|
| [May 21.] |
486. Petition of the Governor and Company of Hudson's Bay to the King. The French are endeavouring to be sole masters of the fur-trade. No Commissioners have arrived from France pursuant to the 8th Article of the Peace of Ryswick, though the time for their coming is long since expired, and the time limited for the determination of the matters mentioned in the said article is near expiring. This delay, and intelligence that the French have ordered a man-of-war and two frigates to Hudson's Bay, lead us to apprehend that the French preparations are intended either to destroy (as they have frequently done in time of peace) or to interrupt our trade, which will probably ruin the Company and
take the fur-trade from England. We have suffered very much from the French in times of peace, and at this moment we have but one place in the Bay to repair to, where the English settlers will starve unless supplied by the present shipping. We beg you to grant us a convoy for our ships. Signed, Sam. Clark, Dep.-Governor, and by five others. Copy. 2 pp. Endorsed, Communicated by Secretary Vernon. Recd. Read 21 May, 1698. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay, 2. No. 20; and 3. pp. 65–67.] |
| [May 21.] |
487. Reasons for granting a convoy to the ships going to Hudson's Bay this year. (1.) The French have not complied with the eighth article of the Treaty of Peace, though the time for executing the most material Acts therein has long since elapsed. (2.) The French have ordered a man-of-war and two frigates to Hudson's Bay. (3.) The French have repeatedly committed acts of hostility to the Company in time of peace, and may do so again, which a convoy would prevent. (4.) The petition for convoy is intended for protection only and cannot be construed as an intention to break the peace. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 21 May, 1698. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay, 2. No. 21; and 3. pp. 67–68.] |
May 21.
Whitehall. |
488. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Vernon. We enclose the reasons why the Hudson's Bay Company ask for a convoy, their apprehension being that the French have ordered ships of war thither, and that there has been no exchange of the forts in possession of each party in pursuance of the Treaty. In our opinion such a convoy may be a necessary countenance and security to the trade until all matters are adjusted between the King and the French, who have formerly taken advantage of the Company's weakness in respect of shipping in those parts. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay 3. p. 69.] |
May 21.
New York. |
489. Edward Randolph to William Blathwayt. You will remember that, notwithstanding all the arguments used to prevent the sending of Mr. Bridger and Mr. Furzer as agents to survey the woods in New England, they were none the less appointed by Sir Henry Ashurst's influence. Mr. Bridger is going hence to Boston and the eastern parts; Mr. Furser died at Barbados. There is more reason to have those parts surveyed where there are vast quantities of great trees fit for masts of the biggest dimensions, not yet touched and near the water-side, as also on Colonel Lewis Morris's lands in New Jersey where there is oak enough to build a navy. Pray get a warrant for me to succeed Mr. Furzer with the like salary as surveyor of the woods in those parts. It will be a great service to the Crown and obligation upon me. Signed, Ed. Randolph. P.S.—You may remember that it was on the first proposal that I was made Surveyor in New England. Sir Henry Ashurst only stopped my having a new warrant. Holograph. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 6 July, 1698. [Board of Trade. New England, 9. No. 25; and 37. pp. 10–11.] |
| May 23. |
490. Minutes of Council of Maryland. The Governor announced that he should shortly go to Patuxent to despatch the shipping to England. A letter was read from Mr. Isaac Miller that Captain Peter Paggan had made over the Country-arms to him.
The Governor observed that the money appropriated to the purchase of arms appeared not to have been applied to that purpose; and it was thereupon agreed that George Plater, as responsible for the same, be suspended from his office of Receiver. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. 508–511.] |
| May 23. |
491. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Richard Lloyd, on his departure for England, gave in the bonds given by the various officers of the Government, which were lodged in the Governor's hands pending the appointment of another Chief Justice. On the motion of the Attorney-General the Governor consented to delay the departure of the ships so that the Chief Justice could stay and hold the next Grand Court. The accounts of the revenue were brought up after audit, and ordered to be recorded in the Council book. Here follow the accounts. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 79. pp. 92–101.] |
| May 23. |
492. Minutes of Council of New York. Members appointed on the request of the Representatives to draw up a joint address to the King. |
| May 24. |
The Governor read the letter from the Council of Trade of 23 February, with the order refusing the privilege of a port to Perth-Amboy; and a proclamation was ordered to make public the said order. Order for publishing the Royal proclamation forbidding English subjects from taking service with foreign princes. Colonel van Cortlandt was ordered to look to the clothing of the Mohawk proselytes from Albany. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 98–99.] |
| May 23. |
493. Journal of House of Representatives of New York. Members appointed for a joint committee to draw up an address to the King. |
| May 24. |
Four members appointed to draw up an address of welcome to the Governor, the draft of which was read and approved, as also the draft of the address to the King. |
| May 25. |
Petitions (1) of Josiah Hunt, Henry Fowler and John Shute. complaining of an undue election for the county of Westchester, (2) of Content Titus, Jonas Wood, William Lawrence, Hope Carpenter and John Coe to the like effect as to Queen's County; (3) of Roeloff Schenk, Nicholas Stillwell and Gerrit Stoothose to the like effect as to King's County, were received. The complaint of (1) was that sundry voters were not admitted to vote, and many were excluded by closing the poll before the legal hour [pp. 959–960]. The complaint of (2) was that the Sheriff conducted the election on his own principles and refused a poll altogether [pp. 957–958]. The complaint of (3) was that Gerardus Beeckman and Meyndert Coerten, the members declared elected, had been convicted of high treason and were therefore unfit to sit [p. 956]. Resolved that Beeckman and Coerten be heard to-morrow. The congratulatory address was presented to the Governor. Resolved that petitions as to elections and grievances be heard in Committee of the whole house. Order for the Sheriff of New York to attend on the 27th. |
| May 26. |
Resolved that all complaints concerning elections and grievances be produced and answered in writing. Resolved that the hearing of the petition against Gerard Beeckman and Meyndert Courten be deferred till the 28th. |
| May 27. |
Order for a new writ to be issued for the election of a member for Richmond County, in place of John Tennison, disqualified. Ebenezer Wilson appeared and delivered an answer to the petition of Samuel Staats and others as follows [pp. 950–951]. My return of the election was true and just. I did summon the free-holders of Orange County, but the Mayor, Magistrates, and several citizens of the city of New York objected to the admission of any foreign persons to be electors, as an infringement on the rights of the city. I therefore refused to admit them, but put their names in a list by themselves so that the question, if pursued, might be the more easily brought to issue. I duly appointed twelve electors to be witnesses of my faithful execution of the writ, which electors were approved by all the candidates. I did move the poll to the town hall from the open field, owing to the disorder of the people, and I conceive that I had the right to do so. I did not refuse any candidate to be present at the poll nor was I abusive to any of them; but the candidates of only one side were present, of whom one was so rude as to take my chair from me. The witnesses that I selected for scrutiny of the poll were the most reputable that I could find. It is not true that the petitioners had a majority of voices. The witnesses upon scrutiny rejected forty-eight voters as disqualified, who gave their voices for the successful candidates, and eighty-eight for the petitioners. At the close of the poll there was a majority of fifty-eight against the petitioners. Even if the free-holders from Orange County had been admitted to vote they were but twenty-one, so that the majority against the petitioners would still have been thirty-seven. Countersigned by the twelve witnesses, at least half of them bearing Dutch names. |
| May 28. |
Order for the late Clerk, John Clapp, to enter up the minutes and hand over the papers in his custody. The answer of Gerard Beeckman and Meyndert Coerten to the petition against them was read [p. 957] to the effect that they had received a free pardon from the King. It was resolved nevertheless that they were not qualified to be representatives, and a new writ was ordered for King's County. Printed. [Board of Trade. New York, 79. pp. 939–941.] |
| May 23. |
494. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Sir Edmund Andros's letter of 14 March last received. |
|
Letter from the Commissioners of Transport of 20th inst. read (No. 484), and order given for a letter to the Victualling Board thereupon this day (No. 496). |
| May 25. |
Letter from the Victualling Board of yesterday read (No. 497). Order for a copy to be sent to Mr. Vernon, and for a letter to be written to the Secretary of the Ordnance thereupon (No. 499). |
|
Order for a letter to Governor Day to be prepared. |
|
Mr. Stoughton's letter of 2 April, Mr. Usher's of 25 March and Mr. Addington's of 1 April, with several enclosures, read. |
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Order for a representation to be prepared as to instructions for the Commodore of the Newfoundland convoy. |
| May 26. |
The representation ordered yesterday was signed. |
| May 27. |
Mr. Gilbert Heathcote reported that he and several others had made an agreement with the Emperor of Muscovy for the importation of tobacco into his dominions, but feared that it might
be lost owing to the opposition of the House of Lords to the bill for enlarging the Russia Company. The Board said that they did not see how they could help them; whereupon the gentlemen said that they would petition the House of Lords, and send a copy of their case to the Board. |
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On Mr. Blathwayt's motion the Board resolved to consider the business of Virginia, and ordered the queries formerly submitted to Colonel Hartwell to be sent now to Mr. Parke. [Board of Trade. Journal, 11. pp. 73–81.] |
May 23.
Boston. |
495. Charles Story to Council of Trade and Plantations. I arrived at Boston on 15th, and have this day written to Lord Bellomont intimating my willingness to come to him if he should desire further information as to the ill state of New Hampshire. The people of that province still remain disobedient to the letters which I received from your secretary, as Mr. John Usher acquaints me. Signed, Charles Story. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 18 July, 1698. [Board of Trade. New England, 9. No. 26.] |
May 23.
Cockpit. |
496. William Popple to the Victualling Board. As soon as you have appointed a store-keeper for Newfoundland, you will send him hither to receive the directions of the Council of Trade upon certain matters. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. p. 225.] |
May 24.
Victualling
Office. |
497. The Victualling Board to William Popple. With reference to your letter of yesterday, we formerly informed you that we had no order to appoint a store-keeper, nor do we think it proper for us, having no fund to answer his salary. We were lately summoned to attend the Board of Ordnance on this matter, and we think Lord Romney and the Board were satisfied that it was not proper for us to appoint and agree for a store-keeper. When we hear that one is appointed we shall direct him to wait upon you. Signed, Tho. Papillon, Simon Mayne, Hum. Ayles. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 25 May, 1698. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. No. 115; and 25. p. 230.] |
May 24.
Cockpit. |
498. William Popple to the Secretaries of the Admiralty. Forwarding heads of enquiries to be answered by the Commander-in-Chief of the convoys to Newfoundland. |
|
The heads of enquiries referred to are:—(1) What is the number of English planters, men, women, children and servants? What is their manner of living and trade? How are they employed in winter? Do they observe the rules of the Western Charter? (2) Is the Colony self-supporting? Whence do they obtain their provisions and necessaries for fishing? What commodities of New England are brought there? (3) Do they damage the woods, to the prejudice of the fishing trade? Do they do any mischief to the Adventurers by destroying the materials that they leave behind? What quantity of woods is there in proper places to build stages? (4) Do they seize on the best fishing places and maliciously destroy them, to the prejudice of the Adventurers? (5) Do the boat-keepers that are left behind destroy the stages, and thus force the Adventurers to sail early to repair them? (6) Have the boat-keepers supplies of provisions or fishing necessaries from New England? (7) What sustenance do the Planters receive from land? Do they
carry on any fur trade? (8) What is the trade between New England and Newfoundland? Does not New England send there great quantities of liquor, which debauches the fishers? Are the fishers so much indebted that they are forced to hire themselves to the planters? (9) What number of boats do the inhabitants employ, and what fish do they take? Can they sell at cheaper rates than those that go from England? (10) Do the New Englanders exercise the fishing trade either on their own coast or on that of Newfoundland? (11) Give an account of the number of ships and boats employed by the Adventurers, their burden, number of men employed, wages, food allowances, manner and cost of catching fish, value and quantity of the catch, and principal markets. (12) Take an account of the sack-ships, how laden, and to what markets. (13) Are not passengers encouraged by masters of ships to stay behind? How many stay behind yearly? (14) How are the rules of the Western Charter observed, and how principally violated? (15) Give full particulars of the French fishery in Newfoundland, comparing it with ours, also (16) the number of French inhabitants, (17) their employment during the winter, (18) the value and quantity of the French catch of fish, and the cost of their fishing as compared with the English. (19) Give particulars as to the times of the French in arriving at and leaving the fishery, (20) as to the increase or decrease of the French trade, (21) the forts and strong places of the French, and their condition, and (22) the means of taking their trade and fishery from them in the future. (23) Enquire as to foreign ships that fish on the Eastern Coast, and (24) the present state of French trade upon the bank and coast of Canada. (25) Does any other nation carry on this trade, and where do they frequent? (26) Report generally on the whole state of the fishing trade. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. pp. 225–230.] |
May 25.
Cockpit. |
499. William Popple to John Pulteney. As soon as a store-keeper is appointed for Newfoundland you will send him hither to receive the orders of the Council of Trade. I am to ask for information as to what has been done as to the materials for a boom for the harbour of St. Johns, of which there is no mention in the report of the Board of Ordnance of 3rd inst. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. p. 231.] |
May 25.
Cockpit. |
500. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Vernon. We fear there will be a failure to appoint a store-keeper for Newfoundland, which may occasion great embezzlement of stores. We enclose copy of the Victualling Board's letter (No. 497), and beg you to give the necessary orders. Signed, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Abr. Hill. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. p. 231.] |
May 25.
New York. |
501. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to the Lords of the Treasury. Since my arrival I have made strict enquiry as to the Customs revenue and find that the officers have been corrupt and negligent, and that there have been great abuses in regard to trade. This may be inferred from the fact that though the trade of the port is double that of ten years ago and the city grown vastly rich and populous, the Customs' receipts have decreased. There has
been a most licentious trade with pirates, Scotland and Curacoa, and the Collector, Mr. Chidley Brooke, is extremely backward in the discharge of his duty. I know this from my own observations and from information of his actions, which do not suit with the trust reposed in him. When they can be proved I shall suspend him from office and appoint another in his room. The late Government connived at these breaches of the Acts of Trade, and the merchants are so accustomed thereto that the whole city was in an uproar over a small seizure that I made, and looked upon it as a violent seizure of their property. I shall not be discouraged, but shall take care that the Acts of Trade are enforced, and if possible find trusty officers to assist me. Much inconvenience will be caused to the trade by there being no Register nor Naval Officer apart from the Collector, but I have endeavoured to remedy this. I have appointed Thomas Palmer to be Naval Officer and Register; he is of good reputation, and has given £5,000 security for due discharge of his duty. I have refused to allow proclamations for opening the ports in New Jersey to be printed here, for customs are levied in this port, and Amboy, being but twenty miles away, would draw away all our trade if it were opened. I enclose accounts of the revenue to show you its decrease, in spite of the enrichment of the city by illegal trade. Greater assistance of more faithful officers is needed to remedy this. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read 6 July, 1698. Enclosed, |
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501. I. Account of the King's revenue from all sources in the Government of New York, 1687. Total, £5,162. 1 p. Endorsed as the letter
|
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501. II. Comparative statement of the revenue of New York, from 1692 onwards. |
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1692, £3,371. |
1695, £3,601. |
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1693, £2,972. |
1696, £3,184. |
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1694, £4,333. |
1697, £3,603 |
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2 pp. Endorsed as No. I. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. Nos. 67, 67 I.–II.; and 52. pp. 340–345.] |
May 25.
New York. |
502. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to Council of Trade and Plantations. Since mine of the 18th I have received yours of 30 November, directing the publication of the peace, which had been performed here before my arrival from Barbados. I have also received yours of 23 February with packets for Connecticut and Rhode Island. The proclamation as to taking service with foreign nations has been published. I agree that it is desirable that there should be an Agent for New York in England, but I must wait until next meeting of the Council to appoint one. The Order in Council relating to the port of New York I at once communicated to the Council, and thereupon issued the enclosed proclamation. It has given great satisfaction here, for the merchants were already preparing to move to Amboy and Burlington on a report that these had been declared ports, in order to have the advantage of importing all sorts of merchandise free. I shall obey with great pleasure your orders as to furnishing naval stores from New Hampshire for the King's Navy. Though the good design has hitherto been obstructed
by cross accidents, yet I do not despair of its succeeding well for the advantage of England. Much disappointment and loss of time in this affair was caused by foolish and unhappy parsimony of the Surveyors, Mr. Bridger, Mr. Furzer and Mr. Jackson, appointed to survey the woods and other conveniences in these Colonies. They procured an order from the Admiralty to be shipped in H.M.S. Deptford, and so were forced to Barbados, where Mr. Bridger and Mr. Furzer fell sick of a fever three or four days before I left, contracted by a debauch. Mr. Furzer died, who I believe was the better of the two, but, Mr. Bridger recovering, followed me hither; and I have sent him to Boston with a letter earnestly recommending his design. Mr. Jackson is still here on business, but will follow him in a day or two. My letter is addressed to the Lieutenant-Governor, Council and Assembly, and will find the Assembly sitting. One thing I fear may obstruct the design, though Massachusetts favours it, and that is the Eastern Indians are at war with the province, which will make it very expensive for Massachusetts to provide a guard for the Surveyors. If they require it of me, I will furnish them with forty or fifty soldiers from these garrisons. I am told that this country is better for producing hemp and flax than that about Boston, and some have spoken to me about encouraging the growth of it by Act of Assembly; but day-labour is so excessively dear here that I am jealous it will never do so well here as in Ireland. However, I will give the design all the countenance I can, so that the King shall be sure of being supplied with these species here if they should fail in other of his dominions. I shall go to Albany about a month hence, when the session of Assembly is over, where the Five Nations are appointed to meet me. I shall try to engage them to fall upon the Eastern Indians which infest New Hampshire and Massachusetts, unless I am informed meanwhile that these Indians have ceased their hostilities. By next opportunity you shall have proofs of Colonel Fletcher's maladministration equal to anything that I transmit by this conveyance. I have been obliged to detain the Richmond eight or ten days for my packets. I have taken a good deal of pains with them and have been wholly employed day and night for nearly three weeks in preparing them for you. I have been so moderate to Colonel Fletcher and his friends that I have turned out none of them, not so much as his sheriffs, who are complained against for foul practices in the election of Representatives notwithstanding my proclamation to the contrary. Hence there is much discontent among those who have been prevented by foul play from sitting in the House; and such irregularities are daily committed in the House in the point of order that I begin to despair of their doing any good for the King's or the country's service. I must remark to you the great pains that Colonel Fletcher took to divide the people here and to foment the feud between Leisler's and the opposite party. He went so far as to publish a book (taking the Council's advice in doing it) to revive the old story of Leisler. I shall send it, with the order in Council for printing it, by next opportunity, and you will then judge if it was not circulated to put this town and country into a combustion. I send two affidavits taken by Mr. Attorney in my presence against Mr. Pinhorne.
He has been one of the Council here, a great creature of Colonel Fletcher's and one of the judges. I gave him fair play by confronting his accusers with him and shall turn him out of Council and of his Judge's place next Council day. Earle is a man of good estate, I am told, in East Jersey, and I could see nothing in his or his mother's behaviour to make me suspect their evidence. Signed, Bellomont. I must do Mr. Graham the right to tell you that all my information of the affairs of the province is owing to him. He is a man of great sagacity and temper. Not a man of the Council has come to offer me any account of affairs. It is as if they had sworn allegiance to Colonel Fletcher, not to the King. But I shall soon prove to you that their reserve arises from the consciousness of their guilt. 3 pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read 6 July, 1698. Enclosed, |
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502. I. Proclamation of the Earl of Bellomont. Declaring that no goods are to pass up the river at New York without paying duty there, since the King has rejected the petition of East Jersey to open a port at Amboy. 24 May, 1698. Printed. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 6 July, 1698. |
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502. II. Deposition of Edward Earle. In 1691 or 1692 I was at William Pinhorne's house, when a book being produced with a picture of the Prince of Orange, Pinhorne asked was it not a pity that such a hump-backed, crooknosed Dutch dog should rule the kingdom of England. |
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Deposition of Hanna Earle. To the same effect. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed as No. I. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. Nos. 68, 68 I.–II.; and 52. pp. 356–366.] |
| May 25. |
503. Precis of the preceding letter. 1 p. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. No. 69.] |
May 25.
New York. |
504. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to William Popple. The load of business on me is so great that I cannot send all the evidence against Colonel Fletcher that I had designed. The Assembly is sitting, and there is such a world of complaints, especially from the soldiers who have been wronged of their pay, that I have scarcely had time to write the letters to the Council that decency obliged me. Mr. Clement, my secretary, also used me so ill as to stay behind me, which has occasioned me much pains and trouble. There is an inconsistence in my instructions which I desire may be rectified. I am made Captain General of the militia of the Jerseys, and yet by a particular instruction I am to forfeit half my salary and perquisites to my Lieutenant-Governor while I am absent from the province or from any province of my government. I should suffer the like if I went to Connecticut. Mr. Stanley, who is my particular friend, will shew you an essential fault in the commission of the Lieutenant-Governor of New York, which I desire may be rectified at the same time. Please send to Mr. Stanley about it. Pray also move the Council to ascertain what perquisites and fees do properly belong to me when I am absent from any of my governments. Thus when I am in Boston is my Lieutenant-Governor of New York entitled to the perquisites of New York government, which are one-third of ships seized,
probates, marriage-licences, fines and forfeitures and passes for ships? As to the first—the share of ships—the Act of Parliament seems to settle the question by appropriating the perquisites to the Governor only, taking no notice of a Lieutenant-Governor or Commander-in-Chief for the time being. Pray ask the Council to decide whether by moving from one government to another, as my duty obliges me, I am to be a loser and sufferer, for every journey will be very expensive. "I will undertake to make it appear "that at that rate the Lieutenant-Governor will have a "better time of it than I shall." Let me entreat you to send me the Council's orders hereon. I send copies of my French letters to Count de Frontenac and to Mons. de Calliére, Governor of Montreal, also my instructions to the bearers of these letters. If you think it worth while, please shew them to the Council. I shall covet to maintain a more than ordinary strict correspondence with you. Signed, Bellomont. My humble service to Mr. Locke. I hope this last severe winter has not prejudiced his health. The sure way of conveying letters to me is by way of Boston, whence the post comes every week to this place. I desire you to send to the pay-office to prevent Colonel Fletcher's receiving any pay, for I shall prove that he has defrauded the officers and soldiers of great sums here. Postscript. Since I writ this I have shewn my instructions as to my Lieutenant-Governor's allowance to a friend or two, who are of opinion that it entitles me to all the perquisites so long as I am in the province or in my other governments, provided I go not out of New England; but they say it is doubtfully worded and ought to be better explained. I send you copy of the instruction. Please discourse it with Mr. Stanley and then move for a plainer instruction. 3½ pp. Enclosed, |
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504. I. Copy of a letter from the Earl of Bellomont to Mons. de Calliére. New York, 22 April, 1698. I was much surprised that Colonel Fletcher had neglected to inform you of the general peace published in London on the 19th October. It was most blameable conduct on his part, and will certainly be censured at Court. I have given orders for the immediate release of all French prisoners, whether in the hands of the English or of the Indians who are the King's subjects. I have ordered the release of the French prisoners in the other provinces also. I have entrusted a letter for Count de Frontenac to Colonel Schuyler and Mr. Dellius. I beg that you will welcome them to your government and speed them to Quebec. French. ½ p. |
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Copy of a letter from the Earl of Bellomont to Count de Frontenac. 22 April, 1698. Having been appointed Governor of several provinces and of New York among them, I beg, while informing you of the same, to apprise you of the general peace, which was published in London in October last, a few days before my departure. My voyage, however, was long and tedious, and having been driven into Barbados by the severe weather, I arrived here only on the 2nd inst, Colonel Schuyler
and Mr. Dellius are the bearers of this letter, and will bring with them all the prisoners in our hands in this province. I shall send orders for the liberation of those in the hands of our Indians and for their safe escort, if necessary, to Montreal. I have no doubt that you have given the like orders on your side so that good correspondence and free commerce can be resumed between us. French. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 6 July, Read 13 Sept., 1698. |
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504. II. Instructions of Lord Bellomont to Peter Schuyler and Godfrey Dellius on their mission to Canada. To inform the Governor of the peace and ask for the release of British prisoners. Copy. 2¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 6 July, 1698. |
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504. III. Copy of a letter from Lord Bellomont to the Governor, Council and Assembly of Connecticut. I am extremely obliged to you for your welcome to me in your letter of 12th inst., borne by such worthy persons as Major-General Winthrop, Major Selleck, and the Rev. Mr. Saltonstall. You may be sure that I shall be a friendly neighbour to you. I send you a copy of a letter addressed to me by the Council of Trade just before my departure (see preceding Vol. No. 1335). Pray consider it and inform me as soon as you can of your reasons for countenancing the towns of Rye and Bedford in their revolt against this province, and upon what foot you pretend to jurisdiction over them. I am glad that I am able to apply to you in this affair while your General Assembly is met. Signed, Bellomont. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 6 July, 1698, Read 21 Feb., 1698–9. |
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504. IV. Copy of a clause of Lord Bellomont's instructions respecting the allowance to his Lieutenant-Governor during his absence from New England and New York. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 7. No. 70, 70I.–IV.; and (without enclosures) 52. pp. 366–370.] |
| May 25. |
505. Journal of General Assembly of Massachusetts. The Representatives (names given) were sworn and chose Nathaniel Byfield as Speaker, who was approved. |
