America and West Indies: June 1701, 16-20

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 19, 1701. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1910.

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Citation:

'America and West Indies: June 1701, 16-20', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 19, 1701, ed. Cecil Headlam( London, 1910), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol19/pp301-310 [accessed 29 November 2024].

June 1701



[? June 16.]	547. Memorial offered on behalf of Alexander Skene to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Eyles in his answer doth neither deny any of the facts complained of, nor doth he assert that the Governor's Secretary (as he is ordinary of the Island) hath any right to the several fees complained to be with-held from the petitioner. There is therefore no reason why your Lordships should delay making a report until the Governor has seen and answered the Petition. Endorsed, Recd. June 16, Read June 27, 1701. 1 closely written p. [C.O. 28, 6. No. 6; and 29, 7. pp. 332–334.]
June 16. Boston.	548. Minutes of Council of the Massachusetts Bay. Salary of John White, Chaplain to ye Garrison at Casco Bay and for instructing the Indians, paid. [C.O. 5, 788. p. 62.]
June 16.	549. Minutes of Council in Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay. Bill for continuing several Acts, sent up, was read and passed and received H.E.'s consent.
	Excise Bill, read with amendments and passed, was sent down.
	Bill to encourage the sowing and well manufacturing of hemp within this Province, sent up, was read a first and second time and committed.
June 17.	Bill for review in civil causes was read, passed and sent down.
	The Excise Bill being passed by the Representatives with some of the amendments proposed by. the Board, a concurrence was past with the resolve of that House that the Bill be engrossed.
	Petition of Dartmouth to be freed from paying towards the charge of building a bridge over the great river in Taunton was sent up with the Order of the Representatives that it be heard on the second Wednesday of next Session, and that the Selectmen of Tiverton, Taunton, Freetown, and Little Compton be notified by the petitioners. This order was concurred with.
	Bill to encourage hemp was read and a concurrence passed with the Representatives that it be ingrossed.
	A petition of Seth Perry and Sampson Moore relating to a house and land in Boston that was the estate of one Sheffield, was sent up by the Representatives, with their resolve that the petitioners and Joseph Holmes, who pretends a right to said estate, be notified to attend, which resolve was concurred with.
	Order of the Representatives concurred with, that the Treasurer give credit for two indented Bills of the Massachusetts Colony, of 5s. and 2s., belonging to Benjamin Fitch, and for one indented Bill of 10s., belonging to Henry Hill, Constables of Boston.
	Bill relating to Attorneys read and committed.
June 18.	Excise Bill and Bill for review in Civil Causes, sent up, were read and passed and received H.E.'s consent.
	Petition of the purchasers and inhabitants of the lands called Shawomet, co. Bristol, at present under the Constablerick of Swanzey, praying that they may be joined to Freetown, sent up, with the Order of the Representatives that the petition be referred unto the first Friday of next Session and that the Selectmen of Swanzey be notified, was read and the order concurred with.
	Seth Perry and Sampson Moore attending with Joseph Holmes, were severally heard upon their petition.
	Bills providing in case of sickness; directing assessments in precincts; and for granting unto H.M. several rates and duties of impost and tunnage of shipping, sent up, were read a first and second time and committed. [C.O. 5, 788. pp. 278–281.]
June 16.	550. Journal of Assembly of Bermuda. Committee appointed to inspect the forts in Southamton Tribe and Sandys Tribe presented their report of what was required.
June 17.	Reports of the other Committees on the needs of the Forts presented.
	Bill to prevent the oppression and extortion of officers, with a clause to prevent imprisonment on pretended crimes and misdemeanours, ordered to be prepared, by requiring the informer first to enter into recognizance in twenty pounds to appear and prosecute the said person at the next legal Court etc.
June 18.	The above Bill was read, passed and sent up.
	Act for laying an imposition of twelve pence per head on all the negroes and other slaves for raising money for reparation of the Forts etc., read and ordered to be sent up.
	Ordered that every other person, above the age of 21, that have no slaves shall pay according to the value of their estates, after the rate of 3s. per every hundred pounds, as they shall be assessed by assessors to be chosen in each parish, by plurality of the voices of the parishioners at a parish meeting to be called for that end.
	Voted that 500 stones sawed shall be provided and sent to the Castle and Forts by every parish.
	Act repealing the prohibition of the transportation of platt not wrought up read, and ordered to be sent up.
	Ordered that Capt. John Tucker be recommended to the Governor as Treasurer of the Poll Tax, and that he give security. [C.O. 40, 2. pp. 252–256.]
June 17.	551. Minutes of Council of New York. Ordered that the Justices of Peace in the several counties send to the Governor or Clerk of the Council the number of males in each city and township in each county above the age of 16 and under 60 with all convenient speed, that the Governor may be enabled to represent to H.M. the state and condition of the Province.
	Memorial of David Jamison read. Ordered that a warrant issue for payment of his salary as Clerk of the Council and Deputy Secretary in 1698. He produced a deputation from Augustine Graham, Surveyor General, to be his deputy during his absence, leave having been given him by the Governor to go to England to negotiate his private affairs. Jamison was sworn accordingly.
	Payment ordered to Col. Abra. Depeyster (18l. 16s. 9d.) for the wine provided by him on Coronation day and to the soldiers on ye news of the 20 per cent. being taken off.
	Payment ordered to Elias Pelletreaux for candles furnished by him to the Fort.
	Payment ordered of 238l. 13s. 10½ d. to Robert Walters and John Depeyster for firewood provided by them for Fort William Henry, Feb. 18–May 18 last.
	Collector ordered to pay Richard Stockes for his expenses to Mamoroneck, East Chester and West Chester in January carrying letters and Acts of Assembly.
	William Richardson paid 3l. for cleaning ye powder in ye Fort. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 554–557.]
June 18. Whitehall.	552. Mr. Secretary Vernon to the Council of Trade and Plantations. H.M. commands me to send you the enclosed Memorial of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to consider and report upon. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. 19th. Read June 26, 1701. 1 p. Enclosed,
June 14. Admiralty Office.	552. i. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to the King. It having been represented unto us that great inconveniencys do attend merchants' ships and vessels in the Plantations, their wearing the coulours borne by H.M. owne ships directly contrary to H.M. Proclamation, under pretence of commissions granted to them by the Governors, and that by trading under those colours, not only among H.M. subjects but those of other Princes and States, and committing divers irregularities, they do very much dishonour H.M. service, we humbly propose unto H.M. that he will direct the said Governors to restrain all such merchant ships from wearing the colours borne by H.M. ships of war, and enjoyn them to conforme themselves to the aforesaid Proclamation. Signed, Pembroke, Geo. Churchill, D. Mitchell. Countersigned, J. Burchett. 1 p.
	552. ii. Printed copy of Proclamation referred to above. July 12, 1694. 1 large p. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 5. Nos. 98, 98.i.–ii.; and 36. pp. 1–3.]
June 18. Whitehall.	553. Mr. Secretary Vernon to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The King has been pleased to appoint Col. Joseph Dudley to be Governor of the Provinces of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire. You are to cause draughts to be prepared of his Commission and Instructions accordingly. Signed, Ja. Vernon. Endorsed, Recd. Read June 20, 1701. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 862. No. 60; and 5, 909. p. 424.]
June 18. Whitehall.	554. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. An answer from Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General to what was writ them April 30 last, relating to Capt. Norton's transgressing the Acts of Trade etc. was read, and thereupon ordered that a copy be sent to Col. Codrington.
	The Lord Cornbury desiring the Board that, being now appointed Governor of New York, he may have an insight given him into the matters that relate to that Government, and in particular that he may have the perusal of the letters of this Board to and from the Earl of Bellomont; ordered that the same be communicated to him, whensoever his Lordship pleases to call.
	Mr. Champante acquainting the Board that the Council of New York, since the Earl of Bellomont's death, have drawn upon him some Bills for the subsistance of the Four Companies there, he was directed to lay before the Board a state of the account of those Companies, and to inform the Lord Cornbury of all matters relating thereunto.
	Their Lordships taking into consideration the petitions of Lieuts. Wingfield and Harris for the Government of Montserat or St. Christophers, directions were given for preparing a Representation thereupon to be laid before H.M.
June 19.	This Representation was now signed and sent to the Council Board.
June 20.	Letter from Mr. Secretary Vernon, June 18, signifying that H.M. has been pleased to appoint Col. Joseph Dudley to be Governor of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, and directing this Board to prepare draughts of his Commission and Instructions, read; and directions were thereupon given for preparing the said draughts accordingly.
	Col. Dudley desiring that he may have the perusal of any papers in this Office that may be necessary for his information in relation to those Governments, ordered that any such papers be communicated to him.
	Draught of a letter to Col. Codrington agreed upon.
	Petition in the name of Mr. Wm. Mead read.
	The Lord Cornbury and Mr. Champante both attending in relation to the affairs of the Four Companies at New York, Mr. Champante acquainted the Board, that those Companies have been subsisted at New York till March 8 last, and that he has further sent thither for the like service to the value of 1,100l. in goods; whereupon he was directed to lay before the Board on Tuesday next a state of the account of those Companies, and likewise to inform himself and acquaint their Lordships what letter of Attorney the Commissioners of Accounts will expect to be produced to them, in order to their settling the accounts of the said Companies, that their Lordships may thereupon take such further care as may be fit for them, towards the settling of a due method for receiving and remitting their subsistence or pay, from time to time.
	Draught of a Commission for the Lord Cornbury to be Governor of New York agreed upon. [Board of Trade. Journal, 14. pp. 60–65; and 98. Nos. 104–106.]
June 18.	555. Minutes of Council and Assembly of New Hampshire. Petition of sundry Ordinary Keepers of Portsmouth read and sent down to the House of Representatives.
	Bill for keeping H.M. Highways and Bridges in repair, sent up, was read.
June 19.	Vote of the House of Representatives, praying a sight of the papers, put into the Governor and Council formerly, relating to the bounds of the several towns, read. Papers sent down accordingly.
	Present state of H.M. Fort at Great Island recommended to the consideration of the Representatives.
	Petition of Nathaniel Ayres Smith, relating to a new trial of the case between him and Abraham Clements, read and sent down.
	Petition of James Phillipps, soldier at the Fort, read.
	Petition of Samuel Comfort, oarmaker, relating to a new trial of his case v. Nathaniel Weare, plaintiff, read and sent down.
	Committee appointed to consider the papers put in by the several towns concerning their bounds.
	Bill for taking affidavits out of Court sent up. [C.O. 5, 789. pp. 31–34.]
June 19. Whitehall.	556. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Report upon the petitions of Lieut. Wingfield and Lieut. Harris for the Government of St. Christophers. Summarises petitions. We humbly offer that one half of the Island being inhabited by the French, who do always maintain a good force of regulated troops upon it, and your Majesty's part thereof having been twice taken by them at the first breaking out of the former wars, and lying most exposed, the security thereof is of so great importance as to require a person of good experience in military affairs for Lieut.-Governor, who may likewise have the command of the company referred to by Lieut. Harris, there being no salary appointed for a Lieut.-Governor. Signed, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Abr. Hill, Mat. Prior. [C.O. 153, 7. pp. 188–190.]
June 19. Kensington.	557. Order of King in Council. Upon reading the report of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations upon several petitions for the Government of St. Christopher's etc., ordered that they write to Governor Codrington letting him know what applications have been made, and to desire him to return a speedy account of the state of that Island and what person he shall think fit to recommend for the Government thereof, and that in the meantime H.M. is pleased to leave it to him to take such methods for the governing and securing the said Island as he shall judge most proper. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. 21, Read June 24, 1701. ¾ p. [C.O. 152, 4. No. 35; and 153, 7. p. 191.]
June 19.	558. Minutes of Council in Assembly of Bermuda. The Assembly sent up three Acts (1) for the speedy reparation of the Castle, Forts and Platforms belonging to these Islands, and for building barracks and chimnies to each Fort where needfull, (2) for repealing one clause etc. of the Act to prevent destruction and transportation of Palmeto topps and brooms, (3) to prevent the oppression and extortion of officers. [C.O. 40, 2. p. 38.]
June 19.	559. Journal of Assembly of Bermuda. [See preceding abstract.] Report of Committee of Grievances upon Edward Jones, Provost Marshall. He has given no security and often exacted double the legal fees. He has evilly treated many of his prisoners, and imprisoned Col. White and Mr. Thomas Smith without a warrant. He laid or caused to be laid a considerable parcel of gunpowder on the prison floor where several persons were confined, which might have caused much injury. He made a false oath, Dec., 1700, with regard to Mr. Thomas Smith and Col. White, and violently broke into the houses of Messrs. Smith and Dickinson, contrary to law, and made Dickinson a prisoner in his own house, without a warrant. He has threatened and looted several persons in the most violent and extortionate manner, and has served several executions upon Col. White granted by Gilbert Nelson, the late Chief Justice, although he had not the jurisdiction of the matters. He has taken no care for the supply of ammunition at the Castle, whereof he was Commander. He has taken office as Councillor and consequently one of the Judges of Chancery, which is inconsistant with the office of Provost Marshall, and has several times served execution to the great damage of H.M. subjects out of that Court of Chancery when himself was one of the Judges. All which has been proved against him upon oath. It is therefore proposed that your Excellency suspend him from all his said offices and that he be left open to the law, and that your Excellency would be pleased to appoint persons better qualified for the aforesaid offices. This report ordered to be presented to H.E. in Council.
June 20.	Acts for laying an imposition on liquors and sugars, and upon all horses, mares and colts of 5s. per head per year for three years, ordered to be drawn. [C.O. 40, 2. pp. 256–261.]
June 20. [? June 10, q.v.]	560. Minutes of Council in Assembly of Bermuda. The Assembly appeared and H.E. delivered his speech to them. [C.O. 40, 2. p. 37.]
June 19. Boston.	561. Minutes of Council of the Massachusetts Bay. Appeal of John Greenleafe, as to the distribution of the estate of Samuel Veazie, of Boston, mariner, referred for consideration.
June 20.	Licence granted to Simeon Stoddard to erect a salt-house of timber adjoining to the sea-board of his warehouse nigh unto Mr. Oliver's dock.
	Licence granted to Jonathan Loring to erect a timber building adjoining his house in Atkinson's Lane.
	Licence granted to James Allen to erect a barn of timber in his pasture on the back-side of Sentry Hill in Boston.
	Licence granted to erect a building of timber for the accommodation of the Master of the Latin Free School in Boston, where Mr. Cheever, the present Schoolmaster, now dwells.
	Licence granted to Robert Lash to erect a building of timber on his land lying between that of Samuel Ruck and John Goodwin.
	Licence granted to David Robertson to erect a timber kitchen adjoining his house at the North end of Boston. [C.O. 5, 788. pp. 62–64.]
June 19.	562. Minutes of Council in Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay.
	Bill to encourage hemp, sent up, was passed and received H.E.'s consent.
	Resolve of the Representatives concurred with, granting 10l. to Oliver Purchis, an ancient publick servant fal'n to decay.
June 20.	Bill for rates and duties of impost and tunnage read with amendments and passed.
	Bill relating to Attorneys, sent up, was read and passed and received H.E.'s consent.
	Resolve of the Representatives concurred with, allowing 15l. to Warham Mather, as Chaplain at Northfield in the time of Sir E. Andros.
	1,500l. allowed, over and above what is already granted for and towards the fortifying Castle Island, and 100l. towards repairing the Fort at Salem, provided that the Town aforesaid spend 100l. more for the same use, and take care for the future to keep it in repair.
	The following resolve of the Representatives was read and concurred with:—In answer to the petition of several of the inhabitants of Springfield craving the grant of a Plantation or Township 12 or 14 miles eastward of Springfield, adjoining to Springfield bounds on the west, in a tract of land there from Chickapy River on the north to run along by Springfield line on the west of this tract south eight miles to Enfield line, taking in from Chickapy River the said tract of land there of eight miles square, Resolved that there be granted unto the Petitioners and such others as the Committee of this Court's appointment shall associate to them, the aforesaid tract of land for a township, provided they settle thereon and distribute it to 60 families, and that within two years from May next there be twenty families dwelling on the place, and provision by grants made for entertaining more, to the number of 70 families, if the land will conveniently accommodate so many. And for the admitting of inhabitants, granting allotments, distributing or proportioning of land there, and ordering all the prudential affairs of the place, this Court do appoint a Committee, etc. Rules for their guidance in forming the place for a town. [C.O. 5, 788. pp. 281–284.]
[?June 20.]	563. Ed. Randolph to the Council of Trade and Plantations. An account of his services and sufferings as Surveyor General of the Customes, with a petition that they may be represented to the King for reward. Signed, Ed. Randolph. S.G. Inscribed, Recd. June 20, 1701. 1 p. Enclosed,
	563. i. Copy of deposition of Samuel Spofferth as to Edward Randolph's sufferings in Bermuda, Jan. 31, 1699 (1700). 3 pp. The whole endorsed, Recd. 20th. Read June 26, 1701. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 5. Nos. 99, 99.i.]
[?June 20.]	564. Jeremiah Bass to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Humble memorial on behalf of H.M. Province of New Jersie. The hopes of having the disorders of the Jersies happily concluded by the Parliament's reassuming of the Proprietary Governments into the hands of H.M. being for this session vacated, occasions me afresh to solicit your Lordships on the behalf of that unhappy Province, intreating you to review the humble Address or Remonstrance of the said Province referred by H.M. to your Lordships. Not so much as the shadow of Law or Government remaines there, the Proprietors having vacated the Commission granted to Andrew Hammilton, and given another, which cannot without H.M. approbation have any force to the determinating of the differences of that Province, but rather tending to the increasing of the same. I am humbly of the opinion, if these Provinces of the Jersies with the Lower Counties of Pensilvania ware by a spetiall Commission from H.M., considering the present exigence of afaires, putt under the conduct of some person knowing in the afaires of the country, itt might intirely conduce not onely to the preasant quieting of those places, but the preventing of those illegal practisses whereby H.M. Revenue is diminished, illegal trade increased and H.M. subjects in those parts oppressed. Signed, J. Bass. Endorsed, Recd. 20th, Read June 27, 1701. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1261. No. 7; and 5, 1289. pp. 102–104.]
June 20.	565. Minutes of Council and Assembly of New Hampshire. Bill for taking affidavits out of Court was amended, sent down, and returned passed.
June 21.	An addition to the Act relating to the powder duty payable by vessels over 12 tuns was sent up and read.
	Bill for repairing highways etc. was sent up again by the Representatives.
	Vote of the Representatives for presenting the Lieut.-Governor Wm. Partridge with 100l., and for making a payment to Sir Henry Ashurst sent up.
	Vote of the Representatives, that Mr. Charles Story be paid 12l. for his extraordinary service done for this Province, sent up.
	Petition of Nathaniel Ayres Smith granted.
	Petition of sundry ordinary Keepers rejected.
	Petition of Saml. Comfort, oarmaker, referred.
	Acts for taking affidavits out of Court, for regulating of seamen, and for repairing H.M. highways passed and received H.E.'s consent. [C.O. 5, 789. pp. 37–40.]
June 20. On board H.M.S. Shoreham riding at anchor at the mouth of James River.	566. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Two addresses from several Commanders and Masters, June 10 and 14 (quoted), praying to be dispatched, read. H.E. informed the Council that as soon as he had recd. the aforesaid addresses, he came down and gave ym copies of what had been done in the like case in Maryland, 1695, when he was Governor there, yt. if they thought good, they also might petition for ye like favour.
	Letter from Capt. Passenger, June 14, read, representing the opinion of himself and officers that he could not, without a breach of orders, leave the Colony till relieved by the Admiralty. H.E. and Council were very well satisfied of the zeal of Capt. Passenger. Capt. Nevil and Capt. Passenger were sent for, H.E. asked Capt. Nevil whether he could not convoy the fleet 20 leagues without the Capes of Virginia, to which he answered he would willingly do it, and thought it might be requisite for H.E. to give him orders therein. Orders drawn accordingly and signed by H.E.
	H.E. and the Council ordered the several masters of ships now riding at anchor at the mouth of James River to be sent for, who attending, Secretary Burchett's letter, Jan. 24, 1701, was read to them, and H.E. told them that if they had anything farther to offer, he and the Council were ready to hear it. Where-upon two petitions were presented, praying that Capt. Edward Whitakar, Commander of the Indian King, may be commissionated Commodore and Commander in Chief, and Capt. Dean Cocke, and Nicholas Humfry his seconds. Commissions were prepared accordingly, and were amended by Capt. Nevil and Capt. Passenger. Capt. Passenger was ordered to prevent any ship sailing till 10 days after the fleet.
	H.E. proposed to the House whether it might be proper to send all the Journals of the Council and Assembly by this fleet. The Council was of opinion they ought not to be sent, because the whole state and condition of the whole country in general may be thereby discovered, and they cannot finde nor think of any in whose fidelity they may repose to carry a short abstract of it. Ordered that they be left behind till safer opertunity.
	Upon petition of Capt. Passenger to be excused the duty of about 200 hhds. tobacco on board the La Paix shortly bound for England, H.E. and Council are of opinion yt. in respect she was taken, condemned and registered here, and in regard of Passenger's good and faithful service, he may be accounted a Virginia owner and have like priviledge.
	Copie of the writing whereby the masters of ships bound for England have obliged themselves to sail under the convoy of Capt. Whitakar. Entered at length.
	Capt. Whitakar, Capt. Cocke, Capt. Humfry, gave receipt for their Commissions and undertook the duties of convoy.