|
| Jan. 2. |
348. Horatio Walpole to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The Act of Barbadoes to oblige the casual Receivers of
Barbadoes to pay 100l. towards defraying the charges of the Grand
Sessions to be held twice a year is by no means agreable to the
43rd Article of the Governor's Instructions (quoted). Instead
of answering the expence of the two Courts out of the publick
Treasury as thereby directed the Assembly would lay it upon
H.M. casual revenue, wch. is already in so low a state as not to
be able to answer ye charges of ye recovery and receipt of it.
etc. This heavy charge would defeat endeavours that might be
undertaken to recover it from its present confusion and make it
a considerable revenue to ye Crown as it formerly was. Signed,
H. Walpole. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 19th Jan., 1720/1.
1½ pp. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 3, 3v., 4v.] |
Jan. 3.
Whitehall. |
349. Mr. Popple to Sir Robert Raymond, Attorney General.
Encloses extracts of letter from Govr. Shute, 1st June, and of
the Charter relating to the negative voice, for his opinion to
what particular elections the negative reserved in the Charter
extends. [C.O. 5, 915. pp. 316, 317.] |
Jan. 3.
St. James's. |
350. Order of King in Council. Referring following to the
Council of Trade and Plantations for their report thereon.
Signed, Robert Hales. Endorsed, Recd. 12th. Read 13th
Jan., 1720/1. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
350. i. Petition of the Corporation of the Governour and
Company of Merchts. of Great Britain trading to the
South Seas, and other parts of America, and for
encouraging the Fishery, in General Court assembled,
to the King. Petitioners have for a long time intended to carry on a considerable trade in America,
especially on the passing the last Act of Parliament for
taking in the publick incumbrances, when they hoped
by your Majesty's most gracious favour, to have had
that part of the Island of St. Christophers which
formerly belonged to the French, Nova Scotia, and
other parts of America, belonging to your Majesty,
granted to them:—That by such a grant the said
Corporation would be entitled to people, cultivate
and improve the same, so as to bring in to this Kingdom
Navall Stores, and other comoditys, now brought in
from forreign parts, which would be a great encouragment to Trade and Navigation, an improvement, and
increase of yor. Majtys. Revenue, and inlarge and secure
your Majtys. dominions in those parts. Your
Petitioners therefore most humbly pray that the said
part of St. Christophers and also Nova Scotia, and such
other places in America may (for the service of the
Publick, and of this Corporation) be granted to them,
under such limitations and restrictions, and in such
manner as Yor. Majesty in your great wisdom shall
think fitt. And yor. Petitioners (as in duty bound)
shall ever pray etc. By Order of a General Court, the
2nd January, 1720. Signed, Jno. Fellowes, Sub.Govr., Charles Joye, Dep. Govr. Copy. 1¾ pp.
[C.O. 152, 13. ff. 38, 39, 39v, 41v.] |
Jan. 5.
London. [1722]. |
351. Mr. Buck to Mr. Delafaye. We have recd. letters
from our factors at Providence and Carolina complaining of
the great hardship put upon them by Governor Niccolson etc.
In June 1721 the sloop Duck Harry White master from Providence belonging to ye Bahamas Society and loaden with a cargoe
of their goods bound on a voyage to Hispaniola for which she
was furnished with propper clearances from the Customhouse
officers at Providence was seized by ye Governour and brought
up to Charlestown where all the trunks chests bales etc. belonging to the cargoe were broke open although ye vessell was not
to trade or deliver any goods in that port and only went in to
desire leave of the Governour to take in 20 barrells of that
countrey beef. In Oct. last Capt. Tho. Walker our Factor at
Providence sent a sloope from thence in ballast to Carolina to
take in there a loading of deale bords in order to make proper
conveniency to receive ye new Governor and recruits sent with
him that they might not suffer as those wch. went with Gov.
Rogers did for want of such conveniencies wch. occationed ye
death of almost one halfe of them, the 26th day of Oct. ye sloope
was loaden and ready to sayle but Governor Niccolson detained
ye master from time to time with a pretence that he had letters
to send by him to Providence, when ye Master went agen to
wait upon him for his letters he took a bible and made him swear
to all questions he putt to him and amongst others asked him
if he had any pitch or tarr on board, to wch. ye master made
answer that he had 4 barrells of pitch and 2 of tarr and 2 of
rice as stores and for wch. the Custom House Officers had given
him a permitt as is usually done to all vessells tradeing from ye
West Indies to the Continent of America. Upon this confession ye Governor went in person and seized ye sloope and
has since condem'd her in a pretended Court of Admiralty.
Pray caution the Governor against committing such acts of
violence and oppression and you'l oblige the Bahama Society
and in perticular, Signed, Sam. Buck. Addressed. 2 pp.
[C.O. 5, 4. No. 22.] |
| Jan. 10. |
352. Mr. Burniston to Mr. Popple. Encloses following.
Signed, Cha. Burniston. Endorsed, Recd. 10th Jan., Read
5th Sept. 1721. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
352. i. Proclamation by Governor Shute to prevent the
destruction of H.M. Woods in the Massachusetts Bay,
more especially in the County of York, formerly the
Province of Maine, which has been made contrary
to the Charter and Act of Parliament, 9th. of Queen
Anne, etc. Boston, 1st Nov. 1720. Signed, S. Shute.
Printed. 1 p. |
|
352. ii. Robert Armstrong, Deputy Surveyor, to Charles
Burniston, Surveyor General of H.M. Woods. New
Hampshire, Nov. 20, 1720. By virtue of the saving
clause in the Act of 9th of Q. Anne, "not being the
property of any private person," the people of this
Province elude the same. They have taken in
thousands of acres wherein the best timber grows,
and form the same into their townships, tho' the
thousandth part thereof is not under any immediate
improvement etc., and think that each inhabitant
thereof may fell all trees at will. This must be
corrected by our explanatory Act, etc. The King is
under great disadvantage as to proof against those
that destroy the mast trees, the onus probandi being
on the King, which seldom can be made out, such is
the behaviour of the people here etc. The inhabitants
have utterly destroyed by sawing into boards etc.
thousands of masts fit for the Royal Navy etc. I have
prest at home this several years for an Act of Parliamt. to prevent the export of ship timber to foreign
states, etc. Refers to Lord Bellomont's letter, C.P.S.,
1700, 23rd April. Signed, Robt. Armstrong. Copy.
5 pp. [C.O. 5, 868. ff. 77, 78, 79, 81, 83, 83v.] |
| [Jan. 12] |
353. Mr. Perry and others to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Pray to be heard upon the petition of the South
Sea Co. for the French lands of St. Kitts. etc. Signed, Micajah
Perry and five others. Endorsed, Recd. 12th Jan., 1720/1, Read
5th July, 1722. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 14. ff. 142, 143v.] |
| [Jan. 12.] |
354. Stephen Duport to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Prays that his former petitions for lands in St. Kitts,
which with the Board's favourable report upon them were
mislaid at the Treasury, may be recommended to H.M. now that
the South Sea Co.'s petition (v. preceding) is before the Board,
etc. Signed, Ste. Duport. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p.
[C.O. 152. 14. ff. 144, 145 v.] |
| [Jan. 12.] |
355. Memorial by Col. Samuell Vetch, Richard Mullins,
Charles Davison, David Pigeon, Cha. Brown, James Abercrombye, Cutts Hassan, Alexr. Willson, Francis Sullivan, George
Lee, Peter Capon, Cha. Bruce, Wm. Cook, John Woodin, John
Cocksidge, Scare Matthews to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In behalf of themselves and others who were in the
actuall service in the late expedition by which Port Royall and
Nova Scotia were reduced etc., refer to petition and reference of
21st July, 1719, (q.v.) upon which they have not yet obtained
the Board's report. They are informed that the Governor and
Company of Merchants trading to the South Seas have lately
petitioned H.M. for a grant of Nova Scotia etc. (v. 3rd Jan.)
Pray for a report upon their petition and that no report be made
in favour of the South Sea Company until their case be heard,
memorialists conceiving that they are entituled to a grant of
said land preferrable to all others. Signed as above. Endorsed,
Recd. 12th Jan., 1720/1. Read 3rd Sept., 1724. 2 pp. [C.O.
217, 4. ff. 263, 263v., 264v.] |
Jan. 13.
Whitehall. |
356. Mr. Popple to Daniel Wescomb, Secretary to the
South Sea Company. The Council of Trade and Plantations
desire to speak on Thursday morning next with some of the
Directors upon the petition of the Company (v. 3rd Jan.). [C.O.
153, 13. p. 461.] |
Jan. 14.
Whitehall. |
357. Mr. Stanyan (Secretary to Mr. Secretary Craggs) to
Col. Nicholson. I have received all your letters to that of the
10th inst. relating to the difficulties you have met with about
the man of war being obliged to touch at the Maderas, and the
transports to pursue their voyage directly to Carolina. I
thought when you applied for H.M. Orders for the man of war
to take you with the transports under convoy, you had got that
point so thoroughly settled, as to admit of no dispute or delay
in pursuing your voyage, and that your contract with the
owners of the transports had been made accordingly; but I
find you did not understand one another rightly; however by the
enquiry I have made at the Admiralty, I hope the chief objection
is now removed, orders being sent from thence to the Captain
of the man of war, not to call at the Maderas, so that now the
transports will be at liberty to pursue their voyage directly
under that convoy. All the difficulty remaining is, that the
transports lie ready to sail and pretend to be at demurrage,
whereas it will be some time yet before the man of war will be
ready, however I hope it will be but a few days longer, and as
for the soldiers on board the transports, you know they may
easily be supplied with more provisions by the Victualling Officer
at Plymouth; so that all that seems further necessary is to
prevail with the Masters of the transports to stay till the convoy
is ready. The dangers and inconveniences you represent, if
the transports were to sail without convoy, are so many, that
Mr. Secretary does not think it adviseable for you to go without
the man of war, at least unless there were an absolute necessity,
in which case you will do well to write to him first, etc. Signed,
Temple Stanyan. [C.O. 324, 34. pp. 34, 35.] |
| Jan. 16. |
358. Earl of Sutherland to Earl of Westmorland (a Lord
Commissioner of Trade and Plantations) "Ther being a petition
presented to the King in Councill on behalf of the South Sea
Company to have a grant of the French lands in St. Christophers
Nova Scotia" etc., desires to be heard upon his pretentions etc.
(v. Jan. 3rd). Signed, Sutherland. Endorsed, Recd. Read
17th Jan., 1720/1. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1266. ff. 1, 2 v.] |
Jan. 16.
Virginia. |
359. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Having lately held a Generall Assembly here,
wherein more business has been done than in all the Sessions
since 1714, I would not let this opportunity pass without
communicating the most material transactions, tho' the shortness of the time since the prorogation (23rd Dec.) doth not
permitt my sending the Journals etc. As I have on former
occasions represented to your Lordps. the importance of
gaining possession of the passes of the Great Mountains which
lye to the westward of the inhabited part of this Colony, So
your Lordsps. have now the sentiments of the Council and
Burgesses of the great consequence it is to these Plantations
that those passes be speedily secured: the growing power of
the French on the Mississippi and the dangers to which this and
the neighbouring Plantations would be exposed should that
Nation possess themselves of these Mountains, have justly
alarm'd the Assembly, and stirr'd in them an uncommon concern
to be beforehand in securing that barrier: To this purpose they
have taken measures for encouraging people to extend their
settlements up to those passes, and by an Address to H.M.
(enclosed) etc. Refers to their petition for remission of quitrents for 10 years within the two countys they have now erected.
Continues: Tho' there be within the bounds of those countys
many tracts of very good land, yet there are much more which
are barren and mountainous, and which in all probability will
ly many years both unprofitable to H.M., and useless to the
subject without such an encouragement as is now propos'd:
and besides, the Northern Indians continually traversing the
Great Mountains through those passes, unless these be secur'd,
few people will be tempted by any prospect of advantage to
seat upon lands where they must be exposed to their insults etc.
Whereas the exemptions and privileges proposed will so far
encourage people to settle, that I have not the least doubt but
that all the lands in those precincts will be seated in ten years
time. And H.M. will then find so considerable an increase of
his quitt rents as will abundantly compensate for the preceding
years. But what is still more to be regarded is the increase
of the trade of Great Britain which will accrue from the cultivation of this new territory inasmuch as new ground yields a
much greater produce than that which hath been long used
and worn out. And therefore I hope your Lordsps. will assist
with a favourable representation of the applications of the
General Assembly in this particular. The other petitions in
this Address are, that H.M. will erect forts at those two
passes and send two companys of soldiers for garrisoning
them etc. The expence of building these forts for the present
need not be very great, there being plenty of stone upon the
spott, and it being impracticable for any enemy from the other
side of the mountains to bring canon against them: if twenty
years service in the wars, and the part I had in the most considerable projects of the last war in Flanders as Lt. Qr. Master
Genll. under the Duke of Marlborough can gain credit with
your Lordsps. etc., I can assure your Lordsps. that were I of
the French side, I could with one company of soldiers in a
month's time cast up such a work on that pass which I have
viewed, that all the power of Virginia could not be able to dislodge me; and how much more difficult it will be for the French
who are much more remote etc. Recommends the establishment
of a garrison etc. Refers to the three Acts herewith sent; (i) for
erecting the countys of Spotsylvania and Brunswick etc. Spotsylvania is bounded according to my observations when I
view'd the Northern Pass over the Great Mountains at the head
of Rappahannock River, there being little more of it known
than what I discovered in that march: But the bounds of
Brunswick which includes the Southern Pass at the head of
Roanoak River, are so little known, that the Assembly was
oblig'd to leave the same to be ascertain'd afterwards when a
further discovery shall be made; for tho' we are assured by
the Indians and some traders, that there is a pass through the
Mountains at the head of that River, and no other from thence
to that at the head of Rappahannock, yet we are still in the dark
as to the distance it is from our inhabitants, or how near these
two passes are to one another; and I believe I shall be obliged
to make another journey thither before the bounds of that
county can be fix'd or the intended fort erected. There is one
clause in this Act, exempting forreign Protestants coming to
inhabite those countys from contributing to the support of the
established Ministers, so long as they keep a Minister of their
own. This was put in, upon the observation of the incon
veniency of erecting distinct parishes for forreigners: The French
Refugees sent in here by King William, bringing a Minister
with them had their settlement erected into a distinct parish,
but being unable to afford a comfortable subsistance to a
Minister, they have continued a great many years without one,
and trusting to contributions from their countrymen in England
to supply that want, have to this day never applyed themselves
to learn the English language, by which they might have been
enabled to join in the publick worship with their neighbouring
inhabitants, tho' they make no scruple to conform to the ceremonys of our Church, the Ministers they have had being of
that Communion. The other parts of this Act are only for the
better administration of Justice untill those countys are
sufficiently peopled to have Courts of their own etc. (ii) An
Act for the better discovery and securing of H.M. Quitt Rents.
The chief occasion of making this Law, was to free the people
from the penalty of forfieting their lands for three years nonpayment of quitt rents, as had been enacted 1710 and 1713;
but as those two laws had been under your Lordsps. consideration
and approved of, I did not think fitt to con[sent] to any alteration therein by this Act, without a clause suspending the force
thereof till H.M. pleasure be known, etc. There is another part
of this Act on which I likewise thought fitt to wait H.M. pleasure
which is that of changing the payment of the quitt rents into
currant money: This at first sight may seem to be disadvantageous to H.M., because of the difference between the currency
of this country and the value of sterling money. But as I have
taken notice that the principal reason why the greatest part
of the King's quitt rents has been paid in tobacco, was the
difficulty of the people's procuring English money, and the
almost impossibility of obtaining bills of exchange. I have
long been of opinion that H.M. allowing the quitt rents to be
received in the common currency of the country would be the
only way of lessning the tobacco payments and consequently
of encreasing the value of the qt. rents: for as the qt. rent
tobacco in divers countys have been sold heretofore for 3s.
a hundred and sometimes for half a crown, and that many of
those who paid that tobacco would have been contented to
discharge their quitt rents in money, if it had been allowed
them to pay it in the common currency, I think it is thence
demonstrable that the Crown has lost considerably by insisting
too strictly on sterling money etc. Refers to letter of K. Charles
II mentioned in the preamble to this Act etc. It was by that
letter directed that a proclamation should be published notifying the allowance of that manner of payment, how that proclamation came to be neglected I have not been able to learn etc.
By this Act in order to the encouraging the payment of the
quitt rents in money, the people are now obliged, if they will
pay tobacco to deliver it at certain places in their severall
countys, instead of the Sherifs recieving it at every particular
plantation as the manner of collection now is. By this means
the planters will be engaged rather to procure money, than carry
their tobacco such a distance as this Act enjoins etc. Other
beneficial clauses in this bill may be reckoned an equivalent
for the forfieture imposed by the former laws: such as the
method of selling the goods distrained for the quitt rents,
which is different from the common practice established by
law in the case of private debts; for by the laws now in force
such goods are to be valued by appraisers chosen by the party
and the Sherif, and at whatever value these put on the goods,
the Reciever General is obliged to take them, and to return the
overplus in money to the debtor: so that where the valuation
is made by corrupt appraisers, as is too often the case, the debtor
is favoured beyond reason. And it has been known that the
Receiver General for a debt of the King's has had an old saddle
not worth 40s. valued to him at £25 sterl. But by this Act
the person who makes distress for the King's debt is answerable
for no more than what it will sell for by publick auction. The
penalty of paying double quitt rents for all lands wilfully
conceald, and making the lands of persons living out of the
country liable to all arrears of quitt rents whenever they come
to be afterwards possess'd, will also prove of great benefite to
the Crown, by obliging the people to discover the true quantity
they hold, and those who live out of the Colony to be more
exact in the payment of their quitt rents, it being well known
that a great deal of land is held by persons out of the country
which have nothing on them to distrain. Neither could these
lands by the former laws become forfieted for non-payment of
quitt rents, because process could not be served on the owners
to compell their appearance to defend their titles. These are
the remarkable parts of this Act, and I hope will be reckoned
a compensation for the latter clause which enacts that no lands
shall here after become forfieted for non-payment of quitt rents,
the preamble of which clause doth truly set forth divers practices very inconvenient to the subject which have been set on
foot under pretence of that forfieture, which never were designed
by the laws wherein the said forfieture is given, and I must
acknowledge that such a penalty was severe enough of itself
without making it a handle for cutting off entails, or giving
occasion to ill disposed persons to acquire unjust titles to other
men's estates; but in excuse for making that forfeiture it
may be truly said that if such a penalty had not been imposed
nor the other inconveniencys dis[covered], this law now before
yor. Lordsps. had never had its birth. And since the laws
which create the forfieture for non-payment of quitt rents
have now had their effect by obtaining a juster method of payment of the quitt rents, I hope H.M. will be pleased to accept
of this Act as an equivalent for that forfieture; and that you
will be pleased to expedite H.M. approbation that it may be
put in execution if possible against the time of the next years
payment of the quitt rents. The Act for explaining and declaring
what shall be a sufficient seating to save lands from lapsing etc.
is intended to supply some omissions in the Act passed in 1713
etc.; for as to the first clause which allows the clearing and
fencing of pasture grounds to be a sufficient cultivation, it must
be granted that clearing and fencing of such grounds is as much
labour and cost, as if the same were actually planted with
grain, and no man will be at the pains to make such a pasture
unless he has likewise a plantation at the same place. The
2d clause is that where people lay out their money in buildings,
or other valuable improvements, every £10 so expended shall
save 50 acres of the tract on which these buildings and improvements are made. This will seem the more reasonable,
if it be compared with the other methods of cultivation
prescribed in the former law: for if the tending three acres of
corn ground which doth not cost 40s. expence shall according
to the first law save 50 acres, the laying out £10 in building
houses which are absolutely necessary for a man's habitation
or in planting fruit trees which are of a more valuable produce,
and the other improvements thereinmentioned which are of
greater expence ought to give him at least as great a benefite
in saving his tract; and as £10 for 100 acres of the outlands
is now the common price where there are no houses or improvements your Lordsps. will not think it an unreasonable concession
that the people are by this law allowed to save 100 acres at the
expence of double the value of it, etc. That part which allows
the surplus improvements on lands already patented, to save
proportionably any contiguous tract hereafter taken up and
joined together in one patent, will prove an advantage to the
Crown, because in the taking up of lands since the late law
directing the manner of cultivation, people have confined
themselves to such small tracts as they found themselves of
ability to improve, and have carefully avoided taking up much
of what is accounted barren. So that abundance of such
lands ly wast between the tracts of different patentees, which
neither have cared to meddle with. Now liberty being given
to join those contiguous barren grounds to the other more
profitable tracts etc., those who have the contiguous lands will
gladly take in these barrens, seeing tho' they are unfitt for
cultivation they may nevertheless be very usefull for
furnishing their plantations with wood etc. Here is likewise
provision made for recovering lands lapsed from persons living
out of the country who by the former laws could not be come at
unless the process of the General Court was actually served
on them, but now the lands of such persons (if they do not
appear and prove a seating after the severall publications
directed by this Act) may be declared lapsed, and regranted
to any that petition for it. This Act altering nothing material
in the former laws for seating and cultivation, but only serving
as an explication thereof, I did not take it to come under the
distinction of laws of an extraordinary nature, and therefore
gave my assent to it, and hope it will also deserve your Lordsp's.
approbation. Refers to enclosed public papers. Continues:—
Notwithstanding this House of Burgesses had in it a great
many of the same members who composed the last, their present
Address to me was unanimous; and I hope yor. Lordsps. will
believe that a Governor who is now treated with the
appellations of good and just, could scarce deserve the character
given him two years ago, of an oppressor of H.M. subjects,
and a subverter of the Constitution, and it was more humour
than reason that prevailed on the then House of Burgesses to
frame such a complaint against me. I shall conclude with
repeating my request that yor. Lordsps. will be pleased to forward as much as possible H.M. resolutions upon what is contained in the Assembly's Address. I have sent the original
to my Lord Orkney, who I question not will take the first
opportunity to present it; and as I know it will be referred for
yor. Lordps.' report thereon I am the more earnest in bespeaking yor. Lordsps. dispatch thereof, because it has been
represented here, as if nothing would ever be obtain'd at Court
without an Agent from hence to sollicite in behalf of the
Country, and the truth is, the Burgesses nominating Mr. Byrd
to be their Agent on this occasion, is the only matter in which
we have differed this Session; tho' it will not appear to be
much the inclination of the people, when it is considered that
this resolution was barely carryed by the Speakers casting vote:
and if H.M. shall grant the Assembly's request before Mr. Byrd
gets home, it will be a means to convince the country that H.M.
Ministers are not (as has been represented) so regardless of the
Plantations as to need the sollicitations of particular agents to
prompt them to the doing what the interest and safety of
H.M. American subjects require. And hereupon I cannot
forbear this one observation, that the application for soldiers
to garrison the passes of the mountains can proceed from
nothing less than a thorough conviction of the necessity thereof,
when a people who have the greatest jealousy of and aversion
to a Military power, so earnestly press for such a guard to their
frontiers. I received yor. Lordps' letter of the 14th of July,
just before the meeting of the Assembly, and having laid before
them some paragraphs of that letter, it will be most properly
answered when I transmitt the journals etc. Signed, A. Spotswood. Endorsed, Recd. 20th, Read 22nd March, 1720/21.
10 pp. Enclosed, |
|
359. i. Address of the Council and Burgesses of Virginia to
the King. Dec., 1720. Having with great attention
deliberated etc. as well how to extend your Empire
in these parts as to secure our present settlements
from the incursions of the savage Indians and from
the more dangerous incroachments of the neighbouring
French, we beg to lay before your Majesty the present
scituation etc. Describe chain of exceeding high
mountains westward of Virginia about 40 miles
distant from their remotest settlements "which
extend all along on the back of this and the next
province Carolina, and must prove an extraordinary
safeguard to these Colonys, whenever our plantations
shall reach so far as to get possession of the two passes
thro' that ridge," etc. In case the French should be
beforehand, they would not only secure their communications betwixt the St. Lawrence and Mississipi
but would be in condition by keeping the key of this
barrier to annoy your Majesty's subjects etc. To
encourage the speedy seating that tract which lies
untaken up between our present settlements and those
two passes etc., we have now erected two new countys,
the one in Rappahanock River leading up to the
Northern pass, and the other on Roanoake leading to
that on the South etc. We have exempted the inhabitants thereof from publick taxes for ten years.
We have agreed to build them churches and Courthouses and to furnish them with armes and ammunition
at the publick charge. But what we humbly presume
would still be a greater inducement to many to go up
and settle this new frontier, would be your Royal
favour of remitting all the quit rents of these two
counties for ten years and exempting the takers up
of land from the 5s. which they are by the order of
this Government obliged to pay for every 50 acres
that they enter for etc. Beg H.M. to give directions
for building a fort at each of the passes out of the
quit rents etc., and for sending over two companys
of men in H.M. pay 50 men each to serve as a garison
for these forts etc. Pray Lt. Govr. Spotswood to
interceed with H.M. in their favour, "who has spared
no fatigue or expense to visit our mountains in person,
and to inform himself of the exceeding importance
of them" etc. Signed, by the Council (10) and Burgesses (42). Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 3 pp. |
|
359. ii. (a) Lt. Governor Spotswood's Charge to the Grand Jury
of Virginia, Oct. 19, 1720. Reminds them of the
law against false and scandalous reports to defame
the chief rulers etc. |
|
(b) Address of the Grand Jury to Lt. Governor
Spotswood. 19th Oct., 1720. We comfort ourselves
that a Governor so faithfull to H.M., and so tender
of the people's libertys, will ever be of great estimation
in the opinions of good men, etc. Signed, Aug. Moore,
foreman, and 20 others. The whole endorsed as preceding. Copy. 3½ pp. |
|
359. iii. (a) Speech of Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council
and Assembly of Virginia, Nov. 3, 1720. Urges
moderation and concord. "To consider the state I
have among you, and the free choice I've made to
fix it under this Government, you have not surely
any grounds to suspect me of injurious designs against
the welfare of this Colony; for if a conscientious
discharge of our duty engages us Governors to be
specially mindfull of Great Britain's interest, yet I
cannot see why that may not go hand in hand with
the prosperity of these plantations etc. I look upon
Virginia as a rib taken from Britain's side, and beleive
that while they both proceed as living under the
marriage-compact this Eve might thrive so long as
her Adam flourishes; and whatever serpent shall
tempt her to go astray etc., will but quicken her
husband to rule more strictly over her etc. Reminds
them of the naked state both of the harbours and
frontiers, the disarmed condition of the Militia, the
inconvenient length of many counties, and leaves to
their consideration whether the giving encouragement
for extending their "out settlements to the high ridge
of mountains, will not be laying hold of the best
barrier, that nature could form, to secure this Colony
from the incursions of the Indians, and more dangerous
incroachments of the French" etc. |
|
(b) Address of the Council of Virginia to Lt. Govr.
Spotswood. Reply to preceding. Nov. 5, 1720. We
account ourselves very fortunate in having frequent
occasions of being prompted by your great talents to
promote H.M. service, and the general advantage of
this Dominion etc. Our near relation to Great
Britain, we esteem our chief felicity: And as this
Colony has in the most rebellious times signalized
her loyalty, so we question not but she will continue
to give proofs of unshaken duty to her Sovereign,
and of entire fidelity and affection to her mother
country, etc. Agree to consider the properest expedients for guarding the frontiers etc. |
|
(c) Address of the Burgesses of Virginia to Lt.
Governor Spotswood. Nov. 5, 1720. Reply to (a).
'Tis with joy not to be expressed that we see a late
unhappy division so unexpectedly united, which
(next under God) we must ascribe to your peaceable
disposition, and shall most heartily agree, after the
example of our Governor, to banish all contentions
out of our counsels and debates, and set ourselves
earnestly and sincerely to consult, the united interest
of our Royal Soverain, and this Dominion whose
felicity it is to be joyned in interest with the Kingdom
of Great Britain etc. We must joyfully acknowledge
the satisfaction we have, to see our country in so
prosperous and flourishing a condition as to want no
supplies from us, as well as to be under the administration of so just a Governor etc. The whole endorsed
as preceding. Copy. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 1319. Nos.
3, 3. i.–iii.] |
Jan. 17.
South Sea house. |
360. Mr. Wescomb to Mr. Popple. Reply to 13th. All
the Directors being then to attend the House of Lords, they
cannot possibly wait on yor. Board at that time etc. Signed,
D. Wescomb. Endorsed, Recd. Read 18th Jan. 1720/1.
Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 13. ff. 42, 43 v.] |
| Jan. 19. |
361. Mr. West to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Report upon several Acts of Barbados, passed in 1719, 1720.
Signed, Richd. West. Endorsed, Recd. 19th Jan., Read
17th Feb. 1720/1. 8½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
361. i. Petition of Rev. W. Gordon to the Lords Justices.
Dec. 2, 1720. Signed, W. Gordon. Copy. 6 pp. |
|
361. ii. Order of Lords Justices in Council. Oct. 5, 1720.
Confirming Report of Committee of Council, that the
charges of the Governor and Agents of Barbados
against Mr. Gordon are altogether groundless and ought
to be dismist. |
|
361. iii. Memorial of Rev. W. Gordon to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Nov. 1, 1720. Copy. [C.O. 28,
17. ff. 13–17, 19–21v., 23–26v.] |
| Jan. 19. |
362. Sir A. Cairnes and Mr. Douglas to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Pray to be heard before report is made upon
the petition of the South Sea Company (v. 3rd and 12th Jan.).
Signed, Alex Cairnes, James Douglas. Endorsed, Recd. 19th
Jan., 1720/1. Read 3rd Sept., 1724. ½ p. [C.O. 217, 4. ff.
265, 266 v.] |
Jan. 19.
So. Carolina. |
363. Col. Moore and his Council to Mr. Boone. By yours
of 8th Oct. wee are informed that wee may expect H.E. this
month, which administers great joy to the whole Province and
makes us have the best conceptions of your successful sollicitations. Continue wee beg of you to follow the Proprietors in
every step they take to the disadvantage of Carolina etc. Enclose
reply to Rhett's "vile and scandalous letter" to be laid before
the Secretaryes of State, Lords of the Treasury, Lords of Trade
and Commrs. of Customs etc. We desire you to use the most
pressing instances to get that enemy to his country and detested
reviler of mankind removed from his office of Surveyor and
Comptroller of H.M. Customes etc. The Assembly meets in
about three weeks, and if the new Governour doth not arrive
before that you may expect a generall representation of his
character etc. etc. Signed, Ja. Moore, Jo. Chicken, Saml.
Prioleau, Jno. Lloyd, Thos. Smith, Benj. Schenckingh, Richd.
Berisford. 1½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
363. i. Reply of Col. Moore and his Council to Col. Rhett's
letter to the Commissioners of Customs, 21st Dec.,
1719. (i) That the people of S. Carolina had run
into open rebellion and proclaimed Col. Moore for
their Governor in order to take the Lords Proprietors'
Charter from them and to bring the Province under
the King's immediate Government. This is fully
falsifyed by Govr. Johnson's letter, 27th Dec., 1719,
and the General Representation sent home at that
time. (ii) That he, Rhett, had had 25 years experience
among the people of Carolina, and that they were ever
raising mutinies and commotions, and that it was
not only the Lords Proprietors' authority they
trampled on, but not long since they raised a rebellion
against H.M. by calling together 70 or 80 men in armes
to fire on the Shoreham man of war and Custom house
Officers, at which time he was shot through the body,
and this done in the execution of their duty for seizing
pyratical goods etc. Reply. Assert the peaceable
behaviour of the inhabitants. Col. Daniel, Depty.
Governor, ordered some piratical goods brought into
Charles Town by a privateer to be secured until the
law had determined whose property they were. Col.
Rhett endeavouring by violence to get said goods into
Charles Town by a privateer to be secured untill the
law had determined whose property they were. Col.
his possession before they were condemned Col.
Daniel did make use of his authority to prevent him,
but the people were not other ways concerned than in
getting under arms in obedience to the Governor's
lawful commands. (iii) Several of the leading men
have been concerned in a notorious clandestine trade,
particularly Samuel Eveleigh, who is now one of their
Council, and now they think they will have protection
etc. He hopes Lord Carteret will procure such a power
from H.M. as will soon subdue these factious people,
for if they are not cropt in the bud, and an example
made of some of them, they will sett up for themselves
against H.M. Reply. There has been less clandestine
trade in this Province than in any part of the King's
Colonies etc., tho' the Custom house yatch has lain
rotteing in a creek for four years. Mr. Eveleigh had
been a Deputy or Counsellor to the Lords Proprietors
for 10 years. As for the people setting up for themselves, he is a villainous wicked wretch for suggesting
what he knows to be false with a design to prejudice
the whole Province in the King's opinion who are so
remarkable in shewing their loyalty and zeal to H.M.
(iv) They are in debt to the Lords Proprietors for
arrears of rent a great many thousand pounds and
have taken this rebellious method to pay off their
old scores. Reply. There are arrears, but it is cheifly
occasioned by Mr. Rhett not taking care to collect
them, tho' there past a law the better to enable the
Receiver to collect the rents, wch. their Ldps. did not
think fitt to confirme. (v) That he hath thought it
his duty in behalf of H.M. Revenue and security of
fair traders to apprize their Honours that some remedy
may be applied etc. Reply. He is owner of several
vessels that trade from this place, is a trader himself
and his wife keeps a shop in Charles Town. He
traded to Augustine with great guns and powder
immediately upon the cessation of arms, since which
time the privateers of Augustine have taken several
British ships upon this coast etc. Most of the differences between the people and the late Lords Proprietors have been occasioned by Mr. Rhett and his
brother in law the late Judge Trott misrepresenting
them to their Lordships with a view to their own private
interest etc. Signed as preceding. 2 large pp. [C.O.
28, 39. Nos. 18, 19; and 5, 538. ff. 81–83v.] |
Jan. 23.
Barbados. |
364. Edmund Sutton to Coll. Martyn Bladen, one of the
Lords Commissioners for Trade etc. As I shall be a sharer of
ye misfortunes yt. doth attend this place having an interest
in ye same, I have taken ye liberty to remind you of our
acquaintance at St. John College in Cambridge etc. Ye
calamitous circumstance of this Island compells me to address
you as a friend to mankind etc. Ye 5 of Decemr. last Mr. Saml.
Cox came to ye Presidentship of this place, ye second setting
of ye Council he suspended Col. John Frere, a gentleman of ye
best fortune in this Island, and of unspotted reputation, contrary to ye advice of ye Council, and then he proceded to breake
all ye military officers notwithstanding there is a late law of this
Island yt. restraines a President power without ye consent of
Council. Ye 17th of this instant he suspended six more of
ye Members of H.M. Council and ye same day swore four of his
creatures into their places and nominated a fifth whose indisposition prevented his being sworn; ye next place we expect
he will displace ye Judges and then dissolve this assembly who
are not very gratious with him for addressing H.M. against him
and hath endeavoured to prevent all he can their proceeding
on business by his adjournments tho' ye Island never wanted
ye setting of an Assembly more than it doth at this juncture
to remonstrate ye grievances of ye place, yt. they may be redressed at home, for we can hope for none here. As soon as
ye Judges are displaced and some of his instruments do take
their places and there is a dissolution of this Assembly that will
not fall into his vile measures, he will labour to have such
returned by Sheriffs of his own nomination for assembly men
as are prepared for his model of Government wch. is to fill his
empty coffers with ye public money etc. The French from
Martineco hath more indulgence shown ym. by ye President
then they have in their own Island, they have ingress and egress
into all ye forts and fortifications and ye full range of ye Island
and have an open access to ye President who gave leave to a
French sloap to anchor in Carlisle Bay and remain in ye harbour
for four days and after a universal clamour of ye Island he issued
out a Proclamation for ye French men departure yet takes care
underhand to prevent ye executing of ye same. He hath given
letters for ye General of Martineco to several persons who under
yt. pretence carry on ye sugar trade wch. is very destructive
to this Colony and it may be made appear yt. he hath a share
in ye sd. trade, and it is very notorious his incouraging some
persons yt. are Knights of ye Post by putting ym. into places
of trust and profit for taking false oaths against several gentlemen of this Island and displacing others etc. Signed, Edmund
Sutton. Endorsed, Recd. Read 22nd March, 1720/1. Seal.
2 pp. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 29, 29v., 30v.] |
Jan. 23.
Barbados. |
365. Mr. Sutton to George Bamfeild and Alexander
Stevenson, Agents for Barbados. There is no order past for
yr. sallarys and since Mr. Cox accession to ye Presidentship I
have good reason to believe you will have none, ye said President
being incensed against all persons that Mr. Lowther imployed
or made use of, it therefore behoves you when a Governour is
appointed to make an interest with him etc. Our President
hath turned our Govermt. topsy turvy etc. as preceding.
Signed, Edmund Sutton. Endorsed, Recd. Read 25th March,
1721. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 47, 48v.] |
Jan. 23.
Barbados. |
366. Samuel Cox, President of the Council of Barbados,
to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Returns thanks for
the Board's reports and relief "against the unparallel'd
tyranny of our late Governor" etc. Will endeavour to promote
the welfare of the Island and give an account of his actions etc.
Continues:—Upon my demanding from the publick Secretary
copies of the Minutes of Council from the time they were last
transmitted, he sent me the enclosed answer etc. By this meanes
it happens, that I have been able to transmitt to your Lordships
no more then such as relate to transactions since my entering
on the Government etc. The particular reason for my permitting Mr. Frere (altho' under contempt) to be sworn at my
first sitting in Council was that I expected he would have
withdrawn from the Board upon the reading the Lord Justices
Order, and my requireing him to pay obedience to the same,
and upon his neglecting so to do, I did not apprehend myself
capable of exerciseing any act of Government nor consequently
of excluding him, until I was assisted by a Council; which I
conceived could not be till they were sworn; and he being the
eldest Member thereof must regularly be first sworn etc. On
my sitting in Council, the 17th instant I suspended Mr. Maxwell,
Mr. Maycock, Mr. Ball, Mr. Blackman, Mr. Carter and Mr.
Bond. Refers to enclosure and hopes for their Lordships' approbation. It was with the greatest reluctance and from an absolute
necessity that I was compell'd to that exercise of my authority.
Having (in vain) allow'd them so long an interval, as from the
8th Dec. to 17th Jan. for their returning to the sense of their
duty. Which they abused, by paying their publick regards
to Mr. Frere; Holding cabals with him, and the rest of their
accomplices, and an utter contempt of me etc. The motion
made by the suspended Members, at the Board the 17th instant,
they aver that the reason why they made use of the word contempt, in their answer on 8th Dec., was because the Lords
Justices made use of that word, 12th Oct. The plain meaneing
whereof I conceive is, that altho they did say in their said answer.
That Mr. Frere is in contempt, yet (indeed) they do not believe
him to be so (whatever the Lords Justices may adjudge) but
were unwarily drawn in, to make use of that word, in complaisance to their Excellencys, who had thought fitt to use it.
Altho' I expressed no other reason in Council for my suspending
Mr. Frere, " Besides his contempt of H.M. Order of 11th June."
Yet it appears that he was equally guilty, of most of the other
Acts of disobedience and contempt which I have charged against
the other suspended Members. For that he gave his assent
to the Tranquillity Law, on 7th June; and disobey'd H.M.
Order comunicated to the Board by Mr. Lowther 30th June,
asserted his right to the Presidentship, after the publication
of the Lords Justices Order of 12th Oct., and before his suspension, as well as his right of sitting as a Member of Council
after his suspension; And lastly urged the Tranquillity Act
against my power of suspending him, 8th Dec. And I hope
therefore his suspension (as well as that of the others) will be
approved of by your Lordships as just and necessary etc. By
the suspension of the aforesaid Members, there became a vacancy
of five, to make up the number of seven in the said Council;
which I have supply'd by chuseing, and appointing Reynold
Alleyne, Henry Peers, John Sandford, Othniel Haggatt, and
John Rous Esqre. to be of the said Council, till H.M. further
pleasure shall be known. All which Gentlemen are of undoubted characters, as to their probity, understandings, estates,
and affections to the Government. I earnestly request your
Lordships to report their fitness to H.M. etc. As to what
relates to the Assembly, they were chosen by virtue of writts
issued from Mr. Frere and chiefly by his influence, after his
haveing been served with H.M. Order of 11th June. Refers to
their Minutes enclosed, "which Minutes are all that I could
obtain from their Clerk; notwithstanding I have frequently
demanded from him, all that have passed since the last time,
that any of them were transmitted." Refers to enclosure iii etc.
Signed, Saml. Cox. Endorsed, Recd. Read 23rd March, 1720/1.
3 large pp. Enclosed, |
|
366. i. Mr. Cox's Representation of the present state of
Barbadoes and the conduct of those persons left in
power by Mr. Lowther. Jan. 20, 1720–1. Mr. Lowther
being determined at all adventures to exclude me
from the administration in favour of his nephew
Mr. Frere, not only contemned Mr. Craggs' letter
but by way of prevention in case H.M. should be
graciously pleased to repeat it, pass'd a law under the
specious pretence of preserving the peace and tranquility of the Island whereby he would have vacated
the very Letters Patents by which alone the power
of making laws at all here is created. This pretended
Law of his changing the fundamental constitution in
direct opposition to the Letters patents, making the
consent of 7 Members of Council in Council necessarily
requisite in the alteration of any officers civil or
military, altho' by the Letters Patents 5 Members
are constituted a quorum, and the Govr. with the
majority required and impowered to execute all
the powers. Mr. Lowther displaced most of the old
officers civil and military and supplied their places
with persons of meaner fortunes and understandings
who were creatures of his own, and had been the
instruments of all his arbitrary conduct. All the
Members of Council who were not suspended except
Mr. Lightfoot owed their seats at that Board to his
recommendation and had so blindly and universally
concurred with him in everything that for their own
sakes they would be sure to prevent any alteration that
might leave room for a fair enquiry into their and his
unjustifiable behaviour, and to engage them the firmer
therein, he had prevailed with them to involve themselves in this guilt by approving of such his disobedience in Council. H.M. was further graciously pleased
to explain ye significacon of his Royal pleasure
expressly in my favour by another letter of the 11th
June, which Mr. Frere then exercising the Govr. with
the concurrence of all the Council except Mr. Lightfoot
following Mr. Lowther's example took upon him to
contemn. The Lords Justices for such his contempt
required him forthwith and without delay to appear
before H.M. at the Council Board, and directed me
to take the administration of the Governmt. upon
myself, when this order arrived to remove any apprehensions that I retain'd any resentmt. of any former
ill treatment of me, I made a solemn declaration on
5th Dec. last, that all things past should be buried
in oblivion, and that I would study to promote peace,
unanimity and reconciliation among all H.M. subjects
and caused the same to be entred in the Council Book
and made publicly known. The time for holding a
Grand Sessions being then near and by law all jurors
being returned by writs issued by the Commander
in Cheif etc., and the Lords Justices having declared
Mr. Frere's holding the Governmt. to be illegal and
a disobedience and contempt of the Royal commands
etc., I therefore asked the opinion of the Council whether
I could issue commissions for holding the Court, the
writs for the return of Jurors having been issued by
Mr. Frere, they desired time to consider which I readily
granted them to Thursday the eighth when they gave
in their opinion that the writs tho' issued by Mr.
Frere were legal. In that interval I had certain
accounts of a cabal of those Gentlemen, who thro'
Mr. Lowther's influence were of the Council and
Assembly and possessed of the civil and military
offices who gave out that they had received letters
from Britain giving them an account that the order
of the Lords Justices was obtained thro' the influence
of some noble Lords, that when H.M. returned Mr.
Lowther would have all reversed and Mr. Frer reinstated (in hopes of which he has now stayed above
two months in this Island, and determin'd to waite
for more ships from London) That the Tranquility
but made me a cypher, any two of them had a negative
upon me, and that they had nothing to do but to
stand by one another and defy me. In pursuance of
those measures Mr. Frere had the confidence tho' in
contempt of his Majesty instead of repairing home to
come and offer to sit and act as a Counciller, and insisted upon doing so, and when I told him the duty
I ow'd H.M. would not permit me to indulge him in
that, and ask'd the opinion of the Council thereon,
they refused to give me any positive opinion but all
of them insisted on the pretended Tranquility but
altho' it plainly appeared to be repugnant to and
inconsistent with H.M. Comission and Instructions,
and that the very attempting to enforce such an
Act was such a heinous violation of and so great an
incroachment upon the Royal Prerogative as I could
never suffer without the highest and unanswerable
breach of the trust reposed in me, however to avoid
all misunderstandings and that my lenity and indulgence to them, might prevail with them to act in
concert with me for H.M. service I adjourn'd the
Council for a month, in which time I enquired into the
state and condition of the forts magazine and militia.
I am sorry I am forced to represent the miserable
decayed and confused posture of everything, the forts
are wholly out of repair, the stores which ought to be
in the magazine embezled the militia have forgot all
discipline and most of the Regmts. want subaltern
officers. Whilst I was preparing to fall upon measures
first of all for the redressing these errors, Mr. Frere went
about the country endeavouring to perswade people
to sign Addresses in his and Mr. Lowther's favour,
and the Assembly who were most of them returnd to sit
thro' his contrivance met privately on 5th Jan. at a
Plantation in the country contrary to my order and
in contempt of H.M. Prerogative, and there had the
assurance notwithstanding of the judgment given agt.
Mr. Lowther by the Lords Justices to pass an Address
to H.M. in substance as I am informed complaining
of the removal of Mr. Frere, commending Mr. Lowther's
administracon and complaining of mine before I had
an opportunity of doing anything at all. I was
amazed at so much insolence, but before I should
proceed to advert thereon I sent to the Speaker Mr.
Sutton for a copy of the Address which he not only
refused to send till he should have the consent of the
House, but had the assurance to direct me not to
send him any more verbal messages. I thereupon
called the Assembly the 13th Janry. and acquainted
them with their Speaker's treatment of me, their
contempt in acting when ordered to adjourn, that I
was obliged by my Instructions to transmit to the
Ministry all the Journals and transactions of that
House and therefore demanded a copy of the Address
mentioned in their Minutes, whereupon they went
to their House, voted my demanding from their
Speaker an infringement of their rights and privileges,
gave thanks to their Speaker for denying it me, and
resolved that I should have no copy of their Address.
I have had the honour of being a Councillor above
20 years and never knew such an encroachmt. on the
prerogative ever attempted in the Island before, but
what made it the more surprizing to me was that the
Members of Council abetted and commended it, depending upon the Tranquillity Act for protection
in any affront they should think fit to give me or the
authority vested in me, this reduced me to the unhappy necessity of sitting tamely still and seeing H.M.
authority trampled upon and his prerogative invaded
or of removing those Members of Council who had
voted for the giving of the Prerogative up, which I
thought myself in duty bound to do, and to that
purpose summon'd a Council on the 17th when all
the Members except Mr. Lightfoot as soon as they
came to the Board insisted upon having it minuted
that in the opinion they delivered the preceding
Council day, they made use of the word contempt
with relation to Mr. Frere's conduct only because the
Lords Justices had made use of it, thereby insolently
intimating, that they did not acknowledge that Mr.
Frere had been guilty of any contempt. I thereupon
thought myself in duty bound for the preservation of
H.M. authority and prerogative and the vindication
of the justice of their Excellencies the Lords Justices
and the Members of H.M. most honble. privy Council,
to suspend those Members for such their undutiful
and treacherous behaviour to H.M., and to make the
number of seven etc., etc. Hopes for H.M. approbation.
Signed, Saml. Cox. Same endorsement. 2½ pp. |
|
366. ii. Copy of Mr. Cox's Speech to the Assembly. Barbados, 13th Jan., 1720(1). Demands copy of their
Address to the King etc. Signed, Saml. Cox, Same
endorsement. 1½ pp. |
|
366. iii. List of Councillors suspended and appointed, as in
covering letter. List of Gentlemen recommended
for the Council by Mr. Cox; — Rev. Charles Irvine,
Alexander Walker, Edward Warner, James Aynsworth,
Thomas Beckles, George Walker, Samuel Osborne,
Daniel Hooper, James Elliott, George Grame, Henry
Evans, George Forster. Signed, Saml. Cox. Same
endorsement. 1 p. |
|
366. iv. Transactions relating to the Address to the King
by the Assembly of Barbados. 10th, 11th Jan.
1720(1). Same endorsement. 3¼ pp. |
|
366. v. Minutes of Assembly of Barbados, 5th and 13th
Jan. 1720(1). Same endorsement. 5½ pp. [C.O. 28,
17. ff. 31–35v. 36v.–40, 41–42v.] |
Jan. 26.
Whitehall. |
367. Mr. Secretary Craggs to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Commission and Instructions are to be prepared
for Rich. Viscount Irwin, appointed Governor of Barbadoes.
Signed, J. Craggs. Endorsed, Recd. Read 26th Jan. 1720/1.
¾ p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 5, 6v.] |
Jan. 26.
St. James's. |
368. H.M. Warrant for admitting John Robinson to the
Council of Virginia in the room of William Cock, decd. Countersigned, J. Craggs. Copy. [C.O. 324, 34. p. 36.] |
Jan. 28.
Whitehall. |
369. Mr. Popple to Mr. West. Enclosing for his opinion
in point of law, Act of New York appointing the value of lyon
dollars. [C.O. 5, 1124. p. 250.] |
