|
March 1.
Antigua. |
484. Governor Hamilton to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers to enclosures. As soon as Abijah Savage gave me
intelligence of the capture of his sloop by a couple of pirates (v.
Dec. 14, 1716), I dispatched an express to the Governour of
Barbados, desiring he would order H.M. ship attending that
station to cruize among these Islands for some time, in order to
disperse those vermine if possible as well as to secure the Trade
in these parts, and at the same time I gave an account to Capt.
Hume (Commander of the Scarborough then on the said station)
of the pirates being in these seas, and urged the necessity of his
proceeding in quest of them, the which he with great chearfulness
undertook, and on 4th Jan. last arrived here, whereupon I
immediatly ordered an officer, with 40 of H.M. troops on board,
the better to enable Capt. Hume to secure his ship, and to annoy
the pirates in case he met them (the Captain having first represented to me that he was not only reduced to his lowest complement of men, but had actually some of them then sick on board)
whereupon he immediatly went to the places where he thought
it was most likely to meet them, and accordingly on the 15th day
of the same month he had the good fortune to find some of them
in the harbour of St. Cruix, with a ship and a sloop, the latter of
which was sunk by Capt. Hume in the said harbour on his first
arrival there, whereupon the pirates got some guns a shoar on
each side of the harbour, and fired abundance of shot at the man
of warr, but she sustaining no damage, the Captain was resolved
to push forward, which the pirates perceiving got under sail
with their ship being a fine galley of about 26 guns designing to
have fought their way through, but as she was coming out of the
harbour she run a ground, whereupon they set fire to the ship,
and retired to the woods, saving about 20 odd who made their
escape by favour of the night in a small sloop they had taken and
carryed with them belonging to these Islands, with which they
went through the shoals, and narrow passages where the man of
war could not go, so that Capt. Hume had not the good fortune
to get any of the men or anything belonging to the pirates saving
a little of the rigging with the sloops mast, and about 6 or 8
negroes that they had taken from some Guinia man, which they
had formerly met with but to whom she belonged or where bound
he could not learn. There were some other English vessels Capt.
the pirates had taken, and carried into St. Cruix the which Capt.
Hume released, and restored to the respective masters or owners
who happened to be there with them, and I must do him the justice
to say, that nothing on his part has been wanting to comply with
his duty in endeavoring not only to destroy their vessels but
even to take their men, but their retiring to the woods made it
impracticable, so that he was obliged to come away and leave
them on the Island from whence we are informed that they have
since been taken off by the sloop commanded by Bellamy who
is now in a ship of 26 guns, and has with him a sloop of 14 guns
more, besides which by what we can learn there are two or three
other pirates in these seas so that they are now become very
formidable by which means the man of war appointed for this
station will be able to do but little service when she comes being
but a small sixth rate, wherefore I must beg your Lordships will
be pleased to lay before H.M. the necessity of having a better
ship, appointed for the service of this station and withall that it
will be necessary to have her immediately dispatched, not knowing
how soon those fellows may attempt to make some outrages
upon the inhabitants of some of the Islands, they appearing
frequently not only on the coast of several of the small Islands,
but even among the French Islands that are to windward of
this place. I have been detained in this Island ever since the
month of Aprill last for want of a man of warr to carry me to the
other parts of the Government, so that I cannot at present give
your Lordships any perfect account of affaires there, but as soon
as the man of warr arrives I intend down amongst them, and then
I shall not fail to inform your Lordships of everything that occurs
to me, which I believe may be for the interest of H.M. or the
service of this Colony. Signed, W. Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd.
24th, Read 30th April, 1717. 2¾ pp. Enclosed, |
|
484. i. Duplicate of No. 425 iii. |
|
484. ii. Deposition of Simon Slocum, William Knock, Paul
Gerrish, John Tuffton and Thomas Porter, Feb. 28th,
1716. On 30th Nov. being in the harbour of Triste in
the Bay of Campechia with the vessels in the annex'd
list, there came to the said Bay three Spanish ships of
warr, one fire ship, three sloops of warr etc., commanded
by Don Alonso Phe. de Andrade, to whom (after enclosed
correspondence) they were obliged to surrender their
ships and themselves were made prisoners until 15th
Dec., at which time they departed in a sloop with a
passport from Don Alonso, and, resolving to put into
the first English port they could make, arrived at
Antigua 17th Feb. After the arrival of the Spanish
vessells at the harbour of Triste there came severall
other vessells belonging to the English to the Bay of
Campechia which were likewise taken and the Captains
with their men made prisoners by the Spanish force,
althô the said English vessells had not traded or done
anything besides coming to an anchor without the Bar.
Signed, Simon Slocum, Jno. Alden, jr., Nathl. Mason,
Will. Knock, Paul Gerrish, John Tuffton, Tho. Porter.
1¾ pp. |
|
484. iii. List of vessels surrendered in the Bay of Campechia,
30th Nov., 1716. 12 ships (5 New Englandmen, 3
English, 1 Barbadian, 1 Scottish, 2 Dutch); 8 sloops (4
New Englandmen, 1 New York, 1 Jamaican, 1 Barbadian, 1 Dutch). Taken over the Barr Triste, 2 New
Englandmen, 1 English, 1 Dutch (loaded). |
|
484. iv. Senr. Majr. Don Alonson Phe. de Andrade, 29th Nov.,
1716, to the masters of ships in the Bay of Campechy.
Forasmuch as I am dispatch't here by H.E. Marquis
de Vallero Vice-King of Governour and Capt. Generall
of New Spain to depopulat and devast the Laguna
Termina and replenish the same with the forces of his
most Catholick Majesty, I exhort all the inhabitants
of the Laguna Termina and of the Island of Triste to
deliver up your arms to the King my master whom in the
name of my King, I pardon by an act of grace from
him; if not, you shall be deemed as pirates and suffer
the law of arms, for you to live in a place, which belongs
unto me and of so much consequence seems as if there
were nothing in New Spain etc. Signed, Ifflonso Phe.
de Andrade. Copy. ¾ p. |
|
484. v. Masters of ships in the Bay of Campechia to Don Alonso
Phe. de Andrade. We think your Excellency's proposals
very hard as being subjects to the King of Great Britain,
and we desire a pass for our ships and goods, and will
willingly resign you the Island of Triste and the Laguns,
or else we are resolved to maintain our libertys and
fortunes for we are no ways pirates but have lawfull
clearances etc., which is the needfull at present from
etc. Signed, Ebenr. Wentworth and 13 others. Copy.
1 p. |
|
484. vi. Don Alonso Phe. de Andrade to the masters of ships
in the Harbour of Triste. 29th Nov., 1716. Reply to
preceding. I am resolved to enforce my Master's
commands by force of arms etc., but will grant you a
vessell to carry you to British Dominions etc. Signed,
Ifflonso Phe. de Andrade. Copy. 1 p. |
|
484. vii. Masters of ships in the Harbour of Triste to Don
Alonso Phe. de Andrade. Reply to preceding. We
accept your proposals, etc., if granted a ship of 300 tuns
with provisions to carry us and the prisoners now in
your possession and all our men within a limited time
for our departure with our chests, cloaths, bedding and
books etc. Signed, Ebenr. Wentworth and 15 others.
Copy. 1 p. |
|
484. viii. Don Alonso Phe. de Andrade to Masters of ships in
the Harbour of Triste. 1st Dec., 1716. Agrees to
preceding. Signed, Ifflonso Phe. de Andrade. Copy.
½ p. |
|
484. ix. Passport for 7 English Captains of vessels made
prisoners as above. 10th Dec., 1716. Signed, Don
Alonso Phe. de Andrade. Endorsed as covering letter.
Copy. 1 p. |
|
484. x. Masters of vessels in the Bay of Campeachy to John
Cample. Antea Triste Harbour sed nu[n]c del Carmen,
Dec. 10, 1716. We have been taken here by Don
Alonso etc. The men that belonged unto our ships as
is customary were all in the lagoons a bringing down
logwood for the loading of our vessells that were here,
at which time the Spaniards stop't up both Creeks, so
that our men could by no means come to our assistance,
and so that in 18 sail there were but 80 sailers left,
most part of the Bay men who were then at Triste
with 7 of the masters of vessels vizt. Thomas Porter,
Bay man, who drew all the rest away ran from our aid
with above 50 men in canoes, one of the abovesaid 7
masters, after assignation of the capitulations (Nos.
vii., viii.), burned his sloop etc. The Spaniards have
landed upon the Island of Triste, alias del Carmen,
24 pieces of cannon, and have brought all things
necessary for the setling the same, as also the Leguna
Termina, so that the vessells that come this way, without
a passport from the King of Spain are free prizes unto
them. To prevent further losses, we desire these papers
may be put into print and published etc. Endorsed
as letter. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 11. Nos. 57, 57 i.–ix.;
and (without enclosures) 153, 13. pp. 22–27.] |
March 2.
St. James's. |
485. Order of King in Council. Referring following to the
Council of Trade and Plantations for their report. Signed, Wm.
Blathwayt. Endorsed, Recd. Read 5th March, 1716/17. ¾ p.
Enclosed, |
|
485. i. Petition of William Armstrong and other disbanded
soldiers to the King. Pray for a grant of uninhabited
lands between Nova Scotia and Maine, N.E., recovered
from the French, 1710, and for transport and subsistence
till they can clear the ground and repay the same in
Naval Stores etc. Signed, William Armstrong, Seg.,
and 32 others. 2 pp. [C.O. 217, 2. Nos. 19, 19 i.; and
218, 1. pp. 314–319.] |
March 2.
Boston. |
486. Archibald Cumings, Custom House Officer at Boston,
to John Cokburne, one of the Lords Commissioners for Trade
and Plantations. Gives details of imports from foreign plantations,
as Cayan, Surriname, Cape François and St. Thomas, and from
our own Plantations. Continues: Wee distill annually about
2000 hds. of rume here of molosses and about 1800 pipes wine
imported from Fyall Maderas and Canaries all which might bear a
duty as a revenue for the Crown to defray the expences that the
plantations are annually to Great Brittain for Governours and
officers salaries etc., and by setling a Stamp Office in all the
Islands and on the Continent for this service, etc. The Charter
Governments are all enemies to the prerogative and it would
be a service to the Crown they were all taken away etc. The Charter
Providence plantation in Rhoad Island Government no notice
is taken of the Sabbath but employed in revellings and none of
ther laws sent home for the Crown's sanction or your Lordships
boards approbation, the Court of Admiraltry is daily decryed
by these charter people which is the royall prerogative etc., etc.
Signed, Archd. Cumings. Endorsed, Recd. (from Mr. Cokburne)
3rd April, Read 20th May, 1717. Addressed. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
486. i. List of imports from foreign plantations, etc. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 866. Nos. 111, 111 i.; and (without enclosures)
5, 915. pp. 33–37.] |
| March 2. |
487. Certificate by several Ropemakers of London that
Carolina tar is suitable for use in cordage etc. Signed, Stephen
Hughes and 5 others. Endorsed, Recd. Read 4th March, 1716/17
½ p. [C.O. 5, 1265. No. 56.] |
| [March 4.] |
488. Agents of South Carolina and London merchants
trading thither to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Owing
to the great distance of the Province, the small number of hands,
and dearness of labour and freight, propose that naval stores from
Carolina be admitted to Great Britain duty free and the importer
allowed a bounty etc. Details. Signed, Joseph Boone, Richd.
Beresford, James Crane and 4 others. Endorsed, Recd. Read 4th
March, 1716/17. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1265. No. 57; and 5, 1293. pp.
75–77.] |
March 4.
Admty. Office. |
489. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. In reply to 18th Feb., I
am to acquaint you, that orders are sent to the Captains of H.M.
ships employ'd at Jamaica, Barbadoes, and the Leeward Islands,
upon intimation of any pirates in those parts, to advise with the
respective Governours, and proceed in quest of them as shall be
thereupon thought proper, and to use their utmost endeavours to
seize or destroy them; the Seaford that sailed for the Leeward
Islands in Dec. last was provided with Instructions of this nature,
and must in all probability are now have reach'd her station;
we are now fitting ships for the Colonies of Virginia, New England,
and New York, and their Commanders will also have
particular Instructions with relation to pirates. Signed, J.
Burchett. Endorsed, Recd. Read 5th March. 1716/17. Addressed.
1 p. [C.O. 152, 11. No. 49; and 153, 12. p. 510.] |
March 7.
St. James's. |
490. H.M. Warrant granting leave of absence from Montserrat to Lt. Governor Thomas Talmach for six months for the
recovery of his health. Countersigned, P. Methuen. [C.O. 324,
33. p. 70.] |
| [March 7.] |
491. Ollivier Tulon to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Repeats petition No. 470 i. Signed, Ollivier Tulon. Endorsed,
Recd. Read 7th March, 1716/17. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
491. i. The case of Oliver Tullon (v. No. 470 i.), with the opinion
of the Attorney General, that if he be qualified by the
Act of the 10th of King William, Cap. 25, to fish in
Newfoundland, the employing foreigners not qualified
to fish for themselves is no offence against the act, the
fishing being the fishing of Tullon. But if Tullon be
himself an alien not naturalised or made denizen, he is
made incapable to fish there, and the 13th and 14th
Articles of the late Treaty of Peace doth not, nor could
alter the Act of Parliament, besides the 14th Article
provides only for the French subjects who were willing
to remaine in the places yeilded to the Crown of Great
Brittaine to enjoy the free exercise of their religion as
far as the laws of Great Brittaine did allow the same
etc. Signed, Edw. Northey. Jan. 28, 1716/17. 2 pp.
Enclosed, |
|
491. ii. Duplicate of No. 470 iv. |
|
491. iii. Deposition of Ollivier Tulon la Garanderie. 7th March,
1716/17. In Nov., 1714, at Poole, William Cleaves proposed
to purchase deponent's habitation at St. Peter. He
asked 5000 livres, and Cleaves only offered £80 sterl.
Upon his refusing this, Cleaves threatened to find means
to make him lose it, and since then has continually
molested him. Signed, Ollivier Tulon. 1¼ pp. |
|
491. iv. Version in French of No. 439. iii. |
|
491. v. Duplicate of No. 470 iii. |
|
491. vi. Copy of agreement between Ollivier Tulon and Pierre
Careye and Co. of Guernsey, proprietors of the Deux
Sœurs of Guernsey, Capt. Wm. Le Mesurier, master.
Jan. 28, 1716. Signed, Pierre Careye, Willm. Le
Mesurier, Cha. Mauger, Tulon. French. Copy. 3¾ pp. |
|
491. vii. Duplicate of Queen to Nicholson, 23rd June, 1713. |
|
491. viii. Version in French of No. 439 vi. |
|
491. ix., x. Deposition of Francois Levesque, Sieur de Baubriand and his wife Marie Francoise Dubreuil, relict of
the Sieur Onfroy (sic), of St. Malo. March 5th (N.S.),
1717. Olivier Tullon is sole proprietor of the habitation
at St. Peters, deponents having sold to him their half
share in Sept. 1st, 1715, etc. Signed, M. E. Dubreuil,
Veuve Onfroy, Baubriand, etc. 6 pp. |
|
491. xi. Copy of deed of sale of half the plantation of Bellair
to M. Tulon etc. Signed, Fr. Levesque, Tulon. French.
1¾ pp. [C.O. 194, 6. Nos. 23, 23 i.–xi.] |
| [March 8.] |
492. Mr. Bubb to the Marquis de Grimaldo. Madrid, 17th
Dec., 1716. Protests against the seizure of some fish at Bilboa,
as in following. I do not see by what right these gentlemen
presume to decide upon the judgments of the King's officers given
against his own subjects, and in which they have no concern etc.
Endorsed, Recd., from the Secretary's Office, Read 8th March,
1716/17. French. Copy. 2 pp. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 24.] |
| [March 8.] |
493. Petition of Capt. William Le Mesurier (Guillaume
Mesurer) to [? the King of Spain]. Petitioner brought from Newfoundland to Bilboa in his ship the Deux Sœurs et Marie 722
quintals of fish consigned to him by the Admiralty of the Port
of St. Pierre, to be sold and the proceeds held at the disposal of
H.M. This was the fish confiscated from Galanterie Tulon. At
the instance, it is believed, of Tulon, petitioner was thrown into
prison and his ship and the fish seized. Petitioner has applied
in vain for satisfaction etc. Endorsed as preceding. French.
Copy. 3 pp. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 24 i.] |
| [March 8.] |
494. Extract of letter from Mr. Secretary Methuen to Mr. Bubb.
3rd Jan., 1716/17. H.R.H. approves of preceding memorial and letter
etc. In case you have not already obtained justice at Madrid,
you should again in H.M. name represent to that Court in the
strongest terms, the violence and injustice of this proceeding
of the Biscayners, in a thing which they have no right to meddle
with, and you are to use your best endeavours that the fish
seized at Bilboa, which belongs without any dispute to H.M.
may be restored to the Captain. Endorsed as preceding. ½ p.
[C.O. 194, 6. No. 24 ii.] |
| [March 8.] |
495. Estimate of the charge of settling a colony of 500
disbanded soldiers between Nova Scotia and New England
etc. (v. 5th March). Total, £29,562 10s. Endorsed, Recd. (from
Mr. Armstrong etc.) Read 8th March, 1716/17. 2 pp. [C.O. 217,
2. No. 21.] |
March 9.
Annapolis Royall. |
496. Capt. Williams to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
I take this opportunity to acquaint your Lordshipps of the
decease of the honble. Major Thomas Caulfeild late Lt. Govr.
of this pleace who departed this life the 2nd instant, very much
lamented by us here, and haveing had noe time to inspect into
the affairs of this Goverment, by the next occasion which will
soon follow this, I shall endeavor what in me lyes to give as perfect
an account as possible. And whereas I am now the eldest
officer in this part of Ammerica by some years, I hope yr. Lordshipps will be pleased to consider me as here, being very sensable
that several persons who are now at home will make there intrest
to be made Lt. Governor, for which I most humbly intreat yr.
Lordshipps' favor, tho' very sorry for the occasion, etc. Signed,
J. Williams. Endorsed, Recd. Read 23rd May, 1717. 2 pp.
[C.O. 217, 2. No. 25; and 218, 1. pp. 321, 322.] |
March 9.
London. |
497. Copy of Lt. Governor Moody's Proclamation of July
12, 1714. Endorsed, Recd. from Valier 13th March, Read 12th
April, 1717. 1½ pp. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 27.] |
| March 9. |
498. List of 15 inhabitants of St. Peters, including Oliver
Tulon, who took the oath of allegiance in accordance with
preceding proclamation, "wch. have all peaceably enjoy'd ye
liberty of fishing etc. ever since except Mounsr. Tulon." Signed,
Wm. Taverner. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 6.
No. 27 i.] |
March 9.
St. James's. |
499. H.M. Warrant appointing Richard Mill Receiver
General in Jamaica, in place of Thomas Martin decd. and
Leonard Compere, surrendering his Letters Patents. Countersigned, P. Methuen. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 70–72.] |
March 11.
St. James's. |
500. H.M. Instructions to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina,
for Robert Johnson Deputy Governor, in pursuance of the Acts
of Trade and Navigation. [C.O. 5, 189. pp. 297–317.] |
March 12.
Jamaica. |
501. Peter Heywood, Commander in Chief of Jamaica, to the
Council of Trade and Plantations. Acknowledges letter of 19th Jan.
received 28th Feb. Continues:—The Councill Minutes wch. your
Lordships observed to be wanting being Minutes taken during
Lord A. Hamilton's Government, and Mr. Cockburn who before
and then acted as Clerk of the Councill being ordered to transcribe all Minutes not sent home to the 6th Aug. last when Mr.
Croose was admitted to act in the absence of Mr. Page, and Mr.
Cockburn having been paid for transcribing them, I apprehended
they had either been transmitted or at least his Lordship would
have taken care for their safe coming before your Board. Upon
perusall of the Councill Book during the Governmt. of Ld. A.
Hamilton I find by a Memd. therein entered the Councill Minutes
were by his Lordpp. transmitted home to the 16th May inclusive,
and 'tis not to be doubted but his Lordship carryed with him copys
of the Minutes from that time to the 25th of July when his
Governmt. ended, tho' I admire his Lordship shd. have been
so remiss as not to have delivered them to your Lordships'
Board or have acquainted me of their not having been sent home
etc. I now transmit an attested copy of those Minutes from 16th
May to 25th July etc. I have given directions to the Clerk of the
Councill to observe the method your Lordships direct of marking
in the Councill book the time to wch. any Minutes shall for the
future be sent home. All the Councill Minutes (as well as the
Journall of the Assembly) during my Governmt. have been sent
home to the 9th Nov. last. And yr. Lordships will by the next
ships receive the Minutes from that time to 5th Feb. P.S.—May 10th. I send the Minutes to the 19th Feb. etc. Signed,
Peter Heywood. Endorsed, Recd. 8th July, Read 19th Nov.,
1717. 2 pp. [C.O. 137, 12. No. 96; and 138, 16. pp. 4–7.] |
| March 12. |
502. Extract to letter from Mr. Bubb to Mr. Secretary
Methuen. Madrid, Feb. 1st, N.S. I have not yet received an
answer to my letter (v. 8th March), which is occasioned by the
uncertainty the Ministry is in: I have heard from Bilbao, that
they have thought a little better of it, and set the Capt. at liberty,
before I received the first complaint, they have also permitted
the confiscated fish to be sold, and the product to be deposited,
till further order of the King our Master. Endorsed, Recd. (from
ye Secry.'s Office) 12th March, Read 12th April, 1717. ¾ p.
[C.O. 194, 6. No. 28.] |
March 15.
St. James's. |
503. H.M. Warrant extending leave of absence to Samuel
Woodward, Secretary of the Massachusets Bay, for 12 months
longer for the completion of his law suit, etc. Countersigned, P.
Methuen. [C.O. 324, 33. pp. 72, 73.] |
March 16.
Customhouse, London. |
504. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. The officers upon rumageing the warehouse having found a box directed to you, I send
the same, etc. [The box apparently contained a letter from Mr.
Skene, Secretary of Barbados, with Naval Officer's lists of ships
entered and cleared at Barbados, 1703, 1704, etc. Ed.] Signed,
Cha. Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 16th, Read 20th March, 1716/17.
Addressed. ½ p. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 4; and 29, 13. p. 372.] |
| March 18. |
505. Joshua Gee to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Reports upon the production of Naval Stores in the Plantations.
Continues: There are great quantities of iron mines in Pensilvania, the inhabitants are a very laborious and industrious
people, and have brought that Colony into better order than any
other in America, in the short time since their first settlement;
they supply the West Indies with flower and provisions, and of
late have shipt large quantities of corn for Portugal and other
parts of Europe, to put themselves in a capacity of purchasing
in England cloathing and other necessaries which they want;
and to inlarge their trade, and exchange their industry with us,
were desirous to put forward and make some progress in the
raising of hemp, which the Government was pleased, by Acts
passed in the 3rd and 4th and 12th Anne to incourage by allowing
a bounty on it; and had proposed an incouragement from the
Governmt. to erect iron works in that Province, concluding that
such undertakings would receive as much countenance as pitch,
tar or any other production of America. But at present there
is a full stop to it, hearing that the Earl of Sutherland is perswaded by some persons that have been in those parts to petition
for a grant of the 3 lower counties, which have been enjoyed by
Wm. Penn ever since the first settlement. without molestation,
and where the manufacture of hemp was begun; but as a grant
of that country to any other Proprietor must of course frighten
away great part of the present inhabitants (who came there to
settle purely to enjoy liberty of conscience under a person of
their own perswasion) and consequently render the country of
little value to any other Proprietor, 'tis hoped this noble Earl who
of late hath distinguish'd his zeal for the rights and liberties of
the people at home, will not lend an ear to those who for private
ends endeavour to scrape a hole into the title of a Gentleman's
estate in America. [The inhabitants] are very easie under the
present administration, knowing the care there is taken that
they may not be prejudic'd in their properties; if the purchase
made of that Governmt. by the late Queen (of which £1000 is
already paid) should be compleated, they would be well satisfied,
knowing the tender regard H.M. has for all his subjects immediatly
under the Crown, of which Barbados and the other Islands are
testimonies, where so many families have raised considerable
fortunes; on the contrary, they see the dismall condition of
the Proprietary Governmt. of Carolina etc. In one undertaking
for raising hemp the Adventurers have already expended above
£2000 in preparations etc. There is one thing fit to be mentioned
which if not remedied will greatly lessen the advantage we
might enjoy in our Plantations, and obstruct these undertakings,
and that is the difficulty in sending servants over; merchants and
captains of ships have been harrass'd and some imprison'd and
put to great expence to get themselves cleared for only taking
servants, that have fairly bound themselves, and gone over with
free consent of such as appear'd for parents, for which reason
white servants are rarely sent over of late, and consequently
the country in danger of becoming a land of negroes. Among
the number of sharping tricks used about this city, one is to have
a person represent the case of an honest servant out of imployment
that wanted to go to the Plantations, and tho bound before a
Magistrate, when shipt and gone, somebody pretending to be
father or near relation comes to demand the person sent away,
if not produc'd they serve those who transport them with a writ
de homine replegiando and capias in Withernamia thereon founded.
By vertue of which writ the person so served is committed to
prison and not bailable; thus merchants for fear of falling into
the hands of rogues neglect assisting thousands of people that
are industriously inclin'd etc. The Act of 1st James I. as well
as several other Acts were made for preventing persons being
sent beyond the seas without lycence, which Acts now are turned
against such as transport servants to our own Plantations which
doubtless is contrary to the intention of Parliament etc. Proposes that it be enacted, that persons transporting servants
directly to our Plantations, shall not be liable to be sued upon
any of the Statutes made against carrying people into foreign
countries, nor shall be liable to be taken up upon the aforesaid
writ; and that six governors of Bridewell or the Workhouse be
given power to sign warrants for the exportation of children
caught picking pockets, etc. The bounty upon hemp ought to be
continued for a term of 20 years and for a similar term a prœmium
allowed upon iron, etc. Signed, Joshua Gee. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 18th March, 1716/17. 2½ closely written pp. [C.O. 5, 1265.
No. 58; and 5, 1293. pp. 77–88.] |
| March 18. |
506. William Byrd to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Proposals for the encouraging of making Naval Stores in Virginia.
The inhabitants to be allowed to pay quit-rents in naval stores
instead of money or tobacco as now etc. Signed, W. Byrd.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 18th March, 1716/17. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1318.
No. 1.] |
| March 18. |
507. Same to same. Proposals for encouraging the production
of hemp and other naval stores in the Plantations:—Prompt
payment of the bounties, lengthening the time thereof to 20 years,
making such stores duty free, etc. The objection to this tar, that
it burns the cordage, arises from it's being made of the knots of
pine, and not of the trunk. When it is made there after the
methods of Norway and Sweden, it will be as good as any, etc.
Signed, W. Byrd. Endorsed, Recd. Read 18th March, 1716/17.
2¾ closely written pp. [C.O. 323, 7. No. 78; and 324, 10.
pp. 100–106.] |
| March 18. |
508. Thomas Coram to Mr. Popple. Encloses following,
in reply to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Signed,
Thomas Coram. Endorsed, Recd. 18th, Read 20th March, 1716/17.
½ p. Enclosed, |
|
508. i. Same to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Abstract.
(1) Thinks the bounty of £6 pr. ton settled by Parliament
for good hemp etc, is enough, but as that bounty is all
given to the importer, the planters look upon it as no
benefit to them. Therefore let each raiser of good hemp
have the bounty paid him by the Province where the
same shall be raised, and be exempted from being
imprest to serve as a soldier, otherwise than in the
militia, etc. (2) There is plenty of iron oare in New
England, and several iron works; but the iron hitherto
made there is generally bad for want of skilful workmen
and encouragement. Has had good iron made there
for a ship built in 1698, the chain plates of which he
saw remaining in 1711. To encourage the making of
good iron in the Plantations and importing it into the
United Kingdom, proposes bounty of 40s. pr. ton etc.
and exemption from pressing for the maker etc. Printed,
N. J. Archives, 1st Ser. IV. 286. Signed, Thomas
Coram. 3 pp. [C.O. 323, 7. Nos. 82, 83; and 324, 10.
pp. 107–111.] |
| [March 20.] |
509. Disbanded officers and soldiers to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Petitioners for a settlement between New
England and Nova Scotia persuant to your Lordships' directions
has brought a copy of the Charter of King Charles II. to the Duke
of York whereby it will appear that the bounds of New Scotland
reached noe further that way then the River of St. Croix, on the
other hand it will appeare by the Charter of New England that
King William allowed the said land as well as Nova Scotia to be
under their protection but reserved to the Crown the power
of makeing grants of the said land. But when the Massetusetts
Colony found they had noe power of makeing grants of any lands
there would not be at the expence of protecting the said land but
neglected the same and sufferred the Royal Fort at Pemaquid
to be taken without any resistance at all, and surrendred the
same to the French to whome it remained till the conquest of
Nova Scotia in 1710. Neither would the Massecusetts be prevailed
on to rebuild the said Fort altho' requested to doe it by her
late Majestie etc. By which it apears that all the said land and
islands between the River St. Croix and the Province of Main did
formerly and doth now belong to the Crowne. Endorsed, Recd.
20th March, Read 15th May, 1717. ¾ p. [C.O. 217, 2. No. 21.] |
March 22.
Admty. Office. |
510. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. My Lords of the Admiralty
desire you would lay the enclosed before the Lords Commrs. for
Trade, that if they approve it, they may put it into such a method
as they shall judge most proper. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed,
Recd. 22nd, Read 23rd March, 1716/17. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
510. i. Mr. Bridger to Mr. Burchett. The Act for the preservation of white and other pine trees preserves only those of
24 in. diameter at one foot from the earth. The people
[of New England] cut all the young trees, and plead the
Act. Unless there be an amendment made to the Act, it
will be impossible to save the woods. It would not a
little advance the production of hemp if H.M. would send
over to New England etc. 100 bushels of seed, to be
given to proper persons, whose land is adapted to that
service. There is very little seed there etc. And
whereas turpentine, is no Naval Store, and the making
of it very destructive to the woods, which is proper for
making tar, I most humbly submitt it, whether the
premium ought to be continued thereon. And as
the premium given for tar imported from H.M. Plantations, makes no difference betwixt the tar made from
the green or prepared tree, and that made from knotts,
I propose that a distinction be made; which will very
much promote the making of the tar from the tree
prepared which is the best sort. Copy. 1½ pp. [C.O.
5, 866. Nos. 107, 107 i.; and (without enclosure) 5, 915.
pp. 31, 32.] |
| March 25. |
511. Petition of Edward Byam of London, merchant, in
behalf of Archibald Cochran of Antigua to the Council of Trade
and Plantations. Prays that his appointment by the Governor to
the Council of Antigua may be confirmed etc. Endorsed, Recd.
Read 25th March, 1717. ¾ p. [C.O. 152, 11. No. 50.] |
March 25.
Whitehall. |
512. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Recommend appointment of Archibald Cochran to the Council of Antigua,
in place of Barry Tankard resigned (v. 12th July). [C.O. 153,
12. pp. 511, 512.] |
| March 25. |
513. Petty expences of the Board of Trade postage,
stationery, etc., from Christmas, 1716, to Lady Day, 1717. 4 pp.
[C.O. 388, 77. Nos. 24, 26, 28.] |
March 27.
Marlborough Street, 11 o cloack. |
514. Earl of Sutherland to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Ther is ane hearing this evening befor the attourney and
solicitor Generall about the three lower Counties etc. Prays for
"an authentick double of Mr. Penn's declaration when Mr.
Keith was sent Governour thither." Signed, Sutherland.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 27th March, 1717. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1265.
No. 59.] |
March 28.
Whitehall. |
515. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Methuen. Enclose following in reply to 29th Jan., to be laid
before H.M. Autograph signatures. 1 p. Annexed, |
|
515. i. Same to the King. Representation upon Naval Stores
from the Plantations. Before we enter upon particulars
we humbly take leave to represent some of the many
great advantages which will accrue to this Kingdom from
the establishment of a trade for Naval Stores from your
Majesty's Plantations. (1) We observe that the people
on the Northern Continent of America, not having
sufficient returns of their own production for the goods
sent them from Great Britain have been of late years
under a necessity of applying themselves very much
to the woollen, linnen and other manufactures in order
to cloath themselves to the great disadvantage of the
Trade of this Kingdom, and we do not see how the same
can be prevented otherways than by engaging them to
turn their thoughts and industry another way to their
own profit; which we humbly conceive may be most
advantageously done by giving encouragement to
the production and importation of Naval Stores from
thence. (2) This will not only occasion an increase in
the exportation of our woollen and other manufactures,
but also enable us to purchase Naval Stores by such
manufactures instead of buying them with bullion
exported to the Northern Crowns. How this trade was
carried on during the time of the former Peace to our
disadvantage on this account will appear by the state of
it hereunto annexed. (3) It will also considerably
encrease our Navigation by a necessary addition to our
shipping for the Plantations, and at the same time
lessen the Navigation of the Northern Crowns, Denmark
and Sweden having been generally the carryers of all the
trade between us and them, when the commerce of the
Baltick was undisturb'd, and we have reason to apprehend from what appear'd to us when we had lately under
consideration the project of a Treaty of Commerce
offer'd by the Czar that his Czarish Majesty (who is now
in possession of the countries from whence we us'd to be
supply'd with good part of our Naval Stores) has it in
view to export all such commodities in Muscovite
bottoms. We might add several other obvious advantages which would arise from the establishing this trade
with your Majesty's Plantations, such as preventing the
Northern Crowns from monopolizing Naval Stores and
freeing this Kingdom from a dependance on them for
those commodities, which renders our necessary supplies
very precarious, and is attended with great expence
in time of war. We now proceed to answer your
Majesty's particular commands, and in obedience thereto,
do first of all lay before your Majesty an acct. of the
quantities of Naval Stores furnish'd from your Majesty's
Plantations for the year 1715: Pitch and tar, 25, 279
barrls.; rozin 86½ cwt., turpentine 11, 211¾ cwt., masts
great, 101, middle, 18, small 4. But that your Majesty
may have a more full and distinct view of the increase
of the importation of Naval Stores from your Plantations, and an entire state of our trade in those commodities refer to enclosure ii. In order to report our opinion
what incouragements may be proper to be given for
procuring greater quantities of such stores from America,
we have discours'd and consulted with sevl. persons
who have lived in those parts, and such others as
are look'd upon to be well skill'd in each respective
species. Upon which we humbly take leave to represent
that the annual consumption in this Kingdom of pitch
and tar is about 40,000 barls., and of hemp about 7,000
tons. We cannot give a particular acct. of our consumption of iron not knowing exactly the quantities
made in this Kingdom, but we find there has been
annually imported from Sweden about 14,000 tons, from
Spain and other parts abt. 2,600 tons. What part of the
pitch and tar has been imported from the Plantations
will appear by enclosure ii., as well as the increase for
some years past, and there is no doubt but the Plantations are capable of furnishing not only this Kingdom
but even a great part of Europe with such stores were
there due encouragement given and the necessary
precautions and care taken in the manufacturing of
them; the whole Continent from Nova Scotia to South
Carolina abounding with trees fit for masts and all sorts
of ship timber, and trees fit for producing tar, rozin and
turpentine. The soil in many places is proper for
hemp, besides that there are plenty of iron mines in
several parts of that country; of all which we shall
take leave to lay before your Majesty such particular
accts. as we have receiv'd on this occasion. (1) As to
pitch all persons whom we have consulted do allow that
there is no better than that made out of the Plantation
tar; and it is found so good that it has not only reduc'd
the price of Swedish pitch from 14 to 7s. pr. cwt., but
at present bears an equal price with it, notwithstanding
the importation of it from Sweden has been very
inconsiderable the two last years, wch. otherwise must
have very much rais'd its value. The only objection
we have heard to our Plantation tar is its not being so
proper for cordage as that of Sweden by reason of a hot
or burning quality which is said to render it unfit for
that manufacture. Upon which we take leave to
observe that this quality is universally represented to
proceed from the unskilfulness or negligence of the
manufacturers who have hitherto made their tar out of
fallen trees or dry knots which they find in the woods
without being at the pains of preparing the trees as is
done in the Northern Countries. But notwithstanding
this defect in the making of it, 'tis agreed on all hands
that the first running of the tar as now made even from
the fallen trees and knots if kept separate from the
rest is in no respect inferior to the tar of Stockholm for
cordage, as has been certified to us from several Ropemakers of London, who affirmed that some of them had
used Plantation tar these 16 years and found it good,
and that of late we have had some of it in such perfection
(by keeping the first separate from the second running)
that it is as good for cordage as any whatsoever, and
us'd by all the rope-makers here, thô they sometimes
undervalue it to the importer in order to beat down the
price. The said ropemakers added that there was not
on the 25th Feb. last 20 barls. of Swedish tar to be
bought in London which might be work'd up in 7 days,
and therefore we must conclude that the Plantation
tar is generally made use of. As for the second running
of tar which is say'd to have the hot burning quality
(and of which there is the far greatest consumption)
it is at least equal with the Swedish for the sides and
bottoms of ships and all other uses. As to the encouragement the prœmium of £7 pr. ton allow'd by the Act
of Parliament etc. is agreed by all we have discours'd
with to be sufficient, were it readily paid by way of
debenture at the Custom House and granted for a further
term of years. Turpentine from the Plantations is
allowed to be as good and usefull as any whatever, very
little of that commodity having for sevl. years last past
been imported from any other parts. And as rozin
is made out of turpentine we observe that the importation of the former has very much decrease'd from all
parts in proportion as the importation of the other has
increas'd. The present prcemium of £3 pr. ton upon
turpentine and rozin is found to be sufficient encouragement. We further humbly represent that most of
the Plantations are capable of producing good hemp,
as is well known at present from the experience of many
who have made tryals of it. We have been informed
by Mr. Bridger your Majesty's Surveyor of the Woods
in those parts, that he had sown and caus'd to be sown,
hemp seed one year in several places in New England and
New Hampshire and that not one place fail'd to produce
a good crop. We are also inform'd that several persons
are so well perswaded of the fitness of land for raising
of hemp in the three lower Counties contiguous to Pennsylvania that they have already laid out about £2000
in purchasing land there and in clearing and draining
the same and preparing and fitting it for hemp seed, and
in other matters relating to that work and that when
the last letters came away there was a promising appearance of what they had sown for a tryal, almost ripe.
The like experiment has also been made in Carolina,
Virginia and in other Provinces, and found to answer
expectation; And by the information we have had
we are induc'd to believe that the marshy or swampy
grounds of which there are large tracts on the Continent
of America are very fit for producing this commodity.
There is at present a prœmium of £6 pr. ton allowed
by Act of Parliament upon the importation of hemp,
waterrotted bright and clean wch. we conceive sufficient
were it paid by way of debenture at the Custom House
upon importation, so that there be no discount upon it.
There being already one third of the term allow'd by
the present Act expir'd, and as the remaining part of
that term will draw towards a conclusion before the
planters can bring the design to perfection and receive
the reward on importation into this Kingdom, we think
it necessary that the said remaining term unexpir'd
be prolong'd to twenty years. As a further encouragement we humbly submit it to your Majesty's consideration whether it may not be proper to allow the inhabitants to pay their taxes and quit rents to the Crown
in hemp waterrotted bright and clean, and in order to
set them immediately upon this work and to propagate
among them the best sort of hemp whether it may not be
likewise advisable to supply them at first with a small
quantity of the best hempseed gratis. Iron ore is
to be found in great plenty and very good in all the
Provinces on the Continent, for the manufactory of
which they have great conveniencies from the woods
and rivers proper for mills in which those countries
particularly abound. We have amongst others discours'd with a person who built a ship at Taunton in
New England, and made his chain plates and rudder
irons of the iron of that town, and found it proved as
good for that purpose as the iron of Sweden. If therefore this iron is capable of serving where the greatest
stress is requir'd, it must needs be good for other uses.
As the expence of erecting of forges and other
conveniencies for that work, and of sending over
skilful workmen, will be very great, it has been propos'd
to us that a prœmium of £3 pr. ton on bar or hammer'd
iron, and 30 sh. upon cast iron duty free, be allow'd by
Parliament for the term of 20 years upon all iron
imported from thence. This we conceive not improper
to be granted provided there be due restrictions to
prevent their interfering with the manufacture of
wrought iron in Great Britain. And in this case we
likewise submit it to your Majesty whether it may not
be proper to allow the inhabitants to pay their taxes
and quit rents to the Crown in iron. In relation to
timber besides the trees fit for tar, rozin and masts,
there are vast quantities of others in the woods such as
oak, cypress, cedar and pine which will afford planks
and boards from 20 to 40 foot long free from knots, of
a fine grain and proper for flooring as well as building of
ships, which has been experienc'd by the many ships
and vessels built in the Plantations that have done as
good service as those built here. By this means a
considerable trade might be carried on between this
Kingdom and those parts, and consequently the bullion
which we annually send to the East Country for those
commodities would be kept at home. But at present
by reason of the length of the voyage the freight is so
high that such timber from America cannot be had so
cheap as from the Northern Crowns. We therefore
humbly offer that such timber as aforesaid imported
from the Plantations may be exempted from the duties
to which they are now lyable; these duties are indeed
lower than those of the like timber from the Northern
Crowns; but the difference in the frieght has hitherto
made this encouragement insufficient, whereas we have
reason to believe the entire taking off the duties would
prove effectual. In case your Majesty shall be graciously
pleas'd to approve of what we have the honour to lay
before your Majesty, we humbly propose that the
prœemption or refusal of the several abovemention'd
species of Naval Stores be offered and tender'd to the
Commissrs. of your Majesty's Navy upon landing the
same, and if within the term of 20 days after such tender
the said Commissrs. shall not bargain for the same, the
importers be then at liberty to sell such naval stores to
the best advantage. We have in this our report confin'd
ourselves to the consideration of such encouragements
as may be given here in case your Majesty shall approve
thereof; but as your Majesty's Govrs. in America may
very much contribute to the promoting of this design
by recommending to the respective Assemblies such
particulars as may be proper to be done on their part,
we shall be ready upon receiving your Majesty's commands to prepare letters for this effect, or to make such
draughts of Instructions as may give life to an undertaking which we conceive may prove so beneficial to
your Majesty's Plantations and appears so necessary
to the welfare of this Kingdom. Autograph signatures.
16 pp. Annexed, |
|
515. ii. Balance of goods imported from and exported to
Denmark, Norway, East Countrey, Russia and Sweden
after the Treaty of Ryswick from Michaelmas, 1697, to
Christmas, 1701, annually:—Imports, £581, 858 17s. 2d.
Exports, £305, 876 16s. 2d. Balance to the prejudice of
this Kingdom, £275, 982 1s. |
|
515. iii. Account of pitch, tar, hemp, rozin, turpentine and
masts imported to England from Christmas, 1700–1715.
[C.O. 5, 4. Nos. 17, 17 i.; and 389, 26. pp. 71–91.] |
March 29.
London. |
516. Mr. Lewen to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
States his view of the case of M. Tulon (Feb. 12.). The two
fishing admirals, Weston and Cleves, are returned to St. Peters
with heavy hearts, resolving not to hinder any foreigners from
fishing there unless they learn that a due regard be had to their
representation etc. Signed, Geo. Lewen. Endorsed, Recd. 29th
March, Read 9th April, 1717. 1p. [C.O. 194, 6. No. 26.] |
| March 29–April 27. |
517. Extracts of letter from South Carolina (a) 29th March.
Wee can't be easie long without hearing of mischief being done
by our enemys, about 5 days since poor Wm. Stead was kill'd
at a cowpen he had 6 miles from Edystow River Bluff etc. |
|
(b) 30th March, 1717. Reports death of Stead and Mr. and Mrs.
Wm. Saunders etc. |
|
(c) 25th April, 1717. I am in great hopes before you leave
England that you will gett this country into the King's hands,
for I cannot see as yet any end to our Indian warr etc. |
|
(d) 27th April, 1717. Reports negotiations with the Creeks
etc. cf. 25th April. At Charles Towne we are ready to eat up one
another for want of provisions, and what we can get is very bad,
etc. Our bills are become of no value etc. Signed, Richd.
Beresford. Endorsed, Recd. Read 26th June, 1717. 2 pp. [C.O.
5, 1265. No. 70.] |
