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March 1.
Boston,
New England. |
259. William Shirley to the Duke of Newcastle. Introduces the Chief Sachem of the Mohegans, with memorial etc. v. March 7. Signed, Wm. Shirley. Endorsed, R. April 30, (by the Chief Sachem of the Mohegan Indians). Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
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259. i. Memorial of Mahomet, Chief Sachem of the Mohegans, to the King. v. March 7. 2 ½ pp. [C.O. 5, 899. ff. 211–214.] |
March 2.
Whitehall. |
260. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Committee of Privy Council. Report upon petition of Mr. McCulloh : Conclude :—The conditions and restrictions which the Governor of North Carolina is directed to insert in all grants of land which he shall make in that Province, are to oblige the grantees to pay a quit rent to H.M. of four shillings per annum Proclamation money of that Province for every hundred acres and that the said grants shall be void on failure of cultivation of the lands or for non-payment of the quit rents reserved thereon. As to the present case, considering that the tracts of land which the petitioner proposes to settle are entirely uncultivated, and ly at a great distance from the inhabited part of North Carolina, to which they might hereafter become a useful frontier towards the Indian country ; considering likewise that the proposed settlement would be attended with a considerable expence to the undertakers, and when brought to perfection would prove advantageous to the trade of this Kingdom ; we had no objection against adviseing a complyance with this petition except the condition comprized in the prayer of it, whereby it is proposed that the grant should be void as to so much of the land only as the petitioner should not have settled within the space of ten years according to his proposals. But Mr. McCulloh having attended and conferred with us upon this head, and having consented to pay the established Quit rents for all the land to be comprized in his grant, after the term of ten years, whether the whole be then cultivated or not; we are humbly of opinion that H.M. should be advised to direct his Governor of North Carolina to order a survey to be made by the proper Officer of the lands described in this petition, and to pass a grant thereof to the petitioner, his heirs and assigns under the great Seal of the Province, with an exemption from quit rents for the space of ten years, under a provisoe that the whole shall revert to the Crown or be subject to the established quit rent of the Province at the expiration of that term ; and with a saving clause as to the right of such persons as may have a lawful claim to any of the said lands by virtue of grants made and authenticated to them before the passing of the grant in question. [C.O. 5, 323. ff. 113–115.] |
March 4.
St. James's. |
261. Order of King in Council. Confirming Act of Barbados empowering the Treasurer to pay a certain sum to the Lady Howe etc. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. 7th, Read 8th April, 1736. 1 1/3 pp. [C.O. 28, 24. ff. 148, 148 v., 149 v.] |
March 4,
St. James's. |
262. Order of King in Council. Repealing Acts of S. Carolina (i) to prevent any delay of justice by not drawing juries etc., and (ii) for the better regulating the Courts of Justice etc. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. 7th, Read 8th April, 1736. 1 ½ pp. [C.O. 5, 365. ff. 76, 76 v., 79 v.] |
March 4.
St. James's. |
263. Order of King in Council. Confirming two Acts of Virginia, (i) Amending Act for settling titles and bounds of lands, and for preventing unlawfull shooting and ranging thereupon; and (ii) for the better support and encouragement of the College of William and Mary. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. 7th, Read 8th April, 1736. 1 ½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1324. ff. 1, 1 v., 4 v.) |
March 8.
New
Providence. |
264. Governor Fitzwilliam to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses duplicates of letter and enclosures Dec. 22nd last, and Journals of the Council and accounts to Christmas, "which, tho' small in bulk, contain all the transactions of this Government during that time worthy the least notice, everything continuing in the same quiet and easy situation" etc. Continues : The barracks in the fort are, notwithstanding the repairs I have continually given them, ever since I have been here, become so very leaky and every way decayed, that there is scarcely any place in them, where a poor soldier can be defended from the least bad weather, the consequence whereof, I apprehend, will be, that I shall loose two-thirds of my company this approaching, rainy, sickly season, which I know not how to avoid, because I have no other shelter for them, nor revenue here wherewith to make any ; I had indeed some thoughts of rebuilding the barracks myself, which now are past being repair'd, according to a plan the Engineer, that was here, gave me, and so to depend upon the justice of the Ministry to reimburse me, but, upon further consideration, I judged proper to wait your lordsps.' sentiments as to this particular, which I beseech your Lordships to let me have as soon as possible. I am very well apprized how difficult it is to get any money from the Government for contingencies of this nature, without having first obtain'd a proper order for such a disbursement, but besides the particular hardship which will ly upon me by the intolerable expence I must be at in recruiting again, whereby I shall rather be a looser than a gainer by my company, so was my ease after the late dreadful sickness, whereof I formerly acquainted you, 'tis inhumane to see so many poor miserable men lost without endeavouring to relieve them. If your Lordships be come to any resolution concerning the repairs of this little garrison, and the other works proposed to be erected here, and that there is any probability that any of them will be begun in the beginning of the next winter, this of the Guard House may be first compleated, but if not I hope your Lordships will use your endeavours to prevent the Company's being exposed to the like misfortune a second rainy season. Signed, R. Fitzwilliam. Endorsed Recd. 13th July, Read 27th Oct., 1736. 1 ¼ pp. Enclosed, |
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264. i. Same to Sir William Yonge, Secretary at War. March 20, 1735. When I had the honour to write to you the 25th day of February last, a copy of which is here inclosed, I little imagin'd there was, at that juncture, a combination on foot among the soldiers of the garrison to seize the same and my own person, in order to a general desertion, tho' I confess I have long been apprehensive that the miserable state of this Company, (which I have been continually representing since I first had the command of them) and the absence of my officers would one time or other be fatal to me and the Island, as indeed had like to have been the case on Wednesday night, last, when, about eight o'clock, as a Corporal was calling over the roll, one George Collins (who, it seems, had been a deserter from Clare's Regiment in France and afterwards from Coll. Cornwallis's) knock'd him down, and thereupon a great number of his accomplices started up and knock'd down severall of the men, calling out, Who is for Old England? and in five minutes got full possession of the Fort and the few small arms that were there. During this scuffle a Centinel, that was posted upon one of the bastions, jump'd over the wall, came up to my house, and acquainted me thereof; whereupon I forthwith took my sword in my hand, and, with two or three soldiers, that usually do duty at my house in the night, made the best speed I could to the Fort, imagining it was only a drunken affair, which I should soon be able to set to rights ; but as I came near the gate, which I thought I saw open, I call'd to one of my serjeants, that was about a step or two before me, to secure it; upon which six or seven muskets were fired at me, and I no sooner ordered the men I brought from my house, to fire at a crowd I saw on one of the bastions, than they and others that were on that opposite fired a volley upon me, shot the sergeant thro' the arm and near twenty places thro' his cloaths, and shot down one of the poor soldiers that was almost close by my side, yet I stil conceived that this mutiny was unpremeditated and only the effects of too much rum, which I was told had been carried into the garrison that day, therefore I hurried away some people, who in a few minutes had got about me, for ladders to endeavour to get over the walls, but I soon found that attempt vain (for they were regularly upon their guard, and began to fire all round the Fort at every mortal that offered to come near them) and that I had no recourse but to the inhabitants, of whom I assembled as many as I could, but among them all there was not one pound of powder or ball, nor more than twenty-five small arms and of those not above fifteen fit for service. This, Sr., you will believe made my case, as well as that of the whole Island, desperate ; for by this time a strong party of the mutineers came out of the Fort in quest of me, and Mr. William Stewart (whom you'l see mentioned in the inclosed copy of a letter of the 5th of August, 1734, to Sr. William Strickland) and to secure a sloop or two that lay at anchor in the harbour, at which they had fired many great shot from the Fort, to oblige them to come nearer to them, and at my house, believing I had assembled a guard there to secure my own private effects, but I was then got about a mile to the Eastwards of the Fort, with the inhabitants before mentioned, out of whom I detach'd a few under the command of Mr. Stewart to go and endeavour to defend an old house, wherein all the powder is lodg'd, that lies exposed to be destroyed by a few men at any time, which I have also long since represented, and it very fortunately happened that a party of the mutineers were repulsed, who were detach'd from the garrison to blow up the powder, and that a small vessel commanded by one Charles Walker lay out of gun-shot of the Fort, on board of which, there being some small arms, I put powder and ball, and upon receiving notice that the design of the mutineers was to go on board one of the sloops they had got possession of, in order to depart, I put thirty-six of the said inhabitants on board this vessel of Walker's under his command with directions to him to be ready to sail upon the first notice from me, and then came down into the town with no more than four small arms along with me, and sent away a few people to observe the motions of the mutineers, who had then broke open the Stores, wherein were the provisions I had laid in for the Company for the ensuing year, of which they destroyed a great deal after they had taken what they thought would be necessary for their own purpose, and, having done me other considerable damages, they nail'd up the great guns which defended the entrance into the harbour, and forty-two of them went on board the sloop and got under sail, and I believe as many more (tho' no way accomplices in the first design) would have gone, having, in their apprehensions, so fair an opportunity, had there been room for them in that vessel, or had not the other sloop that was in the harbour been disabled by getting her sails on shore and cutting her rigging : Whereupon I ordered the said Walker to weigh his anchor and pursue them, which he accordingly did, and kept sight of them the remainder of the night and came up with them about sunrise, which was a thing so unexpected by them, as having never imagin'd that a vessel could be so suddenly equipped to follow them, and the aforesaid Collins, whom they had appointed their commander-in-chief, having lost all power over them, they were taken without firing one shot on their side, or any other damage done them than that one of them had his ear shot off, and they were brought back late in the evening and yesterday morning I call'd a Court of Admiralty for trying of pirates (the Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion being of no force here) and tryed them as such, for taking away the sloop and robbing another in the harbour, and they were all convicted and sentence passed upon them accordingly, and twelve of them with their pilot, whom they took out of the public gaol (where he had been some days for felony, and endeavouring to carry off some soldiers) were immediately led to execution (vizt.) six who I was then informed, had been deserters from the Duke of Berwick's Regimt. at Philipsburgh, and who proposed to leave one half of the mutineers to defend this Fort whilst the rest went to the Havana to offer it to the Spaniards, one, who with some others, formerly attempted the life of my predecessor, Mr. Rogers, and were detected just as they were going to execute their intention, and the rest formerly deserters from English regiments, remarkable principals in this insurrection, and the several desertions that have been attempted both in my time, and that of my predecessors, and who were very inclinable to the aforesaid proposal of delivering up the Fort to the Spaniards. Tho' this example, I have made, is very severe, and tis probable may make the Company quiet for some little time, yet 'tis impossible to keep them long so, or faithful to their trust whilst they remain in the miserable situation they have hitherto been, without provisions sufficient to support life, barracks to cover them from the inclemency of the weather, fire, candle, and other necessarys therein, usually allow'd to other troops in H.M. Service, or proper medecines to administer to them in time of sickness, yet I cannot but greatly attribute this misfortune, that has befallen me and this Garrison, to the absence of my officers ; for, as I had the honour to tell you in my last, and cannot help repeating again, my eldest Lieutenant (tho' a good officer) is at this time bed-rid, and only waits an opportunity to return to the Continent for the recovery of his health, which must necessarily take a considerable time to establish. My next Lieutenant, Mr. Marshall, has stayed in England ever since his appointment to my Company, against my express commands to the contrary, and no officer is as yet arrived here in the room of Mr. Hurst, tho' the account of his death has been in your office upwards of a twelve month before your appointment, and tho' you will please to observe, by the said inclosed to your predecessor, how earnestly I recommended Mr. Stewart to be appointed to that vacancy, and, for reasons which I cannot but think greatly entitle him to H.M. Royal favour, for he has not only done more duty, as a subaltern officer, within these seven or eight years he has been upon the Island, than all those that have been appointed in that time to the Company, but has also the merit of having quelled two or three mutinies before my arrival, and prevented two or three large desertions in that time, to which I may add his going to the Havana, by order of the late Governor, Mr. Rogers, in the time of the rupture with the Spaniards, and bringing him over an exact plan of that Garrison, and his extraordinary service, resolution and discretion in this last unhappy insurrection, all which, I cannot but hope, will induce you to recommend him to H.M. to be appointed an additional Lieutenant to this Company, which, as I observed to you in my last, is not a greater number of officers than the Company at Carolina has, and is absolutely necessary for H.M. Service here ; for even tho' my present three Lieutenants were upon the spot and well, you cannot but think it too severe a duty to mount a guard every third night thro' the year. As to my own part, I entirely submit to you how far I ought to be reimburs'd the losses I have sustaind by this accident and other casualties, in respect to the provisions I have lost by their being decayed before they could be expended, and in their passage hither ; to which a large expence will now accrue by my hiring a sloop to carry Mr. Stewart forthwith to South Carolina to forward this home to you, and to endeavour to purchase an hundred small arms for present use, as well for the Garrison as the inhabitants, most of the few that were in the fort, fit for any kind of service, being now broke and otherwise rendered useless by this late accident, and no armourer in the country to put them in any repair, which will in a little time, be the case of any sett of arms you can send me, unless you send a good armourer or two along with them. When I first made a proposal to Sr. W. Strickland concerning the victualling this little garrison, I judged that the provision made for the Regiment at Nova Scotia would be a proper precedent to go by, in respect to this Company, but having, since my arrival here, observed the very great scarcity and dearth of all provisions, and being informed that, that Regiment could not subsist upon the footing they are, were it not for the plenty they have of fish thro' the year, I submit whether putting this Company upon the same footing as to provisions with H.M. troops at Gibraltar would not be for his Royal Service ; but as I formerly observed, if Mr. Lascelles, or whoever has the contract, doth not warrant his provisions to hold good for six months and engage to supply us with new twice a year, we may, in this remote by-place, happen to be reduced to great streights by the decay thereof, to which they are more lyable here than any place I know ; but if the Contractor (which I cannot but hope will be Mr. Lascelles, because he really can perform it best) will not submit to these terms, I humbly propose that each man of the Company be allowed a pound of bisket a day, which I can contract for at New York or Philadelphia to be delivered here twice a year at twelve or thirteen shillings sterling p. hundred, to which if you please to cause a little stock fish and oyl, for two or three days in the week, to be sent them by way of South Carolina twice a year from London, their pay will supply meat, a little drink and other necessarys for the rest of the week. Before I conclude, I beg leave earnestly to entreat you to dispatch this affair of the victualling etc., and to have regard to my proposal concerning Mr. Stewart, who, I will venture to say, merits a lieutenancy as well as any man I have ever known, and also to represent to you that there is an absolute necessity for a Surgeon's Mate to the Company ; for besides the accidents that may befall the Surgeon by sickness or death (by which we may be left destitute of any help 'til we can have one from home, there being no person here capable of that service) their number is too large for one man to take proper care of in this very sickly country. The Governors of the Havana having frequently refus'd to deliver up such of our soldiers as take sanctuary there, has been and yet remains a great encouragement to their desertions : One Peter Owen belonging to this Company, who, before my arrival, carried four or five other soldiers with him, is at this time there, him in particular I sent for, and tho' he appears publickly in the streets the Governor refused to let me have him, but if an order could be obtain'd from the Court of Spain to deliver him or such others as should take refuge there hereafter, to me it would be a means to prevent so frequent desertions for the future etc. Signed., Rd. Fitzwilliam. Endorsed, Recd. 13th July, 1736. Copy. 5 pp. |
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264. ii. Same to Same. Feb. 25, 1735. Abstract. Congratulates him on his appointment to the War Office. Refers to his former representation as to the bad condition of the garrison for want of provisions, for which their small pay is not sufficient in so dear a country, of medicines and small arms, not having 20 muskets that can be discharged with safety, or any match or cartridge paper left, "which representation my Agent Mr. [Henry] Popple, writes me he has renewed to you," and that he has also acquainted you as well of the prodigious fatigue whereto I am exposed, as of the ill consequence to the service occasioned by the absence of my officers etc., so that I am under continual apprehension of a mutiny etc. Requests that the number of Commissioned Officers may be increased to that of the Independent Company at S. Carolina, as Sir W. Strickland gave him reason to hope etc. The barracks are so rotten that in rainy weather scarce 20 men can find shelter therein. It is absolutely necessary that they should be rebuilt, at a cost of £400 sterl. He has been a great sufferer by the frequent recruiting to make good the mortality of his Company occasioned by the want of necessaries provided for H.M. other troops abroad, and being obliged to bring in provisions for them at his own risk. Expects to lose two-thirds of his Company in the coming rainy, sickly season for want of proper barracks. The expense of candle and fire to dress the men's provisions must also have been very grievous to them, had he not hitherto borne it himself. Has also lost by provisions decaying and other through a ship from Ireland being cast away. If their grievances are not speedily redressed, the poor soldiers had much better be condemned as galley slaves, for nothing but hunger, sickness and despair continually stare them in the face etc. Signed, R. Fitzwilliam. Copy. 2 ½ pp. |
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264. iii. Same to Sir William Strickland, Secretary at War. New Providence. Aug. 5. 1734. Describes losses in his Company, 21 men, owing to lack of common sustenance and medicines, and also inconvenience caused by absentee officers etc. as above. Signed. R. Fitzwilliam. Copy. 1 ½ pp. Nos. i-iii. Endorsed, Recd. July 13th, 1736. |
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264. iv. Account of H.M. revenue, Bahama Islands, Dec. 25, 1734—June 24, 1735. Totals. Receipts (including balance £19 8s. 9d.), £283 13s. 5 ½d. Expenditure, £207 19s. 9d. Signed and sworn to, Willm. Stewart, Receivr. Genl. and Treasr. ; and R. Fitzwilliam. 1 p. |
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264. v. Account of import duties, Christmas, 1734—June 24, 1735. Total, £78 14s. 1 ¼ pp. |
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264. vi. Account of export duties, June 24—Dec. 25, 1735. Total, £92 4s. 5d. 1 ½ pp. |
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264. vii. Account of taxes per poll and on lots of lands, Christmas, 1734—June 24, 1735. Total, £75 18s. 3d. 2 ¼ pp. |
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264. viii. Account of fines and forfeitures, Christmas 1734— June 24, 1735. Total, £6 6s. ¼ p. |
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264. ix. Account of contingent charges Christmas 1734— June 24, 1735. Total, £97 16s. 9d. Nos. iv–ix endorsed Recd. 13th July, 1736. 1/3 p. |
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264. x. Account of H.M. revenue, 24th June—25th Dec., 1735. Totals. Receipts (including £75 13s. 8 ½d. brought forward), £308 18s. 0 ½d. Expenditure, £241 19s. 10d. Signed as No. iv. |
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264. xi. Account of import duties, June 24—Dec. 25, 1735. Total, £68 15s. 6d. 1 p. |
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264. xii. Account of export duties, June 24—Dec. 25, 1735. Total, £78 5s. 6d. 1 p. |
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264. xiii. Account of fines and forfeitures, June 24—Dec. 25, 1735. Total, £86 3s. 4d. ¼ p. |
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264. xiv. Account of contingent charges, June 24—Dec. 25, 1735. Total, £127 13s. 9d. 1/3 p. Nos. x–xiv endorsed as No. ix. [C.O. 23, 3. ff. 167, 167 v., 168 v., 170–172, 173–174, 175, 175 v., 176 v., 177, 178–181 v., 182 v., 183 v., 184–185, 186 v.] |
March. 9.
St. Christophers. |
265. Governor Mathew to Mr. Popple. Begins with duplicate of 15th Feb. Encloses Minutes of Council of Nevis to Dec. 25, and Acts of Montserrat, (i) for raising a poll tax and for assessing the houses in the town of Plymouth, (ii) for constituting a Court Merchant. Concludes :—The first of these is in the usual form and the second is taken without any material difference from the Court Merchant Act of Antigua. Signed, William Mathew. Endorsed, Recd. 10th June, Read 30th Sept., 1736. Holograph. 1 ¼ pp. [C.O. 152, 22. ff. 107, 107 v., 110 v.] |
March 10.
Fort George
in New York. |
266. Proclamation in Council by George Clarke, President of the Council of New York. Seven other Councillors present. Whereas H.E. William Cosby etc. did on the day of the date hereof, depart this life ; and whereas he did on the 24th day of November last past suspend Rip van Dam, Esq., from the place of office of Councillor etc., whereby the administration of the Government hath devolved on me, etc. Charges all officers, civil and military, to continue in the exercise of their duties and offices etc. Printed by, William Bradford. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1093. f. 338.] |
| March 11. |
267. Protestation of Rip Van Dam, Esq. Abstract. Being informed by common fame that Governor Cosby departed this life some time yesterday in the afternoon or evening, Rip Van Dam in the presence of Robert Livingston, junr., who married one of his grand-daughters, and of his brother Peter Van Brugh Livingston and of Matthew Van Alstyn who married another of his grand-daughters, went to Fort George. Finding the gates shut against him, he desired to speak with Mrs. Cosby. John Felton, preceptor to the son of his Excellency, and said to be officer of the Guard, made answer that she was not to be spoke with, it being an improper time. Rip Van Dam desired him to inform her that he wished to speak with her. He returned saying she was indisposed etc. Rip Van Dam then delivered to John Felton, thro' the hole of the wicket of the Fort Gate, a writing which he desired him to deliver to her, quoted. The writing stated that the administration had devolved upon him as eldest Councillor, on the death of Governor Montgomerie, and he therefore requested a sight of the Commission and Instructions of the late Governor, and that if they were conformable to those of Governor Montgomerie in this respect, that she should deliver them to him with the seal of the Province etc. He also desired to speak with George Clarke, who came to him without the gate. Rip Van Dam delivered to him a writing, to which he desired his answer in writing, who answered that he had no time then, but would answer at another time. The writing was to the same effect as that above, except that it stated that, having learned that the Commission, Instructions and Seal had been handed to Clarke, he requested him to deliver them to him etc. Afterwards, on the same day, he received a letter from John Felton, written on behalf of Mrs. Cosby and informing him that she had ordered the Commission, Instructions and Great Seal to be laid before the Council immediately after her husband's death. On the same day Frederick Morris, Clerk to George Clarke, delivered a letter from the latter, dated March 11th, 6 a clock in the evening to Rip Van Dam at his house, saying in answer to the letter "just delivered to me by yourself" that, "Governor Cosby having suspended you, a copy of which suspension you were served with in November last, and I having been yesterday regularly sworn by H.M. Council into the administration of the Government, I conceive the custody of H.M. Commission and Instructions, and the Great Seal etc. belongs to me, and I shall keep them till H.M. pleasure be known etc." Whereupon Rip Van Dam requested Robert and Peter Livingston and Matthew Van Alstyn to carry the last letter aforesaid to George Clarke, and to enquire if it was signed by him. They returned and informed him that he acknowledged it; whereupon Van Dam doth protest that the reasons assigned by the said letter are no ways sufficient for Clarke to have taken upon him the administration etc., and that all Councillors and persons aiding and abetting him are liable to H.M., to such punishments, fines and forfeitures etc. as the law may inflict, and to the inhabitants of the Province for all damages they may suffer etc., and to Van Dam for all salaries, emoluments etc. George Clarke shall receive, for the following reasons, (i) because at the time of the making and entering the pretended suspension in the Minutes of Council, his late Excellency was delirious and non compos mentis ; (ii) If he had then been in his senses, yet he did not make the same suspension nor order it to be entred in the Minutes aforesaid ; (iii) Governor Cosby had no power or authority whatsoever to displace any Councellor from being a Councellor, and therefore notwithstanding the pretended suspension had it been well made, Van Dam remained a Councellor tho debarred from acting as such, and he presumes by H.M. instructions, the eldest Councellor, and therefore entitled to the administration ; (iv) Had the suspension been well made, yet by the death of H.E., it became altogether void and of no effect in law ; (v) for that if the said suspension could have survived H.E., yet forasmuch as no reason doth appear for the said suspension, nor any person appears in being to prosecute it, the same is null and void in law ; (vi) For that neither all nor any of H.M. Council had any power to swear Clarke or any other person than the eldest Councellor into the administration, which neither Clarke nor any other than Rip Van Dam was or is etc. Subscribed, |
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267. i. Affidavits sworn by Robert Livingston, Peter Van Brugh Livingston and Matthew Van Alstyn, March 11, 1735/6. Confirm above account of transactions done in their presence. The whole, 2 closely written pp. Cf. March 16th and N.Y. Col. Doc. V, pp. 44, 45. [C.O. 5, 1093. ff. 339, 339 v.] |
| March 11. |
268. Captain Burrington to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Haveing done myself the honour, frequently to attend your Board, with Mr. Jenner, Agent for the Switzers, who propose to settle in North Carolina I beg leave to make a few observations, on the answer return'd by Mr. Popple to the said Agent's petition. I am humbly of opinion that your Lordships recommending and adviseing the Government of N. Carolina to pass an Act, in the Assembly of that Province, for naturalizeing the Switzers and other foreign Protestants, who go there to live, will be sufficient. As it cannot be imagined, that the Switzers will be possessed of any goods to vend in America, except a little coarse linnen manufactured by themselves, the Custom House officers at Cowes may be directed to give the vessels that carry them all possible dispatch. I believe there is no place in H.M. American Dominions, where these people could be placed so much for the King's benefit, as on the very land petitioned for, the same being remote from the sea, or any navigable water ; on the uppermost part of N. Carolina, adjoining on Virginia and South Carolina ; by this scituation, the inhabitants of three provinces may advantage themselves, by learning from the Swiss, to raise hemp and flax ; make silk and potash ; plant vineyards, and in time produce good wine. The Switzers that went into South Carolina, think they were imposed upon, and ill used, many of them are dead ; those yet alive, are very much dissatisfyed with their condition ; and have, or do design, to quit that Province, as I have been lately inform'd. Nova Scotia is a country improper for Switzers to live in, being neither seamen nor fishermen ; there hunger and cold would soon destroy them, the winters being very severe, eight months in a year. I cannot help thinking the Switzers in the wrong, in demanding or desireing to have lands appropriated to their use, exclusive of the English, but as it is a possitive instruction from the Principals in the Cantons, hope your Lordships will discover an expedient to their satisfaction. The answers to the 5th and 6th articles, are so full and excellently expressed, that nothing need be added. I am certain it would be an advantage to the Crown, and prejudice no man, if every Switzer that went into North Carolina, would take up a thousand acres, provided he was able to pay the quitrents. That Province is computed to contain thirty millions of acres, of which att most there are not about three millions taken up ; the sooner the remainder is taken, the faster the rents will increase, and promote trade, and cause a greater consumption of the British commoditys in that Province. When all the lands in North Carolina are pattented, the Crown will have a vast extent of countrey to people, from the borders of that Province to Mississippi River, in the which there are an infinite quantity of very rich and healthy places. I think Mr. Jenner has been very modest in desireing but one thousand acres for each gentleman : by that appellation officers civil or military, and such as have fortunes to maintain themselves without working, or exerciseing trade, are generally called and distinguished. The King's Surveyor General in N. Carolina doth not make the surveys of land himself, he keeps one or more Deputys in each precinct, to do that work, for which he gives them a part of his fees. There can be no objection reasonably made against a Switzer's acting as Deputy Surveyor. Patents are signed and pass the Seal, before they are recorded in the Secretary's office. The fees for takeing up four hundred acres of land come to near four pounds, which the officers may well remit on this extraordinary occasion, because their perquisites, will be much augmented, by the comeing of a number of Switzers. There is no likelihood that any other people would live on the land the Swiss desire to possess, in a long time. It must prove very difficult for the Switzers to raise mony sufficient for the intended voyage to America ; from their own present habitations, they must travel to the city Basil by land, from thence down the Rhine to Rotterdam, which the passage boats are more than a month performing, the passengers lyeing on shoar every night, five pounds each person is the least they can be carried for into America, on ship provisions ; if they take any strong liquors or fresh meat with them, they must pay for them; besides, when they arrive in Virginia or N. Carolina they must travel att least one hundred and twenty miles on land ; by this your Lordships may perceive what fatigues, or charges these Switzers will sustain before they enter the Desired Land ; when they get there, it will be three years before they can produce anything to sell. The King's service has been the only motive, that induced me to concern myself in this affair, therefore hope your Lordships will excuse the liberty I have taken in presenting my sentiments to the Lords of Trade, on this uncommon and important affair. Signed, Geo. Burrington. Endorsed, Recd. 11th, Read 12th March, 1735/6. 5 pp. [C.O. 5, 294. ff. 251–253, 254 v.] |
| [March 11.] |
269. Lord Baltimore to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In response to their Lordships' request, has sent directions to the Governor of Maryland, to procure a complete set of the laws, "being allways proud of obeying your commands." Signed, Baltimore. Endorsed, Recd., Read 11th March, 1735/6. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1268. ff. 184, 191 v.] |
| [March 12.] |
270. Memorial from Mr. Jenner and Mr. Ocks in answer to the observations on Mr. Jenner's proposals for settling 6,000 Switzers in N. Carolina. With notes on points agreed to by them at the Board, (v. Journal of Council of Trade, 12th March, 1736.) Signed, Samuel Jenner, John Ochs. Endorsed, Recd., Read 12th March, 1735/6. 2 ½ large pp. [C.O. 5, 294. ff. 255–256 v.] |
