|
Oct. 1.
Custom House. |
2,532. John Knight to Lords of the Treasury. Of the £1,730 due from ships which did not pay duty in Maryland only £690 has been received, of which the King's share amounts to but £296, which has been paid to Lord Baltimore on account of the £465 allowed to him. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. pp. 74, 75.] |
Oct. 1.
Whitehall. |
2,533. Order of the Queen in Council. For the preparation of circular letters to the Governors of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New England, to give assistance in men and money, on the application of the Governor of New York, for securing that province from French and Indians, and further to agree upon the quota of men, with other assistance, to be furnished to each Colony, and report thereon, that further instructions may be given for the protection of Albany and New York. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 450, 451.] |
| Oct. 6. |
2,534. Warrants for the appointment of Tobias Frere and John Read to the Council of Barbados. Countersigned. Nottingham. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 308, 309.] |
| Oct. 7. |
2,535. Circular Instructions to Governor Kendall. That no ships be permitted to sail from Barbados except in fleets under convoy. Countersigned. Nottingham. |
|
The like to the Governors of other Colonies. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 309, 310 and 343, 344, and Vol. C. pp. 295–296; also Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 44. pp. 106, 107; and pp. 118, 119; Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 154.] |
| Oct. 7. |
2,536. Memorandum for the Queen's letter to Governor Fletcher for Pennsylvania to assist New York. Rough notes. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 132.] |
| Oct. 7. |
2,537. Additional instructions to Governor Sir Edmund Andros. That no ships sail from Virginia to England except in fleets while the war lasts. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 36. p. 157 and p. 217.] |
| Oct. 7. |
The same instructions to Governor Copley. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. pp. 50, 51.] |
| Oct. 7. |
2,538. Additional instruction to Sir Francis Wheeler, to enquire as to the resettlement of St. Christophers. (See No. 2482.) [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 44. pp. 104, 105.] |
| Oct. 7. |
2,539. Instructions to Thomas Fotherby as Commissary-General of stores in the West Indies. Copy. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 31; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 269.] |
| Oct. 10. |
2,540. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Order for the Receiver General to keep his office in town on Monday next. Charles Knight produced a bag of gold, which he said was all that remained
in the King's storehouse. Order for H.M.S. Guernsey to return to Port Royal. Order for payments. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. p. 220.] |
| Oct. 10. |
2,541. Minutes of Council of New York. The Governor reported that he had visited the frontier by surprise to gain a truer knowledge of the real position; that he had strengthened the fortifications at Albany; that he had confirmed friendship with the Five Nations and seen them bury the hatchet; and that he had visited Senectady and given such orders as he thought expedient. Order for payment of Godfrey Dellius's salary, and of money to Robert Livingstone from Albany. |
| Oct. 11. |
On the petition of the inhabitants of Senectady, resolved that they be exempted from their quota of taxation. Order for payment of £30 as a year and a half's salary to Hellegond, the interpretress between the Government and the Five Nations. Order for payment of half a year's salary to Joseph Dudley, and of £75, the cost of the Governor's journey to Albany. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 340–342.] |
| Oct. 10. |
2,542. Minutes of Council of Barbados. The Governor acquainted the Assembly that the tax on windmills would not pay the expenses of raising a thousand men. He also communicated the discovery of a negro plot and recommended a bill to meet such dangers. |
| Oct. 11. |
Order for sundry payments. The Assembly brought up a supplemental bill to raise a thousand men, which was passed. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 377, 378.] |
| Oct. 11. |
2,543. Circular from the Queen to the Governors of New England, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. Requiring them to send assistance in men or money to New York when called upon, and to decide the quota to be furnished by each Colony. Countersigned. Nottingham. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LXIX., pp. 452, 453; and Vol. LXII., pp. 413, 414.] |
| Oct. 11. |
2,544. The Queen to Governor Fletcher. Requiring that Pennsylvania shall give assistance to New York for defence of Albany. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXVI, p. 40.] |
| Oct. 11. |
2,545. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Virginia merchants asked for a convoy for their ships before the beginning of January next. |
|
The East India merchants attended concerning the supply of saltpetre. |
|
The Jamaica merchants, the African Company and the Commissioners of Customs attended, on the subject of the plantation of indigo on the Coast of Africa. The Lords agreed on their report. |
|
Captain Jones attended, and explaining that he intended nothing against the Government of Virginia, was dismissed. [Board of Trade. Journal, 7. pp. 147–150.] |
| Oct. 11. |
2,546. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. On the petition of Jamaica merchants as to the planting of indigo in Africa (see No. 2,530), it appears that seven tenths of the indigo imported during the last four years came from Jamaica; but the petitioners allege that the industry will be abandoned in Jamaica if it increase in Africa. Indigo has doubled in price since 1687, and the planting of it in Africa will lower it; but it will certainly be raised again either by the decay of indigo-planting in Jamaica or destruction of the industry in Africa by the enemy; which inconvenience the petitioners desire may be removed by an order restraining the African Company from planting indigo. Mem. 13 Oct. On reading this report petitioners were left to their legal remedy. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. pp. 124, 125.] |
| Oct. 11. |
2,547. The Queen to Governor Sir Edmund Andros. Ordering him to help New York if called upon, and to agree with the neighbouring Colonies as to the quota of men that each shall furnish. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 36. pp. 158, 159.] |
|
The same letter to the Governor of Maryland. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 8. pp. 48, 49.] |
Oct. 12.
Boston. |
2,548. Translation of a letter from Abraham Gouverneur to his parents. Little John and his son have been cast away and drowned. All my clothes, linen, silver, pocket-book and books are lost, so that I have nothing but two shirts and one cravat. Send me as soon as possible my gold rings or their value in money, also some shirts, and press Mr. Beckman to send me money to go to England or to remain here. I had no clothes but my old black coat, and, waiting for little John, had not been with the Governor, but last week I sold my gold, the smaller of the hat bands, and have earned a little money here, so I bought me a new suit of very fine cloth, with appurtenances, which cost me about 600 guilders. I would have made me a worse, but I must be every day in company with the great men. I wait only for news from home and money from Beckman, when I must provide myself with everything. It is already very cold, freezing almost every night. Yesterday I wrote to the Governor and presented him with the translation from the French. I am not allowed to send you a copy. There were several other translations, but mine was accepted, and it will soon be in print. I told the Governor who I was and what had passed at New York. He took me into a room alone when I began. He said that old King James's Council at New York spoils all, and must be put out, and that the Governor is a poor beggar who seeks money and not the country's good. He hopes that your advocate Mr. Manley is chosen Parliament man, and your business then will be carefully looked after. I doubt not of satisfaction for goods and I hope for blood also; for if what you and Leisler have done be ill, how can his Majesty sit on the throne? We had some other discourse, and at last he said to me, "You are heartily welcome. If you go to England I will help you forward, and if you will carry my letters to the King, you will serve me." I answered that I would willingly do so; and he said again, "Even if you do not go, you are welcome.
Let me know when I can do anything for you, and when you hear from New York. I desire to know how I can help you in England, and it shall be done." I have been with several of the Council, and all say the same. Let Mrs. Leisler and Mr. Beckman read this letter. Translation. 1½ p. Endorsed. Read 10 June, 1693. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 133.] |
| Oct. 12. |
2,549. Another translation of the foregoing with a few superficial variations, and a copy of the original Dutch. The whole, 4 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 19 July, 1693. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 134.] |
| Oct. 12. |
2,550. Another certified copy of the above translation. [America and West Indies. 561. No. 16.] |
Oct. 12.
Boston. |
2,551. Sir William Phips to William Blathwayt. On my arrival I found this province miserably harassed by a most horrible witchcraft or possession of devils, which had broke in upon several towns. Some scores of poor people were taken with preternatural torments; some were scalded with brimstone; some had pins stuck into their flesh; others were hurried into the fire and water, and some dragged out of their houses and carried over the tops of trees and hills for many miles together. It has been represented to me as much like that of Sweden thirty years ago, and there were many committed to prison on suspicion of witchcraft before my arrival. The loud cries and clamours of the friends of the afflicted, together with the advice of the Deputy-Governor and Council, prevailed with me to appoint a Court of Oyer and Terminer to discover what witchcraft might be at the bottom, whether it were not a possession. The chief judge was the Deputy Governor, and the rest people of the best prudence and figure that could be pitched upon. At Salem in Essex County they convicted more than twenty persons of witchcraft, and some of the accused confessed their guilt. The Court, as I understand, began their proceedings with the accusations of the afflicted persons and then went upon other humane evidences to strengthen that. I was in the East of the Colony throughout almost the whole of the proceedings, trusting to the Court as the right method of dealing with cases of witchcraft; but when I returned I found many persons in a strange ferment of dissatisfaction, which was increased by some hot spirits that blew up the flame; but on enquiry into the matter I found that the devil had taken upon him the name and shape of several persons who were doubtless innocent, for which cause I have now forbidden the committal of any more accused persons; and them that have been committed I would shelter from any proceedings wherein the innocent could possibly suffer wrong. I would also await the King's orders on this perplexed affair. I have put a stop to the printing of any discourses on either side that may increase useless disputes, for open contests would mean an inextinguishable flame. I have been grieved to see that some who should have done better service to their Majesties and to this province have so far taken counsel with passion to desire the precipitancy of those matters. Some have improved the occasion to hamper me in the Government. Nothing has troubled me more
than that the King's business has been clogged, though the persons who have made ill improvement of the troubles lay the blame on me; but as soon as I had done fighting the King's enemies and understood the danger of innocent people through the accusations of the afflicted, I put a stop to the Court's proceedings till the King's pleasure should be known. Signed. William Phips. 2 pp. Endorsed. Read in Council, 1693. [Board of Trade. New England, 6. No. 7, and an extract in Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII., pp. 414–417.] |
| Oct. 12. |
2,552. Governor Sir William Phips to the Earl of Nottingham. I have written at length to Mr. Blathwayt, so shall spare you a long letter. I beg once more to represent how advantageous the conquest of Canada will be, not only to their Majesties and the English nation, but also to your Lordship. If the King will give me his instructions therein and a sufficient supply of ships and stores, the attack could be made ready for next spring. The province is with me in the matter, and if I be appointed to command, there will be no need to press men. Your goodwill towards such enterprise makes all arguments needless. I have with six hundred men beaten our French and Indian enemies and have given the plunder and captives to the soldiers, which has encouraged them. I have caused a new fort to be built at Pemaquid, have mounted the guns and secured our eastern frontier. This is the first check given to the enemy for several years. I have caused the inhabitants of Port Royal to renew their oath of allegiance. There are some few persons here? who too much idolize the old Charter, and others who through envy seek my prejudice. I beg leave to defend myself if any of my enemies seek to lessen their Majesties' favourable opinion of me. Signed. William Phips. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 561. No. 15.] |
| Oct. 12. |
2,553. Lords of the Admiralty to the Lords of Trade and Plantations. On the memorial of Colonel Beeston (see No. 2,528) we find that Colonel Beeston has as much power in Admiralty as his predecessors, for we are informed that none of them had power to grant commissions or condemn prizes. The only difference is that the Governor of Jamaica formerly derived his authority from the King, and now desires it from this board; and it is our opinion that it is inadvisable to grant him more authority than his predecessors. Signed. R. Rich, W. Priestman, Falkland, Robt. Austin, C. Cornwallis, J. Lowther, Ri. Onslow, J. Sotherne. Mem. On reading this report no further directions were given. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. pp. 118–119.] |
| Oct. 12. |
2,554. Minutes of General Assembly of Massachusetts. The Committee for revision of the local laws presented their work, which was sent down to the Representatives. |
| Oct. 13. |
Return of the assessment from the several towns presented, and sent down to the Representatives. |
| Oct. 14. |
Bills for declaring the general rights and liberties of the people and for granting of possessions and titles passed. |
| Oct. 15. |
Bills for the settling of inheritances, and for lands to stand charged for debts read. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 343–345.] |
| Oct. 13. |
2,555. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The new public seal for Jamaica approved. [Board of Trade, Journal, 7. p. 150.] |
| Oct. 13. |
2,556. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for a new election to the Assembly for the City and County of New York in consequence of illegal proceedings at the last election. Order for payment of a gratuity to two escaped prisoners from Canada. |
| Oct. 14. |
Abraham de Peyster sworn Mayor of New York and Stanley Handcock, Sheriff. Order for the present and late sheriffs to be released from the indenture for prisoners accused of treason, and now discharged. |
| Oct. 15. |
Order for no money to be demanded of Augustine Grasset, weighmaster, until the matter of duties to be paid to him be settled by Act. Order for payment of £8 to William Welsh, door-keeper to the House of Representatives, and for further payment for the care of Hendryck Gerritse, the wounded soldier. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 343, 344.] |
| Oct. 14. |
2,557. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Desiring the Lord President to present a seal for Jamaica to the Queen in Council. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 119.] |
Oct. 14.
Whitehall. |
2,558. Order of the Queen in Council. For a warrant to be prepared authorising Colonel Beeston to use the new seal for Jamaica. Signed. John Nicholas. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. p. 120.] |
| Oct. 14. |
2,559. Warrant for the use of the new great seal in Jamaica. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 53. pp. 121–122.] |
| Oct. 14. |
2,560. Description of the Great Seal of Jamaica. One side bears the effigies of the King and Queen who are presented with a pine apple by an Indian, also the arms of Jamaica, viz.: a cross charged with five pine apples and an alligator for crest. 1 p. Endorsed. 14 Oct. '92. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 113.] |
| Oct. 14. |
2,561. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Declaration of the Governor and Council that no further office than the Naval Office established by Act of the Province is necessary for clearing and entering ships; but that it will always be ready to help the King's Collector in the execution of his commission. Order for payment of £20 towards the salary of the gunner at Salem. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 194, 195.] |
Oct. 14.
Maryland. |
2,562. Governor and Council of Maryland to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The arrival of Sir Thomas Laurence, their Majesty's Secretary for the Province, gives us occasion to lay the following facts before you. Soon after his arrival he produced his commission and instructions to us, and was duly sworn Secretary, Councillor, and Justice of the Provincial Court. Since then, without giving the security which is required fully to capacitate him for the office, he has presumed to exercise his authority in the following
way. Having thoroughly informed himself of the perquisites of the ten County Court Clerks he has seized three of the principal places, managed by most able Clerks who had long served with general satisfaction, and discarded those officers for no reason but to make vacancies which he may supply when he pleases. One of these places he conferred on his son, who is under age, to be managed by a deputy whom he brought in for the purpose. Another he has conferred upon another of his creatures, also brought in with him, to be managed likewise by a deputy; and the third place he has reserved, as is supposed, for some mercenary person for his own use and benefit. Yet at his arrival he announced that no person was to be employed in these places who could not officiate himself, as deputies were forbidden by his instructions. Having done thus with three Clerks, he has made terms with the rest, and now demands an account of all their perquisites, saying that they are accountable to him. He also claims that they must pay him considerably for his commission and has extorted money on this account. All this he does, though his commission makes him Secretary only during the King's pleasure and his own residence in the province, and forbids the sale of the offices or the reservation of more than a tenth of the annual receipts of the Clerks. These proceedings are much resented by the Council, and call for your redress. We hear of complaints as to the insufficiency of the new clerks and the injustice done to those who were turned out. Such unwarrantable proceedings on Sir Thomas's part do not surprise us, for we find him caballing and indeed conversing with none but the professed enemies of the Government, who fill him with lies about the emoluments of his office and set him upon these exorbitant measures to satisfy his avarice. So possessed is he with this society that he has separated himself from our consultations and stands at a distance, seeking every opportunity of complaint against us. Having debated the question of his perquisites in Council and determined them, we referred them to the Assembly as the best interpreters of their own laws. But from this he flew off, protesting against both the proposal and the laws because they do not correspond with his avaricious desires. Having valued himself £1,000 at sight on the base disposition of these places (as is reported), and since on the least occasion he talks of appealing to the King in Council, we send you this report, feeling assured that you will not countenance such proceedings. Signed. L. Copley, Nea. Blakiston, Nicholas Greenberry, Thomas Tench, John Addison, Jno. Courts. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 May, '93. Abstract read 15 Sept. 1693. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 90; and 8. pp. 104–108.] |
Oct. 15.
Portsmouth. |
2,563. John Usher to Sir William Phips. Thank you for continuing the force here. But their Majesties' choice of a man to govern this province has been unhappy. I say nothing as to Major Frost's courage and conduct, for I know him to be a very deserving man, but I know also that the defence and protection of this province is committed by their Majesties, in the absence of the Governor,
to my charge. Some of the men here, as you doubtless know, are as capable of advising convenient posts for the men as any in Maine. As to the officers whom you appoint to the additional companies I shall always faithfully uphold your choice; but as to the orders which shall march and to what post, I think you will admit that, in your absence from the field, they lie with me. So with the advice of the Council I beg you again not only to let the present men remain but to send us sixty more, with supplies and ammunition, there being none here for the soldiers for some time past; and I beg for your answer hereto with all speed. It remains only to acquaint you, whatever evil-disposed persons may buzz in your ears as to the differences between us, that I am ready to submit to anything consistent with the trust reposed in me by their Majesties, which is for the good and defence of the Colony. Signed. John Usher. Written below by Sir William Phips. This is Mr. Usher's letter in his own hand, which I send to confirm my report of him. The whole, 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. from Sir William Phips. [Board of Trade. New England, 6. No. 8.] |
| Oct. 17. |
2,564. Minutes of General Assembly of Massachusetts. Bills for settling of inheritances and for charging lands with debts again read and debated. |
| Oct. 18. |
The latter bill was passed, and the former again read. Bill for keeping the Lord's Day read. The Governor announced that he must be absent for a few days in a distant part of the province on the public service. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 345, 346.] |
| Oct. 18. |
2,565. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Orders for sundry payments. H.M.S. Mordaunt ordered to cruise down as low as St. Ann's. Notice to be given to Mons. Dumas at Petit Guavos that the sloop lately sent with a flag of truce took away a French surgeon and his wife, an English subject. Orders for payments, and for payment of half a crown to the President for every dedimus issued under the Broad Seal for probate of wills or swearing of appraisers. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 221, 222.] |
| Oct. 18. |
2,566. Minutes of Council of Virginia. On the application of Governor Copley, order was given as to the arrest of parties suspected of being guilty of a murder in Maryland. [Col. Entry Book, Vol. LXXXIV., pp. 781, 782.] |
Oct. 18.
Whitehall. |
2,567. Order of the Privy Council. That instructions be given to Sir Francis Wheeler to enquire as to the settlement of St. Christophers. (See No. 2,481.) [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 44. pp. 102–104.] |
| Oct. 19. |
2,568. Minutes of Council of New York. Resolved that it is very necessary for the Governor to take the field in person, as he has suggested. [Col. Entry Bk, Vol. LXXV., p. 344.] |
Oct. 20.
New Hampshire. |
2,569. John Usher to the Earl of Nottingham. On my arrival on the 11th of August and assuming my place as Lieutenant-Governor I found but five of the Council that could or would attend, Messrs. Gerrish, Graffort and Love making their laudable excuses.
I was therefore obliged to take in Major William Vaughan and Mr. Richard Waldern, persons of good estate and I hope of loyalty. I find the upland parts of the province dangerously exposed to the attacks of French and Indians, who have done so much damage since the beginning of the war. We can muster but 754 souls; and aid from Boston is only obtainable with difficulty, if at all. The fort at the mouth of the harbour is well situated for its purpose, and I have lodged there the guns and ammunition granted by the King. There are no other forts worth the name, nothing but palisaded houses. I have called an Assembly, which is now sitting; but their poverty is so great that I find it hard to raise money to put the country in a state of defence, much less to advance the King's revenue. However I shall do my best. I fear that I shall not be able to send the Acts by this ship. Signed. John Usher. Holograph. 1 p. Endorsed. R. Dec. 12, 1622. [America and West Indies. 572. No. 1.] |
| Oct. 21. |
2,570. Petition of Edward Bushell, on behalf of Ralph Lane. That Lane's security may be taken and the evidence of his witnesses transmitted to England. In the margin. Order of the King referring the petition to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed. Nottingham. Inscribed. Recd. 9 Nov., '92. Read 28 Nov., '92. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 97; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 315, 316.] |
| [Oct.] |
2,571. Petition of Ralph Lane. Recounts that in 1687 he was barbarously dragged to goal at the instance of Colonel Stede, for no fault, and has lain there ever since. Begs that his appeal may be heard. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 98.] |
| Oct. 21. |
2,572. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Resolved that the way to collect most revenue from quit-rents is to sell them by tender. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., pp. 782, 783.] |
| Oct. 21. |
2,573. Commission for Benjamin Fletcher to be Governor of New York and Pennsylvania. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXVI., pp. 26–36.] |
| Oct. 22. |
2, 574. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. The Special Commission for a Court of oyer and terminer was drawn and presented. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., p. 196.] |
| Oct. 22. |
2,575. Minutes of General Assembly of Massachusetts. Bills for keeping the Lord's day, for prevention of frauds, and for equal distribution of insolvent estates were passed. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 346, 347.] |
| Oct. 24. |
2,576. Minutes of General Assembly of Massachusetts. Bill as to slaughter-houses read and debated. |
| Oct. 25. |
The above bill was passed, also a bill to compel building with brick or stone in Boston. |
| Oct. 26. |
A conference held as to the deficiency in the receipts from the late assessment. A committee appointed to calculate the debt and growing charges of the province. |
|
Bill for support of Ministers read and debated. |
| Oct. 28. |
The above bill, with the bills to establish Courts of Justice and for settling inheritances were again considered. |
| Oct. 29. |
Several judicial appointments made. Bill as to felonies passed. Weights and Measures Bill read and ordered for further reading. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 347–351.] |
| Oct. 24. |
2,577. Minutes of Council of New York. Resolved to appoint a barge to board all vessels arriving within Jersey Point; the coxswain to have £10 per annum, and the right oarsmen each £2 10s. Od.; also to rebuild the house belonging to the fort on Nutten Island. Order for payment for transport of ordnance to Albany. |
| Oct. 25. |
Pieter Schuyler sworn of the Council. Committee appointed to report on the returns of the Commissioners for assessment of estates. Orders for payment for transport of troops, for payment of half a year's sales to Godfrey Dellius, and for providing sixty beds for the three companies of fusiliers at Albany. |
| Oct. 26. |
On the petition of John Hooglandt, ordered that he attend the Council to-morrow. Order for all warrants for payment to be in future entered by the Accountant-General. Orders for sundry payments on account of the officers and men at Albany, and Indians at Saratoga. |
| Oct. 27. |
Order for Samuel Kniffin to be discharged from prison, on finding security for due collection of rates and for good behaviour. John Hooglandt's petition referred to a Committee. |
| Oct. 28. |
Order for the petitioners from Suffolk, who pray for a free port, to attend next Council. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 345–347.] |
Oct. 25.
Barbados. |
2,578. Copy of an Act appointing an oath to be taken by all who are empowered to hear and determine matters of equity. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 13 Jan. 1692. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 99.] |
Oct. 25.
James City. |
2,579. The Secretary of Virginia to the Earl of Nottingham. Sir Edmund Andros arrived on the 11th September. The Council could not meet him in a body on his landing, but attended at James City on the 20th when His Excellency was sworn. The Lieutenant-Governor has since gone to Maryland, and the Governor has visited the heads of the rivers. Signed. Chr. Robinson. 1½ pp. Endorsed. R. Jan. 4, 92–3. [America and West Indies. 637. No. 133.] |
| Oct. 25. |
2,580. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Order for an embargo on all shipping; and for reinforcement of the frontier garrisons by 120 men. |
| Oct. 26. |
Order for the justices and other officers in Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket to keep the peace on those Islands, the people being disquieted by a warrant from New York, tending to obstruct the public service. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIV., pp. 197, 198.] |
| Oct. 25. |
2,581. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Orders for sundry payments. The Assembly brought up a bill appointing the oath to be taken by those who are judges in matters of equity, which was passed. The Governor reminded them of the need to pass an Act to prevent rebellion of negroes. Declaration of the Council setting forth their reasons for requiring a new oath to be taken by Councillors sitting in equity. |
| Oct. 26. |
The new oaths taken by the Governor and Council. Order for sundry payments. |
| Oct. 27. |
The Assembly brought up bills for the governing of negroes, for the free quartering of a King's regiment, for the encouragement of negroes who betray a conspiracy, and for prohibiting the sale of liquor to negroes, all of which were passed. Arrangement for maintaining certain French prisoners and paying the cost of their transfer in due time. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 378–387.] |
| Oct. 26. |
2,582. Minutes of General Assembly of New York. Speech of the Governor, who brought before the Representatives the necessity for establishing an able ministry and observance of the Lord's day and for paying the debts of the Colony. He reported that he had visited the frontier and put it in some state of defence, and that the building of forts at Albany and Senectady would ease the cost of posting militia there. Lastly he urged the settlement of Courts of Judicature and of salaries for the judges. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 654–657.] |
| Oct. 27. |
2,583. Report of the Solicitor General on the Act of Barbados to enable William Sharpe to sell waste lands. I see no objection to the act except that there is no saving clause to preserve the rights of strangers. Signed. Thom. Trevor. 1¼ pp. Endorsed. Read 28 Nov. '92. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 100; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 311–313.] |
| Oct. 28. |
2,584. Instructions to Governor Fletcher as Governor of Pennsylvania. To appoint a Lieutenant Governor and a Council not exceeding twelve persons. Draft with corrections. Endorsed. Recd and approved 27 June, 1692. Ordered 1 July, 1692. 3 pp. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 135; and Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LXIX., pp. 419–422, and Vol. LXXVI., pp. 38–39.] |
| Oct. 29. |
2,585. Minutes of General Assembly of New York. Andrew Hamilton's proposals as to a Post Office approved and recommended to the Representatives. List of the debts of the Colony, £7,890 in all, also sent to them. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 657.] |
Oct. 29.
New
Hampshire. |
2,586. Lieutenant-Governor Usher to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I arrived here on the 11th of August and summoned the Council. Only five members would attend, namely Messrs. Hincks, Fryer, Coffin, Elliot and Green; the rest excusing themselves. Mr. Weare was then at Pemaquid but since his return has accepted. I thought it right to begin the Government by entering on a friendly correspondence with Massachusetts; but received no very amicable reply, as the enclosed copies will show. My requests for aid have met only with neglect and reproach, though on the discovery of
some of the enemy's scouts among us (who have since carried off one of our families) I have twice written for a company of soldiers to be continued here and for a second to be added. I can obtain only that the one company will be continued, and even so these must be at the disposal of Mr. Frost, who lives in Maine, to be posted either here or in Maine as he shall see fit. I have mustered all the men between sixteen and sixty and found them to number only 754. I found them under officers commissioned by Sir William Phips, all fitted for service excepting those of one company, whom I have changed. The forts are many in number but are in reality only palisaded houses, excepting that on Great Island, which guards the harbour. I found in this last ten guns mounted, but only one barrel of powder, and no gunner who understood his business. I shall mount the new guns as soon as I can raise the money. The Assembly is now sitting, but when I laid before them a suggestion to continue existing laws and revenues, they answered that there had been so many changes and revolutions of late, that they thought there were no laws. Sundry useful acts have been passed and will be forwarded in due time. I hear that the province is petitioning the King to be joined to Massachusetts. If Connecticut and Rhode Island were joined to it also and and a General Governor appointed from England I think it would be well, but not otherwise. I hope that I may be dismissed from this little Government, which cannot honourably support itself. I would ask too that a hundred soldiers might be sent over for defence of the place. I have appointed William Vaughan and Richard Waldern to the vacant places in the Council. After them I think Richard Waldo, Joseph Smith, Job Clements, Henry Dow, John Woodman and Jonathan Tyng best fitted for Councillors. It would be a great advantage if the King's ships could drive the French from Canada, next year. I enclose copies of my address to the Assembly and of an act which they would have passed. They would have enacted that no laws should be imposed in the province but by the Governor, Council and Assembly, which would have excluded those made by the King and Parliament. Having repeatedly begged Sir William Phips for assistance to no purpose, I now hear of three French ships of from thirty to sixty guns, within forty leagues of this place. I pray that they may not take and destroy us. Signed. John Usher. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Read 3 May, 1693. Annexed, |
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2,586. I. Copy of a letter of Sir William Phips to Major Frost, ordering him to hold Captain Thaxter's company of foot ready for service in New Hampshire or Maine. A few lines. |
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Answer of John Usher to Sir William Phips, 15 September, 1692. Another copy of this letter is dated 15 October, which appears to be correct (see No. 2,563). |
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Lieutenant Governor Usher's speech to the Assembly 4 October, 1692, recommending the following measures. (1) a law for support of the ministry, with due regard to the royal grant of liberty of conscience; (2) laws for settling the royal revenue and raising money for defence, (3) a law to settle the militia; (4) a law to settle courts of justice, and (5) a law to restrain inhumanity to white
servants or slaves. I find the towns in a bad posture of defence, and as you complain of poverty, you have only to address the King for help and I doubt not that he will grant it. |
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Exchange of messages between the Council and Assembly, 14 October, 1692; the Council urging the continuance of existing laws, the Assembly denying that there are existing laws. |
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Bill of the Assembly of New Hampshire to enact that no laws shall be valid in the province but by consent of the Governor, Council and Assembly. 19 October, 1692. |
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Speech of the Lieutenant-Governor to the Assembly. I find that one of your acts has stuck at birth. Meanwhile there are fresh alarms of a French attack, so I beg you to raise money for defence. I find some scriptures of the Old Testament used in one of your bills. Since Christ came to fulfil the law, I wish you would remember the New testament and the order to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and not ruin the country by neglect through being cumbered with many things. |
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Letter from the Secretary of New Hampshire to Sir William Phips. 5 October, 1692. We hear that the troops belonging to Massachusetts are to be withdrawn from New Hampshire. We beg that they may be continued here for the safety of the Province; and would warn you that mischief has lately been done by Indians at Kittery. |
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Answer of Sir William Phips to the preceding. I have ordered Major Frost to keep the company in New Hampshire. If you need a further supply, I will take it into consideration. |
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Sir William Phips to Lientenant-Governor Usher. I received your letter of 15 October, and at first sight of the messenger thought he had brought news of alarm, for I understood he had travelled al Sabbath day. I judged it sufficient to supply you with sixty men, at a time when we could spare few, without finding them stores and ammunition for your support. If they are not worth their maintenance I suppose that you have no use for them, and that they may be better employed. If the £20,000 promised by Mr. Allen for your government is all expended you can have stores and ammunition on credit at a reasonable price, until the King's pleasure be known. If you cannot afford the charge of sixty men, much less can you afford that of 120. However, in case of alarm or absolute necessity, the King's affairs shall not suffer, nor the lives of his subjects be imperilled by my being "buzzed in the ears" by evil minded and prejudiced persons—with all respect to yourself and Council. |
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The whole of the documents copied in the order here given. 4½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 12 Dec. 1692. [Board of Trade.
New Hampshire, 1. Nos. 18, 18I; and (without enclosure) Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXVII., pp. 211–214.] |
| Oct. 29. |
2,587. Certificate of the Governor of Jamaica that the Naval Office there has no relation with the Admiralty, the clerk being in the nature of a clerk to the Governor. Copy. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 114.] |
Oct. 29.
Barbados. |
2,588. Address of the Council and Assembly of Barbados to the King and Queen. Loyal thanks for the forces already sent out and for the additional ships and regiments promised to us. We have raised two regiments of a thousand men, clothed and equipped them and hired ships for transporting them. As our force is much weakened hereby we beg that one of the regiments, when it arrives, may be quartered here, and that at the close of the war any men wishing to stay here may be allowed to do so, that we may have protection against the slaves, whose bloody machinations against us we have lately discovered. Signed. Fran. Bond, John Gibbes, Tho. Andrews, John Farmer, Geo. Lillington, Pat. Mein, Richard Salter, Tim. Thornhill, Abel Alleyne, speaker of the Assembly, Ro. Hooper, John Sutton, Jno. Pilgrim, Wm. Eastchurch, Edw. Holloway, John Waterman. Jo. Leslie, John Holder, John Boteler, Mel. Holder. Large sheet. [America and West Indies. 456. No. 40.] |
| Oct. |
2,589. Criticism of the Acts passed by the General Assembly of Massachusetts in 1692; enquiring whether sundry of them do not conflict with the laws of England or infringe the Royal prerogative. 3 pp. Endorsed. Oct. 1692. [Board of Trade. New England, 6. No. 9.] |
| Oct. 31. |
2,590. Minutes of Council of New York. Letter from Mr. Mayhew, of Martin's Vineyard, read, complaining that two of the justices of Nantucket are threatened with force if they do not submit to the Government of Massachusetts. Resolved that the Council having no knowledge of any Royal order on the subject, write to Sir William Phips to know by what authority he acts thus, and meanwhile require Mr. Mayhew to uphold his authority until further order. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 348.] |
| Oct. 31. |
2,591. Minutes of General Assembly of New York. Order for a bill to be drawn confirming the former rules of the weigh-house. |
| Nov. 1. |
Joint Committee appointed to examine the debts of the Colony. |
| Nov. 2. |
List of the debts of the Colony, £7,890, of which it is reckoned that but £1,270 can be hoped for from the other Colonies. Three petitions as to disputes about land sent up by the Representatives. |
| Nov. 3. |
Bill of Revenue received from the Representatives and referred to a joint committee. |
| Nov. 4. |
The Representatives refusing to appoint members to make a joint committee, the Governor explained that the objection to the bill was that it was limited to two years. The Representatives objected to a conference on a whole bill as unprecedented; whereupon the Council read the bill a second time, and sent it down with amendments. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 658–662.] |
| Oct. 31. |
2,592. Minutes of General Assembly of Massachusetts. Bills to establish Courts and for settling inheritances amended. |
