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| [Jan. 16.] |
468. Mr. Godin to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Proposals for regulation of method of making pitch and tar in the Plantations. The first half of the tar drawn out of any kill to be barreled up and imported to Great Britain, the other half, being of a hotter nature, to be boiled into pitch etc. Endorsed, . 16th, Read 21st Jan., 1724/5. 2 pp. [C.O. 323, 8. No. 58.] |
| [Jan. 16.] |
469. Same to Same. Replies to queries concerning tar in the Plantations. Cf. 12th Jan. Endorsed as preceding. 2 1/4 PP. [C.O. 323, 8. No. 59.] |
Jan. 18.
Puddle Dock. |
470. Mr. Wycherley to Mr. Popple. Prays that a short day may be appointed for hearing Thames Shipwrights on their petition (Oct. 19, 1724), by reason 'tis beleived this session of Parliamt. will be but short etc. Signed, Richd. Wycherley. Endorsed, Recd. Read 19th Jan., 1724/5. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 869. ff. 72, 73?.] |
| [Jan. 19.] |
471. Mr. Lowndes to Mr. Attorney General, 2nd Dec, 1709, directing a warrant to be prepared relating to the following. Signed, Wm. Lowndes. Copy. 1 p. Enclosed,
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471. i. Earl of Carbery to the Lord High Treasurer. Proposal for the surrender of some lands in Jamaica. (?. C.S.P. 1709. No. 832 i., 846.) Copy. 2 pp. The whole endorsed, Laid before the Board by Mr. St. Amand. Recd. Read 19th Jan. 1724/5. [C.O. 137, 16. ff. 1–2?.] |
| [Jan. 20.] |
472. Petition of William Tosach to the King. Petitioner was possessed of a large dwelling house etc. on the Great Beach at Placentia, which was taken up by Lt. Governor Gledhill in 1720, being comprehended within the new fortifications
etc. Prays to be reimbursed the prime cost of the house, £80 sterl., and damages, (?. Cal. Treasury Papers 1725. p. 343.) Signed, Will Tosach. Overleaf,
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472. i. H.M. refers above to the Board of Trade for their report etc. Signed, Holles Newcastle. The whole endorsed, Recd. 22nd Jan., Read 18th Feb., 1724/5. 1 1/3 rd. pp. [C.O. 194, 7. ff. 221, 221?., 222 ?.] |
Jan. 20.
South
Carolina. |
473. Governor Nicholson to Mr. Delaffay. The Council begg that his Grace would be pleased to lay their Address before his most sacred Majesty etc. I am in hopes that neither his Grace nor yourself will be displeased at my presuming to send this Address. Our Assembly are not to meet til the 23rd of next month and I shall (God willing) send copys of papers concerning the same to the Honble. Francis Yonge Esq. upon that accot. I suppose I shall not be able to goe from hence til the begining of May etc. I thank God we have had a very extraordinary fine winter which has been a great advantage to the people in their comodities of rice and pitch, and another great advantage is because we have had a great number of ships etc. to carry away the country produce which will be another advantage to the trade of Great Brittain etc. P.S. I am endeavouring to gett his Grace some Indian curiositys. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. Addressed. Sealed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 387. No. 52.] |
Jan. 21.
Charles
Town,
So. Carol. |
474. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses duplicate of 16th Dec. Continues:—I thank God we have had an extraordinary good winter which hath been very well for ye rice and pitch more particularly the later of which great quantitys are made etc. Refers to enclosed Addresses etc. Continues:—It's supposed that when the other County and Precinct Courts and jurys meet they will do the same. Those who pretend to stand as Members for the ensuing Assembly tell the people that they are against the said petition and for bills because they think that will prevail with the people to choose them. I herewith send yor. Lordps. copys of the papers concerning the late Assembly, by which yor. Lordps. will please to see what hath happened upon that affair for one way or other the Churchwardens did not comply with the law therefore we extracted those directions out of ye Act for the Churchwardens against the next ellection, so I hope there will be no more blunders made by them; this accident I fear will hinder my going to Great Brittain according to H.M. Royal lycence till the beginning of May next, so I shall be the longer debarr'd from paying my duty to yor. Lordps. etc. P.S. Refers to enclosed Address. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. Endorsed, Recd. 15th April, Read 18th Nov. 1725. 1 1/2 pp. Subscribed,
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474.
i. Duplicate of 16th Dec. 1/2 p. Enclosed,
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474. ii. Address of the Council of S. Carolina to the King. Charles Town, 14th Jan., 1724(5). Upon H.E.'s departure, return H.M. "utmost thanks for appointing a Gentleman of so much experience, so conversant in business etc., and for the many signal services he has done to this Province, and pious donations to our several Churches and his other remarkable acts of charity and piety, and as wee could not suffer a more sensible misfortune than by his absence; so we heartily wish his safe and speedy return with your Majesty's royal approbation and favours." Will support Mr. Middleton in the administration and H.M. service etc. Signed, Ra. Izard, Wm. Bull, A. Skene, Char. Hart, William Gibbon, James Kinlock, Benja. Schenckingh. Same endorsement. 1 p.
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474. iii. Address of the President and Assistant Judges in the County Court in the parish of St. Hellena and County of Granville and other inhabitants, to Governor Nicholson. Pray H.E. to transmit their petition to the King, to suspend the hearing of the petition against the paper currency etc. Beaufort, Dec. 22, 1724. 49 signatures. Same endorsement. 1 p.
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474. iv. Address of the Grand Jury for the Wando precinct, 9th Dec, 1724, to Governor Nicholson. The petition of the merchants is an idle thing. The Province cannot subsist if the paper currency be suppressed etc. 15 signatures. Same endorsement. 1 p.
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474. v. Address of the Justices of the Court of General Sessions, Wando precinct, to Governor Nicholson. 8th Dec. 1724. Answer misrepresentations in the merchants' petition. The trade of the Province will be destroyed without a settled paper currency, No complaint was exhibited against it for several years etc. Signed, Robert Fenwick, Thos. Lynch, Geo. Logan, Thos. Boone, Thos. Barksdale. Endorsed as preceding. 3 1/2 pp.
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474. vi. Petition of the inhabitants of the County of Granville to the King. Beaufort, 22nd Dec, 1724. The issue of the paper bills was in no wise the occasion of the rise of the produce of this Province. The merchants can receive no damage from it, for they have advanced their sterling invoices from 700 to 1200 p.c. for these 9 years past, and if Proclamation money be ordered to be the only currency they will gain 200 or 300 p.c. sterling on their prime cost. The Lords Justices orders have been complyed with as near as the necessity of the Province would permit.
Pray that the determination of the matter may be delayed until the case of the Province can be laid before H.M. etc. 44 signatures. Same endorsement. 1 p
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474. vii. Proclamation dissolving the Assembly, 16 of the members elected 2nd Dec, having declared that they were not legally chosen. 12th Jan., 1724 (5). Signed, Fr. Nicholson. Copy. Same endorsement. 1 p.
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474. viii. Writ for election of Members of Assembly to meet 22nd Feb., 1725. Signed by the Governor and Council. Same endorsement, Copy, 3/4 p.
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474. ix. Directions to the Churchwardens of each parish, in relation to their duty pursuant to the Act to ascertain the manner and form of electing Representatives etc. Same endorsement. 1 1/3 pp.
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474. x. Account of H.M. Customs, Sept. 29—Dec. 25, 1724. Charles Town. Balance brought forward £10 2s. 3d.; Receipts £10. Expenditure, £8 8s. l 1/4 d. Signed, Thos. Gadsden, Collr. Same endorsement. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 359. ff. 271, 271?., 272?–280?.; 281?–283.] |
Jan. 21.
St. James's. |
475. Warrant of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Receiver General for the payment of arrears of salary due to him as Governor of S. Carolina Aug. 1719—May, 1721 etc. [C.O. 5, 290. p. 168.] |
Jan. 21.
Province of
N.
Hampshire.1725. |
476. Lt. Governor Wentworth to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to letter etc. of 1st Sept., 1724. Encloses six Acts, wch. by mistake were not sent so soon as they ought to have been. Continues:—I put them up in a large book that I had for that purpose, and really tho't I had sent 'em, but upon examination found the mistake, for which omition I ask ten thousand pardons, I assure your Lordships, it was don without any designe. One of the Acts is for a tryaniall Assembly; it haveing been granted in some of the Plantations, I put 'em off neer two years, and at length passed it with this saveing claws in the body of the Act, Provided nevertheless that this Act be not in force untill H.M. pleasure be known. Acknowledges letter of 5th Aug. etc. Continues: What I have farther don this winter for the preservation of H.M. woods in New Hampshier I have appointed two rideing officers, vizt., Hugh Banfield and Jonathan Weeks, these men follow the people into the woods at uncertain times with a coppy of my Instructions to the Deputy Survayer, and if any be found hawling without the Deputy Survayer's licence etc., he is taken up etc. The second way is, that I have forbid all persons whatever from cutting any green tree, but are only to take such as were fallen for
masts and did not prove, others blown down by the wind or fier, which has consumed great numbers, and dry trees that are standing, and to cutt no more nor faster then they hall away that season, there has been greate waste made formerly by falling one yeare for two to come. My Lords, this may do for a year or two to come, but strict cear and dilligence must be added thereto, but for the future I am at a loss at present, for altho' our people are now kept poor by the war, yet they greately increas in numbers. I suppose that where there was five yoak of oxen in a pairish ten years past, that there is now fifteen, so that your Lordships may judge what may be don, and will be don, unless more then common cear be taken more espetially when a winter of snow and frost happens, my officers have found at one place where they think the people have transgressed, if so I shall seize any green logs I finde, and put the Act of Parlimt. in force. We must keep the people to underwood and dry trees as long as possible. The best range of good timber for masts on the whol. Continant, is what the Province of Mayne calls Barrwick, and I am pretty well assured, that that town is fifteen miles long. There I have noething to do as Servayer, it being out of my power, and Mr. Armstrong had no power to depute, and there the people have layn this winter at rack and manger, as we say. This my Lords with great submition and concern I say it, that were there a Survayer Generall here that knew his duty, and would do it some thousands of good trees might have been saved. I know the Crowne is a greate sufferer for want of that officer being on the spot etc. I saide before that the best range of timber that we know of lyes in that part of the Province of Mayne called Barwick. My Lords, were the lynes settled between the two Provinces, that or the greatest part of the choice timber, will fall into Hampsheer, we have the best drafts and informations that possibly obtain and are sent home and in the hands of our Agent, and have been wth. him two years and more, and have desired a settlemt., we shall never adjust it among ourselves. My Lords, I beg leave to say a word about the Northern lyne between us, which begins at the mouth or entrance of Piscataqua River and so runs up Piscataqua river about fifteen miles to a landing place called Quampheagin, and from said landing place North Westerly, which is understood by some ignorant people, and such they were that laide it out, they take it to be to the westward of Northwest, wch. must by everybody that understands a compass know it to be absurd, to pretend to maintain such an argumt.: so that this choice gore of pine trees will soon be distroyed, if the lyne be not run and quickly settled, more then two third parts will lye within that four points of the compass, and in N. Hampshier four or five such winters will carry away the greatest part of that timber. My Lords, I assure your Lordships I have no
turn in the world to serve, by pressing this matter but its purley and intirely the intrest of the Crown, that has before, and now moves me to have that lyne settled, and am verry well assured in myself that if some stronger methods be not fallen into, that most trees will in a few years rise thin among us, and I think the first and best expedient, is the runing and settling the lines, and when settled to lay a proabition, on any persons goeing into those woods except it bee for mast trees for H.M. use only, if the people should have another winter in those woods without restriction, and the line not settled they will do greate spoyle on that branch. Therefore I will hope that your Lordships will give directions for the heareing and settling those lines. The Agents on boath sides have had three years time to provide for it. My Lords, As to that part of your Lordships' letter that relates to Mr. Burniston, the only reason why I took the cear of H.M. woods was that Mr. Armstrong Deputy Survayer was goeing to Great Brittan. I desired him to leave the Instructions Mr. Burniston had given him, with me for my better Governmt.: so that I took the cear of the King's woods as Commander in Chiefe of this H.M. Province, and not as Deputy Survayer, I made some proposalls to the Survayer Generall, and assured him that I should take particular cear of H.M. woods, untill I had an answer from home and that I had wrote your Lordships accordingly. I Recd. Mr. Survayer's answer, but only in words. It was the duty and obedience I most justly owe to my Soveraign Lord King George, that excited me to do what I had don and still continew to do, and not the reward I expected from Mr. Burniston etc. In case a person be sent over that is not knowing in the woods, or a needy man, your Lordships will finde that four or five years time, will bring good masts to be very sceirce and a difficulty to get a ship loade. The running the lines between the two Provinces and a sutable person for Servayer of the Woods, are the only two expedients to make the pine trees a lasting advantage to the Crown, its high time to put some stop for, if the people were not restrain'd they would cutt seven logs to one that was cutt six or seven years past, occationed by the increase of the people and the number of saw-mills etc. The takeing of money from the people for the liberty to hall was a vile practice, and what confounded many a good tree. I never took a sixpenny piece for liberty to cutt or hall any timber etc. I wrote your Lordships some time past that a number of us was comeing into a Compa. to promote the raising of Navall Stores, but the war with the Indians crampt us, and we have lately lost one of our principle studs vizt. Governor Saltinstall of Conecticut, a fine gentleman and forward in that affair. I hope a ps. with ye. Indians will bring it on again. Signed, Jno. Wentworth. Endorsed, Recd. 24th March, Read 1st Dec, 1725, Holograph. 4 pp. Enclosed,
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476. i. Account of gunpowder expended and stores of war at H.M. Fort William and Mary at Newcastle, 28th May 1723–1724. Signed, J. Wentworth, Lt. Gov. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 869. ff. 212, 213–214?., 215?.–217?.] |
Jan. 22.
Whitehall. |
477. Mr. Popple to Anthony Balam, Inspector General of Customs. Asks for an account of imports and exports of New England, Christmas 1720–1723. [C.O. 5, 915. p. 430.] |
Jan. 24.
Barbados. |
478. Governor Worsley to the Duke of Newcastle. Refers to case of Jean Garraud and Tobago, (?. 16th Nov.). Continues: On 23rd Dec. Capt. Gabaret Commander of a French man of war of 44 guns called the Nereyde, came hither, he had with him a sloop with about eighty hands on board, and, besides the sailors in the man of war, and sloop, there were about 100 Swiss of the Garrison of Fort Royal in Martinico, he sent his boat a shoar with an officer to me desiring leave to cast anchor, which by the Treaty of 1686 I told him I could not do, but he coming immediately afterwards and acquainting me that some of his rigging had suffered in the night, desired to have liberty to mend it, I then told him, by the said Treaty, he might, and should have all the assistance I was able to afford him; he stayed here a week and when he designed to have sailed, he sent an officer to me with a letter etc (enclosed). By the word visitter your Grace will see the French pretend to a right to Tobago, and therefore I answered him as I thought it was convenient upon this occasion. Since his departure I am informed he told a Gentleman he was going to Tobago to set up the King of France's standard. And when the French King's men of war come to Martinico, as one generally does every six months, for none stays above that time, they always visit that Island, as the French Ambassador says in his Memorial, 2nd Nov. 1699. The island of Tobago is esteemed the most fertile of all the Charibbees, but then it is not naturally fortified, for they may land almost on any part of it; so that since the French continue their pretensions to it, few people will attempt to settle it, till the reciprocal pretensions of both Crowns are adjusted; or it must be done by a body of men able to defend it, for as this Island decreases daily in the number of its white inhabitants, it will hardly be possible to have much help from hence. An accident has lately happened here on which I begg the honour of H.M. commands. The 4th Dec. last the St. Christophers galley James Newth Commander, sailed out of this port, and the forts fired some random shott at her to bring her to, in that she had not put up the proper signal that was given her, or any other, which is to shew she has cleared in all the Offices, and had liberty to depart, the Master instead of bringing to, hoisted more sail, whence a matross of James's Fort, suspecting
she had done something irregular (as they often do in this part of the world, one about twelve months ago attempting to carry away a Custom house Officer) fired a shott into her when she was about two miles off, when he happened unfortunately to kill the mate and wound another man; the vessel immediately returned into port, and assoon as the Master informed me of it, I enquired into the fact, upon which I found she had not put up her signal, the Master complaining, it was not a proper signal, being a tarpaulin hoisted upon the flag-staff, and tho' I found such signals had been sometimes given, and had been put up, nevertheless as I thought it a very improper one, that there might be no such precedent for the future, I suspended the Captain of the fort, for some time; however if the Master of the vessel did not like the signal, he ought not to have gone under sail 'till he had got another, and ought to have brought to upon the fort's firing. The difficulty at present I lye under is to know whether and where the matross that fired the shott from James's fort is to be tryed, or what Court can take cognizance of it; the person that was killed by a gun shot from the shoar was upon the high sea two miles off of the shoar, where I apprehend my jurisdiction does not extend, and H.M. Attorney General here is of the same opinion. I ordered him to examine several persons upon oath etc. Refers to their depositions enclosed. Signed, Henry Worsley. Endorsed, Rd. April 23. 9 pp. Enclosed,
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478. i. M. Gabaret (?. preceding) to Governor Worsley. Neryde, 12th Jan. (n.s.) 1725. Takes leave with compliments: Si vous aviez, Monsieur, quelque chose à m'ordonner pour les Isles de la Trinitè, et de la Marguerite, où j'ai dessein d'aller après avoir visitè Tabac," etc., I would faithfully fulfil it etc. Signed, Gabaret. French. Copy. 1 1/2 pp.
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478. ii. Governor Worsley to M. Gabaret. Pilgrim, 1st Jan., 1724/5. Reply to preceding. As you intend to pass Tobago, with the government of which I am honoured by the King my Master, I regret that it is not yet sufficiently well peopled, for in that case I should have given instructions for you to be received there as you deserve. Signed, Henry Worsley. French. Copy, 3/4 p.
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478. iii. Deposition of Benjamin Alford, Matross at Needham's Fort, Barbados, 23rd Dec, 1724. Testifies to the use of the tarpaulin signal etc. referred to in covering letter. Signed, Benj. Alford. Copy. 1 p
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478. iv. Deposition of Joseph Viguers, Matross at Needham's Fort. 23rd Dec., 1724. Corroborates preceding. Signed, Joseph Viguers. 1 p.
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478. v. Deposition of Robert Webster, Gent. 5th Dec, 1724. James Newth laughed when he was told what
the signal was he was to show etc., but did not ask for any other, (?. covering letter). Describes the firing on the St. Christopher's galley. Signed, Robert Webster, Copy. 2 1/4 pp.
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478. vi. Deposition of Richard Stear, merchant, passenger on board the St. Christopher's galley. 5th Dec. Corroborates following. Signed, Richd. Stear. Copy. 1 p. |
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478. vii. Deposition of James Newth. 5th Dec, On getting his licence to sail, deponent asked the Capt. of Needham's Fort what signal he should show upon sailing, who told him he might show a tarpaulin, if he would. Whereupon deponent gave the sd. Captain a touch on the cheek and said, What do you talk of tarpaulin? After he was fired on, from Needham's Fort, he ordered his ensign, which was then flying, to be struck. Presently after a shot from Willoughby's Fort struck the vessell and shot of the right knee of his mate and wounded a mariner etc. Signed, James Newth. Copy. 2 1/2 pp.
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478. viii. Deposition of William Webster, Capt. Gunner of Needham's Fort. 5th Dec, 1724. Deponent told Newth to hoist a tarpaulin as signal that he had licence to sail. It has been usual for all masters of vessels to hoist this signal, as directed for this end by the Commanding officer of the Fort; and for a shot to be fired to bring to vessels that did not show such signal. Five shot were fired from Needham's Fort, to bring the St. Christopher's galley to, but did not hit her. She was sailing without any signal, and continued sailing out to sea and more sail was hoisted. Signed, Wm. Webster. Copy. 1 3/4 pp.
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478. ix. Deposition of Benjamin Crocker, bricklayer. 5th Dec. Corroborates Nos. v.–viii. Signed, Benja. Crocker. 2 pp. |
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478. x. Deposition of George Wilson, matross of Needham's Fort. 22nd Dec Corroborates No. viii as to the customary use of this signal. Signed, George Wilson, his mark. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 44. Nos. 91, 91. i–x.] |
Jan. 24.
Barbados. |
479. Governor Worsley to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Duplicate of preceding covering letter. Signed, Henry Worsley. Endorsed, Recd. 12th, Read 13th April, 1725. 9 pp. Enclosed,
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479. i.–x. Duplicates of enclosures i–x in preceding. Endorsed Recd. 12th April, 1725. [C.O. 28, 18. ff. 135–139, 140?.–144, 145, 147, 147?., 149, 149?., 151, 151?., 153' 155, 157, 159?.] |
| Jan. 25. Whitehall. |
480. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Report upon petition of dealers in tar (?. C.S.P. Dec. 11th, 1724). Notwithstanding the petitioners complain of the method for making tar prescrib'd by an Act of Parliament pass'd in the 8th year of H.M. reign as impracticable, and aver, it has been found to be so by experience, yet it dos not appear to us that sufficient tryals have been made of this method to warrant such an assertion; for altho' we were attended by many persons dealing in tar, upon this occasion, yet no one of them except Colo. Spotswood was able to declare upon his own certain knowledge that this new method had been try'd without success, but on the contrary we have reason to believe that Mr. Bridger did make tar from trees prepar'd in the manner prescrib'd by the said Act in New England, which was found to be clear of the objections generally made to the Plantation tar; and we do likewise find in the books of our Office, that this method is agreeable to the manner us'd in making of tar in Russia as appears by a letter to this Board from the Lord Whitworth, when he was Ambassador to the Czar, etc. 12th April, 1712. And therefore notwithstanding the Planters either for want of skill, or to avoid any new expence, are unwilling to comply with the directions of the Act in preparing their trees, yet we are of opinion that altho' it may be thought reasonable to permit the Planter to continue the making of tar in the same manner as they might have done before the Act of the 8th of the King, yet it would be convenient to give incouragement for trying of the new method, which may be done by allowing larger premiums for tar made in the manner prescrib'd by the Act than for that made in the common way. State present premiums allowed, which, except that on hemp which is prolonged for 16 years, will expire the next Session of Parliament, and great complaint having been made of the charge these premiums have brought upon the publick; as we have consider'd on the one hand how important it is to the trade and navigation of Great Britain, that we should be furnish'd with Naval Stores from our own Plantations, and not depend upon foreign markets for so necessary a supply ; so on the other side, we think it our duty to propose to your Lordships to reduce the present premiums to much lower rates, and to leave no further charge upon the publick than may be necessary to compensate the planters for the difference between the freight from Sweden and that from the Plantations, with some little allowance likewise for the dearness of labour in America; and we are of opinion that 40s. pr. ton upon tar and pitch made in the usual manner, for the future, may be sufficient; and to encourage the making thereof in the method prescrib'd by the Act of the 8th of the King, a further premium of 20s. a ton be allow'd on tar certified to be made in this method, but for what term the same may be continued, we submit to your Lordships. This
reduction (from £4) we conceive, will not only save great sums of money to the publick, but will likewise oblige the planters to take more care in the making of them, for they must for the future depend more upon the instrinsick value of the commodity, than upon the advantage of the premiums. We observe the petitioners take no notice in their petition either of rozin, turpentine, masts yards or bowsprights, but as these are likewise Naval Stores, and have an immediate connection with pitch and tar, we judged it proper to give your Lordships our thoughts upon them on this occasion. There is very little rozin or turpentine now made anywhere, but in the British Plantations, and consequently they will need no further praemiums; and we apprehend, no very great charge can accrue to the publick by continuing the present prsemiums on masts, yards and bowsprits. [C.O. 324, 11. pp. 21–28.] |
Jan. 26
Whitehall |
481. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle. Enclose copy of letter from Governor Worsley (16th Nov. 1724), "wherein are contained two matters that will deserve H.M. consideration; the first, relating to the behaviour of the Capt. of the Lynn, station'd on that Island and the other concerning an intention the French have to dispute H.M. title to Tobago, as they have already done that to Sta. Lucia; We intreat your Grace to lay this matter before H.M. without loss of time, that the necessary orders may be given for preventing these unreasonable encroachments of the French upon the Brittish Dominions in America." Autograph signatures. 1 3/4 pp. Enclosed,
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481. i. Copy of Gov. Worsley's letter 16th Nov., 1724. |
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481. ii–iii. Copy of Petition and Information of John Garraud : ?. 16th Nov., 1724. |
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481. iv. Copy of information of Francis Chevalier etc. ?. 16th Nov., 1724. |
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481. v. Copy of deposition of Stephen Charnock etc. ?. 16th Nov., 1724. |
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481. vi. Copies of letters from Captains of H.M. ships 1715–18. ?. Nov. 1724. [C.O. 28, 39. Nos. 19, 19 i–vi; and (without enclosures) 29, 14. p. 407.] |
| Jan. 26. |
482. Memorial from Bristol merchants to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The restrictions as to making tar in the Plantations cannot be complied with, and therefore the importation thereof ceases, and the advantage will be reaped by foreigners, the French having begun to make tar and pitch at Moville etc. Unless the bounty be continued or the greatest part of it on its importation, we must go to foreign nations for these commodities with bullion; it will hinder a great consumption of our woollen and other manufactures and greatly lessen
the employment of our Navigation, and be a vast discouragement to H.M. subjects in No. America. Signed, on behalf of the Society of Merchants of the City of Bristoll, John Becher, Will. Jefferies. Endorsed, Recd., Read 26th Jan., 1724/5. 3/4 p. [C.O. 323, 8. No. 60.] |
Jan. 27.
Bermuda. |
483. Lt. Governor Hope to the Duke of Newcastle. Acknowledges Additional Instruction, 1st Aug., 1724, received some days ago. Continues: And as I am acquainted from home, that amongst other acts of extraordinary natures, pass'd by H.M. Governors, an Act pass'd here laying a duty upon merchandize imported was one of the chief reasons which has occasion'd this Instruction etc., I beseech your Grace to believe, that if in this point I have err'd, it was the constant practice of preceding Governors, founded upon the 23rd Article of H.M. Instructions, which has misled me. For that Instruction does except "Acts for raising a publick revenue, for defraying the necessary charges of the Government" from such a restrictive clause. This Act, my Lord, I did consent to, with a design to repair the fortifications (now in ruins) as by the Act itself does appear; and it was not without the opinion of the British traders, that I did so. The constant funds are very small, as may appear by the publick accounts, and by the present state of this country, by me transmitted to the Lords Commissrs. of Trade in answer to 17 queries etc. These funds never amounted to £400 pr. annum; and when I arriv'd here, the publick was indebted above £1500, which is now all paid off, except what is due to the Governor for his additional salary. These funds are not sufficient to defray the currant expence of this Government: However, I shall pass no Act whatsoever, until I have receiv'd H.M. pleasure, by your Grace, to the following petition: vizt., Whether H.M. will be graciously pleas'd to allow the inhabitants of Bermuda to lay a duty upon platt, being the only produce and manufacture of these Islands; a duty not exceeding 5 p. cent. Refers to his letter of 20th March etc. q.?. Continues:—Since the nature of this place is such, that trade only, is the thing that can support the expence of the Government; and that all commoditys imported, are forbid to be tax'd: I say, my Lord, I cannot but in reason recommend it to your Grace, as a modest demand of a willing people, to tax themselves in the only substantial branch they have that is capable to bear it: and this has been granted to Barbado's, the Leeward Islands etc. and I must own, my Lord, that this tax is what I wou'd have recommended more earnestly long before now, had I not foreseen the opposition it must meet with from the British traders to this place. I do not mean these pedlars led on by one Jones etc., but the merchts. of London, and the British traders here; who pay a duty of 20 p.c, ad valorem, at home, upon the importation thereof etc. Refers to Minutes of Council for evidence of
the seditious and turbulent practices of Jones and his son etc. I shall only beg leave by one instance to show to your Grace, to what a pitch of presumption and insolence, this young firebrand is arriv'd at. Upon 5th Oct. last, a snow called the Resolution arriv'd here from London, and immediateley thereafter, Mr. Jones publish'd that H.M. Order in Council, for the repeal of the 4 and 2 pr. cent. Act, was arriv'd; with shrew'd insinuations, that it was in the Governor's custody, who was keeping of it up, for reasons of State, as he was merrily dispos'd to term it. My Lord, the Order was arriv'd; but it is plain that I knew nothing of it, till about two months thereafter, that Mr. Jones found himself in the humour (when the Chancery Court was sitting) to demand admittance, where, with a good deal of insolence and pride, he deliver'd H.M. Order, and a letter from five men in London (to whom the Order it seems was intrusted; ) none of whom I ever heard of, except the infamous sire of him, who some months ago took the freedom to send me a threat'ning message; which now indeed in some measure he has made good: as also the wicked design (already mention'd) which for these 20 years he has labour'd at, in order to bring this Colony into confusion and distraction; and that in revenge as he calls it, for the support by them given to Mr. Bennett their late Governor; who suspended him etc. (?. C.S.P. supra). Your Grace may easily believe, that at the sight of H.M. Order (there being no vessel arriv'd here, for two months before) that it was but necessary to enquire where it had been all this while; and young Jones being asked, did give equivocal answers; I therefore order'd him to declare it upon oath: to which oath my Lord, I beg leave to refer your Grace; for there he owns that it was in his own custody, and the reason why he did not deliver it, was, because his ship Salamander was under seizure for illegal trade. I must own my Lord, that at first, I did not suspect this creatures views, to have any other butt, than the vanity of insulting over this little Government. But the petition of the Collector of the 4 and 2 pr. cent, tax, presented to the Governor in Council, makes it plain that his intrigues are deeper laid: For he has not only declar'd, that all the money rais'd by vertue of the aforesaid Act, is an imposition; But that he will pay none himself (as he never has done any tax, till put in prison, on purpose to get ground for a complaint): and he has so poison'd the people, by having now twice been the minister of H.M. will and pleasure as his partisans term him, to whom he did communicate H.M. Order upon the receipt of it. I say, My Lord, the credit which this has given him, makes anything that he says, believ'd, by an ignorant people, who at best, don't well digest anything that comes from authority; that we are at present in some disorder about the payment of that tax, as will more fully appear by the aforesaid petition, and the Minute or Order of Council thereupon, directing
the exaction thereof, in the terms specified in my Commission as Lieut. Governor. And it is very necessary to acquaint your Grace, that first when the Collector of that tax, did advertise me of the opposition design'd by that seditious creature and his party; I order'd the Council to meet, on purpose to have suspended all payments, until I shou'd have receiv'd positive directions thereupon, of H.M. pleasure therein: But the unanimous advice and opinion of the Council being "That if if I did, it wou'd be in vain for the future, ever to expect that any tax cou'd be collected here, without prosecutions and lawsuits," and the clause of my Commission being positive, "that all laws and statutes made here, and disallow'd or repeal'd by H.M., and so signified to the Lt. Governor, or to the Commander in Chief for the time being, shall from thence become void etc." For these reasons My Lord, I say, I did alter my opinion; and the aforesaid order of Council was pass'd: which nevertheless shall be tenderly manag'd, till further orders from your Grace etc. Refers to his account of Jones and the Salamander case, 20th Nov. Continues: And whereas I have receiv'd a letter of thanks, from the Commissrs. of the Customs for my behaviour in that affair; as likewise copys of cocquetts pretended by this Jones to have been taken out for those goods; I shall only here beg leave to refer your Grace to the tryal of that ship, where by the comparing of these pretended cocquetts, with the original invoice, and goods condemn'd, the fraud will manifestly appear etc. Refers to letter of Nov. 25th, 1724, for his reply to "Bermudas Justice." Continues: I have now the bitter mortification to know, that that paper has been laid before H.M. in Council, with an Additional aggravation of my tyrany: As that, during the tryal of the sloop George and Elizabeth, John Hope Esqr. Govr. did send an Order to the Judges, (which was read in Court) commanding them to condemn the sloop. My Lord, All the favour I ask is but the same indulgence which my contemptable accusers have already been gratified with, which is, that since the Bermudas Justice has been read before H.M. in Council; that my answer to it, may likewise be read, for there is nothing in it but truth, and a little ridicule. I intreat likewise that my letter of 25th Nov., may be read. And if it be your pleasure, this which I now write; as likewise the declaration made (before the Council) by the two Judges of the Admiralty; by the Attorney General; and by the Register of that Court; and by the two Lawyers, who were the Council in that tryal for the master of the aforesaid sloop, in reference to that notoriously absurd assertion, which I am sorry to find has produc'd a severe Order of Council against me; of which I anxiously wish for the arrival, that I may know my accusers, and the nature of the complaint: and till that happens I intreat all the papers related to in this letter may be perused by the proper persons: as likewise some other papers
which the bearer is charged with, which are materially necessary for the better understanding of the nature of this Colony. The ship he comes in, is that very vessel condemn'd here for illegal trade, formerly call'd the Salamander, but now the Express; bought and fitted intirely at my expense, on purpose to put this Gentleman ashoar upon the first English land, with orders there to wait your Grace's commands in answer to this, and immediately after receipt thereof, to return. Signed, John Hope. Endorsed, Rd. pr. Mr. Aytoune. Mar. 29th, 1725. 9 pp. [C.O. 37, 28. No. 25.] |
Jan. 27.
Bermuda. |
484. Same to Mr. Popple. Encloses copy of preceding for the Board's information. Expresses concern at H.M. additional Instruction 1st Aug., and urges the difference between the 5 p.c. and the 4 and 2 p.c. Acts etc. Concludes: Mr. Jones and his son may tell you with pleasure, what I do now with trouble and regret; that this Colony is at present in distraction; as will plainly appear by the papers Mr. Aytoune the Collector brings along with him: I recommend him to your favour. Signed, John Hope. Endorsed, Recd. 25th March, 1725, Read 30th June, 1726. 2 1/4 pp. Enclosed,
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484. i. Duplicate of No. 483. [C.O. 37, 11. ff. 219–225?.; and (abstract of covering letter), 37, 24. ff. 26, 27.] |
Jan. 28.
Whitehall. |
485. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Townshend. Enclose following to be laid before the King. Annexed,
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485. i. Same to the King. Representation upon the Shipwrights' petition, Oct. 19th, 1724, q.?. We have good reason to believe, the number of shipwrights in Great Britain is diminish'd one half since 1710. This diminution is chiefly owing to the great number of ships built annually in your Majesty's Plantations; but particularly in New England. The said ships being sold very much cheaper than those built in Great Britain, and being intituled, as the Law now stands, to all the privileges of British ships, few are now built in Great Britain, altho' it [is] well known that our home built vessells exceed those of the Plantations both for duration and goodness. All persons concerned in trade, endeavour to navigate upon as easy terms as they can, and consequently the interest of the merchants upon this subject interferes with that of the shipwrights, which renders it very difficult to apply a proper remedy. However, considering of what importance it is to your Majesty's service, and how necessary it is for the security of your Majesty's Dominions, that there should be a sufficient number of shipwrights in Great Britain allways at hand to equip any number of your Majesty's ships upon a
sudden emergency, we conceive it necessary that something should be done for the encouragement of so usefull a body of your Majesty's subjects. Many expedients have been propos'd to us for this purpose, but attended with inconveniencies; the method which seems to us least liable to objection, is, that of laying a duty on all Plantation built ships sold in Great Britain, and afterwards employ'd in foreign trade ; and we would humbly submit to your Majesty, whether a duty of 5sh. pr. ton upon ships, might not be thought reasonable to balance the inequality between the present prices of the Plantation and British built ships, and thereby to remove some of the difficultys, the British shipwrights at present labour under. [C.O. 5, 915. pp. 430–433.] |
Jan. 28.
Custom Ho.
London. |
486. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Encloses following. The Commissioners of the Customs desire the Board to enquire into the matter and be a means that the grievance complained of be redressed etc. Mr. Gale is ordered to attend them. Signed, Cha. Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 1st, Read 2nd Feb., 1724/5.1 1/4 pp. Enclosed,
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486. i. Memorial of Christopher Gale to the Commissioners of H.M. Customs. Memorialist has executed the office of Collector within the port of Beaufort, N. Carolina for two years. He had prepared the last quarterly accounts in order to be proved before George Burrington (the Deputy Governor) but before he had the opportunity to offer them, the said Governor insulted him in a public Court then in the execution of his office as Chief Justice (which office he hath executed for near 20 years with the general approbation of all persons). A few days after he attempted to break into his house with intent to murder him, so that he was obliged to leave the Government and his office etc. He knows of no reason for such behaviour, unless it be for his supporting the Naval Officer and Collector of Customs in the port of Roanoake and advising them when applied to as Chief Justice, for the interest of H.M. Revenue and support of trade, when they were the one of them imprison'd and the other publickly threaten'd and insulted for only doing the duty of their office. Instances a seizure made in the Port of Roanake by the Governor himself of a Boston vessel on July 15th for illegal entry. After keeping her for two days he discharged her of his own authority without trial etc. Copy, 1 1/2 pp.
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486. ii. Deposition of Christopher Gale. London, Jan. 26, 1724(5). The Governor at his first arrival, near two
months before he saw deponent, gave out several menacing speeches against him, saying he would slitt his nose, crop his eares, and lay him in irons etc. At the last General Court he grossly reviled Deponent, and his abusive interruptions caused the Court to be adjourned, ever since which he has continued to revile him, whereby his authority is weakened etc. Early on Sunday morning 23rd Aug., the Governor attempted to break into his house in Edenton with intent to murder him, to the very great terror of his family, but finding he could not break open the door, he broke the window all to peices, cursing and threatning him, that he would have him by the throat speedily, and burn his house, or blow it up etc. etc. as preceding. Signed, C. Gale. 1 1/4 pp. [C.O. 5, 1266. ff. 156–158?., 161?.] |
Jan. 29.
Wmsburgh,
in Virga. |
487. Lt. Governor Drysdale to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses Minutes of Council and has little else to add etc. Continues: In order to discover how farr the late Act of Assembly for improving the staple of tobacco was like to affect the trade, I have caused exact accts. of all the tobacco planted last summer thro'out the Colony to bee returned to mee, and am thereby convinced that if no misfortune had happened to last years cropp, itt would under the present regulation have exceeded in quantity that of either of the 2 preceding years; and even tho' the season for planting proved very unfavourable by an uncommon drought in the beginning of last summer and tho' it will appear by the abstract here inclosed that the people nowhere tended the full number of plants allowed by that law, yett there would have been upwards of 34,000 hogsheads made for export, and that of the best kind that any year has produced, had not that violent storm which happened the 12th of August almost wholly destroy'd all the tobacco then on the ground, and thereby prevented the demonstration of the usefulness of that act, which would otherwise have been evident both in the quantity and goodness of the tobacco made under that regulation: nor has the storm affected onely the cropp of tobacco, but the country suffers very much for want of corn, so that it has been thought necessary to prohibite by proclamation the export of grain with which the West India Islands and some of the Colonys on the Continent used formerly to bee supply'd from hence: But I hope the next years experience of the benefitts which the trade will reap by the new regulation in tobacco law, will plead for H.M. approbation for itts continuance. I shall bee glad to receive your Lordshipps comands concerning the lands in the two new erected counties, as soon as your conveniency will permitt, since the rise of the price of tobacco, will incline the people more and more to take upp new
ground, whereby they may expect a more profitable return of their labour, than in their old impoverished settlements etc. Refers to enclosures. Signed, Hugh Drysdale. Endorsed, Recd. 14th April, Read 26th Aug., 1725. Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed,
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487. i. Account of H.M. revenue of 2s. per hhd., 25th April—25th Oct., 1724. Totals: (including balance brought forward of £3583 9s. 1 3/4 d) £5759 1s. 7d. Expenditure, £1793 12s. 0 1/4 d. Signed and sworn to in Council, John Grymes, Recr. Genll. Audited by Nathl. Harrison. Endorsed, Recd. 14th April, 1725. 2 pp.
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487. ii. Proclamations by Lt. Governor Drysdale, (a) 17th Oct., 1724, proroguing the Assembly to 14th Jan., (b) 27th Oct., 1724, for publishing repeal of Act for laying a duty on liquors and slaves, (c) 27th Oct., 1724, prohibiting the export of Indian corn etc. (d) 9th Dec, 1724, proroguing the Assembly to 13th May. Same endorsement. 4 1/2 pp.
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487. iii. Account of tobacco planted and tended in Virginia in 1724, pursuant to the Act for the better and more effectual improving the staple of tobacco. Totals (of numbers given by counties):—Tithables, 43,877; tithables employed in tobacco, 39,904; boys allowed to tend 3000 plants, 6,769; plants tended, 188,018,960; hogsheads of Aronoco tobacco at 600 lb. to a hogshead and 8 plants to a lb., 17,732; hogsheads of sweetscented tobacco at 700 lb. pr. hhd. and 8 plants to a lb., 17,252. Same endorsement. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1319. ff. 212–214?., 215?., 216, 217–219, 220, 220?.] |
Jan. 29.
Whitehall. |
488. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Encloses extract of letter from Governor Worsley (Nov. 16) relating to Capt. Cooper. [C.O. 29, 14. p. 408.] |
Jan. 30.
Whitehall. |
489. Duke of Newcastle to the Governor of the Leeward Islands. I send you by the King's command, the inclosed petition etc. As it seems reasonable that petitioner should have a proper opportunity of making her defence, with liberty of appealing etc. you are to consider the justice of the case, and act therein according to the laws and usage of the Leeward Islands. Signed, Holles Newcastle. Annexed,
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489. i. Petition of Sarah Houblon, spinster, executrix to Wynne Houblon Esq. deed. Recounts proceedings in relation to a plantation in Nevis formerly belonging to James Houblon and John Ward, and bequeathed to petitioner by Wynne Houblon in 1714. John Ward, jr. brought an action against petitioner in 1721, on a pretended bill of sale for 26 negroes in connection with a contract between his father and James Houblon
13 years before, which contract had been annulled. Ward having retained all the lawyers at Nevis, petitioner was obliged to send for a lawyer to Antigua. Ward suffered himself to be non-suited, and some time afterwards commenced another action, to which petitioner pleaded, but before her lawyers could come to Nevis, Ward procured the cause to be tryed and obtained judgment against petitioner by default for 18 negroes, besides damages and costs. Petitioner thereupon filed a bill in Chancery at Antegoa against Ward to be relieved against these proceedings, and petitioned the Governor for an injunction to stay execution, which was denied, and Ward carried off the negroes etc. Petitioner petitioned H.E. for a day for hearing her cause, but could not prevail with H.E. to grant the same. Ward's circumstances being very low it is feared he will sell the negroes and abscond, which will entirely ruin petitioner's plantation. Prays for directions that she may have an opportunity of making her defence in the said island and of appealing therefrom, if she shall think herself grieved, etc. [C.O. 324, 35. pp. 101–106.] |
