|
June 17.
St. James's. |
532. H.M. Warrant for admitting Henry Tucker, John
Jennings and Richard Jennings to the Council of Bermuda in
the room of Michael Burrows, Benjamin Hinson and John
Peasley, decd. Countersigned, Carteret. Copy. [C.O. 324, 34.
p. 58.] |
June 18.
New York. |
533. Governor Burnet to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Acknowledges letter of 28th Dec. Continues: I was
very glad to have your Lordships' approbation of my continuing
the same Assembly of New York. I have found the good effects
of it, of which I have given particular accounts formerly and
as they are now sitting I hope I shall find them in the same
dispositions, of which I have no doubt. I wish I could say the
same thing of the Assembly of New Jersey who have sat about
four months to no manner of purpose they began with refusing
to sit at all and desired to be desolved for that they were not
a legal Assembly I at last perswaded them to meet but to no
effect, but to shew that they would not serve either the Government or the country which after four months patience obliged
me to desolve them etc. I will send your Lordships, the
printed Speeches etc. during that sitting which contain the full
History of it (v. Aug. 1st.) and make some proposals concerning
them etc. I will make it my business to inform myself as
directed by your Lordships concerning the state of the Palatines
and that I shall do best when I go up to Albany near to which
they are settled and this I propose to do in the fall of the year
etc. I have received no commands from your Lordships since
Dec. last, the Greyhound man of war being not arrived. P.S.—Tho' I have not yet a perfect account of the methods lately
tryed to seduce the Sinnekees into the french interest, I am
certainly inform'd that they have agreed to recieve Priests
among them from the French which I look upon as a new cause
of complaint against them and a breach of Treaty whereby
they are required (Treaty of Utrecht Art. 15) not to molest the
five Nations this besides their continuing to fortify at Niagara
shew how much they take advantage of the unsettled state of the
limits between the Crowns. Encloses Naval officer's accounts
etc. Signed, W. Burnet. Endorsed, Recd. 1st, Read 2nd Aug.
1721. 3¾ pp. (Duplicate, of which the original never came to
hand). [C.O. 5, 1052. ff. 164, 165–166v., 169v. (with abstract)]. |
June 18.
New York. |
534. Governor Burnet to Lord Townshend. I reckon it a
great happiness to depend so much on your Lordship, from whom
I have received great favours so many years ago and by whose
encouragement, I first turn'd my thoughts from the Church
to publick business. I shall never forget the pleasure I had at
the Hague, in being admitted so often to wait on your Lordship
and with so much freedom. It has given me great uneasiness that I had not always the same opportunitys in
England etc. etc. Asks for his assistance in obtaining H.M.
approbation in Council of Act of New York, "by which a duty
is raised of 2 p.c. on European goods imported here in order
to fortify the frontier, which is very naked, and would be of no
security in case of a rupture with the french. They are indeed
here and all over the Continent undermining us all they can
by instigating their Indians to spoil our out-plantations and
lately by sending priests among our Indians of the five Nations
to draw them from us etc.: they are too at this time fortifying
at Niagara, which has been long ago deemed to belong to
our Indians and included in their submission of their whole
country to the Crown of Great Britain. While the limits are
unsettled the French loose no time to make all possible encroachments, and I hope your Lordship approves my earnestness to
prevent them, for which end I did upon my first arrival
obtain the Act I have recommended to be confirmed etc.
Signed, W. Burnet. A duplicate, sent on 28th June. 2½ pp.
[C.O. 5, 1092. No. 18.] |
June 19.
Anapolis Royall. |
535. Governor Philips to the Council of Trade and Plantations. It being a misfortune allmost inseperable from men in
stations to be exposed to the detraction of the wicked and
malitious, be theire actions never so just and unblameable,
I have (within few days past) discover'd this to have been
my fate, by haveing had recourse to a letter booke of one
Washington Lieutenant to the Ordnance, (the most scandalous
wretch upon the earth) who has (from time to time) entertain'd
that Board at mine and the Officers expence of this Garrison in
a most false, insolent and infamous manner. Encloses following
and asks for their Lordships' protection. Signed, R. Philipps.
Endorsed, Recd. 8th, Read 13th Sept., 1721. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
|
535. i. (a) John Washington to Thomas Tickell, Deputy
Secretary of State. Annapolis Royall, Oct. 22, 1719.
Encloses following correspondence for his consideration. |
|
(b) Same to Michael Richards, Surveyor General,
and the Board of Ordnance, and Major Lawrence
Armstrong at Canso. Oct. 22, 1719—May 9, 1721.
Complains that the officers of the Garrison are all
linked together to oppress the persons belonging to the
Office of Ordnance and to reduce the Train to the
reglement of the Regiment etc. They are all merchants,
from the highest to the lowest and pay their people in
rum, molasses and tobacco at their own prices etc.
Details of Ordnance stores accounts. Endorsed as
preceding. 14½ pp. |
|
535. ii. Governor Philipps to the Board of Ordnance.
Annapolis Royall, 18th June, 1721. Replies to preceding. Signed, R. Philipps. Same endorsement.
10½ pp. |
|
535. iii. Lt. Governor Doucett and the Officers of the
Garrison to the Board of Ordnance. Reply to the false,
malitious and incoherent charges" of No. i. Signed,
John Doucett and 10 others. Annapolis Royal,
13th June, 1721. Same endorsement. Copy. 20¾ pp. |
|
535. iv. Address of Council of Nova Scotia to Governor
Philipps. Express horror and amazement at Lt.
Washington's charges. Washington is known to be
a most notorious lyar, and so abominably obsceen and
profane in his ordinary conversation that he is unfit
for humane society, his word and honour no one can
rely on, spending most of his time in sutling houses,
continually drunk etc. Praise the Governor's unwearied zeal in promoting everything that might tend
to the honour and interest of H.M. and the Brittish
Nation and to the settlement of this Province. His
justice and moderation have been conspicuous, particularly to the French inhabitants, in whose favour
he has ventured to exceed your Instructions, but
always acted with the advice of the Council, with the
greatest circumspection and caution, etc. Signed,
by all the members of H.M. Council. Endorsed as
preceding. Copy. 3 pp. |
|
535. v. Affidavits by Lt. Martin Groundman, Capt. John
Blower, Serjant Alexander Watts, Lt. Governor
Doucett, Christopher Aldridge, Capt. Joseph Bennett,
Charles Toole, Joseph Toule, William Parr, Benjamin
Weston, Griffeth Jones, Thomas Dobbin, William
Johnson, John Bradstreet, William Winniett, as to
Mr. Washington's letter-book, and in reply to his
charges. June, 1721. Same endorsement. 6¾ pp.
[C.O. 217, 4. ff. 2, 2v., 3 v., 4, 5–12, 14–20, 21–31,
32–34, 35–38.] |
June 20.
Whitehall. |
536. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Carteret.
Enclose following. |
|
536. i. Draught of H.M. Commission to George Phenney
to be Captain General and Governor in Chief of the
Bahama Islands, and revoking that of Woodes Rogers.
Draft of Instructions to same. The same verbatim
as those of Governor Rogers, Nov. 21, 1717. [C.O.
24, 1. pp. 55, 56.] |
June 20.
Whitehall. |
537. Mr. Popple to Mr. Lowndes. Encloses Mr. Harrison's
letter (v. June 10th) to be laid before the Lords Commrs. of the
Treasury. Concludes: As there is no law to prevent the carrying of oar from the Plantations, the Lords Commrs. of Trade
think that this practice may be of such consequence to H.M.
Revenue, that it do's deserve to be consider'd in Parliament,
in order to be prevented by some Act to be pass'd for that
purpose. [C.O. 5, 996. pp. 105, 106.] |
June 21.
Whitehall. |
538. Bryan Wheelock, Acting Secretary to the Council of
Trade and Plantations, to David Humphreys. Reply to 14th
June. Friday at 10 of the clock is appointed for reconsidering
the Act of Barbados referred to and hearing the S.P.G. [C.O.
29, 14. pp. 120, 121.] |
| June 21. |
539. Extent and Inquisition taken thereupon, for a debt
of £700 sterl. due from some merchants in Antigua to Mr.
Benja. Blundell, junr., late Receiver General for Leicestershire.
Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 11th July, 1721. Copy. Latin.
1 large p. [C.O. 152, 13. ff. 257, 257v.] |
| June 21. |
540. Similar extent and inquisition for a debt of £250 due
from a merchant in S. Carolina. Endorsed as preceding. Copy.
Latin. 1 large p. [C.O. 5, 358. ff. 84, 84v.] |
| June 21. |
541. Copy of the extent and inquisition taken thereupon
for a debt of £1925 sterling due from Messrs. Palmer and Balston,
merchants in New England, to Benja. Blundell jr., etc. Signed,
Geo. Wilson, Soll. to the Commrs. for Taxes. Endorsed, Recd.
(from the Agents for Taxes) 5th, Read 11th July, 1721. 1 large
p. [C.O. 5, 868. ff. 62, 62v.] |
| June 21. |
542. Extent and inquisition taken thereupon, for a debt
of £500 due from some merchants in Barbados to Benjamin
Blundell, jr., etc. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 11th July, 1721.
Latin. Copy. 1 large p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 154, 154v.] |
June 21.
Custom ho., London. |
543. Mr. Carkesse to Mr. Popple. Desires copies of proceedings at Barbados relating to a ship which lately put in
there, bound from the East Indies to Ostend. Signed, Cha.
Carkesse. Endorsed, Recd. 21st, Read 22nd June, 1721.
Addressed. ¾ p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 144, 145v.] |
June 22.
Whitehall. |
544. Mr. Popple to Mr. Carkesse. Reply to preceding. No
account has been received of any proceedings at Barbados
relating to such ship etc. [C.O. 29, 14. pp. 121, 122.] |
| June 22. |
545. Petition of Lewis Piers and Cecilia his wife to the
Council of Trade and Plantations. Prays for report upon
petition referred to them about 3 years ago for confirmation
of certain premisses in Montserratt. Petitioners are reduced
to great poverty etc. Signed, Lew. Piers, Cecilia Piers. Endorsed, Recd. Read 22nd June, 1721. ¾ p. [C.O. 152, 13.
ff. 52, 53v.] |
| June 23. |
546. Mr. Bobin to [? Lord Carteret]. I pray your honour
to send my request to the Treasury, according to your promise,
in order that, having received some money, I may be able to
work at some great affair known only by myself. Signed,
Isaac Bobin. French. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 387. No. 26.] |
| [June 23.] |
547. Advis Important [?by Isaac Bobin]. Important
Notice. Unless the South Sea Company take care to manage
the trade to New Spain as it ought to be, it will be their utter
ruin etc. I will explain myself and bring proof for the same.
By a Frenchman and in same hand as preceding. ½ p. [C.O.
5, 387. No. 27.] |
June 23.
London. |
548. Governor Hart to Lord Carteret. I have endeavour'd
to get the best information I cou'd, how the French part of
St. Christophers, may be made most valuable to the Crown,
and advantagious to Great Britain, and be most speedily and
effectually peopled, so as to be an additional security, not only
to that, but to the other Leeward Islands, and in obedience
to yor. Lordships commands etc. suggests (i) An exact
survey and estimate of value of said lands to be made
immediately, since the present possessors pay no acknowledgment to the Crown and hold by no other title than that of a
letter from the Secretary of State that they should not be
disturbed till H.M. pleasure be known. Continues: As they
hold these lands by so precarious a foot, they make the most of
it for the present, tho' they thereby very much impoverish the
soil, which in a little time will greatly diminish the value thereof;
and are so far from making improvements, as would fix and
establish them there, they are now on the wing, and always
will be, till they have a certain estate in the lands. It is agreed
by all persons whom I have discours'd, that it will be hardly
possible to find purchasers for these lands, there being little
money in the Islands, and few of the inhabitants have any
considerable funds here. Proposes grants of leases, with a
preference to present possessors etc. Continues: The number
of the inhabitants of these Islands are much decreased, and
the number of the French in the neighbouring Islands are vastly
increased etc. Signed, Jo. Hart. 3 pp. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 115]. |
| June 24. |
549. Petty Expenses, and Stationer's and Postage Account
of the Board of Trade, Lady Day to Midsummer, 1721. (v.
B.T. Journal). [C.O. 388, 78. ff. 4, 5, 10, 11, 18.] |
June 24.
Whitehall. |
550. Lord Carteret to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses following for their report. Signed, Carteret.
Endorsed, Recd. Read 27th June, 1721. ¾ p. Enclosed, |
|
550. i. Memorial of Governor John Lord Belhaven to the
King. The appointments for the Governor of Barbados have not been equall to the expences. Therefore the Assembly have made frequent presents to
their Governors who have been obliged to accept the
same, tho' contrary to their Instructions. Memoralist
determineing strictly to observe your Majesty's Royall
orders, and to accept of no such presents, yet being
desireous to maintain a port suitable to the employ
and the inhabitants being the only judges what shall
be necessary for that purpose etc. Prays H.M. to
insert it in his Instructions that the Assembly may be
permitted by an Act or Acts to settle on him what
they shall judge proper in lieu of presents for supporting
the dignity of said Governor during his continuance etc.
¾ p. [C.O. 28, 17. ff. 148, 149, 151v.] |
1721. June 28.
New York. |
551. Governor Burnet to [? Charles Delafaye]. Your
Brother Riggs was speakeing to me(n) very earnestly about
bedding for the men, it being necessary to preserve them from
starving of cold etc. Signed, W. Burnet. Endorsed, R. Aug.
Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1092. No. 19.] |
June 30.
Whitehall. |
552. Mr. Popple to Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General.
Asks for opinion whether Delaware River or any part thereof,
or the Islands therein lying are by the (enclosed) clauses in their
Charters conveyed to either New Jersey or Pennsylvania, "or
whether the right thereunto doth still remain in the Crown."
[C.O. 5, 1293. p. 237.] |
June 30.
Whitehall. |
553. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Carteret.
Enclose following to be laid before H.M. Autograph signatures.
1 p. Enclosed, |
|
553. i. Same to the King. Representation upon Memorial
of Governor Lord Belhaven upon presents from the
Assembly (v. 24th June). Quote Representation of
1701. v. C.S.P. 1701. No. 383, "which report was
read in Council but nothing ordered thereupon. But
upon a further Representation (v. C.S.P. 1702. No.
349), Her late Majesty was pleased to make additions
to the salarys of several Governors and expressly
to forbid their receiving of any presents whatever.
The addition made upon that occasion to the salary
of the Govr. of Barbados was £800 pr. annum to make
the said salary of the Govr. of Barbados was £800 pr.
annum to make the said salary £2000, as is particularly
recited by 110th and 11th Instructions, whereby the
Governors of Barbados are at present debar'd from
receiving any presents except only for a house or
rent for the same not exceeding £300 pr. annum
sterling to be settled at the first session of Assembly,
after such Governor's arrival, and so to continue
during the whole time of his Government; we must
thereon observe that notwithstanding the aforesaid
Instructions the Assemblys of Barbados and of some
other Plantations have made presents to their
Governors, which is certainly a pernicious practice, and
ought upon all occasions to be discountenanced how
true soever the usual pretence for such presents may
have been, that the particular salarys of some Govrs.
have not been sufficient for their support. But if the
present salary of the Governor of Barbados should
not be thought adequate to his necessary expences,
and sufficient to support the dignity of his office, as
the chief intention of the aforemention'd Instructions
has been to prevent Governors from being dependent
upon the Assemblys, we have no objection to any
addition, the Assembly of Barbados may make to
my Lord Belhaven's salary upon his arrival there,
provided the same be settled upon his Lordship for
the whole time of his continuance there as Governor
in such manner as particularly provided in the case
of house rent which stands at present excepted out
of his Instructions. And we are of opinion it would
be greatly for your Majesty's service that the said
additional salary should be likewise settled upon all
succeeding Governors of Barbados, provided the same
can be obtain'd." Autograph signatures. 4¾ pp.
[C.O. 28, 39. Nos. 8, 8 i.; and 29, 14. pp. 123–128.] |
| June 30. |
554. Address of Assembly of New York to Governor Burnet.
It is with some concern we appear before you on an affair which
we flattered ourselves had long since been set in so just a light
before her late Majestie and Ministers by former Assemblies
of this Province as would render any attempt fruitless to relay
that burthen on this Colony which we thought had been
effectually removed by the direction of our superiors and which
even the person himself who was said to have been most concerned in the profit, thought too heavy and unreasonable to
impose. We find by a letter from the Rt. Hon. the Commrs.
of H.M. Treasury to the Treasurer of this Colony, that those
right Honourable persons are of opinion that the neglecting,
or refusing to account with the Auditor General will be looked
upon as a contempt of H.M. authority. How farr artfull representations from hence have prevailed, we have from this but
too much reason to suspect, but we humbly hope when their
Lordps. are truly informed how that matter stands they will
abate of the severity of their sentiments and give such directions
as are suitable to H.M. goodness and, we hope, favourable
inclinations to a people, who by repeated instances have shewn
they have nothing more at heart than to approve themselves his
faithfull subjects. We are so farr from desiring that H.M. or
his Ministers should be unacquainted with the state of his
Revenue here that we think no one thing would be of greater
service to this Province than H.M. being truly and thoroughly
informed of the dispositions of every penny of it. Had that
been justly done by all the Governors of this Province, we
have great reason to beleive we should not have laboured under
that great load of debt which was too manifestly owing to the
extraordinary misapplication and squandering of the publick
money, and we are bold to say her late Majesty's indulgence in
admitting us a Treasurer of our own, made it practicable to
retrieve the publick credit, which must otherwise have been
dispaired of, unless the Crown by an excess of Royal munificence had replenished a Treasury imprudently emptyed by those
instructed here with the management of it. Among the many
extravagancys of those times one was the allowing a fee or
salary to the Auditor General of 5 p.c. upon the whole amount
of H.M. Revenue in this Province. We venture to call this
extravagant, first, because such a salary in this Province was
not allowed him by H.M. Commission, secondly, because he
himself disapproved of it; that such a salary never was allowed
or intended by H.M. to be allowed him out of his Revenue in
this Province, we humbly conceive, appears by the Commission
itself, for, by that, there is only the salary of £500 yearly given
as a reward for the auditing all H.M. Plantations in America,
which salary is appointed to be paid out of H.M. revenues in
Virginia, Berbados, Leeward Islands and Jamaica etc. (quoted),
and not one word of any allowance made him out of H.M.
revenue in New York, and by what authority he could take to
himself a twentieth part of H.M. Revenue here, when H.M.
had given no such direction, we are yet to seek. We have
indeed heard it was taken as a quantum meruit but that could
not be; for the £500 was what the Crown thought to be a
sufficient reward, and we do not find, by that Commission, any
authority given to that officer to proportion what part of H.M.
revenue shall be paid himself out of the revenue arising in the
several Plantations, not named in that Commission, that being,
in our humble opinion, a power lodged solely in the Crown
and not to be done by any subject whatsoever without express
and particular directions under the great Seal. It is true the
disposition of the publick mony here as we suppose in other
places was in the Governor by and with the advice and consent
of the Council, and some of those Governors here depending
more on the favour and interest of the then Auditor General,
than on their own good behaviour, for their continuance, might
prevail upon a timed and pusillanimous Council to consent to
such a lavish disposition of the publick mony. This we suppose
gave rise to the demanding of it as a fee or perquisite, tho' we
do not find it ever was allowed by the Treasury, and whether
ever it was received by himself, there is some reason to doubt,
for in the observation made (as we suppose by the then Auditor)
on the accompts of New York 1703 and 1704, among many
extravagant charges taken notice of in those accounts, this of
the 5 p.c. is one, and 'tis noted by way of memorandum that
Mr. Blathwayt conceiving his salary as Auditor and Surveyor
General too large at 5 p.c. upon the ordinary and extraordinary
levyes, he is contented with the sum of £150 sterling pr. annum
and the allowance to him and his deputy to be stated with an
advance of current money accordingly. It is confessed by Mr.
Blathwayt's own observation on the accounts of this Province
that there was a charge of 5 p.c. on the extraordinary levys.
It is evident that this was an extraordinary imposition, not
within the meaning of the Commission, or nature of the thing
to be accounted with the Auditor General, and was a mistake,
so obvious, that the Lord Treasurer could not fail of observing
if the accounts were shewn him in a true light. There had been
from 1691 to 1703 inclusive extraordinary levys to the value
of £22,698, over and above the common annual revenue, this
at 5 p.c. to the Auditor is almost £100 pr. annum for which he
had no manner of right or pretence but things of this kind were
easily complyed with here by Receivers of the Revenue intirely
at the Governour's disposal, and it is not unworthy observation
that the Receiver General's salary for receiving and paying all
this money came to about £260 pr. annum and the Auditor
for looking over the accounts received a salary not much short
if not in some years exceeding. If that officer had received
that salary from the date of his Commission till that time, or
for any years before 1703, (as there is no great doubt of its being
charged in the former accompts of this Province), he must
have known it to have been too large before that time, all this
renders it suspected either that the accounts were not
transmitted to him with that article and then it was pocketted
here, or that he did not shew them to the Lord Treasurer, as
fearing his disallowance, it being an act of uncommon generosity
for a man to lessen his own yearly salary when he might have
kept it. How that matter was we don't presume to determine,
but we cannot yet be persuaded to believe, that when the
King thinks £150 sterl. a sufficient proportion to be paid to
the Auditor General out of his revenues in Berbados, which we
are told amount to 16 to £18,000 yearly, that the Ld. Treasurer
will be of opinion, that either 5 p.c. which has amounted to
betwixt 2 or £300 a year (and if extraordinary levys were to be
accompted for some years past would amount to more than
£600) or £150 sterl. per annum is a reasonable proportion to be
deducted out of the Revenue of this Province, which by all the
methods wee have been yet able to take has not come to above
£4000 pr. annum one year with another, which makes our
quota to the Auditor under £40 pr. annum. We are humbly of
opinion, that the Treasurer's refusing to account with the
Auditor General (if so he did) could not proceed from any
intention of the Treasurer to hinder H.M., or his Ministers from
a knowledge of the disposal of his Revenue here, he being of
the Council could not be ignorant that no Act could be passed
here for raising or levying of any money whereby the
same should not be made lyable to be accounted for to
H.M. or his Ministers. And by your Excellencys Instructions
and those given to Brigadier Hunter fair books of accounts
being to be kept of all receits and payments and these transmitted to the Commrs. of the Treasury or the Lord High
Treasurer, or board of Trade, and the Treasurer having been
always ready and willing to account with the Governour when
and as often as he pleased, those accounts if sent home by the
Governour according to the directions given him, neither H.M.
or his Ministers could be ignorant of the state of the Revenue
here, but as certainly informed of it, as if those accounts
were transmitted by the Auditor General and layd before the
Commrs. of the Treasury etc. It was before the Treasurer
received their Lordps.' order to account that he refused
(if so he did) with the Deputy Auditor, and as soon as
their Lordps. signifyed their pleasure, he readily promised
to pay an obedience to their commands, but we humbly
hope such accounting (whenever it is) will not load H.M.
revenue here, with a debt of 5 p.c. or £150 pr. annum,
when it appears, by the Auditor's Commission, there is no
foundation for the demands of a sum so disproportionable to
our circumstances. It is equal to the Treasurer with whom he
accounts, and his duty to account with such person as H.M.
will please to authorize for that purpose, and his declining to
account with the Deputy Auditor was because he was apprehensive of a charge of five per cent upon the whole amount of
the Revenue, and perhaps upon the extraordinary levyes, which
would have risen to so great a sum as he thought would not
have been justifyable for him to pay without particular directions from his superiors, who he believed was not informed of
that matter, and we humbly hope the Rt. Hon. the Commrs.
of the Treasury will no longer look upon that as a contempt
of H.M. authority, which was purely done to prevent what,
we hope, those right Honourable persons will think too great a
deduction from his revenue. How hearty and ready this
Assembly has been to support H.M. Government is not unknown
to your Excellency, nor with what difficultys funds are found
out for that purpose. There are few branches of our imports,
except European goods, but what are loaded as much as the
trade will bear, and notwithstanding all the precautions we
have been capable of using to prevent a debt, the revenue is
as yet insufficient to pay officers and discharge the necessary
incidents of the Government. What then must be the consequence if the deadweight of 5 per cent on the whole revenue
for several years passed be added. We could heartily wish it
was in our power without ruining the trade and inhabitants
of this Province, to make H.M. revenue ample enough not only
for the handsom support of his Government here, but to enable
him to extend his Royal bounty to such persons as he thought
fit objects of it, but how unable we are to do this, your Excellency too well knows, as we beleive you do, that if 5 p.c. or
£150 stcrl. yearly arrearages, or even yearly salary for the time
to come, be paid that it will be impossible to pay the officers
of the Government their salarys, which we hope will be sufficient
reason to prevail upon the Rt. Hon. the Lord Treasurer to
disallow such demand. Signed, Rt. Livingston, Speaker. Copy
of later date, cf. April 26, 1722. 6 pp. [C.O. 5, 1085. No. 39.] |
June 30.
Whitehall. |
555. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Carteret.
Enclose following to be laid before H.M. |
|
555. i. Same to the King. Representation upon Memorial
(quoted) of the Copartners for settling the Bahama
Islands (v. 19th April, 1721). This Board has upon
many occasions represented to your Majesty as well
as to your Royal predecessors the great importance
of these Islands, and how highly necessary it was to
the trade of these Kingdoms, that the same should
be effectually settled, their situation being such as
makes them capable of protecting the ships of your
Majty's subjects, and of intercepting those of their
West Indian neighbours in case of a rupture. The
expence the petitioners have already been at, etc.,
amounts to upwards of £100,000 (v. 19th April), and
tho' they have been once formerly attack'd by an
invasion from New Spain, and at other times by great
numbers of pirates whom upon their arrival they
dislodg'd from thence, they have hitherto made a
shift to maintain your Majty's dominion there, and
they humbly hope they shall be able to do so for the
future provided your Majesty be graciously inclin'd
to grant them such further assistance as may encourage
planters to settle there; Wherefore we humbly take
leave conformable to several former reports to move
your Majesty that you would be pleas'd to allow them
another Independant Company of 100 men with
proper officers to be maintain'd there at your Majesty's
charge upon the same foot with the other company
already in garrison etc.; and for some few years to
allow such a salary for the Governor there as to your
Majesty shall seem most convenient, till this new
Settlement shall be in condition, as in all probability
it shortly will if duly encouraged, to bear its own
expences. For this end the Copartners are desirous
your Majesty should grant them your Royal Charter
of Incorporation without which they apprehend it
will be impossible for them to proceed etc. Reasons
given (v. 19th April). Continue: To which we shall
have no objection, provided the same be sufficiently
guarded and secur'd from stock jobbing; and those
other inconveniencies which have too frequently
taken rise from the misapplication of several former
Charters of Incorporation to other Companies. Having
therefore further discours'd with the Copartners upon
this subject, we find that they will very readily submit
to the proper restrictions for this purpose. They are
willing that their capital stock shall not at any time
exceed £500,000, and that no other dividends shall be
made to the Proprietors but such as do really and bonâ
fide arise from the profits of the Company, excepting
dividends in land only for Plantations, according to
the powers given them by the Lords Proprietors of
those Islands. That no transfers shall be made of
their stock for the first twelve months after the date
of their Charter, nor any afterwards by any person
whatsoever that shall not have been six months in
possession of their stock. That their Charter be
confin'd to the term of 30 years; that none of your
Majesty's subjects be excluded from trading to the
Bahama Islands during that time; that during the
continuance of the said term they shall oblige themselves communibus annis to imploy 1000 ton of
shipping. Upon which conditions and restrictions
we are humbly of opinion it may be for your Majesty's
service if you are so pleas'd to grant the said Copartners a Charter, provided that no powers of Govt.
relating to the said Islands be thereby given them,
but that the entire dominion of the said Islands do
in all respects absolutely remain in your Majesty and
your Royal Successors. [C.O. 24, 1. pp. 58–64; and
23, 12. No. 79.] |
June 30.
St. James's. |
556. H.M. Warrant appointing Philip Livingston Town
Clerk, Clerk of the Peace and Clerk of the Common Pleas in
the county and city of Albany, and Secretary or Agent for the
Government of New York to the Indians, with a salary of £100
sterling to be paid out of H.M. Revenue of New York. Countersigned, Carteret. Copy. [C.O. 324, 34. pp. 71, 72.] |
June 30.
Antigua. |
557. Governor Hamilton to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Encloses Act to impose a duty on sugar, mollasses,
rum, cotton, and ginger of the produce or manufacture of the
French King's Colonies imported into this Island, etc. The
Surveyor General of H.M. Customs has laid before myself
and Council a Memorial against passing the said bill into a law,
which has been considered of and answered by the Council etc.
Refers to enclosures. Besides the reasons contained in the said
answer and the preamble etc., I crave leave to inform your
Lordships how and in what manner this clandestine trade is
carried on, how the King is defrauded of His customs, and the
impossibility of preventing of it unless this law meets with the
Royal sanction. Your Lordships upon observing the map of
Antigua will see how many creeks, bays and roads there are,
several of which are distant from any settlements, by reason
the barrenness of the soil will not allow of them, and 'tis in
these remote places they carry on this trade. Upon their
coming to anchor here, and notice given to their correspondents,
they immediately hire the sugar droging vessels, these they
employ to unload their sloops, and shift the sugar into English
cask, bring them into harbour, as if they brought them from
other ports of the Island, and take out cockets for them at the
Custom House, and ship them as our own produce for Great
Britain, 'tis true they pay the 4½ p.c. here, but then H.M. is
defrauded of the alien duty at home and of a great part of the
enumarated duty upon sugars shipt to North America, which is
a manifest fraud, and a deminution of the Revenue. I cannot
pretend to lay any charge against the Custom House Officers for
neglect of their duty, because I am convinced as this fraud is
carried on 'tis impossible they can come up with them without
it be by meer accident, several instances of which I have known,
when informations have been given, but all have proved ineffectual, for, the Custom house boat can no sooner put to sea
but they have notice from their friends, and thereupon they
immediately weigh and to sea and keep out till some signals
are made that all is secure, by which your Lordships may perceive that 'tis impossible to prevent this pernicious trade, unless
it be by such an Act as this now sent, or by allowing the Custom
House a sloop or two to clear our coasts. I shall not say anything of the hardships the industrious planter suffers by this
trade, because the Council in their answer have set that matter
forth fully, but assure your Lordships that I am very apprehensive that unless there is a speedy stop put to it, that in the
end it may prove our ruin. The French as I am very well
informed, particularly at Guardeloupe, an Island in sight of
this, and which you may fetch over upon a stretch, are daily
carrying on new settlements and greatly encrease in their
number of inhabitants. Your Lordships must be sensible of
the difficulties in carrying on new settlements, especially when
a great tract of land is to be setled, and that that cannot be
done without supplies, and these supplies as negroes, provisions,
horses, and all manner of lumber, (and without which they
could not carry on their settlements) this trade gives them, (it
being usual for the vessels that carry these things to the french
to clear for Barbados and the Leeward Islands) the natural
consequence of this trade is, and the inconvenience of which
we may find when 'tis too late, in case a war should break out,
that we have enabled a neighbouring Island to go on with their
settlements who in retalliation will endeavour to take ours from
us. Another great inconvenience is, that the French (those
that use the trade) are as good pilots as our selves, and can run
into the most difficult places at any time of the night, so 'tis
easy to imagine, what the consequence of making them
acquainted with our coasts will be, in case they have the first
newes of a war etc. By this Act, the Custom House Officers
are required to take an oath for the due execution of the said
law, which the Surveyor General has refused, as you will per
ceive by the inclosed minute, to which I refer and hope your
Lordships will favour me with an answer whether the Legislative
authority has not a power to impose such an oath. Signed,
W. Hamilton. Endorsed, Recd. 15th, Read 16th Aug. 1721.
3 pp. Enclosed, |
|
557. i. Memorial of Charles Dunbar, Surveyor of H.M.
Customs of Barbados and the Leeward Islands, to
the Governor and Council of Antigua. Protests against
against the bill proposed for laying such heavy imposts upon produce of the French Islands as prejudicial
to trade, being in effect prohibition, and to the navigation of the Island and of Great Britain, and reducing
the Revenue by reducing the amount imported into
England. A fifth part of the duties now proposed
might prove beneficial etc. Copy. 3 pp. |
|
557. ii. H.M. Commissioners of Customs to Mr. Dunbar.
Custom House, London. 16th March, 1719. If any
new commoditys shall be raised or manufactures begun
within any of the Islands in your district, or if any Acts
are passed, which relate to trade or navigation, or
which you apprehend are prejudiciall thereto, or to
the Revenue etc., you are to give us notice etc. Signed,
M. Dudley, and three others. Copy. 1 p. |
|
557. iii. Governor and Council of Antigua to Charles Dunbar.
26th June, 1721. Reply to No. 1. Goods have been
rendered scarce and prices high by this exportation
to the French Islands. This trade strengthens the
French and thereby exposes the valuable Colony of
Antigua to the utmost danger in case of war. The
importation of French goods has lessened the value
of ours and caused many of the inhabitants to desert
the Island. Often when the poor have been almost
starving a monopolizing French trader has engrossed
a whole cargo of provision and transported it in a
clandestine manner to Martinique etc. The British
market by being glutted with French sugars has kept
ours at so low an ebb that the planters can hardly
support themselves. It will be more prejudicial to
the Revenue if this Colony sinks etc. We think it
absolutely necessary to pass the Act etc. Signed, by
command of the Council, Gilbt. Fleming, D. Clerk
Councill. Copy. 2½ pp. Nos. i.–iii. endorsed as
covering letter. |
|
557. iv. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Antigua, 26th
June, 1721. Mr. Dunbar, on behalf of the Officers
of the Customs, being called upon to take the oath
prescribed by the Act laying a duty on French sugars
imported, the time for which had expired, desired to
be excused from taking any oaths having relation
to their offices or to observe any instructions but such
as they shall receive from the Lords of the Treasury
and Commissioners of the Customs. Signed and
endorsed as preceding. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 14.
ff. 7–13, 14v, 15, 16v.] |
