|
June 4.
St. James's. |
597. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Reply to 15th May. We received a letter
from our Surveyor General of South Carolina, dated 14th March,
1716, wherein (after having told us that the old Assembly was
dissolved, and a new one called to meet the 5th of April) he says
"I dare be certain, my Lords, by the time of the meeting of the
Assembly we shall have peace with all the Indians on the main;
a great Nation of the Chickasaws having made their peace, since
I writ last, and the other great Nation (the Creeks) who are the
only nation who have any numbers have sent a flag of truce and
promised to destroy the beginners of these troubles (the Yamasees)
and to return all they tooke, and several other concessions which
are accepted of." We have received another letter of the same
date from Carolina, wherein this acct. is given us, "I cannot omit
to acquaint your Lordships of a good piece of news vizt. that all
our Indian enemies are now making overtures of peace and reconciliation with us; The last week came to town 16 of the
headmen of the Chickasaws Nation, and we have made a firm
peace with them; and on Sunday last came to town an English
man (that we thought was murdered) and two chief Indians of the
Nation called Cowators or Creeks, and they desire in behalf of
their people to have peace and a trade with us; They offer to
restore all the white people they have amongst them (of which there
are several we thought were murder'd) and all the negroes and
horses they have taken during the war; Tis believed they have
not less than 40 negroes and above 500 horses; so we have assured
them of safe conduct, and have given them leave to come with
what force they please for their own safety to our Savanna
garrison (which is about 100 miles from Town) and then with
their Emperour (Brims) and 20 more to come to our nearest
garrison, which we call the ponds and is about 20 miles from Town.
This last if it take good effect will entirely end our Indian war;
for the Creeks are a numerous and warlike people and their
Emperour as great a politician as any Govr. in America; and
these people joined with the Yamasees in the massacre of our
traders and inhabitants at the breaking out of our war. I had
almost forgot to tell you that another condition with them is,
that they shall fall upon the Yamasees and endeavour to extirpate
them and then (to use their own phrase) we shall have a firm peace
with them as long as the sun and moon shall shine." We have
since the Indian war commenced laid out several hundred pounds
in arms and ammunitions, and sent them over to Carolina, and
have received accounts from thence of their safe arrival in that
Province. And in order to ease the inhabitants as much as is in
our power of the great debts they may have contracted during
this cruel war, we have given directions and sent them over by
our Governor Col. Johnson, that all arrears (which are very considerable) that are anyways due to us may be entirely applyed
to the use of the publick; and as we doubt not, but the Indian
war is now over, so we shall always be very ready to do everything
for the future security of the Province. Signed, Carteret P., Ja.
Bertie for D. Beaufort, Fulwar Skipwith for Ld. Craven, M.
Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson. Endorsed, Recd. 12th, Read
17th June, 1717. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1265. No. 65; and 5, 1293.
pp. 98–101.] |
June 4.
Custom house, London. |
598. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Reply to 7th May. The
Commissioners of H.M. Customs had an officer residing on Newfoundland for several years, yet he was never able to send home
any regular accot. of goods imported or exported, by reason he
could not oblige ships to enter and clear with him for want of a
Court of Admiralty, etc. Refers to enclosures. Signed, Cha.
Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. Read 6th June, 1717. Addressed.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
598. i.–iv. Account of liquors and other goods exported for
Newfoundland from H.M. Plantations in America,
Midsummer 1714–1716. 4 pp. [C.O. 194, 6. Nos. 33,
33 i.–iv.; and (without enclosures) 195, 6. pp. 361–363.] |
June 6.
London. |
599. Thomas Coram to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reply to the Memorials of Mr. Dummer and others. The inhabitants of the Massachusets Bay by their Charter from King
Charles I. being limited to a tract of land between Merimac and
Charles Rivers, and three miles each side, above 100 miles distant
from ye nearest part of ye land now in question, without permission
from ye Crown to settle in any other part of H.M. land or the lands
of ye Indians; it appears that to confirm any settlement or purchase made of lands from the Indians, it was necessary to have
H.M. authority. Nevertheless the New Englanders, as well as
others, traders and fishermen, tempted by ye conveniences of ye
said land, to settle themselves thereon, in the time of the unnatural
Rebellion in Great Britain when ye King had no Governour there,
practised so with the Indian natives of ye land now proposed to
be settled, that debauching them with strong liquors, they drew
in ye Indians to execute deeds for large quantities of land, whether
their own or H.M's. without any valuable consideration for the
same, knowing nothing of ye intent of those writeings. But
when ye Indians became sensible of the deceit put upon them,
they were so exasperated, that waging war with the New Englandmen they destroyed with fire and sword the purchasers and their
families, by which not only ye said land was laid desolate, as it
remains at this day, but many other towns and villages near it in
New England have been laid waste, in revenge of the deceit put
upon them by those pretended purchasers from time to time, who
in truth could not know whether ye persons signing their deeds
were ye possessors, or had power to dispose of those lands.
Since ye time mentioned by Mr. Dummer for those lands to have
been purchased, they were granted by King Charles II. to the
Duke of York, who reconveyed none of them to ye New Englandmen; indeed one West and Grayham with some other creatures of
Coll. Dungon and Sr. Edmund Andros, when they privately heard
that King James had left England being desirous to raise a sum of
money to go off with, sold lumping penyworths, and whether
these purchases, any more than those from the Indians, can be
thought good, yr. Lordsps. will please to determine. As to Mr.
Dummer's second petition wherein he seems to doubt H.M. power
of granting the lands aforesaid without consent of the General
Assembly of New England, by whose neglect they were lost to
the French, and many years after recovered by conquest, at
great expence to ye Crown, yr. Lordships can best judge of it.
From Sr. Bibye Lake's petition it may be observed how difficult
it has been, and may hereafter prove for a private person to
support such large tracts of land as he thereby pretends a right
to and as would be sufficient to employ many thousand families;
his claim is by Indian deeds too, though indeed some part, he
says, is confirm'd by ye Crown; Be that as it will, it is very
discernable from his own words that ye weak settlements he and
his grandfather have been able to make upon his great possessions, have only served as a prey to the Indians as often as they
thought it for their pleasure and interest to dispossess them.
Inasmuch, as tired with their disappointment neither ye present
petitioner, his grandfather or partner have had any regard to
those lands for more than 30 years, till now since H.M. accession
they have built a few fishermen's hutts upon Rousask Island,
called by them a settlement of 30 families, in order to prevent ye
present grant. The Duke of Hamilton's lands not being included
in those petitioned for, for making this new settlement, ye
Dutchesses letter can have no relation thereto, or supposing they
were included, they will fall under ye same considerations as the
lands granted in the aforemention'd manner. The proposed
settlement would be much for ye security of New England, since
ye well inhabiting the said lands may prove a good barrier between them and the Indians, without prejudiceing any intercourse between them, and the inhabitants of New England are
not excluded taking share in ye new settlement etc. Signed,
Thomas Coram. Endorsed, Recd. Read 6th June, 1717. 2½ pp.
[C.O. 217, 2. No. 32.] |
June 7.
Whitehall. |
600. Mr. Popple to Mr. Solicitor General. Encloses papers
relating to the petition of disbanded soldiers for lands between
Nova Scotia and Maine. Continues: The Council of Trade and
Plantations desire you will let them have your opinion whether
H.M. can properly grant the lands petitioned for. [C.O. 218, 1.
pp. 325–327.] |
June 8.
South Carrolina. |
601. Extract of letter from South Carolina to Joseph Boone.
I am now to inform you of melancholy newes in relation to our
Indian warr, we have two white men lately come from the Creeke
Indians that brings acct. that the Senecas or Mohocks are joined
with them, and resolve to fall on the Charchees and Cuttabaws
that are now our friends. We also understand that the French
Indians will help the Creeks. If so, our friendly Indians will be
intirely cut off in all humane probability, and then any may
judg the consequence what will become of us next. I cannot
see how it is possible such a handfull of men tired out with this
warr can much longer keep this country, without a relief from
our native country England, tis white men that we want a body
of etc. Our Indian enemies are supply'd with ammunition from
our French and Spanish neighbours, or else we should long before
this have had a firm and solid peace. The Creek Indians made a
proposall of peace before the Seneca's came amongst them, and
we expected 200 of them as far as our fort at the Savanna Town
to treat of a peace the 6th of this instant June at the farthest,
but they only sent one Indian, by name Bocatie, that came wth.
these white men, who says that the Indians cannot come to make
a peace before their corn is ripe, but they pretend they will not
hurt the English, but as for the Charachees and Cuttabas they
will have no peace wth. them, presume this ps. of policy is acted
by them on purpose that we may not assist the sd. Charachees
nor Cuttabas, we are in such a streight that we know not what
to do, nor how to turn ourselves, there is petitions sign'd by the
country in generall to the Governmt. of England for Assistance,
but am afraid they will come to your hands too late etc. By this
oppertunity you will receive depositions in relation to our Spanish
enemies supplying our enimie Indians wth. gunns and ammunition,
I think the Spanyards are greater enimies to us than the Indians,
for had they not supplyd them, the warr had been over before
now, and lasting peace setled, for our Indian enimies trade both
wth. the French and Spanyards and sell our slaves to them, and
other plunder they took from the English. Mrs. Edwards at
her Island few dayes agoe lost three men slaves and one woman,
the white family that was there made their escape leaving a
good cropp on the ground for the enimie etc. Some of the
enimie Indians was few days agoe seen many miles within our
Port Royal Garrison, so that we may expect shortly that all our
frontiers will draw near Charles Town for protection etc. We all
long to hear that you have accomplished your business so as that
the King will take us under his Royall Protection or else I verily
believe Carolina will be deserted, for several are already gone off,
and more will quickly follow if we have not relief speedily from
home. In my opinion Carolina affairs in relation to the enemie
looks worse then it has done this warr, for the Senecas wch. are
allowed to be 1500 men, and design to join and settle amongst
the Creeks, wth. the enimie Indians that we have besides to goe
against our friends the Charchees and Cuttabas, will in humane
probability reduce them, and then we lye at their mercy etc.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 25th Sept., 1717. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1265.
No. 79.] |
June 8.
St. James's. |
602. H.M. Warrant appointing Josiah Willard, Secretary of
the Massachusets Bay, and revoking the letters patents of Samuel
Woodward. Countersigned, J. Addison. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 80,
81.] |
| June 15. |
603. Mr. Solicitor General to Mr. Popple. The Lawes of
Virginia came to my hands but a few dayes agoe. I have perused
them. but before I send my opinion, I think it requisite that I see
ye Instructions to ye Governour which relates to his power of
calling Assemblys and making lawes relating to trade etc. Signed,
Wm. Thompson. Endorsed, Recd. Read 17th June, 1717. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1318. No. 5; and 5. 1364. p. 447.] |
June 15.
Whitehall. |
604. Mr. Secretary Addison to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses following for their report what H.M. may
properly do therein. Signed, J. Addison. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 19th June, 1717. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
604. i. Petition of Don Bernardo de Guardia and Peter Diharce
in behalf of Capt. Francisco de la Quadra y Achiga,
principal owner of the belandra Nostra Signora de Belem,
Don Manuel de Aramburu, master, to the King. The
said belandra, richly laden at Vera Crux and bound for
the Havana was in her passage on the 11th or 22nd Jan.,
1715/16 taken by Capt. Francis Fernando, Commander of
the Bennet sloop and carryed into Jamaica, having first
been plundered of the greatest and richest part of her
lading. The said Spanish belandra and her cargo was
imediately condemned by a pretended sentence of the
Admiralty Court there and adjudged as prize to Capt.
Fernando, without admitting the Spanish Commander
to ye legal claim he offered to make at the said Court
of and to his ship and goods. He could obtain no
redress from Governor Lord A. Hamilton, but his successor and the Councell having in obedience to H.M.
commands taken this case into their consideration,
resolved that he had made satisfactory proof of his loss,
and that they would make a favourable report thereof,
to H.M., but could not make restitution there, till H.M.
pleasure is known etc. Pray for H.M. Order that
restitution be forthwith made of 135, 164 dollars and a
half, and of 187 parcells of goods, etc. taken by Capt.
Fernando. 1 p. |
|
604. ii. Copy of Minutes of Council of Jamaica Sept. 3rd and
4th, 1716. 12 pp. |
|
604. iii., iv. Abstract of bills of lading etc. for plate and goods
consigned in the Nostra Signora de Belem for the Havana.
Total value, including value of the belandra 4000 dollars,
135, 164½ dollars. The whole 4 pp. [C.O. 137, 12.
Nos. 42, 42 i.–iv.; and (without enclosures ii.–iv.) 138,
15. pp. 226–230.] |
June 17.
London. |
605. Samuel Mulford to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Refers to Order of Council, March 17, 1714 (=1715) upon his
petition complaining that the inhabitants of New York were
deprived of their right of whale fishing by the Governour's claiming a share in the fish. I was at that time prosecuted for imploying native Indians to catch whales at sea, etc. Prays for
their Lordships' determination upon his petition. Continues:
Instead of being eased of our hardships, etc., I have with several
others been prosecuted from Court to Court, so that I am forced
to come for Great Britaine to seek redress, etc. and to apply anew
to H.M. upon fresh matters of complaint. Signed, Samll. Mulford. Endorsed, Recd. Read 17th June, 1717. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1051.
No. 25.] |
June 17.
Whitehall. |
606. Mr. Popple to Mr. Solicitor General. Encloses Instructions to the Governor of Virginia as requested 15th June.
[C.O. 5, 1364. pp. 447, 448.] |
June 18.
Boston. |
607. Address of the Governour, Council and the Representatives of the Massachusets Bay to the King. The invaluable blessings and priviledges which we enjoy under your Majesty's
most wise and gracious administration do greatly endear it to
us, and incite us to lay hold on all occasions to testify our loyalty
and hearty affection to your Majesty's person and government,
wherein so much of our happiness is bound up. Congratulate
H.M. on his safe return and having prevented "the unjust invasion,
which by the restless and pernicious practices of foreigners in
combination with some of your perfidious subjects, was contrived
to disturb the peace of your happy realms and to place a Popish
Pretender on Your Throne" etc. Signed, Samll. Shute, Joseph
Marion, D. Secr., by Order of the Council, John Burrill, Speaker.
1 p. [C.O. 5, 10. No. 152.] |
| June 18. |
608. Copy of lease from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina
to Sir Robert Montgomery of Shilmore, Bart., 18th June, 1717,
of "all that tract of land which lyes between the rivers Allatamaha and Savanna" etc. Signed, Carteret P., Ja. Bertie for
D. of Beaufort, Fulwar Skipwith for Lord Craven, M. Ashley,
J. Colleton. Endorsed, Recd. Read 27th Feb., 1717/18. 2¾ pp.
[C.O. 5, 1265. No. 92.] |
| June 19. |
609. Copy of release of above tract of land from the Lords
Proprietors of Carolina to Sir Robert Montgomery, his heirs and
assigns, for a yearly rent of 1d. per acre as the same shall be
occupied, taken up or run out, commencing 3 years after the
arrival of the first ships which shall be sent there, and two fourth
parts for H.M., and one fourth part for the Proprietors of all gold
or silver oar which shall be found there. The Proprietors agree
that the abovementioned tract of land shall be erected into a
Province distinct from the Province of South Carolina and shall
be hereafter call'd the Margravate of Azilia, and shall have proper
jurisdictions, privileges, prerogatives and franchises independant
of, and not any ways subject to the laws of South Carolina, but
shall bee holden of and immediately under the Lords Proprietors
by the said Sir Robert etc. Sir Robert covenants that he shall
immediately transport thither at his own proper cost and charges
a considerable number of families with all necessaries for making
a new settlement, and that a duty shall be charged upon all
skins within the said Margravate as is now charged upon skins
in South Carolina and appropriated to the maintenance of the
clergy in South Carolina as at present etc. Lands not taken up
and paying rent 50 years after the decease of Sir Robert shall
become derelict and be reinvested in the Lords Proprietors etc.,
and if Sir Robert neglect the setling of the Province for 3 years,
etc., the Lords Proprietors may re-enter etc. Signed and endorsed
as preceding. 9 pp. [C.O. 5, 1265. No. 93.] |
| June 19. |
610. Mr. Solicitor General to Mr. Popple. Reply to May 10.
I find the Instructions of the Governour of Virginia are not
pursued in the making the Acts for preventing frauds in tobacco
payments and for regulation of the Indian Trade. As to the first
Act it being of an extraordinary nature wherein the whole trade
for tobacco is concerned and the former method of carrying it on
is entirely changed wherein the factors for the merchants and
masters of ships are compelled to observe methods which seem
very inconvenient and a great burthen to the trade wherein the
property also of the subject is concerned by the tax of 5s. per hhd.
and other summes therein mentioned I humbly conceive that
according to the 16th Article of the Governour's Instructions
such an Act should not have been pass'd by him without first
transmitting a draught of the bill to H.M. for his approbation or
at least the execution should have been suspended til H.M.
pleasure had been known. But as it is now transmitted in order
to be approved or disapproved, I humbly apprehend the restrictions and compulsions in the said Act that prevent the free trade
which the subjects of Great Britaine have hitherto enjoyed, and
are by law entituled unto and the taxes and impositions on their
properties are such burthens and clogs to their trade that I presume they will not be thought proper to be countenanced. As to
the Act for the regulating of the Indian trade it is in several instances
against Law and the chiefe part of it (vizt.) the excluding any
persons from trading who are not of the Company under the
penalty of forfeiting their goods is also contrary to Law and
severall Acts of Parliament whereby the right of the British
subjects to trade to the Plantations is preserved. Signed, Wm.
Thomson. Endorsed, Recd. 20th, Read 21st June, 1717. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1318. No. 7; and 5, 1364. pp. 463–465.] |
June 19.
St. James's. |
611. H.M. Warrant to John Tailer, Surveyor of H.M. Woods
in America, to cut trees in New England, reserved to H.M. by a
clause in the Charter of the Massachusets Bay, the Commissioners
of the Navy having lately contracted with him to provide and
bring over into Great Britain for the use of our Navy several
ships' loadings of New England masts in the next year and the
two following years, over and above what were contracted for
by him May, 1715. Countersigned, J. Addison. Annexed, |
|
611. i. Mr. Tailor's Contract with H.M. Commissioners of the
Navy to bring masts from New England etc. 12th April,
1717. Signed, John Tailor, J. Addison. Copy. [C.O.
324, 33. pp. 81–86.] |
June 20.
Whitehall. |
612. Mr. Popple to Mr. Sollicitor General. The Council of
Trade and Plantations desire your opinion in point of law as soon
as conveniently may be upon an Act of Antigua, 1717, to enable
Giles and Samuel Watkins to alien a plantation in the parish of
St. Johns of Dixon Bay etc. [C.O. 153, 13. p. 37.] |
| June 21. |
613. Francis Kennedy to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Prays to be allowed £200 out of the quit-rents of Virginia towards
his expenses in negotiating with Carolina for the fulfillment of
their contract with Virginia in April, 1716. Refers to Lt. Gov.
Spotswood's letter of 30th April, 1717. Endorsed, Recd. Read
21st June, 1717. ¾ p. [C.O. 5, 1318. No. 8.] |
June 21.
Whitehall. |
614. Mr. Secretary Addison to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. H.M. having been pleased to appoint Nicholas
Lawes, Esqr., to be Governor of Jamaica, I desire that you will
please to direct the draughts of his Commission and Instructions
to be prepared that the same may be laid before H.M. for His
approbation. Signed, J. Addison. Endorsed, Recd. Read 27th
June, 1717. ¾ p. [C.O. 137, 12. No. 45; and 138, 15. p. 231.] |
| June 22. |
615. Comptrollers of the Accounts of the Army to the King.
Report upon the garrison of Annapolis Royal. There is a demand
for £20,000 depending before the Commissioners for stating the
debts of the Army for expenses of the garrison before the Establishment. There was no allowance for provisions to the garrison
in the establishment, which Col. Vetch was yet obliged to continue
for fear of a mutiny, receiving no replies to his many requests
to the Earl of Oxford and Lord Dartmouth for instructions
therein. The garrison were so very uneasy under the many
hardships they suffered, that to pacify them, he was obliged to
promise them pay and provisions and direct their officers to
supply them with shoes, stockings, brandy and other necessaries
as far as their pay would go, over and above their provisions.
These officers have employed their credit, and we think that upon
attesting their accounts they shou'd be allow'd the mony they
have so borrowed for the support of their companies. Propose
that the provisions and allowances for fire and candle be paid
for out of the respits upon the said companies, and that the
second clothing be charged at the same rate as the first with an
abatement of £713 14s. 2d. already ordered to be made on the
original price, £2141 2s. 6d. fixed for the first. Add proposals for
regulating the future accounts, with Mr. Mulcaster as sole Agent.
Propose that 4d. a day only, the same as for the Garrison at Newfoundland, be deducted for each man's provisions, payable 6
months in advance. Bedding and blankets to be sent by the
Board of Ordnance, and the barracks to be repaired, etc. Musterrolls to be made every two months and duplicates sent home, etc.
Continue: That these or any other directions wch. your Majesty
shall please to give for the better Government of this Garrison
may be more effectual, we humbly recommend that orders may
be given to the Commodore who is sent yearly to Newfoundland
to go to Annapolis Royal also, and that the Commission formerly
given, which has been discontinued from the time St. Johns was
taken by the French, may be renew'd, by which the said Commodore may be directed and fully empower'd to examine into the
state and condition of the said Garrison with the stores of all
kinds relating thereto, and with the assistance of the Govr. and
officers to hear and determine all complaints between the officers
and their men, and see all accots. relating to the Garrison duly
stated and sign'd, and as occasion requires to joyn the sea
officers to those of the Garrison in order to hold Court Martials
for determining any disputes and punishing any crimes committed in the Garrison, and that the Act for punishing mutiny
and desertion may be useful in those parts, we believe it wou'd
be necessary it shou'd have a longer continuance, in regard to the
forces at this distance, and that by a clause in the next Act the
Court Martials here and in other places where there is not the
number of officers now requir'd shou'd consist of fewer under
such other regulations as shall be judg'd necessary for the service,
without which it is very difficult to keep any forces in order.
That this care of the Garrison may the more effectually answer
the ends of your Majesty's service, we must not omit to lay before
your Majesty the great prejudice which it is expos'd to by the
trading vessels from New England, encouraging and enticing the
soldiers to desert from the Garrison in order to imploy them on
board their ships; To prevent which, we most humbly offer that
your Majesty send orders to the Governor of New England that
he do by public notice or proclamation strictly forbid all such
practices, and to charge and command the inhabitants not to
give any countenance or protection to any deserters from Annapolis Royal, but to discover them to the Governor in order to
their being secured and sent back to the Garrison to be try'd
and punish'd according to law, to deter others from doing the
same, without which it will be difficult to keep a garrison in that
place. Report on Nova Scotia and methods useful for encouraging
the trade in those parts, acknowledging assistance from reports of
the Board of Trade. Very little dependance is to be made upon
the friendship of the French inhabitants at present etc. The
Indians are too strongly engag'd in the interests of the French
not to joyn with them upon any rupture, and would consequently
be too powerful for any settlement that cou'd be made in this
country, except a good force was constantly kept there, the
charges whereof cou'd not be expected to be answer'd in many
years. If ever it shou'd be thought fit to make a settlement
here great care shou'd be taken to make and keep it absolutely
dependant upon Great Britain, and not to suffer it to be annex'd
to the Government of New England as we understand has been
propos'd, for if we are truly inform'd, by the manufactures and
other improvements lately made at New England, they not only
consume much less of the products of Great Britain than they
did formerly; but have taken away great part of the profits of
the fishing trade from us, and become dayly less dependent upon
Great Britain, to which a watchful eye shou'd always be had not
only in regard to New England but all the other plantations. We
are engag'd by these considerations to think that the most certain
and immediate benefit Great Britain may expect from Nova
Scotia is by the improvement of our fishing trade, as we are
inform'd the fish often change their haunts, and the fishing has
for some time past fail'd upon the Banks of Newfoundland, so we
are well assured that from Cape Sable to the Gut of Canco is now
the most plentiful fishing in all North America, with great conveniences
for curing the fish and variety of good harbours all
along the coast and is capable of vast improvement if the trade
there was well protected, which for want of a convenient port or
two, upon the coasts, is expos'd to the insults of the Indians, and
in case of a war by reason of the nearness of Cape Breton cou'd
not be carried on to any advantage without a force at sea, for the
garrison of Annapolis Royal lyes up the River too far within the
country to be of any use in the protection of the fishing trade.
We therefore most humbly propose that instead of the present
large garrison there, a small fort shou'd be made according to the
plan propos'd by the Board of Ordnance for securing the harbour
of Placentia which for many reasons appears to us to be more
proper and usefull than a large fortification, that a smaller fort
be built at Jennys Streight the entrance into the British River
going up to Annapolis Royal and the great Bason, which by the
description of it is the finest and largest in all America, where
thousands of the greatest vessels may ride safely in the worst of
weather and is now open to all privateers, but by this means
wou'd upon all occasions be a secure retreat to our trading ships
upon the coast; and this fort we propose shou'd be garrison'd
by an officer and a detachment from Annapolis: That another
small fort be erected at Chebucto Le Havre, or some other place
between Cape Sable and the Gut of Canco from whence a serjeant
and 10 men may during the fishing season be sent to a redoubt
upon the Island of Sable, where there is now the greatest plenty
of fish. By these means we believe the fishing trade will be much
better protected and greatly improv'd, and this at a less annual
charge than the present establishment of the Garrison of Annapolis Royal etc. Propose that directions be given to the Board of
Ordnance to send an Engineer by the next ships to view the
harbour and coasts, in order to report the most convenient places
and means for erecting these small forts; and to the Admiralty
to send a person to survey the woods and inland country and to
give H.M. an account what timber there is proper for masts and
shipping, and what conveniences there are for making pitch and
tar with the land proper for raising of hemp, and what prospect
there is of advantages to Great Britain by the importation of
Naval Stores from this country. Until these proposals are put
in execution etc., we believe it may be necessary to keep the
Garrison of Annapolis Royal, as it now is to prevent the country
from being wholly in the power of the French in case of a rupture
who wou'd by this means be in a condition to give great interruption to all the trade of North America. And if upon the report
of the survey of the country, your Majesty shall think it for your
service to encourage the further improvement of it by settlement
or otherwise, we humbly offer, that if out of the savings of the
present establishment of Annapolis Royal after providing for
the garrisons of the small forts before propos'd a sufficient allowance was made to encourage a person fitly qualify'd for this
service to reside at Annapolis Royal, to have a Commission as
Governor of the country of Nova Scotia, and a command over
the small forts with a little vessel to carry orders and keep a
communication with them, we hope he might by a prudent
management and good treatment of the French and Indians, in
time, intirely reconcile them to the interests of your Majesty's
Government and make it theirs to bring all their trade consisting
in skins, furrs, and feathers into the hands of your Majesty's
subjects instead of its being carried, as the greatest part now is,
to Quebeck, which appears to us to be less difficult to be effected
because thô the French inhabitants had a liberty by the Peace,
to remove with their effects any time within a year, yet they have
long since elaps'd that time without showing the least inclination
to quit the country nor is it probable they will desire it, except
they are provok'd to it by very ill usage, in which case they
may be tempted to joyn together with the Indians and fall upon
your Majesty's forces, rather than abandon their settlement, for
Cape Breton, whither they propos'd to retire etc., is found to be a
barren rock, at least the greatest part of it, that will afford
neither subsistence for them nor their cattle, so that if they are
encourag'd by good usage and any means cou'd be found to keep
them from the influence of the French Missionaries, it might be
hoped that their children at least wou'd be good subjects to your
Majesty, and this country wou'd then answer all the beneficial
ends of a British Colony without the expence or inconveniences
of sending one thither, etc. We humbly represent that it wou'd
be a very great encouragement to all those who serve in these
distant Garrisons, if by the help of convoys or trading ships to
those parts, some easy way cou'd be found to relieve them once
in two or three years at most, etc. Signed, P. Meadows, Ja.
Bruce, J. Merrill, M. Richards, John Armstrong. Endorsed,
Recd. 15th, Read 17th March, 1717/18. 33 pp. Enclosed, |
|
615. i. Abstract of preceding. |
|
615. ii. Estimate of an establishment for forts proposed to be
built at Nova Scotia. Annapolis Royal, £2519 6s. 8d.
Fort on coast, £1709 17s. 6d. Showing a saving of
£2312 5s. 10d. on present arrangement. 2½ pp. [C.O.
217, 2. Nos. 44, 44 i., ii.] |
| June 24. |
616. Petty Expences of the Board of Trade, stationery,
postage, coal etc. from Lady day to Midsummer, 1717. 5 pp.
[C.O. 388, 77. Nos. 31, 33, 35, 37.] |
| June 26. |
617. Marquess of Winchester to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Desires a copy of my Lord Carberry's resignation
of certain lands in Jamaica etc. Signed, Winchester. Endorsed,
Recd. 1st, Read 3rd July, 1717. Addressed. ¾ p. [C.O. 137,
12. No. 46; and 138, 15. p. 256.] |
June 26.
Westminster. |
618. H.M. Warrant appointing Richard Mill Receiver
General of Jamaica. Countersigned, Cocks. Copy. [C.O. 324,
49. pp. 4–6.] |
June 27.
Whitehal. |
619. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. Enclose Lt. Governor Spotswood's complaints (v. 30th April) with relation to the assistance given S.
Carolina from Virginia etc, We must desire your Lordships
will use your authority that due satisfaction be made according
to the ingagement of Carolina for so seasonable a relief. [C.O.
5, 1293. p. 103.] |
June 27.
Philadelphia. |
620. Lieut. Governor Keith to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses following, and urges that to separate the
three lower Counties by themselves from under Mr. Penn's proprietary jurisdiction would not only in many respects prove very
prejudicial to the publick service but particularly raise such a
contradiction of interests as will inevitably ruine the most flourishing Colony of so small an extent in America, and render the
whole a burthen to its Mother Country, by extinguishing the
great spirit for navigation amongst them and consequently that
improveable traffick which it now yields to the Dominion of Great
Britain etc. Signed, W. Keith. Endorsed, Recd. 29th Aug.,
Read 12th Nov., 1717. ¾ p. Printed (with enclosures), Penn.
Mag. Hist. XXIII. 489–497. Enclosed, |
|
620. i. (a) Copy of Lt. Governor Keith's speech after proclaiming his Commission at Philadelphia, 31st May,
1717. |
|
(b) Copy of Lt. Governor Keith's speech to the
Assembly met at Newcastle, 13th June, 1717. Warns
them that application has been made, by way of petition, to the King for a grant of the dominion and property of the counties they represent to a subject of
H.M. etc. |
|
(c) Copy of Address of the Representatives of the
Three Counties on Delaware in Genll. Assembly mett att
New Castle 13th June, 1717, to the King. Congratulate
H.M. upon his return from abroad and thank him for
his royal approval of Lt. Governor Keith, etc. Signed,
By order of the House, Jasper Yeates. |
|
(d) Copy of Address of the Representatives of the
Three Counties upon Delaware to Lt. Governor Keith,
New Castle, 13th June, 1717. With what transports of
joy we wait on your Honr. those only can judge who have
been acquainted with our sighs under the late Administration etc. State their case, in opposition to the
attempt craftily managed at home upon their rights
and possessions etc. Continue: Our present Proprietor
Mr. Penn's interest and ours are so interwoven that
they are not to be separated without destroying each
other. If any defect should be found in the titles on
which all our settlements have been made, we hope
H.M. will supply those defects etc. As we are situate
by nature, we conceive the interest of Pensylvania and
ours to be so much the same that nothing would more
contribute to the happiness of us both than an intire
union. Pray him to so represent to H.M. Conclude:
Though the present circumstances of the country are
low, we lay hold of this first opportunity of demonstrateing how willing we are to contribute to the support
of a Government from which we expect so much justice
and satisfaction. Signed, Jasper Yeates. |
|
(e) Copy of Lieut. Governor Keith's speech acknowledging preceding. The whole endorsed as covering letter.
8½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1265. Nos. 84, 84 i.; and (without
enclosure) 5, 1293. p. 130.] |
June 27.
Philadelphia. |
621. Lt. Governor Keith to Mr. Popple. I presume to intreat
your favourable care of preceding etc. "Tho changes may possibly have happned amongst persons in the Administration, yet
I suppose our trifling affairs will have their ordinary course, and
it is generaly from your Board, that we expect to be relieved
and assisted." etc. Signed and endorsed as preceding. Addressed.
1 p. Printed, Penn. Mag. Hist. XXIII. 489. [C.O. 5. 1265. No.
85; and 5, 1293. p. 131.] |
| June 27. |
622. Mr. Attorney General to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Report on Act of St. Christophers to enable William
Mathew etc. (v. 8th May). Concludes: I doubted at first whether
the conveyance of 23 acres to be made for the benefit of the son
was an equivalent for the departing with the inheritance of
Brimstone Hill, which in the Act is mentioned to contain a mile
or thereabt. But having perused the enclosed affidavit etc., I
have no objection in point of law agt. H.M. approving of the said
Bill. There is in the Bill a clause whereby Brimstone Hill is
appropriated for the use of the fortifications of the Island and
made inalienable without consent by an Act of Assembly there
against which I have no objection, if H.M. shall think fit to approve
the same. Signed, Edw. Northey. Endorsed, Recd. 28th June,
Read 3rd July, 1717. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
622. i. Deposition of Thomas Ottley, 21st June, 1717. Deponent believes the 23 acres purchased by Lt. Genl.
William Mathews of Col. Michael Lambert in the parish
of St. Thomas, Middle Island, St. Christophers, to be
near about the full value of the part of Brimston Hill
formerly belonging to Col. Thomas Hill and now in the
possession of Lt. Genl. Mathews who married Col.
Hill's heiress. Signed, Tho. Ottley. 1 p. [C.O. 152,
12. Nos. 1, 1 i.; and (without enclosure) 153, 13.
pp. 38–40.] |
June 27.
St. James's. |
623. H.M. Warrant appointing Edmund Kelly Attorney
General of Jamaica, with a clause obliging him to actual residence,
and revoking the letters patents of William Broderick. Countersigned, J. Addison. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 86, 87.] |
June 28./ July 9.
Rio Essequebe, opt' Huys Na-By. |
624. Commander Van der Heyden Rézen to the Directors of the
Dutch West India Company. Signed, Pr. Van der Heyden Rézen.
Endorsed, Read 8th (N.S.) Oct., 1717. Dutch. 15 pp. Enclosed, |
|
626. i.–iv. Inventories of goods and negroes on the plantations in Essequebo. Dutch. 20 pp. [C.O. 116, 21.
Nos. 153 i., iii., iv., v., 155.] |
June 29.
Whitehall. |
625. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Lay
before H.M. Mr. Solicitor General's report upon Acts of Virginia
for preventing frauds in tobacco payments, and for the better regulation of the Indian Trade, etc. (v. June 19). Continue: We
concur with him that the said Acts are not fit for your Majesty's
Royal approbation, and therefore humbly offer that your Majty.
be pleas'd to signify your disallowance thereof. But whereas
the Indian Trade may admit of several regulations which wou'd
render the same more beneficial to your Majesty's subjects by
preventing the evils arising by the abuses committed by the
Indian Traders, we humbly offer that your Majesty's pleasure be
signified to your Gover. of Virginia that he recommend this matter
to the Assembly at their next sitting. We further humbly
represent that as the Indian Compa. erected by the said Act has
built at their own charge a magazine, and been at other publick
expenses, it may be proper that your Majesty's directions be
likewise given to the Commander in Chief to recommend to the
Assembly of Virginia an enquiry into that matter and their reimbursing the said Company such expences as they shall appear
to have been at for the publick benefit of the said Colony. And
whereas several Acts made in your Majesty's Plantations have
heretofore been pass'd by the Govrs. that have either restrain'd
the trade or laid burthens upon the shipping of your British
subjects which do immediately take place and are in force before
your Majesty's pleasure is known, we humbly offer that an
Additional Instruction be prepar'd for all your Majty's. Govrs.
in America that they do not pass any Act wch. may any ways
affect ye trade or shipping of this Kingdom without a clause
declaring that the said Acts shall not be in force untill they be
approv'd and confirm'd by your Majesty. [C.O. 5, 1318. pp.
474–476.] |
| [June.] |
626. Address of the Grand Jury of New York to the King.
Congratulate H.M. on the success of his council abroad etc. Continue: Among the many blessings which we enjoy under the good
and just administration of that excellent person who has the
honour to represent your Majesty here, we esteem it one of the
greatest, that a due reverence and esteem for your Majesty
and Family was inculcated by him amongst us, long before your
accession to the Throne etc. The whole Province is heartily
and sincerely well affected to your Government; if there be any
of a different opinion, they are too insignificant and contemptible
both as to their fortunes and their understandings to give uneasiness etc. Signed, D. Provoost and 20 others. 1 large p.
[C.O. 5, 1092. No. 5.] |
