|
| May 1. |
863. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Governor Philip Ludwell. Mr. Richard Duke has applied to us for some land bought by him in 1681, which he left in the hands of his attorney, now dead. You will put him in possession thereof if it be not granted to some other person, or otherwise grant him three hundred acres in lieu thereof. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 164.] |
| May 1. |
864. Minutes of Council of Virginia. On news of depredations of Indians in New York, ordered that the several commanders be ordered to their posts, and that those on the frontier in particular warn the inhabitants to be on their guard, and in case of alarm to call out the militia. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., pp. 335–338.] |
| May 1. |
865. Articles agreed upon by the Commissioners for the Provinces of New York, Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecticut. The Colonies shall provide men in the following proportions: viz. New York, 400; Massachusetts, 160; Connecticut, 135; Plymouth, 60; Maryland (by promise), 100. Total 855. The Major shall be appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor of New York, and the next captain by Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecticut. All plunder
and captives (if any) shall be divided to officers and soldiers according to the custom of war. All matters of great import shall be directed by a council of war of the Major and commissioned officers. The soldiers shall not be employed in other than the present service until further consent of the Colonies. The officers are required to maintain discipline and good order. Signed. Jacob Leisler, William Stoughton, Sam. Sewall, P. Delanoy, John Walley, Nathan Gold, William Pitkin. Copy. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 127.] |
|
866. Duplicate of the foregoing. [Ibid. No. 128.] |
| May 1. |
867. Abstract of the foregoing. 1 p. [Ibid. No. 129.] |
| [May.] |
868. Agreement of the Agents of New York and Connecticut. That a party of 100 men be raised for the assistance of New York against the French; that the officer who conducts this party shall receive for encouragement 10,000 lb. of tobacco; that every private soldier returning from the expedition shall receive 1,000 lb. of tobacco. ½ p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 130.] |
May 3.
Albany. |
869. Proposals made to the Five Nations by the Commissioners of New York. The Commissioners proposed to renew the former Alliance in regard to the danger from the French. The Indians accepted the proposals, and proposed in return that the Colonies should not quarrel among themselves but all join together. There are (they said) three passages to Canada, viz. Cadaraqui, Canada's path, and the sea coast. We do not wish the enemy to escape us, so let us beset him by sea as well as by land and encompass all his three forts. We desire your powder bags may be larger, and that hatchets and guns may be ready for our young men. Be you nowise discouraged, but strengthen your fort of Senectady. Copy. 3½ pp. Certified by Abraham Gouverneur, 25 June, 1690. Printed in New York Documents, III., p. 712. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 131.] |
| [May 3.] |
870. Abstract of foregoing. 1 p. [Ibid. No. 132.] |
May 3.
Whitehall. |
871. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition of transported men of Monmouth's rebellion to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed. Shrewsbury. (This entry is misdated 3 March 1689 or 1690.) [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 113.] |
| May 7. |
872. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Sundry orders as to payments and shipping. Letter from the Council to Lords of Trade and Plantations. (See next abstract.) A second letter to Lords of Trade and Plantations, reporting the measures taken for defence, and the misbehaviour of Captain How of H.M.S. Seahorse, through his quarrelsome and abusive habits. Order for an embargo on all ships except the fleet bound outwards. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 47–51.] |
| May 7. |
873. Council of Jamaica to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We send the minutes of Council from July to September. We detained H.M.S. Drake for the safety of the Island, although she was ordered home, supplied Captain Spragge with fifty men and
fitted out one of the best sloops in the Island as a tender to her. We have built a new battery by Charles Fort, and two new forts of seventeen guns at Port Morant. We have also fitted out two fireships, one of which has since been lost in a storm. At the beginning of December last Laurens with some other French vessels surprised some of our trading sloops and took eight or ten of them. They landed on the North coast also and plundered one plantation. The Drake and her tender are now cruising in search of them, with special commissions, as we had then no orders as to war with France. War was proclaimed here with the French on the 12th of January last. Being informed that many in the Island conceived the Government to lie in Sir Francis Watson we resolved that for the present the Administration is in the President and Council, according to the words of the Commission, and proclaimed the same at the head of every troop and company. (Marginal note. Sir Francis Watson and Colonel Ballard dissent.) We are in as good a condition as can be expected without law, our courts being fallen, without any news from England, and without shipping to carry our crop. Since our restoration to the Council we have received no orders from home except Lord Shrewsbury's letter of 22 February 1689. We have suspended Mr. Hickman from being Clerk of Council and Secretary, finding the causes against him so high that we could not continue him (Marginal note. Sir Francis Watson and Colonel Ballard dissent), and we have put Mr. Charles Bouchier in his place till further order. Signed. F. Watson, Tho. Freeman, Tho. Ballard, J. Fuller, Wm. Ivy, John White, James Walker, John Bourden. 1½ large pages. Endorsed. Recd. 18 July, 1690. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 69, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 332–334.] |
| [May.] |
874. A collection of documents enclosed with the foregoing:— |
|
874. I. Articles of high treason and other great crimes against Roger Elletson. Twenty four articles, some of them repeated from the former articles of 1689, (see No. 297) of corrupt and lawless behaviour as Chief Justice, and new articles as to discouragement of Protestants and encouragement to Papists. 3½ large pages. Endorsed. Recd. 18 July, 1690. |
|
874. II. Extract of Minutes of Council of Jamaica, 13 December, 1688. Order of the Governor in Council for payment of £20 to Father Thomas Offlin of the order of St. Dominic for his flock. This concerns the charge against Elletson of encouraging Papists. 1 p. Endorsed as the preceding. |
|
874. III. Presentment by the jury of Roger Elletson and others for riotous behaviour at Port Royal on 16 July, 1688, in menacing the freeholders at the election. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed as the preceding. |
|
874. IV. Order of Sir Francis Watson and Colonel Thomas Ballard for release of Roger Elletson, notwithstanding the treasonable charges preferred against him. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed as the preceding. |
|
874. V. Extract from Minutes of Council of Jamaica, 29 January, 1690. Protest of the Council against the action of Sir Francis Watson in assuming the functions of Governor, in suspending Colonel James Walker and introducing George Reid to the Council, in refusing to obey the Royal order to remove Roger Elletson from the post of Chief Justice, in proclaiming martial law, in setting Elletson free when under grave charges by his private warrant (see No. IV.), in refusing to hear a charge against a papist for saying "that the Prince of Orange was a Dutch bastard, that the people of the West were always rebelling and that he hoped one stone would not be left upon another in Exeter," and in swearing at Colonel Ivy, who gave the information, and finally in deserting the Council and refusing to sit as president. As he persisted in refusing to meet the Council the members entered this protest and agreed to meet without him, though at the same time summoning him to attend. 5 pp. Endorsed as the preceding. |
|
874. VI. Petition of William Chapman to the King. For the post of Deputy-Secretary of Jamaica, vacant through the removal of Francis Hickman for intolerable extortion of fees. 1 p. Inscribed. Recd. 18 July, 1690. |
|
874. VII. Privy Seal of King James II. 23 Feb., 1688. Granting to William Chapman the post of Clerk of the Crown and peace of Jamaica. Copy. 1 p. |
|
874. VIII. The case of Richard Payne in regard to the office of Clerk of the Crown and peace of Jamaica. 2½ pp. |
|
874. IX. Copy of the Assignment of the office of Clerk of the Crown and peace by William Chapman to Richard Payne, 1686. 1 p. |
|
874. X. Order of the Court for the payment of all fees belonging to Richard Payne but taken by other persons, to be delivered to him. Copy. 1 p. |
|
874. XI. Certificates as to payment of duties payable by ships from Jamaica. Copy. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. Nos. 70 I–XI.] |
| May 9. |
875. Robert Livingston to the Governor and General Court of Connecticut. The Mayor and Aldermen of Albany desire me to thank you for your assistance. They write to me that they can supply the men with bread and cheese for the like quantity at New York, but have no pork nor flesh to exchange. Nor would I advise you by any means to do it, for your men are accustomed to good provisions, and if they should get fishy pork it would not agree with them. They have also desired me to give you an account of Albany, for it was supposed that great things would be done after submission to Captain Leisler's authority, which they only gave in deference to the advice of you and your neighbours; but they do not find the expected effect, neither in the business of the war nor of the Indians in any way promoted. The French Indians have murdered and destroyed divers persons and houses of late, but not one of the enemy have suffered. The scouts sent out to the lake returned, pretending want of provisions. The three Commissioners
sent to Albany by Leisler do no great feats except by throwing some of the citizens into gaol and carrying up to the fort without mittimus or warrant. The very captain of the guard was carried from the watch to the fort by Milborne. These are the least of our troubles. Many of Leisler's faction now cry as loud for a Governor from England as we did; but I shall not detain you by relating how the poor people have been oppressed and impoverished by 220 men eating up their victuals, without any provisions given out. Nor shall I speak of the murmurs of the soldiers for their agreement not being performed, nor with the news from Canada that the Senecas are making peace with the French and that the Mohawks are backward against the French Indians. One matter, however, is of so great import that it will ruin the King's interest in these parts if neglected. It is that a General be appointed to command all the forces at Albany till the new Governor comes, and Captain Leisler not left in command on the pretence that he brings most men. You know what mischief has resulted in former times through the contending of chief officers; nor will the people that go from hence be easily commanded by Leisler's nominees. I leave it to you to judge if any of his creatures are likely to be fit for the post, when all the principal men have been driven by his cruelty from the province. The King's interest and the lives of many of his subjects are at stake, and it is in your power to prevent many mischiefs that may ensue. I hope that you do not look upon Albany as Albany but as the frontier of your own Colony and of all the Colonies. You have a peculiar interest in the preservation of the place, and it would be convenient if a judicious man from every Colony could reside there until the new Governor arrives, instead of leaving it to such as, by all report; cannot manage themselves. The Mayor and Aldermen of Albany, whom Leisler continued for mere terror of the Indians, are not on such terms as was expected with the New York Commissioners; for the Commissioners manage everything for themselves except what they cannot proceed in without their advice. We hope the new Governor will arrive soon, and meanwhile it is most requisite that the United Colonies take inspection of all affairs with us; but if the business miscarry we shall be ruined, and everyone will ask "Why did they trust men to manage the King's affairs to whom the King never did entrust them?" God send the new Governor speedily. Signed. Robt. Livingston. Copy. 2 pp. Printed in New York Documents, III., 728. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 133.] |
| May 12. |
876. Minutes of the Council of Barbados. The letter from King William and Queen Mary of 3 August 1690, appointing Colonel James Kendall to be Governor, read. His Excellency took the oath and signed the test, and then administered the oaths to the Council. Proclamation for the continuance of officers in their posts. On the Governor's motion the Council considered means for relieving sick soldiers and sending provisions to the soldiers in the fleet. |
| May 13. |
Order for a committee to see to the supply of fresh provisions to the troops and for a doctor of St. Michael's to visit the sick together with the regimental doctor. The Governor continued the Assembly in being, and adjourned it to the 10th of June. The
Governor apprised the Council that the Bishop of London had made Mr. Walker his commissary in matters ecclesiastic. Order for members of Council to stand when they speak, and that no member speak before the member addressing the Council have ended. |
| May 14. |
Admiral Lawrence Wright sworn of the Council. |
| May 15. |
Order for the provision of fresh meat for the troops on board ship and the sick men ashore. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 127–130.] |
| May 13. |
877. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. The House waited on Governor Kendall, who declared his intention of continuing it. Adjourned to 10 June, there being no quorum. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., p. 225.] |
| May 13. |
878. Robert Livingston to the Governor and General Court of Connecticut. I am sure you will not think the authorities at Albany were unreasonable in fearing the delivery of the town and fort to Leisler, when they considered the persons whom he nominated to manage their affairs on the one hand, and the Five Nations on the other. The least offence to the Indians may prove fatal, yet these commissioners so little understood it that they stick at no violence to exasperate the heathen. Experience of their mismanagement and of their utter ignorance to deal with Indians caused me and my colleagues to be the more importunate for the maintenance of Captain Ball's company there, in order to put a stop to Jacob Milborne's dangerous proceedings. I think they have now sufficiently pulled off the vizard, appearing in their own colours and proving to all the world that their design never was to promote the King's and country's interests, but to bring the poor place to poverty and slavery so as to obtain their own ambitious ends. They seize Church lands and abuse ministers and other loyal subjects till the heathen themselves are obliged to rescue them out of their hands, occasioning a whole mutiny in the town, the Sachems of the Five Nations being there to see. Whether these be actions fit for Protestants or for men who have sole command I leave the world to judge. We are all satisfied that the Sachems of the Five Nations would rely upon the Mayor and Aldermen till the new Governor came, and it would have been well if the neighbouring Colonies had joined the Convention of Albany and the Indians in carrying on the war and not concerned themselves with Captain Leisler; but we are satisfied that they did what they judged for the good of the country. We hope the business is not so far gone as to be past remedy, for it is evident that where Milborne commands no good can be expected with the Indians, who are an implacable people. Since it is plain that this is the man whom Leisler designs to be General I beg you to write to Leisler to recall him, and that the united Colonies will appoint a General to transact business at Albany with the Mayor and Aldermen, and, if Milborne and his associates prove obstructive, to protest against them as enemies to the King's interest and so publish to the world your dislike of his illegal proceedings. Then a General may be appointed for the New England forces to march out against the French with the Indians, for the distemper is violent at Albany;
and the New York forces, few of which are fit for such an expedition, may stay at Albany to guard the town. So the war can be pushed on, for it is well to push it when our enemies are short of provisions. Pray God direct your counsels. Though Leisler has done and still does his utmost to destroy my good name, I should little regard it if the main business could be carried on without obstruction. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 21 Oct., 1690. Printed in New York Documents, III., 730. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 134.] |
| May 13. |
879. Abstract of the militia of New England. |
|
Foot. |
Town of Boston. Colonel Shrimpton's regiment |
954 |
men |
|
" |
County of Suffolk. Colonel Joseph Dudley's regt. |
1139 |
" |
|
" |
County of Middlesex. Major Thomas Wade's regt. |
985 |
" |
|
" |
" " Major Thomas Hinchman's regiment |
775 |
" |
|
" |
County of Essex. Major Bartholomew Gidney's regiment |
1240 |
" |
|
" |
County of Essex. Major Davison's regiment |
943 |
" |
|
" |
New Hampshire. Colonel Robert Mason's regt. |
— |
" |
|
" |
Maine " " " |
— |
" |
|
" |
County of Cornwall. Captain Rowden's regiment |
201 |
" |
|
" |
County of Plymouth. Major Bradford's regiment |
606 |
" |
|
" |
County of Bristol. Major John Walley's regt. |
780 |
" |
|
" |
Rhode Island. Captain Pelham's regiment |
328 |
" |
|
" |
King's Province and Providence. Major-General Winthrop's regiment |
464 |
" |
|
" |
County of New London. Major Palme's regiment |
685 |
" |
|
" |
County of New Haven. Lieut.-Col. Treat's regt. |
642 |
" |
|
" |
County of Hartford. Colonel Talcott's regiment |
1055 |
" |
|
" |
County of Fairfield. Major Gold's regiment |
624 |
" |
|
" |
County of Hampshire. Colonel Pyncheon's regt. |
589 |
" |
|
" |
County of Barnstable. Major Freeman's regt. |
471 |
" |
|
Horse. |
County of Suffolk. 1 troop |
56 |
" |
|
" |
County of Middlesex. 3 troops. |
244 |
" |
|
" |
County of Essex. 7 troops |
374 |
" |
|
" |
County of Hartford. 1 troop |
55 |
" |
|
" |
County of Hampshire. 1 troop |
65 |
" |
|
|
Total Horse and Foot |
13,279 |
|
|
The name of the captains are given. 6½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. from Sir E. Andros, 13 May 1690. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 91.] |
May 13.
Jamaica. |
880. Sir Francis Watson to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I should have written at greater length but that the Council has thought fit to send you a letter, which though signed by Colonel Ballard and myself is not agreed to by us in parts. You will judge of my difficulties since the King's order to restore the suspended Councillors, which I punctually obeyed, though no doubt you have received false suggestions against me which by reason of distance are not presently answered. The matter of the Supreme Court is no fault of mine. I told Chief Justice Bernard to see to it, but he answered that he had a quietus from the Duke of Albemarle
and could not sit without a new commission. You will further see from the minutes of Council that the Council at first were unanimously of opinion that I am Commander-in-Chief at times of urgency, but revoked this vote subsequently, so that on emergency no remedy can be applied before a quorum of the Council can meet. I have not had a word in answer to any of my letters. We expect Lord Inchiquin daily. Signed. F. Watson. 1¼ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 26 July, 1689. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 71, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 335–336.] |
| May 15. |
881. Sir Thomas Montgomerie to Colonel Stede. The fatality of the times was such that nearly everybody was brought under the same guilt as myself of entertaining a known priest and being at mass. You know how surprising the Jesuit's arrival was, and how he came particularly imposed upon me, and that the times compelled me to show him civility. At first I thought that when times changed you became my persecutor, to show your zeal for the new Governor, but now I am convinced of my mistake. I know now that I am to be sent home, and I now ask your pardon and help, and your intercession with the Governor. I am heartily penitent, and I beg you to ask that my departure may be delayed till my debts are got in and my property disposed of. Copy. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 28.] |
May 14.
Maryland. |
882. John Coode to the Secretary of State. I have written several letters but received no answer. Our present concern is with the danger of an invasion of French and Indians. Senectady has been destroyed and there have been further massacres at Piscattaway. Captain Leisler has sent to us and to Virginia for assistance, and we in Maryland shall do what we can. By this time we doubt not that our addresses have reached the King. One vessel was taken by the French but another has arrived safely, though it is possible that the Captain allowed our letters to be intercepted or concealed by Colonel Henry Darnall, who was on board his ship. This man was raised by Lord Baltimore from the meanest condition to be keeper of the Great Seal; and he is the guiltiest of all the deputies for treasonable expressions and cruelty towards the people. He refused as Collector to sign a clearing in King William's name last year. We hope that his accounts of plunder of Papists by Protestants may not be heard, for we are in a position to prove what is set forth in our declaration and a great deal more. We beg the royal orders to bring Captain Payne's murderers to trial. Signed. Jno. Coode. 1¼ pp. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 9, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 160–162.] |
| May 15. |
883. Petition of the inhabitants of Great Island, New Hampshire, to the King. We have been settled here for many years employed in getting mast and timber for the Royal Navy, in sawing lumber for the Colonies and in fishing, whereby many stout mariners are raised and many ships laden, to the great advantage of the English nation. We are now in a deplorable condition, owing, as we believe, to the overtures of the late Government under the Crown, the dismantling of the forts and the disbanding of the
soldiers by which we were protected. This was the work of the self-styled Government of Massachusetts. We find ourselves beset by French and Indians and totally neglected by the Government, nor, though we shall strive our hardest, are we in a position to defend the fort. We beg for your protection and for the appointment of a general Governor. Signed. John Hinckes, John Lewes (his mark), John West, Thomas Prince (?), Nath. Fryer, Nathall. Fryer, James Leach jun., James Robertson, Robt. Elliott, Peter Eason, James Leach sen., Richard Abbott sen., Tho. Cobbett, Shadrach Walker (?), Thomas Webber (?), Edward Carter. Large sheet. Endorsed. Read 28 July, 1690. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 92.] |
| May 15. |
884. Narrative of the present state of Great Island, New Hampshire. Sir E. Andros on his arrival took every measure for our security and protection. On the outbreak of the Indian war he ordered all persons civil and military to attend their duty, and by these orders we were preserved, with the loss of but one man through his own fault. Sir Edmund took the field himself and had brought the Indians to great distress when the Bostoners seized him, surprised his officers, seized the ships, embezzled the stores, supplied the enemy with ammunition and left us a prey to them. After the imprisonment of Sir E. Andros in April the Bostoners sent us little or no help until October, when they sent Captain Church with a party of men, but by that time many English had been taken and killed and their towns destroyed. All the fishery on the coast is deserted for many leagues, the inhabitants not daring to stay for want of protection. Mr. Mather has informed the King that if he gave them a Commission they would make him Emperor of America, yet now that they have the King's order they allow a few hundred Indians to destroy us. Major Church told them that the old way to subdue the Indians was to have scouts from town to town, and a flying army, as Sir E. Andros had projected. But they took his commission from him, and we are likely to be undone for all the help they gave us. Piscataqua is of importance as all the other harbours from Casco Bay to Cape Ann are barred and dangerous to navigate. The Bostoners carry lumber in great quantities from it, but though they once enforced their laws here, they disclaimed all right to govern us in 1682, until they imprisoned Sir E. Andros and brought all these troubles upon us. Though we are but forty or fifty men we do our best to repair the fort and to defend it, for any enemy by erecting a fort in this port might make it so formidable as to render its reduction a formidable undertaking. We beg therefore for help and protection. 2 pp. Endorsed. Reced. 28 July, 1690, with a petition from the inhabitants. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 93.] |
