|
Dec. 1.
Virginia. |
107. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Refers to Oct. 25th, " since which H.M. has been
proclaim'd with the same unanimity in all the parts of this
Colony: and thursday last was observed as a General Thanksgiving for H.M. happy accession. The Addresses (copies enclosed)
I hope will be look'd on as suitable testimonys of our duty and
loyalty," etc. Refers to his enclosed Speech and Address of the
House of Burgesses in answer thereto. Continues:—As that
address came to me with a nemine contradicente from that House,
I doubt not it will be an agreeable demonstration to your Lordps.
of the harmony between me and the Assembly; as the inclos'd letter
from the Council (v. Nov. 26) will satisfy your Lordps. how little
ground there is for the reports, which I understand have been made
in England, and which probably may e're now have reach'd your
Lordps. as if the good correspondence between us, were of late
much interrupted on account of the affair of Mr. Berkeley. Refers
to Journal of Council, Nov. 4th. Though that gentleman is a
person that I should not have recommended to be of the Council,
considering the present constitution of that Board, it will yet
appear by his own confession, that I have been far from refuseing
to admitt him: neither have I taken upon me to act anything
in relation to him, which is not conformable to the constant
practice of the Council, as well as the general opinion of the
gentlemen who compose the present Board; and even those who
in regard of their relation and kindred argued most in his favour,
could not but own their conviction upon the precedents produced
to them. I shal only add, that the People of Virginia will never
be well pleased when they see too many of one family on the
General Court Bench: and I fear your Lordps. may be troubled
with a grievance from them on that account, if the merchants'
scheme (which I have seen) should take place; it being proposed
to add to the Council three more, who are nearly related to the
many of the same Family already of that Board. I do not write
this, as if I pretended to dictate to your Lordps. what recommendations you are to take, etc. Signed, A. Spotswood. Endorsed,
Recd. 28th Jan., 17 14/15, Read 16th May, 1716. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
107. i. Copy of Address of the Lt. Governor and Council of
Virginia to the King. We, being sensible that it is
your Majesty's undoubted right to inherit the duty and
loyalty which we heartily professed to our late most
gracious and pious Queen of blessed memory; do with
all submission and zealous readiness presume now to
offer the same tribute of our hearts to your gracious
acceptance; beseeching your Majesty to regard us as
part of your most dutifull and loyal subjects. We have
already declared, we have solemnly own'd before God
and the world your Majesty our sole rightfull and lawfull
King: We further cheerfully tender our lives and
fortunes to defend your sacred person, and to support
your undoubted right to the Imperial Crown of Great
Britain against all Pretenders whatsoever. We are
proud to say that no part of your Majesty's Realms
can boast a more universal concurrence in proclaiming
your Royal name: No discords, no divisions reign here
among your subjects to disquiet your princely mind:
And we dare affirm that Virginia, your first, most ancient
Colony is second to none in ready submission to your
Maty.'s Government. To hear that jealousys in our
Mother Country cease, that her jarring sons unite at
the very name of King George, and that your Majesty's
accession is peaceable as well as rightfull has been
matter of our private joy and publick thanksgiving.
Even the first Caesar came and saw before he conquered.
More may be recorded of you, great Sir, who can happily
influence the minds of your people before your personal
presence. Hence we joy to welcome a Monarch, a
Divine Conqueror, who seems in eminent manner
designed by Providence to reign in the hearts of distant
subjects and remoter Colonys. We humbly implore
your Majesty's gracious acceptance of these congratulations upon the auspicious begining of your Reign.
Wishing that the High Imperial British Crown may to all
succeeding ages be fixt in your Royal House: Our
prayers are, our utmost endeavours shall be that it
may sit long, easie and glorious on your sacred head.
Signed, A. Spotswood, Robert Carter,James Blair,
Phillip Ludwell, John Smith, John Lewis, William
Byrd, Wm. Cocke, Nathll. Harrison, Mann Page, Robert
Porteus. Same endorsement. 2 pp. |
|
107. ii. Copy of Address of the Council and Burgesses of
Virginia to the King. With hearts full of joy, we
embrace this first opportunity of addressing your sacred
Majesty with our congratulations, etc. Signed, by all
the Members of the Council and House of Burgesses.
Same endorsement. ½ p. |
|
107. iii. Address of the House of Burgesses of Virginia to Lt.
Governor Spotswood. (In reply to No. iv.)Express
their loyalty to the King, etc. It is owing to your prudent
administration that our frontiers are secured, etc.,
and to your frugall management, that the expence
shoud be lessened when the services are increased, etc.
We heartily receive the German Protestants into our
country, and have given them immunity from taxes
for seven years, etc. Return thanks to H.E. for his
labours and the hardships he has undergone in defence of
the country, etc., Nov. 25, 1714. v. Journals. Signed,
Peter Beverley. Endorsed as preceding. 2 pp. |
|
107. iv. Copy of Lt. Governor's Speech to the House of
Burgesses of Virginia, Nov. 17, 1714. v. Journal. Same
endorsement. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1317.Nos. 26, 26 i.–iv.;
and (without enclosures) 5, 1364. pp. 308–312.] |
| [Dec. 1.] |
108. [? Stephen Duport] to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The Islands St. Martyn and St. Bartholomé lie about 10
leagues N.N.W. of St. Christophers. Their is not on either any
quantity of land fitt for sugar canes, etc. The French had in
peacable tymes about 100 famillies on both islands whose chief
occupation was to rear stock which furnished the French part
of St. Christophers and Martineco with fresh provisions, etc.
These two Islands cannot be reputed considerable in themselves,
but might be of some consequence should they remaine in the hands
of the French, as a lurking place for privateers, etc. and a means
of illegal trade. St. Christophers may be much better and sooner
settled if supplied with provisions cattle and wood from these
two islands, etc. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Duport) 1st Dec.,
1714, Read 21st April, 1715. 11/8 pp. [C.O. 152, 10. No. 54.] |
| Dec. 4. |
109. Address of several of the Planters, merchants and
principal inhabitants of the Island of Jamaica to the King.
Sensibly affected by the loss of our late sovereign Lady Queen
Anne, we congratulate your Majesty's happy accession by which
our religion, our rights and liberties will be secured to us, our
properties will be safe, our trade advanced and our Island defended, etc, Altho' we may have been misrepresented to Her late
Majesty and traduced at present we ever have and always shall
behave and demean ourselves as most faithful and dutiful subjects,
etc. Which had been laid before your Majesty in a Parliamentary
way, had not the Assembly been this day prevented by a sudden
prorogation. Signed, Pe. Beckford, Hugh Totterdell, Francis
March, Henry Dakins, Thomas Raby, Geo. Bennett, Jo. Umfry,
Tho. Masters, Jon. Carver, H. Nicholls, John Rogers, Ezekl.
Gomersall, Daniel Axtell, Richd. Aldeburgh, James Rule, Thomas
Beckford, Peter Rowe, Jno. Gardner, Danl. Plowman, Tho.
Flower, Lewis Gardy. 1 p. [C. O. 137, 46. No. 8.] |
Dec. 6.
St. James's. |
110. Order of King in Council. Referring following to the
Council of Trade and Plantations for their report. Signed,
Christr. Musgrave. Endorsed, Recd. 29th, Read 30th Dec., 1714.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
110. i. Petition of Daniel Hall, William Armstrong, John Evans
and John Narbonne, on behalf of themselves and
other unemployed officers and about 1,000 poor
disbanded soldiers, now begging about the streets of
London, etc. to the King. Refer to former petitions
to Her late Majesty. (March 23, April 2 and 8,
etc.). The late Lord Treasurer slighted petitioners,
and designed to ingross the profits of their proposal
to himself. Petitioners have seen in the publick prints
of his granting the King of Spain liberty to build shipps
of warr on the lands which were intended for their
settlement. Pray for a grant of the uninhabited lands
between New England and Nova Scotia, between the
Rivers Sagadehock and St. Croix, the River Canada
on the rear with the Attlantick Ocean on the front,
with all the Island(s) adjacent, with their mines and the
royalties of the said Rivers, and also the liberty of
coyning 1,000 tuns of copper into half-pence and
farthings in the same specie they now are, and that
the sd. lands may be free from all duties the space of
21 years, for which petitioners will oblige themselves
to supply H.M. with masts and other timber to build
shipping. 2¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 866. Nos. 24, 24 i.; and
5, 913. pp. 494–497.] |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall. |
111. Lord Townshend to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Thomas Maycock, Guy Ball and John Colleton being thought
proper to be Members of the Council for the Islands of Barbados
in the room of William Sharpe, Alexander Walker and Samuel
Beresford, I am directed to transmit their names to you, that they
may be inserted in the Instructions preparing for Robert Lowther
Esq., if you have no objection against them. Signed, Townshend.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 22nd Dec., 1714. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 14. No.
27; and 29, 13. p. 153.] |
Dec. 10.
Jamaica. |
112. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. My last of Oct. 7th acquainted your Lordships
with my intentions of speedily calling a new Assembly, and my
reasons for delaying it so long. I am now to lay before you the
most materiall proceedings that have since occurr'd, and in order
thereto transmitt herewith the Minutts of the Assembly and
Journall of the Councill of a very short Sessions of three days,
which ended with a prorogation to Jan. 18th next. Your Lordships will easily perceive by what appears in the Journal of the
Council the necessity of this prorogation, which would still be
much more conspicuous from the Minutts of the Assembly, were
there not such extraordinary and unwarrantable artifices made
use of, that nothing should appear in them, but what is to the
likeing of a factious, tho' a small majority in the House, and
which has been obtain'd by means as indirect and extraordinary
as their proceedings have been. My duty now obliges me to
lay open to your Lopps. a scene that has been hitherto uncovered.
In hopes time and the prevailing on some to a true scence of their
duty and alteration of conduct, might have prevented the necessity's being made absolute upon me; in short my Lords the
the true source of all the division and obstruction the Assemblys
have given to publick affairs, has proceeded from a party in the
Council that have underhand not only encouraged and fomented
all the heats and oppositions in the Assembly when together;
but have been eminently instrumentall in the choice of such
representatives as had given more than once proofs of their
undutyfull and factious tempers and particularly in this last
election which demonstrably cast the ballance on the oposeing
side. In these circumstances your Lopps. will plainly observe
the difficultys I labour under in asserting and maintaining the
just prerogative of the Crowne and supporting of Government
according to my duty and instructions, and the impossibility of
effecting it, without such further support as H.M. upon the
representation of the whole shall please to direct. I shall only
mention one circumstance which I humbly conceive strong on
my side; in all the contention and opposition that has hitherto
appear'd in Assemblys, your Lopps. will not find the least pretence
of any grievance or complaint that can tend any way personally
to effect me, but the whole has proceeded from my complying,
even in a gentle manner, with what my duty indispensably
required of me. I was some time at a lose to find out the true
motive and aime of their whole proceedings. What accot. can
be given of such indeavours of deminishing the Revenue, at best
far from being sufficient to defray the usuall and necessary
contingencys of the Government, and obstructing all supplys,
but thereby to insinuate its inability of supporting the expence
of a Captain Generall's sallary, which wou'd be made easie by
that of a Lieut. Governour. Then as formerly in the year 1692
your Lopps. might be applyed to as your Board then was, "that
a tollerable choice may be made from amongst themselves," etc.
(v. C.S.P. 1692, No. 2, 278). The Assembly not giveing me an
oppertunity of concurring in a joint Address to H.M. with them
and the Council, I agreed with the latter in the inclosed Address,
another originall of which I have transmitted by my Ld. Townsend
as principall Secretary of State, in order to be presented to His
Majesty. Signed, A. Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd. 28th Jan.,
Read 10th March, 17 14/15. 4½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
112. i. Address of the Governor and Council of Jamaica to the
King. With unexpressible joy and satisfaction congratulate H.M. happy and peaceable accession, etc.,
by which we find with the utmost transport our religion
and liberties now secure, etc. Signed, A. Hamilton,
Will. Cockburn, Cl. Con. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 28,
17 14/15. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 10. Nos. 65, 65 i.; and (without
enclosure) 138, 14. pp. 184–187.] |
| Dec. 13. |
113. A Memorandum of a new Commission for promoting
trade and improving H.M. Plantations. Eight new Commissioners
are appointed. (v. Feb. 11, 1715.) [C.O. 388, 76. No. 178.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
114. Lord Townshend to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
H.M. having been pleased to appoint the Right Honble. the Lord
Archibald Hamilton to be Governour of Jamaica, you are to
prepare a Commission and Instructions for him as usual, etc.
Signed, Townshend. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read 29th Dec.,
1714. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 10. No. 55; and 138, 10. p. 146.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
115. Lord Townshend to the Council of Trade and Plantations. H.M. having been pleased to appoint the Right Honble.
George Earl of Orkney to be Governour of Virginia, you are to
prepare a Commission and Instructions for him as usual, etc.
Signed, Townshend. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read 29th Dec.,
1714. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1316. No. 112; and 5, 1364, p. 65.] |
Dec. 14.
Westminster. |
116. H.M. Warrant appointing William Congreve Secretary
and Commissary General of H.M. stores in Jamaica, and revoking
the patent of John Baber. Congreve to transport himself thither
by the first opportunity and not to be absent from thence without H.M. leave. Countersigned, Cocks. Endorsed, Recd. Read
2nd Oct., 1717. Copy. 3 pp. [C.O. 137, 12. No. 69; and
324, 49. pp. 1–3.] |
Dec. 15.
St. James's. |
117. H.M. Warrant renewing the appointment of Richard
Rigby as Provost Marshall of Jamaica. Copy. Countersigned,
James Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190. p. 26.] |
Dec. 15.
St. James's. |
118. H.M. Warrant renewing the appointment of Charles
Hedges as Secretary of the Leeward Islands. Copy. Countersigned, James Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190. p. 27.] |
Dec. 15.
St. James's. |
119. H.M. Warrant renewing the appointment of George
Clarke as Secretary of New York. Copy. Countersigned, James
Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190. pp. 27, 28.] |
Dec. 15.
St. James's. |
120. H.M. Warrant revoking the patent of Ashton Warner
and appointing Henry Douglas Provost Marshall of the Leeward
Islands. Copy. Countersigned, James Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190.
pp. 28, 29.] |
Dec. 16.
Whitehall. |
121. Lord Townshend to the Council of Trade and Plantations. H.M. has been pleased to appoint William Popple Esq.,
to be Secretary to his Council for Trade and Plantations, etc.
Signed, Townshend. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read 20th Dec.,
1714. 1 p. [C.O. 388, 76. No. 179; and 389, 37. p. 84.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
122. Lord Townshend to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following for their report. Signed, Townshend.
Endorsed, Recd. 29th Dec., 1714. Read 3rd Jan., 17 14/15. 1 p.
Enclosed, |
|
122. i. Petition of Col. Vetch, late Governor of Annapolis
Royal, to the King. Recounts his services in capturing
and defending Annapolis Royal, during three years
"against a numerous and barbarous enemy of French
and Indians, with a garrison that was even grown
mutinous, for want of pay and cloathing, having been
intirely neglected or rather abandoned by the Ministry
at home," etc., in all which time petitioner never received
one line of instructions from Court, untill November
last; when to his great surprise he was superseded by
one Mr. Nicholson for no other reason, Mr. Vetch could
ever learn, but his steady zeal for the Protestant
succession in your Majesty's Royal House, etc. Prays
to be restored to his former command, and be paid
arrears due to him, and that Mr. Borland, the Agent,
who supported the garrison so long under its total
neglect, may be reimbursed. 1 p. |
|
122. ii. The case of Col. Vetch. Recounts his difficulties as in
preceding, etc. Continues: On his arriving at Boston,
Mr. Nicholson began to apologise for having superseded
him, saying the Ministry had been possessed with a
character of him, as a partisan of the Whig Ministry,
and being resolv'd to keep none in public posts but who
were intirely in their interest, etc., but when Mr. Vetch
urged his services, he told him after his passionate
way that the preserving the Garison was his greatest
crime, adding that since the Crown sent neither mony
to support it, nor orders relating to it he might easily
judge they design'd it shu'd be abandoned, the same
reply he gave to Mr. Borland, etc. Mr. Vetch was at first
surpris'd at this so public and strange declaration
untill he was more particularly inform'd of his behaviour
from his first departure from Great Britain and arrival
in Ireland where some of his retinue at Kingsayl
hap'ning publickly to drink the pretender's health under
the name of King Jam's the third, were taken up by the
magestrate at Cork and fined imprisoned . . . . Mr.
Nicholson publickly in all companys and to Mr. Vetch
himself sayd in great passion there never was such a
damn'd nest of whigs as in Cork, and that they deserv'd
to be extirpated, but what yet farther confirmed the
design he was upon and what interst he serv'd was in
detaching the four companys to garison Placentia when
he had so great a choice out of some thousands and
knew very well how much the garison of Annapolis
had suffer'd by having so many Irish papists belonging
to it who deserted over to the French while besieged,
but was likewise convinced that the los of the garison
of St. Johns in Newfoundland was mostly owing to the
Irish papists who deserted to Placentia and gave them
an account of the weak state of the Garison; notwithstanding of all which a great part of the men he detach'd
in Ireland for the abovesd. garison of Placentia were
Irish papists who fortunately went not so far, for the
transports being put back to Lisbon many of them
deserted there upon the account of their Religion as
Capt. Haudy who hath the charge of Mr. Nicholson's
own company wrote Mr. Vetch. And indeed Mr.
Nicholson did not in the least conceal either his principals
or errand for he not only reputed it a crime to drink the
succession in the House of Hanover, a very acceptable
one to the generality of that Country but us'd to swear
in publick company's that who ever was not for indefeasible hereditary right were damn'd Whigs and enemy's
to the Church and Crown; his violent natural temper
which is a continu'd degree of madness together with his
being intirely illiterate (having but lately larned to sign
his name) made him expose his errand and designs in all
companys, which he did not seem to hide was to serve
the Pretenders and french interest; and tho' his temper
and education had rendred him incapable of any
political undertaking by his wisdom yet it had in
som. . . . his madness; for by what I have hard came
from some of his chief employers who being asked
what they propos'd by sending such an ignorant madman
abroad, it was answer'd he was very fit for the errand
since by his madness and indiscretion he might irritate
those people to committ some irregularitys as might
prove a handle to forfeit their Charters, but God be
thanked for their deliverance from such plots. Petitions
as in preceding. 3 large pp. [C.O. 217, 1. Nos. 23,
23 i., ii.; and 218, 1. pp. 113–125.] |
Dec. 20.
Whitehall. |
123. Lord Townshend to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following for their report. Signed, Townshend. Endorsed,
Recd. 21st Dec., 1714, Read 28th Feb., 17 14/15. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
123. i. Petition of Charles Henry Machier to the King. An old
inhabitant of Placentia, petitioner persuaded his servants
in the fishing trade to take the oath of allegiance to H.M.
He himself then came to England to settle his trade with
the British and to take the said oath. The Attorney
General then informed him that petitioners house etc.
at Placentia is properly the King's, and it is in the power
of the British Governor to seize all the same for your
Majesty, which will be his inevitable ruin. Prays for
H.M. order, that he may return to Placentia with his
vessel to take possession of all his said habitation,
in order to carry on his fishing trade, and if any difficulty
therein to have the liberty of selling it to any of H.M.
subjects, according to the promise of Her late Majesty,
etc. ¾ p. [C.O. 194, 5. Nos. 69, 69 i.; and 195, 6.
pp. 20–22.] |
| [Dec. 22.] |
124. Col. Vetch to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reasons for settling the main coast of Nova Scotia with all
imaginable speed. It is every way framed by nature to make one
of the greatest and most flourishing settlements in all America.
The soil is very rich and will produce everything that Great
Britain will produce, besides timber for Naval Stores, etc. There
is a multitude of noble harbours, and a vast quantity of cod,
hake, pollock and haddock is at all times and for ever upon that
coast, and farr exceeds Newfoundland in all respects, etc., etc.
Endorsed, Recd. Read Dec. 22, 1714. 3½ closely written pp.
[C.O. 217, 1. No. 21.] |
Dec. 22.
St. James's. |
125. H.M. Warrant renewing appointment of John Rayner
as Attorney General of New York, "during our pleasure and his
residence " there etc. Countersigned, James Stanhope. Endorsed,
Recd. Read 6th Oct., 1715. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 1051. No. 6;
and 5, 190. pp. 40, 41.] |
| [Dec. 23.] |
126. Petition of William Cleeves to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Commander of the Gold and James of Poole,
petitioner took a ladeing of salt to the Island of St. Peters in
Newfoundland, and made a fishing voyage there last summer and
was Admiral of the harbour. Finding himself agreived by the
trading and fishing of severall French shipps that arrived at that
harbour that fishing season from France contrary to the statute
for encouraging the trade to Newfoundland, he at severall tymes by
letters advised Lt. Governor Moody. He received from Capt.
Taverner enclosed order from Lt. Governor Moody. On Aug.
30th he showed this to Taverner and told him that 42 hhds. of
salt had been landed out of one Capt. Carlos shipp in that harbour,
which belongs to France. Taverner replied it was by his order,
as was also 80 hhds. loaded on board a shalloway to go to
Placentia. Petitioner said it was to the great prejudice of the
faire English traders and partickerly to him and his owners, for
that he was forced to land 300 hhds. of his owners' salt for want
of sale, although he had offered to sell it at 1¼ quintals per hhd.
On Sept. 7th there was landed out of another French ship at St.
Peter's 1,500 hhds. of salt, which the French commander said
was for Capt. Taverner. Mons. Roger a French factor from
France likewise told petitioner, Sept. 13th, that he had given
Taverner 10 hhds. of fish oyle (which petitioner brought home
consigned to Taverner) and was to give him 100 hhds. of salt,
which petitioner avers was for conniving at Roger's shipping off
the fish he had that season purchased with wine, brandy, etc.
Encloses notes under Taverner's hand for money for surveighing
the French inhabitants plantations (which had all taken the oaths
of allegiance to H.M.) exacting from the owners 20s. for each
boates room, of which they made great complaint to petitioner,
etc., etc. Gives other instances of landing of French salt countenanced by Capt. Taverner. Prays that a stop be put to such
unlawful proceedure by mercenary persons, which inflicts much
damage on English traders, etc. Signed, Wm. Cleeves. Endorsed,
Recd. Read 23rd Dec., 1714. 1 large p. Enclosed, |
|
126. i. Lt. Governor Moody to Capt. Cleeves. Placentia, July,
3, 1714. I have sent Capt. Taverner to find out the
French ships which you told me were fishing in some by
places. He brings my order that no French ship shall
breake bulks, sell any merchandize whatsoever, which
I desire you will see put up publickly, they shall not
carry any oyle away if English ships will purchase it
of them, neither shall they do anything to the prejudice
of the English ships or trade. And if any French ships
do land any merchandize that you think is not an
advantage to the English, I would have you seize it
and send me word, etc. Signed, J. Moody. Copy. 1 p. |
|
126. ii., iii. Copies of bills, referred to in covering letter, given
by French inhabitants of Bonne Esperance to Capt.
Taverner for surveying their plantations. Two slips. |
|
126. iv. Fishing Admirals of St. Peters to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Complain of the fishing and trading
of French ships, ut supra. St. Peters, Sept. 10, 1714.
Signed, Wm. Cleeves, Admiral, P. Tupper, ViceAdmiral, Saml. Riggs, R. Ad. 1 p. |
|
126. v.(a) Complaint by Wm. Cleeves, before the Vice and
Rear Admiral, Sept. 1, 1714, that Capt. Taverner
hindered his mate from receiving some fish from John
Vildew (Ville-Dieu) of Grand Banck, Aug. 21, 1714,
as a debt due to Capt. Cleeves. Capt. Taverner said he
had power to do so, but refused to show it. Signed, P.
Tupper, Saml. Biggs. |
|
126. v. (b) Copy of acknowledgement of above debt. Signed,
Jean Ville-Dieu. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 5. Nos. 55, 55 i.–v.] |
| [Dec. 23.] |
127. Capt. Cleeves scheme of the Fishery of the Island of
St. Peter's, Newfoundland, 1714. Fishing ships, English 3,
French 2. Sack Ships, English 1, French 2. Fish made by
English ships, 3,300; French, 3,150; Inhabitants, 2,800, etc.
Signed, Wm. Cleeves. Endorsed as preceding. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 194,
5. No. 56.] |
| Dec. 25. |
128. Petty expences of the Board of Trade, Michaelmas to
Christmas, Stationer's and Post Office accounts, etc. [C.O. 388, 76.
Nos. 182, 184, 186.] |
Dec. 27.
London. |
129. Richard Harris to Mr. Popple. Encloses following.
Signed, Ricd. Harris. Endorsed, Recd. 27th Dec., 1714, Read
Jan. 7, 17 14/15. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
129. i. Christopher Hayne to Richard Harris. Encloses following papers relateing to the West India trade and cutting
of logwood. By them it appears what ye sentiments of
former times were thereon, setting forth that unless
we had some tolerable security to traffick into those
parts and satisfaction made for the severall seizures of
ships and goods we should be pluck't into a war in
ye West Indies, it being deem'd contrary to ye Treaty
made for that part of the world betwixt ye two Crowns,
and satisfaction seems to be insisted on even to ye
granting letters of reprisal to the proprietors complaining
if ye same was refused at Madrid. As to ye practice
and right of cutting of logwood that appears to have
been asserted and even a prior right of possession laid
claime to some parts where the Spanyards have none
and H.M. subjects have had long abode and residence.
From what account these papers afford it may be
supposed that ye great complaints made against ye
Spanyards relateing to our tradeing and cutting of
logwood mett with some redress and a tolerable security
for ye future since from that time to ye breaking out of
ye war which was about 30 years those greate complaints
ceased. So that their and our clashing interests in
those parts being reconciled thereon (which happening
imediately after the Treaty) the same in some measure
may be look't upon as part or effect thereof. The said
treaty was the first (wholly new and short) made for
that part of the world, a countrey then and long before
look't on but as a comon waste, and different European
nations meeting there claimed and disputed an equal
right. Signed, Christopher Haynes. 1⅓ pp. |
|
129. ii. The case of the proposall for preventing the French
South Sea Trade from being carried on from France
provided the English clandestine trade with the Spaniards
in the West Indies be also prevented. (v. Oct. 28).
By the articles of Peace France is debarred from tradeing
in the South Sea, or otherwise then on the foot trade
was carried on in the time of King Charles II.; whereby
is meant the method of trade by the gallions and flota
in which the English and other nations had their share.
But there is noe provision made to debarr the English
or all or any other nation from trading in the Spanish
north sea where it hath been carried on by most
European nations during all the time of King Charles
II. and long before yet with great hazzard being
subject to be made prize of and to be seized by all
Spanish vessells they meet. And if measures were
taken to prevent English from trading in that manner;
the consequence would be that the English traders with
their estates vessells and effects would remove to
Cuirassoa under the Dutch or to St. Thomas under the
Danes a free port to all nations and carry on the same
trade from thence as they used to doe from our Collonies.
If such an experiment should be made on our part
'twould be difficult ever hereafter to recover any
share thereof againe, nor would it answer any purpose
to exclude ourselves and suffer the trade to be carried
on by other Nations. But while France is making
this offer mutually to stop this pretended clandestine
trade they have begun a constant regular trade from
Spain itselfe directly to all the ports in the Spanish
West Indies under licences granted in Spanish names to
the subjects of France only; soe that there will be no
occasion for gallions or flota to goe any longer nor any
reason for the French to carry on clandestine trade
in the South Sea when they can goe into all the ports
in the North Sea with licence whereby the South Seas
may be furnished in halfe the time and at a less expence
then goeing about the Terra del Fuogo. But on our
part noe licences are to be had and noe gallions goe,
soe as we don't now bring home silver enough to carry
on our East India trade, nor is there any hopes left us
of any but by this pretended clandestine trade. Tis
presumed that under the name of this clandestine trade
is alsoe understood our logwood trade, against which,
this proposall seems to be directly pointed, which is soe
essentially necessary in dying our manufactures that
it would be of the last and worst consequence to be
deprived thereof, forasmuch as the Spaniards made us
pay £100 per tun and upwards for it before we found it
out and cut it ourselves which now costs us nothing but
fetching, imploys a good number of ships and seamen
and proves a great help in the ballance of trade abroad.
The parting with this article would be to part with a
limb from the body in respect to our woollen and other
manufactures; for if dying becomes dear or difficult
the manufactures do soe too, and our great rivals
the French who would have licences for fetching this
comodity would thereby be enabled in all respects to
outdoe us in the colours of dyed goods, the art of dying a
good colour often gaining preference over a bad in most
comoditys. The three great articles in dying are logwood, cochineal and indigo without some of which in
mixture scarce any comodity can be dyed especially
for Turkey, Italy, Russia or for other countrys; all
which will be in effect in the hands of France and
the two first exclusive if we should part with the logwood
cutting; as for indigo they infinitely outdoe our planters
in Jamaica by that of Hispaniola and Guatimala, being
much better and can have it for halfe what wee can by
reason of the fruitfulness of the soil and tis well-known
cochineal is noe where to be had but in Mexico and they
may as well prevent the use of it to other nations as
wee doe our wool soe that this proposall will wholly
center in favour of France and prejudice to England,
and the parting therewith would be giving away the
substance for the shadow in regard we can hope for noe
other then clandestine trade with the Spaniards in
America it being wholly fallen into French hands in
Europe. And it seems rather absolutely necessary to
support this pretended clandestine trade and our logwood
cutters who are near 2,000 men by all necessary methods
then on any account whatever to give it up. 1¾ pp. |
|
129. iii. Extract of letters written by Lord Arlington to Sir
William Godolphin, Ambassador, at Madrid, giving
an account of what Sir Tho. Lynch, Lt. Governor of
Jamaica, wrote 1671–1674. (Cf. C.S.P. 1674, No. 1335,
etc.) [C.O. 388, 17. Nos. 86, 86 i.–iii.; and 389, 24.
pp. 501–514.] |
Dec. 28.
Whitehall. |
130. Lord Townshend to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. You are to enquire into the facts
therein represented and report your opinion to be laid before His
Majesty. Signed, Townshend. Endorsed, Recd. 30th Dec., 1714,
Read 3rd Jan., 17 14/15. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
130. i. Petition of Governor Lowther to the King. Former
Governors of Barbados appointed whom they thought
fit to be their Secretaries, who received fees as salaries.
Prays to be allowed to appoint his own. 1 p. [C.O. 28,
14. Nos. 28, 28 i.; and 29, 13. pp. 155–157.] |
Dec. 29.
Whitehall. |
131. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Townshend.
Enclose following etc,. We are preparing the necessary Instructions.
Annexed, |
|
131. i. Draft of a Commission for George Earl of Orkney to
be Governor of Virginia. In the usual form. Westminster, March 10, 1714. [C.O. 5, 1364. pp. 66–88.] |
Dec. 29.
Whitehal. |
132. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Townshend.
Enclose following. We are preparing the necessary Instructions,
etc. Annexed, |
|
132. i. Draught of H.M. Commission to Governor Lord A.
Hamilton to be Governor of Jamaica. In the usual
form. Dated, Westminster Jan. 12th, 17 14/15. [C.O.
138, 14. pp. 146–165.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehal. |
133. Mr. Popple to Sir John Colleton. The Board desires
to speak with you upon your former objections to Mr. John
Colleton (v. Dec. 9th). [C.O. 29, 13. p. 154.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehal. |
134. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Townshend.
Immediately upon the receipt of your Lordship's letter of the
22nd inst., we apply'd ourselves to consider of the draught
of Instructions for Mr. Methuen there enclos'd, and finding
it necessary to consult the merchants upon several matters,
and they desiring time to answer matters of such importance,
we have again writ to them to make all possible dispatch, etc.
Autograph signatures. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 4. No. 6.] |
