|
| July 3. |
222. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Request that the officers of Ordnance will report as to the arms for Bermuda and Newfoundland. Colonel Molesworth's commission and his proposals (see No. 204) considered. Agreed to represent to the King, that power to execute martial law has been included in commissions hitherto, that many people in Jamaica desire power of appeal against fines to the King in Council, that there is great want of ammunition, that soldiers also are wanted, and that instructions are needed as to Monmouth's rebels, and as to the Assiento. Colonel Molesworth ordered to furnish the list of the Council. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 233–235.] |
| July 3. |
223. Memorandum of business to be reported to the King. Letter from the Government of New York praying for the King's orders for a settlement, together with a narrative of the late proceedings in New England. The King's pleasure to be taken as to ships to transport the Governors of Barbados and Jamaica. ½ p. Endorsed. 3 July, 1689. [America and West Indies, 601. No. 5.] |
| July 3. |
224. List of Governors proposed to the King for the Colonies. Barbados, Sir P. Colleton, Mr. Kendall; Leeward Islands, Bermuda and Virginia as in list of May 16th (see No. 127). Lord Monmouth is suggested as an alternative Lieutenant-Governor for Antigua, and Lord Lumley for Virginia. Draft. 1 p. Endorsed. 3 July, 1689. [America and West Indies. 601. No. 6.] |
July 3.
Whitehall. |
225. Order of Lords of Trade and Plantations. For the office of Ordnance to report as to the progress made in executing the orders as to Bermuda and Newfoundland (see Nos. 131, 132). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol C., pp. 58, 59.] |
| July 3. |
226. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King. We have received the petition of Robert Ayleway (see No. 126). The law-officers report that his grant is good in law, in case you think good to admit the petitioner's request. Memorandum. The King declared that if petitioner agreed to reside in Virginia the Governor should be directed to admit him to office; otherwise petitioner should be left to the law. [Board of Trade. Virginia 36. pp. 6, 7.] |
| July 3. |
227. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Desiring the King's pleasure as to Nos. 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10 of Colonel Molesworth's proposals (see No. 204). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., pp. 182–184.] |
| July 4. |
228. Order of the King in Council. Referring the three last proposals of Colonel Molesworth (see No. 204), to the Lords of the Admiralty for report. Signed. Ricd. Colinge. |
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Memo. that on this day the King approved of the three first articles submitted by the Lords of Trade, and ordered the law concerning transported convicts of Monmouth's rebellion to be repealed. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., p. 184.] |
| July 5. |
229. Earl of Shrewsbury to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The King has appointed James Kendall to be Governor of Barbados. Signed. Shrewsbury. ¼ p. Endorsed. Read 8 July, 1689. [America and West Indies. 456. No. 10, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VIII., p. 64.] |
| July 6. |
230. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. John Bromley chosen speaker. The Lieutenant-Governor informed the House of the declaration of war with France. The Militia Bill read twice. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 186, 187.] |
| July 8. |
231. Lord Howard of Effingham to Lords of Trade and Plantations. As to the petition of Edward Davies and others (see No. 60), the late King sent me his orders of 22 Jan., 1688, to assist Sir Robert Holmes to suppress pirates, which orders were distributed to my officers and to the man of war. When Captain Rowe arrested these prisoners I sent one of my Council to examine them, when they stood on their justification that they came by their money and goods lawfully. I then examined each one strictly in Council and offered them pardon if they would confess themselves pirates; but they always refused. Then on the 15th of August they sent me a petition claiming the King's pardon as pirates, surrendered under the Royal proclamation, which I refused, as they had declined
it at first, but said that I would forward their petition. Their pass from Maryland was only a certificate that they were not runaway servants, and they never saw Captain Allen till long after their arrest, nor ever had a certificate from him. Signed. Effingham. 2 pp. [America and West Indies. 636. No. 15; and Board of Trade. Virginia, 36. pp. 50, 51.] |
| July 8. |
232. State of the case as to the repeal of the Act of Virginia for repealing an Act concerning attorneys. The King's commission to the Governor of Virginia provides for the publication of the King's allowance of Acts passed in the Colony. In 1680 an Act was passed concerning attorneys, but before it was confirmed or disallowed by the King, was repealed by a new Act passed in 1682. The King, disapproving the Act of repeal, in 1683 directed his disallowance of that Act to be signified, which was done by Lord Howard in 1684. Query: whether the first Act of 1680 is hereby revived? Minutes of the Law Officers. I conceive the first (supposing it were a law) to be revived by the King's disallowing the Act of repeal. Signed. Geo. Treby. July 8, 1689. If the Act of 1680 had the force of law before it was confirmed by the King, I conceive it to be revived by the disallowance of the repealing Act. Signed. J. Somers. The whole, 2 pp. Endorsed. 25 July '89. Read, 16 Aug. 1689. [America and West Indies. 636. No. 16, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., p. 266.] |
July 8/18.
Westminster. |
233. The Dutch Ambassador to the King. Begging him to appoint a day for hearing of the case of the ship St. Jago de la Victoria, unjustly confiscated at Jamaica, to cite George Nedham to be present, and to annul the confiscation. Signed. N. Witsen. 1 p. French. Endorsed. Read in Council 8 July, 1689. [America and West Indies. 540. No. 10.] |
July 8,
Kempton Court. |
234. Order of the King in Council. For a warrant to pass Colonel Molesworth's commission as Governor of Jamaica under the Great Seal. Signed. Rich. Colinge. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXII., p. 185.] |
| [July 8.] |
235. Petition of George Nedham to the King. I have lately heard of an order to appear before your Majesty in Council upon a complaint as to the Dutch ship St. Jago de la Victoria. I am willing to comply though I have not been served with the order, but I am instructed to represent to you the true state of affairs in Jamaica, which have been much misrepresented by some who, I believe, have endeavoured to have me arrested to prevent me from telling the truth in relation to them. I beg leave to appear before your Majesty. Signed. Geo. Nedham. 1 p. Endorsed. Read in Council July 8, 1689. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 7.] |
| [July 9.] |
236. List of the Council of Jamaica. Sir Francis Watson, Thomas Freeman, Thomas Ballard, Thomas Fuller, John White, James Walker, John Bourden, William Ivy, George Nedham. Noted against this last name—A great promoter of the irregularities committed in the late Government, one of those chiefly concerned with the Dutch ships; a person much indebted, who left the Island against the will of his creditors and without giving security as the law
requires. Councillors to be added:—Peter Beckford, Charles Penhallow, Whitgift Aylemore, Fulke Rose. 1 p. Endorsed. Rec. from Colonel Molesworth, 9 July, 1689. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 6. No. 8.] |
| [July 9.] |
237. John Netheway to the King and Queen. I send a copy of my letter of 27 June. It is a pity that so rich an Island as St. Christophers should not be wholly under your government, and not shared by another nation and that so treacherous a nation as the French, who never abide by their promises. There is a Treaty of Neutrality for peace between the two nations here, whatever the disputes in Europe, but the French have violated it by entertaining the Irish rebels and deserters. The French, though their Governor disowns them, burn, ravage and plunder and transport all that they can lay their hands on, under pretence that the English are rebels and that the subjects of King James deserve protection from them. The English far out-number the Irish and could easily have quelled them, had they not feared the French (who are many more in number) joining with them and falling on us. An order to this effect is daily expected if it be not prevented by timely aid from you. I have presumed to beat drums for volunteers in this Island to go to their assistance, wherein I found the people very free and forward. Only the Assembly opposed my design, though the Council favoured it. I send them down a very good company of men, exceeding good shots and well armed, and as we hope that Barbados will help also, the French forbear the spoil they resolved on. I shall do my best, but I beg for men, arms and ammunition. I have given protection to over three thousand souls from St. Eustatia and other Islands, which is a great trouble and charge. I send a remonstrance of what passed at St. Christophers and an affidavit from the Governor of the Island. Signed. Jno. Netheway. Endorsed. Recd. 23rd Aug., 1689. Enclosed, |
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237. I. A short remonstrance of the sufferings of the poor inhabitants of St. Christophers. Since the proclamations of your Majesties, many malicious people of the Irish nation have assembled in a rebellious and tumultuous manner, assisted by the French, seizing and taking prisoners several English on their way to the French quarters. They then invaded the windward district, and have burned, sacked, and utterly destroyed the same to the value of £150,000 sterling. They have made attempts in the leeward district also, insomuch that we are forced to quit our estates and take refuge in the fort. 1 p. |
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237. II. Deposition of Darby Considine. To the effect that he saw the Irish flying colours, which they called King James's colours, in St. Christophers, and saw a Frenchman at the head of the Irish; also that he himself was disarmed by one of the rebels. Sworn, 29th June. 1 p. [America and West Indies. 550. Nos. 13, 13 I. II., and Col. Entry Bk., Vol XLVII., pp. 428–433.] |
| July 9. |
238. John Netheway to Colonel Bastian Bayer. Giving the same account and imploring his interest to procure the despatch of men, arms and ammunition. [Ibid. No. 14.] |
| July 9. |
239. John Netheway to Joseph Martyn, giving the same account of his doings. 1¼ pp. [Ibid. No. 15.] |
| July 9. |
240. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. But two members present, who after waiting till three o'clock in the afternoon adjourned for four weeks. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., p. 185.] |
July 9.
New York. |
241. Stephen van Cortlandt to Governor Andros. Yours of 21 June received. I am sorry that the people of Boston would not let you come here, as I doubt not that your presence would have checked the Revolution here, which is all grounded on notorious falsities. The pay for the two foot-companies is not yet received, the Collector having trusted the merchants for his customs, who now refuse to pay. The fort was only repaired according to your directions so far as the weather permitted, and the work would have been completed but for the unhappy troubles. On the 1st of March we heard news of the Prince of Orange's landing in England, which we kept private at first, but we took care to secure the £1,100 or £1,200 in Mr. Plowman's hands. On the 26th of April we heard of the revolution in Boston, and called the Aldermen, Common Council and militia officers together to take care for the quiet and safety of the Country. We also wrote to several of the military officers and summoned also the nearest members of Council, but only Major Smith, Walter Claxton and Walter Newbury took any notice. On the 29th the Council and Common Council resolved to fortify the city, and on the 3rd of May, the places for platforms and guns were fixed. On the 4th of May we heard of the revolution at the east end of Long Island, and wrote to Colonel Young and Major Howell to pacify the people as best they could. On the 6th there was news that the French were invading us with a number of Indians, which caused great uproar, but in the afternoon a sloop came in from Albany with contrary news. On the 9th the men employed in the late expedition at Albany were all in arms in Suffolk, King's and Queen's Counties, clamouring for pay. We resolved to pay the private soldiers in full and the troopers £6 apiece, which quieted them. On the 11th came the report of the suspicions in Long Island. We sent to all the Counties to send a man or two to join us, but none came. On the 12th came news that the Indians were growing suspicious owing to false reports, and a letter was sent to Albany to contradict those reports. Meanwhile the work on the fortifications went on, though De Peyster who had bought the land where the old fortifications lay would not have the new works made there. On the 18th of May Mr. Wedderburn arrived with your instructions, but Colonels Young and Hamilton did not think it prudent to go to Boston. On the 24th we wrote fresh letters to Albany forbidding any aggression on the part of the Indians. On the 31st Captain Nicholson informed the Magistrate and officers that divers of the inhabitants were very factious and rebellious, and that most of the city militia were in rebellion. Captain Nicholson also had (as is alleged) an altercation with Hendryk Cuyler, using sharp language, unusual in so civil a man, as also to Abraham de Peyster. We tried to quiet them, but it was too late. The drums beat and the town was in uproar. I ran to Jacob Leisler's door and tried to sooth the people, but in vain. They marched to the fort, where Cuyler admitted them, and in half an hour's time the fort was full of armed and enraged men, crying out
that they were betrayed and that it was time for them to look to themselves. Presently about twenty armed men came up to the room where the Magistrates were, crying out for the keys of the fort; and seeing resistance to be useless we advised Captain Nicholson to give them up. On the 3rd of June, at the news that four or five ships had arrived, Leisler raised an alarm, and all the people meeting before the fort deserted their officers and ran to join Leisler. On the 6th Captain Nicholson, after telling us of the stopping of messengers and letters by the people in the fort, resolved to go to England. He left very privately thinking to sail to England in Col. Dongan's brigantine, but Colonel Dongan was so sea-sick that he came back to be set ashore, and Captain Nicholson did not finally sail till the 24th of June. On the 22nd of June, Major Gold and another came from Connecticut, from whom Leisler obtained copy of a proclamation to proclaim King William and Queen Mary; so had the drum beaten and proclaimed them. In the afternoon he sent for me and asked me whether I would not proclaim the King and Queen. I said it was done already. He answered that if I wouldn't do it he would do it at the Town Hall. I told him he might do as he pleased, which put them in a passion and made them abuse me and call me papist. The Connecticut gentlemen then urged me to go to the Town Hall where they would make proclamation. I sent for the Alderman who resolved that we would wait upon them. At the Town Hall Leisler came and would have me proclaim the King. I answered "He that read it before the fort can read it here; I have no clerk." He called me traitor and papist and made the people just ready to knock me on the head, so I was forced to say I did not hinder the proclamation. We then went all to the fort, where the sheriff was badly treated but I was let go without harm. On the 24th I received their Majesties' printed proclamation of 14 February, confirming all Protestants in their offices, and proclaimed it, which made them very angry. We then appointed four Commissioners of Revenue, but they were turned out with violence by Leisler and his crew, Colonel Bayard barely escaping. Leisler put Peter de la Noy into the Custom House. The 2nd of July was a Mayor's Court whereupon Leisler said that the people would hale the Magistrates by the legs, and he would not hinder them, so we adjourned the Court. They have appointed a Committee of Safety of eighteen, which has raised sixty men. Leisler has carried off the planks I had provided for platforms. There is in the fort £773, raised for the expedition to Albany. This they have taken for repairs of the fort and payment of the soldiers, to whom they promise forty five shillings a month without victuals. I cannot get the money to pay the two Companies, but Plowman has promised me a list of debts of the merchants which I shall try to collect. I beg for a Commission and orders from England. Signed. S. V. Cortlandt. Endorsed. Recd. from Mr. Randolph. 2 Nov. 1689. Printed in New York Documents III., 590–597.] Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXV., pp. 148–160. |
| July 10. |
242. Extracts from two letters sent to Mr. John Usher. Newport, 7 July, 1689. Walter Clark, Newberry, and John Greene have, I am told, drawn up something and sent it to Whitehall in the name of the whole people. Pray make enquiry and oppose it, for it
is false. The people know nothing of it, and these men are not their agents but do it out of their own heads, as they do everything. You know how they rose in opposition to the Government here, and reassumed the Government without any legal consent of the people. They are ready to devour me for opposing them. New England is still in the greatest confusion. |
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A second Extract. Boston, 10 July, 1689. Since your departure we have found out the effect of the vast overthrow of the Government and imprisonment of Sir Edmund Andros. Dockowando, the Sachem, who was undoubtedly coming in to submit, seeing the Governor in prison and the land in confusion, has turned our enemy, and many of the Pennycooks with him. A large body of Indians has attacked Cochecha, in the Piscataqua, and killed Major Waldern, his son, and son-in-law, besides a score of others, and carried off many more as prisoners. They have since killed many at Saccadehock and Saco. I am afraid that the inhabitants will abandon the east of Piscataqua to the French Indians. It is a question whether £100,000 will replace the damage. The cries of the distressed will doubtless reach England. Now each tribe, by which I mean each Colony, stands on its own bottom. The Eastern parts used to be under protection of New York, which is not now in a position to protect them—the people have stirred up the Yorkers to cast off the Lieutenant-General, and up jumps hot-brained Captain Leisler into the saddle and has his hands full of work. Thus New England, which yesterday was united and formidable, is divided into about ten little independent kingdoms, each acting as if it knew no superior power. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. from Mr. Usher, 30 Sept., '89. [Board of Trade. New England, 5. No. 16.] |
| [July 10.] |
243. Petition of Sir Timothy Thornhill to Lieutenant-Governor Stede. For re-admission to the Council, having paid the fine imposed on him and kept the peace and good behaviour. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 10 July, 1689. [America and West Indies. 456. No. 10A.] |
