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Oct. 2.
Jamaica. |
303. President Ayscough to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Acknowledges letter of 6th July and H.M. commands with the draught of the Revenue bill and bill for perpetuating the laws. Continues:—Some days before I received these dispatches I had with the advice of the Council prorogued the Assembly to the 18th instant; but have since issued a Proclamation commanding their attendance at that time on the most important affairs; and at their meeting I shall not fail to represent to them H.M. unparall'd goodness and condescension in parting with his patrimonial Revenue here for their welfare and defence, and confirming to them their laws for perpetuity. By what I can hitherto judge of the draught of this bill, there can be but one objection made to it by the Assembly, and that is the latter clause in it which provides for the two Independent Companies, which some say is intailing upon us a military force to perpetuity, whereas the people of England only provide for the forces there from year to year; but at their meeting I shall, in the most moving and pressing terms I am capable of, endeavour to persuade them to accept of this draught in the manner H.M. has now been pleased in so condescending a manner to approve, and which is so apparently for their own advantage and security that I am in hopes they will waive their objection, when they seriously consider the great benefit that will accrue to them by having their laws made perpetual, and H.M. Revenue here appropriated to their own support for ever. Encloses answers to Queries. Continues:—The Naval Officer and Collector of Customs have not yet returned to me their accots., tho' several times required; and as for an exact list of the Militia, I shall give fresh orders to the several Colonels to transmitt them as soon as possible, etc. The Naval Officer informs me that a correct list of negroes imported since 1707 will be difficult to make out by reason many of the books of his Office have been destroyed in the late hurricane etc. I shall carefully observe what your Lordships mentioned with respect to the conveyance of letters: This goes by H.M.S. the Kingsale, Captn. Garlington Commander, who convoys the Royal George, a ship belonging to the South Sea Company. By the last advices we had from Admiral Hosier, he was still lying with his squadron at the Bastamentas near Portobell; and that noe blows had yet happen'd. The Island is at present healthy and everything in perfect peace and tranquility. Signed, J. Ayscough. Endorsed, Recd. 3rd, Read 28th April, 1727. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
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303. i. Replies to Queries by the Board of Trade. (1) The trade of this Island arises from imports from Great Britain, Ireland, Madera, Guinea and the Northern Colonies. The imports from Great Britain are such commodities as are most consumed by the inhabitants, or are vendible with the Spaniards and reexported; those from Ireland provisions for the inhabitants and shipping, or sent to the Bay of Honduras. From Madera, wines: from Guinea negroes, purchased by the planters for their sugar works or exported by the South Sea Agents to make good the Assiento contract with the Spaniards, of the best sort; others reexported by the private traders of the middling and lower sorts to the Spaniards and French, and very few to the Northern Colonies. From the Northern Colonies are imported and consumed in Jamaica:—From New England, lumber, oyle, ordinary fish and herrings; from New York and Pennsylvania, flour and lumber; from Virginia and Carolina, pork, Indian corn, beef, rice and lumber. Exports to Great Britain etc. are the produce of the country, vizt. sugar, rum, cotton, indigo, piemento, ginger, fustick and other goods. Logwood, the produce of the Bay of Honduras, indigo, the produce of our trade to Hispaniola, snuff, cocoa, some indigo, cochinele, gold and silver, the returns on the Spanish trade by the South Sea Agents and private traders. (3) The Island has no trade with foreign Plantations except sometimes cocoa from Curacao either in our own vessels sent there with rum, or in some Northern vessel as barter for their provisions or lumber carried there. (4) Illegal trade. Of late several Dutch and French ships have put in here for necessaries; but, notwithstanding all the care that has been used, and the instructions given to the country's guard sloop, we have not been able to prevent their running of goods; for when they go out of a port or before they come in, they go into distant places where there is no sufficient strength, nor any fortifications; by which means it is believed they have conveyed considerable quantities on shoar. (6) All attempts to discover mines have proved ineffectual. (9) There has been very little difference as to the number of the inhabitants for some years past, but H.M. confirmation of the Act for encouraging white people to come over and become settlers etc. will be a great encouragement etc. (11) Fort Charles at Port Royal is the principal fortress, and at present in a better state of defence than ever, tho' as yet not finished. The second is called the Rock Fort, upon the Harbour of Kingston, about 6 miles to the eastward of that town, a pass of great consequence, as it secures the communication from the easter most parts of the Island to the heart of the country. The third is at the westermost side of Port Morant Harbour. The fifth is at Carlisle Bay, called Carlisle Fort. The last four are greatly out of repair, having received much damage by the late storms; but are intended to be repaired immediately after the fortifications at Port Royal are finished. (12) The French at Hispaniola, the Spaniards at Cuba, Porto Rico and their parts of Hispaniola, grow more formidable every day, by their neglecting no opportunity whatsoever to encourage the increase of their inhabitants. (13) The French increasing in their settlements in Hispaniola, may in time have a very ill effect on this Island, as it lies directly to the windward thereof. The Spaniards also ought to be taken notice of, for fitting out ships and vessels under pretence of guarding their own coasts in the West Indies, which constantly take our ships and vessels coming from Great Britain, and the Northern Colonies, and on their return from hence are carried into their respective ports and there condemn'd as lawful prize, tho' taken in a piratical manner. (14) The Revenue as it now stands will amount to about £8000 pr. annum, and is all appropriated to support the contingent charges of the Government etc. (15) The number of acres already granted by the Crown etc. and what remains ungranted, is at present impracticable to be known. (17) States civil and military establishments etc. Other replies are referred to accounts to come from the Naval Officer and Collector of Customs. Endorsed as covering letter. 9 pp. [C.O. 137, 16. ff. 353–359, 360v.] |
Oct. 2.
Jamaica. |
304. President Ayscough to the Duke of Newcastle. Acknowledges letter of 7th July and repeats part of preceding covering letter. Signed, J. Ayscough. Endorsed, R. 1st April, 1727. 2½ pp. [C.O. 137, 52. ff. 292–293v.] |
Oct. 7.
So. Sea
House. |
305. D. Wescomb to Mr. Popple. Encloses following to be laid before the Board. Signed, D. Wescomb. Endorsed, Recd. 8th, Read 19th Oct., 1726. 1½ pp. Enclosed, |
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305. i. Court of Directors of the South Sea Company to the Council of Trade and Plantations. 6th Oct., 1726. Enclose certificate of duties paid by the Company or charged to their account upon negroes exported from and imported into Jamaica, 1721–1725. The duties complained of are continued, and the relief formerly given with respect to negroes imported for refreshment only is also in effect taken away for the last and present years, there being a proviso in the Acts that no negro shall be deemed to be brought into Jamaica for refreshment, in case any part of the ship's cargo be landed or sold there; neither, of which, in the nature of the Company's trade, can be avoided. Pray that said duties may be refunded, the Acts complained of not having been approved of and contrary to H.M. Order in Council 9th Jan., 1717, and Instructions etc. Signed, D. Wescomb. 2 pp. |
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305. ii, iii. Certificate and accounts referred to in preceding. Signed, Charles Lloyd, Receiver General; Richd. Rigby, Edwd. Pratter, Agents to the Royal British Assiento Company. 7 pp. |
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305. iv. Memorandum by the South Sea Company. Suggest that the Governor of Jamaica may be instructed to admit appeals in all cases where the Company is concerned. In the case of duties on the Company's negroes, no one action may ever reach the value at present allowed to be appealable, though the consequence of the determination affecting all ships, may affect the Company in ten times its value etc. If appeals were so allowed, it might check the repeated practice of passing laws so directly opposite to H.M. Instructions. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 137, 16. ff. 277–282, 284, 284v., 286v.] |
| Oct. 13. |
306. Commodore Bouler's replies to Heads of Enquiry relating to the Newfoundland Fishery. The answers are practically identical with those for 1725 (v. C. S. P., 10th Oct., 1725) with following variations:—(xxiii) The price of fish was this year in most places five ryalls a quintal! dearer than the Bank fish, (xxiv) There are no persons to administer justice during the winter season, except at Placentia and Canso. (xlvi) The Admirals of the fishing ships seem more diligent in their shops and storehouses ashore than in taking and curing of fish, however the cheife reasons of the fish being not so good as it used to be, is that the fish do not come in so early as heretofore so that the great part of the summer season being over the latter part is most attended with wet, and that prevents their being thoroughly cur'd. I cannot find there is any abuse in the ordering thereof, nor is there any method (in my opinion) to be taken to make them better. Signed, E. Bouler. 26 pp. Annexed, |
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306. i. Scheme of the Newfoundland Fishery for 1726. Totals:—Number of ships, 167 (70 American); burthen, 11,774; men belonging thereto, 2339; passengers, 1497; boats kept, 735; by-boatmen, 1535; fish made, 173,770 quintals; fish carried to foreign markets, 173,770; salmon, 900 teirces; train-oil, 861 tons. Prices of fish 32 to 27 ryals, salmon £2 5s. Od. pr. tierce; train oil, £10 to £13 pr. tun; value of seal oil made last winter, £6305; value of furs taken by inhabitants. £1900; number of train fats and stages, 449; number of families who kept houses, 419; number of inhabitants, 3617; of which remained in the country last winter, 2992; births, since departure of last convoy, 61; deaths, 26. 4 pp. The whole endorsed, Recd. 13th Feb., Read 3rd May, 1726/7. [C.O. 194, 8. ff. 27–39v., 41v.–43, 45v.] |
Oct. 14.
New York. |
307. Governor Burnet to the Duke of Newcastle. Encloses following, and repeats part. Concludes:—I have lately met the Indians at Albany, where I have taken all the measures that I could think of, to preserve their fidelity to H.M. I shall send a copy of my transaction with them as soon as it can be prepared, it being much longer than usual and requiring to be first translated from the Dutch in which the Interpreter always repeats what the Indians say etc. Signed, W. Burnet. Endorsed, Rd. Dec. 3rd. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
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307. i. Duplicate of No. 308. [C.O. 5, 1092. Nos. 50, 50 i; and (without enclosure) 5, 1085. No. 58.] |
Oct. 14.
New York. |
308. Governor Burnet to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Transmits, with comments, 20 Acts passed in New York on 17th June; with sessional papers, and Naval Officer's accounts for Perth Amboy. Continues:—When the Assembly had ended their business I thought it proper to dissolve them because they had not now granted H.M. Revenue in so ample and honourable a manner as they had done formerly. Besides they had subsisted during the term of eleven years, and I found it would highly please the people to have a new choice. The new Assembly met 27th Sept. etc. Encloses his Speech and their reply. Continues:—There has been no session of the Assembly held in New Jersey this year, but early in the spring I am to meet them. Set out, N.Y. Col. Docs. V. pp. 781–783. Signed, W. Burnet. Endorsed, Recd. 4th, Read 8th Dec, 1726. 7 pp. Enclosed, |
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308. i. Governor Burnet's Speech to the Assembly of New York, 27th Sept., 1726, with their reply. Endorsed, Recd. 4th Dec, 1726. Printed. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 1054. ff. 33–38v.] |
Oct. 14.
New York. |
309. Governor Burnet to Mr. Popple. Refers to enclosures as above. Concludes:—I am gathering accounts in answer to the querys in your last etc. Signed, W. Burnet. Endorsed, Recd. 4th, Read 8th Dec, 1726. 1 p. Enclosed, |
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309. i. List of enclosed Acts referred to above. Endorsed, Recd. 4th Dec, 1726. 2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1054. ff. 29, 30v.–32v.] |
Oct. 19.
Whitehall. |
310. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Honble. Jno. Ayscough, President of the Council and Commander in Chief of Jamaica. Reply to 14th July q.v. and acknowledge Address. Continue:—We have no reason to doubt but that you will do whatever in you lies to promote the publick service, pursuant to H.M. Instructions. [C.O. 138, 17. p. 105.] |
Oct. 19.
Whitehall. |
311. Same to Mr. Carter, President of the Council of Virginia. Acknowledge letter of 25th July etc. Conclude:—Wee have no reason to doubt but that you will doe whatever in you lies, to promote the publick service, pursuant to H.M. Instructions. [C.O. 5, 1365. p. 304.] |
Oct. 22.
Philadelphia |
312. Lt. Governor Gordon to the Duke of Newcastle. I no sooner had the honour of your Grace's commands than I made enquyrie for the children of Coll. Bonar and have found three of them two boys and a girle and have sent them over by this ship to Baron Spar. Thanks his Grace for his goodness to him, etc. Signed, P. Gordon. Endorsed, Rd. Dec. 24. 2 pp. Holograph. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1234. No. 8.] |
| Oct. 24. |
313. Copy of grant by the Lords Proprietors of 1000 acres in South Carolina to Thomas Taylor of Dublin, at a quit-rent of 12d. pr. 100 acres yearly, "he having satisfied us of his intentions and designs to transport himself and to carry over with him several planters handicrafts artificers and other persons of his own proper costs and charges." Signed, Carteret, Beaufort, Craven, Ja. Bertie, Hen. Bertie, J. Colleton. [C.O. 5, 290. pp. 251, 252.] |
| [Oct. 25.] |
314. Mr. Dummer to Mr. Popple. Encloses votes of Assembly, "and desire you'l excuse the dirtyness of them, having been forc'd to borrow them, my own being lent to a Gentleman, who happens this time to be out of town." Signed, Jer. Dummer. Endorsed, Recd. 25th Oct., Read 2nd Nov., 1726. ¾ p. [C.O. 5, 869. ff. 353, 354v.] |
| Oct. 25. |
315. Grant by the Lords Proprietors of S. Carolina of four Baronies, of 12,000 acres each, surrendered by Thomas Lowndes, to Isaac Lowndes, Charles Edwards, John Beresford, and Thomas Lowndes. Signed, Carteret, P. Beaufort, Craven, Ja. Bertie, Hen. Bertie, John Tyrrel, J. Colleton. Copy. [C.O. 324, 49. ff. 69–71.] |
Oct. 31.
Kensington. |
316. H.M. Warrant to Attorney and Solicitor General to prepare a bill for a Commission to the Bishop of London for exercising ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the American Colonies. Countersigned, Holies Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 35. pp. 298–309.] |
