Lt. Governor's with a Justice and
lawyer of his appointing, the Saturday and Sunday before,
where he then was, I gave myself the pleasure by a letter on
Munday, to informe him more than any or every body besides
could and more than he carred to hear, which was delivered
him by my little son of twelve years old, who I hope will have
the honor to deliver this to your Lordships, with the copie
of my said letter if required. Upon my appearing before him in
Council the 15th he charged me with no part of his warrant
but my letter, which I did and will justifie in every part, and
what I said besides at the Council Board, etc. The Island of
Montsearat is lately destroyed by 5 of the enemies ships from 30
to 54 guns, a Dutch prize, 13 sloops and smal vessels at a time
there never was so many merchant ships nor of so good countenance in this Government, were some of them fitted out with
the four men of war they would drive the enemies ships out of
the West Indies. I wish your Lordships may not in a little time
hear of the loss of all the Islands by the General's ill conduct,
we daily expect to be attackt here, I continue a prisoner, my wife
with child and eleven smal children, etc. My humble petition
to your Lordships is that General Douglas, Lt. Governor Lambert
and myself may appear before H.M. in Council, your Lordships,
or at the Queens Bench Barr, for that here the General is always
in the right, it will then appear who is guilty of high crimes and
misdemeanors, or worse, General Douglas for his conduct on
account of General Park at Antigua; upon account of Montserat
and now all the Islands being exposed to be destroyed by the
enemy, his suspending Lt. General Hamilton, which common
fame said he was searching reasons for some monthes after, his
oppressing me, and taking by himself or servants extravagant
fees, more then ever General Park did, nine pieces of eight from
a stranger for a lycence of marriage and seven from a poor man for
proving a deed of gift, more demanded but beat down by both.
Lt. Governor Lambert for making away four of the Queen's
brass field pieces, two that came with the Duke of Bolton's
regiment from England, and two with Sir Timothy Thornhills
from Barbados which were in Charles Fort when Lt. General
Hamilton went hence. Lt. Governor of Nevis. For being
concerned with or consenting to General Park, in defrauding the
poor inhabitants of this Island and Nevis of the Queen's Royal
Bounty sent in the Triumphant under the convoy of Capt. Geo.
Camocke of H.M.S. Speedwell, no part of the following species
being distributed:–7 tierces of beef, 1 tierce, 7 barrils and 6 half
barriels of pork, 8 tierces, 57 barrils of flower, 27 boxes of candles;
43 hhds. of wine etc., 8 hhds. of salt; 5 runlets of brandy etc.
For that the said Lt. Governor's sloop being sent with a flag
of truce to Martenique about Easter 1708, he with one or more of
the Council were concerned in 99 barrils of beef then sent to the
enemy, etc. For that some years ago he did take John Canaragan
an inhabitant of this island then sick of a fever from his family
and put him on board H.M.S. Diamond, Capt. Ramsey commander, where he was put in irons and exposed to sun and weather
upon the forecastle four dayes and nights without bread or water
but what was given him unknown to the Captain, his pretended
crime being piracy for taking under a Dutch commission one of
General Park's flages (of) truce with contraband goods going to
Martenique. He being told of it by myself some time after at a
conference as I was Speaker to the Assembly, he said 'twas by
the General's order and with consent of the Council, so that your
Lordships see what they are. For that at this time of very great
danger from the enemy, being still at Guardeloup, 37 dayes
since they landed at Montsearat and a much longer time since
we were apprized of their designs against the Islands, the Queen's
best cannon lye exposed at the Old Road, Palmeta Point and
Sandy Point, when they are wanted in Charles Fort as well for
its defence as security of the ships that would on this occasion
anchor under it, that the said Fort is entirely neglected, the well
within as well as that without being choakt up with dirt and
stones, neither winlass, rope nor bucket to either, that for these
four months past that I am here, he has bin but four times in it
and his stay at all those times not half an hour. That there is
not a barril of beef nor flower upon Brimston Hill, which is our
greatest security, by nature impregnable, and but lately either
powder or ball, and the officers of the Queen's Regular troopes
are not to this day consulted upon the danger that hangs over
our heads. Signed, Ro. Cunynghame. Endorsed, Recd. 29th,
Read 31st Oct., 1712. 3 pp. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 130; and 153,
12. pp. 14–20.] |
Aug. 13.
Whitehal. |
37. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Dartmouth. Reply to Aug. 11. Enclose extract of letter from Lord
A. Hamilton, May 15, and state of the case of David Creagh.
Autograph signatures. 1 p. [137, 46. Nos. 4, 4 i.; and (without
enclosure) 138, 13. p. 396.] |
Aug. 13.
Antegoa. |
38. Governor Douglas to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Sir Hovenden Walker arrived with the London fleet the 24th of
June, and sailed for Jamaica the 28th, and left his orders for
Capt. Hamilton, H.M.S. Woolwich, to come down from Barbadoes
with all H.M. ships to the assistance of these Islands, upon the
first notice from me, of any invasion from the publick enemy, or
any new insurrection in this Island. On July 4th a squadron of
men of warr from Thoulon commanded by Monsieur Cassaert, that
had made some attempts at St. Jago was repulsed at Surrinam,
alarmed Barbadoes, the Panther and Burlington having been
chased by three of their biggest ships, alarmed us with some small
ships appearing near Guardaloupe and standing off seemed to be
reinforced with some more ships and sloops. They endeavoured
to land on Sunday morning, July 6th, at Willoughby Bay and the
Mamora, but stood off again upon their perceiving a few horse
and foot in some readiness to receive them. On Munday morning
they stretched along the Leewardmost part of the Island and
besides a great many sloops and small vessells with small boats
for landing men we reckoned one 70 gun ship (with 64 guns
mounted called Le Neptune as our spy and prisoners have since
informed us) two ships of 50 guns, one ships of 40 guns, three
ships of 32 guns. In the evening they landed a few men at Carrs
Bay upon the Island of Montserratt, and next morning at Plymouth after firing some broadsides against the battery and tower
they landed there and to northward of the Island at Carrs and
the next Bay above 3500 men as they confidently report. Upon
the first alarm I immediately sent away two sloops to the Governor
of Barbadoes for his assistance and had the six men of warr met
with the usual dispatch they would have arrived at Plymouth
Road in Montserratt a considerable time before they left that
Island and when they were in confusion many of their men being
ashoar and taken up with thoughts of their plunder. It proved
to be the singular good fortune of the French that the great
rain and tempestuousness of the weather hindered us from
landing anywhere to windward which made our intelligence very
slow and incertain; and the Roebuck being disabled in her masts
as soon as ever we could get her in a posture of sailing, I embarked
with the Diamond, Roebuck, Scarborough and the Jolly man of
warr of 16 guns and some sloops with near 300 men on board,
which I endeavoured to land (and would have gone ashoar
alone to have incouraged the poor people if it had been possible)
but by reason of the surges running so very high I found it altogether impracticable, tho' about 100 of the inhabitants came
down from their last place of retreat, their dodand, to favour
our landing; we were oblidged to go very near the French fleet
at anchor and by their hurry and unreadiness to sail we got all
safely to windward and alarmed Guardaloupe (still heartily
praying for a force to land and make reprizalls) and took some
prisoners before we returned to Antegoa where the six men of
warr arrived from Barbadoes July 20th, who after a consultation
resolved not to attack the enemy if of equall force. The day
following I sent a reinforcement of above 400 men soldiers,
sailors and the islanders, on board their ships. The 22nd they
sent to discover the enemy who they perceived had left Montserratt the same day in the evening after we had given them the
alarm and in spite of all our intreatys and remonstrances the
Captains of the men of warr from Barbadoes would neither
consent to continue with us any time nor yet to attack the enemy
tho of an inferiour force at anchor at Guardaloupe; Capt.
Constable left us the 26th and Capt. Hamilton the 27th of July
in very mean circumstances which has oblidged us to take all
imaginable care to put the Island in the best posture of defence
that at present it is capable of. I have formed the sailors into a
regiment and sent for 100 men from Montserratt and repaired
our breastworks, trenches and all sorts of fortifications, but both
the few soldiers and the militia are in great want of small arms.
We are still in hourly apprehensions of being invaded by the
enemy (the planters affairs and all trade being at a stand) and
this day our spy-boates brings intelligence of their being in
motion and some of them got under sail; we are as well provided
for them as it lyes in our power to be, and the people seem very
well resolved to make a vigorous defence, but if they fall to
leeward and attack Nevis and St. Christophers they must of
necessity overrun them in a little time. The desertion and
absence of the Lt. Governor of Montserratt made it the easier
for them to ravage and do so much prejudice to that poor island,
where out of about 5000 negroes (besides the burning many of
their houses and works) they lost about 1200. Signed, Walter
Douglas. Endorsed, Recd. 29th, Read 31st Oct., 1712. 2¾ pp.
[C.O. 152, 9. No. 134; and 153, 11. pp. 30–34.] |
Aug. 13.
Antegoa. |
39. Governor Douglas to [?the Earl of Dartmouth]. Repeats
preceding. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 87.] |
| [Aug. 14.] |
40. Order of King in Council, April 2, 1696, referring following
petition to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Signed, Wm.
Bridgeman. Endorsed, Recd. — 1696, Read Aug. 14, 1712.
½ p. Enclosed, |
|
40. i. Petition of Charles Knights, Charles Whittell and
Edward Broughton, of Jamaica. Sir James del Castillo
and Don Francisco Porcio, subjects of the King of
Spain and factors for the Assiento for importing negroes
to the Spanish West Indies, contracted with petitioners
for moneys advanced and negroes delivered at Porto
Bello and Carthagena, and particularly Francis Porcio
did agree to pay Charles Knights 38,280 peices of
eight; to Charles Whittell £2150 13s. 9d., and to
Edward Broughton £500 for negroes delivered. Sir
James del Castillo contracted to pay Charles Knights
37,500 peices of eight for negroes delivered. Before
the ships sailed from Carthagena these peices of eight
were by some order from the Spanish Governor there on
contrivance of Francisco Porcio taken out and detained.
Porcio resides and is protected at Panama. Appeal for
H.M. orders for satisfaction to be made to them by him.
1 p. |
|
40. ii.–iv. Copy of Don Francisco Portio's contracts to pay
Knight, Whittell and Broughton as in preceding.
Signed, Francis Portio. 3 pp. |
|
40. v. Copy of Sir James del Castillo's contract as in preceding.
Signed, Santiago del Castillo. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 9.
Nos. 68, 68 i.–v.] |
Aug. 14.
Whitehall. |
41. Mr. Popple to Henry Lord Bishop of London. The
Board is verry sorry to hear of your Lordship's indisposition,
which has hindred them of the advantage of your Lordship's
assistance this day. However they send you names of six
persons recommended to them, and desire you to let them know
whether your Lordship have any objection as to the principles
of these men, that may disqualify them, for the place of Councillors in New Jersey, etc. [C.O. 5, 995. pp. 161, 162.] |
Aug. 14.
London. |
42. Micajah Perry to Mr. Popple. I have yours relating to
Col. Douglas. I have only advice that there is severall gentlemen
comeing over immediatly to whome I am to aply for a full state
of all thing in the Islands, particularly one Mr. Bunnion, etc.
Signed, Micajah Perry. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 26th Aug.,
1712. ¼ p. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 127; and 153, 12. p. 4.] |
Aug. 15.
Whitehall. |
43. Mr. Popple to Mr. Buckley. Order to print 1000 copies
of the oath for the sufferers at Nevis etc. (v. Aug. 8). [C.O. 153,
12. p. 3.] |
Aug. 15.
Bermuda. |
44. Lt. Governor Bennett to [?the Earl of Dartmouth].
Repeats March 15. Inclosed are two affidts. relateing to the
designs of the French upon this country, which occasioned an
embargo for two months, and I believe would have been put
in execution, had not our men of war last winter had the good
success to take their fleet of ammunition and provision shipes
bound to Martinique, whereby it's concluded they were incapassitated to forward that intent. As for the consequences I fear will
happen if these islands were in the hands of the French etc.,
I refer to my letters of June 22, and Oct. 26, 1711; and doe pray
consideration may be had on that part concerning makeing my
company up 100 men, and if another company were ordered
here it would doe well, verily believeing and concludeing the
French have resolved to attempt this country. Also inclosed
is a letter found (amongst many others) on board a French ship
bound to Nantes of about 100 tuns, 8 guns and 20 men, taken
on the 19th of July past near the west end of these Islands by
a privateer fitted out here, to which letter (the cover whereon
to whom directed being some way lost, but remember it to
have been to a Secretary of State) I desire to refer your Lordp.
for further information. The ship made prize came from Martinique on the 2nd of the last month in company with the seven
French men of war mentioned in said letter, and 16 privateer
vessells, haveing 1000 soldiers on board, which with the privateers,
could on occasion land 3000 men. On the 6th about midnight
they were off of Antigua designing to steal a landing, but being
discovered and the sea running high, they in the morning stood
away and went for Mounserat, and after being three days in
sight of that Island landed (but what opposition was made I
have not heard). The inhabitants retired to the Dodan, which
I am told is a secure strong place, and provision sufficient for
the people and their slaves for some months. By advice from
Barbados I understand, that six men of war were gone from thence
to Antigua to joyn four more, with intent to attack the French
fleet at Mountseratt, etc. Signed, Ben. Bennett. Endorsed,
R. Nov. 20. Holograph. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
44. i. Deposition of William Bevell of Liverpool, mariner
and James Brooke, mariner, St. Kitts, Aug. 9, 1712.
Duplicate of No. 33. ii. 1 p. |
|
44. ii. Deposition of John Shattock, mariner, Bermuda,
April 21, 1712. A Frenchman at St. Thomas' informed
deponent in March that the French intended to fit out
a fleet at Martinique, Guardalupe and St. Domingo
and to take Bermuda by surprize. Signed, John
Shattock. 1 p. |
|
44. iii. Deposition of William Cherittoe, Bermuda, Aug. 15,
1712. Deponent heard at Thomas' four or five weeks
ago that the French were preparing at Martinique, 13
or 14 sail of privateer vessels, and 4 or 5 men of warr
to take Bermuda. Signed, Wm. Cherittoe, his mark.
Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 37, 28. Nos. 12, 12 i.–iii.] |
Aug. 16.
Barbados. |
45. Governor Lowther to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Refers to letter of May 28; "since which I have
not had the honour to receive any commands from you. The
Council and Assembly have had a great dispute about the Excise
Bill, I did all I could to accomodate the matter, but some here
aim at nothing less than to make themselves an independent
people, and to that end endeavour all they can to divest the
administration here of all the Queen's power and authority and
to lodge it in the Assembly, this project hath been a long time on
foot and a great progress hath been made in it, for they have
extorted so many powers from my predecessors, that there is
now hardly enough left to keep the peace, much less to maintain
the decent respect and regard that is due to the Queen's servant.
I only now take the liberty to hint these thinges to your Lordshipes, but if you have a mind to be thoroughly satisfy'd of
them, I shall upon the least intimation lay these matters very
fully before you. I have already inform'd your Lordshipes of
the reasons that prevail'd upon me to suspend Mr. Carter from
practicing the Law; as also that I gave him to understand by
Col. Barwick and some others that I would restore him, provided
he would acknowledge his fault and make his submission, but he
hath never yet thought fit to do it, but now intends as I am
informed to apply to H.M. to take off his suspension. I shall
only add, that if such incendiaries are countenanc'd and encourag'd, instead of being punished, it's then not improbable that
such a tragedy may be acted here as was lately at Antegoa.
I hope your Lordshipes will be satisfy'd upon perusing the
Minutes of Council that I did all that laid in my power to prevent
the enemy from invading any of H.M. Leeward Islands: I shall
make no remarkes at this time upon the conduct of any of the
Commanders of H.M. shipes, but intirely submit the matter to
your Lordshipes, you having all the matters of fact before you
(in the inclosed Minutes of Council). P.S. Mr. Barwick presented
me the inclosed petition in relation to Mr. Skene since I had writ
this letter: your Lordshipes will observe that he prayes that I
will represent the contentes home to England, that H.M. interest
may no longer suffer by the said Skene," etc. Signed, Rob.
Lowther. Endorsed, Recd. Nov. 13, 1712, Read July 17th, 1713.
Holograph. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
45. i. Account of Stores of War, Barbados, June 2, 1712.
Signed, Wm. Leslie. Same endorsement. 1 large p. |
|
45. ii. Account of Christenings and Burials, Clergy and Schoolmasters in the several parishes of Barbados, June 22,
1711–1712. Totals:—Christenings, 449; Burials, 352;
Schoolmasters, 46. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
45. iii. Account of Negroes imported into Barbados June 22,
1711–1712. Separate traders, 492; Royal African
Company, 161. Same endorsement. ½ p. |
|
45. iv. Account of arms and ammunition in the several
divisions of Barbados, Aug. 1st, 1712. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
45. v. List of inhabitants of Barbados, by parishes. Totals:—Number of Plantations, 1309; White men, 3537;
women, 3529; children, 5462; white men fit to bear
arms, 3438; negro slaves, 41,970; horses, 2471.
Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
45. vi. Account of prizes and seizures in the Court of Admiralty, Barbados, June 1711—July, 1712. 21 ships (17
French prizes, 1 Spanish). Signed, Stephen Alexander,
Register Cur. Adm. Same endorsement. 2 pp. |
|
45. vii. Copy of Deposition of Wm. Leslie, Keeper of the Stores,
Sept. 6, 1712. Deponent was informed of an order
from the Governor, July 16th, to Capt. Archibald
Hamilton, H.M.S. Woolwich, for stores of war, which
deponent waited to give him, but he sailed without
ever sending for them, etc. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
45. viii. Petition of Samuel Barwick to Governor Lowther.
Alexander Skeene went off the Island contrary to law
and unknown to petitioner owing him £129 1s. 8d. out of
£329 1s. 8d. decreed by the Court of Exchequer in H.M.
v. Skeene. Prays that the matter be represented home
and Skeene obliged to give good security there for
payment of the balance with costs. Signed, Saml.
Barwick. Same endorsement. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 14. Nos.
2, 2 i.–viii.; and (without enclosures) 29, 13. pp. 53–57.] |
Aug. 17.
Lillingston. Dayrell. |
46. Mr. Tucker to Erasmus Lewis. Asks for the post of
Secretary or Ensign for his kinsman in Bermuda, etc. Signed,
J. Tucker. 1 p. [C.O. 37, 28. No. 13.] |
[Aug.] 17.
Fulham. |
47. Bishop of London to Mr. Popple. I do entirely approve
of their Lordships' choice, etc. (i.e. of Councillors for New Jersey?)
v. No. 41. Signed, H. London. Endorsed, Recd. 17th, Read
26th Aug., 1712. Addressed. ½ p. [C.O. 5, 970. No. 162;
and 5, 995. p. 163.] |
| [Aug. 18.] |
48. Copy of Mr. Skene's Patent as Secretary of Barbados,
May 8, 1702. Endorsed, Recd. Read Aug. 18, 1712. 2¾ pp.
[C.O. 28, 13. No. 94.] |
