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Feb. 2.
St. James's. |
426. Governor Shute to the Council of Trade and Plantations ' The great quantity of paper bills of credit which are now circulating in the Province of Massachusetts Bay are very detrimental to the trading merchants there, and also to the merchants in Great Britain etc. There is now one hundred thousand pounds in those bills, circulating in that Province, which according to the Act of Assembly made m 1716, were to circulate no longer than ten years, which determins in May, 1727. And having lately receiv'd information from thence, that if I should not receive H.M. commands, and arrive soon enough to prevent it, it's fear'd that under some pretence or other the calling in of those bills will be postpon'd. It's therefore humbly submitted to your Lordps., whither a possitive order should not be immediately sent to the Lieut. Governour of that Province, so as those bills may be called in according to the tenour of the said Act. Signed, Samuel Shute. Endorsed, Recd., Read 2nd Feb., 1726/7. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 860. ff. 361, 862v.] |
Feb. 8.
St. James's. |
427. Order of King in Council. Approving appointment of Lt. Governor Calvert, provided he give security and qualify himself as the law requires etc. Signed, Temple Stanyan. Endorsed, Recd. 10th, Read 14th Feb., 1726/7. l ½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1266. ff. 223, 223v., 224v.] |
Feb. 8.
St. James's. |
428. Order of King in Council. Approving report (quoted) of Committee of Council, based on reports of the Board of Trade, upon the boundary between Connecticut and Rhode Island and fixing the line by the green line in the annexed map, as determined in 1703 by the Commissioners of the two Colonies, etc. Set out, A. P. C. III. pp. 11–16 (where the date of the agreement to the report on p. 11 should be Aug. 2, 1726, not 1728, and on p. 16, line 17, the word opinion should be inserted after of. Printed also in R. I. Hist. Soc. Coll. III. 206, under date 1726). The Map referred to is reproduced in A. P. C. III. Appendix V. (cf. C.O. 5, 1293. p. 296a.) Signed, Temple Stanyan. Endorsed, Reed. 3rd, Read 4th May, 1727. 9 pp. [C.O. 5, 1266. ff 253–257v.] |
Feb. 8.
St. James's. |
429. Order of King in Council. Approving draught of Additional Instruction relating to appeals etc. v. A. P. C. III. No. 100. Signed and endorsed as preceding. 1 ¼ pp. [C.O. 323, 8. No. 70 ; and 5, 193. p. 33.] |
Feb 8.
St. James's. |
430. Order of King in Council. Approving representation of Nov. 24th last, and appointing Capt. John Butterfield and Capt. Francis Jones to the Council of Bermuda etc. Signed and endorsed as preceding. 1 ¼ pp. [C.O. 37, 11. ff. 265, 265 v., 266v.] |
Feb 8.
Whitehall. |
431. Mr. Popple to Lt. Gov. Dummer. There being an Act passed in the Massachusets Bay in 1716, for making and remitting the sum of £100,000 in bills of credit, and my Lords Commissioners not thinking it for the good of the Province or the merchants trading there, that these bills of credit should be any longer continued, they expect you will take the necessary care that the bills of £100,000 now circulating in your Government by vertue of the aforesaid Act, may be all called in and destroy'd in May next, as that Act does then expire ; and that for the future you do not pass any Act for creating a paper currency, without H.M. express leave for that purpose [C.O. 5, 915. pp. 482, 483.] |
Feb. 9.
Westminster. |
432. H.M. Commission to the Bishop of London to exercise ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the Plantations etc. v. March 27. Countersigned, Bisse and Bray. Copy. Latin. 7 pp. [C.O. 324, 49. ff. 39–45.] |
Feb. 10.
Jamaica. |
433. President Ayscough to the Duke of Newcastle. Admiral Hosier with the squadron under his command are arrived from Cartagena the 8th instant, and acquaints me that he has positive orders from H.M., so soon as he can be victualed and manned, to put to sea again ; and in order to enable him thereto he has made another demand to be supplied with seamen. I have summoned the Council on this important affair, and shall do everything in my power to give the Admiral all the assistance possible. But my duty obliges me to represent that the Admiral and his Officers have already impressed about 1000 seamen from the Trade of the Island, so that it is likely to prove a great detriment to our Navigation, especially if the impress be continued : I have thought it proper to acquaint your Grace therewith that, in case H.M. should think fit to continue the Squadron in these parts, proper measures may be fallen upon at home to have them supplied with seamen; for this country I am afraid will not be able to do it any longer. Signed, J. Ayscough. Endorsed, Rd. 17th April. 1 ½ pp [C.O. 137, 46. No. 50; and (endorsed, R. 7th July,) 137, 52. ff 320, 320v;., 32v.] |
Feb. 13.
Whitehall. |
434. Duke of Newcastle to the Council of Trade and Plantations. H.M. having been pleased to appoint William Gooch Esq. to be Lt. Governor of Virginia etc., I must desire your Lordps. will prepare a draught of such Instructions as may be proper for him; or if you think it will be sufficient that he should take with him copys from the books in my office, of the Commission and Instructions which were given to the Earl of Orkney as Governor of that Colony, which seems more agreable to the tenour of his Commission, you will please to give me your opinion in what manner those copys should be made so authentick as to justify his putting in execution the directions therein contained. Signed, Holies Newcastle. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 15th Feb., 1726/7 p. [C.O. 5, 1320. ff 109, 110v] |
Feb. 14.
Whitehall. |
435. Duke of Newcastle to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Commission and Instructions are to be prepared for Robert Hunter, appointed Governor of Jamaica etc. Signed, Holies Newcastle. Endorsed, Recd 14th Feb., Read 3rd March, 1726/7.1p.[C.O. 137,16. ff. 337–338v.] |
Feb. 14.
Whitehall. |
436. Mr. Popple to Mr. Fane. I send you here inclosed the draught of a bond, as prepared by Sir E. Northey, Attorney General, in 1702, to be enter'd into by Deputy Governors of Proprietary Plantations, for observing the Acts of Trade and Navigation, and the Instructions which were or should be given them from the Crown; But an objection being made att H.M. Remembrancer's Office, to the like draught which was transmited to the Treasury the 25th March last for Depty. Govr. Gordon, that instead of the word successoribus, in the said drat., the Act of 33 Hen. VIII. ch. 39 directs the word executoribus to be used in all obligations concerning the King's Majesty. My Lords Commrs. desire your opinion there-upon as soon as possibly may be. [C.O. 5, 1293. p. 405.] |
Feb. 15.
St. James's. |
437. H.M. Commission appointing Robert Hunter Captain of an Independent Company at Jamaica. Countersigned, Holles Newcastle. [C.O. 324, 35. p. 331.] |
Feb. 15.
Jamaica. |
438. President Ayscough to the Duke of Newcastle. Refers to letter of 10th Feb. and enclosure. Continues :—I heartily wish my power were equal to my inclinations to serve H.M. in the Admiral's demands, and I am satisfied he will do me the justice in acquainting your Grace that I have done everything in my power consistent with the duty of my station for this important service ; but as I told your Grace, there are a sett of men here who endeavour to frustrate, and raise groundless clamours against, all measures taken for the King's service in manning the Admiral's Squadron, pretending that no power can warrant it. I have used my authority hitherto with all the lenity and tenderness imaginable and have taken all possible care that the men already impressed have been only seamen and not inhabitants, but even for this I am threatned with complaints and representations from the Assembly and merchants, but as nothing has been done but what tends to H.M. immediate service I trust in his goodness in putting a favourable construction upon the measures I have hitherto taken for that end. Most of the elections for our new Assembly which is to meet the 1st of March, are over, and I find them pretty much of the same stamp with the former so that little good is to be expected from them : The Government here is in a most distressed condition; We are without laws, the Revenue anticipated, the fortification fund exhausted, the subsistence for the soldiers expires tomorrow, and not a farthing of money in the Treasury but greatly in debt: My sallary is only £1250 p. annum, the perquisits are not worth mentioning ; so that from the scarcity and dearness of living to what it was formerly in this country, the King's Representative is reduced to many inconveniencies; I can with truth assure your Grace that I am obliged out of my own private fortune to lend a considerable assistance to support the character I have the honour to bear : I should not have presumed to mention this to your Grace were I not confident in H.M. great goodness that he does not desire his faithful servants to be sufferers in his service ; Had I parted with his Instructions or given way to the unreasonable desires of the Assembly, perhaps they might have rewarded me as they did my predecessor; But there is nothing in their power shall ever sway with me to part from H.M. just commands ; there is a late instance that Mr. Heywood, who was President of the Council and succeeded My Lord Hamilton in the Government, had allowed him the full sallary of £2500 p. annum : 'Tis true he had the title of Captn. General, but his powers were restrained and limited rather more than mine, and I am fully persuaded his services to the Crown did not merit more favour than mine have done etc. Prays for his Grace's favour, if Mr. Mellmoth, his Agent, presents a memorial in this sense, etc. Signed, J. Ayscough. Endorsed, R. 17th April. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
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438. i. Minute of Council of Jamaica, 11th Feb., 1727. Upon consideration of Admiral Hosier's letter, the Board declare that they have done everything in their power, and are ready to do more, if he will point out what is feasible; But they cannot dispeople the country by sending inhabitants to man H.M. ships. Upon a former representation of the ill effects that might attend impressing men out of vessels coming from the Northern Colonies he had assured them it should not be continued; but during his absence, it had been practised upon all vessels except those coming from New York, which may lead to a dearth of provisions, should people trading from those parts be thus discouraged etc. Copy, l ¼ pp. [CO. 137, 52. . 322–324v.] |
Feb. 15.
Whitehall. |
439. Mr. Popple to Mr. Fane. Encloses copy of Lt. Governor Gooch's Commission (23rd Jan.). Continues :—You will observe that he is authoriz'd and required to execute all the powers and authorities contain'd in the King's Commission and Instructions to the Governor, Lord Orkney I am therefore to desire your opinion whether copies of the Lord Orkney s Instructions may be made so authentick, as to justifie his putting in execution the directions therein contain d, and if it may be done, in what manner. [C.O. 5, 1365. pp. 309, 310.] |
Feb. 15
Whitehall. |
440. Order of Committee of privy Council. Upon report of Nov.10th last, direct the Council of Trade and plantations to prepare a scheme for establishing a from of Civil Government in Nova Scotia, and at the same time to propose, what encouragement they may think proper for the better peopling of that Province, and for the preservation of the woods, which are so necessary for the service of the Royal Navy, with what else they shall think proper to offer etc. Signed, Temple Stanyan. Endorsed, Recd. 21st Feb., Read 26th April, 1726/7. 1 ¼ PP. [CO. 217, 4. ff. 324–325v.] |
Feb. 15.
St. Christophers. |
441. Governor Hart to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses duplicate of 30th Nov. Continues :—But I have not been able, from the distance of these Islands, to obtain duplicates of the papers mention'd therein. I have wrote several letters to Mr. Dunbar, Surveyor General of H.M. Customs, to transmit me a list of all the negroes imported from Dec. 1721 etc., but as yet I have receiv'd only the lists from Antegoa and St. Christophers, enclosed. Those of Nevis and Montserrat I expect every day to receive etc. Your Lordships may please to observe that tho' 5600 negroes are a prodigious number to be imported into so small an Island as this of Saint Christophers in five years past: yet from 1721 to 1723 there has been at least 1,000 negroes more imported from St. Eustatia, etc. But as the negroes so imported from the Dutch pays no custom here; and as the purchasers used to bring them in at their pleasure, there can be no certain computation made of the number; it not being enter'd in the Collector of the Customs book. But there is now a full stop put to that trade from this Island with the Dutch at St. Eustatia. For St. Christophers has been fully supply'd with negroes, by the British traders, from Affrica for three years past at a cheaper rate than they can buy them from the Dutch; and indeed this small Island is now so well stockt with negroes, that it will want very few more to cultivate the land. What negroes are now imported by the Dutch West India Company to St. Eustatia, are sold to the French at Martinique and Guardeloupe, who send their sloops to that Island loaden with sugars to purchase them, and which from thence is transported to Holland in the Company's ships. But our British traders to Affrica have found a way to rival the Dutch in this article of the negroe trade with the French Islands mention'd. For as the Island of St. Lucia (since the attempt of the Duke of Montague to settle it) is look'd upon as a nuteral place ; the British ships go into a harbour there called the Petit Carnage, where they sell their slaves for money or sugar: This place having the advantage of St. Eustatia, being within a few hours sail of Martinique. If they sell for money they generally resort to these Islands to purchase sugars for Great Britain: But if they dispose for sugars, then they carry them for Ireland directly. It is humbly submitted to your Lordships superiour judgment, whether this be not very detrimental to H.M. Revenue; and whether it is not very prejudicial to the fair traders of Great Britain who conform to the Acts of Trade, especially those of Bristoll and Liverpool, great part of their sugar and rum being sent to Ireland where they are outsold by those who trade clandestinely from St. Lucia. Being oblig'd to enter their ships in Great Britain makes a great difference both in the hazard of the, voyage, and in the charge of their ships. Encloses his Speech of 17th Dec. 1726 to the Council and Assembly of St. Christophers with their Addresses thereupon by this ship, being the first that sail'd for London since that time. Continues :—Your Lordships may please to observe in them a short state of the Island, and the happy disposition of the inhabitants : and as I explained myself fully to them in what I deliver'd, they have answered me clearly and particularly to every point I pray your Lordships perusal of them etc. I shall only beg leave to explain what I mean by such of the inhabitants who ought to be liable to the duty commonly call'd the Four and a half pr. cent, who hold by donation from the Crown. Refers to H.M. grants of the late French lands to some French Protestants who had possessed them under the French dominion. Continue:—The duty of 4 ½ p.c. on all commodity of the growth of this Island exported : arrises to H.M. by a law of the Island which was made before the late war with France, and consequently affected only the English part thereof; tho' the duty has been constantly paid by all the inhabitants who possess any land in the late French quarters of it. But since H.M. has been pleas'd to dispose of these lands, there is a proviso in the contracts made by the Commissioners with the purchasers, that they shall pay the 4 ½ p.c. duty. Notwithstanding which contract I thought it more advisable, for the security of the payment of that duty, and to avoid all contest upon the manner of paying it, to have it enacted into a law : I hope your Lordships will think it highly reasonable (that as the persons who purchase from H.M. at the highest rate that ever any land was sold for in the West Indies so readily come into the payment of this duty, as your Lordships may please to observe in the Address of the Assembly) that the aforementioned French Protestants who hold by donation from the Crown should be liable to the same duty, there being no obligation for them to pay it by their patents etc. Antegoa and Nevis are very much afflicted with dry weather, and will make but very small crops this year. The Royal George (v. 30th Nov. 1726) upon a survey made by two of the Captains of H.M. ships of war assisted by several other able masters of ships have reported her unfit for the sea, and accordingly has been condemn'd by a Court of Admiralty. In the mean time Mr. Bomsted, the Cheif Factor is hireing Ships to carry off the bulk of the cargoe: but as for the sea, Speicie of gold and silver, which I am credibly inform'd amounts to a million of money sterling, will remain at Antegoa until ships are order'd from England to carry it home, which may be expected every day : For I acquainted Sir John Eyles Deputy Governour of South Sea Company with the Royal George's arrival and condition at Antegoa three weeks before Mr. Bomsted cou'd possibly have an opportunity of doing it. P.S. This goes in the ship Thomas, James Tobin Master. Signed, Jo. Hart. Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read 19th May, 1727. 4 ¾ pp. Enclosed, |
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441. i. Speech of Governor Hart to the Council and Assembly of St. Kitts, 17th Dec. 1726. Recommends renewal of Militia Act and congratulates them that, whilst the publick is fully supplied, the Island is clear of debt, "a happyness perhaps peculiar to St. Christophers." Recommends law relating to 4 ½p.c. as in preceding. The late French lands make one half of the Island and the purchasers of them should have due representation in the Assembly etc. Signed, Jo. Hart. Endorsed, Recd. 15th May, 1727. Copy. 2 pp. |
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441. ii. Address of the Council of St. Kitts to H.E. Basseterre. 29th Dec. 1726. Return thanks for above Speech and congratulate themselves on H.E.'s prudent administration. " No division of Councils, no heats or misunderstandings have ever happned between the two Houses since your accession." Will enact the laws recommended etc. Endorsed as No. i. 9 Signatures. Copy. 1 ½ pp. |
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441. iii. Address of the Assembly of St. Kitts to H.E. Reply to No. i, in same tone as preceding. 17th Dec, 1726. Signed, J. Spooner, Speaker. Endorsed, as No. i. |
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441. iv. Account of negro slaves imported into St. Kitts, 20th Dec., 1721—25th Dec., 1726. Total, 5,600. Imported by 33 ships belonging to Separate Traders and one to the African Co. Endorsed as No. i. 1 large folded p. |
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441. v. Account of negro slaves imported into Antigua, 20th Dec., 1721—25th Dec, 1726. Total, 4,633. Imported by 31 ships belonging to Separate Traders and one to the African Co. Endorsed as No. i. 1 large folded p. [C.O. 152, 15. ff. 322v.–324v., 325v.–328v., 329v., 330v., 331v., 332–333v.] |
| Feb. 18. |
442. Mr. Fane to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to Feb. 14. The Act of 33 Hen. VIII expressly directs the word executoribus to be used in all obligations to the King etc. Signed, Fran. Fane. Endorsed, Recd. 20th, Read 24th Feb., 1726/7. 1 ½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1266. ff. 225, 225v., 226v.] |
Feb. 20.
St. James's. |
443. H.M. Warrant to Attorney and Solicitor General to prepare a bill appointing John Blenman Attorney General of Barbados with a clause obliging him to actual residence, etc. Countersigned, Holles Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 35. pp. 314, 315.] |
Feb. 20.
St. James's. |
444. Similar warrant for appointing Alexander Henderson Attorney General of Jamaica and revoking the patent of William Monk. Countersigned, Holles Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 35. pp. 315, 316.] |
| [Feb. 21]. |
445. Col. Spotswood to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Replies to Queries relating to his lands in Virginia. Endorsed, Recd. 21st, Read 28th Feb. 1726/7. 3 ¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 1320. ff. 112–113v., 114v.] |
Feb. 22.
Whitehall. |
446. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. One of the partition walls of our Office being in a very ruinous condition, we applyed to the Board of Works to have it rebuilt. They have survey'd it, and finding it to be in imediate danger have for present security shoar'd it up. But as the Board of Works are doubtfull whether this Office falls properly under their care, we must desire your Lordships will please to give the proper directions upon this occasion. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 271, 272.] |
Feb. 22.
Whitehall. |
447. Duke of Newcastle to Governor Worsley. I give you the trouble of this in behalf of Edward Olds of Barbados, who has had a suit of Chancery depending several years between him and Jacob and John Mills of the said Island for a sum of money which he claims in right of his wife. He complains that in the prosecution of this affair he has met with many unnecessary delays from Mills, and therefore prays that it may be brought to a speedy determination. Signed, Holles Newcastle. [C.O. 324, 35. pp. 312, 313.] |
| [Feb. 22] |
448. Proceedings of Court of Chancery, Barbados, 3rd Aug., 1726—22nd Feb., 1727. 20 pp. [C.O. 33, 27. No. 8.] |
| Feb. 23. |
449. Mr. Popple to Mr. Fane. Encloses, for his opinion in point of law, 12 Acts of New York, 1726, enumerated. [C.O. 5, 1124. pp. 401–403.] |
Feb. 24.
Treasury
Chambers. |
450. Mr Scrope to Mr. Popple. The Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury being apprized of the ruinous state of the King's woods in New England and other parts of America, and that the laws which have hitherto been made for preventing the same have been evaded and rendered in a manner useless and ineffectual; so that in their Lordps. opinion unless some further provision be made by Parliament, the King's woods in those Parts will be utterly destroyed, and a fatal loss fall on this Kingdom by means thereof. Therefore encloses following for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners for Trade, and if a remedy be not to be had otherwise than by a new law, their Lordps. will please to prepare a draught of such a law etc., " wch. my Lords may be assured shall have the best assistance my Lords can give in obtaining the passing thereof in Parliament." Signed, J. Scrope. Endorsed, Recd. 1st, Read 2nd March, 1726/7. 1 p. Enclosed, |
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450. i. A State of H.M. Woods in America with some proposals for their more effectual preservation etc. Proposes that the law with regard to trees in townships be explained and enforced etc., and exports of timber to foreign parts prohibited. Copy. 4 pp. |
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450. ii. Ralph Gulston. London, 24th Jan., 1726/7 to [the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury]. In Sept. last I represented the advice I had then recd, from my Agent in New England relating to the ruinous state of the King's woods, and the indispensable necessity there was of securing my workmen from the Indians with a guard whilst they were employ'd in providing and loading the masts I have contracted to furnish for the service of the Navy. My Agent since advises me that he has already felt the ill effects of the late destruction of the King's woods, insomuch that altho' the last contractor supply'd a great part of the demands of the Royal Navy from the river of Piscataqua, my Agent has now been obliged at a great expence and trouble to send above 100 miles further along the coast, where my men were at work a great way up in the woods, but they were greatly interrupted and annoy'd by the Indians, who had surprized and carried of some people in those parts. Upon this my Agent made application to the Governor and Council of Boston for a guard of 20 men, but did not find them so ready as the occasion required etc. After much sollicitation they ordered a guard of ten men only and even those with condition that they should be subsisted at my cost etc. As there is not in England any merchant ship of sufficient length to bring the largest masts, I have one now actually building in New England purposely for that end. Begs that pressing orders be sent to New England that his workmen and ship may be protected by a guard of 20 men, and that the said charge for subsistence be refunded etc. My Agent confirms that many thousands of pine-trees fit for masts of very large dimensions have been lately destroy'd and cut into boards, and that unless some speedy and effectual care be taken, all the King's woods must be destroy'd in a few years etc., and proposes that those Governments be restricted in the making of new townships, the inhabitants, to evade the penalties of the new Act for preservation of white pine trees, having laid out several new townships of very large and unreasonable extent though in some of them there are not above two or three families respectively settled. This has been chiefly practised in New Hampshire. Copy. 3¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 869. ff. 363, 364–365v., 368–369v., 370v.] |
Feb. 25.
Whitehall. |
451. Mr. Pelham, Secretary of War, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. "I have layd the enclosed complaint before H.M. and received H.M. commands to transmit a copy to your Lordships, " for your enquiry and report etc. Signed, H. Pelham. Endorsed, Recd. 25th Feb., Read 15th March, 1726/7. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
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451. i. Petition of Merchants, Commanders of ships and others of Barnstaple and Bideford trading to Newfoundland to [the King]. Complain of the arbitrary and unjust dealings of Governor Gledhill, who for several years has made great encroachments on their liberties and properties at Placentia. " He hath seized on all the best places for the washing and curing of fish for his own use and to hire out, being several large tracts of land in Great and Little Placentia and the places adjacent, enough for the use of 16 ships or 100 boats rooms etc. All this he claims under a vain pretence of patents granted him by our Captains of men of war and from the late French possessors. And though the first year our ships fished there we enjoyed our rooms for the curing of fish free from all demands (as is our undoubted right as Englishmen confirmed by an Act of Parliamt.) we only made the Governmt. a present. But now he demands and exacts of us £15 for 6 boats rooms, and those who will not comply with this unjustifiable demand, run ye risque of spoiling their fish and loosing their shalloways on which our voyages depend, for there is no safe and convenient place left in Placentia, but what he claims as his own, his son's or his daughters on the aforesaid pretences " etc. He endeavours by all means to engross and monopolise all sorts of commodities to himself and advanceth ye price double on those things which are most wanted and useful for the Fishery; and those who know him and are affraid to deal with him, he often insults, abuses and imprisons them and threatens to spoil their markets till he gets their goods into his hands, then breaks his agreemt. wth. them, pays them less than bargain'd for, and that in bad fish, at a higher rate than the price currt., or in bad bills on persons in England who owe him nothing, and at the return of the year, when said bills go back protested, he will not allow interest or charges of protest as is the custom of merchts., but hath torn the protest in pieces and thrown it away, and we are forct at last to take his fish at his own price. He takes the same unjust way in selling his merchandizes, as in buying, breaking his agreemt. when 'tis for his advantage, having the law in his own hands. He also discourages all substantial, sober planters and others from settling there by his arbitrary dealings and encourages none but those who will be his vassals, who generally keep publick disorderly houses, to the debauching and empoverishing of our fishermen, etc. and he obliges said houses to take his liquour and on his own terms, and if we deal with those people 'tis much ye same as if we dealt wt. the Governour himself, for they transfer their debts for him to pay, who takes up their effects, and is the general Banker of the town. And whereas we are annually at great charges in building stages and houses, wch. by an Act of Parliament ought to be preserved for the conveniency and encouragement of the early ships the succeeding year ; he as soon as the said ships are gone encourages his garrison and others to demolish said stages and houses, for the sake of the timber and iron works, of which great quantaties are yearly sold to ourselves and New Englandmen, which are taken from them etc., for he hath demolished most of the best houses of the town. We are in hopes that some former petitions against him by particular sufferers wou'd have reform'd or remov'd him, but since they had not their desir'd effect, we are constrain'd humbly to beg yr. Honours' consideration of this petition. The truth of the foregoing charges we prove by the annexed affidavits of the masters of our ships. 36 signatures. 1 large p. |
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451. ii. Deposition of Commanders of ships that the above charges are to their knowledge true. Feb. 15, 1726(7). 15 signatures. ½ p. [C.O. 194, 8. ff. 23–24, 25, 26v.] |
Feb. 27.
St. James's. |
452. H.M. Warrant appointing Francis Jones to the Council of Bermuda, in place of Henry Tucker, deed. Countersigned, Holles Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 35. p. 327]. |
Feb. 28.
St. James's. |
453. H.M. Warrant appointing John Butterfield to the Council of Bermuda in place of Samuel Raynes, decd. Countersigned, Holles Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 35. p. 328.] |
Feb. 28.
Whitehall. |
454. Mr. Popple to Lt. General Mathew. Encloses, for his answer as soon as possible, the Address from the Assembly of St. Kitts, referred to the Board by H.M., "praying that you may render an account of a sum given to you by act of Assembly to build a fortification " etc. [C.O. 153, 14. pp. 230, 231.] |
