|
439
November 2
Whitehall |
Order of Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs directing
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to lay before this committee
the best and most accurate maps they have of Virginia or any
neighbouring colonies about 1686 or earlier, wherein the boundaries of the land claimed
by Lord Fairfax may be particularly described. Seal. Signed, W Sharpe. ¾ p. Endorsed,
Recd. 13 November, Read 15 November 1739. [CO 5/1324, ff 178, 178d, 183, 183d] |
440
November 2
Whitehall |
Same, upon consideration of petition of Col Thomas Pym, that
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations do lay before this committee
the reasons transmitted by Governor Mathew for having removed the
petitioner from the Council of Nevis. Seal. Signed, W Sharpe. ¾ p. Endorsed, Recd. 13
November, Read 15 November 1739. [CO 152/23, ff 239–240d] |
441
November 2
Whitehall |
Same referring Act prepared by Trustees for Georgia for regulating
pilots, laying duty on shipping, and laying another duty on shipping for
repair of beacon on Tybee Island, back to Commissioners for Trade
and Plantations, to give the agents of South Carolina opportunity to consider it. Seal.
Signed, W Sharpe. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 20 November, Read 21 November 1739. [CO
5/367, ff 110–111d] |
442
November 3
Savannah |
William Stephens to Harman Verelst. Upon my presenting the bill
which you sent me by order of the Trustees drawn by Mr Hammerton
on Mr George Saxby for 200l sterling, he told me that he could not
accept it, having not near so much of the King's money in his hands. Whereupon I am
obliged to have it protested but he, being now here, desires me not to return it
immediately before he gets back to Charleston (whither he is going) because it is possible
that he may then answer it, whereof he will then write me; to which I have complied and I
put this into his hands to transmit to you per first opportunity. In few days you may
expect to have letters from me of further import. Signed. ¾ small p. Addressed. Endorsed,
Recd. 4 March 1739/40. [CO 5/640, ff 411–412] |
443
November 3
Augsburg |
Samuel Urlsperger to [Harman Verelst] acknowledging letter of 19
February past. The goodness of the Trustees in paying passage of seven
colonists to Georgia in April is acknowledged. Money has been sent
from here to Mr Ziegenhagen for Ebenezer. A contribution from the Trustees to Mr
Bolzius's house is hoped for. Perhaps another transport of colonists may be sent next year
if things turn out favourably. A map of the English colonies is much wanted in connexion
with publication of the relations of the Salzburgher emigrants. If rumour is correct there
are hundreds, some say six thousand, in the Archbishopric of Salzburgh ready to
emigrate: the King of Prussia receives and encourages many. French. Signed. 3 pp. [CO
5/640, ff 413–414d] |
444
November 5 |
Governor Edward Trelawny to Andrew Stone. Pray steal away my
letter of 22 September last [no 392] about the Spanish prisoners and
burn it. Upon my looking over the copy of it in order to have a duplicate made I found it
was direct nonsense, so I only referred to it, and pretending to recite the substance said
what I should have said in plain English and not Irish. I wrote it I remember in a great
hurry the night before the ships sailed and when I was plagued [with] not knowing what
to do with the prisoners for which there was no provision nor no proper place to keep
them in. Having received orders to prevent stores of any kind being carried to the
Spaniards, and hearing that the admiral of the galleons at Cartagena was in great want of
provisions for his ships, I thought it my duty to prevent any being carried to them,
especially at a time that Commodore Brown with his squadron was gone away from us to
cruise off Havana. As soon as Admiral Vernon arrived [so] that we were in a posture of
defence I took off the prohibition, leaving trade to take its course again. But I kept it on
long enough it seems to make the South Seas agents here and the South Sea factors at
Cartagena forfeit their deposit money for the supplying the admiral of the galleons with
flour. This and the taking into custody [of] the agents for an imprudent letter to
Cartagena has incensed them sufficiently against me and I hear the factors at Cartagena
threaten me most terribly with damages and the Lord knows what. The reason of this
long tale is to desire to know whether provisions be a store of some kind or other, or
whether I am only to understand warlike and naval stores to be meant. For as to the
gentlemen's anger and clamour I shall leave them alone to prove with great pains that I
have done my duty by preventing the Spanish ships from being able to get to sea. Signed.
PS. Admiral Vernon sails today to take Porto Bello. 2 small pp. Endorsed, R, 26 March.
[CO 137/56, ff 262–263d] |
445
November 6
Whitehall |
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Duke of Newcastle
enclosing the following. Signed, A Croft, R Plumer, M Bladen. 1 p.
Enclosed:
445 i Extract of letter, dated 28 February 1739, from President John Howell to
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations notifying the ruinous state of barracks in
the Bahamas. [See second paragraph of no 72]. Copy. 1½ pp. [CO 23/15, ff 22–25d;
entry of covering letter in CO 24/1, pp 330–331] |
446
November 6
Whitehall |
Thomas Hill to Sir William Yonge sending same. Entry. ½ p. [CO 24/1,
p 331] |
447
November 6
Jamaica |
Governor Edward Trelawny to Duke of Newcastle. I return you my
best thanks for the success I have had in recommending the five
Councillors, a point of great consequence to me in the beginning of my
administration, as also for the Order of Council whereby I had a discretionary power to
pass the bill wherein the Jews were taxed for the current year. Since it is HM's
determination that I shall not for the future give my consent to a separate tax upon the
Jews I will take care not to disobey his commands, though I much fear it may embroil me
with the Assembly and hinder them from giving the usual subsistence to HM's
independent companies. Signed. 1 p. Endorsed, R, 7 March. [CO 137/56, ff 264–265d] |
448
[November 6] |
Memorial of Governor Richard Fitzwilliam to Duke of Newcastle
representing the defenceless state of the Bahamas. New carriages and
beds are needed for the ordnance; powder and small stores; a small work behind the
present fort at an estimated cost of 800l; rebuilding of barracks at Fort Nassau, New
Providence; and at least two gunners, there being no people upon the island skilled in that
capacity. Signed. 1 p. Endorsed, (1) R, 6 November 1739 (2) Copy sent to Duke of Argyll,
7 November. Enclosed:
448 i Account of stores needed in Bahamas. Signed, R Fitzwilliam. 3¼ pp. [CO
23/14, ff 308–311d; another copy of memorial and enclosure at ff 312–315d] |
449
[November 6] |
List of papers received from Andrew Stone at the Duke of Newcastle's
office relating to defence of New York, Bermuda, Jersey and Guernsey,
Nova Scotia and Carlisle. ¾ p. Endorsed, sent to Council Office 6 November 1739. [CO
5/1086, ff 150–151d] |
450
November 8 |
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Governor Edward Trelawny. Since our letter to you of 31st August last, we have taken the
state of your island into consideration, and having collected what informations we could
from the books and papers in our office upon that subject are sorry to find that Jamaica is
in so defenceless a condition as it appears to be by the last return to our general queries
from Mr Hunter in 1730. We would much rather concur in the means for remedying this
evil than examine into the causes from whence it has proceeded, but we cannot help
taking notice that the island of Jamaica alone contains double the quantity of land that is
to be found in all the four Leeward Islands, yet the imports from Antigua, St
Christopher's, Nevis and Montserrat have many years exceeded those of Jamaica,
although there is great reason to believe that some part of the sugars and all the indigo that
has been imported of late years from Jamaica are not the natural product of that island.
From whence it would naturally follow that not one half of your lands are at present
cultivated and that Great Britain does not reap half the benefit from your colony which
she might if it were fully settled. The advantages which would result from such a
settlement with respect to the security of the island, and consequently to the value of your
lands, are so obvious that we are surprised the people of Jamaica have not yet done
anything more effectual towards the obtaining so desirable an end. It cannot indeed be
denied that their legislature have at sundry times made some faint efforts towards the
mending of their condition in this respect, but these efforts how well soever they might at
first have been intended have, some of them, been converted into schemes for the benefit
of the old planters and have, all of them, proved ineffectual to the main and necessary
purpose of peopling the island. Thus in 1721 an Act was passed by Sir Nicholas Lawes to
divest the proprietors dwelling in England of their lands in the north-east quarter of
Jamaica for neglect of cultivation and non-payment of quitrents, and to vest the same in
the Crown to be granted out to newcomers at easy rates and with great privileges. Several
more Acts likewise passed relative to this subject, viz Act for settling north-east part of
the island, 1722; Act to encourage white people to settle and for settling north-east, 1723;
Act to explain Act for settling parish of Portland, 1725; Act for securing new settlements
at Port Antonio, 1729; Act for settling east and north parts of the island, 1732; Act for
settling parish of Portland by vesting unsettled lands in the Crown, 1738. But by the
fourth of these laws leave is given to those already possessed of lands in Jamaica to
become settlers in the north-east quarter, by which the original design of this good
scheme is entirely perverted and those lands which were taken from the old proprietors in
England may be transferred to the old proprietors in Jamaica without any addition of
strength to the island. Whether this alteration proceeded from a real want of new settlers,
from want of due encouragements, or from want of due notice of such encouragements
which were generally temporary, is not necessary to determine; but it is manifest that
either the scheme was defective or that proper care was wanting for putting the same in
execution, for we have been informed that some persons who went to Jamaica upon the
news of these encouragements were obliged to return with great loss and were
disappointed in their expectations. The legislature of Jamaica have likewise passed other
Acts from time to time expressive of their desire to increase the number of their white
people, called deficiency laws, whereby they have once in a year or two laid a tax upon all
persons not having a number of white people on their plantations proportioned to that of
their blacks or to their stock of cattle, generally at the rate of one white person to about
thirty Negroes and of one other white person to about 150 head of cattle. These laws have
probably raised taxes for the public purposes but we don't find they have proved
sufficient to compel the planters to increase their white people. We are too well apprized
of the consequence of Jamaica not to be thoroughly concerned for the security of that
island, and have too much zeal for the welfare of the British colonies not to concur with
great readiness in any measures that might tend to their preservation and advantage. But
we are not at present so thoroughly informed of the detail of your circumstances as to be
able to propose a proper remedy for the present evil, and therefore we must desire you to
send us by the first opportunity a very particular return to the following questions, as
likewise an answer to the general queries which we send you herewith enclosed. |
|
How many acres by estimation may there be in the whole island of Jamaica? How
many of those acres are actually cleared and planted? How many employed in raising
sugar, ginger, cocoa, coffee, indigo or any other produce for the European markets? How
many in raising stock and provisions? What number of acres have been granted by the
Crown in this island? Under what quitrents and conditions? Whether the quitrents have
been paid and the other conditions duly complied with by the grantees? What number of
acres still remain in the power of the Crown to grant? What effect the several deficiency
laws and those for settling the north-east quarter have had with respect to the increase of
white inhabitants? What is become of the lands taken from English proprietors for
non-payment of quitrents and non-cultivation by virtue of the Acts for peopling the
north-east quarter of Jamaica? How many acres were by those Acts vested in the Crown?
How many of them have been granted and to whom, distinguishing ancient settlers from
the newcomers? Whether the encouragements granted by the aforesaid Acts to new
settlers have proved effectual? If they have not, to what causes that deficiency is to be
attributed, and what may still be wanting to render the same effectual? How many
soldiers were settled in the island upon the reduction of the two regiments sent thither in
1730, and how many of them now remain there? Whether there are not still great
quantities of land patented which are in arrear in quitrents or uncultivated? Where do
these lands lie and to what number of acres may they amount? If no land yet remains in
the Crown ungranted, what number of acres the Assembly will purchase and for ever set
apart for the reception of newcomers? How many acres per head will they give to each
man, woman, child and servant that shall come to settle in the island? And what further
encouragements will they give them with respect to the charge of their passage, provisions
after their arrival, exemption from quitrents and taxes? |
Whenever we shall be thoroughly informed of all these particulars and shall be
convinced that the legislature of Jamaica are sincerely disposed to help themselves, you
may depend upon it they will not want an assistance for the better peopling of the island,
wherein the interest of Great Britain and that of the colony will always agree; and we
flatter ourselves that under your administration the legislature of Jamaica may be induced
to exert themselves in so necessary and so laudable an undertaking. In the meantime we
would recommend to you to make no grants of any lands or escheats to persons already
settled in the island, but to reserve whatever may remain in the disposal of the Crown for
the benefit and encouragement of newcomers only. Entry. Signatories, M Bladen, R
Plumer, J Brudenell, A Croft. 12½ pp. Enclosed:
450 i Queries to Edward Trelawny, Governor of Jamaica, in 1739. (1) What is the
trade of the island under your government, the number of shipping belonging thereto,
their tonnage and the number of seafaring men with their respective increase or
diminution? (2) What quantity and sorts of British manufactures do the inhabitants
annually take from hence? (3) What trade has the island under your government with
any foreign plantations or any part of Europe besides Great Britain? How is trade
carried on? What commodities do the people under your government send to or
receive from foreign plantations? What methods are there used to prevent illegal trade,
and are the same effectual? (5) What is the natural produce of the island under your
government? Are there any and what manufactures? (6) What monies are there?(7)
What may be the annual produce of the commodities of the island? (8)What is the
number of the inhabitants, white and black? (9) Are the inhabitants increased or
decreased of late and for what reasons? (10) What is the number of the militia? (11)
What forts and places of defence are there within your government and in what
condition? (12) What is the strength of your neighbours? (13) What effect have the
French settlements on HM's island under your government? (14) What is the revenue
arising within your government and how is it appropriated? (15) What number of
acres of land are there already granted from the Crown and cultivated in each parish or
district within your government? what the quitrent reserved thereupon, and what
number of acres may there by computation remain untaken up or uncultivated? (16)
What are the ordinary expenses of your government? (17) What are the establishments, civil and military, within your government and what officers hold by patent
immediately from the Crown? It is desired that an annual return may be made to these
queries that the Board may from time to time be apprised of any alterations that may
happen in the circumstances of your government. Entry. 3½ pp. [CO 138/18, pp
299–315] |
451
November 8
Virginia |
Lieut-Governor William Gooch to Commissioners for Trade and
Plantation enclosing the following. We have exported this year 33300
hogsheads of tobacco and next year if we have a sufficient number of
ships we shall send home near 40000. Signed. ¾ small p. Endorsed, Recd., Read 12 March
1740. Enclosed:
451 i Account of HM's revenue of 2s per hogshead arising within Virginia, 25
April 1739 to 25 October 1739. Signed, John Grymes, receiver-general. Audited, 3
November 1739, by John Blair, deputy auditor. Passed in Council, 3 November 1739,
by William Gooch. 2 pp. [CO 5/1324, ff 184–185d, 189, 189d] |
452
November 9
Whitehall |
Order of Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, on consideration of letter of 30 August from Lieut-Governor George Clarke to
Duke of Newcastle, referring the list of goods suitable for Indian
presents to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations for report on supply of presents in
peace and war, any allowances that may have been made to governors for that purpose,
and whether governors have accounted for the same. Seal. Signed, W Sharpe. 1½ pp.
Endorsed, Recd., Read 13 November 1739. Enclosed:
452 i List of Indian presents. Copy of no 356i. 1 p. [CO 5/1059, ff 114–115d, 119,
119d] |
453
November 9
Whitehall |
Same to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to prepare account
of what forces were sent to Bermuda in the reigns of William III and
Anne. Seal. Signed, W Sharpe. ¾ p. Endorsed, Recd. 13 November, Read
15 November 1739. [CO 37/13, ff 128–129d] |
454
November 9
Whitehall |
Same referring the enclosed to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. Seal. Signed, W Sharpe. ¾ p. Endorsed, Recd. 13 November, Read
15 November 1739. Enclosed:
454 i Petition of John Yeamans, Thomas Butler and Richard Coope, agents for
Antigua, Nevis and St Christopher's, to the King in Council, praying for supply of
warlike stores. Copy. 1½ pp.
454 ii List of ordnance and other arms of war necessary for the immediate
defence of the Leeward Islands. Copy. 1 p.
454 iii Account of warlike stores sent to Antigua in 1734 to be distributed in
Leeward Islands according to number of militia. Account of stores of war which were
ordered if the islands would pay for them. Account of stores of war which were payed
for but not contained in either of the above orders. Copy. 1 p. [CO 152/23, ff
244–249d] |
455
November 9
Whitehall |
Thomas Hill to Francis Fane sending sixty-seven Acts passed in
Pennsylvania all above five years ago. The agent who lodged them in
this office is dead and the Acts have not yet been laid before HM.
Opinion in point of law requested. Titles stated. Entry. 7 pp. [CO 5/1294, pp 117–123] |
456
November 9
Barbados |
President James Dottin to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations
acknowledging letter of 5 July last with resolutions and requirements of
Houses of Lords and Commons. I have diligently inquired and find
that no paper credit was established in this island in 1700 nor at any time before or since
but in 1705 when paper bills of credit to the value of 7000l issued for the payment of a tax
then laid on the inhabitants, and in 1706 when an Act 'to supply the want of cash and to
establish a method of credit for persons having real estates in this island' passed here 18
June 1706, empowering the treasurer to issue bills of credit by way of loan for one year to
any person who should apply for the same to the value of one fourth of their estates,
which bills were then directed to pass as current cash and be received and allowed in
payments accordingly, in consequence whereof large sums issued. But these bills being of
little or no credit and occasioning all the gold and silver to be sent off the island and
greatly discouraging the trade thereof, Queen Anne by Order in Council dated 21
October 1706 declared her disallowance of the said Act and signified her royal will and
pleasure to this government that all possible care should be taken and the best provision
made that could be that such who had been obliged to receive such bills, and the persons
to whom any debts were owing and had been obliged to part with legal securities for such
bills, should be no sufferers thereby but be restored as far as might be by some new law to
the same state they were in before the passing the said Act; and to prevent a law of the like
or of any extraordinary nature till the sovereign's pleasure is first known therein, which
has occasioned no other paper currency since to be established in this island. |
|
In 1700 and till 1 January 1704 foreign silver coin passed in this island by tale so that
generally light money only was paid and received here. For if what was offered would by
a standard be of greater or less value than it was offered at, it was taken according to its
denomination of whole, quarter and eighth pieces, whereby a great deal of the foreign
coins passing here were clipped and made very light, and there was then no complaint
made of the want of cash in this island. The gold that was then current were pistoles
which passed at 20s and guineas at 25s. There was then seldom any uncoined gold sold in
the island and the little silver that was sold was purchased at 5s per ounce. Queen Anne by
proclamation dated 18 June 1704, published in this island 24 August following and was to
take place and be enforced 1 January afterwards, having settled and ascertained the
current rates of foreign coins in HM's colonies and plantations in America, all the light
money that had been before current was before that settlement took place paid away in
discharge of debts then owing in the island; and the cash having then centred in the hands
of merchants and other traders, who having advices that the neighbouring colonies and
plantations had not paid that strict observance to HM's proclamation as had been done in
this island, most or all of the cash was soon afterwards sent off from hence, which
occasioned the prejudicial Act beforementioned to be passed in this island for supplying
the want thereof. And from the said 1 January 1704/5 till this time all silver coins are
accounted received, taken and paid according to the ratio and standard directed by the
said proclamation. And when moidores were first introduced into this island, without any
regard to their weight they passed currently at 35s each as well as pistoles at 20s and
guineas at 22s till 1715 or 1716 when the principal merchants agreeing to take pistoles at
22s 6d, guineas at 27s 6d and moidores at 37s 6d, they have ever since till this time passed
at those rates; and not many years since many pieces of new coined Spanish gold have
been introduced and pass current, the whole piece at 5l and the others in proportion
thereto. We have lately a very bad silver mostly current among us of a very base alloy of a
Spanish coin called or distinguished by the name of pistereens which pass by weight; but a
French coin made for the payment of their soldiers abroad are reckoned much better
silver, yet they pass currently in this island by tale at 7½d but weigh generally about 7d and
under and are much esteemed by the inhabitants but few remain long in the island, being
carried to HM's Leeward Islands and other places where the standard and weighing of
money being little regarded, this island is very often drained of all its cash. Uncoined gold
is generally sold here at 4l 10s per ounce and silver at 5s 6d per ounce, and the exchange
betwixt this island and Great Britain for many years past has been 28 to 32 per cent but
most commonly at 30.Signed. 3 pp. Endorsed, Recd., Read 15 March 1740. [CO 28/25, ff
94–95d] |
457
[November 9] |
Petition of John Sharpe, agent for Jamaica, to the King. Whenever this
nation has been at war with Spain it has been beneficial to private trade
between Jamaica and New Spain, as in 1707–1709 when the then commodore at Jamaica
granted convoys to all ships applying for them. In 1718 the then governor issued a
proclamation permitting that trade which is particularly allowed of in an Act of
Parliament of 6 Anne to encourage trade to America. There was never a fairer prospect of
success in opening this branch of trade than at this present juncture. The galleons at
Cartagena will not venture to sail so there can be no fair at Porto Bello. Petitioner prays
for licence to British subjects to carry on this trade, provisions, naval and warlike stores
only excepted, and for orders to men-of-war at Jamaica to protect the trade both to New
Spain and to Britain, and likewise for one or more men-at-war to cruise round Jamaica to
protect the outsettlements which are dangerously exposed. Signed. 2 pp. Endorsed,
Delivered 9 November 1739. [CO 137/48, ff 57B–57C dorse] |
458
[November 9] |
Petition of merchants, planters and others trading to and interested in
the British plantations in America, to the King, praying that part of the
benefit of Spanish prizes taken between Order in Council for making reprisals and
declaration of war may be allotted to those who formerly suffered by Spanish
depredations. Signed, John Keith, H Bendysh, Beeston Long, Samuel Frye, John
Pennant, Thomas Delamotte, Colin Campbell, James Knight, David Barclay jnr, Eliakim
Palmer, Edward Tyzack, William Coleman, Zachariah Bounyan, Thomas Framan,
Papillon Ball, Samuel Travers, James Douglas, W Gerrish, Davy Breholt, William Tryon,
Roland Frye, Alexander Dundas, Samuel Pennant, S Bethell, William Black, Robert
Lidderdale, Edward Somers, David Crichton, Roger Drake, Samuel Bonham, Peter De
Lamotte, Henry Barham, Thomas Tryon, George Fryer, James Pearce, Marmaduke
Hilton, Nathaniel Bassnett, William Dunbar, John Sharpe, agent for Jamaica and
Barbados, John Yeamans, agent for Antigua and Montserrat, Richard Coope, agent for St
Christopher's, Francis Wilks, agent for New England. 1 large p. Endorsed, Delivered 9
November 1739. [CO 5/5, ff 153D, 153D dorse] |
459
November 12
Jamaica |
Governor Edward Trelawny to Duke of Newcastle. On 6th inst Samuel
Dicker and Rose Fuller, esquires, and Sir Simon Clarke Bart were
sworn into the Council pursuant to HM's several orders for that
purpose. I delayed swearing in Samuel Whitehorne, esquire, upon account of the
complaint made against him in the petition and affidavit hereunto annexed. I have
communicated them to him and had his answer but wait for the reply of the complainant.
As Mr Whitehorne was recommended by me I think I ought to be the more cautious in
admitting him into the Council before he purges himself more satisfactorily of this
charge, being of opinion that if it is proved it is of such a nature that by my 67th
instruction he ought not to be admitted into any public trust or employment, especially
into this which is the greatest. Edward Garthwaite, esquire, the fifth Councillor ordered
to be sworn, is absent from the island. Signed. 1½ pp. Endorsed, R, 7 March. Enclosed:
459 i Affidavit of Rev Joseph Blumfield, rector of St Anne's, Jamaica, sworn
before Edmund Hyde on 8 September 1739. On 24 June 1739 he read the prayers and
preached the sermon and then walked out of the church. He rode by the church
twenty minutes later when one Cholmondly was preaching a sermon at the command
of Samuel Whitehorne. Copy. ¾ p.
459 ii Petition of Rev Joseph Blumfield to Governor Trelawny. Samuel
Whitehorne designed to introduce one Cholmondly to preach in the parish church of
St Anne's on 24 June last on the subject of drinking and horse-racing. Though
forbidden by petitioner, Whitehorne insisted that Cholmondly should preach, which
he did. Locked doors were broken open. The preaching caused universal laughter in
the church. Cholmondly also married two couples, going with them out of the parish
though they belonged to it. To intimidate petitioner and to punish him for his regard
to religion, which he would not permit to be turned into ridicule and buffoonery,
Whitehorne declared his intention of cutting off the additional 50l per annum given
usually by the vestry to the rector. Copy. 1½ pp. [CO 137/56, ff 266–269d] |
460
November 12
Jamaica |
Same to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. In substance same as
no 459. Signed. 1½. pp. Endorsed, Recd. 10 March, Read 11 March 1740.
Enclosed:
460 i Petition of Rev Joseph Blumfield to Governor Trelawny. Copy of no 459ii.
2½ pp.
460 ii Affidavit of same. Copy of no 459i. 2¼ pp. [CO 137/23, ff 53–58d] |
461
November 12
Boston |
Governor Jonathan Belcher to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. This covers duplicate of mine of 24 October. The 27th of same
month I received your letter of 5 July last with the two addresses from
the House of Lords and the two addresses from the House of Commons to HM of 18
June, and I have accordingly directed the proper officers in this government and that of
New Hampshire forthwith to prepare the accounts therein required, that I may transmit
them to you as soon as possible to be laid before the respective Houses of Parliament so
soon as they are completed. I shall not fail to forward them by the first good conveyance.
Signed. 1½ small pp. Endorsed, Recd. 25 February, Read 27 February 1740. [CO 5/881, ff
182, 182d, 187, 187d] |
462
November 14
Palace Court |
Minutes of Trustees for Georgia. Resolved that the Act for appointing
and regulating pilots in Georgia and laying duties be reconsidered by
the Trustees. Read letters from Col Oglethorpe of 4 and 16 July and
from John Fallowfield. [no 301]. Read letter from Patrick Grant dated 14 July [no 280 of
15 July]. Sealed duplicate of grant of land to Rev John MacLeod. Entry. 2 pp. [CO 5/687,
pp 138–139] |
463
November 15
Frederica |
James Oglethorpe to Duke of Newcastle. I have not as yet in any
manner acted against the Spaniards but last night I received advice from
Amelia that the Spaniards landed there and murdered two unarmed
men of ours who were fetching wood. The garrison being alarmed made a sally, being
assisted by a boat that is on guard there. The Spaniards retired so fast that they could not
overtake them. Signed. 1 p. Endorsed, R, 12 March 1740. [CO 654, ff 236–237d] |
464
November 16
Whitehall |
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Privy
Council sending extract of letter from Governor Mathew of 21 October
1738 giving reasons for removing Thomas Pym from Council at Nevis.
Entry. Signatories, M Bladen, Arthur Croft, R Plumer. 1 p. [CO 153/16, pp 166–167] |
465
November 16
Antigua |
Governor William Mathew to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations sending four Acts passed in St Christopher's, minutes of Assembly of Montserrat to 31 July 1739, and abstracts of births, marriages and
burials for two parishes in St Christopher's. The first of these Acts under the marshal's
care is much defaced and rat-eaten but I have a fair duplicate to send and I could not get
them sooner returned to transmit them. Signed. 2 small pp. Endorsed, Recd. 10 March,
Read 18 April 1740. Enclosed:
465 i Abstract from register of parish of St Thomas Middle Island, St Christopher's, 30 October 1738 to 30 October 1739. Baptised, 27. Marriages, 6. Buried, 75.
NB. Of the 75 buried, 58 were between 5 November and 22 March. Signed, John
Merac, rector. 1 small p.
465 ii Same for parish of Trinity Palmetto Point, St Christopher's, for same
period. Baptised, 12. Marriages, 3. Buried, 26. Signed, as no 465i. 1 small p. [CO
152/23, ff 262–265d] |
466
November 16
Palace Court |
Minutes of Common Council of Georgia. Read report from committee
of accounts on various sums claimed by Robert Williams for provisions
and services supplied in Georgia. Resolved that 88l 2s 11½d for damages
on account of protest in Georgia, 48l 19s 4½d for interest, and 15s 6d for protest in
London, be disallowed. Resolved that 587l 13s be paid to him, on security of Papillon
Ball, pending report of commissioners in Georgia. Other claims referred to commissioners. Read report from committee of accounts showing unapplied balance for 1738–1739 to
be 2352l 5s 9d; resolved that the account be exhibited pursuant to charter and 100 copies
printed. Ordered that 710l in sola bills returned by Gen Oglethorpe be cancelled and the
sum reimbursed to him, he having undertaken to defray with his own bills the expenses
for which those bills were sent. Ordered that all Gen Oglethorpe's letters and accounts
from 22 September 1738 to 20 June 1739 be referred to committee of accounts. Read
petition of Augustus Spangenberg; resolved that his town-lot and 50 acres in Savannah be
granted to Anthony Seyffart, elder of the Moravian Brethren, and his successors as elder.
Read petition of Samuel Auspurgur to have title to the land he obtained of Gen
Oglethorpe, ten years immunity from rents and taxes, and leave to keep black servants;
resolved to give him a grant of land under the usual conditions but not leave to keep
Negroes. On petition of Thomas Stephens, resolved to give him 50l for past services in
Georgia. Read petition of John Calwell to have his child brought from Cork to Frederica;
granted. Referred petitions of Sterling & Grant and of Rebecca Cheesewright to
committee of correspondence. Signed draft on the bank for 1297l 13s. Entry. 8½ pp. [CO
5/690, pp 258–266] |
467
November 16
Frederica |
James Oglethorpe to Trustees for Georgia. The Spaniards have fallen
upon Amelia and killed two unarmed sick men; one of the scoutboats
being there took the alarm and they and a party from the garrison
pursued the Spaniards very briskly. We have not so much as given the least provocation to
the Spaniards as yet but most manfully they surprised two poor sick men, cut off their
heads, mangled their bodies most barbarously, and as soon as a party and boat appeared
which together did not make their number they retired with the utmost precipitation. A
number of scoutboats are absolutely necessary. The men-of-war stationed at Charleston
cannot be here. Since Capt Burrish went away we have had no man-of-war except Capt
Fanshaw and he did not stay above eight or ten days. The launches from Augustine can
run into almost every inlet in the province, therefore it is absolutely necessary that the
Trustees should apply to Parliament for at least five 10-oared boats and a troop of rangers,
otherwise there will be no possibility of the people's going out to plant without being
murdered as those Highlanders were. The regiment can defend the parts they are in but
they cannot march on foot over the waters without boats nor overtake horse or Indians
on foot in the vast woods on the continent. |
|
The French have attacked the Carolina Indians and the Spaniards have invaded us. I
wish it may not be resolved between them to root the English out of America. We here
are resolved to die hard and will not lose one inch of ground without fighting but we
cannot do impossibilities. We have no cannon from the King nor any others but some
small iron guns bought by the Trust. We have very little powder, we have no horse for
marching and very few boats and no fund for paying the men but of one boat. The
Spaniards have a number of launches, also horse and a fine train of artillery well-provided
with all stores. The best expedient I can think of is to strike first, and as our strength
consists in men and that the people of the colony as well as the soldiers handle their arms
well and are desirous of action, I think the best way is to make use of our strength and
beat them out of the field and destroy their plantations and outsettlements (in which the
Indians who are very faithful can assist us) and to form the siege of Augustine if I can get
artillery. It is impossible to keep this province or Carolina without either destroying
Augustine or keeping horse-rangers and scoutboats sufficient to restrain their nimble
parties. I must therefore again desire you would insist for our having an establishment of
four 10-oared boats to the southward and one at Savannah, a small train of artillery, some
gunners, and at least 400 barrels of cannon- and 100 barrels of musket-powder with
bullets proportionable. I am fortifying the town of Frederica and hope I shall be repaid
the expenses, from whom I do not know, yet I could not think of leaving a number of
good houses and merchants' goods and, which was more valuable, the lives of men,
women and children in an open town at the mercy of every party and the inhabitants
obliged either to fly to a fort and leave their effects or suffer with them. |
|
Mr Williamson, who was appointed to succeed Mr Christie in case the latter could
make up his records, had left his plantation and was removed to Charleston and settled as
a lawyer there before your letter arrived. On hearing that he was appointed recorder with
a salary he came back but did not bring his family with him and it was reported in the
town that he intended to act by deputy, which he denied to me but at the same time said
he would not bring up his family till after he was declared recorder and insisted that the
magistrates' employments ought to be held during good behaviour that the Trustees
might not turn them out precipitately. I found by his conversation that he was very much
of a lawyer and a much better attorney than the town of Savannah wants. He is likely to
have a good practice at Charleston where the people like him mightily and I believe it will
be much better for him to be encouraged there than to be buried at Savannah where the
whole town can hardly pay the charge of one chancery suit. Col Stephens thought that
according to your orders he could not deliver him his constitution till he had conformed
to them. All things are very quiet with the new magistrates and I believe will continue so
if the court remains as it is, but I believe any alterations would hurt unless it were the
changing Christie for Pye, a very industrious young man who writes an exceeding good
hand, is a pretty good scholar, very honest and sober, and is no attorney. Signed. 4 pp.
Endorsed, Recd. 10 March 1739/40. [CO 5/640, ff 415–416d] |
468
November 17 |
Extract of letter from committee of Assembly of South Carolina to
Peregrine Fury, agent to said province. The lieut-governor last week
received an express from the Chickasaws that the French are arrived near their border
with 2000 men, French and Indians, who are to join from Montreal near Canada and New
Orleans near the mouth of the Mississippi River, and are hourly expected to fall upon the
Chickasaws, not consisting of above 500 fighting men who it is greatly feared will fall a
sacrifice to the enemy; and it is an inevitable consequence that if the French succeed, the
Creeks will follow or by joining the strongest side will be forced to fall on this province.
We shall not fail in a short time to lay before HM an humble representation of the present
unfortunate condition of this province and of the dangerous consequences we have just
reason to apprehend from the conquests which the French are continually making over
the Indians in alliance with this government, and from the open and secret attempts of the
Spaniards of St Augustine upon our slaves by which means (as we justly apprehend) many
of them have been incited to rise in rebellion against us with an expectation no doubt of
retiring thither after having perpetrated several barbarous murders upon HM's subjects of
this province. ¾ p. [CO 5/388, ff 166–167d] |
469
November 20
Charleston |
Lieut-Governor William Bull to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. This province has been lately visited with an epidemical fever
which raged chiefly in Charleston and carried off great numbers of
people, amongst whom died Mr Chief Justice Wright, Maurice Lewis, judge of the
Vice-Admiralty and master in chancery, Mr Higginson, surveyor and comptroller of
HM's Customs, Mr Amyand, clerk of the Assembly, and Mr Strahan, register of the court
of Vice-Admiralty. The next Wednesday after the death of Mr Chief Justice Wright being
the day appointed by law to hold the sessions, I appointed Thomas Dale (one of the
assistant judges) to hold that court. But as the office of chief justice was a place of
importance, I thought proper to consult the Council in the filling up of that vacancy, who
were of opinion that Benjamin Whitaker was the most proper person, and he was
thereupon appointed by me till HM's pleasure is known; and I have also appointed
William Frewin to be judge of the Vice-Admiralty, Mr Alexander Cramahé master in
chancery, Mr Childermass Croft clerk of the Assembly, and Mr William Freeman register
in the court of Vice-Admiralty. The late chief justice's death having occasioned a vacancy
in HM's Council, I recommend Col Joseph Blake, a gentleman of great interest and
integrity and well qualified for that trust. He was one of the late Lords Proprietors and
empowered Gen Nicholson when he went from Carolina to make an offer of his eighth
part of this province to His late Majesty. |
|
In my last I acquainted you that the French with some Indians were on their march
from Montreal against some Indians near the Mississippi who are at peace and have a
trade with HM's subjects. I have just received advice that those forces have taken
possession and built a fort on a branch of the Mississippi River, where they are to be
joined by other French and Indians from New Orleans. This fort is within four days
march of the Chickasaw Indians who are a brave people consisting of about five or six
hundred men. They withstood and defeated the French in two attacks about two or three
years ago but are now under a great apprehension of being destroyed by the great number
of their enemies, who are assembled so near them that they now think it unsafe to retreat
and are determined to wait the event in their own towns. Signed. 2¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd.
14 February, Read 15 February 1740. [CO 5/367, ff 144–145d] |
470
November 20
Charleston |
President William Bull to Duke of Newcastle. Duplicate of no 469.
Signed. 2¼ small pp. Endorsed, R, February. [CO 5/388, ff 187, 187d] |
471
November 21 |
Certificate by Governor Jonathan Belcher that Nicholas Gilman and
Moses Leavit are JPs in New Hampshire and that Elisha Edlin is
town-clerk of Exeter, New Hampshire. Copy. ¾ p. Enclosed:
471 i Exeter, 17 November 1739. Affidavit, sworn before Nicholas Gilman and
Moses Leavit, by John Gilman, Peter Thing and John Hall, all of Exeter. Letter, dated
5 May 1739 and directed to Sir Charles Wager, was not written by them or any of
them. Governor Belcher ordered that Col Dunbar should be assisted in office for
preservation of white pines and has always behaved uprightly. Copy. 2¼ pp.
471 ii Exeter, 17 November 1739. Certificate by Elisha Edlin, town-clerk, that
the name of neither George Gerrish nor Joseph Lord can be found in the townrecords. Copy. ½ p.
471 iii Exeter, 5 May 1739. Letter from John Gilman, Joseph Lord, George
Gerrish, Peter Thing and John Hall to Sir Charles Wager alleging that destruction of
white pines was encouraged by Governor Belcher. Copy. 3 pp. Annotated, The forged
letter to Sir C W.
471 iv Exeter, 17 November 1739. John Gilman, Peter Thing and John Hall to Sir
Charles Wager denying authorship of forged letter and facts there alleged. Sworn to,
before Nicholas Gilman and Moses Leavit on 17 November 1739. Copy. 3 pp. [CO
5/899, ff 370–377d] |
472
[November 21] |
Capt Temple West, captain of HMS Deal Castle, to Thomas Hill
enclosing answers to queries. Signed. Annotated, 21 November 1739,
Recd. per post from Portsmouth. 1 small p. Endorsed, Recd. 21 November, Read 22
November 1739. Enclosed:
472 i The answers to the inquiries you were pleased to send me as follows.
The number of inhabitants settled at Canso, besides the troops, are nine or ten
families who reside there constantly and in the summer season there are upwards of
seventy who come from different parts of New England and have houses, stages and
all other conveniences for their fishery. The former are chiefly labouring people who
provide materials in the winter season to make and repair the stages, etc for the latter,
and in the summer season they are aiding and assisting to them in curing and shipping
their fish. The sorts of vessels employed in the Canso fishery are schooners and
sloops, burthen from 15 to 45 tons, and come chiefly from New England, namely
Boston, Piscataway, Ipswich, Cape Ann, Newcastle, Gloucester, Portsmouth, Plymouth, etc and they fish chiefly upon the halves which is the fishermen's part of their
labour, and the other part for the owners for the use of their vessels and all supplies.
The best of the fish is carried for sale to the different parts of Europe and the ordinary
refuge to the West Indies; that which goes to the West Indies is carried in some of the
largest of the fishery vessels and that which goes to Europe is carried in ships who are
fitted some from Old England and some from New. The people mentioned in the first
article who reside in Canso the summer season for the carrying on the fishery are
possessed of all conveniences for the same as in Newfoundland and hold said
possessions by virtue of patents from the government, each man his lot according to
the business he carries on. And the fish are cured with sun and salt as in
Newfoundland. The inhabitants have their houses and enclosures distant from the
fishery. The inhabitants are concerned in the fishery and are employed by them as in
the first article, by which means they subsist their families. The manner of curing of
fish is much after the manner of curing of hay and it takes 10 hogsheads of salt to each
100 quintals of fish. |
|
The state of the fishery at Cape Breton is very large and their strength very great.
They load at least 50 ships in a year of 100 tons one with the other. They catch their
fish part in shallops as in Newfoundland and parts in schooners and sloops as in
Canso and employ about 3000 men in the summer season, about half of which come
from France in the spring and return in the fall; those that remain in the winter are
employed in fishing almost the whole time, in which they have generally great success
and are able thereby to send ships to market much earlier than we. |
The officers do not concern themselves in the fishery nor the disposal of beaches,
stage or flakes. The soldiers in case of necessity assist the fishermen to cure their fish.
Signed, T West. 2 pp.
472 ii State of cod fishery at Canso in 1739. |
|
Vessels
Names |
From
Whence |
Men |
Tons |
Quintals of
Fish Made |
Whither
Bound |
|
(Schooners) |
|
Marlebrough
|
Boston |
4 |
30 |
400 |
To the several parts they come from in New England |
|
Abigall
|
Piscataway |
5 |
30 |
500 |
|
Squirell
|
Ipswich |
5 |
20 |
500 |
|
Stephen
|
Piscataway |
5 |
30 |
500 |
|
Marygold
|
Ipswich |
5 |
20 |
450 |
|
Molly
|
Cape Ann |
4 |
20 |
400 |
|
Two Brothers
|
Gloucester |
5 |
15 |
400 |
|
Friendship
|
Plymouth |
4 |
20 |
400 |
|
Sea Horse
|
Cape Ann |
5 |
20 |
300 |
|
Wheelwright
|
Ipswich |
5 |
25 |
400 |
|
Canço
|
Piscataway |
5 |
20 |
450 |
|
Friendship
|
Boston |
4 |
30 |
500 |
|
Abigall
|
Piscataway |
4 |
30 |
400 |
|
Abigall
|
Piscataway |
6 |
30 |
400 |
|
Speedwell
|
Portsmouth |
4 |
25 |
450 |
|
Seaflower
|
Cape Ann |
4 |
18 |
400 |
|
Transport
|
Ipswich |
5 |
30 |
400 |
|
Dolphin
|
Ipswich |
5 |
30 |
400 |
|
Charming Molly
|
Ipswich |
5 |
25 |
450 |
|
Fish Hook
|
Piscataway |
6 |
40 |
600 |
|
Tryall
|
Portsmouth |
5 |
25 |
500 |
|
Delight
|
Newcastle |
5 |
20 |
500 |
|
Margrit
|
Newcastle |
5 |
18 |
450 |
|
Sarah
|
Piscataway |
5 |
25 |
400 |
|
Olivebranch
|
Boston |
6 |
30 |
500 |
|
Francis
|
Cape Ann |
5 |
30 |
450 |
|
Seaflower
|
Ipswich |
6 |
25 |
500 |
|
Endeavour
|
Newcastle |
6 |
24 |
500 |
|
Unis
|
Portsmouth |
4 |
15 |
300 |
|
Flying Horse
|
Ipswich |
4 |
25 |
400 |
|
Two Brothers
|
Falmouth |
5 |
25 |
500 |
|
Ann
|
Piscataway |
5 |
25 |
500 |
|
Neptune
|
Portsmouth |
5 |
25 |
400 |
|
Willing Maid
|
Plymouth |
4 |
30 |
400 |
|
Endeavour
|
Portsmouth |
5 |
20 |
400 |
|
Flying Fish
|
Portsmouth |
5 |
15 |
450 |
|
Jolly Robbin
|
Piscataway |
5 |
30 |
700 |
|
Speedwell
|
Boston |
4 |
30 |
400 |
|
Grayhound
|
Ipswich |
5 |
35 |
500 |
|
Dove
|
Ipswich |
5 |
20 |
400 |
|
Swallow
|
Portsmouth |
5 |
35 |
400 |
|
George & Sarah
|
Newcastle |
5 |
25 |
450 |
|
Goodintent
|
Ipswich |
5 |
30 |
500 |
|
Tryall
|
Portsmouth |
5 |
30 |
450 |
|
Goodintent
|
Ipswich |
6 |
30 |
500 |
|
Mary & Ralph
|
Boston |
7 |
45 |
650 |
|
Thomas
|
Gloucester |
4 |
18 |
350 |
|
Speedwell
|
Marblehead |
4 |
20 |
400 |
|
(Sloops) |
|
Endeavour
|
Cape Ann |
5 |
20 |
300 |
|
Dolphin
|
Cape Ann |
3 |
19 |
260 |
|
TOTALS |
126 |
1252 |
22160 |
|
Sack Ships lading at Canso in 1739 |
|
Ships
Names |
From
Whence |
Men |
Tons |
Whither
Bound |
Quintals
Shipped |
|
Etherell
|
London |
10 |
120 |
England |
2500 |
|
Pegasus
|
London |
8 |
100 |
England |
1800 |
|
Peter
|
Boston |
8 |
120 |
Boston |
1800 |
|
Prosperous
|
Boston |
6 |
60 |
Boston |
1400 |
|
Sarum
|
London |
8 |
100 |
England |
2500 |
|
St Thomas
|
Southampton |
10 |
130 |
England |
2500 |
|
Tagus
|
Cadiz |
10 |
130 |
England |
2500 |
|
Molly
|
Cork |
7 |
60 |
Lisbon |
1400 |
|
Providence
|
Plymouth |
9 |
130 |
Lisbon |
1500 |
|
TOTALS |
76 |
956 |
|
17900 |
|
2½ pp. [CO 217/8, ff 52–57d] |
473
[November 21] |
Return of the commissioners of review in the dispute between Connecticut and the Mohegan Indians. With further evidence and proceeding
thereon in May and June 1738. Copy. 90 pp. Annotated, Recd. 21 November 1739 from
John Sharpe and then laid before the Board. [CO 5/1269, ff 74–123] |
474
November 22
Boston |
Governor Jonathan Belcher to Duke of Newcastle. [In substance same
as no 434] Signed. 7½ small pp. [CO 5/899, ff 381–384d] |
475
November 22
Savannah |
Thomas Causton to Trustees for Georgia. Necessity obliges me to lay
before you a petition wherein I have endeavoured to set forth the nature
of that employ which your service demanded of me with an abstract of
the reasons for those expenses which attended it. Gen Oglethorpe having particularly
desired and declared that nothing else was wanted of me but such accounts as would show
reasons for the expense from the time he last left the colony to the time of his last arrival,
an abstract of such accounts is (only) laid before you. I beg leave to acquaint you that the
several sums therein mentioned to be the supposed value or amount of the respective
articles are not supposed because the books do not show it; but contrariwise those
accounts are also drawn together and remain with the other accounts in the custody of
those whom you have commissioned to examine them, and by reason (only) that my
access to them is denied those sums cannot (now) be known by me neither is it in my
power to proceed further without your orders. As no just reason can be assigned for so
extraordinary a proceeding or to refuse my being present at any examination of them, I
submit to you how far it demonstrates a design either to prevent the present knowledge of
those particulars to you whereby reports to my prejudice may have greater weight or that
they are sensible such reasons are so just as to invalidate those pretended crimes which
have been already laid to my charge. As I imagine it of the greatest moment that the
reasons for such expenses should be fully known, as well from the beginning as at the end,
I shall always with the most exact duty and readiness attend your commands, hoping that
no secret means (which calumny or envy may have raised to divest me of your favour and
protection) will be suffered to succeed. Signed. 1½ small pp. Endorsed, Recd. 20 March
1739/40. [CO 5/640, ff 417–418d] |
476
November 23
Whitehall |
Order of Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs referring six
Acts passed in Pennsylvania on 19 May 1739 to Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations for examination and report. Seal. Signed,
J Vernon. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 29 November, Read 5 December 1739. [CO 5/1269, ff
128, 128d, 131, 131d] |
477
November 23
Whitehall |
Same referring the enclosed to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations for report. Seal. Signed, J Vernon. ¾ p. Endorsed, Recd., Read 29
November 1739. Enclosed:
477 i Return of commissioners of review upon dispute between Connecticut and
the Mohegan Indians. The commission finds that Ben Uncas is chief sachem of the
Mohegans. Copy. Signatories, as no 330. 3 pp. [CO 5/1269, ff 124–127d] |
478
November 23
Whitehall |
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Privy
Council. We have no maps of Virginia or neighbouring colonies of 1686
or earlier wherein the Fairfax claims may be described. Entry. Signatories, Monson, M Bladen, E Ashe, R Herbert, R Plumer, J Brudenell. 1 p. [CO 5/1366, p
328; draft in CO 5/1335, ff 181–181A dorse] |
479
November 25
Whitehall |
William Stephens to Harman Verelst. Whilst I was earnestly providing
materials for a packet to the Trustees wherein I might in some measure
perform what I had in view for their better information in sundry
matters, I received a packet per express from the general in the south with various
dispatches which he left to my care to forward to Carolina; and well knowing of how
great consequence his letters at all times may be supposed I cannot miss the first
opportunity of so doing without regard to any convenience of my own in sending what I
had to offer in company with it. But having my journal ready I would not omit putting
that at least under cover, presuming some things in it may be judged worthy the
consideration of the board, and I shall give myself little rest till I fulfil as I purposed with
all speed what is to follow, which possibly may overtake this yet at Charleston or
however be but little behind it. Then I shall take due notice of the several directions I
received in the letters of 14 and 16 July by Capt Thomson the very next day after date of
mine to you, which was 6 October and which I hope you will receive. Since that time we
hear of no ships yet arrived from England but I hope we may shortly now the season is
come that usually brings them, when I shall also wish for letters from my son, four
months being near passed since he went hence; and as he left me with assurance of
returning I have no reason to doubt it nor your kind countenance and aid in promoting it,
whom in many instances I stand so much obliged to. You will look on what I now write
to be in a hurry; my next shall not be so. Signed. ½ p. Addressed. Endorsed, Recd. 18
March 1739/40. [CO 5/640, ff 419, 419d] |
480
November 26
Boston |
Governor Jonathan Belcher to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. Last night I received your letter of 7 September in answer to five
of mine to 23 January last. As a great part of your letter consists of
things in a manner done with I shall waive any reply on those heads. I am glad mine of 11
May 1737 to Mr Popple was so much to your satisfaction. I am sorry with you that the
Assemblies here have so little regard to their fortifications (such as they are) which are so
absolutely necessary to their own security. I must plainly tell you that in case of a war the
town of Boston would be an easy prey to a small force and the rest of the seaports of the
province are still more naked. My judgment about the Indians, 29 August 1738, proved
right and they still remain quiet according to advices I have received this day from the
eastern frontiers; but in case of a French war I expect no other than that the Indians will
soon come to a rupture with this and the neighbouring provinces. The state of the paper
currency transmitted you last year was as full and short as I could make it. I have the
honour to be entirely with you in your report to HM on the 60000l bill, but when I
communicated the report to the present Assembly here you find by their journals they
would think no more about it, and according to the best judgment I can make of this
Assembly they have no desire of emitting any paper currency under a fixed value. By this
conveyance the House of Representatives send home one of their members (Mr
Christopher Kilby) still to go on to dispute HM's 16th instruction, and unless they can
have it disannulled they seem resolved to starve the governor and all the officers of the
government, to pay no public debts, to support no government, nor to defend the
province. This, I say, seems to be the language of their present proceedings. I thankfully
own your justice to me in ordering me a copy of the petition of John North Esq and
others residing in the eastern parts of this province containing several complaints against
me. This copy I lately received from my agent, Mr Partridge, and you may depend I will
lose no time in making a full answer to it. And in order to make it the more complete I
have this day sent a man to George's River where the most of these people live to bring
me some things necessary to set forth my innocence in what they complain of; and as it's
near 200 miles to St George's from hence I don't expect a return of what I have desired in
less than 14 or 20 days, and by the first ship after that I shall send forward my answer. As
the Assembly of this province meets 5th of next month I shall communicate to them what
you acquaint me with, which you had received from Mr Clarke, lieut-governor of New
York, and in the meantime I must inform you that great pains have been taken by this
province with that of New York to have the boundaries settled between them, but I never
could find New York show any real disposition to have it done. In this article I shall be
more particular in a little time. Signed. 6½ small pp. Endorsed, Recd. 25 February, Read 27
February 1740. [CO 5/882, ff 183–186d] |
481
November 27
Whitehall |
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Committee of Privy
Council. Pursuant to Order of 9th inst we have considered the petition
of John Yeamans, Thomas Butler and Richard Coope, agents for
Antigua, Nevis and St Christopher's, praying for stores of war. We have been attended by
Gen Dalziel, colonel of the regiment of foot now doing duty in those islands, and by Col
Morrice, lieut-colonel of the said regiment, who is lately arrived from thence, as also by
the agents. In discoursing with Gen Dalziel and Col Morrice in relation to the quantity as
well as the quality of the stores requested, these gentlemen were of the opinion that the
said stores were all of them necessary in the present juncture for the defence and security
of those islands; that the number of field-pieces prayed for with a proper proportion of
everything thereunto belonging would be greatly wanted in case of an attack from any
enemy; and as to their calibre they conceived that field-pieces from 1½-pounder to
2-pounders would be more useful than larger pieces of ordnance. We observed that in the
former application to HM upon this subject the number of field-pieces prayed for was
only twenty but those now desired are thirty-two; upon which the agents informed us
that none of those was designed for Montserrat, to which island they now propose to
send a certain proportion. As to the powder prayed for, we must acquaint you that there
is an Act in force in the Leeward Islands which obliges every vessel that comes there to
leave a certain quantity of powder for supplying the magazines, notwithstanding which
the said agents have assured us there is not a sufficient quantity for the present exigency
and therefore they hope HM will grant their request in the present extraordinary
juncture. As to the smallarms, we must observe to you that, though the country is obliged
to furnish each of the militia with one firelock, it may be necessary in the present posture
of affairs that there should be a store of arms to supply any loss that may happen in
service. And although we have generally been of opinion that the smallarms and powder
ought to be paid for by the respective colonies, yet we apprehend in the present situation
of affairs in America that HM may be pleased to indulge the petitioners in their request.
Entry. Signatories, Monson, M Bladen, A Croft, R Plumer, R Herbert. 3 pp. [CO 153/16,
ff 85–86d (pagination defective)] |
482
November 28 |
Thomas Hill to Charles Carkesse requesting reply to letter of 24
January last regarding Bermuda. Entry. ¾ p. [CO 38/8, pp 309–310] |
483
November 28
Council Chamber
[Charleston] |
Lieut-Governor William Bull to Duke of Newcastle. This province
having felt the good effects of HM's favour by the assistance of your
powerful intercession in obtaining so complete a set of ordnance and
smallarms for the defence of Carolina, the Council and Assembly are
desirous by the first opportunity to show their gratitude and return their unfeigned
thanks to HM in a most dutiful address which they have desired me to forward. The
favour and regard which you was pleased to show for the welfare of Carolina when I
applied to you in behalf of this province for obtaining this ordnance has encouraged me
on this occasion to beg that you will continue your patronage and at a proper time to lay
before HM the humble address of thanks herewith sent to our agent Mr Fury. Signed. 1½
small pp. Endorsed, Recd. 12 March. Enclosed:
483 i Address of thanks to the King by Council and Assembly of South Carolina,
27 November 1739. Signed, (for the Council) A Skene, (for the Assembly) C
Pinckney, speaker. 1 p. [CO 5/388, ff 168–169d] |
484
November 28
Palace Court |
Minutes of Common Council of Georgia. On report of committee of
accounts concerning further proposals of Robert Williams, who had
waived some of his claims, resolved to pay him 67l 13s 6½d in addition
to the 587l 13s already paid him. Read report of committee of accounts upon the account
sent over by Gen Oglethorpe which is made out with great exactness and in a satisfactory
manner. The committee made observations concerning several matters with which the
general is to be acquainted. Resolved to agree to this report and to pay 1289l 11s 5¼d to the
general's order. Signed drafts on the bank for 1357l 4s 11d and 1289l 11s 5¼d. The
accountant reported two other drafts on the bank since 11 June last for 300l and 500l.
Entry. 7½pp. [CO 5/690, pp 267–274] |
485
November 30
New York |
Lieut-Governor George Clarke to Duke of Newcastle enclosing papers. I did all that was possible to bring the Assembly to give a revenue
upon a general appropriation but the precedent that Governor Morris
gave in Jersey was too strong for me and I was obliged to give way to necessity, for the
people were on the point of growing clamorous for that and for the continuance of the
paper money. However, I have got the Assembly to put the province in a posture of
self-defence and have laid I think a sure foundation for a general harmony, which in case
of a rupture with France is absolutely necessary as this is a frontier province that covers
from Canada the western colonies. Signed. 1½ small pp. Endorsed, R, February. Enclosed:
485 i New York, 30 November 1738. Same to Commissioners for Trade and
Plantations. Signed. Copy of no 486. 3 pp.
485 ii Council of New York to Lieut-Governor Clarke. Copy of no 486i. 1¼ large
pp.
485 iii Speech of Lieut-Governor Clarke to General Assembly of New York, 3
October 1739. Printed. 1 p.
485 iv Undated letter from [commissioners for Indian affairs to Lieut-Governor
Clarke]. We have at last received an answer to the message we sent by four Mohawk
Indians to the commanding officer at Crown Point the 11th July last about the French
settling on the south side of the lake between Crown Point and the carrying place,
which is as follows and was given them by the governor of Canada. That the King of
France claims all the land south, north and east lying on all the rivers and creeks that
empty themselves towards Canada, even to the carrying place and the lake of St
Sacrament, and that he will not suffer the English to make any settlements upon any of
those lands; but that if they should attempt to do it he (the governor of Canada)
would hinder it. Upon which he gave a belt of wampum as a token in presence of his
Indians and ours; but, notwithstanding, he would give all his right to the forementioned land from Crown Point to the carrying place to our Mohawks and his own
Indians as a deed of gift to make use of it for a hunting place for them and their
posterity, and at the same time assured them that no French should settle there. Copy.
1 p. Annotated, Recd. 3 November 1739, G C [CO 5/1094, ff 117–122d] |
486
November 30
New York |
Lieut-Governor George Clarke to Commissions for Trade and Plantations. On 17th of this month I adjourned the Assembly to the second
Tuesday in April next. I flattered myself that upon the strength of your
letter of 6 February last I should be able to bring them to give a revenue for a competent
number of years upon a general appropriation and without a particular application of it.
To that end I bent all my endeavours and used all possible means to bring them to it but
all in vain. They remained inflexible and seemed resolved to run all risks rather than give
in to it; they knew the country were unanimous in the same sentiments and from thence
they were assured of their elections on a new choice. In this confidence they went on and
I prorogued them for a few days hoping they might somehow or other change their
minds; but this had no effect, they persuaded themselves from the strong appearances of
an open rupture with Spain and France that instead of dissolving them I would lay hold of
their present sitting to put the province in a posture of defence. This consideration
wrought strongly upon me and made me cast off all thoughts of a dissolution, fearing
likewise that new elections might revive old animosities and beget new ones at a time
when the greatest unanimity would be absolutely necessary; besides they were fortified in
their resolutions of applying the revenue from a recent example in the adjoining province,
Mr Morris the governor of New Jersey having last winter (after I had dissolved the
Assembly of this province for attempting it) given his assent to the Revenue Bill whereby
the money was particularly applied. However I would do nothing rashly and therefore
advised with the Council upon it who were unanimously of opinion that considering the
present circumstances of affairs it was by no means proper for me at this time to dissolve
the Assembly but rather to comply with them in letting 'em apply the money they give
for the support of government and to give the paper money a further continuance, as you
may perceive by the enclosed copy of their opinion which they gave me in writing. Being
thus reduced to the necessity of giving way to the Assembly I got them to make provision
for fortifying the province, to wit to finish the battery in this town, to build a new fort in
the Mohawks country and another at Saratoga, our most advanced settlements towards
the fort which the French have built at Crown Point, and 100l to be applied in the
purchase of a piece of ground at Tierondequat in the Senecas country that we may thereby
get footing there and keep the French from possessing themselves of it, a thing which I
have long aimed at but could never till now get the Assembly to give any money for it. All
these things are highly necessary at all times as this is a frontier province but more
especially at this time when a rupture with France is mentioned in the newspapers as a
thing we are to expect. I hope for your favourable construction of what I have done. If I
have departed from my former resolutions I beg you to consider that the necessity of the
times, the defenceless condition of the province, and the bad example mentioned have
compelled me to it. |
By two vessels I lately sent you an account of the stores as they were in 1737 whereby
it will appear that we were then destitute of everything but great guns and I fear that upon
trial they will be found to be unfit for service being very old and much honeycombed. At
present there is not one carriage or set of wheels that can be called good nor has there been
an ounce of powder in the fort since I have had the government but what I have bought
with my own money to fire on public days. This province has never bought any powder
but has always been furnished with it from home. We have a great many muskets but
almost all unserviceable which lie ready to be sent home upon the first order, hoping they
may be exchanged for new ones. But I will not give you any further trouble about
particulars since our wants will fully appear by the account mentioned and I hope you
will make such a representation thereof as from thence we may be fully supplied. Capt
Farmer who carries this and Capt Bryant who is soon to follow him have viewed our
guns, carriages and stores, and can give you an account of the wretched condition they are
in, from whence you will I hope represent likewise the necessity of our being supplied
very speedily. When I sent you an account of the stores I likewise represented the
necessity of presents for the Six Nations of Indians to which I refer, hoping by the first
ship to receive them. I have likewise got this session an Act for the better regulating the
militia who are all to arm and furnish themselves with ammunition and I am giving
directions to have them more duly exercised than they have been. I have lately received
from the commissioners of Indian affairs the governor of Canada's answer to the
Mohawks whom I sent to Crown Point to forbid the French settling any lands on this
side of the lake, which you will see in the enclosed paper no 2. If the French king's claim
be allowed he will take in great part of the Six Nations and of other nations of Indians
depending on the crown of England and lying on the back of all our colonies, for his claim
is not confined to the springhead of Wood Creek but extends itself to the springheads of
all the rivers that lead into any of the lakes that disembogue themselves into the river St
Lawrence. Signed. 2½pp. Endorsed, Recd. 18 February, Read 20 February 1740. Enclosed:
486 i Council of New York to Lieut-Governor Clarke advising against dissolution of Assembly. 1½pp.
486 ii 3 October 1739. Speech of Lieut-Governor Clarke to Assembly of New
York proroguing it to 9 October. Printed. 1 p.
486 iii Undated letter from [commissioners of Indian affairs] to Lieut-Governor
Clarke. Copy, of no 485iv. 1 p. [CO 5/1059, ff 123–127; covering letter and no 486i
slightly damaged] |
