|
April 1.
Whitehall. |
36. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Reply
to 22nd March. Sir Charles Cox's petition is founded upon
apprehension and not upon certain facts etc. As the Governor
of Barbados by your Majesty's Instructions is particularly
directed in what manner he is to conduct himself in ye
suspension of Councillors, we do presume he will not take upon
him to suspend Mr. Cox in such manner as may not be justify'd
by the said Instructions etc. [C.O. 29, 14. pp. 70, 71.] |
April 4.
Admiralty Office. |
37. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. H.M.S. St. Albans,
Capt. Francis Percy, and a frigat of 20 guns being designed
convoy to Newfoundland, asks for "Instructions and Heads
of Enquiry for the Commadore as usual." Signed, J. Burchett.
Endorsed, Recd. 4th, Read 5th April, 1720. Addressed. 1 p.
[C.O. 194, 6. No. 82.] |
April 6.
Whitehall. |
38. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Encloses following
"usual heads of enquiry and instructions, with some variations
and additions." |
|
38. i. Heads of Enquiry relating to the Fishery and Trade
of Newfoundland to be given by the Lords Commrs.
of the Admiralty as Instructions for the Commadore
of the Newfoundland Convoy. 1—18. You are to
carry with you a copy of the Act to encourage the trade
to Newfoundland for your own use and Government,
and enquire whether the several rules, enumerated,
therein contained for the advantageous management
of the Fishery are duly observed etc., and return
accounts accordingly. You are particularly to inform
yourself (19) In what manner the inhabitants are
subsisted, whether the country produces such provisions as they want, whether they have any number
of cows, sheep and swine, or whether they receive
any provisions from H.M. Plants. in America, of what
sorts or kind, and the quantities thereof. (20) Whether
they are wholly supply'd with sail cloth netts and
tackle and woollen linnen leather etc. from this Kingdom, or whether they are furnished with any of the
aforesaid necessarys from the Plantations, or from
any foreign country. (21) What wages do the inhabitants allow to their servants, and in what manner
do they pay them? (22) How much does the charge
of fitting out and maintaining one of their fishing
boats for the whole season amount to? (23) Whether
the inhabitants have any other employment in the
fishing season for their servants than taking and
curing of fish, whether they are diligent therein;
How many men they allow to each of their fishing
boats, whether they can afford their fish as cheap as
the fishing ships and the byboats, or what difference
is made between the price of the one and the other?
(24) In what manner they employ themselves and
their servants after the fishing season is over and
during the winter, whether they are industrious in
providing and making necessarys for the next fishing
season, or mispend a great part of their time in
debaucherys and excesses. (25) Whether any trade
is carried on for beaver and other furrs by the inhabitants, or by any others who remain in the country:
what quantities they have taken this last winter, and
whether they have any traffick with the Indians.
(26) Whether the houses, buildings and enclosures
of the inhabitants are at such a distance from the
waterside as not to hinder or obstruct ye fishermen in making their flakes, or in drying and curing
their fish. (27) Whether the inhabitants claim a
right to all such stages cookrooms flakes etc., as they
have made or built in those fishing places which have
not been possess'd by the fishing ships since 1685,
tho' they make no use of them, or whether such
fishing places and conveniences are free for the public
use of the fishing ships arriving there, and nothing
insisted on or demanded by the said inhabitants for
their use or hire. (28) How many flakes are allow'd
to each fishing boat and of what length, whether they
are extended in length according to the ancient custom
from the shoar up into the land, or whether any of
the inhabitants or fishermen extend their flakes along
the shoar, or possess a larger front to the waterside
according to the number of their boats than was
formerly allowed. (29) Whether it was ever ascertain'd and determin'd in the several, or in any of the
harbours of Newfoundland, what fishing places did
belong to the fishing ships before 1685, and whether
any account is kept of those fishing places, which they
have been in possession of, since that year, in order
to prevent such disputes as must otherwise very
frequently happen between the masters of the said
ships and the inhabitants. (30) Whether the fishing
ships that proceed directly from this Kingdom to
Newfoundland are victualled here, and provided with
all other necessarys of British product and manufacture for ye whole voyage; or whether the masters
or freighters do not furnish themselves with provisions, that are brought from the Plantats. or other
parts to Newfoundland. (31) Whether any British
ship arriving at St. Johns, or in any other harbour in
Newfoundland, from France, Spain or Portugal,
before any ship, that was clear'd from this Kingdom,
has been at any time permitted to be Admiral of the
Harbour: or whether according to the custom of Newfoundland, such ships only as are cleared from Great
Britain, have a right to be Admirall. (32) Whether
the Admirals, or any other ships who arrive early
at St. Johns or in the other Harbours, do put their
passengers, or any of them into possession of the
most convenient, or of any other fishing places,
stages etc. upon pretence that they are freighters of
their ships, before the arrival of the other fishing
ships, or before they are all provided. (33) Whether
any of the byboat keepers who remain in the country
during the winter, and that are not inhabitants, do
retain to their own use, or for the use of themselves
and their partners who are expected by the fishing
ships the fishing places, stages, beeches, flakes etc.
which they possessed the preceding year, or whether
they take possession of any others, that may be more
convenient for them, in the ensueing fishing season
before the arrival of the fishing ships, or before the
said ships are all supplied. (34) Whether any of the
fishing ships pursue, or follow the old laudable custom,
of allowing their ships companys, shares of what they
make in the voyage, instead of wages, and in such
case, how much doth the charges of fitting out and
maintaining a ship of 100 tunns, with 50 men and 10
boats amount to for the whole voyage. (35) Whether
any commoditys of the growth production or manufacture of Europe, that are not bonâ fide and without
fraud laden and shipped in this Kingdom, be imported
or brought into Newfoundland etc. (36) How these
commoditys are disposed of, whether only to the
Fishery, or by selling to the ships belonging to New
England, and other Plantations, in order to supply
the sd. Plantations with such commodities as they
ought to have directly from Great Britain, and not
otherwise. (37) What quantitys of rum and other
Plantation goods are brought to Newfoundland, more
especially of those enumerated in former Acts of
Parliament etc.; whether any of these commoditys
are sold to the ships bound to Spain etc., so as to make
an indirect trade to those countrys in goods which
ought not to be carried thither before they have been
first landed in Great Britain. (38) In what manner
do the merchants of New England carry on their
trade at Newfoundland, what quantities of rum,
molosses, wine, sugar, tobacco, flower and other
provisions have they imported this year, to whom,
at what prices do they sell their said goods, are they
paid in fish, or in bills: if in fish, do they dispose of it
again, or load it on the sack ships for Europe, and
what value is it computed, that the goods sold by
them may annually amount to. (39) How many
taverns or public houses for entertainment in Newfoundland, or at least in the Harbour of St. Johns,
are they kept only by the inhabitants, or by the
byboat keepers, and the people of New England also;
do they trust the fishermen upon their own credit,
or do the masters of the ships and of the byboats
permit them to trust their crews, and deduct the same
out of their respective wages, hire or shares, in order
to satisfy the said tavern-keepers: are not the poor
seamen hereby tempted to spend the greatest part,
or the full amounts of their wages and frequently to
run so far in debt, that they are forced to remain as
servants to the inhabitants, and at last constrained
to be taken themselves to New England. (40) Whether
the inhabitants do not usually trust their own servants
with rum and other stores to a greater value, than
their wages amount to: and whether they are not
generally paid in this manner. (41) How much do
the byboatmen and the inhabitants allow to the
masters of the fishing ships for the passage of their
servants, both out and home, in what manner do the
said inhabitants pay the masters of the fishing ships
for the same, and for the several necessarys they
supply them with; and whether a considerable part
of these debts is not secur'd, by suffering their seamen
to run in debt to the inhabitants. (42) Whether this
method of trusting the fishermen, is not the occasion
of many thefts and disorders, are they not by their
debaucherys often withdrawn from and rendered unfit
for their labours, to the great discouragment and
obstruction of the Fishery. (43) Whether the masters
of the fishing ships and byboats do not connive at or
encourage their men to remain in the land, that they
may save the charge of carrying them home: what
number of men do stay behind yearly and particularly last year. (44) Whether the New England
traders do still continue to entice and carry thither
numbers of handycraft men, seamen and fishermen,
and whether any of ye inhabitants do favour or assist
them therein. (45) And whereas this practice must
be prevented if possible, you are to require all the
masters of the New England ships and vessels who
depart from Newfoundland before the convoy
respectively to enter into obligations not to carry
away any of the seamen etc. and all possible care
must be taken to have those obligations so witnessed,
that in case it be thought proper to put them in
execution, they may not be invalidated for want of
evidence. And you are likewise to be as strict as is
practicable to oblige all such New England ships, as
may be in Newfoundland, to sail from thence at the
same time you shall leave the land, and to get all the
proof that can be had of the breach of any obligations
entered into as aforesaid and to transmit an account
thereof to the Lords Commrs. for Trade and Plantations.
(46) And whereas H.M. Consuls and the merchants
residing in Portugal, Spain and Italy unanimously
complain that by reason of the ill curing of the fish in
Newfoundland, for some years past, the consumption
thereof is considerably lessn'd and that the trade will be
lost if effectual care be not taken to reform the same,
you are therefore to command the Admirals of the
Harbours, strictly to enjoin the masters of the fishing
ships, the byboat-keepers and inhabitants to take
the greatest care in curing their fish with good salt
and with a sufficient quantity and in preparing
husbanding and ordering the same, that the credit
thereof may be again recovered, and that it may be
well received and esteemed in the several places to
which it is carried for sale, and as the said Admirals
are obliged to have a watchfull eye upon such as are
negligent herein, so they are to return to you the
names of those who will not comply with this admonition. And further, you are upon this occasion very
particularly to enquire into their manner and method
of taking and curing their fish, what quantity of salt
they allow for the curing every 100 quintals, whether
they are guilty of any abuse in ye ordering thereof,
whether the fish taken at a distance from the land
by their small vessels is not prejudiced before it is
brought on shoar, whether the inhabitants or the
fishing ships, or the byboats keepers are most to be
blamed, and in short, from whence these complaints
arise, and what methods are to be taken to prevent
or rectify whatsoever is amiss. (47) You are also
to inquire into the present state of the French Fishery
in Newfoundland, on the Bank, and on the coasts of
Canada and Cape Breton; what number of ships,
boats and men they imploy therein. (48) How many
of the French inhabitants remain at St. Peters,
Placentia etc. under pretence of taking the oaths and
becoming subjects to H.M., whether they do strictly
observe the Laws in force for the regulation of the
Newfoundland Fishery, or whether some of them do
not annually bring, not only their fishing tackle, but
likewise their servants, fishermen, and all sorts of
goods from France to the destruction of our Trade,
and whether, when the fishing season is over, they
do not send them to France again. And whereas this
practice is not warranted by the late Treatys with
France, you are to take especial care to prevent it by
putting in execution ye Acts of Trade and Navigation
and that relating to the Newfoundland Fishery.
(49) Whereas likewise by the said Treatys with
France, the French are not allowed to erect any
buildings, besides stages and hutts necessary for
drying of fish, nor to leave their boats during the
winter at Petit Nore, you are therefore to inform
yourself, whether the St. Malo men do assume this
liberty, and whether any of the French come from
Cape Breton or elsewhere, to hunt and fur in the
winter at Newfoundland, for your better Instruction
in this particular you have hereunto annexed copies
of the Articles of the said Treaty etc., and you will
inform yourself whether the French do contain themselves within the bounds thereby prescribed them.
(50) You are further to inquire whether any of the
Officers of the Garrisons at Placentia are concern'd
directly or indirectly by themselves or others in the
Fishery, or whether they take upon them to dispose
of fishing rooms, beaches, stages etc. to any persons
whatsoever, or hire out the soldiers to fish? (51) And
whereas we are informed that George Skeffington has
lately erected a Salmon Fishery in Fresh Water Bay,
Ragged Harbour, Gander Bay, and Dog Creek between
Cape Bonavista and Cape John, which may prove of
advantage to Great Britain; it will be necessary that
you give all due encouragement and protection to
that undertaking, whereof you will inform yourself,
and transmit the fullest account you can get of the
same to the Lords Commrs. for Trade. [C.O. 195, 7.
pp. 10–35.] |
| April 8. |
39. Mr. Bridger to Mr. Popple. The interest of the Crown
is grown so very low, and the Prorogative trampled on to that
degree, that no good officer, or a lover of his King and country
can be silent etc. The clause in the Charter of New England
saves no trees but 24 in. diameter and upward. All the young
trees may be cut at the pleasure of the people and tis at their
choice whether ever they let a tree grow to be 24 in., wch.
clause is the distruction rather then the preservation of the
woods, there is an Act of Parliament and an Act of this
Province that has the same clause in them, which must be
repealed, for the small trees being in demand at home in Great
Britain, the people cutts all these trees under 24 inches diameter
and plead the Act for it, and I am obliged to be silent, the
large trees they cut at pleasure without regard to Acts of
Parliament the Royal lycense or my warrant etc. Quotes case
of Mr. Cooke and the Agent of Mr. John Taylor, who bid him
defiance etc. v. June 20. Encloses following for the prevention
of all these evils etc. Signed, J. Bridger. Endorsed, Recd.
17th June, 1720. Read 5th Sept., 1721. 8 pp. Enclosed, |
|
39. i. Heads of a Bill proposed for the better preserving H.M.
just rights and title to the woods and H.M. Prerogative
in the Plantations and to preserve the woods from the
pretended claims of the people etc. v. preceding.
Copy. 4 pp. |
|
39. ii., iii. Copies of grants of land made to John Cotton,
1641, and Governor Leveret, 1671, by the Council of
the Massachusetts Bay, etc., and orders of Council and
Assembly, 31st Oct. 1710, granting petitions of Jno.
Leveret and Elisha Cooke etc. for the laying out of
the lands so granted for the heirs of above. Endorsed
as preceding. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 868. ff. 94–97v., 98v.,
100–101v., 102v.–104v.] |
April 8.
Whitehall. |
40. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Craggs. Reply to 23rd Feb. The places where the petitioner,
Skeffington, has begun this Fishery, have never been frequented
by any fishing ships from this Kingdom. And as he is the
first who has attempted to sett up a salmon fishery there, and
as the prayer of his petition is no ways inconsistant with the
Act for encouraging the trade to Newfoundland, we humbly offer
that H.M. grant him for 21 years the sole fishery for salmon
in Freshwater Bay, Ragged Harbour, Gander Bay, and Dog
Creek between Cape Bonavista and Cape John etc. and have
liberty to cut timber for his own use in the parts adjacent to
those rivers or creeks for the said fishery only, provided it
be at six miles distance from the sea shoar. [C.O. 195, 7.
pp. 36–38.] |
April 9.
St. James's. |
41. H.M. licence to Lt. Gov. Talmash to be absent from
Montserrat for a further year. Countersigned, J. Craggs.
[C.O. 324, 34. p. 1.] |
April 12.
Whitehall. |
42. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Offer
for H.M. confirmation Act of Antego, 1717, to enable Arthur
Freeman and Dorothy his wife to sell a certain plantation etc.
Quote Mr. West's opinion that the Act has all the saving clauses
requisite. No objection has been made by any of the parties
concerned, since the same was passed and transmitted etc.
[C.O. 153, 13. pp. 455, 456.] |
April 12.
Whitehall. |
43. Council of Trade and Plantations to Mr. Secretary
Craggs. Report upon petition of Capt. Evans, 14th Dec. 1719.
Abstract. Petitioner being employed abroad in H.M. service
could not avail himself of the offer of a reduction in his grant
of lands in New York, when the Act was passed, 1708, for vacating
extravagant grants etc. In consideration of his great services
and of his having spent £3,000 on improving the said lands,
recommend him for H.M. favour and an equivalent grant in
some other part of H.M. Plantations. Set out, N.Y. Col. Docs.
V. 535. [C.O. 5, 1124. pp. 128–131; and (corrected draft)
5, 1079. No. 114.] |
April 13.
London. |
44. Rev. W. Gordon to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Upon reading the votes about making some amendmt. to the
Act for regulating abuses in ye Customs, I lay the following
observation before your Lordships etc. There is no Law now
in being that after ye importation of ye produce or manufacture
of forreign Colonies into our Colonies prevents the exportation
to them to forreign ports etc. Instances, many hundred hhds.
of French sugars imported to New York, Pensilvania and New
England etc., and from thence exported directly to Holland.
Mr. Worsam now in Gerard Street shew'd me an abstract from
ye Custom House books of New York, of as much sugar
exported to Holland in one yeare as would have paid the King
above £1,000 duty. I have known several vessells go from
Barbadoes and ye Leewards directly to Holland, Genoa,
Leghorn and Venice, with loads of sugar, cocoa, indigo,
fustick, lignum vitæ etc., some of which have fitted in Holland
for Guinea, and 'tis to be fear'd others of them found means
to remit their effects in European commodities directly to ye
Colonies. A law preventing the exportation of the produce
of forreign Colonies after importation to ours, to any place but
Britain, would remedy all these evils. Signed, W. Gordon.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 13th April, 1720. Addressed. 1½ pp.
[C.O. 323, 8. No. 2.] |
| April 18 and 23. |
45. Mr. Willard to Mr. Popple. Encloses Minutes of
Assembly and Acts of the Massachusetts Bay for the session
of Nov. 1719, and Minutes of Council to March 1st 1719, and
copies of private Acts 1717–1718, as requested by the Board
etc. Signed, Josiah Willard. Endorsed, Recd. 16th June,
1720, Read 8th June, 1721. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
45. i. Receipt for above. Boston, April, 1720. Signed,
Thomas Quin. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 868. ff. 57–58, 59 v.] |
April 19.
Whitehall. |
46. Mr. Secretary Craggs to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Commissions and Instructions are to be prepared
for Wm. Burnet Esq. appointed Governor of New York and
New Jersey. Set out, N.Y. Col. Docs. V. 536. Signed, J.
Craggs. Endorsed, Recd., Read 19th April, 1720. ¾ p. [C.O.
5, 1052. ff. 6,7 v; and 5, 1124. p. 132.] |
April 20.
Nassau on New Providence. |
47. Governor Rogers to the Council of Trade and Plantations. It's about 21 months since my arrival here etc., and
I have yet no account from home what is or will be done for
the preservation of this settlement. The ship Samuel who
came with a gentleman as Factotum from the Copartners to
know our circumstances and left us about ten months since
wth. repeated full account of our miserable state, and a
duplicate was soon after forwarded by Capt. Beauchamp, all
which I am sorry has produced nothing for our relief. H.M.S.
the Flamborough has happen'd to be here during the late
Spanish invasion, and tho' the Captain is order'd to consult
me for the security of ys. place yet notwithstanding our too
evident danger 'twas with great difficulty that I and the Council
here could prevaile with the Commander to stay till we had
news from the Comadore Vernon from Jamaica, who came too
late to prevent their first attempt on us. Refers to enclosure.
But I hope he is now in ye way to stop their coming again
with a better force. Few days past I sent a sloop to acquaint
Comadore Vernon of the state of this settlemt. and that if
he found the Spaniards was not come out and he was strong
enough to block them up I wou'd leave this place as secure
as I could and wait on him myself with about 300 men in some
small vessells to make an attempt on them, which if it succeeds
will deterr them from molesting us for some time and be a
means for my getting wherwithall to supporting self and this
place, for having no news of my bills being paid at home, I
am forc'd to runn too much in debt and it's with great difficulty
that I have hitherto supported myself and the garrison, so
that be the consequence what it will I must adventure or the
people that are about me will leave me and we shall starve or
be a sacrifice to the Spaniards soon after they leave me.
Enclos'd you have a copey of several informations that I have
lately had of the progress of the French and I find the Spaniards
are too weak to prevent them by sea, and 'tis much to be
doubted they'll allso be the same by land, for the French are
now I verily believe in a fair way of possessing the wealth of
Mexico except they are by some means or other soon prevented,
for unless we at home endeavour'd to follow the measures they
do to share the Spanish Dominions in these parts, the Indians
joyning wholly with them I fear will in less time then we are
aware enable them to command all that's most valuable in
these parts of the world, for I cannot forgett about ten years
past how I found the Indians of Chili, Peru and Mexico on the
coast of the So. Seas universally to hate the Spaniards, and
some hundreds of them from different parts of the severall
Provinces assur'd us that could they be supported and arm'd
by any Europians especially English or French they could soon
free themselves from ye slavery of the Spaniards being vastly
superiour in number and now knowing the kind usuage the
English and French gives all those that live amongst them,
it's highly probable a designe of this kind wou'd succeed, for
I am assur'd here the French will not find them of a different
temper in these parts. A Spanish Father that I have now
prisoner who seems to be a man of good sense and came the
beginning of this month out of the Havana assures me that
they are afraid of a Revolution in Mexico and that the Vice
Roy will not be able to stop the progress of the French unless
they have a Peace with France very soon. I have been at a
great expence to support the people here under arms and to
supply the garrison and arm'd vessells wth. proper necessarys
for our defence, all which shall be transmitted home attested
by the Council as soon as the embargo is off or we know ourselves out of danger of the enemy, the place is so wretchedly
poor and having yet no assembly, I can by no means raise
any part here and I beg your Lordships' intercession that the
load may not lye on me who have sacrifis'd all I can raise here
wth. all the pay and substance of the Independant Company
or this place had never held till now in honest hands. I have
wrote the Rt. Honble. Mr. Secretary Craggs to beg his intercession that I might have leave to go home to settle ye affairs
of this neglected Colony and to answer whatever can be laid
to my charge for it's a great mortification to me to be here on
this foott and my character suffer beyond example so that
unless the Colonys around us find me support'd I shall trifle
away my life here to no purpose. I depend my appearing at
home will either enable me to returne wth. more encouragemt.
for myself and the Colony or if it must after all that I have
suffer'd here be abandon'd, I may quit it with the character
of an honest man that has done his duty which I am under no
concern of making appear whenever I shall have the pleasure
of waiting on your Lordships, and therefore I humbly request
yr. Lordships interest if necessary, for my absence hence that
if I deserve it I may return upon termes that will promote the
future wellfare of this place. I hope the charge of the fortifications and guardship will not be thought too much, since by
that means only we lately sav'd this place from the Enemy,
and had they enter'd the port as we expect'd we was in a
condition to give good account of them but it's happy for us
that they came when we had plenty of provisions and almost
double the number of men we had at any one time for a twelve
month before. We are now encreas'd to above 600 men
and shall keep an embargo and all ready till we have an answer
from Comadore Vernon wch. we expect in about eight days.
All the best men that liv'd at Elutheria and Harbour Island
are here and I have taken the guns from the Fort at Harbour
Island and we resolve to defend ourselves here, should Comadore
Vernon unfortunately not see the Spaniards in their passage
hither a few days will determine whether they come or not.
Oh would all this danger, troubles and fateagues [? but give ?]
me hope of a future reward here I should despise it but I must
confesse I am throughly weary of living at the rate I have
hitherto. But if I survive it I beg your Lordships' compassion,
till I can wait on you etc. Signed, Woodes Rogers. Endorsed,
Recd. 17th June, Read 7th July, 1720. 3½ pp. Enclosed, |
|
47. i. Governor Rogers to [? Governor of Carolina.] Nassau.
April 18, 1720. Encloses copies of following etc.
Concludes:—A privateer has lately brought in two
Fathers, the eldest of which is chief priest of St.
Augustine and he assures me the Spanish armamt.
next designed is most likely to come agt. you because
the Govr. of St. Augustine has encouraged the
Governour of the Havana to beleive the Indians may
be engaged on their side, so that I heartily wish you
may not be deceived by some of those you now depend
upon. Signed, Woodes Rogers. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 1 p. |
|
47. ii. Capt. Hilderley to [? the Governor of Carolina,] Hambro'
at Providence. Ap. 19, 1720. We have had advice
of the Enemies designe to come a second time to
attack this place from the Havana, which has been
the reason of my stay here. I have sent a sloop to
Capt. Vernon in the Mary a ship of 60 guns and with
him another of 40 now cruising off the Havana to
know of him if its his opinion he can prevent the
enemies ships coming out or if there is any reason to
expect them if his answer is agreable I shall not stay
longer here etc. Signed, J. Hilderley. Same endorsement. Copy. 1 pp. |
|
47. iii. (a) Richard Farrill and Wargent Nicholson to
Governor Rogers. Moore Castle, Havana, 4th Aprill,
1720. Refer to letters sent on 9th February, "wch.
we have the satisfaction to hear came early enough
to enable you to provide for the arrivall of your enemy
which sailed with an Armadilla from this place 21st
Feb. but did not continue their resolucon of bringing
their large ships because of the many hands they
would require to guard them so that must very much
lessen their intended compliment to land which their
small number would not admit of etc. By a hard
north wind so soon as they had entered the Gulph
three small sloops were driven back to the Metanies.
Per dayly advises for this week past we have the
pleasure to know their absolute separation which they
represent to have happen'd by a storm 2 hours after
their coming to anchor on your coast and that the
3 ships lost their anchors so that they were necessitated
to bear away nor have they yet any newse of the two
bigest ships, vizt. the S. Joseph the Commadore, and
the S. Christopher, for wch. reason the slops and
brigantines have all returned, whether it was distress
of weather or fear (wch. we are more apt to believe)
etc. About 10 days past arrived here the Campanella
which we formerly advised was concluded lost but it
seems she has got into Campahy. She and another
vessell brings the said Lewis men which was wracked
near Campahy and likewise the mony which the Vice
King ship'd for the raising the expedicon for Pansecola
all thoughts of which being absolutely given over
they'l both be at ye Gover.'s pleasure to employ. Now
as here 3 or 4 ships of war new fitted in and all the
small craft of the expedition as well as men return'd,
so by the influence of the money the Governour will
be able to frame a far more formidable force than the
former and as the men of war hath of sailing in a
few days for the coast of Carrucas yet we are privately
advised they are forming a second expedition against
yr. Governmt., and we observe that one of the sloops
that are returned from ye coast have so much as
unbent their sails etc. About 14 days since arrived
news of the fall of Alberoni etc. This change of Ministry
greatly affects our Governor who too justly apprehends
the same fate unless he can do some distinguishing
action to reinstate himself with the new Ministry before
the Peace comes wch. confirms our apprehention of
his invadeing you which shou'd it happen we expect
'twill be under the conduct of one Capt. Wahup
(= ? Wauchope Ed.) a Scotch gentleman yt. went over
with King James at his abdicacon. The Campanella
will be obliged to be largely refitted, so that she may
spare great part of her men, and they'l be able to make
up near 2,000 men for the whole function. Had any
of our cruisers but been on this coast they would have
been able to have pickt. up the best part of these
vessels that returned they have dropt in by one and
two at a time. It seems one of them comanded by
Diego Philippe carried out Napping who was taken
with Capt. Bowling and put him ashore on St. Andrews
Island, sending him off with his gunner and two
negroes arm'd, and one of the three then shot Napping,
the fire of the pistol being plainly seen by many of
the sloop's company, but you'l judge the truth of
this barbarity from his absence or arrival at Providence. We very much wonder none of our men of
warr from Jamaica or England cruize on this harbour
but hope now the season is becoming mild they won't
omitt such advantage to both themselves and the
Nation. Two fifty gun ships would be able at once
to destroy all the force they are able to make from
hence and suffer no traders to pass them etc. If the
Governor of Jamaica could spare you two such
ships 'twould infallibly secure your Governmt., the
passing of the Jamaica fleet for Europe and be a
great annoyance to enemys as well as profitable to
the Commanders. The Spaniards have no other ships
of force then what advised in our last so that they
would be unable to receive such waite of mettall.
Whether they go or not go agt. yor. Governmt. they'll
certainly lay waite for sd. Jamaica fleet etc. As am
writing this here's notice of an express from the
Metanees with accot. that the aforesd. ships are both
arrived in sd. port which if so the same Comadore
will have the command of the Expedition on foot and
here just now a Spanish vessell making for the port,
either the St. Juan before concluded to be lost, or
some other man of warr from La Vera Cruze to
supply her place. You'll please to participate this
to the Governour of Carolina etc. Signed, Richd.
Farrill, Wargent Nicholson. |
|
47. iii. (b) Notes on preceding, by Governor Rogers. Nassau,
18th April, 1720. Napping was murder'd, for his
skull is brought hither and his bones buri'd by the
Englishmen yt. was left on Andrew's Island, The
Englishmen yt. escaped with this letter from the
Havana in a canoa pass'd by the sd. two ships
menconed by Mr. Farrill where they lay sunk etc.
so that he is misadvis'd. The ship he took to be a
man of warr prov'd a large merchants ship from the
Gulph of Malleek and Campechy and the St. Juan
man of warr was also lost etc. Signed, Woodes
Rogers. The whole endorsed, Recd. 17th June, Read
7th July, 1720. 4½ pp. |
|
47. iv. Capt. Vernon to Governor Rogers. Mary off of
Cape Corientes on Cuba. March 24th, 1719/20. Sends
this by Capt. White, a Bahama privateer etc. Continues:—I am in my way to lye about 12 leagues to
the northward off of the Havana to prevent the
enemy coming out etc. I have left orders with Capt.
Whitworth in a ship of 40 guns to follow me as soon
as possible etc. If the [Spanish squadron] should be
already got out, I shall endeavour to take what further
measures are in my power for yr. security, which you
know coming to your Island is not, seeing ther's no
draught of water for me, etc. Signed, Edwd. Vernon.
Same endorsement. Copy. 1 p. |
|
47. v. (a) Deposition of Thomas Messurer, of Guernsey.
Nassau, 15th Feb. 1720. Taken prisoner with Capt.
Hichinbottom of Jamaica, about 20 months ago, he
was carried prisoner to Cartagena and the Havana
etc. Reports on Spanish preparations to retake
Pensecola etc. The French are preparing to march
on the City of Mexico etc. the Indians supporting them.
The Governor of Havana has detained a French flag
of truce in order to prevent notice of the armament
being prepared against Providence and Carolina etc.
Signed, Thomas Messurer. (b) Deposition of Benjamin Johnson. 10th March, 1720. Partly confirms
preceding. |
|
(c) (d) Information given to Governor Rogers by
Capt. John Cockrem, Samuel Vincent, Fra. Antonio
de Escobar and Fra. Antonio Toledo, and Capt.
William Williams, that the French design for the
Bay of Mexico with 10,000 Indians, and the Spaniards
had not force enough to prevent them etc. Signed,
Woodes Rogers. The whole endorsed as preceding.
3¼ pp. [C.O. 23, 1. Nos. 23, 23. i.–v.] |
April 27.
In New York. |
48. Col. Schuyler to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Abstract. Has obeyed H.M. Order forbidding alterations in
the magistracy and dissolution of Assembly, and has admitted
Francis Harrison to Council and Cadwallader Colden as Surveyor of lands. The Assembly is adjourned till June. Asserts
that he took care to avoid making alterations in the officers;
those few that were made, he explained. (v. encl. i.) Reminds
the Board that the Mayors of New York and Albany are annually
appointed on 29th Sept. by the Governor or Commander in
Chief. Continues: The Commissioners for Indian Affairs at
Albany did lately send an account that one Joncure a French
Interpreter and four or five more of that Nation had not onely
been among the five Nations most part of the winter but had
also found means to appointe some Sachins that favoured the
French interest, and that he was gone from thence to divert
or obstruct the farr Nations from coming to trade at Albany.
As the consequences hereof are of the highest importance to
H.M. interest among the five Nations, and our commerce with
the other Indians, I have ordered two of the said Commissioners
thither with propper presents attendance and instructions for
setting the Indians right and rectifying those incroachments.
etc. Set out, N.Y. Col. Docs. V. 537. Signed, Pr. Schuyler.
Endorsed, Recd. 14th June, 1720, Read 18th Jan., 1720/1. Torn.
2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
48. i. Extract of letter from Col. Schuyler to Governor
Hunter. 31st Oct., 1719. As Dr. Johnson's private
affairs and the sickness of Madam Wollocks, and other
of his friends in the Jerseys frequently called him
thither he could not well attend the Mayoralty of
this Citty, for which reason I appointed Coll. Cortlandt
in his stead, and continued Collo. Farmer in his post
of Sherriff, and as Mr. Livingston of Albany desired
to be excused from continuing longer Mayor of that
Corporation, I appointed Major Myndert Schuyler
to succeed him, and at the request of the magistrates
there, made Mr. Gerret van Schaick Sherriff of that
city and county, this being all the alterations made
by me. Same endorsement. ½ p. [C.O. 5, 1052.
ff. 116, 116v., 117v.–118v.] |
April 27.
Councill Office. |
49. Mr. Hales to Mr. Popple. The Lords of the Committee
meet to-morrow to consider the petition of some officers for a
grant of lands between Nova Scotia and New England. Asks
that papers in the office requisite for proving the Crown's title
thereto may be ready in case they are required. Signed, Robert
Hales. Endorsed, Recd. 27th, Read 28th April, 1720. ¾ p.
[C. O. 5, 867. No. 60.] |
April 28.
Boston. |
50. Proclamation by Lt. Governor William Dummer.
£100 reward for the discovery of the author of a "scandalous
and seditious paper entituled An Order of Our Sovereign Lord
the People"; In which the Regal style and Prerogative is in
high contempt of His Majesty, and with an unparalleled boldness and presumption assumed by a private person, the Judges
and Justices of this Province treated as servants and creatures
of the populace, their just enquiries into the offences against
the public peace aspersed and vilified, and they menaced in
the execution of their office, etc. Signed, W. Dummer. A
cutting from [? The Boston News Letter]. Printed. [C.O. 5,
868. f. 247.] |
April 28.
Admiraty Office. |
51. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. Presses for Representation
upon Admiralty Memorials (v. 6th Feb., 1719). Signed, J.
Burchett. Endorsed, Recd. 29th April, Read 3rd May, 1720.
1 p. [C.O. 323, 8. No. 4]. |
April 28.
Custom ho. London. |
52. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. The Commrs. of H.M.
Customs desire a copy of report of 8th Nov., 1676, or any other
papers relating to the farming the 4½ p.c. etc. Signed, Cha.
Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 28th, Read 29th April, 1720.
Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 15. No. 88.] |
April 29.
Whitehall. |
53. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Encloses paper desired
in preceding. [C.O. 29, 14. pp. 73, 74.] |
April 29.
Whitehall. |
54. Mr. Secretary Craggs to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. The Representations referred to in following are to
be laid before the House of Commons etc. Signed, J. Craggs.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 29th April, 1720. 1 p. Enclosed, |
|
54. i. Address of the House of Commons to the King praying
that the Representations made to the Council of Trade
and Plantations relating to waste of trees proper for
masts in any of H.M. Plantations in America, since
H.M. happy accession to the Throne, may be laid
before the House. 26th April, 1720. ½ p. [C.O.
323, 8. Nos. 3, 3. i.] |
| April 30. |
55. Thomas Tickell to Mr. Popple. Desires duplicate of
Ap. 12th. Signed, Tho. Tickell. Endorsed, Recd. 30th April,
Read 3rd May, 1720. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1052. ff. 8, 9v.] |
