|
June 1.
Boston. |
514. Governor Shute to the Council of Trade and Plantations. The packet I have by this ship sent to the Secretary
would have been sooner dispatched had not there been one
Assembly more this year than usual; at all which Assemblys
the Secretary of the Province is obliged constantly to attend
which has prevented him from finishing these Minutes so soon
as I could have wished etc. The House of Representatives
in the two last Sessions have in many of their proceedings not
paid their just duty to the King's Royal Prerogative, but have
endeavoured to exceed the bounds, granted to them in the
Royal Charter; neither have they had a just regard to H.M.
Instructions given to me their Governour, which I have often
communicated to them etc. I have always strenuously endeavoured to ascert the Royal Prerogative (for which I have not
a little suffered as to my own private interest) and cannot but say
H.M. Council have in a great measure assisted me in it. I shall
not enter into the particular points etc., because the Minutes
and papers herewith transmitted will give your Lordps. a full
and perfect accompt etc. Refers to his Speech at the dissolution
of the late Assembly etc. Continues:—The House of Representatives generally consist of persons (better adapted to their
farming affairs than to be Representatives of the Province)
who are drawn into any measures by the craft and subtilty
of a few designing persons who when they are indeavouring to
invade the Royal Prerogative make the unthinking part of the
Assembly believe, that they only are asserting the just priviledges
of the people, and by this false guise these men become the
favourites of the Populace who believe them to be the only
patriots of their country. At the head of this party precides
one Elisha Cooke Esq., who was removed out of the Council
for denying H.M. title to the woods in the Province of Main,
notwithstanding the Acts of Parliament made in that case,
and in the last Sessions of Assembly continues to persue the
same measures to the great prejudice of the Crown of Great
Brittain which will more fully appear by the papers I have
now transmitted. I think the Indians in these parts are at
present brought into a very good temper by the forces I have
sent and measures I have taken and I shall use my best
indeavours to keep them so, tho' I must own they are very
uncertain in their tempers, and will maintain a good correspondence with these Provinces no longer than when their Priest
tells them twill be consistant with their interest to do etc. Signed,
Samuel Shute. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd. Read 9th Aug., 1721.
3 pp. Enclosed, |
|
514. i. Answer of the House of Representatives of the Massachusetts Bay to Governor Shute's Speech. March 21,
1720 (i) Complain that their bill for emitting £100,000 in
publick bills of credit was rejected by the Council last
sessions. A further medium of trade is needed. To
prevent a further emission of bills depreciating those
already outstanding, they passed a bill last sessions and
again this to prevent exchanging silver at higher rates
than stated by Act of Parliament. Had such an
Act been made at the first issueing out the Paper Bills
they had to this day been in equal value to silver
money etc. The reason why the bill to prevent trading
with the French at Cape Briton did not pass the
House last sessions was because such an Act could
add no power to the Treaty of Neutrality. If any
do so trade there, (and they know of none such)
"those Gentlemen commissioned from home to inspect
those matters doubtless have and will discharge their
duty." Had proper methods been taken to discover
and punish the inventor or publisher of a libell called
News from Robinson Cruso's Island reflecting upon
the Representatives last session, few would have
dared to publish any others of that nature. Should
an Act be made to prevent the printing any book or
paper without licence first obtained from the Governour
no one can foresee the innumberable inconveniencies
and dangerous circumstances this people might labour
under in a little time. For this Court to send a present
to the Five Indian Nations in conjunction with some
of our neighbours we cannot think adviseable at this
time for as we know not what number of families
those Nations consist of neither are we apprized what
our neighbours intend to send them etc. We still
apprehend the allowances of this year to your Excellency is as much as the honour and service of this
Government call for etc. Signed, Timo. Lindall,
Speaker. Same endorsement. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 868.
ff. 66–67, 68v.–70v.] |
June 7.
Whitehall. |
515. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Carteret.
Enclose copy of Lt. Governor Bennett's letter, 21st April,
relating to pirates. [C.O. 38, 7. p. 367.] |
June 7.
Whitehall. |
516. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. As preceding, for the
information of the Lords Commrs. of the Admiralty. [C.O.
38, 7. p. 368.] |
June 7.
Barbados. |
517. Judge Scrutton to J. F. [Col. Frere]. After ye 8
members of ye Assembly made yt. glorious retreat President
Cox convened ym. for ye Tuesday following to make provision
for ye reception of ye Lord Irwin, Col. Ramsay by appointment
of his bretheren waited on ye President wh. ye Remonstrance etc.
(v. 13th May). When he found yt. speceous pretence would
not decoy our friends into a snare he putt several queres to ye
Attorney General in writing which were answered but not
agreeable to his designs notwithstanding ye opinion of ye
Attorney General yt. ye President could not issue new writtes
for ye eight members whout. ye whole yet he hath attempted
to issue writtes for ye sd. four Parishes wh. writtes for St. James
and St. Andrews where ye writtes were stiffled, as for ye two last
parishes we are very secure by wch. you may see what was ye
occasion of those two writtes were suprest. St. Phillips and St.
Thomas are in great danger our adversarys having made in
ye first forty eight or fifty new votes and in ye latter twentyeight, Mr. Harper hath made thirteen out of his own estate yt.
doth not consist above 150 acres. Encloses Representation
signed by eleven parishes etc. Continues: We had on Munday
last a Corke man yt. brought ye unfortunate news, (if it be true)
of ye death of ye Lord Irwin who departed this life ye 10th of
April last of ye small-pox. This acct. hath wonderfully damped
ye sperits of our friends and not a little invigorated our enemys
etc. You and our friends at home must secure his successor etc.
If [Mr. Cox's] government remains six months without some
check we shall be obliged to quitt and go off, etc. 5th of this
instant came on ye Election for ye six parishes, St. James had
no opposition, St. John, St. Lucie and St. Andrews we carried
wth. great majority, St. Philips was carried by near twenty.
Judge Sanford had putt up John Sanford instead of Thomas
and there were near thirty votes upon ye poll before ye mistake
was discovered wch. he immediately rectified by scraching
John out and putting in Thomas, this is a step very extraordinary
but we are become so accustomed to ym. of late, yt. we cannot
think anything strange and illegal. St. Thomas election we
should have carried but our adversarys perceiveing themselves
outdone fell to quarrelling and in ye hurly burly broke up ye
poll, they riding ye fore horse at yt. juncture. I do not doubt
but Mr. Prideaux will make a return in favour of Messrs. Downes
and Harper. Ye Representatives of ye four parishes yt were
expelled by ye President entered a protest to ye Sheriff of each
parish (enclosed). Th(e) Bristol snow yt. ye President was
willing to compliment you wh. passage in sailed hence but fryday
last. Signed, Edmund Sutton. Endorsed, Recd. from Colo.
Frere. Read 27th July, 1721. Extract sent to Lord Carteret.
28th July. 1½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
517. i. Protest by Messrs. Carter & Spencer to the Sherrif of
St. Thomas. Barbados, 5th June, 1721. Protest
against the holding of a new election, they having
been duly elected on April 18th last, and there having
been no dissolution of the Assembly since, "nor have
we been expelled the house, or our election declared
void where elections are properly determinable,"etc.
Signed, John Carter, Thos. Spencer. Endorsed as
preceding. 1 p. |
|
517. ii. Representation and petition of Freeholders of the
parish of St. James to Samuel Cox, President of the
Council. By the Act to preserve the freedom of elections,
it is enacted that all writs for electing the Representatives shall be published in the several churches the
three next succeeding Sundays following the date
thereof by the minister of the parish and that upon
calling of an Assembly all elections throughout the
Island shall begin in one day. In spite of petitions from
the parishes of St. James and St. Andrews over hills,
preferred to your Excellency after writs had been
published twice out of the necessary three times in the
other nine parishes, elections for the said nine parishes
were permitted to be made before any publication of
writts in said two parishes. Refer to Remonstrance
of the eight members (May 13. No. i). Continue:—Within three days after sd. Remonstrance was laid
before your honour, writts issued for choosing representatives for St. Philips, St. Johns, St. Thomas and
St. Lucys, as also for St. James and St. Andrews. The
eight members for the four former parishes are in full life
and resident in the Island, and have not been expelled
from the Assembly of which they were elected, returned and sworn Members, nor has the Assembly
been dissolved. Only in such cases can new writs
be issued according to above Law. They are ready
to do their duty as Members of Assembly, as soon as
an oppertunity shall be given for the whole body of
the Island to be represented according to the law
aforesaid etc. Pray H.E. to abide by the law and
approved precedents of long standing etc. Same
endorsement. Copy. 2¾ pp. |
|
517. iii. Petition of the Freeholders of St. James' parish to
Mr. Cox. Writs having been issued for electing
representatives and published for the first and second
time in all the Churches excepting those of St. James
and St. Andrews, pray H.E. to order that all elections
may begin in one day etc. according to the law, and
that enquiry be made how and by what meanes the
writ lately issued for the parish of St. James was not
published at the same time as the writs for the other
parishes etc. Signed, Edmund Sutton, Robt. Yeamons
and 30 others. Same endorsement. 1 p. [C.O. 28,
17. ff. 161–162, 163–164v., 165v., 166v.–167v.] |
June 8.
Boston, New England. |
518. Governor Shute to Mr. Delafaye. Acknowledges letter
of 6th Oct., with orders relating to striking bills of credit etc.
"which came not to my hands untill the 3d. of June." Signed,
Samll. Shute. Endorsed, R. Aug. 2nd. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 898.
No. 30.] |
June 9.
Whitehall. |
519. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King.
Recommend Capt. Henry Tucker, Capts. John and Richard
Jennings to fill vacancies in the Council of Bermuda, as proposed
by Lt. Gov. Bennett. [C.O. 38, 7. p. 369.] |
June 10.
Custom ho., Londo. |
520. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Encloses following.
Signed, Cha. Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 12th, Read 14th June,
1721. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
520. i. Francis Harrison, Surveyor of Customs, New York,
to the Commissioners of Customs. New York, April
17th, 1721. Having signified that I was apprehensive
that the copper oare which now rises very rich in a
new discover'd mine of one Mr. Schuyler in New Jersey
would soon be carried into the channell of our trade
to Holland etc., there is now shipt on board the snow
Unity, Robert Leonard Master, for Holland, 110 casks
of said oare, which we have not any law at present to
prevent etc. Signed, Francis Harrison. Copy. ¾ p.
[C.O. 5, 971. Nos. 90, 90. i.] |
June 11.
St. James's. |
521. Order of King in Council. Appointing Capt. Henry
Tucker, Capt. John Jennings, and Capt. Richard Jennings to
the Council of Bermuda, as recommended 9th June. Signed,
Robert Hales. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read 20th June, 1721.
1 p. [C.O. 37, 10. No. 18.] |
June 12.
Whitehall. |
522. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Acknowledges letter of
10th June and presses for reply to April 6th. [C.O. 29, 14.
pp. 118, 119.] |
June 12.
Jamaica. |
523. Governor Sir N. Lawes to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Since my last letter (20th April), I have not been
honoured with any of your commands and tho' nothing materiall
has occurred yet I could not let slip so good an opportunity
by the return of H.M.S. Mary etc. Our new Assembly is to
meet on the 20th instant. I heartily wish they may come
together with a disposition to serve their King and Country but
I must freely own to your Lordships that I cannot any longer
undertake for them haveing in the last Assembly's proceedings
seen so much stupidity ignorance and want of duty to the best
of Sovereigns that I am allmost fully convinced the best way
of bringing these people to a temper and render the King's
Government here easy will be by settleing H.M. Revenue at
home by Act of Parliament etc. Refers to proposal in letter of
20th April. Continues:—But one thing I had omitted to
acquaint your Lordships and that is in the last additional duty
bill there is a tax laid on the Jews of £1000 which considereing
their present circumstances I think too heavy for them annually
to bear. I am therefore of opinion that clause should be left
out and leave it with the Governor and Council to tax the Jews
more or less as they shall find their number encrease or decrease
and their circumstances able to [be] bear it. I perswade myself
your Lordships will concurr in opinion with me that some such
expedient as I have proposed is become now absolutely necessary
to be put in practise in order to keep up the honour and dignity
of H.M. Government here and I must freely own that publick
credit is become so bad that I can get neither tradesmen or any
other person to trust the publick for a farthing. Haveing thus
discharged my duty in representing the true state and condition
of our present circumstances I hope your Lordships will from
thence judge it necessary to lay the same before H.M. for his
directions therein. I beg your Lordships will pardon my
importunity in so often repeating the absolute necessity we
lye under of gunns for the new erected line at Port Royall
without which 'twill be of no manner of use and the country is
not in a condition to bear such an expence etc. repeats 20th April.
Encloses "tryall of the Pirates who have been executed here
which has had good effect these seas haveing been more free
of late from such villains than for some time before" etc. The
country in generall is very healthy but we have had of late
dryer weather than usuall. The Spaniards are very strickt
in guarding their coast from all manner of trade with them
they seize and condemn every vessell they can make themselves
masters of which makes trade dull and mony scarce. Signed,
Nicholas Lawes. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 17th Aug. 1721.
3¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
523. i. Printed copy of the Tryals of Captain John Rackham
and 10 other pirates (named), who were all condemn'd
for piracy at the town of St. Jago de la Vega, in the
Island of Jamaica, on the sixteenth and seventeenth
days of November 1720. As also, The Tryals of Mary
Read and Anne Bonnay etc. and [of Charles Vane and]
others, who were also condemned for piracy. Also, a
true Copy of the Act of Parliament made for the more
effectual suppression of piracy. Jamaica: Printed by
Robert Baldwin, in the year 1721. The women,
spinsters of Providence Island, were proved to have taken
an active part in piracies, wearing men's clothes and
armed etc. Being quick with child, their sentence was
suspended. Same endorsement. 44 printed pp. [C.O.
137, 14. ff. 6–7v., 8v.–30v., 31v.] |
June 12.
Whitehall. |
524. Lord Carteret to the Council of Trade and Plantations. H.M. having been pleased to appoint George Phenney
Esqr. to be Governor of the Bahama Islands, in the room of
Woodes Rogers Esqr., I desire that you will please to direct
the draughts of his Commission and Instructions to be
prepared etc. Signed, Carteret. Endorsed, Recd. Read 14th
June, 1721. ½ p. [C.O. 23, 1. No. 32.] |
June 13.
Whitehall. |
525. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Carteret.
Enclose following, to be laid before H.M. Annexed, |
|
525. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King.
Recommend Philip Livingston for H.M. Commission
for the places his father desires to resign, as proposed
by Governor Burnet. 4½ pp. [C.O. 5, 1079. Nos.
124, 125; and 5, 1124. pp. 256–261.] |
June 13.
Whitehall. |
526. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King.
Recommend Andrew Auchenleck for the Council of Bermuda,
etc. [C.O. 38, 7. pp. 460, 461.] |
June 13.
Admiralty Office. |
527. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. Encloses following for
their Lordships' information. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed,
Recd. 14th, Read 15th June, 1721. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
527. i. Capt. Vernon, Commander in Chief of H.M. ships at
Jamaica, to Mr. Burchett. 8th March, 1720. (i)
Replies to complaint as to taking etc. of the Spanish
privateer sloop Revenge, "commanded by Simon
Mascarino a Portuguese and noted villain in these
parts where he has been privatier and pirate above
20 years." By his Instructions, (enclosed) dated at
St. Jago it fully appears he was fitted out with a fresh
Commission to take English ships and vessels, and to
pillage the coasts of this Island. The very day I
took him he had taken a Jamaica Scooner, the cargo
of which I found in his sloop etc. Which made him
a good prize notwithstanding the cessation and I
beleive no one can doubt the legality of his condemnation which was likewise the day before the Proclamation for the cessation of arms came to my hands which
I have strictly conformed to ever since. Replies to
Spanish Consul's representation. He was going to
St. Domingo to complete his crew, not for trading,
but privateering off the coast of Jamaica. His crew
was made up of all nations and colours. Seven or
eight French I sent up to the French Governor of St.
Domingo, and they were executed as traytors, as three
of H.M. subjects taken in her have been here; and
the Spaniards having dealt very cruelly with H.M.
subjects taken this war to my knowledge, some English
prisoners escaped on board me off the Havanna, and
by the relation of Mr. Farrell was an eye witness of it,
and without whose charitable releif they would have
perished being worked worse than slaves in carrying
stones to repair the fortifications, and not allow'd
wherewith to subsist them, a barbarity I beleeve never
practiced before; and these being the most profligate
of their own nation a mungrell breed of all colours,
such as were negroes and malatoes and could not
produce a testimonial of their freedom (which some
did and were clear'd) were sold at publick outcry as
is usual for other slaves, which number was not above
eight, the form of the testimonials was a copy of the
registry of their freedom attested by a notary publick,
and had any of those sold been so that evidence would
have been sent to the Governor here before now there
having been two or three sloops here since from St.
Iago, etc., and they would have been released, the
buyers taking them at that risk etc. The Governor of
the Havana has given much greater cause of complaint,
for of all free negroes and malatoes that they took of
ours upon the wrecks they have never cleared any
tho' the testimonials of their freedom have been sent
to him attested by the Governors. As to an Ensign
of Foot, that is the first allegation of that kind that
ever I heard of etc. I can't but think they are attempting at quibbling, to prove him an Ensign of Foot
by his garments not containing the dimensions of a
foot of an Ensign, etc. As to the deponents I suppose
they are part of the crew that were carried home in
merchant ships by the Governor sending the Marshall
to the masters to offer them to those that would take
them as a service to the country to give such profligate
vilains a march. And the Spaniards forced even
the men taken in our merchant ships to sail on board
their galleons both in the country and to carry them
home to Spain etc. This very sloop the Revenge was
taken from us by one of their pretended guarda
de costa's on the South side of this Island before the
Declaration of the late war. Signed, E. Vernon.
5 pp. |
|
527. ii. (a) Extract of letter from Capt. Vernon to the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, June, 1720,
relating to capture of the Revenge, and (b) Extract
from Capt. Mascarino's Instructions to cruize as
privateer against the English and to land and pillage
the coast of Jamaica. Dated, 3rd June, 1720. 3½ pp. |
|
527. iii. Extract of letter from Capt. Vernon to Mr. Burchett,
7th Nov. 1720. Refers to letter 1st Oct., informing
their Lordships of the many invasions that have been
artfully contrived, for shelt'ring many villains and
traytors etc. One of the three of H.M. subjects I
took in arms in the Spanish privatier was tryed at
the Grand Court and executed, and the other two
remaining on board were appointed to be tryed by a
Commission of Oyer and Terminer issued by the
Governor for trying them, and about a dozen more
that are in the gaols, which method of proceeding
was entirely knocked on the head, by the Judge of
the Admiralty throwing up his Commission, assigning
for his reasons, that he found he disobliged his friends
by it. This gentleman whose name is Savile came
from Ireland, and has not been long in this Island,
and is well known to have but two who are remarkably
his friends, Peter Beckford and Edmond Kelly, the
Attorney General, who I have heard it said, has given
it his opinion to Mr. Savile under his hand, before he
threw up his commission, that he might legally do so
alledging Sir Mathew Hales for a president etc. This
case is direct contumacy, and the Attorney General
has the Governour's orders for prosecuting him, for
the said contumacy, which he seems very averse to
execute. But there has been a remarkable instance
of partiality in his favour, on his being committed by
the Governour's warrant for the said contumacy, he
was immediately released without any bail being
demanded. No one doubts but it was done at the
instigation of these two Gentlemen etc. I believe the
Attorney's reasons is, that the two persons I have
on board my ship, being both Papists, the private
directors of his conscience have influenced him to
shelter them from justice. He came into this country
under the patronage of Mr. Totterdale. Major
Howard of Brigadier's Regiment; was warned against
him by a friend in Ireland as a concealed Papist etc.
Quotes other evidence. Refers to Governor's Speech
to the Assembly, 4th Oct., and their proceedings of
6th Oct., "full of insolence to the King" and his own
comments thereon, as also upon "another scheme,
which is called Mr. Beckford's, for to have leave to raise
600 men in England, and so to have them regimented
here, under the command of the Militia Officers of this
Island" etc. The Attorney General, fearing I should
complain against him, for conniving at the informations
that had been for some time lodged with him against
one Dunks a tavern keeper of Port Royal, for supplying
men and provisions to Miller the pirate, and against
Capt. Dennis and his quarter-master, for permitting
Brown to escape after he had taken him; he came
down to Port Royal and imposed on me in that affair
by a grimace of carrying on a prosecution against them
for it, which I find since was only to amuse me for that
time, for having order'd Capt. Chamberlayne to enquire
of the Marshall at Port Royall, what became of those
prisoners, he return'd me an account etc., by which
it appears, he clear'd those people, the very night after
he had committed them, John Dunks on his own bail,
and the others without any bail at all. The Attorney
General, in a Speech he made to the Assembly, above
a twelvemonth ago to spirit them up to oppose the
payment of Lord Hamilton's arrears, he said, that one
King had lost his head, and another had been abdicated,
for less crimes than Lord Hamilton. I am sure it is
my opinion, that their leaders are artfully conducting
them into measures of insulting the Government, in
order afterwards to argue the necessity of sheltering
themselves under a foreign Government to protect
them from being punished for their insolence to their
own. And when it is consider'd, that the concealed
Papist has filled most of the posts of the Government
here, with native Irish, whose religion and loyalty
to this Government is very much suspected, and who
are absolute creatures and dependants of his, perhaps
I may not be thought to be very wide from the truth
etc. I verily believe, if some care be not taken at
home, to raise a revenue here, sufficient to support
the necessary exigencies of the Government, that it
will be found, they are only weakning it here in order
to betray it. There are 200 English at Trinidado,
besides French, Dutch and Spaniards, that follow
this pirating trade, and I fear, if there be not orders
for reprizals to be made on the Spaniards, and so
oblige them to dislodge these rogues which they now
shelter for the profit they receive by them, that will grow
a general receptacle for such banditti, and very much
impoverish this Island by their frequent excursions in
perriago's and launches, which can't be prevented by the
Navy of England, if they were here, for the daily intelligence they have from thence, will caution them, to keep
out of the way of our ships, who, if they should see
them, would, unless by a favourable accident, have no
better chance than a cow after a hare. Encloses copy
of the Assembly's lying preamble to their Bill for fitting
out two sloops etc., with his notes upon it. The
Governour has adjourned the Assembly to the 19th
Jan., tho' they have not yet reimbursed the revenue,
nor provided for subsisting the soldiers, otherwise
than by a note of credit, which I believe their daily
incroachments on the prerogative of the Crown
has made him judge it necessary. 14 pp. |
|
527. iv. Extract of letter from Capt. Vernon to Mr. Burchett.
Cape Dona Maria, 27th Jan., 1720/1. I can't find by
any intelligence I can get that the Pyrats are any
where out in sloops in these parts, but only in perriagoes
etc. with which, since my sailing from Port Royall
they have taken two Jamaica sloops, and robbed a
Plantation of 20 negroes, notwithstanding the two
country sloops were both out at sea to protect the
coast, which they will have enough to doe, if some
measures are not taken to prevent the Spaniards from
sheltering the pyrats at Trinidado, which they do
now in a more open manner than ever the Governours
of Jamaica formerly shelter'd them there, and this
Island is like to smart for a practice of their own
bringing up, if care be not taken to have it redressed
by orders from the Court of Spain. I have met with
a small Spanish sloop in my cruize bound to Legane
the master of which told me several of the Alcades
and particularly that of Trinidado were lately brought
prisoners to the Havana, and that it was beleived
some of them would be hanged for sheltering the pyrats
particularly a notorious one of Trinidado etc. I hear
there is another gang of about 100 that harbour on
the north side of Hispaniola, which are likewise in
periagos and rob only in that neighbourhood, and I
hear several of them say they are too wise to venture
in sloops, for they know nothing but the gallows will
attend that, and this I fear is not to be suppressed
if the Spanish Governours are allowed to countenance
them etc. |
|
527. iv. Extract of letter from Capt. Vernon to Mr. Burchett,
7th March, 1720/1. Refers to correspondence with the
Governor and depositions relating to searching of
ships etc. (v. 28th Dec. 1720 etc.) Robert Hall was no
Port Officer, as the Governour suggests, but a Gunner
of the Fort, with a warrant from the Receiver General
etc. 7 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 15th June,
1721. |
|
527. v. Capt. Vernon to Governor Sir N. Lawes, 11th Feb.,
1720/1. So soon as the Adventure can be compleated
for the sea, she will cruize to windward for the protection of the outward bound trade from Great Britain
etc. Asks for information of pirates, and for copies
of depositions which H.E. has sent home etc. Signed,
E. Vernon. Copy. 1¾ pp. |
|
527. vi. Same to Same. 15th Feb., 1720/1. Relating to
depositions etc. Copy. 3 pp. |
|
527. vii. Same to Same. Relating to depositions etc. Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 15th June, 1721. Copy. 1 p. |
|
527. viii. Governor Sir N. Lawes to Capt. Vernon, 14th
Feb., 1720/1. Encloses copies of depositions "in
relation to your proceedings in preventing the Port
Officers from doing their duty on board the John
galley" etc. Copy. 2 pp. |
|
527. ix. Same to Same. 22nd Feb., 1720/1. As to Mr. Mills
not being a Port Officer, tho' the Receiver General and
his deputies are not mentioned in the Acts of Parliament as Port Officers, yet by several laws in this
country, confirmed by H.M., he is named as such,
particularly in the Act of Revenue which lays a duty
of 18d. a pound on foreign indigo etc. I observe by
your letter of the 18th that Mr. Lawes, Lieutenant of
the Happy, has been denied restitution from the Alcades
of Trinidado for the late depredations committed on
H.M. subjects of this Island by the Spaniards of that
place, and that you have taken the opportunity by
Mr. Farrel of writing to the Governour of the Havanna
demanding restitution etc. I hope your letter may
have more weight with that gentleman, than several
of mine on that subject have had etc. I hope the
late restitution made here to the Spaniards pursuant
to the King's Proclamation for the cessation of arms,
will be an inducement to them to do us the like justice
etc. I have no directions whatever to make reprizals
etc. Copy. Same endorsement. 3½ pp. |
|
527. x. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Extract. v. C.S.P. 28th Dec., 1720. Same endorsement. 1½ pp. |
|
527. xi. Copy of clause in Revenue Act of Jamaica as to the
power of the Receiver General or his deputies for
seizing goods etc. Same endorsement. 2½ pp. |
|
527. xii. Address of the Assembly of Jamaica to Governor
Sir N. Lawes. Express concern at that part of H.E.'s
answer to their Address "which seems to charge us
with having declined, or delayed the doing of anything
incumbent upon us to do for the supporting of H.M.
Government" etc. We are assured that the provision
made by this Assembly (notwithstanding the present
deplorable poverty of the Island) have far exceeded
the demands of other Governours in the time of its
utmost prosperity etc. We are confident that the
provision we have made had (if duly collected and
applied) been more than sufficient to answer any
exigencies of this Government, and as the collecting
of those supplies is intrusted to other persons, whose
default (if any) cannot in any reason be charged upon
this house, so we are very confident that such an
imputation upon us could not [have] proceeded from
your Excellency without the artifice and insinuation
of such persons, as have private views to serve by
endeavouring to misrepresent us at home, and to
lessen the people of this Island in H.M. esteem and
good opinion, than which there can be nothing more
dear to us. It is far from our thoughts to aim at any
power of dispensing with any known law or treaty
by any vote of our house etc. The ascertaining of
those immunities of persons of our own members
which are essential to the very being of Assemblies
we take to be our duty and hope yr. Excellcy. will
not take offence thereat or at our just concern for the
liberty of the subject. The frequent expressions of
good will to this Island which your Excy. has been
pleased to declare unto us, and the resentment of the
many injuries we have received from the Spaniards
expressed in one of your letters gave us a great
encouragement in the presenting our late Address,
and leave us no room to doubt, but that your Excy.
will still prefer our humble desires in the behalf of
the suffering inhabitants of this Island to the demands
of a people whose Governour has denied any restitution
to the subjects of H.M. and who violate all laws and
treatys by encouraging and protecting banditti,
notorious robbers and traitors to the infesting of this
Island and the ruin of its trade and people. As we
are humbly of opinion, that no restitution of a lawfull
capture ought to be awarded to any claimer unless
he has made out his claim thereunto in a legal course,
either in a Court of Admiralty or Delegates, from
whence all parties concerned may prosecute their
appeal, so there having not for some time past been
any such Court in this Island, we cannot but be surprized to hear of an order for restitution, which in
its self must appear to be extra-judicial and void.
As H.M. ships of war on this station are sent hither
for H.M. service and the good and wellfare of the
inhabitants, we doubt not but (on proper application)
they would have demanded satisfaction of the
Spaniards without putting the Treasury to expence
or the suffering subjects to charge, who at present
labour under misfortunes. Same endorsement.
3½ pp. |
|
527. xiii. Copy of Receiver General's warrant to Robert
Hall. Duplicate of 18th May No. iii (b). Same
endorsement. ½ p. |
|
527. xiv. Governor Sir N. Lawes to Capt. Thomas Brooke.
Duplicate of 28th Dec. 1720. No. (i). Same endorsement. 11/8 pp. |
|
527. xv. Copy of Act of Jamaica for fitting out sloops for
guarding the coasts etc. The "lying preamble" referred to above, runs:—Whereas [to] the great damage
and impoverishment of H.M. subjects, as well as to
the discouragement of his merchants and others
trading hither, it hath been found by too sad experience
that H.M. ships of war ordered here for the encouragement of trade and defence of this Island have not so
effectually answered the end for which they were
sent hither as might have been expected more especialy
guarding the sea coast and out parts thereof, whereby
a great many ships sloops and other vessels as well
belonging to this his said Island as coming and trading
thereto from other parts of H.M. Dominions have been
taken in sight thereof by pirates and vessels fitted out
and commissioned by the subjects of the King of
Spain under pretence of guarding their own coast
to the great dishonour of H.M. as well as irreparable
loss and detriment of his true and faithfull subjects etc.
Same endorsement. Copy. 1½ pp. |
|
527. xvi. Deposition of James Clarke, 27th Feb., 1721,
Port Royal, as to Capt. Vernon's stopping the seizure
of outward-bound vessels etc. (v. 28th Dec. 1720 etc.)
Signed, Jas. Clarke. 3¼ pp. |
|
527. xvii. Depositions of John Lewis, Wm. Hayman and John
Cavelier, as to the same. 1st March, 1721. Copies.
The whole. 3¼ pp. |
|
527. xviii. Deposition of Lieut. William Swale, H.M.S.
Mary, as to the same. 15th Feb., 1721. Copy.
3 pp. |
|
527. xix. Deposition of Capt. Brooke and Lt. Col. Delaunay.
Duplicates of 28th Dec. 1720. No. iii. |
|
527. xx. Deposition of Leopold de Stapleton, as to same.
24th Feb., 1721. Nos. xvi–xx. Endorsed, Recd.
14th, Read 15th June, 1721. 2½ pp. |
|
527. xxi. Deposition of Robert Hall. Duplicate of 28th
Dec. 1720. No. vi. |
|
527. xxii. Deposition of Daniel Williams. Duplicate of
28th Dec. 1720. No. iv. |
|
527. xxiii. Deposition of Lt. Joseph Lawes, H.M.S. Happy,
as to same. 4th March, 1721. Signed, Jos. Lawes.
2 pp. |
|
527. xxiv. Deposition of John Pooge and Philip Tuck,
H.M.S. Happy, as to same. 1st March, 1721. Signed,
John Pooge, Philip Tuck, his mark. 1 p. |
|
527. xxv. Deposition of Thomas Righteous, serjeant. Duplicate of 28th Dec. 1720. No. V. Nos. xxi–xxv
endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 15th June, 1721. |
|
527. xxvi. Deposition of Edwin Sandys junr., as to same.
27th Feb., 1721. 3½ pp. |
|
527. xxvii. Deposition of Thomas Righteous, serjeant, as
to same. 2nd March, 1720/1. 1 p. |
|
527. xxviii., xxix. Depositions of Richard Basnett of
Kingston, merchant, as to same. 1st March, 1720/1.
4½ pp. |
|
527. xxx. Deposition of Capt. Brooke. Duplicate of 28th
Dec, 1720. No. ii. Nos. xxvi–xxx. endorsed, Recd.
14th, Read 15 June, 1721. |
|
527. xxxi. Advertisement by Capt. Thomas Brooke, offering
reward of 5 pistoles for the arrest of Daniel Williams,
late gunner of H.M. Fort on Port Royal, for forging
his name and absconding etc. Same endorsement.
Copy. 1 p. |
|
527. xxxii. Capt. Vernon's Orders to Capt. Daver, H.M.S.
Adventure to go a cruizing. 14th Feb. 1720/1. Signed,
E. Vernon. Same endorsement. Copy. 2½ pp. |
|
527. xxxiii. Capt. Vernon to the Governor of St. Iago on
Cuba, 18th June, 1720. Sends several Spanish prisoners
taken by him off the Bahama Banks, and demands
release of H.M. subjects prisoners in that port, taken
by Spanish privateers etc. Has taken a privateer with
a fresh commission from his Excellency about three
weeks ago, which has been condemned etc. "I find
you have other privateers still out. I have since my
arrival here and this condemnation received H.M.
Proclamation for ceasing all hostilities" etc. Desires
to know whether he has received similar instructions,
or will accept this intimation. Signed, E. Vernon.
Copy. 2 pp. |
|
527. xxxiv. (a) Capt. Vernon to the Marquis de Serel,
Governor of St. Domingo and Liggan. 18th June,
1720. Sends 7 French prisoners, who were taken
in a canoe as they were deserting from that Government to the Spaniards at Cuba, and 7 taken in a
Spanish privateer etc. Urges "a seasonable severity,"
and requests that deserters of ours be sent down here
etc. Signed, E. Vernon. Copy. 1½ pp. |
|
(b) Governor the Marquis de Serel to Capt. Vernon.
16th Sept., 1720. Thanks for 7 deserters and 4 pirates
received, whose prosecution he has ordered, and will
send British deserters etc. Copy. French. 1½ pp. |
|
(c) Capt. Vernon to Governor the Marquis de Serel.
29th Aug., 1720. Having sent Capt. Chamberlayne
in quest of two pirates harbouring about Crooked
Island, who have plundered a New York sloop bound
to this Port and are robbing the plantations of your
Government, I advise your Excellency thereof etc.
Their names are Porter and Fox, who were formerly
pirates that surrendered themselves at Providence
and took the benefit of the King's last pardon but are
now returnd to their old courses, and I verily believe
such rogues are never to be reclaimed but by a halter.
Requests co-operation etc. Reports "another pirate of
our Nation," commanded by one Miller who has been
proclaimed a pirate at New York these six months,
who came from Providence to get supplies of men
and provisions at Jamaica, but was chased away by
one of H.M. ships etc. Believes he has gone to join
Porter and Fox etc. Signed, E. Vernon. Copy.
2½ pp. |
|
(d) Capt. Chamberlayne, H.M. Sloop Happy, to
Capt. Vernon. 11th Oct., 1720. I put into Lugan and
delivered your letter to the Marquis de Serel who will
be very glad to concert measures with you etc. Signed,
Cha. Chamberlayne. Copy. 1 p. |
|
(e) Lt. Lawes of the Happy sloop to Capt. Vernon.
20th Oct., 1720. Nine days since one White came
here from Providence etc. 14 days afterwards one
Rackun run away with a sloop and took two more
of that place etc. Signed, Jos. Lawes. Copy. ½ p. |
|
(f) Capt. Chamberlayne to Capt. Vernon. 27th
Oct., 1720. Dunks, that was taken up for supplying
the pirates, was set at liberty the same day only
giving his own bond for £100 etc. Signed, Cha.
Chamberlayne. Copy. ¼ p. Nos. xxxiii, and xxxxiv.
Endorsed, Recd. 14th, Read 15th June, 1721. |
|
527. xxxv. H.M. Warrant to Governor Sir N. Lawes for the
payment of the debt due to Lord Archibald Hamilton.
15th Jan. 1720. Copy. 3½ pp. |
|
527. xxxvi. (a) Speech of Governor Sir N. Lawes to the
Assembly of Jamaica, 4th Oct., 1720. Recommends
renewal and enlargement of Additional Duty Bill, the
average yearly disbursements of 8 to £9,750 exceeding
the income of the standing revenue by 3 to £4,000.
Has issued an order in accordance with H.M. warrant
preceding, to the Receiver General; "And I will not
question but you will find yourselves obliged in duty
to H.M. to enable the Treasury effectually to discharge
that debt, which must first take place, and postpone
all other payments till that be done" etc. etc. Copy.
7 pp. |
|
(b) (c) Resolutions of the Assembly 28th Jan. 1720.
Adhere to resolution not to pay "unjust demands" to
Lord Hamilton, and the then Council, and, 6th Oct.
1720, if this pretended debt be paid by the Receiver
General, not to reimburse the Treasury etc. Copy.
1 p. |
|
(d) Minutes of Assembly of Jamaica, 8th Oct., 1720.
The want of employment for seafaring people has
proceeded from the decay of trade, which has been
chiefly carried on by the men of war etc. 31st Oct.
It was resolved to fit out two sloops for the protection
of the coast; Capt. Vernon's offer to man and victual
them was refused. Copy. 3 pp. |
|
(e) Governor N. Lawes' Speech to the Assembly,
25th Oct. 1720. Copy. 3½ pp. Nos. xxxv, xxxvi.
endorsed, Recd. 14th. Read 15th June, 1721. [C.O.
137, 13. Nos. 51, 51. i.–xxxvi.] |
June 14.
Custom ho., London. |
528. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. In reply to 6th April.
Encloses following observations by the Commissioners of
Customs upon the Instructions to the Governor of Barbados.
The 1st 3rd 4th 5th and 7th observations on the Instructions
to Sir N. Laws, enclosed 30th July, 1717, they have made the
like observations on the present draft etc. Repeats complaint,
30th July, 1717, from Surveyor General and other officers of
the Customs on the Continent and in the Islands that they are
frequently obliged to serve on juries, and personally to appear
in arms whenever the Militia is drawn out, and thereby are
very much hindered in the execution of their duty etc. The
Commissioners desire the Council of Trade that all Governors
may have Instructions to excuse Officers of the Customs from
appearing in arms or serving on juries or any parochial offices
which may hinder them in the execution of their duties, unless
in case of absolute necessity, in like manner as they are exempted
here. Signed, Cha. Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read 20th
June, 1721. Addressed. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
528. i. Observations by the Commissioners of Customs upon
the Instructions of the Governor of Barbados, referred
to in preceding. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 134–135v.,
137v.] |
| June 14. |
529. Mr. Humphreys, Secretary to the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, to Mr. Popple.
Encloses following. Concludes: The Society have appointed
some of their members Gentlemen of that Island to explain
further the said reasons whenever their Lordships shall please
etc. Signed, David Humphreys, Secretary. Endorsed, Recd.
16th, Read 20th June, 1721. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
529. i. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign
parts to the Council of Trade and Plantations. In
reply to 18th May, state their objections to Act of
Barbados, 1718, granting liberty to the inhabitants to
load and unload from any bay or harbour etc. The
Society is seized in fee of a considerable plantation
in the parish of St. John called Consets devised to it
by the General Codrington. Conset Bay has never
been a common bay or creek, but by this law every
inhabitant being intituled to have laid out for him a
new way to any bay or creek, the Society's estate will
be exposed to continual injury and expense etc.
Signed as preceding. 2½ pp. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 138,
139–140, 141v.]. |
June 15.
South Carolina. |
530. William Hammerton to [Lord Carteret] General
Nicholson hath given me a Commission for Naval Officer etc.
Compliments etc. Signed, William Hammerton. 2 pp. [C.O. 5,
387. No. 25]. |
June 15.
London. |
531. Mr. Gordon to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Presses for report upon the two Acts of Barbados concerning
him, he being anxious to return thither and the merchant ship
for that Island sailing this week etc. Signed, W. Gordon.
Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read 21st June, 1721. 2 pp. [C.O. 28,
17. ff. 142, 142v., 143v.] |
