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| Feb. 1. |
752. The King to the Government of Maryland. We approve of your proclaiming of us and bid you preserve peace and order. You will suffer the proprietor or his agents to collect the revenue, and you will apply no more than the sum usually allowed to the expenses of Government. You will take care that the Acts of Trade and Navigation be duly enforced. Signed. Shrewsbury. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 148–150.] |
| Feb. 3. |
753. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Order for James Hands to appear and answer for scandalous words spoken against Their Majesties. Order for Thomas Ryves to attend this day week with his accounts. Orders for repair of the King's house, and for masters of sloops who desire commissions against the French to present themselves. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 17, 18.] |
| Feb. 4. |
754. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. No quorum. Adjourned to 13th. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., p. 217.] |
Feb. 4.
Plymouth. |
755. William Wallis to Henry Griffith. I gave you an account of my being intercepted on my way from New England and being carried to St. Malo. During my detention I was visited by several French merchants, and I was assured that, being concerned in masting affairs, the French King would give me good prices and ready money for any naval stores, with a safe conduct for my ship. I was often approached on the subject, but always repulsed their advances. But the merchants of St. Malo will certainly begin a trade to Newfoundland and thence by sloops to New England, unless they be prevented; for the people of New England are of such a stamp that they will readily fall in with it, being disposed to hearken to any trade proposed to them for their particular advantage, without regard to the detriment that may be wrought at this time to Old England. Unless steps be taken, the trade in masts and naval stores will be ruined. Copy. 3 pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 62.] |
| Feb. 5. |
756. Warrant of Governor Simon Bradstreet to Captain Gilbert Bant for the transport of Sir E. Andros and his fellow-prisoners to
England. Copy in Edward Randolph's hand. Added at foot. We were kept five days in gaol after this date at the pleasure of Cooke and Oakes. 1 p. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 63.] |
| Feb. 7. |
757. Dormant warrant for the payment of Governor Codrington's salary in specie out of the four and a half per cent. duty in the Leeward Islands. Signed. Monmouth, Hen. Capel, R. Hampden. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 43. pp. 67, 68.] |
| Feb. 10. |
758. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Order for revoking the order appointing the President to be commander-in-chief on any alarm; Sir Francis Watson and Colonel Ballard dissenting. Resolved that the Government now lies in the President and Council, and ordered that this resolution be read at the head of every troop and company in the Island. The Receiver-General produced his accounts, which were made over to the Auditor. Several accounts for fortifications passed. James Hands dismissed on giving security for good behaviour. On the petition of Thomas Clarke, Charles Bouchier and others, Francis Hickman was suspended from his office for extortion of excessive fees, and Charles Bouchier was appointed in his place. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 18, 19.] |
Feb. 11.
Barbados. |
759. Lieutenant-Governor Stede to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I send this by an uncertain conveyance, a single ship of no more than ten or twelve guns and twenty men. I intended to have sent off a fleet in October, but as some French men-of-war of thirty and forty guns visited us from Martinique, I was forced to unload the ships and fit them out as well as we could as men-of-war; for the French within one hour had taken two ships, with negroes and much needed provisions, before our eyes and almost within range of our forts. This was the greater loss to us, as it kept our enemies supplied. What with the difficulty of finding ships, guns and seamen and the poverty of the people we are hard bested. We have no shipping to carry our produce and bring us necessaries; the duties on Madeira wine, which used to defray the charges of Government, have ceased to bring in anything and the people are unable to bear further taxes on themselves. I was pressed to pay for fitting out the ships at the expense of the King's Revenue, but to this I could not consent, so I was obliged to advance three thousand pounds of my own to the Island gratis or we should never have prepared the ships, and should have been driven to great straits for provisions, while the French would have been mightily supplied. However, since we got those ships to sea, six in all, the French have not captured a vessel, and since we have driven them from our coasts we have discharged three of our ships to save expense. I wish we could join Sir Timothy Thornhill with four or five such ships and a thousand or fifteen hundred men. His presence has been very successful in encouraging the Leeward Islands to make an attempt on some of the French Islands in revenge for St. Kitts. They have taken many prisoners and a Governor among them, and laid waste Mariegalante, St. Bartholomew's, and St. Martins; but the spoil was much less than was expected, and I have been forced to call for
another free and voluntary subscription in the Island to furnish our soldiers with clothing and other necessaries, the Leeward Islands not being able to feed and clothe them. I believe it to be possible to follow up our blow at the French by another, and have offered to the people to fit out ships and men and myself to supply, with the help of my friends, £ 10,000 for twelve months gratis, but my offer has not had the desired effect. The people plead inability and expect that war should be maintained by the Public Revenue, but this I shall not permit till I receive the King's orders unless I am absolutely compelled by necessity. The people are loyal and well affected, so I hope they may accept my offer and send further reinforcements to the Leeward Islands. Help from England would be most welcome, for till it comes it is not considered safe for any of our merchant ships now loading with produce to sail; and indeed I have forbidden any ship to sail till we have further advice from England, our last being dated 6th October. I enclose copies of this proclamation and of letters of thanks from the Governors of Antigua and Nevis. Sir Timothy Thornhill and his men have acquitted themselves bravely. I enclose an estimate of the cost of fitting out that expedition. |
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At so critical a time I have, I am aware, been severe to certain ungovernable people. Possibly those who have been most leniently dealt with may make the loudest clamour, as for instance one Plunkett, who bears a very bad character and whom I bound over to good behaviour. He has been often in gaol, and I am told that he and Mr. Ralph Lane, another restless person, have written bitterly against me as though I and not the local justices were responsible for their imprisonment. Mr. Bushell, a merchant in London and a stranger to me, is their agent. I hope their representations will not injure me in your opinion, as I believe enquiry into the matter will satisfy you as to my behaviour. Copy. Two closely written pages. Board of Trade. Barbados 4. No. 24, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 191–197.] |
Feb. 12.
Whitehall. |
760. The King to Governor the Earl of Inchiquin. You will receive and protect all such ships and persons as shall be employed in buying negroes for the Assiento. Countersigned. Shrewsbury. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., p. 286.] |
Feb. 12.
Charlestown. |
761. Orders of the General Court of Massachusetts Bay. For amending certain laws, and for collection of arrears of rates since 31 December, 1686. Printed sheet. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 64.] |
| Feb. 12. |
762. The King to Governor Kendall. Instructing him to give all possible help and encouragement to ships and persons employed in the service of the Assiento. Countersigned. Shrewsbury. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 146, 147.] |
| [Feb. 13.] |
763. Petition of several Merchants to and inhabitants in New England, to the King. We have received advice of great damage done of late by the French and Indians, whereby the place from which the Navy is supplied with masts is lost, as also the lumber and fishery of New England. We beg that men-of-war may
be sent and other means taken for defence. Twenty one signatures. Copy. 2 pp. Endorsed. Read in Council 13 Feb., 1689. Referred to the Committee. Read 25 Feb., 89. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 65.] |
| Feb. 13. |
764. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Excise Bill read a second time; the clause for stopping proceedings at law being omitted. Bill as to Courts of Common Pleas rejected. Addresses for payment of the clerk's and marshal's salaries. Excise Bill sent down by the Council and amended. Bill for an impost on liquors read twice. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 217–221.] |
| Feb. 14. |
765. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Charles Bouchier sworn Secretary and Clerk of Council. Sir Francis Watson and Colonel Ballard declared their dissent from Hickman's suspension. Roger Elletson's petition for a habeas corpus was rejected, the same two members dissenting. Order for Francis Hickman to deliver the books and records to Charles Bouchier. The Attorney General to draft commissions and instructions for commanders of ships. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 20, 21.] |
Feb. 18.
Maryland. |
766. John Coode to the Secretary of State. Advising despatch of papers concerning the death of James Payne. ¼ p. Endorsed. Recd. 15 April, 1690. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 2.] |
| Feb. 18. |
767. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Bill for impost on liquors read a third time. Order for payment of money to Richard Cartwright. Act declaring the farther uses of the levy on negroes. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 221, 222.] |
| Feb. 19. |
768. Major Edward Nott to William Blathwayt. Hearing that we were to have but one hundred and twenty men, I got a draft of twenty men out of each of the six companies. I am glad that the order did not come down, for then I should have had the wretchedest fellows that ever were seen; but, taking advantage of their not knowing that there were but twenty, I got a draft of five and thirty per company and out of them picked out twenty tolerable men. But there is no manner of clothing, so I expect to be of the ragged regiment at the Leeward Islands. Only one company had tolerable clothes and between the twenty men there were but eighteen belts and four swords. Another captain had good men but no clothes. The other four companies make up some fourteen belts, five swords and clothes proportionable. The men are on board, where I hope they will get meat, for they looked starved. I go on board tomorrow. Signed. Edw. Nott. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 79.] |
| Feb. 21. |
769. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The entry of Francis Hickman's suspension made by Charles Bouchier. Bouchier examined as to Hickman's answer when he demanded the records. Draft of a letter from Sir Francis Watson to the Viceroy of Mexico, complaining of the dilatory answers of the minor Governors to complaints of ill treatment of British subjects, and of insulting expressions lately used in particular by the Governor of Vera Cruz, and asking for release of British prisoners. Francis Hickman appeared and gave reasons for not delivering up the records of his
office; order for the Provost Marshal to demand the records and on refusal to take them by force and take Hickman into custody. Draft Commissions for masters of ships approved. Captain Spragge's requests for stores and ammunition granted, and a survey of the stores ordered. Sundry orders as to shipping. A dispute between Captains Spragge and How as to their pennants amicably settled. Petition of the Provost Marshal as to the rescue of Robert Snead, when petitioner was dangerously shot by Snead. Order for Snead to be turned out of his command and taken into custody. Colonels Henry Archbold and John Parnaby, who were also concerned, were bound over to take their trial at the next sessions. Edward Winter similarly bound over to take his trial for maladministration as a Justice of the Peace. Lieut.-Colonel Crow appeared and complained that he did not act as a justice, not from disaffection but because he thought the Duke of Albemarle's commission extinct. |
| Feb. 22. |
Order for Captain Spragg and the tender to H.M.S. Drake to sail with all speed against Laurens. Copy of his instructions. Order for Thomas Ryves to attend on the 10th March with his accounts. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 21–29.] |
Feb. 22.
Nevis. |
770. Lieutenant-Governor Netheway to the King and Queen. Since the capture of St. Christophers we live in continual fear of conquest owing to the want of a fleet, and we have lately been mightily depopulated by distemper, so that we have little to encourage us but hope of relief from you. The Lieutenant-General lately ordered an attack on some of the French Islands, which was successfully done. Considerable plunder was taken-but possession could not be kept for want of a fleet; for the French reinforced the Islands from St. Christophers and compelled our forces to an honourable retreat. Signed. Jno. Netheway. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 1 May, 1690. [America and West Indies. No. 80.] |
| Feb. 25. |
771. Lieutenant-Governor Netheway to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have suffered great mortality from small pox, flux and fever and ague; so that if the French attack us they will find us very weak. We have now about fifteen hundred fighting men in garrison and two thousand negroes, while the Island is well fortified, so that unless the French receive fresh supplies we may hold our own, for we almost despair of help from England. General Codrington recently made an attack on St Bartholemews and took it, but the troops were forced to abandon it and retreat. He also sent Captain Hewetson against Marie Galante, where he burned the town and most of the Island and spiked the guns. Signed. Jno. Netheway. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 1 May, 90. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 81, and Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 43. pp. 201–204.] |
| Jan. 10. |
772. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Sir Henry Ashurst and other merchants and traders to New England. Mr. Bradstreet's letters of 26 and 30 October presented (Nos. 513, 524), also Mr. Randolph's letters of 5 September and 15 October (Nos. 407, 482). Thomas Offley and Thomas Fairweather, lately arrived from New England, also gave information. Agreed to advise the King to
grant a general pardon to pirates (Memo. The King gave no order hereon), to order musters of the West India Regiment, and to renew Lord Howard's commission as Governor of Virginia. (Memo. No order was given as to this last.) [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 312–318.] |
| Feb. 25. |
773. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King. In pursuance of your Order in Council of 13th inst. referring to us the petition of the merchants and inhabitants of New England (see No. 763) we have enquired into the matter and read among others the letters of Governor Bradstreet on the difficulties of the Indian war. We have also received letters from Mr. Randolph, accounts of the damage done by the Indians, of the weakness of the Government, the refusal of the people to pay rates and taxes, and the daily violation of the Acts of Trade and Navigation, all of which are confirmed by letters to merchants in England and by the testimony of persons lately come from thence. We beg to represent the same to you, and the unsettled condition of the Government. 3 pp. Endorsed. Appd. 4 March, 1689–90. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 67, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII., pp. 168–171.] |
| [Feb. 25.] |
774. Petition of Jervas Coppindale, prisoner on board H.M.S. Rose, to Lords of Trade and Plantations. When the news of the King's accession reached New England Captain George intimated that he would carry the ship to France, which design was opposed by petitioner and several of the crew. Captain George, finding himself unable to compass his design, surrendered the ship, but on coming aboard again put petitioner in irons, where he is likely to remain. Prays for intercession with the King, and that he may be brought home to give the King an account of the whole affair. ½ p. Endorsed. Read at the Committee, Feb. 25, 1689. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 66.] |
Feb. 27.
Whitehall. |
775. Order of the King in Council. That the Governor and Council of the Island or Islands shall always be present at the musters of Colonel Holt's regiment and Colonel Hill's company, and shall sign the muster rolls and see that the regiment is not paid unless the rolls be so signed; which rolls shall afterwards be transmitted to the Paymaster General. Signed. John Nicholas. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 82, and Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 43. p. 88, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 111.] |
