|
Jan. 2.
Whitehall. |
1. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Governor of the Leeward
Islands. Col. John Panton is to remain in the quiet enjoyment
of his plantation till H.M. shall think fit how to dispose of that
part of St. Christophers which was the French Settlement, etc.
Signed, James Stanhope. [C.O. 5, 190. p. 328.] |
| Jan. 5. |
2. H.M. Commissions for Joseph Addison and John Molesworth to be Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. Signed,
Wrighte. Copy. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 98–115.] |
Jan. 9.
Dartmo. |
3. Mayor of Dartmouth to Mr. Popple. The Newfoundland
traders agree that the Newfoundland trade labours under these
difficulties; (1) The New England ships frequent Newfoundland
in such numbers, laden with rum, mellases, sugar and tobacco,
which they sell in every creek and cove, whereby the labourers
are debauched, become sottish and idle, and are seduced to
purloyne their masters' stores, etc. In the end of the fishing
season, under pretence of great wages, they carry our men to
New England, etc. (2) The fishery from these parts is cheifly
managed by boat keepers, who seldom conform to the Act by
carrying one third of their company green men, and the few
green men they doe carry they seldom take care to bring home
again, but incourage them to go to New England, on purpose to
save themselves the charge of their passages home. (3) The
planters for the most part sell strong liquors and tobacco, whereby
their servants as well as ours are debauched. (4) Our English
fishery is discouraged from being extended to Placentia by Col.
Moody, etc. v. following. Signed, Anth. Holdsworth, Mayor.
Endorsed, Recd. 16th Jan., Read 1st Feb., 1715/16. Addressed.
2 pp. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 4.] |
| [Jan. 10.] |
4. Merchants and owners of ships trading from Poole to
Newfoundland to the Council of Trade and Plantations. (1) By
the great quantitys of liquors and tobacco (wch. pays no duty)
imported into Newfoundland by ye New England ships and
from other parts our fishermen are debauched and the fishery
thereby much hindered, and the New England ships have opportunity to carry of our fishermen to New England, as allso by an
encouragemt. yt. Governmt. gives ym. of £2 per head to all such as
shall go thither. Pray for a total prohibition of liquor and tobacco
from all parts except Great Britain. (2) Contrary to the Act,
that ship's rooms should not be taken by planters, they build
storehouses, stages and cook rooms and dwelling houses over the
sea before ship's rooms to the great prejudice of the fishing ships.
Pray that the fishing Admirals may inspect the same and enforce
the Act under a penalty, etc. (3) Many ships belonging to aliens
have used the fishery and trade of Newfoundland, to the great
prejudice of the fair English trader. Pray that the master and
one of the owners of every ship trading to Newfoundland be obliged
to make oath before the collector of the Customhouse where she
clears out that her cargo and fishery belongs to H.M. subjects
of Great Britain and Ireland and no alien owns any part, etc.
(4) The Newfoundland owners of the fishing ships had reason to
believe they might enlarge their territorys and might go to
any harbour wch. was quitted by the French to the Crown of
England etc. But Governor Moody and others have pretended
to have bought the French plantations and fishing rooms etc.
Moody hath sold several and let out some to hier and taken others
to his own use, to the great discouragement and prejudice of our
fishing ships, etc. Moody hath permitted the French ships
directly from France to come and fish and trade there and allso
have taken the power out of the fishing Admirall's hands. (5)
To prevent any oppression to poor labouring fishermen by any
millitary or publick officer, pray that no millitary person under
any pretence wtsoever do intermeddle with the fishery or fishermen inhabitants or others, nor keep any fishing boat by himself
or company etc., nor let any soldier out to hier, nor any soldier
be imployed in catching, cureing or makeing fish, nor shall use
any manner of merchandize or trade, nor have any suttling house,
without the lines of the fortifications, nor shall any officer or
soldier have any house without the lines of the fortifications,
nor take up any gardens for private use to themselves that have
served or may serve for fishing room, according to the judgment
of the fishing Admirals. (6) And whereas of late years the
Commodores in Newfoundland have [? held Courts] and sent
their warrants to remote harbours for commanders of fishing
ships in the higth of fishing season upon the frivelous complaints
of idle debauched men and others without the complaint being
first heard by the fishing Admirals according to the Act, to the
great prejudice of our fishery, pray that all complaints may be
decided by the fishing Admirals in the several harbours where
any complaint ly's, and that no Commodore shall presume to
intermeddle wth. debts between merchts., masters and planters,
and fishermen as they have lately done to our great prejudice.
And wee pray that those men of warr that are sent to Newfoundland to protect the trade may have orders, that in case of any
piracys upon that coast or mutinys in any of the harbours upon
notice given may be obliged to come to their assistance. (7)
That no persons retail wine, brandy or any other liquors in the
fishing season to any fisherman or others concerned in the fishing
but to his own servts. That all goods of the growth, manufacture
and product of Great Britain, may be exported from hence duty
free for the benefit of the Fishery, and that all oyls, blubber,
furrs and fish taken or made in Newfoundland by the subjects
of Great Britain, may be imported into Great Britain duty free,
etc. (8) That all fishermen belonging to ships or planters shall
fish till the last day of August, if required, (for several years past
the fish have come in later than formerly when they only fished
till the 20th). That all fishing Admiralls shall have power to
give corporal punishment to all of wt. degree soever that shall
prophane the Lord's Day called Sunday and to all common
drunkards, swearers and lewd persons. (9) Since the true worship
of Almighty God is the glory of all lands a sufficient number of
ministers of the Church of England may be sent to reside in the
principal harbours etc., the country being very poor, that they
may have a maintenance from England. Signed, Wm. Skinner,
Mayor and 23 others. Endorsed, Recd. 10th Jan., Read 1st
Feb., 1715/16. 3 large pp. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 3.] |
Jan. 10.
Admty. Office. |
5. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. Captain Falkingham, H.M.S.
Gibraltar, being arrived with her in the Downes, he has sent me
the enclosed scheme, etc. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed,
Recd. 11th Jan., Read 1st Feb., 1715/16. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
5. i. Capt. Falkingham's scheme of the Newfoundland Fishery
for 1715. Duplicate of C.S.P., 1715, No. 636 ii., q.v.
[C.O. 194, 6. Nos. 9, 9 i.; and (without enclosure) 195, 6.
p. 182.] |
Jan. 10.
Whitehall. |
6. Circular letter from Mr. Popple to the Mayors of Byddeford,
Exeter, Plymouth, Dartmouth, Weymouth, Poole, Foway,
Bristol. The Parliament being now sitting, the Council of Trade
and Plantations desire your answer to my letter of Dec. 3rd, 1715,
with all dispatch. [C.O. 195, 6. pp. 157, 158.] |
Jan. 12.
St. James's. |
7. Order of King in Council. Referring representations of
the Council of Trade and Plantations, (i) for approving the Act
of Barbados docking the entaile of Mount Lucie Plantation, (ii)
on the settlement of the Bahamas, and (iii) on the petition of
the African Company to be allowed shipping for the encouragement of that trade, to the Lords of the Committee of the Privy
Council, for their report. Signed, Edward Southwell. Endorsed,
Recd. 8th, Read 16th Jan., 1716/17. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 14. No. 61;
and 29, 13. pp. 349, 350.] |
| [Jan. 16.] |
8. Capt. Taverner to Mr. Popple. So many things talkt
yesterday by the Lords wch. they desired me to inform them
off, part of which I have forgot. Desires particulars. Signed,
Wm. Taverner. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read 17th Jan., 1715/16.
Addressed. ½ p. [C.O. 194, 5. No. 109; and 195, 6. p. 159.] |
Jan. 17.
Whitehall. |
9. Mr. Popple to Capt. Taverner. What the Board desired
of you on Friday last, was, that if you had any thing to add to
your Remarks on Newfoundland etc., March, 1713/14, you would draw
it up in writing and lay it before them, adding likewise an account
of such towns as send ships on fishing voyages, and such as send
to trade, as also your particular observations upon the places
yielded to us by the French, what abuses are committed there if
any; what stages, and fishing rooms there are, by whom possessed,
and what advantage is made of them: and your opinion what
may be done to make those places of benefit to this kingdom.
[C.O. 195, 6. pp. 160, 161.] |
Jan. 19.
Fowye. |
10. Mayor of Fowey to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reply to 3rd Dec., 1715. This port are intirely onacquainted with
the Newfoundland trade, etc. Signed, Wm. Toller, Mayor.
Addressed. Seal. ½ p. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 7.] |
| Jan. 19. |
11. Petition of Mr. Bridger to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. H.M. has been graciously pleased to renew petitioner's commission, but there is now a stop put to the payment of
his salary at the Navy Board, by an order from the Lords of the
Admiralty, who have sent their reasons to the Treasury why his
commission should not be continued. Prays for their Lordships'
intervention, etc. Endorsed, Recd. Read 19th Jan., 1715/16. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 866. No. 72; and 5, 914. p. 302.] |
Jan. 19.
Whitehall. |
12. Mr. Popple to Mr. Lowndes. Desires copies of reasons
referred to in preceding. [C.O. 5, 914. p. 303.] |
Jan. 21.
Treary. Chambers. |
13. Mr. Kelsall to Mr. Popple. In reply to 19th Jan., encloses
following. Signed, Henry Kelsall. Endorsed, Recd. 21st, Read
25th Jan., 1715/16. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
13. i. Mr. Burchett to [? the Secretary of the Treasury]. Admiralty
Office, 12th Jan., 1715/16. The Navy Board have again
represented, as formerly, the uselessness of Mr. Bridger's
office, which has been renewed to him. A Committee
of the House of Commons upon the Navy estimates,
recommended the discontinuance of his salary, which
was ordered by H.M. in Council 16th Dec., 1714. If
the Lords Commrs. of the Treasury think proper to
discontinue this expence on the Navy to Mr. Bridger,
the Lords Commrs. of the Treasury think it may be
very much for the King's service to recommend it to
the Governour of New England to cause H.M. woods in
that country to be with all possible care preserved,
especially those large trees which are fitting for masts
for capitall ships, and that none of them be permitted
to be cutt without leave from H.M. Signed, J. Burchett.
Copy. 2 pp. |
|
13. ii. Order of King in Council, 16th Dec., 1714, discontinuing
Mr. Bridger's salary. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 866. Nos. 73,
73 i., ii.; and 5, 914. pp. 304–308.] |
Jan. 23.
London. |
14. Certificate by Mr. Whinnell, mast maker, as to the
excellence of New England masts. Signed, George Whinnell,
¾ p. [C.O. 5, 866. No. 77.] |
Jan. 24.
Plymouth. |
15. Mayor of Plymouth to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to Dec. 3rd, 1715. Our merchants concerned in
the trade and fishery of Newfoundland know of noe regulation
that trade labours under save only foreigners encroaching on
the libertyes of this Kingdom, the which I hope care may be taken
to prevent, etc. Signed, John Crabb, Mayor. Endorsed, Recd.
27th Jan., Read 1st Feb., 1715/16;. Addressed. Postmark. 1 p.
[C.O. 194, 6. No. 8.] |
Jan. 25.
Whitehall. |
16. Mr. Popple to Sir Edward Northey, Attorney Generall.
The Council of Trade and Plantations having under consideration
the state of the Newfoundland trade, and finding that there
are several abuses committed therein contrary to the Act for
incouraging that trade, particularly that the masters of ships do
not take care of carrying over the complement of green or fresh
men which the Act obliges them to do, nor do the Admirals of
Harbours observe the regulations therein prescribed, besides
several other things of the like nature, and their Lordships
apprehending that these abuses proceed from the want of penalties
in the foresaid Act, desire your opinion whether in order to remedie
the said abuses it be necessary that a new Act of Parliament be
pass'd with penalties, or whether H.M. Proclamation will be
sufficient in this case or what other method you can propose to
remedy the said evils, as soon as maybe, the ships being upon
their departure for that place. [C.O. 195, 6. pp. 161, 162.] |
Jan. 25.
London. |
17. Certificate of Tho. Hollams, late Commander of the
Lusitania, New England built and masted, as to the sound condition of her masts and timber after ten years. Signed, Tho.
Hollams. ½ p. [C.O. 5, 866. No. 76.] |
| [Jan. 25.] |
18. Certificate of Francis Sheldon. I am now breaking up
the Lusitania. Like other New England built ships I have broken
up, her timber and masts have answered in duration as well as
that of any other nation etc. Signed, Francis Sheldon, his
mark. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 5, 866. No. 78.] |
| Jan. 25. |
19. Sir Matthew Dudley to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. The contents seem to be of such
moment that I assure myselfe your utmost care will not be wanting
to put a stop to the practices therein complained of, your Lordps.
I know are not straingers to the great service that part of the
world may under a good and strict care be to this Kingdome by
furnishing us with Navall Stores particularly masts, such as are
not now to be had, at least with so much ease, in any known part
of the globe, my lords, I cannot but think that since the great
distruction of Navall Timbers in the Northern countryes of
Europe the maritime world must in a few years be wholly
furnished from America and what advantage it will be to Great
Britain to have allmost the sole command of them needs not be
mentioned. Proposes that the woods and wast lands in and
about Newhampshire as soon as possible be gott by purchase or
otherwise into the hands of the Crown, and the country divided
into districts for cutting in rotation, etc. Signed, M. Dudley.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 25th Jan., 1715/16;. 1¼ pp. Enclosed, |
|
19. i. Jos. Smith to Lt. Governor Usher at Charles Town.
Hampton, 2nd Nov., 1715. Describes the great waste
of the woods in New Hampshire, "there being every
winter great number of men and teams (chiefly) from
Exeter sent up into the woods above the bounds and
heads of the towns, where they cutt 1500 large pine
trees and hale them in loggs into the river called Lampereale, and ye great flowing of that river, with great
rains bring them down to ye river's mouth; out of wch.
they saw at least 2,000,000 pine boards, besides oak
planks; and as to masts and extraordinary oak timber,
there is constantly transported to Spain and Portugal
yearly great quantities. There is one Capt. Macfrederick
who hath made some voyages from hence with the
abovesaid loading to Spain and Portugal, and is now
ready to sail with two ships from Piscataqua etc.,
his owners are two French merchants," etc. Signed, Jos.
Smith. Endorsed, Rd. Jan., 1715. Copy. 1 p. [C.O.
5, 866. Nos. 74, 74 i.; and 5, 914. pp 308–312.] |
Jan. 26.
Whitehall. |
20. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. The season of the year approaching in which it
may be proper to send such directions to the Isle of May,
Newfoundland and Annapolis Royal, as H.M. service in those
parts may require, I must desire you to have this matter under
your consideration, and to suggest to me your thoughts upon it,
that so I may receive H.M. orders in due time. Signed, James
Stanhope. Endorsed, Recd. 30th, Read 31st Jan., 1715/16;. 1 p.
[C.O. 194, 5. No. 110; and 195, 6. pp. 162, 163.] |
| Jan. 26. |
21. Merchants trading to New England to the Council of
Trade and Plantations. Propose, for the encouragement of the
importation of naval stores from America, that the inward
duties on timber be taken off, ships convoyed, and seamen
exempt from being pressed on such voyages, etc. Endorsed,
Recd. Read 26th Jan., 1715/16;. Torn. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 866. No.
75; and 5, 914. pp. 312–314.] |
| Jan. 26. |
22. John Bridger to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Proposals for the improvement of Naval Stores. Hemp seed to
be sent over and distributed gratis. The inhabitants of New
England to pay their taxes in tar, etc. Signed, J. Bridger.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 26th Jan., 1715/16;. 2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 866.
No. 79; and 5, 914. pp. 315–318.] |
Jan. 28.
Custom ho. |
23. An account of pitch, tar and masts imported from the
Plantations, Christmas, 1706–1714. Signed, Jo. Bicknell.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 31st Jan., 1715/16;. 1 p. [C.O. 323, 7. No.
63.] |
| [Jan. 30.] |
24. Mayor and merchants of Weymouth trading to Newfoundland to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Grievances as
to the Newfoundland Fishery identical with those of Dartmouth,
Jan. 10. Signed, Jno. Hardy, Mayor, and 40 others. Endorsed,
Recd. 30th Jan., Read 1st Feb., 1715/16;. 3 pp. [C.O. 194, 6. No.
5.] |
| [Jan. 30.] |
25. Mayor of Exeter to Mr. Popple. States grievances of the
Newfoundland Fishery and proposes penalties to be added to
the Act to encourage trade, etc. Cf. Jan. 10. Endorsed as preceding. Postmark. Seal. 3 pp. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 6.] |
| Jan. 30. |
26. Certificate by Thomas Jones, mast maker, that New
England masts from 20 inches upwards are much better than
those brought from Norway, Dantzig, etc. Signed, Tho. Jones.
Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 3rd Feb., 1715/16;. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 866.
No. 80.] |
Jan. 30.
Whitehall. |
27. Mr. Secretary Stanhope to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Refers following for their report. Continues:—The Assembly of Jamaica has voted an Address to H.M., and
design to transmit it some other way than by the Governor. I
must therefore desire your opinion how far you find this method
precedented, and how far you judge it regular and proper.
Signed, James Stanhope. Endorsed, Recd. 1st, Read 2nd Feb.,
1715/16;. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
27. i. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to Mr. Secretary Stanhope.
Jamaica, 14th Nov., 1715. I acquainted you, 8th
Aug., with the reason of the Assembly's not being to
meet sooner than the end of October. I am now to
give you some accot. of their proceedings since that
time, but before I enter thereon, I cannot but acqt.
you with some extraordinary and unwarrantable
practices in order to the carrying the Elections in the
manner they have gone, by making many new freeholders
in several parishes for that particular end, of wch. I
shall but trouble you with one instance amongst many.
A member of this present Assembly having 19 acres
of land in the parish of Port Royal in consideration of
£10, conveyed the sd. land to 20 several persons in order
to multiply votes, by wch. and many other indirect
means too long to be here mentioned, the Elections at
Port Royal and several other places were influenced
and carried; however I was in great hopes what I
had to say to the Assembly by H.M. immediate commands
by his most gracious letter could not possibly fail
bringing them into such a temper, and to abate all
former heats and animosities so as to have brought this
Sessions to a happy conclusion, wch. I am sorry to say,
has begun very untowardly. Refers to Minutes of
Council and Assembly, "by which you will at one view
see the unreasonableness of the proceedings of the
latter, and particularly in relation to the Companies."
Continues:— Their resolutions of Nov. ye5th I thought so
extraordinary, and inconsistent even with their own
Address to H.M. that I conceived it necessary to communicate the same to the Council, to have their advice and
opinion thereon, by wch. I am desired to represent the
whole matter home, in order to it's being laid before
H.M. as well to know his further pleasure and direction
thereupon, as to have H.M. orders in the like cases for
the future. The necessity of this, Sir, will plainly
appear to you from the Assembly's not only refusing
to pay the debt contracted for subsisting the soldiers
hitherto, but from the manner of their providing for
them for six months, and in case 200 men do not come
to the Island by the encouragement of a Bill wch. is
still under their consideration, in that case they are to
be provided wth. salt beef and flower for six months
longer, by all wch. it is evident they only intend to
provide for them till that number of men arrive; it is
with concern and indignation I see so much obstinacy
and undutyfulness to H.M. after the extraordinary
marks of grace and favour H.M. has already been
pleased to confer on this Island, having therefore no
hopes of obtaining any further subsistance from hence
for these Companys, which the Council unanimously,
and a considerable part even of this Assembly, are of
opinion to be absolutely necessary for the safety of the
Island. And if H.M. shall still judge so, it will be
necessary that other measures be taken for their
subsistance, which I shall not presume to point out,
but give me leave to assure you, that should these
Companies be recalled or broke, I shall not think my
self safe where I am from the negroes, and even from
insults otherwise; I must therefore intreat you to lay
this matter before H.M., that his further pleasure
therein may be signified as the exigency of this affair
requires. As to the discharge of the debt (an accot.
of wch. is herewith inclosed, the ballance being allowed
by the Assembly to be just) I can propose no other
method for it's payment from hence, other than by
H.M. being pleased to give particular order for it's being
paid out of the first and readyest of his Revenue here
if H.M. shall approve thereof. I intreat the favour of
your countenance to the inclosed Address from my self
and the Council that it may receive a favorable reception
from H.M. The Assembly having thought fit to address
separately, and not to intrust me with the forwarding
of it, I think it my duty to send you a copy thereof.
Upon the news we received of an intended invasion
mentioned in H.M. speech to his Parliament, I did
with the unanimous advice of the Council cause the
inclosed Proclamation to be published here. H.M.
sloop the Jamaica having in sight of this Island lost
her mast in a late storm was obliged to bear away to the
Great Caimanas off Cuba where endeavouring to harbour,
she was stranded on the rocks, but the men are all saved.
Many of our trading vessels have of late been attacked
and taken by Spaniards, pretending to have Commissions
for guarding the coast, whereby our merchants are so
discouraged that I look on our trade to Cartagena and
Porto Bello to be now entirely over. I doubt not but
before this you will have had an accot. of the great loss
the Spaniards have sustained in these parts by the
shipwreck of their galleons homeward bound with a
vast treasure on board, some at Vera Cruse, others in
their passage thro' the Gulf of Florida. If I am imperfect
or short in this accot., I hope it may be excused from the
multiplicity of business and the hurry I am in to save
this conveyance. Signed, A. Hamilton. Copy. 3¼ pp.
[C.O. 137, 11. Nos. 2, 2 i.; and 138, 14. pp. 350–356.] |
Jan. 31.
Whitehall. |
28. Mr. Popple to Sir E. Northey. The Council of Trade
and Plantations having been pressed by H.M. for their immediate
report upon Newfoundland, desire your answer to Jan. 25,
to-morrow morning if possible. [C.O. 195, 6. pp. 163, 164.] |
| Jan. 31. |
29. Mr. Attorney General to Mr. Popple. Reply to Jan. 25
(quoted). I am of opinion it will be necessary to oblidge the
observation of ye rules in ye Act of ye 10th and 11th of K. William,
that a new Act be made laying penalties for not observing the
same, and directing how and where such penaltyes shall be
recovered, and yt. a proclamation requireing the observing the
rules in yt. Act will have noe effect. Signed, Edw. Northey.
Endorsed, Recd. Read. 1st Feb., 1715/16;. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 194, 6.
No. 1; and 195, 6. p. 164.] |
