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May 16.
Whitehall. |
239. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Enclose Address from Jamaica concerning duties
on prize goods (v. March 25.) By the second clause of the
Act for the encouragement of the trade to America it is enacted
"that the officers and seamen of every vessell of war shall have
the sole interest and property in every ship, vessell, good and
merchandize they shall take in any part of America, (being
first adjudged lawfull prize in any of H.M. Courts of Admiralty,
and subject to the Customs and duties payable to H.M. as if
the same had been first imported to any part of Great Britain
and from thence exported for and in respect of all such goods and
merchandize) to be divided in such manner as H.M., her heirs
and successors shall think fit to order and direct." The next
clause lays the same duties upon prizes taken by privateers, which
duties are the same as would remain in this Kingdom had the goods
been imported here, and re-exported with an allowance of the
drawback. The Collector of Jamaica, pursuant to Instructions
from the Commissioners of H.M. Customs here, has demanded
the said duties upon such prizes as have been brought into that
Island. These duties with those levied and appropriated to the
support of that Government by an Act of that Island for raising
an additional duty of import, etc., do frequently exceed the value
of the said prize goods as sold there, and where they do not exceed
such value, yet what remains to the captors, after the deduction of
the said duties is so small that the privateers always make losing
voyages. Refer to enclosures i. ii. March 25, and observe upon the
instances there given of cocoa, brandies and Spanish wines, that
in the first case the papers [?=Captors] lost £1912 11s. 3d., in
the next they gained £151 11s. 3¾d., out of which is to be deducted
the seamen's wages. and victualls; and in the last they gained but
£13 18s. 3d. Continue:—These are the hardships complained of
in the Address (March 25), which have occasioned the privateers
and seamen to desert that Island to such a degree, that of 3000
registred seamen, who [? there] were not lately a sufficient number
remaining to man two ships, when some French privateers
appeared before the Island. Another ill consequence of this
desertion of the seamen, is that about 900 of them are gone to
the Sambala's on the coast of Carthagena. To prevent the damage
our trade on that coast might suffer from those people, who in
time may grow powerfull in those parts, the Governor of Jamaica
by advice of the Council issued a Proclamation promising H.M.
pardon to such as would return, which Proclamation having
been dispersed among them, their answer was, that their crimes
did not keep them from Jamaica, but the want of means to
subsist there when they should return. And some of them who
did come in upon that Proclamation are since returned to the
Sambala's. We are inform'd by the Commissioners of H.M.
Customs that the British duties upon Prize goods payable in
any of our American Plantations are to be applied to the respective
funds granted by the several Acts of Parliament passed here, so
that we do not see how any relief can be given to the captors of
prizes, in relation to those duties, but by authority of Parliament.
As for the Island duties charged upon prize goods by an Act of
Assembly lately passed there, we find that for several years
before the passing of the said American Act, the like duties
(or rather greater in some particulars) have been annually
granted for the necessary support of that Government, therefore
we cannot propose that those duties should be taken off, unless
we were satisfyed that the Island is in a condition to substitute
others in lieu thereof. But in regard the security of that Island
and the trade in those parts from any insults of the enemy is
of very great consequence to the Trade of this Kingdome, we are
humbly of opinion that if H.M. shall think fit a sufficient squadron
of ships of war be imployed in that service, it may answer the
before-mentioned purposes till a further provision shall be made
either by some law to be passed here or in Jamaica for their
relief, against the present hardships and dangers they lye under,
by so great a desertion of their privateers and seafaring men.
[C.O. 138, 13. pp. 129–134; and 137, 51. No. 21.] |
May 16.
Plymouth. |
240. Col. Nicholson to [?]. I returne you a thousand thanks
for all your extraordinary civilitys and favours to me, and I shall
endeavour to make the New Englanders sencible of ye extraordinary service you have don them in managing this affaire
and what great trouble and pains you have took and therefore
I hope in God they will not be ungratefull to you. Encloses
letter to Mr. Secretary Walpole. Refers to officers going with
him, etc. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
240. i. List of the Officers sent by the Admiralty to H.M.S.
Dragon. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 9. Nos. 57, 58.] |
May 16.
Plymouth. |
241. Col. Nicholson to [?Mr. Secretary Pringle. v. May 22].
I wrote to you ye 12th instant. On ye 14th early in ye morning
wee sailed, but ye wind coming contrary we returned that night.
I send you a paper wch. I had from Capt. Cock. This account
seems to confirme ye other which I sent you, and makes me
believe that the French are gon for Newfoundland, Canada
and Port Royall, so I hope that the order about H.M. men of
warr gon to Newfoundland will be sent after us. Refers to
enclosures. By the establishment we should have had 500 marines
besides ye officers. But by ye muster-rolls there is no more
then 397. Those on board H.M.S. Draggon and Falmouth
our two convoys are parte of their ships companys. Capt.
Riddle, of ye Falmouth told me his men are ill cloathed, and he
had 40 at first. I hope that directions will be given that ye
marines may be made up 500 compleat. The affair about ye
Indian Chappell house and fort I hope is fully adjusted before
this, and that the two ministers are appointed to goe thither for
wth. submission I take this to be of ye last consequence towards
keeping the Indians in H.M. interest. I begg the humblest of
my duty to my Lord Sunderland, to whom I desire you would
communicate these affairs. I am heartily sorry that ye wind
is contrary, for the summer draws on apace and they will be very
impatient in New England to have us there, to wch. place pray
God send us safe, because I hope it will be for H.M. interest and
service, etc. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. Enclosed, |
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241. i. A particular of subsistance for the detachment of
marines ordered upon the Expedition. Pay office,
April 7, 1710. Copy. 1 p. |
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241. ii. List of Marines on board H.M.S. Draggon and Falmouth.
Copy. 1 p. |
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241. iii. Capt. Cock, H.M.S. Medway, to Col. Nicholson. Ship
Medway. The 8th day of May spoke with a Dutch
dogger who had then been four days from Rochell and
reported ye day before he sailed 5 men of warr ye biggest
64 guns ye least of 24 with about 40 saile of merchant
ships and 1500 soldiers sailed out of that port and it
was thought there they were bound to Brazill. Copy.
¾ p. |
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241. iv. Muster-roll of officers and men of the regiments ordered
for the Expedition. Total, 47 officers, 397 men. Note
subjoined by Col. Nicholson:—Nigh halfe of these marines
are new raised men. So 'tis to be feared that they
will be sickly in their passage and probably some dye,
and they can't in accon be relyed upon as men that have
been in action. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. 1p. [C.O.
5, 9. Nos. 55, 56, 59–61.] |
| [May 17.] |
242. Extracts of two letters June 19 and Nov. 29, 1709,
from Alexander Skene, relating to Governor Crowe's refusal to
obey H.M. Orders in restoring him to the full exercise of his
office. cf. March 30 supra. Signed, Row. Tryon. Endorsed,
Recd. Read May 17, 1710. 1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 13. No. 25.] |
May 17.
Whitehall. |
243. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lt. Governor
Spotswood. H.M.S. Tryton's Prize is ordered to Virginia, etc.
cf. April 26. [C.O. 5, 1363. p. 182.] |
May 17.
Whitehall. |
244. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of
Sunderland. Refer to letter of the Merchants of Bristol relating
to the securing of Newfoundland in the Treaty of Peace. Upon
which we observe, in addition to our Representation of June 2,
that before the Island of Newfoundland, over against and 20
leagues distance from Cape Raze lies the Great Bank, in length
about 120 leagues and in breadth 25, about which are several
small Islands. On this Bank, and round these Islands, the French
employ some hundreds of fishing ships yearly, each whereof make
two, some three voyages a year, whereas H.M. subjects cannot
fish upon the Island of Newfoundland above 3 months in a year.
This is a great addition to the French Naval strength, by the
increase of seamen; and a great diminution of our trade. Your
Lordship will please to lay this before H.M. for her pleasure
therein. [C.O. 195, 5. pp. 144, 145.] |
May 19.
Antigua. |
245. Richard Oglethorp to [?the Earl of Sunderland]. I
formerly roate to Sir C. Hedges and Judge Bramson, Esq.,
given them a smale relation of some piratts and trayders with
them, therefore take leave to acquint your Lordship with itt
and Henry Boyle, Esq., etc. Repeats C.S.P. 1706. No. 53.
q.v., with following variations, additions. Peter Smith at St.
Thomas does supply the French att Martinecoe all this warr,
which as been ye gratest occation of ye French privettiers taken
soe many of our vessell of from Barbados and these Leward
Island. They dayly carry news and stores to ye enemy and
where our men of warr are, and what fleets are in these
parts. Capt. Rogers did bring ye King's son of Nuttall by
name Jack Nuttall, and left in his rome three white men,
and they have been there this twelve year, and a considerable
rich quantitie of Est Indian goods with them, and ye
King will not lett them come away tell ye said Jack
Nuttall his sent back, the said Jack is att St. Domingoe
amongest ye French, they tooke him in there, and made him a
slave, and I have been in a flagg of Truce to Martinecoe for him
butt cannot gett him as yett, if itt was peceable times, he might
be soon gott for money. Nuttall his beyond Malagascer, and
are a free pepol, and a great place for teeth to trayd for. [Leonard
traded with Capt. Kidd], knowing that there was a man of
warr there to sea for him not long before and lett the boate goe
of without secureing her, and all the countrey being then in armes
there, etc., etc. Signed, Rich. Oglethorp. Addressed The
Rt. Hon. the Secretary of State." Endorsed, Recd. 12th, Read
25th Aug., 1710. 3 pp. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 32.] |
May 22.
On board H.M.S.
Draggon, 100 leagues of ye Land's End. |
246. Genll. Nicholson to Mr. Secy. Pringle. I hope effectuall
orders are given concerning what I presumed to write to you
(May 16), they being of very great consequence to H.M. Service,
and I hope my Lord Sunderland will think so too, etc. P.S.
This is designed by H.M.S. Colchester, who came out with us as
likewise ye Essex and Lichfield. Signed, Fr. Nicholson. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 9. No. 62.] |
May 24.
Whitehall. |
247. Mr. Popple to Lt. Governor Spotswood. Encloses
list of fees to be taken by officers of the Admiralty in Virginia,
upon condemnation of a Prize there, which should have been
delivered with his Instructions. [C.O. 5, 1363. p. 183.] |
| May 25. |
248. Deposition of Joseph Blake, one of the Proprietors of
Tobago, and late Secretary to the Undertakers for setling the
same. The book now produced by Edward Couley, wherein
is entred the names and places of abode of diverse persons
who were to go over in the first expedition in order to begin a
settlement on the said Island, of which he was chosen Governour,
is the hand-writing of William Jacobs, Deponent's late Clerk,
etc., and has had no additions or alterations since, etc. Signed,
Jos. Blake. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 25, 1710. ½ p. [C.O.
28, 13. No. 27.] |
| May 26. |
249. Mr. Campbell to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Memorial relating to his petition. Signed, Ja. Campbell.
Endorsed, Recd. Read May 26, 1710. 17 pp. [C.O. 194, 4.
No. 135.] |
| [May 26.] |
250. Merchants of Bydeford trading to Newfoundland, to
the Council of Trade and Plantations. Not doubting but the
late glorious successes of his Grace the Duke of Marleborough will
oblige the French King to sue in earnest for a peace, and the
principle advantage expected by Great Brittain being the entire
restoring the Coloney of Newfoundland, pray that the French
King may be obliged entirely to restore the whole countrey and
islands, and his subjects totally debarred from all manner of
trade thereunto, etc. Signed, John Clifton, Mayor, and 55 others.
Endorsed, Recd. Read May 26, 1710. 1p. Enclosed, |
|
250. i. Considerations on the Trade to Newfoundland. The
trade in the reign of James I was in a very flourishing
condition, and then intirely, without a rival, possessed
and enjoyed by the English. Quote Letters Patent
Charles I. Feb. 10, 1634. About this time the French
first began to fish at Newfoundland, and obtain'd
liberty from Charles I for so doing, and as an acknowledgment of our right agreed to pay 5 p.c. from all ships
coming thither. Their allotment for curing fish was
to the westward of Cape Raze. At this time the
French had very few ships. Charles II. (1675) confirmed the aforesaid liberty, and quitted to them the
former tribute of 5 p.c. King James II. confirmed to
them the grants aforesaid; from which may be observed
that the French were sensible of the weakness of their
title, and therefore thought it was absolutely necessary
to have it confirm'd by every King of England
successively, and by this Trade had so far encreas'd
their riches and naval power as to make all Europe
stand in fear of them. King William III, being sensible
of the vast importance of this Trade, did never confirm
these grants to the French, but that his subjects might
understand, that his Predecessors could not justly
dispose of this Trade, gave his Royal Assent to an Act
to resume it (10th and 11th W. III.). Quoted. So that
the English having had the entire possession of, and
Trade to, all Newfoundland etc., until the 10th of
King Charles I, consequently have the same right and
title to it now. The whole encrease of the naval
greatness of France had its foundation from this Trade;
for the nature of it is such, that about ¼ of the men
employed are Green Men, that were never before at sea;
and the climate being very healthy, scarce one man
in fifty dies in a voyage, whereas in voyages to the
East and West Indies, few Green Men are made use of,
and it is too well known what great numbers are swept
away in those unhealthy countries, etc. Besides, the
French by their extraordinary frugality joined with
their other great advantages, as the cheapness of salt,
and having the best and most convenient part of the
country for fishing, etc., have quite eaten the English
out of this Trade; as may be instanced in many of the
Out-ports of our Nation, and particularly Barnstable
and Bideford, who formerly employed in this trade
about 50 ships, which enabled them to supply King
William for some years in the beginning of his reign
with 3 or 400 volunteer sailors, and now they do not
fit out of late above 6 or 8 small ships, and find it very
difficult to man these few; and believe the same
scarcity of sailors is in all other Ports; to the great
discouragement of Navigation, decrease of the Queen's
Customs, the lessening the value of lands, and the
strength of the Kingdom. Repeat advantages of French
trade, being ice-free, and having cheaper salt and craft.
From which we may infer, that they must reap all the
profit thereof; and the English, with the silk-worm,
will only spin out their own bowels, and then be forced
to give over; the consequences whereof may well be
dreaded. But our great satisfaction and hope is,
that our most Gracious Queen will insist upon her
Right, and that no Peace may be concluded, unless
the French King will restore all Newfoundland and the
Islands which belong to it, etc. Printed. 2½ pp.
[C.O. 194, 4. Nos. 136, 136 i.] |
May [—].
Barbados. |
251. Governor Crowe to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. Signed, M. Crowe. Endorsed,
Recd. 13th, Read 26th Oct., 1710. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
251. i. Capt. Hamilton's receipt for the old Seal, to be
delivered to the Council of Trade on arrival of H.M.S.
Greenwich, etc. May 8, 1710. Signed, A. Hamilton.
1 p. [C.O. 28, 13. Nos. 46, 46 i.] |
