America and West Indies: November 1715, 1-15

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 28, 1714-1715. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1928.

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'America and West Indies: November 1715, 1-15', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 28, 1714-1715, ed. Cecil Headlam( London, 1928), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol28/pp327-344 [accessed 11 December 2024].

'America and West Indies: November 1715, 1-15', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 28, 1714-1715. Edited by Cecil Headlam( London, 1928), British History Online, accessed December 11, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol28/pp327-344.

"America and West Indies: November 1715, 1-15". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 28, 1714-1715. Ed. Cecil Headlam(London, 1928), , British History Online. Web. 11 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol28/pp327-344.

November 1715, 1-15

Nov. 1.
Annapolis Royall.
658. Lt. Governor Caulfield to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to letter of 3rd May. Acknowledges letter of 22nd July "with which came a shipp laden with nine months provisions at short alowance for this H.M. Garrison, and am thereby assured of your Lordshipps' care and protection of us. I have here according to your Lordshipps' directions set down the best account I am capable of in releation to this Colony " etc. And whereas there are three several places which are principally inhabited by the French, vizt. Annapolis Royall, Menes, and Shekenectoe, Annapolis being att present the metropolis of this Collony. Tis of a rich sound soil, and by the best computation that can be made produces 10,000 bushells of grain each season, being cheifly wheat, with some rye, oates and barley, oxen and cows about 2,000, sheep 2,000, hogs about 1,000. Masting is to be had with difficulty—pitch hath frequently been made and good: furrs 40,000 weight hath been transported out of this port, for most seasons since the reduction of this pleace—mines none; the Fishery on the coast is by much the most valuable in North Ammerica and depends mostly on the Eastern coast, of this Province. New England takes of this coast in one season above 100,000 kintills of fish, besides the quantitys the inhabitants of this contry take and dispose of to our merchants here. Great quantitys of timber for building of vessells and reputed to be good. The Bason being the harbour of this port with a river that yelds vast conveniences to this Garrison and the Contry in general produces great quantitys of several sorts of fish such as salmon, bass, large shad, herring, tom codds, with abundance of flatt fish. Tis accounted to be as good a harbour as Ammerica affords, where thousands of vessells may anchor in safety in all seasons. There are about 300 able men in this part of the Collony, whereof 90 have familys. Menes is cituate N.E. from this pleace 30 leagues distant, and is by much the best improvement in this Collony. Tis a plain contry and good soil, itt produces above 20,000 bushells of corn mostly wheat, with pease, rye, and barley, which is the most principall branch of trade wee have at this time. Oxen and cows about 3,000, sheep about 4,000, hogs 2,000. Masting, none. Pitch is made here and sould at cheaper rates then what wee have from New England. Considerable quantitys of furrs are brought there by Indians and disposed of by the French to our traders. There are copper mines there of which the inhabitants make spoons, candelsticks, buckells, and other necessarys. They have between 30 and 40 sale of vessells which are employed in fishing, built by themselves. Theire harbours are butt indifferent. There are about five hundred men two of which have familys. Shekenectoe is cituate north about 30 leagues distant from us, a low contry and is mostly applyed for the raising of stocks of black and white cattell, from which pleace in our necessity wee were supplyed with about seaventy barrels of extroardinary good beiff. Tis the greatest resort of Pennobscot and St. John Indians, who dispose of to the French great quantitys of furrs and feathers for provissions. Oxen and cows, about 1,000; sheep, 1,000; hogs, 800. Corn, about 6,000 bushells, mostly wheat. 50 settelled inhabitants. There are very good coal mines and great quantitys of them, which have formerly been made use of in this Garrison. Masting, may likewise be had here, butt Pismecody, Mages, and St. Johns, are the principall places where great quantitys of masts of all sizes may be had and as good as are in Ammerica, with conveniences of rivers from the several places for the embarkation of them and are cituate N.W. from us about 14 leagues. The several harbours to the Eastward from this place to ye gutt of Canco beginning at Pugmacoe, Cape Sables, Port Rossway, La Hanc, Martigesh, Shebuctoe, Bay of Vert, Reshebuctoe etc. to the Gutt of Canco, I am credittablie informed produce good masting with watter carridge convenient for the same. There are butt few inhabitants in any of them, and are accounted good harbours, where the fishermen of New England, and those of these parts resort to on all occations, and are places very capable of improvement, especialy La Hanc, Port Rossway, and Shebuctoe, being most convenient for trade and fortification, and worthy of yr. Lordshipps' consideration and as Canco is the extream bounds of this coast and looked upon to be well cituated for trade; is reputed the best of fisherys, will mostly suffer in case of a warr for wee shall not be capable of protecting our vessells; St. Petters the pleace which is designed by the French to be fortified not being above seaven leagues distant from the said Canco, the consequences of which I hope will be duely considered. I am now to lay before your Lordshipps my oppinion in releation to ye French inhabitants of this Colony, in which if they continue will be of great consequence for the better improvement thereof. For as you will observe theire numbers are considerable, and in case they quit us wee still strenghten our enemys, when occation serves by soe much; and tho we may not recieve much benefitt from them, yett theire children in process of time will be brought to our constitution; and whereas there are several well meaning people among them wee may allways gaurd oursellves from any injury they can be able if willing to doe us. I have allways observed since my comeing here theire forwardness to serve us when occation offered; and if some English inhabitants were sent over, especialy industrious labourers, pitch and tar makers, carpenters, and smiths itt would be of great advantage to this Collony. Butt in case the French quit us wee shall never be able to mentaine or protect our English familys, from ye insults of the Indians, the worst of enemys, which the French by theire staying will in a great measure prevent for theire owne sakes. Yr. Lordshipps will see by the stocks of cattell they have at this time that in two or three years with due encoragement wee may be furnished with all sorts of conveyniances within our sellves. The Indians of St. Johns, Pennobscot and Cape Sables trade cheifly on ye several coasts with furrs and feathers who never come here butt necessity obliges them, and the reasons they assigne are, that there is noe King's Magazines here for them, as was in the time of the French or as there is now at Cape Bretton, which if there was they would bring in all theire peltry to us; and I belive would prove a great advantage, both in respect of trade and as well the cheif means to bring them over to our intrest by kindly using of them, on which foundation theire friendshipp is wholy founded, and great advantages would accrue thereby to the Crown in perticular and contry in general. Refers to enclosures. In refference to Cape Bretton itts soil is noe way valuable being intierly a rock covered over with moss. There's littell or noe timber there fitt for any manner of use, spruce and low pine, being what itt mostly yelds. There's noe improvement made on the lands neither is itt practicable, as I am informed by the several inhabitants that went out of this Government in the time of Genll. Nicholson's administration to vew itt, report the same. Theire fishing last year turned to very good account, butt this season hath failed them, and as there was 70 or 80 saile of shipping came with expectation of being laden tis said there was not above 8 or 10 of them soe fraighted. Tis allsoe affirmed that there's noe advance made in raiseing a fortification, for from the time they have been in posesstion thereof not one cannon is as yett mounted. One Costable is Governor and has with him about 300 regular forces. 'Tis belived there is in and about the Island 100 inhabitants. There are two points of land N.W. of ye Cape called St. Anns, and Petters, which are designed to be strongly fortified and its cituation is of the greatest advantage immaginable to them, and of the last consequence to us, for in case a warr breaks out wee shall never be able to maintaine or protect our merchant vessells that trade that way, St. Anns, and Petters being the keys to our Eastern coast; and in my humble oppinion Placentia will never be capeable of doeing us the service, that Cape Bretton will a prejudice, if not timely prevented. Inclosed yr. Lordshipps have the best drafts I could obtaine of the Island of Cape Bretton and Bay of Fundy. Upon the arrival of Genl. Nicholson, our late Govr. in these parts, I recd. several letters from him dated at Boston containing his desier of my oppinion releating to the garrison and contry which I punctualy answered. By the appointment of Genll. Nicholson and Mr. Birchfeild, Surveyor General, Hibbert Newton was made Collector of this port, he having recd. a letter from Genll. Nicholson dated att Boston Apl. ye 6th, 1714, which he communicated to me and by the directions therein given to ye said Newton noe vessell was suffered to goe into any part of this Province butt where there was a Custom house Officer appointed for that effect, by which means the whole trade of ye Collony was stopped near four months, for he was butt to sensable there never was any other officer butt ye said Newton appointed to that purpose. On that head I wrote him several times and acquainted him of the hardshipps the inhabitants of this place suffered who had corn at Mines and other plantations, and had not liberty to goe for the same to maintaine their familys; in answer to which he writt me if I had provissions sufficient in the Garrison (though he never tould me what quantity he proposed) the inhabitants or others might dispose of the remainder as they thought fitt. It was publickly talkt of heare that his reasons for this was one Alden and other traders, woud not conform to his oppinion releating to Coll. Vetch. Att his arrival here the following August he assured the Garrison of his favor and intrest, tho att the same time stopt our pay at home; injured our creditt at Boston; obliged some of the French inhabitants to quit the contry; shut the gates of ye Garrison against those that remained, and publickly decleared them traitors; and yett at the same time was convinc'd wee could not possiblie subsist the following winter otherwise then by theire means, and when he went from Boston left us intierly unprovided etc. Were I to releat the means and methods that he proceeded with when here itt would be to troublesome, there having never been one thing proposed by him, by which either garrison or contry could profitt, butt a continued siene of unpresidented mallice to ruin Mr. Vetch or any other person who interposed on that head. Refers to complaints of the inhabitants against Capt. Armstrong, to be transmitted in his next, etc. Signed, Tho. Caulfeild. Endorsed, Recd. 9th, Read 17th Jan., 17 15/16. 10pp. Enclosed,
658. i. Jean Loyard, S.J., to Lt. Governor Caulfeild. St. Johns, 3rd Oct. (N.S.), 1715. The Indians of my Mission send you this message:—"Wee promised to inform you of what news wee should receive from Europe etc. I can acquaint you with none farther then that the Kings live togeather in perfect pace. If you know any farther, inform me. Renews request for provisions, for the winter, because the hunting season was not good, and that two merchants should be sent to stay with them for the winter, to be paid as they have occation to receive them etc. Continues: You tould me you would write to our priest and that he would inform me on your behalf. That letter was either lost or carried back again, etc." I beg you will employ your authority that noe strong liquors be disposed of to these Indians." Signed, Jean Loyard. Translated by Tho. Caulfeild. 1½ pp.
658. ii. Lt. Governor Caulfeild to John Loyard. Annapolis Royall, 11th Oct., 1715. I desier you to inform the savages of yr. Mission that I shall be ready to doe them any service in my power etc. Mr. Adams a merchant here has promised me he will send them a vessel laden with all sorts of necessarys for theire winter. In respect of news from Europe, I can't inform them of any but expect to hear dayly, and assure them I shall not conceal any thing from them, that releats to theire affairs. Signed, Tho. Caulfeild. Translation. Endorsed as letter. 1 p. [C.O. 217, 2. Nos. 8, 8 i., ii.; and (without enclosures) 218. 1. pp. 271–284; and (abstract of covering letter) 217, 30. pp. 2, 3.]
Nov. 2.
Annapolis Royall.
659. Lt. Governor Caulfeild to Col. Vetch. Acknowledges letter. I am but too senceable of Col. Nicholson's unprecedented mallice, and had his designes taken their desired effect, I am perswaded there had not been att this time an inhabitant of any kind in the countrey, nor indeed a garrison, etc. as preceding. Signed, Tho. Caulfeild. Endorsed, Recd. (from Col. Vetch), Read 16th Feb., 17 15/16. Holograph. 2¼ pp. [C.O. 217, 2. No. 10.]
Nov. 2.
St. James's.
660. H.M. Warrant for restoring Elizabeth Renoult to her plantation in St. Kitts. Countersigned, James Stanhope. Copy [C.O. 5, 190. pp. 316, 317.]
Nov. 8.
St. James's.
661. Order of King in Council. The charges brought against General Hamilton by Gilbert Pepper, his wife, George French and Michael Ayon are dismissed as frivolous and malicious. He is forthwith to repair to his Government etc. Cf. A.P.C. II. No. 1239. Signed, William Blathwayt. Endorsed, Recd. 21st Nov., Read 14th Dec., 1715. 2¼ pp. [C.O. 152, 10. No. 80; and 153, 12. pp. 375–377; and (signed, Robert Hales. Endorsed, Primer'd 18th Oct., 1717) 152, 12. No. 48; and 153, 13. pp. 140–142.]
Nov. 9.
Whitehall.
662. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following for their opinion what may be fitly done therein. Signed, James Stanhope. Endorsed, Recd. Read 10th Nov., 1715. 1 p. Enclosed,
662. i. Extract of letter from Governor Hunter to Mr. Secretary Stanhope, New York, Sept. 29, 1715. The allowance for that service by the Establishment is so scanty that I must most humbly intreat you'l be pleased to represent to H.M. the necessity of making speedily the present to the Indians which has ever been done upon every Prince's Accession to the Throne. The Agent for the Province shall present you a Memorial for that purpose. I have formerly and must now again represent the necessity of augmenting the number of forces here. The security of this Province and indeed that of all the rest on the Continent, as well as the extending and securing our Frontiers require it. If we had but two more Companys of the same Establishment with the rest, a convenient post might be taken up Hudson's River upon the entry to the Lakes, which would awe our enemies, encourage our friends, and increase our settlemts., a Fort might be built there for £500 which in a little time would be many thousands in value for H.M. service. Copy. ¾ p. [C.O. 5, 1051. Nos. 8, 8 i.; and 5, 1123. pp. 345–347.]
Nov. 9.
Perth Amboy.
663. Governor Hunter to Wm. Popple. Haveing wrote a very long letter to their Lorps. whilst at New York, I am asham'd to give them fresh trouble here, but must intreat you in my name to be a suiter to their Lorps. for their protection against a persecution that I am not able to bear. Since I arriv'd here the Revd. Mr. Vesey came hither with a letter from my Lord of London acquainting me that his Lorp. had constituted him his Commissary in these parts and had directed him as such to inquire into the truth of what I have wrote heretofore in relation to Mr. Talbot and his Congregation. It is notorious to ev'rybody on this side that in the late reign there was a plot laid and measures concerted between Mr. Talbot, Mr. Vesey and Mr. Nicolson for my utter ruine. I have seen a letter under Mr. Talbot's own hand that he was to have gone to London but that Mr. Vesey when at Boston had agreed wth. Mr. Nicolson that he should be the man. Talbot is too plaine a man to hide his dissaffection or ev'n the open profession of it. Mr. Vezey has never had or deserv'd any other character then that of a sower Jacobite, and as I have formerly wrote stands on record in the Council books of New York, for base and indecent language of his Sovereign King William whilst upon the throne, an extract of wch. Mr. Secy. Clarke will send you wth. this. Now if I must at this time o'th day when I had lay'd my account wth. being made easy after all my sufferings have my conduct canvas'd and my veracity submitted to ye scrutiny of my profest enemys as well as of H.M. Govt. I think I have the hardest fate of any man in H.M. Dominions. Mr. Vesey enter'd New York in triumph like his friend Sacheverel, and immediatly on his arriveal assur'd everybody that I had neither intrest nor friends at home. It may be so, but I have that within me wch. will ever befriend me in spite of all such pitiful and base efforts to my prejudice. I know the Bishop's spleen and the cause of it but was in hopes it was long ago forgott. If you judge it proper to show this to their Lorps. or any of them I give you leave. If you think they cannot help me let it alone. I have demean'd myself so that I should not be afraid of submitting all my conduct to a Jury of Clergymen so they be honest men. I have ever found you a worthy friend and whatever befalls me I can never without black ingratitude be other then Dr. Sr. Your most obliged and most humble servant. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 1st Feb., Read 20th March, 17 15/16. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 971. No. 10; and 5, 995. pp. 315–318.]
[Nov. 10.] 664. John Champante, Agent of New York, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Petitions for a present from H.M. to the Five Nations of Indians, and for a reinforcement of two Companies of regular troops, etc. as Nov. 9, supra. "The Governor is now endeavouring to engage the Five Nations in a war with the Indians on the back of the Carolinas, etc. The Assembly have given some funds to be applyed in presents, etc., but too small in comparison with what the French distribute yearly amongst them, by which arts they have rendred their interest throughout the Continent very formidable," etc. Set out, N.Y. Col. Doc. V. pp. 456, 457. Signed, J. Champante. Endorsed, Recd. Read 10th Nov., 1715. 2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1051. No. 9; and 5, 1123. pp. 347–351.]
Nov. 10.
Whitehall.
665. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to Governor Lord A. Hamilton. As soon as your Lordship's of Aug. 30th came to my hands, I did not fail to lay it before the King, who is very well satisfied with the full and particular account your Lordship transmits of that barbarous robbery committed by some of his subjects on the Marquis de Navarres, and as H.M. is very sensible such a base and dishonourable action may very much reflect on the credit of the Nation and affect the trade and commerce of those parts, I have by his order assured the Marquis de Monteleon that the Governors of all H.M. Provinces are directed to seize Lewis and all or any of his crew, that they may be brought to condign and exemplary punishment and for making full restitution to the Marquis of such of his goods as can be found anywhere, or reparation to him out of the effects of the criminals, when any such can be seized. I have also writ to the Proprietors of Carolina to call without delay the Governor Mr. Craven to an account, who seemes to have acted a very unworthy part, and very inconsistent with his duty. I hope the sevll. Governors will exert themselves as they ought in the execution of H.M. orders, that so he may have it in his power to vindicate the honour of the Nation, and to engage the Court of Spain to do his subjects justice on the like occasions. I doubt not but your Lordship will think fit to transmit to the other Governors what further information you shall receive in this matter, which may be of use to them in the execution of their orders.Signed, James Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190. pp. 314.]
Nov. 10.
Whitehall.
666. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. Complaint having been made to H.M. of a barbarous robbery committed by one John Lewis, master of the brigantine the Lark, on the Marquis of Navarres, late Governor of the Province of Papian in the Spanish West Indies, and that he being seized afterwards, upon information in South Carolina, the Governor Mr. Craven, instead of doing that justice which was incumbent on him in his station, had not only connived at the escape of the said Lewis and his crew, but had himself taken into his possession the effects of the said Marquis to a very considerable value, which he still detains, I am commanded to put into your hands the informations that have been transmitted of this matter, and to signifie to you his pleasure that you give without loss of time the necessary directions for calling the Governor to an account, and for restoring to the said Marquis of Navarres or any having his order what of his goods shall be found in his possession or of any other of that Province, and for which you will cause all possible diligent search to be made. As this is in itself an act of the highest justice and of the greatest consequence to H.M. service to the preservation of the honour of the Nation and to the visible interest of all his subjects who trade in those parts, and I may say, to the vindication of your own honour and reputation that the barbarous injustice of one under you may not reflect on yourselves, H.M. doubts not of your utmost application in executing what is recommended to you. Signed, James Stanhope.[C.O. 5, 190. p. 315.]
Nov. 10.
Whitehall.
667. Circular letter from Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Governors of Plantations. A complaint having been laid before the King of a barbarous robbery committed by one John Lewis on the Marquis of Navarres, I am commanded to transmit to you such informations of this fact as have come to hand, etc. You are to give strict orders for apprehending the said John Lewis or any of his crew who shall come into your parts, and to secure all their effects, excepting such goods as shall appear to you to have belonged to the said Marquis which you are directed to cause to be immediately restored to him, or any having his order to receive them, and you are to take the first opportunity of transporting hither both the persons and effects you shall secure, with such particular informations as you shall receive that may be of use in carrying on the trial against them, in order to bring them to the punishment they deserve, and as this is a service H.M. judges of very great consequence for vindicating the honour of the Nation, and for the benefit of the commerce of his subjects, he doubts not but you will apply yourself with all possible zeal to execute his orders. Countersigned, James Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190. p. 318.]
[Nov. 11.] 668. Governor Parke's Commission to Capt. Walton to be Lt. Governor of the Virgin Islands, 11th Sept., 1707. Signed, Daniel Parke. Endorsed, Recd. Read 11th Nov., 1715. Copy. 1½ pp [C.O. 152, 10. No. 74; and 153, 12. pp. 362, 363.]
[Nov. 11.]
Kensington.
669. H.M. Commission to John Walton to be Captain of Foot. 15th April, 1706. Countersigned, C. Hedges. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 10. No. 73.]
Nov. 11.
Whitehall.
670. Mr. Popple to Mr. Strahan. Desires an account of the establishment of the four Independent Companies at New York, etc. [C.O. 5, 1123. p. 372.]
Nov. 11.
Whitehall.
671. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Stanhope. Request copies of any letters from Lt. Governor Moody or other persons relating to Newfoundland received this year, "in order to inable us to lay a true state of those things before H.M." [C.O. 195, 6. p. 149.]
Nov. 11.
Whitehall.
672. Same to William Pulteney, Secretary at War. Similar letter to preceding. [C.O. 195, 6. p. 149.]
Nov. 12.
N. York.
673. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I am honoured with yor. Lordpps'. of ye 22nd June, 1715, and have conceiv'd noe small satisfaction from ye hopes you have given me of a regular corespondence. I have not as yet receiv'd my Instructions but shall in the meane time give as punctual obedience to your Lordpps. severall commands, and as particular answers to your severall questions as the short warneing and my present scittuation will permitt. Repeats former representations as to the quantity of Naval Stores obtainable from this Province. From experiment, I may reasonably compute that above a third of the prepared trees will yeild well, after a few more experiments wee shall be able to judge which will yeild and which not, etc. Refers to enclosures. I cannot accuse our Indian Nations in general with want of fidelity to ye Crown. Refers to enclosures. All which give me strong hopes that I shall be able to putt an end to that Carolina Warr without much expence to ye Crown. Your Lordpps. know the only way we have to retaine ye Indians in our intrest is by good usage and presents. The country here for severall yeares of my administration gave nothing at all for that use, which laid us under a necessity of makeing use of some small part of her late Majesty's Expedition stores for that purpose, and the allowance since made is soe scanty that wee long extreamly for ye ordinary present made on each accession to ye Crown, etc. I cannot say that any besides ye loose Indians who were not worth keeping, have since my time deserted to ye French. Your Lordpps. have received long ere this the Act for settleing our Revenue for five yeares as also the Naturalization Act upon which it entirely depended. I wish I cold give your Lordpps. hopes of another settlement at the expiration of this, but I doubt nothing but such another popular Act will procure it. The Councill as it at present stands is compos'd of ye following persons vizt., Peter Schuyler, Abraham De Peyster, Robert Walker, Gerrardus Beekman, Rip van Dam, Caleb Heathcote, Killian van Renslaer, John Barberie, Adolp Phillipse and Thomas Byerley. Recommends George Clarke, and David Jamison to fill vacancies, ut supra, and for a supernumerary (v. Sept. 29) Augustine Graham, Stephen De Lancey, Robert Lurting, Robert Watts and John Johnston Esqrs., all men of creditt, good sences, and known affection to ye Government. The superstition of this people is soe unsermountable that I beleive I shall never be able to obtain a compleat list of the numbers of inhabitants of this Province. I know not but by the method I am now resolved to pursue I may obtaine it by detaile, that is to say, after haveing received a list of ye names and numbers of ye militia, to try to obtaine a list of ye Freemen, who are not in ye Militia, and then that of the women and children, and last, that of ye servants and slaves. Upon ye whole I observe ye numbers are increas'd considerably and wou'd still more, were it not for the younger sorts removing into ye neighbouring Colonies for want of lands in this. The land upon Hudsons River being of itselfe either soe barren, or in ye possession of Patentees, who have hitherto seemed unwilling to dispose of small parcells, upon the vaine hopes of getting tenants. In ye meane time, the most vallueable and improveable lands of great extent have hitherto laine useless, being scittuated on our frontiers towards Canada. I humbly submitt it to yor. Lordpps., whether it may not be highly for ye interest of ye Crown and ye most feasible way to putt a stop to ye inhabitants leaveing this province that the number of forces here be augmented, in order to ye building and garrisoning of forts on our frontiers towards the Lakes which wou'd incourage and cover our planters keep our Indians in heart, and awe our enimies, whenever wee shall be soe unhappy againe to have any on this Continent, facilitate future enterprizes by land, and putt a stop to these our natural enemies extending their limitts. A further use I propose by this augmentation is this, That in case the Palatins, whom I have not found overtractable, should behave themselves so as to make it impracticable to carry on ye tarr work by their meanes, it may be done with a smaller charge by ye soldiers who will be more under discipline. In and about those lands on ye frontiers are the finest and largest trees for masts on the Continent of North America, particularly on one tract of land, formerly granted by patent here, the proprietors whereof have propos'd to me to furnish H.M. Navy with as many masts and yards etc., to be delivered by them here at this Port of New York of ye dimensions in ye paper (enclosed) as your Lordpps. shall judge necessary to be contracted for and will enter into such obligations for the performance as shall be requisite. The Proprietors are confident they shall be able to agree, on terms at least as reasonable as those of Mr. Taylor. If your Lordpps. as I doe not doubt shou'd think this province equally intituled to any favour being ye frontier province, and ye key of all the rest and under noe Charter or proprietary Government, and the terms they expect being at least as reasonable as Mr. Taylor's which your Lordpps. by that may be sure will be more reasonable to H.M., if your Lordpps. I say should think it for H.M. service to agree with these people, I humbly desire you will be pleased to send me a proposall for such a contract, and H.M. order impowering me to treat and conclude with them. I have not as yet receiv'd ye muster rolls of all ye Militia, from those I have formerly had, I compute the number to be about 5,000, and those very well armed. The inclosed Navall Officer's accounts will inform your Lordpps. of what you desire to know of that matter. Wee are furnish't with noe manufactures of any kind which wee used formerly to have from England from any other place, except it be from Jamaica and some other parts of ye West Indies, which send us now ye refuse of cargoes of English manufactures, which ye Assembly conceiveing to be against the interest of this Province have endeavour'd to prevent by a duty of 7½ per cent. The trade of this Province have consisted cheifly of provisions, wee may reckon it considerably decreased since ye late Peace, by reason that ye Spaniards doe not permitt our vessells to come on their coasts, as they did formerly, haveing lately as I am well inform'd sent severall ships, some of which are French with Spanish Commissions to guard their coasts from that traffique, which formerly wee had by private communication with them, and these provinces raiseing much more than serves for their own consumption, and that of ye West Indies, I can think of noe solid way of preventing totall decay of trade and consequently the ruine of the Provinces, but by setting on foot and carrying on vigorously the production of Naval Stores mentioned, and if hemp were not too bulky a commodity wee know experimentally that our swamps and low land will produce as good of that kind as any in ye world, but that reason unless we were encouraged to manufacture it here, the freight wou'd eat out ye proffitt. The only method in our power to prevent illegal trade, is by putting ye Laws of Trade in execution as oft as wee can discover ye delinquents. Refers to seizure of the Eagle. Shou'd that judgement soe reasonable and soe just be reversed, I see noe further use either for Laws of Trade or Officers of Customes in these parts. Refers to enclosed list of ships. Almost all of them have beene built here. The people of this Town and Albany, which make a great part of ye Province weare noe cloathing of their own manufacture, but if ye letters mentioned in your Lordps. meane ye planters and poorer sort of country people the computation is rather less than more, but the severall sorts are courser then what come from England. I know noe other way to prevent it, than by encourageing them to goe on some manufactures that may be usefull to England, and benificial to themselves, for few who are able to goe to ye expence of English manufacture doe weare home-spunn, and a law to oblige such as are not able to goe to that expence to doe it, under penalties wou'd be equivalent to a law to compell them to goe naked, for your Lordpps. well know, that goods at 100 pr. cent. advance are reckon'd cheape here, neither does it consist with my knowledge, that ever any homespunn was sold in ye shops. I am bound in ye strictest obligations expressible to your Lordps. for forwarding and recommending to H.M. the two Acts for payment of ye publick debts the blessings of some thousands here besides mine will follow you for it. Whilst your Lordps. have ye severall Acts past in these two Provinces under your consideration, I think myselfe oblig'd to inform you, that some inconveniencies have been discovered in some of them since they have beene enacted perticularly by an Act past in ye eleventh yeare of her Majestie's raigne for preventing suppressing and punishing the conspiracey and insurrection of negroes and other slaves, wherein among other things it is enacted that if any negroe etc. shall be made free by ye will or testament of any person decd. that then ye executor of such person shall enter into security etc. imediatly upon proveing the said will, which if refused to be given, the said manumission to be voyd. But there being noe penalty on ye executor refuseing to enter into such security nor any method to compell him he is left at his liberty to render every such manumission fruitless, which cutting off all hopes from those slaves who by a faithfull and dilligent discharge of their duty may at last look for ye reward of a manumission by their masters' will, will make 'em not only careless servts.' but excite 'em to insurrections more bloody than any they have attempted seeing that by that Act death is made more eligible then life, for ye longer they live, the longer they are slaves, which is already too well known from ye following instance. One Norton a butcher of this town, dyed lately, and by his will, manumitted one of his negroes who by his faithfull and dilligent service had helpt to gaine most part of his master's wealth, and gave him a legacey in money, and another negroe to help him to pursue the same trade as a reward for his good service. The executor after Norton's death proved ye will, but absolutely refused to enter into ye security directed by ye Act, by which meanes the negroe is deprived of his liberty and his legacey. The rage the people were in for that insurrection cold only justify the passing that Act in other instances equally cruell. There is also another Act pas't in this province and Jersey for shortning of law suites and regulateing ye practice of ye law, another in this province for preventing the multiplicity of law suites, which Acts the Judges and other officers of ye Supream Courts have represented to me as distructive of ye jurisdiction of those Courts, and being perpetual, if more inconveniencies shou'd bee found wee have noe remedy. The Assembly in the Jerseys also past another Act confirming ye Ordinance for establishing fees, which was drawn by a Committee of ye Councill and Assembly and trenches much upon ye fees and perquisites of ye Secretaries Office. It is apparent that it was ye dislike of ye person then in that Office against whom they had soe often represented, which made 'em goe these lengths. There was also an Act past whilst Coll. Ingoldsby acted as Lieut. Governour of ye Jerseys, fixing ye Session of Assembly to Burlington, whereas by ye tacit condition of the Surrender, it was to be alternately at Burlington and Amboy. It was approv'd by her late Majesty, but is attended with many inconveniencies, particularly ye remoteness of ye place, subjects the Governor here to much trouble and charge, and when occasion shall soe require debars ye Governour from holding the Assemblys of both provinces at ye same time, and that ye Town of Philladelphia reaps ye cheife benefitt from the expence of ye concourse on such occasions. That town being for ye most part supply'd by ye Philladelphia marketts. Quere, Whether an Instruction from H.M. may not be sufficient to suspend ye execution of that Act, and to restore that matter to its former state at ye surrender. There is one hardship which I have observed ever since I came into this country, which falls cheifly upon ye poorer sorts that is, that there being noe currencey but of silver, and bills of creditt, the smallest of which is of two shillings, they have not ye same reliefe from ye ordinary marketts as in other places, for this, there is an easey remedy, if H.M. wou'd be pleas'd to grant it, there being a copper mine here brought to perfection as you may find by ye Custome house books at Bristoll, where there was imported from this place about a tonn in ye month of July or August last, of which copper farthings may be coyned to answer these ordinary uses, if H.M. will be pleas'd to grant a patent for that purpose, as I have more particularly inform'd and pray'd the assistance of ye Secretary of State. Refers to enclosed account of stores of war, and sales thereof. [These are] still unpaid, the nature of these sales being such that the buyers have long creditt given 'em, however if your Lodpps. think fitt that it be charg'd to H.M. creditt in my Palatine account, I am content to runne ye risque of receiveing it. The article added to ye vendue master's accounts is for some of ye Expedition powder sold by vertue of ye letter from Col. Nicholson, which I am likewise content be placed to H.M. said creditt. I wish a market cold have beene found for more of ye powder remaineing, for with all ye care possible and expence of frequent cooperage and triming wee run a risque of looseing one halfe before ye other can possibly be expended, the powder and barrils being soe very old and the magazine soe insufficient. Gives details of his Palatine account, debiting himself with above proceeds. I have still by me that cloathing sent hither by Coll. Nicholson to be disposed of as H.M. shall think fitt to direct. It can never be for his service to give it to his forces here, for should they receive it without mutiny, which I much doubt, the hard winter would put an end to their misery, the coats being very poore rags unlined. They have in ye meanetime received two compleat cloathings from me since the receipt of that which were contracted for provided and delivered out according to ye standing directions of ye Crown for that purpose; the other being forced upon me contrary to those directions, I hope it will not be thought just to charge them to our off reckonings, etc. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 1st Feb. Read 9th March, 17 15/16. 16 pp. Enclosed,
673. i. Numbers of the Palatines settled up Hudson's River. Total, 384 fit for labour. Same endorsement. 1 p.
673. ii. Account of Palatine Stores in New York, and left at the tar-works, and of the sale of Palatine Stores (Total, £1,494 16s. 9½d.). N. York, Nov. 2, 1715. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Same endorsement. 3½ pp.
673. iii. Duplicate of No. 629 vi.
673. iv. (a) Messengers of the Five Nations to the Commissioners of the Indian Affairs. Albany, 3rd Oct., 1715. We have sent messengers to the Carolina Indians to bring them to terms of peace, etc.
(b) Commissioners of the Indian Affairs to the Messengers of the Five Nations. Albany, 6th Oct., 1715. The Governor has sent arms and ammunition which shall be delivered to the Five Nations when their army is going out against the Carolina Indians, etc. Set out, N.Y. Col. Doc. V. 463. Same endorsement. 1½ pp.
673. v. Col. Vrom to Governor Hunter. Rareington, 17th Oct., 1715. In reply to your message of 26th Sept., the Sachems of the Susquehanna Indians will wait on your Excellency next spring. They daily goe out to engage with the Carolina Indians, etc. Set out, N.Y. Col. Doc. V. 464. Signed, Cors. Vrom. Same endorsement. ¾ p.
673. vi. Rip Van Dam, George Clarke and P. Fauconnier to Governor Hunter. A proposal for supplying H.M. Navy with Naval Stores from their patented lands between Albany and the Lakes, New York, 27th Oct., 1715. Same endorsement. 1 p.
673. vii. Number of vessels belonging to the Port of New York, as entered at the Custom house, 29th Sept., 1714–1715. Ships, 9; brigantines, 4; sloops, 54. Men navigating them, 475. Same endorsement. 1 p.
673. viii. Account of stores of war, New York. 27th Oct., 1715. Same endorsement. 1½ pp.
673. ix. Account of stores of war returned from the Canada Expedition, and sold by H.M. order. Total value, £1,087 11s. 11d. N. York, Nov. 2, 1715. Signed, Ro. Hunter, Same endorsement. 3 pp.[C.O. 5, 1051, Nos. 19, 19 i.–ix.; and (without enclosures) 5, 1123. pp. 403–422.]
Nov. 14.
Amboy.
674. Governor Hunter to Wm. Popple. I hope this may overtake the ship at York that was to carry my last. I have since I have been here recd. a letter from Mr. Sacket the director of the tar work informing me that he has cut down and split several of the prepar'd trees and finds that they will not answer his hopes. Whither this be from their long standing after their due time expir'd, a wrong preparation, or whatever it be, if the work is to be cary'd on there is an absolute necessity of sending for men well instructed in that matter from the countreys from whence it is usually brought, for as I have often affirm'd, here are pitch pine enough to furnish tarr for ever for all ye navigation of Brittaine, and by constant and long experience we know that these trees yeild great quantitys of turpentine, tar is but the turpentine burnt out, whereas that is tapt out as they call it. Mr. Bridger I hope by this time has been call'd upon to give an account who it was who perswaded him to betray his trust and that design. I wrote to you in haste the other day after haveing receiv'd the Bishop of London's letter by his new Commissary Mr. Vezey. I now affirme to you againe that this is but a continuation of a contriveance on the other side to undo me by the means of Mr. Nicolson and two or three factious and Jacobite clergymen of which Mr. Vezey and Mr. Talbot were the chiefe. I need not tell you what hand a noble peer at ye head of a party in the Society had in this, but to convince you and all mankind of ye truth of what I affirm, here follows an extract of two letters wrote by Mr. Talbot, the originals wrote and sign'd by himself lye now before me and if he deny's 'em shall be produc'd. The first is address'd to Mrs. Anne Walker at James River Virginia and dated at Burlington July 17th.… "Your friend Jonathan is not fallen before the Philistins but hopes in god to see them fall before him and that in a litle time. Genl. Nicolson has promis'd to be here in the fall and then he says he will make us all easy. He would not consent to my going home without leave of our Society least I should not come again. But Bro. Vesey Rector of Trinity Church at New York is fled before the Philistins. He has gott the General's letters, 'tis now 3 weeks agoe since he sail'd, God speed him well and then no more need go upon that account. Now there's no minister of our church at New York but we serve it by turns, etc. We are going to open a new Church at N. Bristol over against Burlington which I intend to nominate St. Ann's or St. Margt's. more for the sake of your good family then any other of that name that I know," etc. That wch. follows, in like maner in his own hand is directed to the Revnd. Mr. John Urmston Missioner in Nth. Carolina to be left at Blackamore's in Virginia dated Philadelphia July 17. "I thought you had been dead in that dismal swamp where there is hardly anything that is good etc. here are several Churches that you may serve and I will ingage my intrest with the Society that they shall allow your sallary" etc., as in first letter. Now Sr. what d'ye think am I in the right or no. This I desire you may lay before their Lorps., you'll ask me why not before the Bishop of London. I'll tell you why. There was a representation to the Bishop long ago complaining of the dangerous conduct of Mr. Vesey particularly of his arbitrary infractions of their Charter, signed by all the men of worth or figure of the English Church here. All the reply that has been made to 't was that it was handed about here immediatly upon the news of Mr. Vezey's arriveal at Boston wth. the manerly title of ye N. York Monster Many hands and No heads, and the person complain'd of returns with the new character of his Lordp.'s Commissary wth. orders from his Lorp. to inquire into the truth of what I had represented to the Lords of Trade relateing to Talbot's and his own conduct, etc. Repeats No. 663. I have told him that if the Bp. of London would take care to make him a good Commissary I would endeavour to make him a good subject. This happen'd on his accosting me here after his splendid entry at York, when I had read the Bp.'s letter I told him that my Ld. of London had assur'd me that he was return'd with a disposition to make every body he was concern'd with easy for the future, he interrupted me and told me that it had ever been his conduct, wch. provok'd me but made ye company laugh. I am asham'd to dwell so long upon this subject, but it is of greater consequence here then you at a distance can easily imagine. The Jacobite faction here tho' few in number are strong in malice and the rage they have conceiv'd at their dissappointment makes them use all the vilest hidden arts in their power to make the administration uneasy. If they continue to receive countenance from the other side they may grow in numbers too. It is not to be believ'd what I bore of these men dureing the late Ministry's time, being aware of what was projected, I'll give you but one instance. I wrote to Mr. Talbot as I had done to all ye Missionarys at their own desire that they should meet at York to Addresse their new Bp. I think. He return'd me for answer that there was a great gulf between us so that they who would pass from us to you or you to us cannot. If their Lorps. think fitt that I should suffer in silence under these affronts for ye future, upon the least hint from them I shall do so. In the mean time I am firmly resolv'd by all lawfull means to stiffle the growing evil, in complyance with my duty let the consequences to me, be what they will, etc. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 1st Feb., Read 20th March, 17 15/16. Holograph. 8 pp.[C.O. 5, 971. No. 11; and 5, 995. pp. 318–325.]
Nov. 14.
Jamaica.
675. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to letter of Aug. 30th. Repeats matter given in letter to Mr. Stanhope Jan. 30 (No. 1), 1716, q.v. Concludes: I entreat your Lopps. to putt a favourable construction on my endeavours for H.M. service and for promoting the true interest of this Island, which are sincerely meant and intended in all my transactions here; and I hope your Lopps. will not give credit to reports and misrepresentations my enimy's taking the advantage of the distance of the place may endeavour to insinuate against me, but that I may have the opportunity of being heard, etc. Signed, A. Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd. 26th Jan., Read 17th April, 1716. 6½ pp. Enclosed,
675. i. Copy of Minutes of Council of Jamaica, 11th Nov., 1715. Same endorsement. 6½ pp.
675. ii. Account of money (£2,764 17s. 6d.) disbursed by the Governor and Council of Jamaica for the subsistence of the two Companies, 1st May, 1714—13th Nov., 1715. Same endorsement. 2 pp.
675. iii. Estimate of H.M. Revenue of Jamaica for 1715. Expenditure £14,764 8s. 0½d. Receipts £8,615 15s. 11¼d. Same endorsement. 1 large p.
675. iv. Copy of Proclamation, upon H.M. announcement of the Pretender's intended invasion, requiring the oaths etc. to be tendered, and the Militia exercised and prepared. 31st Oct., 1715. Signed, A. Hamilton. Same endorsement. 1 p.
675. v. Address of the Governor and Council of Jamaica to the King. Return hearty thanks for His most gracious letter(May 13). Continue:—It is with irrepressible joy we have seen your princely and fatherly concern for the safety and prosperity of this Island which notwithstanding its being so valueable to Britain has not only lost its trade and consequently decreas'd in inhabitants but has been brought into evident danger of becoming a prey to the growing power of its neighbours by an unsafe and ruinous Treaty of Peace. But your Majesty has revived our hopes and since your happy accession to the Throne has remov'd every real cause of diffidence among your subjects. What your Majesty has done for us by confirming such beneficial laws which we had so long in vain desir'd ought in reason to establish a good agreement amongst us as the protection you have given us and assured us of already dissipates our fears, etc. We have no hope of prosperity but in the present happy establishment nor of safety, but in the Protestant Succession. Pray for additional ships of war, and, when Parliament has leisure to consider the state of navigation in this part of the world,for such a measure of trade as may encourage our seafaring men etc. We acknowledge your Majesty's great favour in continuing here two Independant Companys until we shall have provided by good laws for the increase of inhabitants. We hope your Majesty will have no reason from our proceedings to beleive any one amongst us can thinke that a burthen which your Majesty has judged necessary for our safety. We shall seriously and heartily contribute our utmost endeavours to the encouragement of inhabitants amongst us which we are sensible is our greatest interest, etc., etc. 4th Nov., 1715. Signed, A. Hamilton, Will. Cockburn, Cl. Con. Same endorsement. 1 p.
675. vi. List of Militia in Jamaica, 1st Nov., 1715. Total, 2,697. Same endorsement. 1 p.
675. vii. Extract of Minutes of Assembly of Jamaica, Nov. 11th, 1715. Same endorsement. ½ p.
675. viii. Minutes of Assembly of Jamaica, 31st Oct.—11th Nov., 1715 (cf. Nov. 28 infra). Same endorsement. 20 pp. [C.O. 137, 11. Nos. 10, 10 i.–viii.; and (without enclosures) 138, 14. pp. 389–397.]
Nov. 14. 676. Mr. Strahan to Mr. Popple. Encloses following. Signed, Alexr. Strahan. Endorsed, Recd. Read 15 Nov., 1715. 1 p. Enclosed,
676. i. Copy of establishment of the Four Independent Companies of Foot at New York, 1715. Total, £7,093 3s. 4d. ¾ p. [C.O. 5, 1051. Nos. 13, 13 i.; and 5, 1123. pp. 372, 373.]
Nov. 15.
N. York.
677. George Clarke, Secretary of New York, to Mr. Popple. That Mr. Vesey, the Bishop of London's new Commissary, has been a non-juror I never heard disputed, etc. Encloses following. Set out, N.Y. Col. Doc. V. 464. Signed, Geo. Clarke. Endorsed, Recd. 1st Feb., Read 20th March, 17 15/16. 3 pp. Enclosed,
677. i. Duplicate of No. 629 vii.
677. ii. Copy of Minutes of Council of New York, recording that Mr. Vesey called King William a Dutch King, praised the late reign and said that their King won't live alwayes, etc. 1 p.
677. iii. Rev. W. Vesey to Col. Riggs. Begs him to remind the Bp. of London about the Farm, etc. and his services to the Church of New York, etc. Set out, N.Y. Col. Doc. V. 465. Signed, W. Vesey. Copy. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1051. Nos. 21, 21 i.–iii.]
Nov. 15.
Whitehall.
678. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Request payment of enclosed account of office expenses and salaries, Midsummer to Michaelmas, 1715. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 96, 97.]
Nov. 15.
Bloomsbury Square.
679. Mr. Champante to Mr. Popple. Refers to cost of previous present to the Indians. Continues:—The Board of Ordnance contracted for 400 light fusils at 20 p.c. above the ordinary price, which overplus, if their Lordps. direct the disposition of the money which shall be now ordered to my care, may be lay'd out in some further other things, etc. Signed, J. Champante. Endorsed, Recd. Read 15th Nov., 1715. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1051. No. 14; and 5, 1123. pp. 374, 375.]