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| July 26. |
Letters and papers from Mr. Penn, Feb. 27th, April 28th, read. |
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Ordered that the Acts enclosed be sent to Mr. Solicitor General, and that a copy of what concerns Mr. Penn's desire that Quakers may register their ships without an oath, and his query about the extent of the Admiralty Court's jurisdiction, be sent to his Agent, Mr. Lawton, that he may take advice thereupon, as he thinks convenient. |
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Letter from Col. Blakiston, March 12th, read, and papers therewith transmitted laid before the Board. Copy of paragraph relating to the boundaries between Maryland and Pennsylvania ordered to be given to Mr. Penn's Agent, that he may speak to Lord Baltimore about it. |
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Letter from the Governor and Company of Rhoad Island, May 13th, read. |
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Letter from Lord Jersey, June 17th, with a petition from Mr. Crown to His Majesty, relating to his title to Penobscot, read. Mr. Crown summoned to attend the Board. |
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Memorial from Mr. Smith and others, concerned in the project of seeking for silver mines in Carolina, read. Mr. Smith summoned to attend the Board. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. pp. 123–128 ; and 97. Nos. 129, 130.] |
| July 25. |
664. Minutes of Council of New York. His Excellency the Earl of Bellomont produced a letter from the Lords of the Council of Trade, Feb. 16, prohibiting Governors from granting letters of denization unless expressly authorised so to do in their Commissions. |
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Proclamation for the apprehension of Henry King and other pirates mentioned in the postscript to that letter. |
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14l. paid to Laurence Claese for a journey from Albany to Onnondage, the Maquaase Country and to York with the Cannada Indians, he being sent on the said expeditions by the gentlemen at Albany appointed to manage the Indian affairs. |
| July 26. |
14l. 5s. 5d. paid to Isaac Taylor for 124 Indian hatchets bought by him at Boston by order of His Excellency for a present to the Five Nations and River Indians at Albany in this intended expedition. |
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Account for cleaning the lodgings in the Fort, and Henry Meason,
the smith's account referred to a Committee. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 330–335.] |
| July 26. |
665. William Popple to Sir John Hawles, enclosing for his opinion thereon two Acts (against pirates and for preventing frauds, etc.) passed at the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, Feb. 10, 1700. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 26. p. 285.] |
July 26.
New York. |
666. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I embarked at Boston the 17th, and arrived here the 24th, when I had appointed a meeting of the General Assembly to try how far they would enable me to put the affairs of the Province into a good posture, and more especially what relates to the preservation of the Five Nations in their obedience to the King. I know not yet how far I may succeed in my design, for as yet 5 or 6 of the Representatives are not come down Hudson's River, and I do not suffer the Assembly to enter on business without 'em, lest it should be thought unfair so to do. I found here your letters Feb. 7th and 16th, with the King's letter of Feb. 10th, and His Majesty's letters to the Governors of Conecticut and Rhode Island, which I have forwarded to them. I will take an exact care to obey the orders sent me about letters of denization, a mistake I was led into by the example of Col. Fletcher and the advice of the Attorney General, who for certifying in two lines the person's being a Protestant and of good manners exacted 6li. for his fee, when I had but 12s. for mine, which is the Governor's fee every time the Seal of the Province is affixed, and, if the party were poor, I took no fee at all. I fear I have been abused into the granting three or four letters of denization, but your Lordships shall hear no more of my transgressing in that nature. As to the Pyrats nam'd in your letter of Feb. 16th, I have issu'd a Proclamation for their apprehension. |
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I have found at my coming hither a further ill account of the 5 Nations of Indians sent by the Commissioners from Albany to the Lieutenant Governor and Council here. Enumerates enclosures, "material papers." I am next week to go to Albany to meet the Indians and try to encourage them, but I shall go with a heavy heart, being not empower'd to gratifie 'em in the two points they above all others covet and insist on, viz.: the building them a fort and furnishing them with ministers to instruct 'em in Christianity. Some of the inhabitants of Albany, who are now here, tell me the soldiers there in garrison are in that shameful and miserable condition for want of cloaths that the like was never seen, insomuch as those parts of 'em which modesty forbids me to name are exposed to view : the women forc'd to lay their hands on their eyes as often as they pass by 'em. This sad condition of the soldiers does us great hurt with the Indians, whose chiefest resort being to that town, and they being a very observing people, measure the greatness of our King and the conduct of affairs by the shameful ill plight of the soldiers. These persons assure me that some of the old, crafty Sachems of the Five Nations have asked 'em whether they thought 'em such fools as to believe our King could protect 'em from the French, when he was not
able to keep his souldiers in a condition as those in Canada are kept, who, by the way, I must acquaint your Lordships are 1,400 men and duly paid every Saturday in the year. The ship that brought your letters arrived a week before my coming and brought the news of our being cut off 27 months' pay and subsistence of the Four Companies, and of their being reduced to fifty men in a Company. The victuallers are like distracted men, and I find the officers and souldiers begin to be dissatisfied, and I doubt there are people here that will rather nourish than endeavour to extinguish the flame. I am made to believe the souldiers will every man desert upon this unhappy news, and how far that may influence the Indians to revolt to the French all at once, I cannot say. But the gentlemen of Albany that are here are in great pain and apprehension it may have that ill effect. The King then will have an eternal obligation to that man that advised the reduction of the Four Companies, and that has compassed their being so ill paid, for I strongly suspect both those arrows have come out of one and the same quiver. If I had the honour to be of the King's Privy Council, I would take the liberty to tell His Majesty that His Council of Trade ought to be consulted in every step and measure that's taken with relation to the management of these Plantations, and I have that great opinion of the prudence and abilities of the Secretaries of State, that neither of 'em would counter-advise the King against your Lordships' advice. When things are brought to extremity, 'tis time to speak plain English. Your representations are standing testimonies of your Lordships' great wisdom and integrity, and I must take leave to think he was a bold man that told the King his Council of Trade were in the wrong therein. I appeal to your Lordships whether I have not all along acquainted you that the neglect put upon the Five Nations in the last Government had mightily alienated them from us and had given the French Jesuits opportunity to supplant us in their affection. The truth is they were hard at work to inveigle our Indians from us, while the Governor was exercising all his faculties in making a purse for himself by all manner of means. You may depend I will use my utmost endeavour to retrieve the Five Nations and do the King all the faithful service I can with them, notwithstanding the most discouraging circumstances I shall go to Albany in. |
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I believe Sir Wm. Ashhurst too honest a gentleman and too much my friend to have designed to me a mischief, which his quitting the Agency for these Four Companies before another was appointed by me has fallen out to do me. His letter to me declaring his resolution of quitting was long coming to my hands. Then the person I had in my thoughts for Agent I was not sure was living or willing to accept. In this perplexity I thought it best to send Sir John Hanley a letter of attorney with a blank in it, to fill up with the name of some well qualified person. Sir John, it seems, has made choice of Mr. Champante for Agent, who is an ingenious honest gentleman; but I never knew it, nor that Mr. Champante had received any of our subsistence, till I met with two letters from him now, since my coming hither. Some of the angry folkes in this town having received advice
of Mr. Champante's being Agent, and receiving some weeks' subsistence, and they receiving their letters a week before my coming hither and receiving mine, have with all their usual malice and impudence put a story about (especially among the officers and souldiers), that I have all this while by my Agent in England received the pay and subsistence, but have converted it to my own use, and cared not what became of them, whether they starv'd or no. I thought it necessary to trouble your Lordships with this account for my own justification from the false assertions of these people, who perhaps may be idle enough to trouble you with this, as they have done with many other frivolous articles against me. I thank God I defie their malice to touch my reputation in the least degree. I shall be justified every way from this imputation they would fasten on me, but especially by Sir Wm. Ashhurst and Mr. Champante, who can prove upon oath, if it were necessary, my innocence. Sir William can prove I never drew on him for any of the money he received by way of subsistence but what was for the officers, or for their wives at their desire. Mr. Champante can prove I never drew bills on him at all, for, as I said before, I knew not he was Agent for the Company till my coming hither from Boston, nor that there was any subsistence lately paid for these companies. I am now going to distribute that pittance there is, among the officers and victuallers. Signed, Bellomont. P.S. Aquendero, the Chief Sachem of the Onondage Nation, who was Prolocutor for all the Five Nations at the conference I had two years ago at Albany, has been forced to fly from thence, and come and live on Col. Schuyler's land near Albany. His son is poisoned and languishes, and there is a sore broke out on one of his sides, out of which there comes handfulls of hair, so that they reckon he has been bewitch'd as well as poison'd. I meet with an odd story from the gentlemen of Albany, which I think worth the relating. Decanissore, one of the Sachems of the Onondages, married one of the praying Indians in Canada (by praying Indians is meant such as are instructed by the Jesuits). This woman was taught to poison as well as to pray. The Jesuits had furnished her with so subtill a poison and taught her a leger de main in using it, so that whoever she had a mind to poison, she would drink to em a cup of water and let drop the poison from under her nail, (which are always very long, for the Indians never pare 'em) into the cup. This woman was so true a disciple to the Jesuits, that she has poisoned a multitude of our Five Nations that were best affected to us. She lately coming from Canada in company of some of our Indians, who went to visit their relations, in that country who have taken sides with the French and there being among others a Protestant Mohack (a proper, goodly young man) him this woman poisoned so that he died two days' journey short of Albany, and the Magistrates of that town sent for his body and gave it Christian burial. The woman comes to Albany, where some of the Mohacks happening to be, and among 'em a young man nearly related to the man that had been poisoned, who espying the woman cries out with great horror that there was that beastly woman that had poisoned
so many of their friends, and 'twas not fit she should live to do more mischief, and so made up to her and with a club beat out her brains. |
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P.S. July 31st. Since I had, as I thought, finish'd my packet, three men are this afternoon sent express to me by Col. Schuyler from Albany giving me to understand that M. de Maricourt, Father Brouyas the Jesuit, and 8 French men more, (whereof some are officers) arriv'd at the Onondages' Castle the 24th inst. Some of the English party among the Onondages dispatch'd away some messengers to Albany with this news. M. de Maricourt is one of the principal men of Canada, and brother-in-law to the Chevalier d'Iberville; he and the Jesuit speak the Indian tongue as well as they do French. The gentlemen of Albany assure me the French have to the full as many friends among the Onondages' Nation as we have, which I am heartily sorry to hear, they being the most warlike of all the Nations except the Mohacks, who are dwindled to nothing almost. I write your Lordships these accounts out of duty, but I must own I think it time and pains thrown away, for I much question whether it be in the art of man to retrieve the Five Nations. If your Lordships' representations had been complied with, I am confident I could have secured the friendship of those Nations, but for want of that compliance with your advice, and by the ill consequence of it, viz. : my being left destitute, all manner of ways, of support, I cannot nor dare not undertake to recover those Nations from the French. I have told your Lordships the substance of Col. Schuyler's letter to me. The master of the vessel that carries this will not allow me time to copy two letters, which have been sent me on this occasion from Schenectade and Albany. The want of two ministers for the present has done us a vast deal of prejudice with the Indians. I can find none in this country that will go among 'em and that are men tolerably well qualified for such a charge. Endorsed, Recd. Read Oct. 24th, 1700. Holograph. 6¼ pp. Enclosed, |
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666. i. Abstract of above. 2¾ pp. |
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666. ii. Proclamation for the apprehension of Henry King and other pirates, July 26th, 1700. Printed by W. Bradford, New York. 1 p. Endorsed as preceding. |
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666. iii. The Commissioners for Indian affairs at Albany to the Lieutenant Governor and Council of New York. Albany, July 5th, 1700. Upon the request of the Five Nations we sent a messenger to Onondage to hear what was doing among them, and also to persuade some of the far Nations to come hither, but we have not been able to prevail with them yet, alleging the wound to be still so green, that, if they should [come] here, some Indians in their drink might kill them in revenge for their relations lost in the war. |
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The Nations are full of faction, the French having got a great interest among them, insomuch that some are gone to Canada to treat with the Governor in spite of all the Sachims; the French are very subtile and vigilant, and it behoves us to be diligent also.
Some of their praying Indians have been here to trade, whom we have treated civilly. It seems that they had killed one of our Skachkoke Indians a hunting, and their Sachims are come to condole his death and make satisfaction. Those we have caressed and been very kind to, insomuch that we have with great difficulty persuaded them to come and wait upon his Lordship and your Honour at New York. We doubt not but you will be of our mind that we have gained a great point, and if these two Sachims and two Captains can be prevailed with to come over to our side, all the Maquase praying Indians follow immediately, for they are the spring that move all the rest. Mr. Livingston goes along with them, who will bring your Honours the propositions hapned there lately. We doubt not but your Honour will take that fitting care that the Indians may be plentifully entertained, that they may see the difference between a fertile country and a poor, rocky, swampy Canada. Signed, P. Schuyler, Pieter van Brugh, Mayor. Same endorsement. Copy. 1½ pp. |
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666. iv. Memorial of Johannes Groenendyk and Abraham Provoost, lately come from Onondage. |
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The Indians directed us to notifie to the Commissioners for Indian affairs that when the first Sinnekes were killed at Swege this spring, there was a Cayouge prisoner among the Dowaganhaes who said, "It is not our hatchet by which you are killed, but it is the French's, which he gives us for that purpose." Likewise, when our Indians were a hunting this winter, some Sinnekes met with some Waganhaes of those Nations that are now in Onondage, who would not receive the hatchet of the French, but warned the Sinnekes to be upon their guard, for the French had charged the Dowaganhaes to kill all the Indians in their hunting, therefore, said the Waganhaes, be warned and make a fort, and go all and lye in it, for what we tell you is firmly concluded on between the French and Waganhaes. When the whole Assembly of Sachims were met at Onnondage, they charged us to tell Corlaer that there were three Sinneke Sachims who would go to Canada to speak with the Governor, and that they did not know if the Cayouges went or not, but their opinion was they would not go, as they themselves did not go. It is true we have been there, but it was for our prisoners, which we did redeem there, which Corlaer promised to free by Johannes Schuyler, which he did not do, were therefore necessitate to go thither to get them set at liberty, but now we declare never to go thither again to treat with them, since we have got our prisoners home. There are five Waganhaes come to Onnondage, who are sent by three several Nations, who are very strong and numerous, to make
peace with the Five Nations, and are minded to settle near the Sinnekes Country upon Cadarachqui's Lake, where some will come and settle speedily, and the rest in the fall. They come to see how that our Indians trade with Corlaer's people, and how much they get for a bever, that they may inform their people. They will leave Canada and come and trade with Corlaer, because goods are so dear at Canada. |
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They said in the said General Meeting that they had always prayed Corlaer to sell goods cheap, which request they again repeat, that the Waganhaes may see that we get much for a bever, especially great bags of powder, then the Waganhaes will love and esteem Corlaer, for if goods be dear, that will lessen their inclinations and probably alter their resolution. The whole House said that they will send a post with four bevers to desire that goods might be cheap, because the Waganhaes were now among them to inquire about the price of goods. We found an Englishman in the furthest Castle of the Sinnekes called Sjaunt, whose name is Charles Smith, who was taken prisoner by them in Virginia five years ago and desires earnestly that he may have his freedom. Signed, This memorial given me in Dutch by Johannes Groenendyk and Abraham Provoost in Albany, June 16th, 1700. Robt. Livingston, Secy. for the Indian affairs. Copy. 2 pp. Same endorsement. |
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666. v. Propositions made by the Sachims of the Canada praying Indians, belonging to their Castle called Cachanuage, to the Commissioners for Indian affairs, Albany, June 28th, 1700. Sagronwadie, Chief Sachim, Speaker. We are come here to trade with you as formerly, and therefore desire you to use us well. Do give 10 bever skins. We desire you to be kind to us and not too dear with your goods, for I made up this company, and encouraged them to come hither, therefore be cheap. Doe given 10 bever-skins. We see the loaves of bread are but small, and the Sachim's of the Five Nations that are here tell us that, if we go lie in your houses, you will not suffer us to carry any bevers from thence to other houses, but compel us to trade them at your own prices. Doe give 9 bever skins. In all, 29 bevers, w: 41li. English. |
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Answer to the Sachims of Cachuervage;—We assure you of kind entertainment, and you shall have the privilege to go into your friends' houses, where you please, and if you find you are not well used by them you may remove to any other house to your own content and satisfaction. They had some wampum given them. |
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Propositions made by the Commissioners for Indian affairs to the Sachims of the Canada praying Indians, Albany, July 3, 1700. Brethren, we are glad to see you
here, and we doubt not but you have received full satisfaction and content in that matter you came for, and found goods cheap and reasonable, and although you have deserted your native country and gone over to strangers, where everything is much dearer than here, yet you see we make no difference, but treat you as kindly and friendly as our own people. As you are sensible you have the same freedom of trade as ourselves, so whenever you or any of your people design the like, you shall always have the same protection, and since you allege that [it] is your love to the Christian religion which makes you desert your native country and run to Canada to be instructed of the French priests, we hope in a short time to have Protestant ministers to instruct your kindred and relations in the Christian religion, which together with your love to your country hope will prevail upon you to come and live among your kindred, your fires burning still in your Castles, the same houses you left being still ready to receive you with all the stores of plenty to make you live for ever happy. We give you a fat hog, some venison and a barrel of strong beer to be merry with your friends of the Five Nations that are here, and 21 pounds of powder and 14 bars of lead to hunt provision by the way. |
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Reply of Sagronwadie for the Canada praying Indians;—We are now come to trade, and not to speak of religion, only thus much must I say, all the while I was here before I went to Canada, I never heard anything talked of religion or the least mention made of converting us to the Christian faith, and we shall be glad to hear if at last you are so piously inclined to take some pains to instruct your Indians in the Christian religion, I will not say but it may induce some to return to their native country. I wish it had been begun sooner that you had had ministers to instruct your Indians in the Christian faith, I doubt whether any of us ever had deserted our native country, but I must say I am solely beholden to the French of Canada for the light I have received to know there was a Saviour born for mankind, and now we are taught God is everywhere, and we can be instructed at Canada, Dowaganhae or the uttermost parts of the earth, as well as here. Signed, Robt. Livingston, Secretary for the Indian affairs. Copy. 3 pp. Same endorsement. |
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666. vi. Propositions made by the Sachims of the Five Nations to the Commissioners for the Indian affairs, Albany, June 30th, 1700. Present;—Peter Schuyler, Peter van Brugh, Mayor, Jan Janse Bleeker, Recorder; Johannes Schuyler, David Schuyler, Johannes Rooseboom, Evert Wendel, Wessel ten Brook, Aldermen; Tho. Williams, Sherif; Dekanissore, Speaker; Onado, another
Onondager, Sedgehowanne, a Cayouger, Suchquanionde and Scanagarechties (or Soonagarecthie), Sinnekees. |
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Brother Corlaer and Guider, we are come here with a lamentable complaint that the Dowaganhaes or far Nations have now again killed many of our people at their hunting, all which is done by the instigation of the French, as the said far Indians confess; nay some have warned us to be upon our guard, for the French charged them to do it. The French themselves declare they will not take the hatchet out of the Dowaganhaes hands till we come and submit to the Governor of Canada and make peace with him, which our Great Brother Corlaer forbids us to do. The matter occasions a great distraction among us, the Five Nations, for we were told three years ago there was a general peace and we should live now in quiet; our hands were tied up from warring, but we have had little benefit of it hitherto. The French had as good be in open war with us as to set their Indians to war upon us continually. Therefore we desire that Corlaer may take some course with the Governor of Canada to prevent this; else our people will at last be so wearied out that they will be compelled to comply with the Governor of Canada's demands, nay, the French have so strong a faction in our Castles already, that although you have shut the path to Canada, yet two Sachims are gone thither with a belt of wampum, contrary to the consent of the Five Nations, to see what the reason is why the French stir up their Indians to kill our people, who are the King of England's subjects. We do therefore desire that Corlaer may prevaile with the Governor of Canada, that he may put a stop to his Indians doing us such mischief. We Sinnekes have lost 40 of our people this spring, and one of our Sachims, called Awanano, who had his whole family killed last summer hard by the Sinnekes' Castle, is gone now to Canada, together with Aradgi of Onondage, a great favourite of the French, and some few with them, and although all means were used (as Lawrence your messenger see), to stop them by belts of wampum, it was in vain. The belt they carry is not out of the Public Treasury, but their own. We Five Nations are now come to bring Corlaer this Belt of Wampum, praying him to take such course with the French that those Indians, whom they call their children and whom they support, assist and stir up to kill our people, may be stopt from committing any more acts of hostility upon us, which we think is a breach of the Articles of Peace. |
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Some of the Dowaganhaes, having had a conference with our Indians at their hunting this last winter, concluded to desert their habitations and to settle
upon the Lake of Cadarachqui, near the Sinnekes country, at a place called Kanatiochtiage, and accordingly they come and settled there, and have sent five of their people to Onnondage to treat, being sent from three Nations, who are very strong, having sixteen Castles. They say, "We are come to acquaint you that we are settled on the north side of Cadarachqui Lake near Tchojachjage, where we plant a tree of peace and open a path for all people quite to Corlaer's house, where we desire to have free liberty of trade. We make a firm league with the Five Nations and Corlaer and desire to be united in the Covenant Chain; our hunting places to be one, and to boil in one kettle, eat out of one dish and with one spoon, and so be one, and because the path to Corlaer's house may be open and clear, doe give a drest elke skin to cover the path to walk upon." The Five Nations answered, "We are glad to see you in our country, and do accept of you to be our friends and allies, and do give you a Belt of Wampum as a token thereof, that there may be a perpetual peace and friendship between us and our young Indians to hunt together in all love and amity. Let this peace be firm and lasting, then shall we grow old and grey-headed together, else the war will devour us both. Brethren, we open a path for you to go quite to Corlaer's house, where you shall have equal liberty of egress and regress to trade as we ourselves. In your passage thither you shall be well received by us in our Castles. We throw away the hatchet of war and bury it in the ground, and make a perpetual peace, and let those die that first break it." By the Belt of Wampum, which you sent by Laurence your messenger, we draw the Dowaganhaes to come hither to Corlaer's house and trade, and fasten them in the Covenant Chain. But now the Dowaganhae messengers could not be persuaded to come hither according to your desire, because they were afraid of evil-minded Indians, who in their drink might kill them. Signed, Robt. Livingston, Secry. for the Indian affairs. Copy. 4¼ pp. Same endorsement. |
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666. vii. Propositions made by some of the Five Nations lately come from Canada to the Commissioners of the Indian affairs, Albany, July 3rd, 1700. Names of the Indians;—Takosondaghque, Sagossenduchqua, and Anistaringuist of Onondage, Tarojaketho of Oneyde. Aqueendero, Speaker, said, We are come to acquaint you according to our duty what the Canada Indians of Kachanuge said, when we were there lately, viz. that we are not to take notice of any stories that evil-inclined persons may tell, but cleave fast to the Articles of Peace, concluded between the two great Kings in Europe, and do give a belt as a token hereof to be kept at Onnondage, which
they show, and the belts not only given by the praying Indians of Kachanuage but by the Rondax Indians, natives of Canada, who hold firm to the General Treaty of Peace. The Governor of Canada being at Mont Reall sent for us and told us, "Children, I will speak to you no more by belts; I have only this to say, You complain that the Dowaganhaes or far Nations of Indians kill your people; you are the cause of your own destruction; if you will but send one Indian from each Castle (neither will I tie you to send a Sachim, but a private Indian from each nation), to treat with me and make peace, I will take the hatchet out of the hands of my Indians and children, the Dowaganhaes, and those other far Indians, and cause you to hunt secure. Every creek and fall of water shall florish with peace and tranquillity. But if you will not come and treat with me, you must expect no peace, but a continual war with the Dowaganhaes. I know the Governor of New York threatens you hard and looks terribly on you, if you should offer to come and treat with me, but you need not fear him; he dare do you no harm." This the Governor of Canada charged us to tell all the Five Nations, but not to the Christians; but we being in one Covenant Chain think ourselves obliged to acquaint you with it. Brethren, our Indians having by chance hunted some moose, and coming to Canada to dispose of the same, have had this roncounter with the Governor of Canada, and we give you the belt to keep as the head, and we, being inclined to answer the Canada Indians, desire your assistance in some present to give, being now destitute of belts. |
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Answer to the Indians. We commend your fidelity in revealing what has been said to you by the Governor of Canada, whose deceit you may now plainly see. We think it not proper that this belt be sent to the Five Nations, but remain in the hands of Aqueendero, Chief Sachim of Onnondage, till the arrival of His Excellency, the Earl of Bellomont, and the Sachims of the Five Nations, who will be here speedily, when the whole matter shall be discussed. In the meantime no answer to be made to the praying Indians. Signed, Robt. Livingston, Secretary for the Indian affairs. Copy. 2¾ pp. Same endorsement. |
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666. viii. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to the Lords of the Admiralty. New York, July 26, 1700. I arrived at New York from Boston in the Arundel frigat. The Newport at her going to Boston from hence with nine pirates and their effects, which were sent home by Rear-Admiral Bembow, was extremely out of repair, and Capt. Morris, her Commander, finding she could be better and cheaper repaired at Boston than at New York, I directed her to be fitted there. She was not
ready to sail till my leaving Boston, so that she came hither in my company. Both the captains have promised to take in water and be ready to sail within three days, and then the Arundel is to cruise as far as the westermost cape of South Carolina and the Newport along the coast of Long Island, eastward, and so to Block Island, Rhode Island and to look into the Coast of Connecticut Colony. Signed, Bellomont. Copy. ¾ p. Same endorsement. [Board of Trade. New York, 10. Nos. 21, 21.i.–viii.; and (letter and enclosure viii. only), 54. pp. 434–446; and (abstract only, with comments), 45. pp. 94–97; and (duplicates of letter and enclosures ii.–vii.), America and West Indies. New York, 580. Nos. 27, 27.i.–vi., 28, 28.i.–vi.] |
July 29.
New York. |
667. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to Mr. Secretary Vernon. I am newly returned hither from Boston, and have brought a fit of the gout with me which will force me to be brief in this letter. I find a wonderful discontent here among the officers and soldiers for being cut off 27 months' pay and subsistence, and they having had credit from the country for near that sum, it has made so general an outcry that you cannot imagine. 'Tis feared the few soldiers that remain will follow their companions that have lately deserted in great numbers; and the next thing that's feared is we shall lose all our Five Nations at once, when they perceive our soldiers are run away; for they that are already in such dread of the French, will be much more so when they see we are not in a capacity to protect 'em. The victuallers too are like distracted men, their whole fortunes being out for serving the King. These are such things and reflect so much on the King's honour and the management of affairs in England, that really and truly I am almost at my wits' end, and have the most uncomfortable time of it that ever any man had. I doubt not but a gentleman at the Board of the Council of Trade laughs in his sleeve at all this, and I cannot but think him the author of the 27 moneths' losse of pay, and without all doubt he advised the reduction of the four companies. If the King can forgive him such a treachery, 'tis fit I should. I am told there went from hence, about a fortnight before my arrival here, a petition against me, signed by all the disaffected people in the Province, to the number, as they bragg, of 1,500 hands. It was handed through all the towns in the Province; 'tis intended to occupy the leisure of the House of Commons the next Session. 'Tis strange that though I was at Boston 300 miles from 'em, yet their malice would find me out at that distance, but their malice is what troubles me the least. The ill usage I have met with about the not paying these four companies and reducing them, and the not allowing me to make use of the 1,500l. given me by this Province in almost a year and a half's time, these things and this treatment make me see myself poorly befriended by the Ministers. I shall send all manner of papers I have about Kidd, which I think are not above two or three, to you by the first ship that goes to England, for I am not now well enough to go about it. Signed, Bellomont. Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
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667. i. Copy of His Excellency the Earl of Bellomont's Speech to the House of Representatives, New York, July 29th, 1700. Printed by William Bradford, by order of the House. Signed, Abra. Gouverneur, Speaker. 1p. |
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667. ii. Address of the House of Representatives of New York to His Excellency Richard, Earl of Bellomont, July 29, 1700. Signed, Abra. Gouverneur, Speaker. Printed Copy. 1 p. |
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667. iii. Printed copy of some queries sent up to His Excellency by the House of Representatives about his proposal for building a fort, together with His Excellency's reply, July 31st, 1700. 1¾ pp. [America and West Indies. New York, 580. Nos. 29, 29.i.–iii.] |
| July 29. |
668. Minutes of Council of New York. His Excellency acquainted the Council that his salary for this Government is very small, and that his charge of transporting himself and family from Boston is very considerable, that he finds presidents during the administration of former Governors that the charge of transporting themselves from their other to this Government has been paid out of the Revenue here. Warrant ordered for payment of 91l. 18s. 10d. to Isaac Taylor for His Excellency's use towards his charges during the said voyage. |
| July 31. |
His Excellency acquainted the Council that he just now received an express from Col. Schuyler giving an account that M. Marikour and Father Bruyas, the Jesuit, with others to the number of ten, were come from Canada to Onnondage and were tampering with the Five Nations and endeavouring to seduce them over to the French. The Gentlemen appointed for the management of the Indian affairs at Albany upon notice thereof had sent Jan Baptist van Epe with an instruction to Onnondage to hinder the Sachims from hearkening or making any treaty with the French, or to allow of any meeting with them, and that if the French would propose anything to the Sachims, to order them to answer that they expect His Excellency at Albany, and what they have to say to them, they must propose to His Excellency; which was approved. |
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6l. paid to Johannis de Wandell and the other two men that brought the express. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 335–337.] |
| July 29. |
669. Minutes of Council in Assembly of New York. After being adjourned from the 25th and 26th, owing to several Representatives not having yet come to town, the House of Representatives were now summoned to attend His Excellency, who addressed them. He said that he had thought a Session absolutely necessary at that time in order that they might consider measures for securing the Five Nations. Their neighbours in Canada knew the value of the Five Nations, and with indefatigable pains were every day seducing them by their Jesuits, and, it was said, many of those who would not be seduced were being taken off by poison. The proper remedies against those growing mischief the Indians themselves had chalked out. They had often pressed for Protestant ministers to instruct 'em and a Fort to protect them from the incursions of the French and their Indians.
He hoped there would be a way found out to furnish them with ministers from England, but for a Fort, that belonged to them to provide. "I am always very tender of engaging you in things of expense, but the building a Fort to secure the Indians and satisfy them is such an expence as I believe every man of you will think indispensably necessary, and that it should be built also out of hand, that the Indians may be encouraged by seeing there's care taken for their protection." He hoped they would vote supply accordingly. Considering that 'twas harvest time he proposed to give as short an interruption to their country affairs as possible, and was himself about to attend a Conference with the Sachims next week at Albany. |
| July 30. |
His Excellency adjourned the Council till next day owing to his indisposition. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 819–823.] |
| [? July 30.] |
670. J. Bass to the Council of Trade and Plantations. His Majesty having referred to you the consideration of the petition from the inhabitants of East Jersie, I lay before you the enclosed transcripts of letters lately received from some of the principle inhabitants, and tender my service if in anything it may conduce to the settlement of that unhappy people or promoting His Majesty's interest there, which now in this state of anarchy suffers as I am credibly informed not a little by the non-observance of the laws that relate to the Plantation Trade. Signed, J. Bass. Annexed, |
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670. i. Andrew Bown, Rich. Hartshorne, Councillors, to J. Bass. Middletown, July 23, 1700. Since the departure of Mr. Slater, Col. Hamilton hath put Mr. Morris into Commission of his Council and Justice, believing him to be the only man that can make the Province submit to him as Governor without the King's approbation. In order to effect it, they have turned out an Englishman, who was sheriff, and put in a Scotchman, who they thought would obey them without reserve. It is said Morris hath given out that he will carry his point in making the people submit to Col. Hamilton's Government or he will embrue the Province in blood. In order to which they seized upon several persons intending to force them to give security for their good behaviour, which one of them refused, and so continued in the sheriff's custody. This the people took grievously, it being harvest time. They had given out warrants to seize Richard Salter and others (in Monmouth County), and the sherif had like to have taken him, but some of his neighbours went and met the sherif, banged him, broke his head, and sent him packing. The people then resolved to meet on July 19, in order to fetch home him that was in the sherif's hands, upon the which Morris and Leonard dispatched an express for Col. Hamilton who immediately came (from Burlington). They pressed about forty men, and came on July 19th in arms to Middletown to the
Ordinary and there enquired for Salter and one Bray and marched of. About 100 of the people of Middletown were assembled, armed with sticks, and but for the persuasion of some much in their favour there would have been broken heads. The Justices had persuaded the person in the sheriff's hands to give security for good behaviour the day before this meeting. We believe, including the Scotch, there is six to one against owning Col. Hamilton Governor, and almost all bitterly against Morris, whom they looked upon as the first man that opposed Government. |
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670. ii. Another account of the same affair, unsigned. Justice Bishop and Dennis utterly disown the proceedings of Col. Hamilton, Morris and Capt. Leonard, and say they never was at Council but once since Hamilton came and then gave no such advise to make disturbance in the country. It is the general resolution of the country that if they make any further disturbance, to apprehend Hamilton, Leonard and Morris and secure them until His Majesty's pleasure be known. Meantime the country desires that some other person be appointed to keep the peace until His Majesty be pleased to send over a Governor or otherwise settle this province. At present we are in great confusion, their wicked instruments have been so busy in harrassing of some and haleing others to prison, who have shown their dislike to their arbitrary proceedings, and the country on the other hand are rising by whole towns against them. These officers of theirs are so bold as to attempt the drinking of King James' health, and others have given out very suspicious words. East Jersie. July 30, 1700. The whole, 3¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. Read Nov. 15, 1700. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 5. No. 69; and 26. pp. 341–348.] |
July 30.
Whitehall. |
671. William Popple to Charlewood Lawton, Agent for Pennsylvania. I enclose extracts of two of Mr. Penn's letters, Feb. 27 and April 28, that you may take such measures about procuring what he desires, advising with Counsel upon his doubts and informing him therein, as you think convenient. The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, since the Order of Council, Nov. 13, 1685, relating to the boundaries between Maryland and Pennsylvania, have several times directed first Col. Nicholson and afterwards Col. Blakiston, Governor of Maryland, (with the concurrence of Mr. Penn whilst here, by a letter to Col. Markham, then Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania) to take care that the boundaries should accordingly be fixed. They have lately been informed by Col. Blakiston that he having acquainted the Lord Baltimore's Agents in Maryland therewith, they declined to proceed therein for want of directions, as they say, from his Lordship. The Lords Commissioners, thinking it very necessary for preventing disputes between the inhabitants of the said Provinces that the boundaries be determined, give
you this account of that affair, that you may apply yourself to Lord Baltimore for his concurrence and directions. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 26. pp. 291, 292.] |
July 30.
Whitehall. |
672. Wm. Popple to Sir Thomas Trevor. The Council of Trade and Plantations desire your opinion in point of law upon the Acts passed at a General Assembly in Maryland, Apr. 26–May 9, 1700. Annexed, |
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672. i. List of Acts referred to. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 9. pp. 506–508.] |
July 30.
Whitehall. |
673. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices. In obedience to His Majesty's commands we have prepared a draught of a Commission and Instructions for Capt. Benjamin Bennett to be Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief over His Majesty's Bermuda or Summer Islands, which we herewith humbly lay before your Excellencies, together with a draught of other particular Instructions prepared by the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs. (July 17). We humbly beg leave further to represent that, whereas in the representation which we laid before His Majesty, June 5, relating to Commissions for the trial of pirates in His Majesty's Plantations pursuant to the late Act of Parliament in that behalf we did not insert the names of Commissioners for the Bermuda Islands by reason of the unsettled state of that Government, the disorders whereof will, we hope, by the aforesaid Commission and Instructions be in good measure remedied; we now humbly offer that a Commission may be dispatched for the trial of pirates in those Islands in like manner as has been directed for His Majesty's other Plantations in America, and that the Commissioners of the said Islands be, the Governor, Commander in Chief and Vice-Admiral of the Bermuda Islands; the Members of His Majesty's Council for the time being; The Judge of the Vice-Admiralty and the Captains and Commanders of His Majesty's ships of war within the Admiralty jurisdiction of the Bermuda Islands for the time being; the Secretary, the Surveyors General of His Majesty's Customs in America, and the Collector of His Majesty's Plantation dues for the time being. Signed, Ph. Meadows, Abr. Hill, Geo. Stepney, M. Prior. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 30. pp. 39–42.] |
| July 30. |
674. Minutes of Council in Assembly of Barbados. Alexander Walker, elected Member of the Assembly for the parish of St. Peter, took the oaths appointed and signed the Test and Association. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. p. 525.] |
| July 30. |
675. Minutes of General Assembly of Barbados. Only 13 members being present, the House adjourned. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. p. 564.] |
| July 30. |
676. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Crown attending was directed to draw up a plain state of his title to the Country of Penobscot. |
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Mr. Smith attending, was told that his last papers, relating to
silver mines in Carolina, had been read, and that this Board did not now think it proper for them to meddle in any thing thereby proposed; but that he ought rather to apply to the Treasury and the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. |
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Order of Council, July 25th, upon the petition of John Cole, etc., read. |
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Secretary ordered to write again to the Barbados Agents for Mr. Attorney General's answer to the letter writ him and enclosed to them, July 17th. |
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Letter and enclosures from Mr. Randolph, May 27th, read. |
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Letter from Read Elding, Dep. Governor of the Bahama Islands, April 12th, read. |
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Letter from Col. Quary, April 10th, read. |
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Letter from Col. Blakiston, May 28th, read. Papers enclosed laid before the Board. Acts of Maryland enclosed and ordered to be sent to Mr. Attorney General. |
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Mr. Mears communicated to the Board a letter from Mr. Charles Walker to himself, Bermuda, June 6th, informing him that Mr. Day had refused to obey an Order of the King in Council, relating to the Dolphin sloop; which being read, their Lordships ordered a copy to be kept of it. |
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A representation was signed to accompany the draughts of Capt. Bennet's Commission and Instructions for the Government of the Bermuda Islands. |
| July 31. |
Mr. Simon Clement, in reference to the complaints against the Lieutenant Governor of St. Christophers, acquainted the Board that Mr. Cole, the petitioner, is an inhabitant of Nevis, and writes with assurance that the facts alleged are true, and that he had sent the names of four persons, viz: John Pogson, John Panton, Samuel Crook and Henry Burrell, whom he desired might be joined with any others that shall be thought fit to be made Commissioners for enquiring thereinto. Upon which, their Lordships thinking fit to speak with Col. Codrington before they take any resolution therein, ordered that he have notice to attend the Board to-morrow morning. |
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Letter from Col. Nicholson, June 10th, read, and papers there-with received laid before the Board. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. pp. 128–139; and 97. Nos. 131, 132.] |
| July 31. |
677. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts Bay. The Lieutenant Governor produced a letter from Major Tyng, July 29, in return of the order sent to him to be conveyed to the Pennecook Sachems together with a narrative of Capt. Jerathmeel Bowers, who was sent to Pennecooke with the said orders, containing his observations of the carriage of the Indians and his suspicion of their having some ill design on foot. Advised, that Col. John Phillips and Major James Converse be appointed to undertake a voyage to the eastward, and to direct the erecting of a Trading-house and fortification at Cascobay, according to the resolve of the General Assembly at their late Session, and to draw up a Memorial of such materials, tools, etc., as they shall think necessary, and of what workmen must be employed thereabouts. |
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Thomas Cooper, merchant, granted licence to build a bakehouse
on the backside of his brick-house in Shrimpton's Lane in Boston, provided he slate and roughcast the same. |
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Licence granted to David Robertson, mariner, to build a house of timber upon a piece of land in Boston; between Mr. Increase Mather's and the widow Rainsford's, provided he build the ends of brick, rough cast the sides, and build a flat roof to the same. |
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Licence granted to Samuel Sewall to erect a barn in the south end of Boston, on land formerly belonging to Robert Walker. |
| Aug. 1. |
Account of Daniel Willard, keeper of the prison, for the maintenance of four pirates, paid. |
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Payment ordered for the mending of the road to Connecticut. |
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15l. ordered to be paid to Mr. Samuel Emery, minister of Wells. |
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Licence granted to Samuel Bridge, senr., to erect a barn of timber, near his own house at the south end of Boston. [Board of Trade. Massachusetts Bay, 2. pp. 3–6.] |
| July 31. |
678. Minutes of Council in Assembly of New York. Petition of John Marsh referred to a Committee. |
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Joint Committee of the two Houses appointed to consider His Excellency's proposal for building a Fort. |
