|
1720.
[Mar. 1.] |
1. Capt. Evans, R.N., to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Estimates his expenditure upon the lands
granted him in New York at £3,350, which with interest since
1695 amounts to £8,375. The improvements made by him
were such that he was offered £40,000 on the Exchange of
London etc. Endorsed, Recd. Read 1st March, 1719/20. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1052. f. 5]. |
March 1/12.
Paris. |
2. Mr. Pulteney to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Acknowledges letter of Feb. 22. The French Commissioners
have not yet given me any deduction of their title to Sta. Lucia;
whenever they do your Lordships may be assured of receiving
a copy etc. My Lord Stairs frequently sollicites that the Conference should be renewed, and is always promised that they
shall etc. Signed, D. Pulteney. Endorsed, Recd. 7th, Read
9th March, 1719/20. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 78] |
| March 2. |
3. Mr. West to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The
petition of George Skeffington (Oct. 23rd) is not inconsistent
with the Act for encouraging the trade to Newfoundland, etc.
Signed, Richd. West. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 10th March,
1719/20. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
3. i. Duplicate of George Skeffington's petition, 23rd Feb.
[C.O. 194, 6. Nos. 77, 77. i.]. |
March 2.
Southwark. |
4. Sir Charles Cox to [? ]. My good Lord, My
wife begs leave to present her duty to yr. Lordp. humbley
claiming yr. Patronage in our last extremity and beseeches yr.
Lordp. to obtain of ye King ye Governmt. of Jamaica, which I
once thought myself secure of. I have resided in the Island
and have the concurrent wishes of ye planters and merchants.
Now is ye time my Lord, the Island being under your Lordship's
directions. If it be consider'd how well I have behav'd during
20 years in Parliamt., how I have injured my fortune by that
service, and how I suffer'd by a calamitous fire, I humbly presume I have ground to hope for compassion. I am content
that any part or all ye salary be reserv'd to some other person,
who has well deserved of H.M. Without this grant or something equivalent at home, I am not able to shew my head,
which I would sacrifice in yr. Lordps. quarrell. Signed, Charles
Cox. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
4. i. Memorial by Merchants trading to and Planters of
Jamaica. Recommend Sir Charles Cox to be Governor
of Jamaica, "the divisions between the inhabitants
and the Governor being grown to such a height as
may occasion an application for a change of Government" etc. 41 Signatures. Torn. 1 p. [C.O. 137,
51. Nos. 75, 75. i.] |
March 3.
Whitehall. |
5. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Hamilton.
Altho' we have several of yor. letters before us, we cannot at
present make such an answer as they may require, and therefore
we only take this opportunity to write to you upon the Act
to indemnify A. Browne etc. There have been several objections
made on the part of the parishioners of St. Philips against
the passing of the sd. Act; and we have heard them; as also
Mr. Nivine who appear'd for the Act by their Council. But as
there remain several difficulties with us, we must desire your
particular answers to the following questions before we can lay
this Act before H.M. etc., and therefore we expect to hear
from you upon this subject by the very first opportunity.
(i) On which side of Willoughby Bay does the old Church
stand. (ii) In what part of Belfast district does the chappel
of ease stand. (iii) In what place does the new Church stand,
that is, on which side of Ayres Creek. (iv) Whether does the
old Church or chappel at ease stand nearer to the new Church.
(v) On which side of Ayres Creek do the majority of the inhabitants of the parish of St. Phillips live. (vi) In case the
Act be confirm'd will it not be necessary for the inhabitants
that there be a chappel of ease on that side of the Creek where
the Church do's not stand. (vii) Whether the Gentlemen of
that parish have made any voluntary subscriptions towards
the building the new Church. What the sum is, and what
remains to be levied on the parishioners. (viii) What number
of the parishioners for the new Church, and what against it.
(ix) And that we may understand this matter still more perfectly we desire you would send us a correct mapp of the parish
in question. P.S. We enclose to you the best mapp we have
here of Antego in which if you have none better with you, we
desire you wou'd cause the respective parishes in that Island
to be mark'd as exactly as you can and particularly that of
St. Phillips. [C.O. 153, 13. pp. 453–455]. |
March 3.
Clerges Street |
6. William Sharpe to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following. Signed, Wm. Sharpe, Endorsed, Recd.
Read 4th March, 1719/20. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
6. i. Answers to Queries relating to Sta. Lucia. (v. 15th
Jan.) (i) I have always heard that about 1665 Lord
Willoughby of Parham settled that Island with some
of the inhabitants of Barbadoes, who, proving sickly,
became a prey to the native Indians, who surpriz'd,
and destroyed them all. (ii) I cou'd never find that
any French settled there in those years, or at any
other time. (iii) I never heard that the French
Commissioners referred to made any demand about
Sta. Lucia. (iv) I liv'd at Barbadoes, and was a
Member of the Council during the whole time mentioned in the Treaties of Ryswick and Utrecht. To
the best of my knowledge, there was not one single
settlement made thereon etc. We have, in all times,
had people there cutting timber, and dying wood,
who built some small hutts to defend themselves
against the weather, till they cou'd load their vessells,
which hutts they afterwards left, but never attempted
to clear the land, or break the ground, or do anything
that look't like a settlement; 'Tis probable that the
French might privily, and by stealth, do the same.
Refers to Col. Stede's Expedition and Lord Grey's
assertion of the British title (v. C.S.P. 1699. No.
939 i.), and his own similar assertion, to which the
Governor of Martinique "never thought fitt to
make any reply. He pretended no more than that
the island was a neutral place. If the French be
allowed to possess St. Lucia and Tobago (to which
letter the French Governor in his letter to me also
pretends) they will be able to destroy Barbadoes,
when they please; And on the other hand, if we keep
St. Lucia and settle it, it being but seven leagues, and
that to windward of Martineco, we shall be able, by
keeping a few men of war there, to intercept all the
French ships from getting to Martineco, and thereby
destroy the place, when we please. For they can't
subsist, or carry on their plantations, but by continual supplies, both of manufactures, and provisions,
from France. Santa Lucia would be of further service
to the Crown, as it is a proper soil for cocoa and indigo,
the King having no Plantation for the former in his
Dominions, and there being little made of the latter,
If therefore it was restrained to these two commodities,
it would bring in considerable revenues to the Crown,
and do no prejudice to any of the Sugor Islands
already settled. But this will require the utmost
care and consideration. I conceive, there will be no
difficulty in planting and setling this Island as the
King pleases, because I brought the Chief of all the
Caribbee Indians to acknowledge an absolute subjection to the Crown of Great Britain, in consequence
whereof, they afterwards fought under the King's
colours, as I am inform'd the French too well know,
and have ever since continued in their allegiance.
The acknowledgment mentioned, under the Broad
Seal of the Island of Barbadoes, I sent home to the
Board etc. Mem. Sta. Lucia has the best harbour of
any of the Carribbee Islds." (v. Journal of C. of T.,
4th March). Signed, Wm. Sharpe. Endorsed, Recd.,
Read 4th March, 1719/20. 2 pp. [C.O. 28, 15. Nos. 76,
76 i.] |
| March 3. |
7. Rev. W. Gordon to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reply to queries touching Sta. Lucia (v. 15th Jan.). I was
ashoar on that Island in 1703, twice in 1711, and after the
cessation of arms before the Treaty of Utricht. There was not,
at any of those times, any manner of settlement, either of
English or French; no part of the land manured, nor so much
as one single house, hutt, or habitation, excepting those of the
Indians and negroes which have run away from Barbadoes.
I was also frequently ashore since the Treaty of Utricht, and
observ'd that the French, as well as the English, sent several
small sloops to catch turtle and cut timber for their respective
adjacent Colonies, and that the wood-cutters, and fishermen,
English and French, made small hutts for their own, and their
negroes shelter, during their stay; But I never heard the
French pretend to make any settlement upon the Island.
Proposes that settlers should be confined to planting cocoa
trees, indigo, cotton and ginger, but especially cocoa trees;
for the soil is of the same nature with Martinique, and might
in a few years be brought to produce cocoa enough for all H.M.
Dominions, which we are now obliged to have from foreign
nations, and of which there is consumed, in the little island of
Barbados alone, to above the value of £6,000 a year. That
prohibition would also remove the objection of the poor decaying
sugar Colonys, etc. Signed, W. Gordon, Endorsed, Recd. 3rd.,
Read 4th March, 1719/20. 3 pp. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 77.] |
March 3.
Charles Town, So. Carolina. |
8. Jonathan Shrine to Saml. Wrugg or Wragg, Merchant
in London. We have an account from Providence of an
invasion design'd pr. ye Spaniards a sloop being sent on purpose
to informe us of the same and that they are coming with four
sail of ships, one of 50 guns, one of 48, one 30, ye other 24,
and six sloops: 1,200 men, they designe to land at St. Augustine
to come by land. We are very much unprovided to receive
them but I hope before they come we shall be in better order,
ye originall news comes from the Havana by a boat that have
made their escape from them with severall letters from Mr.
Parris and Mr. Farrill etc. There is an embargo laid on all
ships except Captn. Webber by whom this comes via Bristoll etc.
Signed, Jonathan Shrine. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Boon)
29th April, Read 7th July, 1720. Copy. ¾ p. [C.O. 5, 1265.
No. 146.] |
March 4.
Charles Town, So. Carolina. |
9. Daniel Bell to William Wragg, Merchant in London.
Refers to above news received from the Governor of Providence.
Continues: They were to saile from the Havana 15 days agoe
so that we may expect them every hour. Refers to embargo on
his ship. We have severall very good ships in the place and
between 4 and 500 sailers. They also designe to fit foure of the
best ships in a posture of defence etc. The people seems not
to feare them in the least, but our fortifications are much out
of repair but making all the dispatch they can to fit themselves
for defence etc. The report is generally believed etc., because
severall men in this place have received letters from their
friends out of Havano and all to one effect etc. Signed, Daniel
Bell. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1265. No. 147]. |
March 4.
South Carolina. |
10. Othniel Beale to Saml. Waldo, Merchant at the New
England Coffee House, London. Repeats part of preceding. His
ship, 16 guns, has been impressed with three others of 18 guns, to
receive the enemy soon after they enter the harbour (or as may be
thought proper) with a fireship, as also two small vessels to
cruise of St. Augustine to give intelligence of their approach.
Continues: We know not whether they designe for the Bahamas
or this place, or both, but we hope this favourable providence
of timely notice will enable us so to prepare for them as to give
them a much warmer recepcon (and smarter repulse) then
they expect since we have reason to believe they depend on
the intelligence they recd. from one Capt. Loan whom they
took about 3 months past (and soon after he left this place)
and tho' he might very truly say that this place was then in a
very naked neglected posture yet circumstances are now very
different and we are advanced very considerably in repairing
the works in order for defence so that at present we are under
no great concerne. I shall do my utmost to preserve yr. ship
as farr as the nature of this affaire wil admit etc. Signed, Othl.
Beale. Same endorsement. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1265. No.
148]. |
March 4.
Whitehall. |
11. Mr. Popple to Mr. Bell Jones, Secretary to the Board of
Ordnance. Enquires whether the new fort at Placentia is to
be built upon that point of land opposite to the old Fort;
whether it is to be done in the spring, and how far it will affect
Col. Moody's lands there, etc. [C.O. 195, 7. p. 5]. |
March 5.
Virginia. |
12. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Announces death of Col. Smith one of H.M.
Council here, but a strenuous adherent of that Faction I have
been complaining of etc. Recommends John Robinson to fill
his place, being a man of distinguished loyalty, sound principles,
good sense, and peaceable disposition, joined with the
advantages of a plentifull fortune etc. It has been long a
surprize to me, that notwithstanding H.M. approbation of Mr.
Digges to be of the Council, the warrant for swearing him,
has still been kept back, and I could not believe but that some
sinister dealings (which yor. Lordps. were strangers to) had
been used to obstruct it. At last the mistery is discovered
by some hints which Mr. Byrd has dropd in conversation (for
I have not yet seen him since his arrival) that he put in a
Memorial to stop the King's letter in favour of Mr. Digges,
under pretence that Mr. Porteous being called to the Council
by me, and afterwards left out in the King's Instructions to
make room for Mr. Berkeley, has a right to be restored on the
first vaccancy: but in order to remove this objection, I must
begg leave to represent, that the case is much altered in
respect to Mr. Porteous since I first called him to the Council:
he then lived near Williamsburgh without any river to hinder
his attending the duty of his place, but he is now removed to
a greater distance cross one of our largest rivers: he was then
looked upon as a settled inhabitant of this country, but he has
for some time past declared his resolution of leaving it, and
settling in England, and about a fortnight ago actually
published his intended departure (as the custom is) with the
return of the first ships etc. So that this obstruction seems
to be entirely owing to Mr. Byrd (without any warrant from
the person in whose behalf he appear'd) and design'd to affront
a gentleman whom he knows to be incapable of falling into the
measures of his faction. Tho' Mr. Byrd has been now upwards
of a month in the country he has not thought fitt to let me
know, whether he has obtain'd H.M. directions for his continuance in the Council, without which he cannot but know,
his long absence without licence has excluded him, according
to the express words of H.M. Instructions: neither doth it
seem probable to me that he hath any such order from H.M.,
seeing he publickly talks of returning to England in two or
three months time. Had Mr. Byrd been sworne of the Council
since he was nominated in H.M. Instructions, I should have
had less scruple to readmitt him to his place: but as he went
from hence without any other licence that I know of, but only
from my Lord Oxford (wch. gave him leave to be absent from
his Office of Receiver Genll. only) and as he has beene absent
beyond the time in which H.M. declares (by his Instructions)
that his place in the Council shall be void, I must therefore
pray yor. Lordps. directions how I am to act in this case etc.
If yor. Lordps. shal think fitt to renew yor. recommendation
of Mr. Beverley in Mr. Byrd's stead, there will then be an
opportunity to fill the present vaccancy with the gentleman I
have now recommended: otherwise Mr. Beverley being first
proposed, I pray he may be put in the place of Mr. Smith, and
Mr. Robinson reserved for the next vaccancy: unless yor.
Lordps. shall be pleased (according to what My Lord Orkney
offerred to yor. Lordsp. sometime ago) to make room for both
those gentlemen, by the removal either of Mr. Blair or Mr.
Ludwell, neither of whom deserve the post they enjoy unless
a continued opposition to H.M. interest and service, and a
contempt of yor. Lordps. decisions in all the points that have
been controverted between that Party and me, be the merit
they have to plead: and had I time to lay open some late
scenes of their behaviour, since yor. Lordps. last letters to me,
I'm confident yor. Lordps. would judge them fitter for the
frowns than the favours of the Government, for the first of
these Gentlemen Mr. Blair no sooner heard yor Lordps. letter
and the Sollicitor General opinion concerning the King's right
of collation read in Council, than he went about to oppose it;
and having soon after pack'd a majority of his Vestry perswaded them to draw up a formal presentation of him to be
their Minister, wherin they stile themselves the true and
undoubted patrons of that Church; declaring at the same time
that he should not have desired any such presentation but
only to assert the right of the Vestry against the Governor
who was going to deprive them of it by setting up the King's right
of collation, and Mr. Blair came to me with this presentation
and demanded induction. How consistent this is with the
duty of a Councelor sworne to assist H.M. rights and prerogatives I leave yor. Lordps. to judge. The other (Mr. Ludwell)
has given a late instance (of what I had often heard reported)
that his submission to yor. Lordps. determination concerning
the Governors right to nominate the judges of the Oyer and
Terminer Courts, was only conditional that the Council alone
should be named in those Commissions: for when I issued a
Commission of Oyer and Terminer last December, and joined
with the Council only Mr. Digges and Mr. Beverley (who I had
reason to believe were then constituted of the Council as well
as the rest) Mr. Ludwell no sooner heard the Commission read,
than he objected agt. both those Gentn., and immediately he
with four more of his party withdrew off the Bench, drew up
a remonstrance agt. that nomination, and took occasion to
present it to me in the publick Courthouse and entertaining
me with a long discourse on that subject till he saw a considerable mobb of people round us, he then turning to the multitude
raised his voice and said, that the Governor's power of naming
other Judges than the Council in cases of life and death was of
dangerous consequence to the lives and libertys of H.M. free
subjects, and repeating the same words again concluded that
for that reason he refused to sitt in the Court of Oyer and
Terminer with the gentlemen I had appointed, etc. Signed,
A. Spotswood. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 31st May, 1720.
3¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 1318. No. 70]. |
| March 10. |
13. Generals Erle, Wills and Pepper to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Testimonial in favour of Capt. Gookin.
(v. 8th Jan.). Signed, Tho. Erle, Cha. Wills, John Pepper.
Endorsed, Recd. 10th March, 1719/20, Read 19th May, 1721. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1266. ff. 9, 10v.]. |
| March 13. |
14. Col. Moody to Mr. Popple. Encloses following etc.
Signed, J. Moody. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 18th March,
1719/20. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
14. i. Opinion of Mr. West upon Col. Moody's case etc.,
10th March, 1720. v. 8th Jan. Signed, Richd. West.
¾ p. [C.O. 194, 6. Nos. 78, 78 i.] |
March 14.
Chancery Lane. |
15. Mr. Bampfield to Mr. Popple. Prays that Act of
Barbados for docking the intail of a certain plantation etc. may
be laid before H.M. for confirmation etc. Signed, Geo. Bampfeild. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 17th March, 1719/20. 1 p.
[C.O. 28, 15. No. 79.] |
March 16/27.
Paris. |
16. Mr. Pulteney to Mr. Popple. Acknowledges letter of
10th etc. Signed, D. Pulteney. Endorsed, Recd. 21st March,
Read 13th April, 1720. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 87.] |
March 16.
Office of Ordnance. |
17. Board of Ordnance to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Reply to 4th March. The point of land where we are
to build [the new fort at Placentia] is opposite to the old, and if
we can get shiping to transport the remainder of the materials
to Placentia we shall begin this summer. As to Col. Moodies
lands we are not able to say etc. Signed, T. White, T. Wheate,
M. Richards. Endorsed, Recd., Read 18th March, 1719/20.
1 p. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 79.] |
March 17.
Whitehall. |
18. Mr. Popple to Mr. Jones. Requests answer to 4th
March, as several ships will soon be going for Newfoundland
etc. [C.O. 195, 7. p. 6.] |
March 17.
Whitehall. |
19. Same to Mr. West. Encloses, for his opinion in point
of law, Act of Barbados for docking the intail of a certain plantation, etc. [C.O. 29, 14. p. 68.] |
March 21.
Whitehall. |
20. Mr. Secretary Craggs to Governor Lowther. Application having been made to the King by your relations here
that you may have a license of absence from your Government,
and answer in person to such things as have been charged upon
you before the Privy Council, H.M. has been pleased to grant
their request, and commanded me to transmit the license
enclosed. I have lost no time in moving H.M. to show this
favour to you, and as I do not doubt but you will be able to
clear yourself of the matters which have been alledged against
you, I may soon hope to assure you on this side that I am, Sir,
your most humble Servt. Signed, J. Craggs. Annexed, |
|
20. i. H.M. licence of leave to Governor Lowther to be absent
from his command for six months, "upon account
of some affairs which require his attendance here."
St. James's, 21st March, 1719/20. Countersigned, J.
Craggs. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 267, 268.] |
March 22.
St. James's. |
21. Order of King in Council. Referring following to the
Council of Trade and Plantations for their report. Signed, Temple
Stanyan. Endorsed, Recd. 24th, Read 25th March, 1719/20.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
21. i. Petition of Sir Charles Cox to the King. Petitioner's
brother, Samuel Cox is the eldest Councillor of Barbados, whereby the administration of the Government
pro interim in case of a vacancy will devolve upon
him. Governor Lowther having conceived a groundless displeasure against him and frequently vowed
his ruin, has left no stone unturned to execute his
threats not only on himself but likewise upon two
gent. of considerable fortunes in that Island who
married his daughters, and having a view to preferr
his nephew John Frere the next in seniority in the
Council, has applied himself to find out plausible
pretences to suspend him. Samuel Cox did, as his
duty obliged him, object against the Governor's permitting a Spanish vessell to trade there and remonstrate to him that it was an evident breach of
the Acts of Trade and his oath. Thereupon the
Governour's malice and resentment was wrought up
to such a heigth that he has charged petitioner's
brother with endeavouring to raise a rebellion in her
late Majesty's reign when the Governour was commanded immediately to deliver up the Government
to Mr. Sharpe. The only crime he was guilty of was,
that of giving his opinion as a Member of the Councill
that obedience ought to be paid to H.M. said order.
The Governor has declared his fixed resolution to
prosecute Cox and two other gentlemen who were
then Members of the Councill at the Grand Sessions
8th Dec. last, for the same, and that he himself will
sitt Judge. Prays that the Governour be ordered not
to suspend Cox, or in case he has done so, to restore
him until his reasons and H.M. pleasure are known.
Signed, Charles Cox. 1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 15. Nos.
80, 80 i.] |
March 24.
St. James's. |
22. Mr. Secretary Craggs to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Referring following for their report. Signed,
J. Craggs. Endorsed, Recd. 28th March, Read 3rd May, 1720.
Subscribed under, |
|
22. i. Petition of Richard Pearse of Marblehead, N.E.
mariner, James Pitts, merchant, George Whitehorne
and Phillip Dumaresq, marines, Daniel Johannot
and Andrew Sigournay distillers, all of Boston, to
the King. A tract of 16,000 acres, called Greenland
alias Misconcus by the English, but by the Indians
Remobscoe, was sold by John Summersett, an Indian
Sagramore, to the father of Richard Pearse in 1641.
6,000 acres have been sold to the rest of the petitioners
by Pearse, and they propose the next summer to settle
the said lands with 50 families etc. This tract is not
annext to any particular Province, and petitioners
therefore pray for H.M. confirmation of the Indians'
grant etc. The whole, 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 867. Nos. 61,
61. i.] |
| March 25. |
23. Queries [by Council of Trade and Plantations] to Col.
Moody, relating to some lands he claims at Placentia. (i)
Whether the point of land on which it is proposed to build a
fort was not reserved by the French King for some public use?
(ii) Whether it was ever granted to any of the French King's
Governors? (iii) Whether the title of the person of whom
Col. Moody bought the said Point can be made appear? (iv)
What proportion of the purchase money was paid for it?
(v) Its present value? etc. [C.O. 195, 7. p. 7.] |
| March 25. |
24. Office accounts of the Board of Trade, Dec. 25, 1719—March 25, 1720. v. Journal of Council. [C.O. 388, 77. Nos.
77, 79, 81.] |
March 25.
Whitehall. |
25. Mr. Secretary Craggs to Governor Lowther. H.M.
having granted you a licence of absence etc. (21st March)
you are exactly to follow your Instructions in leaving the
administration of the Government with the eldest Councillor
who shall be at the time of your absence residing in the Island.
Encloses duplicates of 21st March. Signed, J. Craggs. [C.O.
324, 33. pp. 267, 268.] |
| March 26. |
26. Mr. West to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Has no objection to Act of Barbados for docking entail of a
plantation in St. Lucy's parish etc. Signed, Richd. West.
Endorsed, Recd. 28th March, 1720, Read 25th March, 1721.
1 p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 49, 50. v.] |
| March 28. |
27. Mr. Cumings to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Proposes certain alterations in the regulation and taxation of
the Plantation trade. Signed, Archd. Cumings. Endorsed,
Recd. 28th March, Read 1st April, 1720. 1½ pp. [C.O. 323,
8. No. 1.] |
March 28.
Nevis. |
28. Governor Hamilton to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to his orders to Capt. Rose, v. 16th Feb.
Proving calm he left [the pirate ship] at an anchor at St.
Christopher's and came up himself [to me at Nevis]. She was
called amongst the pirates by the name of the Royal Rover,
and has committed a great many depredations upon the coast
of Guinea. She was the same that took the Portugueze ship,
and I find the crew were the same which were formerly in a
ship they called the King James which they sunk and betook
themselves to this. She is a ship of force capable of mounting
30 guns and had once near 200 men (and as far as I can learn)
was in the service of His Imperial Majesty when she was taken
but she is now much out of order for which reason I suppose
they quitted her. As I have met with a vast deal of trouble
and opposition from some persons who would have disputed
with me the power I had of seizing her I think it my duty to
lay before your Lordships a distinct account of the manner
in which the ship was taken, and the measures that were took
to prevent my securing of her either for H.M. or for the Right
Honourable the Lord High Admiral etc. The crew that belonged to her came to a separation some betook themselves
to a snow and some to the sloop mentioned in Mr. Popple's
letter the rest (to what number I cannot discover) either being
weary of that sort of life or thinking they had got booty enough
resolved to steal ashore in such places as they thought they
were most likely to escape undiscovered in, or where they
might pass unquestioned according the six mentioned (16th
Feb.) were landed upon Anguilla pretending to be shipwreckt
but being detected and brought up here have since been tried,
found guilty and received sentence of death, the residue carried
the ship down to St. Thomas's (an Island the Danes are settled
upon) brought her to an anchor there out of the reach of their
cannon and went themselves on shoar and passed publickly
(as I am informed) as Pirates, and were so far from being
questioned for it that the Governor himself was in treaty with
them for the ship, as the persons who brought her away
have represented to me. Major Holmes etc. seized her as a
pirate, what men were then in her quitting her and making
their escape on shoar, etc. as 16th Feb. Continues: [When
Capt. Rose came up hither], I ordered him down thither [to St.
Christophers] with the Seaford to bring her up to Nevis, Mr.
Ottley and the other gentlemen pretended then to claim a
right to her as captors (though they had no commission) and
disputed the delivery of her, and returning to me without her
I sent him down a second time with possitive orders to bring
her up, but when he came he found her sails unbent and carried
ashoar and her topmast struck, and by this time Mr. Ottley
had obtained a deputation from one Mr. Hill of Antigua (who
claims a power from Mr. Dod Receiver General of the rights
and perquisites of Admiralty, and from Mr. Walters, Sollicitor
of the Admiralty) to receive all rights and perquisites of
Admiralty in the Leeward Islands, and by vertue of that power
Mr. Ottley pretended then to seize her for the Lord High
Admiral so that Captain Rose returned the second time without
her. As I am not only impowered but it is required of me
as a duty by H.M. Commission under the Great Seal of the
Admiralty constituting me Vice Admiral of these seas to seize
and take into my possession amongst other things the goods
of pirates and the same to keep to the use of H.M. and the
Lord High Admiral for the time being, I thought it proper
and highly necessary (especially as I had an account of some
embezzlements already made and that Mr. Ottley had taken
several casks of powder out of her) to send Capt. Rose down a
third time with stricter orders than before to bring up this
ship to Nevis, and if the sails were not delivered to him, to
apply to a Civil Magistrate for a warrant to search for them
and take them out of their possession, which he was forced to
do Mr. Ottley refusing to deliver them, and upon this he has
brought her up hither where she has been proceeded with in
the Admiralty Court and an interlocutory decree pronounced
adjudging the ship and lading to be forfeited as the good of
pirates unless any owners shall come in a twelvemonth and a
day and make their proper appearance, and an inventory has
been directed by the Judge to be taken and an appraisement
made of the goods in her, to be lodged with the Register. As
the custody of this ship and goods remain at present with me,
if no owners appear within the time I shall be ready to deliver
up the same, submitting to the Right Honourable the Commissioners for executing the post of Lord High Admiral of
Great Brittain their determination whether any or what share
thereof does belong to me as Vice Admiral. The goods of
pirates I take to belong originally to the Crown, and if the
Lord High Admiral or Commissioners for executing that Office
have any claim to them, I suppose it is by grant from H.M.
and as I am in the dark about this matter I humbly pray
your Lordships will be pleased to inform me therein as also
about this deputation of Mr. Dod and Mr. Walters, whether
it was intended to give them any power of receiving any rights
of perquisites of Admiralty in these Islands, or it be restrained
to Great Brittain only for I humbly apprehend that it did
not, that being annexed to the Vice Admiral and by H.M.
Commission expressly enjoined me, and I am the rather confirmed in this opinion because I have received no directions
from the Right Honourable the Commissioners for executing
the Office of High Admiral to take notice of any such Officer
here, which if their Lordships had intended to supercede my
Commission therein I may believe I should; your Lordships
will be pleased therefore to signifie to me whether these Officers
are to seize any rights or perquisites of Admiralty arising here
or that I am to do so, and when I have done so whether I
shall deliver or account for the same to the Crown, to them,
or to the Lord High Admiral etc. Howsoever it be, I hope I
shall meet with your Lordships' approbation in what I have
or to the Lord High Admiral etc. Howsoever it be, I hope I
shall meet with your Lordships' approbation in what I have
at present done, I not knowing how to regard a Commission
from a private Officer when I had one from H.M. etc. This
last week one Charles Powell born at, and formerly an inhabitant
of St. Christophers for [? was] arraigned for High Treason,
for having been in the service of the King of Spain on board
the privateer sloop mentioned 16th Feb., and committed a
great many acts of cruelty upon and against H.M. subjects,
all which were plainly proved against him upon his trial, whereupon the jury found him guilty and sentence of death was
pronounced against him as is usual in such cases and
will be executed accordingly the Judges having represented
to me that he is a hardned sinner. I have an account
given me that the pirates that separated and are now in
the snow and sloop before mentioned are cruising between
Barbados the French and these Islands, that they took a ship
lately off of Barbados and afterwards chased a vessell into
Antigua. I have sent Captain Rose in the Seaford to cruize
to the windward of that Island to strive to fall in with our
trading ships, that are daily expected from Brittain for the
several Islands of this Government, and if possible to see them
safe in. Encloses several Acts with observations thereon.
Continues:—They should have gone sooner but this being the
first ship that has gone from this Island since my arrival here,
the letter for Mr. Popple (16th Feb.) being sent by way of St.
Christopher's; Indeed I thought this ship would have sailed
much sooner, but God Almighty has been pleased to afflict
us with such excessive dry weather insomuch that most Planters
can hardly make any sugar, I pray the Almighty to withdraw
his heavy hand from us. I have not as yet been able to bring
the Committee of Council and Assembly to finish their answer
to Monsieur D'Iberville's Memorial nor to state the account
of what charge they have been at in maintaining the hostages
that were taken off and carried to Martinique, by reason (as they
alledge) of the death of their late Treasurer who left his affairs
in great confusion, whenever they have finished them I shall
transmit them to your Lordships, but people in general in
these parts are very delatory about publick business, especially
those of this Island, which formerly was lookt upon the most
exactive and regular in most of their proceedings, but ever
since the destruction and devastations made by the French,
the people seem to be dispirited and careless. The last of the
hostages (Mr. Charles Earle) died about six or seven months
ago at Martinique, so that the Island is now at no further
charge; I shall (God willing) next week embark for St.
Christophers, and as soon as I have dispatched H.M. affairs
there, call at Mountserratt to see what may offer there for
H.M. service, and then return for Antigua, where after my
arrival I shall as soon as possible collect and send your
Lordships what is required from etc. Signed, W. Hamilton.
Endorsed, Recd. 16th May, 1720, Read 27th June, 1721. 3½ pp.
Enclosed, |
|
28. i. Acts of the Leeward Islands (1719) with Governor
Hamilton's observations. (a) Act of Antigua, for
reinforcing an Act for repairing the fortifications on
Monk's Hill etc. The reason of this Act has been
often laid before your Lordships etc. (b) Act of
Antigua, for encouraging Thomas Santhill in his new
projections of hanging coppers in this Island for boyling
of sugar and for making of small and cheap windmills
for the more easy and speedy grinding of canes; likewise
for building of horizontal windmills for grinding of
canes, and likewise an engine for forcing of water into
boyling houses or still houses from any depth; and for
building of lime kilns to burn lime after a more easy
and expeditious manner than hath been yet found out,
with brush, field trash, or any sort of small wood. The
inhabitants have already found great benefit by this
projection of Mr. Thomas Santhill in the boyling of
their sugar much faster and with much less fewell;
he still proposes to improve the same to a far greater
degree etc. As for his mills, etc., I have not heard
of any that have yet tried the experience. |
|
(c) Act of Montserrat, for punishing such persons
as shall detain any other persons' slaves or servants.
The preamble I hope sets forth sufficiently the reasonableness of it. (d) Act of Montserrat for reducing
of interest from 10 to 6 per cent. (e) An Act of
Montserrat for exempting the severall Members of the
Council and Assembly and other persons from arrests
on publick days. The Gentlemen most of them being
under some incumbrances and apprehensions of being
taken up as is set forth more at large in the Preamble
are desirous to secure themselves for that time.
Your Lordships will observe that these three Acts
from Mountserratt have lain a considerable time before
they were sent to me. Same endorsement. 1 p.
[C.O. 152, 13. ff. 67–72; and (duplicates endorsed)
Recd. from Mr. Tryon, June 27th, 1720) 73, 74–75v.,
76v.] |
March 29.
Barbado's |
29. Governor Lowther to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to letter of 21st Nov., and repeats part of it.
Continues: Mr. Blenman entered into a recognizance of £500,
and two of his friends in £250 each for his appearing at, and
answering this crime at the Grand Sessions: a bill of indictment was found against him; the Court ordered the sd. recognizances to be estreated for his non-appearance, and the whole
process to issue against him. Now had he not been an accomplice with Mr. Gordon in this forgery, it can hardly be imagined
that he would have suffer'd himself to have been committed
and indicted for such a crime, or that he would have forfeited
his recognizance, quitted his business, and have fled from the
Island (with the sd. Gordon and one Hope an Attorney) in the
most ignominious and clandestine manner. Refers to Minutes
of Council, 16th Feb. and adds:—One of the pieces annex'd
to the Order of Council of 12th March, 1718, is in French, of
a different kind of paper from all the other annexes, has no
impression of the Seal upon it, and is dated eight day's after
the sd. Order, all which do most clearly demonstrate that it
was criminally annex'd thereto etc. I hope you'l permit me
to trouble you with a further representation of Mr. Gordon's
seditious and infamous behaviour during the three months
he thought fit to continue here. The first thing he did, was
the disposing of a large cargo of that braded stuff call'd the
Miserable State of Barbado's; after this, he traversed the
whole country, broached in all places as many scandalous lies as
he could invent, and did his utmost to imbroil the Island, and
to spirit up a faction in every parish in order to pave the way
for a general disturbance. Had I resented this licentious and
factious behaviour in a magisterial way and punished him with
the utmost severity of Law, I humbly presume your Lordshipes would not have censured me for it: but as the poison
had been newly administred, and as it caused a great fermentation, I thought it more eligible to apply an antidote of another
quality, and therefore issued the Declaration which I (some
time since) directed my Correspondent to lay before you.
(v. Oct. 30, 1719). As this undeceived the generallity of those
Mr. Gordon had imposed upon, so it not only disabled him from
executing a wicked design he had projected against me, but
forced him (at that time) to content himself with only casting
some lewd reflections upon me in an impudent paper he term'd
an Answer to so much of my Declaration as related to him.
I shall not trouble your Lordship's with a relation of those
factes upon which two indictments were found against him
since they are inserted in the Records of the Grand Sessions
that are enter'd in the Minutes of Council herewith sent, but I
think it necessary to informe you, that soon after his departure
from hence, a most false and scandalous letter was dispersed
by his Agents in his name directed to the gentlemen of Barbadoes
and particularly to the parishioners of St. Michaels: that the
General Assembly on the 21st Jan. last voted it to be a most
false, wicked and seditious libel: that they voted the Answer
of Will. Gordon Clerke etc. to be impudent, false and scandalous:
that they voted the pamphlet intituled a Representation of
the Miserable State of Barbado's to be false, scandalous and
seditious, that they order'd the sd. pamphlet, answer and
letter to be burnt by the hands of the common hangman: that
they directed Samuel Adams and Rob. Bishop Esqrs. two of
their Members to lay the sd. pamphlet, answer and letter before
the Council with a copy of their Minutes relating thereto and
the resolves thereupon and to desire the Council to give their
concurrence to as many of the sd. votes or resolves as they
should think fit, as likewise to appoint a time and place for
the burning of the sd. pamphlet, answer and letter etc. The
Council agreed to all the Assembly's sd. resolves and directed
the common hangman to burn the pamphlet answer and letter
before the Custom House door on 18th Feb., which was done
accordingly, etc. Refers to Minutes of Council, 16th Feb., for
proceedings and depositions taken before the three senior
Judges touching Mr. Gordon's character in pursuance of
H.M. Order, 25th June, 1719. His character is proved to be
much worse than what I represented to the Lord Bishop of
London by above 40 depositions of gentlemen of great fortune
and repute: What I said of him was taken from depositions
and other authentick papers that bore date a very considerable
time before the occasion happen'd which laid me under an
absolute necessity of characterising him to the Bishop; as
this plainly appears from the sd. original depositions and
papers exhibited to and recognized before the sd. Judges,
and annexed to the report which they have made to the Lords
of the Privy Council and transmitted by this opportunity, so
I humbly hope your Lordship's will be of opinion that my sd.
character of Mr. Gordon is strictly just etc. etc. The Council and
Assembly perused the sd. depositions and proceedings and a
Law has past upon that and other weighty considerations to
deprive him of his benefice, and for disabling him from
exercising or enjoying any ecclesiastical living dignity or
ministry within this Island; which I humbly hope will meet
with your Lordshipes approbation and the Royal assent. My
Lords, I have already trespassed so much upon your time that
I shall not trouble you with what might be offer'd in justification
of the suspension of Messieurs Cox and Salter besides the reasons
that are assigned in the Minutes of the Council of 27th Feb.
Nor shall I intrude upon your patience in adding such reasons
as might be offer'd to support the committment of Thomas
Worward and Thomas Smart (Commanders of H.M. shipes of
war the Rye galley and Squarrell) besides those that are contained
in the mittimus depositions etc., that are entered in the Minutes
of Council of 16th March, 1719. I also for the same reason
forbear to make any remarkes upon the state of the publick
accounts as adjusted by the Committee appointed by law and
enter'd in the Minutes of Council herewith sent: as likewise
any animadversions upon the several laws and other publick
papers now transmitted etc. As I writ to my friends in Nov.
last to obtain H.M. Royal licence under his sign manual to
return to England, so I hope it will not be long before I have
the happiness of paying my duty to your Lordshipes and of
returning you my unfeigned thankes for the many civilitys
and favours I've received from you etc. Signed, Rob. Lowther.
Endorsed, Recd. 1st June, Read 5th July, 1720. Holograph.
8 pp. Enclosed, |
|
29. i. List of public papers enclosed with preceding. 2 pp.
[C.O. 28, 15. Nos. 91, 91. i.] |
| March 29. |
30. [? Sir Charles Cox to the Council of Trade and Plantations.] Mr. Lowther having laid a design to suspend my
brother (v. 22nd March) prevaild with ye Custom house Officers
to sign a memorial against him for no other pretence, but his
having been evidence in a cause which he was compelled to do
by legal summons (v. Minutes of Council, 13th and 14th May,
1718.) Mr. Lowther finding ye matter too trifling, to found a
judgment upon, adjourned ye giving any opinion from time
to time, to 17th Feb. 1718/19, at which time he declared that my
brother was guilty of such a crime as deserved suspension, and
that he would suspend him next Council day, notwithstanding
which he hath never yet attempted it etc. Suggests that he
keeps it under his thumb to suspend him; just when he leaves
the Island, that so he may leave his nephew Fere President,
and his brother lose that benefit etc. Endorsed, Recd., from
Sr. Charles Cox, 29th, Read 30th March, 1720. 1 p. [C.O.
28, 15. No. 82.] |
| March 29. |
31. Extract of letter from Samuel Cox of Barbadoes to
Sr. Charles Cox, April 13th, 1719. Repeats gist of preceding.
Continues: on 17th Feb. the Governor, by way of leading the
Council, gave his opinion first that the representation of the
Custom House Officers was fully proved, whereupon his
favourites, Francis Bond, Wm. Carter, Guy Ball and John
Frere came full up to H.E. opinion. But Timothy Salter
and Lt. Gen. Thos. Maxwell said it was not proved. H.E.
asked the Council what censure they should pass, and when
all continued mute, to give them a lead, he said "If I was guilty
of these crimes I should forfeit my Government and £1,000
sterl. and rendered incapable of any other command." Then
all except his favourites desired to be excused giving any
opinion. H.E. pressed them for two hours without success.
H.E. being very angry said they were no Councillors unless they
forthwith gave him their Council and that he would have their
opinion, (wch. he wanted to screen himself by, yt. wt. he acted
was by advice of Councill). Endorsed as preceding. Copy.
2¼ pp. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 81.] |
March 29.
Southwark. |
32. Sir C. Cox to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Since waiting on your Lordships this morning, I have seen two
gentlemen, Mr. Blenman and Mr. Hope, who were present in
Council 13th and 14th May, and have prevailed with them to
attend your Lordships etc. Signed, Charles Cox. Endorsed,
Recd., Read 30th March, 1720. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 83.] |
March 31.
Bermuda. |
33. Lt. Governor Bennett to Mr. Popple. Refers to triplicate
enclosure of proceedings of Court of Admiralty etc. Signed,
Ben. Bennett. Endorsed, Recd. 10th May, Read 7th July,
1720. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
33. i. Bermuda. May 31st, 1720. A Newspaper. By the
master of a sloop that arrived here 21st Jan. from
Virginia I am informed, that about the middle of the
same month on (e) Capt. Knott bound to that place
from London in the latitude 27 was come up with
and taken by a pirate ship of 36 guns and above 160
men who took what they wanted out of the merchantman and gave him money and goods of a very considerable value for the same and sent him about his
business several of the pirates being on board him,
whom when the ship arrived in Virginia dispersed
themselves but being discovered were taken up,
also the ship seized, and the Capt. in custody; the
pirate came last from Brazile and had been on the
coast of Guinea. Feb. 8th. By advice from Antigua
I understand that the man of war there was sent to
cruce to windward of that Island in quest of two
Spanish privateers, one of them took a sloop at the
Salt Ponds, and afterwards cut a ship out of Basseterre
Rhoad of St. Christopher's, the sloop's men rose the
next night, overcame the Spaniards, and brought the
sloop back to St. Christopher's, the ship was retaken
by a New York privateer off of the Island called
Spanish Town one of the Virgin Islands, one of the
Spanish privateers afterwards was cast away upon
Berbuda where the men were taken and are now in
prison at Antigua; amongst them two or three
Englishmen. I hear of several British and French
sloops that have been taken to windward amongst
the French and the Islands inhabited by the Indians,
but what certainty there is in it I know not; but
this is confirmed [that] a pirate ship that took some
time since a Portugueze ship upon the coast of Brazile
which he carried to Cayon a French Island, and there
plundered her, and there took also a Rhode Island
sloop, and after detaining the master for some days,
he gave him the Portugueze ship with which he is
arrived at Antigua, the pirate went afterwards to the
windward of Barbadoes, where he took two New York
snows, the one he plundered and afterwards gave the
vessell to the master and men again, the other they
have fitted out of the pirate ship she being a much
better sailor, and are gone to the northward with,
and gave the ship to the master of the snow; his
men and some others that pretend to have been
forced, of which they landed five white men and one
black upon Anguilla, of which number there are now
two in goal at Antigua and the rest are sent for they
say the Quartermaster of the pirate and one more
were on board the said ship, from whence, and their
haveing divided their plunder to the windward of
Barbadoes (as these men say) it is concluded they
have broke up and are shifting for themselves by
dropping some in one place, some in another, for they
had a great booty in the Brazile ship, at least 15,000
moidores besides a vast quantity of dust gold they
had got upon the coast of Guinea, where they had
taken many prizes. Same endorsement. 1½ pp. |
|
33. ii.–vii. Proceedings of the Court of Admiralty, Bermuda,
Oct.-Nov. 1719 upon the trial of six prizes brought
in there. Same endorsement. Copy. 83 pp. [C.O.
37, 10. Nos. 16, 16. i–vi, |
| [Mar. 31.] |
34. Petition of John Lenoir, Judge of the Admiralty Court,
and Henry Lascelles, Collector, Barbados, to Governor Lowther. |
|
In Nov. 1716 Lascelles made a seizure of some anotto and
indico imported without a warrant and presence of any officer
of the Customs from a vessel belonging to Samuel Cox. Henry
Westlake, then Judge of the Admiralty Court, dismissed the
case, Feb. 1717, though no proof was given that the goods were
landed with a warrant and presence of a Custom house officer,
as the law requires. He continued to behave himself in a most
scandalous manner, notoriously receiving bribes and perverting
justice, so that the officers of H.M. Customs were obliged to
make a representation against him to the Governor, and against
Samuel Cox, who had caused application to be made to Lascelles
to forgoe H.M. part of the seizure etc. Whereupon H.E. and
Council suspended Westlake and appointed Lenoir in his place
etc. On 31st May last Lascelles seized the sloop Dove, of wch.
Saml. Cox was owner, and of several hogsheads of sugar on
board; shipped off from a crane of which Cox was keeper,
without warrant or presence of a Custom house officer, etc.
or paying the 4½ p.c. duty. The sloop and sugar were condemned by Lenoir and Cox fined £100. Cox was given leave
to appeal, but has never applied to the Register for the appeal
papers etc. The fine remained to be collected, when Cox
obtained an inhibition from the High Court of Admiralty in
Great Britain, 27th April last, staying further proceedings.
In the said inhibition, Lenoir is stiled only "the pretended
judge" of the Court of Admiralty. Lenoir has acted by virtue
of your Excellency's Commission etc. Desire to know how they
are to act with regard to the inhibition. |
|
Lascelles adds: Cox ever since his being outed of the office
of one of the Commissioners of Customs in this Island, on
account of his making use of a large sum of money due to the
Crown, has been zealous to hinder all prosecutions in favour of
the Crown. Mr. Cox was Naval Officer 1698–1714. When an
order came from the Commissioners of Customs to put in
prosecution the plantation bonds here that were not legally
discharged, he cancelled hundreds of bonds without having
certificates returned him as the law requires, and gave in 170
bonds to be sued, but they were almost all the bonds of persons
insolvent or unknown, and the Crown was put to about £800
charges in prosecuting those worthless bonds, while Mr. Cox
got perhaps as much. This practice of cancelling bonds
without certificates was a gainfull one, and Cox continued it.
Between 12th July, 1712 and 12th April, 1714 he cancelled bonds
to the value of £70,000, without any certificates or proofs that
the conditions of the bonds were comply'd with etc. Signed,
John Lenoir, Hen. Lascelles. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr.
Lascelles) Read 31st March, 1720. 4 pp. [C.O. 28, 15. No.
84.] |
March 31.
Jamaica. |
35. Governor Sir N. Lawes to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Refers to letter of Feb. 2nd and encloses, by this first
opportunity since that time, five money bills which considering
the present posture of affairs here and the exigences of the
Government I hope will suffitiently justifye my passing those
laws. I have prepared my reasons more at length according
to your Lordships desire which comes herewith and hope the
same will be satisfactory. As to the Act to prevent inticeing of
slaves etc. I am to desire your Lordships will please to take
it into your consideration and lay it before H.M. for his Royall
assent, it will prove a beneficial law to this Country, and as it
is in all respects agreeable to H.M. Instructions so I hope it
will meet with no obstruction etc. Encloses Minutes of Council
to 29th Jan. Prays for directions as to H.M. share of seizures
etc. as Sept. 1st 1718. Sometime ago I recd. intelligence of
the Spaniards designs from the Havannah against Providence
or Carolina which I communicated to Capt. Vernon of the
Mary who desired I wou'd assist him with some of H.M. soldiers
and accordingly I have supplyed him and Capt. Whitworth
in the Ludlow Castle with 50 soldiers and they are both sailed,
since which time I have recd. an acct. from the Governor of
Providence that on 24th Feb. the Spanish armament appeared
off of that Island and had endeavoured to land at some places
but were as often repulsed tho' they continued still hovering
about that place, when the Govr. dispatch't the express to me
which he sent away in the night ten days after the Spaniards
had been there giving an acct. of the strength of the Spaniards
wch. consists of one ship of 40 gunns one of 26 one of 22 a
brigantine of 12 and eight sloops six of which had 8 gunns
apiece and two of 4 gunns, on board of which armament there
is about 1,300 men but I am in hopes they will have met with
little success being informed that there are on that Island 540
able men well armed and 4 months provisions and as the
Govr. has upwards of 60 gunns mounted so they will be able
to make a vigourous defence, etc. Signed, Nicholas Lawes.
Endorsed, Recd. 14th June, Read 2nd Nov. 1720. 3¾ pp.
Enclosed, |
|
35. i. Governor Sir N. Lawes' reasons for passing several
laws mentioned. Same endorsement. 7 pp. [C.O.
137, 13. Nos. 42, 42. i.] |
