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Oct. 22.
Whitehall. |
881. Mr. Secretary Vernon to the Council of Trade and Plantations. It is His Majesty's pleasure that you report your opinion about the want of an able Judge and Attorney General at New York and about Sir William Beeston's request for leave to come home for his health. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 23. Read Ditto 25, 1699. 1¼ pp. [Board of Trade. New York, 53. pp. 373, 374; and 9. No. 3.] |
Oct. 22.
Whitehall. |
882. Mr. Secretary Vernon to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Extract of a letter. My Lord Lucas having delivered the enclosed memorial to the Lords Justices in behalf of Sir William Beeston, His Majesty refers to you for information. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Enclosed, |
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882. I. Memorial of Sir William Beeston. The Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, having been there between six and seven years and finding a great decay in his health, for the recovery of which he is advised to return into England with all speed, humbly prays for leave to return home, leaving the government in the hands of Col. Peter Beckford, who has his Commission from the King to be L.G. upon the death or in the absence of Sir William Beeston. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 23, Read Ditto, 25, 1699. Copy. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 56. pp. 385, 386; and (without covering letter), 8. No. 135.] |
Oct. 23.
Kensington. |
883. Order of King in Council, that the Council of Trade and Plantations prepare drafts of a letter and instructions to Mr. Grey, with reference to his account of some French settling in Santa Lucia. The letter "to be in the same terms as was sent by the late King James to the then Governor of Barbados." Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 26. Read Oct. 31, 1699. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 8. No. 21; and 44A. pp. 349, 350.] |
Oct. 23.
Kensington. |
884. Order of King in Council. A report from the Office of the Ordnance, together with an estimate of the value of stores desired for the supply of St. Christopher's Island amounting to £2,022 2s., which the Principal Officers of the Ordnance are of opinion may be absolutely necessary for the service of the same, but cannot justify the supplying any of the Plantations with stores unless the office be reimbursed the charge by the island as usual, referred to the Council of Trade and Plantations to report upon. Their Lordships to be put in mind to report likewise their opinion upon what has been formerly referred to them relating to the providing stores of war for the several fortifications in the respective Plantations. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read Oct. 25, 1699. Enclosed, |
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884. I. Report from the Office of the Ordnance. See preceding abstract. Signed, C. Musgrave, Ja. Lowther, Wm. Meesters, Wm. Boulter. |
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884. II. Estimate of the value of the stores demanded for St. Christopher's, e.g. 72 spades at 1s. 4d. each; 500 hand granades at 10d. each; 250 barrels of corne powder at 53s. a barrel; 6 drums at £1 each; 6 dark lanthornes at 2s. 9d. each; 112 handspikes at 1s. 2d. each; 25,000 flints at 10s. a thousand, &c. Oct. 3. Signed, C. Musgrave, Clerk of the Ordnance. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 6. Nos. 42, 42I.–II.; and 46. pp. 3–6; and (without enclosures) Plantations General, 35. pp. 81, 82.] |
Oct. 23.
Kensington. |
885. Order of King in Council, referring the affair of Charles Goodman to the Council of Trade and Plantations, and enquiring
how far the Act for regulating abuses in the Plantation Trade has been complied with as to H.M. approbation of Governors of Proprieties, and what is necessary to be done for enforcing that law. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read Oct. 25, 1699. 1 p. Enclosed, |
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885. I. Extract of a presentment of the case of Mr. Goodman from the Commissioners of Customs to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Aug. 21, 1699. ¾ p. |
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885. II. Charles Goodman, Collector at Perth Amboy, to the Commissioners of Customs. I seized some bales landed from Capt. Shelley's ship in the house of Mathew Moore at Woodbridge. I secured them in the house of Mr. Richard Powell. About one in the morning the house was broke open by twenty persons disguised, armed with clubs, pallizadoes and other weapons of a prodigious bigness, myself threatened my life, and the goods forcibly carried away. Signed, Charles Goodman. 1½ large pp. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 4. Nos. 15, 15I.–II.; and (first enclosure only), 26. pp. 123, 124; and Plantations General, 35. pp. 83, 84.] |
| Oct. 23. |
886. Memoranda of above Orders of Council. Recd. Read Oct. 25, 1699. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 5. Nos. 27, 27 I.] |
| Oct. 23. |
887. Governor Sir William Beeston to Council of Trade and Plantations. In my letter by the Catherine (by whom I sent the Laws) I acquainted you that the Assembly not being willing to settle the revenue I had prorogued them. By the unanimous advice of the Council I now intend to dissolve them. The usual sickness incident to this time of year for 9 or 10 years past has returned severely upon us, insomuch that not only the Scotch and others servants and free people are many of them dead, and not only them but many of those called the old Standers, so that the country is so reduced that there are not fitting men in any of the parishes to fill up the vacancies for Justices of the Peace and other civil and military officers, and the Scotch that came from Calidonia are so many dead that at last they are forced to lay up the St. Andrew for want of men to carry her away. It's not only here but in most parts of these Indies, the Spaniards have lost above 500 of the seamen and soldiers that came with the new Governor lately to Cartagena, and I hear that in Pensylvania they die 8 or 10 a day, so that unless healthy times return again there is little hopes or prospect of these places being ever well settled, for going into a battle is not so hazardous as for strangers to come into these parts, and this has lasted now about 10 years without any appearance of being better. The Council have desired me not to swear Mr. Allan Brodricke into the Attorney General's place until I receive further commands about it, and have given their exceptions to his ability and fitness for the employment, which I now lay by their desire before you, with their humble desire that you will be pleased so to represent it to His Majesty, as that some more fitting person may be put in that office, if it shall not please His Majesty to leave the putting in that office by the Governor and
Council as it was always heretofore, till Mr. Brodrick got the patent from England. Against the winter season is more over I will transmit the public accounts and other things necessary, which I am not so willing to send this time of the year, and with them what else may be necessary. Signed, Wm. Beeston. Endorsed, Recd. Read Jan. 8, 1699/1700. 1½ pp. Enclosed, |
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887. I. Exceptions of the Council to Mr. Allan Brodrick, being sworn Attorney General. He has no estate or freehold in the islands; has not sufficient knowledge of the law; he connived at his cousin Brodrick's going off, when he was in the Secretary's Office; it is probable his cousin may slide hither again, and then it's known he has such influence over him, that he will cause him to do what he pleases; it has been written from London that besides the money his friends gave to procure him this office, they or some of them are engaged to pay one Mrs. Lundy, who got it for him, £100 per annum, which is more than can honestly be made of it, with an indifferent maintenance for himself, without exaction like his cousin before him. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 9. Nos. 5, 5 I.; and 56. pp. 414–418.] |
| Oct. 23. |
888. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts Bay. Proclamation ordered for a public Thanksgiving Day. Account for fitting out the Province galley, paid. Inhabitants of Barwick allowed £15 for the maintenance of Mr. John Wade, their minister. [Board of Trade. New England, 49. p. 253.] |
Oct. 23.
Whitehall.
Oct. 24. |
889. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Upon consideration of Col. Nicholson's letter, July 1, the Secretary was ordered to enquire of the Master of the Mint (1) what is the fineness of our standard silver in the Mint and (2) what is the value of a pennyweight of standard silver in the Mint. Directions given for heads of instructions to be offered to H.M. as fit to be given to Col. Nicholson with regard to the lands in Pamunkey Neck, etc. |
| Oct. 25. |
Letter from Mr. Secretary Vernon, Oct. 22. read. |
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Order of Council, Aug. 22, upon a petition of Mr. Isaac Richier, read. Representation ordered. |
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Order of Council, Oct. 23, about a seizure of goods at Perth Amboy etc., read. Letter to Mr. Dockwra and Mr. Thornburgh, ordered. |
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Order of Council, Oct. 23, about stores of war for the Plantations, read. |
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Mr. Mears (June 23, Oct. 12) attended and, pressing for a speedy resolution because of a ship just now sailing to Bermuda, and offering to give £1,000 security to answer H.M. determination in Council upon Mr. Day's pretence, their Lordships signed a letter recommending release of the Dolphin. |
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Capt. Lilly laid before the Board a description of the fortifications of Jamaica, and Mr. Heathcote suggested that the cause of Sir W. Beeston's uneasiness proceeds rather from the shortness of his allowance, which as L.G. is but £1,000, than from any real want of health, and therefore desired their Lordships' favourable report that he may have the whole salary of a Governor, £2,000, allowed him. [Board of Trade. Journal, 12. pp. 218–223; and 96. Nos. 166–168.] |
Oct. 24.
Boston. |
890. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I have prorogued the General Assembly till Dec. 6 in expectation of receiving your orders by that time, whether to press the passing of the Bill for punishing pirates. The Marchands of this town have petitioned that the man-of-war that's here might convoy their ships this winter to Saltertudos, where the salt ships have been constantly robbed these two or three winters past. Capt. Crow, who commands the frigate, tells me if I positively command him he will go, but does not think the orders sent by the Admiralty will bear him and me out in that voyage. They are not large enough. I wish there were new ones sent leaving me to my liberty to send and dispose of the two ships (at New York and here) where I think fit for the King's service. I brought orders from the Admiralty from England to send the two ships every winter to Saltertudos to convoy the ships of each place, the ship from hence also to convoy the Barbados salt-ships and that from New York those of the Leeward Islands. There is as much reason for it now as there was then, and they are more serviceable for the King so, than in being laid up all winter. If I had a 4th rate here and a 5th rate at New York I could secure this whole coast from the easternmost point of my Government to the southernmost of Carolina, provided the Governors will be honest, and that without putting the King to further charge. A 6th rate such as is lately come to N. York is not able to fight one of the pirate ships, which carries often 30 guns and 150 men. Besides I am told that frigate would not live in these seas in the winter. Capt. Crow is of opinion the guarding the coast with two ships is faisible enough, especially if each ship had a light armed to send into the creeks, which could be cheaply kept. I would man 'em chiefly with soldiers from N. York. About three weeks since we seized a ship and some East India goods here. The officers of the Custom House were not nimble enough or we had got all the goods, worth above £2,000. That which gave us a jealousy of the ship was that William Symes, the master, went hence in poor circumstances and came back master and half owner of this ship. He was formerly burnt in the hand in this town for stealing. He said that being with his sloop at Crab Island (a maroon island 60 leagues S. of Curaçao), he met Tempest Rogers, master of the Fidelia of London, who trucked her for his sloop. I fancied at first he had murdered Rogers and run away with his ship. Mr. Secretary Addington and I examined him and his men severally, but could discover nothing. Three or four days after, the master of a sloop from Providence told me that Mr. Elding, chief in command there since Col. Webb's coming away, had seized Rogers and his sloop with goods and money of a considerable value upon his going in thither. We believe here that Rogers or Symes, or both, were on board the Quidah Merchand, which Kidd had left at Hispaniola, and there got their loading of East India goods, Crab Island being very near the place where the Quidah Merchand lay before she was burnt. You will observe that in Symes' examination he says that Rogers told him he had remitted £27,000 to his owners in England in good bills of exchange. I send the certificate of the register of the Fidelia, which will show who the owners are. Tempest Rogers,
it's to be feared, was not sent from London on an honest design. I hear he was at Rhode Island and sailed thence to Madagascar in company of one Tho. Wake, a pirate. I am informing myself at Rhode Island about it. Perhaps you will see cause to examine the owners. The deposition of Mr. Pain, deputy collector, shows that Symes discovered to him goods different in quantity from what Symes declared in his deposition enclosed. I suspect there is some roguery in this importation of E. India goods by Symes, which I hope to find out in a little time. There being sufficient cause to believe he came not honestly by 'em, I directed Mr. Secretary to require bail of him in £1,000, which he not finding, he is committed to gaol. The sloop that received the goods from the Fidelia is on a coasting voyage and shall be seized at her return. I writ your Lordships (July 26) that I sent the sloop Antonio to Antegoa in quest of Bolton and Burt, and to try if any of the goods that Kidd left in the Quidah Merchant could be retrieved. Col. Yemans, Lt. Gov. of Antegoa, sent me two letters in reply to mine. Copies enclosed. The master of the Sloop was forced to hasten away from Antegoa, or the sloop had been seized by some persons who pretended themselves part owners of her with Bolton, who they said had no power to sell her to Kidd. I have taken a great deal of pains to have right done to Capt. Gullock, but have not been able to get the Council to join with me in ordering all the money to be paid to him that was seized with Bradish and his accomplices. Several rewards they would have the persons to receive that found and kept the money; I made a shift to bring it down to a pretty moderate sum. But that which I cannot bear at their hands (and which I tell 'em will be an eternal dishonour to their Province), is their deducting a £150 out of the money to pay for the diet of the pirates since their being in gaol. I appointed three gentlemen of the Council to receive the money and goods and make up an exact account, which goes. They have paid all into the hands of Capt. Gullock who is gone to Rhode Island to receive what money is in the hands of Gov. Cranston. Thence he will go to receive the money Gov. Winthrop has seized in Connecticut colony. The £942 19s. 3d. which fell into my hands at New York is there paid by Capt. Gullock's order to Mr. John Morris, a marchand, and the bag of jewels I delivered him, which he owns to be all there except a ring with seven small diamonds which I think Lt.-Col. Peirson told me Bradish wore it on his finger. There is news brought me that Joseph Bradish and Tee Wetherley are retaken and brought to Saco fort in the Province of Mayn. I formerly writ to the Governors of Canada and St. Johns to take those two men and send them to me. I also employed the Indian Sachem, Essacambuit, who came hither about three months ago to make a submission to H.M. and promise the same on behalf of the Kenebeck Indians, promising him 200 pieces of eight for Bradish and 100 for Wetherley, and the reward has prevailed, I suppose, more than affection or principle. 'Tis Essacambuit that has taken them. I hope the owners in London will consent to allow this reward out of their money that has been seized here. Otherwise I must pay it out of my own pocket. When Capt. Kidd was committed to gaol, there was also a pirate committed who goes by the name of Capt. Davies,
that came passenger with Kidd from Madagascar. I suppose him to be that Capt. Davies that Dampiere and Wafer speak of, in their printed relations or voyages, for an extraordinary stout man; but let him be as stout as he will, here he is a prisoner, and shall be forthcoming upon the order I receive from England concerning Kidd. |
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When I was at Rhode Island there was one Palmer, a pirate, that was out upon bail, for they cannot be persuaded to keep a pirate there in gaol, they love 'em too well. He went out with Kidd from London and forsook him at Madagascar to go on board the Mocha frigate, where he was a considerable time, committing several robberies with the rest of the pirates in that ship and was brought home by Shelley of New York. I asked Gov. Cranston how he could answer the taking bail for him, when he had received so strict orders from Mr. Secretary Vernon to seize and secure Kidd and his associates with their effects. I desired Col. Sanford, Judge of the Admiralty in Rhode Island, to examine Palmer on oath. I enclose his examination, where your Lordships may please to observe that he accuses Kidd of murdering his gunner, which I never heard before. While I was at Rhode Island I sent for one Pain, a pirate that has bought an estate in Connecticut Island, under the Government of Rhode Island, and has lived there some years; hearing that he had been on board Kidd's sloop, while he lay at anchor by Rhode Island, and it being reported that Kidd had left some goods and treasure with him, I told him he must be examined on oath what he knew of Kidd and had received of him. He told me three or four several times he would not swear on any account whatsoever. I told him he must then go to gaol, and he swore that Kidd had delivered no goods or treasure to him, but everybody that was present took notice that his behaviour was extremely disordered and I fancy believed as well as I that he did not swear nice truth. |
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There is a great complaint here as well as at New York of want of trade at this time. Here are at least 70 sail of ships that know not how to employ themselves. The ships of this place and N. York used to be carriers for the Sugar Islands to England, and also of tobacco from Virginia and Maryland to England; and this year's crops of both kinds have failed. We have made a small seizure last week of nine half casks of sherry in this town. I received a letter about 3 weeks ago from the Lords Justices (July 25) wherein they find fault that there is not that assistance given to the officers of the Admiralty and Customs by the several Governors that there ought to be. If I did not know that I have performed my duty with great integrity and diligence, I would long since have resigned my Commissions. No man, I am confident, will say that I have not given all imaginable countenance to those officers. I hope the Lords Justices intended that letter more as a caution to me than reproof. The Collectors in my Government surely cannot complain of me, because I have just cause to complain of them. Mr. Brenton, Collector of this Province, N. Hampshire and Rhode Island, has been gone this twelvemoneth and was in England, I am told, once before for three years together. Mr. Weaver too, the present Collector of N. York, loiters in England. I desire your Lordships will please to order them both to their posts. Signed, Bellomont. P.S. |
| Oct. 26. |
Bradish and Wetherley are brought prisoners to town and recommitted to gaol. I have ordered 'em to be well secured with irons. Essacambuit has received the 300 pieces of eight I promised him. Capt. Carey, commander of the Antonio, is newly returned without the least success. He has brought answers from the Governors of St. Thomas' Island, Curaçao and Jamaica (enclosed). In that from the Governor of St. Thomas' the juggle is very evident. Burk the Irishman, who received great part of the goods piratically taken by Kidd, will not be parted with, I perceive, being enriched with Kidd's spoils, he has purchased, 'tis to be presumed, that Governor's protection. (I called him Burt, July 26, by mistake.) Col. Yemans, L.G. of Antegoa, gives a character of him in his letter of the 3rd. of last month, enclosed. I hope the King will resent this unfair behaviour of the Governor of St. Thomas', and will take such a course as that Burk may be delivered up to justice. Otherwise that island may become a sanctuary for all H.M. subjects that will turn pirates. The Governor of Curaçao pretends great innocence or ignorance, though I am advised by all hands there never was anything of that kind so publicly managed as the sale of Kidd's spoils there. I hope the King will require satisfaction for the wrong done him by the Governor of Curaçao in abetting piracy. I make no manner of doubt but it may be proved that several sloops were openly sent to take goods from on board the Quidah Marchand which returned full laden to Curaçao, and I am as sure that Kidd was known all the West Indies over to have turned pirate. |
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I desire your Lordships will take notice of the affront mentioned in Sir William Beeston's letter to be done to me by Capt. Mitchel, Commander of the Falmouth, in Rear-Admiral Bembo's squadron, by taking down the colours, which Capt. Carey carried on the St. Antonio by virtue of my commission, and Capt. Carey with the said sloop actually employed in the King's service. I am declared Vice-Admiral of these seas, and if I cannot be allowed to protect a ship I send to sea on H.M. service in so small a point of honour, 'tis hard. If there was any offence in Capt. Cary's wearing colours or a penant in harbour at Jamaica, one would think Sir William Beeston should resent it. It seems Rear-Admiral Bembo was gone to sea, and Mitchel, a new captain, resolved to exercise a new power that did not belong to him. For Capt. Carey assures me he sailed two or three days in company with the Speedwell and another of H.M. frigates [This was the Queenborough.—Ed.], whose captains required a sight of his commission, and did not trouble him any further. I hope your Lordships will please to take care that Capt. Mitchell be made an example of for his ignorance and impertinence. |
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I am under much difficulty about the fees of a Naval Officer, which the Act of Assembly has reduced so very low that I do not think all the fees will amount to £40 a year in this place where there is so considerable a trade. I can get nobody to accept of the place that is honest and able to find security. For me to hire an officer would be a charge that I am not obliged to, neither would it square with the Act of Parliament or the Instructions of the Commissioners of Customs, which require good security to be taken by the Governor. The people here are all envious of such an
officer, whose business it is to watch their trade, and curtail their fees to discourage 'em. Here is one Mr. Shannon that's well recommended to me for Naval Officer and can have good security in £2,000, if the place were worth his acceptance. I desire your Lordships will direct what I shall do. Besides we are to seek, both here and at New York, what is the proper business of the Naval Officer, the Collectors endeavouring to invade the business of the Naval Officer, that they might be entitled to the more fees. The Naval Officer at N. York also writes to me that he is not able to hold that employment, the Assembly having the last Session addressed me that I, with the Council, would cut off one third of the fees which the Collector and Naval Officer before received, which we were forced to do or I had lost the Revenue Bill. The business of a Naval Officer employs a man's whole time, and 'tis somewhat difficult and intricate to perform it well, therefore the perquisites ought to be competent for the encouragement and reward of an honest man and of a man of capacity. I believe the fees of the Naval Officer of N. York did arise to £80 a year and now they are but a small matter above £50, which in N. York money is not sufficient recompense. |
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Here are a multitude of petitions from the poor Indians of this Province, complaining of their being unjustly deprived of their lands. I give 'em the hearing, but am not able to relieve 'em, for should I apply to the Council or House of Representatives in their behalf, they are parties either for themselves or their friends, and 'tis a great scandal to our religion and nation that justice is not done to these poor creatures. The Fidelia and goods were condemned yesterday in the Admiralty Court. Signed, Bellomont. Col. Romer is newly returned from viewing the Eastern Coast as far as the river of St. George. I shall shortly send his journal and the maps he has begun to draw of the rivers and places proper for forts. I send the petition of several persons in Rhode Island for a Church of England minister and a yearly settled maintenance for one. I hope your Lordships will please to patronise so good a design and will obtain His Majesty's allowance of a complete maintenance for such a minister. It will be a means, I hope, to reform the lives of the people and make good Christians of 'em, who at present are all in darkness. I also send the letters of the Governors of Curaçao and St. Thomas' in Dutch. Mr. Jacob Leisler, who copied them, is able to prove they are true copies. He goes over in this ship. Holograph. 8 pp. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 5. Read Feb. 1, 2, 1699/1700. Enclosed, |
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890. I. Abstract of above. 3 pp. |
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890. II. Lord Bellomont's proclamation proroguing the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay. Boston, Oct. 9, 1699. Copy. 1 p. Printed by Bartholomew Green and John Allen. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 5, 1699/1700. |
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890. III. Petition of sundry merchants in Boston that Capt. Crow, H.M.S. Arundel, may convoy their ships to Saltertudos. Signed, John Foster, Em. Hutchinson, Tho. Palmer, Benj. Gallop, Saml. Phillips, Timothy Clarke, Jno. Eyre, Andr. Belcher, Robert Howard, Wm. Harris, Saml. Legg, Tho. Cooper, Samuel Lillie, John Colman, Giles Dyer, William Clark. 1 p. Same endorsement. |
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890. IV. Examinations and depositions of Daniel Fare, John Bennet and of Thomas Staton, seamen of the Fidelia, who sailed on the Swan sloop from Curaçao, William Syms, Master. At Crabb Island Syms disposed of his sloop and purchased the Fidelia. Boston, Oct. 11, 1699. Copy. 3 pp. Same endorsement. |
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890. V. Examination of William Syms, master of the Fidelia. An account of how he came by her and of the goods he brought to Boston in her. Boston, Oct. 22, 1699. Copy. 1½ pp. Same endorsement. |
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890. VI. Copy of the Register of the Fidelia. Custom House, London, Dec. 10, 1697. Tempest Rogers, Christopher Billop, John Trott and Charles Noden, owners. ½ p. Same endorsement. |
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890. VII. Inventory of goods seized, unlawfully imported by William Symes, Sept. 24, 1699. Copy. ½ p. Same endorsement. |
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890. VIII. Deposition of Wm. Payne, Dep. Collector, Boston, October 21, 1699. William Symes stated that the Fidelia brought 22 bales of East India goods with her, which he lawfully bought, and landed in the bay. Copy. ¾ p. Same endorsement. |
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890. IX. John Yeamans to Lord Bellomont. Antego, Sep. 1, '99. In reply to yours of July 26 concerning Boulton, he has not been amongst the Leeward Islands these several months. The sloop you sent was claimed by some as part owners but, since it was your Excellency's express, I permitted her to pursue your commands. I directed Mr. Carey to call at Nevis, where I believe he would have better information. Copy. 1 p. Same endorsement. |
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890. X. John Yeamans to Lord Bellomont. Antego, Sep. 3, '99. Two sloops from the Virgin Islands arrived who aver Kidd's ship was burnt and Boulton was at Curaçao some weeks past and had disposed of a great parcel of merchandize. He was very shy and would not come into any English Government. Burke lives at St. Thomas', but is fearful to shew himself in this island, by reason that he deserted us and went to Martinico amongst the French in time of war. Copy. ¾ p. Same endorsement. |
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890. XI. Account of the money and goods of the Adventure (Capt. Gullock) seized in the hands of Joseph Bradish, etc. Boston, Oct. 7, 1699. Signed, Sam. Sewall, John Walley, Nathaniel Byfield. Same endorsement. 5 pp. |
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890. XII. Deposition of Joseph Palmer. Newport, Rhode Island, July 29, 1699. Deponent sailed with Capt. Kidd from England to Madigascar, where, the Adventure being much worm-eaten and disabled for war, and Capt. Kidd and his Company having some difference, about half or more of his men left him with the great prize. It was said that some of Kidd's men broke open his chest, and Kidd in a passion struck his gunner with an iron-bound bucket,
which blow he lived not above 24 hours after. Copy. 2 pp. Same endorsement. |
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890. XIII. Governor of St. Thomas' to Lord Bellomont. In reply to your enquiries of July 26, Wm. Kidd called here and on my refusing him assurance that I would not deliver him to any ships of H.M. of Great Britain which might come to demand him, sailed hence. Since then I have been informed he lay at anchor near the Island Moon and that one Bolton of Antego had been with him to trade. Afterwards came from Barbados one Wm. Burke of whom I had no suspicion, who, in the night landed some goods, which he had sold to the Elector of Brandenburgh's Company and which I could not come at, because the Brandenburgh Company have their own judicature and privilege here. I made Mr. Burke give security. He returned from Barbados with a recommendation from Governor Grey and continues here in the Brandenburgh's lodgings. No subject of the King of Denmark has traded with Kidd. I have given good orders to prevent it. Signed, J. Lorents. St. Thomas', Sept. 1, 1699. Dutch. 2¼ pp. |
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890. XIV. Translation of preceding letter. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 5, 1699/1700. |
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890. XV. Governor Sir Wm. Beeston to Lord Bellomont. I have used my endeavours to secure Kid and all others. I believe there are none of his goods here, nor have I had the least occasion to guess that any have been brought hither. When Capt. Carey came into this harbour, Capt. Tho. Mitchell, commander of the Falmouth, ordered his colours to be taken down. This arises from a mistaken notion of Re. Adl. Benbow, who believes no Governor has power to grant any commission whilst he is here. About this he and I have had several disputes. They have got in such a notion of the authority of the Admiralty that they slight and despise all other. In returning the salute of some Scotch ships (the St. Andrew) yesterday 18 barrels of powder blew up and much damaged the fort. I hear there is a ship at Rhode Island that was run away with from the East Indies belonging to Mr. Gilbt. Hethcott. If your Excellency can secure it, it will be a great obligation. Jamaica, Sept. 23, 1699. Copy. 1¾ pp. Same endorsement. |
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890. XVI. Governor of Curaçao to Lord Bellomont. I am of opinion there are none of Wm. Kidd's goods or people upon the island. I instructed Capt. Nath. Carey to make search. The Secretary, Wm. Lamont, and Walt. Gribble, merchant in this place, declare that they know nothing of the matter. Signed, B. Beruagis. Curaçao, Sept. 26, 1699. 2 pp. Dutch. |
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890. XVII. Translation of preceding letter. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 5, 1699/1700. |
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890. XVIII. Copy of the Journal of Capt. Carey, on his voyage in the Antonio to several islands in quest of Bolton, Burk, and Kidd's plunder. Boston, Oct. 26, 3 pp. Same endorsement. |
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890. XIX. Copy of a petition for a Minister of the Church of England to be established in Rhode Island. Signed, Gabriel Bernon, Piere Bisroull, Thomas ffox, George Cuttler, Wm. Pease, Edwin Carter, Wm. Brinley, Isaac Martindale, Robt. Gardiner, Tho. Paine, Thomas Mallett, Robt. Wrightington, Fra. Pope, Antho. Blount, Richard Newland, Thomas Lillibridge. 1 p. Same endorsement. |
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890. XX. Lord Bellomont to the Commissioners of Customs. Boston, Oct. 27, 1699. When I was at Piscattaway Mr. Mountesse, a marchand. petitioned against Col. Allen, the late Governor, and Mr. Sampson Sheafe, the Dep. Collector, for unjustly seizing a ship of his and embezzling part of the cargo. I send you the papers of both parties and submit the matter to your determination. Mr. Mountesse is ruined and the place much prejudiced in its trade by that seizure. Repeats substance of his letter to the Council of Trade, Oct. 24, about Naval Officers. If you will be pleased to send a right honest and sensible man to be Comptroller of the Customs at N. York, I will make him Naval Officer, if you approve. I would gladly have such a man as will be fit to be a member of H.M. Council. Let him bring the King's letter with him to be sworn of the Council. I covet to have gentlemen from England to be in employments and of the Council of New York to balance those of the country, who have interests to manage that do not always square with the interest of England. I am mightily in want of good officers at New York. There have been many seizures there and we have lost ¾ of 'em for want of an honest, able Judge and Attorney-General. If I cannot be enabled to put the administration of Justice on a better foot I must resign my Commissions. Please to let me know how the law stands about informations concerning unlawful ships and goods. The Collector at N. York pretends to the sole right of informing in those cases and consequently to be entitled to a third part of the forfeitures—a great discouragement to other discoveries that would be made. I send you the Collector's and Naval Officer's lists of ships cleared from N. York. I enclose the petition of William Hill and Henry Francklyn, Deputy Searchers, for a larger salary, which is at present but £30. £40 this money is but £28 English. I hope you will add £10 a year a piece to their salary and consent to their petition that two more searchers be added, it being impossible for two men to watch the trade of this great port. Signed, Bellomont. Copy. 3 pp. |
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890. XXI. Copy of petition referred to in preceding letter (xx). 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 5, 1699/1700. |
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890. XXII. Lord Bellomont to the Lords of the Admiralty. Boston, Oct. 27, 1699. Capt. Crow, commander of the Arundel frigate, arrived here Sept. 27. I sent him on a cruise to look after a pirate ship, whereof Hine, of N. York, was commander, but since, John James, a Welchman, has commanded, Hine with some others having been put on shore on a maroon island. The ship had infested the Eastern Coast a long while, but she was gone before Capt. Crow could overtake her. The Newport frigate arrived Oct. 12, but in going into Sandy Hook had like to be lost, having stuck some hours on a sand, and that by the ignorance or knavery of a pilot. She was got off with the loss of six of her guns and sheet anchor. I could wish you had given me a greater latitude in the orders you have sent with Capts. Crow and Morris, that I might dispose of the ships as I should think proper for the King's service. Capt. Crow is of opinion your orders will not justify my sending the Arundel about the middle of Dec. to convoy the ships to Saltertudos, but says, if I will positively order him, he will go. The reasons for sending both the ships there every winter are that in winter no pirate ships come on the coast, but may very probably be caught there, whilst if the ships are laid up here, they lose their men. When I left England my orders from you were to send the Deptford and Fowey frigates every winter upon that service. If there was reason then there is now. Please to give me larger orders and let the next ships you send be a 4th rate for this place and a 5th rate for N. York and good sailers. (Repeats former arguments for so doing; ends by restating the case of Capt. Carey and Capt. Mitchell, asking that the latter might be made an example of.) "If Rear-Admiral Bembo had been there I am persuaded he would not have offered me any affront." Signed, Bellomont. Copy. 2¼ pp. Same endorsement. |
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890. XXIII. Bill of lading and orders for a voyage to the West Indies, of the sloop Society. Signed, Joseph Lord, Master. Bristol in New England. Sep. 21, 1699. Copy. ¾ p. [Board of Trade. New England, 9. Nos. 73, 73 I.—73 XXIII.; and (without enclosures) 37. pp. 271—295.] |
| Oct. 24. |
891. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Proclamations against entertaining Indians and for holding all General Courts and Assemblies after May 10 at the City of Williamsburgh. The Commanders-in-Chief of the Militia ordered to give notice to their men to provide themselves with arms on pain of being fined as the law directs. Mr. Secretary Wormley excused himself from attending owing to sickness. Col. Robert Carter appointed Naval Officer of Rappanock River. A suit between Nathaniel Macclanahan and William Bray depending on the settlement of the bounds of North Carolina and Virginia, the former ordered to prove his debt and the
latter to give security to pay it, if the place in question (Crow Island) falls within this Government. |
| Oct. 25. |
Capt. Aldred attended and was informed that the methods of victualling his ship which gave offence were, his keeping stores in several parts of the country and neglecting the King's service; the ship's lying too long in James River and not going out to cruize according to order; employing the men and boats half the year from the ship on pretence of victualling; the captain, officers and seamen very often lodging on shore and neglecting their duty on-board; the seamen being sent about the country at great distances from the ship, causing great complaints of thefts committed by them. The Governor expected an alteration in these methods and required Aldred to see that his ship was provided with a gunner. The Governor promised to supply her with everything necessary to fit her for service, and she was ordered into Elizabeth River for repairs. Capt. Aldred to give an account of all his proceedings since last Christmas. Petition of Edward Jennings, Thomas Bray, Job Hows, Henry Nelson, devisees of Thomas Nelson, about their lands in Pamunkey Neck, recommended to the Committee of Claims. Col. Richard Lee added, as a reason for sending a ship of force to guard the coast, that no ship is capable of doing much service if she is not big enough to cruize in the Bay of Chesapeake all the winter, that being the principal time for detecting illegal traders. Ordered that Collectors and Naval Officers execute the office of Notary Public as to what relates to maritime affairs. Standing order that the Council sit two days before and after every General Court and audit be held every second and third day of every General Court. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 53. pp. 339–348.] |
| Oct. 25. |
892. William Popple to Wm. Dockwra. The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations desire you to inform them what has been done in the matter of H.M. approbation of the Governors of East and West New Jersey; how those governments stand, and in whose hands the administration thereof lies. |
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893. William Popple to Wm. Thornburgh. Similar enquiries about Carolina and the Bahamas. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 26. pp. 124, 125.] |
Oct. 25.
Boston. |
894. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I send a parcel of papers delivered me at Pescattaway by Mr. Mountesse, a marchand, and among them his petition setting forth the great damage he sustained by Col. Allen, the late Governor, and Mr. Sheaf, the Deputy Collector's seizing his ship and their embezzling great part of the cargo. I thought it fair to give Mr. Sheaf a copy and enclose his answer. I do not pretend to say which of 'em is in the wrong. I formerly acquainted you that I called on Mr. Bridger for an account of the money he had drawn on the Navy Board. He told me I should see his account, but went to Pescattaway and took no care to send it. I wrote to Mr. Partridge to tax him with breach of promise; he answered that I had nothing to do with it and that he was only accountable to the Commissioners of the Navy. My only end was to inform you how
that matter of specimens of ship timber for England stood. Upon his coming to this town I sent for him and told him so. He told me he would show me the account of money he had drawn, but for a particular account how he had expended it, he feared the Commissioners of the Navy would be angry should he part with that to anybody besides themselves. The general account he gave me on a little scrip of paper amounted to £1,010 18s. Besides this there is £1,000 paid to the four purveyors before they left England, £450 for the hire of a ship to carry specimens of ship-timber from Pescattaway to England; £250 a year apiece on which the Purveyors reckon for their salaries, two years due; = £4,460 18s. for the specimens worth £150, to judge from a cargo of ship's timber recently shipped from Pescattaway to Portugal by Mr. Partridge. I do not all this while accuse the Purveyors of dishonesty, but things have so fallen out as to make the business they are employed in chargeable to the King; as first, a certain gentleman's getting an order from the Admiralty for their passage in H.M.S. Deptford to N. York. She was forced to bear away to Barbados, and the Purveyors thereby lost a year; whereas the two stout marchandships bound directly to this place arrived in 28 days. To save the Purveyors £8 a piece cost the King just £1,000 extraordinarily. Besides, one honest Purveyor would serve instead of four. |
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At Pescattaway I made it my business to inform myself about ship-timber of all sorts, especially about masts for the King's ships, and have made some discoveries which will be for the King's service, but I can unfold that mystery at my leisure, for Mr. Taylor, as Mr. Bridger tells me, has had the King under contract for masts for a term of years, of which there is still one unexpired. Everybody was upon the reserve that understood those things, but by degrees I got into the secret. |
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Since my letter of Oct. 20, I have found out a man that had lived in Carolina and was concerned in making pitch and tar. From him I have discovered that tar will be much cheaplier made than I thought for. Some merchants in this town tell me they buy their tar in Carolina 7 shillings a barrel including 2s. 6d. for the barrel; pitch, they say, sells in Carolina for 12s. per cwt., which is dear out of proportion, for they make a barrel of pitch out of a barrel and a half of tar. But perhaps it may be best to send all tar into England and let it be manufactured there into pitch. I am for parting with as few people out of England as may be, and the more hands we employ there, the more people we shall keep at home. Casks will be had cheaper than I writ April 17, for barrels of oak timber cost 3s. 6d. but of pine wood 2s. 6d. A marchand in this town, who passes for a very honest, intelligent man, assures me that during the war, when neither tar nor pitch was to be had in this town, he used turpentine to a ship of his, which he sent southwards and found it had as good effect as pitch or tar, boiling it to the same consistence that tar usually is; to prevent worms eating his ship's bottom, he had her paid, as they call it, with turpentine mixed with brimstone, and it resisted the worm extremely well, and his ship after a long voyage returned home staunch and sound, the paying sticking on beyond expectation. A shipbuilder in England would probably laugh at this, though he
had never made the experiment, for those mechanics are commonly pedantic in their way, being wedded to their own customs in things. I hope my projects of employing soldiers in making Naval Stores will be pleasing to your Lordships, and the distribution of unappropriated lands (Oct. 20) and the making a purse for them. This last is the life and soul of all the scheme. As little a matter as 12d. per week set apart out of each soldier's pay appears to be, I would undertake to pay every man of 'em £40 at the 7 years' end, were I sure to continue Governor so long, and unless some contagious sickness happened, and to keep the 1,000 men complete out of that money without putting the King to any charge for recruits. If this design of furnishing the King with Naval Stores be vigorously carried on, I am morally certain it will fully answer your wishes and will add infinitely to the greatness and happiness of the King and the English nation. I find Mr. Partridge and Mr. Jackson have ploughed with my heifer, proposing the employment of soldiers in N. Hampshire and giving them lands to the eastward to settle on. That part of their scheme they had from me, but when I asked 'em, what contrivance they had to make a poor soldier the richer for having 40 or 50 acres of land allotted him, when he had not 1s. in the world to lay out on the improvement of his land, they were dumb, till I told 'em the last part of my proposition, the setting apart 12d. a week out of each soldier's pay, which they seemed to like. I send the printed Acts of Assembly, which were passed when I was in N. Hampshire. Signed, Bellomont. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 5. Read Feb. 13, 1699/1700. Holograph. 3¾ pp. Enclosed, |
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894. I. Abstract of preceding letter. 1 p. |
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894. II. Memorandum of papers relating to the case of the Hopewell, Montais v. Sheaf. ½ p. Recd. Jan. 5, 1699/1700. |
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894. III. Certificate of goods shipped on board the Hopewell, Jersey, Ap. 9, 1698. Signed, Charles Hughs, Surveyor and Register. Copy. ½ p. |
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894. IV. Sampson Sheafe's letter to Capt. Daniel Tilton. The Court of Pleas, which should be held to-morrow, is adjourned, wherefore you may forbear coming, keeping secret what I write you. Newcastle, Dec. 6, 1698. ¼ p. Copy. |
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894. V. Col. Joseph Johnson's pass from Jersey to the sailors and passengers of the Hopewell for New England. Ap. 3, 1698. Copy. ½ p. |
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894. VI. Deposition of Joseph Jewell, taken before Nathaniel Fryer, J.P., Newcastle, Nov. 18, 1698, about the Hopewell being seized. Copy. ½ p. |
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894. VII. Deposition of Robert Smith, Jan. 17, 1699. Daniel Carigan, servant to Samuel Allen, sold 6 elephants' teeth for 24s. to one going in the Hopewell for England. Copy. ½ p. |
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894. VIII. Copy of the freedom of the Hopewell. June 16, 1697. 1¼ pp. |
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894. IX. Certificate of Francis Watts, agent for prizes in Jersey, as to the sale of the St. Jacob, now called the Hopewell. March 11, 1697. Copy. ½ pp. |
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894. X. Copy of Sampson Sheafe's information against the Hopewell, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Dec. 7, 1698. 1½ pp. |
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894. XI. Judgment of Court of Common Pleas, Portsmouth, March 8th, 1699, about the Hopewell. 1½ pp. |
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894. XII. Judgment of Court (same date) that the Hopewell be redelivered. 1½ pp. |
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894. XIII. Judgment of Court (same date). 1 p. |
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894. XIV. Judgment of Court (same date). 1 p. |
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894. XV. Copy of Sampson Sheafe's information against the Hopewell. Dec. 7, 1698. 2 pp. |
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894. XVI. Copy of Sheafe's information against the Hopewell. Dec. 7, 1698. 2 pp. |
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894. XVII. Copy of petition of James Mountais to the Earl of Bellomont, Aug. 15, 1699. In March, 1697, Petitioner, Mr. Elias de Holmes and others of Jersey Island purchased of Capt. Daniel Javerin, late commander of an English privateer, the Carteret galley, a small ship Danish built, formerly called the St. Jacob of Morlaix, since the Hopewell of Jersey, which had been legally condemned. The owners loaded her with haberdashery for the Western Islands, Isaac Poindexter, master. Petitioner sailed April, 1698, for Treceras and St. George's, where with his cargo of stockings, etc., he purchased 62 pipes of wine. In the road of St. George's he saved some cargo from the Postilion of London lately arrived from Guinea, which sank at anchor. This cargo, including 103 elephants' teeth, he brought to Piscataqua, where he wanted wood, water and provisions, and though he might well put into any port of H.M. dominions, and there remain 24 hours without entry, yet within 18 hours, Mr. Sampson Sheafe, Dep. Collector, and Thomas Allen, son of Gov. Allen, seized her by the Governor's order. Gov. Allen used many illegal devices to defer trial, and meantime frequently threatened to knock out his brains. The ship and cargo, incomplete and much damnified, were at length restored to him. Petitioner prays for complete restitution. 3 pp. |
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894. XVIII. Copy of Instructions of the Commissioners for Prizes for sale of goods taken in the St. Jacob. Prize Office, Westminster, Jan. 16, 1696. 1 p. |
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894. XIX. Copy of deposition of Daniel Januerin, Salem, New England, March 3. 1699. 1 p. |
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894. XX. Copy of deposition of Isaac Poindextre, Dec. 14, 1698. ¾ p. |
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894. XXI. Order of Council for holding a Special Court at Portsmouth, Jan. 3, 1699. 1¼ pp. |
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894. XXII. Depositions of Philip Le Bosquet and George Chevalier, Nov. 23, 1698. |
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894. XXIII. Copy of proceedings of Court of Common Pleas, Portsmouth, March 8, 1699. 1 p. |
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894. XXIV. Sampson Sheafe to Lord Bellomont, Newcastle, Oct. 5, 1699, petitioning for salary, the appointment of his son as Dep. Collector during his absence in England, and enclosing XXV.1¼ pp. |
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894. XXV. Answer of Sampson Sheafe to James Mounteais' false but subtle pretences. 7¼ pp. |
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894. XXVI. Copy of proceedings of Court, Portsmouth, March 8, 1699. 1 p. |
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894. XXVII. Copy of proceedings of Court, Portsmouth, March 8, 1699. 1½ pp. |
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894. XXVIII. Copy of protest of Sampson Sheafe, Portsmouth, June 16, 1699. 2¼ pp. |
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894. XXIX. Mr. Bridger's account of money spent on specimens of Naval Stores. Copy. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 5, 1699/1700. |
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894. XXX. Memorandum of Acts of Assembly, Aug. 7, 1699. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New England, 10. Nos. 1, 1 I.–XXX.; and (without enclosures) 37. pp. 362–373.] |
| Oct. 25. |
895. Description of the Fortifications of Jamaica by Capt. Lilly, the Engineer. The island lies in the latitude of about 18 degrees nord, and is of a long oval form about 180 miles long, and about 60 broad in the broadest place. It lies in length eastern by south and western by nord, and has a continued ridge of lofty mountains that run through the midst of it from one end quit(e) to the other, and divides it into two parts, commonly called the south and north sides, the passages between which are very difficult. Since in the possession of the English the eastermost (sic) one-half of the south side has always been the best settled. But in the French invasion a great part of that, viz. the Port-Morant-quarters, ware entirely left to be ravaged and laid wast. So that there now remains only Liganee, sixtenmilwalk (sixteenmilewalk), Guanaboa, St. Chatherins, St. Dorothys and Withywood that are perfectly well settled. Of these Sixenmilwalk and Guanaboa are naturally fortified, being on all sides environed with great mountains through which there is but very narrow passes, which may easily be defended by the inhabitants. Withywood, St. Dorothy's and St. Chatherins are on one side covered with mountains, but on the other side altogether open to the sea. Liganee is the finest settlement in the island, and cut off from all the rest by very narrow passes, it is threequarter parts covered with mountains, but towards the sea this (as well as all the rest of the lowlands mentioned) has the fortifications of Port Royal for its chief bullwork, which in truth is but a very weak one. To the Eastward of Liganee near Three Rivers, a place so called, is a very narrow pass which is indifferently well secured by the industry of Sir James Casteel, who has built a small redout about his house, which did very good service in the time of the French invasion. To which there has since been added a small Travers which runs across the narrowest part of this passage, which is between the mountains and the sea. The town of Port Royal was formerly joined to the mean (main) land of Jamaica by a narrow isthmus of near 4 leagues in length, but in the late earthquake it became a separate island which contains but about 25 acres of land, on the South end of which is built a small fortification called Fort Charles, which does not contain full three quarters of an acre of ground, yet there is nevertheless in it
near three score pieces of cannon mounted, the portholes of which with its otherwise antick contrivance renders it extreme weak and subject to surprises, for its breastwork is nowhere above six foot thick, and every port hole is a gate for an enemy to go in at, especially being there is not the least ditch or palisade about it. Besides all this, if the fortification of Port Royal was really strong and built according to the rules of the Art Military, yet it would be of little or no use for the security of the mean island, for there is to leeward of this and the rest of the Cays lately a channel found out by Admiral Benbow, through which ships of war may at any time with the usual sea breeze go in or out without having occasion to come within a mile of Port Royal, so that it follows an enemy may land on or attack any part of the mean land notwithstanding the fortification of Port Royal. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 25, 1699. 1¾ pp. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 8. No. 136; and 56. pp. 381–384.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall. |
896. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary Vernon. We propose that, upon Mr. Mears entering into £1,000 bond to answer H.M. determination in Council upon Mr. Day's claim for salvage of the Dolphin, peremptory orders be sent to Mr. Day, by the vessel now in the Douns for Bermuda, to release the Dolphin and her cargo without any farther obligation to petitioner. Signed, Lexington, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Jno. Pollexfen, Jno. Locke. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 29. p. 227.] |
| Oct. 25. |
897. Minutes of Council of Montserat. Capt. Robert Collingwood deposing that he had heard John Gallway declare that the English were rebels for dethroning King James, Gallway was committed until he should find security. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 64. p. 546.] |
