|
Nov. 1. Whitehall. |
633. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Hedges. Mr. Bonet, Minister of the King of Prusia, having sent
to our Secretary a paper relating to a Colony to be settled in
H.M. Plantations, we have not thought it proper for us to proceed
thereon without H.M. directions, and do therefore transmit the
same to you to be laid before H.M., if you shall so think fit. 1p.
Enclosed, |
633. i. Extract of a letter from P. Dupuy, Berne, Sept. 6,
1704. A merchant druggist of this town, a very honest
man, has formed the design of going to Virginia or
Pennsylvania, if he can learn the state of those countries,
and could make some establishment there. He would
take several artisans with him, if the Queen would grant
him a certain quantity of land with some materials for
building, some privilege for 10 years in favour of their
work, and a free passage from Rotterdam, etc. French.
Copy. 1½ pp. |
633. ii. M. Bonet to [? W. Popple]. I beg you to lay before
the Commissioners of Trade the enclosed letter from
M. L'Avocat-General Dupuy to H.E. Monsieur le Baron
et Ambassadeur de Spanheim, etc. Signed, Frid. Bonet,
Suffolk Street, Nov. 1, 1704. French. [C.O. 5, 3.
Nos. 19, 19.i.; and 5, 1361. pp. 30–33.] |
Nov. 1. Whitehall. |
634. Mr. Secretary Hedges to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses following for their report. Signed, C.
Hedges. Endorsed, Recd. Read Dec. 5, 1704. 1 p. Enclosed, |
634. i. Mathew Plowman to the Queen. See Cal. 1700,
No. 807, i. Claims for 600l. ½ p. [C.O. 5, 1048.
Nos. 93, 93. i.; and 5, 1120. pp. 231, 232.] |
Nov. 2. Whitehall. |
635. Extract of a letter from Capt. Wenham to [?]. I have
seen a Proclamation for settling the money in these parts.
It will certainly ruin these parts that have not staple commodities
of their own produce to answer what effects they receive from
England, so all the money must goe, and if noe cash among us
no Trade, and as 'tis settled we can't buy a loaf of bread or a
joynt of meat for our Family, for 'tis hardly possible to weigh
or compute every groat and sixpence wee pay, if they had sett
our small money at a certain rate without weighing and have
weighed nothing under a piece of eight, and allowed a piece of
eight of 17dwt. to pass for six shillings, must [? might] have been
tolerable, but to weigh all small money, and to sett the standard
17½dwt. when not one piece in a hundred weighs so much, we cannot
but think those that recommended that to be done understood
little of the matter, and if not undone, we are soe. Endorsed,
Communicated to the Board by Mr. Blathwayt. Recd. Read
Jan. 9, 1704/5. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1048. No. 94.] |
Nov. 2. New York. |
636. N. Cary to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In
reply to letter of Oct. 31, I am advised by Gentlemen conversant
in Military affairs that six 42 pounders and fourteen 32 pounders
are necessary for H.M. Fort on Castle Island; with 200 rounds
of shot and 100 barrels of powder, 500 small arms and cuttlasses
with 100 pair of pistolls and bayonetts are the least that will be
necessary for defence of H.M. Province. Signed, Nathll Cary.
Endorsed, Recd. Read Nov. 2, 1704. 1p. [C.O. 5, 863. No. 121;
and 5, 911. pp. 397, 398.] |
Nov. 2. London. |
637. Attorney General to Mr. Popple. I am at a loss to find
how a quorum of 15 became necessary to make an Assembly [see
Oct. 26], the whole number being but 22, and H.M. Instruction
to the Governor impowering him to make Lawes with the consent
of the Assembly or ye Major pt. of ym. wch. is 12, and wee
taking it (the contrary not appearing) that the right of having an
Assembly arises only from the Commission to the Governor,
there not being any direction therein to have 15 to make an
Assembly, wee desire to be informed how 15 comes to be
necessary, wt. orders of H.M. predecessors or other Acts have
been declaring that 15 at least must be present. I have perused
the Lawes of Barbadoes, and find nothing in ym. touching ye
necessity of having 15; as to an immemorial usage, yt can not
be pretended too, that Island having gained in less yn within
100 years past. Soe soon as I have ye answer to this matter,
Mr. Soll. and myselfe will despatch the papers back to the Lords
Commrs. Signed, Edw. Northey. Endorsed, Recd. Read
Nov. 3, 1704. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 7. No. 57; and
29, 9. pp. 78, 79.] |
Nov. 3. Whitehall. |
638. W. Popple, jr., to Mr. Attorney General. The Council
of Trade and Plantations direct me to answer [to preceding] that
it is agreed by both contending parties that such an usage or
practice has obtained in the Assembly since the settlement of
Barbadoes in 1627, but when the said practice begun, they doe
not find, nor any Law relating to Assemblies otherwise than for
their annual sitting. The Constitution of such a Quorum seems
to their Lordships to be particular order of these Assemblies,
which therefore they conceive may be altered by H.M. Encloses
extract of Lord Carlisle's Patent of 29th Sept., 1629, for the
Propriety of that Island, concerning the Legislature. [C.O. 29, 9.
pp. 80, 81.] |
Nov. 3. Whitehall. |
639. W. Popple, jr., to J. Burchett. Encloses letter etc.
from Governor Handasyd (June 17) to be laid before H.R.H.
the Lord High Admiral's Council. [C.O. 138, 11. pp. 342,
343.] |
Nov. 4. Whitehall. |
640. W. Popple, jr., to Wm. Bridges. The Council of Trade
and Plantations desire you to inform them as soon as conveniently
you can whether the stores demanded for Barbadoes March last
have been sent, etc. [C.O. 29, 9. p. 82.] |
Nov. 4. New York. |
641. Governor Lord Cornbury to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. The Assembly of New Jersey met Sept. 1st, to
which time I had adjourned them by Proclamation. I was in
hopes they would have done what might have been expected
from them; but they fell upon the Proprietors' Bill again, and
never brought in any Bill to settle a Revenue, till soe late that
they knew I could not stay to pass it, because I was to meet
the Assembly of New York, besides the sum was not suitable to
the occasion, for they proposed to settle noe more than 1,000l.
a year, and but for 3 years, indeed at last they would have made
it 1,500l., but I saw very plainly that they did not intend to doe
anything, so upon 28th 7ber. I dissolved that Assembly, and in
few days issued writs for another, which I hope will doe better,
to meet Nov. 9 at Burlington. I intend in two days to set out
for that place, though it is very late in the year. The Quakers
in West Jersey interrupt the proceedings in Courts of Judicature
very much, for now they find that they are admitted into all manner
of employments without taking of oaths, their consciences are
so tender that they can't suffer an oath to be taken in their
presence, soe that either Quakers must not be admitted to sit
in Courts of Judicature, or else all causes must be tried by Jurys
who have taken noe oaths, and upon the evidence of witnesses not
sworn. I think it would be much more for the service of the
Queen that none should be admitted into employments but those
who are willing to take the oaths; the people in New Jersey seem
uneasy at the quallification prescribed for persons to serve in
the Assembly, they could rather wish that each County might
send two, and I am of opinion we should have better Assemblys
if it were soe, then we have now, however I shall be able by the
next vessel to give your Lordships an account what the new
Assembly will do. Signed, Cornbury. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 16,
Read Feb. 2, 1704/5. 1½ pp. [C.O. 5, 970. No. 22; and 5, 994A.
pp. 186–188.] |
Nov. 6. New York. |
642. Governor Lord Cornbury to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Dr. Bridges, Chief Justice of this Province, is dead.
That there might be no failure of justice, I have appointed Roger
Mompesson to be Chief Justice till H.M. pleasure may be known.
I hope she will be graciously pleased to confirm him in that place;
he has held two Courts already, in which he has given general
satisfaction to all people, and has dispatched a great many causes
which had been depending a great while. I dare be bold to
say he will serve the Queen with the utmost fidelity, and indeed
in this country that place should be filled by a man of resolution,
which Mr. Mompesson does not want, etc. Signed, Cornbury.
Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 16, Read Feb. 1, 1704/5. Holograph. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1048. No. 95; and 5, 1120. pp. 243–244.] |
Nov. 6. New York. |
643. Governor Lord Cornbury to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Repeats beginning of letter June 30 [No. 427]
and refers to proposed meeting with Col. Nicholson and
Col. Seymour, "at which time I likewise hoped we should have
seen Col. Dudley, he having writ me word that he would meet
them here, I did intend to have proposed to them the laying a
tax in each Province by Act of Assembly, for the setling and
defraying the charges of the post, which then might have gone
from Boston to North Carolina, but this meeting was hindered
by several accidents, first Col. Dudley was busy about his
expedition to the Eastward, Coll. Nicholson was hindered by
the sitting of the Assembly of Virginia, and as soon as the
Assembly of New York was over and I thought to go into New
Jersey, to the Assembly which was to sit at Burlington, I was
forced to adjourn them, in order to go up to Albany, where there
was an alarum that the French were marching towards that place
with 1,000 French, and Indians. I went and when I arrived there
I found the people in a very great consternation, but that was
over in a few days by the arrivall of some Indians I had sent out
to see if they could discover any numbers of men marching our
way, at their return, they informed me they had been as far as
the Lake without seeing anybody, but that upon the Lake they
had met some of the Ottowawa Indians, who had informed them
that 300 French and Indians were marched with a design to
attempt Northampton in New England, but that they could
not find there were any marching our way; however, by this
accident, I had an opportunity to see how far we may depend
upon our own people, and the Indians too in case of need, and I
must say the Militia of the County of Albany were very ready
if the enemy had been coming, I could in 48 hours time have
drawn together upwards of 700 men, reckoning the garrison, the
Militia of Albany and that of Ulster Countys, and the Indians of
the Five Nations were soe ready that they all left their Castles,
and were coming towards Albany before I could send them any
orders; at the same time that I was at Albany, where I stayed
but ten days, there was an alarum at New York occasioned by
a gentleman who, coming from Long Island, informed the Councill
that 10 French men of warr were come within Sandy Hoock,
and upon this the Gentlemen of the Councill sent an expresse to
me to desire me to make what hast I could downe to New Yorke,
and at the same time sent to the Colonells of the Militia in the
severall Countys about New York to get their men ready to
opose the ennemy; I did make all the hast I could, but before
I could get to New York, their fears were over, for the 10 men of
warr were dwindled away to one French privateer of 14 guns,
who took just without Sandy Hook a ship commanded by one
Sinclair, who was bound to this Port from England, on board
of whom were all the packets your Lordshipps were pleased to
send to me; they were given into the charge of one Glenerosse,
a merchant of this place, who left them on board, by which means
they are fallen into the hands of the enemy. I can not say that
the Militia of this City did their duty, for very many of the Dutch
men ran away into the woods, but the Militia of Long Island
deserve to be commended. Col. Willet, who commands the
Militia of Queen's County, in 10 hours time brought 1,000 men
within an hour's march of New York, the Militia of King's County
was likewise in good readinesse, but there being noe occasion
for them they were sent home; by this account your Lordshipps
will perceive how necessary it is to have a standing force in this
Province, where we are exposed to the invasions of the ennemy
by sea in the Southern parts of it, and to the attacks of the French
and Indians by land in the Northern parts of it. If the proposall
I made to your Lordshippes formerly had been approved of,
I make noe doubt but it might have been effected with much
lesse charge then the business of Guadalupa has cost, and I
conceive would have been of much greater advantage to the
Crown of England than the taking of that Island could have been.
The more I inquire into that matter the more feasible I find it,
but not with a lesse force then I proposed to your Lordshipps.
I have seen a copy of a Memoriall Mr. Livingston laid before
your Board, in which he seems to be of opinion that a regiment
of well disciplin'd men with some officers to head the men that
might be raised here would be sufficient, and perhaps it might
have been soe when Sir William Phipps attempted the taking of
it, but the case is much altered since that time, for that attempt,
though very ill contrived and worse executed, did so fully convince
them how easy it was to take Quebeck, that they have made
it much stronger than ever it was, and have erected very good
batterys along the waterside, which will make that undertaking
more difficult then it was then, and the reason that made me
propose soe much a greater force then Mr. Livingstone has mentioned is because I should be very sorry to propose any thing
lesse then will effect the thing proposed, and if I have proposed
a greater force than is of absolute necessity I hope I shall not
be blamed for that. I did it because I was not willing so good
a thing should miscarry for want of sufficient force, and the
same reason still remaining I can't help being of the same mind
still. When the Eagle gally sailed, it was soe soon after the
Assembly was adjourned that the Clerk could not get a copy of
their proceedings ready to send by that ship, therefore I now
send it to your Lordshipps, by which you will perceive that the
Assembly here is going into the same methods that the Assemblys
of some other Provinces upon this Continent have fallen into,
who think themselves equal to the House of Commons of England
and that they are intituled to all the same powers and priviledges
that a House of Commons in England enjoys, how dangerous it
may be to suffer them to enjoy and exercise such powers I need
not tell your Lordshipps, only I shall observe that the holding of
General Assemblys in these parts of the world has been setled
neither by Act of Parliament in England nor by Act of Assemblys
here, soe that the holding General Assemblys here is purely by
the grace and favour of the Crown, this I have told them often,
but notwithstanding that, they will passe noe Bill for the service
of the Queen, nor even for their own defence unlesse they can
have such clauses in as manifestly incroach upon the prerogative
of the Crown, or in some measure destroy the power of the
Governour (which will pretty well appear by a Bill prepared
by them this Sessions, enclosed). I did not think it proper to
suffer either, so I adjourned the Assembly. I did once intend
to have dissolved them, but upon the account I had that some
persons here had put them upon those methods in hopes to provoke
me to disolve them, and the assurances I had from several of
the Members that they would take better measures if they might
have another Sessions, I adjourned them to Oct. 2, at which
time they met, but instead of taking better measures, they have
gone on in the same, where they don't only incroach upon my
right (for that I should not have minded) but they take it upon
them to apoint at what rates the money shall passe here, which
I take to be the undoubted right of the Queen. Your Lordshipps
will perceive by the copys I send herewith that the Gentlemen
of the Councill made proper amendments to the Bill, but these
Gentlemen have thought fit to declare in their message to the
Councill of Nov. 4 that it is inconvenient for that House to admit
of any amendment made by the Councill to a Money Bill, by
which your Lordshipps will easily see that they intend to make
the Councill as inconsiderable as they can, it is a thing was
never attempted by any of their predecessors, but as the Country
increases they grow sawcy, and noe doubt but if they are allowed
to goe on, they will improve upon it, how far that may be of
service to the Queen I leave your Lordshipps to judge. I have
lately perused the grant made by King Charles II to H.R.H.
Duke of York of all the lands from a place called St. Croix to
the Eastward of New England, to the Eastern shore of Delawarre
River, by which it appears that that grant impowered the Duke of
York to correct, punish, pardon, gouvern and rule all such the
subjects etc. as shall from time to time adventure themselves
into any the parts or places aforesaid, or that shall or doe at any
time hereafter inhabit within the same according to such Laws,
orders, ordinances, directions and instruments as by the said
Duke of York or his assigns should be established, and in defect
thereof in cases of necessity, according to the good discretions
of his Deputies, Commissioners, Officers or Assigns respectively,
as well in all causes and matters capital and criminal or civil,
both marine and other etc., as will more plainly appear to your
Lordshipps by the copy I herewith send of the said grant, and
it is certain that in the time that my Lord Limerick was Governour
of this Province for H.R.H. Duke of York he governed without
Assemblys, and even after King James came to the throne, the
same Lord continued the same method, and certainly if the
late King Charles II could grant that Power to the Duke of York
at that time, H.M. may exert the same Power if she pleases. I
intreat your Lordshipps to beleive that I am not pleading for
the laying aside of Assemblys, it is farr from my thoughts, but
I think it my duty to acquaint you with what I take to be the
Queen's right, espetially when Assemblys begin to be refractory,
when I have done that I have done my duty and shall wait your
Lordshipps' directions, which I shall always punctually observe;
In the meantime I have this day disolved the Assembly, and
intend to issue writs for the calling of another in March next,
which I hope will behave themselves better than the last, however
I am sure they can't be worse; I am going to-morrow to New
Jersey to the Assembly there; I take the liberty to beg your
Lordshipps that I may have all manner of stores sent over. I
have not 120 barrells of Powder left, and severall of them are
spoiled. I have noe small arms at all, noe cartouch boxes nor
paper, not one bed for the men to lye upon, but what have been
pieced over and over again, not a sword in the Garrison, nor
a dagger, if the ennemy should attempt anything upon our
frontiers this winter we shall not have powder enough left for
salutes; I intreat your Lordshipps to intercede with the Queen
that some presents may be sent over for the Indians, for if we
must buy them here, they will cost three times the price they
will cost in England, and sometimes the goods proper for the
Indians are not to be got here for money, such as light gunns,
duffles, strouds, kettles, hatchetts, stockings, blanketts and
powder; and till Canada is reduced we shall never be able to
keep the Indians steady without presents. I must farther
intreat your Lordshipps to interceed with my Lord High Admiral,
that a man of war may be appointed for this Province, if there
is not one appointed the French privateers will intirely destroy
our trade to the West Indies, which will soon destroy the Trade
of this place, which consists chiefly in flower and provisions,
and if I may propose, a ship of 40 guns will be the fittest for this
place. I intreat you to represent our condition to H.M. that we
may be supply'd early in spring, else we shall be in a very poor
condition even to defend our selves if we should be atacked, etc.
Signed, Cornbury. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 16, Read Feb. 1, 1704/5.
Holograph. 5¼ pp. Enclosed, |
643. i. Declaration of the Officers of the soldiers at New York
that they have regularly received their subsistence
since Lord Cornbury arrived. July 4, 1704. Signed,
Peter Mathews, John Riggs, Lancaster Symes, R.
Hopson. Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 16, 1704/5. 1p. |
643. ii. Declaration by the Commissioners for managing the
Office of Collector and Receiver General of New York,
that all public money disposed of by them has been
by warrant signed by Lord Cornbury in Council. We
never paid H.E. but what his bare salary amounted to,
to June 25, 1703. Signed, P[eter] Fauconnier. June 20,
1704. Endorsed as preceding. 1p. |
643. iii. Declaration by the Clerk of the Council that Lord
Cornbury swore the Council named in his Instructions.
Col. Romer was then absent, but subsequently sworn
(May 26, 1702), but has not since attended or acted
as Councillor. Signed, B. Cosens. Endorsed as preceding.
1p. |
643. iv. Opinion of the Attorney General of New York upon
the importation of wine from Maderas by Capt. Dawson.
March 29, 1704. Signed, Sa. Sh. Broughton. Endorsed
as preceding. 1 p. |
643. v. Mr. Weaver's certificate that he has accounted with
the Deputy Auditor, Col. Abraham De Peyster, for fees
due to the Auditor General of the Plantations,
Wm. Blathwait. 309l. 11s. 3d. Signed, T. Weaver.
A true copy, Signed, Geo. Clarke. Endorsed as
preceding. 1p. |
643. vi. Mr. Weaver to Dr. Samuel Staats. To balance
Mr. Blathwait's account, I must pay him the ready
money in your hands. Pray let Mr. Vanderspeigle
this night weigh it out and pay him 100l. July 22,
1702. Signed, T. Weaver. Endorsed as preceding.
1p. |
643. vii. Copy of the Deputy Auditor's Account with
Mr. Blathwait, Nov. 29, 1700—March 25, 1703. Signed,
A. De Peyster. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. |
643. viii. Copy of a Bill for the Defence of the Frontiers of
New York, passed in the Assembly Oct. 25, 1704 (referred
to in above letter). Endorsed, Recd. Jan. 16, Read
Feb. 1, 1704/5. 5 pp. |
643. ix. Copy of a Report of a Committee of the Council of
New York upon the above Bill. Propose amendments
to two clauses which encroach upon the prerogative of
the Crown and H.E. See Minutes of Council, Nov. 3,
1704. Same endorsement. 2 pp. |
643. x. Copy of amendments made by the Council to above
bill. Nov. 3, 1704. Same endorsement. 1 p. |
643. xi. Copy of Message from the General Assembly of New
York in answer to preceding. As quoted in above letter.
Nov. 4, 1704. Same endorsement. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1048.
Nos. 96, 96.i.–xi.; and (without enclosures) 5, 1120.
pp. 245–260.] |
[Nov. 6.] |
644. "Will and Doom, or the Miseries of Connecticut by
and under an usurper and arbitrary Power. A Narrative of
the first erection and exercise, but especially of ye late changes
and Administration of Govermt. in their Majesties Colony of
Connecticot etc., wherein the manner of the late Revolution,
May, 1689, is descovered," etc. The Preface is signed Philanax,
Dec. 12, 1692. Endorsed, Mr. [? Gresham] Bulkley's Book,
entituled Will and Doom, Recd. with preceding. Recd. 16th Jan.,
Read Feb. 1st, 1704/5. 100 closely written pp. [Cf. C.S.P. 1689–93.]
[C.O. 5, 1263. No. 7.] |
Nov. 7. Whitehall. |
645. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Your
Majesty, upon our Representation of April 17, 1702, having
directed us to signify your pleasure to the Colony of the
Massachusets Bay for the building of several forts and fortifications
as well for the safety of that Colony as for the better securing
the production of Naval Stores, and to acquaint them that when
the said fortifications should be built, your Majesty might be
induced to send thither some stores of war for the use of the
same, which we did accordingly; And we having likewise by
your Majesty's Order of July 30, 1703, required Governor Dudley
to send us a specification of the guns and stores which that Colony
stood in need of for the fortifications built or enlarged by them,
the said Governor in conjunction with the Councill and Assembly
has lately sent Capt. N. Cary on purpose, with Addresses to be
laid before your Majesty, and with other papers particularizing
the wants of that Colony, who has informed us that in his voyage
he was met by a French privateer who carried the ship to Brest,
with goods to the value of 300l. loaden by order of that Government for buying of small arms, and on that occasion had according
to his Instructions thrown overboard all the dispatches committed to his charge, so that he could only offer to us what he
remembred relating to his Commission, vizt., that your Majesty
would be graciously pleased to assist that Government with
20 great gunns and 100 barrils of powder and ball proportionable
for the fort on Castle Island. And he further prays that having
lost in his passage the effects wherewith he was to have purchased
500 small arms for their better defence against the French of
Canada and the Indians who have invaded them and destroyed
several of their towns, your Majesty would be pleased to assist
them by a necessary supply. Whereupon we are humbly of
opinion that in consideration of the dangers that Colony is exposed
to from the French and Indians, the expence they have been at,
as well in the war as in repairing, enlarging and finishing the fort
upon Castle Island for the security of Boston, the chief seat of
the Government, pursuant to your Majesty's orders, and that
they cannot provide themselves with those guns in that country,
it would be a seasonable relief and bounty from your Majesty
if you would bestow on that Colony 20 great gunns such as the
principal Officers of the Ordnance, upon discoursing with
Capt. Cary, shall find proper, with ball proportionable. And
as to the small arms and powder, in consideration that the goods
wherewith they should have been purchased are lost, we humbly
offer that the quantitys desired may be sent thither by your
Majesty and consigned to the Governor to be delivered to such
persons, and for such uses within his Governments of the
Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, as he shall find requisite,
the Assemblys of those Provinces, on the particular persons
receiving the same, paying the value of the said powder and
small arms, for which the said Governour may be accountable
to the Office of Ordnance here. And we further represent to
your Majesty, that you having by your repeated letters directed
the Governour to acquaint the Assembly of the Massachusets
Bay with your Majesty's expectation that they should settle
a constant and fixt allowance on your Majesty's Governour and
Lieut. Governour for the time being, as also that they should
take effectual care for the rebuilding a good fort at Pemaquid
which they lost by their negligence during the last war to the
French and Indians, as also to contribute towards the fort at
Piscataway, the same being of absolute necessity for the security
of those Colonies and for protecting your Majesty's subjects in
providing masts and other stores for your Majesty's Royal Navy;
and finding that the Assembly do still persist in refusing to
comply with your Majesty's commands in those particulars, we
humbly offer that in case your Majesty shall think fit to gratify
them in their present requests, your Majesty renew your former
commands for their setling such a salary on your Governors
and Lieut. Governors, as is done in all your Majesty's other
Plantations, and that they immediately take care for the
rebuilding of Pemaquid Fort, [and] the fort at Piscataway, your
Majesty signifying that if they do not forthwith comply with
your just expectations herein, they will appear undeserving of your
Majesty's favour towards them on the like occasions. 5 pp.
[C.O. 5, 751. No. 58; and 5, 911. pp. 399–404.] |
[Nov. 7.] |
646. Thomas Bayley and others to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Repeat petition of Oct. 26. The Expectation
was unavoidably detained before setting sail by contrary winds
etc. attending the West India Convoy. Otherwise would have
arrived timely in Virginia to have returned with the last convoy.
Her case is particular. Endorsed, Recd. Read Nov. 7, 1704.
¾ p. [C.O. 5, 1314. No. 33; and 5, 1361. pp. 37, 38.] |
Nov. 7. |
647. Mr. Jenings to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Prays for allowance for expenses for 18 months absence from
Virginia upon the Laws and public affairs of the Dominion.
Signed, E. Jenings. Endorsed, Recd. Read Nov. 8, 1704. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1314. No. 34; and 5, 1361. pp. 39, 40.] |
Nov. 7. Newport. Rhode Island. |
648. A Privateer's Commission from Governor Cranston
to Capt. John Halsey of the briganteen Charles, late of Boston,
to fight and destroy any privateers or others, subjects and
vassalls of France and Spaine, for 12 months if the War continue
so long. Signed, Samuel Cranston. A true copy, Nathl.
Coddington, Register. June, 1705. Endorsed, R. Dec. 25, 1705.
2¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 751. No. 57.] |
Nov. 9. Whitehall. |
649. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen.
Representation upon Order of Queen in Council, Oct. 26, concerning the Expectation. Your Majesty's Instructions to the
Governor of Virginia direct that during the time of war no ships,
trading to Virginia, be permitted to come from thence for England
but in fleets, or under the convoy or protection of some of your
Majesty's ships of war, or at such times as the said Government
shall receive notice from hence of their meeting such convoys
as may be appointed for bringing them safe to some of the Ports
of this Kingdom. But having more particularly enquired into
the present case from the Petitioners, and understanding that
the circumstances alledged by the Petitioners are peculiar to
this ship, she having been designed to sail from hence in December
last, but was detained 5 months in expectation of the West India
convoy, which sailed not till May following, so that if she be
now obliged to stay in Virginia till the arrivall and departure
of the next convoy from thence, and the worm may occasion loss
of the ship by her remaining so long in those waters. Whereas
this ship being of some force, provided with letters of marque,
and a very good sailer, the owners and freighters are willing, for the
preventing of a certain ruine in Virginia, to venture her coming single. And having further understood from others the most considerable traders to Virginia, not concerned in this ship, that the
permitting her the liberty now desired will be no prejudice to
the generall Trade of those parts, we humbly offer that in
consideration of the particular case of this ship, your Majesty
may be pleased to grant the Petitioners their request. [C.O. 5,
1361. pp. 41–43.] |
Nov. 13. Whitehall. |
650. W. Popple to Micajah Perry. The Council of Trade
and Plantations understanding by the Naval Officers' Accounts
which they have received from Virginia, that there were 228
barrells of pitch shipt in the last fleet from thence, they desire
you to let them know to whom they were consigned, and, if you
can, to inform them of their qualitys if fit for service. [C.O. 5,
1361. p. 44.] |
Nov. 13. Whitehall. |
651. W. Popple, jr., to Mr. Perry. The Council of Trade
and Plantations desire you to give them the best account you are
able of the number of ships arrived this year from Virginia and
Maryland, with the number of their men and guns, their burden,
and quantity of tobacco imported by them. If you can particularize or distinguish the quantities arrived at Bristoll, as well
as here, it will be very acceptable, and the sooner the better.
[C.O. 5, 1361. p. 45.] |
Nov. 13. Fleet. |
652. Jeronimy Clifford tothe Council of Trade and Plantations.
I have wrot several times to Messrs. Shippard etc., but in vain.
Prays relief. Signed, Jer. Clifford. 1 p. Enclosed, |
652. i. Mr. Clifford to Messrs. Shippard etc., Oct. 28, 1704.
Prays them to report on his case. [Feb. 10.] Endorsed,
Recd. Nov. 13, 1704, Read Jan. 10, 1704/5. Copy.
1 p. [C.O. 388, 75. Nos. 105, 105.i.] |
Nov. 14. Barbados. |
653. Four suspended Members of the Councill of Barbados
to the Council of Trade and Plantations. We are forced to be
further troublesome to your Lordships, in our own defence, by
the subtle and indirect arts and methods that have been lately
used to make us appear guilty to H.M. and your Lordships of
that heavy charge H.E. has been pleased to lay upon us, for the
justification of his own proceedings in our suspension. We might
have expected to have been more fairly proceeded with, and that
H.E. would have attempted at least, according to H.M.
Instructions, to have made some proofs here of his accusations
against us, to the end we might be in some condition of making
our defence, and giving in our answer to be transmitted to your
Lordships, in order to H.M. judgement thereupon. But it being
impossible to make any proof here of those charges of which
we are altogether innocent, it is thought more advisable by those
whose interest it is that we should appear guilty, and are very
industrious to transfer their own crime upon us, to make their
accusations against us at a large distance in England, where
they hope their own confident allegations may be taken for
granted and we be run down by interest, noise and clamour,
but we are more truly sensible and certain of H.M. great justice
and goodness, as also of your Lordships', than to be under any
apprehension of such a misfortune. Since we have been turned
from the Councill Board, much time hath been spent by H.E.
and his new Councillors in forming Proclamations, Declarations,
Speeches, and Propositions to the Assembly, and all ordered to be
published in the Churches throughout the Island, only to put a
fair gloss upon their late transactions; to this we may add the
Protestation and Address of those 12 Gentlemen of the Assembly
who have been so industrious to promote the Bill for standing
forces as to obstruct all other business, thereby also endeavouring
to evade the good design of her sacred Majesty for the advantage
of this Island, express'd in her most gracious letter, one of the
12 Members of the Assembly and cheif promoter of the Bill, saying
that this was the only way to make a present to the Governour
without the Queen's knowledge, in which Protestation and
Addresses (as we are informed), for they will give no copies, they
are pleased to bestow very large and extravagant enconiums
upon themselvs, and disadvantagiously represent, and cast
undeserved reflections upon H.M. better subjects, and in order
to carry on this design, Presentments and Addresses for the
Grand Jury to sign to the Judge of the Court of Grand Sessions,
to H.E. and to H.M., have been framed, and to the same purpose
tend the Addresses of the new Councillors and Military Officers
to H.E., being pick'd out for this very purpose, the great
revolutions and alterations that have been in all Offices, military
and civill, being made only to serve this design, and therefore
we humbly hope that the suggestions of such persons as these
(who are parties and cannot but be supposed to be very partial)
may not easily obtain beleif, but that proofs may be required,
and full enquiry first be made into the truth of things, and therefore we humbly pray that we may know all the particular charges
that are laid against us, that we may be enabled to make our
defence, in order to which we humbly desire that a Dedimus
Potestatem may be granted, empowering some indifferent persons
here to take depositions, and then we doubt not but we shall
be able to make our own innocence appear, and to show where
the faction lies. We entreat your Lordships to observe that the
grand charge laid against us, is the encourageing faction of
which no particular instance hath been offered, only H.E. is pleased
to say in his Speech (to which his creatures eccho we are informed
in their Address) that he hath some reason to beleive that the
absenting Members of the Assembly have been encouraged
by the suspended Members of the Councill; but we hope that
a bare suggestion without any proof will not be favoured to our
prejudice, especially when we can make the contrary appear
(if we may have an opportunity) as clear as the sun by incontestible evidence (vizt.) that we endeavoured by all the arguments
reproofs and entreaties we could use to prevail upon them to
give their attendance and make an House, particularly telling
them that we looked upon it to be a great reflection upon the
Councill to suspect that they would pass any Bill that plainly
appeared to be prejudicial to the Island, to which they made
the same answer we mentioned in our former answer, that H.E.
could suspend, put in and turn out Members of the Councill,
as he thought fitt, and they doubted not but (if the Bill once
passed their House) that H.E. would take that method to make
way for it, in which the event proved they were not mistaken.
Now, whether this be a sufficient excuse for their not meeting,
we do not undertake to determine, it being referred to H.M.
judgement and your Lordships' consideration, but we hope (if
it shall be deem'd a fault) that we who were not in the least
partakers of the guilt, shall not be sharers in the punishment,
the proceedings of those Gentlemen in that matter, being contrary
to our judgement and most constant advice. Signed, Geo.
Lillington, Michll. Terrell, David Ramsay, Benj. Cryer.
Endorsed, Recd. from Mr. Bernard. Recd. Read Nov. 14, 1704.
5 pp. [C.O. 28, 7. No. 58; and 29, 9. pp. 87–94.] |
Nov. 14. Whitehall. |
654. W. Popple to J. Burchett. Encloses extract of
Governor Handasyd's letter, Sept. 17, relating to ships of war
at Jamaica. [C.O. 138, 11. p. 348.] |
Nov. 15. |
655. Mr. Thurston to Mr. Popple. Enclosing following.
Signed, J. Thurston. Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read Nov. 28th,
1704. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
655. i. Capt. Moody to J. Thurston. Repeats part of letter
of Oct. 10. The provision ship from the Victualling Office
is arrived, but out of 11,179lb. of biskett, 8,494 is condemned. I must supply the soldiers with necessaries
and draw upon you for the same. I make no doubt to
defend ourselves this year, the soldiers' hearts upon
this change [the arrival of deserters from Placentia]
being fixt to the service of H.M. intirely, but with
full expectation of relief next year, which if neglected
may prove of ill consequence to the whole country.
This dismall country affords nothing worth your
acceptance, only a barrel of fish which I have sent, etc.
Signed, Jno. Moody. P.S.—The Surgeon's chest of
medicins prove extrerordinary good. Addressed. Sealed.
2 pp. |
655. ii. John Adams, inhabitant of St. John's Harbour, to
the Council of Trade and Plantations. He was last
year barberously beat and abused by Capt. Lloyd,
to the utter ruin of him and his whole family. Prays
for satisfaction out of his pay. Endorsed, Recd. 13th,
Read Nov. 28, 1704. 1p. |
655. iii. Deposition of several of the inhabitants of Newfoundland. In 1703 Capt. Lloyd did summon most
of the inhabitants to fetch wood for H.M. Fort; Adams
among the rest did so. Lloyd did then in a very barbarous manner beat and abuse him, and made several
holes in his head, rendering him wholly incapable of
ever managing business, etc. No signatures. Endorsed
as preceding. 1p. |
655. iv. Deposition of Tho. Adams, that he dressed five cuts
in Adams' head. Next day Capt. Lloyd's cruelty
continuing denied me forcibly. Signed, Tho. Adams.
Sept. 6, 1704. Subscribed, I then dressed him. Signed,
Christopher Wood. The whole, endorsed as preceding.
1 small p. |
655. v. Certificate as to the truth of above. St. John's,
Sept. 6, 1704. Signed, Tho. Adams, Surgn., Buckle
Powell, Archi. Taylor, John Jordan. Endorsed as
preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 3. Nos. 31, 31.i.–v.; and
(without enclosures) 195, 3. pp. 342–344.] |
[Nov. 15.] |
656. Deposition of Charles Irvine, Clerk, Barbados. July 6
1704. Some time about the begining of this Assembly, before
the election of the present Treasurer, Capt. Enoch Gretton and
deponent were lamenting the heats and differences that had
been in the former Assembly and began to appear in this, for
the preventing of any farther increase in them. Capt. Gretton
desired deponent to make a proposal to any of his friends in the
Assembly, that if they would choose Col. Downes to be Treasurer
for this one year, Col. Downes' friends would joyne with them
in other things, and the business of the Assembly should be
done; but if they would not choose Col. Downes, he had friends
enough there to break the House, and no business would be done.
He computed Col. Down's friends to be, for Christchurch parish
two, for St. Philips one (I suppose meaning himself), for St. John's
two, for St. Lucie's two, for St. Peter's one, and we found that
the Assembly could not make a House without them.
Capt. Gretton was positive that he knew of no other cause of
difference in the Assembly, but that Col. Downes was struck at
without a particular charge against him. Deponent concluded
that the electing any other person to be Treasurer would cause
a rupture in the Assembly, and would tend to its being dissolved.
He argued with Lt. Col. Alleyne to that effect, etc. Signed,
Cha. Irvine. Endorsed, Recd. Read Nov. 15, 1704. Recd.
from Melisha Holder. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 7. No. 59.] |