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| Sept. 16. |
See preceding abstract. |
| Sept. 17. |
See. preceding abstract. [C.O. 5, 1409. pp. 490–497; and pp. 375–381.] |
| Sept. 16. |
861. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Letter from Capt. Elrington, July 18, with inclosures, read. |
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Petition of John Wake etc. was presented to the Board by Mr. Wake's father, and read. He was told that the petition should be recommended to the Lord Cornbury, with directions to inquire into that matter and to transmit an account thereof to the Board. |
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Memorial from the Proprietors of East and West Jersey, and a letter from Mr. Morrice to the Secretary, ready. Draught of a Representation thereupon considered. [Board of Trade. Journal, 14. pp. 158–160.] |
| Sept. 16. |
862. John Wake and owners of the Elizabeth and Katherine to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Said ship going from hence to New Yorke without a certificate was seized by the then Naval Officer in that Provence and with him compounded for upon Wake's giving him a bond that the certificate should be produced in the Provence within nine months, wch. he performed in three months, whereby the bond became void, and Wake passed to and fro with his ship unmolested, till Tho. Weaver (as it is supposed, on account of an old grudge) seized her, and altho' at the Court of Admiralty she was acquitted, he orders one of his emissaries to lay another information against her in the Supreme Court, wherewithal she is now detained contrary to Law, and to the great prejudice of ye concerned. Prays that Weaver and his accomplices may be removed from their employment and called home to answer for what they have done, and make Petitioners satisfaction for their loss of over 1,500l. No signature or date. Endorsed, Recd. Read Sept. 16, 1701. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1046. No. 37; and 5, 1118. pp. 409, 410.] |
| Sept. 16. |
863. Order of Lords Justices in Council. Approving of the Laws of Nevis recommended by the Council of Trade Sept 3, with the exception of the Act to encourage disbanded soldiers
to remain in the Island. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read Sept. 25, 1701. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 152, 4. No. 49; and 153, 7. pp. 233–235.] |
| Sept. 16. |
864. Order of Lords Justices in Council. Repealing the Law of Nevis, which the Council of Trade are of opinion shd. be repealed, Sept. 3. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read Sept. 25, 1701. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 152, 4. No. 50; and 153, 7. pp. 235, 236.] |
| Sept. 16. |
865. Order of the Lords Justices in Council. Referring back to the Council of Trade and Plantations to consider further of the Act of Nevis to encourage the late disbanded soldiers to remain in the service of the Island, and to examine what proceedings have been had in the Leeward Islands relating to the said disbanded soldiers, their Excellencies having been informed that some indirect means have been used to deprive them from the liberty of returning home contrary to H.M. gracious intentions, and to report thereon. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Recd. Read Sept. 25, 1701. ¾ p. [C.O. 152, 4. No. 51; and 153, 7. p. 237.] |
| Sept. 16. |
866. Minutes of Council of New York. Mr. Leigh Atwood prayed that the bond given by Capt. John Wake, late Commander of the Elizabeth and Katherine, to produce a register for the said ship or to deliver her into this port, may be cancelled, in regard that the said ship is now in this port and under seizure. Ordered accordingly, provided security be first given to the Chief Justice in 2,000l. value, that the ship shall not depart this Province by the procurement or privity of Capt. Wake or any of the owners, without the licence of this Government, or that she shall be legally discharged. Security of Mr. Rip van Dam accepted. |
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The Chief Justice, having in pursuance of a writ of error to him for that purpose directed, brought the record and process of the suggestion in the said cause before the Governor and Council, ordered that the Appellant do assign and file his errors in this cause by Thursday next. |
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Petition of William Creed read. Ordered that the defendant Whitehead plead to the said errors on this day seavennight. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 586, 587.] |
| Sept. 16. |
867. Minutes of Council in Assembly of New York. Bills for settling and mending the highways and roads in Ulster County; to enforce the owners of unimproved lands in the Counties of Albany, Westchester, Richmond and Orange to pay their proportion of their quit-rents and taxes raised for the support of the Government and other County charge; and for granting unto the City and County of New York, King's County, Richmond County, County of Orange and County of Westchester equal priviledges with the other cities and counties in this Province for the Probate of wills and granting letters of administration, sent up and read a first time. |
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The Speaker, attended by the Representatives, presented to the Governor in Council two Addresses, which he read; (1) Congratulating H.E. upon his prudence and wise management in the negotiations with the Five Nations, and humbly praying that "for the future no person may be imployed to interpret the Conferences of the Five Nations but the sworn Interpreter, Lawrence Claessen, when he is to be had." Sept. 13, 1701. (2) We humbly beg leave to remonstrate that some persons disaffected to the peace of this Government have instigated and deluded the Five Nations to desire the going over of Mr. Robt. Livingston for England as their Agent. This House is of opinion that the said passages have been procured by Livingston or his agents, with his privity and consent, contrary to the duty and allegiance he owes to H.M. and the peace of this Government. We therefore humbly move your Honour to lay these our requests before H.M., that he would be graciously pleased to remove Livingston from the office of Secretary of the Indian Affairs, and that in the meantime he might be by your Honour suspended from the same until H.M.'s pleasure be known. Sept. 13, 1701 The Governor thanked them. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 874–878.] |
| Sept. 17. |
868. Minutes of Council of the Massachusetts Bay. H.M.S. Arundel being returned from her cruise, Capt. Josias Crowe was given the order of the Admiralty for his return to England, and ordered to prepare her accordingly. |
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Letter from the Honble. Joseph Dudley, appointed to be Governor, dated in London, July 22, directed to the Hon. William Stoughton, Lieut.-Governor, was opened and read, wherein was contained a bill of lading for 50 barrels of gunpowder shipt by Col. Dudley for H.M. service. Elisha Hutchinson, Commissioner for stores of war, was directed to receive and house the powder. |
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Licence granted to John Arnold and Co. to erect a windmill of timber on a piece of land hired of the town of Boston on Fort Hill, provided it be kept within a good fence to prevent danger to persons or cattle. [C.O. 5, 788. pp. 87, 88.] |
| [? Sept. 18.] |
869. Mr. Brenton to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Whereas the Government of Rhoad Island and Providence Plantations have appointed me their Agent, in order to procure a final determination of the matters in controversey between the said Colony and the Colony of Conecticott, who have likewise impowered Sir Henry Ashurst their Agent, and I having diverse times offered him to submit the cause to H.M. in Council or to the Courts in Westminster Hall, but he having refused, and whereas I have been advised by several letters from the Government of Rhoad Island that they have often acquainted the Government of Conecticott that they have appointed an Agent here, in order to obtain a determination of the controversy, and desired them in the meantime that H.M. subjects in the Narrogansett Country might not receive any molestation or disturbance from them, but they have had no regard thereunto, but have
at diverse times, perticularly in April, 1700, seized several of H.M. subjects in the Narragansett Country and carryed them into Conecticott, where they left them prisoners, and inflicted upon them unreasonable and unjust fines. Likewise in Feb. last, they seized five men of the Town of Westerly in Narrogansett Country and carried them away prisoners. I pray that your Lordships would be a means to put a stop to these unjust proceedings and to bring the matters in controversy to a final determination. Signed, Jahleel Brenton. Endorsed, Recd. Read Sept. 18, 1701. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1261. No. 22; and 5, 1289. pp. 216–218.] |
| Sept. 18. |
870. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Memorial from Mr. Brenton read. |
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Draught of Representation upon the Jersies considered. Secretary ordered to write to Sir Thomas Lane to desire of him a copy of the Duke of York's grant of the Province of West Jersey. And that he also write to Mr. Dockwra for the papers he mentioned the last time he was at the Board. |
| Sept. 19. |
Mr. Mead presented a Memorial, setting forth irregularities committed in Trade in the Leeward Islands, which was read. |
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Their Lordships considered the controversy between Rhode Island and Connecticut relating to the Government of the Narraganset Country. Ordered that Sir Edmund Andros be desired to attend on Tuesday. [Board of Trade. Journal, 14. pp. 160–162.] |
| Sept. 18. |
871. Minutes of Council of New York. Petition of Thomas Baxter, J.P., of West Chester, complaining of an assault made on him by Thomas Hunt, encouraged by John Hunt, J.P., read, and Baxter deposing on oath before the Council thereto, whereby it appears that he hath been most inhumanely and barbarously used by them, ordered that the High Sheriff take John and Thomas Hunt into custody and convey them before this Board, on Monday, and serve them with a copy of this petition, and to acquaint them to bring sufficient securities for their good behaviour. |
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The Governor produced a letter from Governor Nicholson, Sept. 3, 1701, relating to the proceedings of the General Assembly of Virginia towards raising of men for the defence of the frontiers of this Province in case of war, in obedience to H.M. letter of Jan. 19 last. |
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Robert Livingston took the oaths, etc. appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Chancery. |
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Ordered that a warrant issue to the Attorney General to prepare and draw a grant to Abraham de la Noy and his heirs for a piece of ground in the City of New York, between Stony Street and Bridge Street, bounded west by the House and grounds of De la Noy, east by Anthony Brockholes, south by Andries Gravenraedt, and north by Anna van Schayck. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 587–590.] |
| Sept. 18. |
872. Minutes of Council in Assembly of New York. John Johnson Bleeker, Hendrick Hansen and Andries Coryman were sworn Members for Albany City and County. [C.O. 5, 1184. p. 878.] |
| Sept. 18. |
873. Journal of Assembly of New York. See preceding abstract. |
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Act for preventing vexations and oppressions etc. read the second time and committed. |
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Mr. Morgan granted leave of absence. |
| Sept. 19. |
Act to oblige Mr. Livingstone etc. amended. |
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Address to H.M. ordered, expressing the loyalty of this House and laying before H.M. the designs of those, who misrepresent this House, and the proceedings thereof, and to thank his Majesty for his fatherly care of this Province, and particularly for sending over the Chief Justice and Attorney General. |
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Act to oblige Robert Livingstone to account read a third time, passed and sent up. |
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Ordered that the High Sheriff of Queen's County appear and give an account, whether he has received the summons to be served by him on Tho. Willet and John Tollman, and what he did with the same. |
| Sept. 20. |
The Sheriff appearing said he had served the summons, and that John Tollman had answered that he did not suppose it was his duty to go to this House, thinking them not to be a House, but would go to Mr. Willet. After much delay they gave him a letter, which he had delivered, to Mr. Gabrel Ludlow. Resolved that Thomas Willet, John Tollman and William Willet are guilty of a notorious breach of the privileges of this House; that their paper and proceedings thereupon are seditious, and greatly tending to the disturbance of H.M. Government, and seem in favour of a foreign power; that they be expelled this House; that the Lieut.-Governor and Council be desired to direct the Attorney General to prosecute them and every of them, and that it be referred to a Committee of this House to draw up reasons for the same; that the Speaker issue his warrant for writs for new Representatives for Queen's County and Westchester in their room respectively. Printed. [C.O. 5, 1184. pp. 1016–1018.] |
| Sept. 18. |
874. Journal of House of Burgesses of Virginia. The Council were invited to join in presenting the Address to H.M. representing the case between this Government and New York. |
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Address to H.M. as to the appointment of Mr. Bird as Agent agreed to. The Council were invited to join in presenting it. |
| Sept. 19. |
Treasurer's account of the Impositions, Aug. 6, 1701, sworn to before H.E. and Council, was read and passed. |
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Treasurer's accounts of Impositions upon liquors, servants, and slaves sent up. |
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Act for continuing Impositions read a third time, passed and sent up together with the Bill directing the building of the Capitol. |
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The Council requested to see the Instructions for the Agent which the Representatives referred to in their Address. They explained that, upon second consideration, they had included in the Address all necessary matter. |
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The proceedings of H.E. and Council concerning fortifications and the security of the country, sent down with a request for the opinion of the House thereupon. They were read. |
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Resolved, that it is the opinion of this House that this country is not of ability to build any fortifications, and that, if it were, the benefit would not countervail the charge. |
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H.E. pointed out that the House had not made any direct answer to his Proposition concerning an Address to be sent to H.M., that two engineers or firemasters be sent. Ordered that a copy of the resolve of this House upon H.E.'s fifth proposition be sent as an answer to H.E.'s message, and that he be acquainted that the subject matter thereof was not wilfully omitted in our Address. |
| Sept. 20. |
The House adjourned till the 22nd. [C.O. 5, 1408. pp. 271–275.] |
| Sept. 18. |
875. Minutes of Council in Assembly of Virginia. Address to H.M. concerning New York, sent up, was read a first time. And see preceding abstract. |
| Sept. 19. |
See preceding abstract. |
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Bills, giving directions in building the Capitol, and continuing Impositions read a first time. |
| Sept. 20. |
Message sent to the Burgesses that their answer yesterday, that the country is not able to build fortifications etc., is not a full answer to the message of H.E. and Council, which requires the opinion of the House concerning a Naval Force, whether that is any security and defence to this country, as well as concerning land-fortifications. Nor is H.E.'s 5th proposition fully answered, for it was never intended that the Engineers should come in at the country's charge. [C.O. 5, 1409. pp. 498–502, and pp. 382–406.] |
| Sept. 19. |
876. The reply of Thomas Hodges to the answer of the Governor and Council of Barbados, June 3, 1701. The case is argued in great detail through 19½ closely written pp. The following is a brief abstract:—(1) Since no Court can be held without the Governor, the neglect of the duty of that Court must proceed from him. (2) Several persons are ready to testify that the sickness, alledged to be for six months upon his arrival, was no more than has been for 7 years past. The Courts of Common Pleas sat Sept. 14 and 15, 1698. (3) The Governor should have sent depositions to prove his own indisposition, but he was often at feasts etc. The Journals of Council, Aug. 10, 1698–Jan. 25, 1699, show that he sat in Council 14 days. (4) and the Journals of Chancery that that Court has no vacation time. (5) Though the Courts of Law are silent from Sept. to the end of Jan., the Chancery ought to have been held in that time, that executions might have been taken out at the first sitting of the
Courts of Common Pleas. (6) If sickness had been the real cause of delay, it might have been expected that the dispatch of business would have redoubled in time of health. (7) When the Court of Chancery did sit, multitudes of motions were adjourned from Court to Court. (8) If the sickness raged all April–July, 1700, the Lawyers certainly would not have attended April 24–26 at the Courts of Common Pleas, or a Proclamation been issued July 9 for a Thanksgiving for deliverance therefrom. (9) The Chancery did not sit monthly Aug.–March, 1700/1, for the Journals show there was no Court held in Dec. Though on March 20 last all causes ripe for hearing were determined, yet the reason why more were not ripe was that Court's former neglect. (10) Notwithstanding all the ripe causes (78) were determined, yet in Dec., 1700, there might have been several hundred causes ripe and unripe depending, nor does Mr. Chilton deny this. (11) The reason why Appeals are not more frequent is because the sums exceed not 500l., and the Appellant obliged to give such security as the Governor shall please. Other replies reiterating charges. (12) It appears by the Journals of ye Chancery etc. that the assertion of the Council of Barbados, April 15, that the Chancery sate for some months together once a week, and that at such sittings every matter was dispatched, is notoriously false, etc., etc. Endorsed, Recd. 19, Read Sept. 23, 1701. Signed, Tho. Hodges. Enclosed, |
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876. i. Abstract of preceding with some marginal notes in confirmation (? by Mr. Popple). 9¼ pp. |
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876. ii. E. Chilton to Tho. Hodges. June 5, 1700. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 6. Nos. 17, 17.i., ii.; and (without abstract) 29, 7. pp. 381–434.] |
Sept. 19.
London. |
877. William Meade to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Represents that as Deputy Commissioner of H.M. Customs in the Leeward Islands and Collector of Nevis, he seized a ship with wines of Maderas imported into Nevis from a foreign Plantation, which was acquitted for this reason, that the Maderas is in Africa and not Europe. This may in time to come bee of great prejudice to H.M. Revenue and the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdom, unless the Law be otherwise adjudged or some Law made to prevent the same for the future. |
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H.M. Revenue is also much prejudiced and the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdom discouraged by the evil and pernitious practice used in the Plantations of importing negroes from foreign Plantations, which, tho' it be not provided against by any of the present Acts of Trade or that for Regulating the Trade to Africa, is of soe ill consequence in regard that where such importations are (made), payments must bee made, which will put the Buyers on the necessity privatly to export sugar etc., which in some of the Islands will bee difficult to prevent. Signed, Wm. Meade. Endorsed, Recd. Read Sept. 19, 1701. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 4. No. 48; and 153, 7. pp. 231–233.] |
Sept. 20.
St. John's,
Newfoundland. |
878. Capt. Powell to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I enclose the Muster Rolls for the time that I have served here.
I believe the soldiers have had hard measure, the Agent not returning their last year's pay. They lie likewise under a great misfortune, by reason no medicines are sent over, for working dayly among ye rocks in erecting ye South Battery, they are hourly subject to ye danger of being wounded, wch., tho' it be only a contusion and may not extend so far as ye breaking of a leg nor arm, yet for want of timely application of proper medicines and care taken, it may endanger ye aggrieved limb by putrefaction. Having had so little time here, I have not the experience of all hardships, but shall be able next year to give your Honours a particular account of our aggrievances. Signed, John Powell. Addressed, To the Rt. Hon. Commrs. for Trade at their offices at the Cockpitt near Whitehall. Seal. Postmark, Oc. 15. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 15, Read 16, 1701. 1 p. Enclosed, |
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878. i. Muster Roll of Capt. Powell's Company of Foot. May 1–June 30, 1701. Countersigned, Jon. Graydon. |
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878. ii. Enclosures sent with Muster Roll of Capt. Powell's Company, July 1–Aug., 1701. Countersigned, Jon. Graydon. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 15, 1701. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 2. Nos. 47, 47.i, ii.; and (without enclosures) 195, 3, pp. 14, 15.] |
| Sept. 20. |
879. Capt. Graydon, Commodore of Newfoundland, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Pursuant to an Order from the Admiralty, I have made an enquiry into the provisions and payment of subsistance to the foot-company in the Fort of St. Johns, and sent you the accounts, among which there is a letter from the Agent to the commanding officer, to credit the men for eight months' pay, supposing there would be enough found to reimburse him from provisions wch. he thought might be sold, also money in Mr. Huxford's hands, and what should be stopt from the two officers, in which he was mistaken, for no provisions were sold, and Mr. Huxford had in his hands but 36l. 7s. 8d., so that the Ensign was forced to credit the men to his utmost ability, and several of them have not yet recd. any money. Of the provisions sent this year, there was damnified in the Hare ketch 3,946lb. of bread, which was supplied out of the remains of the Fort and out of the Rochester. In 1699, H.M. Victuallers to the Navy, consigned the provisions that went to Newfoundland to the Commanding Officer, against whom no complaint can be made with expectation of redress, if the provisions be not issued out according to H.M. regulation, and the necessities of some lately sent over are such that I fear at the year's end there will be but a slender account given of them. Therefore I humbly conceive it might not be amiss to order them into the hands of some other person, and the fittest person I know is the second Lieut., Mr. Loyd, into whose hands I have left the remainder of the subsistance money. I enclose answers to Heads of enquiry. Signed, Jo. Graydon. Endorsed, Recd. 15 Read Oct. 16, 1701. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
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879. i. Account of Provisions and subsistance for the company and gunner in Newfoundland, Sept. 1, 1698–Sept. 1, 1699. Signed, W. Lilburne, Humph. Haven, Jon. Huxford. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 15, 1701. ¾ p. |
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879. ii. Account of Provisions, as above, Sept. 1, 1699–Sept. 1, 1700. Same signatures and endorsement. ¾ p. |
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879. iii. Accounts of provisions issued, as above, Sept. 1, 1700–June 6, 1701. Signed, Hump. Haven, Jon. Huxford. 1 p. Same endorsement. |
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879. iv. Accounts of subsistance paid May 1–Aug. 31, 1701, and June 6–Aug. 31st, 1701. 1 p. Same endorsement. |
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879. v. Account of money received for the subsistance of the company of Foot at Newfoundland. 2 pp. |
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879. vi. Mr. John Huxford's Account of money sent to him 1698–1701. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 15, 1701. 1 p. |
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879. vii. Muster-Roll of the Old Company of Foot at Newfoundland, Sept. 1, 1700–April 30, 1701. Signed, John Graydon, John Huxford, Humphry Haven. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
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879. viii. Muster Roll of Capt. Powell's Company, May 1–June 30, 1701. Signed, Jo. Graydon. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
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879. ix. Muster Roll of Capt. Powell's Company, July 1–Aug. 31, 1701. Same signature and endorsement. 1 p. |
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879. x. An account of Provisions in St. John's, Sept. 17, 1701. Countersigned, Jo. Graydon. 1 p. |
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879. xi. Mr. Thurston, Agent for the Forces, to Mr. Huxford. Whitehall, April 14, 1701. Relating to the supply of subsistance for the forces. Signed, J. Thurston. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 15, 1701. 1 p. |
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879. xii. Commodore Graydon's answer to the heads of Enquiries sent to Mr. Burchet, March 13, 1701. The first 18 pp. consist of entries analysed below. Answers: (1) As to my distributing of Acts of Parliament to the most considerable inhabitants, there is not much occasion for it, for both the Traders and inhabitants observe the same where it lies with their interest; if not they have no regard to it. (2) As to the Planters' way of living, it is unaccountable, for in summer they catch some fish, and in winter they spend their substance and time in drunkenness and debauchery. Upon the arrival of the first ships, wch. are generally from N. England, they are in such want that they give the most extravagant rates for provisions, so that if some care is not taken to prevent the New England men's ruining them, in two years more they will be all forct to run out of the country. (3) They use all the liberties granted them by the Act of Parliament, and take a great deal more in matters relating to Trade, as for rinding of trees, they have as little regard of that part of the Act as any other. (4) By a survey made this year, all the encroachments made by the inhabitants
upon the liberties of fishing ships, since 1685, are corrected. (5) The Admirals of the Harbours are the only persons that bring By-boat keepers, who being the first people that arrive in the country, put them in possession of ship's rooms, under the notion of being freighters, wch. freighters take up money from the Admirals in England at 5s. in the pound, by wch. means they are made beggars also, and the ships coming in are fain to hire room for the making their fish. (6) The ships, by-boats, etc. and inhabitants employ more Greenmen than ye Act specifies. I can't learn that any boats or train-fatts have been defac'd this year or ye marks alter'd. (7) No complaint this year of any hindrance in hawling their saynes, or any bait taken out of their boats or nets. (8) No detriment done to ye stages etc. but what the weather does, wch. seldom fails of destroying ye major part of them in ye winter. (9) The Admirals, Commanders of ships etc., do not observe ye rules prescribed by the Act of Parliament, but on the contrary, when they wheedle a poor Planter into debt, they either take his fish by force from him, or break open his house (to take it), if lockt. (10) As to the Admiral's keeping of Journals, etc., I find but few of them capable of doing it, as the Act directs. (11) The Admirals, before Aug. 20, will hear some complaints, but after that none are made to them, they being generally the greatest egressors themselves. (12) No injury done this year by the throwing out of ballast. (13) The Lord's Day has been decently observed since my arrival, nor can it be expected it should be better, unless a penalty were inflicted by ye Act. (14) No aliens or strangers have been fishing in the land this year. (15) If the inhabitants did not cure their fish well, they must certainly starve, which they are not far from at present. (16) The stages of the ships, as well as the inhabitants, are built on ye water, and consequently their offal is washed away with the tide. (17) The chiefest sustenance that the Planters receive from the land is deer, bare and beaver; they have otter and seal which they and none but they could eat, but such people such stomachs. (18) The inhabitants have a great part of their provisions, salt, and all their necessaries for fishing from Old England, nor can ye inhabitants, boat-keepers or others be supplied with any cloth, nets, tackle or any other necessaries for fishing from N. England. (19) The vessels from N. England supply the inhabitants of Newfoundland with provisions, viz., bread, beef, pork, flower, pease, butter, boards and no small quantity of Virginia tobacco. In the fall of the year they send their fish away to the Western Islands, where they load wines for the West Indies, which they truck there for rum, melosses
(molasses), sugar and limejuice, which they carry to Newfoundland, and unless the Planter will take such a quantity of these liquors from them at their rates, they shall have no provisions, wch. occations the Planters and their servants to be so extravagant, that it spoils their voyages and keeps them in perpetual vassalage and poverty. (20) European commodities, carried by the masters of English ships, are these; from France, brandy, wine, salt, linen, canvas, paper, hats and silks; from Spain, wine, brandy and iron in great quantities; from Portugal, wine, brandy, salt, oil, French linen and quantities of silks from the Levant, all which goods are sold or trucked with the traders from N. England for tobacco, sugar, and other enumerated commodities, wch. they carry to foreign parts, so that at the latter end of the year, ye masters are wholly taken up in the management of that trade, which might be prevented had the officers commanding H.M. ships power to seize such goods. (21) The New England traders seldom depart the country till the men-of-war are first sailed, and then they carry with them numbers of handicraftsmen, seamen and fishermen, which they inveagle thither by telling them what vast wages are given there, and leave not a shilling of coin behind them. (23) The quantities of fish taken by the inhabitants is not so great, nor can they sell their fish at so cheap a rate as the fishing ships, being they give extra prices for their provisions, salts and servants' wages, and their own negligence adds to their misery. (25) The price of fish from 17 to 14 rials per quintal by bill, in truck 20 rials. Oil from—per tun, sent all to Old England; the fish to Spain, Portugal and Italy. (26) The Masters of ships do not encourage their men to stay behind, yet they are careless of that matter, so that they save the charge of their passage back, all which men the New England Chinees pick up and carry with them, when the men-of-war are sailed. If the Masters of merchant-ships were required on oath to give an account of the men they carried out at their return home to England, or if the Masters of any vessel belonging to N. England that should carry any artificer, mariner or fisherman, without leave from ye Commander in Chief, should suffer a year's imprisonment, without bail or mainprize, both these faults would soon be remedied. (27) The New England men have no occasion to fish upon the coast of Newfoundland, having better upon their own, which sells for a dollar more in a quintal at Bilboa. This account might be much perfecter had the Commander in Chief an order to hire a sloop for the time of his stay in the country, by wch. means he might gain better intelligence, and take a survey of the several harbours and coves. As to these
enquiries, the inhabitants, admirals, and New England men say they are made yearly, but nothing is redrest, therefore they don't value any enquiry that can be made relating to them, for they reckon it a thing of course and no more. |
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(1) The French trade in furs upon Newfoundland is very inconsiderable, and their fishery is managed all by ships; they bring neither sack-ships nor by-boats, as the English do. (2) They fish upon the Banks in Placentia Bay, and upon the N.E. coast of Newfoundland. Number upon the banks not known; in Placentia, 55. (3) Their Plantations don't encrease, nor are they of any other use than preserving the boats, etc. left by the merchant ships for the succeeding voyage. (4) In the winter they generally employ their time in hunting of deer, etc. and building of boats and making of oars for the summer's expedition. (5) They have the fish a month sooner in Placentia Bay, and make their fish with greater dispatch, and leave the country two months before ours have done fishing, and consequently may supply any market they please before us. (6) The French have no trade but with the Canada Indians, and that in no proportion of ours with New England. (7) At Placentia is the only place of strength they have in the country, which is dayly fortified, and well furnished with ammunition, and was supplied this year by a ship (load) of 60 guns. They have 3 companies of foot, with about 30 in each company. |
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French fishing upon the N.E. coast of Newfoundland. (1) The French make greater advantages from Newfoundland than the English by having ¾ of the tract of land in their possession, and the best ports and harbours by far, and having the fish sooner and in greater quantities than any part we have, their territories reaching from Cape Frills, N., to Trespasses, S. (2) They send yearly a considerable number of ships to fish there, who arrive about June 10, and depart the latter end of August, as the St. Lewis of S. Malo, about 200 tons, who killed in that time with 16 boats 7,000 quintals of fish. (3) The ports they fish in are, Whego, an island 20 leagues N.W. of Cape Frills, room for 2 ships, who generally keep 8 boats apiece; Great Whego, another island about a league further to the N.W., room for 8 sail; Twillingate, 7 leagues from thence, room for four ships; Lasscase, 7 or 8 leagues thence, room for 7 ships; Cape John, a league from Lasscase, a small harbour; Pachett, an Island 2½ leagues thence, room for 3 ships; a large harbour 12 leagues below White Bay, room for 40 ships; Fleur de Luce, 8 leagues N.N.E. of Pachett, a good harbour, room for 5 ships; Harbour Diep, 16 leagues N.N.E., room for 4 ships; Canaree, three leagues thence, room
for two ships; Pettit Master, N.W. 5 leagues, room for 3 ships; from thence to Charles Straights 18 leagues. (4) They bring their boats from France in quarters, wch. are of the same size with the English. They allow six men to a boat, and leave the same in the country behind them. (5) Their fishermen never bait their boats themselves, but have boats that supply them twice a day on the ledges, where they fish, which the English do not. (5) They allow great quantities of bread to their men, fish, butter or oyle, and a piece of pork for every man on Sunday. (7) They keep a guard-boat in every harbour during the fishing season, to prevent the Indians of the country from plundering their boats in the night. (8) The Canada Indians come through Charles's Straights in canoes, 70 men in each, to the French ships fishing in these harbours, and truck furrs wth. them for firearms and other things.—Great hatred between the Canada Indians and the Newfoundland Indians.—The Canada and N. England furs not so good as Newfoundland furs. (9) The French seldom furr to the N. ward of Cape Frills, nor the English to the N. ward of White Bay. Endorsed, Recd. Oct. 15, 1701. 28¼ pp. |
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879. xiii. Abstract of Commodore Graydon's Account of the Fishery of Newfoundland for 1701. Fishing ships, 75, = 7,991 tons, 2,000 men, 79,820 quintals of fish, 1,263 hhds. of train, 338 ships' boats, 46 sacks, 97 by-boats, 77 by-boatmen, 330 by-boat-servants, 558 Planters' Boats, 136,500 quintals made by the inhabitants and planters, 2,533 hhds. of train made by ditto, 554 stages. Fish carried to Market, 148,720, to England, 5,650 = 154,370. Inhabitants: men, 461, servants 2,698, women, 166, children, 250. 1 large p. [C.O. 194, 2. Nos. 46, 46.i.–xiii.; and (without enclosures) 195, 2. pp. 467–471; and (enclosures xii. and xiii. only) 195, 3. pp. 1–14.] |
