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| Feb. 6. |
2,264. Order of the King in Council. That, in reference to Governor Russell's report of his difficulty in supplying the King's ships in the West Indies, the Admiralty shall report what is best to be done. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 44. pp. 240–241.] |
| Feb. 7. |
2,265. Sir Charles Hedges to Lords of Trade and Plantations With reference to your order of 28 January last, I conceive that the privateers named in the report of the Commissioners of Customs on Mr. Randolph's memorial may be proceeded against and treated as pirates, they having no commission from any prince or State. Signed, Cha. Hedges. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 8 Feb. Read 18 Feb., 1695–6. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 90; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 374.] |
| Feb. 10. |
2,266. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Order for it to be ascertained whether Colonel Holt will join his regiment by next fleet. |
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The Attorney General attended to give his report on the Acts of Massachusetts for 1693 and 1694. It was agreed to recommend disallowance of the Additional Act for Courts, the Act for regulation of the Chancery, an additional Act to several Acts, a supplementary Act to the Act for General Privileges, and a further additional Act to the Act for Courts. [Board of Trade. Journal, 8. pp. 162–166.] |
| Feb. 10. |
2,267. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Agreed to alter the Minute of 28 January as follows:—The Lords having received from the Attorney General his report on the Proprietary Colonies agree that by those Charters the Proprietors have the power of Government, but they will move that a circular be written in the King's name to the Governors, requiring them to fulfil strictly the orders of the Commissioners of Customs for enforcing the Acts of Trade and Navigation. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., p. 375.] |
| [Feb. 10.] |
2,268. Edward Randolph to Lords of Trade and Plantations. In my late memorial I represented the damage arising to the revenue from the illegal trade between Scotland and the Colonies, and the impossibility of suppressing the same until the vast tracts of land now subject to several proprietors in America are brought to strict conformity with the Acts of Trade and Navigation. My business presses me to embark speedily for America unless you require further attendance and information from me. Signed, Ed. Randolph. Holograph. ½ p. Endorsed, Read 10 Feb., 1695–6. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 2. No. 91.] |
| Feb. 11. |
2,269. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Order for the pay of able seamen in the Province galley to be raised to thirty shillings a month, and for payment of £200 for fitting her out and for subsistence of the soldiers employed in the province, also for payment of £12 for impressing or transporting seamen for two of the King's
frigates. Order for payments to Edward Dering as Clerk of the House of Representatives and to Robert Gutteridge for travelling expenses on the King's service. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. pp. 10–12.] |
| Feb. 11. |
2,270. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Antigua. The Assembly were sworn, and presented John Lucas as their Speaker, who was approved. Adjourned to 18th. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. p. 161.] |
| Feb. 12. |
2,271. Minutes of Council of Nevis. The Governor proposed the retaining of the hired sloop in the Island's service, but the Council could give no full answer owing to the absence of several members of Assembly. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. p. 343.] |
Feb. 12.
Antigua. |
2,272. Governor Codrington to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Since my last of 12 December the French have alarmed us with a fleet of seven men-of-war and twelve or fourteen sail of sloops and brigantines, with which they lay at Dominica and Guadeloupe taking in water, being full of people. This occasioned a general alarm and the camping of all the forces in these Islands for fourteen days from fear of an attack. But the cloud soon blew over, and they all passed by us unseen, having on board several families from Martinique and Guadeloupe with some former inhabitants of St. Christophers, all bound to Santa Cruz, where they touched, took every soul off the Island, and left it deserted. From thence they proceeded to Hispaniola to reinforce their settlements there, it being now strongly reported in the French Islands bordering on us that the King of France is resolved to conquer that Island and drive the Spaniards out, if it should cost him all the other Islands except Martinique. I hope the King will furnish me with two good fourth-rates and as many fifth-rates, when with Russell's regiment from Barbados and what force I could collect here, I should not doubt to do good service against the enemy. Signed, Chr. Codrington. 1½ pp. Endorsed, R. 14 April, '96. |
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Duplicate of the foregoing. Endorsed, Recd. 21 Aug. Answd. 23 Nov., 1696. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 5. Nos. 1, 2; and 44. pp. 235–236; 45. pp. 1–2.] |
| Feb. 13. |
2,273. Circular from the Lords of Trade and Plantations to the Governors of Colonies. Parliament has lately represented to the King the obstruction that will accrue to the trade and navigation of England by an Act lately passed in Scotland for erecting a company to trade from thence to India, Africa and America. You will receive from the Commissioners of Customs copy of the Act and of the address of the Lords and Commons, together with a letter from the Commissioners recommending to you a vigorous execution of the laws passed for the security of the Plantation Trade, and that you see that all officers of the Customs perform their duty strictly. The King is very sensible how prejudicial this Scotch Act may be to the trade and commerce of England and the Colonies, and expects from you a strict performance of the duties enjoined on you by the Commissioners of Customs and a like enforcement of the Acts of Trade and Navigation. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. C., pp. 376–377.] |
| Feb. 13. |
2,274. Minutes of Council of Virginia. The Surveyors of Pamunkey Neck and of the district South of the Blackwater attended, and were ordered to make no surveys nor entries of those lands till further order. On a complaint concerning the abduction of a sheriff from Crow Island into Carolina, it was ordered that reparation be sought of the Governor of Carolina. Order for the sheriffs to be more careful in discharging their duty in collecting the King's quit-rents. Order for the churchwardens of Denbigh to be summoned to answer for shutting the minister out of the church, and that the said minister, having nothing against him, but on the contrary good report of his life and ministry in the parish for seven years, be recommended to the vestry of the parish for continuance. Order for the Attorney General to enquire as to alleged unlawful marriages and to prosecute the parties concerned. A ship, which asked permission to sail to Europe, was refused. Advised that the raising of the men for the quota to New York be postponed till next meeting of Council, owing to the expense. Ordered that the Secretary enquire for some persons who will undertake the conveyance of letters to and from the neighbouring Colonies, and report. Order for Captain Harry Beverley to be summoned to answer complaints of illegally releasing vessels detected in illicit trading. |
| Feb. 14. |
Colonel Charles Scarburgh nominated of the Council. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 53. pp. 12–14.] |
| Feb. 17. |
2,275. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. A report from the Commissioners of Customs on a seizure of Mr. Brooke's read and a copy ordered to be sent to Mr. Brooke. Agreed to recommend Mr. Edward Randolph to the Commissioners of Trade for his faithful service. |
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On a letter from Mr. Lowndes of 27 September, and the petition of Henry Lewis, Mr. Gilbert Heathcote was ordered to attend next meeting. Memorial from Mr. Heathcote read. (See No. 2,277.) |
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A report from Sir Charles Hedges as to privateers was read. [Board of Trade. Journal, 8. pp. 166–168.] |
| Feb. 17. |
2,276. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Ordering a copy of the report of the Commissioners of Customs of 28 August, 1695 (see No. 2,033), to be sent to Chidley Brooke with a signification of the Lords' approval of his proceedings. [Board of Trade. New York, 48. p. 256.] |
| Feb. 17. |
2,277. Memorial of Gilbert Heathcote to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Livingston having accused Governor Fletcher of various crimes and being now about to leave England, I beg that the said accusations may either be dismissed before his departure, or that Governor Fletcher may have a copy of the things alleged against him, to enable him to defend himself. ½ p. Endorsed, Read 17 Feb., 1695. [Board of Trade. New York, 6. No. 35.] |
| Feb. 17. |
2,278. William Blathwayt to Governor Fletcher. Forwarding copy of the evidence taken against him in the Committee of Trade and Plantations for his reply. [Board of Trade. New York, 48. p. 251.] |
| Feb. 17. |
2,279. William Blathwayt to Gilbert Heathcote. Forwarding copy of a petition of Henry Lewis, and requiring his attendance at the Committee of Trade and Plantations on the 21st concerning the same. Draft. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 6. No. 36.] |
| Feb. 17. |
2,280. The Attorney General to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I have considered the report of the governors of the Post Office on the Post Office Act of Massachusetts, and the draft of a new Act sent by them. I would suggest that a clause be added, providing that the Master of the General Post Office to be appointed under the Act shall observe the rules and orders laid down in Thomas Neale's Patent of 17 February, 1691–2. Signed, Tho. Trevor. 1¼ pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 8. No. 9.] |
| Feb. 18. |
2,281. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Sundry accounts passed. Adjourned for four weeks. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. pp. 90–91.] |
| Feb. 18. |
2,282. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Antigua. Message from the Governor to the Assembly desiring that the Act for Courts may be revived. The Governor agreed to the Assembly's proposals that H.M.S. Hastings cruise not so far afield, that the country-vessel be laden and sent home, and that the guns in the forts be fitted and mounted. Message from the Assembly making proposals as to prize-wines (from which the Governor dissented), as to pay of seamen in the country-vessel, as to destruction of thatched houses, to which the Governor assented, and as to the calling of a General Assembly. The Governor answered that he would call a General Assembly when he saw fit, and since the Assembly refused to renew the Act for Courts until the Secretary should have given security, the Governor pointed out that the Act which required him to give security was expired. Orders for payments. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. pp. 161–163.] |
| Feb. 21. |
2,283. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Attorney General brought up his report as to the Post Office Act of Massachusetts, and was ordered to prepare a clause to be added to the draft Act drawn up by the Governor of the General Post Office. [Board of Trade. Journal, 8. pp. 168–169.] |
Feb. 21.
Barbados. |
2,284. Governor Russell to Admiral Russell. My dear brother, this will be delivered to you by a friend of Mr. Edward Burke, of this Island, a gentleman of very good estate, who had formerly a warrant to be of the Council here but did not aim at it, though now he desires it. He is a very honest gentlemen, who has been very civil to me and has applied to me to be of service to him herein. I beg that you will assist him. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed, Delivered to the Secretary by Sir Thomas Mongomerie, 25 March, 1697. [America and West Indies. 456. No. 63.] |
| Feb. 25. |
2,285. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Heathcote attended upon the petition of Henry Lewis. The Lords decided that £60 should be paid to him as satisfaction in full. [Board of Trade. Journal, 8. p. 169.] |
| [Feb. 25.] |
2,286. Petition of Henry Lewis to the Lords Justices of England. I have petitioned the Horse Guards for £851 due to me for levy-money and clothing, subsistence and other expenses on account of recruits raised and embarked for the service of New York. After receiving from £300 to £400 I was referred by the General Officers to the Lords of Trade and Plantations, to whom I beg your order for my relief. Copy. 1¼ pp. Endorsed, Read 25 Feb., '95. |
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2,286. I. Account of contingent expenses of petitioner on eighteen recruits before embarking them for New York. Nine items. Total, £215 4s. 6d. The Account is headed, "For Mr. Heathcote." 1½ pp. Endorsed as the petition. [Board of Trade. New York, 6. Nos. 37, 37 I.] |
| Feb. 25. |
2,287. William Blathwayt to the Secretary of the Treasury. On the petition of Mr. Lewis, the Lords are of opinion that he may deserve the sum of £60 out of the pay of the two companies, in full satisfaction of all the claims made in his account. [Board of Trade. New York, 48. p. 258.] |
| Feb. 25. |
2,288. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Antigua. The Governor recommended to the Assembly the building of a gaol. Message from the Assembly insisting upon their vote as to prize wines and that a General Assembly should be called, complaining of wrong done to their seamen in the sharing of a prize, begging for the Governor to order the construction of guard-houses, and asking for a fortnight's adjournment. The Governor answered that he did not agree with their vote as to prize wines, and that the summoning of a General Assembly was his business and not theirs. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. p. 164.] |
| Feb. 26. |
2,289. Minutes of General Assembly of Massachusetts. In consequence of a violent storm of wind and deep snow several members were unable to travel to town; so no business was entered upon. |
| Feb. 27. |
The cold continuing so extreme that members could not travel, no business was entered upon. |
| Feb. 28. |
The Representatives reported the election of Penn Townsend to be their Speaker. Debate on the question whether the non-appearance of the full number of Representatives on the day appointed by adjournment do not dissolve the Court: carried in the negative. The Representatives attending, the Lieutenant-Governor told them that a supply was the chief business for which they were summoned. |
| Feb. 29. |
A Resolution of the Representatives was sent up and read, That a bill be drawn requiring the Treasurer to lay his accounts before the General Assembly annually, and that an oath be framed for him accordingly. [Board of Trade. New England, 48. pp. 25–26.] |
Feb. 27.
Kensington. |
2,290. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition of Usher Tyrrell to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed, John Nicholas. ½ p. Endorsed, R. 9 March, '95–6. Enclosed, |
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2,290. I. Petition of Usher Tyrrell to the King. I was driven from St. Christopher's by the French with a loss to the value of £4,000, and was forced to remove to Jamaica, where the Governor and Council out of compassion
granted me the custodium of a small plantation until the heirs of the deceased owner should appear, and that if they did not appear within three years I should pay to you the sum of £575, which was the value set on it by the Assembly. But it so happened that the French came down there also and plundered me of everything, to the value of £3,000. I beg that I may be released from my bond to pay £575 and that your Majesty will make me a free grant of the plantation in consideration of my misfortunes. I will give bond to pay the heirs if they should appear. Copy. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. Nos. 1, 1 I.; and (order only) 54. pp. 70–71.] |
| Feb. 27. |
2,291. Minutes of Council of Maryland. A clerk of County Court sworn. Colonel Jowles's letter, asking for a Councillor to sit in Chancery in his place, owing to his indisposition, was read and referred to the Attorney General. |
| Feb. 28. |
Order for substituting Nicholas Greenberry's name for Colonel Jowles's in the Commission of Chancery. (p. 73.) |
| Feb. 29. |
Order for prosecution of the Justices of Talbot County for appointing a Clerk of their own instead of accepting Mr. Thomas Laurence, who had been appointed by his father, Sir Thomas. (p. 74.) A petition as to the ship Anne Helena, seized for illegal trade, read, and no order given thereon. (p. 81.) [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. as cited.] |
