|
| April 26. |
Bill for preventing vexatious suits read the third time and returned down amended. A committee of both Houses appointed to consider the bill about negroes and Indians. |
| April 27. |
Revenue bill sent up, read the first and second times and committed. |
|
Bill against vexatious suits returned with amendments agreed to. |
| April 28. |
Amendments proposed to the Revenue Bill. A conference with the Representatives arranged. |
| April 29. |
The Representatives do not agree to two of the amendments proposed. |
|
Bill for settling Jacob Milburne's estate read the first time. |
|
An address from the House of Representatives with several petitions annexed referred for consideration. |
|
Anthony Blunt, Jonathan Bennet and Thomas Rothburne released from their securities not to depart the province. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 780–787.] |
April 26.
Whitehall. |
304. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Romney. The letter we have received from the Ordnance Office we conceive to be only for our information of the progress that is making. We pray your Lordship to be mindful of causing as speedy a despatch as may be of the several particulars mentioned in our letter of Ap. 14. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Jno. Pollexfen. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. p. 299.] |
| April 26. |
305. Mr. Lloyd, late Chief Justice of Jamaica, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. A caveat against the late Act of Assembly for a present of £1,500 to Sir Wm. Beeston. The pretence for giving him this money is to reward his care in the time of the French invasion of that island. I was a principal actor against them at that time, and have a Journal of the whole affair. It will be ready for the Press by the beginning of next week. I intend to dedicate it to your Lordships, and think it may induce you to think he deserves not to be gratified for his behaviour on that occasion. Signed, Rich. Lloyd. Endorsed, Recd. Read Ap. 26, 1699. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. No. 113; and 56. p. 313.] |
April 26.
April 27. |
306. Minutes of Council of Virginia. By the state of the Public Accounts laid before the Council it appearing that the revenue is not above £200 sterling in arrear, it was not thought necessary to recommend them to the General Assembly. Com-missions for administering the oaths to the House of Burgesses and General Assembly signed. |
April 28.
April 29. |
The illness of Mr. Secretary Wormley was announced. In answer to enquiries about arms and ammunition, it appeared that there were none, except only those at James City, Yorke and Tindall Point, of which accounts had been already transmitted. No arms had been sent into the Colony since 1692, when 200 were
sent in by Jeoffrey Jeffreys, which were all burnt last fall in the State-house. His Majesty's Instructions about fortifying the harbours recommended to be laid before the Burgesses. Capt. Francis Clements attended as ordered and gave an account of what he had done as Clerk of the Council, and how owing to indisposition he was forced to apply for his discharge and leave the minutes in the hands of Mr. Deputy Secretary Jennings, who gave them to Mr. Robert Beverley. Clerk of the Council ordered to enquire about them. Israel Voss authorised to pilot ships up James River. Attorney General ordered to prosecute Robert Beverley (see No. 265) and Thomas Gyles for a similar forcible entry upon lands belonging to Mrs. Mary Pitt in the Isle of Wight County. Francis Mackennie, a Dissenting minister, petitioning for a proclamation declaring the freedom and liberty of conscience for Dissenters allowed by the Laws of England, was informed that such liberty would be allowed them, provided they used it civilly and quietly and did not disturb the peace of the Government. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 53. pp. 237–240.] |
April 27.
Kensington. |
307. Order of King in Council, referring the Representation of Ap. 25, about pirates on the coast of Africa, to the Admiralty. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. May 4. Read May 5, 1699. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 5. No. 12; and 35. p. 41.] |
April 27.
Kensington. |
308. Order of King in Council. Upon further consideration it is decided to omit the words, "as also upon soldiers in pay" from Col. Codrington's Commission. Mr. Secretary Vernon to prepare a warrant for such a commission. In agreement with the representation of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, they are hereby instructed to prepare a draft of instructions to be sent to the several Governors whose Commissions have passed without the said alterations, that they do forbear to put the same in execution, so far as relates to the said alterations, which in time of peace may be supplied by the Legislative power in the General Assemblies of the several Plantations. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 2, 1699. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. No. 17; and 45. pp. 357, 358; and Plantations General, 35. pp. 40, 41.] |
|
309. Memorandum of above Order. ½ p. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 5. No. 13.] |
April 27.
Whitehall. |
310. Representation of the Council of Trade and Plantations upon the petition of Mr. Chilton for the post of Attorney General of Barbados. Since the removal of Sir Thomas Montgomery, who was commissioned by the last King James, there has been no person appointed by Patent to succeed in that office, but the same has been executed by one appointed by the several Governors of that island successively. We have received a very favourable character of Mr. Chilton's capacity and zeal and recommend that he be appointed, with a clause of residence. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Tankerville, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, John Pollexfen, Abr. Hill. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 44. p. 254.] |
April 27.
Kensington. |
311. Order of Council instructing Mr. Secretary Vernon to prepare a warrant for the appointment of Mr. Edward Chilton as Attorney General of Barbados during his Majesty's pleasure, "and that he be obliged by the said Commission to actual Residence upon the place and to execute the said office in his own person, except in case of sickness or other incapacity." Copy. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read 2nd May, 1699. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 7. No. 84; and 44. p. 255.] |
April 27.
Kensington. |
312. Order of King in Council. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are to give the necessary directions for getting ready the provisions for the soldiers at Newfoundland according to H.M. Order in Council of April 6. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 2, 1699. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. No. 141; and 25. p. 304.] |
April 27.
Kensington. |
313. Order of King in Council. The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury are to give the necessary directions for issuing the sum of money requisite for raising and transporting the recruits to Newfoundland and for the necessary charges of the several particulars pursuant to H.M. order of April 6. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 2, 1699. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. No. 139; and 25. p. 302.] |
April 27.
Kensington. |
314. Order of King in Council. The Master General of the Ordnance is to give the necessary directions that the several services at Newfoundland directed by H.M. Order in Council, April 6, relating to the Office of Ordinance be performed and complied with all convenient speed. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 2, 1699. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. No. 140; and 25. p. 303.] |
April 27.
Kensington. |
315. Order of King in Council approving the representation of the Council of Trade and Plantations, April 25, on the petition of Francis Brinley and commanding them to signify His Majesty's pleasure to the Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhoad Island accordingly. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 2. 3 pp. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 3. No. 11; and 25. p. 412.] |
| April 27. |
316. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts. Letter from the Council of Trade, about Laws repealed and approved, read and published. Capt. Timothy Clarke empowered to endeavour to recover a vessel, the Ann, John Tooker, master, violently suspected of having been wilfully sunk. Mr. Secretary Addington paid £10 17s. on account of fees. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. p. 206.] |
April 27.
New York. |
317. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I issued writs on Jan. 19 for the calling an Assembly to meet on March 2nd, but Hudson's River not being free from ice so as the members could come down from Albany or Ulster Counties I adjourned it till March 21. There was the greatest struggle at all the elections ever known and in some places fighting and broken heads. Mr. Nichols, late of the Council, and
Jamison, Clerk of the Council under Col. Fletcher, were the great incendiaries, especially Nichols, who rode night and day about the country endeavouring to possess the people that now was the time to get rid of a revenue and set themselves on an equal foot of liberty with the neighbour Colonies; for paying Customs, he insinuated, was a certain badge of slavery. The country people learnt from him a by-word, Now or Never, which was very common among them. In this town he encouraged a club of dissatisfied marchands to the number of 28 or 30, where one constant health was, To him that durst be honest in the worst of times. There came a ship hither from England in Dec. and with her a servant of Col. Fletcher's by whom he wrote to at least 20 of his friends here, and assured 'em all his affairs were in a very prosperous condition at the Court and that he made no manner of question to baffle all the accusations I sent home. Upon the receipt of these letters, dated Aug. and Sept., the angry people here were so exalted that their insolence grew intolerable, and because I had no letters in several months from your Lordships or the rest of the ministers, they looked on that as a fine presage of my disgrace at Court. I was told Col. Fletcher animated his friends in those letters to that contumely he inspired into them at his going away, and advised them by all means to traverse me in the elections, for that an Assembly that would refuse to continue the Revenue would be a sure means to ruin my interest at Court and get me quickly called home. In the beginning of winter I made new sheriffs in the several counties, putting out Col. Fletcher's stale sheriffs of five or six years' standing and putting in men of the best figure in their counties and well affected to the King. The elections were very fairly carried. The Leisler party (as the contrary party call 'em) were 455 votes in this town against 177. Yet there was a cavil afterwards raised by Nichols because the electors on both sides did by a tacit consent name one candidate only, expressing the rest by the word (company), to save time, because there were four candidates of a side whom it would have been tedious to name. The Leisler party voted for the Mayor of New York and Company. The others, whom the Leislerites call the Jacobite party, voted for Mr. Wenham and Company. This is all the objection I have heard the angry men have made to the fairness of the election. Nichols and the rest of the faction, as an artifice to draw all the English to vote for their friends, called themselves the English party: but what is observable and very ridiculous besides is, that three of the four candidates they set up were as mere Dutch as any are in this town. Alderman Wenham was the only Englishman of 'em; the other three were Johannes van Kipp, Rip van Dam, and Jacobus van Courtlandt. The names speak Dutch and the men can scarce speak English. I discourage all I can these distinctions of Dutch and English, which is set on foot by the factious people of this town, and I tell 'em those are only to be acknowledged Englishmen that live in obedience to the laws of England. The rest of the Elections were all petitioned against to the Assembly, but their suggestions were so frivolous that the disaffected party in the House joined with the others in throwing the petitions out. That party are but five in the House, and the hottest men of this Province
next to Bayard, that's gone for England, and Nichols. For instance, in the House of Representatives t'other day, upon reading a Bill where were the words "late happy Revolution," Captain Whitehead moved that the word "happy" might be left out, for he did not conceive the Revolution to be happy. He is a member for Queen's County on Nassau Island, keeps a public-house at a town called Jamaica and is a disciple of Nichols'. 'Tis at his house that Nichols had always a rendezvous with his pirates in Col. Fletcher's time, and twice the last summer, as I afterwards heard, and which was sworn to by John Williamson, whose deposition I sent you Oct. 21 last (sic). Nichols has so poisoned the people of Queen's County, who are all English, that three-quarter parts of them are said to be downright Jacobites, and to avoid taking the oath to the King, which I lately enjoined all the males of the province to do from 16 years old and upwards. A great many men in that county pretended themselves Quakers to avoid taking the oaths, but soon after at the election of Assembly men, those very men pulled off the mask of Quakerism, and were got very drunk and swore and fought bloodily, their padrone, Mr. Nichols, being a spectator all the while. In Suffolk County on Nassau Island they are all English too, but of a quite different temper and principle: the balance is ten Williamites for one Jacobite. Our Assembly consists of 21 members, sixteen whereof are Leislerites and voted for the revenue, and will, I am persuaded, be always true to the King's honour and interest. They voted the continuance of the revenue the third day of the session, and that for six years after the expiration of the present revenue, and there is a year of that term unexpired. I am told that two of them would have had the term to be three years instead of six, and Nichols is supposed to have tampered with them, having been observed to be in their company. |
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I send a paper which was very industriously dispersed before the elections, with design to obstruct the continuing a revenue to the King. I have the first of them, that was left in the Coffy House in this town, and 'tis writ by Col. Bayard's son and interlined and amended by Jamison. 'Tis originally writ by Nichols, and only copied by Bayard. 'Twas calculated to stir up sedition among the people, and there is an unmannerly reflection against the Privy Council of England about the order on the subject of maintaining the privileges of this port against Perth-Amboy in East Jarzey. The pamphleteer does not name the King in his reflection because he durst not, but that he has malice enough and disaffection I shall now prove by certain evidences that have occurred to me—the depositions of Mr. Edsall, an English gentleman that lives in Queen's County, and Mr. Governeur, a member of this Assembly, of Mr. Parmiter, the Naval Officer, and Mr. Lawrence, and a paper containing several articles against Mr. Nichols which were intended to hinder his being sent to England as agent for this Province, but had not that effect. Mr. Nichols and Mr. Brookes were sent joint agents by Col. Fletcher in 1695, and were taken by a French ship at sea and carried into France, where they were kept prisoners for some time at or near Brest, and some other person who was then a prisoner,
upon their enlargement and arrival in London, made oath, either before the Privy Council or one of the Secretaries of State, that they both uttered very scurrilous and opprobrious language against His Majesty and declared themselves much in favour of the late King James, and I think drank a health to the latter and confusion to the former. The particulars I do not remember exactly. |
| May 8. |
I send the address of the House of Representatives to His Majesty to congratulate his safe return to England from Holland. |
| May 12. |
In obedience to the commands of the Lords Justices (Nov. 10, 1698), I did with the advice and consent of the Council direct the Attorney-General to prepare and bring in a Bill for vacating the extravagant grants of lands by Col. Fletcher to Mr. Dellius, Col. Bayard, Capt. Evans, Col. Caleb Heathcot and to the Church. The two last were the Governor's demesne, the first by the name of the King's Garden and that to the Church, the King's Farm; and though these two be the smallest grants, I always thought it a greater impudence in Fletcher to give away the conveniences from the King's Governors than in granting away a large tract or two of land. The Council were equally divided, three against three, so that I was obliged to give a casting vote for the Bill. Those three that were against it have the largest grants in the Province, next to Mr. Dellius's. We sent the Bill down to the House of Representatives, where it met with a cheerful concurrence, they adding a clause to deprive Mr. Dellius of his benefice at Albany, to which the Council and I agreed. The enclosed minute will show you that I have got the Bill made to tie up my own and all succeeding Governors' hands from granting away or so much as leasing the demesne of the Governor for more than his own time in the government. I did not think fit to put the regulations ordered in the Lords Justices' letter in the granting of lands into this Bill, because this is intended only as an essay, and I thought it would be best to defer the making those regulations part of a Bill till I should try another session to vacate all the other extravagant grants, which are 8 or 9 in number. In the next place I was apprehensive those regulations (one whereof is that every 100 acres shall pay a quit rent of 2s. 6d. per annum to the Crown) might alarm the Assembly and prejudice them against such a charge on their lands. The getting this Bill passed has drawn upon me the implacable hatred of the parties concerned, and the rest of Fletcher's Palatines, those, I mean, that have immeasurable grants, fancy I shall push at them the next time, so that they are equally angry. As for the King's Farm granted to the Church, the whole faction, I understand, are resolved to bring on my head the anathemas of the Bishop of London and the Clergy, if they can by any means provoke 'em to resent its being evacuated with the rest; notwithstanding I have given the English Minister much more than an equivalent for what the Act of Assembly has taken away, for by the King's Farm he had but £7 per annum rent and I with the consent of the Council have allowed him £26 per annum to pay his house rent, in which we are warranted by the King's instructions. |
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In obedience to your commands I have had the Bill against Privateers and Pirates passed, of which you sent the draft with me, but that for settling the Post Office, the Council and I thought fit to
respite till the next session, at the earnest request of Col. Hamilton's Deputy Postmaster, who pretends the bill as at present drawn will totally discourage the keeping up that office. The passing an Act to set the value of men's estates to serve as jurors, which your Lordships also ordered me, is complied with. A Bill for facilitating the conversion of Indians and Negroes, which the King's instructions require should be endeavoured to be passed, would not go down with the Assembly, they having a notion that the negroes being converted to Christianity would emancipate them from their slavery and loose them from their service, for they have no other servants in this country but Negroes. A Bill to enforce the building of public workhouses (another instruction from His Majesty), to employ the poor and also vagabonds, I offered to the Assembly, but they smiled at it, because indeed there is no such thing as a beggar in this town or country, and I believe there is not a richer populace anywhere in the King's dominions than is in this town. |
| May 16. |
Yesterday in the evening the House of Representatives brought me a remonstrance which they desired I would humbly lay before the King. I could not refuse the receiving it and promising them to send it to your Lordships that, if you thought fit, it might be presented to the King in their names, for I take it to be the right of the subjects to petition the King. But I should first have told your Lordships that I was forced to use an artifice to save Mr. Graham, the late Speaker, from being expelled the House. I was informed by Dr. Staats, one of the Council, yesterday morning that the Representatives had prepared a Remonstrance and were resolved to compel Mr. Graham, their Speaker, who has the ill-luck to be hated by all parties in the House, to deliver it to me attended by the whole House, and in case of his refusal to throw him out. Afterwards Mr. Graham came to me with great concern and told me that the Remonstrance was produced and read in the House, but that he would be torn to pieces sooner than bring up and read such a paper at the head of the House, which, he said, arraigned all the proceeding against Leisler and Milburn, and by so doing, he said in terminis, it would be cutting his own throat. Upon which, having been ordered by the Lords Justices' letter of Nov. 10 to swear Mr. Graham, among other persons therein named, of H.M. Council, I sent for the House of Representatives and acquainted them with the King's commands and swore Mr. Graham of the Council and directed them to go and choose another Speaker, which they did, and chose Mr. Gouverneur, who I believe penned the Remonstrance, where your Lordships will meet with some expressions and words that are not very proper English. It goes. |
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The Council and I during this session reversed a judgment given by Col. Fletcher and the Council in his time against Mrs. Wandale, a widow, in favour of one Alsop. I will shortly send a copy of her husband's will and a state of her case, that you may be judges how crying a piece of injustice it was in Col. Fletcher to strip the widow of her estate. Common fame says that Nichols had a good part of the estate for prevailing with Fletcher to give that unjust judgment, and that Fletcher had 60l. for his share. This sort of proceeding is a mystery of iniquity, and hard to find out and
discover the truth of. Alsop is a silly sort of man and perhaps might betray his bargain with Nichols; but this is certain that when Col. Fletcher pronounced his judgment he was observed to fall into an agony and trembling and grew very pale, so that everybody present took notice of his strange disorder. I have this morning prorogued the Assembly to the 20th of next Sept., and this afternoon I am to embark for Boston in New England, on board a little galley which the Lt.-Gov., Mr. Stoughton, and the Council have sent to transport me thither. The short discourse I made to the Assembly at my parting with them goes. Signed, Bellomont. Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 31. Read Dec. 8, 1699. 6 closely written pp. Holograph. Enclosed, |
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317. I. Abstract of preceding letter. 2¼ pp. |
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317. II. Copy of Mr. Nichols' Pamphlet intended to influence the elections of Assembly men with a view to their refusing to continue the King's Revenue. 6¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. Aug. 31, 1699. |
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317. III. Copy of Deposition of Samuel Edsall and Abraham Gouverneur, Ap. 24, 1699, that in Jan. 1690 William Nichols and Nicholas Bayard, when brought before Capt. Leisler, refused to own King William and Queen Mary lawful King and Queen of England. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. |
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317. IV. Printed copy of Lord Bellomont's Speech to the House of Representatives, March 21. Endorsed as preceding. 3 pp. Printed and sold by William Bradford, Printer to the King in the City of New York. |
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317. V. Copy of deposition by Paroculus Parmyter (March 25, 1699) that in December last William Nicholls expressed great dissatisfaction with the late Revolution. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. |
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317. VI. Copy of deposition of Daniel Lawrence (April 19, 1699) that about ten years since William Nicholls told him that he and a companion killed a man with their swords, and, escaping from prison, fled to Spain and thence to this country. Endorsed as above. 1 p. |
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317. VII. Copy of articles exhibited against William Nichols, Oct. 26, 1695, to prevent his being sent Agent to England. He is represented as a scoffer at religion, a Jacobite, whoremonger, and murderer. Signed, Susannah Churchill and Daniel Lawrence, sworn before Alderman Beckman. Endorsed as preceding. 2 pp. |
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317. VIII. Copy of an Address of the General Assembly of New York to the King. Expressing loyalty, and appreciation of Bellomont. Signed, Ja. Graham, Speaker, Jo. D. Peyster, Abrah. Gouverneur, K.V. Reneselaer, Henry Peirson, Gerrit Veghte, Jno. Jackson, Tho. Morgan, D. Pro Voost, Math. Howell, Leo. Lewis, Gab. Ludlow, (Clerk of the Assembly), Hendrick V. Brurnt, Cornelius V. Brint, Beyers Shernicheorn, Jno. Drock, A. Hosberk, Jno. Hunt, Jno. Jonson Cleeker, Cornelis Sebring, Danl. Whithead, Jacob Rutson. Endorsed as preceding. 1¾ pp. |
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317. IX. Minute of Council of New York, Ap. 6, 1699, referred to in preceding letter. Endorsed as preceding. ¾ p. |
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317. X. Copy of Petition and Remonstrance of the General Assembly of New York, May 15, 1699. We were very uneasy under an arbitrary commission in the late King James' reign which gave the Governor the power of levying money without calling an Assembly, wherefore, and because of the dreadful violence we apprehended would be done to our conscience by a popish, arbitrary King, we freely and heartily threw off the yoke of popish tyranny. Never a Revolution was carried on and managed with more moderation. The execution of Capt. Leisler and Mr. Milborn was barbarous. Then Richard Ingoldsby, a hot headed inconsiderate person, a simple Captain of Foot, was made a Commander-in-Chief. Col. Fletcher coming made his government an entire mass of corruption by encouraging piracy etc. Taking into consideration what was done by Parliament in reversing the attainders of Captain Leisler and others, we now beg the extension of the royal bounty and favour of the families of Leisler and Milborne and the payment of £2,700 to them for what was expended in the late happy Revolution. And for the better administration of Justice, that two or three able Judges may be sent from England and two or three counsel, who have acquired to that noble profession by study, not by usurpations, for the maintenance whereof we shall not be wanting. And that Col. Fletcher's coat of arms be pulled down from the King's chapel in the fort, especially since his birth was so mean and obscure that he was not entitled to bear a coat of arms. Signed, Abrah. Gouverneur, Speaker. Endorsed as preceding. 1 large p. |
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317. XI. Copy of Lord Bellomont's speech upon proroguing the Assembly, May 16, 1699. Endorsed as preceding. ¾ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 8A. Nos. 23, 23I.–23XI.; and 53. pp. 376–390; and (abstract) 45. pp. 42–45.] |
| April 27. |
318. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Papers concerning Capt. Evans returned to Mr. Weaver to lay before the Lords of the Admiralty. |
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Three representations signed. Orders of Council, March 16, upon the representation about Col. Fletcher's musters, and April 20, upon that relating to Col. Codrington's Commission read. Col. Codrington's Instructions considered. Mr. Cary desired to note the names of the Members of Council in the Instructions of Col. Codrington, deceased, who are dead or have been removed, and to give a further list of names with characters of persons fitted to fill up the vacancies. |
| April 28. |
Sir William Waller and others presented the agreement between Charles II. and the Duke of Courland about Tobago, and promised other papers. |
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The Secretary ordered to acquaint the Agents with their design of settling there. |
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Lists of those named for the Council by Col. Codrington, 1697, and for St. Christopher's in Sir Nathaniel Johnson's Instructions, ordered to be sent to Mr. Cary for his observations. |
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Col. Codrington attended and agreed to what their Lordships had thought fit in order to the terminating of differences between him and Mr. Lucas. |
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Mr. Lloyd granted a copy of the minute of Council of Jamaica, June 6, 1694. |
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Letter from the Victuallers of the Navy read and answered. |
| Ap. 27–28. |
Letter to Mr. Poultney about the gunners at Newfoundland ordered. [Board of Trade. Journal, 12. pp. 17–21; and 96. Nos. 68–69.] |
April 27.
James City. |
319. Journal of General Assembly of Virginia. Benjamin Harrison having been appointed by the Governor Clerk of the General Assembly took the oath appointed. He was sent to summon all the gentlemen of the House of Burgesses to attend H.E. and Council immediately in the Great Hall, which owing to the late unhappy fire is where the Council will now sit. The Burgesses attended. H.E. told them he had appointed a house for their sittings, Members of Council to administer the oaths to them, and William Randolph to be Clerk of the House of Burgesses. |
| April 28. |
The Burgesses were summoned from their house and attended. The Governor delivered his speech, directing them to choose a Speaker. |
| April 29. |
The Burgesses not yet having chosen a Speaker, the Clerk of the General Assembly was sent to them directing them to do so forthwith. They replied that they were equally divided between two candidates on the vote for a Speaker, and could not therefore choose one till the rest of the members of their House came to town. H.E. commanded their immediate attendance and desired their company on Monday at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, recommending them to adjourn accordingly. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 52. pp. 70–75.] |
Ap. 27.
James City.
Ap. 28, 29. |
320. Journal of House of Burgesses of Virginia. Forty burgesses and William Randolph, Clerk of the House, took the oaths appointed. See abstract of Journal of General Assembly. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 52. pp. 346–348.] |
| April 28. |
321. William Popple to Commissioners for Victualling H.M. Navy. In reply to your letter of the 15th to the Treasury, (1) The provisions sent to the soldiers at Newfoundland last year were to be distributed at short allowances, and the same is intended for those to be sent this and the succeeding years. (2) The number of men to be provided for is sixty-one. (3) The ten recruits may have such allowance as is usually given to passengers on the King's account. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. p. 301.] |
April 28.
Whitehall. |
322. William Popple to John Pulteney. Great complaints having been made of the sufferings of the gunners in Newfoundland the last year for want of provisions or money to buy them, care is taken that provisions be sent and distributed to them this year as to the soldiers; therefore it may be fit that the officers
of the Ordnance make deduction of 6d. per diem out of each of the said gunners' pay, to satisfy the Victuallers of the Navy who send those provisions. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. pp. 301, 302.] |
| April 29. |
323. T. Weaver to Mr. Popple. In answer to your letter of the 27th inst. in relation to Capt. Evans, please acquaint their Lordships that the papers came but lately to my hands, after his ship is laid up, his pay received and he out of the service, and thereby he is become less liable to the censure of the Lords of the Admiralty. Besides, a prosecution against him would be considerably chargeable to Lord Bellomont, who cannot as yet receive money due to him from the Treasury to defray the expenses he hath already been at and to support other prosecutions. I thought it proper to lay the papers before their Lordships, because they give some light into the maladministrations of the late Governor of New York, and their Lordships may be truly possessed how far to give credit to anything Capt. Evans may offer against Lord Bellomont. Signed, T. Weaver. Endorsed, Recd. Read, May 2, 1699. 1 p. [Board of Trade. New York, 8 A. No. 25.] |
April 29.
Victualling
Office. |
324. Victuallers of the Navy to Mr. Popple. We have received yours of 28th and an order from the Admiralty of the 26th requiring us to provide and send for Newfoundland with H.M.S. Hampshire such a quantity of provisions of proper species as may be sufficient for one whole year for sixty-one soldiers now at that place, and to solicit the Treasury for money for the same and to take care that the provisions now ordered be furnished after the rate of 6d. per diem per man, the prime cost. We send you copies of two letters we wrote to the Admiralty upon this occasion. We suppose that it is intended we should freight some merchantman to carry the provisions as we did last year, and that the cost of freight, cash, baggs and all charges over and above the prime cost should be paid by His Majesty as before. In the Navy Board's order to us there is no mention of the ten recruits. It is requisite we should have an order for their victualling, and in what manner they are to be victualled in their passage, unless it is intended that they should take their passage on the Hampshire, and be victualled with the seamen there. The ship that is to carry the provisions to Newfoundland, the Master will not oblige himself to attend the man-of-war unless he sails at the same time with him. Signed, Tho. Papillon, Simon Mayne, J. Burrington. Endorsed, Recd. April 29. Read May 2, 1699. Enclosed, |
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324. I. Victuallers of the Navy to the Admiralty. Provisions are dearer than last year, but as we shall this year not have to send a copper furnace and mills as last year, we hope that at the prime cost they may come to stand at but about 6d. per man per day. Besides the prime cost of the provisions which the last year came £557 13s. 10d., which was but £ 11s. 0d. above 6d. per man per diem, there was the charges of casks, iron hoops, freight etc. amounting to £170 3s. 11d. Copy. |
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324. II. Victuallers of the Navy to the Admiralty. We have been treating with a Master of a Ship bound for
Newfoundland to carry the provisions, and the lowest price we can reduce him to is twenty shillings per tun, which we think is a moderate price, but he will by no means be obliged to attend the Hampshire unless she sails at the time he is obliged to sail, which by charter party he is obliged to sail from the River by May 20. Copy. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 3. Nos. 142, 142I.; and (without enclosures) 25. pp. 305, 306.] |
April 30.
Whitehall. |
325. Mr. Secretary Vernon to Council of Trade and Plantations, referring the petition of Edward Jones to the consideration of the Board. Annexed, |
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325. I. Petition of Edward Jones to the King. John Dudgeon, lately appointed Secretary of Bermuda, doubts whether he may be able to execute the office owing to infirmity, and is willing to surrender it to me. Two former Secretaries held also the post of Provost Marshal. I beg to be appointed Secretary and Provost Marshal. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Read 3 May, 1699. Annexed, |
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325. II. Certificate of several gentlemen that Edward Jones is duly qualified to execute the offices of Secretary and Provost Marshal of Bermuda. 28 April, 1699. Twenty signatures. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. Nos. 34, 34 I.; and (without enclosures), 29. pp. 129, 130.] |
