America and West Indies: September 1719

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 31, 1719-1720. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1933.

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'America and West Indies: September 1719', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 31, 1719-1720, ed. Cecil Headlam( London, 1933), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol31/pp214-228 [accessed 3 December 2024].

'America and West Indies: September 1719', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 31, 1719-1720. Edited by Cecil Headlam( London, 1933), British History Online, accessed December 3, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol31/pp214-228.

"America and West Indies: September 1719". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 31, 1719-1720. Ed. Cecil Headlam(London, 1933), , British History Online. Web. 3 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol31/pp214-228.

September 1719

Sept. 1.
Boston. New England.
373. Mr. Bridger to Mr. Popple. Encouraged by letter of 20th Feb., will continue his care of H.M. woods, the person Mr. Burniston sent a lame deputation to being judged by the Council of New Hampshire unqualified for this service. Prays for kind offices in obtaining his salary etc. Signed, J. Bridger. Endorsed, Recd. Read 22nd Oct., 1719. Addressed. Sealed. Postmark. 1 p. Enclosed,
373. i. Certificate by Governor Shute that Mr. Bridger has done his duty in defending H.M. right to the woods in both Provinces. He is skilled in the woods and perfectly understands the making of Naval Stores etc. Signed, Samll. Shute. Boston, July 15, 1719. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 867. Nos. 55, 55. i.]
Sept. 3.
Custom ho., London.
374. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Encloses following, to be laid before the Council of Trade and Plantations. Signed, Cha. Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 4th., Read 17th Sept. 1719. Addressed. ¾ p. Enclosed,
374. i. Extract of letter from Hibbert Newton, Collector of Nova Scotia. Annapolis Royall, 25th June, 1719. Col. Philips is dayly expected, and it is a great pity so fine a province should lye so long neglected. As for furrs, feathers and a fishery we may challenge any province in America, etc., and besides that here is a good grainery, masting and navall stores might be provided from hence, and was here a good establishment fixt, our returns would be very advantagious to the Crown. Addressed. ½ p. [C.O. 217, 2. Nos. 89, 89.i.; and 218, 1. p. 452.]
Sept. 4. 375. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Governor and Council of South Carolina. Whereas it [was] agreed formerly at our Board, that in consideration of the many gross and insufferable abuses that were constantly committed by the exorbitant grants of land that were made in our Province of South Carolina, far exceeding and contrary to our Commissions and Instructions to our Gvrs. and Officers, no more lands shou'd be sold from thenceforth except what lands shou'd be sold by our selves at our Board; and whereas we have, at the instance and request of the inhabitants of our said Province, consented to suspend that our order and resolution, and have permitted our Agents to set out land etc. as formerly; yet we perceiving that the abuses abovemention'd are rather increas'd since our late indulgence, some persons endeavouring to make conveyances of our land without our authority for so doing; and our quit rents in our said Province are in such a disorderly and confus'd condition, that no manner of accot. can be given of the same, nor can any calculations or accounts of any rents or reservations made to us by the reason of such grants be any ways made up or be transmitted to us; for preventing therefore such enormous practices and abuses for the future, we have resolv'd and we do hereby strictly command and require you our Governor and Council that you do not consent, permit or suffer any more land to be admeasur'd or set out to any person whatsoever without our consent and approbation being first obtain'd upon that account. Signed, Carteret Palatin; M. Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson. [C.O. 5, 290. pp. 155–157.]
Sept. 4. 376. Mr. Delafaye to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The Lords Justices refer the following for their report etc. Signed, Ch. Delafaye. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Wood) 9th Sept., Read 19th Nov. 1719. ¼ p. Overleaf,
376. i. Petition of Lord A. Hamilton to the Lords Justices. Prays that directions may be given for the payment of the money advanced by himself and the Council of Jamaica (v. supra), with interest, the Assembly of Jamaica having refused it, whilst paying Mr. Heywood for similar advances. 1 p.
376. ii. Copy of H.M. Warrant to Governor Lord A. Hamilton, for payment of above money, 10th April, 1710. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 13. Nos. 35, 35. i., ii.; and (without enclosure ii.) 138, 16. pp. 241–243.]
Sept. 7.
New Port Road Island.
377. Caleb Heathcote to the Council of Trade and Plantations. It being incumbent on me, to lay before your Lordships some laws, and proceedings of the Charter Governments, wch. are of extrordinary nature, and in many respects hurtfull to the Prerogative, and service of the Crown, and contrary to the Acts of Trade made for the Plantations, in wch. if they are not kept to a strict observance of, and made sencible of their dependance on Great Brittan, as they are dayly growing very numerous and powerfull, so a neglect therein, may with time be attended, with very ill consequences. I need not acquaint your Lordships, that notwithstanding they have oft received commands for sending home their laws, it has hitherto in this Govermt. been wholly neglected, and they nevertheless presume to putt them in execution, tho many thereof are repugnant, not only to the laws of Great Brittan, but even to the expresse words of their Charter etc. One werof is for issueing bills of creditt for £40,000, of wch 30,000, was directed by the Act, to be lett out on land security, at use for 5 p.c., and notwithstanding the intrest ariseing from it, was apropriated for repairing a fortification, by wch. this harbour is secured, yett not a penny therof (altho' 'tis near five years since that law was made) has been apply'd for that purpose, altho' the walls of that garrisson are all decay'd, and tumbling down, the gun carriages rotton and many of the guns lying amongst ye rubbidge, by means wereof the place is exceedingly exposed, to the insults either of piratts, or declared enemys, nor can the officers of H.M. Customes be safe, in putting the Acts of Trade in force, because on seizeing of any vessill for illegal trade (being out of command) they may easily be carryd off to sea, or made willing to be put on shoar, and wch. hath been several times, and very lately practiced, in the Charter Governments. Another law was made for establishing of fees, by virtue wereof the officers of H.M. Customes, have been most griveously insulted and abused, which occasioned my applying to the Commissioners of H.M. Customs, and they tooke the Attorney Generals opinion thereon, who declared, that the execution of such laws, were just reasons for the forfeiting their Charter, and the Commissioners directed me, and by their letter threatned the Governmt., with a scieri facias, if they insisted on such laws, wch. I acquainted the Governour, and assembly by letter withall, but without receiveing any answer, and I can't omitt humbly observeing that upon former complaints sent home, threats of that nature haveing been oft signifyd to the Governts., and nothing further hapning upon it has occasioned their abuse, of that gratious indulgence, and has only been a means to confirm them in that absurd notion, of their laws being sufficient in themselves, and to have no need of the Royall assent to confirm them, but I hope your Lordships will think of such measures, thoroughly to convince their presumtion therin, and at least oblige them, to send all such laws home, whereby any dutys, or imposts are layd on trade, and merchandize, or any other wereby they pretend, to subject any of ye officers of H.M. Customes, to rules of their own makeing. For while they have a power (as they imagin) of makeing laws seperate from the Crown, they'll never be wanting, to lessen the authority of the King's officers, who by hindering them from a full freedome of illegal trade, are accounted enemys to the growth, and prosperity of their little Commonwealths—and tis very wonderfull to me, who am thoroughly acquainted with the temper of the people, that none of H.M. officers of the Customes, have been mobb'd and torn in peices by the rable, and of wch. some of them have very narrowly escaped: an instance werof hapned in this town to the present Collector, who haveing made seizure of severall hogsheads of clarrett, illegally imported, and notwithstanding he had the Governours warrt. and the High Sheriff, besides his own officers to assist, and tooke the clarrett in the daytime, yett the town people had the insolence to rise upon them, and insult both them, and the civill officers, and haveing by violence after a riotous, and tumultuous manner rescued, and possessd themselves of the seizures, sett the hoghead ahead, stove them open, and with pailes drunke out, and carryd away most of the wine, and then threw the remainder into the streets. This tumult was no sooner over, but one Mr. John Wanton who uses the sea, and is maister of a sloop, a magistrate of the people's choyce, (as may be reasonably supposed) for keeping up the rage and humour of the mobb, did immeadiately issue out his warrant for aprehending of Mr. Kay the Collector, under pretence of his takeing other, and greater fees for clearing of vessills, then the laws of this Collony allowd of (and wich amounted to only two shillings sterling) but the matter being fully examined before the Governour, and it apearing that he had taken no greater fees, then above mentioned, and which had allways been customary, and that the prossecution was mallitiously intended, he was dismissed. But Mr. Wanton not satisfyed with what the Governour had done, and being willing to ingratiat himself amongst his neighbours, who had so lately advanced him, issued out a second warrant for the very same fact, and to magnifye his zeal on that occasion, had him arrested, and taken into custody in the Custome House while in his duty, and thence hurryd him away amidst a croud of spectators, refuseing to admitt him to bail. These are such unheard of proceedings, as will I humbly suppose, induce your Lordships to believe, that such a person as Mr. Wanton, is unworthy of authority, under culler werof, he so highly abuses, and discourages the officers of H.M. Customes, in the discharge of their duty, etc. Signed, Caleb Heathcote. Endorsed, Recd. 1st Jan. 1719/20. Read 25th May, 1722. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 1266. ff. 47–49 v.]
Sept. 9. 378. Lord Guilford to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to 7th Aug. I shall take care to send by the first ships to our Agents in Maryland for an account of the boundaries etc., and to transmit the Acts etc. received from your Lordships 26th Aug. etc. Signed, Guilford. Endorsed, Recd. 11th, Read 16th Sept., 1719. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 717. No. 79.]
Sept. 9.
Boston.
379. Governor Shute to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to accounts sent 19th Aug. and enclosures. Continues: Since my last an officer that I sent some time since to Canada to demand some captives that are still remaining there informes me, that though he made his application to the Govr. Monsr. Vodrieul and tho' I wrote to him upon the same head he cannot get them released which is contrary to the Treaty etc. I fear the Jesuits are at the bottom of this matter who indeavour all they can to make them renounce the Protestant religion and have prevailed with some of them to do so. I hope your Lordsps. will acquaint H.M. of this matter that so the parents of these captives may have their children released and returned to them. Signed, Samll. Shute. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd Oct., Read 3rd Aug., 1720. 2 pp. Enclosed,
379. i. Account of (a) the Revenue and (b) Expenditure of the Massachusetts Bay, May, 1718–1719. Total Receipts, £54,117 19s. 2d. Signed, Jer. Allen, Treasurer and Receiver General. Boston, 30th May, 1719. Endorsed as preceding. The whole, 34 pp.
379. ii. Account of the (a) Revenue and (b) Expenditure of New Hampshire, 1717 and 1718. Total, Receipts, £2769 (£2500 and £269 18s. 3d. balance from last account), and shewing balance in hand of £262 2s. 4d.) Signed, Saml. Penhallow, Treasr. Portsmo. 30th April, 1719. The whole endorsed as letter. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 867. Nos. 63, 63 i.–iv.]
Sept. 10.
Herenhausen
380. H.M. licence of leave for six months to Thomas Talmash, Lt. Governor of Montserrat. Countersigned, J. Craggs. [C.O. 324, 33. p. 255.]
Sept. 10.
Whitehall.
381. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Enclose accounts of office expenses from Christmas to Midsummer. There was then nine months salary due to the Commissioners etc. Accounts annexed. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 162–164.]
Sept. 10.
Whitehall.
382. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices. Reply to 4th and 14th Aug. It cannot be pretended, that the Treaty of Utrecht has given to the Guipuscoans, nor to any of His Catholic Majesty's subjects any privilege of fishing or of trading at Newfoundland, unless they are able to support their claim to those privileges, by an undoubted right. Quote 15th Article: "That all such privileges as the Guipuscoans and other people of Spain are able to make claim to by right, shall be preserved to them" etc. Now altho' the Spaniards seem to assert, that they were the first discoverers of Newfoundland, and would found their right of fishing thereupon, nevertheless it is notorious, that this Island was first discovered by Jno. Cabbot (Hackluyts 3 vol. folio 6 & 9) anno 1497 at the charge of King Henry 7th, and he took possession thereof in the name and for the use of his said Majesty. It appears likewise that King Henry the 8th sent one Bute to make a settlemt. in Newfoundland, and that several voyages were made thither in that reign by Mr. Hore and other merchants (folio 129). It appears further by an Act made in the 2nd of King Edwd. the 6th against ye exacting of mony by any officer of the Admiralty for licence to traffick into Newfoundland etc. that ye trade and fishery was at that time well known and frequented by the subjects of this Kingdom etc. Record grants of 1583–1638. Continue: In 1650 a Commission was given to Mr. John Treworgey to be Govr. of Newfoundland, and in 1655 Sir Davd Kirk by virtue of his grant from the Crown, convey'd to John Claypole and others a right to make settlements there: Where no foreigners had hitherto attempted to setle any Colony or to question the undoubted right of ye Crown of England to that Fishery. But the French having frequented that fishery for some years by connivance, after the conclusion of their Treaty with Cromwell in 1655, they began in 1662 to settle at Placentia with soldiers, artilery etc. and fortify'd the same tho' Mr. Isaac Dethick an English planter and others, were then setled at that place etc. (v. C.S.P. 1688, No. 1729. i.). However it does not appear to us, upon searching the books and papers in our office, that the Spaniards ever had any settlemt. either under the English or the French in Newfoundland, or that for many years past they have been permitted to fish there, excepting only some few ships to whom Her late Majesty granted passes and licences for that purpose. Besides if the Spaniards could make out their pretence of an ancient right to that fishery, as being the first discoverers of Newfoundland yet as it is beyond dispute that the English were, and they were not in possession of any part of Newfoundland at the time of making the American Treaty in 1670 between the Crowns of Great Britain and Spain, they are absolutely excluded from all such pretended right by the 7th and 8th Articles whereby it is expressly stipulated, "That the King of Great Britain, shall hold keep and always possess in full right of sovereignty and propriety, all the lands, Colonies and other places be they what they will, lying and situate in the West Indies, or in any part of America, which the said King of Great Britain and his subjects, now hold and possess. And that the subjects of each Ally respectively shall forbear and abstain from sailing to and trafficking in all places possessed by the other party in the West Indies." Moreover by the Act of 10th and 11th Gul. 3d. ch. 25, to incourage the trade to Newfoundland it is provided, that no alien or stranger whatsoever not residing within the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales or Town of Berwick upon Tweed, shall at any time hereafter take bait or use any sort of trade, or fishing whatsoever in Newfoundland or in any of the Islands adjacent. It is therefore manifest that not only the country of Newfoundland, but that ye fishery on the coast and in the harbours thereof, are the undoubted property of H.M. and that the Guipuscoans have no manner of right to fish or trade there. And upon this occasion we further crave leave to observe to your Excellencies, that having had the state of the fishery in Newfoundland several times under consideration and being fully convinced, that it is not only obstructed by the great irregularities and disorders of the inhabitants and fishermen, but that it is not possible it should be carry'd on under the present regulations by Law, to the advantage of this Kingdom, at whose charge it is annually protected. Refer to Representation of 19th Dec. 1718, and heads of a bill offered 24th Dec., 1718 "whereby we have reason to hope the several obstructions and disadvantages this fishery lies under at present, wou'd be remov'd, the fishery restor'd to its ancient flourishing condition, and H.M. subjects inabled to carry their fish to foreign markets, at such moderate rates, that neither the French wou'd reap much advantage by their fishery in those parts, nor the Spaniards be very solicitous for the privilege they now desire." Autograph signatures. 7 pp. [C.O. 194, 23. No. 31; and 195, 6. pp. 512–517.]
Sept. 11.
Custom ho., London.
383. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Encloses following etc. The Commrs. of the Customs observe that there is no Law to prevent the importacon of Dutch negroes into the British Plantacons, in British shipping duly navigated. Signed, Cha. Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 11th, Read 17th Sept., 1719. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed,
383. i. Extract of letter from Mr. Dunbar, Surveyor General of Barbados, to H.M. Commissioners of Customs. Antigua, 25th Sept., 1718. The Dutch yearly bring 2 to 3000 negroes to St. Eustatia and chiefly send them among the English and French Islands, by which means they drain us of what little money is among us but likewise of our country species. The carrying of sugars from the English Collonies to foreign Plantations when detected is punished according to law, which of late years has been only from St. Xtophers, but I am at a loss how to proceed against the importers of negroes from thence, wch. certainly is very pernicious to the English Adventurer, they purchasing them cheaper from the suitableness of their cargoes, than its possible for the English to do. This may undermine us, not only in our trade to Africa, but also ingross a great part of the French sugars and our own to be carried to the Holland markett etc. Asks for Instructions, etc. 2 pp. [C.O. 152, 12. Nos. 157, 157.i.]
Sept. 12.
London.
384. Thomas Weir to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. "forwarded June last via Barbadoes, which came not to hand till after my arrivall here etc." Offers services. Signed, Thomas Weir. Endorsed, Recd. 12th, Read 16th Sept., 1719. Addressed. Sealed. 1 p. Enclosed,
384. i. Same to Same. Sta. Lucia, 20th June, 1719. Having been the 18th currt. in Martineq where they are now fitting out twinty sloops to goe in company with the six saill of men of warr lately arrived att Fort Royall with a new Intendant from Old France, who brings orders from the Generall concerning an expedition to be made against the negros of St. Vincent, in which Island by best report are 4000 negros, I came from Martinequa in Capt. Harrys sloop now gone to St. Vincent to keep friends with the Indians and also aquaint the negros that the fleet fitting att Martineq. are desined against the Spainard. I belive there success against the negros will be small all of them being aquainted with the use of a muskett and if make any attack must be by the Indians which done they desined to carry those negros and attack St. Domingo upon the Island High Spainiola, if succed to live the negros there, if not att Fort Luies or Pettyguavis both which setellments the French have been masters off some time, they allsoe affirm that the King of Great Brittan has given the Island Sta. Lucia to the Marchll. De Trett Vice Roy of the French Islands who has sent in the last fleet to Fort St. Peers all maner of tradesmen for building a fort in the Petty Caranash Sta. Lucia and that Monsr. St. Marting is apoynted Governor of that Island and dayly expected with two large hegboats full of famelys under convoy of one man of warr to settell that Island, and the French att Martinequa give out that if they succeed in this undertaking, and a war happen betwixt the Kingdoms of Great Brittan and France, they'll be masters of all the Sugar plantations etc. Sta. Lucia is of a good soyle both for sugar and coco plantations, well wattered full of good timber for frames of houses or small sloops for trading amongst the Islands. Barbados sends above 100 saill of sloops annualy to cutt firewood of which all our other Islands now want, and above all two of the finest harbers in the West Indies viz. Petty Caranash and Mary Gatt de Daraso about four miles distance from each other any of them fitt to contain all the Navey of Brittan etc., and would be of great service for our shiping att Barbados and the Leward Islands in Horrycain time etc. Signed, Thomas Weir. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 15. Nos. 49, 49. i.]
Sept. 16.
Treasy.Chambers.
385. Mr. Tilson to Mr. Popple. The Lords Commrs. of the Treasury refer enclosed to the Council of Trade and Plantations for their report etc. Signed, Chris. Tilson. Endorsed, Recd. 21st., Read 23rd Sept. 1719. Addressed. ½ p. Enclosed,
385. i. Mr. Bridger to Mr. Lowndes. Boston, 22nd June, 1719. Has performed the duty of Surveyor of the Woods for a year since he heard he was displaced, there being absolute necessity of such an officer, and no such having appeared. Three days ago he heard that Robert Armstrong was deputed. When he was recommended for that post by Lord Godolphin in 1710, I replied that he was entierly ignorant of every branch of the duty of a Surveyor of Woods, and his duty as Collector required a constant attendance on the river, and was inconsistent with the other etc. These objections I presume were entierly satisfactory to his Lordship etc. (v. July 16th). Prays for salary for the time he has acted etc. Signed, J. Bridger. Addressed. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 867. Nos.51, 51. i.]
Sept. 17.
Whitehall.
386. Mr. Popple to Mr. Perry, Secretary to the Royal African Company. The Council of Trade and Plantations desire the opinion of the Company as to the trade in negroes from St. Eustatia to the Leeward Islands and Barbados, and to know whether it is true that the Leeward Islands are not so well supply'd with negroes by our own African traders as they used to be. [C.O. 153, 13. p. 431.]
Sept. 17.
Whitehall.
387. Same to Richard Harris. Desires similar information [C.O. 153, 13. p. 431.]
Sept. 21.
London.
388. Richard Harris to Mr. Popple. Reply to 17th Sept. I beleive there is, and allways was, a clandestine trade carryed on, between our Islands and the Dutch, as well as the French Islands, for linnens, spice, brandy, wine etc., and in former times for great numbers of negros also, but for some years past, and particularly the two or three last, Barbados hath been so oversupplyed, and the price so low, that very great numbers of negroes have been carryed from thence, both to Martinico, Virginia and all the Leeward Islands; so 'tis impossible that can be the case there now. Indeed this Island of Antegua, by reason of their unfair dealing, our negro ships have not so much frequented as other Islands, because when they have purchased negros in exchange for sugar, agreed to be paid the following cropp, at 12s. the hundred, they would not pay for them at less than 25, or keep the sellers out of their mony seven years, and their cropp haveing faild the year before last, they were forced to sell divers of their negros, from their plantations for necessarys, so that 'tis plain this coud not be the case of that Island; and as to Nevis and St. Kitts, I certainly know they have been rather overstocked, because I myself ordered a ship of mine about two years agoe, with 400 good negros thither, and then they were so overstocked, by English ships then in the Road who came before mine, that I was forced to go to Jamaica. As to Dutch goods, 'tis true that some Affrican goods are usually cheaper in Holland than here, as powder French brandy, Dutch pipes and most sorts of East India goods, proper for that trade (all which cannot be imported here, but we are now at liberty to go thither to take them in, as severall of my ships and many others have lately done) by reason that our East India Compa. have not, for severall years past, imported one fifth part of those goods wanted for that trade, and none of some sorts till lately, so that I expected the whole trade must at last have been driven on from thence etc. This last year negros have been sold from £16 to £18 (West India mony) at Barbados, which is not £12 sterling, and near two years credit given, and more of them have been bought to carry to other islands, than Barbados coud take off etc., and there is one certain rule, that whenever Barbados is over supplyed, the Leeward Islands can never want, there being a great trade allways carryed on from thence to Leeward, for negros, provisions and many other goods by many sloops dayly employed therein etc. Signed, Rd. Harris. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd Sept., 1719, Read 17th Feb., 1719/20. 3½ pp. [C.O. 152, 13. ff. 14, 15.]
Sept. 22.
Whitehall.
389. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Encloses Governor Hamilton's reply (20th July) as to methods used to prevent illegal trade in the Leeward Islands etc. [C.O. 153, 13. p. 432.]
Sept. 23.
Whitehall.
390. Mr. Popple to Lt. Governor Keith. The Council of Trade and Plantations return you their thanks for your letter of 16th Feb., and desire that from time to time you will let them have what farther informations you can get for H.M. service. They desire to know what foundation you have to assert that from an Article in the Treaty of Ryswick, all lands or any rivers in America, the mouths or outlets whereof were then in possession of either nation are conceded to that nation as high as the first sources of those rivers, their Lordps. not finding anything to that purpose in the said Treaty. Encloses Orders of Council repealing laws, etc. [C.O. 5, 1293. pp. 222, 223.]
Sept. 23.
Whitehall.
391. Mr. Popple to Mr. Ackworth, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Navy. Encloses extracts from Mr. Bridger's letters relating to Naval Stores and waste of woods in America. The Council of Trade and Plantations are of opinion with Mr. Bridger, that a quantity of hemp-seed should be sent over to him to be distributed among such of the inhabitants as will oblige themselves to sow the same. If the Commissrs. of the Navy should have anything to offer on this subject, you will be pleased to communicate the same as soon as possible. [C.O. 324, 10. pp. 270, 271.]
Sept. 23.
Whitehall.
392. Same to Mr. Burchett. Encloses extracts as in preceding. [C.O. 324, 10. p. 270.]
Sept. 23.
Whitehall.
393. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Bishop of London. Finding by the 12th Article of the Treaty of Utrecht that the French King was to take care to have deliver'd to the Queen on the same day that the ratification of the said Treaty was to be exchanged, solemn and authentick letters or instruments by virtue whereof it was to appear that the Island of St. Christophers was to be possess'd alone hereafter by British subjects. As likewise all Nova Scotia or Accadie etc., we desire your Lordship will please to inform us, it being for H.M. service whether your Lordp. has seen any such authentick letters as above mentioned and if your Lordship have a copy of any of them that you would please to favour us with a transcript thereof. [C.O. 153, 13. pp. 433, 434.]
Sept. 23.
Fulham.
394. Bishop of London to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to preceding. At the exchange of the ratifications of the Treaty etc. made May 9 N.S. 1713, the French Plenipotentys. put into the hands of the E. of Stafford and mine the Act of Cession of St. Christophers and Nova Scotia, as also two letters to the same purpose, which we transmitted the next day to the then Secretary of State, etc. Promises to transmit copies. Signed, Joh. London. Endorsed, Recd. 24th, Read 25th Sept., 1719. 1½ pp. Enclosed,
394. i. (a) Act of Cession of St. Christophers, Nova Scotia and Port Royal, by France to Great Britain, in conformity with the 12th Article of the Treaty of Utrecht. Marly, May, 1713. Signed, Louis, Countersigned, Phelippeaux.
(b) M. Pontchartrain to M. le Marquis de Vaudreuil, Governor of New France. Instructions to conform to the cession of Accadie, Newfoundland and Hudson's Bay to Great Britain etc. Marly, 6th May, (N.S.), 1713. Signed, Pontchartrain.
(c) M. Pontchartrain to Monsr. Phelippeaux, Governor of the French Islands of America, at Martinique. Instructions to conform to the cession of St. Christophers etc. Signed as preceding. French. The whole, 3¾ pp. [C.O. 217, 2. Nos. 90, 90. i.; and (without enclosure) 218, 1. p. 453.]
Sept. 29. 395. Office expences of the Board of Trade, June 24-Sept. 29, 1719. v. Journal of Council. [C.O. 388, 77. Nos. 65, 67, 69.]
Sept. 29.
Whitehall.
396. Mr. Popple to Governor Hamilton. Acknowledges letters of 11th and 21st March, —May, 5th June, 20th & 24th July, 1719. Continues: The Council of Trade and Plantations command me to acquaint you, that upon what you writ 19th Dec. 1718, H.M. was pleased to dismiss Mr. Bramble and to appoint John Cochran, William Irish and Richard Cooke to the Council of Montserrat etc. Encloses copy of Order in Council, 9th July. Continues:—But as you say, that you intend to have the said Bramble sworn again into ye Council of Montserrat, I must observe to you that by your Commission you are forbid to do it unless the number of the Council be under seven. And in that case you can but fill up to the sd. number of seven; and further that the places of those persons who are absent by leave, are not to be esteemed as vacancies, unless they stay beyond the time limitted by the said licences, without a special leave from H.M. Their Lordships are surprized at the concern you express for being required to perform certain of your Instructions which you say were never done by former Governors, and that it is almost impossible for you to comply with, by reason that several of the matters thereby required of you are to be done by other persons. You are to consider that any omission or neglect of former Governors will not justify you in doing the same, and that you are to take care that all H.M. Officers under your Government do perform their duty, more especially in such matters as are particularly injoin'd you by your Instructions. If any Officers neglect or refuse to perform such their duty there is no doubt but that you may not only suspend them from their office till H.M. pleasure be known, but that upon a prosecution they might forfeit their office. This is to be understood of the constant regular course of business in their respective offices, but in extraordinary cases, as for instance, when a collection of all the laws is required, it might be a hardship upon the Secry. to put him to that expence and trouble, without a suitable gratification, and therefore their Lordships think the charges ought to be born by the Assembly, which cannot be so great as to require a tax to be levy'd for it, as you have mention'd; They therefore expect all the papers and accots. which are required of you by your Instructions, and particularly the accots. of the Revenue, which you have been so often put in mind of. Their Lordships likewise desire such further accounts as you shall be able to procure of the French, Dutch, Spanish, or other foreign settlements in those parts. Their Lordships have laid before the Lords Justices, what you writ, 19th Dec., in relation to the soldiers deserting to St. Eustachia etc. Encloses correspondence (v. 17th Aug.) Commissaries being appointed to go to France to regulate and settle several matters left undetermin'd by the Treaty of Utrecht. Their Lordships desire from you a very particular accot. relating to the hostages at Martinique, and especially how much the Island of Nevis have contributed from time to time towards the subsistence of them or any of them and whatever else you think may be of use upon this occasion in relation to the Capitulation of Nevis, and that you may be the better inabled to do this, I send you a copy of a Memorial from Monsr. D'Iberville that you may give an answer to each paragraph, and particularly to that, wherein he makes demands for subsisting the said hostages: This their Lordships desire to have wth. all possible speed, and that duplicates thereof be sent by different conveyances. As this is a matter of consequence, and which requires all haste imaginable their Lordships do not doubt of your punctual observance hereof. Your answer to their Lordps. 7th Quære (20th July) do's not answer their expectation, what their Lordships desired, was, that besides the Naval Officers Lists, you wou'd inform them how many ships, and what number of seamen do properly belong to each respective Island, with your observations, where such ships were built, and of what burthen. You say in your answer to the 9th Quere, that the produce of the Islands for about two years past, have amounted to about £242,577. What their Lordships desire upon this Art. is that [you] wou'd let them have annually, particular accots. of the quantity of the several species of commodities produced in each Island, separate and distinct. The Board never received the Act you mention'd to have been passed at Montserrat for settling the liquor duty on the Lieut. Govr. Talmash and therefore they desire to know whether that Act is still in force, or whether any other has been pass'd since, and whether Mr. Talmash receives that duty, and lastly that you wou'd send their Lordships a copy of the said Act. [C.O. 153, 13. pp. 434–440.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
397. Mr. Popple to Mr. West. Encloses, for his opinion thereon, several Acts of Antigua, Nevis and Montserrat, passed in 1714, 1717, 1719. List annexed. [C.O. 153, 13. pp. 440–443.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
398. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices. Recommend Richard Lightfoot to fill a vacancy in the Council of Barbados by the death of John Mills, "he having been recommended to us as a person of good estate and well affected to H.M. Govt." etc. [C.O. 29, 14. p. 13.]
Sept. 30.
Whitehall.
399. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Encloses extract of letter from Mr. Bridger, 26th June, relating to the woollen manufacture in New England etc., and cotton imported thither. The Council of Trade and Plantations desire the Commissioners of H.M. Customs will give orders to their officers in New England to return accots. from time to time of what manufactures they find in those parts, and that they may have copies thereof. [C.O. 5, 867. pp. 304, 305.]
[?Sept.]
Nassau on Providence.
400. Governor Rogers to the Council of Trade and Plantations. By the date of this I make no doubt but you'll believe that I omitt no opportunity whereby I can informe your Lordships etc. Since the Deal Castle leaving us, the Rose and Shark call'd here lately for wood and water and return'd to cruize off the Havana, near which place several of the Jamaica privateers and some of ours are cruizing, whereby I hope that the Spaniards will find sufficient employ to guard their own coast and traders. This letter comes by Mr. Beauchamp, first Lieut. of the Independent Company etc. Hopes for his confirmation as Secretary etc. and refers to him for information. Signed, Woodes Rogers. Endorsed, Recd. 26th Oct., Read 4th Dec., 1719. Without date. 1¾ pp. Enclosed,
400. i. Minutes of Council of the Bahama Islands, 19th May—9th July, 1719. Same endorsement. 10½ pp.
400. ii. Duplicate of No. 209. [C.O. 23, 1. Nos. 19, 19. i., ii.]