|
Aug. 5.
Whitehall. |
645. Mr. Secretary Craggs to the Board of Ordnance. H.M.
has been pleased to approve your report of 10th Sept. relating to
the building of forts etc. in Nova Scotia and Placentia, and
accordingly you are to advance £200 to Govr. Phillips, and send
from hence nails and tools for the purposes mentioned etc.
Signed, J. Craggs. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 46. No. 32.] |
Aug. 6.
Kensington. |
646. H.M. Warrant continuing licence of absence to John
Cornelius, Naval Officer of Barbadoes, for two years more.
Countersigned, J. Craggs. Copy. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 182, 183.] |
Aug. 6.
Kensington. |
647. H.M. Warrant granting leave of absence to William
Thomas, of the Council of Antegoa, for one year longer for the
recovery of his health. Copy. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 184, 185.] |
Aug. 7.
Whitehall. |
648. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Enquires if Keys and the
accounts referred to by Governor Shute, 26th June, have arrived
etc. [C.O. 5, 915. p. 179.] |
| [Aug. 7.] |
649. William Nuvine to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
In behalf of Arthur Freeman and Dorothy his wife petitions for
speedy report upon Act of Antigua to enable Arthur Freeman etc.
Endorsed, Recd., Read 7th Aug., 1718. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 12.
No. 110.] |
Aug. 7.
New York. |
650. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses duplicates of 7th July. Continues:—Your Lordships
have also an account of the Revenue of the Jerseys since my
administration. But there is no Auditor for that Province.
As also such an account as I could at this time procure of the
Revenue of this Province. But the Treasurer absolutely refuses
to have the accounts audited by the Deputy Auditor here, being
by the acts made accountable to the Governour, Councill and
Assembly which is the method of audit in both Provinces. I told
him in Council that whatever obligation he was laid under by the
acts of Assembly they could never be supposed to dissolve the
obligation he lay under to account to the King for money granted
to him in the manner he should please to prescribe. But Mr.
Clarke the Deputy Auditor has given a more full account to the
Auditor General of that matter than I can doe. I judged that the
Representation to her late Majesty from the Governour, Councill
and Assembly in Lord Cornbury's time might give your Lordships
some further information of the causes of the continuation of the
old currency of silver in these Provinces and have for that reason
herewith transmitted it. The account of the patents for lands is
not so perfect as to be fitt to be sent by this ship which goes to
Bristoll, but by one bound speedily for London it shall be sent.
There was little land left in this Province for me to grant except
that resumed from Captain Evans and of that there remained
little besides the high-lands which can be put to no manner of use
but furnishing firewood. The former Governours and Coll.
Ingoldsby in his short time haveing granted away all that was of
any value in that tract. The reservation of quit rent is always
conformable to the Instructions etc. Could we extend our
frontiers there would be land enough. By last post from Boston
I have a letter from London informing me that one Mr. Baker
a merchant there has had a sum of money remitted him from hence
to enable him to oppose some or all our money bills at home. If
we may guesse at his employers by his correspondents they are
the same persons who have dureing all my time strenuously
opposed all publick settlement and support of Government, and
if I had not had the good luck to have them left out in the last
elections for City members there never had been any such settlement, and I am afraid if ever they get themselves chosen again
there will be no further. This I beg may induce your Lordships
not to give an easy ear to the suggestions of such men but to lett
the people here have an opportunity to answer for themselves in
a matter which affects their very being or at least their being
happy. Your Lordships cannot but observe the vast increase of
trade and shipping here which is the true cause of the unaccountable rage of some of these men who formerly monopolized what is
now become so diffusive. Our money bills are equal to silver
over the greatest part of the English Continent and 30 per cent.
better than the Country bills upon the Change at Boston it self,
Our credit better than any of our Neighbours, a more universal
unfeign'd duty and firm affection to H.M. and the present happy
settlement then is perhaps to be found in any one part of his
Dominions, all which may be endanger'd by the ruinous ends
which these men are pursueing. Whilst the last Debt bill was
prepareing in the Assembly the Chief of these men being by chance
or design at that time one of the Grand jury for the City perswaded
the rest to sign an adress to me against the passing of that bill
when it was presented I gave for answer that the bill was not yet
before me but I should lay their Representation before the Council
and Assembly whom it more immediatly concerned, which accordingly I did. The Assembly sent for them in custodie and justly
reprimanded them for their fault. Experience has show'n that
the suggestions in that Address are groundless and false. I doubt
not but Mr. Baker has laid it before your Lordships for I am
informed that he has laid it on the tables of most Coffeehouses
in the City. If your Lordships would but be pleas'd to look back
into the affairs of this Province dureing my time and take a view
of the difficultys I have had to struggle with occasion'd in a great
measure by these very men, and the good luck or art I have had to
get the better of them, and compare the former confusion with
the present happy tranquillity I am confident your goodnesse
will induce you to make some allowance for failures of small
consequence if any there be, and to continue your protection
and patronage to me against the rage of a small number of
restless men who have nothing in view but their own private
interests or the gratifying their resentment etc. P.S. The Acts
last past are not yet ingrossed. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed,
Recd. 8th Oct., 1718, Read 23rd April, 1719. 4 pp. Enclosed, |
|
650. i. Account of families of Germans settled on Hudson's
River. 394 families = 1601, not including widows and
orphans. Signed, Joshua Kocherthal, John Fred.
Hager (?). Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
650. ii. Account of the Revenue of New York July 1715–Aug.
1718. Receipts: £19, 898 15s. 7½d. Expenditure: £17, 683
15s. 5½d. Signed, A. D. Peyster, New Yorke, 7th Aug.,
1718. Same endorsement. 2 pp. |
|
650. iii. Address of the Governor Lord Cornbury, Councill and
Assembly of New York to the Queen, petitioning against
the Act for ascertaining the rates of foreign coins etc.
(v. C.S.P. 1708–9. No. 157 i). Same endorsement.
Copy. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1051. Nos. 84, 84 i,; and
(without enclosures) 5, 1124. pp. 72–76.] |
| [Aug. 7.] |
651. Account of Revenue of New Jersey, 23rd June 1710–23rd
Sept., 1718. Totals: Receipts, £9951 4s. 3d. Expenditure, £9220
2s. 6d. Signed, Thomas Gordon, Receiver General. Endorsed,
Recd. (with preceding) 8th Oct., 1718, Read 23rd April, 1719.
2 pp. [C.O. 5, 971. No. 80.] |
Aug. 8.
Whitehall. |
652. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Hamilton.
Acknowledge letters of 10th April and 6th May. Continue:—We
have laid before his Majesty what you write in relation to the
settlement the Danes had begun to make at St. Johns, and suppose
you will soon know H.M. pleasure thereupon. In the mean time
we send you the inclosed copy of a Memorial lately presented by
the Danish Envoy (v. 3rd July), not only for your information but
that you may transmit to us such observations upon it as may be
of use hereafter. And particularly that you may send us the best
information you can of the time, when the Danes first settled
St. Thomas, whether any opposition was then made to it? And
upon what account it was they were suffer'd to make such settlement. Whether it was by connivance or permission? We
desire also to know as soon as possible whether you have yet
received any satisfactory answer from the Governour of Porto
Rico to the demand you made in behalf of H.M. subjects that were
carried off Crabb Island. We have had under consideration an
Act pass'd at Mountserrat the 27th of April last, for quieting
possessions etc., which by the inclosed report of Mr. West, one of
H.M. Council at Law, is not fit for H.M. approbation (v. 27th May).
But as the Act may be of use for quieting the possessions of
severall persons in that Island, we shall let it lye by, till the Assembly
shall have had an opportunity of passing another not liable to
those objections. Upon further consideration of the Act passed
at Antigua, to prohibit the importation of foreign sugar etc., we
have thought necessary to lay the same before H.M. for his
disallowance. We should be glad to know from you whether the
soil of foreign Colonies where sugar canes are planted be more
valuable than that of H.M. Islands under your Government and
particularly whether the lands of Guardaloupe or Martinique be
preferable to the lands in the late French part of St. Christophers?
But as there are likewise many other matters of consequence to
H.M. service, whereof we should be punctually informed according
to your Instructions, we have reduced the same into certain queries
(enclosed), to which we desire to have an answer as soon as
conveniently may be, and that for the future you will transmit an
annual account to the Board which may answer the aforesd.
queries. Annexed, |
|
652. i. Queries to Genl. Hamilton. (i.) Number of inhabitants,
freemen, women and children, servants, white and black,
in each of the several Islands under your Government?
(ii.) To what degree are those numbers encreased or
decreased since the last estimate? (iii.) Whether any
of the inhabitants have removed, and what you conceive
most proper to prevent such removal? (iv.) What
trade is there with any other place besides this Kingdom,
and from whence are the said Islands furnish'd with
supplies (particularly of any manufactures) that they
were wont to have from Great Britain? (v.) How is
the trade of the said Islands encreased or decayed of
late years, and the reason? (vi.) What are the present
methods us'd to prevent illegall trade? and what further
methods do you think adviseable for that purpose?
(vii.) What number of ships etc. are there belonging to
the said Islands, where built, and what number of
seafaring men? (viii.) What manufactures are settled
in the said Islands? (ix.) What is reckon'd to be the
annual produce one year with another of the severall
commodities in each of the said Islands? (x.) What
trade have they with any foreign Plantations? How is
that trade carried on? What commodities do they
send to, or receive from foreign Plantations? We
further desire that you would send us the best accounts
you can possibily get concerning the foreign Plantations
in your neighbourhood; at what times and by what
means they were first possessed? What is the number
of the inhabitants and of the Militia or what other
military force is in each of these Plantations? What
are the severall commodities produced in them? and
how much is the annual produce one year with another
of such commodities? What trade is carried on to and
from these Plantations? What form of Government is
establish'd in them and what methods are used to
encourage and improve the products and the trade
thereof? [C.O. 153, 13. pp. 352–373.] |
Aug. 11.
N. York. |
653. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 8th
Oct., 1718, Read 23rd April, 1719. Holograph. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
653. i. Account of grants of lands in New York made during
Governor Hunter's administration. Same endorsement.
Torn. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1051. Nos. 85, 85 i.; and
(without enclosure) 5, 1124. p. 77.] |
Aug. 12.
Kensington. |
654. H.M. Warrant granting licence of absence to Valentine
Morris, Lt. Col. of the Regiment of Foot in the Leewards Islands,
for one year as a Member of the Council there etc. Countersigned,
J. Craggs. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 183, 184.] |
Aug. 12.
Offley Place, Hertfordshire. |
655. Sir. H. Penrice to Mr. Popple. Explains that, owing to
absence from London, he cannot attend the Board as requested,
7th Aug. etc. Signed, H. Penrice. Endorsed, Recd. 13th, Read
14th Aug., 1718. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 867. No. 5.] |
Aug. 14.
Whitehall. |
656. Mr. Popple to Sir Henry Penrice. Reply to 12th Aug.
The occasion of the Lords Commissrs'. desiring to speak with you,
arose from a letter from Governor Shute (v. 26th June), wherein
he says that he had tryed some pirates, which must have been by
virtue of a Commission issued for that purpose by the late Queen
directed to Col. Dudley or the Govr. of the Massachusetts Bay for
the time being, and adds that the had the opinion of the Judge of
the Court of Admiralty at home thereupon, which their Lordps.
do believe may be a mistake, because Sir E. Northey was of opinion
that all the Commissions sent to the several Governors in the
Plantations impowering them to try pirates in King William's
time, determined by his demise, and advised the same should be
renewed upon the late Queen's accession to the Throne, and they
were renewed accordingly; However their Lordps. desire that you
would please to let them know what questions Col. Shute did
propose to you on this subject, if you can recollect the same. [C.O.
5, 915. pp. 180, 181.] |
Aug. 14.
Virginia. |
657. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Abstract. Encloses Journals and Acts of the last
Session. Observations upon the Acts for settling fees and for
granting £1000 for maintaining scholars at the College of William
and Mary, and some private Acts. Continues:—There were two
others offerred for my assent etc., viz. An Act for dividing
Westopher Parish and an Act for the better securing the payment
of levys. The first framed upon the representation of a part of
that parish against the declared sentiments of the greater number
of the parishioners, and has so much of a party spirit in it, that
it seems for that very reason it pass'd the Council so easily now,
when another Bill verbatim the same was unanimously rejected
by them last Session as unjust. The last, having been transformed into various shapes by both Houses, is at last so ill liked
by many who voted for it, that I judged it not amiss to give them
time to consider farther of it, in their next Session, etc. He
expected that the Council would have promoted the renewing the
Treaty with the Five Nations, but they delivered their opinion,
that no measures should be taken with those Indians untill they
should break into open hostilitys. He therefore proposed to
prorogue the Assembly by Proclamation, but the Council being
of opinion that an adjourned Assembly could not be prorogued
without a meeting, he let them meet and adjourns them by short
prorogations, to have them ready in case of any disturbances by
the Indians, "that they may be in a readiness to apply a remedy
to an evil, which they cannot be perswaded to prevent." Submits
this question of proroguing Assemblies under adjournment to
the Board's determination. "If the Parliamentary custom of
Great Britain, is to be followed here in cases of adjournment, the
same may as well be urged as a precedent to restrain a Governor
from proroguing the Assembly at all without a meeting of the
Members: and how great a burthen that would bring upon a
country which pays so largely, as this does, both for the attendance
and travelling expences of their Burgesses, is very obvious" etc.
Refers to Minutes of Council concerning the behaviour of the
Council to himself. They distinguish between the opinions they
give as Virginians and as Counsellors to the King. "This is the
very ground-work of our discord; for while I perceive the Creolean
is uppermost in all their judgments, I cannot but take them for
unfaithful Councelors; and while they prove me to be staunch for
H.M. rights, they will think me a Governor not for their purpose,
and for that reason strive to blast my credit" etc. Refers to a
new contest, "which Mr. Ludwell and Mr. Commissary Blair
have begun to set on foot, which is to dispute with the Crown
the right of supplying the Churches of Virginia with Ministers;
for I having lately preferred to a better benefice, the incumbent
of a parish where Mr. Ludwell and Mr. Blair's brother are Vestrymen, they invited a Minister from another living, and fix'd him
in their Parish by a vote of their Vestry etc. I laid this matter
before the Council 30th July, where Mr. Ludwell and Mr. Blair
strenuously opposed the powers granted H.M., urging the practice
of the Country in placing and displacing their Ministers, to be of
more force etc. This pretended right of patronage, has no other
foundation than a clause in an Act made in 1662 entituled,
Ministers to be inducted," etc. Desires Attorney General's opinion
on this case. Refers to enclosures. The Proclamation prohibiting
the unlawfull concourse of persons who have been guilty of piracy
was occasioned by the great resort to this Colony, of certain
pyrates who being cast away in North Carolian, surrendered there
upon H.M. Proclamation; but as there's no great faith to be given
to the forc'd submission of men of those principles, it seem'd
necessary in a country so thinly inhabited as this is, to restrain
their carrying arms, or associating in too great numbers, lest
they should seize upon some vessell and betake themselves again
to their old trade as soon as their money was spent. There are
yet diverse pyrats on this coast, but the men of war cruising about
our Capes, has prevented their taking any of our inward or outward bound ships, etc. Refers to enclosed account of grants of
lands etc. Continues:—The Memorial mention'd in your Lordps.'
letter concerning the French settlement at Louisiana was ommitted
to be sent, etc. I have often regretted that after so many years
as these countrys have been seated, no attempts have been made
to discover the sources of our rivers, nor to establish any correspondence with those Nations of Indians to the Westward of us,
even after the certain knowledge of the progress made by the
French in surrounding us with their settlements: The cheif aim
of my expedition over the great mountains in 1716 was to satisfy
myself whether it was practicable that way to come at the Lakes.
Having on that occasion found an easy passage over that great
ridge of mountains, wch. before were judged unpassable, I also
discovered by the relation of Indians who frequent those parts,
that from the Pass, where I was, it is but three days march to a
great Nation of Indians living on a river which discharges itself
in the Lake Erie etc. Describes route of the French from Montreal
to Mouville, their chief town in their new settlement of Louisiana.
Continues:—By this communication, and the forts they have
already built, the British Plantations are in a manner surrounded.
By their commerce with the numerous Nations of Indians seated
on both sides of the Lakes, they may not only engross the whole
skin trade, but may when they please, send out such bodys of
Indians on the back of these Plantations, as may greatly distress
H.M. subjects here: and should they multiply their settlements
along these Lakes so as to join their dominions of Canada to their
new Colony of Louisiana, they might even possess themselves of
any of these Plantations they pleased. Nature tis true has
formed a barrier for us, by that long chain of mountains which
run from the back of South Carolina as far as New York, and which
are only passable in some few places: but even that natural
defence may prove rather destructive to us, if the passes are not
possess'd by us, before they are known to them. To prevent the
dangers which threaten H.M. Dominions here from the growing
power of these neighbours, nothing seems to me of more consequence than that now while the Nations are at peace, and while
the French are yet uncapable of possessing all that vast tract
which lyes on the back of these Provinces, we should attempt
some settlements on the Lakes, and at the same time possess ourselves of those passes of the Great Mountains which are necessary
to preserve a communication with such settlements. As the
Lake Erie lyes almost in the center of the French communication,
and (as I observed before) not above five days march from the
late discovered passage of our Great Mountains; that seems the
most proper for forming a settlement on. By which we shal not
only share with the French in the commerce and friendship of the
Indians on the banks of the Lakes; but may be able to cutt or
disturb the communication between Canada and Louisiana, if a
war should happen to break out. If such a settlement were once
made, I can't see how the French could dispute the right, seeing
in lands uninhabited, the Law of Nations vests a title in the first
occupant; and should they think fitt to attempt disposessing us
by force, we are nearer to support, than they to attack. As this
country is the nearest of any other to furnish out and supply such a
settlement, and as I flatter myself, that I have attain'd a more
exact knowledge than any other Englishman yet hath, of the
scituation of the Lakes, and the way through which they are most
accessible over land, I shal be ready to undertake the executing
this project, if H.M. thinks fitt to approve of it etc. The quit-rents
of Virginia would answer the charge. Proposes, to begin with,
"to reconnoître the country, and find out a proper post to be
fortifyed on the Lakes," etc. Set out, Spotswood Papers II., 286.
Signed, A. Spotswood. Endorsed, Recd. 3rd, Read 7th Oct., 1718.
15 pp. Enclosed, |
|
657. i. Copies of Acts of Virginia and Governor's Instructions
etc. relating to the collating to ecclesiastical benefices.
Same endorsement. 2½ pp. |
|
657. ii. Proclamations by Lt. Governor Spotswood (a) for
publishing the repeal of the Acts for preventing frauds in
tobacco payments and for the better regulation of the Indian
trade, and (b) prohibiting trade with the French settlements in America. Williamsburgh, 12th Nov., 1717.
2 pp. |
|
657. iii. Proclamations by Lt. Governor Spotswood (a) prohibiting the harbouring of deserters from H.M. ships of
war, Nov. 13, 1717; (b) publishing the repeal of the Acts
prohibiting the unlawfull assembly of Quakers, and
concerning forreign debts, 14th May, 1718; (c) prohibiting
the unlawfull concourse of such persons as have been
guilty of pyracy, 10th July, 1718; and (d) proroguing
the General Assembly, Williamsburgh, 30th July, 1718.
Same endorsement. 3½ pp. |
|
657. iv. List of patents granted for land in Virginia by Lt.
Governor Spotswood. States names, dates, acreage
and counties and upon what consideration granted.
Includes a grant of 46½ acres in Gloucester County to
John Lewis, John Smith, and Jno. Washington junr.,
for importation rights, 28th April, 1711. Same endorsement. 11th June, 1718. 24½ pp. |
|
657. v. Account of H.M. Revenue of quit-rents in Virginia, 25th
April, 1717–1718. Total received, (including £3766 1s. 4d.
brought forward and arrears) = £6937 2s. 0¾d. Total
disbursed, £1408 1s. 4¾d. Signed, J. Roscow, Rr. Genll.,
John Gryme, Depty. Audr., A. Spotswood. Same
endorsement. 3 pp. |
|
657. vi. Account of H.M. Revenue of 2s. per hhd., Virginia, 25th
Oct., 1717–25th April, 1718. Receipts, £1144 4s. 11¼d.
Payments, £2192 15s. Signed and endorsed as preceding.
2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1318. Nos. 50, 50 i.–vi.; and (without
enclosures) 5, 1365. pp. 142–169.] |
Aug. 16.
Offley Flace. |
658. Sir H. Penrice to Mr. Popple. Reply to 14th Aug. Some
time ago my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty sent me a
letter from Governor Shute relating to some pirates that were
taken, desiring to know what shou'd be done wth. them; it being
apprehended that the Act 11° and 12° W. III. for the more effectual
suppressing of pirates, was expired. My report was to this effect.
That the Act was continued by an Act 5° Anna, and since
continued by another Act 1mo Georgii, and that it is still in
force; and that pirates may be tried in the Plantations by a
Commission under the Great Seal of Great Britain, or under the
Great Seal of the Admiralty, in manner and form directed by that
Act of Parliament. But I am very certain it was never proposed
to me to report my opinion whether the Commission issued by
the late Queen for the trial of pirates, to Coll. Dudley, or to the
Govr. of that Province for the time, determin'd by the demise of
the late Queen, or whether it ought to be renew'd upon H.M.
happy accession to the Throne, etc. Refers to Admiralty for
copies of correspondence etc. Signed, H. Penrice, Endorsed,
Recd. 18th, Read 19th Aug., 1718. Addressed. Postmark.
1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 867. No. 6; and 5, 915. pp. 181–183.] |
Aug. 19.
Whitehall. |
659. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Encloses copy of Sir H.
Penrice's letter 16th Aug. etc. and desires him to move the Lords
Commrs. of the Admiralty to inform the Lords Commrs. for
Trade of what passed at their Board concerning this matter. [C.O.
5, 915. pp. 183, 184.] |
| [Aug. 19.] |
660. Extracts of several letters from Carolina. (a) South
Carolina, 17th Dec., 1717. Our Assembly by a late Act has
encreased the duty of goods imported here etc. There is likewise
a late Act that 18 months after the ratification thereof lays an
additional duty upon negroes of £40 etc. Negroes will now fetch
a better price than ever etc. The Act for carrying on the Indian
trade by the publick is continued for 5 years which in the opinion
of many is not thought to be for the advantage of the country.
We are very much afraid we shall by that means loose in a few
years all our Indians who will goe over to the French interest and
become greater enemies than ever, the Act is in itself a monopoly
and the country has no further to doe in it then to oblige such as
should goe amongst the Indians to trade to give security for their
good behaviour among the Indians and the Indians themselves are
allready averse to this manner of carrying on the trade amongst
them and deam it as a hardship imposed upon them. There have
allready been some vessells in the Bay of Mexico Peneicola and
Moville with our Indian tradeing goods and have sold them to
the French and Spaniards and are return'd hither with considerable quantities of skins and more will be going, tho' there is now
since passed a Law to prevent them, here are in port some
Bristoll man who now talks of fitting out directly from Bristol
to these places which will prove of very evil consequence to this
country and by which means we may loose all our Indians and this
chiefly by reason that the country has engrossed the whole trade
thro' a mercenary and ignorant temper which reigns in most of
our people. 'Tis highly reasonable this should be remedied by
disannulling the Act at home as they have done that of the
Virginia Company for carrying on that trade by a Company
Virginia, our Assembly has at length posted the Act for cancelling
their bills of credite, this next March is to be paid in a tax of
£47,000 of which £24,000 is to sink the same of bills and the
remaining £27,000 to pay of sundry orders and debts contracted
by the Publick. In March 1718 is to be paid in another tax of
£30,000 to sink the same value in bills, so that by March come 12
months will be cancelled £54,000 bills, unless they'l think fitt to
break again thro' their Act and forfeit their publick faith, etc.
(b) South Carolina, 13th June, 1718. Capt. Mede sailed over
our barr 18th May in company with Capt. Hudson and Capt.
Clarck in the Crowley, the latter put back for his passengers and
boats that he lost goeing over the barr and the 22nd as he was just
proceeding from the barr was unfortunately taken by two pirates,
one a large French ship mounted with 40 guns and the other a
sloop mounted with 12 guns with two other sloopes for their
tenders having in all about 300 men all English the ship is
commanded by one Theach and the sloop by one Richards who
have been upon this account in those and other vessells about
two years and is the same sloop and company that was off of our
barr the last summer and took two vessells inward bound they
now took besides Capt. Clarck, Capt. Craigh in a small ship
belonging to this place as he went over the barr bound for London
and the William Capt. Hewes from Weymouth. Whilst these
ships were in their possession they sent one of Clark's passengers
with Richards and another person master of one of their tenders
to towne with a message to send them a chest of medecines
which if was refused by the Government they would imediately
put to death all the persons that were in their possession and
burn their ships etc. and threatn'd to come over the barr for to
burn the ships that lay before the Towne and to beat it about our
ears, as the Town is at present in a very indifferent condition of
making much resistance if them or any other enemye should
attempt it and that we were very desirious to gett them off our
coast by fair means which we could not doe otherwise for want
of such helps as other Governments are supply'd with from the
Crown, the chest of medecines was sent etc. Soon after they
dismissed our people and their ships having first taken from the
two vessells that were homeward bound what little money they
had on board and all their provisions and from the two others the
same and distroy'd most of their cargoes etc. all for pure mischief
sake and to keep their hands in. They made no farther stay
(thanks to God) but are gone to the Northward etc. Those
people are so accustomed to this easy way of living that nothing
can reclaime and most of those that took up with the Proclamation
are now return'd to the same imployment which has rather proved
an encouragement than anything else, there now being three for
one there was before the Proclamation was put out. They are
now come to such a head that there is no trading in these parts,
it being almost impossible to avoid them and nothing but a
considerable force can reduce them which at first might have
been done at an easy charge, had the Government but rightly
appraised what sort of people they generally are and how most of
them that first turn'd pirates have formerly lived being such as
had always sailed in these parts in privateers and lived in the
Bay of Campechia they had not we believe thought that a pardon
would have supresed them that being of so near akin to their
present way of living. Since they are gone severall vessells are
come in amongst which is a brigantine from Angola with 86 negroes
which was mett with by the pirates they took from her 14 of their
best negroes, she belongs to Bristol, a ship from Boston is also
come in which was likewise plunder'd by them, etc. The Spaniards
and French are very industrious in improveing their settlements
in these parts and will stick at no charges to bring the Indians
entirely under their Goverment, the latter are like to become
very powerful at their settlements of Mobille in a very short time.
By the care our Government takes of its Plantations one woulds
imagine that they are of no further concern to the Government
than they are an opportunity of advancing and gratifying a
Courtier or a considerable party man. The neglect of this upon
a sudden warr with any of neighbours it's greatly feared may prove
of the utmost ill consequence to the rest it being the only barrier
we have. Wee wish it may be thought of before it proves too
late, it cannot be expected that it can ever become a place well
settled under a Proprietory Government and able to defend itself
or of any securitye to our other Plantations etc. Endorsed,
Recd, (from Mr. Godin) 19th, Read 28th Aug., 1718. 5 pp.
[C.O. 5, 1265. No. 107.] |
Aug. 20.
Hampton Court. |
661. H.M. Warrant for John Gamble to be of the Council
of Antegoa in the room of Richard Oliver deceased. Countersigned,
J. Craggs. [C.O. 324, 33. p, 185.] |
| Aug. 20. |
662. J. Miranda to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Refers to Instructions to Governors 31st July, 1717. Continues:
In Feb. last my ship Hampstead English built was obliged to pay
at New York 3s. per. tonn pursuant to a Act of their Assembly
which lays a duty upon all English ships of 3s. per tonn and
excludes their plantacion built ships from paying the same.
The abovesaid ship being now departing to New York, prays
that instructions may be sent that this scandalous practice may
have an end etc. Signed, J. Miranda. Endorsed, Recd., Read
21st Aug., 1718. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1051. No. 72.] |
| Aug. 20. |
663. Mr. West to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reply to June 26. By the Act of New York for paying and
discharging several debts due from this Colony, to the persons therein
named etc., it is proposed to raise a fund sufficient to pay of all
the publick debts of ye said Colony, some of wch. are in the
preamble recited to be due to severall companies of soldiers (and
their families) who had been employ'd by ye Governmt. of ye said
Colony presently after ye Revolution, for the defense of the same;
and also to severall persons who at the same time had furnish'd
the Government with goods necessary for ye publick service,
for wch. debts no provision had ever been made etc. I have
been attended by several merchants of London trading to New
York. Their first objection is that several sums are to be paid
upon claims disallowed by the Act of 1714 etc. But I am of
opinion that the merchants of London are not proper to object
to what debts ought to be allow'd or disallow'd, that being a
thing which is absolutely in the power of the Generall Assembly
etc. The only head upon which the merchants can properly
object is by showing that the manner in wch. ye publick debts
are proposed to be paid will be prejudiciall to the trade of Great
Britain etc. It is certain that the only considerable sufferers by
it are the merchants of Great Britain who trade to that Province.
This Act raises money upon an anticipated fund wch. is appropriated for 17 years to come, during wch. terme no interest is
provided for these bills of credit nor any persons appointed (let
the necessityes of merchts. for want of money be never so great)
to pay any money upon the said bills during the time of their
circulation. So that the British traders to that country are by
their Factors, under pain of loosing their debts, oblidged to accept
of these bills in payment for their freight, goods etc. at par,
when they are upon the beforementioned account actually at 30,
40 and 50 pr. cent discount. By an order of your Lordpps.'
Board made about 10 or 11 years agoe, to ye end that ye merchants
of Great Britain might be at a certainty in the carrying on their
trade, it was made a generall rule to be observ'd by the Governors
of ye Plantations that 17 pwt. 12 qrs. of plate should pass current
but for 6s. sterling and no more being after ye rate of 6s. 10d.
pr. oz. But as it is represented to me (v. enclosure), by this
method of creating paper money silver is advanc'd from 6s. 10d.
to 9s. per oz., so that ye merchants for what goods they had sold
before ye issuing of these bills of credit, and for wch. their money
is still standing out must loose 33 p.c. And what is still a greater
hardship upon our British merchants the inhabitants of New York
take this further advantage, when a cargoe arrives in that Colony,
they knowing that ye long lying of a ship will eat out ye profitt
of the voyage and that the goods imported may not be proper
for any other Colony force the merchants to sell their goods at
the usuall price, for wch. they pay them in these bills of credit
at par, which being of no value in any other place, they are sure
of haveing them back again for their own commodities at their
own rates. It does not clearly appear to me, that ye merchants
can be any loosers in consequence of these bills, but only for the
debts now actually due, for I beleve all merchants in future
contracts will take care to proportion the price of goods to the
discount the bills of credit are at. By the Instruction of 31st
July, 1717, Governors are directed not to pass any law which
may anyways affect the trade or shiping of this Kingdom, unless
there be a clause therein declaring the same shall not be in force
untill it be approv'd by H.M. This Act does seem very materially
to affect the trade of this Kingdom, especially if it be considered
that it continues the customes etc. which commodities are
imported into that Colony by British shiping, and that imediatly
upon ye passing of this Act, Bills of Credit were in pursuance of
it struck and sent about for payment, which is a very material
variation from the method taken in 1714, when a bill of ye same
nature was pass'd, since in that bill there is a clause to this effect,
That none of the intended bills of credit should be struck or pass
current, before the Royall assent was signified etc. Which is a
caution I am of opinion ought in prudence to have been observ'd
in the drawing of this Bill. And it is indeed ye only objection
in point of law which I have unto it. All the others are perfectly
merchantile, and matters of a prudentiall consideration. From
the Governor's letter and the Agent it appears that the ends for
which the said money was given, were perfectly just and honourable, and that the money given to the Governor was to defray
the extraordinary or incidental charges of Government, which
happens in all countries and cannot be foreseen. And therefore
in that particular I am of opinion that his accepting the said
summe for those purposes is not contrary to the Instruction of
20th April, 1703 etc. Concurs with the Governor, that since the
bills of credit are actually current, they cannot now be called
in again without throwing the Colony into the utmost confusion.
Signed, Richd. West. Endorsed, Recd. 26th Aug., 1718, Read
22nd April, 1719. 4½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
663. i. Memorial by Merchants trading to New York. Objections to the Act of New York referred to in preceding.
Signed, Char. Lodwick and 5 others. With a declaration
by 4 masters of ships lately come from New York:—Since Jan. last there has been issued out new bills of
creditt the wch. we and others were obliged to take for
freight equall to silver money. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1051.
Nos. 82, 83; and (without enclosure) 5, 1124. pp.
64–71.] |
Aug. 21.
Custom House, London. |
664. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Reply to 7th Aug. Mr.
Kay did not deliver any such accot. here, etc. Signed, Cha.
Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd, Read 26th Aug., 1718.
Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 867. No. 8; and 5, 915. pp. 200,
201.] |
Aug. 21.
Whitehall. |
665. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Craggs. When we had under consideration the Instructions for
Sr. Nicholas Laws, H.M. Governor of Jamaica, we found several
things therein, which we thought necessary to be alterd, and
having represented the same to H.M.; He was graciously pleasd
to approve thereof. We therefore now humbly offer, that the
like alterations be made in the Instructions to the other Governors,
mutatis mutandis, as near as the nature of each Govt. will allow,
according to the inclosd papers, etc. [C.O. 324, 10. p. 206.] |
Aug. 21.
Whitehall. |
666. Same to Same. Propose as above alterations in
Instructions of Governor of Barbados, in articles iii., ix., x., xv.,
xxv., xxvi., xlix., lxviii., lxxxv., xcvi. [C.O. 29, 13. pp.
486–497.] |
Aug. 21.
Whitehall. |
667. Same to Same. Enclose amendments proposed to be
made in the Instructions of Lt. Governor Bennett. [C.O. 38,
7. pp. 346–357.] |
Aug. 22.
Whitehall. |
668. Mr. Popple to John Lloyd, Secretary to the Post Master
General. Encloses extract of Lt. Governor Spotswood's letter
June 24. [C.O. 5, 1365. p. 142.] |
Aug. 22.
Admiralty Office. |
669. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. In reply to 19th Aug.,
encloses following. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd,
Read 26th Aug., 1718. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
669. i. Mr. Burchett to Sr. Hen. Penrice, Judge of the
Admiralty. Admty. Office, 25th June, 1717. Encloses
letter from Mr. Dudley to Mr. Dummer, and desires his
opinion in what manner the pirates in custody in New
England may be properly and legally proceeded against.
Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd Aug., 1718.
Copy. 1 p. |
|
669. ii. Sir H. Penrice to Mr. Burchett. Reply to preceding.
I am of opinion, that, the pirates in custody in New
England may be most properly and legally proceeded
against according to the Act of the 11th and 12th K.
William III continued in the reign of Q. Anne and
1mo Georgii etc. as 16th Aug. Signed, H. Penrice.
Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 867.
Nos. 7, 7 i., ii.; and (without enclosures) 5, 915. p. 200.] |
| Aug. 23. |
670. Receipt by Tho. Smith, the ship Beaver, for a red gilt
leather box from A. Philips for Governor Hunter (Commission
for pardoning pirates). Signed, Tho. Smith. Endorsed, Recd.
14th, Read 15th Oct., 1718. 1 small p. [C.O. 5, 1051. No. 78.] |
Aug. 23.
Whitehall. |
671. Reference of enclosed petition to the Attorney General.
Countersigned, Roxburghe. ¼ p. Annexed, |
|
671. i. Petition of Sir Robt. Mountgomery to the King. Refers
to report of Board of Trade upon his design to make a
settlement at Azilia in Carolina. By reason of the Indian
war petitioner has been at expense beyond his expectation.
Quotes case of grant of licence for a lottery in aid of
Virginia in 1612. Continues:—Encouraged by this
precedent and humbly conceiving, that the Act concerning lotteries, as it was made by an English Parliament,
long before the happy union of the two Kingdoms,
does not extend to your Majesty's Dominion of North
Britain, Petitioner therefore most humbly prays that
your Majesty, taking into your Royal consideration, the
general usefullness of the petitioner's design, will be
graciously pleased to grant to him and his assigns,
your Royal licence for proposing, establishing and
causeing to be drawn (within twelve months from, and
after the date of the said licence) a Lottery in your
Majesty city of Edenborough, or in any of the Royal
Boroughs of North Britain, to be drawn openly, and
in the usual, and most publick manner, with, and under
the inspection of the Magestrates of that City, or
Borough etc., Petitioner to issue, by some Bank or
Society 100,000 tickets at the rate of 40s. per ticket,
the highest prize being £10,000 and the rest at the
discretion of petitioner, provided that the general
proportion of blanks to prizes shall not be more than
four to one, and that the amount of prizes, in the whole,
shall be equal to the full summe, which shall arise by
the sale of the tickets, after a deduction of 15 per cent.
for petitioners expenses in supporting the settlement
above mentioned etc. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 383. Nos. 3, 3 i.] |
Aug. 26.
Portsmouth. |
672. Mr. Bridger to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
I have since my last discovered some persons who have made it
a practise to destroy a great number of large mast trees in H.M.
woods by cutting them down and sawing them into plank etc.
I design to prosecute them forthwith etc. Upon viewing the
Eastern parts I have found a great swamp of 10 miles and 4
broad full of good white pine trees of the first sort etc. It lies
near a navagable river whence they may be shipped for Great
Britain etc. These parts being now setteling and the people
building saw mills on every river and brooke almost, which will
soon cutt down these fine pines, and all others, unless an imediate
care be taken by Acts or such other methods as your Lordships
shall think proper etc. Mr. Cooke has perswaded the people
H.M. has no right to the woods in this country and agreeable to
that oppinion they designe to act the next winter as they give
out, what method I must act on, I cannot yet see etc. I find it
very dificult to protect the least part of H.M. woods singily
by myself, from the common wasts, made therein by the inhabitants of the frontier places near those woods etc. Signed, J.
Bridger. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 3rd Oct., 1718. 1¾ pp.
[C.O. 5, 867. No. 14; and 5, 915. pp. 217, 218.] |
Aug. 27.
Hampton Court. |
673. H.M. Commission to Charles Charnock to be Deputy
Judge Advocate of the Forces at Placentia. Countersigned, J.
Craggs. [C.O. 324, 33. p. 186.] |
Aug. 27.
Hampton Court. |
674. Order of King in Council. Repealing three Acts of
New Hampshire, for the relief of ideots; providing for posthumous
children; and against High Treason etc. Signed, James Vernon.
Endorsed, Recd. 23rd, Read 24th Jan., 1718/19. 1¼ pp. [C.O.
5, 867. No. 24; and 5, 915. pp. 241, 242.] |
Aug. 27.
N. York. |
675. Governor Hunter to Mr. Popple. Abstract. Cannot
write to the Board as he is summoned by express to meet the
Indians at Albany. Intends to meet the Assembly next month,
and is confident he will then be able to remedy what is really
amiss. But if too easy an ear is given to self interested little
merchants there or spiteful ones here, it is to no purpose for him
to remain on that side. The Acts last past, which are of no
consequence, are not yet ready, owing to a lack of parchment
etc. He perceives that his interests move more heavily than
usual, but cannot assign a reason. Thinks nothing can prevent
his returning in the Spring, but God alone is the disposer of
futuritys. Set out, N.Y. Col. Docs. v. p. 516. Signed, I am for
ever intirely Yours, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 16th Oct.,
1718, Read 23rd April, 1719. Holograph. 3½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
675. i. List of 9 Acts passed at New York, 1718. Same
endorsement. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1051. Nos. 86, 86 i.; and
(without enclosure) 5, 1124. pp. 77, 78.] |
Aug. 28.
Whitehall. |
676. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Hunter.
Refer to memorial of Mr. Miranda (v. 20th Aug.), complaining of
duties raised at N. York upon English ships, "which we suppose
to be [by virtue of] the Revenue Act and the Act to oblige all
vessels etc. to pay duty. But as we sent you 3rd Feb. last our
objections to those Acts, which are now confirmed by Mr.
Miranda's complaint, and did then recommend you to get an
Act passed for removing those objections, we hope it is already
done or will be very soon otherwise we shall be obliged to lay
those Acts before H.M. for his disallowance, and we do not
doubt but you will take particular care for the future pursuant
to the late Instruction from H.M. that no Acts be passed in your
Governmts. which may affect the Trade or Navigation of this
Kingdom." [C.O. 5, 1124. pp. 37, 38; and 5, 1079. No. 105.] |
Aug. 28.
Whitehall. |
677. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Craggs. We had the honour to communicate to you some time
ago such accounts as we had then received, in relation to the
pirates in the West Indies and to the state of Carolina etc. Enclose
Governor Johnson's and other letters of 18th June and 19th
Aug. upon the same subject, that you may lay the same before
H.M., and receive his orders thereupon. [C.O. 5, 1293. p. 157.] |
Aug. 28.
Whitehall. |
678. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Encloses extract of
Governor Johnson's letter June 18, for the information of the
Admiralty. [C.O. 5, 1293. p. 158.] |
| Aug. — |
679. Roger Tublay to Lord Carteret, Secretary of State.
A statement of his claim against Don Antonio Casado, son of the
Marquis de Monteleon, Ambassador to the Court of Great Britain,
in the matter of protected bills for £2000, given by him to the
order of Col. Thomas Beckford, June 10, 1718. etc. French.
5½ pp. [C.O. 137, 46. No. 35.] |
