|
Feb. 2.
London. |
265. G. Bonnin to the Earl of Dartmouth. Your Lordship
being pleased some months ago to order me in the Gazette to
waitte att the office, and haveing done it without any appearance
of hopes, makes me believe that your Lordship was no wayes
apprise of my misfortunes, it is very hard my Lord, that after the
murther of my son in law in Antego, and most my own, and the
obligation laid upon me to maintein his three young children with
their poor desolate mother beside my own, ever since Dec. 7,
1710, when the rage of the people rebelled and murdered their
General, and that the begining of July last I was commanded by
the Chief Governour there to come to England for H.M. service
under his hand and seall which order Mr. Lewis has had in his
hand and told me for all comfort that I ought to [have] bargain'd
with the General when I came away, tho' not two hours of warning
given before the ship sayled; etc. My charges in coming and my
expences since have utterly ruined me and all by my inviolable
loyalty, etc. Prays for his Lordship's compassion. Signed,
G. Bonnin. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 96.] |
Feb. 5.
Whitehall. |
266. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords
Proprietors of Carolina. Enclose extract of Col. Spotswood's
letter (May 8th, 1712) relating to Carolina. [C.O. 5, 1292. p.
375.] |
Feb. 5.
Treary. Chambers. |
267. Wm. Lowndes to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following, "which my lord Treasurer desires you will
consider with other the matters now before you relating to"
Col. Nicholson's Commission etc. Signed, Wm. Lowndes.
Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 19th Feb. 1712/13. Addressed. 1 p.
Enclosed, |
|
267. i. Mr. Baker and Mr. Gosselin to the Lord High Treasurer.
Prize Office, Jan. 31, 1712 (13). Enclose following.
Conclude:— It not having been the practice of the
Prize Office all this warr as well as the last, to constitute
officers on any such business at a standing allowance of
salary, we humbly offer whether 1/5th part of what may
be recovered free of charges may not be a more proper
recompence rather than a setled salary, and be an
inducement to use his utmost diligence, etc. Signed,
Tho. Baker, Wm. Gosselin. 1 p. |
|
267. ii. Instructions to Governor Nicholson for recovering
arrears of prizes in America, and discovering embezilments, etc. Signed and dated as preceding. 2 pp. |
|
267. iii. List of prizes already accounted for. 1 p. [C.O.
323, 7. Nos. 23, 23 i.-iii.; and (without No. ii.) 324,
10. pp. 15–18.] |
Feb. 6.
St. James's. |
268. The Queen to [? Governor Hunter]. Warrant to proceed
in cases of appeal by clergy as directed Jan. 8, q.v. Countersigned,
Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 205–207.] |
| Feb. 7. |
269. C. Douglas to [? the Earl of Dartmouth]. Asks for the
Government of Maryland, on the recommendation of the late
Duke of Queensberry etc. Signed, C. Douglas. 1 p. [C.O. 5,
721. No. 14.] |
Feb. 9.
Whitehall. |
270. William Blathwayt to Mr. Popple. Encloses following.
P.S.— There have been several proposalls made to ye executors
of Ld. Culpepper for the reuniting this part of the Colony which
have not yet been duly effected. Signed, Wm. Blathwayt.
Endorsed, Recd. 9th Feb. 1712/13, Read 17th Nov. 1715. ¾ p.
Enclosed, |
|
270. i. Copy of King James II.'s grant to Lord Culpeper of
land in the Northern Neck of Virginia, Sept. 27, 1688.
8½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1317. Nos. 14, 14 i.; and (without
enclosure) 5, 1364. p. 259.] |
| Feb. 10. |
271. Governor Nicholson to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. In obedience to yr. Lordps'. commands, I humbly
lay before yr. Lordps. a coppy of the establishment for the
Commrs. apointed to inspect the publick accots. abroad. I hope
that my allowance may be at least equall to one of theirs, or to
any of the Governours on the Continent of America, being I have
tenn times the work and shall be oblidged to travell by land near
1000 miles wch. is very expensive in those parts. Mr. John
Netmaker being apointed by my Lord Treasurer to proceed with
me in the voyage and to take care of the stores that are to be
disposed off abroad, I humbly propose that he may be Secretary
and that I may have three clerks to assist me, their sallary or
allowance, I humbly submitt to your Lordps'. consideration, etc.
Signed, F. Nicholson. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 10, 1712/13.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
271. i. Copy of the establishment for the Commissioners
appointed to inspect the Publick Accounts abroad,
Oct. 9, 1711. 5l. a day each, 2l. a day to the Secretary.
1 p. [C.O. 323. 7. Nos. 21, 21 i.: and 324, 10. pp.
11–13.] |
Feb. 11.
Virginia. |
272. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. It is so long since I had an opportunity of writing
to your Lops. that I hope you will the more easily pardon the
trouble I shall give you in this long letter, since I am obliged to
comprehend therein the transactions of a late General Assembly
and the other occurrences of this Government together with those
of the neighbouring province of North Carolina. The publick
debts which had been contracted upon the expected invasion of
the French squadron fitted out for the West Indies in 1711,
together with the necessitys of continueing the Rangers, for the
guard of our frontiers against the incursions of the Indians,
obliged me to call an Assembly to meet Oct. 22nd, etc. And tho'
the greater part of the House of Burgesses consisted of the old
members, I have so far prevailed on them that all the publick
debts for putting the country in a posture of defence are now
discharged; except one for a spyboat imployed to cruise about
the Capes in the absence of our guardships, and the expence of
subsisting the French prisoners, which I have been obliged to
satisfy out of H.M. revenue of 2s. per hhd., finding it in vain to
press them after sundry repreated denials, in regard of the great
charge now on the country for the Rangers, which are continued
for another year. In order to perswade the House of Burgesses
to discharge the expence of the spyboat and of the French
prisoners, I laid before them a state of the annual charge of the
Government for the last two and twenty years, together with the
produce of the established revenue for the same time; whereby I
made it appear that the fund raised by the Revenue Act had
since 1689 fallen short of answering the sallarys and contingencys
of this Government by 7401l. 1s. 11½d., and that such deficiency
had from time to time been supplyed by the Crown Revenues;
and thereupon I took occasion to argue with them as may be seen
in my message of Nov. 28th (Burgesses' Journal). Indeed in stating
the accompt I charged the country with the sallarys of all the
officers of this Government, even with those of the Commissary
and Attorney Generall, which are paid out of the quitt-rents;
and on the other hand I extracted all sums that had arisen by
fines and forfietures by the purchase of rights for land, and by
the sale of the Queen's arms, which articles I find have before
my time been allowed to pass in the same accompt with the
revenue that arises by the Act of Assembly made in 1680, and
so have always been applyed to the support of the Government.
The honour your Lordps. have done me in approving my conduct
in relation to the civil dissentions in North Carolina is the greatest
encouragement I at present have for the continuance of my
endeavours to assist that unhappy country. I wish I could have
receiv'd from your Lordps'. Board directions for my better
guidance in a matter of far greater consequence, I mean, that of
their Indian war; which would have been so much the more
necessary in regard to the difficultys I have to struggle with here;
for such is the natural disposition of these people towards aiding
their neighbours, that I can very assuredly inform your Lordps.
that I am the only person of this Government that ever proposes
giving any assistance to North Carolina in its distresses, and must
alone furnish the arguments to obtain the Council's concurrence,
or to procure any supplys from the Burgesses: besides that
whatever I undertake in behalf of that distracted country,
I am forc'd to push on with a great deal of trouble and expence
to myself. On the other hand there reigns such stupidity and
dissent in the Government of North Carolina, that it can neither
concert any measures, nor perform any engagements for it's own
security. For upon a representation from the President, Council
and Assembly of that province, of their miserable circumstances,
which I immediately laid before our Assembly with all the
exhortations I could use to move their pitty to their distressed
fellow-subjects (v. Journal) all I have been able to obtain from our
House of Burgesses is only the sum of 1000l. and 900 yards of
course cloathing for the poor people that have been plunder'd
by the heathen, and (as it was represented) would be obliged to
ly out in the woods for the protection of the remaining part of the
province against their incursions in the winter season, our
Burgesses looking on that province as the author of its own
misery, by the continued disorders in the Government and the
licentiousness of the people. And tho' in that Address they say
they have given this supply with chearfull hearts, yet the struggle
with which it passed in their House is an evidence of their disinclination: however it must be acknowledged that this
inconsiderable sum, tho' unequal to the charge necessary for
subduing that barbarous enemy, is nevertheless the greatest
donative ever given by an Assembly here to be expended out of
the country. I am now endeavouring to lay out this small
supply to the best advantage, as soon as the season of the year
will favour an expedition against the Indians, and should have
hoped by the assistance of the forces sent from South Carolina
(which consist of 850 Indians and 33 white men) to have reduced
the enemy, had the Government of North Carolina done their
part: but notwithstanding the assurances given by their
Assembly in their Address (enclosed) that they would supply with
provisions and the charge of transportation, what forces should be
sent from hence to their assistance; upon a conference which I
had with some agents from that Government about 3 weeks agoe,
they plainly told me that they could furnish neither: nor could
they make any proposals to me either for helping themselves, or
enabling me to do it. And tho' at their request I have supply'd
em with the cloathing, which was intended for 300 men to go out
against the Indians, they cannot now find 100 in the whole
province to go on that expedition: some deserting the country,
others absconding, and the rest sheltering themselves under the
masque of Quakerism. Such gross mismanagements as these
have in a great measure been the occasion of their unhappy
circumstances, and must entail on them further miserys, if any
accident should happen to the gentlemen who commands the
South Carolina Indians; for as they are made up of a great many
different nations, and kept together by the sole authority of that
single person, there is no question to be made, but that if he should
fall, or recieve any considerable disadvantage in his attempts
upon the Tuscaruros, all these Indians would imediately disperse
and leave their friends in a much worse condition than they
found 'em, having already committed very great disorders in the
country through which they passed; from which no authority
of their officers could restrain them. After my gratefull acknowledgments to your Lordps. for your favourable recommendation,
to which I am satisfied I owe H.M. bounty in continuing to me the
allowance for house rent for two years longer, I am now to
acquaint your Lordps. that I have obtained of the General
Assembly a further sum of £900, for finishing the house for the
Governor, and I hope with that money, to compleat it within the
time H.M. hath been pleased to limit my allowance, and am so far
from postponing the work for the lucre of that house-rent, that
tho the money given by the Assembly is rais'd on a distant fund,
which cannot be expected to come in, in at least two years,
(because it is anticipated for the payment of former debts) I still
continue the workmen upon my own credit, having no other
intention than to accomplish what H.M. has so often recommended
to former Governors. As to the other proceedings of the
Assembly of lesser moment I refer your Lordps. to the Journals
and the laws passed in this session, upon which I shall not need
to give your Lorps. the trouble of any remarks, as judging neither
the interest of Great Brittain nor H.M. prerogative to be anyway
concerned therein, unless your Lordps. be of opinion that the
Act to prevent land lapsing from infants untill three years after
they come of age is such. Tho' I had a very just exception against
this law, because I take it that nonage is not pleadable against
the Crown, and am of opinion that 'tis presumption in a plantation
Assembly to abridge the Crown of that priviledge by an Act:
yet finding the Burgesses extreemly fond of this law, and that the
country in general had set their hearts very much upon it, I
was unwilling to sower their temper by contending with them in an
indifferent matter; I say an indifferent matter, because if
H.M. shall think fitt to disallow this Act at any time within three
years, the whole effect of it is destroyed. And since I have
observed that whatever favours are allowed to pass in Acts of
Assembly are seldom reckoned by the people in this climate as
gracious concession of the sovereign, 'tis therefore in my humble
opinion more advisable that such-like graces as these be extended
to the country, in the same manner as they have received the
benefitt of the Habeas Corpus Act. In pursuance of H.M.
permission for passing into a law the 84th article of my Instructions relating to the conditions of granting of lands, I got a bill to
be prepared by the Council in the manner I judged most agreeable
to H.M. intentions, the circumstances of the country and the ease
of the subject: a copy of which I herewith transmitt, wherein
your Lordps. will observe the different sorts of cultivation
proposed, as suited to the nature of the land to be taken up; and
as any other kind of improvement would be impracticable on
those several soils, so there would have been a sufficient restraint
on persons from taking up great tracts (as heretofore) without
any design of cultivation: and on the other hand the conditions
required being so reasonable on the part of the patentee, I could
not but hope a House of Burgesses would have readily embraced
that offer. But the license to which they have been hitherto
accustomed remains still so fresh in their memorys, that it was
with difficulty they would allow this Bill a second reading in their
house, and then rejected it. Your Lordps. no doubt remember
what applications were made to your Board, even by the President
and Council against this instruction, and that during their administration it was never offered to be put in practice, which shews
the general aversion of the whole country to alter their antient
customs, how unreasonable soever they may appear to all disinterested persons. And it seems strange to me when I read
over the records of the country to find such unaccountable
proceedings in the granting of lands as have been practised
heretofore; that the General Courts where the Governor has no
negative voice, and must be concluded in his judgement by the
majority of the Bench, should be allowed to pass grants of land,
and even in a manner so dishonourable as to order the Governor
to grant a patent, which nevertheless was the practice before my
time; that everyone who had a mind to a tract of land vested in
the Crown either originally or by lapse or escheat, claimed a right
to have a patent for it upon his petition, without acknowledging
any right in the Governor to dispense the favours of the Crown,
according to the merits and qualifications of the person. This
custome being suffered so long to prevail is now pleaded as the
right of the people, and all restrictions of that method look'd
upon as so many infringements of their liberty. And H.M.
favour seems to them a new term, with which they are not
acquainted, or at least have forgot the meaning of. I shall
however make it my business, as 'tis my duty, to bring them to
another opinion: and I hope I have in some measure convinced
them by the answer I gave to the Assembly's Address in November,
1710, (wherein they desired the ancient method of taking up land
might be restored to them) since they have never yet thought
fitt to make a reply, nor to trouble me with any further applications on that head. And I'm perswaded that nothing can be
more pernicious to the good government of these plantations
than to suffer any custom whatsoever to obtain either in the
Courts of Justice or otherwise contrary to the just prerogative
of the Crown, and wherein the favour of the Crown and the right
of the subject are not distinguished; so that I must offer it as
my humble opinion that there is no necessity of making any
laws for directing the manner of granting H.M. lands, and that
the Royal Instructions ought in all such cases to be a law both for
the Governor and the People. I cannot forbear taking notice
of another abuse crept into the administration, in the way of
claiming lands for the importation of persons into the Colony.
By the charter of King Charles II, there is allowed to every person
that shall come to dwell here 50 acres out of the land not already
appropriated; and although there can be no doubt that the
design and meaning of this priviledge was to encourage persons
to adventure themselves for peopling the country, yet this priviledge has not only been allowed to the persons imported but to
the masters of ships who brought them in, to the merchants who
had the disposal of them as servants, and to the masters who
purchased their service; so that for one person imported, there
has been granted away, instead of fifty acres, no less than 200.
By this easy way of obtaining rights for taking up land, and the
encouragement given by the Act in 1666, establishing a sham
condition of seating and planting, it has happened that such
vast tracts are now possessed by sundry persons, who thought fitt
to imploy their thoughts that way, which remain for the greatest
part uncultivated to the great prejudice of the Colony, and the
discouragement of future Adventurers, where they can find little
or no convenient land to plant upon. By the law passed in
1706, concerning the granting, seating and planting of land, the
priviledge of 50 acres of land was again restored, solely to the
person imported. But since the repeal of that Act people have
begun to practice the same fraudulent way of proving rights for
importation. For preventing of which abuse I have by a proclamation (enclosed) directed all rights already proved to be
brought in for examination, before any patents are passed on
them, and have settled a method for registering of future rights
in the Secretary's office, wherby no person can obtain a grant of
any greater quantity of land for one importation than is allotted
by the Charter, and this will also prove a means of increasing
the fund arising by the sale of rights. Notwithstanding the
directions given by his late Majesty for revising the laws of this
Colony and a long time spent therein by a Committee of the
Council and Burgesses, which cost the country upwards of
1500l., I find that work still very imperfect. For the body of
laws passed by the Assembly in 1706 as prepared by the forementioned Committee doth not comprehend (as was intended)
the whole laws of the country, there being divers old Acts of
Assembly still in force and particular clauses in other Acts yet
pleadable in the courts of justice here, as not coming under the
purview of the general repealing clauses in the revised laws;
which occasions great confusions in the proceedings of those
courts, while people continue ignorant what is law and what is
not. I might it's true have recommended this matter to the
Assembly, and got them to reenact those other old laws. But
when I consider how many disagreeable clauses were foysted in,
both by the Committee and the Assembly that passed the late
revised laws, which has occasioned the repeal of sundry of them,
and divers others remain in force, which have passed unobserved
among the crowd, I can hardly perswade myself to this method,
and am very much in doubt whether it was ever your Lordps'.
intentions that the revising the laws should be performed in the
manner it was done. I therefore am of opinion that the collecting
of all the laws now in force into one body may be done with
better success by the Secretary of this Colony, the Clerk of the
Council, the Attorney General, and one or two of the most
eminent English lawyers here joined with them: for as the two
first have the custody of all the Records, to which recourse must
be had in this work, their concurrence and assistance will be
absolutely necessary therein, and the other three will be best able
to digest them into a proper method. I find they are willing to
undertake the work, upon little more encouragement than the
sole priviledge of printing and selling the copys. And if H.M.
think fitt to allow those laws to be published by the Governor's
authority and impower me to grant that license to these gentlemen,
I shall then transmitt a copy of the whole to your Lordships for
your perusal before they are printed. This I submitt to your
Lordps'. consideration, and shall wait your commands before
I sett about this project. I have herewith sent your Lordps. an
account of the arms and ammunition, according to the best
account I could obtain of them from the countrys into which they
have been formerly dispersed: most of these arms are unfitt for
service and the powder very much decay'd. I have also sent an
account of the negroes imported from the coast of Africa, being
but a small number in one ship last Fall; and there's no great
reason to expect many more while the price of tobacco continues
so low, and the country by that means so poor. The list of
births and burials herewith sent is not complete; sundry parishes
having failed to make returns; for 'tis a thing so new to the
people, that neither they care to register their births and burials,
nor are the parish clerks yet brought into a regular method of
transmitting them: but I shal endeavour to send your Lordps.
a more exact account for the next half year. Col. Harrison one
of H.M. Council being lately dead, I cannot recommend a fitter
person to supply that vacancy than the gentleman H.M. was
pleased last year to honour with the office of Secretary, Mr.
William Cocke. The gentlemen of the Council who live near
this place, being now reduced to a small number, it is difficult
to get enough together on any sudden emergency; which makes
me the more desirous to have this gentleman speedily added,
because of his residence at Williamsburgh, and that he will always
be near at hand upon such occasions: and for the same reason I
beg leave to mind your Lordps. of replacing Col. Bassett in his
former post at that Board. P.S.I. did not discover before I was
sealing my letters that the laws are not written separately, as
they ought to have been; which is occasioned through the
mistake of a new clerk of the House of Burgesses: but I shal take
care to amend that error in the duplicates wch. shal be sent your
Lodps. by the next conveyance. Signed, A. Spotswood. Endorsed,
Recd. 22nd April, Read 17th July, 1713. 8½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
272. i. Copy of an Address from the President and Assembly
of North Carolina to Lt. Governor Spotswood. The
many instances of your favourr encourages us to renew
our supplications for some timely assistance, under the
most miserable condition that ever people groan'd.
We have exerted our utmost endeavours, as well by
arms as by treatys to maintain the honour of the
British and Christian character; but what with the
greatest poverty, the repeated slaughters of our men, and
the disability of our few remaining by wounds and
continual fatigues and marches, we are rendered not
only incapable of carrying on an offensive but even a
defensive war: and the barbarous heathen are too well
acquainted with our disability, both which renders
all treatys vain, and likewise makes us more obnoxious
to their barbarous crueltys, etc. What we can promise
on our parts is provisions and the expence of transporting the soldiers, which is all our wretched circumstances will admitt of, etc. Signed, Tho. Snoden,
Speaker. C. Gale, N. Chevin, Tho. Pollock, T. Knight,
Wm. Reed, Tho. Boyd. 1 p. |
|
272. ii. (a) Proclamation by Lt. Governor Spotswood for publishing H.M. Proclamation of the Armistice. Signed,
A. Spotswood. Williamsburgh, Oct. 15, 1712. 1¾ pp. |
|
272. ii. (b) Proclamation by Lt. Governor Spotswood requiring
a return every six months of certificates of rights to
land obtained in the County Courts respectively for the
half year preceding to be examined and registered in
the Secretary's office, etc. Signed, A. Spotswood.
Williamsburgh, Dec. 9, 1712. The whole endorsed as
preceding. 1½ pp. |
|
272. iii. List of Births and Burials in Virginia, April 1st—Oct. 1st, 1712. Totals: Births, Males 364, Females,
322. Burials, Males 93, Females, 75. Same endorsement. ¾ p. |
|
272. iv. Accompt of negro slaves imported from Africa, 1712,
113, sold at from £20 to £28 a head. Same endorsement.
¼ p. |
|
272. v. Accompt of H.M. arms and ammunition in Virginia
(v. supra). Same endorsement. ¾ p. |
|
272. vi. Copy of a Bill to come into force Dec. 25, 1713,
declaring what shall be accounted, a sufficient seating
and planting of lands hereafter to be taken up and
patented. Same endorsement. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1316. Nos.
94, 94 i.–vi.; and (without enclosures) 5, 1363. pp. 488–506.] |
Feb. 11.
Virginia. |
273. Lt. Governor Spotswood to [? the Earl of Dartmouth].
Acknowledges letters of Aug. 21st and 28th. I have caused the
Truce to be published here as usual. In obedience to H.M.
commands (April 14th) I laid before our late Assembly the 84th
article of my Instructions to be passed into a law pursuant to
H.M. gracious permission, but the house of Burgesses did not think
fitt to agree thereto; however that Instruction is already a law
to me without the formality of passing it into an Act of Assembly,
and must be so to everyone that pretends to ask a grant of the
Queen's land. Tho' I cannot but believe it must be as disagreeable to your Lordp. to hear, as 'tis to me to write, a constant
account of the miserys and distractions of my neighbouring
province of North Carolina; yet my duty to H.M. and regard for
her subjects will not suffer me to conceal from your Lordp. their
unhappy circumstances, nor to sitt idle, without using my utmost
endeavours to relieve them; for tho' they have lately received
from South Carolina an aid of 850 Indians and 33 white men,
under the command of one Col. James Moore; of whose coming
timely notice had been given them, yet that Government was so
negligent and improvident, that they neither made provision for
the subsistance of those forces, nor had in readiness any of
their own to join em; so that through the ungovernable temper
of such a multitude, composed of a great many different nations,
and the necessity of dispersing them about the country, for their
better subsistance, the poor inhabitants have suffered a greater
destruction among their stocks by there auxiliarys than they
did from their enemys. Before the arrival of this succour, I
had upon a representation from the President and Assembly
of that Province (enclosed) obtained from our Assembly 1000l.
to be imployed for their relief, together with cloathing sufficient
for 300 of their men, which could not otherwise endure the
fatigue of a march against the enemy in the winter season. It
was with much struggle I obtained this inconsiderable supply.
And because such an insignificant sum required more than
ordinary frugality in the management, I was willing to consult
with the President and Council of Carolina, upon the most
effectual measures for laying it out to their advantage. Yet
after waiting above six weeks for their answer, and when at last
I had taken the trouble of a long journey to their frontiers to
obtain a meeting, neither the President nor the commander of
their forces thought fitt to be there, but only sent two Deputys,
who instead of offering any proposals or facilitating the prosecution of the war against the Indians, had only authority to tell
me that the provisions promised by their Assembly for the forces
intended to be sent from hence is not now to be expected from
'em; tho' at the same time they could not but acknowledge that
the small sum given for that service is insufficient for raising
and subsisting such a body of men as can in prudence be ventured
from hence into the Tuscaruro country. It is a difficult task
I have to encounter, when no engagements of the persons
principally concerned are to be relyed on, almost all the necessarys
of tents, ammunition, etc., for an expedition wanting, no money
to provide such necessarys, not one officer in this whole Government that knows anything of the discipline of forces to assist
me, the people generally averse to undertake anything for the
relief of these neighbours, no law in the country to compell
them to serve in such an expedition, nor have I hitherto recieved
any directions from H.M. to countenance me in any extraordinary
measures I may have occasion to use in this conjuncture. And
if the Government of North Carolina should still continue so
stupid as to deny furnishing provisions: or if Col. Moore should
happen to be baffled in his enterprize, the consequence may be
fatal, both to that unhappy province and to the other neighbouring Governments, since by that means the Indians will be more
encouraged in their insolencies. I shall however continue my
endeavours to obviate these mischiefs as much as I am able etc.
Repeats part of preceding. Signed, A. Spotswood. 4 pp.
Enclosed, |
|
273. i., ii. Duplicates of Nos. 272. i., ii. [C.O. 5, 1337. Nos.
20–22.] |
Feb. 12.
Treasury Chambers. |
274. Mr. Lowndes to Mr. Popple. Encloses following for
the report of the Council of Trade and Plantations to H.M.
thereon. Signed, Wm. Lowndes. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 13th,
Read July 17th, 1713. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
274. i. Petition of Anthony Swymmer of Jamaica to the
Earl of Oxford, Lord High Treasurer. Prays for a
grant at the appraised value of escheated estate of Mrs.
Williamina Kupius, his step-daughter, decd. without
heirs, in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica. Petitioner
has long occupied this plantation. 1½ pp. [C.O.
137, 10. Nos. 18, 18 i.; and 138, 14. pp. 9–12.] |
Feb. 13.
Treasury Chambers. |
275. T. Harley to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
By order of my Lord High Treasurer I inclose the establishment
proposed by the Board of Ordnance for Barbados, Jamaica,
New Yorke and Annapolis, for your opinion thereupon, etc.
Signed, T. Harley. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read 19th Feb. 17 12/13.
¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
275. i. Charge of the establishment at Barbadoes. Engineer,
Master-gunner, 17 gunners. Total, 1076l. 15s. per
annum. ¼ p. [C.O. 28, 13. Nos. 99, 99 i.; and
(without enclosure) 29, 13. pp. 1, 2.] |
Feb. 14.
Whitehall. |
276. The Earl of Dartmouth to Governor Lord A. Hamilton.
Recommends Peter Beckford to his protection and favour.
Signed, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. p. 208.] |
Feb. 14.
Whitehall. |
277. The Earl of Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. I send you enclosed severall letters and other
papers relating to disputes that have hapned between my Lord
Archibald Hamilton and Sr. Hovenden Walker, for your opinion,
what orders may properly be given for putting an end to these
differences so prejudicial to the service, and for preventing the
like for the future. Signed, Dartmouth. Endorsed, Recd. 17th,
Read 19th Feb. 17 12/13. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
277. i. Rear-Admiral Sr. Hovenden Walker to Governor Lord
A. Hamilton, Kingston, Aug. 11, 1712. Capt. Clifton
having given me an acct. that Mr. Fagg has arrested
him upon pretence of a box of lace which he found
aboard the Sina when he seized her, as also upon acct.
of a negroe that was at that time aboard and is now in
the Monmouth amongst the rest of the men as a prisoner
till inquiry shall be made into the proceedings of that
privateer, I aqaint you with it, being Governour,
that your Lordship may give some necessary directions
therein, for if people shall pretend to arrest a Capt. of
a man of warr, upon a seisure made before ye law has
determined ye case it will be of very ill consequence and
seems a great contempt of ye Queen's right of seisure
by Her officers. I shall be glad to know what yr.
Lordship thinks to do in this matter, before I take any
measures therein: for if Capt. Clifton had taken ye
persons aboard and carryed them to Brittain to answer
it there, I think he had done well. Signed, Hovenden
Walker. Copy. 1 p. |
|
277. ii. Same to same. Kingston, Aug. 13, 1712. They
again arrested Capt. Clifton yesterday, so that I told
him I knew no better way of dealing with them, then
taking ye persons concerned aboard, etc. as above.
Signed, Hovenden Walker. Copy. 1 p. |
|
277. iii. Same to same. Kingston, Sept. 20, 1712. I have yr.
Excellency's letter concerning the two seamen belonging
to ye Defyance who stole a silver tankard and I think
they very justly deserve hanging, tho' if ye man that
owned the tankard, as I understand, has got ye same
again, he layes himself lyable to be tryed since they
cannot be tryed for anything, restored. However if
your Excellency orders them, to be delivered when
called for they shall be severely punished aboard.
Mr. Perkin has thought fit to send Mr. Lodge to demand
ye sloop seised at which impudence I had one thought
of confining Mr. Lodge aboard, for it is not in ye power of
any person seising in behalf of ye Queen to deliver ye
seisure up without tryal, nor do I know by what
authority Mr. Lodge could pretend to come aboard a
flagg ship to make any demand since ye Fleet knows no
superior but ye Queen and Lord High Admirall, etc.
Signed, Hovenden Walker. Copy. 1 p. |
|
277. iv.–viii. Duplicates of Nos. 149 i.–v. |
|
277. ix. Rear-Admiral Walker to Governor Lord A. Hamilton.
Kingston, Nov. 6, 1712. I am surprised you should
imagine a Captaine of a man of warr should receive
any person without my order, etc. Your letter of
Sept. 28th mentions nothing more than that you
desire a man of war to exchange prisoners at Petit
Guavas, and no notice of your design to send a particular
person, etc. Signed, Hovenden Walker. Copy. 1½ pp. |
|
277. x. Rear-Admiral Walker's instructions to Capt. Hosier
to proceed to Petit Guavas with prisoners of war to be
exchanged for H.M. subjects, etc. Signed, Hovenden
Walker. H.M.S. Monmouth, Port Royal Harbour,
Oct. 29, 1712. Copy. 1¾ pp. |
|
277. xi. Rear-Admiral Walker to Governor Lord A. Hamilton.
Kingston, Nov. 9, 1712. Understanding that there is
an Address from ye Council and Assembly to yr.
Excellency that a representation may be made against
me to ye Queen; alledging that Capt. Hosier by my
orders refused to carry Mr. Basnet with ye expresses
to ye Governor of Petit Guavas, which is false because
there could be no occasion for orders from me forbidding
him to take Mr. Basnet aboard: for without orders
so to do he could not receive him. However had I
known ye errand upon wch. Mr. Basnet was sent, I
should and very justifyable, have forbid him: since I
hold myself obliged, only to do everything relating to
the Truce but nothing to support any person's private
interest in trade, and therefore that all things may be
made plain I herewith send Capt. Jackson's letter
wherein he gives an account of what he knows concerning
Mr. Basnet's instructions and buisness, etc. I desire it
may be communicated to the Council and Assembly,
etc. Signed, Hovenden Walker. Copy. 1½ pp. |
|
277. xii. Capt. Jackson to [? Rear-Admiral Walker]. Centurion,
Port Royall Keyes. Nov. 9th, 1712. I saw in Mr.
Basnet's hands a scheme of trade to Petit Guavas, wch.
he told me the Governour had desired him to draw up,
etc. In reply to the Governor, Basnet had given his
opinion therein that it could not be carryed on without
consent of ye Flagg. Signed, Rt. Jackson. Copy.
1½ pp. |
|
277. xiii. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to Rear-Admiral
Walker. St. Jago de la Vega. Nov. 9, 1712. I could
not doubt after what past between us at Spanish Towne,
when I communicated my Lord Dartmouth's letter to
you concerning the cessation of arms, etc., and my
desiring a man of warr to send up ye French prisoners,
but that you must necessarily conclude that I would
not only send up dispatches to ye French Governor of
ye Coast of St. Domingo, but a fit person likewise to
negotiate an affair of so much importance etc. You
can't (I imagine) in earnest after I had so freely communicated my thoughts to you etc., beleive that the
punctilio of desiring your order for Mr. Basnet to be
recd. on board ye Salisbury can be thought a colourable
excuse for sending away that ship without him or my
dispatches, etc., etc. I do not find by ye copy of your
instructions to Capt. Hosier that he had any orders
from you to communicate that Proclamation or insist
upon ye subjects of ye French Kings not annoying H.M.
subjects under Spanish Commissions, for which I had
given particular instructions to Mr. Basnet, and wch.
appears to ye Council a matter of such consequence as
well with respect to H.M. service as ye intrest of H.M.
subjects trading to and from ye Island that they have
given it as their unanimous opinion that I should as I
doe insist upon ye sending up another of H.M. ships
with such persons as I should think proper for the
negotiating an affair of such importance. Signed,
A. Hamilton. 3 pp. |
|
277. xiv. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to Rear-Admiral
Walker. St. Jago de la Vega, Nov. 14, 1712. Upon
considering your letter, etc. (Nos. xi., xii.), the Council
and Assembly have come to resolutions that you have
been misinformed of my instructions, and that the
instructions I had given and the letters I had wrote to
ye French Governor on the exchange of prisoners as on
trade were very propper for H.M. service and ye good
of ye Island, and have therefore unanimously desired
me to prosecute my former intentions, etc., and to insist
that another man of war might be forthwith sent up
with my despatches, etc. I renew my application as
No. xiii. I desire you will return me ye letters and
depositions I gave you when last here relating to
inhabitants of ye Island being press'd on board ye
Queen's ships here. Copy. 1½ pp. |
|
277. xv. Rear-Admiral Walker to Governor Lord A. Hamilton.
Monmouth, Port Royall Harbour. Nov. 15, 1712.
out of the great regard I have for your Lordship's
family as well as upon acct. of the long acquaintance
with and esteem for my Lord Archibald Hamilton;
and as I have hitherto condescended to do many things
for that consideration, I send this letter by the messenger
who brot. your Lordships to me of this dayes date. But
as Governour of Jamaica I give ye answer once for all,
that unless yr. Excellency sends some of the Council
to me for transacting or treating of any matters relating
to H.M. Service, I shall take no manner of notice of
letters or messages sent or coming otherwise. Signed,
Hovenden Walker. Copy. ¾. p. |
|
277. xvi. Duplicate of preceding. |
|
277. xvii. Duplicate of No. 176. |
|
277. xviii. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Lord High
Treasurer. Jamaica. Nov. 22, 1712. Refers to enclosures
relating to dispute with Admiral Walker. Continues:
The Sina galley (v. No. i. supra) was ye privateer who
was suspected and I am afraid very justly of committing
those cruelteys upon ye Spaniards on the coast of Cuba
in an intercourse of trade with our merchants of wch.
I acquainted your Lordship, etc. Your Lordship will
observe by the resolutions of the Council (No. xix.)
how much I was inclined to avoid all difference with the
Admirall, but whatever the privateers had done they
insisted they were to be tryed by the law for it. and that
Capt. Clifton had no right to their goods nor were they
to be press'd or detained as prisoners on board the men
of warr. Several persons had already been press'd
off the Island, the Council were unanimous in their
advice, and I could not but agree with them, and as I
was unwilling the Admirall should be thought to give
incouragement to what had been done in respect to the
civil officer, I undertook to reconcile all matters wth.
him, but it was some time before I could prevail with him
to let the men be sett ashore to be proceeded against
according to law, nor was it done till a good while after,
which had an ill effect in alarming the inhabitants, and
particularly the seafaring men; and the goods wch.
Capt. Clifton had taken I am told are not yet deposited
with the Registrar of the Admiralty into whose hands
I had desired they might be put to wait the sentence
of the propper Court; tho' the Admirall promised me
this should be done above two months since. When
those men were sett ashore I ordered them all to be
committed and their examinations taken. The fact
they appeared to have been guilty of, was the tying a
Spaniard and a mulatto and severely whipping them to
make them confess where they had hid their mony and
goods, which goods they had bought out of a trading
vessell, and which the privateers by this means took
from the Spaniards again and part of wch. are ye same
that Capt. Clifton has taken again from them, but as
their Captain was killed in this rencounter and what ye
men had done was alledged to be done by his command,
all the advantage I was advised could be taken in this
affair (for this is not within the American Act) was to
prosecute ye security upon ye bond I had taken for
performance of the instructions I had given them, which
I accordingly ordered to be done, and expect the issue
of it this Court, and which I hope may be successfull
notwithstanding the difficultys I am told there will be
in proving those particular facts on which the forfeiture
will arise, by reason that the actors themselves are all
the evidence can be had and who will at least be very
unwilling ones; the men after about a month's imprisonment by the unanimous advice of the Council (without
which I have acted nothing in this affair nor in any others
of consequence) were sett at liberty; only the principals
were still kept bound to their appearance, and two,
which were thought most propper, for witnesses in the
prosecution upon ye bond, etc. The other fact of which
I informed yr. Lordship in my last committed by ye
privateers at Carthagena by compelling Spaniards
to hand goods belonging to a Dutch trader out of a
Dutch boat into a Spanish canoe and then making prize
of them, which was the true state of that matter, has
been prosecuted and waits but the usual forms for its
decision, wch. I hope will be for restitution to be made,
etc. I never expected what has pass'd would have
occasioned any difference between the Admirall and
myself, for I made it my business to quiet all sides, and
put a stop to the actions against Capt. Clifton, and no
prosecutions were commenced for the disorders complain'd of on the resolutions of the Council, upon the
Admirall's word that the goods should be deposited and
the men put ashore, which not being comply'd with
renewed ye complaints from ye inhabitants. Refers
to No. iii. supra. Capt. Chamberlain by the Admiral's
order, seized a sloop in Port Royall Harbour which was
come from the coast, and kept her several dayes before
he so much as informed me of it, and some weeks past
before any libel or other process was exhibited against
her. In this interval the owners of the sloop required
the Publick Notary to protest, which the Admirall
resented in this manner (No. iii.). I cannot pretend to
determine whether there was a justifyable cause for this
seizure, for ye Court of Admiralty have not yet determined it, or whether (it being within the harbour)
it ought not to have been made by the Navall Officer
upon the Admirall's or Capt. Chamberlain's information,
but it is certain this last method, has been ye practice
in like cases here and it is naturall for everyone to
conclude that if Captains of men of warr can press and
seize, and neither be arrested nor protests be made
against them, they may do what they please here, which
in ye tendency of it has created a universall dissatisfaction amongst the merchants. I come now to what
has been ye more immediate occasion of this unhappy
difference, and the necessary cause of bringing the whole
in judgment before yr. Lordship. Refers to receipt of
H.M. Proclamation of the Truce and Lord Dartmouth's
letter of Aug. 21st. The Admirall happening to be in
towne I immediately communicated to him the
commands I had received and proposed for H.M. service
that a man of warr should be immediately sent to Petit
Guavas with about 100 French prisoners which wee had,
and to offer ye exchange of them on such terms as should
be reasonable, and to notifye the truce and know of the
French Governour what orders he had received from his
Master; The Admirall very readily consented and told
me he would order a man of warr for that service. I
accordingly prepared despatches etc. (enclosed). But as
the exchange of prisoners, as well as the affairs of trade
might, as I thought, be better managed by a person
with instructions then any other way, and the Capt.
of ye man of warr who was to go, not having thought
fitt to see me on the occasion, I determined to send Mr.
Basnett an eminent mercht. of this Island, to whom I
gave enclosed letters etc. I hope your Lordship will
allow me to express my surprize to see Mr. Basnett
return from the man of warr, with my letters and
instructions, delivering me a letter from Capt. Hosier
(enclosed) as the reason of his being refused to go, and the
man of warr sailed without giving me an opportunity
so much as to write to the Governor of Petit Guavas,
etc. Refers to enclosed resolutions and addresses of
Council and Assembly, and correspondence with Admiral
Walker. There is this more to be added in answer to
what the Admirall has alledged of my being wanting in
not desiring his order for Mr. Basnett to go aboard, that
Mr. Basnett by my order went to acquaint him that he
had my letters and instructions to go, and was not
told by the Admirall either that he should not go, or
that there was any omission in forme. To my last
letters, which contain matter of some consequence to
H.M. service, I have only been able to obtain the answer
(No. xv. supra) which is so extraordinary that I was at a
loss what further to say or write. Before anything of
this happened I had given the Admirall severall
depositions wch. were brought to me by way of complaint
of above 40 inhabitants taken off the Island aboard ye
ships under his command, which I desired him to
inquire into, but can now neither obtain any answer
concerning such inquiry, nor whether he will return me
the dispositions or not, etc. Much more of the kind
complained of in the Address might have been sent. As
to the men of warr's carrying goods, I must do the
Admirall the justice that this is not particular to him or
his squadron, but has been practised by others, only
Admirall Walker alone has allowed a person (who
publickly declared ye same in ye Assembly) to tell the
merchants that he would order the men of warr to carry
what negroes and goods he pleased, which could only
serve to increase the dissatisfaction, and especially at
ye time when the privateers were called in and by the
prospect of a Peace could hope for no other way of
subsisting here but by ye incouragement of navigation
and trade. My humble desires are to rest this whole
affair in your Lordship's pleasure, etc. Upon the
encouragement of Admiral Walker's bigg words that
nobody knows his power and that perhaps I may not be
long in my Government, etc., one gentleman, Mr.
Totterdell by name, has said in ye Assembly, "How if
Admirall Walker should be declared Governor now,
how would they look who had shewn themselves
against him"; which could be said with no other design
than to terrifye other people and reflect on me, and as
Admirall Walker has sided with and countenanced those
persons only who have opposed all ye measures taken
for H.M. service in the support of ye Government
and sent publick messages to others who have been
most usefull to the Queen's service, that he would turn
this person out of the Council and the Speaker then in
the chair from being Attorney Generall; I find myself
under equall necessity to give your Lordship some
accot. of my stewardship, etc. When I entered upon
this Government all the Acts for publick service and
supply were expiring and writts were issued by my
predecessor for calling an Assembly which met about a
month after my arrivall. The publick revennue (if
about 4,000l. per annum be worthy of that name) was
anticipated. There was scarcely sufficient to pay
Major General Handasyd his salary at his going off, all
publick buildings were gone to decay, there was not
a house for me to go into in six months after my arrivall
and I was forced to lodge in a private one. My lord,
in the first year of the Assembly I obtained 5,000l. to
be appropriated to the revenue and ye regiment and
every other service provided for as formerly; Before
this last meeting ye hurricane had happened, which had
occasioned a new expence and I have obtained another
sum of 2,000l. to be appropriated to ye revenue with ye
other supplys as usual. I may without vanity assure
your Lordship so much money has never been given in
so short a time by any former assembly, and without
it the ordinary contingencys of ye Government could
not have been supported. The same Assembly My Lord
has dutyfully addressed H.M. both the first sessions and
now upon the glorious occasion of the Peace, which
nobody opposed but Mr. Totterdale and Mr. Beckford
and Mr. Carver, which last used the insolent expression
of saying he was not for such flatterys and false shams
to ye Queen etc., which is upon the Minutes and which
was complained of and he had been undoubtedly
expelled for it, but for his submission and protesting
he was so drunk he did not know what he said. And
these same persons have opposed all other measures
for the Queen's service. And yet these are the persons
(I am almost astonish'd whilst I am telling it to yr.
Lordship) favoured by Admirall Walker, and as it is
said promised rewards and promotions, I suppose for
no other reason but because they have shewn themselves
opposers of my Government as they have been of all
others, and whose characters (the two first particularly
I might referr yr. Lordship for, to the accts. given of
them by my predecessors) and who instead of rewards
very highly deserve some remarkable discountenance,
for the quiet and incouragement of the generally better
disposed people in this colony. I should be unjust to
those gentlemen whom the Admirall has publickly
threatened with the consequence of his displeasure, if
I did not acquaint your Lordship they have particularly
distinguished themselves in ability and integrity for
H.M. service, and as I indeavour alwayes to consider
things more yn. persons, and look upon persons by their
actions, I can distinguish no other party here but those
who are for supporting the Government and those who
are against it. Besides these difficulties I have mett
with in the Government, I must acquaint your Lordship
of another which has proceeded from an Instruction
sent to my predecessor about a year or two before I had
ye honour to releive him and which was on no account
to grant any escheat for above 10l. before the Lord
Treasurer for the time being was informed of it and
which I have strictly complyed with. But as these
were by an Act of ye Island appropriated to ye support
of the Government and there has been a stop in them
ever since and none granted, the revenue has been
thereby greatly diminished insomuch that it is computed
at least 2,000l. every year inferiour to its annuall charge;
but as this will require a good deale to be said to sett
this matter in a clear view, I shall endeavour to do it
by itself and desire ye Lords Commrs. of Trade to lay it
before you, etc. Signed, A. Hamilton. Copy. 16¾ pp. |
|
277. xix. Resolutions of the Council of Jamaica, Aug. 20,
1712. Capt. Clifton's detaining of the goods and
men seized on board the Sina galley brought in by him
was unjustifiable and an infringement of the liberty
of the subject, etc. The owners had good cause of
action against him, and their proceedings justifiable.
Lt. Davis and others of the Salisbury prize who seised
John Crossley in the discharge of his duty and execution
of H.M. writ, and endeavoured to carry him on shipboard with menacing expressions, are guilty of high
crimes and misdemeanours for which they ought to be
prosecuted. The Council advise H.E. to acquaint the
Admiral of the premises, etc. Copy. 3½ pp. |
|
277. xx. Duplicate of No. 148 xii. |
|
277. xxi. Resolutions of the Council of Jamaica, Nov. 5, 1712.
The measures H.E. had taken to send Mr. Basnett
to the Governor of Petit Guavas, etc., were very proper.
The sailing of the Salisbury after refusing to take him on
board is a very great affront to H.E.'s authority and
may be of ill consequence to H.M. service in these parts,
in that the Governor of Petit Guavas may remaine in
doubt whether H.M. Governour of this Island has
notice of the truce and has called in the privateers, etc.
The Admirall's declaration mentioned in the affirmation
of Joshua Perkin in relation to ye Governours of ye
Island wearing flaggs which had alwayes been a custom
for them to doe, within ye ports and harbours of their
Government, and the general reflections upon ye
people of this Island, were unnecessary and unprovoked
and tending to encrease misunderstandings, etc.
Copy. 2¼ pp. |
|
277. xxii. Duplicate of No. 148 xiv. |
|
277. xxiii. Deposition of Joshua Perkin, Master of the sloop
Jacob, seized by Capt. Peter Chamberlain, H.M.S.
Monmouth, Oct. 13, 1712. Deponent going on board
H.M.S. Monmouth, Sept. 18 last, to demand some men
that belonged to the Jacob, he was answered by Admirall
Walker, "I won't let any of your men go ashore till
the Jacob is either acquitted or condemned. Last night
I found by examination you hoised Spanish colours,
for which I'll shew you an act of treason. I don't
question but all ye Island has been concerned in this
trade. I know you are going to set ye gentlemen of
ye Island and me at difference but I don't value them.
I am above their power. They can do me no hurt,
but I can do them a great deal of damage. They don't
think themselves under ye Goverment of the Queen of
England because they are so far off. But they may be
called home. Your Governors formerly wore their
flaggs in their boat but let me see any flag now I'll
let him know he is as nothing afloat," etc. Signed,
Josa. Perkins. ½ p. |
|
277. xxiv. Deposition of Thomas Perkin. Nov. 8, 1712.
Owner of the Jacob (v. supra) he demanded his sloop
of Admiral Walker at the house of Col. Gomersall at
Kingston, who replied that she had been trading at the
Spanish ports contrary to the Act of Parliament, and
that there was no law here against him, and that it
was in his power to send her home to have her condemn'd; adding withall that if he should enter Perkins'
house and carry away their money, there was no other
redress to be had here against him, but to appeal home
to H.M., and that nobody knew what power and
authority he had, etc. Signed, Thos. Perkins. 1 p.
[C.O. 137, 9. Nos. 78, 78 i.–xxiv.; and (without
enclosures) 138, 13. p. 420.] |
| Feb. 17. |
278. John Baker to Mr. Popple. There being transmitted
from Jamaica an Act to prevent any one person haveing more
than one office of trust in that Island (wherein I am concerned)
I therefore desire the favour of a copy. Signed, John Baker.
Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 17, 17 12/13. Addressed. ½ p. [C.O.
137, 9. No. 76; and 138, 13. p. 419.] |
Feb. 18.
Treary. Chambers. |
279. T. Harley to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following for their report thereon to the Lord High
Treasurer. Signed, T. Harley. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 19th,
Read March 11th, 17 12/13. Addressed. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
279. i. Governor Hunter to the Lord High Treasurer. New York,
Oct. 31, 1712. Were I not perswaded that the complaints of ye distressed are only greivous to your Lordship when you have noe redress in your power, I would
not at this time presume to trouble you with mine,
consisting of these three heads. The Bills for ye
expedition to Canada not answered, all ye bills for ye
subsistance of the Palatins unpaid, and an expensive
Government without support. The Earl of Dartmouth's
letter of July 8th with ye assurances of the remittances
being speedily answered brought me new life. Copys
of my vouchers were sent home by the Virginia fleet
long agoe, etc. I have acquainted ye Earl of
Dartmouth and ye Lords of Trade with the present
state of ye tarr work and workers, etc. I beg your
Lordp. to consider that what I have done in that matter
was by H.M. special order and instructions, which shall
ever be sacred to me. I am perswaded that by this
time your Lordp. is of opinion that ye distracted state
of this Province calls for a speedy and effectual remedy
which is not to be hoped for on this side. To your
Lordship's wisdom I leave it, etc. I have studyed no
other ends but ye advancement of H.M. interest and
service and ye publick good. Signed, Ro. Hunter.
1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 1050. Nos. 62, 62 i.; and (without
enclosure) 5, 1123. p. 87.] |
Feb. 19.
(N.S.) Quebec. |
280. M. Begon, French Intendant at Quebec to [?].
Requests " Milord" to forward a pacquet to M. le Comte de
Pontchartrain, containing a list of articles he requires to replace
those lost in a fire in his house. Signed, Begon. French.
3 pp. [C.O. 5, 9. No. 114.] |
| Feb. 21. |
281. Thomas Allen to Robert and William Heysham. The
Committee concerned for the sufferers of Nevis and St. Christophers
desire your attendance and accounts, etc. Signed, Tho. Allen.
Endorsed, Recd. 24th, Read 25th March, 1713. Addressed. 1 p.
[C.O. 152, 9. No. 156; and 153, 12. pp. 71, 72.] |
Feb. 22.
Antegoa. |
282. Governor Douglas to [? the Earl of Dartmouth]. Acknowledges letters of Aug. 21st. The first I received Oct. 15, 1712,
with H.M. Proclamation of the truce with His Most Christian
Majesty which was immediately published. I received the second
by the Nightingale man of warr the 17th inst. with H.M. commands
concerning Spain being included in the truce which I have
notifyed to all concerned and given out a Proclamation to that
effect that all hostilitys are to cease, and the subjects of France and
Spain not to be molested either in their persons or effects during
the term the treaty is in force. This will prevent the Governor
of Puerto-Rico from any further pretence of seizing any vessells
belonging to the subjects of Her Britannick Majesty and afford
a just occasion of reclaiming these in due form that have been
already taken into their ports, etc. Signed, Walter Douglas.
2 pp. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 109.] |
Feb. 25.
Whitehal. |
283. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High
Treasurer. We have considered Governor Nicholson's commissions (v. Jan. 27); and have prepared Instructions for him, relating
to the Acts of Trade and Navigation, which are the same as are
given by H.M. to all the Governors in America, to which we have
added one clause, relating to the boundaries between Virginia
and Carolina, and between Maryland and Pensylvania. We
have prepared heads of enquiry, relating to the trade and
fishery of Newfoundland, which are the same as were annually
given to the Commanders of the Newfoundland convoy. And in
further pursuance of your Lordship's directions (Feb. 5), we
have considered the Instructions relating to arrears of prizes,
which we think may be of service, and to which we have added a
clause to empower Col. Nicholson to make an allowance as
proposed (Feb. 5), etc. [C.O. 324, 10. pp. 19, 20.] |
Feb. 25.
Whitehall. |
284. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High
Treasurer. Col. Nicholson having received a commission from
the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, and apprehending he cannot
execute it without H.M. leave, we submit it to your Lordship,
whether it may not be for the publick service, that H.M. permit
him to execute the same. [C.O. 5, 1292. p. 376.] |
1713–1724.
Feb. 25.
Cock-pit, Whitehal. |
285. Form of debentures issued to the sufferers at Nevis
and St. Kitts from the French invasion, who resettled before
Dec. 25, 1711, amounting to ⅓rd of their losses, with 6 p.c. interest
from Dec. 25, 1711. With receipts. [C.O. 243, 8. pp. 1–668.] |
1713.
Feb. 27.
Whitehall. |
286. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords
Proprietors of Carolina. Enclose extract of Col. Spotswood's
letter (July 26th, 1712) relating to Carolina and the Indians.
[C.O. 5, 1292. p. 377.] |
Feb. 27.
Whitehall. |
287. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Dartmouth. Enclose extract from Col. Spotswood's letter (July 26,
1712) relating to silver and gold mines on the back of Virginia,
for H.M. pleasure thereupon. [C.O. 5, 1363. p. 478; and 5,
1335. No. 180.] |
Feb. 27.
Whitehall. |
288. Mr. Popple to William Blathwayt. The Council of
Trade and Plantations being authorized and required by their
commission to demand an account of all monies given for publick
uses by the Assemblies in the Plantations, and how the same are
or have been expended, their Lordships desire you will let them
have a particular state of the revenue of each of H.M. Governments in America for the last year, or for such time as you are
able. [C.O. 324, 10. p. 21.] |
Feb. 27.
Craven House. |
289. The Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Col. Pollock and
the Council of North Carolina. Whereas H.M. has been pleased
to authorize Col. Nicholson to make enquiries into several matters
mentioned in his commission in H.M. Colonies in America;
we also being very well assured of the prudence and integrity of
the said Col. Nicholson have thought fit to impower and authorize
him by commission under the seal of our Province to make a
strict enquiry into the illegal proceedings and disorders that
have lately happened amongst you that by a full examination
of the affidavits and allegations on both sides he may be able to
inform us (in a more perfect manner than we have been yet
informed) what was the occasion of them, and who were the
authors and abettors of them, that such persons who have
acted contrary to their duty might be brought to condign punishment; we therefore hereby require and command you that in
the meantime till the said Col. Nicholson shal arrive in our
Province all acts of hostility and severity cease amongst you and
that you invite and incourage all the inhabitants of our said
Province to return to their duty and to live and continue in
their obedience to H.M. and her Governmt. Signed, Beaufort,
Carteret, M. Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson. [C.O. 5, 290. p.
64.] |
