|
Sept. 1. Boston. New England. |
373. Mr. Bridger to Mr. Popple. Encouraged by letter of
20th Feb., will continue his care of H.M. woods, the person Mr.
Burniston sent a lame deputation to being judged by the Council
of New Hampshire unqualified for this service. Prays for
kind offices in obtaining his salary etc. Signed, J. Bridger.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 22nd Oct., 1719. Addressed. Sealed.
Postmark. 1 p. Enclosed, |
373. i. Certificate by Governor Shute that Mr. Bridger has
done his duty in defending H.M. right to the woods in
both Provinces. He is skilled in the woods and
perfectly understands the making of Naval Stores etc.
Signed, Samll. Shute. Boston, July 15, 1719. Endorsed
as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 867. Nos. 55, 55. i.] |
Sept. 3. Custom ho., London. |
374. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Encloses following, to
be laid before the Council of Trade and Plantations. Signed,
Cha. Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 4th., Read 17th Sept. 1719.
Addressed. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
374. i. Extract of letter from Hibbert Newton, Collector of
Nova Scotia. Annapolis Royall, 25th June, 1719.
Col. Philips is dayly expected, and it is a great pity
so fine a province should lye so long neglected. As for
furrs, feathers and a fishery we may challenge any
province in America, etc., and besides that here is
a good grainery, masting and navall stores might be
provided from hence, and was here a good establishment fixt, our returns would be very advantagious to
the Crown. Addressed. ½ p. [C.O. 217, 2. Nos. 89,
89.i.; and 218, 1. p. 452.] |
Sept. 4. |
375. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Governor and
Council of South Carolina. Whereas it [was] agreed formerly
at our Board, that in consideration of the many gross and
insufferable abuses that were constantly committed by the
exorbitant grants of land that were made in our Province of
South Carolina, far exceeding and contrary to our Commissions
and Instructions to our Gvrs. and Officers, no more lands shou'd
be sold from thenceforth except what lands shou'd be sold by
our selves at our Board; and whereas we have, at the instance
and request of the inhabitants of our said Province, consented
to suspend that our order and resolution, and have permitted
our Agents to set out land etc. as formerly; yet we perceiving
that the abuses abovemention'd are rather increas'd since our
late indulgence, some persons endeavouring to make conveyances of our land without our authority for so doing; and our
quit rents in our said Province are in such a disorderly and
confus'd condition, that no manner of accot. can be given of
the same, nor can any calculations or accounts of any rents
or reservations made to us by the reason of such grants be any
ways made up or be transmitted to us; for preventing
therefore such enormous practices and abuses for the future,
we have resolv'd and we do hereby strictly command and
require you our Governor and Council that you do not consent,
permit or suffer any more land to be admeasur'd or set out to
any person whatsoever without our consent and approbation
being first obtain'd upon that account. Signed, Carteret
Palatin; M. Ashley, J. Colleton, J. Danson. [C.O. 5, 290.
pp. 155–157.] |
Sept. 4. |
376. Mr. Delafaye to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The Lords Justices refer the following for their report etc.
Signed, Ch. Delafaye. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Wood)
9th Sept., Read 19th Nov. 1719. ¼ p. Overleaf, |
376. i. Petition of Lord A. Hamilton to the Lords Justices.
Prays that directions may be given for the payment
of the money advanced by himself and the Council
of Jamaica (v. supra), with interest, the Assembly
of Jamaica having refused it, whilst paying Mr. Heywood for similar advances. 1 p. |
376. ii. Copy of H.M. Warrant to Governor Lord A. Hamilton,
for payment of above money, 10th April, 1710. 1 p.
[C.O. 137, 13. Nos. 35, 35. i., ii.; and (without
enclosure ii.) 138, 16. pp. 241–243.] |
Sept. 7. New Port Road Island. |
377. Caleb Heathcote to the Council of Trade and Plantations. It being incumbent on me, to lay before your Lordships
some laws, and proceedings of the Charter Governments, wch.
are of extrordinary nature, and in many respects hurtfull to
the Prerogative, and service of the Crown, and contrary to the
Acts of Trade made for the Plantations, in wch. if they are not
kept to a strict observance of, and made sencible of their
dependance on Great Brittan, as they are dayly growing very
numerous and powerfull, so a neglect therein, may with time
be attended, with very ill consequences. I need not acquaint
your Lordships, that notwithstanding they have oft received
commands for sending home their laws, it has hitherto in this
Govermt. been wholly neglected, and they nevertheless presume
to putt them in execution, tho many thereof are repugnant,
not only to the laws of Great Brittan, but even to the expresse
words of their Charter etc. One werof is for issueing bills of
creditt for £40,000, of wch 30,000, was directed by the Act, to
be lett out on land security, at use for 5 p.c., and notwithstanding
the intrest ariseing from it, was apropriated for repairing a
fortification, by wch. this harbour is secured, yett not a penny
therof (altho' 'tis near five years since that law was made) has
been apply'd for that purpose, altho' the walls of that garrisson
are all decay'd, and tumbling down, the gun carriages rotton
and many of the guns lying amongst ye rubbidge, by means
wereof the place is exceedingly exposed, to the insults either
of piratts, or declared enemys, nor can the officers of H.M.
Customes be safe, in putting the Acts of Trade in force, because
on seizeing of any vessill for illegal trade (being out of command)
they may easily be carryd off to sea, or made willing to be put
on shoar, and wch. hath been several times, and very lately
practiced, in the Charter Governments. Another law was made
for establishing of fees, by virtue wereof the officers of H.M.
Customes, have been most griveously insulted and abused, which
occasioned my applying to the Commissioners of H.M. Customs,
and they tooke the Attorney Generals opinion thereon, who declared, that the execution of such laws, were just reasons for the
forfeiting their Charter, and the Commissioners directed me,
and by their letter threatned the Governmt., with a scieri
facias, if they insisted on such laws, wch. I acquainted the
Governour, and assembly by letter withall, but without
receiveing any answer, and I can't omitt humbly observeing
that upon former complaints sent home, threats of that nature
haveing been oft signifyd to the Governts., and nothing further
hapning upon it has occasioned their abuse, of that gratious
indulgence, and has only been a means to confirm them in that
absurd notion, of their laws being sufficient in themselves, and
to have no need of the Royall assent to confirm them, but I
hope your Lordships will think of such measures, thoroughly
to convince their presumtion therin, and at least oblige them,
to send all such laws home, whereby any dutys, or imposts are
layd on trade, and merchandize, or any other wereby they pretend, to subject any of ye officers of H.M. Customes, to rules
of their own makeing. For while they have a power (as they
imagin) of makeing laws seperate from the Crown, they'll
never be wanting, to lessen the authority of the King's officers,
who by hindering them from a full freedome of illegal trade, are
accounted enemys to the growth, and prosperity of their little
Commonwealths—and tis very wonderfull to me, who am
thoroughly acquainted with the temper of the people, that
none of H.M. officers of the Customes, have been mobb'd and
torn in peices by the rable, and of wch. some of them have very
narrowly escaped: an instance werof hapned in this town
to the present Collector, who haveing made seizure of severall
hogsheads of clarrett, illegally imported, and notwithstanding
he had the Governours warrt. and the High Sheriff, besides his
own officers to assist, and tooke the clarrett in the daytime,
yett the town people had the insolence to rise upon them, and
insult both them, and the civill officers, and haveing by violence
after a riotous, and tumultuous manner rescued, and possessd
themselves of the seizures, sett the hoghead ahead, stove them
open, and with pailes drunke out, and carryd away most of
the wine, and then threw the remainder into the streets. This
tumult was no sooner over, but one Mr. John Wanton who uses
the sea, and is maister of a sloop, a magistrate of the people's
choyce, (as may be reasonably supposed) for keeping up the
rage and humour of the mobb, did immeadiately issue out his
warrant for aprehending of Mr. Kay the Collector, under pretence
of his takeing other, and greater fees for clearing of vessills,
then the laws of this Collony allowd of (and wich amounted
to only two shillings sterling) but the matter being fully examined
before the Governour, and it apearing that he had taken no
greater fees, then above mentioned, and which had allways
been customary, and that the prossecution was mallitiously
intended, he was dismissed. But Mr. Wanton not satisfyed
with what the Governour had done, and being willing to
ingratiat himself amongst his neighbours, who had so lately
advanced him, issued out a second warrant for the very same
fact, and to magnifye his zeal on that occasion, had him arrested,
and taken into custody in the Custome House while in his
duty, and thence hurryd him away amidst a croud of spectators,
refuseing to admitt him to bail. These are such unheard of
proceedings, as will I humbly suppose, induce your Lordships
to believe, that such a person as Mr. Wanton, is unworthy of
authority, under culler werof, he so highly abuses, and discourages the officers of H.M. Customes, in the discharge of their
duty, etc. Signed, Caleb Heathcote. Endorsed, Recd. 1st
Jan. 1719/20. Read 25th May, 1722. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 1266.
ff. 47–49 v.] |
Sept. 9. |
378. Lord Guilford to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reply to 7th Aug. I shall take care to send by the first ships
to our Agents in Maryland for an account of the boundaries etc.,
and to transmit the Acts etc. received from your Lordships
26th Aug. etc. Signed, Guilford. Endorsed, Recd. 11th, Read
16th Sept., 1719. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 717. No. 79.] |
Sept. 9. Boston. |
379. Governor Shute to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to accounts sent 19th Aug. and enclosures.
Continues: Since my last an officer that I sent some time since
to Canada to demand some captives that are still remaining
there informes me, that though he made his application to the
Govr. Monsr. Vodrieul and tho' I wrote to him upon the same
head he cannot get them released which is contrary to the
Treaty etc. I fear the Jesuits are at the bottom of this matter
who indeavour all they can to make them renounce the Protestant religion and have prevailed with some of them to do so.
I hope your Lordsps. will acquaint H.M. of this matter that so
the parents of these captives may have their children released
and returned to them. Signed, Samll. Shute. Endorsed, Recd.
22nd Oct., Read 3rd Aug., 1720. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
379. i. Account of (a) the Revenue and (b) Expenditure of
the Massachusetts Bay, May, 1718–1719. Total
Receipts, £54,117 19s. 2d. Signed, Jer. Allen, Treasurer
and Receiver General. Boston, 30th May, 1719.
Endorsed as preceding. The whole, 34 pp. |
379. ii. Account of the (a) Revenue and (b) Expenditure of
New Hampshire, 1717 and 1718. Total, Receipts,
£2769 (£2500 and £269 18s. 3d. balance from last
account), and shewing balance in hand of £262 2s. 4d.)
Signed, Saml. Penhallow, Treasr. Portsmo. 30th
April, 1719. The whole endorsed as letter. 2 pp.
[C.O. 5, 867. Nos. 63, 63 i.–iv.] |
Sept. 10. Herenhausen |
380. H.M. licence of leave for six months to Thomas Talmash, Lt. Governor of Montserrat. Countersigned, J. Craggs.
[C.O. 324, 33. p. 255.] |
Sept. 10. Whitehall. |
381. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Enclose accounts of office expenses from Christmas to Midsummer. There was then nine
months salary due to the Commissioners etc. Accounts annexed.
[C.O. 389, 37. pp. 162–164.] |
Sept. 10. Whitehall. |
382. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices.
Reply to 4th and 14th Aug. It cannot be pretended, that the
Treaty of Utrecht has given to the Guipuscoans, nor to any of
His Catholic Majesty's subjects any privilege of fishing or of
trading at Newfoundland, unless they are able to support their
claim to those privileges, by an undoubted right. Quote 15th
Article: "That all such privileges as the Guipuscoans and other
people of Spain are able to make claim to by right, shall be
preserved to them" etc. Now altho' the Spaniards seem to
assert, that they were the first discoverers of Newfoundland,
and would found their right of fishing thereupon, nevertheless
it is notorious, that this Island was first discovered by Jno.
Cabbot (Hackluyts 3 vol. folio 6 & 9) anno 1497 at the charge
of King Henry 7th, and he took possession thereof in the name
and for the use of his said Majesty. It appears likewise that
King Henry the 8th sent one Bute to make a settlemt. in Newfoundland, and that several voyages were made thither in that
reign by Mr. Hore and other merchants (folio 129). It appears
further by an Act made in the 2nd of King Edwd. the 6th
against ye exacting of mony by any officer of the Admiralty for
licence to traffick into Newfoundland etc. that ye trade and
fishery was at that time well known and frequented by the subjects of this Kingdom etc. Record grants of 1583–1638. Continue:
In 1650 a Commission was given to Mr. John Treworgey to be
Govr. of Newfoundland, and in 1655 Sir Davd Kirk by virtue
of his grant from the Crown, convey'd to John Claypole and
others a right to make settlements there: Where no foreigners
had hitherto attempted to setle any Colony or to question the
undoubted right of ye Crown of England to that Fishery. But
the French having frequented that fishery for some years by
connivance, after the conclusion of their Treaty with Cromwell
in 1655, they began in 1662 to settle at Placentia with soldiers,
artilery etc. and fortify'd the same tho' Mr. Isaac Dethick an
English planter and others, were then setled at that place etc.
(v. C.S.P. 1688, No. 1729. i.). However it does not appear to
us, upon searching the books and papers in our office, that the
Spaniards ever had any settlemt. either under the English or
the French in Newfoundland, or that for many years past they
have been permitted to fish there, excepting only some few
ships to whom Her late Majesty granted passes and licences for
that purpose. Besides if the Spaniards could make out their
pretence of an ancient right to that fishery, as being the first
discoverers of Newfoundland yet as it is beyond dispute that
the English were, and they were not in possession of any part
of Newfoundland at the time of making the American Treaty
in 1670 between the Crowns of Great Britain and Spain, they
are absolutely excluded from all such pretended right by the
7th and 8th Articles whereby it is expressly stipulated, "That
the King of Great Britain, shall hold keep and always possess
in full right of sovereignty and propriety, all the lands, Colonies
and other places be they what they will, lying and situate in
the West Indies, or in any part of America, which the said King
of Great Britain and his subjects, now hold and possess. And
that the subjects of each Ally respectively shall forbear and
abstain from sailing to and trafficking in all places possessed
by the other party in the West Indies." Moreover by the Act
of 10th and 11th Gul. 3d. ch. 25, to incourage the trade to Newfoundland it is provided, that no alien or stranger whatsoever
not residing within the Kingdom of England, Dominion of
Wales or Town of Berwick upon Tweed, shall at any time hereafter take bait or use any sort of trade, or fishing whatsoever
in Newfoundland or in any of the Islands adjacent. It is therefore manifest that not only the country of Newfoundland, but
that ye fishery on the coast and in the harbours thereof, are the
undoubted property of H.M. and that the Guipuscoans have no
manner of right to fish or trade there. And upon this occasion
we further crave leave to observe to your Excellencies, that
having had the state of the fishery in Newfoundland several
times under consideration and being fully convinced, that it is
not only obstructed by the great irregularities and disorders of
the inhabitants and fishermen, but that it is not possible it
should be carry'd on under the present regulations by Law, to
the advantage of this Kingdom, at whose charge it is annually
protected. Refer to Representation of 19th Dec. 1718, and
heads of a bill offered 24th Dec., 1718 "whereby we have
reason to hope the several obstructions and disadvantages this
fishery lies under at present, wou'd be remov'd, the fishery
restor'd to its ancient flourishing condition, and H.M. subjects
inabled to carry their fish to foreign markets, at such moderate
rates, that neither the French wou'd reap much advantage
by their fishery in those parts, nor the Spaniards be very
solicitous for the privilege they now desire." Autograph
signatures. 7 pp. [C.O. 194, 23. No. 31; and 195, 6.
pp. 512–517.] |
Sept. 11. Custom ho., London. |
383. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Encloses following etc.
The Commrs. of the Customs observe that there is no Law to
prevent the importacon of Dutch negroes into the British
Plantacons, in British shipping duly navigated. Signed, Cha.
Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 11th, Read 17th Sept., 1719.
Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
383. i. Extract of letter from Mr. Dunbar, Surveyor General
of Barbados, to H.M. Commissioners of Customs.
Antigua, 25th Sept., 1718. The Dutch yearly bring
2 to 3000 negroes to St. Eustatia and chiefly send
them among the English and French Islands, by which
means they drain us of what little money is among
us but likewise of our country species. The carrying
of sugars from the English Collonies to foreign Plantations when detected is punished according to law,
which of late years has been only from St. Xtophers,
but I am at a loss how to proceed against the importers
of negroes from thence, wch. certainly is very pernicious
to the English Adventurer, they purchasing them
cheaper from the suitableness of their cargoes, than its
possible for the English to do. This may undermine
us, not only in our trade to Africa, but also ingross a
great part of the French sugars and our own to be
carried to the Holland markett etc. Asks for Instructions, etc. 2 pp. [C.O. 152, 12. Nos. 157, 157.i.] |
Sept. 12. London. |
384. Thomas Weir to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following. "forwarded June last via Barbadoes, which
came not to hand till after my arrivall here etc." Offers services.
Signed, Thomas Weir. Endorsed, Recd. 12th, Read 16th
Sept., 1719. Addressed. Sealed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
384. i. Same to Same. Sta. Lucia, 20th June, 1719. Having
been the 18th currt. in Martineq where they are now
fitting out twinty sloops to goe in company with the
six saill of men of warr lately arrived att Fort Royall
with a new Intendant from Old France, who brings
orders from the Generall concerning an expedition
to be made against the negros of St. Vincent, in which
Island by best report are 4000 negros, I came from
Martinequa in Capt. Harrys sloop now gone to St.
Vincent to keep friends with the Indians and also
aquaint the negros that the fleet fitting att
Martineq. are desined against the Spainard. I belive
there success against the negros will be small all of
them being aquainted with the use of a muskett and
if make any attack must be by the Indians which
done they desined to carry those negros and attack
St. Domingo upon the Island High Spainiola, if succed
to live the negros there, if not att Fort Luies or Pettyguavis
both which setellments the French have been
masters off some time, they allsoe affirm that the King
of Great Brittan has given the Island Sta. Lucia to
the Marchll. De Trett Vice Roy of the French Islands
who has sent in the last fleet to Fort St. Peers all maner
of tradesmen for building a fort in the Petty Caranash
Sta. Lucia and that Monsr. St. Marting is apoynted
Governor of that Island and dayly expected with two
large hegboats full of famelys under convoy of one
man of warr to settell that Island, and the French att
Martinequa give out that if they succeed in this undertaking,
and a war happen betwixt the Kingdoms of
Great Brittan and France, they'll be masters of all the
Sugar plantations etc. Sta. Lucia is of a good soyle
both for sugar and coco plantations, well wattered full
of good timber for frames of houses or small sloops for
trading amongst the Islands. Barbados sends above
100 saill of sloops annualy to cutt firewood of which all
our other Islands now want, and above all two of the
finest harbers in the West Indies viz. Petty Caranash
and Mary Gatt de Daraso about four miles distance
from each other any of them fitt to contain all the
Navey of Brittan etc., and would be of great service
for our shiping att Barbados and the Leward Islands
in Horrycain time etc. Signed, Thomas Weir. 1 p.
[C.O. 28, 15. Nos. 49, 49. i.] |
Sept. 16. Treasy.Chambers. |
385. Mr. Tilson to Mr. Popple. The Lords Commrs. of
the Treasury refer enclosed to the Council of Trade and Plantations
for their report etc. Signed, Chris. Tilson.
Endorsed,
Recd. 21st., Read 23rd Sept. 1719. Addressed. ½ p. Enclosed, |
385. i. Mr. Bridger to Mr. Lowndes. Boston, 22nd June,
1719. Has performed the duty of Surveyor of the
Woods for a year since he heard he was displaced, there
being absolute necessity of such an officer, and no
such having appeared. Three days ago he heard that
Robert Armstrong was deputed. When he was
recommended for that post by Lord Godolphin in
1710, I replied that he was entierly ignorant of every
branch of the duty of a Surveyor of Woods, and his
duty as Collector required a constant attendance on
the river, and was inconsistent with the other etc.
These objections I presume were entierly satisfactory
to his Lordship etc. (v. July 16th). Prays for salary
for the time he has acted etc. Signed, J. Bridger.
Addressed. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 867. Nos.51, 51. i.] |
Sept. 17. Whitehall. |
386. Mr. Popple to Mr. Perry, Secretary to the Royal
African Company. The Council of Trade and Plantations
desire the opinion of the Company as to the trade in negroes
from St. Eustatia to the Leeward Islands and Barbados, and
to know whether it is true that the Leeward Islands are not so
well supply'd with negroes by our own African traders as they
used to be. [C.O. 153, 13. p. 431.] |
Sept. 17. Whitehall. |
387. Same to Richard Harris. Desires similar information [C.O. 153, 13. p. 431.] |
Sept. 21. London. |
388. Richard Harris to Mr. Popple. Reply to 17th Sept.
I beleive there is, and allways was, a clandestine trade carryed
on, between our Islands and the Dutch, as well as the French
Islands, for linnens, spice, brandy, wine etc., and in former times
for great numbers of negros also, but for some years past, and particularly the two or three last, Barbados hath been so oversupplyed, and the price so low, that very great numbers of
negroes have been carryed from thence, both to Martinico,
Virginia and all the Leeward Islands; so 'tis impossible that can
be the case there now. Indeed this Island of Antegua, by reason
of their unfair dealing, our negro ships have not so much frequented
as other Islands, because when they have purchased
negros in exchange for sugar, agreed to be paid the following
cropp, at 12s. the hundred, they would not pay for them at less than 25, or keep the sellers out of their mony seven years, and
their cropp haveing faild the year before last, they were forced
to sell divers of their negros, from their plantations for
necessarys, so that 'tis plain this coud not be the case of that Island; and as to Nevis and St. Kitts, I certainly know they
have been rather overstocked, because I myself ordered a ship
of mine about two years agoe, with 400 good negros thither,
and then they were so overstocked, by English ships then in
the Road who came before mine, that I was forced to go
to Jamaica. As to Dutch goods, 'tis true that some Affrican
goods are usually cheaper in Holland than here, as powder French brandy, Dutch pipes and most sorts of East India goods,
proper for that trade (all which cannot be imported here, but
we are now at liberty to go thither to take them in, as severall
of my ships and many others have lately done) by reason that
our East India Compa. have not, for severall years past, imported
one fifth part of those goods wanted for that trade, and
none of some sorts till lately, so that I expected the whole trade
must at last have been driven on from thence etc. This last
year negros have been sold from £16 to £18 (West India mony)
at Barbados, which is not £12 sterling, and near two years credit
given, and more of them have been bought to carry to other
islands, than Barbados coud take off etc., and there is one certain
rule, that whenever Barbados is over supplyed, the Leeward
Islands can never want, there being a great trade allways
carryed on from thence to Leeward, for negros, provisions and
many other goods by many sloops dayly employed therein etc.
Signed, Rd. Harris. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd Sept., 1719, Read
17th Feb., 1719/20. 3½ pp. [C.O. 152, 13. ff. 14, 15.] |
Sept. 22. Whitehall. |
389. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Encloses Governor
Hamilton's reply (20th July) as to methods used to prevent
illegal trade in the Leeward Islands etc. [C.O. 153, 13. p. 432.] |
Sept. 23. Whitehall. |
390. Mr. Popple to Lt. Governor Keith. The Council of
Trade and Plantations return you their thanks for your letter
of 16th Feb., and desire that from time to time you will let
them have what farther informations you can get for H.M.
service. They desire to know what foundation you have to
assert that from an Article in the Treaty of Ryswick, all lands
or any rivers in America, the mouths or outlets whereof were
then in possession of either nation are conceded to that nation
as high as the first sources of those rivers, their Lordps. not
finding anything to that purpose in the said Treaty. Encloses
Orders of Council repealing laws, etc. [C.O. 5, 1293. pp.
222, 223.] |
Sept. 23. Whitehall. |
391. Mr. Popple to Mr. Ackworth, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Navy. Encloses extracts from Mr. Bridger's
letters relating to Naval Stores and waste of woods in America.
The Council of Trade and Plantations are of opinion with Mr.
Bridger, that a quantity of hemp-seed should be sent over to
him to be distributed among such of the inhabitants as will
oblige themselves to sow the same. If the Commissrs. of the
Navy should have anything to offer on this subject, you will
be pleased to communicate the same as soon as possible. [C.O.
324, 10. pp. 270, 271.] |
Sept. 23. Whitehall. |
392. Same to Mr. Burchett. Encloses extracts as in preceding. [C.O. 324, 10. p. 270.] |
Sept. 23. Whitehall. |
393. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Bishop of
London. Finding by the 12th Article of the Treaty of
Utrecht that the French King was to take care to have
deliver'd to the Queen on the same day that the ratification
of the said Treaty was to be exchanged, solemn and authentick
letters or instruments by virtue whereof it was to appear that
the Island of St. Christophers was to be possess'd alone hereafter
by British subjects. As likewise all Nova Scotia or Accadie
etc., we desire your Lordship will please to inform us, it being
for H.M. service whether your Lordp. has seen any such
authentick letters as above mentioned and if your Lordship
have a copy of any of them that you would please to favour us
with a transcript thereof. [C.O. 153, 13. pp. 433, 434.] |
Sept. 23. Fulham. |
394. Bishop of London to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to preceding. At the exchange of the ratifications
of the Treaty etc. made May 9 N.S. 1713, the French Plenipotentys. put into the hands of the E. of Stafford and mine the
Act of Cession of St. Christophers and Nova Scotia, as also two
letters to the same purpose, which we transmitted the next day
to the then Secretary of State, etc. Promises to transmit copies.
Signed, Joh. London. Endorsed, Recd. 24th, Read 25th
Sept., 1719. 1½ pp. Enclosed, |
394. i. (a) Act of Cession of St. Christophers, Nova Scotia and
Port Royal, by France to Great Britain, in conformity
with the 12th Article of the Treaty of Utrecht. Marly,
May, 1713. Signed, Louis, Countersigned, Phelippeaux. |
(b) M. Pontchartrain to M. le Marquis de Vaudreuil,
Governor of New France. Instructions to conform to
the cession of Accadie, Newfoundland and Hudson's
Bay to Great Britain etc. Marly, 6th May, (N.S.),
1713. Signed, Pontchartrain. |
(c) M. Pontchartrain to Monsr. Phelippeaux, Governor of
the French Islands of America, at Martinique. Instructions to conform to the cession of St. Christophers
etc. Signed as preceding. French. The whole, 3¾ pp.
[C.O. 217, 2. Nos. 90, 90. i.; and (without enclosure)
218, 1. p. 453.] |
Sept. 29. |
395. Office expences of the Board of Trade, June 24-Sept.
29, 1719. v. Journal of Council. [C.O. 388, 77. Nos. 65,
67, 69.] |
Sept. 29. Whitehall. |
396. Mr. Popple to Governor Hamilton. Acknowledges
letters of 11th and 21st March, —May, 5th June, 20th & 24th
July, 1719. Continues: The Council of Trade and Plantations
command me to acquaint you, that upon what you writ 19th
Dec. 1718, H.M. was pleased to dismiss Mr. Bramble and to
appoint John Cochran, William Irish and Richard Cooke to
the Council of Montserrat etc. Encloses copy of Order in Council,
9th July. Continues:—But as you say, that you intend to
have the said Bramble sworn again into ye Council of Montserrat, I must observe to you that by your Commission you are
forbid to do it unless the number of the Council be under seven.
And in that case you can but fill up to the sd. number of seven;
and further that the places of those persons who are absent by
leave, are not to be esteemed as vacancies, unless they stay
beyond the time limitted by the said licences, without a special
leave from H.M. Their Lordships are surprized at the concern
you express for being required to perform certain of your Instructions which you say were never done by former Governors,
and that it is almost impossible for you to comply with, by
reason that several of the matters thereby required of you are
to be done by other persons. You are to consider that any
omission or neglect of former Governors will not justify you in
doing the same, and that you are to take care that all H.M.
Officers under your Government do perform their duty, more
especially in such matters as are particularly injoin'd you by
your Instructions. If any Officers neglect or refuse to perform
such their duty there is no doubt but that you may not only
suspend them from their office till H.M. pleasure be known, but
that upon a prosecution they might forfeit their office. This
is to be understood of the constant regular course of business
in their respective offices, but in extraordinary cases, as for
instance, when a collection of all the laws is required, it might
be a hardship upon the Secry. to put him to that expence and
trouble, without a suitable gratification, and therefore their
Lordships think the charges ought to be born by the Assembly,
which cannot be so great as to require a tax to be levy'd for it,
as you have mention'd; They therefore expect all the papers
and accots. which are required of you by your Instructions,
and particularly the accots. of the Revenue, which you have
been so often put in mind of. Their Lordships likewise desire
such further accounts as you shall be able to procure of the
French, Dutch, Spanish, or other foreign settlements in those
parts. Their Lordships have laid before the Lords Justices,
what you writ, 19th Dec., in relation to the soldiers deserting
to St. Eustachia etc. Encloses correspondence (v. 17th Aug.)
Commissaries being appointed to go to France to regulate and
settle several matters left undetermin'd by the Treaty of
Utrecht. Their Lordships desire from you a very particular
accot. relating to the hostages at Martinique, and especially
how much the Island of Nevis have contributed from time to
time towards the subsistence of them or any of them and whatever else you think may be of use upon this occasion in relation
to the Capitulation of Nevis, and that you may be the better
inabled to do this, I send you a copy of a Memorial from Monsr.
D'Iberville that you may give an answer to each paragraph,
and particularly to that, wherein he makes demands for subsisting the said hostages: This their Lordships desire to have
wth. all possible speed, and that duplicates thereof be sent by
different conveyances. As this is a matter of consequence,
and which requires all haste imaginable their Lordships do not
doubt of your punctual observance hereof. Your answer to
their Lordps. 7th Quære (20th July) do's not answer their
expectation, what their Lordships desired, was, that besides
the Naval Officers Lists, you wou'd inform them how many
ships, and what number of seamen do properly belong to each
respective Island, with your observations, where such ships
were built, and of what burthen. You say in your answer to
the 9th Quere, that the produce of the Islands for about two
years past, have amounted to about £242,577. What their
Lordships desire upon this Art. is that [you] wou'd let them have
annually, particular accots. of the quantity of the several species
of commodities produced in each Island, separate and distinct.
The Board never received the Act you mention'd to have been
passed at Montserrat for settling the liquor duty on the Lieut.
Govr. Talmash and therefore they desire to know whether that
Act is still in force, or whether any other has been pass'd since,
and whether Mr. Talmash receives that duty, and lastly that
you wou'd send their Lordships a copy of the said Act. [C.O.
153, 13. pp. 434–440.] |
Sept. 30. Whitehall. |
397. Mr. Popple to Mr. West. Encloses, for his opinion
thereon, several Acts of Antigua, Nevis and Montserrat, passed
in 1714, 1717, 1719. List annexed. [C.O. 153, 13. pp. 440–443.] |
Sept. 30. Whitehall. |
398. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices.
Recommend Richard Lightfoot to fill a vacancy in the Council
of Barbados by the death of John Mills, "he having been
recommended to us as a person of good estate and well affected
to H.M. Govt." etc. [C.O. 29, 14. p. 13.] |
Sept. 30. Whitehall. |
399. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Encloses extract of letter
from Mr. Bridger, 26th June, relating to the woollen manufacture in New England etc., and cotton imported thither. The
Council of Trade and Plantations desire the Commissioners of
H.M. Customs will give orders to their officers in New England
to return accots. from time to time of what manufactures they
find in those parts, and that they may have copies thereof.
[C.O. 5, 867. pp. 304, 305.] |
[?Sept.] Nassau on Providence. |
400. Governor Rogers to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. By the date of this I make no doubt but you'll
believe that I omitt no opportunity whereby I can informe
your Lordships etc. Since the Deal Castle leaving us, the Rose
and Shark call'd here lately for wood and water and return'd
to cruize off the Havana, near which place several of the
Jamaica privateers and some of ours are cruizing, whereby
I hope that the Spaniards will find sufficient employ to guard
their own coast and traders. This letter comes by Mr. Beauchamp, first Lieut. of the Independent Company etc. Hopes
for his confirmation as Secretary etc. and refers to him for
information. Signed, Woodes Rogers. Endorsed, Recd. 26th
Oct., Read 4th Dec., 1719. Without date. 1¾ pp. Enclosed, |
400. i. Minutes of Council of the Bahama Islands, 19th May—9th July, 1719. Same endorsement. 10½ pp. |
400. ii. Duplicate of No. 209. [C.O. 23, 1. Nos. 19, 19. i., ii.] |