America and West Indies: May 1691, 1-9

Pages 425-432

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 13, 1689-1692. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1901.

Citation:

May 1691



May 1. Wells.	1,445. Account of the conference with the Indians. New England Commissioners, Thomas Danforth, Robert Pike, William Vaughan, Charles Frost. A dialogue between the New Englanders and the Indians, the former reproaching them for not keeping their word in bringing in their prisoners, and the Indians excusing themselves. 2 pp. Copy. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 159.]
May 1. May 1.	1,446. A copy of the agreement concluded between the parties named in the preceding. That the captives shall be brought in, and the Chiefs appear to negotiate for prolonging the truce, within ten days; and that till then the truce shall be observed. 1 p. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 160.]
May 1.	1,447. Another copy of the preceding. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 161.]
May 4. Boston.	1,448. Extract from a letter from New England. Colonel Sloughter has reached New York. Leisler stood upon his terms and would not surrender. He and Milborne have since been tried and condemned, but not executed yet. I hear that the Council of New York has summoned Melvin from Boston to answer for several letters of his found among Leisler's papers. There was also a sharp reprimand in the letter for C. M.[? Cotton Mather], there being letters of his also found, not becoming his coat. Copy. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 162.]
May 4.	1,449. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The merchants and certain members of the African Company attended. The 15th of August fixed for the sailing of the West Indian convoy, and the 10th of September for that to Maryland and Virginia. Agreed to take the embargo off Newfoundland ships. [Board of Trade. Journal, 7. pp. 11–12.]
May 4.	1,450. The Agents for New England to Lords of Trade and Plantations. As to the petition of Samuel Allen (see No. 1177I), we would observe that there are grants of large tracts of lands in New Hampshire to many persons besides Captain John Mason. Had King Charles's law-officers known this they might have reported differently on the case. Captain John Mason never exercised any civil government by himself or others, as annexed deposition shows, so the people could not have interrupted that Government. The people date their ruin from the time when New Hampshire was separated from Massachusetts. Again, Robert Mason pretended to no right to govern by patent, but only by grant from the Council of Plymouth. It will be to no one's interest to make New Hampshire a distinct Government now, as it cannot pay the expenses nor defend itself. If every grant from the Council of Plymouth were held to imply distinct rights to govern, there would be more Governors than towns in New Hampshire; nor can we conceive how petitioner's contract can be affected. Signed. Hen. Ashurst, Increase Mather, Elisha Cooke, Thomas Oakes. 1½ pp.
	Here follows a list of depositions, testifying that John Mason never settled any Government in New Hampshire, and one full deposition. 1 p. Endorsed. Read 13 July, 1691. [Board of Trade. New Hampshire, 1. No. 2, 2I; and Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LXII., pp. 285–289; and Vol. LXVII., pp. 175–180.]
[May.]	1,451. Short statement of the boundaries of New Hampshire in relation to the disputes over the same with New England from 1627 to 1684. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. New Hampshire, 1. No. 3.]
May 4.	1,452. Journal of House of Burgesses of Virginia. The bill for revising the Act to regulate tobacco-hogsheads brought up.
May 5.	The Committee of claims made its report, and the Committee on grievances brought up bills to divide New Kent County and for free trade with Indians, which were read a first time. Bill to encourage manufactures read a first time; also the bill as to tanners and curriers. Bill as to horses passed, and bill to regulate tobacco-hogsheads read a second time and committed. Bill for Ports, with the Council's amendments, received. Bill as to ballast, with the Council's amendments, agreed to; also the bill as to Sheriffs' accounts. The House disagreed with the Council's amendment to the Criminal's Charges Bill. Bill against swearing read a first time, and the bill to regulate tobacco-hogsheads amended.
May 6.	Bill for enlarging James City parish read a first time. Standing order passed that any member leaving town without leave during the Session be fined 500lbs. of tobacco. Bill for Ports passed. Bill for impost on liquors received. Committee of the whole House on the Addresses to the King.
May 7.	Resolution thanking Philip Ludwell for his services in representing the grievances of the country to King James and to their present Majesties, and granting him £250. Committee on the Addresses to the King, the heads of which were agreed on. Bill for Ports received from the Council. Conferrers appointed to meet the Council on the address concerning the College. Bill to regulate hogsheads passed, and Bill as to tanners read a second time. Order for a bill to enjoin the planting of flax and hemp. Bills for free trade with Indians, for dividing New Kent County, and for suppression of swearing read a second time.
May 8.	Debate as to the College resumed. Mr. James Blair called in to help in drawing up the Address. Orders as to the bill for dividing Lower Norfolk County, and that all Acts shall henceforward be engrossed on parchment. Bills for advancement of manufactures and for free-trade with Indians passed. Bills for dividing New Kent County and for suppression of swearing passed and sent up with four others to the Council.
May 9.	Bill for impost on liquors read a first time; bill for defence of the country presented. Order for payment for transcription of the records of the House. Bill for dividing James City parish rejected. The behaviour of Captain Jennings, R.N., in entering a court with violence was represented to the house. Resolved that such conduct is a high contempt of the Government; and that the Council be informed of the resolution with a view to the relief of the injured and the punishment of the offenders. Bills for defence of the country, for dividing Lower Norfolk County, and for planting of flax and hemp read a first time. Order for the resolutions of the House as to Philip Ludwell and Captain Jennings to be carried to the Council. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXV., pp. 726–741.]
May 7.	1,453. Minutes of General Assembly of Virginia. Message to the Burgesses as to the places to be appointed Ports under the Act, and sundry other amendments in detail.
May 8.	Message to the Burgesses with another amendment to the Act for Ports. Six bills received from the Burgesses for concurrence.
May 9.	Message to the Burgesses, agreeing to three of the six bills and suggesting amendments to three others. Resolutions of the Burgesses as to Captain Jennings and Philip Ludwell received. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXV., pp. 632–643.]
May 4.	1,454. Minutes of Council of New York. Joseph Sacket's petition, setting forth that he is in trouble with his neighbours, having been compelled to levy taxes in Leisler's time, which neighbours are now sueing him. The case was referred to a Committee. Order for inspection of Colonel Bayard's claim for reimbursement of money spent on the fortifications. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV. pp. 256, 257.]
May 5. Fort William Henry.	1,455. Report of Governor Sloughter as to the profits of the Collector's office at New York. The salary of the Collector is £200 a year. The revenue was duly collected by Mr. James Graham in 1687, for which year's service he received but £100 in New York money, so that £120 is due to him. Signed. H. Sloughter. Misdated 1689. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Sept., 1691. Read Oct. 12. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 16.]
May 6.	1,456. Minutes of Council of New York. Order for payment of Robert Livingston's account for presents to the Indians; and for payment of £5 to John Perry for part of his salary. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 257.]
May 6. Portsmouth.	1,457. The Governor of Rhode Island to Governor Sloughter. I have communicated your letter of 16 April to the General Assembly. They congratulate you on your arrival and on your preservation and reinforcement of Albany. You ask us for help, but pending receipt of the royal commands, we think that this country having no strong bulwarks against the enemy is rather in need of help than able to spare men. Of course as we may expect assistance in time of need from other Colonies, so we ought to give it, but such matters cannot be effected without taxes on the people, and at present through the work of evil-minded persons we cannot collect the arrears of former taxes. We have received no orders from the King, and do not know under what government we are, though our Charter is neither condemned nor taken from us. We have suffered much from smallpox also at Newport, which further disenables us to send men for Quebec, as we need them all for our own defence. We thank you for your intelligence and desire always to be on good terms with your Government. Signed. John Easton. Copy. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Read 6 Sept., 1692. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 17.]
May 6. Fort William Henry.	1,458. Governor Sloughter to Earl of Nottingham. Leisler and eight of his accomplices have been tried, but I have reprieved them till the King's pleasure be known, unless some insurrection should compel me to execute them. The loyalists are earnest for execution, and unless some of the culprits suffer, the people will be greatly hardened in opposition to the Government. I think all but Leisler and Milbourne might be pardoned. I will see to the disposal of their estates for the King, though many of them are worth scarce anything. I have sent the proceeding of the trial and an Address from the Assembly by this packet. Signed. H. Sloughter. ½ p. Printed in New York Documents III., 762. Annexed,
	1,458. I. Copy of the Rolls of Court in the trial of Jacob Leisler and his accomplices. 19 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 6 Sept., 1691.
	1,458. II. Duplicate of a portion of the preceding. 8 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Sept., 1691.
	1,458. III., IV. Further copies of the trials. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Sept., 1691. [America and West Indies. 579. Nos. 2, 2 I–V.]
May 6. New York.	1,459. Deposition of William Wingfield, surgeon of the Archangel. As to having been prevented by order of Captain Jasper Hicks from attending Mrs. Sloughter's waiting woman, when called by Governor Sloughter. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 18.]
May 7. New York.	1,460. Deposition of Major Richard Ingoldsby. As to foul and insulting language used by Captain Jasper Hicks to Governor Sloughter when he complained of want of accommodation. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 19.]
May 7.	1461. Deposition of Robert Stone, servant of Governor Sloughter. As to shameful treatment and foul language used by Captain Hicks to Governor Sloughter and Mrs. Sloughter. 1½ pp. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 20.]
May 7.	1462. Deposition of Thomas Lyndall. As to filthy language used by Captain Hicks to Governor and Mrs. Sloughter. ½ p. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 21.]
May 7. New York.	1,463. Governor Sloughter to the King. These Colonies must be ruined if not remedied by your mighty favour. When I landed I found the country in arms owing to the usurpation of one Jacob Leisler, who on the arrival of your troops declared them traitors, shut the fort against them, and having raised three or four hundred men fired near a thousand shots at your subjects, killing two and wounding several soldiers. He had sent for two hundred more men to help him, when my landing put a stop to his recruiting. He defied my authority, but I took such measures that after a day's and a night's pause his people deserted, and I took him and his Council prisoners. I soon settled a peaceful Government, for want of which the adjacent Colonies are ready to devour each other. They daily solicit me to take them under my authority. I shall not deny the request of Connecticut if necessity require. The Boston people have by this time sent me the sloop which was appointed to be under my command. The daily abuses put on your Majesty by Boston and other neighbours I cannot bear; and I beg you to stop the present irregular proceedings and prevent them for the future, which can only be done by you taking the Government into your own hands and appointing Governors. The renewal of their Charter tends only to the ruin of the loyal. I am much troubled at the methods that have been used against me. My departure was designedly delayed for six months; and in that time Sir Robert Robinson obtained an order to be brought home in the ship appointed for me, which occasioned fresh troubles here and risked the ship and the lives of all of us. Yet you had allowed Sir Robert £200 for his passage; and this was contrary to the express order given to Captain Hicks when he met you on your passage to Ireland. No man was ever so abused as I was throughout my passage. Signed. H. Sloughter. 2 pp. [America and West Indies. 579. No. 4.]
May 7. New York.	1,464. Governor Sloughter to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I have examined the allegations made to you by the principal inhabitants of New York, and find that they are true and that the statement is very moderate. I send the memorial with an answer thereto (see Sept. 10, 1691), which answer I am satisfied is the truth; and I have subjoined an account of Jacob Leisler's behaviour to the troops. Major Ingoldsby behaved with much prudence during my absence and made it his whole care to avoid bloodshed; but had he not called in the militia this place would have been too hot for him. The gentlemen accused by Leisler and Milborne were the best and most loyal in the place and were therefore oppressed by them. Many who followed Leisler are well affected and were only led away by ignorance. I believe it will be sufficient to make an example of the ringleaders. Signed. H. Sloughter. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Sept., 1691. Printed in New York Documents III., 762. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 22, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 295–296.]
May 7. New York.	1,465. Governor Sloughter to William Blathwayt. Through infinite mercy I am arrived here in good health. We sailed from Cowes on the 29th November, but ran aground next day and lay from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. expecting the ship to bulge every moment; but being lightened she was soon free and we made Bermuda on Friday, 9th of February. It was then blowing hard but soon moderated, else we had all perished, for between 11 and 12 at night we struck seven times on rocks, but beyond all hopes got clear. Two days later we got into harbour but lost thirty-seven feet of our false keel on the bar, which in a few days floated beside the ship. It was impossible to do anything for the ship there, but to sea I was resolved to go, knowing the distress in New York, so after three weeks' stay at Bermuda we sailed for New York, and on the 18th of March anchored in the Narrows. Next day Colonel Dudley and others came aboard, when hearing of the distress that they were in I went up to the town in the pinnace. I found everyone in arms to defend the city against Leisler, who had raised three hundred men and held the fort against them, declaring them all papists and followers of King James, and that we were sent to betray the country to the French. He had fired several cannon shots, killed two men and wounded seventeen. I at once caused the Town-hall bell to ring to summon the people, took the oaths and swore as many of the Council as were free. I then sent Major Ingoldsby to demand the delivery of the fort and of the members of the Council who were imprisoned. Leisler refused both demands, saying that he would recognise no Governor but by the King's commands addressed directly to him. But that night he sent one Stoll to see if I were what I said I was; I then sent a second message, to which he replied that the fort was not delivered on such easy terms. I then determined to send no more messages, but summoned the men-of-war to stand in as close as possible, resolving as soon as it was dawn to attack him. But before any attack was made, Leisler sent Milborne and one De La Noy to capitulate with me. Without entering on any treaty I secured them, intending to try them before the Council of War next day, but Leisler's people began to desert that night and asked that Major Ingoldsby might speak with them in the fort. I therefore sent him together with his company, with orders that Leisler's men should lay down their arms and leave the fort, and that Leisler and his Council should be seized and brought before me. There was some debate before the order was obeyed, but the men laid down their arms and the prisoners were brought to me. I at once committed them, and by the Council's advice issued, on the 26th, a commission for their trial. Ten were indicted for murder and treason, and six of them pleaded and were found guilty. Leisler and Milborne refused to plead but were sentenced with the rest. Certainly greater villains never lived. Lieutenant Wildboar is dead, and I have commissioned Lancelot Simms in his place. He came with us from England and is a good soldier, so I hope may be confirmed. I had instructions to make Mr. Graham recorder of the city and Attorney General, but at the request of the city I appointed Mr. Pinhorne. I also appointed one Newton to be Attorney, wishing to settle such matters speedily. I called an Assembly which met the 9th of April, and I hope will transact business quickly enough to let me go to Albany next week. I fear there is danger of losing the Mohawks to the French. New Jersey and Connecticut are in as bad case as this Colony. Every day they cry out for relief and defence from their oppressors. Our going to Bermuda was like to be of pernicious consequence to ourselves. I am much solicited to execute the condemned, but shall await the King's pleasure if I can keep the people quiet. Signed. H. Sloughter. 3 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 12th Sept. Read 28th Sept., 1691. Printed in New York Documents III., 766. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 23, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXIX., pp. 296–300.]
May 7.	1,466. Abstract of the two foregoing letters. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 24.]
May 7. New York.	1,467. Governor Sloughter to the Duke of Bolton. Major Ingoldsby and myself beg you that Lancelot Simms may be confirmed as Lieutenant, being well qualified in every respect. At present affairs here have a bad aspect in regard both to the French and our differences at home; but I hope to bring things into a posture of defence. Signed. H. Sloughter. 1 p. Printed in New York Documents III., 768. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 25.]
[May.]	1,468. Account of the sums due on account of the two foot-companies at New York. Total, £2,460. Signed. H. Sloughter. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Sept., 1691. Read 12 Oct., 1691. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 26.]
[May.]	1,469. Declaration of the inhabitants of New York. As to the good services of Major Richard Ingoldsby from the time of his arrival until the surrender of Leisler, with a summary of Leisler's iniquities. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 27.]
May 7.	1,470. Order of the Queen in Council. Referring the petition of Edward Davies and others to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed. Cha. Montague. ½ p. Annexed,
	1,470. I. Petition of Edward Davies and others to the King. For the restoration of their money now in the custody of the Commissioners of Customs, as the Lords of the Treasury have decided in their favour. 1 p. The whole endorsed. Recd. 11 May, 1691. [America and West Indies. 637. Nos. 18, 18 I.; and (order only) Board of Trade. Virginia, 36. p. 66.]
May 8.	1,471. The Governor of Massachusetts to Governor Sloughter. We have received yours of 16 April. The records and the guns will be made over to you, as you request. As to the sloop that we are required to restore, there is some mistake. There was one built here before New York was joined to this Government, and there is another which Sir E. Andros set up in Maine but did not pay for, and which has since been sold to this Government and is now on voyage to England. We shall be ready to do anything reasonable to help you, and shall lay your proposals before the Assembly; but we have so much frontier exposed to the French and Indians and have suffered so much from sickness that we cannot think of sending men to Quebec without special orders from the King. We have arranged for a conference concerning a truce with the Indians. Signed. Sim. Bradstreet. Copy. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Read 6 Sept., 1692. [Board of Trade. New York, 4. No. 28.]
May 8. Boston.	1,472. Governor Bradstreet to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have received the King's orders of 30 April, 1690, for delivery to Governor Sloughter of the records of New York, the guns of Pemaquid and one of the sloops built at the public charge while New York and New England were united. We have obeyed as regards the records and the guns, but as to the sloop we think the King has been misinformed, for no sloop was built at the public charge during the period named. There is but one sloop here, which was here before Sir Edmund Andros came; though another was set up by Sir Edmund's order but passed into private hands and was hired by us to go to England last year. Our Agents can explain this fully, so that if the remaining sloop were sent to another province it would greatly prejudice the King's interest in these parts just now. Therefore we await further news. We have suffered greatly from epidemic sickness during the past year, but it is abating; and we hear that the French in Canada are likewise distressed, having received no supplies and apprehending an English attack. The Indians at the beginning of last winter made overtures for peace, insinuating that the French (who have gained many of them to their religion) greatly instigated them to prosecute the war, and that having had great losses they were desirous of peace. We sent persons to treat with them, who agreed with them for a cessation of arms till the 1st inst., and appointed them a meeting with their Sachems; since which they have abstained from hostile acts. Our Commissioners lately went to Wells, the appointed meeting-place, but as some of the Sachems did not appear and those that came did not bring in their prisoners, as agreed upon, they promised to perform that agreement within twenty days and to offer proposals to this Government and New York, abstaining from all hostility meanwhile. We have apprised Governor Sloughter of this, and shall consult him in the matter. We are repairing and strengthening our fortifications against any attack by the French, and shall do our utmost to repel them, having been most seasonably supplied with arms and ammunition from England in the winter. We have no information as to the King's pleasure for settlement of this Government. We beg your favourable attention to our Agents and beg for their speedy dismission as soon as the matter is settled. Signed. Sim. Bradstreet, Govr[Illegible], in the name of the Council. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 7 July, 1691. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 163.]
[May.]	1,473. Account of money disbursed for a new sloop built for the public service under Sir Edmund Andros. Total £211 6s. 7d. Memo. The above sloop was seized as the King's by the conservators of the peace at Boston when the King's Government was overthrown; since which time she was sent to England with letters to the King. The master then made her over to the Agents who have since disposed of her, the King's sloop, at a considerable value. Though the other sloop was built before New York was joined to the Government, yet Plymouth, Rhode Island, King's Province, Maine, New Hampshire and Pemaquid all contributed to the cost of building her, for she was built soon after Sir E. Andros's arrival. 1 p. Endorsed. Mr. Usher's account of the New England sloops. [Board of Trade. New York, 5. No. 164.]
May 9.	1,474. Minutes of Council of New York. Thomas Carhart's claim to his land heard, and a patent issued to him for it. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., p. 257.]