|
March 1.
Whitehal. |
598. Mr. Popple to Sir Charles Hedges. Encloses copies of
Lt. Governor Pulleine's letter and enclosed affidavits (Jan. 9th)
for his opinion and that of other civil lawyers thereupon in writing on Friday morning, etc., at which time their Lordships desire
ye favour of speaking with you, etc. [C.O. 38, 7. pp. 191, 192.] |
March 4.
Treary. Chambers. |
599. Mr. Lowndes to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following for their report. Signed, Wm. Lowndes.
Endorsed, Recd. 10th, Read 11th March, 17 13/14. Addressed.
¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
599. i. Order of Queen in Council, Windsor, Nov. 30, 1713.
Referring following to the Lord High Treasurer (v.
A.P.C. II., No. 1195). Signed, William Blathwayt. ¾ p. |
|
599. ii. Petition of George Earl of Orkney, Captain Generall
and Governor in Chief of Virginia to the Queen. Proposes
that encouragement be given to the inhabitants to work
some ore discovered in Virginia within this 12 months
last past, that has greatly the semblance of silver in it.
Being sensible that all gold and silver mines are your
Majesty's intire property, they have desisted making
any further attempt till they are encouraged by your
Royall Proclamation, and what share you will please
to retain to yourself. After which the inhabitants
there, are desirous to go in quest of this important project
at their own proper charges, etc. Endorsed, March 1,
17 13/14. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1316. Nos. 104, 104 i., ii.;
and 5, 1364. pp. 26–29.] |
March 4.
Drs. Commons. |
600. Sir Charles Hedges and others to Mr. Popple. Having
perused Mr. Pullein's letter etc. Jan. 9, wee humbly are of opinion,
that in case the Lords Commissrs. for Trade, think those informations to bee true, that then the only, and proper way for relief
will bee, upon a representation to the Minister for Spain residing
here, and likewise by H.M. Minister att the Court of Madrid,
to demand reparation, and redresse of those practises complained
of, which seem very prejudiciall to, and destructive of the trade
of H.M. subjects in those parts: and that herein, no time should
bee lost, etc. Signed, C. Hedges, Nath. Lloyd, Hen. Newton,
R. Wood, Hum. Henchman. Endorsed, Recd. Read 5th March,
17 13/14. 2pp. [C.O. 37, 9. No. 29; and 38, 7. pp. 192, 193.] |
| March 5. |
601. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Bolingbroke.
Enclose copy of preceding, wth. wch. we agree, etc. We have no
reason to doubt of ye truth of ye facts, etc. Autograph signatures.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
601. i. Copy of No. 600. [C.O. 37, 26, Nos. 20, 20 i.; and
(without enclosures) 38, 7. p. 194.] |
| March 5. |
602. Extract of a letter from Elisha Dobree to Capt. Taverner.
I have this day received a letter of my friends of St. Malo who
writes me that the French ships continue to goe for St. Peters
this year, under the pretext of their having still their habitations,
and will dispose of none, they having retracted their mind of
selling or disposing of them, etc. Signed, Elisha Dobree.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 20th, March, 17 13/14. 1 p. [C.O. 194,
5. No. 36.] |
March 9.
Virginia. |
603. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Refers to previous letter, and continues his remarks
upon other laws passed the last sessions of Assembly:—The
deficiency as well as desuetude of the only law here made for
keeping Parish Registers having rendered ineffectual all my
endeavours for obtaining an exact list of the births, christnings
and burials required by H.M. Instructions, I thought it necessary
to recommend that matter to the Assembly, and I hope the Act
now passed is so well calculated for answering the end proposed,
that as soon as it takes place I shall be enabled to send your
Lordps. such a compleat list as may make some amends for the
deficiency I have heretofore sent. Upon the earnest application
of the inhabitants of St. Mary's parish I have consented to an
Act for redressing their grievances by dividing that parish: for
having received no answer from your Lordps. to what I writt
concerning the power of bounding and dividing countys and
parishes, I could no longer resist the importunitys of the people
in this case; Nevertheless your Lordps. will observe by the
different preamble of that Act that I have endeavoured to set a
precedent for future applications of that kind to be made first to
the Crown in the person of the Governor, and to undecieve the
people, who have hitherto look'd upon their Representatives, to
have the sole power in all such matters. Two of the Acts pass'd
this session vizt. that for the settlement of ferrys, and that
prohibiting the entertainment of runaway seamen, which were
only temporary and near expiring, are now made perpetual
according to H.M. Instructions concerning the re-enacting laws
of that nature which I communicated to the House of Burgesses
on this occasion, as judging both these Acts to be of publick
benefit; and if the Act concerning the nomination of sherifs,
which is now also re-enacted had not depended on a temporary
want, namely the increase of their profites by the advance of the
price of tobacco, which I hope a short time will bring to pass,
I should have got that too made perpetual: but seeing such an
alteration of the circumstances of the country may soon make
that law altogether unnecessary, I hope your Lordps. will not
construe it a dispensing with H.M. directions that it is still continued temporary. I gave your Lordps. an account in my last
of the confidence the Assembly had placed in me, with relation
to two particulars of considerable importance, the one for
finishing the Governor's house without limitation of the summ
which your Lordps. will find in the Act to impower John Holloway
and John Clayton, gent., to recieve the money paid for lotts in
Williamsburgh, and the other in the Act continuing the Rangers,
whereby I am impowered to disband such of them as I shall think
fitt, and to apply their pay towards the settlement of the frontiers;
and by an address of the House of Burgesses (Journal, Dec. 9),
I am further impowered to apply towards the same service the
remaining part of the sum appropriated for the relief of North
Carolina. In pursuance of this last trust, I formed the scheme
mentioned in the Council Journal, Jan. 27. and hope to put it
in execution very speedily, with more safety to the people and at
a fifth part of the charge they have been at for some years past to
maintain their Rangers. For after severall conferences with the
Tuscaruro Indians who have for some time dispersed themselves
on our frontiers, and occasioned the keeping on foot so great a
number of Rangers to prevent their incursions, I have at last
concluded a Treaty with them, and renewed the Treatys made with
the most considerable of our former Tributarys, which I hope will
not only secure us against any danger from them, but prevent
all other roving partys of strange Indians from coming near our
inhabitants; the severall partys of men that are to be settled
among the Tuscaruros and the other Tributarys will be as so many
spyes upon all their actions, the trade carryed to their towns,
and settled upon a just and equal footing, and a due administration of justice in all controversys arising between them and the
English will create in them a likeing to our Laws and Government,
and secure a necessary dependance on this Colony for a supply
of all their wants as the instructing their youth in the priniciples
of Christianity, will in a generation or two banish their present
savage customs, and bind them by the obligations of religion to
be good subjects and usefull neighbours. I shall not enlarge
further on the advantages of these Treatys, of which I now send
your Lordps. the copys. I hope your Lordps. will be satisfyed of
the good intention with which they are formed, and I have not
much doubt but that the event will be answerable; for as to our
ancient Tributarys, there is no suspition of their receding from
any of their engagements; and for the Tuscaruros, if they once
deliver the hostages they have promised (which I expect to know
in ten days' time at furthest) there's as little question to be made
of them, considering the aversion they have to return into
Carolina, and the impossibility of their subsisting long without
trade. I shall not trouble your Lordships with anything more of
the proceedings of the Council, having in my former letters hinted
whatever is remarkable therein. Only take notice that this
winter has been fatal to three of that Board vizt. Henry Duke,
William Fitzhugh and John Custis, Esqrs., who all died in little
more than a month, the number of the Council being by that
means and the absence of Col. Jenings and Col. Ludwell now in
England reduced under the number of nine. I did in pursuance
of the power granted me by H.M. for supplying that vacancy
on 27th Jan. call to that Board Major Nathaniel Harrison, whom
I formerly recommended to your Lordps., and on 6th Feb. Mr.
Mann Page a young gentleman of a liberal education, good parts
and a very plentifull estate, and whose father and grandfather
had the honour of the same post. After this Mr. Edmund
Berkley brought me H.M. letter for swearing and admitting
him into the Council, but at the same time insisted upon his
taking place of all others sworne in since the date of his letter,
alledging that from that time he was to be look'd upon as one of the
Council tho' not sworne, and so preferrable to any of my nomination; but as I do not pretend to any authority here except
what is derived from H.M. and that I look upon myself to be
equally impowered and under an equal obligation of obedience
whether H.M. commands be signifyed to me under the Great
Seal as is the power given me by my Commission for supplying
vacancys in the Council or by H.M. sign manual as the letter in
favour of Mr. Berkley is, and besides that all the precedents
I can find are plainly against this Gentleman's pretension, except
where it hath been otherwise directed by H.M. express commands,
I did not think it proper for me to determine that point in his
favour, upon which he refused to be sworne; and having occasion
since to convene the Council I gave him notice thereof, that he
might then take the opportunity of being sworne, but he returned
answer that he was not resolved whether he should accept thereof
or not untill he had right done him. Whereupon I did on the first
instant swear Mr. Robert Porteus to make the number of the
Council nine. This last gentleman being of a very good character
both for good sense and loyal and honest principles, and besides
of a very considerable estate, I take the liberty to recommend
both him and Mr. Page to your Lordps'. favour that they may be
confirm'd in that post, which I hope their services to H.M. and
their country will merit. At the same time I beg your Lordships
will do me the justice to believe that I have not been hasty in
filling up the Council, out of any dislike of Mr. Berkley, or upon
the account of his being put in without my recommendation, but
rather to construe it a seasonable precaution to supply the General
Court (which now draws near) with a sufficient number of Judges
not allyed to one particular family: for since the death of the
three gentlemen above-named (as I perceive by Mr. Secretary
Cock's letter) the removal of Mr. Jenings, the greatest part of the
present Council are related to the family of the Burwells, and as
there are sundry other gentlemen of the same family, whose
qualifications may entitle them to be of the Council, if they also
should be admitted upon the said private recommendation as
Mr. Berkley hath been, the whole Council would in a short time
be of one kindred. As it is now, if Mr. Bassett and Mr. Berkley
should take their places, there will be no less than seven so nearly
related that they will go off the Bench, whenever a cause of the
Burwells come to be tryed, whereby there must in all such cases
be a failure of justice, unless the Council (who are by law
constituted the sole judges of the General Court) be composed of
a competent number of other persons not liable to the same
exception. This consideration will I doubt not prevail with your
Lordships to believe that the recommendation of a Governor is
more disinterested than many times that of other persons,
and may be often necessary to secure a ballance both on the bench
and at the Council Board. However, when Mr. Berkley thinks
fitt to offer himself to be sworne, I shall readily admitt him, and
it is purely his own neglect that he was not sworne before either of
the Gentlemen with whom he now disputes: for he had his letter
by the same ship which arrived on the 5th Jan. and brought me
that for swearing the Secretary, and yet he gave me no notice
that he was appointed of the Council till after Mr. Page was
sworne, nor shew'd me H.M. letter till Feb. 8th. If H.M. shall not
think fitt to give Coll. Basset his former rank in the Council, I
cannot recommend a fitter person to supply the vacancy than
Mr. John Robinson nephew to the present Bishop of London,
he is now with his uncle, and if he returns hither (which is yet
uncertain) I hope your Lordps. will afford him the honour of
serving H.M. in a station he is well qualifyed for. Mr. Thomson,
who for some years past was Attorney Generall of this Colony,
died in the beginning of last month, and I have commissionated
in his place Mr. John Clayton an English Gentleman and a
barrister-at-law, who has as fair a character as anyone I ever
knew of that profession. Signed, A. Spotswood. Endorsed,
Recd. 1st, Read 9th Sept. 1714. 6 pp. Enclosed, |
|
603. i. Treaty of Peace concluded between Lt. Governor
Spotswood and Deputys from that part of the Tuscoruro
Nation lately inhabiting towns of Rarocaithee, Kintha,
Junonitz and Tahoghkee. Williamsburgh, Feb. 27, 1713
(-14). Whereas the Indians of the late Tuscoruro towns
Rarocaithee, Kintha, Junonitz and Tahoghkee and
divers others of the same Nation who during the war
with the Province of North Carolina deserted their
settlements on the frontiers of that Province, have for
some time past continued dispersed on the north side
of Roanoake River within the bounds of Virginia,
and after sundry applications for obtaining a peace with
the said Colony and the liberty of settling themselves
within the limits and under the protection thereof have
now deputed and sent Naccouea-ighwha, Nyasauckhee
and Narrouiauckhas great men of the said towns humbly
to represent their innocence the late barbarous massacre
in North Carolina and in the war which ensued thereupon,
for avoiding whereof they voluntarily retired very early
from their ancient settlements, and have not since been
aiding or assisting to the rest of their nation engaged
therein: and the said Deputys having further represented that it is impossible for them any longer to
subsist in the condition they are at present, nor to
restrain either their own people or that ungovernable
multitude of other towns which have since resorted to
them from supplying their necessitys by rapine and
hostilitys on some of the English. And whereas the said
Indians have as an earnest of their sincere desire to
continue in friendship with the English first delivered
up Hancock the ringleader in the massacre to the
Government of Carolina, and lately seiz'd and delivered
to this Government of Virginia two Tuscoruro Indians
who last summer committed a barbarous murder on
Roanoak River promising to bring in the other as soon
as possible, and have now humbly begg'd that a Peace
may be granted them with the liberty of settling themselves within the bounds of Virginia offering to become
Tributarys, and to submitt to such terms as the Governour
of Virginia shall think fit to impose for securing forever
hereafter the inhabitants of the said Colony and all other
H.M. subjects in the neighbouring Provinces against
any dangers from them and their adherents: the
said Governor of Virginia being desirous as well to reestablish the peace and tranquility of the Province of
North Carolina, as to terminate the great expence which
the Colony of Virginia hath for some years undergone
for the defence of its frontiers, and more especially with a
pious intention to convert the sd. Nation of Indians
from Paganism and Idolatry to the true Christian Faith
to which they have now mainfested a good disposition,
Hath with the advice of H.M. Council concluded this
present treaty as follows, (1) It is hereby stipulated and
agreed on the part of the sd. Indians that they and their
posterity shall from henceforth become Tributarys
to her Majesty of Great Britain and her successors, under
the subjection of the Government of Virginia, and shall
submit to such forms of Government, and be obedient
to such rules as the Governor of Virginia shall appoint.
(2) The sd. Indians do consent and agree that as soon as a
place shall be set apart for their habitation, and a
Minister and School Master established there, all their
children shall be taught the English language and
educated in the principles of the Christian Religion;
and in the meantime twelve boys of the principal
familys of their Nation shall be sent to be taught and
educated at the Saponie Town whenever a School Master
shall be established there. (3) There shall be a firme
peace and amity forever hereafter between the said
Indians and all others that shall incorporate with them
and the Governmt. of Virginia and inhabitants thereof as
well English as Tributarys; and if any murder, robbery,
theft, or other capital crime shall be comitted by any
of the Indians aforesaid, the sd. Nation shall forthwith
deliver up the offender to be tryed and punished according to the laws of Virginia, and for all lesser offences,
committed by an Indian, to any of the English and all
disputes and controversys between them, the same shall
be determined by the proper judges appointed by
the Governour for that purpose neither shall either
party be permitted to seek redress by any other means.
(4) The Governor of Virginia shall use his endeavours
to establish as soon as may be a peace with the Senequas,
so as the sd. Tuscoruro Indians may securely without
danger of being attack'd by that nation hunt in all the
places that shall be assigned them for that purpose.
But it is nevertheless expressly stipulated that the sd.
Tuscoruro Indians shall neither before or after such
peace hold any correspondence with the Senequas or
other forreign Indians without the approbation and
license of the Governour of Virginia for the time being:
and more especially that they shall not harbour or assist
any Indians engaged in war with any of H.M. Colonys
or plantacons. (5) If the said Tuscoruros shall discover
any conspiracy carrying on by any of their own Nation
or of the other Tributary Indians, against H.M. subjects
or the other Tributary Nations: or that any strange
Indians are on their march for attacking the inhabitants
or Tributarys of Virginia, the sd. Tuscoruros shall
give immediate notice thereof to the Governour for the
time being, and be ready with all their force to suppress
such conspiracy or forreign invasion: and shall whenever
required march with the forces sent out by the Governour
of Virginia, against all enemyes whatsoever. (6) The
Governour of Virginia shall allott and appropriate for the
habitation of the said Tuscoruro Indians [a tract of land]
between James River and Rappahannock equivalent
to six miles square whereon they may build a fort and
town and make improvements for their more convenient
dwelling and subsistance. They shall also have liberty
of hunting on all unpatented lands between the sd. two
Rivers without hindrance or molestacon; and in case
it shall happen that the lands between the said two rivers
be hereafter taken up and patented by H.M. subjects
as high as the sd. Indian settlement, so as it may be
found convenient to remove the sd. Indians to a further
distance there shall be of new laid out and assigned a
tract of the like quantity of land equally convenient for
their habitation, and due satisfaction made them for such
improvements as they shall leave at their removal: But
the sd. Indians shall not sell or alienate any parts of the
lands to be assigned for them; the same being hereby
intended to remain in common to them and their
posterity and all sales or leases thereof made by them to
any Englishman, upon what consideracon soever
are hereby declared to be ipso facto void. Nevertheless
it is hereby concluded and agreed that there may be set
apart by the Governour of Virginia out of the land
assign'd from time to time for the habitation of the sd,
Indians, a tract not exceeding 2000 acres for the better
support of the Minister and Schoolmaster to be established there, and of the officers and souldiers to be
appointed for the guard of the sd. Indian Fort, which
tract shall in like manner remain for the use of the said
Minister, schoolmaster, officer and soldiers according to
the distribution thereof to be made for each respectively
by the Governour of Virginia, without being subject to
the alienation, mortgage, or lease of any of the persons
in those imployments. Provided always that if through
mortality or desertion the sd. Nation of Indians shall
decrease to an inconsiderable number no greater tract
of land shall be required by them for their habitacon
than according to the proporcon of 100 acres for each
person with the liberty of hunting on all the unpatented
lands between the sd. Rivers as aforesaid. (7) The
sd. Tuscoruro Indians shall within seven months
remove themselves from Roanoake River and from all
other places within the bounds of Virginia where they
are now dispersed to the land which shall be assign'd
them as aforesaid between James River and Rappahannock and shall within ten days after their return
from hence to Roanoak begin to deliver 20 men, women
or children of the chief of the familys of their nation to
be kept as hostages at the town of the Nottoway Indians
there to remain until the sd. Nation have removed to
the place assigned them as aforesd. and have given such
further security as shall be required for performance
of the Articles herein stipulated: after the delivery of
which hostages licenses shall be granted the sd. Indians
to trade and purchase such a quantity of ammunition
as shall be necessary for their subsistance. (8) For the
better defence of the said Indian settlement there shall
be maintained at the publick charge of the Government
of Virginia[n] an officer and twelve men to reside in
their Fort, so long as it shall be found necessary to
assist them against any strange Indians by whom
they may be attacked, and to go out with them in their
hunting as there shall be occasion. (9) During the
continuance of the sd. officer and men at the Indian
Fort aforesaid none of the sd. Indians shall depart
off the grounds allotted for their habitacon, nor repair
to the towns of the other Tributary Indians except
in company of some of the English residing at their
Fort neither shall any of the sd. Indians depart off their
hunting grounds or come among the inhabitants without
the license of the Governour, or the Captain of the Fort
or in company of some Englishman belonging to their
Fort, on pain of being punished at the Governour's
discretion nor shall it be permitted them to hunt on the
land of any other Tributary Indians without the license
of such Tributarys. (10) For the conveniency of the
sd. Indians, and for the more regular carrying on the
trade, there shall be a publick Mart and Fair kept at
their settlemt. at least six times in a year, where it
shall be free for all H.M. subjects to resort with their
wares and merchandizes, and to exchange the same with
the Indians for their skins, furrs and other commoditys,
and Magistrates shall be appointed to attend at the sd.
Fairs to see the trade justly manag'd to enquire into
any abuses or injurys offered to the Indians by any of
the English residing among them and to administer
justice in all controversies that may arise between
either party concerning the same. (11) Any other of
the Tuscorura Nation, who shall within twelve months
desire to incorporate within the sd. town or settlement
of Indians, and submit to the aforegoing regulations and
articles shall be received to the benefite of this Treaty;
excepting only such of the sd. Indians as were notoriously
guilty of the late massacre in North Carolina, or of the
late murders on the frontiers of this Colony, and if any
such notorious offenders shall resort to the said settlement, the said Indians do solemnly promise to secure and
deliver them up to the Government of Virginia to be
punished according to the laws thereof. (12) Whereas
by the first article the said Tuscoruro Indians have
submitted themselves Tributarys without any specification of the quality or proporcon of tribute to be paid by
them, the Governour of Virginia prefering the safety and
benefite of H.M. subjects to all private advantage which
he might reap from the tribute of skins which have usually
been paid by the Indians to former Governours, and desiring by easing them in that particular to engage them the
more to a faithful observance of this present Treaty, doth
hereby stipulate and agree with the sd. Indians that the
sd. nation shall only pay as an acknowledgment of their
dependance on the Crown of Great Britain, the yearly
tribute of three Indian arrows to be delivered by the
chief men of the sd. Nation to the Governour or Commander in Chief of Virginia for the time being yearly on
St. George's Day at the Palace in Williamsburg. Signed,
The Mark of Narrouiauckhas (Totem Mark), Nyasaughkeé, (Totem Mark), Naccouiaighwha (Totem Mark).
Endorsed, Recd. 1st, Read 9th Sept. 1714. 5 pp. |
|
603. ii. Treaty of Peace concluded by Lt. Governor Spotswood
and Ouracoorass Teerheer of the Nottoway Indians.
Williamsburgh, Feb. 27th, 1713. Whereas the lands
laid out and appropriated for the settlements of the
Nottoway Indians in pursuance of the Articles of Peace
made at Middle Plantacon the 29th of May 1677 being
now encompassed by the latter settlements of the English
inhabitants, are thereby become inconvenient for the
hunting by which the sd. Indians subsist, in regard, that
being obliged to pass through the plantacons of the
English quarrels do often arise to the interruption of
good correspondence between H.M. subjects and the
sd. Nation of Indians; whereupon the Teerheer of the
said Nottoways having intimated his desire to change
his present settlement for one more remote from the
English as well for avoiding all occasions of difference
with the inhabitants as for the conveniency of a larger
range for hunting. The Governour of Virginia being
desirous to grant so reasonable a request: and at the
same time to employ the service of the sd. Nation of
Indians (of whose fidelity he hath had several proofs)
for the protection of H.M. subjects inhabiting the
frontiers of this Colony, and willing also to lay hold of
this opportunity to improve the favourable disposition
of the sd. Nation towards embracing the Christian faith
by which means the glory of God may be promoted and
the fidelity of the sd. Indians secured by the stricter
ties of religion, hath therefore by and with the advice of
H.M. Council concluded this present Treaty as follows.
(1) The sd. Nation of Indians shall from henceforth
continue Tributarys to H.M. of Great Britain and her
successors under the subjection of the Government of
Virginia. (2 and 3) Similar to articles 2–5 supra.
(5) There shall be set out and assigned for the settlement
of the sd. nation and all other Indians who shall thereafter incorporate with them a tract of land between
the Rivers of Appomattux and Roanoak above the
inhabitants equivalent to six miles square, where they
may build a fort and make improvements for the
conveniency and subsistance of their familys; and
moreover there shall be set apart a sufficient tract of
hunting grounds for the sd. Indians between Roanoak
and James Rivers to be bounded in such manner as the
Governour shall think fit. And if it should happen
that the lands in those parts be at any time hereafter
taken up and patented by H.M. subjects as high as the
present intended settlement etc. as 6 supra. (6–8 as
10 supra). (9) The Articles of Peace concluded 29th
May, 1677 so far as the same are [? not Ed.] altered by
this present Treaty are hereby ratyfied and confirmed,
and shall be construed to extend to all the Indians who
shall hereafter incorporate with the sd. Nottoways.
(10) If any infringements be made of this present
Treaty by any of H.M. subjects within the Colony of
Virginia, upon a representacon thereof made by the
sd. Indians, due reparation and satisfaction shall be
given them therein. (11) Whereas the Governour of
Virginia did some years ago in order to encourage the
sd. Indians to send some of their children to be educated
at the Colledge of William and Mary, remit the annual
tribute of skins which were payable by the sd. Indians
to the Governour for the time being and it being
stipulated by the first article etc. as No. 12 supra.
Signed, The mark of, Ouracoorass, Teerheer of Nottoway.
(Totem mark). Same endorsement. 4⅓ pp. |
|
603. iii. Treaty of Peace concluded by Lt. Governor Spotswood
and Tawheesocktra, Hoontkey of the Saponies,
Nehawroose in behalf of the Hoontkymyhá of the
Shikanox Indians, Chawco in behalf of the Hoontky
of the Occoneechee Indians, and Mauseeuntkey,
Hoontky of the Tottero Indians. Williamsburgh, 27th
Feb., 1713. Whereas the several Nations of Indians
aforenamed have for some years past lived as Tributarys
to H.M. Government of Virginia and inhabited a small
tract of land on Maherine River, which now is encompass'd by the English settlements etc., as the preamble
to preceding. Articles as (1) supra. (2) as supra, but
without clause as to the 12 boys. (3) and (4) as supra.
(5) as supra, the tract of land to be south of "James
River above the inhabitants." (6–11) as 6–11
preceding. Signed, The marks of Chawco (Totem Mark),
Mauseeuntky (Totem Mark), Tauheesoká (Totem Mark),
Nehaurooss (Totem Mark). Same endorsement. 4 pp.
[C.O. 5, 1316. Nos. 110, 110 i.–iii.; and (without
enclosures) 5, 1364. pp. 45–57.] |
March 9.
Virginia. |
604. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Earl of Dartmouth.
Repeats part of preceding and refers to laws passed in the last
session. Signed, A. Spotswood. 3 pp. Printed, Va. Hist.
Soc. Coll. (Spotswood Papers) II. 63. Enclosed, |
|
604. i. Minutes of Council of Virginia, Aug. 12—March 1st,
17 13/14. |
|
604. ii. Minutes of Council in Assembly of Virginia, Nov. 6—Dec. 12, 1713. |
|
604. iii. Journal of House of Burgesses of Virginia, Nov. 5—Dec. 12, 1713. |
|
604. iv., v., vi. Duplicates of Nos. 603 i.–iii. [C.O. 5, 1341.
Nos. 20, 20 i.–vi.] |
March 9.
Nevis. |
605. Lt. Governor Smith to [? the Earl of Dartmouth.] I
have the honour to receive your Lordship's letter of Oct. 19th
and was prepared to have given your Lordship an account of
occurrences here had any good opurtunity happened. The late
Generall Douglas thought fitt to leave his Government the 4th
Dec. last, when he embarq'ed for England. Before he went off
he sent me H.M. Instructions, and Seal of the Islands; and orders
to take care of the Government of the Leward Islands till H.M.
pleasure should be known; which I have accordingly done, only
the expectation of another Generall's coming suddenly made me
delay visiting the other Islands 'till now that I intend to doe it,
so soon as H.M. ship that is to attend this Government is come
from Barbadoes. In November last Col. John Pearn arrived
from England, went from Antigua to Montseratt to take charge
of the government of that Island pursuant to H.M. Commission
to him; but was obstructed by Capt. John Marshall who was
putt into that post in Aprill 1713 by the late Generall Douglas,
because of Coll. Pearn's absence; upon which he came to me,
and I finding he had H.M. lycence for staying in England, and
came out againe with her Commission, writ to Mr. Marshall,
not to obstruct Mr. Pearn but deliver him the Government; but
he peremptorily refused it; and writ me, nothing should
displace him but a suspension in answer to which I did suspend
him in January last since which Mr. Pearn has had the government of that Island, etc. March 13. By a letter I recieved
yesterday from our prisoners att Martinique, they complaine
they receive severe and barbarous usage from the French; they
are not permitted to go out, but by two att a time and a soldier
with them, whose victualls they are obliged to pay for, and dare
not speak but with great caution otherwise they are insulted.
They are a great charge to this Island, my Lord, and expend
allso their own estates and youth in prison in time of peace;
wherefore I beseech your Lordship's favour and compassion
towards them by laying their case before H.M. in Council, when
an address from this island to H.M., which will be delivered your
Lordship by the agent for this Island, shall be layd before her,
that some means may be used for their speedy redemption.
Signed, Dan. Smith. Endorsed, Rd. 5 May. 1½ pp. [C.O.
184, 1. No. 29.] |
March 9.
Whitehal. |
606. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Bolingbroke.
Reply to April16th. We have discours'd with some of the most
considerable Jamaica merchts. and planters here, in relation to
the keeping of Col. Handasyd's Regiment there, etc., and
considered what has been writ to us by Governor Lord A. Hamilton,
and humbly represent, that during the late war the Assembly
did in addition to H.M. pay, allow quarters to the private sentinels,
or 5s. per week to each man at the choice of such planters as were
to quarter them, and 20s. per week to the officers, and this was
done from year to year by temporary Acts; in which the
Assembly have sometimes put such hardships upon the officers
that H.M. has thought fit to repeal some of them. Since the
Peace, the Assembly have passed another Act for subsisting the
said Regiment which consists but of 300 private men, besides
officers, to the 1st of May next, and no longer, and have declared
(as we are inform'd, not having yet reced. the Journals of that
Assembly) that they will not continue it any further. And the
merchants and planters are all of opinion, that they will adhere
to that resolution; in which case, it is not possible for the
Regiment to subsist there on Her Majesty's pay only. As to
the consequence of recalling the Regiment, we take leave to
represent, in concurrence with the opinion of the Governor and
of the merchants and planters here, that Jamaica being in a
manner surrounded by Spanish and French settlements, if there
is regular force there, it may be in danger from the attempts of
an enemy in case of any rupture hereafter. That there are a great
number of rebellious negroes in the mountains, who frequently
do a great deal of mischief; Besides the inhabitants are in great
apprehension of an insurrection of their own negroes, being about
40,000 in number, and very insolent, and not 3000 whites able to
bear arms in the Militia, so that if the regiment were absolutely
recalled, the Island wou'd be much less able to resist the said
negroes in case of an insurrection. To obviate therefore this
danger, the merchants and planters here, propose, that the corps
of the regiment be recall'd, and the private sentinels left at liberty
to stay or return, the greatest part of whom they doubted not
wou'd remain there, and be by consequence inlisted in the
Militia. Upon which we take leave to observe, from what the
Governor has writ us, that the militia of that Island is too few,
and too much scatter'd for the defence of so large an Island,
even from their own negroes: that upon his viewing the said
militia, tho' but a regiment at a time, he was forc'd to send
a body of horse into those parishes from whence the foot were
drawn, so apprehensive were the planters of their negroes. We
further take leave to observe, that the fort at Port Royal (which
cost about 100,000l.) is mounted with 120 guns, and so formidable,
that it has never yet been attempted by an enemy, and is
absolutely necessary for the security and defence by H.M. ships,
of the Island, and the trade thereof, in time of war: so that
we cannot think it proper or advisable for the reasons aforemention'd, that a fort of such consequence shou'd be left in the
custody of the Militia there. And therefore we humbly offer,
that two or three independent companies to be left there, will be
necessary even in time of peace, to guarrison the forts and to
keep other guards, for the safety of that Island and the Government thereof. Autograph Signatures. 4¾ pp. [C.O. 137, 46.
No. 6; and 138, 14. pp. 88–91.] |
| [Mar. 11.] |
607. Mrs. Fryday to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Prays for representation on reprieve of her son, John Fryday,
which will expire June 18 (v. July 11, 1713). He is convicted
of clipping and lightening Spanish money in Jamaica, being
unwarily drawn into the committing of that fact from his ignorance of the crime and the observation of its being commonly
practised in New England without the persons being accused or
thought guilty of a capital offence, etc. Signed, Frances Fryday.
Endorsed, Recd. Read March 11, 17 13/14. 1½ pp. [C.O. 137, 10.
No. 44.] |
March 12.
Whitehal. |
608. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. In
obedience to your Majesty's Order in Council, we have reconsider'd
our representation of Feb. 21st, upon the petition of Thomas
Simpson etc., and the Act of Jamaica investing the estate of
Thomas Finch in trustees, etc., and have further consulted your
Majesty's Attorney and Solr. Genl. thereupon, and heard the
parties on both sides, etc. And upon the whole, we humbly
represent, that we find no reason to alter our former representation,
the facts therein contain'd appearing to us to be true, except,
that whereas we did then represent that by the laws of that Island
real estates were not subject to pay debts, we now find upon a
more strict enquiry, and confirm'd to us by some of the most
considerable planters here, and not deny'd by those who appear'd
for the Act, that there is indeed no written law for it, but that
it has been the constant practice and usage in the said Island, and
therefore, for the reasons we humbly laid before your Majesty
by our said representation, we are still of opinion that the said
Act for vesting Finch's estate, etc., is unprecedented and unreasonable, and that your Majesty be graciously pleased to signify your
disallowance of the said Act. [C.O. 138, 14. pp. 92, 93.] |
March 12.
Whitehal. |
609. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen.
Recommend John Fryday for H.M. pardon, upon the grounds
urged by Governor Lord A. Hamilton. 2 pp. [C.O. 137, 46.
No. 7; and 138, 14. pp. 94, 95.] |
March 12.
Queen's Bench Buildings. |
610. Jeronimy Clifford to Mr. Popple. Enquires result of
his letter Dec. 30, 1713, etc. Signed, Jer. Clifford. Endorsed,
Recd. 16th March, Read 14th April, 1714. Addressed. ¾ p.
[C.O. 388, 76. No. 166.] |
| March 17. |
611. Col. Blakiston to Mr. Popple. (v. March 4). In reply to
letter inviting his suggestions, Proposes that the Adventurers in
Virginia be exempted for 21 years from paying any share H.M.
might retaine of the silver mines, the undertakeing being hazardous,
the country poor, and they not insisting that H.M. be put to any
charge, etc. Signed, N. Blakiston. Endorsed, Recd. 17th March,
Read 12th May, 1714. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1316. No. 105; and 5,
1364. pp. 30, 31.] |
| March 18. |
612. Lord Bolingbroke to the Council of Trade and Plantations. You have herewith a copy of an address to H.M. from
the Councill and Assembly of Jamaica. The Queen has not
thought fit to give any answer to this address, but has ordered me
to transmit it to your Lops. for your consideration. And on this
occasion H.M. directs me to acquaint you that these disorders and
confusions in that country, and in other H.M. Islands and Colonys
in those parts seem to be come to so great a heighth, as to require
some speedy remedy to be applyed for putting an end to them.
Her Majesty has therefore determined to send some person into
those countrys with a Commission in the nature of that which
was given to Mr. Nicholson for the Northern Colonys. Wherefore
your Lops. will please immediately to take into your consideration
the present state of things in Jamaica, Barbadoes, the Leeward
Islands, and other H.M. Colonys in those parts in order to prepare
such Instructions as may be proper to be given to the said Commissioner, or to be sent to the respective Governments whither
he is to go. Not knowing whether your Lops. have had any
account of matters in Jamaica of the same kind as I have received,
I send you herewith an abstract of some occurrences in that
Island since the Government of the Lord Archibald Hamilton,
which have lately come to my hands. Signed, Bolingbroke.
Endorsed, Recd. 18th, Read 19th March, 1713/14. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
612. i. Address of the Council and Assembly of Jamaica to the
Queen, Dec. 24, 1713. Wee your Majesty's most
dutifull and loyal subjects etc., having nothing so near
our hearts as your Majestie's safety and the welfare
of this Island (formerly esteemed none of your Majtie's.
least valuable jewels but) now likely to become the
meanest of all your Majtie's. Colonies in America, since
we have lost the benefits of vending dry goods the
manufactures of Great Britain, and the produce of your
Majtie's. northern Colonies as well as negroes to the
subjects of Spain in America by the Assiento lately
setled. Wee therefore humbly assure your Majesty
that if an exclusive Company for the trade to Africa
should prevail it must wholy discourage all persons from
coming to settle in this Island and put your Majtie's.
subjects now here upon thoughts of abandoning their
estates and removing to some other places where they
may labour for themselves and not for an exclusive
Company and by that means this your Majtie's. Island
may be left without any manner of defence, many years
experience under an African Company even before the
Assiento was in the hands of the English has shewn us
that if they should be re-established we must certainly
be ruined. And we are convinced by the enjoyment,
which we had of an open trade to Africa for some years
last past that this your Island may be relieved from
utter destruction if your Majtie's. subjects may have a
free trade to Africa as formerly. The many reasons
already made use of in Great Britain against such
exclusive trade are so full that we concieve there can
be nothing more added to them but our own fatal
experience which we have already mentioned. We
therefore humbly lay ourselves at your Majestie's feet,
and do implore your most sacred Majesty to reserve
this your Island from utter ruin by preventing an
exclusive trade to Africa wch. if again setled will perfectly
destroy this Colony. Signed, Wm. Cockburn Cl. Conc.
Pe. Beckford, Speaker. Endorsed as preceding. Copy.
2½ pp. |
|
612. ii. Abstract of occurrences in Jamaica during Lord A.
Hamilton's Government. (a) Description of the opposition of Mr. Beckford (recommended by Lord Dartmouth)
and Totterdale and their adherents to the Governor and
Court party. (b) Remarks upon the whole. During the
whole time of my Lord Archibald Hamilton's Government, he has scarcely obtained any request for the better
support and countenance of his own authority, for
the gratification or encouragement of his friends nor
releif to any complaint made to him by the Assembly,
merchants or seafaring men. Those persons who have
faithfully and zealously served H.M. in the Island,
to his Lop's. entire satisfaction, have either there or in
Britain, been put to a great deal of trouble and charge
by some veratious proceedings of the factions or their
emissaries. Those persons whom his Lop. has complained of, have been so far from receiving a reprimand,
that they have met with countenance. Some of those
very persons who now disturb the Government of
Jamaica, have always attempted the same under
former Governors successively, from the time of Sir
Willm. Beeston, and have been complained of by them,
but through the support those Governors have had
from the Crown, and Ministry, their faction has been
kept from the height they are now arrived at. The
authority of the Governor is now so low, and the proceedings of this Assembly such, that there is a general
terror in the minds of most of the inhabitants, and
persons concerned in that Island, of greater misfortune
likely to be the consequences of them. The characters
of the principal actors in these affairs, are such, as
might give everybody who know them, apprehensions
from their management, and make them doubt if the
Government can be safe, when the regiment is recalled,
and no soldier there in pay under the Governor's
command. The whole endorsed as preceding. 18 pp.
[C.O. 137, 10. Nos. 45, 45 i., ii.; and (without enclosures)
138, 14. pp. 95–97.] |
March 19.
Whitehall. |
613. Council of Trade and Plantations to Capt. Gookin,
Depty. Governor of Pensylvania. Enclose Orders of Council,
Feb. 20, confirming and repealing laws. "And that you may be
informed of the reason for repealing the said Laws, we send you
here inclosed a copy of Mr. Solicitor General's report," etc.
[C.O. 5, 1292. p. 416.] |
| [Mar. 19.] |
614. Remarks on the present state of the English setlements
in Newfoundland [by Capt. Taverner]. The Admirals appointed
by the Newfoundland Act to decide differences in relation to
fishing rooms, etc., have intirely neglected it in all its parts;
indeed at their first arrival they claim their prerogative as per
said Act, as farr as it suits with their own interest and no farther,
except a particular friend of theirs should arrive with a fishing
ship, in such case shoud the ships fishing rooms of that harbour
be taken up before he arrives they often disposses some planter
or other for him, pretending that his title is not good to the
room he possesses, when the Commanders of men of warr some
years before adjudged it to be the sd. planters' right. These
things are often done and several of the inhabitants' fishing
voyages ruin'd thereby. It's common that what is done one
year in relation to fishing rooms is contradicted the next, so that
the fishing rooms are not setled to this very day, many times those
Admirals never were in the land before nor know anything of the
matter; in which case some old West country master, commonly
takes care that the sd. Admiral shall do nothing but what he
pleases, those are the patrons that are commonly called kings
in that country, who sacrifice other people's interest frequently,
to serve their own. The Admirals are some of the first men
that cut down the roofes of their stages, cook-rooms and fleaks,
which paves the way for the inhabitants to follow their exemple,
who in ye winter season generaly carry away all the remainder;
it's certain the Admirals are seldom or never at leisure, to hear
any complaints whatsoever, except one of their favorites is the
plaintiff. Ships from Lisbon and other forraign parts frequently
fish in the land without clearing out from any Custom-house in
England according to the Act, nay several fish yearly which
never were in England, and yet are Admirals, when they arrived
the first in port in Newfoundland, which our ships from England
qualifyed according to ye Act have seldom or never taken any
notice of, and I am satisfied none of the Admirals ever made a
representation of this to Government as directed by the present
Act. Besides those ships aforementioned carry great quantitys
of wine and brandy, to Newfoundland, which is very destructive
to that trade, as per example, those ships can carry nothing to
Newfoundland from those parts but wine, brandy, salt, sugar
and oyle. When salt is scarce, they generally use this method;
when the planter comes to buy a certain quantity of salt, yes
says the ships master you may have it, but you must take a
butt of wine, and a quarter cask of brandy, with every ten
hogsheads of salt, this the buyer is often obliged to do, otherways
his men must sit still and catch no more fish; and ten hogsheads
of salt will make but 100 quintals of fish, and many times the
price of the salt, and ye wine and brandy forc'd upon them, which
they have no occasion for, amounts to 75 or 80 quintals of fish.
This I think is as great a hardship upon the fishers, as ever was
heard of, and if not remov'd, its impossible for the greatest part
of the inhabitants of Newfoundland ever to prosper by the
fishing trade; those Gentlemen are frequently soliciting, to gett
their wine and brandy sold, by those means every inhabitant's
house is a tavern, and often the ship masters retale wine and
brandy in their stores. The New England traders bring vast
quantitys of rumm, which they retale out of stores and on board
their vessels, it is plain that between all those taverns, stores
and vessels which retale liquors as aforesd., that drunkeness
abounds exceedingly. I have often seen from 100 to 200 men
drunk of a Sabath day, in the moneth of Sept. at some places
when rainy weather, it is rare to see a fisherman sober etc.;
the fishing trade must suffer very considerably thereby. I
realy believe, that for profanation of the Sabath, swearing and
drunkeness no place in the world is like it. The New England
traders bring vast quantitys of tobacco, which I believe seldom or
never pay the plantation duty, by rebateing their tobacco and
rumm they enhance all the money brought to Newfoundland
from England and forraign parts, and carrys it to New England,
where they sell it at 50 p.c. advance, otherways wou'd be brought
to Brittain, the other part of their produce they sell for fish,
which fish they sell to those masters of ships that come out of
Brittain for bills of exchange, on the Brittish merchants, those
bills they carry to New England and sell them at 40 or 45 per
cent. The New England traders never load fish in Newfoundland
and carrys it to ye proper markets upon their own accots., which
is a detriment to ye trade, for no ship or vessel, can encourage
that trade, but such who catches fish, or carrys it to ye proper
markets. Those New England traders, it's certain, are very
discouraging to those fishing ships from England, and planters
in Newfoundland, which carry their men and most of their
necessarys yearly out of England, and that have no other way to
make returns to old England, but by selling their fish for bills
of exchange, to pay their men's wages for that season, and to
buy goods to carry to Newfoundland ye nixt season, which bills
they are often disapointed of, by the New England men, for
when fish is plenty in Newfoundland, and bills scarce, the New
England traders, do sell their fish for a rial or two cheaper in the
quintal than ye others can do, by this means they get bills, and
those gentlemen, from England as aforesd., are obliged to house
their fish in Newfoundland, and render'd uncapable of paying
their men's wages, or buying ye necessarys in England for ye
nixt season. In my opinion, should the fish in Newfoundland
be carryed to France, Spain, or Portugal or Italy, in Brittish
ships and the oyles, furrs, and bills of exchange brought directly
to Brittain, that the whole yearly produce of the Newfoundland
trade, wou'd center in England once every twelve moneth.
The masters of ships in Newfoundland generaly endeavors to
force their goods upon the inhabitants, especially the poorer
sort, who generally pays dearest, say they if he makes a good
voyage, we shall be all pay'd, and if he does not, says everyone
to himself, I will be quick enough to gett my payment, by this
means they have a jealous eye the one over ye other; if the
fishing do not prove so good as expected, some of those masters
will fall upon them before the fishing season is half over, take
away their fish before half made, another comes and takes away
his train, and many times there comes a third who has more men
than them and takes it away from the former. He that has
most men he is sure to have the greatest share, this is a common
practice in Newfoundland, they never acquaint ye Admirals
with those proceedings, before they do it, neither do the Admirals
trouble themselves with it afterwards; but ye consequence lyes
here, the planters' men will catch no more fish, because they have
no hopes of getting any wages, the planter is ruin'd, and all ye
rest of the creditors unpaid; which if they had given him the
liberty to make his fishing voyage, might have paid them all;
The merchts. of England have suffered exceedingly by this
unparallel'd thing, there being no precedent for it in the whole
Christian world, I am fully satisfied, that by this thing and ye
multiplicitly of liquors imported into Newfoundland yearly,
that ye trade thereof have suffered more, than by the French
plundering it so often in the late warrs. It's most certain that
ye Admirals in Newfoundland, have never taken any care about
ye good of that trade, and their reasons generaly given for it
are, that they came to Newfoundland to mind their owners'
business, and as nothing was allowed them to defray the charges
of keeping Courts, they cou'd not do it. Endorsed, Recd. 19th,
Read 20th March, 1713/14. 4 pp. Enclosed, |
|
614. i. Captain Taverner's proposals for an Act of Parliament
to encourage the trade and fishery of Newfoundland
and remove the above difficulties. 7 pp. [C.O. 194,
5. Nos. 35, 35 i.; and 194, 23. Nos. 14. 14 i.; and
195, 5. pp. 337–359.] |
March 22.
Jamaica. |
615. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Encloses duplicate of Dec. 26, 1713. In this
I proceed to give a farther accot. to the time the Assembly
adjourn'd themselves for a month against my leave, the ends for
which they were called together not being in any degree answered.
I was in hopes that after so long an adjournment as three weeks,
which to gratifie them I had before agreed to, they wou'd have
mett in good temper, and with a disposition to doe business, and
proceed with moderation; but your Lopps. will find at large by ye
Minutts of the Assembly and Journall of ye Councill herewith
transmitted, that their proceedings have been still more and
more violent and unwarrantable, but for your Lopps.' ease I
shall endeavour out of ye whole to give you in one view some
part of their conduct. It may be observed from ye Speech at ye
opening of ye sessions and ye Assembly's Address in answer to
it, that ye making such laws as shou'd tend to ye honour and
interest of the Island at this juncture, the supporting ye Government, and supplying ye Revenue, were ye ends for which they
were called together; how well they have answer'd and acquitted
themselves of ye ingagements and promisses made in their sd.
Address and on other occasions repeated, will best appeare from
ye following particulars. First, then, upon their entry into
business, they not only caused several of H.M. subjects to be
imprison'd upon frivilous pretences and words, said to be spoken
at or before ye elections, but imposed on them ye payment
of exorbitant sumes of money, vernished over by ye name of
fees. Secondly, by their passing a Bill of a very unusuall and
extraordinary a nature, entituled an Act, for supplying a sume
not exceeding 1,200l. court. money of Jamaica to make good
900l. sterl. for ye solliciting the passing of laws and other publick
affaires of this Island in Great Britain for three years; a copy
whereof being transmitted herewith I need inlarge no farther
upon it. Thirdly, by their attempting to wrest ye command even
of H.M. Regmt. in Her own pay, out of my hands, by passing
a vote and making an order for some of their own members to
view and number all ye sergents, corporalls, drumms and private
soldiers of ye sd. Regmt., and that without previously asking my
leave. Fourthly, by their having assumed to themselves a
power of redressing hostilitys committed on Major Edward Cooke,
one of their own members by ye subjects of Spain after the
cessation of arms, which regularly belongs only to ye Governor to
interpose with forreign Govrs. and finally to represent ye same to
H.M. Fifthly, by their passing a bill entituled an Act for
regulateing ye Ministers of this Island (copy enclosed) whereby
ye rights of ye Church of England are invaded by endeavouring
to invest ye Govr. with a jurisdiction superiour to what ye
Queen has thought fitt to vest in him, or is claimed by ye
Ecclesiastical Judges in England; and by branding the whole
clergy of this Island with marks of infamy, without their being
legally charged for any of ye miscarriages imputed to them in ye
sd. Bill. Sixthly, and lastly, by having asumed to themselves a
power to adjourn when and as often as they think fitt, in manifest
contempt of H.M. authority, and against my leave, actually
adjourning themselves for a month. For these and many other
reasons contained in ye volumes yt. comes herewith, by ye
unanimous advice of ye Council, I dissolved ym. by Proclamation
(v. Journals). By what I have had ye honour to represent to
your Lopps. before, on other occasions of this nature, you will
easily perceive from whence these flames have arisen, and that
these undutyfull and unwarrantable proceedings are cheefly
owing to two or three factious and unquiet spirites amongst them,
yt. have taken upon them to lead or rather mislead ye rest.
The pretence for ye Bill for ye regulateing ye Ministers was chiefly
occasioned by one Renolds, who I found here in a benefice, and
is indeed not only a scandall to his function but to human kind,
by his profligate and vitious life. I have endeavoured to
admonish him, but it has proov'd to no purpose, so that I shall
represent this matter fully to my Lord Bishop of London, and give
him ye best accot. I can of ye clergy of this Island in general, by
which I hope these inconveniencys may be remedy'd, etc. I shall
proceed to mention ye Bills yt. have past ye Council and Assembly,
which I have given my consent too, and goes herewith for H.M.
allowance. The Bill to provide an additional subsistance to H.M.
officers and soldiers from Nov. 1st, 1713—May 1st, 1714, and no
longer, I must observe to your Lopps. in no degree answers ye
ends for which it was given, if money cannot be raised on ye
clause for borrowing on ye creditt of yt. Act; However I was
glade to accept of it as it was. As to ye Bill for discharging ye
arrears due to H.M. officers and soldiers for their additionall
subsistance from Nov. 1st, 1712—Nov. 1st, 1713, and paying of
all sumes of money becomeing due by virtue of ye same, the titull
explaining ye substance thereof, I shall not inlarge thereon. The
Bill for assertaining ye number of ports of entry in this Island and
obligeing officers to keep deputys at such ports, and to prevent all
clandestine trade, requireing ye parishes where ye sd. ports are
to find and maintain ye necessary officers, I could not foresee any
objection to ye passing yt. law, but I am humbly of oppinion it
will be of no great use, since few ships will resort to these remote
ports, however they being very desireous of such a law, I thought
advisable to pass it. The Bill for the more effectuall reliefe of ye
freeholders and inhabitants of Kingston, is what ye country in
generall extreamly sett their hearts upon, and by ye pleadings of
Council for and against ye bill, the equity of ye toune of Kingston
to ye land in question, in my humble oppinion plainly appear'd
which induced me to pass yt. act. These Acts are all that I have
past in this Assembly. The Bill for securing and confirming
ye possessions of H.M. subjects in this Island against Her said
Majesty Her heirs and successors, as also another for the more
effectuall conveying of land, slaves, tenements and hereditaments
in Jamaica for ye future, has past ye Council and Assembly, and
I hope obviate all ye objections of ye Attorney Genll. to ye
passing yt. law transmitted home for H.M. allowance, but I
thought they very little deserved such acts of H.M. favour and
grace when they at ye same time wou'd do nothing for ye support
of Her Government here, their oune quiet and safety; and I
humbly submitt it to your Lopps.' better judgements if it may not
be seasonable now to lay ye former quieting possession bill before
H.M. for her disallowance; these new bills whenever another
Assembly comes to a true sence of their duty, may be past here.
There is another particular which I had like to have forgott.
After they had unreasonably delay'd addressing ye Queen upon
ye happy Peace, and having put them in mind of it, they at last
did it in so undutyfull and improper a manner as your Lopps.
will see upon their Minutts, that ye Council unanimously declined
concurring with them in it, whereupon they ordered their Speaker
to transmitt it to Great Britain, as it was; your Lopps. upon ye
perusall of it will best judge what reception it meritts. Amongst
other wrong notions Assemblys here have conceiv'd, one is, that
ye Council have no right to amend money bills, which pretence
being groundless I am very well satisfy'd will not be allowed
them in Great Britain, but having no particular instructions
relateing thereto, I have with industrie avoided bringing that
matter in dispute, but since it may on some other occasion be
necessary to assert ye right of ye Council (humbly conceiving
it to be so) I pray your Lopps. will please to give me your directions
in it, yt. I may with ye better authority insist upon what is so
reasonable and just. I am under a very sensible concern in being
obliged to lay open such a scene of folly and weakness, in ye most
favourable construction yt. can be put upon it, but how far it
may be reasonable to discountinance ye heads of such factious
proceedings, I humbly submitt to your Lopps.' wisdom and
direction. In ye mean time being perswaded yt. a little time will
open ye eyes of ye deluded, I think it will not be advisable to
precipitate a new election, and in interim I hope I shall take such
measures as yt. ye quiet of ye Island shall be preserved and that
ye Government shall not be exposed to either extream want or
any contempt, which I purpose to do by calling in by due course
of law all outstanding debts due to ye Govermt., and shall
endeavour to put that branch of H.M. Revenue of quitt-rents,
under some better regulations yn. it is at present, to which
nothing would contribute more then such an officer as a Surveyor
Genll. I shall from time to time give your Lopps. a particular
accot. of the steps I make. I have for ye present appointed Mr.
Edmond Kelly Attorney Generall; and I am to acquaint your
Lopps. that Mr. Bernard has presented to me a privy seal appointing him a Councellor in ye room of Charles Longe; he has been
admitted to his place at ye Board and sworn accordingly. I am
likewise to acquaint you of ye death of Henry Lowe by which
there is another vacancie. I am sorry I can give no better accot.
of ye state of ye Island with respect to trade, that to ye coast of
New Spain carried on with good success dureing ye war, has
declined for some time, but at present is quite at a stand; there
are severall reasons to be assigned, the chief of which, I take to be
their being so fully supply'd with all sorts of European comoditys
by French ships in ye South Seas, and I am informed there are
at present there no less then twenty saile of them in those seas
from 30 to 50 guns. Besides till ye Treaty of Commerce with
Spain takes effect, and particularly that of ye Assiento, they
seem to reserve themselves and decline any trade with us at
present. Give me leave now my Lords to pray your Lopps.
favourable acceptance of these my weake but sincere endeavours
in ye discharge of my duty, etc. P.S. As soon as ye Assembly
adjourn'd themselves for a month, I sent to Mr. Beckford their
Speaker and required of him ye Minutts of Assembly from ye
opening of ye Sessions to yt. time, writt book fashion and sign'd
by him as Speaker, in order to their being transmitted home to
yr. Lopps., as by my Instructions I am directed. His answer
than was, yt. it should be done, but finding it delayed, I spoke
to him twice to ye same effect, and finding him evading and trifling
with me, I wrote to him positively demanding and requireing
what I had done before both by message and word of mouth, and
after all he has absolutely refused what was thus demanded of
him. The man of war by which this comes being just upon
sailling, I have no other method of giving your Lopps. ye necessary
information of the proceedings of ye Assembly, than by sending
you their Minutts as I received them from day to day for my
information, time not admitting a transcript to be made of them,
and attested. I shall make no reflections on this proceeding;
but think it my duty to represent this matter to your Lopps. as
it is. Signed, A. Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd. 21st May, Read
16th June, 1714. 14¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
615. i. List of the Militia in Jamaica, Jan. 1st, 1713. Totals,
Foot, 2455, Horse, 269. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
615. ii. Copy of Act for regulating the Ministers of Jamaica,
Feb. 17, 1713. Enables the Governor to deprive a
minister of his benefice for evil living, "the loose
manner of living of several ministers having had too ill
an influence on the minds and actions of others" etc.
Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
615. iii. Copy of an Act of Jamaica, Dec. 15, 1713, for
applying £1200 current money to make good £900 sterl.
for the soliciting the passing of laws and other public
affairs of this Island in Great Britain for three years
past. Same endorsement. 1 large p. [C.O. 137, 10.
Nos. 51, 51 i.–iii.; and (without enclosures) 138, 14.
pp. 119–131.] |
March 22.
Whitehall. |
616. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High
Treasurer. Repeat representation as to need of a survey of
Newfoundland, Feb. 17th. Enclose Mr. Dobree's letter, March
5th, "which in our humble opinion makes it necessary that Capt.
Taverner (who we are informed is appointed H.M. Surveyor of
Newfoundland) be dispatch'd thither as soon as conveniently
may be, for the purposes mentioned in the representation from
Dartmouth" (v. Feb. 11th). [C.O. 195, 5. pp. 360, 361.] |
March 23.
Whitehall. |
617. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Bolingbroke.
Enquire when he will attend to consider the matters referred to
them concerning the resettlement of St. Kitts, "which references
seem to require immediate dispatch," etc. (C.O. 153, 12. p.
115.] |
March 23.
Treary. Chambers. |
618. Mr. Lowndes to Mr. Popple. The Lord High Treasurer
desires the report of the Council of Trade and Plantations upon
the enclosed petitions. Signed, Wm. Lowndes. Endorsed, Recd.
Read Nov. 23, 1713/14. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
618. i. Petition of Daniel Hall to the Queen. Petitioner was
the person who invented the duty on hydes and skins
by wch. 1½ millions have been raised, etc. He now offers
to discover where a settlement may be made for the South
Sea Company that will bring in very great advantage
yearly, and asks to be encouraged by the allowance of
1 p.c. of the profits. 1 p. |
|
618. ii. Petition of Tho. Riley, Daniell Hall, William Armstrong
and John Evans in behalf of themselves and other officers
and soldiers, to the Queen. The Board of Trade
approved of petitioners' previous petition, for settling a
new Colony in North America, and agreed to every
article mony excepted. Petitioners have thereupon
found out ways and means for furnishing themselves
with monys for this undertaking without being burthensome to your Majesty, if your Majesty will grant them
Letters Patents for the land lying wast and uninhabited,
bounded at the North East on Nova Scotia at the
River St. Croix, S.W. by the bounds of New England
within the River Sagadehock, N.W. by the great River
Canada, and S.E. by the Atlantick or Western Ocean
in the latitude of 44 to 46, with an exemption from all
duties for 21 yeares, to enable them to clean the ground,
etc. 1 p. |
|
618. iii. Will. Armstrong and John Evans to the Lord High
Treasurer. March 17, 1713/14. Pray for His Lordship's
support of preceding petition. Signed, Will. Armstrong,
John Evans. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 866. Nos.
14, 14 i.–iii.; and 5, 913. pp. 472–475.] |
| [March 23.] |
619. Elizabeth Salenave to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Prays to be heard upon her petition, etc. Signed,
Eliz. Salenave. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 23, 1713/14. 1 p.
[C.O. 152, 10. No. 10.] |
[March 24.]
Kensington. |
620. Copy of Capt. Taverner's Commission to be Surveyor
General of Newfoundland. July 21, 1713. Countersigned,
Bolingbroke. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 24, 1713/14. 1¼ pp.
[C.O. 194, 5. No. 37; and 195, 5. pp. 362, 363.] |
[March 24.]
Kensington. |
621. Copy of Capt. Taverner's Instructions as above. 2 pp.
[C.O. 194, 5. No. 38; and 195, 5. pp. 365–367.] |
[March 24.]
Kensington. |
622. Copy of Capt. Taverner's Additional Instructions as
above. July 22, 1713. 1½ pp. [C.O. 194, 5. No. 39; and 195,
5. pp. 366, 367.] |
| [March 24.] |
623. List of necessarys required for the survey of Newfoundland (by Capt. Taverner). Endorsed, Recd. Read March 24,
1713/14. 2 pp. [C.O. 194, 5. No. 40.] |
| March 25. |
624. Petty Expences of the Board of Trade, Christmas 1713—March 25, 1714. ¾ p. [C.O. 388, 76. No. 168.] |
March 30.
St. James's. |
625. H.M. Warrant for pardoning John Fryday. (v. March
11, 1714 and July 11, 1713). Countersigned, Bolingbroke.
Endorsed, Recd. April 14, 1714. Copy. 3 pp. [C.O. 137, 10.
No. 48; and 138, 14. pp. 100, 101; and 324, 33. pp. 36–38.] |
| March 31. |
626. Capt. Taverner to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Urges necessity of his proceeding to Newfoundland at once, etc.
Enquires "whether the French have liberty to cutt down trees at
Petinore. Because if they have not, their reservations may avail
them but little." Endorsed, Recd. Read March 31st, 1714.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
626. i. Petition of Capt. Wm. Taverner to the Lord High
Treasurer. A native of Newfoundland and master of
a fishing ship on that coast etc., petitioner was brought
to London by Mr. Arthur Moore, to give information about that fishery. He was appointed Surveyor
General of Newfoundland, etc. Prays his Lordship to
determine how he may proceed there, and to put his
salary of 20s. per diem on some certain establishment.
1 p. |
|
626. ii., iii. Duplicates of Nos. 620–623. [C.O. 194, 5. Nos.
41, 41 i.–iii.] |
