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July 4.
Camp at St.
Christopher. |
977. Governor Codrington to Lords of Trade and Plantations. On Saturday the 6th ult. I sailed with the Antigua forces for Montserrat, and having embarked the men from thence sailed with the whole fleet for Nevis, arriving there the 10th. On Friday 13th I reviewed our little army, which numbered 2,300 including officers, or, including two hundred sailors, which were all that the Council could spare me, 2,500 men. They were divided into seven regiments, viz., the English Regiment under Lieut.-Colonel Holt, the Barbados under Sir T. Thornhill, the Antigua, Colonel Rowland Williams, two regiments of Nevis, Colonels Charles Pym and Edward Earle, the Montserrat, Colonel Nathaniel Blakiston, and the Marine Regiment, Captain Kegwyn, H.M.S. Assistance. It was resolved at a Council of War first to attempt St. Christophers, though we were not without apprehension that according to the ordinary rules 2,500 men in boats was too few against 1,500 men in trenches. We harassed and alarmed the enemy with some of our frigates until all was in readiness, and on the night of Thursday the 19th ult. sailed with the whole fleet for Frigate Bay, where we hoped to have landed by surprise, but were prevented thereof by our most indefatigable watchful enemies. Before we could get our men into the boats we observed their trenches well lined, and great numbers flocking thither; and we have since learned that at that bay over a thousand were ready to oppose us. As all our boats could not carry above six hundred men at a time, which must have been destroyed from the trenches, I ordered the men aboard again and the ships to fire on the trenches, which they did until evening, but with no great damage as I have since learned; and indeed their trenches are excellently made. About half a mile from Frigate Bay is another such bay divided from it by a very high and steep mountain, which I ordered to be reconnoitred towards night. The report was that it was passable, though with great difficulty, but that if once gained, we should fall upon the very backs of the enemy in their
entrenchments. At a Council of War it was resolved that about an hour after midnight we should land between four and five hundred men, who should march as silently as possible over the mountain and at daybreak fall on the enemy; our hope being that, they being thus diverted, we might land the rest of the men under their very trenches. All the boats therefore were ordered to be ready to put on shore as soon as the party on the mountain should open fire. Believing that the French would think our landing at Frigate Bay to be only a feint, and that our true design was to fall to leeward and land on the English ground, I encouraged the belief by ordering the frigates to get under sail as soon as the party designed for the little bay were landed. I have since heard that this feint not only prevented the French from drawing all their forces to Frigate Bay, but caused them to order three or four hundred of the men who were at the bay to march away to leeward on Friday night; so that on Saturday morning they had but seven hundred men in the trenches. |
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I ordered that the party to march over the mountain should be chosen out of the Island Regiments, and made up as far as possible of natives, being fittest for marching and accustomed to rugged paths. Sir Timothy Thornhill took command, with Colonel Blakiston and several other officers, mostly natives, under him. They landed between one and two o'clock Saturday morning, 21st June, and between four and five o'clock got near the top of the hill, having been obliged to crawl over a great part of it on all fours, and to pull themselves forward by the bushes. There they fell into an ambuscade of the enemy, who fired smartly on them. They forced their way on, and on reaching the top came over briskly on the enemy, who began to fire on them from the trenches. I then put ashore with about six hundred men in the boats. The first that entered the trenches of the land-party was Captain Cardine with about twenty men; Captain Kirby of the Success entered at about the same moment. The first of our men were not got into the trenches when all the enemy were out, having begun some time before to run away; and having thus got the trenches the rest of our men were landed securely. In this enterprise we had not above ten men killed and thirty wounded; among the persons of note Sir Timothy Thornhill was shot in the leg, and Captain Byam dangerously wounded in the neck; but both are in a fair way to recover. Captain Quinby received a shot which smashed all his thigh; he is not dead yet, but his life is despaired of; Captain Brisbane, of H.M.S. Quaker, was shot in his boat while rowing ashore and soon afterwards died. |
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Our forces being all landed I ordered them to march on in two lines towards Bassetere, one in the common path and the other through the mountain, to prevent the enemy from galling us from thence. Those who fled from the trenches rallied and joined with a party that was coming to their assistance, making all about 1,100 men. About a mile from our landing place they engaged both our lines. Our upper line, consisting of the Marines and English regiments, was opposed by but a small party, which was soon routed; but the main body fought the lower line near an hour, though retreating all the time, and before we came within half
musket-shot they made all the heels they could. In this engagement we had about eighteen killed and forty wounded, but none of note except Captain Kegwyn. The main shock was borne by the Antigua regiment, which supplied twice as many as any other regiment to the party that went over the hill. The regiment has borne a share generally in what little skirmishes we have since had, and though all the forces have behaved themselves honourably, justice obliges me to remark it in particular. After this second success we marched on to Basseterre, the chief town of the island, without further opposition. We found the town deserted and many houses burned. Our men being weary we took up our quarters there. On Tuesday 24th, having refreshed our men and landed our field-pieces we marched into the English ground and took up our quarters in the Old Road; and from thence on the 26th we came to this place and are encamped, near the English fort, without further opposition. On our arrival we learned that the Governor, Mons. Guiteau, had with him about 150 regular soldiers, about 250 planters, and a few of the principal women, for whom he has sufficient provisions, and that he told the rest to shift for themselves. I am told that they exclaim against the Governor and some of the principal officers for selling and betraying the sland to the English, which, though the gentlemen are quite innocent, we esteem it nowise our business to disabuse the people of. On Friday and Saturday last we had several skirmishes with parties in the mountains, but the enemy would never stand. We took two houses which they had fortified, and burned them, and captured two small forts, five guns in each, which were dismounted. On Monday 30th all our parties were returned to camp and I find that we have not above thirty killed and a hundred wounded or otherwise sick, though we have had much rain. Only the English regiment is sickly, having been harassed by a long voyage at sea and being little accustomed to fatigue of this kind. And here let me remark upon any future occasion of sending forces from England to these parts a hundred disciplined men enured to hardships will be worth four hundred of mere new-raised men; and when such cannot be spared it would be most for the King's honour and interest to order the Colonies to help each other; for we in these parts are generally accustomed to a hardy and active kind of life; our youth are accustomed to the use of firearms from the time when they are strong enough to bear them and from sixteen to sixty all our inhabitants, the clergy excepted, are obliged to serve in the militia, which is frequently exercised. According to our best information the enemy have from one hundred and fifty to two hundred killed and wounded. I have sent to the Islands for recruits sufficient to make up what are wanting to us. I have had several petitions from the women and children for protection, and have issued a proclamation, copy of which is enclosed. The gentlemen named therein report that many will surrender tomorrow and next day on that proclamation, but that the greater part refuse. I shall use such severity only towards them as will suffice to ensure our security. |
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On arriving here on Thursday I at once set about making a path to carry up guns to Brimstone Hill, which overlooks the fort.
This was quickly done and a platform was made. On Monday night with great difficulty we got up two guns, each of 2,400 lbs. weight. The French tried to do this when they besieged the fort but could not, nor could we have done it without our trusty regiment of sailors. On the 1st inst. all our frigates sailed past the fort twice and battered with their guns, throwing several shots into it but with what damage we know not. Three men were killed and three or four more wounded in the fleet by the fire of the fort. Our guns opened from Brimstone Hill, and have kept up their fire day and night, as they shall until the fort is ours. We have battered several houses in the fort and killed several men, as we could see. Today they have as yet only wounded one of our men on Brimstone Hill. I have prepared another platform lower down on the same hill and 200 yards nearer and hope by Saturday night to have four more guns mounted. Then I believe that I shall be able to chime very uncomfortable music to the gentlemen in the fort. Yesterday we began to open our trenches and I hope by the latter end of next week to have them finished and three good batteries raised within pistol-shot of their gate and bastions, which will make us a passage into the fort if the guns on the hill do not drive them to terms. Our people work in the trenches as if it were rather diversion than labour or hazard; only two have been wounded and they slightly. Today they have been making themselves the pastime to equip some stakes with coats and hats, which, while the monsicurs briskly fired at, gave our people the advantage of better marks. I hope to finish the work successfully. I have fully resolved, and so I believe have all with me, to find a grave in this Island or make it an entirely English Colony, which will be some reparation for lives lost and families ruined in the several wars. I have already recounted to you our disadvantages from the bad quality of the arms, our want of an engineer and of mortars. This want we feel extremely for we are now entering on the hurricane season, and expedition is of no small value to us. When the present enterprise is happily over, I hope to undertake yet others if the other Islands will help us, though I doubt if Barbados will without positive orders from the King. Signed. Chr. Codrington. P.S. Colonel Holt was unfortunately shot by one of our own sentries last night. I hope the wound is not mortal, but he can be of no further service here. 7 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 16 Octob., 1690. Enclosed, |
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977. I. Proclamation of Governor Codrington, 30 June, 1890. Offering protection to women and children and liberty to return to their own homes, provided their husbands, brothers, &c. surrender within a week. Copy. 2 pp. Endorsed as the preceding. [America and West Indies. 550. Nos. 87, 87I. and (without enclosure) Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 43. pp. 238–253.] |
| July 5. |
978. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Order forbidding certain ships to sail before the departure of the convoy for England. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol LXXXIV., p. 367.] |
| July 5. |
979. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Complaint was made that the Receiver General had refused to pay the money seized in
the St. Jago de la Victoria, but had conveyed away eight chests of silver and absconded, that he had made a secret contract about the seizure of the ship before the seizure and had afterwards sat as judge on the case. Evidence on the subject was taken and the Council adjourned. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 77. pp. 61, 62.] |
July 6.
Jamaica. |
980. Earl of Inchiquin to Lords of Trade and Plantations. After escaping great dangers of the sea and a malignant fever brought on board by seventy or eighty soldiers embarked at Portsmouth and Plymouth, I arrived here on the 31st May with the convoy, which was very welcome owing to the scarcity of provisions in the Island. I find the animosities here far greater than I imagined, not due to the late transactions but to fifteen or sixteen years standing of turbulent and pernicious advisers, which would have put all into an "unquencionable" flame here, had not the prudence of some Governors prevented it, particularly Lord Carbery and Sir Thomas Lynch. Since the disease has been of so long duration you will not expect a sudden cure, but I hope I have allayed it already and in due time shall remove it. You will believe the distraction to be great when the Courts of Judicature have fallen nearly two years. People have lived without law or justice, to the great encouragement of malefactors and to the strengthening of pretensions to martial law. Such exorbitances have been committed as I believe were never heard of, but now that the Courts are open again the offenders will be brought to condign punishment, though all that they are worth will never make amends for the mischief they have done. Great inconvenience has arisen from Sir Francis Watson's assuming the title of Governor, against the express words of the patent from this Government, and erecting a court of judicature, which is forbidden even had he been Governor; but for this last I think the money of the Dutch ship was the great temptation. The case was retried, according to my instructions, and the ship acquitted. |
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On my arrival I received news of a wreck in the Texanillas, about forty leagues to South West of this Island, which renders Port Royal very thin of seamen. The weather has been bad and little treasure has been recovered so far, but when it turns calm the ship may be turned to account. Not that this Island is likely to be a gainer for I have no ship to send to protect those at work there; the Drake being returned a fortnight since hardly able to float. She has since been found, on survey, to be irreparable for less than 2000l., or more than her first cost. The Island has therefore fitted out a sloop, which lately went to Caymanos for turtle, where there were several of our craft lying. There Laurens, the great pirate of Petit Guavos, engaged the sloop, and the rest of the craft escaped. The firing was heard continuing till eleven at night, and as this was a month since and nothing has been heard of the sloop, we conclude that Laurens has taken her, he having two men against one in his barco longo. We have therefore no ships now except the Swan, which is so bad a sailer that she is little better than nothing. If she should fall ten leagues to leeward I never hope to see her again. The Drake was a smaller ship but being a prime sailer she kept the French in awe, so I must beg for a couple of prime sailers if they be only a fifth and
a sixth rate, or the North side of the Island will inevitably be destroyed. Captain Spragge is so good a pilot and has done such good work that if he were continued in these seas, it would give great satisfaction. We have heard nothing of Admiral Wright, but knowing his ships to be well manned have little doubt of his succeeding. |
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The Swan sailed to Carthagena to-day (the only place to which she can go from this Island with any hope of coming back again) with some letters from the Spanish Ambassador for the release of certain English prisoners. She has a small ship of the Assiento with negroes under her convoy. The African Company has sent but one ship hither, which brought three hundred negroes, who were sold at 26l. a head. I hope the Company will give no more occasion for your being troubled with such clamours as were heard of late. I must prepare you for an ill account of the revenue, and of the receiver, who has been suspended by the Council for quite sufficient reason. I have not sworn him of the Council, though he was named one of the new members. There are some present members who, I think, when you hear of their proceedings, you will not think fit to be continued. Signed. Inchiquin. 3½ pp. Endorsed. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 72, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 336–340.] |
July 7.
Boston |
981. Abstract of letters from Boston. There is a general embargo, and vessels are fitting out for the expedition to Canada. The Maquas and French have had a fight, wherein the former lost fifty five and the latter forty men. The French were too strong for the Maquas, who fled. July 7. Exeter is now beset by Indians and we fear will be lost. There has been a skirmish between the British and the French in those parts in which we had much the worse of it, the enemy being too strong. Amesbury has been fired by Indians. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 16 Sept., 1690, from Mr. Usher. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 113.] |
| July 8. |
982. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. The royal instructions as to commuting the four and a half per cent. duty read. A present of £1,500 to the Governor voted, and a bill prepared for the same. Bill to repeat the existing act as to Grand Sessions read. |
| July 9. |
Bill to encourage inhabitants to own ships read. Resolved to offer the King £6,500 in commutation of the four and a half per cent. duty. Address to the Governor for a payment to the widow of Richard Cartwright. Committee appointed to meet a Committee of Council as to excusing the poorer people from guard-duties. Vote for payment of Benjamin Dwight's bill for entertainment of the Governor, but requested that such expenses may not become a precedent without previous concurrence of the Assembly. Adjourned to 2 September. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 228–234.] |
| July 8. |
983. Minutes of the Council of Barbados. Order for a Committee to appraise Colonel William Allonby's land adjacent to James Fort, with a view to purchase thereof for the public. Similar order for the appraisement of a wood, belonging to private persons, which renders Queen's fort unservicable. The Assembly brought up a
Bill to repeal the existing Act as to the Grand Sessions. The Governor said that he would send it home as soon as possible for signification of the royal pleasure. The Governor declined to comply with the Assembly's request that the Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas should be debarred from acting as Attorneys. Orders for sundry payments. |
| July 9. |
The Assembly brought up a Bill to encourage inhabitants to become owners or part owners of ships, which was referred to a Committee for report. Joint Committee appointed to consider the question of excusing the poorer sort of people from duty in the guards, they being so poor that their families endure great hardships. Order for payments of arrears of salary due to the late Richard Cartwright to his widow. Benjamin Dwight's bill of £450 for reception of his Excellency and entertainment of Lord Inchiquin brought up, and order given for the Treasurer to pay it. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XII., pp. 133–138.] |
| July 8. |
984. Abstract of letters from New England to Joseph Dudley. 27 June. The people of New York will be destroyed without speedy help; the forces of Connecticut or Albany are leaving it, being weary of Leisler's government. The Maquas took Leisler's Governor at Albany and would have bitten off his fingers, but for the intercession of some persons that he had imprisoned. The Governor and Deputy Governor of Boston were against the expedition to Canada, only the people threatened that, if they did not consent, they would declare for a general Governor. Great want and distress in the West Indies. 8 July. Exeter was attacked by Indians on the 4th inst., captured, burnt and all the people killed. This has alarmed the whole country and put the Government into great confusion. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 16 Sept. 1690. From Mr. Dudley. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 115.] |
July 8.
H.M.S. Rose,
Falmouth. |
985. William Banton and Thomas Pound to Sir Edmund Andros. We have arrived here from New England where the Indians have done much harm. We sailed on the 19th of May, and on the 24th met a French man of war which bade us strike and fired a broadside at us, but after two hours we satisfied him we would not go, for she was so disabled that I doubt if she got to shore safe. Our captain and four men were killed and seven wounded. Signed. Wm. Banton, Tho. Pound. 1 p. Addressed. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 114.] |
July 11.
Maryland. |
986. The Revolutionary Committee to the King. Conceiving your orders as to the collection of Lord Baltimore's share of the revenue by his agents not to be retrospective we remitted the whole of it to the Receiver General. By the Act which regulates the matter it will be seen that one moiety at least is for public expenses, which not being complied with is for Lord Baltimore to make good. Since his accession all public charges have been paid from an assessment levied on the inhabitants. We have therefore remitted the entire revenue as aforesaid. We beg you not to listen to our enemies, as we have injured no man's person or property. We have done our best to help New York against the French and Indians, but James
Heath, Lord Baltimore's agent, has done his best to raise disturbances and has defeated our efforts. We hope that the account of the murder of John Payne is before you. Captain John Coode and Mr. Kenelm Cheseldyn will bear this letter. We beg for your favour to them. Signed. Hen. Jowles, Nea Blakiston, Nich. Gassaway, Nicholas Greenberry, John Edmondson, Geo. Robotham, David Browne, John Courts, John Brooke, Henry Trippe, John Thomas, Tho. Staly, Edward Jones, Ninian Beall. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Read 22 Nov., 25 Dec. 90. [Board of Trade, Maryland, 2. No. 22, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 184–188.] |
| July 11. |
987. Duplicate of the foregoing. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 2. No. 23.] |
July 12.
St. Christophers. |
988. Lieutenant-Governor Thomas Hill to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I have presumed to give you a short account of our operations though no doubt the General has writ at large. Recounts the story of the landing at St. Christophers to the time of besieging Fort Charles. (See No. 97). The General sent me out with a detachment of six hundred men to take Figtree fort, which I did, and also a couple of fortified houses. One of them being full of rum and brandy, I at once set on fire. The French appeared in considerable force and the General, hearing me engaged sent me a reinforcement, but I did not need it for the French fled to the mountains. I returned that night to Figtree Fort and next day rejoined the General. We are pushing our trenches close up to the fort, but we have been at a loss for want of the mortars, the engineer and the two miners promised to us. Our guns on Brimstone Hill have killed about sixty men in the fort. The garrison is about five hundred men under Mons. Guitaud; the rest of the French are scattered about the mountains. A few have surrendered, among them some Irish to whom the General has given good quarter. We have harassed the outlying forces so that I think they will scarcely face us again in a body. I hope (if God avert a hurricane) we shall be able to force a surrender of the fort. Signed. Tho. Hill. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 29 Sept., 1690. [America and West Indies. 550. N. 88, and Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 43. pp. 233–236.] |
July 16.
Bermuda. |
989. The Council of Bermuda to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Since our last of 18th June (No. 945) the Governor continues to send gunpowder out of the Island against the Council's advice. The evil of excluding Mr. Trott from the Collectorship of Customs has been represented to him, but he declares that he will answer it sooner than admit him. The Governor also refuses to admit Henry Fifield to the offices of Secretary or Provost Marshal, but keeps the stores and magazine in his own hands. The Governor has calumniated us by reporting that the Council had voted that the King had nothing to do with the liquor tax. Signed. Wm. Peniston, Wm. Greene, Perient Trott, Arthur Jones, Richard Peniston, Law. Dill, Wm. Pitt, Joseph Stowe, Tho. Outerbridge. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 11 Sept., 1690. [America and West Indies. 477. No. 28, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLIII., pp. 277–279.] |
| [July 18.] |
990. A collection of papers relating to the suspension of Francis Hickman. |
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990. I. Extract from minutes of Council of Jamaica, 10 Feb., 1690. On the petition of Thomas Clarke, Charles Bouchier and others complaining of the extortion of excessive fees by Francis Hickman, the charge was held proved, and, Hickman being suspended from being Clerk of Council and Secretary, Charles Bouchier was appointed in his place. Extract from Minutes of 11 Feb., 1690. Charles Bouchier was sworn; and a copy of the petition against Hickman was delivered to him at his request. Sir Francis Watson and Colonel Ballard dissented from the dismissal of Hickman. Orders for Hickman to deliver up the records to Bouchier. Extract from Minutes of 21 Feb. The record of Hickman's suspension was drawn up by Charles Bouchier. Hickman being summoned gave reasons for not delivering the records. Order of the Provost Marshal to demand the records of him, and if refused to take him into custody. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 18 July, 1690. |
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990. II. The petition of Thomas Clarke, Charles Bouchier and others to the Council of Jamaica; on which Hickman was suspended. 1 p. |
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990. III. Answer of Francis Hickman to certain statements of Clarke and Bouchier, in defence of his action. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. Nos. 73, I–III.] |
| July 23. |
991. Minutes of a meeting of the Clergy of Virginia. Order for the execution of ecclesiastical discipline against vice, and for the nomination of persons to ensure the same. Signed. James Blair, Commiss. 3 pp. Copy. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Oct., 1690. [America and West Indies. 636. No. 34.] |
| [July.] |
992. Address of the Clergy of Virginia to the Bishop of London. Congratulating him on his restoration to his diocese, and thanking him for his commission for the execution of ecclesiastical discipline. Copy. ½ p. [America and West Indies. 636. No. 35.] |
| [July.] |
993. Address of the same to the King and Queen. Congratulations. [Ibid. No. 36.] |
| July 24. |
994. Abstracts of several letters written to Thomas Brinley, from New England. 13 July. We had advice yesterday that a French man of war and a sloop had landed troops at Block Island and taken the place. Some persons escaped and brought us news. 20 July. This man of war with the sloop and two ketches came into our harbour last Monday night to surprise us, but we discovered him and raised the country. They then sailed to New London where they fired some shots, and thence to Fisher's Island where they fell to killing cattle and burning houses. We expect two men of war from Boston to take them and are sending two sloops to join them. July 24. Our two sloops discovered the enemy yesterday and stood close in shore to eight foot of water and landed men to oppose the enemy's disembarkation. The British were about
ninety men in all. The French sent a large sloop with a hundred men against them, but received such a fire at close range that they sheered off with near half their men killed and wounded. The enemy's fleet then sailed away. In consequence of constant alarms I have sent all my goods to Boston. They are sending near 4,000 men and thirty sail from thence to take Canada. What the issue will be I know not. We mightily want a Government. July 7 (from Boston). A French privateer has lately taken thirteen ships on the coast. This same vessel, as they say, engaged Captain George for four hours and then ran for it, but not till after Captain George had been killed. I hope it be not true. I wish he may live to appear at Whitehall. Copies. 3 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 16 Sept. 1690. [Board of Trade, New England, 5. No. 116.] |
| July 24. |
995. Minutes of Council of Virginia. Proclamation for repeal of the Attorneys Act 1680 ordered to be issued. Order for a proclamation against profanation of the Sabbath and debauchery. The Lieutenant-Governor reporting the Militia to be in bad order, the Council directed the Militia Act 1684 to be strictly enforced. Order for thanks to be given to the King for the ammunition supplied by him. Order for sale of the unused wreckage saved from H.M.S. Deptford. Order for completion of a house by York River Fort. The Lieutenant-Governor announced that Colonel Potter had agreed to go to New England and report for 60l. |
| July 25. |
Resolved that persons be appointed to collect subscriptions for a free school and college; and that the King be requested to allow the settlement of the land on Pamunkey Neck. Resolved that it is not expedient to call an Assembly. Order that all ships ready to go to Europe with this fleet be allowed to go, but that afterwards none be allowed, except the Jamaica fleet or a frigate arrive bound for Europe. The Clerk of the Council praying for an addition to his salary, the question was postponed till October next. |
| July 26. |
The Lieutenant-Governor was requested to announce the sailing arrangements to Maryland, and to ask the King that none but residents be appointed to public offices. Order for the immediate delivery of the late Secretary Spencer's papers or for legal proceedings to be taken to obtain them. Address to the King as to the demarcation of the boundary of North Carolina. Order for sufficient money to be allowed to Edward Davies and his accomplices from the goods shipped for England to enable them to pay their debts. Inventory and bill of lading for the said goods were produced in Council. Order for a return of the officers and men of the militia, the guns, ammunition, etc., to be furnished in October. Colonel John Coode's letter from Maryland read, also Colonel Philip Ludwell's from North Carolina. Colonel Ludwell this day owned himself agent for the proprietors of the Northern Neck. Order for Colonel Ludwell to furnish a list of the surveyors employed by him as Deputy Surveryor General. The Lieutenant Governor reported his intention of visiting Accomack. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., pp. 369–382.] |
| July 25. |
996. Instrument for the appointment of Commissioners to receive subscriptions for the erection of a free school and college in Virginia. Copy. 1½ pp. [America and West Indies. 636. No. 37.] |
July 25.
James City. |
997. Appeal of the Clergy in Virginia to the Merchants of London for subscriptions towards the erection of a free school and college. Signed. James Blair, Pat. Smith, Sam Eburn, Dewel Pead, John Farnefold. Copy. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 636. No. 38.] |
| [July.] |
998. Propositions to be laid before the next Assembly for the providing of a free college. To ask for a royal charter; to vote a sufficient annual maintenance; to take care for the appointment of fitting ushers for the school and professors for the college; that the following salaries be paid, viz.: To the President of the College £150, to the Professor of Divinity £150, to the Professor of Philosophy £80, to the Master of the School £80, and fifteen shillings annually from all but twenty poor scholars, and to the Usher £50, and five shillings from each scholar as aforesaid; that land be purchased and a building erected. 1½ pp. [American and West Indies. 636. No. 39.] |
July 26.
Bermuda. |
999. Governor Sir Robert Robinson to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have duly received the stores from the Tower, and are heartily thankful for them. We have little anxiety about the French since the British fleet is arrived at the Leeward Islands; and besides this is a dangerous season for approach to our coasts. We have heard of the recapture of St. Christophers. A commission has arrived under the broad seal for three offices, and I have heard nothing of it, also another commission from the Customs of which I have heard nothing, so that I cannot put in capable persons as my Commission directs. I can give no account of the public money, for it is still maintained to be the country's, and the collector has a commission from the Custom-house, so that I cannot pay the poor workmen for the fortifications. We are anxious for news from England. Signed. Robt. Robinson. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Sept., 1690. |
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Duplicate of the foregoing. [America and West Indies. 477. Nos. 29, 30, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 275, 276.] |
| [July.] |
1,000. Report of Captain Holmes, employed to fetch masts for the King's ships, who left Piscataqua on the 19th May. He has brought but 14 masts this voyage and 22 yards, whereas in other voyages he has brought back 74 masts and yards. He has seen the desolation wrought by the French and Indians, which would never have taken place if Sir Edmund Andros had not been deposed by the revolution at Boston. Some of the people at Boston supply the Indians with arms and ammunition; the names of these persons can be given. Informant has no interest in New England, and gives this information on public grounds only. Signed. John Holmes. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 117.] |
