|
| Nov. 1. |
1,925. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Nevis. The King's letter approving the present given to Sir Nathaniel Johnson read. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., p. 184, and pp. 226, 227.] |
Nov. 3.
New York. |
1,926. Valuation of a pinnace, sworn before Stephen Cortlandt, Mayor of New York. 1½ pp. [Col. Papers., Vol. LXIII., No. 82.] |
Nov. 6.
Jamaica. |
1,927. George Reid to [Father Churchill]. Reverend father, my text of 7th instant gave you news of the Duke's death, and that Sir Francis Watson, first councillor, succeeded him. Major Knight is on his way home to give you all the news. You will learn how we have been used by the factors; it is a wonder that a planter can thrive now. It is generally wished here that Mr. Constable may come Governor, and Sir Francis Watson Deputy-Governor. If any come that are not affected to the proceedings of the Assembly, we who forwarded the King's and country's interest by perpetuating the revenue may stand clear. I am afraid that my request to be made factor may suffer from want of a modest and humble petition, so I give you an account of my qualifications, and I have written them to Mr. Constable. The Duchess is doing her best to hasten her departure. Copy. 1½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXIII., No. 83.] |
Nov. 7.
Bermuda. |
1,928. Henry Hordesnell to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Governor is about to sell the new sails and cables which he took out of the surrendered pirates' ship. I sent on purpose to secure them, but my clerk could not find them. He has since shipped them, with two excellent brass guns, to Barbados to be sold. I asked Colonel Stede to stop the sale till the King's pleasure were known. Sir Robert doubtless resolves to fill his bags as fast as he can and send home some more, privately. Signed, H. Hordesnell. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Jan., 1688–9. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXIII., No. 84, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 199–200.] |
| Nov. 12. |
1,929. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Assembly prorogued until to-morrow, not sufficient members having appeared. |
| Nov. 13. |
The Assembly again prorogued. |
| Nov. 14. |
Colonel Thomas Tailler not appearing in the Upper House, a writ was issued to summon him. |
| Nov. 15 |
Order for a boat to be pressed to carry despatches to Virginia. Letter from the Council to Lord Howard of Effingham concerning the despatches. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LIV., pp. 193, 194.] |
| Nov. 15. |
1,930. Survey of arm, and stores of war, of the fortifications about New York. Signed, Fr. Nicholson, S. Cortlandt, Nicho. Bayard, Ma. Plowman, Wm. Beakman, Gab. Minveile. 19 pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXIII., No. 85.] |
Nov. 16.
St. Jago
de la Vega. |
1,931. Sir Francis Watson to William Blathwayt. I called a Council to-day at which the Chief Justice acquainted me of Colonel Walker's proceedings to him when he was executing his Commission of Oyer and Terminer. After hearing what Walker had to say I and the Council resolved to suspend him from all his offices until the King's pleasure should be known. A petition from Mr. Lynch, Sir R. Holmes's commissary here, was also received, asking for assistance in seizing a ship called the Seahorse for trading with privateers. Though not satisfied with the evidence put forward, yet on his assurance that he could produce more, we ordered Captain Spragg forthwith to attempt to seize the
ship. If this method be pursued all trading merchants will be ruined. Mr. Lynch said that if the ship were seized he would detain her till the King's pleasure were known, which means nine months. I have appointed George Reid to the Council. Signed, F. Watson. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 21 Feb., 1688–9. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXIII., No. 86, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 174–177.] |
| Nov. 16. |
1,932. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. On the intercession of the Duchess of Albemarle, the fines set on certain rioters were remitted. Order for discharge of Charles Sadler from prison on giving security to pay his fine. The Chief Justice informed the Lieutenant-Governor that at the Commission of Oyer and Terminer held on 2nd inst. at Port Royal only one Justice of the Peace appeared, namely, Colonel Walker, who used most disrespectful language to himself. It was voted that this language was an affront to the King, and that Colonel Walker be suspended from the Council for the same. George Reid sworn of the Council. Order for certain officers to take charge of the ports and magazines. Coxon, the pirate, gave security for good behaviour. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 243–245.] |
| Nov. 19. |
1,933. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Warrant for the admission of Colonel Needham to the Council read, also a letter from the victualling office respecting a warehouse for the King's provisions. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 245, 245A.] |
| Nov. 17. |
1,934. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Nevis. The Address to the King read, which was signed by neither Council nor Assembly, the Council alleging that they had not their due priority in the columns. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 184, 185, and p. 228.] |
| Nov. 20. |
1,935. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Nevis. The Governor proposed an address to the King, asking pardon for not paying the soldiers of St. Christopher's according to his order, and for the gift to Sir James Russell. The Assembly replied that they did not know they had transgressed, so saw no reason to ask pardon. Order for sending a message to Antigua about a former address. Orders for repair of fortifications owing to rumours of a Dutch invasion of England, and for repair of the gaol. Proposed that the boundaries of every parish be laid out. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 185–190, and pp. 228–230.] |
| Nov. 26. |
1,936. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Petition of Colonel Ivy and others asking for extension of time for payment of their fines. An extension of three months granted. Letter from Captain Spragge that a piratical vessel, the Seahorse, which he had been sent to bring in, had escaped in spite of all his pains. Charles Sadler presented a deputation to be Provost Marshal, which was not allowed, the question having been submitted to the King by the Duke of Albemarle. Order for calling the Assembly on December 14th. The question of a warehouse for the King's stores considered. On the King's letter of June 1st, it was thought fit that Colonel Molesworth's recognisance should not be given up. Order for
gratuities to the Clerks of Council and Assembly for the extraordinary work done in the Duke of Albemarle's time. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 246–247A.] |
| Nov. 28. |
1,937. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Order for sundry payments and for rebate of duties. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 102, 103.] |
| Nov. 28. |
1,938. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Nevis. Michael Smith and William Tyacke sworn of the Council. Letter from the Governor in Chief read as to the general address of congratulation to the King; to the effect that there was no fixed precedence of the Islands, and that he therefore construed their unwillingness to sign rather as a proof of disloyalty. Copy of the address. Letter from the Council and Assembly to the Governor in Chief stating why they were unwilling that Nevis should come after Antigua and St. Kitts. Letter to the King as to the payment of the fort companies. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 190–201.] |
| Nov. 29. |
1,939. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Mr. Lynch was asked of what officers he complained to the King that they had obstructed him. He answered, the Chief Justice for signing warrants of arrest against him. The Chief Justice said and proved that this was always the practice. Being asked if he accused others, Mr. Lynch said that he did not feel bound to give the Lieutenant-Governor any account of it. Naval business. Order for a gratuity of £50 to William Chapman, a Clerk of Council. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 247A, 248A.] |
Nov. 30.
Whitehall. |
1,940. The King to Deputy-Governor Sir Francis Watson. Having heard of the Duke of Albemarle's death, we have ordered Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth to repair to Jamaica and assume the Government. We intend to restore all things relating to the Government to the state in which they were on the Duke's arrival. We hear that the Assembly continues its Sessions since his death without legal authority, and we hereby declare all their acts and proceedings since his death to be null and void; nor shall any new Assembly be summoned until Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth or a new Governor arrive. You will pursue the methods of administration that were followed by Sir Thomas Lynch, and no fines or forfeitures shall be levied until Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth's arrival. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 144–146.] |
| Nov. |
1,941. Petition of planters and merchants trading to Jamaica to the King. The once flourishing Island of Jamaica is likely to be utterly undone by the irregularities of some needy persons lately set in power. Many of the most considerable inhabitants are deserting it, others are under severe fines and imprisonment from little or no cause. The declaration in the Court of Justice against importation of money has greatly discouraged the Spanish trade. The Provost Marshal has been dismissed and an indebted person put in his place; and all the most substantial officers, civil and military, have been turned out and necessitous persons set up in their room. The like has been done in the judicial offices, whereby
the benefit of appeals and prohibitions is rendered useless. Councillors are suspended without royal order and without a hearing. Several persons have been forced to give great security not to leave the Island lest they should seek redress; others have been brought before the Council for trifling offences, and unreasonable fees taken from them; money has been raised twenty per cent. over its value to defend creditors. Lastly the elections have been tampered with by the indebted Provost Marshal, and since the Duke of Albemarle's death are continued without your royal authority. We beg that this state of things may be amended. 1 p. Endorsed. Nov., 1688. [Col. Papers, Vol. LXIII., No. 87.] |
