|
March 6.
St. James's. |
394. H.M. Warrant granting leave of absence to Charles
Huggins, Clerk of the Exchequer in Barbados, for 12 months.
Countersigned, Carteret. Copy. [C.O. 324, 34. pp. 46, 47.] |
March 6.
Whitehall. |
395. Circular letter from Lord Carteret to Governors and
Proprietors of Plantations. His Majty. having, upon the death
of Mr. Craggs, been pleased to honour me with the Seals, and to
assign to my care the affairs of the Southern Province, I take
the first opportunity of giving you notice thereof etc. Signed,
Carteret. [C.O. 324, 34. pp. 47, 48.] |
March 6.
Virginia. |
396. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Refers to letter of 16th Jan. etc. and transmits
remaining laws and Journals of last Session of Assembly.
Continues:—The inconvenient length of many of the countys
formerly erected, occasioned by the peoples taking up and
seating new lands on the frontiers, obliges me to recommend
to the Assembly the easing those inhabitants from the excessive
fatigue of travelling so great a distance to their monthly Courts.
And in order to remedy that inconvenience, here are (besides
the County of Brunswick and Spotsylvania mentioned in my
former letter) two new countys erected, one by the Act for
dividing New Kent County, and the other by the Act for dividing
Richmond County, the preambles of which Acts sufficiently
setting forth the reason thereof, need no further comment.
The same inconveniency has occasion'd the passing the three
following laws viz., for dividing St. John's parish, etc., (ii) for
dividing the parish of Henrico, and (iii) the parishes of Westover
and Wyanoak, etc. To which may be added the Act for enlarging
Charles City Council, and consolidating the parishes of Westover
and Wyanoak with Wallingford parish. Upon these I shall only
trouble your Lordships with this observation, that at the first
securing of this country, the people being in fear of the Indians
fixd themselves along the banks of the rivers, not daring to
venture out into the woods, and when a competent number
of inhabitants were thus seated, they divided their parishes
by such a distance along the River and built their churches, to
suit the conveniency of the then inhabitants, but as the Indians
decreased and the English grew more numerous these parishes
have been enlarged to an unreasonable length by the yearly
addition of new inhabitants backwards into the woods, and so
they have continued to this time that it has been found
absolutely necessary to erect new parishes and to new modell
some others so as to render it more easy both for the Ministers
to do their duty and for the people to attend the publick
worship: and this being the true motive for making the Laws
abovementioned I doubt not they will meet with your Lordsps.
approbation. The Act for the more effectual preventing the tending
of seconds, is very necessary to restrain a dangerous abuse, which
has proved extremely prejudicial to the tobacco trade. What
is here called seconds, is the scions or suckers wch. sprout out
from the stalk of tobacco after the plant is cut off, and being
tended and cultivated in the same manner as the first plant,
grow up to a leaf almost as large as the other, tho' far inferiour
in goodness and scent, but some of the planters finding they
could pass this kind of tobacco, have applyed themselves to
the making thereof, tho' it has been prohibited by divers laws,
and has not a little contributed to the lessning the value of the
good tobacco. And therefore this law is enacted laying a
severer penalty upon that offence, which 'tis hoped may be a
means of keeping up the reputation and value of that commodity
by which alone this country subsists. I need not trouble your
Lordsps. with any remarks on the Act for explaining and amending an Act for appointing rowling houses and publick landings
and ascertaining the prices of storage seeing the whole scope of
that law is to render such rowling houses (which are appointed
for receiving tobacco and other merchandize) more convenient
for trade. The Act for supply of certain defects found in an Act
prescribing the method for appointing Sherifs has been formerly
under your Lordsps.' consideration in an Act passed of the
same title in 1710, which being a temporary Act was since twice
re-enacted: and therefore I should according to H.M.
Instructions have refused this Act as being again made temporary, had not there been a material alteration therein in the
penalty on such as refuse that Office, which before was 5000
pounds of tobacco and is now reduced to three: and besides
I was unwilling to have any difference with the Assembly on
this point, because there is a necessity for obliging persons to
accept those offices, without which there would be a failure
of justice in many parts of the Colony. The Act for settling new
ferrys over Pamunkey Mattapony and Potomack Rivers, and for
ascertaining the rates of ferriage for wheel carriages, being only
designed for the greater ease and conveniency as well of trade
as of travelling, has nothing in it which I can apprehend will be
disagreeable to your Lordships. An Act having been passed
some years ago for lessning the reward for killing of wolves,
experience has shewn how much the Assembly was then mistaken: for since then, many who imploy'd themselves in killing
of wolves upon the former encouragement not finding it worth
their while, those noxious animals have proved very destructive
to the peoples stocks, especially on the frontiers: and therefore
it was, that this Assembly have now pass'd an Act giving a
reward for killing of woolves and repealing all other Acts relating
thereto, by which the ancient encouragements are restored, and
'tis hoped, will have the desired effect. Here is also an Act
passed to impower Henry Cary gent. to finish the house of the
Governor of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia: This Act was
pass'd at my desire and because I would leave no ground for
any future disputes with the Assembly about the power they
had given me by law for finishing that building. I shall only
further observe that notwithstanding the House of Burgesses
in 1718, made it one Article of their charge against me, that I
had squandered away the Countrey's money in building that
House, this last House of Burgesses have without the least
hesitation pass'd all my accounts and by this Act appropriated
a further sum of one hundred pounds, which they found still
necessary towards the finishing that building. The Act for
raising a publick levy being what passes of course in every
Session, needs no other remark than this, that it will appear
the publick taxes of this countrey are moderate enough when
the levy for two years and an half past appears to be no more
than 5½ pounds of tobacco per poll. The last is a private Act
to enable Abraham Cocke to sell certain entailed lands etc. The
general proviso directed by H.M. Instructions in bills of the
like nature being inserted herein I know of no exception to
this Act. And having given notice to the partys concerned
to appoint some persons to attend your Lordsps. to answer any
doubts which may arise relating thereto, I doubt not they will
therein conform to your Lordsps.' directions. There were two
other bills prepared and passed the Council and Burgesses this
Session to which I did not think proper to give my assent, the
one entituled an Act for building a Church in the parish of
Accomack, and the other entituled an Act to explain and amend
part of an Act for regulating the election of Burgesses and for
settling their priviledges, and for ascertaining their allowances.
As to the first of these, it was grounded upon a private petition
from some of the inhabitants of that parish, without allowing
the persons likely to be aggrieved an opportunity to be heard;
for that part of the Colony being separated from the rest by
the great Bay of Chesapeak and the people there knowing
nothing of what was transacting in the Assembly, I thought it
just they should not be concluded by an Act of Assembly
without an enquiry into the merits of the case. And so that
bill stands, as it were referr'd till another Session with which
all partys are well enough contented. As to the other bill I
judge it of so much consequence that I herewith transmitt to
your Lordsps. a copy thereof. My exceptions thereto are
chiefly these. That seeing by this Act the Electors are to make
oath to their freehold if required at taking the poll, and such as
take a false oath are made liable to a penalty, it is unreasonable
that those who have then qualifyed themselves should have
their votes questioned before the House of Burgesses upon any
disputed election, at least untill they are convicted by due course
of Law, of having voted when they held no right; but it being
proposed to add such a restrictive clause to this bill, it was
rejected, because it was said that the Burgesses were not to be
directed by law in determining the election of their own Members,
a doctrine I can by no means approve of, since I have this
very session seen a flagrant instance of the abuse of their power
in the case of a disputed election, where divers freeholders were
compelled to produce the deeds and evidences by which they
held their lands, and thereupon declared to have no right to
give a vote in the election of Burgesses. This, I argued, was
exercising a power which that House had no authority to do,
it being in effect, forcing a man to accuse himself of a crime for
wch. he is punishable by law, and a taking upon themselves a
power of judicature in matters of freehold which are only
cognizable in the established Courts of Justice: And seeing I
percieved by their rejecting this clause of the bill, the Assembly
were inclined to leave themselves at large in what they should
think fitt to call their priviledges, and that on this occasion
it was asserted that the priviledges of the House were not to be
limited nor defined, I did not think fitt to assent to this bill,
without some provision to secure the rights and libertys of ye
people. As this matter of the priviledges of the House of Burgesses may often administer occasion of disputes between them
and a Governor, whenever designing men find it for their purpose to inspire them with thoughts of enlarging their power, I
could wish your Lordsps. would be pleased to move H.M. to
ascertain what rights and priviledges are to be allowed in that
House, that a Governor may not transgress in abridging what is
really their due, nor they assume what they ought not to exercise.
And here I must further take notice to your Lordsps. of another
extraordinary proceeding of the last House of Burgesses, of
which there are two instances to be found in their Journal, one
on the 8th of November, in the case of a petition of John
Bolling complaining of the undue election of Thos. Randolph,
where the Speaker of the House is desired to issue his warrant,
and he of his own head issued this warrant, commanding the
Sherif of the County to execute that order. In the same days
Journal, the Committee of Elections propose his issuing his
warrant to the Sherifs of three Countys to summon witnesses
to give evidence before Commissioners appointed in the country:
and another instance of the like nature is in the Journal of the
11th of the same month on a petition of Charles Grymes complaining of an undue election in Richmond County. This is
a practice entirely new, the Messenger of the House being the
proper officer to execute their orders; and I am humbly of
opinion that the allowing the Burgesses to order and direct
any of the King's Officers to do what they are not bound to by
law may prove of dangerous consequence, since by the same
rule that they have now directed the Sherifs to summon witnesses and the Justices to take depositions, they may of their
own authority command the Sherifs to raise the posse, or assume
a power over the Militia. There is no doubt the House of
Commons in England may call before them the Generall of
H.M. armys, but I cannot think they would take upon them to
order him to march the army: And tho' I do allow that the
House of Burgesses as the Representatives of the people here
have power to call before them such persons as they think fitt,
yet I cannot admitt there having any such authority as to direct
anyone in the execution of his Office. This I urged to most of
the Members of the House of Burgesses, who did not then pretend to justify the practice, tho' I am apt to think they will
make the proceedings of this House a precedent hereafter, seeing
in the determination of one of these disputed elections, they
had the same regard to the depositions taken in this irregular
manner, as if the persons had been duly examined before their
Committee. And therefore I am the more desirous of having your
Lordsps.' opinion hereon, that I may govern myself thereby,
if the like attempt should be made in future Assemblys, having
at this time pass'd it over without any publick opposition,
because I would avoid all controversy, tho' I could not but be
concern'd to see so much trouble given both to the officers and
the people by obliging some of them to travell upwds. of 100
mile without any recompence, when in two of the abovementioned cases the petitions were judged vexatious and
scandalous, and in the other the Justices were obliged to sitt
from the 16th to the 23rd of November to take the examinations
of upwards of 50 witnesses, many of whom ought not to have
been sworn at all, being the sitting Member's own domesticks,
and the points on which they were examined touching his private
conversation with his friends and in his own family. Your
Lordsps. will find in the Journals of the 21st of December a
resolve pass'd the Council and Burgesses for lodging a sum out
of the publick money in the hands of the Speaker for payment
of the Burgesses's salarys. To which I refused my assent,
because by my Instructions I am directed not to suffer any
publick money to be issued out but by warrant under my hand,
and here the particular sum to be paid was not ascertained but
left to the discretion of the Speaker what he thought fitt to
demand under two thousand pounds; and because many of
the Members of that House apprehensive of his partiality
to those who opposed his measures were very earnest with me
not to leave it in his power to postpone the payment of their
sallarys: And I have according to the first vote of the House
on the 12th of November, now issued warrants for the payment
of every particular Burgess according to their attendance, the
whole charge amounting to £1905 11s. This manner of paying
the Burgesses allowances out of the publick treasure of the
countrey, when the same ought by law to be paid by the countys
for which they serve, is new, and such as I should not have
agreed to, had I not resolved to avoid anything that was likely
to chagrine them, it being what the greater part of the House
had very much set their heart on, and I perceived too that it was
acceptable to the people as easing them of some of their levys.
The advantages of a lighthouse on Cape Henry for the benefite of
the trade to this and the neighbouring Province of Maryland,
are so obvious, that I have often wondered why so usefull a
work has not been undertaken long ere now; and having had
occasion to discourse the matter with some Gentlemen of note
in Maryland, and finding that Province would be willing to
contribute to the charge, I communicated the same by a message
to the House of Burgesses on the 24th of November and on the
7th Dec. recd. their answer, wherein acknowledging the usefulness of such a lighthouse, they have resolved that one be built
at the expense of this Colony, provided the Province of Maryland
will contribute £150 towards the building and £80 sterling for
ever hereafter towards defraying the charge of maintaining
and keeping it in repair, and I have since at their desire transmitted their resolutions to the Governor of Maryland, but
because the charge of such a lighthouse must be defrayed by a
duty on shiping and consequently must more immediately
affect the trade and shipping of Great Britain, I therefore pray
your Lordsps.' directions therein, seeing I am by my Instructions
restrained from passing any law of this nature without H.M.
leave; and I am informed likewise that such lighthouses are
not erected without the approbation of the Members of the
Trinity house. If your Lordsps. therefore think fitt to enquire
into the expediency of this work I believe there are few masters
of ships using this trade, but what will readily agree that such
a lighthouse will prove of extraordinary benefite to the Trade;
and I shall only add what I have been told here, that divers
ships coming in soundings upon this coast in the night or in
hazie weather, tho' they had then a fair wind have been afraid
to venture in where they could see no landmark and by the
sudden change of the wind, have been drove off to sea, and kept
out 2 or 3 months, whereas if such a lighthouse were built ships
might then boldly venture there being water enough and a good
channell within little more than musquett shott of the place
where this lighthouse may be placed. I shall pass over without
any reflection, sundry extraordinary proceedings, which may
be found upon the Burgesses Journal this Assembly such as the
voting of one thing one day and altering it 3 days afterward
by another resolve as may be observed in the Journal of the
17th and 20th of December in the case of a reward given to
Capt. Martin and the persons that accompanyed him to St.
Augustin; the desiring the Council to join with them in preparing their bills and in fraiming their Addresses to H.M., and some
other lesser irregularitys in their proceeding's which your
Lordsps. will easily observe by perusing the Journal. Having
in my last informed your Lordsps. of some difference between
me and the Assembly about their appointment of an Agent,
I beg leave to refer your Lordships to the proceedings of the
14th of December for the manner of introducing that resolve
of theirs, and the division of the House thereupon, by wch.
it will appear that it pass'd with more opposition than any other
matter this session: and when your Lordsps. are inform'd
that this resolve was brought in and voted in the absence of
divers members of the House who would have opposed it, and
consider likewise what I laid before the House of Burgesses the
23rd of December on that head, I hope your Lordsps. will be
of opinion that I had no great inducement to assent to a matter
which was contrary to the sentiments of the majority of the
House, as well as contradictory to the repeated declarations of
the Crown in relation to the appointment of part[icular?]
Agents by the Generall Assemblys of these Plantations: and
indeed when [I] found Mr. Byrd positively deny so much as
to give me his bond (which [?I] purposed to keep secret) that
he would solicit nothing but what should [be] handed to him
by the mutual consent of the Governor Council and Burgesses,
I thought I had reason to apprehend he was not so desirous of
this publick character for the service and interest of his country
as for some other private views which perhaps neither of the
partys from whom he derived his [office?] would be willing to
come into: and I'm sure I shall always [have such?] regard for
your Lordsps.' ease as not to encrease your trouble by the
un[?necessary] memorials of private Agents, when I am very
sensible that the representations of the affairs of this Government which I am obliged to make to your Lordsps. must imploy
a good deal of your time, and I am confident will always have
their due weight if judg'd to be for H.M. service and the publick
welfare of this Colony: and if they are not I can see no reason
why your Lordsps. should be vex'd with impertinent solicitations about them. Having at the opening of this Session laid
before the Assembly that part of your Lordsps. letter of the
14th of June which relates to renewing the Covenant Chain
with the Indians of the Five Nations, your Lordships will find
in the Burgesses Journal of the 21st of December the sentiments
of the Council and Burgesses, that no such Treaty should be
moved untill those Nations or the Government of New York
in their behalf have agreed to the preliminarys offered to them
in the year 1717, and I have transmitted to Mr. Burnett a copy
of the Assembly's Address and expect his answer thereto in a
short time, and I hope the publick declaration which the
Assembly has now made with respect to those Indians will serve
to reconcile my letter to your Lordsps. of the 16th of August,
1718, with that to Collo. Schuyler the 25th of January 1719.
In the first I spoke my own sentiments, and what I wish'd to
have done, and in the last what I knew to be the general humour
of the people here, who will never be persuaded that it's worth
while to be at the expence of treating with these Indians without
some better security than the bare promises of some of their
Sachims. Signed, A. Spotswood. Endorsed, Recd. 8th May,
1721, Read 12th June, 1722. 10 pp. Enclosed, |
|
396. i. Bill, passed by the Council and Assembly, but not
assented to by the Lt. Governor, Dec. 1720, to explain
and amend part of an Act for regulating the election of
Burgesses and for settling their priviledges and for
ascertaining their allowances. Endorsed as preceding.
Copy. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1319. Nos. 14, 14. i.] |
| March 7. |
397. Petition of Johan Schef to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Petitioner designing by the first ship to return
into New York, prays for copy of order of the Board upon his
petition in Nov. last etc. Signed, Johan Wilm. Schef. Endorsed, Recd. Read 7th March. 1721. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1052.
ff. 151, 152v.] |
March 8.
Whitehall. |
398. Mr. Popple to William Scheef. I am commanded
by the Lords Commissioners to send you the enclosed letter to
Governor Burnet, which is to desire his answer to a letter I
wrote to him 29th Nov. last (quoted). Concludes: As it is upon
these terms [of conforming themselves to the Governor's orders]
that the Palatines at New York (whose cause you have
been solliciting here) will be entituled to H.M. favour, you will
do well to acquaint them therewith etc. [C.O. 5, 1124. pp.
252, 253.] |
March 8.
Whitehall. |
399. Mr. Popple to Governor Burnet. The Lords Commissioners remind you of my letter of 29th Nov. etc. It is not
that they think you could have made a return by this time;
but as William Scheef, one of the Palatines, is now returning
to New York their Lordships thought fit to direct me to repeat
their desire of having those poor people settled as soon as
conveniently you can. [C.O. 5, 1124. pp. 254, 255.] |
March 9.
Whitehall. |
400. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. In reply to Feb. 20th,
encloses following. |
|
400. i. Heads of Enquiry and Scheme of Fishery for the
Commander in Chief of the Newfoundland Convoy.
Same as April 6th, 1720 q.v. [C.O. 195, 7. pp. 40–75,
94.] |
March 9.
Burlington. |
401. Governor Burnet to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Announces death of Caleb Heathcote, Surveyor General
of the Customs etc., on 27th Feb., and recommends Lewis Morris
junr., to fill his room in the Council etc. P.S.—I have just
received news from Albany that the trade with the French is
quite broke, and that as the severity of the act quite discourages
the traders from attemting it, they are willing at their own charge
to begin a trade through our 5 nations means with the far
Indians, and are going to be at charge and risk for that purpose,
even before a regular settlement is made as proposed, which
news gives me great satisfaction, and is a beginning to a better
fase of affairs that way that has ever yet been known, and of the
greatest consequence to the welfare and prosperitye at all the
British plantations the suddenness of the opportunity hinders
my being so full as I should be etc. Signed, W. Burnet. Holograph. Endorsed, Recd. Read 2nd May, 1721. 3 pp. [C.O.
5, 1052. ff. 155–156v.] |
March 10.
Whitehall. |
402. Mr. Popple to Robert Lowther. The Council of Trade
and Plantations, having under consideration several Acts of
Barbados, desire you will let them have in writing as soon as
conveniently you can, what occasion there was, and what
reasons you had for passing the Act for the better ordering of H.M.
Courts of Common Pleas etc. [C.O. 29, 14. p. 94.] |
March 10.
London. |
403. Mr. Bridger to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Describes his services, as late Surveyor, the daily destruction
of H.M. woods in America, and the need of measures to prevent
it, etc. A mast tree of 37 in. diameter costs H.M. £150 etc.
Applies for 2½ years salary for duty done before any appeared to
supersede him etc. Signed, J. Bridger. Endorsed, Recd. 10th
March, Read 5th Sept. 1721. 7¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 868. ff. 106–109v.,
110v.] |
March 13.
Whitehall. |
404. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Propose
Archibald Mackphedris, Nicholas Gillman and Peter Ware for
the Council of New Hampshire as suggested by Gov. Shute,
etc. 19th Aug., 1719. [C.O. 5, 915. p. 319.] |
March 14.
Whitehall. |
405. Same to Lord Townshend. Reply to April 24th,
enclosing extract of letter from Capt. Purvis relating to French
settlement upon the Island of St. Jean etc. We have discoursed
with Capt. Purvis thereupon. We have likewise confirmation
of this advice in some letters lately received from Governor
Philipps; And we are of opinion that the growing strength of
the French settlements in those parts may prove of dangerous
consequence upon any rupture more especially considering the
very weak state of that Colony, the disposition of the French
inhabitants in Nova Scotia, and the influence their prie(s)ts
have over the native Indians there; which has lately appear'd
in a very flagrant instance upon the plundering of H.M. subjects
at Cançco, for which reason we would humbly submit to H.M.
consideration the urgent necessity of sending a force to those
parts sufficient to protect his subjects there etc. Refer to
Representations of 30th Aug. and 14th Dec. past. Continue:
But as to the Island in question, we really apprehend that
according to the letter and meaning of the 13th Article of the
Treaty of Utrecht, the same does belong to the French being one
of the Islands lying in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. But on the
other hand, considering the difficulty the French have hitherto
made of setling boundaries in those parts, and the frivolous
pretensions they are every day starting to deprive H.M. of
those lands and islands part of Nova Scotia, which do plainly
and evidently belong to H.M., we submit to your Lordp. how
far it may be adviseable to dispute this settlement with the
French on the general words in the 12th Article of the Treaty
of Utrecht, whereby all lands and islands depending upon Nova
Scotia are yeilded up to the Crown of Great Britain for altho'
Cape Breton and all Islands lying in the mouth of the River
of St. Lawrence or in ye Gulf of the same name are reserv'd
to the French by ye 13th Article of the said Treaty yet this
Island of St. Jean's by reason of its lying so near to the shore
might still be sayd to belong to Nova Scotia, and there is no
doubt but the French upon a weaker pretence would insist
upon their right to this or any other Island. [C.O. 218, 2.
pp. 1–4.] |
March 14.
Whitehall. |
406. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Encloses Act of Barbados,
1718, granting liberty to load and unload to and from any the
bays creeks and harbours, and enquires whether the Commissioners
of Customs have any objection etc. [C.O. 29, 14. p. 95.] |
| [March 16] |
407. James Smith to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
States his case against the Acts of New Jersey complained of
6th May q.v. Endorsed, Recd. Read 16th March, 1720/21. 2 pp.
[C.O. 5, 971. No. 88.] |
March 16.
South Corolina. |
408. Charles Hart to [?Lord Carteret]. Congratulations
upon his return to England etc. after having finished his Embassy
(to Sweden). Prays him, as Lord Palatine, to put an end to
the confusion in Carolina, and obtain him a post in some part
of the world, etc. Continues: We are told that by the interest
of Mr. Secretary Craggs, one Mr. Lloyde Postmaster of this
district, and one of Col. Moor's Councill is to succeed me as
Secretary" etc. I humbly beg to know what I must do with
the records etc. My wants are very pressing, having been kept
above a year out of the profitts of my place etc. Signed, Charles
Hart. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 387. No. 22.] |
March 16.
Whitehall. |
409. Lord Carteret to Samuel Cox. Nothing contained
in H.M. letter of license to Mr. Huggins (v. March 6th) is to be
interpreted to the prejudice of Mr. Whitworth in the contest
at law depending between them as to the right to the office of
Naval Officer of Barbados etc. Signed, Carteret. [C.O. 324,
34. pp. 49, 50.] |
| March 16. |
410. Governor Lowther to Mr. Popple. Asks for copy of
Act for better ordering the Court of Common Pleas etc. (v. 15th
inst.) Signed, Rob. Lowther. Endorsed, Recd. Read 16th
March, 1721. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 27, 28v.] |
March 17.
Whitehall. |
411. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Shute.
Acknowledge letters from 19th Aug., 1719, and refer to their own
of 4th June, 1719. Continue: We are glad to hear that the
Indians are quiet, and we do not doubt but that you will continue your utmost care and diligence to preserve a friendship
with the native Indians, and the best way of doing this is to
keep a good correspondence with the neighbouring Governors
and to make the said Indians on all occasions comprehend that
altho' H.M. has different Govts. on the Continent yet all the
inhabitants are his subjects united in one common interest, nor
will you forget to prevent as much as possible their being influenced by the French Missionarys. We represented what you
formerly wrote in relation to the British captives at Canada
and as we are inform'd upon application to the French Court
thereupon orders were sent to the Governor of Canada for their
release. As to what you write 26th Oct. 1719, we know nothing
of what has pass'd between the Lords Justices and Mr. Dummer
upon any matters relating to the Act of impost, nor do we
remember to have discours'd with Mr. Dummer thereupon. You
say that you have sent all the papers relating to the dispute at
Canso to Mr. Dummer, those papers never came to our hands and
we must desire that for the future all papers which you design
for our information may be sent directly to us. You say, 7th
Dec. 1719, that "the Paper bills daily sink in their value" etc.,
which we desire you will explain in your next and hope to hear
from you at the same time what remedies you wou'd propose
for the mischief occasion'd by the discredit on the said bills.
We commend your diligence in relation to Capt. Scots bond,
we doubt not but all offences of the same nature will be prosecuted by you in the most effectual manner and that you will
take particular care to be informed by the proper officers of the
numbers of Englishmen that come yearly from Newfoundland
to New England and in what ships that you may send us an
account thereof by the first opportunity, this being a practice
very disadvantageous to Great Britain. We approve of what
you have done in putting a negative upon Elisha Cook chosen
Speaker by your Assembly, and for your information herein we
send you inclosed the opinion of Sr. Robt. Raymond H.M.
Attorney Generall which will be a guide to you in all future
cases of the like nature, and which you are to signify to the
Council and Assembly. We shall send you our opinion by
another opportunity concerning what you write, 17th Feb.,
1720, in relation to your 73rd Instruction about printing.
Your care and diligence in endeavouring to preserve H.M. woods
is very commendable, and what you write about the exportation
of timber to Spain will be taken into due consideration. [C.O.
5, 915. pp. 320–322.] |
March 18.
Whitehall. |
412. Mr. Popple to Governor Shute. The Council of Trade
and Plantations have considered what you write, 19th Aug.
1719, in relation to the vacancies in the Council of New Hampshire; you say there are four vacancies but do not acquaint
their Lordships by whose death or absence the fourth vacancy
is occasion'd, so that they can only at present recommend three,
but upon this occasion I am to acquaint you that unless there
be some person or persons appointed to pay the fees in the
Council and Secretarys Offices (and I know of none such) it
cannot be expected that the proper warrants for the admission
of any person will be sent over to you that you may know how
the Councillors stand in our books I send you the inclos'd list.
P.S.—Since the writing of this their Lordships have recommended
as March 13th. [C.O. 5, 915. p. 323.] |
March 21.
Charles Town. |
413. Mr. Moore to [?Mr. Secretary Craggs]. The dayly
expectation we are in of the arrivall of Governor Nicholson
prevents all publick business. Capt. Hildesley (v. 2nd Feb.)
has beene very neare occasioning a great deale of bloodshed
he has taken Commission from Col. Johnson to be Col. of the
Regiment in Berkeley County. They are continually contriving
and plotting of mischeif Hildesley especially but thank God
it never comes to anything. I am quite tired of publick
business. The Govrs. speedy arrivall is prayed for by the
whole Province. Signed, Ja. Moore. Subjoined, |
|
413. i. Return of Inhabitants who pay tax in South Carolina,
14th March, 1720. |
|
By parishes. Totals:—Acres, 1,163,239¼. Inhabitants, 1305. Slaves, 11,828. |
|
413. ii. Exports from Charles Town, 1st Jan.—2nd May, 1721.
Rice, to Great Britain, 13,479 lb.; to the Plantations,
2733 lb. |
|
Pitch, to Great Britain, 6,747 lb.; to the Plantations,
1,450 lb. |
|
Tar, to Great Britain, 4,269 lb.; to the Plantations,
1,292 lb. |
|
The whole, 1 p. [C.O. 5, 387. No. 23.] |
March 21.
Whitehall. |
414. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Recommend Anthony Swymmer for the Council of Jamaica in
place of Francis Rose decd. [C.O. 138, 16. pp. 282, 283.] |
March 21.
Whitehall. |
415. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Burnet.
Enclose memorials from James Smith, Secretary, who has been
a great sufferer by some acts passed in New Jersey, and desire
him to move the Assembly to re-establish the fees of his offices,
or to find out some equivalent to prevent his suffering for the
faults of his predecessor. "For we are inform'd by Brigadr.
Hunter that these laws were design'd as a punishment to the
then Secretary, who had been guilty of notorious crimes, and
that the Judges of the Supreme Court had represented to him
that the Act for shortning law suits etc. was entirely destructive
to their jurisdiction" etc. If the Assembly do not comply,
desire a state of the case and account of the fees, that proper
measures for his relief may be taken here. Set out, N. J.
Archives 1st Ser. V. 4. [C.O. 5, 996. pp. 102–104.] |
March 22.
Treasury Chambers. |
416. Mr. Stanhope, Secretary to the Treasury, to Mr.
Popple. Encloses following, for the opinion of the Council of
Trade and Plantations thereupon. Signed, C. Stanhope.
Endorsed, Recd. 23rd, Read 28th March, 1721. Addressed.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
416. i. Case of Owners of the Calabar-Merchant, of Bristol.
Bound from Bristol to Guinea to purchase negroes
and transport them to Virginia, this ship was plundered
by pirates under one England, near old Calabar on 11th
Dec., 1719. After beating and abusing the master and
his men, and keeping them prisoners for 9 weeks, the
pirates gave them back their ship with 21 negroes as a
satisfaction for the damage done, amounting to at least
£1200. On arriving at Virginia, the Master, Kennedy,
acquainted Lt. Governor Spotswood thereof, who
seized the negroes for H.M. use, and only allowed
£126 for the same, which is not one fourth of the
value etc. Copy. 1¾ pp. |
|
416. ii. Petition of Same to the Lords Commrs. of the
Treasury. Pray for an order to Lt. Governor Spotswood to deliver them the negroes, or satisfaction for
them etc. Signed, Fra. Stevens, Abell Grant, Tho.
Melton, Sam. Allen, Sam. Fry. Copy. ¾ p. [C.O.
5, 1319. Nos. 4, 4. i, ii.] |
March 22.
Whitehall. |
417. Lord Carteret to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following for their report thereupon. Signed, Carteret.
Endorsed, Recd. 22nd March, Read 4th May, 1720/1. 1 p.
Enclosed, |
|
417. i. Address of the Council and Burgesses of Virginia
to the King. Having deliberated how to extend your
Empire in these parts and secure our present settlements from the incursions of the savage Indians and
from the more dangerous encroachments of the neighbouring French, we beg leave to lay before your
Majestie the present situation of this Colony etc. To
the westward of Virginia about forty miles distant
from some of our remotest settlements there runs a
ridge of exceeding high mountains which extend all
along the back of this and the next Province of
Carolina and must certainly prove an extraordinary
safeguard to these Colonys, whenever our plantations
shall reach so far as to get possession of the passes,
which appear to be no more than two. On the other
hand in case the French who are carrying on dangerous
projects not very far beyond these mountains, should
be beforehand with your Majestie's subjects and possess
these passes, that Nation would then not only secure
their communication betwixt the Rivers St. Lawrence
and Mississipi, but would be in a condition by keeping
the key of this barrier to annoy your Majesties subjects
on this side whenever they think fit. This apprehension awakens us to give all encouragement suitable to
our poor abilities, for the speedy seating that tract
of land which lies untaken up between our present
settlements and those two passes. For that end we
have now created two new countys, the one on Rappahanock River leading up to the Northern pass, and
the other on Roanoake leading to that on the South.
To encourage people to go up and seat these two
counties we have exempted the inhabitants thereof
from publick taxes for the space of ten yeares. We
have agreed to build them Churches and Court-houses
and to furnish them with armes and ammunition at
the publick charge. But what would be a greater
inducement etc. would be your Royal favour of remitting all the quitt-rents of those two counties for
ten yeares and exempting the takers up of land from
the five shillings which they are by the Order of this
Government obliged to pay for every fifty acres of
land that they enter for; And this bounty we are the
more encouraged to beg because we are fully perswaded
that in a few yeares it will prove a considerable augmentation of your Majesty's Revenue here. And to
render the proposed barrier more defensible etc. we
humbly beg your Majestie will be graciously pleased
to give directions for building a fort at each of the
passes out of your revenue of quitt rents etc. and for
sending over two companys of 50 men each in your
Majesties pay to serve as a garison for those forts etc.
under the orders of your Majesties Governour and
Council here etc. Our Lt. Governour Col. Spotswood
will be pleased to intercede in our favour, who has
spar'd no fatigue or expense to visit our mountains
in person, and to inform himself of the exceeding
importance of them, both for your Majesties service
and for the defence and security of this Dominion.
1720. Signed, by the Council (10) and Assembly
(42). 1 large p. [C.O. 5, 1319. Nos. 10, 10. i.] |
March 22.
Whitehall. |
418. Mr. Popple to Mr. West. Encloses, for his opinion
in point of law, Acts of Virginia (i) For erecting the Counties of
Spotsylvania and Brunswick, and granting certain exemptions and
benefits to the inhabitants thereof. (ii) For the better discovery
and securing of H.M. quitrents. (iii) Explaining what shall be
accounted a sufficient seating of lands, and for the better recovery
of lands lapsed from persons living out of the country etc. [C.O.
5, 1365. p. 225.] |
| March 23. |
419. Mr. Whitworth to Mr. Chetwynd. Encloses following
and complains of Mr. Cox's infringements upon his Offices of
Secretary of Barbados, Secretary to the Governor, Secretary
to the Governor and Council or Council in absence of Governor,
granted to him by letters patent, 11th March, 1719. "Mr.
Cox demands all the profits and lays the whole charge and
trouble on my office. I pray you will be so good to move
their Lordships to interpose" etc. Signed, Fra. Whitworth.
Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Chetwynd by Mr. Ashe). Read
28th March, 1721. 3½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
419. i. Extracts of letters from John Lenoir, Depty. Secretary
of Barbados, to Fra. Whitworth. 15th and 24th Jan.
1721. (a) The Council being adjourned to the 8th
instant, came in a sloop from London with several
determinations of the Lords Justices in favour of
the complainants against Mr. Lowther, which orders
were all read in Council and copies ordered to be published in all the parish churches, and the next step was
suspending Mr. Frere (who he admitted to be sworn
of H.M. Council at his first sitting) contrary to the
opinion of all the Council, and contrary to the Act
for preserving the peace and tranquillity of this Island,
and in less than a month all the officers of the Militia
were displaced except Coll. Yeamans. The Assembly
are not yet dissolved but interest is making by the
Court parties for votes, and its thought they are only
continued till an affair of Coll. Peers's now before the
Committee of publick accounts is determined, because
were they dissolved there could not be a Committee etc.
(b) The 17th the Council sat, and the President
suspended six Councillors (v. 25th March.) Continues:
It is remarkable that altho' Mr. Colliton, and Mr.
Lightfoot were both of the same opinion with the
Gentlemen suspended that Mr. Frere should take
upon him the administration of this Government in
Mr. Lowther's absence, and Mr. Colliton on 5th Aug.
was fully of opinion that he could not then resign it
to Mr. Cox yet they are both continued in their places
at the Board. I was turned out of the Masters in
Chancery's place the 18th inst. only because the
President did not think fit to let me remain in it,
and without any fault laid to my charge. The
President employs one Mr. Palmer as his private
Secretary, and 14th Jan. himself told me that he should
insist upon having the fees for the Great Seal, and for
his Seal at armes, as allso for all deeds and powers
of Attorneys proved before him, and for all Registers.
I have cautioned Mr. Palmer not to receive any fees
as private Secretary for that the President has no
right to give away any fees that I know of etc. he said
if any gentleman gave him money he should not
refuse it, by this I suppose he means what may be
given to him for the Commissions for the Militia they
having been deliver'd by him (as I am told) tho' the
trouble and charge of writing them has lain upon us,
having been expressly commanded to prepare them
by the President etc. 3½ pp. [C.O. 28, 17. ff.
63, 64v., 65v.] |
| March 25. |
420. Office expenses of the Board of Trade, Dec. 25th, 1720—March 25, 1721. v. Journal of Council. [C.O. 388, 77.
Nos. 100–102.] |
| [March 25] |
421. Merchants and planters concerned in Barbados to
the Council of Trade and Plantations. Pray to be heard on
behalf of the 7 suspended Councillors of Barbados, and to have
a copy of Mr. Cox's reasons etc. Signed, Joseph Eyles, John
Royle, E. Newport, Edward Byam, C. Lascelles, Jno. Cotton.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 25th March, 1721. 1 p. [C.O. 28,
17. ff. 45, 46v.] |
March 25.
Whitehall. |
422. Lord Carteret to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
The inclos'd petitions having been presented to the King etc.,
you are to report your opinion what H.M. may most fitly do
thereupon. Signed, Carteret. Endorsed, Recd. 27th, Read
28th March, 1721. ½ p. Enclosed, |
|
422. i. Petition of Thos. Maxwell, Thos. Maycock, Guy Ball,
John Lucy Blackman, William Carter, Francis Bond,
and John Colleton, members of Council in Barbados, to
the King. The Honble Saml. Cox, President of the
Councill, hath conceived a displeasure against petitioners and intends to suspend them etc. He has already
suspended John Frere, contrary to the advice and
without the consent of the Board, and hath turn'd
out eight of the nine Collonels of the Regiments in
this Island without the advice of ye Councill, and hath
refused contrary to ye advice of ye Councill (wch. he
thought fit to demand) to issue the Commissions
necessary for holding the Court of Grand Sessions
(which ought to have been held on the second Tuesday
of this instant December) whereby great numbers of
prisoners, and some of them accused of capitall crimes,
remain untryed; and the said President threatens
to turn out all the judges of the several Courts of
Justice and to make a generall change of all the offices
civill and military etc. The said proceedings tend to
the great disturbance of the peace and tranquility
of this Collony. Pray H.M. to direct that they be not
suspended till H.M. pleasure be known etc. Signed
by above. Dec. 30th, 1720. 1 p. |
|
422. ii. Petition of Thomas Maxwell, Thomas Maycock, Guy
Ball, John Lucie Blackman, William Carter, and Francis
Bond to the King. As apprehended in preceding, the
President on the 17th inst. suspended petitioners from
the Council upon several pretences, and has already
made many changes of the officers civil and military
etc. These changes have notoriously been in favour
of certain persons ever justly suspected of disaffection
to your Majtyes person and Government and to ye
succession of your Royal house and who sufficiently
discovered that disaffection during the short presidentshipp of Mr. Sharpe in the late reign etc. We cannot
express the discontents occasioned by those changes.
Pray for H.M. orders etc. Signed as above. Jan. 20th,
1720 (1). 1 p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 51–52v., 53–55, 56v.] |
March 25.
Whitehall. |
423. Lord Carteret to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following for their opinion etc. Signed, Carteret.
Endorsed, Recd. 25th, Read 28th March, 1721. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
423. i. Merchants trading to Barbados to Lord Irwin,
Governor of Barbados. March 23, 1720 (1). Request
him to present following to the King. Signed,
Michajah Perry, Rob. Heysham and 20 others. 1 p. |
|
423. ii. Address of the Assembly of Barbados to the King.
Congratulate H.M.'s safe and honourable return to
Great Britain etc. Continue: From a Government
of the greatest tranquillity and satisfaction to the
subjects (except to a restless few whose greatest
ambition is change) we are become the most uneasy,
and, (without the Royall interposition) the most
unhappy of your Majties. subjects etc. The causes
of our misfortunes may be all reduced to one, the
changes made, and threaten'd to be made by our
President, Samuell Cox, whose attachment to a few
threatens our ruine—a few, who in all the Governments
since the late happy Revolution were and still are
reputed a seditious restless party, and as such were
censured in the respective Governments (except that
of Sir Bevill Granville, and the late short Presidentship of Mr. Sharp) as enemy's to our happy Constitution, and disturbers of the peace and tranquillity of
our country. Planters fear the peace and happiness
they have enjoyed is at an end when they see persons
who lately were of no other distinction among us than
that of the French traders, now put into offices and
places of trust, those of the best fortunes and remarkably distinguisht for their zeal to the Hanover succession and Protestant interest displaced; and a
gentleman of the best fortune and unspotted reputation
suspended the Councill etc. as preceding. Passed the
Assembly nem. con. 5th Jan., 1720(1). Signed, Robt.
Warren. Clerk of the Assembly. 2 pp. [C.O. 28,
17. ff. 57, 58, 59, 59v., 62v.] |
March 25.
Whitehall. |
424. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Presses for reply to
March 14th. [C.O. 29, 14. pp. 98, 99.] |
March 25.
London. |
425. M. de Hiriberry to Lord Carteret. In pursuance of
the Order of Council, Capt. Smart has disposed of the two ships
and their cargoes etc. (v. No. ii.) Petitions for compensation
from the Crown etc. Signed, Joannis de Hiriberry. French.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
425. i. Deposition by Joseph Hiller, Notary Public, Boston,
21st June, 1720. Capt. Smart informed me that he
had already disposed of the two vessels and their
cargoes in pursuance of an Order by the King in
Council, which was of a nature quite contrary to that
of the Lords Justices and of an earlier date etc.
Signed, Jos. Hiller. French. 2 pp. |
|
425. ii. Order of King in Council. St. James's. May 9th,
1719. The two vessels and their cargoes taken by
Capt. Smart, H.M.S. Squirrel, and condemned in the
Court of Admiralty, New England, are to be restored
to Capt. Smart, who is to dispose of them and divide
the proceeds amongst his officers and crew etc. v.
C.S.P. 1719. Signed, Robert Hales. Copy in French.
2½ pp. [C.O. 5, 752. Nos. 14, 15, 16.] |
March 27.
Bermuda. |
426. Lt. Governor Bennett to Mr. Popple. Encloses
duplicate of letter of 31st Oct. Continues:—By several accounts
lately from Barbados and Leeward Islands I am advised, that
the pirates begin to be troublesome again haveing taken several
English and French vessels etc. Signed, B. Bennett. Endorsed,
Recd. 30th April, 1721. Read 13th June, 1722. Holograph.
1 p. [C.O. 37, 10. No. 26.] |
| March 27. |
427. R. Lowther to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Answers to several reasons against an Act of Barbados, 1720,
for the better regulating the proceedings of H.M. Courts of Common
Pleas, sent to him by Mr. Popple. Signed, Rob. Lowther.
Endorsed, Recd. 28th March, Read 18th May, 1721. 3½ pp.
[C.O. 28, 17. ff. 109–110v., 111v.] |
| March 27. |
428. Duplicate of preceding, with note endorsed; Ld. C. J.
King yet thinks the reason against the Act of much more weight
than those for, and to the most materiall objection (which he
allows to be a very matteriall one) viz. the strikeing the jurys
by the Marshall, he thinks, 'twould be convenientt to putt the
Marshall in place of a Sheriffe, and to act in that matter as ours
do, and which will not make so greatt an alteration in the Genll.
Common Law. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 112–116, 117v.] |
March 28.
Whitehall. |
429. Lord Carteret to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following, for their report upon the case of the Calabar
Merchant (v. 22nd March.) Signed, Carteret. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 28th March, 1721. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
429. i. Extract of letter from Lt. Governor Spotswood to
Mr. Secretary Craggs, 20th May, 1720. ½ p. [C.O.
5, 1319. Nos. 8, 8. i.] |
| [Mar. 28.] |
430. Deposition of Thomas Kennedy, Master of the Calabar
Merchant. Bristol. 14th Nov. 1720. To same effect as March
22. encl. i. Signed, Tho. Kenniday. Endorsed, Recd., Read
28th March, 1721. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1319. No. 6.] |
| [Mar. 28.] |
431. Deposition of Alexander Bradford, Chief Mate of the
Calabar Merchant. 24th March, 1720(1) Confirms preceding.
Signed, Alexr. Bradford. Same endorsement. 1¼ pp. [C.O.
5, 1319. No. 7.] |
March 29.
Custom ho., London. |
432. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Reply to 14th and 25th
March. Encloses following. The Commissioners of Customs
have no objection to the Act of Barbados granting liberty to
the inhabitants to load or unload at any bay, creek or harbour, etc.,
if a proviso be added for masters of sloops so loading or unloading
to give bond as proposed in following. Signed, Cha. Carkesse.
Endorsed, Recd. 30th March, Read 18th May, 1721. Addressed.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
432. i. Mr. Lascelles, Collector of Customs, Barbados, to
H.M. Commissioners of Customs. 28th March, 1721. Report
upon Act of Barbados referred to him. v. preceding. Signed,
Henry Lascelles. Copy. 1¼ pp. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 100, 101,
101v., 103v.]. |
March 29.
Whitehall. |
433. Lord Carteret to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following for their report. Signed, Carteret. Mem.
(in red ink). This is answer'd by ye 57th article of ye Instructions to ye Lord Belhaven. Endorsed, Recd. Read 31st
March, 1721. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
433. i. Memorial of Francis Whitworth to Lord Carteret.
Complains of Mr. Cox's infringements upon his office,
(v. 23rd March), and prays for interposition etc. 29th
March, 1721. Signed, Fras. Whitworth. 3 pp.
[C.O. 28, 17. ff. 71, 72–63, 74v.] |
March 30.
Southwark. |
434. Sir Charles Cox to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The Assembly of Barbadoes took upon them to passe an
Addresse in a very unjustifiable manner, and contrary to their
duty and H.M. expresse Instructions denied a copy of it to
my Brother the President, with some very extraordinary circumstances. Asks for a copy of it etc. Signed, Charles Cox.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 30th March, 1721. Addressed. ½ p.
[C.O. 28, 17. ff. 67, 68v.] |
March 30.
Whitehall. |
435. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Carteret.
In reply to 25th March, enclose following, "which we desire your
Lordship will please to lay before H.M. as soon as conveniently
may be for his pleasure thereupon." Annexed, |
|
435. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Representation upon complaints against Mr. Cox, President
of Council of Barbados. It very evidently appears
to us, not only from the complaints of the petitioners
but even from a letter which we have lately receiv'd
from Mr. Cox himself, and from the Minutes of Council
therewith transmitted containing the reasons of his
proceedings, etc., that Mr. Cox hath suspended Thos.
Maxwell, Thos. Maycock, Guy Ball, Jno. Lucy Blackman, Wm. Carter, and Francis Bond, Esqrs. directly
contrary to your Majesty's Instructions and in breach
of a law pass'd in Barbados in 1720, for the better
preserving the peace and tranquillity of this Island,
which law we have not hitherto laid before your Majesty
either for your Royal approbation or disallowance
because altho' we do entirely approve the subject
matter of it, we are yet doubtfull whether the intention
thereof might not be more properly provided for by
an Instruction from your Majesty etc. We have
received great complaints from many other persons
of the said Mr. Cox's behaviour which we believe has
given great uneasiness to your Majesty's good subjects
and put that Island into the utmost confusion. Wherefore we are humbly of opinion that the said Mr. Cox
should be forthwith removed from his office of President
and Councillor and that your Majesty may be graciously
pleas'd to grant your Orders in Council for restoring
the said six Councillors to their places, and that the
eldest Councillor so restor'd do take upon him the
administration of the Govt. there in the stead of the
said Mr. Cox, untill the arrival of the Lord Irwin or
the further signification of your Majesty's pleasure
etc. It doth not appear to us that Jno. Frere Esq.
was legally suspended by Mr. Cox, but forasmuch as
the said Jno. Frere doth at present lye under your
Majesty's displeasure and is commanded by the late
Lords Justices's Order in Council, 12th Oct., last, to
come to England to answer certain matters therein
objected to him, we shall not take upon us to offer
anything to your Majesty concerning him. Your
Majesty will best judge what further proceedings
should be had against Mr. Cox for his behaviour, which
we conceive to have been both arbitrary and illegal.
Annex copies of Instruction and Act of Assembly.
[C.O. 29, 14. pp. 100–105.] |
March 30.
St. James's |
436. Order of King in Council. Appointing Anthony
Swymmer to the Council of Jamaica. Signed, Robert Hales.
Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 8th June, 1721. ¾ p. [C.O. 138,
16. No. 50.] |
March 30.
St. James's. |
437. Order of King in Council. Appointing Archibald
Mack-Phedris, Nicholas Gillman, and Peter Ware to the Council
of New Hampshire (cf. 13th March). Signed, Robert Hales.
Endorsed, Recd. 2nd, Read 8th June, 1721. ¾ p. [C.O. 5,
868. ff. 45, 46v.] |
| March 31. |
438. Petition of Henry New Hampshire,
to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In obedience to
H.M. commands the Government of New Hampshire have
discontinued the impost of a pound of gunpowder pr. ton upon
all ships trading thither, towards supplying Fort William and
Mary. One year with another they only gained about 1½ barrels
pr. ann. more than their expence. The Province is the frontier
against the French and Indians and Fort William and Mary
the key to it by sea, and absolutely necessary for securing in
the River Piscataqua H.M. Naval Stores etc. The Province
being small and very much impoverished by the late warrs is
not in a condition to supply the stores necessary for defending
a Fort mounted with 40 pieces of ordance. It will soon be
liable to the insults of every common pirate etc. Pray that H.M.
may sent a supply of ammunition stores or permit the Government to recieve the Powder Act, etc. Endorsed, Recd. 31st
March, Read 3rd May, 1721. 2pp. [C.O. 5, 868. ff. 43,
43v, 44v.] |
| March 31. |
439. Mr. Gordon to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Presses for report upon his memorial, delivered 5 months ago,
against two Acts of Barbados, concerning vestries, and depriving
him of his benefice. Signed, W. Gordon. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 4th April, 1721. 1p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 75, 76v.] |
March 31.
Whitehall. |
440. Mr. Popple to Charles Standhope. Reply to 22nd.
My Lords Commrs. have no objection to the owners of the
Calabar Merchant being relieved as desired by them, provided
they give sufficient security to answer any legal claim which
may hereafter be made to the said negroes by persons who shall
make it appear they were robbed of them by the said pirates.
[C.O. 5, 1365. pp. 227, 228.] |
