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Dec 1.
Whitehall. |
221. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Having during your Lordship's absence received H.M.
directions from Mr. Secretary Boyle to report our opinion upon
Capt. Vetch's Memorial, we inclose following:— |
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221. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Report
upon Capt. Vetch's Scheme. The great advantages of
the Plantation Trade to this Kingdom, and to your
Majesty's Revenue, are so well known that we will not
presume to trouble your Majesty with particular instances thereof, yet must humbly begg leave to say
that your Islands in the West Indies will not be able
to carry on their trade, or even to subsist (especially
in time of war) without the necessary supplies from
those northern Plantations of bread, drink, fish and
flesh, of cattle and horses for cultivating their plantations, of lumber and staves for casks for their sugar,
rum and molosses, and of timber for building their
houses and sugar works. As an inducement to your
Majesty's engaging in a vigourous attempt upon the
French in those parts, we shall now lay before your
Majesty a short view of the dammages the said Plantations have sustained by the neighbourhood of the
French on that Continent. Quote Capt. Vetch July
27, Nov. 17 and 29, q.v. We humbly begg leave to
offer that it will highly tend to the ease and security
of your Majesty's subjects in America, and to the
increase of that trade so beneficial to Great Britain,
if the French be driven from their settlements on the
Northern Continent. But whether the manner of doing
it (proposed by Capt. Vetch) may be proper and effectual
to that end, as it consists of matters purely military,
we shall not presume to judge; and therefore most
humbly submit the same to your Majesty. [C.O. 324,
9. pp. 268–289; and (covering letter and part of enclosure only) 5, 1084. Nos. 39, 39.i.] |
| [Dec. 1.] |
222. Alexander Walker to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to the complaint of the Assembly of Barbados
against him. Cf. Dec. 3, and Journal of Council, Nov. 30,
Dec. 1. Endorsed, Recd, from Mr. Gillibrand, Read Dec. 1,
1708. Enclosed, |
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222. i. Petition of Alexander and William Walker to Governor Crowe for a public examination into the reasons
for the commitments of George Lillington and Richard
Downs, etc. No such order could be obtained. Aug.
31, 1708. 1½ pp. |
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222. ii. Minutes of Assembly of Barbados, Aug. 31, 1708.
2 pp. |
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222. iii. Petition of Wm. Sharpe, Alexander Walker, and
Samuel Beresford to Governor Crowe, for a Council to
be held this day. Sept. 1, 1708. H.E. refused.
Signed, William Sharpe, Alexander Walker, Samuel
Beresford. 1 p. |
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222. iv. Address of the Assembly of Barbados to Governor
Crowe. Duplicate. 3 pp. |
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222. v. Address of the Assembly of Barbados to Governor
Crowe for the dismissal of Alexander Walker from the
Council for having been bribed by Mr. Holder to
promote the Paper Act. Aug. 31, 1708. Copy. 2 pp.
[C.O. 28, 11. Nos. 24–29.] |
Dec. 2.
Falmouth, H.M.S. Warwick. |
223. Commodore Mitchell to Mr. Popple. I arrived safe
with all my fleet at Newfoundland May 13, and sail'd from
Newfoundland Oct. 23 following, and parted with the Advice,
Looe, and Nightingall the 24th, they being bound for the
Streights and the Winchelsea for Oporto. The store-ships arrived a day or two before I sailed, and is arrived safe at
Falmouth, Nov. 25, and I have here sent an[d] account
of all my proceedings in Newfoundland, etc. When I
received my commission from H.M., I immediately summoned
all ye inhabitants, masters of ships, soldiers and all others in
St. Johns to appear in Fort William, and to give me an
acct. of what alligations they had against the Major, which will
be laid before their Honors in a short time. Signed, Jno.
Mitchell. Endorsed, Recd. 6th, Read 9th Dec., 1708. Addressed.
Sealed. Postmark. 1 p. Enclosed, |
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223. i. Answers to Heads of Enquiry relating to Newfoundland, (See March 12, 1708). (1). There being no penalties in the Act, 'tis amongst ye inhabitants invalued.
(3). 35. (4). None. (5) and (6). No complaint was
made to me as to this. (7). The by-boat keepers and
fishing ships do carry over such number of green
men as they are capable to get, and acquaint me that,
att the entry of them on board, do according to the
Act, but never can produce me any certificate of the
same. (8) and (9). These articles are observed. (10).
I did not know any case. (11). The rules are observed
as far as do consist by their way of trade. (12). The
Admiralls are carefull to see yt. the Rules of the Act
be discoursed on, provided it does not touch a Customer,
and they gave me Journalls and an acct. of the fishery.
(13). If any difference doth arise where each Admirall's
customer is concerned, there will be a difference between
them all, but without appealing to me, they do agree
among themselves. (14). They are very carefull in
carrying their press stones and ballace ashoar, and not
filling the harbour up. (15). They do not go a-fishing
on ye Sabbath day till 4 of ye clock in the afternoon,
nor att Church, tho' I allways sent musqueteers att
ye Lords of ye harbour to compell them, but it being
the only victualling day, and all ye houses in St.
Johns, both inhabitants and boat-keepers, sell all sorts
liquour, they are forced by a file of musqueteers to
pay ye Minister. (16). New England people, French
Prodestants and Dutch privateers this year did resort
thither. (18). All the inhabitants, boat-keepers and
fishing ships do cure their fish wth. the best salt they
can get, and make the most fish they can. (19). The
inhabitants in curing their fish in St. John's harbour,
with their offells, does not annoy ye said harbour, nor
does it annoy them. (20). The planters and inhabitants have no other sustenance than what they get
out of their own gardens. They have nothing from
any of ye neighbouring islands. They that belongs
to ye fishery att ye northward, after they have done,
goes a-furring, but what quantity they get I know not,
but what they have or bought by the New Englandmen. (21). The inhabitants have their salt provissions
from England and Ireland, and their necessaries for
fishing likewise, and their fresh provisions from New
England. (22). The New Englandmen bring from New
England sugar, rum and Molossus, and ye same from
Barbados. by which means the fishermen never want
liquor. (23). I do not know of any Europian commodities brought from anywhere else but England and
Ireland. (24). These are disposed off among the inhabitants, seamen, fishermen and ye New England sloops
and brigganteens. (25). No Plantation commodity during my time was brought, except tobacco, sugar, molosses and rumm, wch. was disposed off there. (28).
The value of fish 14s. per quintal, ye train oyl £14
per tunn, the fish went for Portugal and Spain, the
train oyl for England. (30). Men carried from Brittain to stay or come home as their masters pleases.
(31). The number of the French inhabitants att Placentia, which I have understood by my flag of truce
I sent thither, are about 500, besides what belongs
to ye garrisons, wch. is about 100 men. |
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I did endeavour to prevent all the irregularities which
was mentioned in ye Additionall Instructions, and do
not know of any other Europian commodities that came
to Newfoundland than what came from England, except
one ship from Spain and ye Queen's pass not to be
molested. Ye old boome being broken, I stretched a
cable across to find ye breadth, 110 fathoms. Signed,
Jno. Mitchell. Endorsed, Recd. 6th, Read 9th Dec.,
1708. 3½ pp. |
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223. ii. List of harbours in Newfoundland, inhabitants, (names
given) boats, and fishing returns, 1708. Totals:—Boatkeepers, 240; wives, 114; children, 251; servants, 1554:
boats, 291; skiffs, 76; train-fats, 240; quintalls of
fish, 95574; tuns of train-oil, 533. 9 pp. |
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223. iii. (a). List of the Masters of fishing ships (names
given) and the state of their fishery in Newfoundland,
1708. Totals:—Commanders, 49; ships, 49; burthen
in tuns, 5135; men, 838; guns, 148; boats, 170;
train-fats, 52; quintals of fish, 40,450; tuns of trainoil, 242. (b). List of running galleys (26), sack ships
(7), American vessels (15), men of war's prizes (5),
merchantmen's prizes (9), Dutch privateers (3), Dutch
privateers' prizes (9), with their tunnage and equipment.
6 pp. |
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223. iv. Abstract of the Fishery (as above). Total quintals
of fish:—135, 934. Decrease in 1708; 9 ships, 107
men; Increase in 1708:—73 boats, 15, 252 quintals of
fish; 1124 hhds. train oyl; 556 inhabitants. 1 p. |
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223. v., vi. Duplicates of ii. and iii., with slight variations.
The whole endorsed, Recd. 6th, Read 9th Dec., 1708. |
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223. vii. Capt. Vane to Commodore Mitchell. St. Johns, Oct.
28, 1708. Describes requirements for the Boom etc.
Signed, E. Vane. 1¼ pp. Enclosed, |
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223. viii. List of necessaries required for the Boom. Endorsed,
Recd. 6th, Read 9th Dec., 1708. ½ p. |
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223. ix. Major Lloyd's Account of Provisions for Fort William
and South Castle in St. John's. Sept. 30, 1708. Endorsed
as preceding. 2 pp. |
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223. x. A state of the provisions remaining in Newfoundland,
as surveyed by order of Commodore Mitchell, June 29
and Oct. 15, 1708. Signed, Jno. Mitchell. Endorsed,
Recd. Dec. 6, 1708. 7 pp. |
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223. xi. List of provisions allowed to men (names given)
sent out upon sundry occasions, etc. Endorsed, Recd.
6th, Read 9th Dec., 1708. 11 pp. |
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223. xii. Number of days for which the men have been victualled.
Sept. 30, 1708. Same endorsement. 5 pp. |
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223. xiii. Account of Ordnance Stores in Fort William and
South Castle. Oct. 4, 1708. Same endorsement.
Printed. 3 pp. |
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223. xiv. Account of Stores wanting for Newfoundland garrison,
1709. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
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223. xv. Muster-roll of the Company at Newfoundland, July
25, 1707—Aug. 2, 1708. The major, 2 lieutenants, 3
sergeants, 2 drummers and 80 privates. Signed, Jno.
Mitchell, Tho. Lloyd, Tim. Gully. Same endorsement.
1 p. [C.O. 194, 4. Nos. 76, 76 i.–xv.; and (with enclosure
i. only) 195, 5. pp. 60–67.] |
Dec. 3.
Whitehall. |
224. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland.
Enclose following to be laid before H.M. Autograph
signatures. 1 p. Enclosed, |
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224. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Representation
upon the complaints of Messrs. Sharpe,
Walker and Beresford. Recommend that Governor
Crowe be required to give an immediate answer thereto
etc. Set out, Acts of Privy Council, II. pp. 574, 575..
[C.O. 29, 11. pp. 337–340; and (without enclosure)
28, 38. No. 74.] |
Dec. 3.
Whitehall. |
225. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland.
Enclose following to be laid before H.M. |
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225. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen.
Recommend Timothy Salter to be of the Council of
Barbados, in the room of Patrick Mein, who does not
intend to return thither. [C.O. 29, 11. pp. 341, 342.] |
Dec. 3.
Whitehall. |
226. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Enclose following to be laid before H.M. in Council. |
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226. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Report upon petition of Thomas Pindar for passes for
Spanish ships (See Sept. 17, Oct. 26). The Assiento
trade having been found of very great advantage to
this Kingdome, and to your Majesty's American Plantations (while the same was carryed on in those parts),
it were to be wished that it might be resettled there,
whereby your Majesty's subjects wou'd sell their negroes
to the Spaniards for bullion, and have the benefit of
that navigation by exporting the said negroes in ships
belonging to your Majesty's subjects. Such a settlement of that trade may be impracticable during the
present war; however, the promoting and settling the
Assiento trade in Barbadoes as proposed by the petitioner may be of such advantage to this Kingdom and
to your Majesty's Plantations, (tho thereby the trade
will not be so profitable as formerly) that under the
present state of affairs, we shou'd not object to your
Majesty's granting the passes desired, were it not that
we find the same cannot be granted without dispensing
with part of the Act of Navigation 12 Car II. cap. 18,
whereby 'tis provided "that no goods or commodities
whatsoever shall be imported into, or exported out of
any lands, islands, plantations or territories belonging
to your Majesty in Asia, Africa or America in any
other ship or vessell, but in such as does belong to
your Majesty's subjects of this Kingdom, or Irland,
or are of the built of and belonging to any of the
said lands, islands, plantations or territories, as the
Proprietors or right owners thereof, and whereof the
Master and ¾th of the mariners at least are subjects of
this Kingdom" (which number of ¾ths is by a late law
reduced to one half during the present war) under the
penalty and forfeiture both of ship and goods, and
by the said Act it is further provided that no alien
etc. not naturalised shall exercise the trade of a merchant
or factor in any of the said places upon pain of forfeiture of all his goods, etc. |
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In 1689 a proposal for encouraging and settling the
Assiento trade in the Plantations was presented to
their late Majesty's by the Royall Affrican Company,
wherein were contained some propositions in substance
the same with what is now offered by the petitioner,
which having been referred to the Judges, Nov. 17,
1689, they certifyed their opinion to be that negroes
are merchandize, that it is against the Act of Navigation to give liberty to any alien not made a denizon
to trade in any of the said Plantations, or for any
shipping belonging to aliens to trade or export negroes
from thence, or for aliens to trade there. Wherefore
since that trade cannot be carryed on in the manner
proposed by the petitioner without dispensing with the
Act of Navigation made for the general good, and
increase of the shipping and trade of this Kingdom,
we are humbly of opinion that it is not adviseable for
your Majesty to grant the passes desired by him.
[C.O. 29, 11. pp. 332–336.] |
Dec. 4.
Jamaica. |
227. Governor Handasyd to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I am favoured with your Lops. of July 13, Aug. 4 and
13, April 15, and June 25. As to the stores of war, amunition
etc., which your Lops. are pleased to require accounts of, I
shall take care as soon as I can possibly get them from the
remote parts of the Island to send them to you, as well as
the Board of Ordnance. I acquainted your Lops. in my last
of a vessell's being seized by the Navall Officer, according
to my orders and the advice of the Attorney Genll., the person
that took her not having a commission, which practice is a
great encouragement to other roguerys. Since that the Navall
Officer has been sued by Col. Thompson, one of the owners
of the periago. I have writt to H.R.H. of the same to desire
his Instructions, as I do your Lops., how I shall behave myself
in this and the like cases for the future. I likewise gave an
account of a boat that was taken by two of our privateers,
and that she had on board her between £30,000 and £40,000, but
I understand since that there was in coined and uncoin'd gold
and silver 200,000 pieces of eight. Nov. 28 came in here a
fflagg of truce from St. Iago upon Cuba, which I must confess
I was not very well pleased with, she brought 12 English
prisoners and carried away 28 Spanish prisoners. I understand
by a letter to Admirall Wager, that the French are fitting out
a squadron to make an attempt against this Island. I hope
it will only prove a report, as we have had severall such within
these 7 years, but if their design is in earnest, you shall hear
they shall buy it inch by inch with the best of their blood;
let their numbers be what they will, I hope that will never
daunt our resolutions. Our sloops are now almost all returned
from the Spanish coast, and trade has of late been very dead,
the Spaniards pretending they have not mony. I have received
by this packett boat 43 recruits. The Island has been for this
month very sickly, and severall people have died, but now I
thank God it grows pretty healthy again. I am now to desire
the favour of your Lops. interest towards the relief of me and
H.M. Regiment under my command. It is the humble request
of the officers and private men as well as myselfe, and since
H.M. was 4 years ago graciously pleased by a proclamation to
promise the relief of her Regiments in these parts every 3
years, which time we have exceeded 4 years, I hope we may
expect not to be deny'd. And as to my own particular, I have
in my long service to his late Majesty' King William, and her
present Majesty received so many wounds and had the fatigue
of severall cold campaigns, that the whole frame of my nature
is decay'd, which makes me the more pressing. Here having
been two French privateers upon our coast, one of which has
taken off a man, as we suppose, for intelligence upon some
design the French have to invade us, I have by the advice
of the Councill, been obliged to lay an imbargo on all ships
and vessells for 10 days, till we inform ourselvs what preparations the enemy is making. Admirall Wager on my giving him
notice of these privateers sent out two men of war after them,
one of which he has likewise ordered to cruize off the French
and Spanish coast, and endeavour to get off a man from thence
to learn what they are doing, and whether they have any design
this way. I hope the imbargo will be of no prejudice to the
trade, since it is for so short a time. Signed, Tho. Handasyd.
Endorsed, Recd. 19th Jan., Read 23rd Feb., 1708. 3¾ pp.
[C.O 137, 8. No. 29; and 138, 12. pp. 363–366.] |
Dec. 5.
Newport on Rhoad Island. |
228. Governor Cranston to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Report upon import of negroes, in reply to letter
of April 15 last. (1). We have not had any negroes imported
from June 24, 1698—Dec. 25, 1707. (2). On May 30, 1696
arrived at this port from Africa the briganteen Seaflower, Thomas
Windsor, master, haveing on board 47 negroes, 14 of which he
disposed of in this Colony for betwixt £30 and 35 per head,
the rest he transported by land for Boston, where his owners
lived. (3). Aug. 10, and Oct. 19 and 28, 1700, sailed from this
port 3 vessels directly for the coast of Africa, the two former
were sloops, the one commanded by Nicholas Hillgrove, the
other by Jacob Bill, the last a ship commanded by Edwin Carter,
who was part owner of the 3 vessels in company with Thomas
Bruster and John Bates, merchts. of Barbados, and separate
traders from thence to the coast of Africa. They arrived safe
to Barbados from the coast of Africa, where they made the
disposition of their negroes. (4). Wee have never had any
vessels from the coast of Africa to this Collony, nor any trad
there, the briganteen abovementioned excepted. (5). The whole
and only suply of negroes is from Barbados, from whence is
imported, one year with another, betwixt 20 and 30, and if
those arrive well and sound, the generall price is from £30
to £40. We have advised with the chieffest of our Planters,
and find but small incouragement for that trade to this Colony,
since by the best computation wee can make, there would not
be disposed in this Colony above 20 or 30 at the most annually,
the reasons of which are chiefly to be attributed to the generall
dislike our Planters have for them, by reason of theire turbulent
and unruly tempers. And that most of our Planters that are
able and willing to purchase any of them, are supplyed by the
offspring of those they have already, which increase daly, and
that the inclination[s] of our people in generall are to imploy
servants before negroes, etc. Signed, Samll. Cran[ston]. Endorsed,
Recd. May 23, Read Dec. 12, 1709. Holograph. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1264. No. 90; and 5, 1292. pp. 187–189.] |
Dec. 5.
Newport on Rhoad Island. |
229. Same to Same. Acknowledges letters, etc. May 14.
Upon the reciept of said packett, I forthwith convean'd H.M.
Councill, by whose approbation and advice I caused H.M. Instructions with the Acts of Parliament to be published, the
which wee will not be wanting to see duly complyed with, etc.,
notwithstanding that, as we are linkt to the Province of the
Massachusetts (perticularly to the Towne of Boston) as to our
traffick and dealing together, wee cannot, without great inconveniency and prejudice differ from them in the valuation and
rates of foreigne coine. Therefore, if wee should suspend that
matter about the coine, till wee can see or understand what
meth [ods or steps] they will take in that Province, I hope
H.M. and your Lordsh [ips will pardon] us. I do not give your
Lordships this intimation by any order from [the Colony], but
as my owne sentiments, etc. Signed and endorsed as preceding.
Holograph. Edges torn. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1264. No. 91; and
5, 1292. pp. 189–191.] |
Dec. 5.
Newport on Rhoad Island. |
230. Same to Same. Your Lordships' letter of May 7, 1707
came not to my hands till the latter end of July last, upon
the reciept whereof, with the advice of H.M. Councill of this
Colony, I caused the Act of Parliment for the Union of the
Kingdoms to be published in the towne of Newport, the Metropolis of this H.M. Colony, at the same time causing the Milissia
of the Island to be in armes for the greater solemnity thereof,
and after the publication concluded the same with three vollies
of small armes, and the discharge of what cannon wee had
att ye Fort and Towne, which was seconded with loud acclamations of joy, etc. In October last, it being the first meeting
of the Generall Assembly after the reciept of your Lordships'
letter, I communicated the same to them, who ordered me to
give you the best information I could in answer etc. (1). As
to the state of this H.M. Colony, since the present war, it has
pleased the Almighty thro' his infinite mercy and goodness
(upon our indvours) to preserve us from the assaults of the
common enemy, tho' not without great charge and expence, in
keeping watches and wards upon the sea coast, and scouts upon
the land side into the cuntry, our lying so open to the assaults
and attempts of the enemy by sea doth also occation often and
frequent alarums, which doth also create great charge. This
Colony are also at considerable charge and troble in maintaning
(during ye summer season) a cota of men at Block Island for
the defence thereof. I presume your Lordships is fully informed
of our frequent expeditions by sea, in order to secure our coast
from being infested with the enemy's privateers, haveing in our
last given a full account thereof, as well as our great charge
in assisting H.E. Col. Dudly in his expedition to or against
Port Royall. Wee had nothing materiall that hapned the last
summer, save one expedition on Sept. 8, upon intiligence given
me by an express from Martin's vinyard of a privateer that had
taken a sloop and chased a briganteen on shoare upon said
Island. I dispatched (within 3 howrs) two sloops under the
command of Major William Wanton and Capt. John Cranston.
The enemy fearing our sudden expedition (they being well
acquainted of our dispatch upon such occations) burnt his
prize and made the best of his way into the sea, so as our
people could not get any sight of him, tho' they made pursuit
after him about 24 howres that way, which they was informed
he directed his course. (2). As to the strength and defence
of this Colony, it chiefly consists (under the Providence of
God) in our good look-outs, our expedition [by sea], and in our
milissia, the which consists of all mails from [16 to] 60 years
of age, who are obliged, at theire owne charge, to be [always
provi]ded with a good firelock, musket or fusea, a sword or bagonet,
[catouch box] with one pound of good powder, and 4lb. of
bullets, who are to [be ready upon] any alarrum, or other expetion or service, to repaire to theire ensign[s at their] respective
places of randisvouse, to attend such orders as they shall
r[ecieve] from theire superier officers, etc., the which obligations
and orders is u[pon all occasions] very chearfully and readily
obeyed and complyed with, so that what is [before premised,]
in our Milissia consists the strength of [this Colony it being
impossible for us to forti]fie ourselves so as to keep an enemy
[from entring into our Bay and rivers, or to obstruct] there
landing in most places in the Col [ony, tho' we have a small
fort upon an Island] that covers the harbour of Newport,
whi[ch is mounted with 15 pieces of ordnance from] 6 to 9
pound ball, and is a security [to our navigation and the aforesaid
town against] any small force. (3). As to the administration
of Justice, wee have two generall courts of tryalls, which is on
the last Tuesday in March and the first Tuesday in September
annually, att which Courts are tryed all actionall and crimonall
causes hapning within said Collony, where the Laws of England
are approved of, and pleaded, to all intents and purposes,
without it be in some perticuler acts for the prudentiall affaires
of the Colony, and not repugnant to the Laws of England.
(4). As to the number of inhabitants, etc., I enclose a list in
as true and exact a manner as I could procure it from the
severall townes. (5). As to trade and ships etc., I enclose a
list. (6). As to what commodeties exported from this Colony
to England, and 'how said Colony is now supplyed with any
manufacturies that it was wont to be supplyed with from England, this Colony niver had any direct trade to or from England,
nor any supply directly from thence, but what commodeties any
of the inhabitants have had to export for England, hath bin
exported by way of Boston, where there returns are also made,
and from whence wee have and are cheifly supplyed with the
manufactury of England, and it is computed that not less then
£20,000 in cash hath bin annually (for some years past) remitted
from this Colony to Boston upon that account. (7). As to the
methods taken to prevent illegall trade, wee have a Collector and
Controler of H.M. Customes setled by the Hon. the Commissrs. in
this Colony, and a navell officer by the Governer, who take all
due methods and care they can by serching and inspecting
the severall cargoes imported, and putting the severall masters
upon theire oaths, etc. Wee have had no trade to any place
but Corrico that could give us any suspicion of illegall trade,
but that trade is at present wholy laid aside by our traders,
so that I know of no other place that they have any trade
to or from that can give us grounds to suspect any fraud. Your
Lordships may assure yourselves that all due methods will be
taken, as there may be occation, to prevent and suppress any
illegall trade, that may hereafter be managed by any of our
traders, and that what orders wee shall at any time recieve from
your Lordships will be punctually and duly observed etc. (8).
As to the number of vessels built in this Colony, wee are not
capable to informe your Lordships, by reason there hath bin
no list ever kept till since the Act for registring hath' bin in
force, from which time you have an exact account in the inclosed
list. (9). As to the increase or decay of the trade of this
Colony of late years, [it d]oth appeare that about 20 years past
wee had not above 4 or 5 vessels that did belong to this Colony,
wch. hath since gradually increased to 29. The reason of which
increase (as I apprehend) is chiefly to be attributed to the
inclination the youth on Rhoad Island have to the sea; the
land on said Island being all taken up and improved in small
farmes, so that the farmers, as theire families increase are
compel'd to put their children to trades, but their inclinations
being mostly to navigation, the greater part betake themselves
to that imployment, so that such as are industrious and thrifty,
as they get a small [stock beforehand, improve it in getting part
of a vessel, as] many of the tradesmen [in the town of Newport
also doth for the benefit of their children that are bred to
navigation, in which town consists the chiefest of our navigation,
not above 2 or 3 vessels belonging to all the Colony besides.]
One other cause of the increase of our trade is, that it has
pleased God to protect them from the hands of the enemy, so
that they have not lost above two or three vessels taken this war,
they being light and sharp for runners, so that very few of
the enemy privateers in a gaile of wind will rong or outsaile
one of our laded vessells. The Colony is putting the severall
acts of Assembly in a method for the press, as soone as it
can be accomplished will not faill in sending your Lordships
a copy of the whole, and will according to your Lordships'
command transmit yearely accotts. of there administration, and
additionall Acts of Assembly as opertunity will present. Thus
may it please your Lordships you have the most exact and
imperciall account I am capable of giveing you at this time,
tho' my plaine and homely method of wrighting may not be
so acceptable and intiligable to your Lordships as it ought to
bee; yet I will depend so far upon your Lordships' goodness,
that you will pardon my rudeness therein, and accept my
good will and inclination to serve H.M. and your Lordships
with all faithfullness and integrity, to the best of my capasity
and abillity, and that you will believe me to be H.M. loyall and
dutifull subject. Signed, Saml. Cranston. Endorsed, Recd. 23rd
May, Read Dec. 12, 1709. Holograph. 2½ pp. Edges torn.
Enclosed, |
|
230. i. List of Inhabitants of Rhode Island, Dec. 5, 1708.
Totals: Freemen, 1015; Militia, 1362; White servants,
56; black servants, 426. Total inhabitants, 7181. There
was no list of inhabitants ever taken before. The
Milissia hath increased since Feb. 14, 1704/5, the number
of 237. Signed, Saml. Cranston. 1 p. |
|
230. ii. Number of vessels built in Rhode Island 1698—1708;
Ships, 8, briganteens, 11, sloops 84. Belonging to
Rhode Island, 1708;—briganteens, 2, sloops, 27. Exports
to Jamaica, Barbados, Nevis, Antigua, St. Kitts, Montserrat—lumber, beef, pork, butter, cheese, onions, horses,
candles, cider. Imports thence, shuger, molasses, cotten, ginger, indico, piemento, rum, English goods, both
wollens and linnins, sweeds, and Spanish iron. Exports
to Bermuda, Bahama Islands, and the Salt Islands
(Salt Tertudoes and Turks Islands)—rum and provisions. Imports thence,— salt, and, from Bahamas,
braziletto. Exports to Carolina,—Rum, sugar, molasses, butter, cheese. Imports thence,—Rice, pitch,
pork, peltry, walnut wood, bearskins and deerskins.
Exports to Virginia and Maryland,—Rum, molasses,
butter and cheese. Imports thence,—pork, wheat and
English goods. Exports to Pensilvane, Jarseys, and
New Yorke,—Rum, butter, cheese and money. Imports
thence,—flower, wheat, bisquet, drest leather and bacon,
and (from New York) rigging. Exports to Connecticut,—rum, shuger, molasses, New England iron. Imports
thence,—grain, flax, pork, boards, tar, pitch, turpentine,
rosin. Exports to Massachusetts Bay,—butter, cheese
and money. Imports thence,—all sorts of European
commodities. Exports to Madera and Fyall,—shoes,
wheat, Indian corn, wax and money. Imports thence,—wine. Exports to Surinam,—provisions, butter,
cheese, onions and horses. Imports thence, Molasses.
Exports to Curacoa,—provisions, boards, butter, cheese
and onions. Imports thence,—pieces of eight, salt, and
caccao. Number of seafaring-men belonging to Rhode
Island,—140. Signed, Saml. Cranston. Endorsed as
letter. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1264. Nos. 92, 92.i.,ii.; and
(without enclosures) 5, 1292. pp. 192–199.] |
Dec. 8.
Whitehall. |
231. Earl of Sunderland to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses petition of Bermuda for the removal of Mr.
Jones from the employment of Secretary and Provost Marshall.
You are to hear their Agents upon those complaints which they
alledge have not been fully heard, and report thereon. I am
also commanded to refer to your consideration a petition of the
Island for leave to load and unload their vessels in the country,
etc. Signed, Sunderland. Endorsed, Recd. 9th, Read 13th Dec.,
1708. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
231. i. Deposition of Justices of Bermuda that Governor
Bennett never did insinuate and direct us to propose to our Tribes or Parishes any particular
person to be a Member of Assembly. Signed, George
Darrell, Danl. Jonson, Robert Burchhall, Saml. Sherlock, Willm. Tucker, Wm. Outerbridge, Richd. Gilbert,
Francis Jones, Tho. Burton, John Dickinson, Henry
Tucker. ¾ p. |
|
231. ii. Deposition of Charles Minors that Lt. Governor Bennett has not received or demanded any of the fees
or perquisites of the Secretary's Office. Nov. 20, 1707.
Signed, Cha. Minors. Sealed. 1 p. |
|
231. iii. Petition of Council, Assembly, Judges, Justices, Officers and Inhabitants to the Queen, praying that Mr.
Jones may not be restored to his Offices in the Island.
460 signatures. Endorsed, Recd. 9th, Read 13th Dec.,
1708. Seal. 3 large pp. sewn together. |
|
231. iv. Same to Same. Pray that they may not be restricted
to loading and unloading their ships and vessels at the
Town or Castle Harbour at St. Georges. This Instruction was intended in the time of the Proprietors
to secure them the duty of 1d. per lb. on Tobacco,
which was then made in great quantitys. Lately, the
land is so extreamly impoverished that it will not
produce tobacco as formerly, and the inhabitants do
not plant it, it being much cheaper to buy from Virginia. But they still labour under the same Instruction,
"which hath in a great measure already and if continued will be the utter ruin of the unhappy Petitioners,
whose subsistance is chiefly by navigation." The chief
product of the Island is provisions, but not more than
2/5ths. of what is required, their small vessels supplying
the rest, which for want of commodities here, generally
go from hence empty to the Salt Ponds, and bring salt
here to be landed in their store-houses, till they have
an opportunity of transporting it again (it being at
such a time of year that they cannot carry it to the
Northern Plantations) and then return to the Salt
Ponds for another load, which they carry to Carolina,
Roanoak, Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, New York,
and New England, and bring back Indian corn, bread,
flower, pork, etc. They must be ruined if they cannot
land at their own store-houses (which are a great
distance generally from the harbours), and having no
conveniency of land-carriage, are obliged to transport
everything in small open boats. The inhabitants not
dwelling in towns as in England, but everyone on
his little Plantation most persons haveing a convenient
harbour for boats near their own dwellings. In the
beginning of the winter, before the salt season comes on,
our vessels do transport hence great quantitys of cabbages, and at other times onions (which the poorer
sort of people do plant) to several parts of the West
Indies, and return from thence with English goods,
sugar, rum, mellasses, and cotten, of which last a great
part of our apparel is made; all which must also be
unloaded in one of the aforemention'd harbours. Such
perishable exports as cabbages and onions must be
loaded near where they grow etc. 462 signatures. Endorsed as preceding. Seal. 3 large pp. sewn together.
[C.O. 37, 8. Nos. 73, 73.i.–iv.; and (without enclosures) 38, 6. p. 432.] |
Dec 8.
Whitehall. |
232. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Enclose loyal Address from the Governor and Council
of Antigua to H.M. [C.O. 153, 10. p. 246.] |
| Dec. 9. |
233. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Reply to Nov. 10. This was not done by
any order from us: But the Secretary and Attorney General
of Our Province are coming over by this Virginia Fleet, which
is now daily expected, and immediatly after their arrival, we
shall lay the whole grounds of the premisses before your Lordships. Signed, Craven, Palatine; Beaufort, M. Ashley, J. Colleton,
John Danson. Endorsed, Recd. Read Dec. 10, 1708. Addressed.
Sealed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1264. No. 52; and 5, 1292. p. 70.] |
Dec. 9.
Craven House. |
234. The Lords Proprietors' Commission to Edward Tynte,
Governor of N. and S. Carolina. Set out, N.C. Col. Rec. I.
694. [C.O. 5, 289. pp. 158–160.] |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall. |
235. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Since our Representation (Dec. 1), we have received
a letter from the Lord Cornbury (Aug. 20) wherein many things
are contained, showing the advantage and facility of expelling
the French out of Canada; which being of the like nature with
what has been proposed by Capt. Vetch, we inclose an extract,
which your Lordp. will please to lay before H.M. with our
aforesaid Representation. [C.O. 5, 1121. p. 355.] |
Dec. 11.
St. James's. |
236. H.M. Warrant for Francis Phipps to be of the Council at
St. Christophers. [C.O. 5, 210. p. 123.] |
Dec. 11.
Craven House. |
237. The Lords Proprietors' Commission and Instructions
for Edward Hyrne, Naval Officer of S. Carolina. Signed,
Craven, Palatine, Beaufort, M. Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson.
[C.O. 5, 289. pp. 156, 157, 193.] |
Dec. 11.
Craven House. |
238. The Lords Proprietors' Commission and Instructions
to William Saunders to be Attorney and Advocate General for
South Carolina. Signed, Craven, Palatine, Beaufort, M. Ashley,
J. Colleton, J. Danson. [C.O. 5, 289. pp. 161, 185–187.] |
| Dec.11. |
239. The Lords Proprietors' Commission and Instructions
to Nathaniel Sale to be Receiver General of South Carolina.
Signed as preceding. [C.O. 5, 289. pp. 161, 188–190.] |
Dec. 11.
Craven House. |
240. The Lords Proprietors' Commission to the Honble.
Robert Gibbs, Esq. to be Chief Justice of South Carolina. Signed
as preceding. [C.O. 5, 289. pp. 208, 209.] |
Dec. 11.
Craven House. |
241. Sir John Colleton's Patent for 4423 acres in Carolina,
Mulberry Plantation, upon the Western branch of Cooper River.
Signed, Craven, Palatine; Beaufort, M. Ashley, J. Colleton,
J. Danson. Dec. 11, 1708/9 (sic). [C.O. 5, 289. p. 204.] |
| Dec 13. |
242. Col. John Frere to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Son of the late Tobias Frere, petitioner is a J.P. of
Barbados, Col. of the best regiment of horse and was bred and
born there. etc. Prays to be appointed Councillor in place of
Col. Richard Scot, who has been 5¾ years absent from his
post. Endorsed, Recd. Read Dec. 13, 1708. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
242. i. Certificate in favour of Col. J. Frere. Signed, Rob.
Lowther, Rob. Heysham, Richard Diamond, Richd.
Tilden, Edw. Lascelles, Jos. Mayne, Matt. Matson,
Manasses Gilligan. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 11. Nos. 41,
41.i.; and 29, 11. pp. 347–349.] |
Dec. 13.
Kingston. |
243. Tho. Mitchell and Richd. Basnet to Mr. Milner and
Mr. Morris. Opinion of the Planters and Merchants of Jamaica
on the African Trade. The attempts of the African Company
to get the wholesale trade to Guinea into their own hands exclusive of all ye rest of ye Queen's subjects, has put us under
ye apprehensions of being thereby intirely ruined in this Island
for want of negroes to supply and improve our Plantations.
We have now many persons in ye Island that sell negroes on
accott. of separate traders, and give considerable credit for
them to the great benifit and improvement of our Plantations,
and if we cannot purchase at a reasonable rate of one person,
we can goe to another, but if ever this trade be put into ye
hands of an exclusive Company, we shall then have but one
person to purchase of, and must give his price, be what it
will, or elce let our settlements goe to ruin for want of negroes
to cultivate our land, which will not admit of the plow or
anything elce, but a number of hands to improve it. When a
Company or single person have ingrost any perticular trade
intirely into their own hands, they will certainly endeavour to
manage it soe as to yeild ye greatest proffit with ye least
risque to themselves, whatever ye publick or any perticular
place suffer by it. If the Affrican Company obtain an exclusive Act for ye Guinea Trade, ye fewer negroes they import
into ye Colonies, the dearer they will be sold, and noe doubt
they may raise them to £50 a peice, by not importing into all
ye Plantations above 5000 head per annum, wch. if sold but
at £40 per head, it's plain the Company will get as much profit
as by importing 25,000. at £20. etc., etc., elaborated. Also, an
exclusive company will deprive us of a great part of ye benifit
we hope to reap by ye union, for that part of ye Kingdom
formerly called Scotland will be intirely excluded from ye trade,
and soe will all other parts of H.M. Dominions except London,
and therefore it cannot be supposed that ever ye Parliament
will give up ye right which all ye people of Great Brittain
and ye Plantations have to this trade into ye hands of a monopolizeing Company to ye destruction of ye Colonies and general
damage of ye whole Kingdom, etc. Endorsed, Recd. 8th, Read
9th Feb. 1708/9. 2 pp. [C.O. 388, 11. No. 111.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
244. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Col.
Richard Scot, one of the Council of Barbadoes, having been near
six years in this Kingdom, and having from time to time promised
your Majesty's late Commissioners for Trade to return to his
post, and having lately declined attending us in order to our
being informed of his final resolution, we are humbly of opinion
that it is not for your Majesty's service that the Counsellors
should be permitted to be so long absent from their duty, and
therefore offer that your Majesty dismiss him and appoint John
Frere (Dec. 13) in his stead. [C.O. 29, 11. pp. 350, 351.] |
Dec. 14.
Whitehall. |
245. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Parke.
Acknowledge letters of Aug. 23, 24. We shall take into consideration the list of negroes imported, which you have sent us,
but you have not fully observed the directions we gave you,
Aprill 15, to consult some of the principal planters and inhabitants within your Government touching the negro trade, and
particularly what number of negroes they might think necessary
for the annual supply of the Leeward Islands; this therefore we
expect you will do by the first oppertunity. As to your refusing
to swear Mr. Perry, who was chose one of the Assembly, for
not being a freeholder, we can only say, that where there is
no law to direct in any particular case, then we think it
safest for you to follow the antient custome of the Island, and
we think that the Assembly is the proper Judge of the qualification of their own Members. None of the complaints which
you mention have yet been laid before us. When they shall be,
we shall then consider the answers you make thereunto. In
the meantime, we can only assure you that no impressions to
your prejudice will be made upon us, till you have been heard.
We have considered the Bill past by the Assembly of Antegoa,
for ascertaining and declaring the elections of Representatives,
etc., as also the Bill drawn up by the Councill. The Lt.
Governor and Councill were much in the right in not passing
the Assembly's Bill, which is of such a nature as wou'd not
have been approved by H.M. As to the Bill prepared by the
Councill, we have this observation to make, that in the clause
which appoints the method and time for chusing Assembly
men, there ought to be a direction that due and reasonable
notice of the respective days of election be affixed in the most
publick places of the Island. We must further take notice that
the last clause, relating to the Assembly's right to hear greivances,
ought to be omitted, for we find that an Act that was past
at Barbadoes, relating to the Election of Representatives, having
the very same clause in it, was for that and other reasons repealed. What we writ you, June 25, concerning seizures, did
arise from what you had writ Oct. 22, 1707, quoted, so you
may see that what wee writ was not without ground. We shall
expect your answer to the third and fourth paragraphs of
[y]our letter of June 25 relating to the Acts for quartering of
soldiers etc., and to getting of a law past for the better regulating
of Courts. When you transmit to us the list of Patent places
which we have writ to you for, we desire you to inform us
whether there be an oath of office annexed to any of the
said places, and if so, whether the Patentees have taken that
oath or no. [C.O. 153, 10. pp. 247–250.] |
Dec 15.
[N.S.] Middelburgh. |
246. Hans Hantenaar to the Directors of the Dutch West
India Company. Signed, Hans. Hantenaar. With enclosures.
Dutch. 2 pp. [C.O. 116, 20. Nos. 16, 16.i. ff.] |
Dec. 15.
Whitehall. |
247. The Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor
Handasyd. Acknowledge letter of Sept. 24. As to Mr. Whitchurch's petition, H.M. having declared her pleasure in that
matter, we shall add nothing more thereupon. Your care in
getting private intelligences is very commendable, and tho your
reasons for not laying before the Assembly your disbursments
upon that account be good, yet we doubt not but you know
where and how to make the proper application here. It was not
for any disregard to your recommendation that Mr. Francis
Oldfield was not put into the Councill, but upon account of
others standing before him upon our lists, who were equally
well qualifyed, but as we writ you, Nov. 25, Mr. Oldfield being
now the first person upon our list, we shall be mindfull of
him upon the first vacancy. We have considered what you
write about Mr. Totterdale's behaviour towards the Attorney
Generall, and do think the Court ought to have asserted its
own authority in punishing any contempt in Court, which power
is incident to every Court of Justice. We shall expect an
account of the tryal of the ship which you say was seized for
the Queen for having been taken without a legal Commission.
The reason for restoring Mr. Barrow to the practice of the
Law in Jamaica was, that Mr. Barrow having been once admitted by the Courts, he has an undoubted right, and ought
to enjoy the liberty of practicing as a lawyer till convicted
of such misbehaviour in his said practice as shall amount to a
forfeiture of such right. Upon the receipt of your forementioned letter, we immediately gave notice to the Admiralty of
what you writ in relation to the Jamaica fleet coming home; and
we received an answer from thence that care was taken therein
and some ships of war gone out to meet them. In your letter
transmitting the account of Negroes you have ommitted to
acquaint us whether you had consulted the principal Planters
and inhabitants in your Government, relating to the Negroe
trade, and particularly what number might be annually necessary
for the supply of Jamaica. We therefore desire that you will
consult the said inhabitants and Planters upon this matter, and
that you do acquaint us therewith by the first opportunity.
We desire you to inform us whether there be an oath of office
annexed to any of the patent places, and if so, whether the
patentees have taken that oath or no. [C.O. 138, 12. pp. 350352.] |
Dec 15.
Whitehall. |
248. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Crowe.
Acknowledge letter of Aug. 18. What we writ in relation to
the dissolution of the Assembly, was occasioned by what you
had said, March 1, which not being so clearly expressed as it
ought to have been, we were thereby misinformed. If they did
sit out their full time as limited by their Act, you are no ways
blamable in that matter. We are in hopes that the Assembly
will raise the necessary funds for compleating of Fort St. Anne,
which, if they do, will be of good service. You acquaint us
that most of the publick accounts are stated; we shall expect
that you transmit to us copies thereof as soon as possible.
As to what you write about two convoys a year for the trade
of Barbadoes, that matter being before H.M. by an Address
from the Assembly, if H.M. be pleased to refer the same to
us, we shall then report our opinion thereupon. In the meantime we shall only say, that if the circumstances of the war
would permitt, it seems a thing desireable, but at present we
fear it will be difficult to obtain. In answer to what you write
that the Act for incouraging the trade to America has taken
from the Governors the power of pressing seamen for H.M.
service, [which] will occasion several inconveniences, we can
only say that there are such provisions in the Act for this
matter, that we hope the same will answer the end. In the
list of Patent Offices which you have sent us, you have not
mentioned the Secretary's Office, nor told us the value thereof,
which we expect therefore you will do by your next, as also
that you inform us whether there is an oath of office annexed
to any of the said offices, and if so, whether the Patentees
have taken that oath or no. We have received, (Aug. 18) the
Address from the Assembly to yourself, and observe that they
complain that the deposit money, and other grievious extortions
in the Register's Office of the Court of Chancery are not yet
refunded: nor the symoniacal dispositions of the Church livings
in Sir B. Granville's time inquired into. These are things
which you ought to have done, and which therefore we shall
expect from you. In your letter transmitting the account of
negroes, you have omitted to acquaint us whether you had
consulted the principal Planters and inhabitants in your Government relating to the negroe trade, and particularly what number
might be annually necessary for the supply of Barbadoes, we
therefore desire that you will consult the said inhabitants and
planters upon this matter, and that you do acquaint us therewith
by the first opportunity. We observe that one of the matters
contained in the charge against you is, that you gave way to
the Assembly's ordering the Treasurer to dispose of publick
monies to be laid out in presents; which we look upon to be
contrary to your Instructions, and a practice which you ought
by no means to have allowed. P.S. Since our writing the
above letter, we have receved one from Col. Sharp, Mr. Walker,
and Mr. Beresford, dated Oct. 11, transmitting to as their
remarks upon the Assembly's Address to you against them, which
reminds us what you writ, Sept. 6, that you will transmit your
answer to their complaints by the first oppotunity, and we
cannot but take notice that the packet-boat which sailed from
Barbadoes Sept. 25, and the ship which, brought us the abovementioned letter of Oct. 11, are two opportunities you have
omitted. By the first you had 17 days from the date of the said
letter, and by the last 35 days to make your answer. The charge
against you being of so high a nature, and which, you knew
was sent over to us in order to it's being laid before H.M.,
it is very extraordinary you did not think yourself enough
concern'd to make your answer in that time. [C.O. 29, 11.
pp. 352–356.] |
