|
March 1.
Whitehall. |
906. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Hedges. Enclosing informations relating to Major Lloyd, to
be laid before H.M. In case H.M. thall think fit to send a
reinforcement to the garrison of Newfoundland (as Feb. 14),
it will be necessary that a proportionable increase of provisions
be forthwith ordered etc. Autographs. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 194, 22.
No. 13.] |
March 1.
Whitehall. |
907. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Bishop of
London. We are convinced that the irregular proceedings [in
Newfoundland] have been in great measure occasioned by the
violent temper and scandalous life of Mr. Jackson the minister
etc. Considering the importance of the place and the necessity
of preserving the better discipline, we humbly desire that your
Lordship would recall him, and that another minister be sent
by the next convoy to supply his place. [C.O. 195, 3. pp.
407, 408.] |
March 1.
Whitehall. |
908. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Hedges. In answer to letter of Feb. 14. Refer to letter of Jan. 12.
We have only to add that the evidence against Capt. Lloyd, as
far as appears to us, does not prove the misbehaviour alledged
against him, several of the persons having signed papers
contradictory to themselves, at one time accusing and at another
justifying him, and the last Commodore and Captains of the
2 men of warr there, as likewise the Masters of several merchantmen having given a good character of him. Autographs. 2 pp.
[C.O. 194, 22. No. 14; and 195, 3. pp. 405, 406.] |
March 1.
St. James's. |
909. Order of Queen in Council. Referring enclosed to the
Council of Trade and Plantations, who are to consider the papers
lately transmitted from Barbadoes, and report. Signed, John
Povey. Endorsed, Recd. 6th, Read 7th March, 1705. 1 p.
Enclosed, |
|
909. i. Petition of the Four Suspended Councellors of Barbados.
Pray for H.M. letter for examining their witnesses in
Barbados, and that the appointment of persons to fill
their places on the Council be meantime suspended.
Signed, Geo. Lillington, Michael Terrill, David Ramsay,
Ben. Cryer. 4¾ pp. [C.O. 28, 7. Nos. 86, 86.i.; and
29, 9. pp. 213–222.] |
March 1.
Admiralty Office. |
910. J. Burchett to Mr. Popple, jr. [See Feb. 28.] All
the men of warr, ordered to attend on Barbados etc., for the
security of those Islands, are particularly directed not to imprest
men there, but to apply to the Governors. But Capt. St. Lo,
being ordered to the West Indies with the Trade, and to return
as soon as the Trades were ready, he had no particular orders
about pressing (neither was hee forbidd to imprest men at the
Islands), as the ships station'd there, have. Signed, J. Burchett.
Endorsed, Recd. Read March 2, 1704/5. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 7. No.
87; and 29, 9. pp. 193, 194.] |
March 1.
Whitehall. |
911. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. About
100 men are wanting to compleat the 4 Companies at New York,
and a sufficient sum is saved upon the Establishment for making
the recruits, which is very necessary. [C.O. 5, 1120. pp. 275,
276.] |
March 1.
St. James's. |
912. Order of Queen in Council. Referring preceding to the
Lord High Treasurer to give such orders therein as he shall think
fit. Signed, Chris. Musgrave. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 2, 1705.
¾ p. [C.O. 5, 1048. No. 113; and 5, 1120. p. 292.] |
| March 1. |
913. Copy of a warrant from Lord Cornbury appointing
Wm. Sloper his Agent for the Province of New York. Endorsed,
Recd. Read July 20, 1705. 2½ pp. Set out, N.Y. Doc., iv.
p. 1137. [C.O. 5, 1048. No. 112; and 5, 1120. pp. 331–334.] |
March 1.
Whitehall. |
914. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Hedges. In reply to letter of Feb. 16. We know of no Law or
Treaty which forbids the carrying the English Manufactures
from England and Ireland immediately to Curacao and St. Thomas,
those Colonies belonging to Nations in amity or allowance [sic]
with the Crown, tho' we do conceive that the same is of great
prejudice to the trade of H.M. Plantations, for that the Dutch
and Danes do thereby intercept and carry on that trade more
immediately with the Spaniards, and gain that additional profit
which would accrue to H.M. subjects of the Plantations, in case
the said goods were first lodged there, and carried from thence
directly to the Spanish coast in the West Indies. One great
occasion of carrying our English manufactures immediately to
the Dutch and Danes is that the seamen are frequently prest
at Jamaica and other Plantations from on board the merchants
ships trading there, and the ships disabled from proceeding on
trade with the Spaniards, so that our merchants do rather chuse
to go to Curacao and other foreign ports, where they do not meet
with any pressing or molestation of that kind, but on the contrary
with all incouragement, whereby that trade may be drawn to
those parts. Endorsed [? by Sir C. Hedges] "sent to ye Committee
of Trade to propose wt. may be done to prevent. Care is taken
yt seamen are not to be impressed by a standing Order from
ye Prince's" [? Council]. 2 pp. [C.O. 318, 3. No. 22; and
138, 11. pp. 377, 378.] |
March 1.
Virginia. |
915. Governor Nicholson to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Refers to letters of Oct. 7 and 30, and encloses
duplicate of latter. I have the Masters' receipts for my letters
(described). I am more particular to your Lordships in this
affair because I find that is a great accusation against me, for
opening and stopping of letters and such things, but this some
of them have revived; for the same thing they taxt my
predecessour with, tho' I think they will find as much difficulty
to prove that as most of their other accusations etc., and may
be no Governour ever took more care about the safe conveyance
of people's letters both while I was in Maryland and here and
to my no small charge and trouble. I believe that I have had
several letters stopt and intercepted both that have been for me
here and those I have sent for England, something I have found
out of it here and Mr. Perry writes me the same concerning my
letters to him, etc., so I humbly begg that your Lordships will
be pleased to enquire of Mr. Perry, both what he wrote to me,
and what I have answered him about that affair. I think they
have served me in this as they have done in others, that is where
they have been guilty of any ill thing themselves, they would
endeavour to throw it upon me; and this I hope to make appear
when I have answered their memoriall, affidavitts etc. What
your Lordships were pleased to direct, June 29, concerning letters
etc. your Lordships will see what I have done in Councill thereupon
Dec. 15, which I hope is agreable to H.M. commands and your
Lordships'. This is designed by the Eagle gally. I intend to
send your Lordships a copy of the receipt which I designe the
Captain shall give me concerning taking care and sinking the
letters etc. What you write Feb. 16, 170¾, about New Yorke,
I am heartily sorry that the Assembly had so little regard to
H.M. Demands, relating to the quota, but I am extraordinarily
obliged to your Lordships for what you write concerning my
zeale in that affair, and your Lordships were pleased before to
approve what I did concerning it, as likewise his late and her
present Majesty; but for all this I find Mr. Blair makes a great
accusation against me, upon the affair of New Yorke, and the
Memoriall Gentlemen insinuate something of it, when they tax
me with using harsh speeches and irritateing propositions to the
Assembly. I suppose they mean that wherein the New York
affair was managed and where they used all their art, cunning
and interest to oppose it. To endeavour here particularly to
answer it or justify myself I think would be very rude and
impertinent in me, because all the Journalls were sent to your
Lordships, and with humble submission, I think they have in
some measure if not taxed, yet reflected on your Lordships not
only in that but in some other affairs, the particular whereof
I suppose will appear when I have put in my particular answer
to the Memoriall and Affidavits. One thing I beg leave to observe.
Mr. Blair taxes me for not haveing my Lord Cornbury's receipt
for my bills of Exchange for the 900l. entred on the Journall of
the Councill; I confess it is not there, but it is recorded in a
particular book belonging to the Councill Office where things
of that nature were entred, with my letter to your Lordships of
July 23, 1703. I there sent you a copy of the said receipt for
which I suppose you were pleased to order, that in case the
Assembly of Virginia do not reimburse me that mony, H.E.
my Lord Cornbury was imediately to repay it: but his Lordship
never received any of the money, nor as I hear never demanded
of Mr. Perry. Refers to letter of Aug. 1, 1703. I very well
remember that in the long Assembly about New York on one
of the last days of that Session I came into the Council Chamber
and found Blair and Beverley close together talking on that
subject, for Beverley then was a Burgess. Blair asked him
why they did not send more reasons against the quotas etc., but
Mr. Secretary Jennings being next him gave him a jogg. I
suppose he was so intent on that subject, that he did not see
when I came in, and I suppose from that Sessions they contracted
a familiarity, for friendship I believe it is none, for may be few
people had abused and reflected upon one another so much as
they had done. I think both these sparks have had profitable
places by my interest and means, and maybe no man hath been
much more beholden to any other then Blair hath been to me,
as I think I can make appear by letters under his owne hand,
except he will deny them; for I am sure that he hath both sign'd
and sworn against me things of as strange nature, and I don't
question but to make it appear both by records and liveing
testimonys, that most of the things that he and Beverly hath
sworn against me is not true (to give it no worse an epithet)
especially Blaire. In the same letter your Lordships mention,
that as to what I writ about attacking of Canada, your Lordships
had communicated my Lord Cornbury's proposall about it to the
Secretary of State; but I find that Mr. Blair in particular hath
laid an high accusation against me on that subject, to which I
shall at present only beg leave to say; that not only in those
two cases of New York and attacqueing Canada, as likewise about
a Burgess for James City, and taking up land on the South side
of Blackwater Swamp etc., and what other things of the same
nature they accuse me of, that is of endeavouring to do my duty
what in me lay, both to his late Majesty and her present Majesty,
I am far from being troubled and concerned at them, because
I hope they have done me no prejudice with your Lordships,
by reason I always endeavoured (according to my duty) to send
your Lordships the Journal of the Councill, Assemblys etc., as
likewise writt to your Lordships on those particular subjects,
and I think that your Lordships will not be much better informed
either by the Memoriall or affidavits concerning these or the
other affairs they tax me with, than I have and shall endeavour
to doe when a full answer to them is (God willing) sent to your
Lordships by me. I am extreamly obliged to your Lordships
for what you write in that letter, that I had no occasion to be
troubled for the report concerning my mal-administration etc.,
and your Lordships were pleased in a letter of July 29, 1703,
concerning the complaints of Capt. Moodie etc. to write that
you would be farr from censuring me without hearing, but rather
be ready to represent the satisfaction your Lordships always
had in my conduct. I was too sensible of the designs that some
few of the Extra-Twedians had against me, but I confess that
I could not have imagined that they would have gone so farr as
to have made affidavits against me, but I find when men give
themselves up to implacable malice, hatred and revenge, that
they will stick at nothing. I find that three of the Affidavitt
Sparks were of that country and one Frenchman, and Robert
Beverley, I fancy, will hardly find that Virginia will owne him.
As for Esq. Luke, I pity him with all my heart, because he is
an English Gentleman of Quality and hath a great many such
relations, but he hath fallen into bad company both with them
and his wife. My Lords, God forbid that I should in the least
reflect upon that noble and ancient Kingdom of Scotland, because
I had the misfortune of being very strangely used (but I thank
God it is but) by a few of them, and I should be unjust if I did
not owne that the other gentlemen of that nation in this country
behaved themselves very civilly and justly towards me, and I
have done the like to them, tho' these Sparks endeavoured to
have made a nationall difference. My Lords, in the Councill
Memoriall, they take notice that all Colonells, Lieutenant Colonells,
Majors, Captains and other officers in the Militia are put in and
turned out without asking advice of the Councill, contrary to
all former practice. It may be sometimes I have like my
predecessours asked advice of the Councill or named the Militia
officers there, but with humble submission I think that I am
not obliged to do it, either by my Commission or Instructions,
and in another paragraph they tax me with advanceing men of
inferiour stations to the cheif commands in the Militia, by which
trusts and honours the Councill used alone formerly to be dignified
and distinguished, to H.M. great security in times of danger,
but the epithet (dignified and distinguished) I think clearly demonstrates who was the contriver of this Memoriall, for Mr. Blair
may be would have been dignified and distinguished by severall
military powers and commands, as he was in ecclesiasticall and
civill, then he might have had a sort of spirituall militia, but
into whom no doubt he would have endeavoured to have infused
some worldly principles, as that they might have gott and enjoyed
(no matter by whatever unlawfull and unjust wayes and means)
a comfortable terrestiall subsistance before they had endeavoured
to have secured themselves a celestiall habitation. I suppose
that may be Mr. Blair hath read a little pamphlet entituled, A
discourse of Government with relation to Militias, (one of them
was given to me by Mr. Benja. Harrison, and under the word
militias with his owne hand he writes thus, vizt. written by
Andrew Fletcher, Laird of Saltoun) by which he might think
himself qualified to be a Dictator as well in military affairs as he
took upon him to be both in ecclesiasticall and civill; no doubt
he had a high value and esteem for that book, because he hath
told me that the Laird of Saltoun was a relation of his and a
particular friend; and Mr. Harrison told me that he was very
well acquainted with him: and I found that both of them had
a very extraordinary great opinion of Mr. Fletcher, and that
gentleman's pamphlet, entituled Speeches by a Member of
Parliament which began at Edenburgh, May 6, 1703 (for I think
Mr. Harrison as soon as he saw it concluded they were his), hath
been studied and practised by him, but I thank God that all his
Speeches etc. in the Assembly have not in the maine had any
influence over them, nor I hope never will, for he is now seen
through and well enough knowne in the country, and so I think
is Mr. Blair and the rest of the small faction. But may be these
Sparks want to have a Scotch Act of Security that they might
make use of their militia on occasion, and may be they would
do it as soon as possible, that they might be the better able to
assist their brethren in promoteing their Interest both in point
of Religion, Government, and Trade. In the same paragraph
of the Memoriall they say that by these means I endeavour not
only to regaine the good opinion of the common people, but
also to begett in them such jealousys and distrusts of the Councill
as might render them incapable to withstand my arbitrary
designes. I humbly make answer that I have not advanced men
of inferiour stations to the cheif command etc., but where there
was not a Councellor in the county I commissionated the best
gentleman in it to command the Militia. That the Councill
formerly had the command of all the Militia in all the countys,
though they did not live in them, is not so, to give it no worse
an epithet, but it is an easy thing to see that these gentlemen
would have all the power in their owne hands, for if everything
should be granted them that they ask in their Petition and
Memoriall, and what the Affidavits men would have or rather
what they demand, H.M. would have but a mere skeleton of a
Governmt. left, and hardly the power of a Doge of Genoa, and
I think the question may be put to them as the wise King Solomon
did to his mother, Why don't they ask the Kingdome or the
Government also, that they make a Commonwealth of it, which
I suppose is more their aime then of any great security to H.M.
in times of Danger, by their being intrusted with the power of
the Militia, which if they once had perhaps they would use it
in the same manner as the Parliament did to King Charles I.
They would insinuate as if I did these things to regaine the good
will of the common people; I don't know that ever I lost it,
nor of the best sort neither, except their small party, and how
they came to have such a bad opinion of me now, when they
had quite the contrary formerly, I can't tell except it were that
I would not be guided and governed by them and turne Secretarys,
Auditors, Collectors, Navall Officers and others out of their places,
and put them and their friends in, and continue to be constantly
makeing presents to them etc. and that I would not lett them
doe what they pleased. As to the begetting in the common
people jealousies and distrusts of those Gentlemen of the Councill,
if I had a mind to it, I need not use many ways and means to
effect it, for I think not only the common people but others know
them now of late too well to trust them, and if there should be
occasion either for raising voluntiers upon the occasion of an
invasion or insurrection (which God forbid) these gentlemen
would find very few to come into them, neither would the militia
be very fond of serving under them, because they know their
inability every way, as likewise their haughty carriage about
these things. Concerning the militia, I most humbly refer myself
to the severall letters which I have all along writ to your
Lordship, as likewise to the Journalls of the Councill, which
I hope will contradict what Mr. Blair hath made so long a charge
against me in the latter end of his first affidavit concerning
arbitrary designs; his insinuations about Cromwell, but more
particularly that rebell Bacon. I think he ought to have the
same treatment from your Lordships as the Asiatick philosopher
had, who made a long oration about warr and soldiery in the
presence of Hanniball. Mr. Blair's notions in that affaire are
as chymericall as his insinuations are false. May be it is as his
countryman Dr. Bill, who came over with him, says, that he
believes he is hypocondriack, and may be of late he has imbibed
some of the principles of the Fifth Monarchy men, and so fancyed
that I was going to sett up one. If I was apprehensive that your
Lordships did in the least believe me to be guilty of what
Mr. Blair endeavours to insinuate and charge me with, as if I was
going to levy warr against her most sacred Majesty, it would
trouble me much more than all the rest of the Memorialls,
affidavitts etc., for that would be such a peice of horrid and
foolish villany in the highest degree, that I think no punishment
and death would be too cruell for me. If the Devill had gott
so much power over me as to entertaine the thoughts and designes
of doing such a thing, I believe that I should not have accomplished it, by reason that I should not have been able to gett
any of the inhabitants in these parts to have joyned with me;
but he hath forgott to have sworne that I had lately found out
a country from whence I might bring an army of Pigmies, instead
of one of Pilgrims, but he might chance to have given a wrong
description of their leader as Oates did to Don John. I think
Mr. Blair hath equalled, if not outdone, his countryman Furguson
by being dissatisfied with every Governmt., and that he hath
also outdone Oates, Young, and Fuller, and may be few men
in his ecclesiastick station as Commissary hath acted more
arbitrarily, illegally and uncannonically, especially in the tryall
of one Collier. As for his actions concerning the College I thinke
he hath behaved himself in most respects very strangly, especially
by doing little or nothing for his 150l. a year. As for the affaire
of the militia, and endeavouring to sett up for myself, I shall
endeavour (God willing) particularly to answer Mr. Blair's
affidavit, and if any solemn vows and protestations that I am
capable of makeing (and I thank God that such things never
entred into my thoughts, much less were any of my actions
towards it) could satisfye your Lordships that what Mr. Blair
hath charged me with was not true, I could most safely do it,
but it may be justly replyed upon me, that all I could, not only
say, but swear on that subject ought not to be in the least
credited, because if I were a traitour (I think one of the worst
characters in the world) I would not stick at forswearing myself,
which I hope in God I never have or shall do, or that it will be
legally proved that ever I was or designed to a Rebell. Signed,
Fr. Nicholson. P.S.—I transmitt a copy of a Commission which
I gave to John Smith Esq., one of H.M. Honble. Council, which
I think will be for H.M. interest and service, as likewise to make
more such officers as Adjutant Generall, Muster Master Generall.
(But maybe Mr. Blair will have new notions on this, and swear
that I have actually began the Rebellion, which is as true as
the other) and I am in hopes that what I have and intend to
do in this affair will not be disapproved of by your Lordships,
which will be a satisfaction to F.N. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read
May 31st, 1705. 5½ large pp. Enclosed, |
|
915. i. Copy of a Commission to Col. John Smith to be Quarter
Master General of all the Counties of Virginia between
the Rivers of York and Rappahanock. June 24, 1704.
Signed, Fr. Nicholson. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1314. Nos. 40,
40.i.; and (without enclosure) 5, 1361. pp. 237–257.] |
March 2.
Whitehall. |
916. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Hedges. In reply to letter of Feb. 21, enclose Report to be laid
before H.M. Annexed, |
|
916. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Tho'
it do's in the generall very much contribute to the
security of trade that all ships bound from the Plantations
to England do sail with convoy according to your
Majesty's Instructions, yet forasmuch as these two
ships are designed for the coast of Guinea and from
thence to Jamaica with negroes, which may likewise
promote the trade with the Spaniards, so that the time
of their arrivall at and departure from the Plantations
cannot be so well ascertained as to depend upon convoys,
and they being light saylors and of force, we have nothing
to object why your Majesty may not grant your Orders
to your Governors to permit them to sail without convoy
for the present voyage to be performed within the
space of 12 months. [C.O. 5, 1361. pp. 54–56.] |
| [March 2.] |
917. Affidavit of James French, Master of the Mermaid,
that he sailed from Guinea to Virginia, and on arriving found
an embargo, and could not clear for England, though he might
have had 15l. per tun freight for London, and although he had
a letter of mart, so entered for ye Maderas in ballast, and by stress
of weather was forced into Bristol. Feb. 26, 1704. Signed,
James French. ¾ p. [C.O. 5, 1314. No. 41.] |
| [March 2.] |
918. Similar affidavit of Roger Carnaby, Master of the
Dolphin, as to his being detained in Virginia. Bristol, Feb. 26,
1704. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 2, 1704/5. 1 large p. [C.O. 5,
1314. No. 41(a).] |
March 2.
[Whitehall.] |
919. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Hedges. Enclose extract of Governor Dudley's letter of Nov. 27,
1704, relating to Accadie and Canada. [C.O. 5, 911. p. 452;
and (with enclosure) 42, 13. Nos. 6, 6.i.] |
March 2.
Fleet Prison |
920. Mr. Clifford to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Since Feb. 23 I have not heard anything from your Lordships
or the merchants. Signed, Jer. Clifford. Enclosed, |
|
920. i. Copy of letter of Feb. 23 from same to same. [C.O. 388,
75. Nos. 116, 116.i.; and 389, 36. p. 251.] |
March 2.
Virginia. |
921. Governor Nicholson to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. It is a very great trouble to me that I should be
taxed with misapplying H.M. Revenue here; but Mr. Auditor
Bird being just dead before I received the Memorial and affidavits
from your Lordships, incapacitates me at present from giving
so full an answer about the revenue, as I could have done, if
he had been alive; but I beg that an Instruction may be given
to his successor to examine very nicely into that affair of which
they accuse me. I have been so far from misapplying H.M.
revenue, that I have done quite otherwise. Without reflection
on my predecessors, I believe it will appear by the Journalls
of the Councill from the very beginning, that I have had more
audits in a year than any of them, and that I have (according
to my bounden duty) used all lawfull ways and means for
improving H.M. revenue in the several kinds thereof. I have
had the very great honour to be Governour of this country for
six years, and odd months, in which time, besides the annual
salarys and contingent charges etc., there hath been paid out of
H.M. revenue of 2s. per hogshead, 1,700 and odd pounds that
was in arrears before I came, and about 400l. or 500l. of
extraordinary charges that were not usual before and there is
now in bank, (I thank God) of the 2s. per hogshead 1,946l. 2s. 6d.
and of the quit-rents 5,752l. 7s. 4d., besides this year to come,
tobacco being sold last October to be paid in April next, which
I hope will nigh amount to almost as much as it did last year,
tho' tobacco is now at a low price in the country. In most of
my Predecessors' times, without the least reflection upon them,
the revenue of the 2s. per hogshead and port duties etc. did not
pay the annual salarys and contingent charges: to make good
which there have been several thousand pounds transferred
from the quitt-rents. But after all, if I was guilty of what they
tax me with, I ought not to plead this in barr to such a peice of
villany. I don't doubt but, God willing, when Mr. Auditor Bird's
accompts come to be examined, to make it appear that the money
which was paid for expresses to the Northward, was when there
was an absolute necessity for doing of it, and not for holding a
correspondence with Sir Th. Lawrence and Col. Quary. I have
several times received from your Lordships pacquets for H.M.
Governors of Maryland, New York and New England, which
I had no other way of safe conveying but by expresses, and I
have sometimes paid those that have brought me pacquetts,
and letters from the Northward, that have come from England
into some of those Governments, and when his late Majesty and
her present Majesty's royall commands to me for the Assembly's
assisting New Yorke (which I think all the six Memorial gentlemen
opposed what in them lay) I then also thought that H.M. interest
and service required my sending H.M. Governor of New Yorke
by express an account of what was done. When Mr. Dionisius
Wright went for England, I sent him to give your Lordships (if
you thought convenient) an account of the above affairs etc.,
as I likewise did Mr. Secretary Jenings. But if your Lordships
doth not think fitt to allow the 60l. to Mr. Dionisius Wright,
nor the 100l. to Mr. Secretary Jennings, nor the mony which was
paid for the several expresses to and from the Northward, and
send an order that I should make good to H.M. revenue the said
several summs, I shall obey. I am not any way directly nor
indirectly a gainer by them, but it will be so much money paid
by me for which I never had the least private advantage or service.
I have laid out many a crown and pound that I might justly
have charged to H.M. revenue. I have several times maintained
expresses at my own house, and other times carried the Messengers,
when they returned, along with me, and instead of sending
expresses have given the answers myself to the Governors of
Maryland and New York. But your Lordships having had all
the Journalls of Councill, I hope it will appear by them that this
affair of the revenue, hath not been so managed as they have
represented, and I defy them to prove that either they jointly
or singly, or Mr. Auditor Bird did either publickly or privately
represent anything to me about the management of the revenue.
Your Lordships know very well that the annual sallarys etc.
amount to within 200l. or 300l. a year, of what the accounts
come to; but being these Gentlemen say I have managed the
revenue without their advice and consent, I hope they will not
pretend to have any applause for the increase of H.M. revenues
of severall sorts, so that affair I hope in some measure may be
attributed to Mr. Auditor and myself. When I shall mention
Records either against them or for my own justification, I suppose
they will (as they have done already) endeavour to insinuate
as if the Records were not true. This I take to be a thing of
so extraordinary a nature, both in respect of H.M. interest and
service and the country's, and the peace and satisfaction thereof,
that I shall (God willing) most earnestly recommend to the
Assembly, that they would examine the several records with the
utmost dilligence and care, for if they should not be right I think
most things would be wrong: but I thank God that I defy
them to prove the Records by my orders, or I hope by
the orders or negligence of any others, are falsified in any respect,
and I hope they will not say, much less pretend to prove, that
the Records which Mr. B. Harrison and Mr. R. Beverley made,
and are under their own hands, are forged etc. In this case of
the revenue, and indeed of most other of the accusations they
have made against me, they have done it with a great deal of
artfull trifling, malicious insinuations, and many notorious
falsities, which I hope in God that now in part, and afterwards
both by Records and living testimonys will appear to be so;
but they have likewise done in this, as in most other of the
accusations against me, observed to a tittle, the old Diabolical
saying vizt. Fling dirt enough and some will stick. I must confess
that what they have signed and sworne about the falsifying the
Records, is one of the cunningest things they did, and maybe
they were aware that the Records etc. would not only prove a
great part of the Memorial and Affidavits to be false (to give
them no other epithete) and so make them appear to be very
strange sort of men, but likewise would clear and justify me. |
|
The Bristoll fleet is arrived here within these few days, as
likewise some ships from Leverpool, Biddiford etc., but that
which is most wanted is the London fleet, for if they should not
arrive here before the Fall, I suppose goods will be very much
wanted, and it is like there will not then come ships enough to
carry away both the crops of last year and this, and 'tis very probable that a great part of the tobacco, especially Aronoco, if left
in the country will be spoil'd, or at least wasted in the weight.
I most humbly propose that if the London fleet doth not come
here before the next Fall or winter, that an account thereof may
be sent hither so soon as possible with the reasons why they
cannot come hither sooner, as whether it be caused by embargos,
want of seamen, or that it is a contrivance of the merchants;
for if they don't come there will be various accounts from England,
and likewise Reports here concerning it, according to people's
several interests, everybody depending upon the ships coming,
especially the Londoners, makes them uneasie if they don't
come in time to bring their goods etc. and carry out their tobacco
on freight, or that purchasers come in for it. When there are
ships and goods enough in the country, then it is very easy with
them. They begin to talk of endeavouing to make linnen and
woollen, as they did some time last warr, the reason is the low
price of their tobacco and the want of ships and goods in the
country, and here are some persons that take all these advantages,
and endeavour to infuse strange notions in the people, but that
none of these things may happen to the prejudice of H.M. revenue
in general, or the interest of my mother country old England,
are my prayers, wishes and hopes. Signed, Fr. Nicholson.
P.S.—Refers to enclosures. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 2, 1705.
2 large pp. Enclosed, |
|
921. i. Copy of Mr. Auditor Byrd's Will etc. July 8, 1700.
6 pp. |
|
921. ii. Copies of Governor Nicholson's Proclamations. JuneDec., 1704. |
|
(a) To enforce the Act for ascertaining the size of
tobacco hhds, and the complying with Orders for escheat
lands; ordering a return of glebe lands in accordance
with the Act for the maintenance of the Clergy, and the
Churchwardens to give an account whether their parishes
have received any of the Great Bibles sent in by Sir
Jeffery Jefferys; and the Vestrys to return their answer
to the opinion of Sir Edwd. Northey concerning
inductions. After Sept. 30 the private musters appointed
for every three weeks are to cease. June 28, 1704. |
|
(b) Proclamation declaring the Hon. Wm. Byrd
President. Aug. 9, 1704. |
|
(c) (d) Proclamations prorogueing the General Assembly
to Nov. 16 and April 18. |
|
(e) Proclamation for a Public Thanksgiving for the
Duke of Marlborough's Victory. Dec. 15, 1704. |
|
(f) Proclamation for publishing H.M. orders as to
rates of foreign coins. Dec. 15, 1704. |
|
(g) Proclamation on the death of Wm. Byrd, Auditor
and Receiver General, appointing substitutes etc.
Dec. 15, 1704. |
|
(h) Proclamation publishing the Act of Parliament
encreasing the proportion of foreign seamen allowed
per vessel. Dec. 15, 1704. The whole endorsed, Recd.
Read May 2, 1705. 8½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1314. Nos. 42,
42. i., ii.; and (without enclosures) 5, 1361. pp. 258–267; and (duplicates of No. ii.) 5, 1340. Nos. 6, 7.] |
| [March 2.] |
922. The Four Suspended Councillors of Barbados to the
Council of Trade and Plantations. Nov. 18, 1704. Barbadoes.
The Addresses of the Council and Assembly and Grand Jury
against us are of little weight, being signed by a small part only
and those prejudiced against us by their interest or the Governor's
influence. Governors can call whom they please on a Jury by
appointing some one Justice of the Peace in each parish to summon
six Freeholders to be of Jurys, except in such parrishes where a
Councellor inhabits, and at this time there are but eight Councillors
living in 4 parishes etc. Besides this, there was a very extraordinary course taken to model the last Grand Jury, ten of the
Judges of the Court of Grand Sessions being taken of ye Bench
to fill up whose names we have annexed, every one of which
doth now hold some place, into which they have been put by
our present Governor. To clear ourselves and make good our
allegations, we humbly pray for a Commission or H.M. letter for
examining and taking depositions of witnesses in Barbados.
Signed, Geo. Lillington, Michaell Terrill, David Ramsay, Ben.
Cryer. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 2, 1704/5. 1¾ closely written
pp. [C.O. 28, 7. No. 88; and 29, 9. pp. 195–202.] |
| [March 2.] |
923. Eleven Affidavits presented to the Council of Trade
and Plantations by the Gentlemen who appear against Sir Beville
in behalf of the Absenting Members of Assembly. |
|
923. i. Affidavit of Francis White, late of Barbados. Gordon,
the Sheriff, declared the election at St. Lucy's parish
closed, Aug. 21 last, when Col. Maycock challenged the
qualification of a voter, George Dowrich. Capt. Osbourn
kept the guard out that day and prevented freeholders
voting for Col. Maycock and Col. Terrill, whilst he
permitted others of the same guard to vote for Lt. Col.
Pickering and Major Lambert. Troubled at this
interference with the freedom of elections and other
grievances, many have left the Island, and others are
preparing to do so. Signed, Fran. White. Endorsed,
Recd. Read March 2, 1704/5. 1 p. |
|
923. ii. Affidavit of J. Curll, late of Barbados. Confirms
preceding. The Militia hath been commanded to doe duty
upon the mountains etc., which hath very much fatigued
the inhabitants, especially the poorer sort, who thereby
have been exposed to great hardships, by the negroes
robbing their Plantations etc. Many have complained
that they were abused by their new officers for not voting
as they would have them. Signed, Jno. Curll. 1 p. |
|
923. iii. Affidavit of Thomas Maycock, late of Barbados. The
Governor commanded the Militia on duty contrary to
the Laws of the Island and without the consent of
the Council, which occasioned the Assembly to address
him for redress therein, after which he called together
the Council and the Colonels for gaining their consent
for proceeding on the said duty of guarding; he put
several particular questions to them without allowing
them the freedom of debate upon the whole, whereupon
the Council did desire that the whole duty of the horseguards and about half the foot might be taken off.
The Island being under no apprehension of danger from
the enemy, when the Governor commanded the said
unusual guarding, deponent believes the same was
done on purpose to make way for a Bill then designed
and which was brought into the Assembly for impowering
the Governour to raise two Companies of Granadeers
to keep guard in the fortifications under certaine
allowances and pay, and deponent finding it was the
opinion of the generallity that the Bill was not necessary,
but would prove destructive to the Militia, and that
by the large allowances of the Bill to be disposed off
by the Governor he would be a gainer thereby at least
3,000l. and thereby be a means to evade H.M. Instructions, and fearing the ill consequences of the Bill in
regard many of the Scotch servants were free and the
service of others just expiring, and the Scotch interest
being prevalent, and they chiefly forwarding this Bill,
'twas feared most of the said two Companies would be
made up of Scotch men, and thereby all the fortifications
be in their power, and wrested out of the hands of the
Militia, he informed the Governor that the people were
very much dissatisfyed with the Bill and desired he would
discountenance it, which he refused. The Bill was on
the third reading thrown out by a majority of the
Assembly, which soe much disobliged the Governor
that he declared to deponent that he would make them
know that voted against the Bill that he had put them
into Commission and would turn them out and put
in others that would be more his friends, which he
performed in a short time after, and put out many
officers both civil and military that were believed to be
of the same opinion, viz. 11 field officers and several
captains and subaltern officers of the Militia and about
30 Justices of the Peace, and all this without the consent
or approbation of H.M. Council, by which removal of
so many good and ancient officers at once, the Island
was in a confusion and consternation, and soon after
there being an alarm upon the appearing of a fleet of
ships then feared to be the enemy, the Militia appeared
with their arms, but in several places there was no
Commission Officer to command them. Deponent
believes this change of officers was made purely to
influence the passing of the said Bill, for soon afterwards
the Bill with some small alterations and with the same
advantages to the Governor was again brought in.
Deponent believes Col. Robert Johnston, Col. James
Colleton, Lt. Col. Robert Steward, Major John Sandford
and some other new officers are unqualified by law,
as not having a sufficient estate in land, and several
of the rest are inexperienced and of mean capacities
and substance in comparison to the old officers. 600l.
was voted by the Assembly to the Governor. William
Holder, the Speaker, acquainted the House that the
Governour gave them thanks but could not receive it
as then worded, for that it would too plainly appear
to be a present, and that the Governor desired the
Minits might be altered and no summe mentioned, that
it might not appear to H.M. to be a present and that he
might receive the money. A majority of the Assembly
caused the minits to be altered, without any summe
mentioned, but that the Treasurer reimburse the
Governor's charges in sending vessels as spies and
gaining intelligence of the enemy's designs and receiving
flags of truce from Martinego and for defraying the
charges of his servants and equipage, the rent of Buckworth's house, and his expenses till Pilgrim's be fitted
up. H.E. spoke to Deponent, then one of the Assembly,
and desired that such an entry might be made in the
Minnits, that it might not appear to H.M. to be a present.
After this was settled, Col. John Holder moved that 500l.
be given the Governor to furnish his cellar with liquors.
The House being divided in opinion, it was desired by
several Members that the Question might be put whether
any sum should be given and what sum, which was
refused by the majority, and the Speaker was desired
by John Holder and others to take notice how many
was of opinion for 500l. and how many against. The
Speaker declared the majority was for 500l., and Charles
Thomas, Treasurer, was ordered to pay the said sum
without any entry made of that sum, and the entrys
were made in the Minits as Resolves, although no question
put as aforesaid, contrary to the known rules and
practices of Assemblys, upon which several members
declared that if such irregular proceedings were suffered,
it would be the ruin of the Island and of that Constitution,
and that they could not join in suffering such proceedings.
Some time after Col. John Holder and others moved the
Assembly that about 5,000l. be raised to carry on the
buildings at Pilgrim's, maintenance of the French
prisoners and payment of the money advanced by the
Treasurer, to which being answered that it was an
unnecessary charge to expend so much of the country's
money on those buildings which the country had no
lease of, and that a much lesser sum was sufficient for
the French prisoners, Col. Holder replied that they
had given the Governor 1,100l. and that part of that
fund was to pay him, otherwise it would look like
tantalizing him to give him the said sums and not raise
money to pay it, whereupon it was desired that since
they would tax the people, it was proper to mention the
uses in the Bill, and that the money given the Governor
was one, which was refused by the majority, alledging
that then it would appeare plainly to H.M. to be a
present. |
|
Several of the natives of Scotland are preferred to
places of great trust and profit, viz. Robert Steward
is Lt. Col. of the Guards, Register and Examiner of the
Court of Chancery and Clerk of the Crown, and
nevertheless is by the Governor suffered to plead and
prosecute in the Court of Chancery and all other Courts,
which is no small dissatisfaction to H.M. subjects;
William Clealand, Member of Council, Col. of a Regiment
and Governor of several forts; A. Skeene, Secretary;
George Hay, Deputy Provost Marshall and Chief Engineer
and Surveyor General of Fortifications; Alexander
Burnett, Chief Clerk of one of the Courts of Common
Pleas; Isaac Wood, Chief Marshall of the same Court;
and — Thare, Clerk of the Council and one of the Masters
in Chancery. And by reason of so many Scotchmen
being in such places, this Deponent hath heard many of
the English inhabitants express themselves to bee
under dissatisfaction and fear of its becoming a Scotch
Island. Whereas H.M. has given liberty to the Assembly
to allow rent for a house for the Governor not exceeding
300l., Deponent has heard the Treasurer declare that the
house now building hath already cost 4,000l., besides
there is 120l. per annum paid for ground rent, and
Deponent believes not less than 1,000l. more will finish
the said buildings, the interest of which 5,000l., according
as interest goes in Barbadoes being 10 per cent., being
added makes 620l. per annum, besides the loss of the
5,000l. to the publick at the end of the lease. |
|
Being informed that Nicholas Paston had petitioned
the Governour against Col. John Holder, complaining
of several cruelties and abuses done by him to the
inhabitants and soldiers under his command, and several
Gentlemen having desired this Deponent to go to the
Governour and pray an Order on the said petition, or
at least to know his pleasure therein, Deponent waited
on H.E., explaining that the people alledged that one
of the men under his command was murthered by
Holder etc.; H.E. replied that he did not think fit
to give an Order upon the petition, for that Holder
had the greatest part of the Assembly in his interest,
so that it might be against his own interest, else he
would have heard the same. Confirms preceding. Deponent having resided in the Island above 30 years and
served in several considerable posts, civil and military,
never knew so great and general dissatisfaction and
murmuring of the inhabitants, both rich and poor,
as was when he left the Island in Sept. last. Signed,
Tho. Maycock. 7 pp. |
|
923. iv. Affidavit of W. Terrill, late of Barbados. Confirms
preceding. Signed, William Terrill. 4 pp. |
|
923. v. Affidavit of L. Row. Confirms No. 923. i. Signed,
Lawrence Row. 2 pp. |
|
923. vi. Affidavit of S. Martin, Commander of H.M.S. Blackwall. Robert Johnstowne, a friend of Governor Sir B.
Granville, told him that he must make the Governor a
present, if hee designed to bee easy, and that everybody
did it. There being intelligence of some French Guinea
ships bound to Martinique, Capt. Charles Thomas,
Treasurer of the Island, after having been some time
with the Governor came to Deponent and told him
that he had obtained leave of the Governor for deponent
to cruise in the latitude of Martinique for the said ships,
but that if he took any of them, he was to give the
Governor as a present 20 of the best negros he should
take. The Governor told Deponent that if he had a
third shipp of war there, he knew how to employ her
to his own advantage. Capt. Trotter, H.M.S. Winchelsea,
told deponent that hee had the Governour's leave to goe
to Tobago, and that he would goe. On May 22 deponent
received orders from the Governor to convoy a fleet,
and on May 24 another order not to faile sailing the
next day, and accordingly next day being under sail,
came a third order not to sail till Tuesday next, upon
which he came to anchor, but a great part of the fleet
pursued their voyage without convoy and several of
them were taken by the French. Signed, Sam. Martin.
1¾ pp. |
|
923. vii. Affidavit of Capt. Edward St. Loe, H.M.S. Dolphin,
as to the impressing of Francis Lee (see Nos. 591, 885).
He asked Skeene whether the Governor knew about it
as he was unwilling to carry any person off the Island
without the Governor's knowledge, and Skeene replied
that he did know. Since his coming to town, Wm.
Cleland had desired him not to mention the Governor's
name as being concerned in impressing Lee, and that
in such case Deponent should be made as easy as could
be etc. Signed, E. St. Loe. 2 pp. |
|
923. viii. Affidavit of Guy Ball, late of Barbados, as to his
paying 200l. to stop the fleet. [Duplicate of No. 657.]
Copy. 1 p. |
|
923. ix. Affidavit of William Bayley and Henry Keys, mariners,
as to their having to pay for a licence to sail from
Barbados. [Duplicate of No. 658.] |
|
923. x. Affidavit of Guy Ball, that, under the Bill for the
security of the Bays, Towns etc., the Governor might
and would have got at least 3,000l. in one year over
and above the charge of doing everything required to
be done by the said Bill. Signed, Guy Ball. ¾ p. |
|
923. xi. Affidavit of W. Heysham to same effect as preceding.
Signed, William Heysham. ¾ p. [C.O. 28, 7. Nos.
89–99.] |
March 3.
Virginia. |
924. Governor Nicholson to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. I have had the honour of receiving your Lordships'
letters, of June 29, about intelligence and sinking letters etc.
and I hope what I did in Council thereupon will not be disapproved
by your Lordships, neither what is done about your Lordships'
letter of the same date concerning coin etc. I don't hear that
any alteration is yet made in the Countrey, but that money
goes as it did, and with humble submission to your Lordps. I
think it will be most for H.M. interest and service to take no
further notice of it; but I suppose that when (please God) the
Assembly meets in April, they will do something in it, but if H.M.
revenue of 2s. per hhd. etc. and Quittrents, are to be taken in
money, according to the severall rates in the proclamation, the
revenues will be diminished a sixth part, and it will be a very
difficult thing in this Country to comply with taking the severall
species of mony at their several weights; because very few people
know them; and it will also be found very difficult to have them
weigh'd, there being no Towns nor Goldsmiths in ye Country
where people might know the several species and have them
weigh'd. It is here generally supposed that H.M. Proclamation
doth not oblige people to take peices of eight at 6s., but only
that they shal not exceed that rate; and that it is cheifly designed
agt. the Northern Provinces where they raise their money to
what value they please. If in this country they once come to make
their bargains in money, as they do in the West Indies and to the
Northward, wch. will oblige them to get as much as they can,
it may be prejudicial to the consumption of the English
commoditys as likewise to the Tobacco trade. In one of the
principal stores in the country, wch. hath been kept about three
years, they deale for nothing but money, and some Merchants
and Factors have talk'd to me how prejudicial it is to them;
for that they were obliged to let the Planters have a good deal of
money in order to put off their goods etc., or else they would
all have gone to the other store, which is owned to belong to
Col. Ludwell, and Mr. Blair's brother, and it is supposed that
Mr. Blair has a share in it now, or at least had when it was first
set up. If the Planters can be furnished at such stores with money
for their Tobacco, no doubt they will sell it to them in order to
get money to pay the Quittrents, as likewise the Mrs. of ships,
etc. for the duty of their Tobacco, and likewise to defray other
necessary charges and expences. I have also received your
Lordships' letter of July 13, and Aug. 24 and 25, and your Lordships may be pleased to see in the Journal of Councill what is done
thereon. I have as yet no return concerning pitch and tarr, nor
can expect any till the General Court or Assembly. H.M.
commands in relation to H.M. and the Lord High Admiral's
shares of prizes I have and shall (according to my duty) take care
of, as likewise H.M. additional Instruction concerning the Acts
of Trade etc., and when your Lordships are pleased to send the
copies of the Commissions and Instructions about privateers
the same shal be done by them. I transmitt several proceedings
concerning the sloop Seaflower (a privatteer) one Captain Tongreton
Commander, who was cast away on this coast in a storme last
November. According to your Lordships' letter of Aug. 25, a
solemn and publick day of thanksgiving hath been kept in this
H.M. Colony and Dominion, and I send the copy of my
Proclamation for it, and hope what I have done therein will not
be disapproved of by your Lordships. I endeavoured to keep
it with as much ceremony etc. as the Country and time of the year
would admitt of. I kept it in the College for which I may chance
to be accused by the titular President thereof, Blair, and all that
he accuses me of concerning it (except what I will justify) I hope
the Records thereof will make appear to be quite otherwise. I
hop'd that I should have been able to have given your Lordps.
a particular answer concerning the College etc., but that I could
not have a General Meeting as your Lordships will see by the
paper signed by the Rector and seven more of the Governors
etc. I beg leave to observe to your Lordships how very loath any
of these Sparks are to have the Records etc. produced for my
justification etc., or to have anything come to a publick hearing
in order to clear myself, as will appear by their proceedings at
last Council Feb. 8, 9, and 10; for whatever they were before,
I suppose they are now convinced that the Records and my
Commission etc. will not only clear me, but make them appear
to be a very strange sort of men. One instance of which I here
presume to send, concerning Col. Lightfoot, and Coll. Carter,
about the affair of John Lewis Esq. being sworne of the Council.
Refers to enclosures. But these are but some of the characters
they have in the country, only I was willing your Lordships
might have a specimen of them. These gentlemen I think will
stick at nothing to obtain their inveterate malice and revenge
agt. me, and they have little or no regard either to what
they sign or say, if they think it will any way tend to my
prejudice, or vindicate or give a high character of themselves.
When I show'd them H.M. Commission about appointing
Councelors, they seem'd surprized at it, and I suppose thought
that I was not to nominate any Councelor without their advice
and consent, and I think Col. Carter said, that if a generall question
had been ask'd them concerning the nomination of a Councelor,
perhaps they might have named some other person, or words
to that effect. I suppose if it was left to the Council to elect
others, it would be managed after ye same way as they do the
vestrys of this country, that is, when a family or a party are the
major part, they still keep it up by electing who they think proper.
I must here own and confess that I committed a very great error
in recommending so many of a family to be of the Council: but
I can safely swear it, if necessary, that I did it with no other
design than that I thought it might be for the interest of the
Crown of England, and likewise of the Country, and according
to the saying, Mankind is subject to error, so I acknowledge it
to be one of the weakest of them. If the two Collonels, Lightfoot
and Carter, would but have given themselves the trouble of
examining the Council Records which were in the same room
(for the Clerk did but just turn himself about and reach'd the
Book) they might have seen that what they have asserted was
otherwise: but I suppose they had concerted that affair of
opposing what in them lay Mr. Lewis's being sworne of the Council,
not that they had anything to object against him, for that question
was put to them, but to have gain'd the point of being Electors,
and thereby have got in one that might have made their party
always the major part, so that they might either have obliged
the Governor to have done what they pleased, or to have hindered
all business, or else to have complained agt. him. Col. Carter's
affirming that Col. Wormeley told him, after October General
Court, 1698, about his being sent for to be made a Councelor,
when it appears by the Council Books that he was dead July 8
before, is very strange; and may be if a Grub Street writer had
but an account of it, we might have a Ballad of Col. Wormeley's
appearing and discoursing with him alone three moneths after he
was dead. By these gentlemen's actions in this affair I hope it
will appear to your Lordships how little credit is to be given to
the Petition and Memorial they have signed, which I hope to
prove by Records they have as foully mistaken (to give it no
worse an epithete) and that in most of the Articles thereof. Col.
Dudley Diggs told me that he would write to Sir Jeffrey Jeffreys,
and desire him to wait upon your Lordships concerning his being
of the Council. I find by him that being he was only left out
of the Council by reason that the Instructions were filled up
before Sir Edmund Andros's account of his being appointed
went home, and not for any misdemeanour of his, he hopes he
may be restored into that station in the Council, wherein he was
before; which if not approved of, I find he is not willing to be
sworne, and this is the true reason, and not that he is unwilling
to be one, during my Government. I hear from England that
'tis reported there that some of the Council had desired their
Correspondents to get them their Quietus: I suppose those
gentlemen may be Col. Harrison, his son-in-law, Col. Ludwell
and may be Col. Carter, but I question whether his Honr. Col.
Lightfoot will desire it. I suppose the true reasons they would be
left out of the Council for are because they cannot be absolute
Lords there, and that they did not get me turn'd out of the
Government upon their Memorial etc. and that they are asham'd
to appear in Council, Assembly or Generall Court; for in all
these places are Records that will prove to the contrary of what
they have accused me of etc.; but if this should be granted them,
I believe that neither H.M. interest and service, nor that of the
Country will suffer much for want of their advice and assistance,
neither that they will be able to make any more disturbance or
disquietness in the country, but rather otherwise, for then they
will want their darling power, by which they endeavour to do it.
I have an account that Col. William Basset is one that hath
desired to lay down, if so, I'm heartily sorry for it, for I should
not do him justice if I did not give this testimony of him, that
he is a good and honest gentleman in all respects, both in relation
to H.M. interest and service and likewise the country's, and
that particularly in this affair concerning myself it appears to me
that he hath acted like a gentleman and a man of honour, tho'
I am made sensible both by himself and others, that he hath mett
with but indifferent sort of usage from some of his Lady's relations.
I had some difficulty in getting him to consent to be of the Council,
but he made me promise him that whenever I left the Government
I would endeavour to get him his Quietus. Col. Diggs likewise
told me that he would give Sir Jeffrey Jeffreys an account with
orders to communicate it to your Lordships, what discourse Mr.
Benjamin Harrison had with him after that his father-in-law,
Major Burwell, had marryed Mr. Secretary Cole's widow (in the
time of Sir Edmund Andros's Government), who was motherin-law to Col. Diggs's Lady. I think it was to this effect, to
perswade Col. Diggs, now they were related and a numerous family,
to joine with them, and they would carry everything. Another
thing was of young Col. Ludwell's talking with him, I think about
the memorial they signed, and would have endeavored to have
got him to have sign'd it too, and I heard they endeavoured
to have got Col. Byrd and Col. Jennings to have done the same,
and I suppose that they used all ways and means possible to have
perswaded them and others also either to have signed that
memorial or some other papers agt. me, and no doubt they have
taken the same methods to get people now to sign papers or make
affidavits agt. me; which if they have done and lay them before
your Lordps., I hope that your Lordps. will not give entire credit
to them, and that I may have ye same justice concerning them
as her most Sacred Majesty hath been graciously pleased to allow
me about the other. I am sensible that they have been
endeavouring what in them lay to accomplish these things; but by
what lawfull authority they can goe about to get people to sign
papers or to make affidavits concerning me, I must confess I am
ignorant of. With humble submission to your Lordps. I think
that I offerred them very fair about taking depositions etc. and I
am in hopes that what I have done therein your Lordps. may
please to see in the Journal of the Council and will not be
dissatisfied therewith. The methods that they proposed I think
will appear to be very extraordinary: but I suppose that in that
as well as a great many other things they servilely took the same
methods as old Ludwell and parson Fouace did in their answer
to Mr. Thraile etc., but no doubt the rest of the Affidavit sparks
help'd to contrive that answer etc. When I had read the proposal
they made after they named the Commissioners, I think I told
them that they need not have named so many, for it plainly
appeared they intended to make use of but one or two of the
sd. Gentlemen, (and may be they would not have found above
that number that would have complyed with their designs),
because they desired that power might be given to them to take
the Affidavit of any person, tho' living in another county; upon
which they seem'd to be concerned, I suppose because I had
hitt upon their design, and then they went about drawing their
explanatory answer, wch. I think they were about an hour in
drawing, and Col. Ludwell took upon him to be the scribe; before
they had finished it, they made a great many alterations, and I
found that at first they could hardly agree on any answer, or
the propositions made by them at that meeting of the Council,
and your Lordps. may observe that Col. Harrison did not sign
the other three Gentlemen's proposition, but made one of his
own: and I fancy that if ever they came to be examin'd apart
concerning the petition and Memorial they will not agree, as
likewise what they have jointly done since. I was told by one of
the Gentlemen of the Council, that discoursing among themselves
they seem'd not to agree about the several articles charged against
me in the Memoriall, and I conjecture that they did not sign that
Memorial which Mr. Blair presented, but rather that every one
signed a particular grievance, and so might impower him to draw
up a general one. Your Lordps. may see that they refused to
swear to the Memorial, and by what I could observe by them,
they will not each of them pretend to make out the several articles
of the said Memorial, but would pretend to do it separately. If
they all signed that Memorial in this Countrey, I humbly conceive
that every one of them stands accountable for making of it all
out, which if they will not pretend to do, then I hope little or no
credit will be given to it; nay rather none at all, except they will
swear to it. If they all signed the Memorial here, or Mr. Blair
did it for them in England, I suppose it might be to make it
as an act of the major part of the Council (whereof three was Col.
Harrison and his two sons-in-law Blair and Ludwell) or of the
Council in Assembly, or of the General Court, but how this can
be a legal act in any of their capacitys, or at least a justifyable
one, I confess I don't apprehend; but I can, the very ill
consequences that may follow if such things are allowed of. The
proposition that I made to the Memorial gentlemen in the countrey
that if the [y] would make me any reasonable satisfaction I would
forgive them, they have been so far from accepting, or making
the least step that way, that they have done quite otherwise;
and I was told by one of the Gentlemen of the Council that at
the last meeting when the Journals of Council were read over,
when that part came to be read, they scoffed and disdainfully
laught at it, and I heare that they have lately had a great
Matchicomico (as we call it in this country, that is an Indian
Meeting) at Major Burwell's, where they were close for two or three
days, two or three clerks awriting, besides their cheif scribe Ben.
Harrison. I do expect that they have not only endeavored to
clear themselves in what they have done, but likewise make new
accusations etc. agt. me: But my humble request to your Lordps.
is, that I may have the same Justice in relation to them as I have
beg'd before. Mr. Harrison the two sessions of Assembly wherein
he has been a Burgess accused me of most of the things in the
Memorial etc., and by what I have heard all of them used what
interest, power and authority they had to have got the Assembly
to have been of their minds: but I thank God they failed and
I hope they will still; for they had not above 11 or 12 that were
not agt. them, and some of those Gentlemen I suppose will hardly
be perswaded to joine with them in any Address or Remonstrance
against me, of that number there were the two Harrisons and
their brother-in-law Edwards, and a kinsman; but I have show'd
no resentment agt. those that they led astray. I hear they have
likewise reported in England that if I continued Governor, a great
many of the principle inhabitants would leave the Country,
but this I fancy will be as untrue as some of the other assertions:
but I find if anybody leave the country let it be on what account
soever they will insinuate as if it was to avoid my arbitrary etc.
Government, and if they arrive in England, then that they are
providentially there. I confess that had not these Sparks sworn
so throughly agt. me, and that so palpably against Records,
and what they must needs know themselves to be false, I should
not have admired at that assertion; I don't in the least pretend
to be a casuist; but I don't see how it can be said that they
were providentially (according to the usual acceptation of the
word) in London, except it be that by Providence they were
alive, and not cutt off by the hand of Justice, or at least at liberty.
For it can be proved that Mr. Fouace had talked of going for
England a year or two before he did; he was commonly sick
once a year in the seasoning time, and then I suppose the fear of
death made him talk always of going for England; but that
Frenchman's affidavit, I shall, God willing, answer, as likewise
give a true character of the Spark and not by hearsay, or a notional
one. Wallace went as chaplain to H.M.S. Southampton, and
he got leave of his parish to go for Europe upon his saying that
he received a letter from Scotland that either his Father or Mother,
(or both of them) could not dy till they had seen him; that
Spark's affidavit I shall likewise (God willing) endeavour to answer,
as likewise give him a character that same way: but with humble
submission I think his behaviour since he came in, hath
been very extraordinary, and that he hath made a very ill
use of your Lordps.' letter of Aug. 17, and my Lord Bishop of
London's letters to me in his behalf, the whole proceedings your
Lordps. will see in the Journal of the Council; he was one at
the meeting at Major Burwell's, the rest were the Cols. Lightfoot,
Carter and Ludwell, and Capt. Berkley, but whether he join'd
with them or not, I can't tell; For what is done concerning him
on your Lordps.' letter of Aug. 17, I refer your Lordships to the
Journal of Council; and if Major Burwell doth join with them,
I hope little or no credit will be given to either of these Gentlemen;
for I think I have enough to make them both appear very strange
sort of men, and surely they have no reason now to endeavour
my ruine etc. for the first hath got the gentlewoman, and they may
both be at quiet, if they please. I think, while I courted Major
Burwell's daughter, I did not put him to 5l. charge, but one way
or other it hath cost me as many hundreds: his eldest son Mr.
Nathaniel went for England in the last fleet and may be the
Affidavit Sparks have endeavored to draw him in, or at least
will say that he was forced to fly from my Fury etc., if his Father
would have taken my advice and let him have gone for England
two or three years agoe, it would have been much better for him,
and it would have remedied a misfortune that hath since happened
to him. There went also in the last Fleet one Pratt, a Caledonian
and great man with them, he hath of late set up for a sort of a
Factor-merchant, but his ill character is sufficiently known in
this country, and he is supposed to have had a hand in murdering
two persons, one whereof was lately. What Mr. Robert Beverley
lately went to England for, your Lordps. know very well, and
some part of his character your Lordps. have seen by what I
sent your Lordps. last October, and his affidavit I shal (God
willing) also answer. Capt. Moody went for England with his
ship by order of H.R.H., and his affidavit I shal also (God willing)
endeavor to answer. What a very ill character he had here, and
how he acted will appear by the grievance of Elizabeth City
County, and the depositions taken thereupon, as likewise those
taken about his strange actions at York: and how he behaved
himself the latter part of his time here your Lordps. have had
an account, both by the Journals of Council and what I presumed
to write to your Lordps. As for Esq. Luke, he pretends to have
got leave (according to his desire) from the Commissioners of the
Customes, for his going for England, and I have already writ your
Lordps. something about him: but I shal endeavor, God willing,
to answer his diminutive Affidavit. The rest of the gentlemen
and people of this country, could not foresee that the Gentlemen,
who signed the Petition and Memorial, would have asserted,
as they have done, that the better part of H.M. good and loyal
subjects of this Colony were of the same sentiments with them,
and that the turning me out would be to the unspeakable
satisfaction of all H.M. subjects of this Colony; if they had,
I suppose they would have declared against it, nor will they be
of the opinion that the Council's Memorial is of such validity as
to require no further proof besides their own representation
as being the major part of the Council; which if it should be
allowed of, I suppose they would think themselves in the most
unhappy circumstances as ever Englishmen were, that half a
dozen men should take upon them in so solemn a manner to
petition her most sacred Majesty, and likewise sign a Memorial,
and bring them in as partys, and may be they will have ye same
sentiments of Col. Ludwell, senior, and Mr. Fouace their reply,
wherein they so barbarously and basely reflect on all the country,
but their own little factious party, by insinuating that they had
rather bear ill usage so long as it was any way tollerable than
seek to have redress of their complaints, and that they insinuate
if I am not turned out of my Government, that they could not
undertake to describe the effects of such a despair; and they
would likewise insinuate as if that which bears up their spirits
under all their heavy customs on their commoditys and restraints
in point of trade, is that they have the happiness of enjoying
the English laws and Constitutions etc. And further to illustrate
this after their own way, they say, "if I be suffered to break in
upon them in this tender point, and to treat them with the
arbitrariness of France, and the insolence of Morrocco etc., it is
not to be imagined how it will go down with Englishmen etc.,
for the least that could be expected is that men of substance,
if they found no redress would remove themselves and their effects
out of the Colony to any other part of the world where they may
enjoy peace and quietness." With humble submission I think
this is a much higher reflection upon the laws of my native country,
old England, than upon me, for I had no active hand in the
making any of those laws. I cannot in the least find that the people
are in any sort of despair, or that they think themselves so treated,
for no doubt, if they had, the Assembly would have done by me,
as they did by one of my predecessors, against whom this same
Ludwell exhibited complaints to his late Majesty King James;
and this the Assembly did in his reign before they heard anything
of the Revolution, and the Governor they so attacked was a
nobleman of one of the greatest familys in England, and a Peer
of the Realm, and surely if they in such circumstances complained
against their Governor, they would much more do so now if
they had just occasion. And both the Memorial gentlemen and
some of these Affidavit-men do affirm that I had disobliged the
country by having frequent Assemblys, and exasperated them
by my treatment etc., and if so 'tis strange that they would be
so far from complaining that they have been pleased to do
otherwise by their Addresses. The people have opportunities
according to the laws and customes of the country, before every
Sessions of Assembly, to make their grievances and propositions,
and I defy them to prove that ever there was one grievance made
directly against me by the generality of the Countys. There
was never but twice that there was a sort of grievance or
proposition concerning what I had done about probates, and the
exercising of the Militia, and those were not from above two
or three Countys. That concerning the Militia I made an answer
to the Assembly which your Lordps. have received; And as for
the affair of the Probates etc. I think it will appear by the Records
that all the parts of it are false except my not signing of them as
I did; but I hope (God willing) to set that affair in a true light,
as likewise that of the other accusations. I find that by the
course of their Memorial and affidavits, that when there was such
a thing in nature, then they have charged me with maladministration of it, and endeavoured to turn it their own way, and that
with all the artifice imaginable; for I think it plainly appears
by the stile and method of them, that one man (I suppose Mr.
Blair) was the contriver, but in his further affidavit, I think he
has outdone himself by endeavouring to sett off his matter of
fact with all the tropes, figures and flowers of his rhetorick, by
doing of which God Almighty has been pleased so to order it
(for which I hope I shall ever be thankfull) that instead of making
matter of fact, as it ought to be, plain and natural, both the
unfairness and contradiction in a great part of that affidavit is
made more perspicuous, the several paragraphs contradicting
one another, nay in ye two last the same paragraph contradicts
itself. I find that he hath not only sworne through deal boards
and brick walls, but even to my very thoughts and imaginations.
This Col. Ludwell is so well known to be of a factious, turbulent
and unquiet temper in all Governments, that I hope little or no
credit will be given to him, and may be it is his fate to dy as he hath
lived, and if his son the young Coll. survives him, he will be old
Col. Ludwell, especially if he continues to be under the tutorage
of his two brothers-in-law, Blair and Harrison. That I have
treated the Gentlemen and others of the country with the
arbitrariness of France and insolence of Morocco, I am ignorant
of; but may be Fouace hath in some measure done it in this
country, as I suppose will be made appear, and how he comes
to stile himself so aptly an Englishman, I can't tell; for sure
it is none of his Mother-Country. About men of substance
removing etc. I have endeavoured to answer before; but how
they will contrive to remove their effects out of the country,
I suppose is more than he and all the rest of the politicians can
invent a way to do, if any number should leave the country;
but I find if any of them doth it, they don't care into what part
of the world it be, if they can but have peace and quietness;
which I think plainly insinuates as if they did not design to
remove to old England, for they have reflected upon the laws
etc. thereof. They may for ought I see to ye contrary even
remove into France, and who knows but that Fouace is a making
his peace with old French Monaroh by reconciling himself to
him, tho' not with the heads, yet with the persons and estates of
these men; but if they should desire to go to my old Master
the Emperor of Morrocco's country, there I'l endeavour to
recommend them, and give them some general directions how they
may behave themselves, either by turning Moors or Jews; by
the first to enjoy the liberties and priviledges of that country,
wch. may suite with some of their tempers; but those that are
covetous and would be rich (but withal little better than slaves)
must turn Jews; and may be, if Blair and Fouace went thither,
they would quarrell which should be the cheif Favorite in that
Court, as likewise who should get ye most money, and it is no
matter by what ways and means. These two Sparks I think
have offered to your Lordps. a proposition that sutes very well
with the arbitrariness of France and the insolence of Morocco,
viz. "that if your Lordps. are already satisfyed with the proofs
laid before you being by attestation of the major part of the
Council, and affirmative affidavits of persons providentially here
in town, wch. can never be invalidated by any future negative
ones," for this would be a way that all persons that were accused
either by attestation or evidences (which how they came to be
providentially in town I have already endeavoured to answer)
tho' it were for high treason, yet they must be condemned unheard,
and all Defendants would have the same fate; sure these Sparks
know none of the laws of England, especially those made of late
in favour of the subject, wch. are so far from having them
condemned without being heard, that they have Council allowed
them, and if they had but read severall trials and cases, they
might have found that the partys, who have been sworne against,
have not only been acquitted, but the evidences agt. them have
been prosecuted for perjury, and that done by command from
the King to his Attorney General; and I suppose, if they consult
the Gentlemen of the long Robe, they can tell them, that there
are severe Laws agt. defaming and slandering of any person,
either by writing or speaking, but I think they are in the right
when they say that the way they before offered would save
abundance of time, charge, trouble and danger, wch. would
ensue upon delays, wch. no doubt they were too sensible would
happen to them when any answer shall be made by me to their
Memorial and Affidavits. But I find that they can't long stick
to truth and avoid their reflections; for they insinuate as if
there was a great deal more proof to be had in Virginia, if a way
could be found to take it impartially; but then these cautious
men, or rather calumniators, represent to your Lordps. "that
the influence of a Governor, while in ye actual possession, or
administration of his Government, will be so great both on Judges
and witnesses etc. partly by the multitude of places etc. if they
favour him in the trial etc." To which I humbly offer that
their insinuation about having more prooff, I hope will prove
otherwise; and in the other part they most highly reflected on
the rest of the Gentlemen and people of the Country; but I
suppose according to the English saying, they measure other
people's corn by their bushell, by thinking that they would be
partial witnesses like themselves, and if these Gentlemen were
judges, they would be ye same. As for their insinuation of my
influence by reason of multitude of places etc. I can safely swear
it, that both the times that I have been Governor here, as likewise
in Maryland, (in wch. time I confess I have had the disposal of a
great many offices and imployments and some of them considerable
ones) I always gave them to people that I thought were loyal and
well qualifyed to execute them, but I confess that when my friends
were so qualifyed, I gave to them before others, (wch. I hope
was no crime in me) but I never directly nor indirectly had one
penny for giving them, nor had any allowance from them, or
part of their sallarys and perquisites, and never expected or had
from them on any accot. whatsoever any impartial justice or
favours. Mr. Blair I hear has endeavored to make great use
of a letter wch. I writt to Mr. Micajah Perry giving him orders
to pay money etc. I have now sent Mr. Perry I think a copy
of that letter, for I keep copys of all the letters I write, and if
your Lordps. have a mind to see any letters that I have written
to Mr. Perry, if he makes any scruple of showing them, I will
(if your Lordps. command me) send you the copys of them, and
not only of that, but any other, and I heartily wish that your
Lordps. would have been pleased to have sent me what Mr. Blair
gave to your Lordps. on that subject. I suppose he would
insinuate as if I had or design'd to bribe several Gentlemen in
the offices etc. I can safely swear it, that tho' I have had the good
fortune and honor to have several imployments in my life time,
yet I neither directly nor indirectly gave one farthing for obtaining
them, or afterwards to any person whatsoever for keeping of
them, or for endeavouring to conceal any accusation etc. agt.
me, or not to discover or make publick any ill thing that I had
done. I hope that my paying the necessary[s] fees, and
endeavouring to gratify those that have sollicited the dispatch of
my Commission, Instructions etc. after they were granted, will
not be accounted Bribery, nor that it is not Lawfull for me to
desire and imploy persons to be aiding and assisting to make
my defence, when I am likely to be, or am accused. I have now
given Sir Thomas Frankland Bart. a genll. letter of credit on Mr.
Perry; for I have desired him to employ who he thinks proper,
in order to my justification before your Lordps., and if you please
to see that, I hope he will shew it your Lordps., as likewise how
he disposes of the money he makes use of on that letter. I hear
they brag that they have a Bank to manage this affair agt. me etc.,
and therefore I hope your Lordps. will be pleased, if you think
proper, to know the truth thereof, for I hope they will not be
ashamed to own what they do in it, but may be if Mr. Blair hath
the disposal of it, he will make such accot. to them as he did to
the Assembly and me, and expect a reward besides if he accomplishes the business. I am very willing that Mr. Perry should
shew you all my accots., and your Lordps. might see by them
that Mr. Blair had of him when he first went for England 460l.
of my money, which I lent him to manage the affair of the College,
the Country repaid me 360l. without any interest or gratification.
And in all Mr. Blair's accot. which he made up with the Country
(copies whereof I send to Sir T. Frankland as likewise several
other things if your Lordps. have a mind to see them) it will
appear that there are several articles of gratuitys given at the
several offices and to several persons, wch. I now question whether
he gave all that money, and if he did, may be it will not be
accounted Bribery because it was given by himself; and the
articles he charges for himself were always thought very
extravagant and ridiculous, but yet the Country allowed them,
and gave him 250l. besides, and may be, had it not been out of
respect to me, the Assembly would not have done so. When he
was in England before this I gave him a general letter of credit
on Mr. Perry, and I hope your Lordps. will call for a copy of it,
and that Mr. Perry will deliver it, upon which letter of credit
he had 400 and odd pounds. The copy of his accot. to me I
send Sir Thomas, in which there are some articles charged given
to officers etc., and I also now question whether he really paid
all that money. One article he charges me 200l. for his being in
England, and I have been told that besides all this he expected
I should have given him at least 500l., for he pretended he had
got me so much by getting my Commission, but especially my
Instructions dispatched; he never told me that he expected
500l., but he told me that when he went for Scotland he left the
affairs of my Commission to the management of his Brother
Harrison, but when he return'd back, he found he had done
little or nothing in it, tho' I find by my account that Mr. Harrison
had 160 odd pounds for getting the Commission etc. past, but
that he never gave any particular account how he disposed of
it. Mr. Blair told me that my Instructions were drawn for H.M.
to sign, who was then in Flanders, upon which he acquainted
Mr. Secretary Vernon with it, that it would be a great delay etc.
to have them sent over; upon which Mr. Secretary Vernon
very readily went with him to his office, and ordered them
immediately to be transcribed for their Excellencys the Lord
Justices signing. This I suppose Mr. Secretary Vernon did,
not out of any particular respect for him, for he had not known
him long, but for H.M. service; he did insinuate that if this
had not been done, I should not have had the Instructions in
some moneths, and so could not have taken possession of this
Government, by doing of which sooner, I got 500l., it might have
been so, if I had had any profitt by the Government of Maryland
after I had this, of which I had none; for your Lordps. know
that the sallary there depends upon the annual shipping etc.
I find Mr. Blair from the very first thought that I had not been
kind enough to him, wch. I thought I had, and even in that affair
about the Commission etc., if which and the Instructions were
not sooner dispatched, I think it was his fault (but he served me
in that as he did when he was in England before, that is, minded
his own business and neglected mine) for after his Majesty had
been pleased to nominate me to be Governor, he went for Scotland
where I hear he brag'd of his having turn'd out Sir Edmund and
put me in; and then he gave me the character of one of the best
men and Governors in the world. But I suppose he had no
mind my Instructions should be dispatch'd till he had made that
Triumphal Journey, and I suppose the cheif reason why he pressed
the dispatch of them at his return was because the ships were
then dispatching to come hither, so that he might bring them,
without which may be he would not have ventured to have come.
Nay, I question if the Governor had not been changed, whether
he would ever have returned. But for the procuring of my
Commission and Instructions, and dispatch thereof, I did and
do still look upon myself to be highly obliged to your Lordps.,
tho' he and Ben Harrison have had ye vanity to say that it was
through their means and interest that I got the Governmt., and
that Sir Edmd. was turned out. Nay, Mr. Blair says, I ow the
Government of Maryland to him, and they gave it out before
Blair went, and after he was gone, that they would turn me out
of the Government. I have desired Col. Blakiston to give your
Lordps. an account what discourse Mr. Blair and others had
with him in this Country about their designs of turning me out,
and proferring to get the Government for him; and I hope he
will please to do it. Mr. Blair and his little Faction now set up
to have the power and interest of turning out and putting in
Governors, and affect the title that the great Earl of Warwick
had. I suppose that the Country will think themselves very
unfortunate when it shall be in the power of him and his Scotch
Faction, or in two or three familys; nay even in almost half the
Country to turn out and put in Governors; this is a notion that
the people generally have, (and first divulged by themselves)
for that would be as it were entailing the Government upon a
certain faction etc., which I think would be dangerous to the
interest and service of the Crown of England as likewise of this
Country; for I suppose if anything could exasperate them, it
would be to find themselves under the power, Dominion or
Government of a party of their own country: for this generation
knows too well from whence they came, and the ordinary sort
of Planters that have land of their own, tho' not much, look
upon themselves to be as good as the best of them; for he knows,
at least has heard, from whence these mighty Dons derive their
originals, either as from themselves or at farthest their fathers,
but very few their Grandfathers; and that he or his ancestors
were their equals if not superiours; and that their getting such
estates and places of honour is more by accident than any
extraordinary honesty or ability in them. Your Lordps. may
see by Mr. Perry's accot. that I have got no great estate by these
Governments; but I thank God for what I have, and I am
contented, and I hope, as it is honestly got, it will (tho' but in an
ordinary capacity) last me my life. Mr. Blair in his affidavit
says that he heard me say, (upon an occasion of a report that my
Lord Portmore had an offer of the Government of Virginia)
that "such reports did highly touch the peace of this H.M.
Government"; and at another time he heard me say in Council
"I would spend the last penny of my estate and the last drop
of my blood before I lost the Government." I think what I said
concerning my Lord Portmore etc. was justifyable, whether I
[said] the words that Mr. Blair swears I can't tell, but they had
industriously spread it in the Country that a Scotch nobleman
was to come Governor etc. The last part he would insinuate
as if said upon ye report of the Lord Portmore's coming, and
that I would not surrender the Government: but these are
like the rest of his untrue insinuations etc. I own that I have
several times used that expression, and with submission I think
I might lawfully and honestly say so then, and now too; for I
found that they endeavoured by all ways and means possible
to get me turn'd out of the Government, and that it should be
by their false and malicious insinuations of my mal-administration,
on which account I was not conscious that I had deserved to
lose the Government, and that wch. induced me to believe so
was because your Lordps. had all along been pleased to approve
of my actions, wherefore I did think myself obliged by all the
Laws of God, nature and man to endeavour by all lawfull ways
and means to clear myself of what they had or should lay to my
charge, as also to vindicate my honesty, honour and reputation,
and if absolutely necessary so to do, to spend ye last penny of my
estate, and ye last drop of my blood, for I value these above my
estate and equal to my Life. In the aforementioned paragraph
of their Reply, they further insinuate that Judges and witnesses
must expect certain ruin if they did otherwise than favour me,
and I lived to outweather the storme, and keep the Government,
and that there's little hope of having any fair examination that
way unless the administration of the Government in the meantime
be taken out of my hands, and I myself called home to answer.
The last I take to be (as wee call it) the burden of their song, for
that's what they would have. That of my ruining people or
intending to do so, I find has been a mighty Topick with them,
and they have made use of it on all occasions; but I defy
them legally to prove any one instance thereof. But some of them
know by experience that I have been very instrumental both
in their getting their estates and preferments, as likewise several
other of their relations and friends; but all these things are
forgot, and they have made my accot. all on the Debtor's side,
but I will endeayour not only to give myself Credit, but to make
them the Debtors, but may be these Sparks have been Huskanar'd,
wch. is a way the Indians always used when the young men
were initiated into their manhood; they were kept in dark
swamps in the woods and there physick'd and disciplin'd and
underwent [these] severitys, wch. I suppose was to prepare them
to endure tortures and hardships; and after they came out,
they would not own that they had seen or been acquainted with
anybody, tho' they had before been never so familiar with them
and obliged by them, and when the English ask'd them about
it, and seem'd much amazed at it, the answer they made was
that they had been Huskanar'd, and so had forgot everything.
I suppose it might be that they were to forget all childish actions
etc.; they have a way among the Moors in Barbary, that till
their youth come to a certain age they hardly so much as wear a
cap, much less a Turbant, and so are look'd upon as not qualifyed
for any imployment etc. till they have [? put on] their cap or
turbant etc. I am now beholden to these Sparks for owning
that they either had a design agt. my life, or that [they] hoped I
should not live, and that they have own'd they had raised a
storme agt. me, or rather a hurricane. Sure they h'an't been
in Lapland, and there bought this storme etc.; but if they have,
they may chance to have the same ill luck with it as I have heard
of some people that have bought winds and tyed them up in
handkerchers or napkins, and thought themselves so safe and
sure that when they have as it were providentially got into their
port or harbour no negative storms or winds could invalidate those
that brought them thither, yet presuming too much upon their
own security, have by letting loose the other winds etc. been
forced out of harbour etc. Their insinuation about not having
fair examinations is like their others, as likewise those in the last
paragraph that I am a furious and revengefull man, and threaten
the ruin of all etc., and that I would have no mercy etc. agt. those
witnesses that shal appear agt. me. This concerning myself I
have endeavoured to answer before; but to close up their Reply,
they positively affirm that the witnesses will ly under the fatal
necessity either of venturing their utter ruine by telling the truth,
or of forfeiting their honour and good conscience by concealing it;
which I think doth clearly demonstrate what a most damnable
and malitious character they would fix upon the people of this
Country. I hope in God that all or most of these accusations and
characters will appear to be quite otherwise, when the people
in their several publick capacitys do meet; And one instance
thereof I hope will give your Lordps. satisfaction, vizt. the
Remonstrance of the Revd. Clergy of this Colony etc. Your
Lordps. will find that four of the gentlemen that sign'd the Address
to H.M. did not sign the rest, vizt. Mr. John Monro (who married
Mr. Blair's sister), Mr. George Robertson, who is their countryman,
and likewise Mr. John Shropshire, but there are several of the
clergy that are both Scotch and French that have signed. I
writt to the rest to be there (except Mr. Andrews who lives on
the Eastern shore, and could not conveniently come) but Mr.
James Clark who was not then well and lives in Glocester, signed
them afterwards as I suppose the rest will doe, vizt. Mr. Peter
Kippax, Mr. Smith and Mr. Brichen, but I am not certain whether
Mr. Anderson will or not, he, Mr. Kippax and Mr. Smith made
excuse as being sick. And I herewith also humbly transmit to
your Lordps. two of Sir E. Northey's Reports etc. I think it
would be most for H.M. interest and service, and likewise that
of ye Country, that this business be made as publick as possible
and the evidences taken in the Generall Court, where all partys
may ask what questions they please etc., or that H.M. would
order both the Memorial Gentlemen and the Affidavit Sparks
with myself to appear before H.M., and give security to abide
what H.M. shall be graciously pleased to determine, but whether
her most sacred Majesty be pleased to order it to be done either
these ways or any other, I shall (as in the highest duty and
gratitude bound) obey H.M. royal commands therein. Signed,
Fr. Nicholson. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read May 31st, 1705. 11 large
closely written pp. Enclosed, |
|
924. i. Remonstrance from the Clergy of Virginia to the Council
of Trade and Plantations. We deny that the country
is disturbed or dissatisfied with Governor Nicholson,
and disclaim Mr. Blair's complaints etc. Signed, Jacob
Ware, Edward Portlock, Guy Smith, Soloman Whately,
Ralph Bowker, Richard Squire, Wm. Rudd, John
Carnegie, James Burtell, Emmanuel Jones, Thomas
Sharpe, And. Monro, Dan. Taylor, Philippe de Richebourg (Manikan Town), Owen Jones, Tho. Edwards.
James Boisseau, Lewis Latane, Bartho. Yates, Sam.
Gray, Arthur Tillyard, Wm. Williams, Ja. Clack, Peter
Wagener, Isaac Grace. Endorsed, Recd. May 2, 1703.
2 large pp. |
|
924. ii. Copies of Addresses from the Clergy of Virginia to the
Queen upon the late Victory; to the Archbishop of
Canterbury and the Bishop of London; and to Governor
Nicholson, in his favour. Signed as preceding, with
additional names to the Address to H.M.:—Geo.
Robertson, Jno. Monro, Ja. Wallace and St. John
Shropshire. Endorsed as preceding. 4 pp. |
|
924. iii. (a) Copies of two Reports from Sir E. Northey,
April 7, 1702, and July 29, 1703, relating to the Clergy
of Virginia. 6 pp. |
|
(b) Memorandum by Governor Nicholson. Mr. Blair
in his affidavit charges me with having totally neglected
inductions of ministers, whereas I have used all the
lawful ways and means for having them inducted etc.
He was made President of the College upon my getting
the Assembly to name him, for which he hath had
1,432l. 10s. and may be hath not done 200l. worth of
service or good to it. I believe he and his family turned
my enemies because I would not turn out the Secretary
and Auditor and put his relations in etc. etc. Refers
to Mr. Luke and Robert Beverley etc. Since I was
about 11 I have served for my bread, and I have got
it not only by the sweat of my brow, but of my whole
body, beside the labour of my mind. … The Memorial
and Affidavit are part false, part scandalous and part
malitious.—Mr. Blair and others have forgot to give
me credit for the money etc. they have had of me. I
hear his own brother said that his memory failed him
about what he swore concerning his scholars barring out
etc., and his countryman, Dr. Bill, whom he brought
over with him, says he is Hypercondroicall, fancies
strange things about being in fear of his life. In his
funeral oration on King William he reflected upon
King Charles II and especially on King James. Upon
which Mr. Alexander Walker, a minister now in England
and one of his associates, left the College Hall. [In
his oration] he did me great honour in bringing me
among crowned heads, but I suppose it was with this
design (for there never was a greater concourse of people
at one time, may be, seen in Virginia) to make them
out of love with Crowned heads and their Governors,
especially being King William was dead. When I
taxed him about it two or three days afterwards, he
writt that he would justify it and send a copy to the
Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London
etc. I should be very glad to find that he hath sent
a true copy, so that it might be seen he had the assurance
to reflect upon what I had ordered to be put upon the
Capitole, which was done in cutt bricks, and first showed
on the day that I proclaimed her Majesty; at top
there was cut the Sun, Moon and the planet Jupiter,
and underneath Her Majesty Queen Anne Her
Royall Capitoll. He said that in Chelsea College
it was mentioned that it was begun in King Charles II's
time, continued in King James's and finished in King
William's; in whose time there was nothing of the
Capitoll done but the foundation; he taxed me with
flattery, that I did it to make my Court to H.M., as if
I had never done it before, but I put him in mind that
he knew to the contrary. (Refers to his Instructions
to Blair in 1691 and 1697.) I have often heard him
speak against the Act of 7 and 8 William III. concerning
the Plantation trade, wch. in these parts commonly
goes by the name of the Scotch Act, as that "when
such Acts were made, there was no regard had to equity,
but that interest and partiality," or words to that effect,
"were commonly the causes." Signed, Fr. Nicholson.
Endorsed, Recd. May 2, 1705. 6 pp. |
|
924. iv. Certificate of the Rector and 7 of the Trustees and
Governors of William and Mary College as to Gov.
Nicholson presenting papers etc. to justify himself from
the charges against him relating to the College. Feb. 23,
1704(5). Signed, Miles Cary, Rector, Wm. Randolph,
Ar. Allen, Tho. Barbar, Dudley Diggs, Guy Smith,
Cler., Peter Beverley, Wm. Buckner. Endorsed as
preceding. 1 p. |
|
924. v. Copy of Minutes of Council of Virginia, 1691, 1696,
1699, 1704, relating to Col. Lightfoot and Col. Carter
and their asserting things found otherwise by the Journal
of Council etc. Endorsed as preceding. 6½ pp. |
|
924. vi. Transcript of Letters, Orders of Council etc. relating to
Capt. Matthew Teate, H.M.S. Strombolo, and of Commissions for holding Courts of Admiralty and proceedings
thereof on the condemnation of several prize goods,
taken from the Queen's enemies the Seaflower, privateer
of Road Island, and cast away on the coast of Virginia,
Nov. 25, 1704. Dec. 1704—Feb. 1704(5). 22 large pp.
[C.O. 5, 1314. Nos. 43, 43.i.–vi; and (without enclosures)
5, 1361. pp. 269–328.] |
| March 5. |
925. J. Barnard to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The Agent of the four suspended Councillors of Barbados explains
that he was not able to obtain a copy of the Order of Council
made upon their petition, and therefore could not be ready for
the hearing appointed this evening at the Board. Signed, Jno.
Barnard. Endorsed, Recd. Read March 5, 1704/5. 1 p. [C.O. 28,
7. No. 100; and 29, 9. pp. 203–206.] |
| March 5. |
926. T. Edwards to [? Mr. Secretary Hedges]. If Mr. Skene
is removed from the Secretaryship of Barbados, "I cannot
dissemble the ambition I have to supply that office," having
acted as his Deputy for some years, etc. Signed, Tho. Edwards.
1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 38. No. 36.] |
| March 5. |
927. S. Lovell to [? Sir Charles Hedges]. Prays that his
son Major Lovell may stay in Jamaica when his regiment is
relieved, he being a very good lawyer and having the Duke of
Marlborough's leave to practise there. Signed, S. Lovell. 1 p.
[C.O. 137, 45. No. 62.] |
