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Sept. 26.
Oxford
att
St. Johns. |
456. Commodore Lord Vere Beauclerk to Mr. Popple. Encloses answers to Heads of Enquiry. Refers the Board to Capt. Osborn's letter. Continues:—I am sorry they will find so few improvements. Indeed in one thing I have not been disapointed, which is the jealousy I apprehended the Admirals wou'd conceive against these new Officers, which I hop'd wou'd awake them and put them upon exerting themselves in their dutys, that effect it has had in some measure, but has att the same time created an enmity betwixt them, they not clearly understanding how far each of their powers extend, indeed my first proposal to their Lordships was only with a view to the winter season, when the Admirals shou'd be absent, but I was afterwards att a loss to know how far it might be right or lawfull to hinder Justices of the Peace appointed by virtue of H.M. Commission from acting, so I have only endeavoured to keep them and the Admirals quiett, without absolutely determining their several jurisdictions, etc. It is now absolutely necessary their Lordships shou'd decide it, if they intend to continue them, and that clear and positive Instructions how to settle it, shou'd be given to whoever shall be appointed to command here next year. I am sure Sir you will do me the justice to remember that I never imagin'd or propos'd that this Commission wou'd cure or remove all the grievances or obstructions relating to this trade, but only prevent its growing worse till their Lordship's leizure shou'd permitt them to think of an effectual method of putting a stop to the many wrong proceedings, whether it has had that effect I must submitt to their Lordships, only hope they will overlook and forgive all faults in my conduct, and impute them to the real cause, want of capacity, not inclination or zeal to do better etc. Signed, Vere Beauclerk. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd Nov., 1730, Read 12th Jan., 1730/1. Holograph. 4 pp. Enclosed, |
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456. i. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations, (a) Having been so long and I apprehend, tedious in my answers last year, I shou'd not have thought of troubling your Lordship's again this year had it not been intimated to me that your Lordships expected it. I wish I cou'd with any truth say this is not an exact duplicate, that I cou'd assure your Lordship's of any present amendments or improvements, and not refer you to futurity for the hopes of better behaviour in the people concern'd in this trade. All I can venture to say is I hope they are not worse, and that some check tho' not an entire stop has been put to some irregularitys. had my power and capacity been as ample as my zeal, I shou'd not have doubted of meriting your Lordship's approbation etc. (b) Replies to Heads of Enquiry relating to the Newfoundland Fishery. Practically a duplicate of C.S.P., Oct. 14, 1729, encl. i, q.v. Signed, Vere Beauclerk. 16 pp. |
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456. ii. List of Justices and Constables appointed to administer justice for the 6 districts during the winter. 2 pp. |
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456. iii. Scheme of the Newfoundland Fishery for 1730. Totals:—Ships (including 58 from America) 269; burthen, 19, 540; men belonging to them, 3755; passengers, 1648; boats, 980; by-boatmen, 1864; quintals of fish made, 249,260; do. carried to foreign markets, 242,450 and 621 tierces of salmon; train-oil, 1311 tons; prices of fish, 28 to 25 ryals; salmon 45s. per tierce; train-oil, 12l. to 14l. per ton. Seal oil, value 3562l. Fur taken by the inhabitants, 860l. (800l. at Bonavista). Stages, 925; train-fatts, 389. |
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456. iv. Planters and Inhabitants of Newfoundland in 1730. Totals:—Families, 322, 45 of which kept public houses. Land improved, 3 acres at Old Parlikin and 10 at Carbonier. Inhabitants, including masters, mistresses, children and servants 2702 (at St. Johns, Quidividi and Torbay, 252; Bay of Bulls and Petty Harbour, 394; Placentia, 95; St. Maries, 32; Trepassy, 114; Ferryland, 323; Bay de Verd, 142; Trinity Bay, 329; Bona vista, 411; Old Parlikin, 302; Carbonier 327). Remained in the country last winter, 2088. Births, since departure of last convoy, 47; deaths 92. [C.O. 194, 9. ff. 45–46v., 47v.–55v., 56v.–57, 58v.–60, 61v.] |
Sept. 29.
Whitehall. |
457. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle. Enclose copy of Governor Hunter's letter of 4th July. Continue:—Your Grace will perceive by it that the design conceiv'd by the Spaniards some time ago upon this island was not without very good foundation, the copies of two depositions which we likewise inclose are an evidence of this, and that the Spaniards had grounded their hopes of success upon the strength of the runaway negroes, who are now very numerous, and grown much more insolent upon their having lately defeated a considerable party sent out to reduce them. By the resolutions of the Assembly upon this subject, it would seem to us, that they have not been so anxious for the defence of their country as they should have been; and therefore considering the very great consequence this Island is of to the Trade of Great Britain, we must submit it to your Grace, whether it would not be for H.M. service, that some additional force should be sent thither without loss of time from the Leeward Islands or from whence the same may best be spared, to continue at Jamaica, until these rebellious and runaway negroes shall be intirely subdued. Autograph signatures. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
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457. i. Copy of Governor Hunter's letter, 4th July. |
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457. ii.–iv. Copies of depositions of John Tello, Capt. Quarrell, and of resolution of Committee of House, enclosed in preceding. [C.O. 137, 47. ff. 44, 44v., 46–49, 50, 50v., 52, 52v., 54; and (without enclosures) 138, 17. pp. 292, 293.] |
| Sept. 29. |
458. Petty expenses of the Board of Trade from Midsummer to Michaelmas, 1730. (v. Journal). 6 pp. [C.O. 388, 79. Nos. 67–69.] |
| Sept. 30. |
459. Receipt for papers (enumerated) received from Mr. Popple relating to claims for ships and cargoes seized by the Spaniards to be delivered to H.M. Commissaries at the Court of Spain. Signed, Jon. Crookshanks. [C.O. 388, 90. ff. 191–198v.] |
Sept. 30.
Whitehall. |
460. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury. Request payment of Office expenses and Officers' salaries for quarter ending Michaelmas. Account annexed. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 317, 318.] |
Sept. 30.
Whitehall. |
461. Same to the Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury. Since our letter of the 8th instant etc., we are inform'd your Lordps. are of opinion that when any repairs are wanting in this Office, application shou'd continue to be made to your Lordps., we therefore take leave to inform you that the wooden rails before our door, are no longer fit for service, and that the frequent repairs made have been as chargeable as the prime cost of iron rails wou'd have been. Your Lordps. will therefore please to give your directions that they may be repair'd or new ones put in their stead, as your Lordships shall think most convenient. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 319, 320.] |
Sept. 30.
Whitehall. |
462. Mr. Popple to Mr. Fane. Encloses, for his opinion in point of law, 24 acts of Virginia, passed in 1729 (enumerated) and requests return of the three Pennsylvania acts passed in 1727 upon which he has reported. [C.O. 5, 1366. pp. 48–54.] |
Sept. 30.
Loudon. |
463. Sir A. Cuming to Mr. Popple. There is one of the Indian Chiefs who desires to stay with me, and he being no party to the Articles of agreement I know not how to refuse him least the others should think that I am dissatisfyed with what has been done, although I have assured them that I am entirely pleased with their conduct and the kind reception they have met with from your Honourable Board. Signed, Alexr. Cuming. Enclosed, Recd., Read 30th Sept., 1730. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 361. ff. 168, 169v.] |
Sept. 30.
Whitehall. |
463A. Mr. Popple to Sir A. Cuming. The Board is of opinion the Indians should return with Col. Johnson etc. [C.O. 5, 401. p. l.] |
Sept. 30.
Whitehall. |
464. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle. Have had two meetings with the Cherokee Indians etc. Continue:—We have made them certain proposals to which we have received their answer and full consent; this being the usual manner of treating with the Indian nations in America. Enclose copies. Your Grace will observe that there is a full acknowledgment in this agreement, of their subjection to H.M., and altho' our proposals and our answers are in an uncommon style, it is such as is best understood by them, and is the same which is always made use of upon the like occasion. As the said Indians seem fully satisfied both with the said agreement, and with the treatment they have met with since their arrival in England, we have reason to hope, the small expence H.M. has been at, upon this occasion, is well laid out for His service; and for the interest of His people in Carolina. Autograph signatures. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
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464. i. Articles of Friendship and Commerce proposed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to the Deputies of the Cherokee Nation by H.M. Order, 7th Sept., 1730. Whereas you Scayagusta Oukah, Chief of the town of Tassetsa;—you Scalilosken Ketagusta;—you Tethtowe;—you Clogoittah;—you Colannah;—you Oucounacou;—have been deputed by Moytoy of Telliko, with the consent and approbation of the whole nation of the Cherokee Indians, at a general meeting at Nikossen 3rd April, 1730, to attend Sir Alexander Cuming Bart, to Great Britain, where you have seen the great King George, at whose feet the said Sr. Alexander Cuming, by express authority for that purpose from the said Moytoy and all the Cherokee people, has laid the Crown of your Nation, with the scalps of your enemies and feathers of glory, at H.M. feet, in token of your obedience. Now the King of Great Britain, bearing love in his heart to the powerfull and great nation of the Cherokee Indians, his good children and subjects, H.M. has impowered us to treat with you here etc. Continue:— Hear then the words of the Great King whom you have seen etc. The English everywhere on all sides of the great mountains and lakes are his people and his children whom he loves; their friends are his friends, and their enemies are his enemies; He takes it kindly that the great nation of Cherokees have sent you hither a great way, to brighten the chain of friendship between him and them etc.; the chain of friendship between him and the Cherokees Indians, is like the sun, which both shines here and also upon the great mountains where they live and equally warms the hearts of the Indians and of the English; as there are no spots or blackness in the sun, so is there not any rust or foulness in this chain; and as the Great King has fastened one end of it to his own breast, he desires you will carry the other end of the chain and fasten it well to the breast of Moytoy of Telliko, and to the breasts of your old wise men, your Capts. and all your people never more to be broken or made loose. And hereupon we give two pieces of blue cloth. The great King and the Cherokee Indians being thus fastned together by the chain of friendship, he has ordered his people and children the English in Carolina, to trade with the Indians and to furnish them with all manner of goods that they want, and to make haste to build houses, and to plant corn from Charles Town towards the Town of the Cherokees, behind the great Mountains, for he desires that the Indians and the English may live together as the children of one family, whereof the Great King is a kind and loving Father; and as the King has given his land on both sides of the great mountains to his own children the English, so he now gives to the Cherokee Indians the priviledge of living where they please; and hereupon we give one peice of red cloth. The great nation of Cherokees being now the children of the Great King of Great Britain, and he their Father, the Cherokees must treat the English as brethren of the same family, and must be always ready, at the Governor's command, to fight against any nation, whether they be white men or Indians, who shall dare to molest or hurt the English; and hereupon we give twenty guns. The nation of Cherokees shall on their part take care to keep the trading path clean, and that there be no blood in the path where the English white men tread, even tho they should be accompany'd by any other people with whom the Cherokees are at war; whereupon we give 400 weight of gunpowder. That the Cherokees shall not suffer their people to trade with the white men of any other nation but the English, nor permit white men of any other nation to build any forts, cabins, or plant corn amongst them, or near to any of the Indian towns, or upon the lands wch. belong to the Great King; and if any such attempt shall be made you must acquaint the English Governor therewith and do whatever he directs, in order to maintain and and defend the Great King's right to the country of Carolina; whereupon we give 500 pounds weight of swan shott and 500 pounds weight of bullets. That if any negroe slaves shall run away into the woods from their English masters, the Cherokee Indians shall endeavour to apprehend them, and either bring them back to the plantation from whence they run away, or to the Governor, and for every negroe so brought back, the Indian who brings him back shall receive a gun and a match coat; whereupon we give a box of vermillion, 10,000 gun flints and six dozen of hatchets. That if by any accidental misfortune it should happen that an Englishman should kill an Indian, the King or great Man of the Cherokees shall first complain to the English Governor, and the man who did it shall be punished by the English laws as if he had kill'd an English man, and in like manner if an Indian kills an English man, the Indian who did it, shall be delivered up to the Governor, and be punished by the same English law, as if he was an English man; whereupon we give twelve dozen of spring knives, four dozen of brass kettles and ten dozen of belts. You are to understand all that we have now said to be the words of the Great King, whom you have seen, and as a token that his heart is open and true to his children and subjects the Cherokees and to all their people, he gives his hand in this Belt, which he desires may be kept and shewn to all your people, and to their children, and children's children, to confirm what is now spoken, and to bind this agreement of peace and friendship betwixt the English and the Cherokees, as long as the mountains and rivers shall last, or the sun shine; whereupon we give this Belt of Wampum. Copy. 6¾ pp. |
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464. ii. Answer of the Indian Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation, 9th Sept., 1730, to the Propositions made to them in behalf of H.M. by the Board of Trade, 7th Sept. "We are come hither from a dark mountainous place, where nothing but darkness is to be found; but are now in a place where there is light. There was a person in our country with us, he gave us a yellow token of warlike honour, that is left with Moytoy of Telliko; and as warriors, we received it; He came to us like a warrior from you, a man he was, his talk was upright, and the token he left preserves his memory amongst us. We look upon you as if the Great King George was present; and we love you, as representing the Great King, and shall dye in the same way of thinking. The Crown of our Nation is different from that which the Great King George wears, and from that which we saw in the Tower; But to us it is all one, and the chain of friendship shall be carried to our people. We look upon the Great King George as the Sun, and as our Father, and upon ourselves as his children; For tho' we are red and you white, yet our hands and hearts are join'd together. When we shall have acquainted our people with what we have seen, our children from generation to generation will always remember it. In war we shall always be as one with you; the Great King George's enemies shall be our enemies; his people and ours shall be always one, and dye together. We came hither naked and poor, as the worm out of the earth, but you have everything; and we that have nothing must love you, and can never break the chain of friendship that is between us. Here stands the Governor of Carolina whom we know; this small rope which we shew you, is all we have to bind our slaves with, and may be broken; but you have iron chains for yours; However, if we catch your slaves, we shall bind them as well as we can, and deliver them to our friends again, and have no pay for it. We have looked round for the person that was in our country, he is not here, however We must say, that he talked uprightly to us, and we shall never forget him. Your white people may very safely build houses near us, we shall hurt nothing that belongs to them, for we are the children of one Father the Great King, and shall live and dye together." Then laying down his feathers upon the table, he added; This is our way of talking, which is the same to us, as your letters in the book are to you; and to you, beloved men, we deliver these Feathers, in confirmation of all we have said, and of our agreement to your Articles." |
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Memd. That in further proof of their agreement, they did afterwards sign the Articles which had been proposed to them by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. Copy. 2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 4. Nos. 46,46i, ii.; and (covering letter only) 5,401. pp. 2,3.] |
