|
| May 1. |
283. Affidavit of Capt. Moodie. Directed to prove the charges
against Col. Nicholson of using violent "billingsgate language" to
Ministers etc., and of autocratic behaviour towards himself, etc. If
he was not removed, the best sort of the people would leave the
country etc. His few supporters are such as he put in place,
particularly Col. Will. Wilson, a Naval Officer, who is one of the
greatest traders in Virginia, etc. Signed, J. Moodie. Endorsed, Recd.
April 26 and May 1st, Read April 28, 1704. 3 large closely
written pp. [C.O. 5, 1314. No. 9.] |
| May 1. |
284. Deposition of Mr. Commissary Blair concerning
Governor Nicholson's mal-administration with relation to the
Clergy, the College, and himself. [Cf. Memorial of Council of
Virginia, April 10.] |
|
He abuses that part of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction committed to himself and invades that left to the Bishop of London.
He gave a licence to — Snead, a man of no estate, to marry an
heiress of York County contrary to the consent of her Guardian.
He refuses to sign probates for nine or ten months: has not
inducted one Minister during his Government; they are thereby
kept in precarious circumstances, ready to be turned off at
pleasure, which makes the better sort leave the country and the
rest obsequious. He convocates the Clergy without taking notice
of the Bishop's Commissary, appointing preachers at those
convocations, proposes the subject matters thereat and holds
separate meetings of the Clergy himself, and gets them to sign
papers in the name of the Clergy, requiring of some canonical
obedience to himself, and turning out Ministers without process
or trial. I have heard him say the clergy were all a pack of
scandalous fellows etc., and several of the most noted good
characters he abused with the most opprobrious names. Some
he has made ride bare-headed by him in the bitter cold and
scorching heat, some he has laid violent hands on whilst they
were on horseback and pulled off their hat himself, or threatened
publicly to tear their gowns over their ears, swearing the most
dreadfull oaths in their presence, often at the Church door, and
and if any preached of any duty he was known to neglect etc.,
he seldom escaped without threats. The Addresses he obtained
by treats and threats etc. As to the College. He has not
endeavoured to get the Assembly to assist the College in their
necessity. He railed against the building, though extraordinary
good for that country, and entered a publick protest against
it in the College Records. He reflected on the College Accounts,
threatened the Governors with a writ of enquiry, declaring
solemnly that if they could give no better accounts, he must
be of the people's opinion that the College was only a trick to
serve some men's particular designs. He put such an affront
upon them as to order their accounts to be laid before the Grand
Jury, but no fault could be discovered. I have heard him swear
that he would seize the College for the King's use, and he crowded
into it the Secretary's Office etc., to the great disturbance of the
College business. As to ye finishing part of it, he did so excessively
hurry it on for those several uses, that partly by the timber being
unseasoned, and partly by employing unskilful workmen, it was
shamefully spoilt. By giving excessive wages, and by several
unnecessary additions of his own invention, without the direction
of the Governors of the College, they were brought 500l. in debt,
besides 200l. which at first he advanced towards the founding of
a scholarship, but spent in finishing the building, yet afterwards
made the College repay it every farthing, when he had had the
applause of it both in England and Virginia. In order to the
ruining of the College Revenue, for about two years they had none
of the 1d. per pound from Maryland, by his contrivance, etc.,
so that there was not enough to pay the Masters' salarys. He
tried to hound me out of the Country. The occasion he took to fly
out into open enmity with me was a pretended jealousy of my
brother, as if he had been privately a-courting his Mistress, and swore
to be revenged on me. Since then he has frequently threatened
and abused me in public, and maliciously calumniated me,
accusing me to my Diocesan of whoredom, adultery and incest,
whereas I am clear from the least imputation of that nature.
Now he denies that he writ any such thing. I have had no salary
from the College for two years. He wrought upon a great part
of the Clergy to join in a complaint of me to my Lord Bishop
of London, for having suspended a Minister for notorious
drunkenness and other proved crimes. He tampered with my
servants, once tried to break into my room; and once, a fortnight before Christmas, 1702, while I lodged in the College, I
heard the Schoolboys about 12 p.m. a driving of great nails to
barricade the doors of the Grammar School. I was mightily
surprized, for we had banished this custom, and it was quite left
off, for some years. I made haste to gett up, and, with the
assistance of two servant men, had almost forced open one of
the doors, before they sufficiently secured it. But they fired off
3 or 4 pistols, and hurt one of my servants in the eye with the
wadds. While I prest forward, some of the boys having a great
kindness for me, call'd out "For God's sake, Sr., don't offer to
come in, for we have shott; and shall certainly fire at any one
that first enters." I began to think there was something more
than ordinary in the matter, and desired a Parly with them,
thinking to find out upon what account it was that they had
provided fire arms, powder and shott, which they had never used
to do; but that night they would not discover it: though I
confess I had some suspicion of the designs of my malicious
neighbour. In the morning, getting all the other Masters
together, and calling for workmen to break open the doors,
before wee began, wee offer'd them a pardon if they would open
of their own accord and tell us the truth, who it was that sett
them on, tho' by that time I had seen one of H.E. servants that
morning a handing of them in some more powder. Upon this
the boys sent out at a window by a ladder, one of the cheif
Confederates, that knew the whole plott. The short of his story
was, that while they had no thoughts of any such thing, the
Govr. sent for him and put him upon it, gave them money to buy
victuals and drink and candles, and powder and shott, and lent
them six of his own pistols. Upon hearing that the Govr. was
the author and contriver of this business, we sent the boys to
him, leaving to H.E. to determine the time when he would have
them dismis'd, for it was then about a week before the usual time.
H.E. being out of humour, to the great disappointment of the
boys, order'd that they should continue at their books till the
usual time, and then be dismis'd. This decision made them very
angry, and they said they wondered what he had made all that
to do for, when they were not to be dismis'd one day sooner than
ordinary for their pains. When we enter'd the School, wee
found the Gover.'s three pair of pistols, with some swords and
other weapons they had provided. It was God's great mercy
to me that the boys gave me warning of the shott, and so sav'd
me from the danger which I have too much reason to suspect
was contriv'd on purpose upon my account, H.E. being then in
too bad an humour to do such a thing out of a frolick; besides
that the fire-armes, powder and shott, my lying in the Colledge,
and the differences between him and me, wch. at that time were
come to some heighth, made ye badness of ye design too, too
probable. About 6 weeks later, someone, whom I believe to have
been the Governor himself, came to my chamber door and
endeavoured to break in, etc. Signed, James Blair. Endorsed,
Recd. April 26 and May 1st. Read April 28 [sic], 1704. 5 large pp.
[C.O. 5, 1314. No. 8.] |
| May 2. |
285. Council of Trade and Plantations to Sir Charles Hedges.
Enclose Printed Instructions to privateers and an Additional
Instruction to be given to privateers in America by the respective
Governours there, upon their receiving H.M. orders from you,
it seeming to us necessary that both the said Instructions, as also
an authentick copy of Lord Nottingham's letter relating to a
Trade with the Spaniards be sent to the Governments undermentioned. The orders to be given to men of war, privateers
or letter of marque ships going from England being to be given
by H.R.H. the Lord High Admiral, which is all that occurs to
us at present for the West India Mail, for which our particular
letters will be ready to be sent on Thursday next. Annexed, |
|
285. i. List of Governors to whom above Instructions etc.
should be sent. Same as Feb. 18, with addition of
Sir William Mathew and Mr. Penn. |
|
285. ii. Printed Copy of Instructions to Privateers. St. James's.
June 1, 1702. Countersigned, C. Hedges. 7 pp. |
|
285. iii. Additional Instructions to Privateers. St. James's,
May 4, 1704. Whereas we in conjunction with our allies
the States General are willing to encourage our and
their intercourse with such of the Spanish Nation in
the West Indies as shall be inclined to acknowledge
the title and sovereignty of Charles III, King of Spain,
with whom we are in friendship and allyance. We
therefore direct that from and after June 1, 1704, no
injury, violence, spoile or molestation whatsoever shall
be done by any of our ships of war, privateers, letters
of marque or by any of our Governours, or under their
permission or authority, or any other officers of, in or
belonging to any of our Isles, Colonies or Plantations in
America, upon or within the main land of the Continent,
or of the Isles or Plantations belonging to the Spaniards
in America, or against any of our subjects or the subjects
of the States General, or any of them, their ships, vessels
or goods, that shall be found coming to or going from
any Port or Place in the Spanish West Indies, etc.,
anything contained in our Declaration of War or Commissions to the contrary notwithstanding, provided
that no goods belonging to the inhabitants of France
or its vassals or any others inhabiting within the
Dominions and Territories of that Crown, nor any
contraband goods or provisions of war be permitted
to be carried to any Spanish Plantations in any ship
whatsoever etc.; provided also that this Instruction
be so understood as that it may still be lawful for any
of our men of war etc. to attack and seize any Spanish
ship, according to the intent of our former Instructions.
Countersigned, Ch. Hedges. [C.O. 324, 8. pp. 434–439.] |
| May 2. |
286. J. Bridger and others to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Proposes to supply H.M. with 15,000 barrels of
pitch and tar in five years from Dec. 1705, tar at 36s. per barrel,
and pitch at 23s. per cwt. The tar barrels to guage 30 gallons
and to be delivered at Deptford etc. Signed, J. Bridger.
Endorsed, Recd. Read May 2, 1704. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 863.
No. 92; and 5, 911. p. 240.] |
| May 2. |
287. J. Bridger and others to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. On condition H.M. grant them (who have been
the first producers of pottash in America) a patent giving them
the sole right and advantage arising thereby for 7 years, then
they will furnish England with the tar and pitch referred to above.
Signed, J. Bridger. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 4, 1704. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 863. No. 93; and 5, 911. pp. 273, 274.] |
May 2.
Whitehall. |
288. Council of Trade and Plantations to Sir Charles Hedges,
H.M. Principal Secretary of State. We desire you to lay before
H.M. the additional Instruction for New Jersey, as likewise that
for settling Ports in Maryland, and the warrants for using new
Seals in the Plantations; that if possible, they may be sent
to Col. Nott, who only waits now for a fair wind, after which
there will be no other opportunity of conveyance for many
months. And that we may be enabled to answer your letter
of April 21, we desire you will send us all the papers which you
received from us, relating to Mr. Raworth, and the Canary
merchants.[C.O. 5, 994.A. p. 202.] |
May 3.
Admiralty Office. |
289. J. Burchett to Mr. Popple. H.M.S. Coventry at
Portsmouth, Capt. Lawrence, wch. is bound to Newfoundland,
and is the last ship that goes thither this summer, being now
ready to proceed, I am commanded by the Prince to acquaint
you therewith, that so if the Council of Trade and Plantations
have any heads of enquirys to send by her, you will please to
hasten them hither. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Recd.
Read May 5, 1704. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 195, 3. No. 17;
and 195, 3. p. 324.] |
May 4.
Whitehall. |
290. W. Popple, jr., to Lt. Gov. Bennett. The Council of
Trade and Plantations observing that the Commissions you
have granted to privateers being [sic] of too large an extent and
otherwise irregular, enclose copy of the Commissions granted
here in England, which is to serve as a form for those you shall
grant hereafter; the form of the Instructions will be sent you
by Mr. Secretary Hedges. Encloses letters from Lord Nottingham
relating to Prizes and the Spaniards. [C.O. 38, 5. p. 470.] |
May 4.
Whitehall. |
291. Circular letter from Sir Charles Hedges to the several
Governors of the Plantations. Encloses copies of Lord Nottingham's letter relating to trade with the Spaniards, and an
Additional Instruction for Privateers. [See No. 285.] "The
Earl of Nottingham having resigned the Seals of Secretary of
State to H.M., and H.M. having been pleased to appoint me to
take care of the Plantation affairs, it is requisite that I should give
you notice of it, by this conveyance, that you may for the future
direct to me such letters as relate to H.M. service, and I desire
you will acquaint me, by all opportunities, of such things as
occur in your parts." Signed, C. Hedges. Annexed, |
|
291. i. ii. Instructions referred to in preceding. [C.O. 324, 30.
pp. 1–5.] |
May 4.
Whitehall. |
292. W. Popple, jr., to Josiah Burchet. Enclosing following
to be submitted to the Lord High Admiral to be given in charge to
the Commodore of the Newfoundland Squadron for answers, etc.
Annexed, |
|
292. i. Heads of Enquiry relating to the Trade and Fishery of
Newfoundland. [See Cal. A. and W.I., 1700. No. 198.i.]
Additional Instructions:—Whereas it appears [from
former answers to the above Enquiries] that the Inhabitants
in general have not a due regard to the several regulations
for the more advantagious mannagement of the Fishery,
it being found that northwards of St. John's as far
as Carboniere, and to the Southward as far as Ferryland,
the trees are rinded and the woods destroyed as much
as before the late Act; that the Admirals of Harbours
and Masters of ships do not exactly observe the rules
prescribed by Act of Parliament; that the vessells
from New England supply the people of Newfoundland
with provisions; that the New England Traders seldome
depart the country till the men of war are first sailed,
and then they carry with them numbers of handicraftsmen, seamen and fishermen whom they entice thither
in expectation of great wages; that the Masters of
ships are very negligent in bringing their men home,
whereby they save the charge of their passage, and
those men so left are enticed and carryed to New
England; that European commodities have been
carryed directly from France, Spain and Portugal to
Newfoundland in English ships contrary to law, and
sold or truckt with the Traders from New England for
tobacco', sugar and other of the enumerated commodities, and carryed to foreign parts, so that at the
latter end of the years the Masters have been wholly
taken up in the management of that illegal trade, which
might in some measure be prevented, had the officers
commanding H.M. ships power like that of a Custome
House Officer to seize such goods; you are therefore
upon your arrival in those parts to take care as far
as in you lyes, that the best remedies be applyed for
the prevention of those mischeifs and to report your
opinion thereupon, in order to further consideration and
to the preparing of such clauses to be proposed at the
next Sessions of Parliament as may be requisite for the
more effectual regulating that trade. And whereas in
order to the better security of St. John's Harbour,
H.M. has given directions to John Roop for the preparing and fixing a boom, which is to be done with all
publick diligence, you are to inspect the carrying on
of that work, if not already finished, and to assist
therein, as far as the other service committed to your
care will permit. It having been represented to H.M.
by severall Merchants, that Trinity Bay being but three
miles overland from Placentia, the cheif Fort of the
French, from whence they have been frequently insulted,
and it being desired by them that, for the prevention
of the like mischeif for the future and the better security
of the fishing of that Bay, a fort be built there in some
proper place furnished with 20 or 30 guns, and that
40 or 50 soldiers be also sent thither with Officers, armes,
ammunition, etc.; and they add, that Carboniere, a considerable fishing place in Conception Bay, being also
in danger of insults from the French, it may be necessary
that it be in like manner fortifyed, alledging that the
same may be done at a small charge; but it not
sufficiently appearing by their Memorials, in what
places the said forts may be erected, so as to be a security
to the said Harbours from attacks by sea, and to the
Settlements from attacks by land, you are to view
those places and to report to one of H.M. Principal
Secretarys of State, and to the Council of Trade and
Plantations, how the same are fitted for such fortifications, and what may be the charge of erecting them.
[C.O. 195, 3. pp. 303–323.] |
May 4.
Whitehall. |
293. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Handasyd.
Since our letter of March 17 we have received yours of Feb. 6
and March 5. We are glad to perceive you have been so successfull
against the enemy by taking so many privateers. We have
laid what you write concerning the ships of warr before H.R.H.
the Lord High Admiral, but must advise you that in all matters
relating to the Admiralty you make your application for the
future immediately and fully to H.R.H., sending us copies thereof,
for our information. We have sent your proposal for settling
a Governor in the Bay of Campeachy to a Secretary of State, but
we cannot foresee that it will be approved of in the present conjuncture, as you will judge by the Earl of Nottingham's letter
sent you in ours of March 17. As to your desire of directions
about dissolving the Assembly, we writ you, Feb. 16, that we
could not give any at this distance, but must leave it to you,
who being upon the place can best judge what will be most for
H.M. service on this and all other the like occasions. We observe
by the accounts of the Revenue formerly sent us and those now
received with your last letter that there are yet wanting the
accounts for a year and a half, viz. from March 25, 1700, to
Sept. 29, 1701, which we therefore desire you to send us by the
first opportunity, and to be very constant for the future in sending
us all the necessary information and papers for H.M. service.
We cannot conclude without observing to you that we find your
letter to the Spanish Governor printed in the publick newspapers,
as also several other things which are word for word the same
as what you have writ to us; and upon enquiry it appears you
have writ the same to private persons here in town and sent
them copies of the same papers as to us, which you ought
not to do, and therefore we desire you to be more reserved in
matters of that nature for the future. P.S.—The account of
Prizes you sent us, we have laid before the Lord High Treasurer.
[C.O. 138, 11. pp. 265–267.] |
May 4.
Whitehall. |
294. W. Popple, jr., to Mr. Attorney General. The Council
of Trade and Plantations being prest for their dispatch upon
severall Virginia Laws, in order to the making a compleat collection
to be laid before H.M. before the return of the Secretary of Virginia,
who is come over for that purpose, desire your speedy report
upon those sent you May 28. [C.O. 5, 1360. p. 470.] |
May 4.
Jamaica. |
295. Governor Handasyd to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Finding that the packet boat does not arrive so
soon as I expected, I take this opportunity by the Jamaica gally
to give your Lordships an account of what hes offered here
since my last. Having ane account of some design the enemy
had in draweing some of there forces together and fearing it
might be upon us, I ordered H.M.S. Seahorse, Capt. Johns, who
then was ready to saile, to goe to the Spanish Coast and there
to endevour to take off a prisoner or turtler, if they could meet
any at sea, to see what we could learn of the enemies motion.
He sailed March 14, but discovering a sail nine leagues off our
Island, he gave her chace and found her to be a French privatier
with 70 odd men. He came up with her and gave her some
gunns, but She finding he was to hard for her made towards the
land, and it proveing calm, rowed away from him and gott into
Manchioneel Harbour, where he pershewed (pursued), and
accordingly resolved to board her. But the other having landed
some of their men in each side of the Harbour ga(l)led his men
that they were not able to handle their sailes, and killed and
wounded several of them. H.M.S. Seahorse struck upon a rock
and so was lost, altho' the privatier was taken, and the men being
77 with their armes being landed endeavouring to fight their way
through the country to gett to some Harbour to gett off, but I
having timely notice of it ordered two Companies of H.M. forces
with all the Militia I could gett, and having given them orders
that if they did offer to strike one stroke to take nor give noe
quarters, and there advance partys meeting one another in a
strait passage they being demanded to surrender and delyver up
their arms otherwise that was to be there fait, but they, after
some French Gascoin language, laid down their arms without
firing a shott, and is now here in prison, they are a party of the
briskest men that I have seen among them since I came to this
country, they being all French but two, the one a Spaniard and
the other a Englishman. I am disposing them two or three in
the Merchant ships as they have occasion with orders to delyver
them unto H.M. jales when they arrive, which I hope your
Lordships will approve of. All the Sea Horse's men were saved
and gunns and most part of her rigging, provisions and stores
and ammunition, and truly the loss was not great, for she would
not have been able to have made another cruize, she was so
destroyed by the worms and her timber so rotten and decayed
that she could hardly fflot upon the water. As to our enemys
making of a general attack on us, I am of opinion as formerly
that they are not able in these parts. But if they should, your
Lordships shall hear that we shall showe ourselves to be faithfull
subjects to our gracious Queen and country, and like true English
men not to be dantned with their numbers. The Assembly is
now sitting, and I hope they will prove better then the last, they
seeming to be sensible of the failings the last committed. Signed,
Tho. Handasyd. Endorsed, Recd. June 13, Read July 18, 1704.
Addressed. Holograph. 1½ pp. [C.O. 137, 6. No. 45; and
138, 11. pp. 295–298.] |
May 4.
Whitehall. |
296. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor
Codrington. Since ours of Feb. 16 last, we have received yours
of Feb. 6 and 14, and one without date. As to the affair of
Guadaloupe, Capt. Walker having been ordered to answer your
questions before the Lords of the Privy Councill, we did send
to their Lordships all the letters and other papers we received
from you, relating to that expedition, in order to the making good
your allegations. As to what you write about Col. Thomas's
giving us information of the state of the Islands, when he was
before us, we asked him severall questions which he did not
own himself instructed to answer. We have read the Act you
have sent us for the settling of Courts at Antegoa, which seems
to us to have been well considered, and the obtaining thereof
a good service in you. We have sent the same to Mr. Attor.
and Mr. Sollr. Genll. If they have no objection thereunto, which
we do not foresee, we shall lay it before H.M. for her royal confirmation. We hope you will have been able to get the like
Acts past in the other Islands. We are glad the Assembly
go on with the fortification of Monks Hill, and hope they will
perfect it; but they are mistaken in beleiving that Barbadoes is
trusted with the application of the 4½ per cent. otherwise than
they are, that Revenue being now wholly applyed to the use of
those Islands in due proportion. The account of prizes taken and
condemned at Antegoa, we sent to my Lord High Treasurer,
and the account of H.R.H. tenths of prizes condemned at Nevis
to the Admiralty, to which Offices those matters appertain.
We have not failed upon all occasions to recommend you to
H.M., and as to your arrears of salary, we have acquainted
Mr. Cary with what you write, and shall be assistant to him or
any other of your friends in procuring the same. [C.O. 153, 8.
pp. 284–286.] |
May 4.
Whitehall. |
297. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Sir B.
Granville. Since ours of March 17, we have received two letters
from you of Jan. 12 and Feb. 6. We sent to the Board of
Ordnance what you writ us relating to Mr. Hayes, but we are
informed they have appointed one of the Engineers now at
Jamaica for the service of Barbados. You will do well to give
H.R.H. Councill from time to time an account of his dues in
your hands. As to the payment of the Gunners, orders have some
time since been given, which we doubt not have before this
been received. We have sent to Mr. Attorney Generall your
query about the Commission for the tryal of pirates, and as soon
as we shall receive his answer thereunto, we shall send you the
same, or represent to H.M. that a new Commission be issued,
if it be necessary. We send you here inclosed the copy of
Mr. Attorney General's opinion upon the case of Manasses Gilligan
for your information. But you will have seen by Lord Nottingham's letter (inclosed March 17) how you are to govern yourself
in this conjuncture with relation to the Spaniards. The Agents
of Barbados having presented to us the inclosed list of stores
wanting for the Island of Barbados, we reported the same to
H.M., whereupon H.M. has been pleased to refer the same to
the Lord High Treasurer, who is to consider how far the said
list may be complyed with in relation to the present state of the
Revenue of the 4¼ per cent., which is intirely appropriated to
the use for which it was raised. And whereas you represent
to us the difficulties you lie under by reason of the late regulation
against presents, and being very sensible of your diligence and
application to H.M. service, we shall lay hold of all occasions
of testifying how truely we are your very loving Friends.
P.S.—Inclosed is a letter H.M. has ordered us to write to the
late President and Council of Barbados, which you will read
for your information and deliver unto them. [C.O. 29, 8.
pp. 431–433.] |
| May 4. |
298. Mr. Thrale's Answer to the Complaints exhibited
against Governor Nicholson by Dr. Blair and others. The charges
are mostly too general to be answered, or malicious insinuations
without proof etc. It is humbly submitted to the Council of
Trade and Plantations whether they will proceed immediately
upon a hearing with an expectation only of such proofs as the
Respondent may be judged capable of producing from the nature
of the defence, or will order copies of everything to be first
transmitted to Virginia that the Governor may thereupon by
affidavits or otherways make his just defence etc. Signed, John
Thrale. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 4, 1704. 11 pp. [C.O. 5,
1314. No. 16.] |
May 4.
St. James's. |
299. Order of Queen in Council. It being this day represented to H.M. at the Board from a Committee of Councill upon
hearing the complaints of Col. Codrington relating to the
expedition to the West Indies the last year with the squadron
of H.M. ships commanded by Capt. Walker, that the Lords of
the Committee had taken notice that notwithstanding the said
squadron had been sent to Barbados with order upon advising
with the Governor to use his best endeavour to defend Barbados
and the Leeward Islands against the attempts of the enemy,
and that upon his arriving with the squadron at Barbados, he
had applyed himselfe to the President and Councill in whom
the cheif command was then vested, that notice of the said
squadron being there might be sent to Col. Codrington, Governor of
the Leeward Islands, to the end that if he had wanted the
assistance of the said squadron for H.M. service he might have
acquainted the said Capt. Walker therewith, Notice thereof
was not sent to Col. Codrington; H.M. in Councill is thereupon pleased to order that the Governor or Commander in Cheif
of Barbados examine into the proceedings of the said President
and Councill of Barbados in this matter, and why with so little
regard to H.M. service in the safety of those Islands, notice was
not forthwith sent to the Governour of the Leeward Islands of
the arrivall of the said squadron at Barbados, and what he finds
to be the reason of so great neglect of H.M. service and the
publick safety of those Islands, and that he returne an account
thereof to the Council of Trade and Plantations, who are to
signifie H.M. pleasure herein to the Governor or Commander
in Cheif of Barbados for the time being, and upon receiving
his answer to report the same together with their opinion upon
the whole matter to H.M. at this Board. Signed, John Povey.
Endorsed, Recd. Read May 4, 1704. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 28, 7.
No. 31; and 29, 8. pp. 434–436.] |
May 4.
Whitehall. |
300. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Sir B.
Granville. The Lords of the Privy Councill having examined
the proceedings of the late Commodore Walker, and the
Commanders of the ships under his command, and of the land
forces imployed upon Guadaloupe, and taking particular notice
that the said squadron and land forces sent to the West Indies,
as well for the security of Barbados as of the neighbouring
Islands, and others belonging to H.M., did remain for the space
of two months at Barbados, during which time no notice was
given of their being in those parts to Governor Codrington,
which was altogether necessary in regard that the said squadron
and forces might have been sooner wanted at the Leeward
Islands, in case the French had made any attack or had any
number of ships there, against whom an advantage might have
been taken. And the said Commodore Walker having informed
the Lords of the Councill that no such notice had been given
by him, by reason that he had no vessell under his command
other than 70 gunn ships, but that he had acquainted the then
President and Councill of Barbados how fit and proper it was
that an early information should be given to the Leeward Islands
of the arrivall of the said squadron and land forces, but that they
had refused to hire a vessell on purpose or to employ the sloop
belonging to the Island on this occasion; and a report having
been made hereof to the Queen in Councill, H.M. taking the
same into consideration has thought fit to signify her pleasure
unto us that you be directed to make a full and strict enquiry
into this miscarriage and neglect; and after due examination
had to inform us of the true state thereof that we may thereupon
lay the same before H.M. We do therefore hereby desire you to
proceed herein with all convenient speed, and to take the best
care you can that no such default or neglect do happen for the
future under your government. [C.O. 29, 8. pp. 437–439.] |
| May 4. |
301. Mr. Thurston to Mr. Popple. The departure of the
convoy is just at hand: I desire you will therefore move the
Council of Trade and Plantations to signify to Mr. Lowndes
the necessity of giving some speedy orders for the issue of the
money for the soldiers at Newfoundland, this being the last
conveyance for the present year. Signed, J. Thurston.
Endorsed, Recd. Read May 5, 1704. 1½ pp. [C.O. 194, 3.
No. 19.] |
May 5.
Whitehall. |
302. Wm. Popple, jr., to Mr. Lownds. I am to desire you
to lay [the preceding] before my Lord High Treasurer. [C.O. 195,
3. p. 327.] |
| May 5. |
303. Mr. Thurston to Mr. Popple. Prays that the Lord High
Admiral may be moved to direct the Commander of the Newfoundland Convoy to receive on board the stores for the soldiers
there. Signed, J. Thurston. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 5,
1704. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 3. No. 18.] |
May 5.
Whitehall. |
304. W. Popple, jr., to Josiah Burchett. The Council of
Trade and Plantations desire you would move H.R.H. Council
for their directions to the Commander of the Newfoundland
Convoy to receive on board the stores for the soldiers there,
and to the Victuallers of the Navy to ship off the provisions
designed for them, as also either to pay Mr. Thurston, the
Agent, or send themselves the money that is to serve instead
of malt and hops. [C.O. 195, 3. pp. 325, 326.] |
May 5.
Whitehall. |
305. W. Popple, jr., to Mr. Attorney General. The Council
of Trade and Plantations desire your opinion whether H.M.
may grant such a patent as desired by Mr. Bridger, May 2. [C.O.
5, 911. p. 274.] |
| [May 6.] |
306. Planters and Merchants trading to Barbados to the
Queen. There is about 60 ships gone to load there, which will
be coming thence the latter end of June. Without convoy they
will be in great danger to be taken by the French privateers at
Martinico and St. Christophers, as well as upon the coast when
they come home. Without some ships of war to cruize to
win [d]ward of Barbados during the warr, the merchants ships,
which carry provision and necessaries thither both from England,
Ireland and the Northern Colonies, will be in danger to be taken
by the said privateers, and if it should fall out to be soe, the
inhabitants would be unable to subsist. Pray for convoy and
ships to cruize off Barbadoes. 24 signatures. Endorsed, R. May 6.
1 p. [C.O. 28, 38. No. 22.] |
May 7.
Plymouth. |
307. Governor Sir W. Mathew to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. The fleet bound for the West Indies is put back
to this place. The master of a Swedish vessel gives an account
that Count de Thoulouze is come out of Brest with two and
twenty sail, and that hee met with 8 French men of war of
60 guns as he passed by Belle Isle steering to the Eastward.
Recommends the speedy filling up of Col. Whetham's regiment.
Signed, Will. Mathew. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 10, 1704.
Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 5. No. 68.] |
May 7.
Whitehall. |
308. Sir Charles Hedges to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. The Lords of the Committee of Council desire
to speak with you on Thursday, and to have an account of what
progress you have made towards the procuring of Navall Stores
etc. Signed, C. Hedges. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 8. 1 p.
[C.O. 5 863. No. 94; and 5, 911. p. 275.] |
May 10.
Whitehall. |
309. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Offer
two Acts of Nevis [see April 5] to be confirmed. [C.O. 153, 8.
p. 288.] |
May 10.
Treasury Chambers, Whitehall. |
310. Lord High Treasurer to the Queen. Referring (upon
the Order of Council, Nov. 25) to following report. Signed,
Godolphin. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 19, 1704. ¾ p.
Enclosed, |
|
310. i. Principal Officers of the Mint to the Lord High
Treasurer. We concur with the Representation of the
Council of Trade and Plantations and enclose table
of the value of coins in the Plantations according to
their weight and the assays lately made of them in
the Mint. Signed, J. Stanley, Is. Newton, Jno. Ellis.
Mint Office, Dec. 9, 1703. Subscribed, Table of coins,
embodied in Proclamation of June 15. 2 pp. [C.O. 323,
5. Nos. 47, 48; and 324, 8. pp. 440–444.] |
