|
Oct. 2.
St. Christophers. |
592. Governor Sir W. Mathew to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. By the fleet bound home I send the Acts passed
in St. Christophers and humbly pray your Lordships will please
to recommend them for H.M. royal approbation. Some others
are passed but not remitted from Windward, by what mistake
I cannot yet learn, no more then that the state of those Islands are
not sent pursuant to my orders, of all which due enquiry shall
be made and the speediest account sent. The Barbadoes Fleet
not touching at Antigua, and Mountserrat being the windwardmost
Islands has occasioned the losse of some days sailing to the whole
fleet, whereas they might have taken all in their way and saved
the taking of three vessells by the enimy, two whereof by great
chance, I am just now informed, are retaken and the third the
enimy were obliged to quit and burned. I have vissited all the
Islands, which are verry healthy, but the number of inhabitants
very small, if some way could be found out for the better peopling
them, do humbly conceive H.M. Revenue would thereby be
considerably increased as well as her Colonies better secured.
Refers to the great want the Islands are in of cannon fitt to protect
the shipping, all our Roads on the three Leeward Islands lying
open and exposed, if the want of mortars and bombs could be
supplyed by your Lordspps. means, it would be great peice of
service. The enimy have lately fitted out 15 privateers one of
which of 14 gunns the Lynn, man of war, has taken, having 70
men on board, the greatest part are sent home by this Fleet.
Signed, Will. Mathew. Endorsed, Recd. 4th, Read 12th Dec. 1704.
Holograph. 4 pp. [C.O. 152, 5. No. 81; and 153, 9. pp.
54–56.] |
Oct. 3.
Whitehall. |
593. W. Popple, jr., to Mr. Clifford. The Council of Trade
and Plantations grant your petition of Sept. 22. The report
is not yet made. [C.O. 389, 36. p. 221.] |
| [Oct. 3.] |
594. Nathaniel Cary to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The Governor, Council and Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay
commissioned me to bring their Addresses and letters to England.
On my voyage hither in the Seaflower we were taken by the French
and carried prisoners to Brest, but I threw all my papers overboard. Two of the particulars of the greatest importance in the
said Addresses were (1) to have great guns, arms and ammunition
to defend themselves and insult the Indians, who make frequent
incursions into our frontiers; (2) to have permission for the
Governor to send one or more 4th. rate ships for a winter convoy
to secure our salt ships and other ships trading to and from the
Province. There is one of the best fortifications in America built
at Boston, and besides those already there, it will be necessary
to have at least 20 great guns, and less than 50 barrels of
gunpowder with arms and other ammunition proportionable
will not be sufficient to supply the present exigencies. Prays
for a favourable Representation. Refers to the trials of Capt.
Quelch and Larimore, and Lt. Wells. [See July 13.] The two
latter, committed as accessories, were put on board the sloop,
with four witnesses, under my care, to be tried in England.
Larimore and Wells were taken and carried into France, but are
now arrived in England and two of the witnesses. Signed, Nathl.
Cary. Endorsed, Recd. Read Oct. 3, 1704. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
594. i. Governor Dudley's Instructions to Mr. Cary as messenger.
Boston, July 20, 1704. Copy. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 863.
Nos. 117, 117.i.; and 5, 911. pp. 389–393.] |
| [Oct. 5.] |
595. Copy of an Act for the security of the bays, towns,
and sea-coasts of Barbados etc. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read
13th Oct. 1704. 9½ closely written pp. [C.O. 28, 7. No. 55.] |
Oct. 7.
Fort William in St. Johns Harbor, Newfoundland. |
596. Mr. Jackson to Sir Charles Hedges. Refers to revolt
of the garrison [see Dec. 23, 1704]. I have wrote to your Honour
these two years past, giving an account of all transactions, but
such was the guilt and jealousy of our officers in this place, that
they have intercepted my letters and stopt me from revealing
the truth. Encloses an account of the Church for the Bishop
of London, etc. Signed, John Jackson, Minister. Endorsed,
R. Dec. 22. Addressed. Holograph. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
596. i. Petition of the Company of Soldiers at St. Johns to
Commodore Bridge[s] Aug. 10, 1704. No recruits
coming over to relieve us from this slavish service, we
perceive we are trickt and put upon without any
consideration of our miserable condition. We are too
sensible of Capt. Lloyd's fraud, cheating, ill usage of
us, and of his inhumane practices over us, and will no
longer live under his tyranny, but will desert the Fort
and service, if he must continue to command us. Pray
Capt. Bridge to suspend Lloyd, place Lt. Moody in
command and present their petition to be relieved to
H.M. 37 signatures. 1 p. |
|
596. ii. Soldiers at St. John's to Commodore Bridges. Complain
of Capt. Lloyd's extortion. No signatures. 1¾ pp. |
|
596. iii. Masters of ships and Inhabitants of Newfoundland
to Commodore Bridge. Similar to Dec. 23. No. iii.
25 signatures. 1 p. |
|
596. iv. Duplicate of Dec. 29. No. iii. |
|
596. v. Duplicate of Dec. 23. Nos. i., ii. |
|
596. vi. Muster-roll of the Company at St. Johns. 1 p. |
|
596. vii. Lt. Moody's reason for signing the soldiers' petition.
I thought, with Capt. Bridge, that my doing so might
hinder them from deserting. Signed, Jno. Moody. ¾ p. |
|
596. viii. Copies of the Examinations of Laville and Belrose,
deserters from Placentia [see Oct. 25, 1703], and of the
reports of spies from Placentia, and of the French
prisoners Dutilly, La Richardierne and Jean Lanvaux
etc. etc. [See under May 13 and Oct. 10.] 33½ pp.
[C.O. 194, 22. Nos. 9, 9.i.–viii.] |
Oct. 7.
Boston. |
597. Mr. Addington to Wm. Popple. Encloses Acts, Sessional
Papers, and following. Signed, Is. Addington. Endorsed, Recd.
Dec. 23, Read Jan. 31, 1704/5. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
597. i. List of fines and forfeitures in New Hampshire, Dec.
1695–Dec. 1702. 21 of the 50 cases are fines (2l. 10s.)
upon women for fornication and bastardy. Other
offences include stealing, fighting, abusing the Court,
threshing the Constable, perjury, excessive drinking,
quarreling etc. Endorsed, Recd. Dec. 23, 1704. 3 pp. |
|
597. i.–xvi. Lists of cases tried in the several Courts of Judicature in the Massachusets Bay. 1703, 1704. Endorsed
as preceding. 32 pp. [C.O. 5, 863. Nos. 119, 119.i.–xvi.;
and (without enclosures) 5, 911. pp. 444–447.] |
Oct. 10.
Fort William in St. John's Harbour in Newfoundland. |
598. Capt. John Moody to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. On Sept. 12, Capt. Thomas Lloyd was suspended
from the command of H.M. garrison and soldiers by Commadore
Bridge, occasioned by a Petition from the soldiers complaining
of abuses, and it has been the Commadore's pleasure to appoint
me, being the next officer, to command H.M. garrison, till H.M.
pleasure be farther known, and I have likewise sent your Lordships
enclosed the depositions of seven French deserters from Placentia,
thirty more being dayly expected. Signed, John Moody.
Endorsed, Recd. Nov. 16. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
598. i. Deposition of John Moine, late Serjeant, native of
France, who on Sep. 23 last deserted from Placentia.
There is in the garrison about 150 soldiers in three
Companys, but in great discontent for want of their
pay, and severall more are on the rode hither. In the
lower Fort there are 6 gunns of 36 pounds, and 6 of
24 pounds, and 24 of 18. Against the sea, the fort is
sod work, and towards the land only palasados. In
the fort on top of the hill there are 10 gunns whereof
6 are of 18lb., and 2 of 12, and 2 mortars of 150lb. weight
each. The fort is of stone, but not well built; the
walls are about 14 foot high and palasadod round, the
which palasados on the land side at severall places are
near 50 foot from the wall, but on the side next the
sea not passing 10 foot distant. The cause of their
deserting was the hard usage and severe treatment that
they had from ye Governour, who debarr'd them from
their pay etc. His severity did not only extend to them,
but also to the inhabitants, many of whom, if they
could get their familyes from thence, would likewise
come away. 10 other deserters confirmed the above.
1 p. [C.O. 194, 3. Nos. 29, 29.i.; and 195, 3. pp.
344–347.] |
Oct. 10.
Philda. in ye Province of Pensylvania. |
599. Lt. Governor Evans to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. I hope mine of May 28 is long since with your Lordships, with a copy of a Proclamation for the setling a Militia
throughout this Government, there was a mistake in it (which
I crave leave of your Lordships to sett aright) that being made
general for the whole Government of Province and Territories,
whereas there was one issued out for each, the reason was that
in the Province those called Quakers are very numerous, and
there being no law to enforce them to that service obliged me
to insert a clause in the Proclamation for the Province, that
"all persons residing in this Province whose perswasions will
on any account permit them to take up arms in their own defence
that forthwith" etc. In that for the Three Lower Counties that
clause is left out, the number of those people being inconsiderable
there. My only end in this, as in all other things, is the service
and safety of H.M. Province, and tho' in many cases one cannot
arrive to so great a length and perfection as might be wish'd,
yet I shall endeavour to make all possible advances towards it,
and not by attempting impossibilities render what may in some
measure be of good service wholly ineffectual. I have likewise
sent to your Lordships a copy of a Proclamation for the
encouragement of those who have taken up arms for the defence
of the country, by exempting them from the common services of
the wards, which has been of singular good effect, and will I hope
generally be thought but reasonable, that those who have
voluntarily enter'd into and inlisted themselvs in that service,
without any consideration for their time and attendance, should
be encouraged by all reasonable and lawfull means. I shall
give your Lordships an account of the Proceedings with the
Assembly here in pursuance of H.M. commands, in relation to
the Quota for the Northern frontiers etc., which tho' they have
failed in their present effect will I hope demonstrate I have not
fail'd in my duty and utmost obedience to H.M. commands.
In the first place I told them that they must needs think that
H.M. expected that while all the rest of her subjects everywhere
chearfully contributed to the great and necessary expences of
her happy Govt., they would with no less alacrity concur to advance
what either the exigencies of our own Govt. or our neighbours
(when the charge and care is thought of equall advantage to us
with our own) may reasonably require, and particularly, that
it was expected of them to find a way with all speed to present
H.M. with the summe mentioned in the late King's letter to
help towards the defraying such charges as the Govt. of New
York is necessarily oblig'd to bear for our common interest and
safety. Some time after the Assembly by a message to me
desired I would lay before them such orders as had come to my
hands concerning the money required to be advanced for the
assistance of New York, upon which I sent them a copy of the
late King's letter to my Lord Bellamont, Jan. 19, 1700, and a
letter from H.E. my Lord Cornbury to my predecessor Col.
Hamilton, Nov. 19, 1702, and a letter from your Lordships to
our Proprietor, May 21, 1703, and one of H.E. my Lord Cornbury
to me, dated Aprill 15 last. To all which I received in answer,
that as to the expectations of presenting the Queen with the
summe mentioned in ye late King's letter, they refer'd to the former
Assembly's answer thereto, which they hoped was so represented
at home, that they should not be justly blamed for not raising
money at that time for that service, since they had their own
back settlements to secure, and their Friend Indians to ingage.
This answer no waies satisfactory to me for many reasons, as
your Lordships will see, caus'd me as fully as I could possible
to lay the matter before them and to press it home to them,
the substance of which I shall trouble your Lordships to read
over. That I found myself under an unavoidable necessity of
letting them know, that I could not take as satisfactory their
answer to the Queen's expectations, the former answer of the
Assembly, to which this now refers, pleads reasons, the edge of
which the space of almost three years has wore off, and that
Address requests ye Proprietary that the further consideration
of the King's letter may be refer'd to another Meeting of Assembly,
or untill more emergent occasions shall require their proceedings
therein, so that the very Address refer'd to turns it now upon
this Assembly; those demands not being answer'd by any of the
foregoing; and for emergent occasions there mentioned, it could
be wished that there were none so urgent as a dangerous warr
broke out since that time affords us, besides the Queen's further
injunctions still pressing it, from which injunctions tis also
evident, that no representation the Proprietor has made of that
affair, has been sufficient to secure this Province from blame
upon their former failure, seeing they are again pressingly urg'd
to it by the Queen's own commands above 14 months after her
happy accession to the throne. It is undoubtedly true that the
Government of New York lies much exposed to the attacks of
ye enemy, that their strength and defence tends to our security,
and that the Governments to the Eastward are very deeply
engaged in defences of their own, which also makes for the common
safety, while we of this place whose lives and fortunes ought to
be equally dear to us, have enjoyed peace and tranquility without
contributing anything considerable in comparison to others
towards the obtaining it, and whatever our neighbours shall
find themselvs obliged to doe for their own safety, yet if we appear
resolved to give them no encouragement, we shall have little
reason to blame them, if when they have opportunities, as they
frequently may, they fail to extend their regards to our welfare
as concerned in the publick good, seeing we contribute nothing
to the publick charge, nor can we ever expect to recommend ourselvs
to the protection of the Queen, while we shew no more respect to
her desires of that kind, that either from herself or Royal
predecessors have soe rarely reached us. These or the like reasons
I told them I was credibly informed have so far prevailed on
the Government of Maryland, as that they have raised a good
part of what was required of them for this service, notwithstanding they ly much more secure and out of danger, nor could
I believe that this can clash with the religious perswations of
any man, seeing there are many other vast charges besides the
actual making of war, and this is not required for carrying on
of any war as in the Acts of Parliament in England in such cases
is always mentioned, and yet is there comply'd with to a very
high proportion of their estates by all persons whatsoever without
objection on this score. Here the Queen only demands such
a summ, which common reason will tell us is exceedingly necessary
for the publick good and safety of all the adjacent parts, and as
it is absolutely necessary that funds should be raised for the
support of Government and answering publick exigencies, so
if they be made proportionable to those exigencies of which
this is a very great one, I should faithfully take care that they
should all to the utmost of my power and this among the rest,
be duely answer'd. This is in effect what I urgently press'd
to our Assembly touching the Quota, but other matters being
introduced and insisted upon by them, as that of divesting the
Governor of the power of Prorogation and Dissolution, a point
not to be given up by Government on any account whatever
(witness the marks yet too visible of that fatal concession, made
in the time of H.M. royall Grandfather) occasioned the breaking
up the Assembly without doing anything to supply even the
pressing necessities of the Government. We shall have another
Assembly here the 14th inst., to whom I shall continue to press
the matter, and shall give your Lordships an account of my success.
Signed, John Evans. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read Jan. 19th, 1704/5.
14 small pp. Enclosed, |
|
599. i. Copy of Proclamation. Duplicate of No. 359.i. |
|
599. ii. Copy of Proclamation by Lt.-Gov. Evans. All persons
who inlist in the Militia and duly perform their services,
shall be exempted from serving on the watch, or as
constables within any of the districts of this Province,
etc. Philadelphia, July 18, 1704. Same endorsement.
1 large p. [C.O. 5, 1263. Nos. 4, 5, 5.i.; and (without
enclosures) 5, 1291. pp. 91–102.] |
Oct. 10.
Boston. |
600. Governor Dudley to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. My last addresses to your Lordships were by
Capt. Cary an expresse sloop, having no other conveyance. I
have covered a copy of that letter, and the Gospir being now
bound home, I humbly acquaint your Lordships that the fort
at New Castle in Pascataqua River, by the diligence of Col. Romer,
is now almost finished, and put into a very good state by the
expence of the 500l. tax raised for that purpose, and about 1,000l.
in labour of the inhabitants, whom I have imployed, every fighting
man upon the list for twelve days this summer, of which I hope
they will not complain, it being so expressly H.M. command to
have those fortifications reformed and fitted, and I had no other
means to bring it to passe, the Assembly being not to be farther
perswaded to raise more by a tax, and truly that little Province
scarce able to raise more during the troubles with the Indians,
to whom they are next neighbours, which demands every fifth
man upon duty constantly. Since the publication of the repeal
of the two Acts of Assembly referring to town bounds and grants
in New Hampshire, by H.M. especial direction, which dureing
my being in that Province I made publique in the Assembly
and in every towne, there happen'd a riot of about 20 young
fellows in the towne of Hampton, who pulled down the fence of
an inclosure belonging to an inhabitant of that town, which
though it do's not at all affect Col. Allin's right of proprietorship,
the said inhabitant not being his submitted tenant, yet I expected
the next thing of that sort might so doe. I wrote earnestly to
Lieutenant Governour Usher to proceed severely therein, which
he might have done in Council, by virtue of the Commission of
Government, but he chose rather to bind them over to the Superior
Court, which happening in the time of the Generall Assembly
I was present in the Province, and strictly required the Judges
in council to take care of the processe, and aggravated the fault
to them both by the extraordinary number of the riotors, and the
time of warr it had happened in, as the Minutes of the Council
inclosed will shew. Notwithstanding all which, it was not possible,
as the Judges acquaint me, to procure the Jury to find the persons
guilty, of which I have taken all the proper notice the power
vested in the Government will allow, which I hope will prevent
the like for the future. Col. Allin had at the same Court anew
entered a Triall with Richard Waldron, which was then agreed
by both partyes to be a full tryal to effect, at the next Terme,
which is in Feb. Col. Allin hath been so long, as well as his
predecessors, delayed, that he at first was impatient of the
imparlance, but after consented to it; and I have assured him,
if my life will allow, I will be present to see the Queen's commands
obeyed, that all things be specially found. I am sorry I cannot
influence that matter to a present agreement, but am very sencible
if judgment be once made by H.M. in Council against one of the
Ter-tenants of any value, the whole province will immediately
submit, and I may not passe the formes of Law in favour of
Col. Allin, least he loose his cause at home, as he hath done already,
nor can I alter any of the Judges unless, upon a plaine breach
and injustice, as H.M. Instructions command me. |
|
In the Massachusets the castle is in perfect good forme, and
is not inferiour to any of H.M. newest fortifications in England,
and I humbly hope your Lordships will obtain the cannon for
this and the fortification at Pascataqua humbly represented
necessary upon the several planns sent home by Capt. Cary.
Your Lordships had by the last conveyance the Act of Assembly
for the graunting 23,000l. for this year for the support of the
warr, which will not amount to the charges; however I doubt
not of the Assembly's concurrence in raising the next year what
is necessary, being perfectly satisfyed in the disburse thereof,
nor have they once doubted of a concurrence with me in raising
any numbers for the service, though the number of near 2,000
is very hard upon them, when Road Island and Connecticot doe
what they please, besides that they entertaine the deserters
from this Province, though we have a severe Law that every
person leaving the Colony in the time of war shall loose his interest.
I am sencible that the Indians perceiving our constant marches
in the woods at a great distance have left all their planting grounds
within 100 miles of us, to secure their women and children, but
will yet continue their marches upon us. We have lost nothing
to the enemy this summer. The French and Indians to the
number of 500 marched from Mount Real to Hadley, on our
Western bounds, and found there so great a number in garrison
that they left the place and marched 100 miles to the Northward
to Lancaster, where I chanced also to be ready for them, and
after a furious assault upon the village, left 10 or 12 dead and
fled, and are since marched home, with the triumph only of three
children carried away. Since my last the forces and vessells
I sent Eastward into Nova Scotia and L'Accadia are all returned
with a good booty and have destroyed and burnt all the coast,
and brought away the inhabitants to exchange for such of ours
as they have amongst them, for which heretofore they used to
demand money of this Government. I am glad your Lordships
have been pleased to encourage the trade of tarr, resin, and other
commodities of this Province by a Company, without which it
is impossible to prevent this province to run into the woollen
manefactory to that degree that in a few yeares they will demand
very little supply of that sort from the Kingdome of England,
which if I should not informe of and labour to prevent I should be
wanting in my duty, the inhabitants of this province are proud
enough to wear the best cloth of England, but without they
be upon tarr, resin, hemp, iron, spar, mast and building of shipps,
they have no returnes to make, and of all these things there
might be enough, if proper methods and persons were sent to
take care, and encouraged so to doe. I have now my messengers
in Treaty with the Maquas and Five Nations, whose return I
expect, having had my Lord Cornbury's approbation in that
treaty, and I hope for the good effects of it, that at least they will
continue steady, if we cannot prevaile with them to take up the
hatchet against the French, as they call the war, etc. Signed,
J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. Dec. 23, Read Jan. 31, 1704(5).
4 pp. [C.O. 5, 863. No. 118; and (without enclosures) 5, 911.
pp. 434–442.] |
| Oct. 10. |
601. Extract from above letter. 1 p. [C.O. 5,751. No. 56.] |
