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| Oct. 11. |
884. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Thomas Maxwell again chosen Speaker. Supplemental Bill for provision of white servants rejected on second reading. The Committee on naval officers' fees explained that their delay in presenting their
report was due to the absence of their chairman, whereupon provision was made for a deputy-chairman. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. pp. 318–319.] |
| Oct. 11. |
885. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. A private Act of Antigua was sent to the Attorney or Solicitor-General. |
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Three Orders in Council of 29th September, as to Colonel Blakiston's commission and instructions, and the devolution of the Government of the Leeward Islands, read (Nos. 861, 864, 865). |
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On a memorial of Sir Thomas Laurence of 6th inst. (No. 878) it was ordered that he may have the copies of the Acts for which he asks. |
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The Proclamation and Commission for the expedition against pirates were altered, according to order, and a representation thereupon directed to be drawn. |
| Oct. 13. |
The representation mentioned on the 11th was signed. |
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Sir Thomas Laurence presented a patent for his son to be Secretary of Maryland, and desired the Board's instructions to him thereupon. Order for a letter of instructions to be prepared. |
| Oct. 14. |
Order given for a representation upon Sir Thomas Laurence's claim of £150. The instructions to Mr. Thomas Laurence as Secretary were delivered to him. |
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Mr. Jahleel Brenton's memorial as to privateers' commissions in Rhode Island read (No. 896), and order given for a letter to be prepared to the Government of Rhode Island thereupon. |
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Resolved to consider Lord Bellomont's letters on Monday, without suffering any other business to intervene. [Board of Trade. Journal, 11. pp. 247–253.] |
Oct. 12.
New York. |
886. Colonel Romer's report to Lord Bellomont on the fortifications of New York. I send the plans of the several works which I have designed [missing]. If any works be begun during my absence, the lime burned out of stone at Albany is not sufficiently good for the work, as it does not dissolve itself—I suggest the following method for dissolving it. Here follow elaborate details as to the method, and further details as to the building of the forts. There are only ten iron guns and a few brass fit for service at New York; the rest are honey-combed and unserviceable. Signed, Wolfgang William Romer. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
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886. I. A drawing of the engine for making lime. [America and West Indies. 579. Nos. 44, 44 I.] |
Oct. 13.
Whitehall. |
887. William Popple to the Solicitor-General. Enclosing a private Act of Antigua concerning Nicholas Rainsford's estate, for his opinion. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 45. pp. 299–300.] |
Oct. 13.
Whitehall. |
888. William Popple to the Attorney-General. Sir Thomas Laurence has applied for copies of two of the Acts of Maryland now in your hands. The Council of Trade direct me again to desire your despatch of these Acts, but has no objection to the furnishing of the copies requested by Sir Thomas Laurence. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 9. p. 221.] |
Oct. 13.
Whitehall. |
889. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lords Justices of England. We submit to you drafts of a proclamation, commission
and instructions for the Commissioners of the expedition for the suppression of pirates in the East Indies (see No. 882). The limitations of time set down are based on the supposition that the squadron will sail from England about the end of November next, so that, if it should sail any considerable time sooner or later, alterations should be made accordingly. As to the ordering and commanding of the squadron, we have according to your orders left that untouched, as belonging properly to the Commander-in-Chief, according to the directions that he may receive from the Admiralty. Signed, Ph. Meadows. John Pollexfen, Jo. Locke, Abr. Hill. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 34. pp. 349–350.] |
Oct. 13.
Jamaica. |
890. Governor Sir William Beeston to Council of Trade and Plantations. Since my last I have received yours of 21 March and 19 May. The law for importation of servants in this island is in force, and there is money in the Treasury to discharge the passages of those who come over freely and are to be free on their arrival, which is a great encouragement, but our Agents in England have not caused it to be known there by publishing the clause of the Act, otherwise, doubtless, more would have come over on that encouragement. I have already told you that we have no privateers on the island, nor have any of the pirates ever offered to come here since I refused to receive a present from Every's men; nor shall any be countenanced nor encouraged while I am here. What we want chiefly, now there is peace, is to fill the country with people, so that it shall produce trade and Customs and be able to defend itself in case of war. To do this our Agents ought to print and publish the Act, to encourage all they can to come over; but then I must needs confess that many unhappily die soon after their arrival of the fever, which still follows these parts, in July, August and September and is yet hard upon us. For this we want some able physicians, for our doctors (as we call them), save but very few that come under their hands. As a further example of the prejudice which the islands suffer from the frequent change of the Patent-officers' deputies, Mr. Chaplin, who is now manager of the Treasury, has brought it out of debt, yet has not put the quit-rents into any method nor has any encouragement to do it, because he hears that others in England are dealing with the patentees to manage that office. Hereby the revenue and the country suffer much, and why a man should be removed, who understands his duty and has done it very well, to make room for one who does not, seems to me not very reasonable. The accounts of exportation were sent by the Naval Officer to the Commissioners of Customs, and I did not know that you expected them from me, else I should not have failed therein. I am now sending the accounts up to last September, and other papers showing the produce, income, officers and military strength of the island. I must again beg your orders as to the disposal of the money which I have reported to be in the Commissary's hands from the sale of stores. There is also about £1,000 remaining of the fund for the soldiers. I continue to pay them, having no orders to the contrary, but it is so much lost, for it does them no good but to make them drunk once in two months when they come to receive it. I have been a great husband of that money as
also of the island's revenue, else after so great an expense and so little an income as the war created, it could not have got out of debt in so short a time. The Assembly which met on 27 September is now sitting, and I hope will raise again the Acts for additional duty on wines imported and negroes exported, the produce of which I intend to spend on erecting fortifications in places where they are requisite. I enclose herewith the names of the Assembly and a copy of my speech to them at the opening of the session, and I hope they will do well; all things so far seem fair and unanimous amongst them. The Barlovento fleet (as is their custom when they can overpower) have taken and carried some of our trading vessels from hence, for no reason that I can hear of. I have sent a ship to Carthagena in hopes to meet them there and demand reparation, and have written to the Governor for the same purpose. That ship has already lost several of her men. The Maidstone I have sent to the coast of Hispaniola, who have turned pirates, and often take our vessels going that way. I am obliged, for their safety, to send them cruising any way rather than let them lie in port, where the men get drink and by that sickness and death. I have consulted the Council as to your recommendation on Captain Tyrrell's behalf, and we have agreed to send an Act to the Assembly to indemnify him, considering his great losses, but with a proviso to ensure that he shall be liable to pay the right heir, should he ever appear. Signed, Wm. Beeston. Holograph. 2 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 30 Dec., 1698, Read 6 Feb., 1698–9. Enclosed, |
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890. I. List of the members of the Assembly of Jamaica, thirty-five in all. 1¼ pp. |
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Copy of Sir William Beeston's speech on opening the session. 1¼ pp. |
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890. II. State of the Island of Jamaica in the month of September, 1698. |
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List of the Council. Peter Beckford, Peter Heywood, Nicholas Lawes, Charles Knight, Henry Lowe, Charles Chaplin, Thomas Ayscough, Richard Dawkins, James Banister, Josiah Heathcote. |
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List of the Members of Assembly. |
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Judges of the High Court. Nicholas Lawes, Thomas Ayscough, Peter Heywood, Henry Lowe, John Walters. |
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List of the Justices for the several parishes, and the Judges of the Parish Courts. |
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List of the Patent Officers, viz.:— |
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Leonard Campeer, Receiver General; |
Charles Chaplin, his deputy. |
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John Baber, Secretary; |
Man Brodrick, " " |
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Sir Richard Derham, Clerk of Chancery; |
John Holbrooke, " " |
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Thomas Cotton, Clerk of the Grand Court; |
George Simpson, " " |
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Thomas Povey, Naval Officer; |
Barnabas Jenkins " " |
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List of other civil officers. |
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List of the Colonels and Captains of Militia, divided into regiments as follows:— |
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The Regiment of Horse |
Colonel Sir William Beeston. |
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St. Jago Regiment of Foot |
Colonel Peter Beckford. |
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Port Royal Regiment of Foot |
Colonel Charles Knight, also
commander of the fortifications at Port Royal. |
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St. Andrew's Regiment of Foot |
Colonel Nicholas Lawes. |
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St. Thomas and St. David's Regiment of Foot |
Colonel Modyford Freeman. |
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Clarendon and Vere Regiment of Foot |
Colonel Henry Lowe. |
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St. Elizabeth's Regiment of Foot |
Colonel Odoardo Lewis. |
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North Side " " |
Colonel Peter Heywood. |
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Approximate total of white men in the island |
2,465 |
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" " white women and children in the island |
4,900 |
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‐‐‐‐‐‐ |
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7,365 |
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Negroes of all sorts, sexes, and ages, about |
40,000 |
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‐‐‐‐‐‐ |
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Total population |
47,365 |
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‐‐‐‐‐‐ |
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The whole. 8 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 30 Dec., 1698. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. Nos. 97, 97 I.–II.; and 56. pp. 250–268.] |
Oct. 13.
Jamaica. |
891. Governor Sir William Beeston to William Popple. Thanking him for his letter and advising despatch of returns, with compliments. Signed, Wm. Beeston. Holograph. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 30 Dec., 1698. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. No. 98; and 56. pp. 269–270.] |
| Oct. 13. |
892. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Nevis. The Council assented to a proposal of the Assembly to write to John Perrie to supply provisions and other necessaries for the King's ships homeward bound. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. pp. 477–478.] |
| Oct. 14. |
893. Minutes of Council of New York. Two licences granted to Widow Ryndering Quick and to William Tietsoor to purchase lands from Indians, provided the purchase be within twelve months of the date of licence. The Mayor and Sheriff of New York sworn. Sundry miscellaneous accounts audited (items given) and payment ordered. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 152–155.] |
Oct. 14.
Treasury
Chambers. |
894. Secretary of the Treasury to William Popple. Forwarding a report by the Commissioners of Customs upon certain papers transmitted by Governor Nicholson from Maryland, with a request that it may be an instruction to all Governors of Colonies in America that naval officers give such security and join with the Collector, as is by the said Commissioners proposed. Signed, Wm. Lowndes. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. 14th. Read 19th Oct., 1698. Enclosed, |
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894. I. Extract from a report of the Commissioners of Customs, dated 12 October, 1698. Upon the papers in question and upon other papers now before us we would observe (1) that the Plantations are too frequently
furnished with European goods by way of Newfoundland, in exchange for which tobacco and other enumerated commodities are thence transported to Europe without touching in England, both of which practices may probably arise from an opinion that Newfoundland is not understood to be one of the English Plantations of America within the meaning of the Acts of Trade and Navigation. (2) In several private proprieties there is too easy an admission of irregular trade, the Governors there not being of the King's appointment, and such as too often have more regard to their particular advantage than to the law and trade of England. (3) The Naval Officers appointed by the Governors to take bonds and give certificates for clearing ships have generally neglected to comply with the late Act for preventing frauds, which requires them to give security to the Commissioners of Customs in England for due discharge of their trust. We think that besides the security of this single officer it would be very expedient to have the concurrence of the collectors appointed by us to join with the naval officers in so important an act as that of signing certificates for clearing ships, agreeable to the constitution of the Customs in England, which has provided a control upon the action of every officer employed therein. Copy. 1½ pp. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 4. Nos. 144, 144 I.; and 34. pp. 358–361.] |
Oct. 14.
Whitehall. |
895. Council of Trade and Plantations to Thomas Laurence. Instructing him, as Secretary of Maryland, to send an account of all business transacted, and copies of laws, journals and other public documents. Signed, Ph. Meadows, John Pollexfen, John Locke, Abr. Hill. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 9. pp. 224–226.] |
| [Oct. 14.] |
896. Jahleel Brenton to Council of Trade and Plantations. I recommend that the Government of Rhode Island be required to furnish authentic copies of all Commissions granted to privateers by Governor Walter Clarke and Deputy-Governor John Greene, also of the bonds given by the privateers on receiving them. See the enclosed depositions of John Easton. Signed, Jahleel Brenton. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 14 Oct., 1698. Enclosed, |
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896. I. Depositions of John Easton, Governor of Rhode Island in 1694. That John Greene gave a Commission to the privateer John Bankes, who came to Newport with Thomas Tew. The said Tew also offered Easton £500 for a Commission. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 2. Nos. 34, 34 I.; and (without enclosure), 25. p. 242.] |
Oct. 14.
Nassau,
New Providence. |
897. Governor Webb to Council of Trade and Plantations. We have, five days after receipt of your orders for the suppression of pirates, passed the Act recommended to us for that end. Since my coming I have made many expeditions for the seizing of these sorts of persons, who have fitted themselves out at the Isle of Ash,
and have done much mischief in some of our remoter Islands. Jamaica is near enough to the Isle of Ash to suppress this. Signed, Nich. Webb. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 21, Read 28 Feb., 1698–9. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 2. No. 35; and 25. pp. 343–344.] |
| Oct. 15. |
898. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Four members present. Dudley Digges chosen to be of the Council. Order for a proclamation for the arrest of John Coode, if in Virginia. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 53. p. 141.] |
Oct. 15.
Bermuda. |
899. Governor Day to Council of Trade and Plantations. I arrived here on 16 August, and having taken all the prescribed oaths assumed the government on the following day. I have issued writs for an Assembly to meet on the 31st inst., when I shall submit to it the proposals enjoined by your instructions. I found things in great disorder on my arrival. Several of the most eminent persons were in gaol on account of fines set upon them without trial or process. These I admitted to bail. I have also discharged Mr. Richier from prison on his giving security to Governor Trott according to the Order in Council. He and Mr. Goddard will give each other security, as directed, on next Council day; and by next opportunity I hope to report in full. Pray send some powder to Bermuda, for we are in great need of it, also some colours, for all here are worn out. They have been forced to hoist a palmetto leaf instead of colours at the Castle. Signed, Sam. Day. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd., Read 9 Feb., 1698–9. |
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Duplicate of the above letter addressed to Mr. Secretary Vernon. Endorsed, R. 9 Feb., 1698–9. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. Nos. 31, 32.] |
