|
June 1.
Admiralty
Office. |
531. William Bridgeman to William Popple. In answer to yours of 31st ult., H.M.S. Newcastle is at Plymouth, where she is to be laid up. If the Council of Trade desires that the two men mentioned in your letter should attend them, the Admiralty will give orders for the same, upon your letting me know. Signed, Wm. Bridgeman. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd., Read 2 June, 1698. [ Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 5. No. 82.] |
June 1.
Whitehall. |
532. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Vernon. Forwarding certain instructions drawn up by the Commissioners of Customs for the Governor of Bermuda, for the Royal signature. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Abr. Hill. [ Board of Trade. Bermuda, 29. p. 118.] |
| June 1. |
533. Minutes of Council of Virginia. The Duke of Shrewsbury's letter of 25 September, 1697, was read, and orders were given for publishing the Royal proclamation against pirates. The letter of 23 February, 1698, from the Council of Trade, was read, and orders were given for publishing the Royal proclamation to prohibit the King's subjects from entering the service of foreign princes. Order for discharge of a ship-master's bond. The further consideration of
the revision of the laws was deferred to next Council. On the question of a Ports Act the Council resolved that the appointing of places for the loading and unloading of ships answers the purpose of such an Act. [ Board of Trade. Virginia, 53. pp. 122–124.] |
| June 1. |
534. Minutes of Council of New York. The joint Address, of congratulation and thanks to the King, was approved and signed by the Governor, Council and Assembly. The Governor laid before the Council the arrears of money due to the Victuallers for the subsistence of the King's Companies and their immediate need of £300. Resolved to advance that sum from the King's revenue on the credit of the subsistence due; and a warrant was issued for its payment accordingly. On the request of the Assembly for the accounts of the additional duty and taxes, orders were given for the same to be drawn out and presented to them. [ Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 99–102.] |
| June 2. |
535. Minutes of Council of Antigua. Orders for Richard Buckeridge and Samuel Martyn to attend next Council and answer complaints against them. [ Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. p. 260.] |
June 2.
Islington. |
536. Edward Walrond to William Popple. Since the Council of Trade accept the depositions of Gabriel Maccrakan and William Delavall, as authentick, I have no more to ask of these witnesses. My reason for proposing to send for them was that nothing might be objected to the validity of their evidence, and indeed (considering with whom I have to deal) my circumstances would not admit me to take those strict methods which are necessary in a judicial process. Signed, Edward Walrond. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 6 June, 1698. [ Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 5. No. 83.] |
June 2.
Whitehall. |
537. Mr. Secretary Vernon to Council of Trade and Plantations. The Hudson's Bay Company having applied to the King that the Governor whom they are sending thither may have a Commission like to that which was granted by King James II., I enclose a copy of that Commission for your opinion whether any alterations therein are necessary in consequence of the late treaty. Signed, Ja. Vernon. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 3 June, 1698. Enclosed, |
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537. I. Copy of King James II. Commission to the Governor of Hudson's Bay Territory. 13 May, 1688. 1 p. [ Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay, 2. No. 22, 22 I.; and (without enclosure) 3. p. 70.] |
June 2.
Whitehall |
538. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Day. The time of your departure being now at hand, we shall send you the new public seal for Bermuda, copy of a memorial relating to the public lands in Bermuda, a copy of the Treaty of Madrid, certain instructions from the Commissioners of Customs, the proclamation forbidding the King's subjects to take service with foreign princes, and a copy of the Jamaica Act for restraining and punishing pirates. You will use your utmost endeavours to procure the passing of a like Act in Bermuda. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Abr. Hill. [ Board of Trade, Bermuda, 29. pp. 119–122.] |
| June 2. |
539. Commission to Captain John Norris, Commander-in-Chief of the convoy to Newfoundland, empowering him to take command of the forts and soldiers and to inspect the provisions and stores there during his stay. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read 21 June, 1698. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. No. 117; and 25. p. 249.] |
| June 3. |
540. Blank Commissions for the Lieutenant and Ensign of the Company appointed for the garrison of Newfoundland. Each, 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 21 June, 1698. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. Nos. 118, 119; and 25. pp. 250–251.] |
June 3.
Whitehall. |
541. Mr. Secretary Vernon to Council of Trade and Plantations. The King has granted a Commission to Captain Norris to have the direction of the forts and supervision of the stores at Newfoundland during his stay there, pursuant to your representation of the 26th ult. Signed, Ja. Vernon. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 4, Read 6 June, 1698. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. No. 120; and 25. p. 236.] |
| June 3. |
542. Receipt of Governor Day for the public seal of Bermuda. Signed, Sam. Day. Scrap. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. No. 25.] |
| June 3. |
543. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. John Valentine appointed to act as public notary in the absence of Sampson Sheafe. A judge of probate and two county justices appointed. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. p. 154.] |
| June 4. |
544. Minutes of Council of Maryland. The ream of paper sent by Mr. Popple was lodged at the Council office. Order for a messenger to be sent to Lord Bellomont. Philip Lynes reported that the poor people were flocking to the cold springs in St. Mary's County, from whence extraordinary cures were reported. The Governor sent ten Bibles for their use there and other books of devotion, and offered to pay one shilling a day to some sober person to read prayers there twice daily, and to give a reading desk and benches also, and to give the poor people every Sunday a mutton and maize enough for thirteen, at his own expense. Order for the person who reads prayers to notice who is cured and of what distempers. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 13. pp. 517–519.] |
| June 4. |
545. Minutes of Council of New York. The Governor reported that he had received an address of welcome from the Wappingnes and Nighquighskeck Indians. £4 voted for presents for the said Indians. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. p. 102.] |
June 4.
Whitehall. |
546. Mr. Secretary Vernon to Council of Trade and Plantations. Forwarding a petition from George Harris for their report. Signed, Ja. Vernon. ¼ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 17 June, 1698. Enclosed, |
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546. I. Petition of George Harris, master of the ship Swallow, to the King. I was driven into Carolina last December by stress of weather in a voyage from Barbados to Virginia. My ship was then confiscated for breach of
the Acts of Trade. My papers, shewing me to be a free denizen of England, were all seized and only part of them restored at my departure. I can produce your letters patent, an affidavit and certificates that I am a denizen. I beg that you will signify the fact that I am a denizen to the Court of Admiralty in Carolina, that I may indemnify myself. 1 p. |
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546. II. Affidavit of George Harris that he is a denizen of England; and a certificate, with ten signatures, to the truth of the same. |
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546. III. Certificate of a notary public that he has seen George Harris's letters of denization. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 2. Nos. 21, 21 I.–III.; and (without enclosures II., III.) 25. pp. 206–208.] |
June 4.
Jamiaica. |
547. Governor Sir William Beeston to Council of Trade and Plantations. I regret to have to trouble you with a relation upon an envious subject. Not long after I came to this Government Sir James Castillo (who had been administrator to the last Assiento and thereby settled himself wholly here) bought a piece of land and resolved to build a good house on it. Finding it to be situated in the pass from the east part of the island to St. Andrews, he moved that at his own charge he might build it fort-wise for the preservation of his family from privateers, and also for the assistance of the country. The Council and indeed the country thought the proposal generous as well as useful, and therefore moved that he might have a patent under the great seal to embattle the house and gun it. Mr. Brodrick either drew the patent himself or caused it to be drawn, and solicited it for Sir James. This done, a little before Mons. Ducasse's descent on the island, Sir James Castillo asked me, since he had been at so much charge for the building, to give him a commission as captain to command it. This I thought reasonable, and accordingly he took the usual appointed oaths to the King, but asked that he might not be obliged to read and sign the declaration, being a Roman Catholic. I gratified him, knowing that his all was here, that he had been at great cost and charge, and that he looked upon himself as the King's subject, being both naturalised and knighted, and besides I conceived that the King had several Roman Catholic officers in the army who had sworn fealty but would not sign the declaration. Moreover, I reflected that he had no men to defend the fort of his own but negroes, besides such troops as I might on occasion order into it, while the whole country was sensible of the advantage of the fort. Soon afterwards it was shewn to be of great use, for I verily believe that but for that fort the French would have attempted to break by that pass into St. Andrews, and had they done so it would have been very hard for us to have dislodged them and might have endangered the whole country. All people here not infected with prejudice are sensible of this. |
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It so happened that Colonel Lloyd (whom I appointed Chief Justice about two years ago) stopped and dined with Sir James on his way to our new Bath. Sir James treated him with civility, but after dinner when Colonel Lloyd went away, Sir James (whether
by chance or design I know not) did not wait on him to his stirrup, at which (being naturally very ambitious and envious) he took such a pet that he meditated revenge as an opportunity presented. The two happened to meet in March in a tavern in this town, when discourse brought on words and thence ill-language, so that in the dispute Sir James brake his head. Incensed at this, and being also Chief Justice, Colonel Lloyd ordered Sir James to be secured and committed. I used my endeavours to pacify them, but could not prevail, so Sir James lay in prison all night. Next morning he came to me with the Marshal and said he was not willing to stay there longer, but desired to be delivered and to go home. Thereupon, on his own parole and Major Heathcote's promise that he should appear at the next Grand Court, I ordered the Marshal to discharge him. At this Colonel Lloyd took such a pet at once, that he has ever since been studying to do me all the harm he can; and because he thinks that Mr. Brodrick has friends in England who can be of service to him he has engaged him in his design; and this was their reason of their treating me as they did over the oath to the Act for regulating the Plantation Trade. The better to carry on their design against Sir James and to wound me through his side, Mr. Brodrick, at a Council of 25 May last, read the paragraphs of the Act about the oaths and declaration, and then made harangue that Sir James Castillo had built a fort, had a patent for it and a commission to command it, yet had not signed the test. Of this, said Mr. Brodrick, he was bound as Attorney-General to take notice; and therefore the commission ought to be taken away and the fort dismantled (which same fort he had solicited four years before). At this envious motion the Council was much disturbed, and I asked him why he had not moved this four years ago since he thought it so much for the King's service. To which he answered that he had not taken so much notice of the Act before, which was only a fallacy in him. Sir James hearing of the motion came to me and told me he thought I held him to have behaved as a good subject, and was sorry that private pique should cause so much spite to him and me and the country in general, but that nevertheless, if I ordered it, he would bring me his commission, throw down the battlements, turn out the guns and dismantle the fort. I thought it, however, unreasonable to sacrifice a thing so useful to the country to private pique and revenge, and therefore resolved to lay the whole matter before you, after which, if the King resolved that the fort should be dismantled, this should be done. Pray represent the matter to the King, for the fort is of great use and importance to the country and of no charge to it. I think Mr. Beckford and Mr. Broughton of the Council are both in England, who can give you a character of the services of Sir James and of the usefulness of the fort, as well as of the two gentlemen who so eagerly desire the razing of it in order to gratify their humour. Colonel Lloyd has gone home in these ships, being indisposed, and Mr. Brodrick talks of going soon after. By some friends that I have set to work, Colonel Lloyd and Sir James are now reconciled, but I find their ill design continues against me. For my part I have made it my whole study ever since I have been here to serve the King faithfully in all things,
according to the best of my understanding, therefore I cannot conjecture what they will say of me and at present can say nothing in my defence. But I hope that the reports of designing men may not be taken for granted against me till my justification has been heard, when I doubt not that I shall not only answer any charges myself but send clouds of testimony in my vindication, and shew the insidiousness of these gentlemen, of whose characters I shall say no more at present than that the country will think itself easy and happy when they are both gone. Signed, Wm. Beeston. 2 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd. Read 3rd August, 1698. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. No. 90; and 56. pp. 212–219.] |
| June 5. |
548. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The prosecution of Henry Archbold and others for not taking the oaths appointed by law was stayed in consideration of their good service during the late war, until the King's pleasure should be known, on their giving security for good behaviour and to take their trial at next Grand Court. Order for all others who refused to take the oath to be bound over also to good behaviour. Allen Brodrick presented a deputation from the patentee of the Secretary's office and was sworn Clerk of Council. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 79. pp. 102–103.] |
June 5.
Virginia. |
549. Governor Sir Edmund Andros to William Popple. "This is to pray your favour in excuse for the rude dress the laws "are put in, we wanting all conveniences here of putting them up "handsome having neither towns nor tradesmen to furnish us with what we want." I have sent the ream of ruled paper to the Clerk of Council to be given to all officers for their use and example, that when it is spent they may provide it in like form. Signed, E. Andros. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 24 Sept. Read 25 Oct., 1698. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 6. No. 46; and 37. p. 304.] |
| June 5. |
550. Governor Sir Edmund Andros to Council of Trade and Plantations. I now answer more fully your commands in your letter of 2 September. As to pitch and tar I have made enquiry of those who have most experience thereof, and I understand that the tar is much hotter and more burning than that of Sweden and no ways fit for ropes. It casts very black on wood and scorches much. Great quantities may be made, and a certain rent is the best encouragement. The methods for checking illegal traders are through the officers of the customs in their several districts and a small King's frigate appointed for this Government. The methods desirable for more effectual prevention of illegal trade are that particular places should be appointed for the loading and unloading of goods. I have consulted the Council as to your remark concerning the Ports Act and as to a draft Act to suit present circumstances, but the members present being few, the matter was adjourned to a fuller Council. As to the number of ships and seamen (as perfect as can be known) there belong to Virginia four ships, two barques, four brigantines, and seventeen sloops. There are no seamen belonging to the Government; the few that settle turn planters and leave the sea wholly, and will rarely go masters, though capable. No part of the country makes naval stores for sale except Elizabeth River, where there is annually made about 1,200 barrels of tar and
pitch, which they burn out of knots of old fallen trees, they being not willing to be put out of their way and having no artists to undertake it, as has been experienced by money given to encourage the making of rosin from turpentine of growing pines, which yield as plentifully or more than those in Europe. Masts may be had and are usually taken every year by vessels for their uses, but they are not so good as in New England and are not fit for sale. I have reported that I have directed copies of the laws in force to be compiled into one body. I cannot find that any laws were confirmed by the King, though it is common discourse that the Act of Indemnity, the Act for Naturalisation and the Act for the two shilling per hogshead duty, all of the year 1680, were sent here ready prepared by the King's orders and passed here with alterations. The laws now in force, and an account of others expired or repealed, are sent herewith. On the 17th of May last I received yours of 23 February with the proclamation prohibiting the King's subjects from entering any foreign service. It has been duly published, but the question of an Agent was deferred by the Council to a fuller meeting. Your orders as to rules and methods in all writing have been communicated to all officers. Having been often indisposed since my great sickness and now not well I beg your favour for my endeavours. All is well here, though some sickness continues in the northern parts. Signed, E. Andros. 2¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 24 Sept. Read 25 Oct., 1698. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 6. No. 47; and 37. pp. 305–308.] |
June 6.
Jamaica. |
551. Governor Sir William Beeston to Council of Trade and Plantations. Yours of 23 February and 21 March and the copy of your report as to Admiral Nevill's complaint have come to my hands. For that report and for your labour and justice therein I humbly thank you. The complaint was but a malicious one, and not the only one that I have had the misfortune to have cast upon me since I have been in this post. Since the Governor and Council can dispose of all money there will be no need for the Assembly's approbation in Mr. Tyrrell's case; when therefore the Council has given its decision I will report it to you. I have duly published the King's proclamation forbidding his subjects to take service with foreign princes. Colonel Beckford's dormant commission has not yet arrived; being in England he will probably address you concerning it. I have returned the money which I took from the subsistence fund for victualling the ships, and have drawn bills on the Victualling Office for the money which I advanced myself, when my friends lent me money until I could repay it. I have twice sent the accounts of what I have received and paid on account of the regiment to the Treasury, but have as yet no notice of their receipt and approbation of it, at which I am much concerned. I beg your favour and assistance herein. It is reported here that the King of Spain is dead. If this be true I fear we shall have a warm war again in these parts, and then the intelligence which you have directed from the Windward Islands may be useful. Since the peace there have been some servants sent to this island from England and Ireland. People were very remiss in taking them off because they were held at first at a pretty high rate,
wherefore I published a proclamation throughout the island that white servants were to be had and that those who neglected to furnish themselves according to the Act should be proceeded against for the penalty prescribed. This carried them off, and is all that a Governor can do, for it is impossible that the people can be furnished with white servants here if they are not sent to us from England. I have already answered your remarks as to pirates, that none are here, except some French who prey upon us, nor shall be suffered to come here. Nevertheless I am much pleased to find that this island, which formerly had the greatest name for privateering in these parts, should now have its laws made an example to the rest of the King's dominions. |
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The Portuguese have agreed with the Spaniards for the Assiento for introducing negroes into the Spanish West Indies, and have sent one of their factors hither, who is desirous to settle Sir James Castillo (who managed the last Assiento for Don Nicholas Porcio) in the same business for them. He has petitioned me about it, and I have answered it as you will see at the foot of the petition, that having no orders from the King I can do nothing until I receive them. Pray lay the petition before the King for that purpose. Here are some gentlemen—some of them of good interest—who still refuse to take the oaths for conscience sake (as they say), yet promise all obedience to the King's laws and government. They have been bound from time to time by the Grand Courts, and the Judges believing them to be peaceable men have deferred tendering them the oath, being positively unwilling to exert the extremity of the law on them and thereby ruin them and their families. They have therefore decided that these gentlemen should apply themselves to the Council, who have advised to defer the utmost rigour of the law until the King's pleasure be known. I send the Minutes of the Council on the subject to be laid before the King. The persons are all bound in great security from Court to Court till the King's pleasure be known. The country is in a very good state of health. Some seamen now and then drop off, but more through their own intemperance and irregularities than any fault of the place. I hope it will so continue, though the hot months, that use to be so sickly, are now coming upon us. Signed, Wm. Beeston. Holograph. 2 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd Read 3rd August, 1698. Enclosed, |
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551. I. Petition of Sir James del Castillo, knight, to Governor Sir William Beeston. In the reign of King Charles II. I held the Assiento for Don Nicholas Porcio and obtained several privileges from King Charles and King James in that office. Since Porcio's death the King of Spain has agreed with the African Company of Portugal for the Assiento, which Company has offered the management of it to me. Their agents, however, have brought no authority from the King for me to undertake it, without which I cannot do so. I beg you to recommend my acceptance of it to the King, and that meanwhile I may proceed with it, under such restrictions as you think best. Large sheet, subscribed, |
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I have no commands as to the Assiento, though I can testify that it would be most advantageous to Jamaica. I shall encourage and assist the Assiento so far as consists with the Acts of Trade and Navigation, and recommend the petition to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Signed, Wm. Beeston. 31 May, 1698. Endorsed as the letter. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. Nos. 91, 91 I.; and (without enclosure) 56. pp. 220–225.] |
| June 6. |
552. Journal of General Assembly of Massachusetts. A Trespass bill was read a first time. The Tanners bill was debated. |
| June 7. |
The Trespass bill was read thrice and sent down for concurrence. Bill to prevent the receiving of stolen goods read thrice and ordered to be engrossed. The Highways bill, the bill to revive expiring laws, the bill for writs for the General Assembly, and the Tanners bill were passed into Acts. Bill for inspecting and suppressing of disorders in licensed houses read a first time. |
| June 8. |
Bill re-enacting a former law as to forcible entries read and sent down for concurrence, also an additional bill to the Act for regulating townships. Two orders of the Representatives for payments agreed to. Pounds bill again read and ordered to be engrossed. Bill to establish precedents passed into an Act. Resolution making Andover a frontier-town during the present rebellion of the Eastern Indians agreed to. The hearing of a case appointed for this session was postponed till next session. |
| June 9. |
A bill to enable William Peabody to appeal to the Superior Court was read and sent down for concurrence. A bill as to Strays, received from the Representatives, was read a first time. Bill to regulate butchers read a first time. |
| June 10. |
The Pounds bill was passed into an Act. The Butchers bill read twice and sent down for concurrence. Resolution of the Representatives for a payment for billeted soldiers agreed to. Trespass bill passed into an Act. |
| June 11. |
Bill for relief of poor prisoners for debt read a first time, also a bill to prevent the firing of woods. A conference with the Representatives was held on certain proposals for regulating innholders. [Board of Trade. New England, 48. pp. 230–236.] |
| June 6. |
553. Journal of House of Representatives of New York. Cornelius Sebringh and Cornelius Burnt took their places as members for King's County. The Committees appointed to examine the Accounts and to prepare bills for conciliation and for regulation of elections asked for more time. |
| June 7. |
John Woglom took his seat for Richmond County in place of John Teunison. Two bills for reconciling parties and regulating elections brought in, but the House disagreed as to reading the former a second time. Resolved unanimously to address the Governor for a joint Committee to draw up a bill for reconciling of parties. |
| June 8. |
A Remonstrance was brought up and read as follows (p. 961). We the six members undersigned are Representatives elected without dispute. The returns of several other sheriffs have been called in question by petitions, yet the members, whose election has been thus disputed, have sat in the House and have constituted
orders how their own elections should be tried, and have prevented complainants from being heard and excluded several legal sworn members. The Speaker, Mr. Philip French, has been so insolent that during the dispute about his own election he continued in the House, argued his own case with threats and reproachable language against the Representatives, and put the question about the justice of the sheriff's return himself. We judge that by such proceedings the rights and privileges of Assemblies are overturned, and we cannot sit with the disputed members aforesaid until the disputes have been decided by the Governor in Council. Signed, Reyer Schermerhorne, Jan Woglom, Jan Fansen Bleeker, Cornelius Snebernigh, Cornelius van Brunt, Thomas Mergan. Resolved that the said remonstrance be rejected. Messages from the Governor as to a joint Committee to prepare a bill for reconciling parties, and as to certain amendments proposed by William Smith to the Revenue Act. Members for the joint Committee appointed. |
| June 9. |
The Committee reported that they had agreed upon the heads of a bill for reconciling parties. Bill for regulating elections thrown out on second reading; and order given for drawing up a new bill. Note. On this day there was presented to the Governor by the six remonstrant members a petition (p. 961) setting forth that since the rejection of their remonstrance they had withdrawn from the House, but had heard that the majority were resolved to imprison them, and therefore praying the Governor to dissolve a lawless and corruptly elected Assembly. |
| June 10. |
The Committee of Accounts presented its report, shewing the arrears of taxes due to be £2,286, and the sum in the Receiver General's hands on account of the additional duty to be £1,592. |
| June 11. |
Bill for reconciling of parties brought in and read a first time. The Governor summoned the House to attend him and caused the petition presented to him by six members yesterday to be read. He then said that the matter was not cognisable by him, he being tender of the privileges of the House, and did therefore recommend the petitioners to return to the country's service in the House. The House then returned, and the bill for reconciling parties was read a second time. The seceding members appeared and said they could not sit and act as members at present, but desired further time for consideration. Adjourned to 13th. Printed. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 943–946.] |
| June 6. |
554. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Secretary Vernon's letter of 3rd inst. as to Captain Norris's commission for Newfoundland read (No. 541). Captain Norris attending was acquainted with what the Board was preparing for him, and promised to report the progress made in the various offices therein. |
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Some of the Hudson's Bay Company attended, and desired alterations in the commission as granted to their Commander by the late King. Ordered accordingly that a new commission be drawn. |
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Mr. Walrond's letter of 2nd inst. read. |
| June 7. |
Draft Commission for a Governor in Hudson's Bay agreed upon and sent to Mr. Secretary Vernon. |
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Mr. Stoughton's letter of 21 April last received and read. |
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Memorials from Captain Norris read; and orders given to the Secretary as to letters to be written to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the Commissioners for Transport (Nos. 555, 556). |
| June 8. |
The Secretary reported the receipt of Mr. Day's instructions signed by the King. [Board of Trade. Journal, 11. pp. 88–92.] |
June 7.
Whitehall. |
555. William Popple to the Commissioners for Transportation. In reply to yours of 20th ult. (No. 484). The Council of Trade sees no occasion for detaining in Newfoundland any of the transport-ships employed in last year's expedition, and desire that you will take care for them to be discharged. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. pp. 236–237.] |
June 7.
Whitehall. |
556. William Popple to William Lowndes. Please inform the Lords of the Treasury that the Council of Trade recommend that the money for Newfoundland be placed in the hands of Captain Norris, who has been appointed Commander-in-chief during his stay there. The Board of Ordnance has commissioned the master-gunner to be store-keeper there for both provisions and ordnance stores. Please let him have a commission as Commissary of Victuals from the Treasury or the Paymaster of the Army. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. pp. 237–238.] |
| June 7. |
557. Memorandum of matters and documents communicated to Captain Norris for his guidance on arriving in Newfoundland. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. pp. 238–240.] |
June 7.
Whitehall. |
558. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Vernon. We cannot alter the draft commission sent to us by you with yours of 2nd inst. in accordance with the Treaty of Peace, for the exchange between us and the French of the places belonging to each has not yet been effected. We have therefore, as a temporary measure restrained the Governor's power to such places only as shall be found in the possession of the Hudson's Bay Company. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Wm. Blathwayt, Ph. Meadows, Abr. Hill. |
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Here follows the copy of a commission to be granted to James Knight to be Governor of the Hudson's Bay territory, with power limited as aforesaid. [Board of Trade. Hudson's Bay, 3. pp. 71–73.] |
| June 7. |
559. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. On the petition of Major Garth a former resolution of the House as to arrears and allowances to officers was explained, and the Council's concurrence in a payment to him and to his Lieutenant was requested. The Committee on Mr. Edwards's papers asked for further time before reporting; and £50 was voted to Mr. Edwards for his good service and towards the expense of his passage to England. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. pp. 293–294.] |
| June 7. |
560. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. John Valentine took the oaths as acting Notary Public. Lease granted to Richard Payne to add to his dwelling-house in Boston. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. p. 155.] |
| June 7. |
561. Minutes of Council of New York. On the report of the murder of an Onandaga Sachem by an inhabitant of Albany, the Council was of opinion that the trial of the murderer be deferred till the Governor meet the Five Nations at Albany. Sundry ships being bound for Madagascar the Governor proposed to take a bond of £2,000 for each vessel from the owners that the said ships should not trade with pirates. The Council dissented. The Governor argued for his proposal, instancing the recent Royal orders against piracy, the late seizure of a ship for unlawful trade with Madagascar, and the bad reputation of New York for countenancing pirates; and the Attorney General supported his reasoning. The Council held it impracticable to impose any bonds on ships beyond those authorised by Act of Parliament, and proposed that the matter be referred to the Assembly. On the deposition of Edward and Hannah Earle William Pinhorne was suspended from his offices of Councillor and Judge for speaking scandalous words of the King. Chidley Brooke was also suspended from all his offices for neglect of his duty as Collector of Customs. Colonel van Cortlandt and Thomas Monsey were appointed Commissioners to act as Collector in his place. The Governor directed the entry in the Council book of a report by Edward Randolph, of 21 May, 1698, shewing that he had found false cockets among Brooke's papers and evidence of his unwarrantable discharge of a ship libelled for illegal trade with Scotland, and adducing also Brooke's crooked dealings in the seizure of the ship Fortune, and the evidence of his maladministration given by the decrease of revenue notwithstanding the increase of trade. |
| June 8. |
Members appointed for a joint Committee to draw up a bill for reconciling of parties, Colonel Smith proposed to recommend to the Assembly the following considerations, viz., that the Act for establishing Courts of Judicature will expire in October next, that the constitution of the inferior Courts of Common Pleas in the counties is inconvenient and delays justice, and that drunkenness and debauchery cannot be suppressed by authority as they ought, owing to want of explanation of certain clauses in the Revenue Act relating to Excises and the suppression of unlicensed tipplinghouses. The Council agreed, and the management of the matter was committed to Colonel Smith. On the petition of George Phillips, minister of Jamaica, the persons complained of were summoned to appear on the 16th inst. The Governor proposed to add £20 per annum to the salary of Mons. Perett, French minister of New York, who has but £100 from the people and a great family of male children, also £30 to M. Boudet, minister of New Rochelle, who has but £20 per annum, which was agreed to. The Governor promised to advance the money from the King's share of the late seizure, in view of the complaint of some of the Council as to the emptiness of the Treasury. The petition of Joseph Smith, gunner, for his pay was referred for examination. |
| June 9. |
The Council agreed to a vote of £501 for presents to the Indians, the Governor promising to provide the powder and lead, to the value of £100, from the King's stores. £200 voted for the expense of the Governor's journey, and the management thereof as well as the provision of presents entrusted to Robert Livingston. The
Council concurred with a proposal of the Governor for finishing the buildings in the fort, and the Council further proposed that the gate-house be made higher, so as to let the Governor's coach pass under, appointing two members to make estimates of the materials and of the cost. Petition and remonstrance of six Representatives, who have withdrawn from the House, read, and consideration thereof deferred till to-morrow. |
| June 10. |
The Speaker and Representatives were summoned, when the Governor caused the remonstrance of six of the members to be read, and having said that the matter was not one in which the Council could interfere, urged the House to moderation. The Governor and Council agreed that the Judge of the Admiralty Court should receive 7 per cent., and the Advocate 5 per cent. on all ships and goods condemned, and ordered them to draw up a scale of fees for the inferior officers of the Court. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 102–111.] |
| June 8. |
562. Receipt for certain orders and instructions prepared by the Commissioners of Customs for delivery to Governor Day. Signed, John Williams. Scrap. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. No. 26.] |
June 9.
Transport
Office. |
563. Commissioners of Transport to William Popple. We have received yours of 7th inst. as to the discharge of the transport-ships detained at Newfoundland. We do not know that any were detained except the John and William, as to which we are informed that the Governor did not need the provisions in her, so did not give the orders for which the master applied to unload her. Believing that this ship cannot be unladen and discharged without a letter to the Governor we beg that the Council of Trade will send him the necessary orders. We will write to the master to apply to the Governor for his despatch. Signed, Sam. Atkinson, Tho. Hopkins. ¾ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 15 June, 1698. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. No. 121; and 25. p. 242.] |
June 10.
Antigua. |
564. Governor Codrington to Council of Trade and Plantations. I have received duplicate of the order to restore the French part of St. Christophers. Besides St. Christophers we reduced in the late war St. Eustatia, St. Bartholomews and St. Martins. The first, which we recaptured from the French who had taken it from the Dutch, was restored to the Dutch some time since. The other two I was compelled to keep and to remove the French inhabitants from them, lest they should shelter the enemy's privateers; for all homeward-bound ships from Montserrat, Nevis and St. Christophers were bound to pass by these islands and often became a prey to the enemy that lurked there. These islands are not mentioned in the King's Commission, and I conceive that I ought not to restore them without his express commands. Signed, Chr. Codrington. 2¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read 21 July, 1698. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 5. No. 84; and 45. pp. 224–225.] |
June 10.
Antigua. |
565. Governor Codrington to William Popple. To the same purport as the preceding, but mentioning that St. Bartholomews and St. Martins are used by poor people to breed cattle in. 1½ pp. [America and West Indies. 551. No. 88.] |
| June 10. |
566. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Divorce from his wife granted to Nicholas Cock on her confession of adultery. Order for payment of a Sheriff and his assistants for seizing two Indians suspected of confederacy with rebels. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. pp. 155–157.] |
