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March 1.
St. James's. |
387. H.M. Instructions to Colonel Vetch. Whereas you have
laid before us the proposall of an enterprise upon Canada and
Newfoundland, which may turn very much to the security and
advantage of our subjects in those parts of America, as well
as to the prosperity of our Kingdomes in generall, We having
taken the same into our royall consideration, do entirely approve of the said proposall, and in order to execute it effectually,
have thought fitt to give you these our following Instructions.
You shall immediately repair on board the ship appointed by
our High Admiral for the transporting you, with such officers
as shall be sent over under your command to severall of our
Colonys in North America. Upon your arrivall at New York
you are to deliver to the Governor of that place a letter from
us, and communicate to him there your Instructions, acquainting him that we shall expect from him a punctual and ready
complyance to all such as relate to him. You shall represent to
him that out of our great desire to answer the frequent applications, which have been made to us by our good subjects the
inhabitants of those parts, to deliver them from the neighbourhood of the French at Canada, which of late years hath been
so troublesome to them, we have fitted out an expedition,
the particulars of which you shall lay before him, and withall
let him know, that we strictly require and enjoin him, to give
such an assistance to the said expedition, as is hereafter specifyed. You shall signify to him our pleasure, that the Government of New York do furnish a Quota of 800 men, including
the four standing companys, and that the City Regiments of
York and Albany do duty in the Forts during the absence of
the said standing companys. You shall at the same time acquaint
him that New Jersey is to furnish 200 men, Connecticut 350,
and Pensilvania 150, so that the whole force will consist of
1500 effective[s], which are to be disposed into four battallions,
each battallion to have one of the four regular companys mixed
and incorporated in it, and to be commanded by the Captain
as Colonel, whose company is so incorporated in it, and under
him by the respective officers of the country troops; the officers
that go with you, and are designed for New York, to be
distributed among the Companys, as the Governour in concert
with the Commander in Chief shall think best for the service.
You shall likewise acquaint the aforesaid Governours in our
name, that we do command and expect from him that the
Quotas of his Governments be ready at Albany with all things
necessary for the expedition, by the middle of May next ensuing
at furthest, and that he furnish all the troops with what arms
and ammunition they want out of the magazine at New York,
and that he do forthwith get together, and keep in readinesse
three months provisions for his quota of men, to be transported
and lodged in some convenient place at the Wood Creek, or
elsewhere, for the security of which he shall in conjunction
with the Governmts. of Connecticut and Pensilvania cause to
be built a large wooden storehouse, as also six or more large
boats, that will carry 60 men each, for the transportation of
their heavyer stores by water and also contract with the Five
Nations to make as many canoes with all speed as will be
wanted for the said expedition. You shall moreover enjoin
the aforesaid Governour in our name to command and engage
the aforesaid five Nations as also the River Indians to join
with all their fighting men in the said expedition, and promise
them a good present if they do. You shall likewise acquaint
him that it is our pleasure, that he give all fitting encouragemt.
to any Gentleman or others, that shall offer themselves to go
as volunteers in this our service. You shall deliver a letter
from us to the Governour of Pensilvania, and another to the
Governour of Connecticut for the time being, and signify to
them our Royall will and pleasure that they have their quota's
of men and provisions ready by the middle of May at farthest,
acquainting them withall, that the Governour of New York
is ordered to assist them with what arms and ammunition they
shall want. After having finished your negotiations, for the
foregoing expedition with all possible secrecy and dispatch,
you shall deliver a letter from us to the Governour of New
England, and another to the Governour of Rhode Island for
the time being, strictly commanding and enjoining them in our
name to raise at least 1200 of their best men, according to
their usuall proportions, and likewise to give all fitting encouragement to any such as shall offer themselves to go volunteers in the expedition whether gentlemen or others, as also to
have in readinesse a sufficient number of transports wth. three
months provisions, and able pilots, whereof Capt. Southweek
to be one, and to go in his own galley, and that all may be
ready to embark by the middle of May next, upon the arrivall
of the Fleet from England, and for their greater encouragement
you shall acquaint them that we have ordered arms and ammunition to be sent with you for the number of troops they are
to furnish, which arms and ammunition you shall accordingly
deliver to the severall companys, in presence of the Governor
or Commissary of the country taking a receipt for the same,
wch. you shall transmit to our Board of Ordnance in this
Kingdome. You shall with the concurrence and advice of our
Governour of New England contract with ship carpenters for
the building of ten or more large flatt-bottom boats that will
carry 60 men each for the landing of troops, and also contract
with proper persons for the furnishing of eight months provisions to the troops that shall be left at Quebeck and Montreal,
if it shall please God to make our forces masters of these
places, and to give us the successe we hope for from this
expedition. And to the end that nothing may be wanting on our
part towards engaging the severall Governments to act with
the uttmost spiritt and vigour in this expedition, you shall
assure them in our name, that such of the Governments as
contribute towards the reduction of Canada, shall have a preference both with regard to the soyl and trade of the country,
when reduced, to any other of our subjects, and when they
shall have concerted among themselves any reasonable proposall for the procuring to their respective Colonys, the benefitt
of the said soyl and trade, we shall not be wanting to give
our Royall sanction to the same. You shall communicate these
our Instructions to Coll. Nicholson who has offered himself,
as a volunteer in this present expedition, and further out of
our regard of his known abilitys and zeal for our service,
we do require that you shall admitt him into your private
consultations with our severall Governours on the methods for
putting this your proposall in execution; and if by reason
of the distance of time and place, any other preparation may
be necessary for the carrying on of this expedition, which
we could not here foresee, and which is not contained in these
your Instructions, you shall with the concurrence of the Governour who is to assist in any such service, and of Coll.
Nicholson, make any such preparations, tho' it is not mentioned in these your Instructions, provided that it appear to
you absolutely necessary for the carrying on of the expedition,
as aforesaid, and that the Governour and Coll. Nicholson do
entirely concur with you in judging it to be so. Signed, A.R.
Copy. 9 pp. [C.O. 5, 9. No. 22.] |
March 1.
St. James's. |
388. The Queen to the Governor of New York. Trusty and
and wellbeloved, We greet you well. Whereas We are fitting
out an expedition, with great expence, for the security of our
subjects in your Government from the neighbourhood of the
French in Canada, which has been very troublesome to them
of late years, according to certain proposals laid before us by
our trusty and well-beloved Col. Vetch, and pursuant to the
many applications that have been made to us by our subjects
who have suffered very much from the French in that neighbourhood; we do hereby strictly require and command you, to
be assisting to this our expedition, after the manner that the
said Col. Vetch shall propose to you, and that you look upon
those parts of his Instructions which relate to you, and to
our Government under your care, and which we have order'd
him to communicate to you, in the same manner as if they
were our positive commands directed to yourself, and that you
pay the same obedience to them. And whereas there may be
some particulars in our abovementioned Instructions, as that
of the place of Rendezvous, which you who live in the country
may be the most proper judge of, we do therefore leave this,
and other the like circumstances, to be alter'd at discretion,
as our service shall require, provided that Col. Vetch and Col.
Nicholson do concur with you in any such alteration, and
provided that you punctually and exactly observe the numbers
of men which you are to raise, and the time when they are
to appear and be in readiness to enter on the expedition.
2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1084. No. 40; and 5, 1091. No. 14.] |
March 1.
Bermuda. |
389. Lt. Governor Bennett to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Acknowledges letters etc. of May 14 and July
13. My letter of Sept. 22, 1707 was repeated Feb. 10. Inclosed
is a list of H.M. Council etc. By Capt. Harford withdrawing
himself there are now 5 vacancies. When I deliver a packt.
to any Master of a vessel, I constantly put a string to it
and order when they find they must be taken, to put a weight
to it (as your Lordships mentions) and throw it overboard:
But I fear it is to common that that's forgott when danger
approaches, but however since it's your Lordps.' opinion, I
shall for the future send lists of the inhabitants and what else
is required by my Instructions etc. What papers I have from
time to time transmitted to my brother, chiefly related to my
defence when representations have been made against me. But
if that's a fault, I shall desist from soe doeing, and depend
on your Lordsps.' promise, that noe complaints will be made
use of to my disadvantage, till me or my friends for me
have been heard. I am very much concern'd that mine of
June 25, 1706 miscarryed, wherein was an account of powder
and stores of war etc. But I shall with all expedition prepare
another. The 4 Acts of Assembly your Lordships mentions
to be wanting are herewith sent, and if not before, the
omission must be in the Secretary in not transcribing them
with the rest. But pardon me I am sure that Act for the
further regulateing Courts of Judicature hath been (att least)
twice transmitted. Therefore I conclude it has been intercepted,
which practise my packts. have to frequently fallen under.
Here are also other Acts which have been either omitted or
miscarryed, that were passed both before and between the yeares
1704 and 1707 and since, etc. Signed, B. Bennett Endorsed,
Recd. June 29, Read July 11, 1709. Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
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389. i. List of Council of Bermuda, showing 7 dead and one
resigned. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 37,
8. Nos. 84, 84. i.; and (without enclosure) 38, 6. pp. 461–465.] |
March 1.
Bermuda. |
390. Same to Same. Acknowledges letter etc. July 7, Aug.
4. I shall acquaint the Assembly when they sit of H.M.
Order relating to the passing a Bill to encourage the building
a House at the Ferry. The account of stores of war shall be
transmitted as soon as possible. Signed and endorsed as preceding. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 37, 8. No. 85; and 38, 6.
pp. 465, 466.] |
March 1.
Boston, New England. |
391. Governor Dudley to the Council of Trade and Plantations. This comes by Capt. Riddell in H.M.S. Falmouth,
which is the only safe conveyance since the Deptford brought
home the accounts and papers from these Governments the
last year, and with this your Lordships will receive all the
Acts of the Assembly of both Provinces, continuation of the
Revenues and grants of supplys for the war, the Minutes of
Council, the issues of causes and judgments at law, the accounts of stores, armes, ammunition and cannon in the several
castles and forts, and what else I am commanded by H.M. Instructions and your Lordships' letters. Refers to enquiries of
May 7, 1707. q.v. All which the answers to the particular
questions will open to your Lordships' satisfaction unless the
last, referring to the Governour's imploying his time in H.M.
service here, which is after this manner. In May, the General
Assembly of the Massachusetts sits down, and generally holds
six weeks, which I am forced to attend everyday to put forward
H.M. service and to keep the Houses to their duty. The Council
consisting of 28 Members and the Representatives about 80,
they may be, if the Towns please to be at the charge of their
sitting, one hundred. When that Assembly rises, the Assembly
of New Hampshire usually sits down for a shorter time,
being fewer in number and more [ready] in their dispatches.
The issue of these two Assemblys brings July and August,
[in] which months I have what troubles the French and Indians,
my neighbours, can give me in the frontiers by their marches
upon me in the covert of the woods, which keeps me well
imployed to send forces to all parts of the frontiers of 200
miles long, which has been so successfully managed these six
years of the war, that I have not lost one village, nor drawn
in any, which has been always done in the former troubles
with the Indians. This trouble and hurry of their incursions
holds till the fall of the leafe, and beginning of October,
when the General Assembly of the Massachusetts setts down
again for another six weeks, and then follows the Assembly
of Piscataqua, as in the spring, and these bring December,
when I am fitting out partys from all places upon their snowshoes, who in the depth of the winter for four months are
searching the forrests for 200 miles deep for the lodgings of
the Indians, whereby this whole war I have kept them from
all their antient seats and planting grounds, and driven them
to inaccessable places and parts, where no corn will grow for
their support, and this brings the Spring again, and a new
year's business, and all the travail and care return again. The
names of the present Council of the Massachusetts are in the
inclosed list, tho I suppose that clause in your Lordships'
letter mistaken, because H.M. do's not supply the vacancies
of Councellours here, as in all H.M. other Governments, but
they stand by an annual election, and so the Assembly alters
them every year as they please, and the Governour has power
by the Charter to refuse any so elected, which is usually
done, so far as to refuse one or two of the 28, to maintain
H.M. Prerogative, tho' there is frequently reason enough besides,
it being easily observed by strangers here, that the best estates
in many parts of the Countrey are not chosen into the Council,
but very inferiour persons taken in, both for estate and education, and of less affection to the strict dependance of these
Governments upon the Crown and Government of England, to
the hurt of H.M. interest, which can be amended only by
time, and a steady management of affairs, which will at length
convince the people of their own benefit in H.M. favour by
their good obedience. By the rule of five to one for old men
and children against the mustered souldiers, I judge this Province
to contain when I arrived 50,000 souls, these are all freemen,
and their children, besides the Blacks, of which your Lordships
have account in my answer of the Affrican Company. This
number is increased by 1000 every year, and so I believe they
are for these last six years that I have served H.M. here,
the warrs and troubles with the Indians notwithstanding. The
cause of the People's removal out of this Province is the
inequality of the taxes. The lands are equal our health here,
the best of all the Provinces, trade superiour to any, but our
taxes are seven times as much as any other part of H.M.
Governments, from Carolina to Newfoundland, and there being
nothing but a line of marked trees between the inhabitants of
this and the other Provinces, and they every year see that the
whole burthen of the warr lyes upon these Provinces, this
poor people can easily remove to the next Colonys to that
degree, that I believe we have lost 200 men within this 5 years,
most of them to our neighbours of Connecticot, which will
be all redrest and people quiet, when H.M. shall be pleased to
make the charge of the war equal upon all the Governments.
[In] Peace, the import and excise, tho very small will maintain
the charge of the Massachusetts Government, and now wee
spend in the warr £30,000 per annum by a land tax very
heavy to the Planter. I mustered the Militia of the whole
Province in 1702, and gave the account, about 10,000, and I
believe there are now 1000 more [in t] he musters, the warrs
and troubles notwithstanding. The commoditys raised in this
countrey for exportation for Europe are fish, lumber, oyl tar
and other gumms, furrs; fish to the value of £30,000; lumber
£2000; oyl, £5000; tarr and gumms £10,000; furrs, £1000;
besides these from hence comes into Great Britain sugar, tobacco, logwood, and other dyes, rice, molasses etc. to a very
great value, produced and brought [hit] her by a trade with
the West Indies, for provisions, horses and lumber, and from
Virginia for a coasting trade and barter holden with them,
all which center at home in England. I know of no commoditys
of Europe supplying the inhabitants here, but from England
directly, though they may originally come from Holland, Hamborough, France (in peace) or Spain, because the Acts of
Parliament command it to be prevented, and I am as carefull
as is possible, tho it be very displeasing to such as use a
false trade. The trade of this Province is increased in all
the articles above to a very great degree, since my [coming]
hither, except the article of furrs, which is abated by reason
of the war; the Indians [carry] their furrs to the French, and
our own Indians and English are prevented from lying abroad
and following their traps as in peace. And I must add that
the woolen trade from England is also in a great measure
abated, the people here cloathing themselves with their own
wool, and this is occasioned by two things—first the excessive
prices of all goods from England, nothing is here sold at
less than £150 p.c. advance, most goods more, so that the
countrey cannot purchase, and secondly, the returns for England
in payment pass through [so] few hands, that many, if not
most, have no share in them, and so have not wherewith to
pay for goods. I begg your Lordships pardon to say, that
unless the Kingdom of Great Britain will please to come into a
lumber trade from these Provinces, and H.M. will please to
build some of her great ships here, the trade for the woolen
manufactory will every year grow less, tho' the people increase
to a very great degree. They are proud enough to wear the
best cloath of England, if chopping, sawing and building of
ships would pay for their cloaths, and this method would
double the sale of English woolen manufactory presently. There
wants nothing to prevent illegal trade, and the officers H.M.
has here are very good, but they are but four persons of
salary, and there are 40 harbours and places to look after,
where goods may be landed; to supply all these places with
officers purely upon the head of prevention, where there is
nothing to receive, would increase an unreasonable charge to
the Crown. I am of opinion that if there were a good yatch
with 6 able hands always tending upon the coast, obliged
to speak with all ships coming into these Provinces, the charge
would be little and the prevention very great, and serve beyond
all the land-waiting and officers possible to be erected, and
in a few years might be again abated, when the trade of
smugling were diverted. |
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Our ships are of 3 sorts;—above 100 tonns, 20; between 50
and 100 tons, 60; below, these are vessels belonging to the
Province that trade to the West Indies and the shore of America,
120; which must demand 1000 saylors, as near as I can set
it, besides a like number of all sorts built every two year
for merchants of London and elsewhere, there having been
registred generally 70 vessels per annum, most of them built
here. This Province has all sorts of manufactures setled, that
belong to iron, leather, linnen, and tho' to no degree capable
to serve the inhabitants as yet. There is usually shipped 800
tons of train-oyl from this Province, which alters yearly as
the whales pass by us, nearer or further from the shore, and
as the weather happens for boats to keep the sea as they
pass, wch. they do every year from Pole to Pole. The fishing
for codd is much superiour to value of £30,000 per annum,
which goes to Spain etc., and returns mostly by England
home again, besides the trade of mackerill for the West Indies,
at £5000 per annum uncertain. Your Lordships' wisdome needs
no intimation of mine to know how these Provinces may be
made happy and serviceable. I am humbly of opinion that the
English settlemt. from Pemaquid to Delaware River, which
never cost England above tenn thousand souls to settle them,
which tract is now divided into six several Governments, contain in them 150,000 [souls], and are daily increasing, and are
a very industrious people, as appears by a subdued and wellbuilt [countrey], and will stand in need of nothing to make
them such as your Lordships would have them, but a good
[defence] against the incursions of the Indians and French
by land which would be done at once by a Colony of tenn
thousand North Britains, who might peaceably enter upon a
better land than their [own] with all advantages of trade,
fishing and lumber, and be in a readiness to assist the removal
of the French from Quebeck and Port Royal, and then
the Peace and repose of these Provinces would make the
trade of all sorts five times what it is presently, over all
which, if H.M. Government be justly maintained, and the
people and trade kept to a strict and constant dependance upon
the Acts of Trade and Navigation, and put upon the linnen
manufactory, for which the countrey is extreamly proper; the
Mother will find her daughters increase her wealth and honour
to a very great degree. The publication of the Union was
forthwith done in the presence and attendance of the Council,
Military Officers, the Regiment in [Boston], Horse and Foot
in armes, with all due solemnity, as the Minutes of Council
will further advise. Acknowledges letter etc. May 12, 1707,
which came not to my hands [till the] 12th July, fourteen
months after, but were presently communicated to the Councill
[and] are upon record in the Council Books. Acknowledges
letter Dec. 30, 1707, April 15, 1708 and May 15, 1708. The
Acts concerning foreign coyns and Trade have had their solemn
publication in both Provinces, and I hope will be [duly]
obeyed: there shall be nothing wanting on my part to make
H.M. subjects [sensible] of the ffavour done them in both
those Acts, and the injury the Plantations have done themselves
in raising the value of peices of eight, on pretence of keeping
them in the Countrey, which they have mist of, and have
only lowered and injured their own estates thereby. Acknowledges letters of July 8, 1708. Mr. Bridger is very sensible
that at all times he has had my Proclamations, Orders, Warrants and the assistance of the Justices and [Sherriffs] everywhere, and in all dangerous places I have assigned him guards
for the security of [himself] and his Deputys, and wherever he
has had tryals with Mr. Plaisted and Mr. Mico, he has had
[letters] to the Judges of the Courts advising and requiring
them to do their duty to H.M. therein, [as being the] only
Article wherein anything is reserved to H.M. in these great
Provinces; and [because] there was nothing of a Charter, nor
any record of that saving of great timber to H.M. [in] New
Hampshire, I have obtained a Law, which is humbly offered
to your Lordships in the [files], that it shall be £100 ffine
for any person on any pretence to cut such [timber]; but am
forced to acquaint your Lordships that at the next Sessions
of the Massachusetts Assembly in May last I offerred the same
Act in the very words of the Charter of the late King, [but]
could not obtain it to be enacted by the Representatives, which
was the same House that [by a] farr minor part of what sat
down at first (who were necessarily withdrawn for the defence
of the Province,) sent away a secret Address to H.M. reflecting upon myself, and perhaps if it could be known, the care
of H.M. rights and interests in this and other things are the
[latent] reasons of all the displeasure of that little party of men,
against whom there is 100 [to one] that are of another mind.
Referring to the Councellours mentioned for New Hampshire in
this letter, I hope Mr. Vaughan [their Ag] ent will take out the
warrants, and if your Lordships shall please at his return to
add him and Mr. George Jaffreys, son of a Councellour lately
decd., they are [men] of loyalty, estates and education, and
will honour the Queen's service in New Hampshire. The postscript of this letter referring to the barbarous method of the
French and [Indi]ans depending on them, scalping the dead
that fall into their hands, is upon account [that] the French
Government have set the heads of H.M. subjects at a value,
sometimes [40] shillings, sometimes £5, which the savages
cannot challenge without shewing [the] scalps, as the French
have made it in their order referring thereto. This I have
[exp] ostulated and upbraided Mr. Vaudreuil and Mr. Supercass
and every Governour on the French [side], and challenged them
to tell their own Master if they dare of such barbarity used
to Christians, [but to] no effect, and have threatned them to
leave their prisoners in the hands of the Indians, as they [have]
done many of ours, but have prevailed nothing. On the other
hand, I have treated their [dead] and living prisoners with all
respect, tho as your Lordships will see by the Acts of the
[Assem]bly of the Massachusetts, I have set the Indian rebels'
heads at £100 each, [who] after a fforty years submission and
allegiance to the Crown of England, and contrary to all [protest]ations and covenants with me at two appearances and
attendancies of me since my [comin]g to this Government,
without the least provocation have broken out and murthered
[severall] Familys at the first opening of the warr five years
since etc., a very far different case from what your Lordships
[take] notice of in their treatment of Christians. |
|
Acknowledges letter of July 13, 1708, and Instruction, July
3, relating to molasses and rice, which I formerly had, [and
is] well established in the Customehouse of both Provinces;
all other clauses in that Instruction, referring to the Union,
Forreign coyns, trade to America, are published and established
as commanded in both the Provinces. Your Lordships' next
letter is of July 23, 1708, wherein I acknowledge my [self]
well rewarded for all my service here, that anything I have
done against the Indian [enemy] is acceptable to your Lordships, and if the proposals mentioned referring to Canada [and
Port] Royal may proceed, it will perfectly put the North America
with all the Fishery and Naval stores into H.M. hands, and
these Provinces to a lasting repose. I shall, as your Lordships
direct, maintain a good correspondence with my neighbours
[of Roa]d Island, and the rest, with whom I never had any
personal difference, but was sometime [since] commanded by
their Lordships then at the Plantation Board to take and remit
papers and [evidences] referring to the neighbour Governments,
in which I proceeded upon articles by H.M. commands under
the Great Seal of England, and no otherwise. It would be
very happy if the challenge of Mr. Allyn against New Hampshire may have [an issue] after 33 years strife. I shall continue
my care and duty to H.M. affairs in Mr. Bridger's hands, and
[cannot] suppose him guilty of any neglect or connivance;
however shall use the caution [your] Lordships have given me.
I humbly pray your Lordships' favour to Mr. Vaughan in his
[attendance], I hope he will behave himself as he ought,
having always observed his loyalty and affection to H.M. Government here. I shall obey your Lordships' commands, and
put the letters to the other Offices [by] themselves for the future.
I have also with these letters a duplicate of H.M. commands
referring to Mr. [Vetch] and Borland etc., and have proceeded
long since in that affair as I am commanded; [the] fines of
every one of them were forthwith restored, they having given
bonds for their attendance of a new tryal in ordinary form,
except Mr. Vetch who is not yet returned, and the Courts are
proceeding in their tryals, and the accounts of causes will
contain the issues of those ca [ses]. |
|
Acknowledges letter of Aug. 4, 1708, containing H.M. Order
as to accounts of ordnance, etc. I have not hitherto neglected
for 4 or 5 years last past the account from the Castle of
Boston, the Forts of Salem and Marblehead, and from New
Castle in New Hampshire, for every half year with the expences
have been duly transmitted under [the] officers' hands, and my
letter conveying them unto the Board of Ordnance, and are
well arrived as [far] as I can learn, and I doubt not are
there remaining, ending Lady Day and Michaelmas Day annually, and shall now be sent home to June 24 for the years,
with this intimation, that I had 50 barrels of powder from
the Tower of London which came with me hither in April,
1702, and since that I received 20 cannon, which are set in
the Castle of Boston, in such places as H.M. Engineer has
determined most proper for the service; all other powder and
shot has been annually bought by the Province money given
for that end and taken in the powder duty in both Provinces,
being one pound of powder for a ton of all ships coming
hither in trade. |
|
Duplicates of these shall be also sent to your Lordships'
Board, and are inclosed, etc. The continual marches in the
woods and 150 small garrisons in the frontiers, and the Province
gally, which are all maintained at the Province charge, put
me to the expence of — barrels of powder per annum, for
which the Assembly raises a payment in common with other
affairs, and is with great strictness and care issued by warrant
for the several services at all times, which has sometimes cost
£18 a barrel, and to the [end that] the stores of powder might
be kept safe and not endanger this great town, I have this
[summer] built a very fair Powder-house of brick, distant
from any other buildings, and appointed [and sworn] officers
to receive and deliver all powder and other stores there kept,
which cost the Province £600. Your Lordships will see by the
account of cannon etc., that there are but four fortifications
that give in their accounts, the Castle of Boston, Salem, Marblehead, and Newcastle, besides which there are two other at
present holden by a standing force, both in the Province of
Main, one at Saco River and the other at Casco Bay, these
two forts were built before my coming hither as Trading Houses,
but had each of them 4 gunns for the security of the Trade,
and when war broke out, the Representatives of this Province
earnestly moved me to slight them, and draw [in that] frontier;
but they being the utmost frontiers eastward, I have always
possitively refused [to] draw them in, and while Col. Romer
was here H.M. Engineer, I got that at Casco enlarged, and
have usually 100 men in garrison there. The other at Saco
stood inconveniently [in a] valley, and Col. Redknap, H.M.
Engineer now residing here, has taken down this Fort, [and]
set it in a more advantagious place down the River, where it
covers the Fishery. This put the [Province] this year to 3
or £400 cost, and will be for the future very serviceable. I
have had but one inroad this summer from Canada. Mr. Vaudreuil, the Governour [of] Quebeck, being in June last at
Montreal, gave out his warrant for the raising 1000 men for a
descent upon me, of which I had soon notice from my Indian
scouts always [lying in] his countrey, and near him, but not
knowing where they intended to light upon me, I was for [ced]
to equip 2000 men, 10 troops of horse and the rest ffoot, and
lay them about 150 in every village from Dearfield to Wells,
200 miles in length. But it so happ [ened that] Mr. Vaudreuil
being then 300 miles from Quebeck, where the most of his
troops were to be raised, the people made a great pretence
of sickness and disorder amongst them, so that he fell in his
demands to 500, and when they mustered they proved but
300, [and] after 3 days march, half of them, being most Indians
weary of the war, deserted and fled, so that at 40 days they
fell in upon Haverhill, an open village of about 200 ffamilys,
where as in other villages there was a troop of horse, and
100 men quartered, who soon beat [them out] of town, killed
them 20 men, and they carryed away as many wounds, and
we lost here 3 [ffam] ilys of the poor people, who without
that care must 1000 of them have perished in a few hours
[time.] I have now abroad a force of 200 men upon their
snow-shoes, ranging all the old [settlem] ents of the Indians at
200 miles distance, where I have kept them from their planting
and [reside] nce these 6 years, and resolve by the help of God
to keep them from thence till they desert the [Fren]ch service
and return to their duty and allegiance. And they now confess
it was easy for the French to draw them into a Rebellion, but
they are not able to support them in their own places, but
[they] must leave their beloved countrey for another that will
bear no corn, nor support them like [their] own. All this
unspeakable trouble and cost would be saved by rooting out the
French [at] Quebeck and Mont Real, and all the Indians in
North America would submit in one day, for [want] of arms
and ammunition, as well as other supports and succours. |
|
In 1692 the Government of this Province obtaining the late
King's [favour] for the establishment of the methods of their
churches, and amongst other laws [for] that end, an Act for
the support of Ministers etc., and thereby being impowered to
raise a maintenance for the ministers equally upon the inhabitants, [whi]ch in some places proved ineffectual, so many
of the people living disorderly, and some of them [being]
Quakers, that there was nothing done towards the maintenance
of a Minister in several [pla]ces, particularly in two villages
called Dartmouth and Tiverton, to remedy which the General
Assembly the last year added 60 pounds to the publick tax
of Dartmouth, and 30 to that of Tiverton for the maintenance
of the Ministers there, which the Quakers, who were the assessors [of the] towns perceiving, refused to lay the tax with
that addition, and are since restrained and [imp]risoned by the
Treasurer's warrant for the whole tax of the two towns amounting to [five] hundred pounds. I thought it my duty to acquaint
your Lordships herewith, expecting [a] complaint thereupon.
I am sorry for their suffering, tho it be not upon the head
of [reli]gion, and am also sorry that they would be assessors
of the tax to bring themselves into trouble, [they] think it
hard to be taxed to the maintenance of the Ministry, and if
those that are strictly of their [prof]ession were quitted, it
would be no great loss, but it is expected that if such an
indulgence be [given], a great many will profess themselves
Quakers to quit themselves of this charge, as they have [done]
from bearing armes, and many villages in the countrey would
be left without any publick [worship] on the Lord's Day. I
humbly offer it to your Lordships' consideration, having no
interest in the matter but that [Religi]on may be maintained.
At a village called Swansey in the same County with these
there was a sober young Divine, [a] Master of Art, who preached
to some of the people at their request; the Selectmen of [the]
town being Anabaptists, issued a warrant to convent him as
if he had [bee]n a vagabond, and like to be chargeable to the
Town; a copy of that warrant is enclosed. P.S. [Since] the
writing of what is above, [referr]ing to the Assessors of Dartmouth [and] Tiverton being imprisoned, etc., that matter is
accommodated, and the persons discharged of their imprisonment, and the raising that money for the support of the
Ministery in the two towns suspended at present. Signed, J.
Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. May 23, Read Dec. 8, 1709. 6 large
pp. Edges torn. Enclosed, |
|
391. i. List of Council of the Massachusetts Bay:—Wait
Winthrop, James Russell, John Hathorne, Elisha Hutchinson, William Browne, Samuel Sewall, Isaac Addington, John Phillips, Jonathan Corwin, John Foster,
Joseph Lynde, Elm. [ =Eliakim] Hutchinson, Peter
Sergeant, Samuel Partridge, John Appleton, Andrew
Belcher, Ephraim Hunt, John Higginson, Edward
Bromfield, Samuel Appleton, Isaac Winslow, John
Cushing, John Otis, Nathanl. Norden, Ichabod Plaisted,
John Wheelwright, Joseph Church, Daniel Epes. Endorsed, Recd. May 23, 1709. ¾p. |
|
391. ii. Account of gunpowder issued in the Massachusetts
Bay, April 1703—March, 1708/9. 354 barrels. Signed,
Andr. Belcher. Endorsed as preceding. ½p. |
|
391. iii. Gunpowder bought for the Province, 1703–8. 335½
barrels=£3200. 12. 4. Signed, Jer. Allen, Cl. to ye
Treasury. Same endorsement. ¾p. |
|
391. iv. Warrant by the Select men of Swansey, Co. Bristol,
Dec. 10, 1708. To Benjamin Carey, Constable. Whereas we are informed that John Fiske, late of Bristol, is
come to dwell in this town, and is entertained at Mr.
Israel Pecks. Therefore according to the trust committed to us by Law, you are required in H.M. name
to warn the above-named John Fisk to depart this
town within 14 days after warning, and not to return
to inhabit again within this town without liberty from
the Selectmen, etc. Signed, Joseph Carpenter, Wm.
Anthony, Joseph Mason. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
|
391. v. List of causes tried in the Massachusetts Bay, Dec.,
1703—March, 1708/9. The whole endorsed as preceding.
46 pp. |
|
391. vi. Proclamation by Governor Dudley for a Day of
Thanksgiving in the Massachusetts Bay Nov. 25, 1708,
for the maintenance of the Union, the victory in Flanders; preservation from the enemy, particularly in not
giving Haverhill a prey to their teeth; for health,
harvest, and later rain; and for lengthening out our
civil and religious privileges, etc. Boston, Nov. 3,
1708. Printed. 1 p. |
|
391. vii. Proclamation by Governor Dudley for a General Fast
in the Massachusetts Bay, March 24, 1708/9. Boston,
March 2, 1708(9). Printed. 1 p. |
|
391. viii. Proclamation by Governor Dudley with regard to
seamen and deserters in New England in accordance
with the Act of Parliament for the encouragement of
trade, etc. Boston, Dec. 16, 1708. Endorsed, Recd.
May 23, 1709. Printed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 865. Nos.
22, 22.i.–viii.; and (without enclosures) 5, 913. pp.
89–119.] |
March 1.
Boston, New England. |
392. Governor Dudley to the Council of Trade and Plantations. This comes by Capt. Riddel, who brings the year's
accounts, papers etc. [of New Hampshire.] Repeats part of
preceding letter. Replies to enquiries May 7, 1707. By the
rule of usual judgment of the number of inhabitants from their
muster-rolls, I judge there were in this Province on my arrival
5000 souls, besides a few Blacks; this number may be increased
150, the troubles with the Indians notwithstanding. Very few
have removed from hence, but the security from the war and
the ease of the taxes in the neighbour Provinces are apparent
invitations to all the poorer people [to seek other] places.
I mustered this Province in 1702, and the rolls amounted to
1000. I believe they are 150 more now. By this your Lordships
may perceive that I account New Hampshire is in [value] of
men, towns and acres of improvement just a tenth part of the
Massachusetts, [and I] believe I do not misreckon to a hundredth part, their trade excepted, which will [not make] more
than the thirtyeth part of Boston, and dependancies. The
regulation, Government and security of the trade, its advance
and strict [depend] ance upon Great Britain, is all the same
with the Massachusetts, etc. Their shipping will bear a tenth
from Boston also, ships above 100 tons, 4; between 50 and
100, 6; below 50, that trade, 20. |
|
This Province particularly would presently increase, grow rich
and strong, if they were [put] upon the building great ships
for H.M. Navy, and the North Britains setled in Nova Scotia,
as I have humbly offered last year, and now. All the Acts of
Parliament referring to the Union, coyns, trade to America,
and the [Acts] referring to the accustomed dutys upon enumerated commoditys, have been duly published and recorded here
as in the Massachusetts. Mr. Bridger has all the encouragement in this Province, as in the other, by Proclamation, warrants, guards, and guides in the woods that he has at any time
desired, and this Province has shewed their loyalty and duty
in agreeing to an Act of the Assembly that I [offered] the
last session, making it £100 penalty for [any] person to cut
any mast tree without H.M. warrant and lycence therefore,
which the Assembly very unanimously came into, tho in this
Province there was no [pena]lty ever set before by the command
of the Crown or the submission of the people. [This] I humbly acquaint your Lordships with, to shew the loyalty and good
inclination [of] this Province, in destinction to the other, where
I could not obtain it in a long [sess] ion of 6 weeks, tho' I
propounded it in the words of the Charter of that Province,
[where] the £100 penalty is expressly provided. The other
Act this Province has made for the encouragement of the making
[of tar], they have set it at 20s. per barrel for this year, and
commanded all future [Assemb]lys to set a price annually upon
it, and that it be received at that price [from] time to time instead of money for the payment of all taxes of the Province,
[which] will at all times put the poor people upon making what
possibly they can annually, and the Treasurer of the Province
must have the trouble to dispose of [it for] the publick debts,
and by this means it will center in Great Britain. I hope Mr.
Vaughan will take out the warrants for the three Councellours
H.M. has been pleased to add to this Province, to which I
desire if your Lordships seem meet, that Mr. Vaughan himself
and Mr. George Jaffreys may be also [added], being persons
of good estate and loyalty. The Act referring to molasses and
indigo has been published and established [here] in the Custome-house long since. The account of the Castle of this place is in
all points sent to the Board of Ordnance by this conveyances,
as it always has been, with this addition that your Lordships
have a copy inclosed. For this Castle, I have received nothing
since my arrival, cannon, armes, or stores. I have kept this
Province carefully upon their guards and scouting, and they
[are obe]dient and diligent, and I have had no inroad of the
enemy, to the loss of [one] man within the year last past, and
Col. Hilton, their Chief Military is now commanding a party of
150 men in the woods, in search [of the] Indian rebels. This
Province, my Lords, is very small and poor, and a frontier to
the enemy, [gives it] a great check, but above all the controversy
between Mr. Allyn and the ter-[tenants k]eeps the Province
at a great uncertainty, and it would dispose all things to a
perfect settlement, if that were determined. The people are
very much distinguished from some others [by] their loyalty
and good obedience, and inferiour to none for their diligence
and industry, and I heartily recommend their prayers humbly
presented by their Agent for supply of armes and stores, and,
if it may, a small garrison of 20 souldiers at H.M. Fort upon
an English settlement. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd.
May 23, Read Dec. 12, 1709. 2¼ large pp. Edges worn. Enclosed, |
|
392. i. List of Council of New Hampshire. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. May 23, 1709. 1 p. |
|
392. ii. List of causes tried in the Superior Court, New
Hampshire, Aug. 1708. Signed, Theodore Atkinson,
Cler. Same endorsement. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 865. Nos.
30, 30. i.,ii.; and (without enclosures) 5, 913. pp.
128–137.] |
| March 1. |
393. Mr. Vaughan to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Returns thanks for their report made for the supply to New
Hampshire, whose distresses are dayly encreasing. The Assembly have addressed H.M. for a supply of small armes, wch.
are dayly lost in ye woods in pursuit of ye enemy, wch. are
much wanted, especially in H.M. Castle, there never yet being
any such ffurniture there, wch. doubtless on yr. Lordships'
Representation may be supplyed, etc. A body of French and
Indians promising themselves ye desolation of that part of ye
country, were prevented by some troops opportunely comeing
thither, so that they did not wholy depopulate a town, but
murdered many of the principle inhabitants thereof. Prays
that some men, as well as small armes may be supplyed for
said Castle, to defend ye. sd. Province as well as H.M. Stores
of masts, wch. are much exposed, and may soon be destroyed
by three or four chops of an hatchet. Petitioner is informed
from ye Governor to pray yr. Lordships that ye Council may
be filled up, etc. Signed, Geo. Vaughan. Endorsed, Recd. Read
March 3, 1708/9. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 865. No. 12; and
5, 913. pp. 52, 53.] |
March 2.
Boston in New England. |
394. Governor Dudley to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed,
Recd. May 23, Read Dec. 12, 1709. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
394. i. Account of Stores of War in H.M. Fort at Marblehead, June 24, 1708. Signed, Edward Brattle, Capt.
of sd. Fort. 1 p. |
|
394. ii. Account of powder expended at H.M. Fort, Marblehead, June 24, 1707—1708. Signed and endorsed
as preceding. ½p. |
|
394. iii. Account of Stores of war, and of powder expended
at Fort, Anne, Salem, June. 24, 1707—8. Signed, Stephen Sewall, Capt. 1 p. |
|
394. iv., v. Account of Stores of War, and of Powder expended
at Castle William, Boston, June 24, 1707—1708. Signed,
Zec. Tuthill, Lt. and Master Gunner. 3 p. |
|
394. vi., vii. Account of Stores of War, and of powder expended at Fort William and Mary, Newcastle, June
24, 1707–1708. Signed, Shadrach Walton, Capt. 2
pp. [C.O. 5, 865. Nos. 31, 31. i.–vii.; and (without
enclosures) 5, 913. pp. 138, 139.] |
March 2.
D.D. Commons. |
395. Sir John Cooke to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reply to Feb. 25. I am of opinion that this matter ought to be
communicated to ye Lord High Admiral, that directions may
issue to the proper officers, to proceed in his Lordship's name
in the Court of Admiralty here, in order to have ye [Spanish]
brigantine condemn'd and declared a perquisite of ye Admiralty, being seiz'd at sea, by a non-commissioned ship. Signed,
J. Cooke. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 3, 1708/9. Addressed.
Sealed. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 8. No. 31; and 138, 12. pp. 373,
374.] |
March 2.
Barbadoes. |
396. Governor Crowe to the Council of Trade and Plantations. We have had no packet or other vessell from Great
Brittain these four months, some masters of merchantmen from
Ireland report they had news there of H.R.H. the Prince's death,
god grant it may be otherwayes. Encloses coppys of dispatches
Nov. 2. I hope H.M. will shew some marks of her displeasure
on the offenders. All Mr. Sharpe's negroes and works are now
levied upon, and shortly to be sold at outcry, but will not be
sufficient to satisfy his creditors. H.M. ships the Windsor and
Dolphin being forced in here to refitt falls very fortuneatly
out to convey about 12 vessells home, which carrys above 3000
hhds. sugr., the remainder of our last cropp. The Tryton's
Prize that brought the Northern trade from New Yorke has
taken a French vessell off Martineco of 80 tunns loaden with
wine, beef, pork, bread and linnings; said man of war is to
returne againe to her station on the 10th of this month. Last
week I had one of the Indian Princes of Domineco up here,
those Islands continues firm in their obedience to H.M. Our
two men of warr are now a cruising. The Weymouth is ordered to call at St. Vincents before she returns. By the inclosed
Acts your Lordps. will perceive that the Assembly could not
be prevailed upon to raise more than 15d. per head on negroes,
which will but pay Mr. Roberts and the mattrosses six months
sallary, so that there is nothing for repairing the Fortifications,
or discharge of other debts. Their time being expired, I have
issued writts for a new one, to meet on March 22, and shall
then repeat the many instances I have made for a further supply,
which altho they are all sensible is absolutely necessary, yet
deferr it to get favour with the Freeholders in order to continue
their votes. Refers to case of the Walkers and Lillington
(C.S.P. 1705–8.) Mr. William Walker at the last Grand Sessions
was indicted by the Grand Jury on the evidence of 3 credible
wittnesses for compelling Lillington (at the time of his imprisonment) to give him £2000 to save his life and obtaine his
liberty. I send all the proceedings, by which you will see
what strange transactions were at the said Court thereupon.
I have likewise sent the minutes and proceedings in Council
on a memorial and complaint of the Attorney General against
the said Court of Grand Sessions, by which your Lordps. will
have a full view of that matter and all the proceedings here
thereupon; it being, as I conceive, a matter of great importance
to the honour of H.M. Government: I pray your Lordps.' speedy
and full direction what must be done further therein. I have
transmitted the Board of Ordnance a list of all our ammunition
etc., and hope your Lordps. will be pleased to order the sending
what are wanting. I have some reason to complain of Commodore Legg, which I must deferr untill I can more properly
apply myself to the Admiralty Board. Signed, M. Crowe. Endorsed, Recd. April 19, Read May 2, 1709. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
396. i. Governor Crowe to the Board of Ordnance. Barbados, March 2, 1708/9 Encloses following, by which
you will perceive the great necessity wee have of sundry things, especially powder, smal iron, shott from 3
to 91b., bunting, neats foot-oyle, tarr, and match, etc.
Endorsed, Recd. April 19th, 1709. Copy. 1 p. |
|
396. ii., iii. Accounts of the Ordnance stores in the divisions,
magazines and batteries in Barbados. Endorsed as preceding. 3 pp. |
|
396. iv. Proceedings of the Grand Jury in Barbados against
Messrs. Alexander and William Walker relating to Mr.
Lillington, Dec. 14–17, 1708. With Depositions of
George Lillington, see supra. Same endorsement.
Copy. 47 pp. [C.O. 28, 12. Nos. 19, 19.i.–iv.; and
(without enclosures) 29, 11. pp. 449–454.] |
March 3.
St. James's. |
397. H.M. Warrant for restoring Alexander Skeen to the
office of Secretary of Barbados, etc., as Feb. 27, and A.P.C. II.
p. 490. [C.O. 5, 210. pp. 139–141.] |
March 3.
Craven House. |
398. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Earl of Pembroke.
Request his approbation of John Turbill, whom they have appointed Judge of the Admiralty in Carolina. Signed, Craven,
Palatine, Beaufort, J. Colleton, J. Danson. [C.O. 5, 289. p.
155.] |
March 3.
St. James's. |
399. Order of Queen in Council. Repealing Act of New
York for preventing the corruption of currant coin. Cf. Feb.
22, 1709. Signed, William Blathwayt. Endorsed, Recd. Read
March 21, 1708/9. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 1049. No. 100; and 5, 1121.
pp. 302, 303.] |
March 4.
Perth Amboy. |
400. Governor Lord Lovelace to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. I am come hither to hold an Assembly, which
met yesterday and chose Mr. Thomas Gordon Speaker. I have
given orders for ye proper officers to transcribe fair accts. of
the Minutes of the Councill and Assembly, that were holden both
here and at New York, the lists of the ships entred and cleared,
and the accounts of the Revenue during my Lord Cornbury's
time; there is also preparing now an acct. of the remains of
the stores of war at New York and Albany. I know not how
soon they can be got ready, but I shall send yor. Lops. quarterly,
or half-yearly accounts of these things during my continuance
here. Yr. Lops. directions relating to the accounts of the numbers of the negroes imported from Africa for severall years
past, I am afraid cannot be complyed with, but I will endeavour
in all things to follow my Instructions, and give yr. Lops.
from time to time an account of my proceedings. I take the
liberty to add that Mr. Mompesson having heard that two Gentlemen in England are putting in for his office of Cheif Justice,
hath desired me to remind yr. Lops. of a letter which yr. Lops.
sent to my Lord Cornbury, and thinking from thence himself
secure in his imployment hath therefore made no application
to England to be confirmed, etc. Signed, Lovelace. Endorsed,
Recd. Read May 25, 1709. 1½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
400. i. Extract of letter from the Council of Trade and
Plantations to Governor Lord Cornbury, Feb. 26, 1704/5.
Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 970. No. 80;
and 5, 994. pp. 473, 474, (without enclosure); and
(enclosure only) 5, 1049. No. 102.] |
March 4.
Perth Amboy. |
401. Governor Lord Lovelace to the Lord High Treasurer.
Extract:—I have not yet been able to divide the lands among
the poor German Protestants, the snow being upon the ground,
and no distinction can yet be made between profitable and unprofitable land. I have been forced to support them by my
credit here, tho' I have not any directions about that matter.
I hope your Lordship will please to order the payment of such
Bills which I must draw upon my Agent, Mr. Gough, to answer
the charge of their support. Endorsed, Recd. Read Aug. 12,
1709. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1049. No. 105.] |
March 7.
Craven House. |
402. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. We are now sending to Carolina John Lawson
and Edward Mosely Esqs., whom we have appointed to be
Commissioners to survey the lands in dispute (cf. Jan. 27),
and to take all necessary care in the settling and ascertaining
the bounds on our part conjointly with such as shall be appointed by H.M. or by any other persons by her order for the
Province of Virginia; and in case any dispute may arise which
we doe no way foresee in the determination of the said boundaries,
we are willing to refer the same to H.M. decision, not doubting
of H.M. justice and goodness upon this and all other occasions.
Signed, Craven, Pallatine, Beaufort, J. Colleton, J. Danson.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 11th March, 1708/9. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5,
1264. No. 63; and 5, 1292. pp. 133, 134; and (dated March 3)
5, 289. p. 155.] |
March 9.
(N.S.) Fort Kykoveral Essequebo. |
403. P. Vanderhëyden Razen to the Directors of the Dutch
West India Company. Signed, Pr. Vanderhëyden Razen. Endorsed, Sept. 6 (N.S.), 1709. Dutch. 21 pp. [C.O. 116, 20.
No. 17.] |
March 9.
New York. |
404. T. Byerley to Mr. Popple. Returns thanks for letter
of July 23, 1708, and repeats part of following. Signed, T.
Byerley. Endorsed, Recd. May 21, Read Sept. 5, 1709. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1049. No. 113; and 5, 1121. p. 401.] |
March 9.
New York. |
405. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In
Oct. last the Lord Cornbury suspended me again, and by a
special warrant order'd the High Sherif to arrest me in an
action of £4000, and afterwards by a writ of £5000 at the
suit of ye Queen, likewise at his own suit for £700. To all
which summs I gave in security, but being threatn'd to be
worse us'd, I was forc'd to retire to the next Government,
till H.E. my Lord Lovelace arriv'd, wch. was about Dec. 20
last, who finding the hardships I had done me without being
guilty of any crime, restor'd me to my Office again, etc. Signed
and endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1049. No. 114; and
5, 1121. pp. 402, 403.] |
March 10.
Whitehall. |
406. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Sunderland. Reply to petition of Peter Diharce, Feb. 10. The
permission therein desired cannot be granted without dispensing
with the Act of Navigation, 12 Car. II. etc. [C.O. 389, 20.
pp. 338–340.] |
March 10.
Whitehall. |
407. W. Popple to the Clerk of the Council in waiting. An
Act having been past in Barbados, Sept. 5, 1667, declaring how
the Clarks and Marshalls of the Courts of Common Pleas shall
be appointed and what fees they shall receive, the Council of
Trade desire to know whether it appears by the Councill Books
that the said Act was ever confirmed or repealed by the Crown,
and when. [C.O. 29, 11. pp. 426, 427.] |
March 10.
Whitehall. |
408. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Handasyd. Since our letter of Feb. 24, we have only to transmit
to you an additional Instruction from H.M. in relation to writts
of escheat etc., June 26, Aug. 18, 1708. You are therefore to
cause this Instruction to be entred in the Councill Books, and
observe H.M. directions accordingly. As to the brigantine mentioned by you to have been seized by a vessell without a
commission or letters of marque, we have been informed that
the Lord High Admiral has had that matter under consideration,
so that you may soon expect to receive his Lordship's orders
therein. [C.O. 138, 12. pp. 374, 375.] |
March 10.
Whitehall. |
409. Council of Trade and Plantations to Col. Jenings. Enclose H.M. Instruction (Jan. 13) relating to the granting of
lands in Virginia, which is to be entred in the Councill books
and observed in the future, etc. [C.O. 5, 1362. p. 357.] |
March 10.
Maryland. |
410. Governor Seymour to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Though I wrote to your Lordships very lately of Nov.
18 by the way of New Yorke, and of Jan. 10 by a small briganteen hence; yet now having the opportunity of the Catherine
of London, a ship of good countenance, I have herewith transmitted the Laws and Journalls of our last Assembly. By which
your Lordships will see I have not fail'd in my duty to lay
H.M. Royall commands before the Generall Assembly, and with
all the dilligence and industry I was capable of, heartily to
recomend them to their ready complyance; But as there was
not any person of liberall education that appear'd there; it
was too difficult a taske for me, to graft good manners on so
barren a stock; so that they have once more refus'd to do
anything therein, save ye addressing H.M. in answer to Sir
Thomas Laurence's complaint, and the guage of tobacco hhds.
H.M. Royall commands, and the reviving the temporary Laws,
and especially those for defraying the necessary charges of the
Province, discharging the publique debts of this year, and settling
the itinerant Justices requir'd the meeting of this Assembly,
and I had some small hopes from their Address to me at ye
opening of the Sessions, they would have had a greater reguarde
for my advice to them; but there were not some envious and
malicious spiritts wanting to create heats and jealousyes among
the Members of the Lower House; so that it was with' greate
difficulty they consented to revive the Act for ordering and
regulating the Militia untill the end of the next Session of Assembly, as they have done the Act for lymitation of Offcers'
fees with the like reluctancy and lymitation of tyme, being
very desirous to render those who are dependent on the Government as meane as may be, and discourage persons of any tollerable qualifications from discharging the severall offices therein;
and this partly to satisfye their owne envious tempers, because
they have not what others better deserve, and partly being
instigated by a restless and pernicious crew, who, tho' they
enjoy H.M.gracious protection, are the declared enemys of
our Church and State, and the busiest at the severall elections
in the Countys where they reside, to get such ignorant and
obstinate people return'd, who will pursue their destructive
notions and countenance their illegall proceedings. There are
three things in this Province which make the Governmt. very
uneasye. The Lord Proprietor and his Agents and a greate
many of his and their relations being Roman Catholiques, and
constantly providing and maynteyning severall busie Jesuites,
the Act of Assembly for the advancemt. of the natives and
residents of this Province, and the ambition and large jurisdiction
of the Country Court Justices. The first by his Lordship's favour
in lands not only makes a considerable interest with many of
the inhabitants and Delegates, but also gains many proselites,
their priests being encouraged and supported by them on all
occasions, so that one of them had the confidence to tamper
with one of my domestiques; and when they are chequ'd for
these abuses, the whole party is in a flame, and ready to raise
a considerable contribution for their defence and protection,
and with the extreamest spite and malice exclayme against
the severity, as they term it, of H.M. Instructions (which indeed
would be none, would they conteyne themselves in any reasonable bounds) and often are heard to declare that this Province
was favourably created by King Charles I. as an Asylum for
them, which indeed it might be could they be contented, and
not continually give occasion of scandall and offence to the
Government, by the illegall practices of their priests and ye
vain malicious lyes they dayly invent and disperse to lessen
the glory of H.M. and her confederates happy successes. The
second rendring this Province more unfortunate than any other
of any H.M. Plantations by imposeing so great an hardship
on H.M. free subjects of Greate Brittaine and other her Dominions, that they shall not be capable of having or enjoying
any office or trust in this Government untill they have resided
here three full years. This discourages all ingenious men to
seeke their fortunes in Maryland. And in the space of 14
years, there are scarce 14 men who have undergone that tedious
dissability, so that the natives who are ignorant and raw in
busieness, and naturally proude and obstinate, are not only the
Representatives in Assembly, but the Justices of the County
Courts: and by the name of Country-borne distinguish them
selves from the rest of H.M. subjects, and run into great heats
and divisions, which may be of ill consequence, for as they
know little of the laws and good manners they practice less.
Thirdly, many of the County Court Justices for many years
last past, having been return'd as Delegates to the Generall
Assembly, on all occasions have sought to corroborate and
establish their jurisdiction by severall Acts of Assembly made
of late years, that they allmost believe themselves independent
of the Queen's Governour, and were I to change them for others,
there is so little choice, the remedye might be worse than the
disease. These Justices, especially if they are dealers, which
everybody here are, that have anything beforehand, not only
countenance their customers, but too often favour one the other,
and would have all things under their jurisdiction and administration, tho' they are never so meanly qualified for the
trust, and therefore though with their tongues, when seperate,
they applaude the new institution of the itinerant Justices, yet
when any of them are in the House of Delegates, they leave no
stone unturn'd to render it precarious and abortive, by referring ye settlement of a competent sallary to enable the four
provinciall Justices to performe their duty, and by severall
other crafty evasions, looking upon their honour and grandeur
to be highly eclipsed and impair'd by the provinciall Justices
comeing to hold the Assizes, and before the appearance of their
full countys, giving handsome and regular charges to ye Grand
Jurys of Inquest, thereby acquainting the people of their duty
to God, their Sovereigne and Country, which these Justices of
the County Courts never do, were any of them capable thereof,
so that the Country-borne, as they terme themselves, neither,
know their duty to the Queen's Majesty, nor ye respect they owe
the civill magistrate; wherefore seing their ignorance and ambition will not suffer them to do what in all honesty and good
conscience they ought for ye service of their country, I know
not how these Justices, who are the only asserters of H.M.
Royal prerogative can be supported, unless H.M. is pleas'd to
direct the Councill and myselfe should pay each of them £120
per annum out of the imposts rais'd for the defraying the necessary charge of this Province, which will very well answer that,
and the other necessary contingencyes. The Justices of the
Provinciall Court, as it stood before this regulation, having
been as great a charge to ye Province, without any encouragement to them. The severall Laws for the imposts are now
revived for 3 years and better, so that there will be a certaine
supporte for 3 years at least to those Justices, but without
H.M. express direction I shall not presume to make them any
allowance for their service. According to a former direction
of the honble. Boarde, I have made some observations on the
severall laws enacted this session, which are inclosed, and most
heartily begg pardon for anything that may have slipt my
notice, having been so very ill that I could not sitt in Councill
above 3 or 4 days, during the whole Session, and have not
been able to go out of my house ever since. I should be very
glad to have H.M. royall commands about running out the
northern lyne of this Province, or to heare my Lord Baltimore
and Mr. Penn had adjusted that matter between themselves,
there being many hot disputes, so that ye people of both provinces
are, with much ado, restrayned from comitting violence on
each other which I should be sorry to see, and in the meantyme
will take the best care I can to prevent it, etc. Signed, Jo.
Seymour. Endorsed, Recd. June 3, Read Dec. 6, 1709. 6 pp.
Enclosed, |
|
410. i. Copy of a Charter for erecting the Town and Port
of Annapolis into a City. Nov. 22, 1708. Signed,
Jo. Seymour. Endorsed, Recd. June 3, 1709. 9½ pp. |
|
410. ii. Titles of Laws past in Maryland, Dec. 1708, with
Governor Seymour's comments upon them. Same endorsement. 12 pp. |
|
410. iii. Journal of Committee of Accounts, in the Assembly
of Maryland, Nov. 6, 1708. 25 pp. [C.O. 5, 716.
Nos. 69, 69. i.–iii.; and (without enclosures) 5, 727.
pp. 150–157.] |
March 12.
Bermuda. |
411. Lt. Governor Bennett to Mr. Popple. Refers to letters
of March 1, and to enclosed, relateing to the designes of the
Spaniards and French on Carolina. I have ordered an adviceboat to be fitted, and will be ready in a few days to carry my
packet of notice to Sir Nath. Johnson. Also when I have opportunities, shall send the like accounts to New York, and other
H.M. Govermts. on the Continent, and to all the plantations in
the West Indies; least the enemy may design elsewhere and not
on Carolina. As for this place all due care shall be taken,
and hope if they doe come, we shall behave ourselves like men
and good subjects. The reason I did not receive intelligence
sooner was that Capt. Bell went from Curacoa to Saltertudas,
and did not arrive here till 4th inst. Signed, B. Bennett. Endorsed, Recd. June 29, Read July 1, 1709. Holograph. 1 p.
Enclosed, |
|
411. i. M. Gilleber of Curacoa to M. Samuel Peroneau of
Charlestown Carolina. Jan. 19, 1709. I have heard
here, itt was projected in La Vera Crux to go in the
spring to his country, South Carolina, and that the
vessels were already manned for the said expedition.
I know not what success itt may have, but itt is good
to stand on one's guard. The Spanish gentry will
revenge what was done att St. Augustine. The worst
of that affaire is that the French will help them. This
is all what I can say of that enterprize, which wants
confirmation. Extract translated by P. Chardon, and
Peter le Conte. 1 p. |
|
411. ii. Deposition of Boaz Bell, jr., Master of the sloop
Dolphin. Deponent being in the beginning of January last at Curacao a French gentleman, M. Bernoe
informed him that a Flag of Truce had brought news
that a Fleet from Cales touching att the Havana with
their boats only had taken 6 large laden shipps out of
the Fleet from Jamaica bound home near the Gulf of
Florida. Deponent saw at Curacao several of the officers and mariners who had been so taken and they
told him that there were about 16 or 18 ships of war
from 20 to 40 guns and the rest small crafts and
privateers. M. Bernoe sent preceding letter by deponent to warn his friends in S. Carolina. Signed,
Boaz Bell. Endorsed, Recd. June 29, Read July 1,
1709. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 37, 8. Nos. 83, 83. i., ii.;
and (without enclosures) 38, 6. p. 460.] |
March 14.
Whitehall. |
412. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Propose that the Governor and Council of Virginia be instructed
to appoint Boundary Commissioners to act with those of Carolina,
etc. Set out, A.P.C. II. p. 588. q.v. [C.O. 5, 1362. pp.
358–360.] |
March 14.
Councill Office. |
413. Wm. Blathwayt to Mr. Popple. The Lords of H.M.
Privy Councill appointed for hearing appeals from the Plantations, having under their consideration an Appeal relating to
Jamaica, are desirous to know the names of the several Councellors of that Island, and where each of them is supposed to
be at present. Signed, Wm. Blathwayt. Endorsed, Recd. 14th,
Read 15th March, 1708/9. Addressed. ¾ p. [C.O. 137, 8. No.
32; and 138, 12. p. 376.] |
March 15.
Whitehall. |
414. Wm. Popple to Mr. Blathwayt. Encloses list as desired
in preceding. The Council of Trade do not know that any of
the Counsellors are absent from the Island, except Col. Long,
who is here in England. [C.O. 138, 12. pp. 376, 377.] |
March 15.
Whitehall. |
415. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Propose that Mark Hunkins and Thomas Packer be appointed to the
Council of New Hampshire. [C.O. 5, 913. p. 58.] |
March 15.
Boston. |
416. Mr. Addington to Mr. Popple. Encloses lists of public
papers forwarded by H.M.S. Falmouth. Signed, Isa. Addington. Endorsed, Recd. May 23, Read Dec. 9, 1709. 2 pp. [C.O.
5, 865. No. 23.] |
March 15.
Boston, New England. |
417. Governor Dudley to Mr. Popple. This comes by Capt.
Riddel, the convoy of the mast fleet, with the year's papers and
accounts etc., wherein I have observed their Lordships' commands in putting no papers into their Lordships' pacquets, but
what belong to the office. I was not aware of the fault of it
before, tho I never put in any letter of my own private business
at any time, etc. P.S. I gave Mr. Drift's second letter to
Capt. Southack, and he tells me he has taken order severall wayes
for payment. Signed, J. Dudley. Endorsed, Recd. May 23,
Read Dec. 12, 1709. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 865. No.
32; and 5, 913. pp. 139, 140.] |
