|
| Sept. 16. |
2,475. A list of certain documents relating to Naval Accounts in Barbados, delivered to Mr. Thornburgh. Endorsed with a receipt. Signed. Wm. Thornburgh. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 93.] |
| Sept. 16. |
2,476. Address of the freeholders of Connecticut to the King and Queen. We have addressed you before as to our distressed condition, but, from the difficulty of the times or we know not what cause, we have been disappointed. First, we thank God who has raised you up, and crowned your great enterprises with success. Next, we accepted your coronation oath, which included all your dominions, with gladness, promising as it did deliverance from our pressures. But hope deferred makes our heart sick; and it is miserable to us to see other parts of your dominions in happiness while we still labour for want of your government. We can only attribute it to your just offence at the turbulent and undutiful motion lately made in these parts. But we beg you to believe that you have loyal subjects in Connecticut, who are great sufferers from their opposition to the late disorders, and will assure you of their allegiance according to your laws, whenever lawfully called thereto. We cannot orderly convene a general assembly, nor, owing to the speedy departure of this ship, obtain many signatures, but we beg the restoration of your own immediate government for the security of our lives, liberties and properties, and for our deliverance from the oppression of those who
without any warrant from the Crown have suppressed it, have rejected your laws, have (as we are credibly informed) rejected the oath of allegiance in the General Court and refused submission to your lieutenant for the ordering of the militia. The end of all this is but opposition to your government and the oppression and ruin of loyal subjects. This is a country where we cannot live under our oppressions and abuses. A house divided against itself cannot stand. It is hard for us to bequeath certain vassalage and slavery to our posterity. We cannot serve two masters, your Majesty and this Government. We beseech you to let us learn which master we are to have, that we may take the best course we can for ourselves. Signed. Edw. Palmes, Gresham Bulkeley, William Rosewell. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 27 Jan., 1692, from Colonel Fletcher. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 127.] |
| Sept. 16. |
2,477. "Some objections against the pretended Government of Connecticut," presented by the writers of the preceding to Governor Fletcher. In 1687 Sir Edmund Andros by commission from King James invaded the liberties of Connecticut, and exercised government over them contrary to the charter, which was much resented; but since the Revolution in England the people have chosen a Governor and assistants according to their charter, not doubting their right to their former privileges. Yet we think we could prove this opinion false had we time to state the case at large. In 1687 the corporation of Connecticut voluntarily submitted to the King's immediate government, erected with their consent by Sir E. Andros. The corporation dropped their Charter-government, and by omitting the annual election in 1688 extinguished it. All the late officers of the corporation accepted commissions from the Crown, and we yielded them willing obedience; and we found that we enjoyed the laws and liberties of free English subjects more than under the Charter-government. On May 9th, 1689, a faction of the freemen of the Corporation, unlawfully assembled, and the late Corporation officers, all of whom bore other commissions, erected another Government of their own. Now as to this Government (1) it is not derived from the Crown, for the Crown gives no liberty to erect a Government; and in their address to the King of June 13, 1689, they crave pardon for doing so. They will say now that they resumed their Charter-government. But how can they resume that which is not, for the Charter-government is dead. (2) Their Charter gave them no power to resume their Government. They claim to have chosen a Governor and Assistants according to their Charter by the majority of the freemen assembled for that purpose. But this is all false for (a) they can choose no Governor and Assistants according to Charter except in a General Court summoned by the Governor or Deputy Governor, and consisting of those officers and six assistants at the least. But there were no such officers in existence; all were alike private men. (b) The Charter requires that the election must be annual at least, and the election of May 1689 was biennial, therefore not according to charter. (c) An election according to charter is Governor, Deputy Governor, and Assistants only. In 1689 there were three positions submitted to the electors, viz., whether Sir E.
Andros's officers should resume their former place and power; or whether the existing Government should continue; or whether there should be a Committee of Safety; but (d) the two first propositions, laid together, signify "if you choose us, well and good; if not, you shall choose none"—which is not a free election and therefore contrary to charter. (e) Again, election according to charter must be by the vote of the majority of freemen, lawfully summoned, then present, but (i) the freeman, as already shown, were not lawfully summoned; (ii) The majority voted against resumption at the first vote; (iii) The second vote (for they had a second, being dissatisfied with the first) was the vote of a still smaller party, so it was not the vote of a majority, many of those who took part in the first vote declining to take part in the second. (3) It is claimed that the Charter is restored by King James's proclamation to restore charters; but this we deny, because (i) The Charter was not surrendered because of judgment entered against it, but voluntarily; (ii) the proclamation is limited to England, Wales and Berwick; (iii) The Government was not resumed till May, 1689, when King James's proclamation was out of date; (iv) the proclamation was not published, nor did the corporation act as a body-politic as directed thereby, as already shown. (4) The Government is not warranted by any commission of their present Majesties. (5) This Government is erected in opposition to and contempt of the Crown because (i) it is erected without notice to or warrant from the Crown, as aforesaid; (ii) because it suppresses the Government and the laws lately erected here by their Majesties; (iii) because they pretend to obey King James's proclamation, but will not obey their Majesties' of 14 February, 1689; (iv) they have (as we learn) refused the oath of allegiance required by statute of 24 April, 1689; (v) the General Court has voted non-submission to William Phips, who holds their Majesties' Commission as Commander-in-Chief of all strong places and all forces by land or sea. What more can they do in contempt of the Crown, unless they take up arms against it? (6) This Government being thus unlawfully erected and in defiance of the Crown, we cannot yield obedience to it without incurring the penalties imposed by the statutes 23 Eliz. 1 and 3 Jac. 4; yet they enforce their authority on those who disapprove of it. (7) The Government is not a Charter-government, but a supreme Government in all matters civil, military and ecclesiastic. It is arbitrary and despotic; it is regulated by no law but its own will and pleasure; it renounces the laws of England. Hence there is no rule of justice, but the will of the Court or this or that person. Those that oppose the Governor may promise themselves injustice and oppression. Loyalty is the crime of crimes. To conclude, our abuses are incredible. But for the general confusion in the world we could not have borne them for so long. We are only tenants at will of our lives and goods. Prisons and fines are the only arguments. The benefit of their Majesties' laws is denied us. The Throne is made a footstool and the Crown a football for an usurping corporation. We are no enemies to the just rights of corporations, but true friends to the legal English monarchy. 12 pp. Endorsed. Recd.
27 Jan., 1692/3. Printed in New York Documents III., 849. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 128.] |
| Sept. 16. |
2,478. Secretary of the Treasury to John Povey. Forwarding Lord Nottingham's letter of 15 September (No. 2474). [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 24.] |
| Sept. 17. |
2,479. Minutes of Council of New York. The River Indians had audience of the Governor in the court-yard of the fort. They announced that they were returned to their own river (Hudson) with some far Indians with them, and had come to renew the covenant. The Governor replied that the strangers must make peace with the Five Nations before they could be allowed to stay in the Government, and advised them to do so at once; the River Indians he welcomed to renewed friendship. Order for £20 or £30 to be expended in suitable presents for them. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 336, 337.] |
| Sept. 17. |
2,480. Commissioners of Ordnance to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Your order of the 7th instant was not received until the 15th. We now report that the Island of Barbados delivered six hundred snaphance muskets and other stores to Sir Timothy Thornhill's regiment according to the certificates of Captains Edward Thorne and Edmund Wheeler, annexed. The Agents cannot at present produce certificates for arms, etc. furnished to merchant ships. The stores lately sent to Barbados amount to forty cannon and a two thousand round shot. Signed. C. Musgrave, Jo. Charlton, Wm. Boulter. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 19 Sept. 1692. Annexed, |
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2,480. I. Certificate of arms and ammunition furnished to Sir Timothy Thornhill's regiment from the public stock of Barbados. Signed. Edward Thorne. |
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A second certificate to the same effect. Signed. Edm. Wheeler. The whole, 2 pp. Endorsed as the preceding. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. Nos. 94, 94–I, and (without enclosures) Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 293, 294.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,481. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The answer of the Agents of the Leeward Islands to Governor Codrington's proposals for settlement of St. Christophers read. Agreed that Sir Francis Wheeler be directed to report thereon. |
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Report of the Commissioners of Ordnance as to arms and ammunition sent to Barbados read. |
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The petitions and addresses from Maryland referred to the Committee by Order in Council of 15th inst. (Nos. 2470, 2471) read, and a copy of the representations from the Assembly ordered to be sent to the Solicitor General. Colonel Copley's proposals also read. |
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Draft circular as to shipping in the Colonies read and approved (see No. 2535). |
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Major Ingoldsby's letters of 28 April and 20 June read (see No. 2208). Agreed to recommend the orders to be sent to the neighbouring Colonies to help New York and to agree as to a quota of men that they shall furnish. Agreed to ask for information as to the production of naval stores in New England and New York. |
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Letter from the Council of Virginia of 6 July read (see No. 2,318). Ordered that Captain Jones do attend next meeting of Committee. Agreed to recommend Colonels Frere and Reade for appointment to the Council of Barbados. [Board of Trade. Journal, 7. pp. 141–147.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,482. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. That the Lord President be desired to move the King for instructions to Sir Francis Wheeler to inform himself as to the advantages and disadvantages of resettlement of St. Christophers, and as to the willingness of inhabitants of the other Islands to move thither if the same quantity or value of land be granted to them. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 44. pp. 101, 102.] |
| [Sept. 19.] |
2,483. The Agents for the Leeward Islands to Lords of Trade and Plantations. In regard to Governor Codrington's project for resettling St. Christophers, we heartily wish that the present state of affairs would warrant our agreement therewith. The resettlement of our Island, mostly ruined and destroyed, at the hazard of three is no small matter. True, while England is mistress of the sea the Islands will be safe, but so small a body as the inhabitants of St. Christophers may be insulted at any time by the most trifling force. When the French were masters of the sea at the beginning of this year, some of the said inhabitants moved to St. Thomas, so the number must be reduced. And we doubt the coming of so many settlers as Governor Codrington expects to an Island where the fire of war is hottest, and tenure, even after a peace, uncertain. In the years of peace from 1671 to 1689 the settlers did not increase to above five hundred men able to bear arms, including the regular troops, naturalised foreigners and Irish papists. Therefore the Island if resettled will only draw restless spirits from the other Islands and weaken them to danger of destruction. Three Islands can more readily be defended than four by two thousand men, and the withdrawal of the regular troops from St. Christophers would mean increased security to the other Islands. Also it is better to put up with some loss for the present than run the risk of losing more. The French this summer have carried all their people from their small Islands to Martinique, so as to husband their strength. On these grounds we agree with the addresses of the ? Councils and Assemblies of Nevis, Montserrat and Antigua, and differ from Governor Codrington. Signed. Bastian Bayer, Jeff. Jeffreys, Jos. Martyn, Richard Cary. 3 pp. Endorsed. Recd. and read 19 Sept., 1692. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 4. No. 10; and 44. pp. 96–101.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,484. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. That the Lord President move the Queen for the despatch of arms and ammunition to Barbados. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., p. 295.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,485. Order of William Blathwayt for Captain Roger Jones to be summoned to the meeting of Lords of Trade and Plantations on the 22nd September. ¼ p. Draft. [America and West Indies. 637. No. 126.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,486. William Blathwayt to the Solicitor-General. Forwarding an Act of Barbados to enable William Sharpe to sell part of his lands, for his report. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., p. 311.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,487. William Blathwayt to the Secretary to the Treasury. Forwarding a draft letter to the Governors of New York and New England, for the Lords of the Treasury. (See. No. 2,506.) [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 25.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,488. John Povey to the Solicitor-General. Forwarding the representation of the Assembly of Maryland as to Lord Baltimore's claims, for his opinion. (See No. 2,470.) Draft, 1 p. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 87; and 8. p. 60.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,489. John Povey to the Secretary of the Treasury. Forwarding copy of an extract from Governor Copley's proposals for report. (See No. 2472.) [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. p. 76.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,490. The same to the same. Forwarding copy of the address of the Assembly of Maryland as to money due from Lord Baltimore to the Colony. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. p. 78.] |
| [Sept. 19.] |
2,491. Address of the Council and Assembly of Maryland to the King. Having examined the charges exhibited by our Agents against Lord Baltimore and his deputies we find them proved, and many other outrages, insolences and misdemeanours besides, designing nothing less than the subversion of the Government. We find that the shilling per head hogshead duty has been misapplied and that Lord Baltimore's arrears of debt to the country amount to £36,000 or £37,000 at least, whereof his Agents refuse to give any account. We beg that a Royal Commission may be granted for enquiring into the same. Signed by Nehemiah Blakiston and eight members of Council, and by Kenelm Cheseldyn and thirty-five members of Assembly. Large sheet. Endorsed. Recd. 19 Sept. 1692. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 86; and 8. pp. 79–80.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,492. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Order appointing Captain Bernart Andreis to command any sloop or sloops employed against Nathaniel Grubing. Orders for sale of unclaimed goods. Order that every member of Council attend next meeting without fail. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 216, 217.] |
| Sept. 19. |
2,493. Minutes of Council of New York. Proclamation against profanity, strife and recrimination ordered. The accounts of the sheriffs of Long Island committed to audit. |
| Sept. 20. |
A salary of £50 a year fixed for David Jamison, Clerk of Council. Ordered that Colonel Young's present security for arrears of public rates be accepted for a year. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 338.] |
| Sept. 20. |
2,494. William Blathwayt to Mr. Sanson. Requesting a list of the ships that left Virginia in May last, to compare with another list of those that left in July. Draft. ½ p. [America and West Indies. 637. No. 127.] |
| Sept. 20. |
2,495. Order of the Queen in Council. For the despatch of six hundred snaphance muskets and twenty barrels of powder to Barbados, to replace the stores issued to Sir Timothy Thornhill's regiment for the Leeward Islands. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., p. 296.] |
| Sept. 20. |
2,496. Commission for William Beeston to be Governor of Jamaica. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. pp. 51–66.] |
| [Sept.] |
2,497. Colonel Beeston's proposals as to his salary and Councillors. If the Lords of Trade accept the suggestion that my salary be reduced by one half, I shall of course acquiesce and reduce the dignity of the Governor accordingly. But as my expenses in going to Jamaica will be great and I can expect no help from the people there, I hope that an instruction may be given me that I shall not be held accountable to any future Governor for the profits and perquisites of my office, which matter caused such inconvenience to the late Colonel Molesworth. I beg for the admission of Richard Lloyd to the Council. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 83.] |
| Sept. 20. |
2,498. Instructions to William Beeston as Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica. The Council will consist of John White, John Bourden, Peter Beckford, Peter Heywood, Samuel Bernard, John Towers, Nicholas Lawes, Francis Blackmore, Charles Knight, Thomas Sutton, John Peeke and Richard Lloyd. Instructions may be communicated to the Council. All laws, except for temporary purposes, are to be indefinite. No Act to fix the value of current money is to be passed. The utmost endeavour must be made to make the planters keep the number of white servants required of them by law. You will give an account of arms and military stores to the Ordnance Office. The engrossing of commodities is to be suppressed as far as possible. The Assiento is to be encouraged and protected. When Councillors sit in the Appeal Court in cases wherein they have acted as judges, they shall not vote but give reasons for their decision only. The landing places shall be surveyed and fortified, as expedient. You will report on offices held by patent and suspend incompetent officers in such places until further orders. White servants shall serve for four years, and at the end of the term receive thirty acres of land. The Lieutenant-Governor's salary will be £1,000, and he shall not be accountable to any future Governor for his profits and perquisites. The Chief Justices' salary will be £120 a year, and the Commander of the forts will receive six shillings a day. You may consent to a law raising a sum not exceeding £300 a year for the solicitation of the Island's affairs in England, but if you think it inexpedient you may permit voluntary contributions to the same amount for the same object. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. pp. 84–107.] |
Sept. 20.
Jamaica. |
2,499. The Council of Jamaica to [the Earl of Nottingham]. By the death of John White on the 21st inst., John Bourden became President. We forbear to fortify till we have received the Royal orders, and we should be thankful for a skilled engineer to consider the situation of the place and lay out a regular figure, if you will intercede for us to the King. We are fitting the King's House in St. Jago de la Vega as a residence for the Governor. Since the
earthquake want of warm housing has caused great mortality, which still continues. We beg that the supply of men to us may be hastened, and if possible increased. Signed. John Bourden, Pe. Beckford, Peter Heywood, Sam. Bernard, John Towers, Fra. Blackmore, Jo. Peeke. So far this is a duplicate of a letter dated 26 August. Here follows a further letter dated Sept. 20. The Island has been in a declining condition for the last seven years, especially the inward part of it, occasioned by the want of white servants. We are brought so low that we are not strong enough to secure ourselves against the slaves; and the country continues sickly. Port Royal, which was our chief stay and where we could muster two thousand effective men, is since the earthquake reduced to about two hundred men. We beg that this account of our condition may be laid before the King. Signed as above. The whole, 2 pp. Endorsed. R., Dec. 11, '92. [America and West Indies. 540. No. 24; and Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 110; and 53. pp. 128, 129.] |
Sept. 20.
Jamaica. |
2,500. Samuel Bernard to the Earl of Nottingham. Since my last we have had a dreadful earthquake which in two minutes laid most of Port Royal under water, and overthrew almost every house of brick or stone in the Island. We shall be unworthy of God's mercies if we be not by His judgments taught to learn righteousness. I venture to offer suggestions for the future resettlement and encouragement of the Island, which was never more flourishing than before the earthquake. (1) That a Governor should be sent to us whose quality is not too much above ours, and who will not like Lord Inchiquin devote all his words and actions to heaping up money, without regard to planters or traders. (2) That positive instructions be given by the King for a bill to quiet all men's estates to those who have enjoyed them for the past three or five years. Inquiry into titles was too much a fault in late governments, and should be amended after so severe a judgment. (3) That Governors be ordered to communicate all their instructions to all the Council. (4) That the instructions as to appeals from the Supreme Court be better explained. (5) That patentees be required to be resident, on pain of forfeiture. By letting their offices to the highest bidder they grind the faces of the poor. (6) That the Governor be empowered to suspend any debauched or scandalous ministers and grant no benefices but on good behaviour; also that he pass an experimental law to prevent engrossing of provisions. (7) That an instruction be given to call Assemblies at any time, for want of which we suffer extremely now, and that a Lieutenant-Governor be always on the spot to succeed in case of the Governor's death. (8) That if possible extraordinary encouragement be given to the exportation of white servants, especially from Scotland. (9) That a planter from among ourselves be now appointed Governor. Strangers cannot understand our wants as well as ourselves. (10) That the Governor's salary be reduced for the present to £1,000 a year. These are the things suggested to me as most essential by daily work in Council. Thus far is a duplicate of a letter of 30th June. Here follows an addition under date Sept. 20. The Council will have written to you of our deplorable
condition owing to the sickness that has followed on the earthquake. Bad accommodation, the air and, I fear, low spirits owing to losses have all contributed to it. Port Royal fort if repaired can never be more than a blockhouse on an Island, and not easily relievable from the mainland if attacked. I think no place so fit for the seat of Government and the general trade as St. Jago de la Vega. We trust that speedy relief may reach us from England. Signed. Sam. Bernard. Holograph. 2 pp. [America and West Indies. 540. No. 25.] |
Sept. 20.
Whitehall. |
2,501. Rules for the distribution of all prizes and booty taken from the French in the West Indies. Signed. Nottingham. Printed, with manuscript amendments in the margin. 3 pp. [America and West Indies. 551. No. 68.] |
| [Sept.] |
2,502. A list of suggested alterations in the foregoing rules. These provide for placing militia and regular troops on an equal footing, and for special reward for troops engaged in the actual storm of any place. Scrap. [America and West Indies. 551. No. 69.] |
| Sept. 20. |
2,503. Instructions to Colonel John Foulks, Commander-in-Chief of the land forces in the Leeward Islands. He is subordinated to the Governors of the British Islands while ashore on any one of them, but is not to obey their instructions if contrary to resolution of the Council of War. Draft. 3½ pp. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 26; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 258–260.] |
| Sept. 20. |
2,504. Instructions to Sir Francis Wheeler, Knight, Commander-in-Chief of the Naval forces in the West Indies. To attack and destroy Martinique by frequent descents, and then after proceeding to Jamaica, to attack the French settlements in Hispaniola. 3½ pp. Annexed, |
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2,504. I. List of the squadron for the West Indies: thirteen third, fourth and fifth-rates, and three fireships. |
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2,504. II. List of 28 transports to carry 1,915 men. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Plantations General. Nos. 27, 27 I., II.; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 261–267.] |
| Sept. 20. |
2,505. The Queen to the Governor of Barbados. Instructing him to muster all forces in English pay in Barbados, to hire ships when necessary for transport of troops, to summon a Council of War as often as is desired by Sir Francis Wheeler and Colonel Foulks, both of whom are to be sworn of the Council, and to make provision for lodging of stores. Copy. 1½ pp. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 28; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 290, 291.] |
Sept. 20.
Whitehall. |
2,506. Lords of the Treasury to Governor Sir William Phips. Ordering him to provide for the victualling of the West Indian Squadron when called upon by Sir Francis or any of the Commanders in Chief of the sea and land forces in the West Indies, drawing bills on the Commissioners for the Navy or obtaining the necessary credit. Signed. Rich. Hampden, Ste. Fox, Cha. Montague. The same letter also sent to Governor Fletcher. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII., pp. 437, 438; and Vol. C., pp. 293, 294.] |
| Sept. 20. |
2,507. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Sir Edmund Andros's commission was read, and himself and Council sworn. |
| Sept. 21. |
John Lear sworn of the Council, William Edwards sworn clerk. Proclamation to continue all officers in their posts approved. The Lieutenant-Governor made a report of his administration. The Governor's commission of Vice-Admiralty read. Order for public thanksgiving for a great victory over the French. Resolution that no assembly be called till 20 April next. Report was made of Captain George Purvis's loading a ship for England without entering her, and of Mr. Ralph Wormeley's clearing her, contrary to law. The Governor communicated his instructions as to regulating of fees and salaries, survey of harbours, building of fortifications and storehouses, and settling of towns. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., pp. 777–781.] |
| Sept. 21. |
2,508. Copy of the Minutes of Council of Virginia for September 20 and 21, 1692. 5¼ pp. [America and West Indies. 637. No. 128.] |
Sept. 21.
Virginia. |
2,509. Proclamation of Sir Edmund Andros for continuing all officers in their posts. Copy. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 637, No. 129; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., p 767.] |
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Another copy. Endorsed. Recd. 28 March, '94. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 5. No. 11.] |
| Sept. 21. |
2,510. Proclamation of the same for a day of thanksgiving for an English victory at sea. 1 p. Copy. [America and West Indies. 637. No. 130; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., p. 769.] |
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Another copy. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 5. No. 12.] |
| Sept. 21. |
2,511. The Secretary of the Treasury to John Povey. Returning the petition of the Maryland Assembly as to the twenty-five ships that evaded duty (see No. 2471) for report. Signed. Hen. Guy. ½ p. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 88; and 8. p. 71.] |
| Sept. 22. |
2,512. Petition of Sir Timothy Thornhill to Governor Kendall. Setting forth that Nicholas Prideaux, member of Council, is corrupt and seditious, bargaining and selling his vote as Councillor and the votes of others, to the prejudice of petitioner. Prays enquiry into the matter. 1 p. Endorsed, with an order from Governor Kendall that the petition be shewn to Mr. Prideaux that he may answer it before Council. 22 September, 1692. Certified copy. Endorsed. Read 9 Jan., 1692. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 95.] |
Sept. 22.
Whitehall. |
2,513. William Blathwayt to Henry Guy. By our latest account the Duke of Bolton's regiment on 3rd July last, numbered about five hundred men. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 44. p. 47.] |
| Sept. 22. |
2,514. Minutes of Council of New York. Bill for £100 from Maryland delivered in Council to Abraham de Peyster, Mayor of New York. |
| Sept. 23. |
Joseph Dudley suspended from the Council for non-residence. Resolved also that he should be divested of his office of Chief Justice. Mr. De Peyster having pointed out that one set of the bills from Maryland was missed, the Council undertook to indemnify him if they were not paid. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 339–340.] |
Sept. 23.
New York. |
2,515. Governor Fletcher to the Earl of Nottingham. I enclose the information of three escaped prisoners and two deserters from Canada. The King is at some charge for keeping a ketch in these waters. She is no use, a slug in sailing; pray send a nimble fifth-rater, which would be of more value. The Council has asked me not to go to Albany till things are better settled here. I am despatching detachments and stores as they can be spared. I am so well acquainted with French brags that I care little for them, but it seems shameful that such a handful of vermin should nest themselves in Canada, when the King has so many noble Colonies on the Continent, which if united would drive them into the sea. I am going, with all secrecy, to take a view of the frontiers; I shall best discover their condition by coming unexpected. Signed. Ben. Fletcher. Holograph. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 7 Feb. Read 9 and 11 Feb., 1692/3. Printed in New York Documents III., 854. Annexed, |
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2,515. I. Examination of three prisoners and two French renegades from Canada. About the 12th of August last nine ships arrived from France. Thirty great guns were landed, twenty patararoes and three hundred bombs, but no men. A new fort of stone is building at Quebec. Three hundred paces of it are already ten feet high, and there are seven bastions. Last summer they had a design to take Senectady, erect a fort there and take Albany also, but the design failed. The Chevalier d'Eux has gone to France to report on New York, Albany and Boston. The two men-of-war are of thirty-two and thirty-four guns. They are collecting all the small craft they can to fall on Wells, Piscataqua, or some other part of New England. Signed. Ben. Fletcher. 1 p. Endorsed. Read 3 Feb. '92–3. Printed in New York Documents III., 855. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. Nos. 129, 129 I.; and (without enclosure) 48. pp. 25–27.] |
| Sept. 23. |
2,516. Abstract of Governor Fletcher's letters of 10 and 23 September. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 130.] |
| Sept. 23. |
2,517. Mr. Godolphin to John Povey. Since 1 April 1692 there have been entered at the port of London from Virginia and Maryland 59 ships, and at the out-ports 77 ships. Signed. C. Godolphin. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 637. No. 131.] |
| Sept. 23. |
2,518. Account of the disposal of the two hundred barrels of powder sent to Virginia. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Dec. 1692. This document is dated on the face, 23 April, and on the back, 23 September, 1692. [America and West Indies. 637. No. 132.] |
| Sept. 23. |
2,519. William Blathwayt to Henry Guy. Sending copy of the petition of the Assembly of Maryland, as to the ships that
evaded duty, to the Treasury for report. Draft. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 89; and 8. pp. 71, 72.] |
| Sept. 23. |
2,520. John Povey to the Lords of the Treasury. In obedience to your letter of 21 September (see No. 2511) I report that £940 of the shilling per hogshead duty of Maryland for 1692 appears to have been disposed of for public purposes by the convention before Governor Copley's arrival. The Assembly asks that the whole of this duty on twenty-five ships, which did not pay duty in 1690, may be made over to the Governor. Orders have already been given for duty to the amount of £1,730 to be collected from the ships, and for payment of £465 to Lord Baltimore. But whether the £1,730 has been collected yet I know not. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. pp. 72–74.] |
| Sept. 23. |
2,521. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The President reported great mortality at Kingston. The question whether ships might not unload at Port Royal was debated, and it was carried that the Government offices be removed to Port Royal. Order for repair of Fort Charles. A French sloop with a flag of truce was permitted to be repaired. Resolved that the inhabitants of Port Royal be recommended to repair the fortifications there at their own charge. Letters to Lords of Trade and Plantations (see next abstract). [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 218, 219.] |
Sept. 23.
Jamaica. |
2,522. The President and Council of Jamaica to [the Earl of Nottingham]. After the earthquake we selected a site for a town which we thought would have equalled and exceeded Port Royal and ordered all ships to unload there. But we are now sensible to our grief, by the mortality, of the unhealthiness of the place, and we find that it is harder to fortify the harbour than we expected; so we have been forced to order the withdrawal of all the offices to the remains of Port Royal where there is still firm rock enough left for fortifying, which neither earthquake nor sea have destroyed. On the 22nd inst. H.M.S. Mordaunt returned from Port Bello (see No. 2367). Signed. John Bourden, Pe. Beckford, John Towers, Fra Blackmore, Charles Knight, Tho. Sutton, Jo. Peeke. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 11 Dec. 92. [America and West Indies. 540. No. 26; and Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 130.] |
Sept. 24.
Jamaica. |
2,523. President and Council of Jamaica to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Identical with the preceding 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 12 Dec. 1692. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 111.] |
| Sept. 24. |
2,524. Extract from a letter of Mr. Van Cortlandt of 24 September. Respecting the information given in the enclosure to Governor Fletcher's letter of 23 September (see No. 2515 I). ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 131.] |
| Sept. 26. |
2,525. Minutes of Council of New York. The Governor, having gone privately to Albany, left general directions for the government in his absence to Frederick Flypse, and Colonels van Cortlandt and Bayard. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 340.] |
| Sept. 27. |
2,526. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Nicholas Prideaux suspended (see next abstract). In further consequence of the
petition of Sir Timothy Thornhill the Governor adjourned the Court of Chancery pending consideration of the oath taken by members of the Council sitting in Court of Error. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 373–375.] |
| Sept. 27. |
2,527. Extract from the Minutes of Council of Barbados. The petition of Sir Timothy Thornhill against Nicholas Prideaux examined. William Sharpe and Captain William Cole were called in support of the statement of the petition, and their evidence was corroborated by others. The charge being considered proved, Mr. Prideaux was suspended. Certified copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 9 Jan. 92. Annexed, |
|
2,527 I. Deposition of William Sharpe. On the 13th July I was in conversation with Mr. Prideaux over the bill for granting £1,000 to Sir Timothy Thornhill, when he spoke bitterly against the bill and said that it would meet with unprecedented opposition in Council, naming some of the gentlemen who did oppose it. I told him that I would vote for the bill, whereon he told me that I should find it the worst day's work I should ever do, as he and his friends would vote against me in my own business, I having several causes depending in Chancery. As the loss of the causes meant ruin to me I absented myself from Council, though I begged him not to let Sir Timothy Thornhill know why, as it might prove a great misfortune to me. Sworn, 25 August 1692. Copy. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 9 June 1692. |
|
2,527 II. Deposition of William Cole in confirmation of the above. Same date and endorsement. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. Nos. 96, 96, I, II.] |
| [Sept.] |
2,528. Representation of Colonel William Beeston to the Privy Council. The Admiralty have expunged my powers of Vice-Admiralty from my commission and given me instead a commission to act under the Seal of the Admiralty Office. It seems that this will prevent me from issuing commissions or condemning prizes. This will be fatal, as all our privateers will go over to the enemy; and it must be improper that our prizes cannot be condemned. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 112; and 53. pp. 116, 117.] |
| Sept. 29. |
2,529. Order of the Privy Council. Referring the foregoing representation of Colonel Beeston to the Admiralty, for their remarks. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 117.] |
| Sept. 29. |
2,530. Order of the Privy Council. Referring a petition of Jamaica merchants regarding the plantation of indigo in Africa, to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 123.] |
| Sept. 30. |
2,531. Account of the provisions to be sent to the West Indies for the troops at sea, making allowance for fifty-six days, and of other provisions to be transported thither for them; with Commissary Fotherby's receipt for the same. Copy. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 29; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 286–289.] |
| Sept. 30. |
Duplicate of the preceding. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 30.] |
