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| Aug. 1. |
Council adjourned till next day owing to the Governor's indisposition. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 822, 823.] |
Aug. 1.
Whitehall. |
679. Circular Letter to the Governors and Governments in America. Enclosing a copy of the order of the Lords Justices in Council, July 18th, relating to the required report as to the method of proceedings in the several Courts upon trials of all sorts of causes. Signed, Ph. Meadows, Jno. Pollexfen, Abr. Hill, Geo. Stepney, Mt. Prior. Mem. This letter was sent, mutatis mutandis, to the Governors of New Hampshire, Massachusets Bay, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Barbadoes, Pennsylvania; to the Governor and Company of Rhoad Island and Connecticut, and to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina and the Bahama Islands. There was no letter writ to the Jerseys because of the dispute about the right of Government. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 35. p. 332; and (Memorandum only) Proprieties, 26. pp. 293, 294.] |
| Aug. 1. |
680. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Solicitor General's reports upon several Acts of the General Assembly of New York, Oct. 5, '96—April 23rd, '97 and March 2nd, 98/99—May 16th, 1699, read. Their Lordships took the said Acts into consideration, made some progress in the perusal thereof, and gave directions in order to a report upon them. |
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Col. Codrington, attending as he had been desired, the Order of Council and petition relating to complaints against the Lieutenant Governor of St. Christophers were read, and directions afterwards given for preparing a Representation thereupon to be laid before the Lords Justices. Col. Codrington upon this occasion declaring to the Board that he intended to part from hence in order to repair to his Government in a very few days, His Majesty's letter relating to pirates, Oct. last, was delivered to him. |
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Extract of a letter from Paris, July 27th, with a printed copy of the late establishment of the Council of Commerce in France, was now received from Mr. Blathwayt and read. |
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Circular letters to the Governors of New Hampshire, the Massachusets Bay, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Barbadoes, Road Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina and of the Bahama Islands, in pursuance of their Excellencies' Order in Council, July 18th, relating to the method of proceedings in the several Courts in those parts respectively, were now signed. |
| Aug. 2. |
Representation upon the Order in Council, July 25th, relating to complaints against the Lieutenant Governor of St. Christopher's, signed. |
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Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Richard Cary to desire him to solicit the dispatch of Mr. Attorney General's answer to the queries sent him, July 4th, relating to Col. Fox's assuming the government of the Leeward Islands. Acts of the General Assembly of New York considered. [Board of Trade. Journal, 13. pp. 139–141; and 97. Nos. 133, 134.] |
Aug. 1.
Virginia,
James Town. |
681. Governor Nicholson to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I hope in God that before this all the ships that went under the convoy of H.M.S. Essex prize are safe arrived with the pirates that were on board them, and that you received my letter, etc., of June 10th. I transmit copies of several letters, etc., concerning the murdering of eight persons by the Indians in Stafford County in the upper part of Potomock River. I was in hopes when I writ last that we should have had no more murders and mischiefs done by the Indians, but I find they are resolved to continue it annually. I enclose the proceedings of Council, July 9th, from which you may see what was done in that matter, and also concerning your Lordships' letter Jan. 4th, relating to the Western Indians, and the Revisal of the Laws. There being but four of the old Council and the two new ones was one principal reason which made them desire that the consideration of those two affairs might be deferred. I have appointed the Council to meet me here, God willing, on the 8th inst., the next day after the monethly meeting of the Revising Committee. But though I chose that time in hopes to have a full Council, yet it is very uncertain. You will see the excuses John Custis and Robert Carter make for not constantly attending the Council. And Ralph Wormley, His Majesty's Secretary here, hath never come to Council. And by one of my Instructions, which was recorded in the Council book for them to have recourse to, I find that I cannot now admit him, by reason that he hath absented himself the greater part of two years, he having not produced His Majesty's leave, neither hath he had my leave, but hath been constantly written to when the Council was to meet. Richard Lee is excused attending the Council upon his petition, which I sent to your Lordships, and Daniel Park I suppose is in England, and no account hath been sent to me that he hath His Majesty's royal leave. So there are now but nine of His Majesty's Council. I enclose their names; three of which, Col. Scarborough, Col.
Carter and Col. Custis I don't expect, except at the General Courts and Assemblies, especially the two Eastern Shore gentlemen. And very often some of the six are sick, lame or have extraordinary business, which makes me now humbly propose that more be added to the Council. For your Lordships know that by my Instructions I am not to act without a Quorum of less than five. I enclose duplicate of Laws, 1699, and Journal of the Committee to revise the Laws. They did not meet to do business neither in June nor July, by reason of a sufficient number not coming, but I hope in God that in this moneth, September and October they will, and dispatch what lies before them. I enclose the continuance of the abridgement of the old Laws and resolves of the Committee for revisal etc. thereupon. I enclose my proclamation for apprehending pyrats according to your Order, Feb. 16, but on the 24th of the last moneth Capt. Passenger gave me an account that the said Henry Moonday, Commander of the John Hopewell, was gon up to Herring Bay in Maryland, and that he had 400 negroes on board. After the misfortune by the pyrates, his mate did him an extraordinary piece of service by being too hard for the pyrates, and bringing to him a sloop, etc. The Proclamation for proroguing the Assembly, enclosed, gives the reason why 'tis prorogued for so long a time. His Majesty's Order, Jan. 18, concerning the denization of aliens shall be duly observed by me. And 'tis a satisfaction to me to find that the two Acts, which I passed in Maryland about naturalisation, were not disapproved of by His Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor General. I enclose the copy of the Committee for revising the Laws, their desire for the Treasurer to pay me the sum of 104l. 11s. 2d., which I advanced to buy things in England for the use of the Capitol, according to their former request. I enclose a copy of the Lords Proprietors' letter of North Carolina. I heartily wish their Governor was come to North Carolina so that the affair of the Boundaries might be adjusted. In the interim all care shall be taken by me for His Majesty's interest and service. The 24th of the last moneth I had the great honour to receive His Majesty's letter, March 18th, and your Lordships' letter, April 12th, concerning the French Protestant Refugees. As I have, so I will endeavour to obey his Majesty's commands about ym. They were on board the ship Mary and Anne of London, George Haws, commander, who had about 13 weeks' passage, and the 23rd of the last moneth arrived at the mouth of this river. I immediately went down to Kikotan to give directions in order to their coming hither, some of which came on Sunday in the evening, the rest the next day. I writ to Col. Byrd and Col. Harrison to meet ym here, which they did; and we concluded that there was no settling of ym in Norfolk nor thereabouts, because 'tis esteemed an unhealthfull place, and no vacant land except some yt is in dispute now betwixt us and North Carolina; so we thought it would be best for ym to go to a place about twenty miles above the Falls of James River, commonly called the Manikin Town. There is a great deal of good land, and unpatented, where they may at present be altogether; which we thought would be best for His Majesty's service and
interest, and that they would be a strengthening to the Frontiers, and would quickly make a settlement, not only for ymselves, but to receive others, when His Majesty shall be graciously pleased to send ym. They may be prejudicial to His Majesty's interest and service, by living long together and using their own language and customs, and by going upon such manufactures and handicraft trades, as we are furnished with from England, but according to my duty I shall endeavour to regulate these affairs. And when, please God, the Council meets, I shall lay before ym ye matters relating to these Refugees. On Tuesday I mustered ym, and No. 10 is a copy of ye list of ym. Col. Byrd went before ym, in order to meet ym at ye Falls of this River, where he formerly lived, to dispose of ym thereabouts, till they can get houses or sheds in the place for their reception, and he promised to go along with the Marquis [de la Muce] and Mr. Sailly, to shew ym ye land. The people at present seem to be very well affected towards ym and to commiserate their condition, and some who have seen them have given them money, viz. Col. Harrison 5l., Mr. Commissary Blayer the like summe, the Revd. Mr. Stephen Fouace thereabouts, Mr. Benjamin Harrison, 5l., Mr. Attorney General Fowler something, as likewise Mr. William Edwards, merchant of this place. I am apt to think that several gentlemen and others will be charitable to ym. They went from hence yesterday. If His Majesty be graciously pleased to send over more, I humbly propose that Mr. Micajah Perry, merchant of London, may be spoken with about their passage hither, and that they may have their passage on board the ships which come to the upper parts of James River, which is the nighest place to their settlement; and that there may not above 40 or 50 come in any one ship: so they may be better accommodated in all respects: for I have observed that where ships that come into these parts are crowded with people, 'tis very prejudicial to their health, some getting sicknesses which not seldom prove catching, some die on board and others soon after they come on shore. |
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In accordance with your Orders of April 12th, I shall endeavour to concert with His Excellency Col. Blakiston and to settle some trade or intercourse with the Western Indians, according to the Earl of Bellomont's proposal, which is now before the Committee for revisal of the Laws. I enclose copies of the Earl's letters to me and my answers. I shall endeavour to comply with your Orders of April ye 12th, concerning my meeting His Excellency, and shall write to my Lord and Col. Blakiston about it. And with submission the time which I think yt His Majesty's other services will admit my doing it (being our Assembly is prorogued to ye 23rd of October) is to go from hence the beginning of September, to call on Col. Blakiston about ye 9th or 10th, to be at Philadelphia with Mr. Pen about the middle, at New York about the 20th or 21st, for I suppose yt His Excellency the Earl of Bellomont will not be able to come to Philadelphia, either by reason of His Majesty's affairs or of the gout. I hope in God to be back by the meeting of the General Court, which begins on Oct. 15th, as also
that no pyrates will either come within the capes or lie about the coasts during my absence. When I call upon Col. Blakiston, I intend to go by Stafford, the place where the Indians did the murder, in order to see that the Rangers do their duty, and give the necessary Orders. I humbly beg leave to offer to your Lordships the scruple which I have for not entirely concerting affairs with Mr. Pen, because yt by a printed Proclamation of his about piracies etc., he stiles himself only Proprietary of ye Province of Pensylvania and Counties annexed, etc., by which it doth not appear that he is His Majesty's Governor of Pensylvania, etc., and I suppose that he hath not taken the oaths appointed by the Acts of Parliament, nor subscribed the Test and Association. So I most humbly desire your Lordships' direction, whether I must correspond with him as one of His Majesty's Governors. |
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With regard to your letter, Jan. 4th, 1699/1700, concerning the Boundaries betwixt Virginia and North Carolina, your Lordships may please to remember yt His Majesty's Council and I did not think it convenient to treat any further with the two gentlemen sent from the Deputy Governor of North Carolina, because we thought that he had not qualified himself pursuant to the Act for preventing frauds and regulating abuses in the Plantation Trade. I do assure your Lordships that what I now presume to write concerning that ingenious person Mr. Pen is not out of any ye least prejudice to him. By the correspondence which I have had the good fortune of keeping with him since he came to Pensylvania, I find that he hath acted for His Majesty's interest and service. With submission I think that His Majesty's Governors cannot entirely concert affairs with any Proprietarys' Governors, or their Deputies, or with a Charter-Governor, because His Majesty's interest and theirs are different in most respect; for I think they may be compared to the Popes, who, from the first time that the Emperors gave them temporal power, have by several unjust ways and means got more, and endeavour to do so still. I am of opinion that His Majesty's interest and service in general, and of my dear mother-country, Old England, in particular, can never be rightly managed till the rest of the Proprietarys and Charter-Governments be as New England and Maryland; and if the Proprietors, Governors, or their Deputies, or Charter Governors, and other officers in those Governments, be not obliged to comply with the Acts of Parliament for taking the oaths, etc., they will continue to have a mighty advantage of His Majesty's Government. |
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In answer to your letter of June 26th, 1699, I find no Patent Places here, but the Secretary's and Auditor's, concerning which I gave an account, July 1st. And I intend, God willing, to write the same to the Treasury. According to the Order of Council, June 22nd, 1699, I did design to have sworn Mr. Secretary Wormley, July 14th, thereafter, but it pleased God yt I was then sick and continued for some time, and nothing hath been done in Council since, and now I shall not do it for the reasons before intimated. I enclose propositions concerning the Secretary's and Auditor's places. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. P.S. The latter end of June it set in raining, and continued so to do,
less or more, for about 26 days. They say that there seldom or never were more wet seasons. Reports from several places that a great deal of tobaccos are drowned, and corn too, especially in ye low lands. Some of both sorts is spoiled by the weeds, the weather being so wet they could not weed ym. Unless please God there come seasonable weather, there will be but indifferent crops of corn or tobacco, and not much of ye latter will be good. I have an account that there will be very few hogsheads of old tobacco left in the country after 4 or 5 ships are sailed, one of which is Capt. Joseph Moonday, who came lately from Guiny and brought into Yorke River about 230 negroes, and I heard they were sold from 28l. to 35l. per head; the greatest price yt has been known. There were as many buyers as negros, and I think that, if 2,000 were imported, there would be substantial buyers for them. They expect several ships from Guiny with negros, but I am afraid that no more will come. I am very glad that the tobaccos will be gon, because it is for His Majesty's interest, as it will be also that there come ships enough to carry away this year's crop of tobaccos. FR. N. Endorsed, Recd. 19th, Read 21, October, 1700. 7 large pp. Enclosed, |
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681. i. Abstract of preceding. 3¾ pp. |
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681. ii. Copies of several letters concerning the murder of eight persons by the Indians in Stafford County. |
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(1) Col. Mason to the Governor of Virginia. As for the Emperor and his Indians returning to Maryland, it is not so, though he did promise the Governor he would. King Peter and his Indians doe continue at Pomunkey Town in Maryland and make corn there. There's about 100 men, women and children, and they say the Emperor is a great rogue. June 15, 1700. Signed, G. Mason. |
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(2) Robert Collson to the Governor of Virginia. The Emperor of Piscattaway, being at Pomunkey, informed me that he had seen the footing of strange Indians near their fort. They were Towittowos, who lived a great way beyond the Senecas, near to ye French, and were hired by the French to come and injure the Indians or English. He said his Indians were unwilling to return to their former habitations in Maryland, because they were afraid those strange Indians would follow them and do mischief to the English which would be laid on them. I told him that if they remained there, and any mischief were done, to be sure the English would think yt he and his Indians did it. The Emperor said he had sent some of his great men to the Sencas to get them to make a peace for ym with these strange Indians. June 8th, 1700. Signed, Robert Collson. |
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(3) Col. Mason to the Governor of Virginia. Describes the murder and mutilation of Thomas
Burton's family by Indians on June 16th. "This murther was ye horriblest yt ever was in Stafford, and I thank God we have not had the least harm on this side of Ocaquan, since I have kept the people bravely on their Plantations, but God knows what I shall do now, for this has almost frighted our people out of their lives and interests, and besides the Emperor and his Indians being still about, which did as surely do the murther as God's in Heaven." Thomas Burton on coming home called at mill and took a bag of meal with him. About 400 yards from his house about 20 Indians started up and immediately had him in a half moon; he, well mounted, pu(sh)t on, endeavouring for his house, but being loaded, they had like to have gotten him; but with great difficulty he got his bag off and brake through the woods, and got safe to a neighbour's house. I am of opinion they had done all the murder before, for undoubtedly they would have killed him, but had no arms, and never fired shot or arrow, neither had they any l[u]ggedge, but naked, so am of opinion that they had another party besides. If they had had arrows they would have killed him, for their arrows were of great force, for they have made holes in the roof of the house as big as swan-shot. And believe there were at least 40 by their several great tracks, and am of opinion yt great part of ym is gone to Maryland, and ye rest back. I have raised 12 men and sent every way to search the frontiers and back-forest-plantations and intend to keep constantly moving myself with ym, until have your Excellency's commands, then trust in God shall be able to give our people better satisfaction than at present can, for I am afraid yt we shall have a bad summer; but if, please God, can but keep ym upon their Plantations, it will be some discouragement to the enemy; but those too are deserted for this year. Without immediate care, shall have but few Plantations in Stafford. June 18th, 1700. Signed, G. Mason. |
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(4) Governor Nicholson to the Governor of Maryland. Maryland, June 26th, 1700, at Mr. Yates's. I propose yt we might, God willing, meet on Saturday night or Sunday morning at the honble. Col. Addison's house, in order to discourse and adjust matters concerning ye Indians. I intend to bring Lt. Col. Mason with me to give your Excellency a full account of the late murther of a man and woman and six children. I hope you will bring Major Dent along with you. |
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(5) Governor Blakiston to Capt. Philip Hoskins and Mr. William Dent of Charles County. From Col. Addison's, July 1, 1700. I have conferred with His Excellency Francis Nicholson. You are to take with you an Indian Interpreter, Henry Moore, and to repair to the Indian Town and acquaint the Emperor, that if he takes due care to keep himself and those under his command within their proper stations according to their Articles, they shall be sure to have my protection. Those that remain near the mountains will do so at their own risk. For taking off any suspicion of ye Virginians as to himself and those with him, it is necessary he should give an account where they were the Sunday of the murder. They must forbear to go or hunt in Virginia till leave is given. They must not range or hunt beyond the Eastern branch of Potomock without giving an account of themselves to Col. John Addison, and where they intend to pitch their cabins. He must give any information he can as to the murder. Signed, N. Blakiston. |
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(6) Governor Nicholson to Lt. Col. Mason. At Col. Fitz-hugh's, July 2nd, 1700. I hope in God that we shall have no more mischief done by ye Indians, and yt ye people are all returned to their Plantations, and also that the Militia-Officers and Justices will meet you this week. One part of the Rangers I hope will be constantly ranging. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. |
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(7) Governor Nicholson to Lt. Col. Mason. James Town, July 13th, 1700. I hoped before this time to have heard from you as to the results of the meeting of the magistrates and Militia-Officers, and the Indian affairs. I kept the Council in town one day longer in expectation; but expect now a full account, which you are to communicate to the Governor of Maryland. Inclosed is an Order of Council, which you are precisely to obey in ye management of ye Indian affairs. Would have you, when you attend the Governor of Maryland, to make private inquiry into their proceedings, yt you may communicate what needful to me. |
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(8) Governor Nicholson to Governor Blakiston. James City, July 13, 1700. I have ordered Col. Mason to attend you. |
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(9) Col. Mason to Governor Nicholson. Stafford Court, July 10th, 1700. The Rangers continue their duty, and I have upon ye request of the Frontiers, placed six men and Ensign Guiles Van de Castiall to range upon the head of ye river. The neighbours have fitted out
their sons and other young men well-equipped. Cornet Burr Harrison from Acaquan ranges from Acaquan to Potomock Creek. These two officers and men give good content. They range each party four days a week, which is as hard duty as can be performed. The day appointed by your Excellency the weather was so bad none could meet, so did refer your commands until this day, being the Court of Adjournment. The delay has been no one's fault. The inhabitants still continue from their houses, but abundance better satisfied since part of ye Rangers is constantly ranging among ym. I find it will be of great disservice to our county-business to have Captain Hoole out of ye Commission. Signed, G. Mason. |
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(10) Civil and Military officers of Stafford County to Governor Nicholson. Stafford Court House, July 10th, 1700. Petitioning for the continuance of Rangers on the frontier. Signed, Wm. Williams, Jno. Washington, Jos. Sumur, Edwd. Hart, Wm. Fitzhugh, junr., George Anderson, Sam. Burton, Ben. Colclough, John Colclough, G. Mason, Rice Hooe, Robert Alexander, Richd. Fossaker, Charles Ellis, Mathew Thomson, Robert Colson, Tho. Harrison, John West. |
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(11) Col. Mason to Governor Nicholson. July 20th, 1700. I have been unavoidably delayed, and am lame, but shall forthwith send everything to the Governor of Maryland as you command. You shall have a full account of their proceedings at Mount Calvert, for intend, God willing, as soon as am able, to go to Major Dent's. As to the Indian affair, our County people are much as they were, when your Excellency left us, none gone home yet; the Rangers perform their duty according to your commands. I return your Excellency thanks for your great care of our County, as find by your command in Council. Signed, G. Mason. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 19, 1700. 7¼ pp. |
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681. iii. Memorandum of Minutes of Council of Virginia, July 9th, 10th, 1700. ¼ p. |
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681. iv. Names of the nine Members of Council. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. ½ p. Same endorsement. |
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681. v. Memorandum of Acts of Virginia, April 27th—June 8th, 1699. ¼ p. |
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681. vi. Memorandum of Journal of the Committee for revising the Laws, April 3rd–May 8th, 1700. ¼ p. |
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681. vii. Memorandum of continuation of directions of the Committee for revising the Laws, about drawing several Bills. ¼ p. |
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681. viii. (1) Proclamation for proroguing the General Assembly of Virginia to Oct. 23rd. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. July 10th, 1700. 1 p. |
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(2) Proclamation for the apprehension of Henry King and other pirates. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. July 9th, 1700. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 19th, 1700. 1¼ pp. |
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681. ix. Copy of recommendation from the Committee for revising the Laws and of warrant issued accordingly for the payment of Governor Nicholson what he had disbursed for the use of the Capitol. June 10, 1700. 1 p. Same endorsement. |
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681. x. Memorandum of a letter from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Governor Nicholson, about the Boundaries, Dec. 16th, 1699. ¼ p. |
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681. xi. List of the French Refugiez arrived with the Marquis de la Muce in Virginia. Pierre Delomé and wife; Marguerite Sené _ and daughter; Magdalaine Martell; Jean Vidan; Tertulien Seheut, wife and two children; Pierre Lauret; Jean Roger; Pierre Chastain, wife and five children; Philipe Duvivier; Pierre Nau, wife and two daughters; François Clerc; Simon Sardin; Soubragon and Jaques Nicolay; Pierre du Toy; Abraham Nicod; Pierre Mallet; François Coupet; Jean Oger, wife and three children; Jean Saye, Elizabeth Angeliere; Jean and Claud Mallefaut with their mother; Isaac Chabanas and son; Catharine Bomard; Estienne Chastaine; Adam Vignes; Jean Menager; Jean Lesnard; Estienne Badouet; Pierre Morriset; Jedeon Chambone and wife; Jean Farey; Jerome Dumas; Joseph Bourgoian; David Barnard; Jean Chenas and wife; Jean Tardieu; Jean Moreau; Jacques Roy and wife; Abraham Soblet and two children; Quintin Chassalain; Michael Roux; Jean Guiché _, wife and three children; Henry Cabanis, wife and child; Jacques Sugre; Jean Bassou; François Boffe; Jean Fouchie; François Sassin; André _ Cochet; Jean Gaury, wife and child; Pierre Gaury, wife and child; Jaques Philipe, wife and four children; Pierre Perrut and wife; Isaac Panetier; Jean Parrantos and sister; [? El]ie Trejusson and wife; Elizabeth Tignac, [An]thoine Trouillarde; Jean Bourrie;—m Bouchett; Jacques Voyes; Elizabeth Mingot; Catharine Godriot; Pierre la Cour; Jean and Michell Cantapie, wife and two children; Jaques Bioret, wife and two children; Abraham Moulin and wife; François Bilbot; Pierre Comte; Estienne Guerin; René _ Massoneau; François du Tartre; Isaac Verry; Jean Parmantier; David Gonthier and wife; Moyse Lewreau; Pierre Tillon; Marie Leuesqz; Jean Constantine; Claud Barden and wife; Jean Imbert and wife; Elizabeth Flewry; Louys du Pyn; Jacques Richard and wife; Adam and Marie Prevost;
Jacques Veron and wife; Jacques Brousse and child; Pierre Cornu; Louys Bon; Isaac Bourdet; Jean Depre; Jean Gaillard and son; Anthonie Matton and wife; Jean Leuadou and wife; Louys Orange, wife and child; Daniel Faure and two children; Pierre Cupper; Daniel Roy; Magdalain Gigons; Pierre Grelet; Jean Jouanny, wife and two children; Pierre Ferrier, wife and child; Widow Faure and four children; Isaac Arnaud and wife; Pierre Chatanier, wife and brother; Jean Fouasse; Jacques Bilbeau; Jean Marohe; Catharine Billot; Marie and Simon Jourdon; Abraham Minot; Timothee Moul, wife and child; Jean Sauin, wife and child; Jean Sargenton, wife and child; Claude Philipe and wife; Gabriel Hurler; Pierre Delorme; Helen Truyber. 207 persons (110 men). Receipt for passage money (945l.), subscribed, Geo. Hawes. James Town, July 31st, 1700. French. 1 p. Same endorsement. |
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681. xii. Copies of correspondence between Lord Bellomont and Col. Nicholson, Nov. 1698, Jan. 14, '99—March 4, '99, May 6, '99 and Oct. 27, '99. Endorsed, Recd. 19th, Read 22nd Oct., 1700. 2¾ pp. |
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681. xiii. Copy of Mr. Penn's Proclamation about pirates. Philadelphia, "the 23rd day of the tenth month in the eleventh year of William III." Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 19th, 1700. 1¾ pp. |
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681. xiv. Proposals concerning the offices of Secretary and Auditor for Virginia. Signed, B. Harrison, junr. Endorsed as preceding. 12 pp. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 9. Nos. I, I. i.–xiv.; and (without enclosures) 38. pp. 31–49.] |
| Aug. 1. |
682. Journal of the Committee appointed to revise the Laws of Virginia, April 3–May 8, 1700. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 19, 1700. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 52. pp. 508–511.] |
Aug. 2.
James City. |
683. Governor Nicholson to [? the Earl of Jersey]. On the 10th of June by our fleet I did myself the honour of writing to your Lordship. I hope in God that all the fleet are arrived safe in England with the tobacco and pirates, which were on board. |
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Repeats passage from letter Aug. 1, about the arrival, settlement and sending over of the French Protestant Refugees. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. Endorsed, R. 21 October. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
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683. i. List of French Protestant Refugees, and copy of Geo. Hawes, receipt for their passage. 2 pp. |
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683. ii. Copy of Proclamation for the apprehension of pirates. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. Copy of Proclamation proroguing the Assembly. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. The whole, 2½ pp. |
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683. iii. Copy of proceedings of the Council of Virginia, July 9th, 1700. 15½ pp. |
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683. iv. Copy of Journal of the Committee to Revise the Laws, Ap. 3–May 8, 1700. 3¼ pp. |
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683. v. The continuance of the abridgement of the old Laws, and resolves of the Committee for revisal thereupon. 10 pp. |
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683. vi. Remarks on the office of the Secretary and Auditor. 9 pp. [America and West Indies. Virginia, 638A. Nos. 1., 1.i.–vi.] |
Aug. 2.
Whitehall. |
684. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices. We have examined the matter of John Coles' petition (July 25) and not finding that any proofs thereof have been transmitted by the petitioner in his letters to his correspondents here, we are therefore humbly of opinion that Col. Codrington may fitly be directed to commissionate certain persons on St. Christopher's, as desired, to enquire into the truth of those complaints, and otherwise to inform himself of that matter, and to transmit hither the evidences so taken, with his report. Signed, Phil. Meadows, John Pollexfen, Abr. Hill, Geo. Stepney, Matthew Prior. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 46. pp. 63, 64.] |
Aug. 2.
Jamaica. |
685. Governor Sir William Beeston to William Popple. I have your courteous letter of Jan. 26th, for which I thank you. I do not write now to the Right Honourable the Lords because here is nothing of moment to trouble them with. The country continues hitherto very healthy, is in a thriving condition and in greate quiet, and, if it please God to continue this health amongst us, will prosper very fast, onely we want settlers, for tho' we have had many people arrived this last yeare, yet most are servants, who, when their times are out, and having no fund to settle with, run a rogueing and log-wooding, by which many are lost to the country. I intended now to transfer to their Lordships the Muster-Rowles of the several Regiments, but tho' I have used my endeavours, yet have not received them from the remote settlements, but doe now transmit to you and pray you to lay before their Lordships the Public Account to Sept. 29th, 1699, and in a short time shall send them to our Lady Day, 1700, with the Muster Rowles of this year. We have no pyrats about this island, tho' many in the West Indies. Signed, Wm. Beeston. Endorsed, Recd. 24th, Read 31st Oct. 1700. Holograph. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
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685. i. Memorandum of account of His Majesty's additional duty, July 17—Sept. 29, 1699. ¼ p. |
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685. ii. Memorandum of account of His Majesty's 300l., appropriated for the payment of people's passages to this island, to Sept. 19th, 1700. ¼ p. |
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685. iii. Memorandum of His Majesty's account of Quitrent, Fines, Forfeitures and Escheats, March 25th—Sept. 29th, 1699. ¼ p. |
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685. iv. Memorandum of His Majesty's account current, March 25—Sept. 29th, 1699. ¼ p. |
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685. v. Memorandum of His Majesty's account of wine licenses, March 25th—Sept. 29th, 1699. ¼ p. |
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685. vi. Memorandum of His Majesty's account of additional duty, March 25th—July 18th, 1699. ¼ p. |
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685. vii. Memorandum of His Majesty's account of impost, March 25th—Sept. 29th, 1699. ¼ p. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 9. Nos. 21, 21, i. –vii.; and 57. pp. 97–98, 103.] |
| Aug. 2. |
686. Minutes of Council of New York. His Excellency read to the Board the clause from the letter of the Council of Trade and Plantations, Aug. 21, 1699, relating to East New Jersey. Accounts of stores, etc., referred to a Committee. |
| Aug. 3. |
Accounts of James Wells and Jean le Chevalier referred to a Committee. |
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75l. paid to Robert Livingston for providing 400 wheelbarrows for fortifying Albany and Schenectady, and 56l. 15s. 3d. for 250 stocks for Indian guns to be given as a present to the Indians; also 13l. 5s. 9d. for provisions delivered to the Indians, July 5th, and 47l. 12s. 11d. for sundry disbursements to the Indians, Sept. 22nd—July 15th, and 69l. 3s. 9d. for sundry disbursements for the use of His Majesty's fort at Albany, Sept. 22nd—March 25th; 7l. 16s. paid for cleaning the lodgings in His Majesty's Fort William Henry. |
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2l. 5s. 6d. paid to James Wells, carpenter, for work done in the fort. 4l. 13s. 10½ d. paid to Henry Meason, blacksmith, for work done in the fort and on the Custom-house barge. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 337–339.] |
| Aug. 2. |
687. Minutes of Council in Assembly of New York. Bill for regulating fences in Ulster County read the first time. |
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The Committee for considering the building of a fort to secure the Five Nations reported that the Representatives on the Committee did not seem to be satisfied of the necessity, offering as reasons—(1), the remoteness of the place proposed and the great difficulty of sending men and materials thither; (2), that it would be near the lake from whence the French of Canada might come by water, and if such a fort in time of war should by treachery or surprize be possessed by them, it would be of very ill consequence to the Province. If it should be supposed to be for His Majesty's service and the security of the Province that such a fortification be erected, they prayed their House might be acquainted what kind of fortification was designed; of what materials it was to be made, and how it was to be garrisoned and maintained, and that a computation of the charge of building it might be laid before their House. |
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His Excellency summoned the Representatives, and delivered to them his answer in writing. The necessity of building a fort was plain from the repeated pressing instances of the Five Nations expressed in all their messages to him ever since his arrival. The giving them this satisfaction, in the staggering condition they seemed at present, might well pass for an argument of necessity. If we did not humour them the French would infallibly take advantage of our supineness, and would so caress 'em as in a very short time to debauch 'em entirely from us. Let not the difficulty of building a fort frighten them; the French had taught
them the way: their fort at Cadaracque was as remote from Canada as this intended fort could be from Albany. It was necessary to erect a fort as much in the center of the Five Nations as possible for the settlement of a good Minister or two to instruct them; for no Ministers would venture to live amongst the Indians out of a fort and English garrison to the certain hazard of their lives, especially now their poisoning was become a common way of taking away the lives of men. The proper place for the fort was to be the work of the King's engineer; but it was supposed it would be most properly built somewhere in the Onnondages' country, not only because they were in the center of the Five Nations, but also because a fort built on their land would best confront the French Fort of Cadaracque. In this point it would be proper to consult the Sachims of the Five Nations, which His Excellency would do at the coming conference. It was intended to make the fort of sod work, well ditched and pallisado'd. The cost could not reasonably be supposed to exceed 1,500l. The garrison proposed was 100 men. with a captain and two lieutenants, paid and subsisted at the King's charge. The fort to be gunned with 24 great guns, six pounders. The Governor left the management of building the fort, so far as relates to receipts and payments, to the Representatives. The neighbouring Colonies were not in his power to induce them to a contribution of the charge that had been proposed, nor was it safe to delay till they had been asked. |
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Bill for preventing abuses daily committed by negro slaves sent up and read the first time. |
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An Act against Jesuits and Popish Priests, sent up, was read twice and committed. It was then read a third time and, being passed with amendments, was sent down to the Representatives for their assent. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 823–829.] |
Aug. 5.
Maryland. |
688. Copy of the bond given by Capt. Munday to appear before His Majesty in Council after his arrival in England. John Hammond and Samuel Howard of Ann Arundel County, sureties. Endorsed, Recd. from Mr. Secy. Vernon, Read Oct. 31, 1700. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 4. No. 9.] |
| Aug. 5. |
689. Copy of Governor Blakiston's warrant to Capt. Burbidge for bringing Gillibrand to England. Endorsed as preceding. ½ p. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 4. No. 10.] |
Aug. 5/16.
Rio Esequeb. |
690. Jodocus Bate to the Directors of the Chartered West India Company at the Chamber of Zeeland. Most noble and worshipful Gentlemen, that by your Honours' special care for religion I have commenced my clerical function in Rio Essequebo, and still exercise the same under your Honours' protection as patrons of God's Church, I deem to be very great fortune; the more so as I am living in harmony with your representative in command here. But at present I find the proverb of the wisest of Kings applicable to myself, that the wrath of the King, or the supreme power, is as the messenger of death (Proverbs, xxi. 14.) since, as I understand from your letter to the
Governor, you are displeased with me because the Colony is put to heavy expense not by me only, but by my family. But, noble, very worshipful gentlemen, allow me hereby to make my defence. It has never been our intention to be a burden to others. I know you have only promised me a subsidy, and I declare that I have never received anything but for my own private benefit. For eight or nine months I have had the scanty fare of one of the Company's Planters; afterwards, going to live on my own, I was provided by the Governor with a little salt food, and now and then with some game or fish. But whole weeks have passed, in which I have obtained nothing from the fort. When Capt. Nicolaes Evertz' ship arrived, we bought for ourselves at our own expense a barrel of meat, butter and flour, besides buying bread and other provisions from the natives. |
| Aug. 5. |
As for strong drink, with this I had provided myself on coming from the Fatherland, so that, until the arrival of the Brandenburg, I had received nothing, or at least very little, from the Company's storehouse, since the Governor, as his Honour declared, had received very little by the Maria. But out of the Brandenburg I have received about six stoops of red brandy. When the De Jonge Jan arrived, I got for my year's store three jugs of mom [a kind of beer], a case of brandy, some bread, cheese, butter, flour and a double anker of wine, etc., and have the promise of some spices. Your Honours can now draw your own conclusions, whether we have been a burden to the Colony. It would give me great pleasure, as I have contracted a marriage, if you would grant me alone a yearly allowance in addition to the subsidy promised me, or if you would lay down a regulation how much I, for my own person, may draw from the Company's storehouse, and if you would send me an extract from your resolution on the point. Signed, Jodocus Bate. Eccles. in Rio Eseqb. P.S. Your Honours please excuse my addressing my present letter under cover; as I suppose that my letters have sometimes not reached you. Inscribed, Read, Nov. 15th [N.S.] 1700. 2 pp. Dutch. [Colonial Office Transmissions. Berbice, 457. No. 3.] |
| Aug. 5. |
691. Minutes of Council of Massachusetts Bay. 12l. paid to Samuel Gill, about to undertake a journey to Canada to endeavour to obtain the liberty of his son and other captives among the Indians. |
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120l. 16s. 8d. paid to Peter Sergeant for rent for his house for 14½ months, wherein the Earl of Bellomont lodged. |
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Payment of John Green, Pilot of H.M.S. Arundel and Advice, ordered. [Board of Trade. Massachusetts Bay, 2. pp. 6, 7.] |
| Aug. 5. |
692. Minutes of Council of New York. Commission ordered for the trial of Thomas Long and John Peats for felony. |
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The account of John Livingston was returned by the Committee appointed, who reported that 20l. 3s. 8½d. was due to him, but submitted to His Excellency whether it should be paid out of the 30 per cent. or the Revenue. His Excellency is of opinion that the sum accruing for charges in pursuing and taking deserters
by virtue of an Act of Assembly, it ought to be paid out of the Revenue. Ordered accordingly. |
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His Excellency laid before the Council an account of the charges expended by him in apprehending James Gillam, and in his journey to Rhode Island, and in bringing His Majesty's packet from Boston to New York, amounting to 155l. Payment ordered out of the Revenue. [Board of Trade. New York, 72. pp. 339, 340.] |
| Aug. 5. |
693. Minutes of Council in Assembly of New York. The Memorial of John Guest was read and referred to the Representatives. The Representatives returned the Bill against Jesuits assented to. |
