|
April 1.
Boston. |
806. John Borland (?) to Robert Ferguson. It was I who encouraged Livingston to write to you. I have read all the enclosures, and know not that any of them may be used to the disadvantage of this Country's interest at Court. You will be a better judge than I, so pray make your own use of them and withal do Mr. Livingston any kindness you can in his private affairs. Some or most sober persons have a good opinion of Captain Leisler's proceedings, but the Tory party have an extremely bad character of him. Mr. Livingston is a stranger to me, but we have an intimate friend in common. ½ p. The signature spoiled by the seal. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 117.] |
April 1.
Boston. |
807. Extract from a letter of Daniel Allin at Boston to Joseph Dudley. I wish I could give you better news. Senectady is surprised and taken, also Cacheca and Salmon Falls. A Frenchman was taken prisoner and brought to Boston, who gave intelligence that there were two more parties of seven hundred men from Canada to the westward, so I doubt not that our frontier will be driven in. The Maquas have asked for a considerable force to be sent to dislodge the French, but it will be well if the quarrel between Albany and Mr. Leisler do not drive the Maquas over to the French. Leisler is sending a considerable force under Secretary Milborne to reduce Albany, but it is expected that they will resist them to the death. Mr. Livingston has been here to ask for men, money and provisions to be sent to Albany to join the Maquas, but without success. Sir William Phips is to command by sea against Canada, and preparations are active. The people to Eastwards are much endangered, but those at Senectady and Salmon Falls ought to have been hanged if they had not had their throats cut, for Senectady was divided into factions; the gate was left open and not so much as a sentinel posted. We are in great danger, for if four or five French ships should attack us sharply we should probably be reduced under another Government. Our men's spirits are not so hot for real service as they have been on other occasions. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 29 May, 1690. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 77.] |
April 2.
Boston. |
808. Thomas Cooper to John Ellis. We are in a bad condition what with internal differences, the attacks of the French and Indians and the scarcity of arms and ammunition. I cannot write in full, for all letters are liable to be broken open. Extract. Scrap. Endorsed. Read 29 May, 1690. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 78.] |
| April 2. |
809. Abstract of a letter from Francis Foxcroft, merchant, from Boston. We are under strict embargo, and sundry ships are fitting out against Port Royal, under the weighty conduct of the New England knight. Meanwhile Senectady and other places are lost. I hope the King will give us assistance. Copy. ½ p. Endorsed. Recd. 29 May, 1690. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 79.] |
April 2.
Portsmouth,
New England. |
810. Benjamin Woodbridge to the Bishop of London. I suppose you have heard how God has let loose the heathen upon us. It is a year and a half since the trouble began, and lately they have made a desolating inroad upon us, so that we are like Israel as told of in the book of Judges. Your charity is so well known that I make bold to represent our distresses to you, begging you to intercede for us. There are doubtless many with you that would value the blessing of them that are about to perish. Pardon my boldness, as a stranger. New England is remote, but God has his number here of those who would do no iniquity. I had thought of addressing Dr. Burnet or Dr. Stillingfleet, but am content to leave it to you. Help, whether in provisions or clothing, will be welcome. Ships from England generally go to Boston, but transport hither for them is easy. Mr. Nathaniel Fryer and Mr. Robert Eliot would be meet and faithful persons to distribute what you send. Signed. Benj. Woodbridge. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 5.] |
| April 3. |
811. Instructions to Governor Isaac Richier of Bermuda. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 246–267.] |
April 4.
Madeira. |
812. Governor Kendall to [the Earl of Shrewsbury]. We sailed from Plymouth, sixty-nine sail in all, on the 9th of March. On the 15th we met a violent storm, which on the 17th increased so much that we were near foundering. The upper deck was full of water up to the gunwales, and the tarpauling not being good the water in the hold was above the ballast. But we got her before the wind and freed her with the pumps. Our foremast was dangerously sprung, and as we ran before the wind a great sea pooped us, filled the cabin so full that it set me and the other gentlemen swimming, and did much damage. We had meanwhile lost sight of our fleet. On the 28th we captured a French ship bound to Martinique with provisions, and on the 1st of April made this Island, and on the 5th anchored in Funchal, where we found all the men-of-war except four and about twenty of the merchantmen. We shall wait for the missing ships a few days and then go on for Barbados. We are still a sickly ship, and have buried twelve men since we left Plymouth. The Governor of Madeira was extremely civil to Lord Inchiquin and myself. Signed. J. Kendall. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 4 Sept. 90. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. No. 26, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 213–216.] |
| April 7. |
813. Petition of Thomas Thornhill, Physician to Colonel Sloughter, to the Marquis Carmarthen. For a chest of medicines for the two companies in New York. 1 p. Inscribed. Read at the Committee, 7 April, 1690. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 118.] |
| April 8. |
814. William Blathwayt to Mr. Harris. Ordering him to bring the new seals for New York and Virginia on the 10th inst. Draft. ¼ p. [America and West Indies. 601. No. 26.] |
April 8.
Kensington. |
815. Order of the King in Council. For the delivery of a chest of medicines for the garrison of New York. Signed. Rich. Colinge. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., p. 255.] |
| April 8. |
816. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition of James Twyford to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed. Rich. Colinge. 1 p. Annexed, |
|
816. I. Petition of James Twyford and another to the King. For enquiry into the case of the ship Society of Bristol, wrongfully condemned at Virginia. Copy. 1½ pp. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 5. No. 1.] |
| April 10. |
817. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Sir Edmund Andros and the gentlemen lately imprisoned at Boston attended, also the Boston agents, who asked for time to prepare their charges. Orders given accordingly. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 321, 322.] |
| April 10. |
818. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Lords having received a paper from Pennsylvania order that a copy be sent to Mr. Penn, with directions that he attend them on the 17th. Draft with corrections. ½ p. [America and West Indies. 599. No. 1.] |
| [April 10.] |
819. Deposition of Jehan Forat. 4 October, 1689. Already calendared under date. No. 469. Endorsed. Recd. 10 April, 1690. [America and West Indies. 599. No. 2.] |
| [April 10.] |
820. Copy of an extract of Jacob Leisler's letter of 7 January (No. 690) referring to Pennsylvania, and of the two preceding documents. The whole, 3 pp. [America and West Indies. 599. No. 3.] |
|
821. "Golden brief for the ship Alexander, condemned in Pennsylvania." 1 p. Endorsed as above. [America and West Indies. 599. No. 4.] |
April 10.
Whitehall. |
822. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition of James Twyford as to the ship Society, of Bristol, to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 36. p. 58.] |
April 10.
Whitehall. |
823. Order of the King in Council. For discharge of the clearings due to Colonel Sloughter, and of the arrears due to the two companies with him, that he may proceed at once to New York. Draft with corrections. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 119.] |
| April 11. |
824. Commission of Deputy-Governor Stede to Captain Thomas Hewetson, taking him into the King's service. Copy. 3 pp. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 84.] |
| April 11. |
825. Account of negotiations between Robert Livingston and the General Court of Connecticut. The following requests, dated April 10, were laid before the Court. (1) That the Court would remember former requests for provisions, (2) send two companies also to Albany, (3) and an express to announce the coming of the companies, (4) raise a loan for expenses. Robert Livingston then had audience, thanked the Court for its present succour and supply in the name of Albany, and hoped that they would carry on the war as heretofore, giving assurance that Albany would not be wanting for her part. Minute of the General Court, ordering that the two companies shall be raised forthwith. Copy. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 120.] |
| April 11. |
826. Extract from a letter from Boston. Senectady has been surprised and many killed. We had intelligence of French preparations in Canada against several of our towns, since which they have attacked Newichewanock and Salmon Falls, and taken them. Not a man was in the principal fortification. They beat and took one third more than their own number. 130 of our men pursued them, but the French turned and in plain fight beat us. At the first volley forty of our men ran away, and but for failing light the rest would have been cut off. Copy. ½ p. Endorsed. Recd. from Col. Ledget. 11 July, 1690. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 80.] |
| [April .] |
827. Petition of Gilbert Bant to the King. For payment of the passage of Sir Edmund Andros and the other prisoners sent home in his ship. 1 p. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 81.] |
| April 14. |
828. Matters objected against Sir Edmund Andros, Joseph Dudley, John Palmer, Edward Randolph, John West, James Graham, George Farewell, James Sherlock and others, as occasions of their late imprisonment in New England. 1. Sir Edmund Audros after notice of the present King's intention to invade England issued a proclamation requiring all persons to oppose a Dutch invasion, endeavoured to stifle the news of his landing, and imprisoned the person who brought the King's declaration as a seditious person. 2. As Governor he made laws, imposed taxes, and threatened penalties without legal authority; he denied that the people had any property in lands without his patent; he supplied ammunition to the Indians and encouraged them against the English. 3. The other persons were confederates with him, being his officers or of his Council. Dated. April 14, 1690. Endorsed. Recd. 16 April 1690. 1¼ pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 82, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII., pp. 194, 195.] |
| April 14. |
829. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Sundry orders as to accounts and shipping. Order for the Clerk to wait on Mr. John White and Colonel James Walker with the Council books, that they may draw out what they wish to represent to the King by next fleet. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 35–38.] |
| April 17. |
830. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Petition of William Payne read (see next abstract). The Lords agreed on their report (see No. 833). Sir Edmund Andros and the gentlemen lately imprisoned appeared, but the charges against them being unsigned were dismissed. Agreed to move the King to order the delivery of the records of New York from Boston to Colonel Sloughter. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 322–324.] |
| April 17. |
831. Petition of William Payne, D.D., to the King. For justice upon the traitors who murdered his brother John Payne, in Maryland. 1 p. Inscribed. Recd. 16 April. Read in Council 17 April. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 6, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 163–164.] |
| April 17. |
832. Order of Lords of Trade and Plantations. For a copy of Dr. William Payne's petition to be sent to the Treasury. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 172–173.] |
| April 17. |
833. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King. We have examined the case of the murder of Mr. John Payne, and find that he was killed in the execution of his duty. We advise that a letter be written ordering the trial of the malefactors in Virginia or Maryland, according to the place of the crime. Draft, with corrections. 3 pp. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 7, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 169, 170.] |
April 17.
Whitehall. |
834. Order of the King in Council. Report of the Attorney General on the petition of John Hubbard. Signed. George Treby. 21 Dec., 1689. Order thereupon that Hubbard's appeal be admitted on his giving due security and the proceedings in Bermuda be meanwhile suspended. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 293, 294.] |
| April 17. |
835. Agreement between St. Jago del Castillo and Captain Thomas Hewetson for the chartering of Hewetson's ship, the Lion, for the service of the Assiento. Copy. 3½ pp. [America and West Indies. 550. No. 85.] |
April 19.
Hartford. |
836. Robert Livingston to Sir Edmund Andros. On the 9th of February a company of two hundred and fifty French and Indians came upon Senectady about eleven o'clock at night when they were all asleep, destroyed sixty persons, carried off twenty-seven men and boys prisoners, burnt all the town except six or seven houses, which were saved by Captain Sandes, the enemy having express commands to meddle with none of his relatives for his wife's sake, who had always been kind to French prisoners. The people of the town were so bigoted to Leisler that they would obey none of the magistrates nor entertain the soldiers sent there by the Convention of Albany. Nothing but men sent by Leisler would serve their turn. Thus had Leisler perverted that poor people, now lying all bloody in Senectady streets, with notions of a free trade, etc., and thus they are destroyed. They would not watch, and when Captain Sandes commanded them they threatened to burn him on the fire if he came to the guard. We were much alarmed at Albany, and sent out the Maquas that were at hand, as well as a messenger, to their castles, but the man
was so timorous that he would not go on; so that it was three days before we could get the Maquas down to pursue them. They and our men then followed them to the Great Lake. The ice being good the French had loaded their plunder in sleds, and so crossed the lake, but the Indians pursued, took fifteen and killed three. The prisoners reported that the French design to attack Albany early in the spring with 120 bateaux, 100 birch canoes, twelve light mortars, and fifteen hundred men. We reported the disaster to New York, Virginia, Boston, etc., and asked for assistance. I was commissioned by one gentleman to come here and to Boston, where I have been, but they being hasty to send five hundred men to Port Royal and raising men to secure the outtowns (for Salmon Falls was recently cut off) said they could not assist us, but referred us to Connecticut. The General Court has at last granted us two companies, 129 men, besides officers and Indians to make us up to two hundred in all, together with provisions for them. We are to go forthwith to Albany. I heard from New York last week that the fort had been surrendered to Leisler's party; for this Colony drew off the company as soon as the New York forces came up, and advised them to submit, as also did Boston, calling Leisler Lieutenant-Governor. We could expect no assistance, for all the neighbours drew back their hands. The conditions were but mean. The red coats that would stay they promised to entertain and give them their pay in six weeks, but no sooner were they in possession of the fort than they turned out all the soldiers but thirteen. Albany agrees well enough with the Commissioners of New York concerning the carrying on of the war. Albany furnishes 190 men, New York 200, and another place [illegible] 60, which will start against the enemy in a month's time with the Five Nations towards Canada. But Leisler's faction will have the mayor and magistrates take commissions from him as Lieutenant-Governor, and that they will not do till he can show authority from King William to grant them. He is as cruel as ever and abuses all the principal men basely. Cortlandt is fled; poor Colonel Bayard, William Nicolls and several more he keeps close in dark prisons, and causes Bayard to be carried through the fort by porters, with irons on, in triumph. You may guess how we long to hear from the King and to see an end put to our sufferings. Never man persecuted poor Protestants in this world like this tyrant Leisler, and that upon pretence of standing up for King William. He mocks and scoffs when a man speaks of law; the sword must settle the right, not the law, he tells us. As soon as he heard of my going from Albany to the other Colonies he sent here and to Boston to apprehend me, writing warrants full of lies, that I had spoken this and that against the Prince of Orange, with the object of making me odious to the Colonies, so that they should not send supplies, and thus he would have Albany in his power. Pray tell the King these things, and beg that a Governor may be sent, or all is lost. We moved the Government at Boston to join us in fitting out vessels to take Quebec, while we would go with the Indians against Montreal; but they allege want of powder and have sent a sloop to the King for a supply. If Canada be not taken this summer we shall be undone.
I wrote to Lord Nottingham and sent him copies of our protest against Leisler with some other papers. There is a general meeting of Commissioners of all the Colonies at Rhode Island in a fortnight, to see about carrying on the war. I hope it will be speedily ended. Let the King send as many letters as he will, Leisler will continue his tyrannical government until a Governor comes. I hope the King will send orders for payment of my arrears or I am undone. I have been to great expense. I maintained the King's soldiers at Albany till the 12th of March, 1690, and now they turn them out like dogs. There was a French Indian prisoner at the fort, and now Leisler's men have let him escape, which the Maquas take very ill. Signed. Rt. Livingston. 3 closely written pages. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 83.] |
| April 21. |
837. Petition of Jahleel Brenton, Collector, Surveyor and Searcher in New England, for appointment to the duty of victualling the West Indian fleet in New England. Order of the King in Council. 21 April, 1690. Referring the petition to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Copies. The whole, 2 pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 84.] |
| April 22. |
838. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Sundry orders as to shipping and payments. Copy of the Receiver General's accounts. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 39–42.] |
April 23.
Barbados. |
839. Lieutenant-Governor Stede to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I enclose duplicate of my former letters. We have done our best to preserve ourselves from quarrels within and from enemies without, and the health of the Island is improved. We still anxiously await naval aid for our defence and for transport of our produce. We had great crops both this year and last, but it still waits here for want of shipping, whereby the revenue for the four and a half per cent. is much diminished. It may be recovered, however, if shipping be sent, and I hope may prove more valuable every year. The Leeward Islands also have a great crop, and are doing their best to defend themselves with the help that I have sent them. Want of men-of-war alone keeps us from attacking the French Islands. I do not believe that the French here have more ships than suffice to carry intelligence from one Island to another and watch the English sloops, lest they repeat their attacks on some of their own islands. Thank God, we have been kept fairly well supplied by ships from New England. Our merchant fleet laden with produce was growing daily more leaky owing to the worm, and we had two large East India ships that were very anxious to sail now when they may expect fair winds and good weather; so with the Council's assent I have despatched them, over fifty sail in all, to England, making the largest and ablest ships convoy the rest, and binding them all to keep company and assist each other. I hope that they may arrive safely and that we likewise may be secure under the protection of Captain Hewetson's ship, the Lion, who is lately returned from the Leeward Islands and promises us assistance while he stays here; which I hope will be till the wished for ships, which we are told to expect shortly, shall arrive from England. We hear that Lord and
Lady Inchiquin have sailed for Jamaica in H.M.S. Swan, and I presume that on their arrival here Captain Hewetson will pursue his voyage to the coast of New Spain, where he has a contract with the Assiento. The weather in these parts has been almost supernatural. There have been violent stormy cold winds and rain, which are almost unknown at this time of year. Two great comets have lately appeared, and in an hour and a quarter the sea ebbed and flowed to an unusual degree three times. Three weeks ago there were violent earthquakes in the Leeward Islands, and Antigua having many stone houses suffered much, most of the houses being either shaken down or so split and cracked that they will have to be taken down. Moreover the works being thus destroyed the canes will be wasted. The earthquake was slightly felt here and, it is believed, very violently at Martinique, for sloops at sea between St. Lucia and Martinique thought themselves aground, so violently were they shaken, and a rocky islet called Rockdunda was great part of it split and turned into the sea. |
|
Sir Thomas Montgomerie and Mr. Chamberlayne are still in custody, but they are incorrigible. Presuming on an Act of Indemnity, which their friends assure them will be passed, they assault and abuse every body by scurrilous letters and pamphlets, in particular assailing myself, and my relations, male and female, who have never meddled with them. They imagine, I presume, that since I have laid their case before the King I shall not prosecute them for anything that they do while under confinement, and they are so presumptuous that they are a nuisance to the whole Island, and will continue so unless corrected. I report this that the King may know what turbulent men they are; for they have been treated as well in confinement as could be allowed to men of their circumstances. Signed. Edwyn Stede. Two closely written pages. Endorsed. Read 27 June, 1690. Annexed, |
|
839. I. Proclamation for an embargo on shipping. Barbados. 17 February, 1690. Endorsed. Recd. 26 June, 1690. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 4. Nos. 27, 27 I., and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., pp. 205–213.] |
| April 23. |
840. Act of the Revolutionary Assembly of New York for raising threepence in the pound on all real and personal estate in the province. Broad sheet. Annexed, |
|
840. I. A Bill for raising one penny in the pound on all estates in New York. 20 August, 1687. Copy. 2 pp. |
|
840. II. An Act for raising £2,555. 17 May, 1688. Copy. 1½ pp. [America and West Indies. 578. Nos. 121, 121 I, II.] |
| [April 24.] |
841. Petition of Governor Henry Sloughter to Lords of Trade and Plantations. To order him the two sloops, Speedwell and Mary, already built in New England for the King's use; also the guns taken from Pemaquid; to order also that Elisha Cooke, now in London, shall deliver up the records of New York; that tonnage for thirty tons of goods shall be allowed him; and that Mr. Harris hasten the finishing of the seal of the Colony. 1 p. Endorsed. Read 24 April, 1690. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 122.] |
| [April] |
842. Petition of the same to the same. For the services of the sloop Speedwell, just arrived in England, for the King's use in New York. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 123.] |
| April 24. |
843. Order of the King in Council. Referring the petition of Daniel Cox and others for a grant of land in America between latitudes 36.30 and 46.30 to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed. Rich. Colinge. ½ p. Endorsed. Read 22 Aug. 90. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 87.] |
| [April 24.] |
844. Answer of the late Governor and officers of New England to the charges against them (see No. 828). 1. Sir Edmund Andros answers that he received orders of 16 October, 1688, from King James to resist a Dutch invasion, and issued a proclamation to enforce those orders, as he had been bidden. He never stifled the news of the King's landing, nor fined any person that brought the King's declaration, nor caused any to be imprisoned on such pretence. 2. He made no laws destructive of the liberty of the people, but by the authority of his commission enacted several laws as near as might be to the laws of England. All justice was administered according to the laws of England, and appeals to the King were admitted, which was never the case before the vacation of the charter. He levied no taxes but by authority of his commission, using the words of a law of Massachusetts fifty years old. He imprisoned none who would not contribute to illegal levies; though he did proceed against factious and riotous persons according to law. The present revolutionary Government has found the tax imposed by Sir Edmund so much too small that they have levied not one penny but sevenpence half-penny in the pound, exacting it even from some of the gentlemen now under trail while under close imprisonment. The charge of helping the Indians with arms and ammunition is a vile and base aspersion, unworthy of an Englishman and a Christian. The whole management of the war is sufficient evidence to the contrary, and the Representatives of New England have never asserted such a thing. Sir Edmund is and always was a Protestant, and has served the Crown for twenty years in the West Indian war, against the French, and in various parts of America. When the trouble with Indians in the East began, he settled matters quietly with the Western Indians, left New York for Boston, despatched reinforcements and stores to the troops, took personal command and so chastised and curbed the Indians that for ten months there was no trouble with them, until the revolutionary Government withdrew the garrisons and cancelled his dispositions; which mischief will be the ruin of New England unless it be speedily checked. |
|
Joseph Dudley answers that he is a native of New England, the son of one of the first adventurers, who was sometime Governor; that he has served the Colony in various offices; that he has been no accessory to illegal acts; that after the revolution he was imprisoned for thirteen weeks, when he gave £10,000 bond for his enlargement, but he was violently brought back to prison by the mob, with the full knowledge of the principal persons in authority, where he remained
for six months, the Government refusing to return his bond or give him benefit of it, but severely taxing his estate for the supply of the present agents who are come here to accuse him. |
|
John Palmer denies any confederacy in illegal acts. |
|
Edward Randolph, after recounting his share in the suppression of illegal trade in the prosecution of the charter, denies likewise any such confederacy. |
|
John West denies such confederacy likewise, and points out that though a charge of extortion is now preferred against him, no such charge was brought forward during his imprisonment in Boston. |
|
James Graham makes similar denial, and complains of his illegal imprisonment. |
|
George Farewell makes similar denial; and complains that though he was imprisoned without mittimus and though he represented the fact in Court he could obtain no redress, but was remanded by the bench and in particular by Elisha Cooke, one of the present agents for his prosecution. |
|
James Sherlock denies any misconduct or extortion in discharge of his office as Sheriff. Signed. E. Andros, J. Dudley, J. Palmer, John West, Ja. Graham, Geo. Farewell, James Sherlock, Ed. Randolph. 13 pp. Note in the Entry Bk. This answer was presented at the Committee, 24 April, 1690. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 85, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII., pp. 196–207.] |
| [April 24.] |
845. Brief of the case of Sir Edmund Andros and others. A repetition of the preceding document, but with the charges written at the head of each point of the reply, the replies abridged and the proofs quoted in the margin. 4 pp. Endorsed. At the Committee of Plantations, April 24th, 1690. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 86.] |
| April 24. |
846. Order of the King in Council. Report of Lords of Trade and Plantations, 17 April, 1690. We have lately been attended by Sir Edmund Andros and other gentlemen lately imprisoned in Boston, as also by Sir Henry Ashurst, Mr. Elisha Cooke, Mr. Increase Mather, and Mr. Thomas Oates, who declared themselves agents for Massachusetts. But by reason of the late arrival of some of them in England they asked for further time to produce their charges. The charge was brought on the Monday following and on Thursday we were attended by all the parties and their counsel; but the counsel for the people of Massachusetts Bay, as they termed themselves, being asked by us whether any person were ready to sign the charge, no person could be found to sign or own the same: since therefore we saw no matter of complaint against Sir Edmund Andros and the other gentlemen we recommend that they be discharged and the unsigned charge dismissed. |
|
Ordered accordingly. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII., pp. 188, 189.] |
| April? |
847. Petition of Joshua Brodbent to the King. I was appointed Surveyor of Excise by Sir Edmund Andros. I was arrested on the 18th of April, 1689, and committed to gaol; and not long afterwards sundry persons whose frauds I had detected in the Excise brought actions against me for the fines in which they were
mulcted for breach of the Excise laws. I beg that you will order these proceedings to cease. Signed. Joshua Brodbent. 1 p. Endorsed in Randolph's hand. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 88.] |
| April? |
848. Petition of Benjamin Bullivant to the King. I was a justice of the peace of New England under commission of Sir E. Andros but on the 18th April last was violently imprisoned and only released on finding £3,000 bail. Hearing that I meant to go to England some people have begun vexatious suits against me to detain me. I beg relief. 1 p. Endorsed in Randolph's hand. [Ibid., No. 89.] |
| April 24. |
849. Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Asking the Lord President to move the King for the delivery of the records of New York from Boston. Draft, with corrections. ½ p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 124.] |
| April 24. |
850. Order of the King in Council. For the preparation of a letter to the Government of Maryland respecting the murder of John Payne. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., p. 170.] |
| April 26. |
851. The King to the Lieutenant-Governor and Council of Virginia. Ordering the arrest of the murderers of James Payne, if in Virginia, to be tried there or in Maryland according to the place of the crime. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 36. pp. 19, 20.] |
| April 26. |
852. The King to the Government of Maryland. Ordering the immediate arrest and trial of the murderers of John Payne. Countersigned. Nottingham. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 171, 172.] |
April 26.
May 6. |
853. Father Lamberville to Father Milet. The Lord have pity on you, for you are prisoner through your charity and for the salvation of souls, for you were taken prisoner while on your way to a sick squaw. You know, and God is our witness, that while we have had intercourse with the Indians we have sought only the salvation of souls, and peace with the English as also between French and Indians; but envy and the art of the devil have turned our efforts into the destruction of souls. Let us pray that the English and French may quickly make peace. I send you paper and powder which when mixed with water make ink, so with permission of the Indians you will be able to write to us. We send you also clothes and a gold coin to buy any garment that you want. But we know nothing except that Mr. Dell, the Minister at Albany, told a French solider that he had seen our letters to you and that they had been unfavourably interpreted. If you can write to him through the Indians, assure him that we never thought of such a thing, but abhor such crimes. If you see Mr. Dell or write to him, greet him in my name; though there may be war between France and England our dispositions to him are always friendly. Copy. 1 p. Latin. Translated in New York Documents, III., 714. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 126.] |
| April 26. |
854. William Blathwayt to Mr. Harris. Desiring him to bring the seal of New York forthwith to the Council Board. Draft. ½ p. [America and West Indies. 578. No. 125.] |
April 26.
Whitehall. |
855. Order of the King in Council. For the preparation of letters to the Government of Massachusetts, requiring the delivery of the sloop lately built at the joint charge of the Colonies, together with the guns and stores brought from Pemaquid, to Colonel Sloughter, Governor of New York. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII., pp. 229, 230.] |
| April 28. |
856. William Penn to William Blathwayt. I am sure that the packet is gone. The embargo was the cause why it went so late. I have thereby discharged my promise to the Lords and am confident that it has had the effect desired. If not, any orders they renew will, I believe, be obeyed there. If this satisfy not the Board I shall wait upon them next sitting; for I live now in Essex and was from town at the time of their last order. A letter left at Wharley's, the woollen draper, in George and Vulture Yard, Lombard Street, will find me. Signed. Wm. Penn. Holograph. 2 pp. [America and West Indies. 599. No. 5.] |
| April 28. |
857. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Order for payment for clothing and feeding the men of H.M.S. Deptford, and for drawing bills on England for the same. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., pp. 335, 336.] |
| April 29. |
858. Minutes of a General Court held at James City, Virginia. George Mason, concerned in the murder of John Payne, was brought up on habeas corpus and ordered to be discharged from custody on giving security to appear for trial when called upon. Copy. 1 p. Annexed, |
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858. I. II. Copies of depositions relating to the case already abstracted in No. 785 II. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Oct. '90. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. Nos. 8, 8 I. II.] |
| April 29. |
859. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Sundry orders as to shipping and accounts. The Receiver-General complained of his loss in receiving the fortification money at six shillings and being obliged to pay it at five. Order for payment of the salaries of Sir Francis Watson and other officers for one year from the death of the Duke of Albemarle, all salaries due since Lord Inchiquin's appointment to remain in the hands of the Receiver-General till further order. Sir Francis Watson and Colonel Ballard entered their dissent from the foregoing. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 43–45.] |
| April 30. |
860. Warrant for payment of the following officers on the staff of the garrison companies at New York. Chaplain 6s. 8d. per day, Chirurgeon at 2s. 6d., Storekeeper, Armourer, Master Purser and two Matrons at 2s. a day each. Any surplus of money to be applied to the use of the garrison. Printed in New York Documents, III., 691. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 248, 249.] |
April 30.
Kensington. |
861. The King to the Government of Massachusetts. Directing the delivery of the records of New York, and that the guns of Pemaquid and one of the two sloops built at the public expense be delivered to Governor Sloughter. Printed in New York Documents, III., 711. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., p. 250.] |
| [April?] |
862. Answer of Sir Edmund Andros to his instructions. [The instructions are written at full length in one column and the answers in a parallel column over against them.] Against the instruction to transmit maps, is written: In the summer of 1687 I sent a surveyor to survey the sea-coast and upper part of the Narragansett country, and in the fall ordered him to go up to Penobscot river and proceed Northward and North Westward to discover the country towards Canada, but owing to the approach of winter they got no further westward than the Kennebec. In 1688 I sent them to the same quarter, when they travelled so far as to head all the rivers except the Androscoggan, from which they crossed to the Connecticut River and came down it. I intended to have done more, but the surveyor was imprisoned during the revolution. |
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Against the instruction to give an account of the Colony, is written: Massachusetts though the most populous of the Colonies is one of the smallest and poorest tracts of land, and produces least of all the Colonies for exportation. All wheat has been blasted there for thirty years past, nor have they cattle and grain beyond for their own consumption. But they build many ships and are the storehouse of all the Colonies. They get their meat from Plymouth, Rhode Island and Connecticut, grain from Connecticut, New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania, whale-oil from Long Island, lumber from Hampshire and Maine. They have but one fishing place, namely Marblehead. The territory is good for the improvement of sheep, and the wool is much of it not inferior to English. It is manufactured in Massachusetts and Connecticut, where they make their own ordinary clothing and covering for beds, and some good serges. They also make a sort of cloth of mixed cotton and flax, which serves for linen. No other entries are of interest. Signed. E. Andros. The whole, 25 pp. Undated. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 90.] |
