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July 2.
Kensington. |
290. H.M. Additional Instruction to Governor Johnson, for granting to the Sieur Jean Pierre Puny of Neufchatel 48000 acres of land in South Carolina, after it shall appear by certificates from the Customs that he has imported 600 Swiss Protestants and upon condition that they, on their arrival take the usual oath to H.M. Such lands to be subject to the usual quit rents after ten years, and, if not cultivated by that time, to revert to the Crown etc. Copy. [C.O. 324, 36. pp. 358–360.] |
July 3.
Barbados. |
291. President Barwick to the Duke of Newcastle. In obedience to H.M. commands etc. I took the first opportunity of sending the King of France's Order to his Generall of Martinique concerning the evacuation of Sta. Lucia etc. Encloses copies of his letter to him and his reply. Continues: As it was an affair of a publick nature, which would probably occasion some expence before it could be effected, I judged it fitting to lay the same before the Assembly to the end that due provision might be made for it by the Legislature, as your Grace will perceive from the Minutes of Council of the sixth of June last. What they will do is uncertain, but I shall not fail to communicate to your Grace etc. Signed, Samll. Barwick. Duplicate. Endorsed, R. 20th Decr. L⅓ pp. [C.O. 28, 45. ff. 210, 210 v., 211 v.] |
July 3.
Jamaica. |
292. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses and enumerates acts passed last session (v. 1st June encl. i.). Continues:—These acts want no remarks sufficiently explaining themselves. In pursuance of the purposes in the third [for settling the East and North parts etc.] the 130 negroes or great part of them are march'd to Port Antonio for cutting paths of communication as mentioned in the act, a Surveyor appointed, and utensils for that purpose provided. Jasper Ashworth Esq. was appointed by me Commissary there and confirm'd by this act. At this time our partys are out again in search and pursuit of the rebel slaves, one of them under the command of Allen consisting of 76 shott besides baggage negroes march'd from Plantain Garden River, to which place they went being oblig'd by great floods and rains and their provisions failing, and whither sufficient provisions and necessarys were sent to them from Kingston. The other consisting of 76 shott and 20 baggage under the command of one Williams from Port Antonio: whither also they had been oblig'd from the same causes to return well equipp'd and provided, so that if the advices sent by the several Commandrs. of their having discover'd great tracts leading towards a place call'd Catter Wood be to be rely'd on, and there partys march as it is intended near about the same time, I must hope for a good account of them, they being in all probability in distress and want of everything. The slaves in rebellion have lately fallen down on several plantations to leeward and done much mischief, as I had the honor to inform H.M. Ministers, and your Lordships will observe from a copie of a letter from the gentlemen of Clarendon the richest and largest parish on this side. I suspected that some of these dislodg'd in the North East have found their way to the westward, but if we can dispossess them intirely of the first as I hope we shall the latter will be an easie matter, their haunts there being much more accessible and the adjacent country better peopl'd. I must not omitt informing your Lordships of the difficultys I am put under frequently, by the want of a quorum in Council, upon emergencys, many of them living remote cannot on a sudden attend, and others on account of bad health or business absenting on the stated days, the first Tuesday of each month. There are three of the number in England, Ayscough, Gregory, and Lawes, the last I hear is on his return. Stont resides in the remotest part of the island and seldom attends at all. When I send expresses to require their attendance the mention'd cause or pretence of cause disappoint me, and suspension would but increase the evil. The fort on Titchfield point was rais'd above ground above a foot about a fortnight ago and all materials upon the spott. Col. Nedham the gentleman who had undertaken that work, and had the most strength and conveniency to carry't on, wrote to me some time ago that our Ingineer Col. Lilly, had taken a new whim in his head to have it all built or fac'd with large squar'd or saw'd stones. I have had much trouble with that Ingineer, and could not prevail with him to go thither to forward that work, 'till I sent him a positive order to repair thither at his peril, and he has either thro' indolence, ignorance or something worse rather obstructed than forwarded it. He has now thought fitt to return to Kingston without leave, and altho' he has been ten days on this side I have not seen him. I have however sent orders to carry on that work with all possible vigour and dispatch according to the former projection and have appointed others to see it done in his absence, and the King's Master Mason to take care that it be substantial, the materials good and all duely performed. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 28th Aug., Read 12th Sept., 1732. 5½ pp. Enclosed, |
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292. i. Gentlemen of the Parish of Clarendon to Governor Hunter. Clarendon, 24th June, 1732. Several of the gentlemen of said parish have agreed to send out a voluntary party of some white men and negroes, in pursuit of the rebellious negroes that now infest our settlements, besides the other party which the law oblidges them to. They have chosen William Lamport to be the Captain etc. Pray H.E. to grant him a commission. Signed, John Moore, Saml. Smith, Tho. Rodon. Endorsed as preceding. Copy, ¾ p. [C.O. 137, 20. ff. 77–79 v., 80 v., 81, 89 v.] |
July 4.
Jamaica. |
293. Governor Hunter to the Duke of Newcastle. Refers to papers and letter sent to Council of Trade, 3rd July. Continues: When Capt. Lestock arrives (who is dayly expected) Mr. Stewart leaves this island, by him I hope I may be able to send your Grace more full as well as satisfactory accounts of affairs here, which to all appearance are in a better train then heretofore etc. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, R. 28th Aug. 1½ pp. Enclosed, |
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293. i. Duplicate of encl. i preceding. (No. i.) |
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293. ii Copy of Hunter to Council of Trade. 3rd July. (No. .) [C.O. 137, 54. ff. 92, 92 v., 93 v., 94, 96–98 v.] |
July 9.
Fredericks
Fort. |
294. Lt. Governor Dunbar to Mr. Popple. As you will naturally look at a printed paper from this part of the world before you read my letter, I begin with remarking upon it, and begging My Lords Commissioners to consider with what view or design this could have been printed. Several of ye like papers are now sent me by my friends at Boston, with cautions to be care full how I venture into that neighbourhood. One of my letters has this paragraph in it,—I am apprehensive and not without some grounds of the old game of intercepting your letters, and hope to make a discovery, but desire you'l say nothing of it, least my scheme be frustrated etc. He promises to write to me again by Mr. Hawk, Leiut. of the Scarborough who he says intends me a visit with my Ld. Augustus FitzRoy, as the ship passes by this harbour with H.E. Mr. Belcher on board, to view the Province fortification or truck house at Georges to the eastward of this place. I mentioned in some letters of Jan. and Feb. last Gov. Belcher's intention to meet the Penobscot Indians etc. at Casco Bay etc., and that it was with design to give them a mean and ill impression of me and the people in this settlement etc. I then little imagined he would presume to come on this side of Kennebeck river which in my humble opinion is expressly contrary to ye King's Order in Council of 12th Nov., 1730. He does not as I hear intend to come hither but passes by in sight, wch. must give the Indians and others, a notion that we are under his directions etc. I expect to see ye ship on tuesday next, because the Govr. is to be at Casco to meet ye Indians on ye 20th inst. with 9 of the Council and 15 of the House of Representatives, it is a poor insignificant place, being a small wooden building with a few spruce pickets surrounding it where the Massachusets people sell rum molasses and goods to the Indians, above 30 of them in their way to Casco came hither yesterday, dined here and went on. I am sorry to say they do not seem as well pleased as usual, they told me they were goeing to receive presents from Governour Belcher, and they expected before this time to have had some here. I could say nothing to them but that I was disappointed as well as they, not haveing heard from England a great while etc. I heard in the spring that they were uneasy and complained of not haveing presents, and upon it I wrote to Governour Armstrong to reinforce this detachment to 30 men and I have his answer that he will do it as soon as he can. I often represented the necessity of haveing a number of soldiers to countenance this settlement, and it will be impossible to do it, and carry it on vigorously wthout. posting an officer and 20 men at ye frontier towns for a year or 2, until ye people be numerous and make a settlement etc. 1 hear there are fresh reports at Boston that Mr. Waldo will succeed and that we shall all be turned off this lands, but that the Masachusets expect to be offered all Nova Scotia which was, as well as this, included in their Charter, but with a provisoe that they refund to the Crown all the expence in taking it from ye french and maintaining garrisons and building fortifications there ever since and keeping the like garrisons there and sufficient here to defend all the country from being taken etc. In my humble opinion such a proposal would be highly reasonable, if they must have ye lands, and it is more than that province and people are worth, but I look upon it as an idle story that they could have any hopes of ever getting these lands. Some of the Massachusets people between Casco and Kennebeck have lately had a drunken quarrel with some Indians, it is reported that one Indian was found killed, and that another lost an eye, if true, it may have very ill consequences, and I assure you we have no hand or part in it, tho' we may bear a share of the effects of it. I am ashamed to make any mention of the narrow circumstances I am reduced to, and the unavoydable expences I am at in this place, if some suddain relief does not come I can't help quitting the place and retireing to New Hampshire until by my Lords Commissioners' means I am otherwise disposed of; pray my humble duty to their Lordships etc. Signed, David Dunbar. Endorsed, Recd. Read 31st Aug., 1732. Holograph. 5½ pp. Enclosed, |
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294. i. Copy of the Boston Weekly News-Letter, June 29, 1732, quoting report of the Council of Trade to the House of Commons, 15th Feb., recounting the information given by Col. and Jeremiah Dunbar as to trade and manufactures of N. England. Printed. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 874. ff. 129–132 v., 133 v.] |
July 10.
Boston. |
295. Governor Belcher to the Duke of Newcastle. Abstract. Refers to letter of 19th June. Continues:—The Assembly sat here to the 7th inst., and the several tribes of Indians on the eastern frontiers of this province, having the last summer sent their delegates desiring an interview with me, at this time, in their country, the Assembly here askt me for a recess etc. With advice of the Council, adjourned them to November. Refers to Journal. Continues: Altho' there is not a shilling in the Treasury, nor has been for 14 months past; nor wou'd the Assembly supply a farthing, unless I wou'd comply with their manner of doing it, in open violation of the King's royal orders to me, which I shall strictly adhere to, nor have they any expectation to the contrary. But how this Government can subsist or publick faith and justice have their course is not possible for me to say. I have, may it please your Grace, dull apprehensions of what may be the issue of the extraordinary unreasonable and undutifull proceedings of the Assembly, in this matter, and am in daily expectation that all H.M. Garrisons of this province will be deserted having now upwards of eighteen months pay due, and there is now near £15,000 due from the Province to other people, whose families (many of them) suffer greatly for want of it; as money is the sinews of war, so is it of Government, and what may be the unhappy consequences to the King's honour and service, as well as to the peace and welfare of his subjects here, I am not able to guess. But have thought it my duty, thus to represent the state of affairs for H.M. further directions etc., tho' I am absolutely of opinion, and so are the wisest and best men of this province, that H.M. Instruction respecting the supply of the Treasury exactly quadrates with the royal Charter. I am this day imbarking in the Scarboro' etc., and intend first to St. George's river, thence to Kennebec, and so to Casco Bay, where I have appointed the Indians to be 20th currt. etc. Will do everything in his power to establish them in their allegiance to H.M. etc. Begs for reply to his many letters, and does not doubt of his justice and favour, "that I may not starve in the strict execution of my duty to the King, or be oblig'd to consume my own estate, which I daily do, nor can the character of the King's Governour be supported tolerably with the £3000 a year they give me, it not being, at this time, more than str. £850. So I depend your Grace will be so good as to put forward the obtaining leave for my signing the bill they have past for my support." (v. following). Signed, J. Belcher. Endorsed, R. 2nd Sept. [C.O. 5, 898. ff. 456–457 v.] |
| July 10. |
296. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Duplicate of preceding, mutatis mutandis. Set out, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 6th Ser. VI. 158. Signed, J. Belcher. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 875. ff. 17–19 v., 20 v. (with abstract).] |
| July 10. |
297. Mr. Yonge to Mr. Delafaye. I give you this trouble by directions from the Duke of Newcastle in behalf of Mr. Concannen, who is appointed to succeed Mr. Henderson as Attorn. General of Jamaica; but as he has no appointment for Judge Advocate, which Mr. Henderson likewise had, and which is usually annex'd to the other, the Duke desires you would inform him how that has been, his Grace intending that likewise for Mr. Concannen etc. Signed, Will Yonge. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 53. f. 358.] |
July 11.
Whitehall. |
298. Duke of Newcastle to Governor Johnson. Encloses H.M. warrant under the sign manual for the pardon (upon his recommendation) of Alexander McCornick, convicted at Charles Town for the murder of Mathew Johnson, etc. Signed, Holles Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 36. pp. 357, 358.] |
July 13.
Whitehall. |
299. Mr. Popple to the Secretary of the South Sea Co. Encloses address and representation from the Council and Assembly of Jamaica upon the Instruction against acts laying duties upon negroes, and requests the attendance of the SubGovernor and Directors at the Board on Wednesday morning, when the Address will be further considered etc. [C.O. 138, 17. p. 359.] |
July 13.
Whitehall. |
300. Same to William Wood. Similar request for attendance of merchants trading to Jamaica. [C.O. 138, 17. p. 359.] |
July 13.
Whitehall. |
301. Jeremiah Dunbar to Mr. Popple. In a letter from his brother, he desires him to represent to the Board that "when any of the vessels tradeing between Boston and Fredericksfort are outward bound from Boston to Fredericksfort, and are examined whither they are going, the[y] often say to Casco ; but if the[y] acknowledge themselves to be bound to the eastward of Kennebeck river, then they are very strictly observed, and obliged to pay all fees of clearing etc. as if they were bound, on outward forreign voyages, and to enter as such when they return etc., which my brother looks upon to be a convincing proof that the people of the Massachusets Bay do not look upon the countryes to the eastward of Kennebeck to be within their Government. You will be pleased to communicate this to my Lords Commissrs. for Trade etc. Signed, Jer. Dunbar. Endorsed, Recd. 13th, Read 18th July, 1732. Holograph. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 874. ff. 115, 115 v., 116 v.] |
| [July 13.] |
302. William Smith to the Council of Trade and Plantations. By the Constitution and the Instructions of the late Lords Proprietors, 1725, the acts of N. Carolina continue in force for one year only, unless confirmed by them. Only six acts have been so confirmed since the establishment of the said Constitutions. Asks for Instructions how he is to act in relation to the laws that have not been confirmed, etc. Set out, N.C. Col. Rec. III. p. 347. Endorsed, Recd. Read 13th July, 1732. 1½ large pp. [C.O. 5, 294. ff., 26, 27, 27 v.] |
July 13.
Whitehall. |
303. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle. Acknowledge letter of 7th June. Continue: We shall do our endeavour to make a full return to both these Addresses [from the House of Commons] etc. As to that part of the Address relating to directions that have been given by any of their Majesty's [Queen Anne, George I and II] for the repair of the forts and fortifications of Barbados and the Leeward Islands, we enclose a copy of all the Instructions in our Office relating thereto; But we believe they are very far from being the only orders that have been sent upon this subject, and that several have been sent to the Board of Ordnance which have not passd thro' this Office. Autograph signatures. 1½ pp. Enclosed, |
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303. i. The Queen to the Governors of Barbados and the Leeward Islands (v. C.S.P. 1702. No. 514). Copy. 1 p. |
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303. ii. Extract from ELM. Instructions to Sir B. Granville, Governor of Barbados, v. C.S.P., 1702. No. 863 i. Mem. An article to the same purpose was given to Col. Codrington, Governor of the Leeward Islands, which article has been continued to all succeeding Governors of Barbados and the Leeward Islands to this present year, 1732. 1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 40. Nos. 15, 15 iv.,ii., and (without enclosures) 29, 15. pp. 300, 301.] |
| July 15. |
304. H.M. Commission appointing Richard Fitzwilliam Capt. of the Independent Company of Foot in the Island of Providence, whereof Woodes Rogers Esq., deceased, was late Captain etc. Countersigned, Holles Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 36. p. 419.] |
| July 15. |
305. Mr. Wood to Mr. Popple. Encloses following which indisposition has prevented him from laying before the Board. Hopes they will be considered at the same time as the address now under consideration and that he will then be able to attend. Signed, Wm. Wood. Endorsed, Recd. 17th, Read 18th July, 1732. ½ p. Enclosed, |
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305. i. Petition of merchants of London trading to Jamaica to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Abstract. Represent that an act for raising several sums of money etc. has lately been passed in Jamaica whereby a duty is laid of 10s. on every negro imported, and 20s. on every negro exported, contrary to the Governor's general Instructions not to assent to any law that may affect the Trade and Navigation of Great Britain, and his particular instruction of 10th Dec, 1731 forbidding his assent to duties upon slaves imported into Jamaica, payable by the importer, or upon slaves exported etc. As the said Act must be a particular hardship upon the merchants, and a general discouragement to the trade of Great Britain, pray the Board to advise its immediate disapprobation and that the Governor be instructed to observe H.M. instruction of 10th Dec. etc. Signed, Rowd. Frye, Saml. Wragg, and 16 others. Endorsed as preceding. 2 pp. [C.O. 137, 20. ff. 6, 7, 7 v., 8 v., 9 v.] |
| [July 15.] |
306. Petition of Merchants of Liverpool to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Pray for repeal of Act of Jamaica laying duty on negroes exported and imported etc. as preceding and June, etc. 39 Signatures. Without date Endorsed, Recd, (with Mr. Wood's lr. of 15th July) 17th, Read 18th July, 1732. 1 large p. [C.O. 137, 20. ff. 16, 16 v.] |
