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Dec. 22.
Albemarle. |
1038. Mr. Porter to the Duke of Newcastle. Refers to letter of 15th June etc. Continues: Sir Richard now every day signs both warrants and pattents (etc. v. 30th Nov.) And what is worse, was induced some time ago by the uncommon art and cunning of this Mr. Lovick, and his two confederates Moseley and Wm. Little, ye Receiver General, to sign many pattents wherein ye number of acres are left blank and on the same pattents there is the Receiver General Little's recept likewis in blank for the purchas money, so that the possessors of such pattents, have it in their own power to put in as much land as by Our Charter might make them Landsgraves or Cossicks ; whereas I beleive the true intent of Sir Richd. was, that every pattent he so signed should contain what is by ye later Lords Proprietors' orders, and by our own laws distinguished to be a tract containing 640 acres, instead of wch. some people who are let into the secrit, and that has procured such pattents has filled up ye blanks with what quantity of land they please; one Lane of the County of Bath put into his pattent 5,000 acres, others more, and some less, by which means before H.M. Commissions can take place amongst us, most of the land will be disposed off under a sham proprieterry title, and ye money arrising therefrom put into the pocketts of those three Messinarys, Lovick, Moseley and Little etc. As I once mentioned before, if there was an Officer suddenly appointed as Recr. General, with a power of inspecting into such former conduct, it might possibly be many thousands pounds advantage to the Crown ; and if your Grace would be pleased to think me deserving of so great a trust, no man shall more faithfully discharge it etc. Signed, Edmond Porter. Endorsed, R. April 23. 2? pp. [C.O. 5, 308. No. 5.] |
| Dec. 23. |
1039. T. Lowndes to Mr. Popple. The Officers of Carolina within the intention of the saving clause of the Act for purchasing Carolina, are Edward Bertie, Secry. and Register for two lives, myself for two lives Provost Marshall Clerk of the Peace and Crown. Mr. Robert Wright was appointed Chief Justice for life. But he having never been possessed of his patent and some of the Ministers urging of what ill consequence it might be to have that officer for life, 'twas agreed that notwithstanding the saving clause that patent should be delivered up to the Lords Commrs. for Trade to be cancelled and that it should be an article in the Governour's Instructions to appoint Mr. Wright H.M. Chief Justice of S. Carolina during H.M. pleasure etc. Signed, Tho. Lowndes. Endorsed, Recd. 24th Dec, 1729, Read 13th March, 1729/30. Holograph. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 361. ff. 65, 65v., 66v.] |
| Dec. 25. |
1040. Petty expenses of the Board of Trade, Michaelmas to Christmas, (v. Journal). 6 pp. [C.O. 388, 79. Nos. 54–57.] |
Dec. 25.
Rose.
Downes. |
1041. Capt. Weller to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Encloses following. Signed, John Weller. Endorsed, Recd. 27th Dec, 1729, Read 19th March, 1730/1. Addressed. Postmark. ? p. Enclosed, |
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1041. i. Replies (in margin) to Heads of Enquiry relating to the Fishery and Trade of Canso. (i) But 3 families remain; they hold their houses, flakes and stages by patent from Governor Philipps. (ii) There is no boats nor train-fats, the fish being taken on the banks by New England scooners and the liver put in tubbs for that purpose. (iii) The fishermen come all from New England about March and return about October. (iv) The inhabitants are supplied some from Great Britain but most from Ireland. (v) They sail by shares, but are often paid in liquor with some few cloaths. (vi) No boats, but scooners of about 40 tuns and 5 men. Fitting cost £130 sterling for a season. (vii) They have no other employment then fishing and curing of fish, and are dilligent in it, etc. (viii) All go home except some servants to take care of the stages, and mend them in the spring. (ix) All have roome, and there is roome for many more. (x) The length allow'd by the Governor is 60 yards up from the water and 8ft. wide, which will spread 20 quintals of fish. (xi) None (victualled) from Britain; some few from Ireland, but mostly from New England. (xii) No fishing ships (share); the scooners people share ; the ships that come are all for Sack. (xiii) Cannot learn the number in the whole province, but in Canso ten licensed (taverns). But all the shoremen have stores as they call them, and sell to the scooners people and than they work with them, allways paying them in drink or cloaths, but no money. Most storehouses keep their servts. all winter who do nothing tell ye spring, than repair the flakes which servts. are all Irish. (xiv) No more families remain than 4 as inhabitants and what come in the summer are paid in rum, tobacco, suger and molasses. (xv) What people come here for the season are from New England at 40s. going or coming paid in fish or worked out. (xvi) By this manner of their paying they are often disabled and unfit for their business, to the great discouragement and obstruction of the Fishery. (xvii) None are left behind but the servants to take care of the store houses. (xviii) The New England people and traders entice all they can, both of seamen and handycraftsmen, from the men of warr and mercht. ships from Europe. (xix) They all promise to take more care in curing their fish, and have this season etc. The manner of seeking fish on the banks is about 16 some 20 to 40 leagues off where they split and salt them, 10 hhds. (of salt) to 100 quintalls. At their landing they wash them out in the sea; then spread them on flakes ; but sometimes are five weeks out, which I believe makes them not so good as catch'd in boats along shore, but til their's inhabitants this will not be us'd. (xx) At Lewisburgh 1,500 souls 7 companies of soldiers strongly fortify'd, ships from Europe there and West Indies, 50 sail carrys away 400,000 quintals of fish. Places names, Niganist a small harbour, not fortify'd; 3 ships exports 1,000 quintals, hath 10 stages, 2 boats to a stage, and three men to each boate; Scatery a smal harbour not fortify'd, 5 ships, exports 15,000 quintals of fish; hath 22 stages, two boats to a stage and three men to each boate ; Laballain, one ship, exports 7,000 quintals, hath 7 stages, two boats to a stage and three men to each boat; Esprite no ship harbour, exports 10,000 quintals of fish, hath 20 stages, two boats to a stage and three men to each boat. Petre-de-Grote harbour for small ships exports 5,000 quintals of fish, hath 7 stages two boats to a stage and three men to each boat. Several boats came to fish on the coast of Nova Scotia, but return when they are forbid. There are several Irish Papists settled at Cape Breton. (xxi) I never heard that any officers or soldiers concern'd themselves directly or indirectly in the fishing or have any rooms, or flakes, or hire their men out to fish. Signed, John Weller. Sealed. 4¾ pp. |
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1041. ii. Scheme of the Fishery at Canso for 1729. British sack ships, 12, of from 20 to 150 tons; 92 men ; schooners from America, 223, of from 6 to 100 tons ; 1,118 men; passengers carried thither by British ships, 2 ; quintals of fish made by the schooners from America, 51,749; carried to foreign markets, 38,929. Train oil made by the schooners from America, 28 barrels. Price of fish from 11s. 6d. to 7s. sterl. pr. quintal. Number of stages, 51. Number of inhabitants, exclusive of garrison, 20 ; number of fishermen who stayed all last winter, 100. Signed, John Weller. 2¼ pp. [C.O. 217, 6. ff. 13, 14–17, 18v.] |
Dec. 26.
Boston. |
1042. Lt. Governor Dummer to the Duke of Newcastle. Refers to correspondence enclosed. Cf. 10th Dec. Has endeavoured in vain to cultivate a good understanding with Col. Dunbar. The occasion of his desiring to see his Commission was on account of the Indians, "who, as I was inform'd by my officers in the forts there, were under some discontents and jealousys that the late Treaty made with them might be infracted by newcomers; and it seemed necessary that the Indians should know to whom they were to apply themselves for their satisfaction therein." Continues :—It may not be amiss to put your Grace in mind, that H.M. has a fort in that countrey, between Kennebeck and Nova Scotia, where there is a garrison of soldiers supported at the charge of this Province, and a trade carry'd on with the Indians from thence, according to the Treaty made with them at Casco, at some considerable expence, any interruption whereof may be a great detriment to H.M. service, etc. Refers to passage in the second letter, mentioning a libel in one of the newspapers, which he had not seen. Continues :—I suppose it to be meant of a paragraph, in the inclosed print, and said to be spoken in Spain by the Corrigedor of Seville to the King of Spain. The pamphleteers here, as in other places, are too forward to print any impertinent paragraphs to fill up their papers : and tho' this author took care himself to condemn the performance as an insolent peice, I have nevertheless forbidden him any more to print in his paper, published by Authority, which he pretended to have the late Governor's leave for. Signed, Wm. Dummer. Endorsed, R. Feby. 3d. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
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1042. i. Lt. Governor Dummer to David Dunbar Esq. Dec. 3, 1729. Having some time since shewed you a clause in my Commission for the Government of this Province etc., wherein the lands lying between the territory of Nova Scotia and the Province of Main are expressly mentioned and included : and having then and lately at your own house desired you to shew me, if you had any later Commission for the Government of that countrey etc., you were pleas'd to assure me, that you would in two or three days give me intire satisfaction therein : and since you have lately had an interview with the Eastern Indians, and have been building the fort at Pemmaquid, I find myself obliged to remind you thereof, that H.M. service, especially relating to the Indians inhabiting there, may meet with no obstruction or detriment. Signed, William Dummer. Copy. 1 p. |
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1042. ii. Col. Dunbar to Lt. Govr. Dummer. Dec. 4, 1729. Quotes his Commission as Surveyor General and the report of the Council of Trade, "who are not a set of broken merchants, as some people here take the liberty to say, but men of quality, character and fortune, and members of either House of Parliament" etc. Continues:—These are sufficient for me that the Massachusets Province have no jurisdiction beyond, or to the eastward of Kennebeck etc. I can't help observing that your motive for demanding my power, is that I have been rebuilding the fort at Pemmaquid, which was destroyed 33 years ago by the French and Indians, and has lain in rubbish ever since, notwithstanding repeated orders from England to the Government of this Province to rebuild it, until it was included in Governor Philips' Commission etc. It looks like the dog in the manger etc. I could have wished that that objection against me had been made by somebody else, it would have bin more of a peice with their disowning the fortress in the harbour to belong to his Majesty, when in. some late proceedings the words His Majesty's Fort were left out, and only called Castle William. I am in hopes matters will soon be put upon a new footing here, being persuaded that the King thinks it high time to exert his sovereignty, where many are so audacious as to disown it (of which I can prove some instances) and make this Province a happy Colony in despight of them. I would have acquainted you by word of mouth with what I have herein related, and have shewn you the proper paper; but I waited to have it demanded in writing, that there should be no mistake etc., and the rather because I heard it was intended by the Assembly etc. Signed, David Dunbar. Copy. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 752. Nos. 44, 44 i.] |
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1042. iii. Lt. Gov. Dummer to Col. Dunbar, Dec. 6, 1729. Objects to the motive attributed to him in preceding etc. Continues: —By H.M. Commission that countrey is put under my care ; and in pursuance of that Commission I have from time to time done acts of Government there, in the most important of which I have had H.M. approbation; therefore etc. I cannot but think it my right and duty to enquire into the public proceedings carried on there etc. Continues: If any such rude and indecent expressions have bin utter'd of the Lords Commissioners for Trade, you cannot have a greater resentment than I have etc. Since you have intimated that there are many in this countrey who are so audacious as to disown H.M. sovereignty, which I never heard of before, I think the crime is of so high a nature that you ought to bring them out, that so the law may be put in execution against them etc. Since you have shewed me your Commission as Surveyor General of H.M. woods, I shall be ready to give you my utmost assistance there in H.M. service. Signed, William Dummer. Copy. 2 pp. |
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1042. iv. Col. Dunbar to Lt. Gov. Dummer. Dec. 8, 1729. His comparison was not intended to be personal etc. Continues: —It is not my business to find fault, nor to enter upon arguments, if your Government extends beyond Kennebeck in your present Commission (which was not apprehended in England). You may please to try whether I shall disobey any orders you give ; what I have done there I am authoriz'd to do by more Commissions and Instructions than one, the ravages and wasts, in those parts hitherto committed, do require some care to prevent the like for the future etc. Continues: —As for what the reflections on the Lords Commissioners for Trade and the people's disowning H.M. Sovereignty, it is too notorious, and some of your chief traders and leading men concerned in it, and this in a public manner, to bring them out, as you say I ought to do, no man living is better inclin'd, but there may be a properer time for it; had I heard that any notice had bin taken of the printer and publisher of last Monday's paper, it might have encourag'd me to do ; the printer of the original of that audacious libel was under prosecution for it, when I left England, and I think reprinting of it at this distance of time no less culpable than the original; I own I can [? not Ed.] help being mov'd at these things, they make my blood boil, and were I a private Justice of the Peace, I would have called the party to an account for it etc. Signed, David Dunbar. Copy. 1½ pp. |
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1042. v. The Boston Gazette. New England, Numb. 523. Published by Authority. From Monday Nov. 24 to Monday Dec. 1, 1729. Printed. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 898. Nos. 63, 63 i (covering letter and enclosure v. only); and (enclosures i–iv only) 5, 752. Nos. 44, 44 i—iii.] |
Dec. 26.
Boston. |
1043. Lt. Governor Dummer to the Duke of Newcastle. Having prorogued the General Assembly of this Province on Saturday last to the 18th of March next, after near five weeks sitting, I take this first opportunity to transmit the printed Journals etc. At the opening of the Session I began with moving them once again to a complyance with H.M. Instruction for fixing a salary, which the House soon voted a denial of etc., sending me at the same time a message, that they were ready to give me an ample and honorable support: To which I sent down an answer, assuring them it would be to no purpose to vote me any support, that should not be entirely conformable to H.M. Instructions, for that I should not accept it etc. However, they thought it best to proceed, and voted me £750 of this money in the usual form, and sent it up to the Council for concurrence, which being amended there, and that non-concur'd by the House, it never lay before me ; which if it had, I should have immediately rejected it, agreable to my message, as being no ways conformable to H.M. Instruction. The whole of this affair your Grace will find in the five first sheets of the Journals. The other matter mentioned to them related to the restoring the value of the bills of credit, which was so far considered that a bill was projected for the same, and that order'd to be printed, and persons appointed to try for subscribers, agreable to the projection of said bill, a printed copy whereof I herewith send your Grace. If it meets with success this winter in obtaining subscribers it will doubtless come under consideration again in the next Sessions; but this being a matter of an extraordinary nature and importance, I shall not pass it without express leave from H.M. or a clause therein suspending the execution until H.M. pleasure shall be known : And here I can't but observe to your Grace, that H.M. subjects of this Province, and those of Great Brittain who trade into this countrey have long suffer'd great damage and loss by the unsteady and declining state of our bills of credit, which is the medium of trade here (and are now sunk to one third of the value of lawful money) this bill proposes to retrieve and ascertain for the future ; and it is thought by the most substantial people of estates and trade to be well calculated for that end. There has bin much time spent by the Representatives in this last session, in endeavouring to obtain a concurrence of the Council for a supply to two persons they have appointed to sollicit their defence against H.M. 23rd Instruction to the Governor; which your Grace will see the Council have with great constancy always noncur'd, and thereby prevented my negative ; as they have also done in the affair of the Attorney General, which has likewise bin pursued with great heat etc. Refers to Journals. Continues:—The House not being able to effect a supply for their Agents in this way, have by a kind of brief recommended it to the several towns in the Province to raise £4,000 for that use in pag. 162, which they there say will purchase £1,000 sterling, if not some thing more, by which it appears, how the bills of credit are sunk in their value. I know of nothing more that has passed in the General Assembly worth noticing to your Grace, but that the late Governor Burnet's executor thought it proper to put in a memorial to the House of Representatives, setting forth that the said Governor received nothing for his services etc., and praying an allowance for the same to his children, which passed in the negative as appears in p. 156. I can't omit explaining to your Grace upon one article of the complaint made by the Agents of the House against the late Governor, respecting let-passes and registers etc. As to the first I never gave any of them out for the reason I mention'd to your Grace in a former letter; and the late Governor's defence of that article is contained in the Journals of the former Sessions etc., but for the Registers the Governor at first had a fee of 9s. or one peice of eight and an half, which was above 1oz. And 1 quarter of silver, a third of which he allow'd the Secretary for drawing them : And now I have 23 shil. in bills for myself and the Secretary; and the bills of credit are so miserably sunk that silver is every day sold at above 21 shillings an ounce: so that in fact I have not so much for registers as the Governors had upon the first establishment of them; which those merchants well know and therefore cannot be excused their amusing and trifling with their Lordships in this article etc. P.S. The registers will not amount to more then £230 pr. annum, which is not £60 sterling etc. Signed, Wm. Dummer. Endorsed, R. Feb. 3rd. 5 pp. [C.O. 5, 898. No. 64.] |
| Dec. 26. |
1044. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Repeats preceding, mutatis mutandis. Signed, Wm. Dummer. Endorsed, Recd. 6th Feb., 1729/30, Read 9th June, 1731. 4 pp. Enclosed, |
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1044. i. Draught of a bill for retrieving and ascertaining the value of the bills of credit of the Massachusetts Bay. Endorsed, Recd. 6th Feb., 1729/30. Printed by Thomas Fleet by order of the House of Representatives. 6 pp. [C.O. 5, 872. ff. 104–106v., 107v.–110v., 111v. with abstract.] |
| Dec. 29. |
1045. Col. Dunbar to Mr. Popple. Abstract. Has received information upon the promise he published of a reward, against a person who cutt downe 70 mast trees in New Hampshire. Hopes to get from this man a discovery of others concerned, and will prosecute them with vigour. There is more hope of justice in that province than in Maine. He offered these trees and others seized last year to Mr. Waldo and Mr. Westbrook as part of the contract for the Navy, but he refused them, the reason being, he thinks, that they were at too great a distance from their saw-mills etc. Continues: Mr. Waldo goes home in this ship as Agent for a number of the claimants for vast tracts of land in Georgia, he is one of the Company concerned with Dr. Cook, and I find dayly so many of those claims that if they are confirmed etc., H.M. can have no nurserys reserved there for the Royal Navy etc. Mr. Waldo is one of Dr. Cook's violent ones, has rais'd a large subscription and undertaken by boasted interest to carry the point" etc. Mr. Waldo in the royal licence is forbidden to cut trees until viewed by Mr. Dunbar or his deputy; this though necessary on account of the saw-mills, involves delay and may cause complaint. Has directed Mr. Slade, his deputy, to assist Mr. Waldo in converting oak plank and timber for the use of the Navy, according to his request and the desire of the Navy Board. Mr. Waldo says Mr. Westbrook will not venture upon further contracting with him, apprehending the indulgence given by me to the loggers (v. Dec. 9) will put him under difficultys to find masts. He made some suggestions which Mr. Dunbar finds impracticable. There are men of substance there who would undertake the contract 10 p.c. cheaper. Mr. Waldo's common character is to give all the trouble he can etc. Hopes that what he has said will prove that he has no view but to discharge his duty, "which must occasion murmurings and complaints from ungovernable people who would be under no controul, and who never will behave as English subjects until this country is under another form of Government. I this day received a letter from the Indian chiefs of the Penobscot tribe signed by their Lieut. Governour or Vice-King who was not at Fredericksburg with me, and by Loron the Ambassador they had dispatched to Cannada to know the French Governour's opinion of the new settlement (v. 10th Dec). I send the original now to my Lord Duke of Newcastle, and herewith I send you a copy, the French Governour advised them to live well with the English, this will satisfye everybody that the settlement will onely be attended with fateague wch. I am willing to undergo until H.M. pleases to appoint another, but I cannot appear there again until I have powers wch. should be here in March if possible, and they should be such (with submission) as to enable me to form a Majestracy and Militia, I humbly beg leave to recommend this to my Lords Commissioners' consideration, and that any artillery, small arms, pioneer tools and amunition may be dispatched at the same time, likewise a seal for the new Province." Asks for the Board's directions etc. Signed, David Dunbar. Endorsed, Recd. 3rd Feb., Read 6th May, 1730. 7¾ pp. Enclosed, |
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1045. i. Indian Chiefs of Penobscot tribe to Col. Dunbar. 14th November, St. Georges River in Georgia. Great Sir, Your letter was read and interpreted to us by Capt. Gyles, and we like it well, and we hear you are planted at Pemaquid, it was unknown to us, but since you are settling the old settlements that was formerly, we consent to it, and not to exceed the old boundarys of Pemaquid ; We are all well pleased to hear of yr. observeing the Articles of Peace made between us and the Province of the Massachusets Bay. Good friend you say you are imployed by H.M. King George, if you pass St. George's River we shall be uneasy. [Note in margin: St. Georges is 10 leagues eastward of Fredericksburg] etc. If any pass St. Georges River to plant, we shall not think them to be our friends. Signed, Capt. Loron, Thorout, Espegued, Aton. (Totem Marks). Endorsed as preceding. Addressed. Copy, 1¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 871. ff. 90–94v., 95v.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehall. |
1046. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle. Mr. Belcher, whom H.M. has lately been pleased to appoint His Governor of N. Hampshire, has observ'd that by the following records in his Commission, he is only appointed Governor of part of that Province ; therefore desires that they may be amended. The words, as they now stand are, vizt. " Governor and Commander in Chief of all that part of Our Province of New Hampshire within Our Dominion of New England in America, lying and extending itself from three miles northward of Merrimack River or any part thereof, unto the Province of Main, with the South part of the Isle of Shoals," etc. But as the persons appointed from time to time by the Crown to be Governors of this Province, have always been understood to be Governors of that entire Colony, and have constantly acted as such, we conceive that it may be for H.M. service that this antient error may be amended, and the words altered in the following manner, vizt. "Governor and Commander in Chief of our Province of New Hampshire within our Dominion of New England in America." Autograph signatures. 1? pp. [C.O. 5, 931. No. 18; and 5, 916. p. 261.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehall. |
1047. Mr. Popple to Mr. Wilks. Encloses proposition for settlement of salary of Governor of the Massachusets Bay to be transmitted as suggested Nov. 12. q.v. [C.O. 5, 916. p. 262.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehall. |
1048. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Enclose following, pursuant to Order of 19th Nov. (v. A.P.C. III. No. 192.) Annexed, |
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1048. i. Drafts of H.M. Additional Instruction to Governors of Plantations to be assisting to the Deputy Receivers of the 6d. pr. month from seamen's wages for the Royal Hospital at Greenwich etc. [C.O. 324, 11. pp. 157–159.] |
Dec. 30.
Boston,
New
England. |
1049. Col. Dunbar to the Duke of Newcastle. Refers to letter of 10th and encloses an original letter received from the Chiefs of the tribes of Penobscott. One of them, Espiguett, is the Vice King and esteemed the most sensible man among them. Loren was sent as Ambassadour to Cannada to consult the French Governour how to behave towards the new settlement, and it may be a satisfaction to your Grace that we are under no apprehensions from them, the interpreter Mr. Gyles was a captive among the Indians from his childhood, and now belongs to a truck house at St. George's River ten leagues eastward and farther along shore in Georgia than Fredericksburg so that from Kennebeck River to St. Georges is about 50 miles, enough to be settled until I am better acquainted with the natives, and doubt not to go as much farther by fair means as shall be desired. I cannot well appear there again until I receive powers to form a majestracy and militia, with which I humbly hope H.M. will order some arms and ammunition to be dispatchd as early as may be, etc. Continues :—If this new settlement be not prevented by the malicious pretensions and claims made by the inhabitants of the Masachusets, who neither would improve the lands themselves, nor lett others do it, I dare answer that in very few years it will be found of more use to England than those same people who now endeavour to obstruct it, to which end there now goes to England one Mr. Waldoe, as Sollicitor for the claimants, he is one in company with the noted Dr. Cook who claims 30 miles square and is equally undeserveing H.M. favour. I am under the greatest anxiety until I have the honour to receive your Grace's commands and know H.M. pleasure relateing to this Collony, people are crowding to it so that in the spring there will be a great concourse. Signed, David Dunbar. Endorsed, R. Feb. 13th. 2? pp. [C.O. 5, 898. No. 65.] |
Dec. 31.
Pall Mall. |
1050. Governor Belcher to the Duke of Newcastle. When you indulged me with the honour of paying my duty to you at New Castle House, you was pleas'd to express your satisfaction in the King's appointing me to the government of New Engld., altho' your Grace hapned to be out of town when it was done etc. Returns thanks for "the favour and goodness with which you treated me, and which flows from a greatness of mind, allow'd by all the world to be so natural and peculiar to your Grace" etc. Refers to question of his Commission for N. Hampshire v. 30th Dec. Continues :—I have further to beg of your Grace that you would not entertain a thought to my prejudice on the score of the station I lately sustained in behalf of the Massachusets Bay, because I am not conscious of my behaving therein otherwise than became a man of honour and justice, in the trust he had accepted etc. No one shall be more tender of the honour and dignity of the Crown, nor be more industrious to promote the interest of the Mother-Kingdom than myself, all which I think very consistent with the just rights privileges and happiness of the Provinces under my Government etc. Compliments. Signed, Jonathan Belcher. Holograph. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 898. No. 66.] |
| Dec. 31. |
1051. Sir Bibye Lake to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Memorial and particulars of lands in New England claimed by him and others, Jan. 22, 1717. Endorsed, Recd., Read 31st Dec, 1729. Copy. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 870. ff. 303– 304, 306v.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
1052. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Request payment of Office expenses and Officers' salaries for quarter ending Christmas. Accounts annexed. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 306, 307.] |
Dec. 31.
Whitehall. |
1053. Same to the Duke of Newcastle. Enclose copies of letters from Mr. Forbes and Mr. Freelove, "whereby your Grace will perceive what progress the French have made in settling themselves at St. Lucia, St. Vincents and Dominico." Continue: Since the receipt of these letters, we have had an opportunity of discoursing with Mr. Freelove, who has informed us that the French are now about 3,000 settled at St. Lucia, and that their numbers are daily encreasing from Martinique ; But as he had his information chiefly from a Lieut, to Capt. Davers, Commander of H.M.S. the Dolphin, there may possibly be some mistake in the number for Capt. Davers's letters to the Admiralty on the same subject call them 300 families but as your Grace will perceive, the extracts from Capt. Davers' letters do strongly confirme the greatest part of the information we have had from Mr. Freelove. Mr. Freelove has further inform'd us, that the French have lately denied some of H.M. subjects the liberty even of getting wood and water at St. Vincents and Dominico. We shall not, upon this occasion, trouble your Grace with a deduction of H.M. undoubted title to these islands, and of the consequence they are of to this Kingdom, having in several of our reports set that in a clear light; But we think it for H.M. service to acquaint your Grace, that at a Conference between the English and French Commissaries at Paris in Jan. 1719/20, at which the late Regent was present, after each party had set forth their pretentions to St. Lucia, the Regent own'd it would be but just that the French Colony, sent there after the French King's grant of that island to the Marshall d' Etree, should be withdrawn, and he promis'd orders should be sent to that effect; But that about 50 families who were there before the arrival of the said Colony, should remain there, till the claim of right should be absolutely determin'd ; and accordingly an order, for putting St. Lucia into the condition it was in before the Marshal d'Etree's grant of it, was made 6th Feb., 1720. Since this, your Grace will perceive by the inclos'd extracts, how considerably the French have encreas'd their numbers on that Island; and should no stop be put thereto, we conceive it must be of dangerous consequence to Barbados and the Leeward Islands, to have this addition to the power of the French in those parts, where they are already so strong. We therefore beg your Grace will lay a state of this matter before H.M. for his orders thereon. Autograph signatures. Endorsed, Copy sent to Mr. Poynz, 30th Jan. 3 pp. Enclosed,
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1053. i. Extract of letter from Mr. Forbes, Barbados, 4th July, 1728 encl. (i) In yours you seemed surprized at the number in mine mentioned to be then settled on Sta. Lucia, etc. This serves to assure you that there are now already upwards of 1,200 French families there settled, and daily increasing; 'Tis true they are at present very courteous and civil to the few English that are amongst them, but it may be justly fear'd that the very first opportunity that offers, they will readily embrace to dispossess them etc. I did not go to Sta. Lucia myself, but from those that did, I've learnt what I now write etc. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed as preceding. 4 p.
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1053. ii. Copy of letter from Francis Freelove to William Wood, Barbados, July 1st, 1729. v. C.S.P. supra. Endorsed as preceding. 4 pp.
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1053. iii. Letter from M. des Ruaux to [— ?]. Paris, 24th June, 1731. [sic]. I have received advice from Martinique that the French vessels of the isles had taken three barques que l'on nomme batteaux aux dittes isles, laden with cattle provisions and blacks, which were anchored in the roads of St. Lucia (St. Lousia), which traded there with some French vessels laden with sugar, which proves that so long as St. Lucia is not inhabited, or declared to belong to England or France, foreign trade will always be carried on there, which will not only be to the loss of the commercial interests of the two Crowns, but will certainly cause trouble by the capture of vessels there. This last reason should decide the English Court to make a treaty for assigning the island of St. Lucia to one or the other of the two Crowns. Suggests that if use is made of this Memorial, as of his last, it might be proposed that he should be consulted, having been sent in 1719 as Inspector General of the French West Indies to enquire into the causes of the foreign trade carried on there to the detriment of both Crowns etc., and that this proposal came from the English Governors etc. Signed, desraux. French. 3½ pp.
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1053. iv, v. Extract of letters from Capt. Davers, H.M.S. Dolphin, to Mr. Burchett, 3rd April, 27th May, 1729. Duplicates of Nos. 1034 i, ii. |
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1053. vi. Statement of H.M. title to Sta. Lucia, 1626–1688. v. C.S.P., 2nd June, 1709 etc. 3¾ pp.
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1053. vii. Mr. Pulteney to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Paris, 15th Jan. (N.S.), 1720. v. C.S.P., 1720. Copy. 4 pp.
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1053. viii. Conseil de Marine to the Lt. General and Intendant of the French Windward Isles, relating to Ste. Lucie. 6th Feb. (N.S.) 1720(1) Signed, L. A. de Bourbon. French. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 152, 40. Nos. 29, 29 i–vii ; and (duplicates of No. i only) 253, i. Nos. 37, 38 ; and (covering letter only) 29, 15. pp. 122–124 ; and (enclosures ii and iv only) 28, 40. Nos. 5, 6]. |
