America and West Indies: June 1728, 21-30

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 36, 1728-1729. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1937.

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'America and West Indies: June 1728, 21-30', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 36, 1728-1729, ed. Cecil Headlam, Arthur Percival Newton( London, 1937), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol36/pp143-154 [accessed 30 November 2024].

'America and West Indies: June 1728, 21-30', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 36, 1728-1729. Edited by Cecil Headlam, Arthur Percival Newton( London, 1937), British History Online, accessed November 30, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol36/pp143-154.

"America and West Indies: June 1728, 21-30". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 36, 1728-1729. Ed. Cecil Headlam, Arthur Percival Newton(London, 1937), , British History Online. Web. 30 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol36/pp143-154.

June 1728, 21-30

June 28.
Whitehall.
291. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle, In reply to 9th May, enclose following to be laid before H.M. Autograph signatures. 1 p. Enclosed,
291. i. Same to the King. Representation upon H.M. possessions in America disputed by the King of Spain and injuries inflicted by the Spaniards on H.M. subjects, etc. (v. 9th May). Carolina was formerly known by the names of Florida and Carolana Florida; This Province was first discovered by Sir Sebastian Cabot in 1497, who by a Commsision from and at the expence of K. Henry VII, discovered all the coast of America from the 56th to 28th degrees of Northern Latitude, about 30 years before any other Europeans had visited the Northern Continent of America: And it does not appear that ever the Spaniards attempted any discovery of that part of America till 1527, under Pamphilio Narvaez, nor any conquest till 1539, when Ferdinando Soto landed upon Florida from the Havana, and wandering over a great part of that country in search of mines which he could not find, died of grief in May 1542, and such of his men as were left alive, returned again to the Havana, without making any settlement on that Continent. The first grants we find, of this country by your Majesty's Royal Predecessors was by King Charles I in the 5th year of his reign to Sir Robert Heath, His Attorney General; In that patent it is called Carolana Florida, and the boundaries fix'd for it, are from the River Matheo, in the 30th degree, to the River Passa Magna in the 36th degree of Northern Latitude. We have good reason to beleive that possession of this country was taken under the said patent, and large sums of mony expended by the Proprietor and those claiming under him, in making settlements there; but whether this grant was afterwards surrendered, or whether the same became vacant and obsolete by non user or otherwise, King Charles II made two other grants of the same country, with some small difference in the boundaries, to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. The last of these grants bears date the 30th day of June in the 17th year of King Charles the Second's Reign, and gives to the Lords Proprietors all that part of North America which lyes between the 36th and 29th degree of Northern Latitude. Fort King George upon the River Alatamaha, now complained of by the Spaniards, lyes within the bounds of both the abovementioned grants to Sir R. Heath and to the Lords Proprietors, who have made and continued many flourishing settlements in Carolina; whereas it is notoriously known that the Spaniards have never maintain'd or kept possession of any in those parts except St. Augustine; And your Majesty might with as much reason contest their title to that Settlement as they dispute your Majty's. right to Fort King George, which was neither settled by the Spaniards, nor any other European Nation, when your Majesty's troops first took possession of that place whereon that fort was afterwards erected. This is not the first time that disputes have arisen between the Crowns of Great Britain and Spain, concerning their respective Dominions in America; But to prevent all contests of this sort in the times to come, a Treaty was concluded at Madrid in 1670, by the 7th Article of which Treaty it was expressly agreed between the then Kings of Spain and Great Britain, that the King of Great Britain and his heirs should hold and enjoy for ever all those lands and places in any part of America which the said King of Great Britain or his subjects then held or possessed, which Treaty is subsequent to the two grants to Sir Robert Heath and to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, and to the making of several Settlements under both the said patents. It is therefore matter of surprize that the Spaniards should now pretend a title to a part of a Province which they have so long ago given up by the said Treaty, which hath been confirm'd by many subsequent Treatys between the two Crowns.
The Bahama Islands, the principal of which is Providence, were granted by King Charles I in the 5th year of his reign to the Earls of Warwick Holland and others, in consideration of their having some years before discover'd and settled the said Islands. After the restoration of King Charles II, these Islands not having from their first discovery been possessed by any but the English, were granted in 1670, by K. Charles II, to the Duke of Albermarle and others, and have been enjoyed by them and their successors until 1703, when the French and Spaniards invaded and plundered the same; since which time till 1717, the Bahamas have remained in the possession of H.M. subjects, but the Proprietors having neglected to protect and assist the inhabitants, his late Majesty resumed the Government thereof by surrender, and hath ever since appointed Governors of the said Islands. And as your Majesty's subjects were in possession of these Islands before the above mentioned Treaty of Madrid, your Majesty's title thereto was confirm'd, not only by that Treaty but by the Treaty of Utrecht, and the Quadruple Alliance made between the Crowns of Great Britain and Spain since that time. As to the settlement made by your Majesty's subjects in the Bay of Campeachy, refer to representation of 25th Sept. 1717, upon Mr. Secretary Methuen's reference in Nov. 1716. Continue:—We have in obedience to your Majesty's commands, hereunto annexed a schedule of all such losses as your Majesty's subjects have sustained from the guarda costa's and from other depredations, injustice and violence of the Spaniards, so far as the same have come to our knowledge. Autograph signatures. 8 pp. Enclosed,
291. ii. Statement of British title to Carolina and the Bahama Islands. Endorsed, Copy sent to the Plenipots. July 27th, 1728. 7½ pp.
291. iii. Schedule of losses sustained by British subjects in their shipping and effects from the Treaty of Utrecht to June 20, 1728. Cases of 86 named ships with value of cargoes, and several others not named. Aug. 24, 1720, Sir N. Lawes complained that the Spaniards commit frequent depredations on Jamaica from Trinidado in times of peace. 1724, The Spaniards protect the crew of the pirate Cassandra. 1718, The Spaniards raided Crab Island. 1717, The Spaniards forced into their service several English ships in Spain for transport, some of which were never released, and others not paid the freight contracted for. 3 large double pp.
291. iv. Copy of Council of Trade to the King, 25th Sept., 1717, v. C.S.P. under date.
291. v. Copy of Council of Trade to the Lords Justices, 11th Sept., 1719. v. C.S.P. under date. [C.O. 5, 383. Nos. 32, 32. i–v; and (duplicate of No. i, enclosed, sent by Mr. Delafaye to Mr. Walpole) 33; and 389, 28. pp. 346–361.]
June 21. 292. Memorial of John Hyde and other lessees, in behalf of themselves and the inhabitants of the Bahama Islands, to the Duke of Newcastle. By letters of 26th Aug. and 12th Oct. 1722, from their factor, Mr. Skynner, then a prisoner at the Havana, they find that the Spaniards in America claim the sole right to the Bahama Islands and accordingly proceed to condemn all vessels with brazelletto wood, which is the product of those islands only. They likewise take and condemn all trading vessels which they meet with in those seas, altho' they have not been in any Spanish port, or traded with any of the subjects of His Catholick Majesty: imprison and use the men as if they were worse than pirates, as is the case of the said Skynner etc., who observes that to be an Englishman in Havana is enough to have all the ill treatment put upon him that a Spaniard is capable of using. Represent the great difficulties they labour under from the frequent insults, robberys and piracys committed by the Spaniards on their trading vessels at sea and also by plundering their vessels in harbour, burning and distroying their vessels and plantations on shore, under pretence of having commissions so to do from the Governours of Havana, Baraco, and other parts on Cuba. Quote cases given in C.S.P. 1722, 1723, raids by Capt. Blanco etc. Conclude: The Spaniards of Cuba have every summer since the settlement of the Bahama Islands began disturbed the inhabitants in raking of salt, cutting wood, taking whales and seales for oyl, and other their lawfull employments on the said islands, which if not timely prevented and restitution made for the damage done to them will make them quit the islands. Pray that representations be made to Spain so that ample restitution be made and that such insults and robberies may cease and H.M. right to the said islands may be acknowledged etc. Signed, John Hyde. 1½ pp. [C.O. 23, 12. No. 93.]
1728.
June 24.
293. Petty Expences of the Board of Trade, Lady day to Midsummer (v. Journal). 6 pp. [C.O. 388, 79. Nos. 25–28.]
June 25./July 6. 294. Mr. Walpole to the Duke of Newcastle. Encloses following, which "I wrote to the Garde des Sceaux in consequence of your letter of 16th May" etc., to which "I expect to receive an answer shortly from Mor. de Chauvelin." Copy. ¼ p. Enclosed,
294. i. Mr. Walpole to Mor. de Chauvelin. Compiegne. 27th June (N.S.), 1728. Encloses copy of the letter of the Council of Trade, together with translation of deposition of John Ridley, 28th Nov. 1727, relating to the settlement of some French families on St. Vincents. Concludes: As such settlements are of the utmost importance, and contrary to the agreement of 1722 etc., the King my Master is confident that His Christian Majesty will repeat the orders [of the Regent] for the said families to evacuate St. Vincent, replace everything upon the same footing as it was before their settlement, and not to do anything which could give the least offence, or reason for suspicion, till this matter is amicably settled according to the rules of justice etc. French. Copy. 2¼ pp. [C.O. 253, i. Nos. 35, 35 i.]
June 25.
New York.
295. Governor Montgomerie to [? Mr. Delafaye]. Acknowledges repeal of Act of New York for the easier partition of lands etc. Encloses Address from New Jersey, "which to please them I hope you will order to be printed in the Gazet." Encloses Memorial from Mr. Bradley, whom you recommended to me etc. Continues: You will see by it that he has met with very hard usage, and that it is not in my power to redress him. The man is honest and well-meaning, so I hope something will be done for him from home. Coll. Riggs is uneasie till I satisfie you, about a letter he wrot to you to receive his pay in England. I intended to have granted him that favour, but finding that all the officers would make the same demand, which would be a great loss to me, he franckly desisted from it, which I take very kindly etc. Signed, J. Montgomerie. Endorsed, R. Aug. 14 (by Mr. Drummer). Holograph. 2 pp. Enclosed,
295. i. Address of the Chief Justice, Second Judge, High Sheriff, Grand Jury, practitioners of the Law and Clerk of the Peace of the Supream Court, held at Burlington, for the Western Division of New Jersey, to the King. 7th May, 1728. Welcome prospect of peace being restored and the power of Spain being confined within just limits. "With a warm rapture of thankfulness" acknowledge H.M. parental care, particularly in sending Governor Montgomerie etc. Set out, N.J. Archives, 1st Ser. V, 185. 31 signatures. 1 large p.
1728. 295. ii. Petition of Richard Bradley to Governor Montgomerie. New York, 28th June, 1728. Petitioner cannot obtain payment of £800 due to him for salary and fees as Attorney General, and thereby suffers great hardship, as also by the recent Act etc. Petitioner has long experienced that Grand Juries will never present where any of their relations and friends are concerned, and most of this new country are related etc. Asks to be allowed a salary of £150 paid from home etc. Signed, Richd. Bradley. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1092. Nos. 69, 69. i, ii.]
June 27.
Whitehall.
296. Mr. Popple to Lt. Governor Armstrong. Acknowledges letters of 30th April and 17th Nov. last. Refers to Representation of 31st May. The Board are in hopes of receiving H.M. directions upon the peopling and settling of Nova Scotia before they finish Governor Philipps' Instructions etc. [C.O. 218, 2. pp. 79, 80.]
June 27.
Whitehall.
297. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle. Enclose following to be laid before H.M. Annexed,
1728. 297. i. Same to the King. We humbly lay before your Majesty draughts of General Instructions for Governor Worsley and of those particularly relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation, with some few alterations and our reasons for the same. We have inserted Samuel Berwick in the Council, he being restored 12th April etc., and Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Allen being dead, we have inserted in their stead John Frere and Geo. Lillington Esqrs., they being recommended to us as persons every way qualified etc. Mr. Worsley having complained that the Assembly had assumed to themselves the priviledge of adjourning for what time, and to what place they thought fit, without his consent, we have inserted the 21st Article, in order to restrain this practice, that the public business of the Island may not be thereby retarded. Mr. Worsley having likewise complained, that the Assembly had assumed to themselves, a power of chusing a Speaker, pro tempore, without presenting him to the Governor for his approbation, we have inserted the 22nd Article, for restraining a practice so contrary to your Majesty's Royal prerogative. The latter part of Mr. Worsley's 28th Instruction, contain'd a power from his late Majesty to receive what additional salary the Assembly should think fit, to settle upon him, under certain restrictions therein expressed. In consequence of which the Assembly having passed an Act in 1723, and the salary thereby given being continued to him, until the determination of his Government, we have omitted the aforesaid latter part etc. We have made no further alteration, than what your Majesty has already been pleased to approve in the Instructions to Governors of other Plantations etc.
297. ii. Draught of Governor Worsley's General Instructions (1–104). Dated at Hampton Court, 25th July, 1728, v. preceding. Article 21:—Whereas We have been informed that the Assemblies of Our Plantations, have of late assum'd to themselves, the power of adjourning at pleasure; without leave from Our Governors first obtain'd for that purpose, as usual, by request; which is highly detrimental to Our royal prerogative, and may prove of prejudice to the publick; It is Our will and pleasure that you signifie to the General Assemblies of Barbados, if occasion should require, and that you accordingly insist upon it, that they have no right to adjourn themselves, otherwise than de die in diem, excepting Sundays and Holy days, without leave from you Our Governor, or from Our Governor or Commander in Chief of the said Island, for the time being first asked and obtained. Article 22:—And whereas We have also been informed that the General Assembly of Barbados have of late taken upon them to appoint a Speaker pro tempore, and to proceed upon business without presenting him to Our Governor for his approbation of such choice; which is a precedent very derogatory to Our Royal prerogative, and may prove of ill consequence to Our service, and the good of that Island; It is therefore Our will and pleasure, that you also signifie to the General Assembly, that We disapprove of such proceedings, and that for the future they will not be suffer'd to proceed upon business with any Speaker, but such as shall be first presented to, and approved by you, or the Commander in Chief of the said Island for the time being. [C.O. 29, 15. pp. 25–95.]
June 27.
Swansey.
298. George Lillington to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Declines honour of Councillorship, Barbados, owing to the benefit he derives for the violent pains of the gout from residence the two last winters at the Bath etc. Signed, George Lillington. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 4th July, 1728. Addressed, To Alured Popple Esq. etc. Postmark, ¾ p. [C.O. 28, 19. ff. 192, 193v.]
June 27.
Whitehall.
299. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Request payment of Office expences and officers' salaries to Midsummer. Account annexed. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 291, 292.]
1728.
June 27.
300. Messrs. Stirling and Watson to the Council of Trade and Plantations. We are two of the many in good circumstances, who at their own expence will settle themselfs, on the King's lands and islands, now laying wast and uninhabited, between the River Kennebeck and St. Croix, if H.M. shall pleas to place our worthey friend Capt. Thomas Coram there in such manner as he has proposed (v. 18th June) and we shall each of us carry one thousand pounds and more of our own with us etc. Signed, James Stirling, Joseph Watson. Endorsed, Recd., Read 27 June, 1728. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 217, 5. ff. 85, 86v.]
June 29.
Jamaica.
301. Governor Hunter to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Encloses following. Signed, Ho. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd Oct., Read 13th Nov., 1728. Holograph, ¾ p. Enclosed,
301. i. List of enclosed accounts. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. ii. H.M. account of imposts, Jamaica, April 7th—Sept. 29th, 1725. 2 large pp.
301. iii. H.M. account of Fortifications, 7th April—29th Sept. 1725. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd Oct., 1728. 1 p.
301. iv. H.M. account current, 25th March—29th Sept., 1725. Endorsed as preceding. 1½ pp.
301. v. H.M. account of impost, 29th Sept., 1725—25th March, 1726. Same endorsement. 2 pp.
301. vi. H.M. account of Fortifications, 29th Sept., 1725—25th March, 1726. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. vii. H.M. account current, 29th Sept., 1725—25th March, 1726. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. viii. H.M. account of impost, 25th March—29th Sept., 1726. Same endorsement. 2 pp.
301. ix. H.M. account of Fortifications, 25th March—29th Sept. 1726. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. x. H.M. account current, 25th March—29th Sept., 1726. Same endorsement. 2½ pp.
301. xi. H.M. account of impost, 29th Sept. 1726—25th March, 1727. Same endorsement. l½ p.
301. xii. H.M. account of fortifications, 29th Sept. 1726—25th March, 1727. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. xiii. H.M. account current 29th Sept. 1726—25th March, 1727. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. xiv. H.M. account of impost, 25th March—29th Sept. 1727. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. xv. H.M. account of fortifications, 25th March—29th Sept. 1727. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. xvi. H.M. account current, 25th March—29th Sept. 1727. Same endorsement. 2 pp.
301. xvii. H.M. account of impost, 29th Sept. 1727—25th March, 1728. Same endorsement. 1 p.
1728. 301. xviii. H.M. account of fortifications, 29th Sept. 1727—25th March, 1728. Same endorsement. 1 p.
301. xix. H.M. account current, 29th Sept., 1727—25th March, 1728. Same endorsement. 2 pp. [C.O. 137, 17. ff. 84, 85v.–86v., 87 v;.–101v., 102 v.–107.]
June 29.
Whitehall.
302. Order of Committee of Council. Due consideration of the report of the Council of Trade upon Nova Scotia requiring more time than is consistent with H.M. orders to Col. Philips to repair forthwith to his Government, he is ordered to proceed thither without delay. The Council of Trade are to prepare his Commission and Instructions to be sent after him. [v. A.P.C. III. p. 152.] Signed, Temple Stanyan. Endorsed, Recd. Read 3rd July, 1728. 1 p. [C.O. 217, 5. ff. 87, 88v.]
June 30.
Province of
New
Hampshire.
303. Lt. Governor Wentworth to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I have the pleasure of receiveing your Lordships letter of the 28th Februy. 1727–8, etc. I observe that the affair of the Kings woods, I have so often given your Lordships the troble about now lies under consideration, and cear will be taken to prevent the stroy that has been formerly made thereon, and hope it may be brot. in a good meathord, and as I mentioned in my letter of the 7th of August 1727, that those people that are imploy'd, by Mr. Gulston the Controller for Masts have a greate opertunity of makeing waste on the pine trees, and therein gave my reasons. I would now further most humbly give my openion, that no person may be appoined from home as Servayer of H.M. woods or Deputy Servayr. that is any ways concern'd in the contract, or his agent or undertakers here, for that would open a wide dore for distroying the timber, the labourers and people imploy'd in that servis are generally such as are concern'd in saw mills which are the engines that distroy the pine timber. Your Lordships will please to excuse on this head, its my zeale for the Kings intrest, and my greate desier to see these affairs settled on a solid foundation, that puts me on it, I wrote your Lordships of 20th of Februy. last via Boston which hope came safe, I therein sent duplicates of our Journalls etc. then advised your Lordships that one of our underservayers had taken a man or two cutting or felling a mast tree that had been marked by Mr. Bridger the late Serveyer I suppose eight or ten years past, allso seized a parcill of mill logs, cutt this last winter. Mr. Armstrong ye Deputy Servayer went to Boston to consult wth. ye Judges of Admiralty, I cant hear that any thing as yet is don, if an example be not made of some of these people it will be a verry ill president. Therefore I shall not be backward in doeing my duty, the Judge of the Admiralty seems backward in acting on these affairs, I have severall times wrote him, on these ocations, etc. H.M. King George the Second hath been pleased to renew my Commissn. for the Lewetenancy of this his Province of New Hampshire. I shall do everything in my power to support the honour and dignity of the Crown and use my best endeavours to cultivate principles of loyalty and obedience in ye people to H.M. At the comeing in of King George the Second I called a new Assembly. There happned to be some few troblesome men made choice of, which gave me a good deal of troble, and indeed boar so hard on the Prerogative of the Crown; that I thot it inconsistant with reason or justice to continew them. The first thing they insisted on was, that the Court of Appeals to the Governour and Councill was without foundation or president, I shewd. them that it was established by ye Governr. Councill and Assembly of the Province and allow'd and confirm'd by the Kings and Queens of England, thirty eight or forty years past, and in the instructions to the Governrs. call it there Courts of Appeales, and give there subjects liberty appeal to them for releife from the Lower Courts to Governr. and Councill, for this and such like reasons I dissolv'd the Assembly and called another. One of the cheife actors was dropt, but the Speaker, Mr. Wear, was elected the second time, and againe chose by the Houss Speaker, when so don they sent up for my allowance thereof, upon which I considred, that it was not consistant with the honr. of the Crown, neither could I expect to pass with out my conduct being called in question, if I had allow'd him to remaine Speaker, since he had behav'd himselfe so obstinately in the former Assembly, so that I disallow'd of Mr. Wear being Speaker, and directed the Houss to proceed to the choice of another Speaker, which they refused to do for ten dayes, ocationed by Wear's obstinant humer, in fine they came into it and made choice of Andrew Wiggan Esqr. for there Speaker, I think an honest man, but that affair made a party in the Houss, soon after with some other votes they sent up a vote for emitting 30,000 pounds paper bill of credit. I treated them with all calmness and let em know that it was not in my power, for that the King had commanded me not to emit any more paper bills of credit then the insident charges of the Governt. cal'd for, they insisted some time thereupon, they thot I might run the hazard, and break through the King's Instructions, I assured them I would not be guilty of so greate a breach of trust, for which reason they voted me for the last years salery but sixty seven pounds sterling, so that I must have wanted bread, had I not of my own. Our people begin to coppy after the Massachusets. I pray your Lordships to consider my circumstances, the Government cant be supported with that honr. as it might (and ought to be) when the Governt. depends on the capricious humers of some designing people for there bread. The Governours heretofore, have insisted on the Generall Assembly affixing a sallery, and so have I don many a time but to no purpose, and when they do give us anything its allwayes at the end of the Session and the last thing they do, so that we are kept depending. This my Lords is the true state of the affair. I pray your consideration thereon that I may have some releife by an Order from H.M. strongly worded tic. I have spent of my own estate near three thowsand pounds of this money, more then ever I recd: from the Governmt. which is verry discorraiging, altho' the Governt. is small yet it takes up most of my time in the servis, I depend on your Lordships favour that I may not allwayes be obleigd to live upon my selfe. I observe what your Lordships are pleased to say in answer to that part of my letter of ye 7th Augt. that mentions the want of a paper credit, I hope I am understood right when I mention the 300,000 pounds more then what was then out, in order to give a new life to trade, I intended the Massechusets Governt. as well as this 25 or 30,000 more then what we have now but would be sufficient for this Governt. which would bring it to about 50,000, for we have not above 20,000 now out in the whol Governt. of New Hampshire. Its a small matter not more then 7000 sterling, tho' the sum be small yet its a help to our trade, and if H.M. would be pleased to indulge us with 25 or 30,000 more it would greately incorrage Trade, and allso the settlemt. of the out lands, and the better enable us to defend our selves against the Indians when ever they may make a war upon us, tho' they are very quiet at for the present, there seems to be a greater necessity for strikeing more paper credit now then for many years past, my reason is this, that some of our over grown men have horded up the money to make an advantage thereof on the pore and midling sort of people when there mortgages are out which is with a yeare or less, now the makeing more would obleige those usurers to onlock there cofers, by which the pore and midling people wo'd be releived. I herewith inclose the Journalls of our Generall Assembly from December 1727 to May 1728, and the Acts then passed. In the year 1723 we past a Tryaniall Act for Ellection of Assembly-men, but with a saveing claws therein, that H.M. pleasure should be first known, and that lying ever since under consideration and the people being verry desierous of being indulged therein and considering what H.M. had favourd many of his subjects at home and abroad in the Plantations, and since it had lay en so long a time it is presumed that if it had been disagreable to H.M. his disallowance thereof had been long since made known. The Act dos not take place untill the year 1731, so that in case H.M. dos not approve of what I have don in the prmises, there will be time enough to repeale said Act, I have allso repealed the Riott Act which was greiveous to many, since we have not a man in all this Govermt. that hath shewd himselfe in the least disaffected to our late Sovereign King George the First of blessed memory, and much less so in the prsent King George the Second's time, we haveing verry good laws besides to punish such like offenders, the people of this Province being allwayes noted for there loyalty were verry desierous to have that law repealed, it being as they thot a greate reflection on them. I hope your Lordships will think favourably of me for what I have don therein. We expect Governr. Burnet at Boston in fiften dayes which conclud my long epistle for which I aske your Lords pardon and patience. Signed, Jno. Wentworth. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd Aug., 1728, Read 23rd May, 1729. Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed,
303. i. Account of powder and stores, Fort William and Mary, Newcastle, N.H., May, 1728. Signed, Richard Perry, Gunner, J. Wentworth. Endorsed as preceding. 2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 870. ff. (with abstract) 234–235, 237–239v.]
[June .] 304. Claims by British merchants and shippers on account of ships and goods, bound for America and the West Indies, seized by Spanish men of war and privateers in 1727. Endorsed, Recd. Read 13th June, 1728 etc. [C.O. 388, 27. ff. 196–301.]