|
| [Feb. 16.] |
316. Capt. John Walton to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In reply to Mr. Popple's letter of the 2nd inst., whereby
he intimates that your Lordships expect in writing what new
matters he hath to offer, in relation to the Virgin Islands encloses
following. Continues:—If these evidences are not sufficient
enough to convince your Lordships of ye necessity of sending a
Governor, and placing a Government there, for the honour of the
Crown and the welfare of H.M. subjects in America, Mr. Walton is
willing (since no good account can be expected from the Leeward
Islands) to undertake a voyage thither, and to return as soon as
possibly he can with a more expact plan of the said Islands, harbours and creeks, with samples of the several commodities growing
there, etc. But Mr. Walton humbly hopes your Lordps. will represent to H.M. that he has had no salary or other reward, for his two
years service there, as Lt. Governor, nor for his other services
and expences for the publick good, etc. Prays for some consideration for his salary and past services, if it is not thought proper
to settle a government there. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read 21st
Feb., 17 11/12. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
316. i. (a) Capt. John Perrie to Capt. Walton. Youghall,
Sept. 7, 1711. If a goverment were setled on Spanish
Towne, the windermost of the Virgin Islands, it would
be a publick service, and might destroy the clandestine
trade carried on at St. Thomas, and pirates sheltering
among them, etc. Tortola from the endeavours of the
Dutch to get it restored, and from the Hamburghers
buying their pretentions to it, makes me beleive it must
be a very good Island, for when I was sent downe by
General Codrington, upon an order from hence, to enquire into our title and the Dutch's pretentions, I was
offered a considerable summe by the Factor at St.
Thomas's to make a report in their favour, and that the
French did settle Santa Cruz is very well known, and I
have been informed, that the Danes do lay claime and
did hoist their flag on Crab Island, when a squadron of
H.M. ships commanded by Mr. Nevile in May, 1697,
was in those parts, etc. Signed, Jno. Perrie. Copy.
1½ pp. |
|
316. i. (b) Observations on the harbours of the Virgin Islands,
from the Journal of Capt. John Watts, H.M.S. Sunn
prize. Copy. 1 p. |
|
316. i. (c) Extract from a letter from the Surveyor General of
Barbados and the Leeward Islands to H.M. Commissioners of the Customs. Anguila and Spanish Towne
make 50 to 60,000 of ginned cotton wool per annum,
the greatest part whereof is carried to St. Thomas
(Danish) Statia and Saba (Dutch) where they purchase
necessarys for themselves and negroes in prejudice to
the fair British traders in these parts, and as injurious to
our cotton manufactuary at home by having such a
quantity of our Plantation produce carried direct to
foreign markets, etc. Proposes that a Collector be placed
at each of the Islands. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 9.
Nos. 103, 103 i.; and 153, 11. pp. 438–444.] |
Feb. 18.
Barbados. |
317. Col. Lilly to [? the Earl of Dartmouth]. I sailed to
Newfoundland on Aug. 8 after receiving H.M. command from the
Board of Ordnance, and returned here on Nov. 1st, Governor
Lowther having granted me his order for the Burlington man of
war to carry me on this service, without which means near a
whole year must have been lost, etc. I took a delijent survey of
the chief part of the settlements at Newfoundland; and did also
use my endeavours to have the assistance of Commodore Crow's
authority for repairing the fortifications already built at St.
Johns; but found there was no possibility of carrying on anything
of that nature without assistance from England. I have by
this conveyance transmitted my report etc. to the Board of
Ordnance, etc. Signed, Chrn. Lilly. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 43. No.
72.] |
Feb. 18.
Barbados. |
318. Governor Lowther to the Council of Trade and Plantations. When I writt the letter dated Dec. 20, 1711, which is
here inclosed (v. C.S.P. Dec. 20, 1711), there was a prospect of
a shipes going to Great Britain, but that failing I had no opportunity of sending you any letter since that time. I have some
information that Mr. Hodges H.M. late Attorney General here
hath not only thrown some reflections upon me, but hath also
complained that he had a right by H.M. licence to name a deputy
and that I refused him the benefit of it: to this I answer that if
Mr. Hodges had shewed me such licence, I had certainly yielded
all imaginable obedience to it, but I deny that he ever shewed
me such licence, it is true, he shewed me a piece of paper which
he called a licence, but it was so much defaced, and there was so
much wanting of it, that it was not intelligible, therefore to supply
this defect he produced another piece of paper writ in his own hand
which he called a coppy of the said licence: upon this I asked if
he had any attested coppy of it, to which he answered that he
had not, whereupon I told him that what he produced was not
a sufficient order for me to take notice off, and that if he left the
Island, I would appoint a sufficient person to execute the office
of Attorney General till H.M. pleasure was known, etc. I have
suspended one Mr. Carter from the exercise of his profession in
the Law for appearing against the Queen at a time when he
served H.M. as Solicitor General, but have since given him to
understand that I will restore him provided he will acknowledge
his fault and make his submission. I shall by the next opportunity send all the papers relating thereto, etc. Mr. Turner,
Chilton, Hodges, Slingsby, Beak and Symonds are all late instances of suspensions of this nature, but I may venture to say
that none of these Gentlemen had offended the twentieth part
so much as Mr. Carter. I have directed the Attorney General
to lay before your Lordships the case of the ship Oxford etc. I
have suspended Mr. Skene who was both private and publick
Secretary at the advice and request of the Council and General
Assembly. Papers enclosed. Mr. Duglas, General of the
Leeward Islands writ me the following letter: "Antigua, Jan. 7,
17 11/12. I gave you an account the other day that I designed very
speedily to put H.M. orders in execution by making an example
of some of the most notorious offenders in the late Rebellion,
and I wish the Panther and Experiment were to stay a few days
least their countenance should be necessary, hoping they will
speedily return. Mr. Thomas Kerby, who is supposed to have
fled from justice, and betraied the late General both as private
and publick Secretary, and one of the chief promoters of the late
traytorus rebellion, and the person that is proved that fired the
first musket against General Park, and advanced 20 paces at the
head of that villanous rabble. I hope you will not judge so
treasonable a murther can be bailed, but that he may be sent for
England, there being sufficient evidence to prove the charge
against him in England already, or kept in a dungon untill I
send for him. P.S. Lt. General Hamilton having misbehaved
himself in openly favouring of the rebbels, I design in a few days
to suspend him." Upon the receipt of this letter, I made it my
business to learn whether Kerby was come to this Island, which
with some paines and difficulty I not only understood, but also
found out that he was at the house of one Mr. Codrington, notwithstanding which I did not think it prudent at that time to
send out a warrant to apprehend him, because of the just distrust I had of the officers that were to execute it, for this, and some
other reasons, I was forced to take no manner of notice of him
for some time, which had the desired effect, for through this, he
and his party conjectured that I knew nothing of him or his
character, therefore on the 20th of the last month he came to
church, which I perceiving by the description I had got of his
person, did take that opportunity to apprehend him myself, and
having so done I committed him to gaol for high treason, where
at first he had all the indulgence shewn him that was proper for
one in his circumstance, but the people of his principles and
friends (of which Mr. Corbin and Skene whome I have suspended
are two) abused it to such a degree by the great respect they
shewed him, in sending him presents and in going very frequently
to see him in prison, and this wrought so much upon the minds
of the ignorant people, that they began not only to justify, but to
commend the crime for which he was committed, and to pity
him as a great sufferer: this therefore obliged me to put a strict
guard upon him, and to direct that nobody should go to see him,
apprehending that a people which so gloried in his crime, would
not be long without attempting to rescue him: in this state of
the matter, the General Assembly addressed me to send all the
French prisoners to Great Britain, in one of H.M. shipes that
attends this station. I laid the said Address before the Council,
who all unanimously agreed to it: hereupon I sent orders in
writing to Mr. Constable (the Senior Captain upon this station)
to direct the Burlington to be got ready to go to Great Britain
for H.M. service, but he writ me word he would not send her:
such disobedience to orders and contempt of Government, hath
been extreamly injurious to H.M. service, and a great encouragment to all the factious and rebellious people, and may be of very
ill consequence upon any extraordinary emergency. After Mr.
Constable had disobeyed my orders, it was with great difficulty
that I even kept Kerby in prison till I could hire a vessel at my
own charge to send him to England to be tried: this I esteemed
absolutely necessary for H.M. service, as well as to shew the
people that all their endeavours and artifices should not prevent
justice being done upon so heinous a criminal. I must now
remind your Lordshipes that I have no power by the Commission of Vice Admiral to call any of the Captains of the men
of war to an account for the breaking of any of my orders, and
I again submit it to your Lordshipes whether such a power is
not necessary as is hinted at in H.M. Instructions to me. I have
advice from England that one Mr. Sheard hath given out that
he is to succeed me in the Government, and that I shall be recalled upon the least complaint, this being rumoured here, some
malicious people have privately hired a vessel and sent her away
freighted with all the ill nature and slander that they could rake
together. As I am conscious of no fault I have committed, I
cannot now make a defence to any accusation my enemys have
or may exhibit against me, they not having intimated any of
their designs of that kind to me: it is my good fortune that the
Council, General Assembly and Grand Jury have all expressed
their satisfaction and approbation of my conduct and administration, and I may venture to say that I have not wronged or
injured any person whatever: I therefore humbly hope that your
Lordshipes will think it reasonable to hear me against the complaintes of some male-contents, before any judgment or censure
is past upon them. I have appointed Mr. Barwick to execute
the office of Secretary till H.M. pleasure is known. I have
directed him to keep an exact account of the profits, that H.M.
may despose thereof as shall be thought most meet. I pitched
upon this Gentleman for his fair character, liberal fortune, and
great ingenuity, etc. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Endorsed, Recd.
April 11, 1712, Read July 17, 1713. Holograph. 3¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
318. i. Arthur Slingsby to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following by Governor Lowther's
command. Signed, Arth. Slingsby. Feb. 18, 1712.
½ p. |
|
318. ii. Copy of Clearance bill of the Oxford, Robert Knowles
Master, (v. May 2) from Kingsale. Oct. 4, 1711. ¾ p. |
|
318. iii. Copy of manifest of goods imported by the Oxford
from Bristol and Kingsale, delivered by Mr. Addison
to the Governor of Barbados. Nov. 16, 1711. 1 p. |
|
318. iv. A statement of case of the Oxford (v. May 2.) The
ship broke bulk, in spite of warning, before the Governor
had seen the clearance bills or could compare them with
the manifest. After comparing the entries made at
the Custome-house etc., it appeared plainly that they
differed materially from the manifest and clearance bill.
(ii. and iii.) Details given and case of the trial etc.
stated. 3½ large pp. |
|
318. v. Copy of proposed bond for the appearance of Capt.
Robert Knowles of the Oxford to answer a libel exhibited
against the Oxford, the prosecution being meanwhile
deferred 10 months for him to produce H.M. pardon
for his breaches of the Acts of Trade. 4 pp. |
|
318. vi. Copies of papers relating to the case of Alexander
Skene, Secretary of Barbados. (v. Nov. 20) (a) Governor
Lowther's message to the Council and Assembly, requesting them to enquire into the perquisites of that
office. (b) Report of the Committee of the Council and
Assembly. Skene has been guilty of charging exorbitant
fees even since H.M. graciously pardoned him after his
suspension for three years. He has not hung up a
table of fees, as the law directs, and has extorted 20s.
per head from masters of ships who were transporting
French prisoners to England last Aug.; etc. etc. He is
incapable, arrogant, disrespectful, and presumptuous
in giving orders without your Excellency's directions
in matters over which he has no powers. We believe
him to betray the confidential debates of the Council.
We entreat your Excellency to suspend and replace him
till H.M. pleasure be known. We conclude by expressing our entire satisfaction and approbation of your
Excellency's conduct through the whole administration
of the affaires of this Island. It has already had good
effects. The late Grand Jury expressed a just sence of
your merritt, etc. (c) Extracts from Minutes of Council
of Barbados, 1699–1708. (d) Depositions of Capt.
Kingston Townsend, Capt. John Robinson, Thomas
Poor, Arthur Upton, Robert Aylmore, Bryan Karney,
Richard Downes, Edmund Sutton, Joseph Young etc.,
in support of preceding. The whole endorsed, Recd.
April 11, 1712, Read July 17, 1713. 49pp. |
|
318. vii. Governor Lowther's warrant suspending Alexander
Skene from all his places till H.M. pleasure is known.
Feb. 12, 17 11/12. Signed, Robt. Lowther. Copy. 1 p. |
|
318. viii. Address of the General Assembly of Barbados to
Governor Lowther. In consideration of their great
charge to the country, we desire your Excellency to
send all the French prisoners of war to Great Britain in
one of H.M. ships. We understand some persons have
sent a sloop to Great Britain without haveing any
clearance for that port or desiring to know whether
you had any dispatches for H.M. service. This disrespectful behaviour we cannot but greatly resent as
both ariseing from and tending to faction and sedition.
We beseech your Excellency to direct a strict enquiry
to be made, who were the persons concerned, and distinguish them according to their demerit. Feb. 5,
1711 (12). 1 p. [C.O. 28, 13. Nos. 103, 103 i.–viii.;
and (without enclosures) 29, 13. pp. 22–30.] |
Feb. 18.
Barbados. |
319. Governor Lowther to the Earl of Dartmouth. Repeats
part of preceding letter. Concludes: I have advice of 17 sail of
merchant shipes that are bound for Martinique from old France,
and that they will arrive in ten days. I have given the necessary
orders to intercept them. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Endorsed,
R. April 13. Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
|
319. i. ii. Duplicates of No. 318 viii. |
|
319. iii. Address of the Clergy of Barbados to the Queen.
Praise Mr. William Sharpe, as President of the Council,
etc. Signed, Gilbert Ramsay, Ad. Justice, And. Baillie,
Charles Cuninghame, William Ball, Gilb. Wharton,
Saml. Beresford, Willm. Gordon, Charles Irvine, Edw.
Brice, Jno. Glasgow. 1 large p. |
|
319. iv. Address of the Clergy of Barbados to the Queen.
The address from the clergy here in favour of the late
Governor Mr. Crowe was supposititious, etc. Signed,
Charles Irvine, Sam. Beresford, Willm. Gordon, Edw.
Brice, Charles Cuninghame, Jno. Glasgow, And. Baillie.
1 large p. |
|
319. v. Address of the gentlemen and merchants of Barbados
to the Queen. Praise Mr. Sharpe's administration
and recommend him to H.M., whom he is now preparing
to approach. 107 signatures. 1 large p. |
|
319. vi. Governor Lowther's Warrant to the Master of the
sloop John and Mordecai for taking Thomas Kerby in
custody to England. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Feb. 18,
1711 (12). ¾ p. |
|
319. vii. Governor Lowther's warrant for the commitment
of Thomas Kerby for High Treason. Signed, Rob.
Lowther. Feb. 18, 1711 (12). ¾ p. |
|
319. viii. Address of the Grand Inquest of Barbados to the
Queen. Dec. 11–14, 1711. Return thanks for H.M.
favour and regard, especially in sending a Governor,
thanks to whose prudence and good example the inhabitants are now more united in their common interest
and temperate in their disputes, etc. Signed, Tho.
Maycock, Wm. Sealy, Jo. Sampson, Henry Lintott,
Rogr. Webb, Gerrott Herbert, Wm. Spencer, Edwin
Carter, Jacob Wright, Henry Lawrence, Joseph Thorne,
Jno. Carleton, Geo. Leader, Isaac Thorpe, Alex. Parris,
Thos. Bourne, George Scott. 1 large p. [C.O. 28, 43.
Nos. 71, 49, 49 i., 53; and (duplicate) 67, 68–70, 73, 74,
77.] |
Feb. 18.
Whitehall. |
320. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High
Treasurer. Request payment of enclosed account of office
expenses and salaries, Michaelmas to Christmas, 1711. [C.O.
389, 37. pp. 29–31.] |
Feb. 19.
Whitehall. |
321. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Propose the disallowance of the Act of Barbados to render more
effectual certain legacies by Capt. Williams, on the grounds set
forth by the Attorney General, Jan. 18, q.v. [C.O. 29, 12. pp.
407, 408.] |
Feb. 19.
Whitehal. |
322. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord Lansdown.
We transmit to your Lordship a petition we have receiv'd from
Major General Handasyd relating to the want of recruits and to
the pay of his regiment in Jamaica. [C.O. 138, 13. p. 384.] |
Feb. 19.
Whitehall. |
323. Lord Lansdowne to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reply to preceding. The matter is already under the consideration
of the Comptrollers of the Accounts of the Army, etc. Signed,
Lansdowne. Endorsed, Recd. 20th, Read 21st Feb., 17 11/12. 1 p.
[C.O. 137, 9. No. 62; and 138, 13. p. 385.] |
Feb. 19.
Whitehall. |
324. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Recommend Edward Warner and William Mathews to fill two
vacancies in the Council of Antego. [C.O. 153, 11. p. 436.] |
| [Feb. 19.] |
325. Rowland Tryon to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Genl. Douglass removed James Milliken from the Council of
Nevis, and has refused to tell him his reasons, saying that he has
communicated them to the Board. Prays on behalf of said
Milliken that the Board will signify to him what those reasons are,
in order that Milliken may justify himself, etc. Endorsed, Recd.
Read Feb. 19, 17 11/12. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 102; and 153, 11.
p. 437.] |
Feb. 19.
Whitehall. |
326. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Dartmouth. Reply to Dec. 18, 1711. We are humbly of opinion that
the Hudsons Bay Company have a good right and just title to
the whole Bay and Streight of Hudsons. Enclose the Company's
petition relating to the settlement of boundaries (v. Feb. 8),
upon which we take leave to offer that as it will be for the advantage of the Company, that their boundaries be settled, it will also
be necessary that the boundaries between H.M. Colonies on the
Continent of America, and the French of Canada, be likewise
agreed and settled; wherefore we humbly offer these matters
may be recommended to H.M. Plenepotentiaries at Utrecht.
Autograph signatures. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 134, 3. No. 19; and 135,
3. p. 120.] |
Feb. 20.
Wimbledon. |
327. Rev. Mr. Collins to the Earl of Dartmouth. Presses
for an answer to his brother's petition etc. cf. Jan. 21 and May 20.
Signed, Edward Collins. 2 pp. [C.O. 194, 24. No. 9.] |
Feb. 21.
Whitehall. |
328. The Earl of Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses following, which H.M. thinks proper
should be considered at your Board, and that you report your
opinion, upon the several points therein mentioned. Signed,
Dartmouth. Endorsed, Recd. 23rd, Read 25th Feb., 17 11/12. 1 p.
Enclosed, |
|
328. i. Extracts from a letter from Governor Douglas to the
Earl of Dartmouth. Duplicate of Nov. 28, 1711. q.v.
[C.O. 152, 9. Nos. 104, 104 i.; and 153, 11. pp.
444–448.] |
Feb. 21.
Whitehall. |
329. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Report
upon the petition of Tho. Simpson and the widow of Charles
Gandy of Port Royal in Jamaica, (v. Sept. 17, 1711), praying to
be relieved from the prosecution of Charles Chaplin, H.M. Deputy
Collector, etc. On April 5, 1710, an Act was past in Jamaica for
fitting out two sloops for the defence of the Island, and appointing
Thomas Finch, Charles Gandy and Thomas Simpson commissioners for its execution, any two of them to act in the hiring or
fitting out of the sloops. But by a clause in the Act the Collector
is to pay £5000 into the hands of the Commissioners. The
Commissioners entred into separate bonds to H.M. in the penalty
of £5000 that they shou'd each of them render just accounts to
any Assembly when sitting. Simpson received £800 of Chaplin;
soon after which he and Gandy went to sea, where Gandy was
killed. During their absence Finch received £1500 of Chaplin.
After Simpson's return he and Finch apply'd themselves to the
business intended, but as money came in slowly from Chaplin,
Finch on April 10, 1711, enquired of Chaplin the reason, who told
him that the money was wanting from him, he being indebted
to Chaplin, upon which a dispute arose between them and at last
Finch by threats and otherwise did sign a receipt to Chaplin for
£2300, and for £1500 abovementioned, making together £3800,
tho' he had receiv'd but £1500 thereof. The Assembly met April
17th, and enquiring what had been done, Chaplin produc'd the
said receipt. Finch in his justification declar'd to the Assembly
that he had only receiv'd the £1500, alledging the receipt for
£3800 had been exacted from him by force. Notwithstanding
which the Assembly expell'd him from their House, of which he
was a member. On June 8, 1711, the Assembly pass'd another
Act for vesting the estate real and personal of the said Tho. Finch
in trustees the better to enable his sureties to pay £3800 due from him
to the public. |
|
Upon which last Act we take leave to observe that it vests the
real and personal estate of Finch in trustees to enable Simpson
and Gandy to pay the £3800, but makes no provision for the
overplus, which is a very great hardship upon Finch, for by the
laws of that Island real estates are not subject to pay debts,
besides that we do not conceive there was any need of taking
this extraordinary method of an Act, for that his sureties might
have had their remedy at law. Pursuant to this Act the said
trustees have already sold part of Finches estate for considerably
less than had been offer'd for it; Finch will by these proceedings
be intirely ruin'd, and his creditors here, who had intrusted him
with considerable effects will by this means be very great sufferers.
By the first mention'd Act for raising the £5000, the Deputy
Collector, Mr. Chaplin, is directed to pay the money to the
Commissrs., so that his paying it to Finch alone (in case he did so
pay it) is not warrantable by the Act; but it does not appear to
us that Finch did receive any more than £1500. Upon the whole,
we are humbly of opinion that the foresaid Act for vesting Finche's
estate in trustees is unpresedented and unreasonable, and considering the said Simpson and the widow Gandy may have their
remedy at law against Finch for so much money as he actually
receiv'd of Mr. Chaplin, we are humbly of opinion that your
Majesty be graciously pleas'd to signify your disallowance of the
said Act. [C.O. 138, 13. pp. 386–390.] |
Feb. 22.
Barbados. |
330. Col. Lilly to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following. Signed, Chrn. Lilly. Endorsed, Recd. 24th
May, 1712, Read March 25th, 1716. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
330. i. Report by Col. Lilly, Engineer, on the fortifications
and harbours of Newfoundland. Barbados, Nov. 12,
1711. The defects of the Fort William at St. John's,
(which incloses but about ¾ of an acre, tho' it stands
upon more) are that it is commanded by the skirt of the
mountain that reaches within less than a quarter of a
mile to the eastward of it, it wants proper flanks for
its defence, its rampart or earthen walls being but four
feet high is too low to shelter the inhabitants and their
houses, or rather hutts, against an enemy's artillery.
The parapet or brestwork upon this wall being but two
feet thick and three feet high besides ye stakes that
support it from falling, is also too low and too weak for
to make any tollerable resistance, the outward talu of
its rampart is so very easie of ascent, that I think this
place has nothing to prevent an enemy's insults, except
4 rows of pallisadoes which do surround it, and severall
of these I found to small, and some of them rotten.
Wherefore I desired the Commodore and Commander in
Chief to assist me in commanding some of the people
to go to work while I directed them towards repairing
the Fort, but he made answer that he could not command
a number sufficient for such an undertaking, and that
there was no possibility of carrying on anything of fortification work in that country without assistance from
England, and indeed this is my oppinion also, however
I prevail'd with him so farr that he immediately gave
orders for a sufficient number of new pallisados to be cut
and placed where the old ones were defective, etc. To
make a good and lasting settlement in Newfoundland,
a good but small fort should be built on the Northwest
part of Ferryland head. Describes English settlements
in Newfoundland; St. John's Harbour, and Ferryland
Harbour, and how Ferryland might be fortified, with
details of plan. Jan. 28, 1712. Signed, Chrn. Lilly.
Endorsed as covering letter. 21 closely written pp. [C.O.
194, 6. Nos. 14, 14 i.; and (without enclosures) 195, 6.
pp. 266–268.] |
| Feb. 25. |
331. Mr. Attorney General to the Lord High Treasurer.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands, I have considered
the report of the Council of Trade and Plantations upon the
memorial of William Pen, Esq., Proprietor and Governor of
Pensilvania proposing to surrender to H.M. the powers of Government
wherewith he is invested, and I have also perus'd the grant
of that Govt. to him by King Charles II, with other deeds relating
to Mr. Penn's title thereto, and to the Government of the tract of
land on Delaware River and Bay now call'd the Town or Colony
of New Castle alias Delaware, and he has made out to me his
title thereto, and according to your Lordp's. commands, I have
prepar'd a draught of a surrender of those powers from Mr. Penn
and others in whom the legal estate is under him to H.M. reserving
to Mr. Penn his right to the soil of those Colonys. In the Letters
Patents of King Charles II there are granted to Mr. Penn all
mines of gold and silver in Pensilvania, wch. he says he cannot
surrender to the Crown, having made sevl. grants thereof to sevl.
people, wch. are not in his power, and therefore the surrender of
them is not in the draught prepar'd, altho' if it be insisted on he
may surrender and assign what is not granted. There is likewise
an instrument prepar'd for H.M. accepting the said surrender;
and in it Mr. Penn is an humble suitor to H.M. that she would
be pleas'd thereby to declare, that she will take the people of his
persuasion as well as other ye inhabitants of those Colonys into
H.M. protection. I do not observe that there is any provision
made for ye support of the Govt. there by any Act of Assembly,
or otherwise, without wch. the Government will be a charge to
H.M. But the Council of Trade and Plantations in their report
have represented that Mr. Penn affirms he dos not doubt, but
ye Assembly will readily make provision for the same; and he
acquaints me that the fines and forfeitures there, wch. have been
and may be apply'd hereto are considerable. Signed, Edw.
Northey. Endorsed, Recd, (from ye Treasury) Read 30th Aug.,
1715. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1265. No. 5; and 5, 1292. pp. 466–468.] |
Feb. 25.
St. James's. |
332. H.M. licence of leave of absence for 12 months to Lt.
General Walter Hamilton, upon his petition, for the recovery of
his health. Countersigned, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. pp.
129, 130; and 152, 39. No. 123.] |
| Feb. 27. |
333. Deposition of William Martin. The duty upon liquors
imported annually into Antigua does not amount to more than
£600 currt. money of that Island. Deponent would not purchase
the profits of the liquor office there at any greater expectancy.
Signed, Wm. Martin. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 3, 17 11/12.
¾ p. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 105.] |
Feb. 28.
Whitehall. |
334. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. In
obedience to your Majesty's Order in Council of 13th Dec. last,
we have considered the complaints against Edw. Jones, etc., and
have seen the records of nine several convictions offered in proof
of some of the Articles against him, some of which convictions
are for cruelty, extortion, illegal and arbitrary proceedings in the
execution of his office and as your Majesty is pleased to direct,
that we do not admit any proofs to be made against the said
records, we shall not trouble your Majesty with the other articles,
these nine being sufficient to render him unfit to serve your
Majesty etc. Recommend Mr. Wm. Hyde as Secretary and Provost Marshal of Bermuda in his stead. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 37, 28.
No. 10.] |
