Pages 37-55
Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 37, 1730. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1937.
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March 1730, 1-15
| March 2. Whitehall. |
85. Duke of Newcastle to the Governor of New York. The English Copper Company who have contracted to furnish H.M. Mint with fine copper, have represented that they shall not be able to perform their contract in so good a manner as they have hitherto done, without a sufficient quantity of New York ore, and have desired me to recommend it to you, to grant your favour and countenance to such persons as they shall employ to purchase the said ore at New York; this being recommended by the Officers of the Mint as what may be of use to the publick, I must desire you will assist ye said Company's Agents etc., so far as shall appear to you to be just and reasonable. Signed, Holles Newcastle. [C.O. 324, 36. pp. 195, 196.] |
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| March 2. Whitehall. |
86. Same to Lord Harrington and Mr. Poyntz. Encloses following received from the Admiralty etc. Continues : The King would have your Excys. make the proper representations to the French Ministers upon it, and desire that they would have this matter enquired into and justice done thereupon, if the case appears to be as it is represented. Signed, Holles Newcastle. 1 p. Enclosed, |
| 86. i. Deposition of Thomas Hodgskins. Copy of Feb. 12. No. 1. | |
| 86. ii. Deposition of Walter Chapman. Confirms above and adds that, a canoe from the strange sloop came on board the Chance, in which were two Frenchmen, who commanded him to go on board the strange sloop, and said they were French. Deponent refused, but in fear for his life got on shore and took to the woods. They began to ransack his cabin, but the second Lieutenant of the ship, a French man of war, stopped them until they had made the formality of a Court and condemned the Chance as lawful prize, and got her under sail, but ran her on the bar etc. Describes how they were threatened and carried on board the French man of war, whilst the French plundered two other sloops belonging to St. Christophers and burnt them etc. Deponent was put ashore, after being informed that this was done by order of the King of France, that he should make a claim to the Sta. Cruz. The French man of war carried off the Chance and five negroes from Sta. Cruz belonging to H.M. subjects etc. Copy. 8 pp. [C.O. 239, 1. Nos. 40, 40, i. ii.] | |
| March 3. Whitehall. |
87. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle. Enclose drafts of warrants for use of new seals for New York, Nova Scotia, Leeward Islands and Bahama Islands, as ordered 22nd Jan. Autograph signatures. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 4. No. 41; and 218, 2. pp. 222, 223 (with draft of warrant annexed); and 5, 1125. pp. 143–145.] |
| March 3. Whitehall. |
88. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Duke of Newcastle. Enclose following to be laid before the King. Autograph signatures. 1 p. Enclosed, |
| 88. i. Petition of Butler Chauncy and Thomas and William Chesslyre, owners of the ship William, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Their ship, in July, 1727, was loaded in the Bay of Honduras with a cargo of logwood, with which she sailed for Boston. She was chased and captured near the Havannas by the Barloventa squadron, Don Joseph Roche, Commodore, and carried to La Vera Cruz, where he gave the enclosed certificate, etc. Pray that satisfaction may be obtained for their loss, £1000 for the ship, and £1000 for the cargo. Signed, B. Chauncy, at Mrs. Drake's on Bread Street Hill. 1 ¾ pp. Enclosed, | |
| 88. ii. Certificate by Commodore of the Barloventa Fleet that he captured the William off Cuba as in preceding. Signed, Dn. Joseph Rochez d'Lupena. Copy, 2/3 pp. [C.O. 5, 752. Nos. 49, 49, i. ii; and (covering letter only), 389, 28. p. 430.] | |
| March 3. Whitehall. |
89. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Recommend appointment of Alexander Henderson to the Council of Jamaica in place of Mr. Forbes deed. [C.O. 138, 17. p. 289]. |
| March 3. Whitehall. |
90. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King. Propose Thomas Maxwell for the Council of Barbados, in the room of Othniel Haggert, as recommended by Governor Worsley. [C.O. 29, 15. p. 129.] |
| March 4. | 91. Col. Williamson to [?] Testifies to the good character of Daniel Hintz etc. Signed, A. Williamson. Endorsed, Recd. Read 12th March, 1729/30. 1 p. [C.O. 217, 5. ff. 144, 145v.] |
| [March 5]. | 92. T. Lowndes to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. If the Protestants of the Palatinate are now discouraged from going over to S. Carolina, when their disposition is strong, it will be difficult to induce them hereafter etc. Endorsed, Recd. 5th. Read 13th March, 1729/30. 1 p. Enclosed, |
| 92. i. Mr. Lowndes to Mr. De la Fontaine. 10th Feb. 1729/30. I fancy the terms for encouraging the Palatins to go to S. Carolina will be something of this kind. That they have land upon a good navigable river in perpetuity for one peny per acre to be paid in merchantable pitch hemp turpentine or specie yearly. That the three first years they pay no quitt rent at all. That a year's provisions and some tools be furnished them. But of this there is no certain dependance. You that have provided shipping for so many familys of them to go to Pensilvania will I beleive think this good encouragemt. considering that in that Province upon their arrival they pay at the Land Office more than £75 sterl. per 1000 acres and 10s. for ever as a quitt rent yearly and that far from any navigable river and about 120 miles from Philadelphia whither they bring all their produce by land carriage etc. Copy. 1 p. | |
| 92. ii. B. De la Fontaine to Mr. Lowndes. Martens Lane, Cannon Street. 12th Feb. 1729/30. Thinks that great numbers will go on such terms as proposed, No. i. Has transported good quantities of these people from Rotterdam to Pensilvania of late years to their great satisfaction, for they must be well used on their passage, with great humanity and decency etc. Signed, Benja. De la Fontaine. Addressed. 1 2/3 pp. | |
| 92. iii. Same to Same. 27th Feb. A large quantity of Palatins will be down at Rotterdam in about three months in order to go to America etc., if they meet suitable encouragement from the Government, they chuse Carolina, otherways they intend for Pensilvania etc. Signed, Benja. De la Fontaine. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 361. ff. 67, 68, 70, 70v., 71v.–72v., 73v.] | |
| March 6. Whitehall. |
93. Duke of Newcastle to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses following. Continues :—I am to signify H.M. pleasure, that you reconsider this matter, and make such a report upon it, as may enable the King's Ambassador at Paris to answer the arguments which Mr. Poyntz apprehends may be made use of by the French Ministers upon this head; your Ldp. will also take into consideration the other points mentioned in the enclosed letter, particularly the proposal made to H.E. by the Garde des Sceaux that both Nations should evacuate that Island, and also those of St. Vincents and Dominico, till the right to them should be adjusted. Since the receipt of Mr. Poyntz's letter, the French Ambassador here has presented to the King a Memorial with a copy annext of an answer formerly given to Mr. Walpole upon this subject; H.M. has commanded me to send your Ldps. copys of these papers, which accordingly go herewith, and you will find there the proposal renewed of those Islands being entirely evacuated by both Nations, and the affair of Sta. Lucia put in a very different light from what it has appeared by the informations that have been received here concerning it, and by your Representations upon them. The King would have you employ your utmost diligence and attention in forming a full and exact state of this matter, and lay your report upon it before H.M. as soon as possible together with your opinion what it may be proper for H.M. to do upon every particular mentioned in the enclosed papers. I have laid before the King your report upon the affidavit referred to you of the master of an English vessel and one of his sailors, concerning her being plundered and carried away from Sta. Cruz by a French ship of war, whose crew also is said to have destroyed two other English sloops at anchor there, and H.M. has ordered me to signify His pleasure to His Ambassador at the Court of France to make the proper repre-sentation to that Court upon that subject. But as you will find by Mr. Poyntz's letter and by Count Broglie's enclosed Memorial, that the French lay claim to the Island of St. Cruz, and complain of it's having been lately peopled from Antegoa, and of acts of violence committed there, as they alledge, by the King's subjects; H.M. would have you also lay before Him a state of this matter, and particularly as to the right H.M. may have to the Island of St. Cruz, and what may be alledged in justification of the settlements which H.M. subjects are said to have made there. Your Ldps. will be pleased to remember, that upon the first notice I received of the King's subjects resorting to the Island of Sta. Cruz to cut timber and of their having an inclination to settle there etc., this matter was by my letter of 23rd June referred to your consideration, etc. Signed, Holles Newcastle. Copy. Endorsed, Recd. 6th, Read 10th March, 1729/30. 4 pp. Enclosed, |
| 93. i. S. Poyntz (fn. n1) to the Duke of Newcastle. Paris, March 4, 1730. [N.S.] On the 2nd I put into the Garde des Sceaux hands a translation of your Grace's letter of 30th Jan/10th Feb., and of such of the papers accompanying it, as relate to the encroachments and violences of the French at Sta. Lucia, St. Vincents and Dominico; I put him in mind of the agreement made in 1720 etc., as also of the complaints and memorials given in by Mr. Walpole in relation to the establishments said to be making at those three islands, desiring an answer to those memorials, and representing to him in the strongest manner the consequences of these encroachments, which by tending to deprive H.M. of his right and title to those Islands, must occasion the asserting them in such a manner as might weaken the friendship and good understanding between the two Crowns. He answered, that they were ready whenever we would to enter into an amicable discussion of the claim made by both Crowns to those Islands; that in the begining of the year 1727 they had offered to remove every French subject off of Sta. Lucia, provided the King would do the same, till the claim should be adjusted and decided, to which offer they never had received any answer; that they are still willing to evacuate all the three islands on the same condition, the subjects on cither side being, as he affirmed, only employed in carrying on a clandestine trade for sugar with the neighbouring islands for the sake of defrauding the Customs. As to the complaint of the violences offered to the English at St. Vincents, he observed that the same letter from Capt. Davers takes notice that the General of Martinico had promised to have the offenders taken up and severely punished, and he said, orders should immediately be sent to prevent any such complaints for the future, till the cause of them could be finally removed; He added, that they had frequent complaints of the same nature against the subjects of England, particularly at the Island of Sta. Cruz, which though conquered by France from the Spaniards, and confirmed to them by an undisputed title of eighty years, had been lately peopled from Antego, and some French who happened to approach it, had been fired at from our ships; he concluded by telling me, that the French Embassador at London having writ to them on the subject of the complaints I now made, they were preparing an answer, the Minute of which he read to me, and told me it should be transmitted to Count Broglie by the next post. I told him I was already prepared to make out the unquestionable right of the Crown of Great Britain to the Island of Sta. Lucia, and was ready to discuss that point with him as soon as he pleased; but as the express with the news of the Pope's death, and the instructions to be prepared that evening for the French Cardinals on their setting out for the Conclave did not allow him time to continue the Conference any longer, I only obtained a promise from him, that he would looke out the papers in their Offices of Trade relateing to this affair, and in the mean time I must desire your Grace to favour me with the reports of the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, asserting H.M. right to St. Vincents and Dominico. Ever since I received yor. Grace's letter of 30th Jan., I have made it my business to inform myself of the proofs which the French have to produce in support of their claim to Sta. Lucia, and upon comparing them with the report of our Board of Trade, I beg leave to observe, that there is an irreconcileable difference in the facts asserted by the two Nations. The settlements, which we made there from 1626 to 1638 are entirely neglected or suppressed by their Historians and the Registers of the West India Companys established by Lewis 13th and 14th; and upon this insufficient foundation, have been constantly denied in all the reports of their Council of Trade; but whereas it is asserted in ours, that their first pretention to the island and settlement there was in 1685, they think they are able to make it appear from unquestionable documents, that in 1640 Mor. Diet du Parquet, Governour of Martenico took possession of the Island, with consent of the savages, there being at that time no Englishman there to defend it, that he built a fort and established a succession of Governors there, who kept possession of the island for upwards of twenty years. In 1650 the property of the said island was sold to Du Parquet by the old West India Company, and in 1664 Du Parquet sold that island and Martenico to the Crown for 240/m. livres. The greater part of these facts with the names and history of each of the French Governors of Sta. Lucia are to be found in the accounts of the Caribbee Islands published formerly by Pere le Tertre, and lately by Pere Labat, which I should not have thought worth mentioning, if I had not found them agree in the most material circumstances with the manuscript reports of the French Council of Trade, which I have in my hands. I am humbly of opinion, that the natural answer to this temporary possession will be, that it happened precisly in the time of our Civil Wars, and that soon after the Restoration the Crown reasserted it's right; however, as the report of the Board of Trade in England, which is to serve for my instruction, affirms, that the French had no pretention nor settlement there till 1685, and as our asserting any fact liable to be disproved, might invalidate the credit of the rest and thereby give the French some advantage in the dispute, I would humbly desire that this period of the report may be reconsidered in England, and that particular search may be made, whether some English were not remaining on the Island and disposses't by force in 1640, which circumstance, tho' not necessary to the establishing the priority of our title, would take off the most plausible argument on the French side, drawn from the voluntary cession of the savages, and from the subsequent sales of that Island. The argument drawn by the late Regent from the 12th Article of the Treaty of Breda is far from being conclusive against us, on the contrary as the general rule laid down in that Treaty is, that each Crown should keep what it was possessed of on 1st Jan., 1665, I believe it may be made appear, that we were at that time possessed of Sta. Lucia, and consequently have a right to it from that very Treaty. But the reports of the French Council of Trade, in order to elude the force of this argument, take notice, that the restitution of the English part of St. Christophers, of Antego and Montserrat is expressly stipulated in the Treaty of Breda, while no mention is made of Sta. Lucia, tho' at the time of the signing that Treaty it was, as they affirm in the possession of the French. The clearing up this point is of the more importance, because the Treaty of Neutrality of 1686 confirms that of Breda in all it's articles and clauses. Signed, S. Poyntz. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 5 ½ pp. | |
| 93. ii. M. le Garde des Sceaux to M. le Comte de Broglie. 1st March, 1730. (N.S.) Reply to complaint by the English Minister, that 400 French families are settled on Sta. Lucia. This complaint, which is not supported by any proof, is not new. M. Walpole made a similar complaint, 27th June, 1728. Encloses reply of the French King 14th July, 1728 (N.S.), to which it need only be added that there do not appear to be nearly so many French families there. It is only known that there are some wood-cutters there who exploit the timber for the other islands. It is also known that there are some English who do not concern themselves in such exploitation, but only to go there to get into touch with the merchants of Martinique and Guadeloupe, to exchange foreign produce and goods for French sugar, to the great injury of French trade. His Majesty complained of this and in April, 1727, made an offer to England, whilst awaiting the recognition of the undeniable rights of France, to evacuate all French subjects there, provided England did the same etc. England not having replied to this offer, one might think that she found it advantageous to allow matters to remain as they are, and in that case it is impossible to understand why she lodges complaints from time to time. However that may be, His Majesty will always be equally prepared to remove the French from Ste. Alouzie, provided that reciprocal action is taken by England, and that she agrees that the proprietorship of the island should be immediately established. In conclusion, it is to be observed that England complains that too many Frenchmen have settled at Ste. Alouzie at the same time that the English are there themselves, and cause considerable loss to trade of the Kingdom as above; that it is not yet decided if this island belongs to France or not, and that the English have wished it to remain neutral. France has a much more legitimate right to complain of English enterprises, the Island of St. Cruz (Sta. Croix) belonging beyond dispute to France, which conquered it nearly 80 years ago from Spain. Neither the English nor any other nation have ever claimed it or disputed the right of France. There has never been any question of it in any negotiations or treaties of peace. Nevertheless, in spite of a proprietorship so firmly estab-lished and recognised, His Majesty has been informed that the English have deliberately established themselves there; that the English General at Antigua has given a commission to Sr. Waldrop, Colonel of Militia at St. Christophers, to take command of the said island of St. Cruz, to which he has transported cannon and several English families. We are even informed that one of His Majesty's ships having passed before the said island in Oct. last, the Captain sent his sloop and boat to give notice that it was one of H.M. vessels which was standing for the anchoring place, for wood and water, which did not prevent the English from firing on the sloop and boat to prevent them landing. His Majesty awaits information as to this insult, in order to demand satisfaction, but hopes meanwhile that his Britannic Majesty will give definite orders for the evacuation of Sta. Croix, and to prevent any one settling there for the future. Copy. French. 5 ¼ pp. Same endorsement. 5 ¼ pp. | |
| 93. iii. Memoir sent to the Comte de Broglie, in reply to the letter of Mr. Walpole, 27th June, 1728, concerning Sta. Lucia. Copy. French. Same endorsement. 9 ½ pp. [C.O. 28, 21. ff 47–48v., 49v.–52v., 53v.–62v., 63v.; and (without enclosures ii. and iii.) 253, 1. Nos. 44, 44. i.] | |
| March 6. St. James's. |
94. H.M. Additional Instructions to the Governors of Jamaica, Bermuda, Barbados, Bahamas Islands, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Nova Scotia concerning the whale fishing (v. Feb. 5). [C.O. 324, 36. pp. 196, 197; and 5, 192. ff 441, 445, 449, 453, 457, 461, 465, 469]. |
| March 7. | 95. Duke of Newcastle to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers papers relating to Mr. Bradley's case for their report. Enclosed, |
| 95. i. Copy of C.S.P. Nov. 22, 1729. l ¼ pp. | |
| 95. ii. Memorial by Mr. Bradley to Governor and Council of New York, 9th Sept., 1728. 2 pp. | |
| 95. iii. Abstract of preceding. 1 ½ pp. | |
| 95. iv. Mr. Bradley to the Council of Trade and Plantations, v. C.S.P. 22nd Nov., 1729. 2 pp. | |
| 95. v. Abstract of preceding. 4 pp. | |
| 95. vi. Case relating to the Assemblies aiming at an independency etc. By Mr. Bradley, v. C.S.P. 22nd Nov., 1729. 22/3 pp. | |
| 95. vii. Memorial by Mr. Bradley to the Governor in Council as to his salary, 9th Nov., 1728. v. C.S.P. 22nd Nov., 1729. 12/3 pp. | |
| 95. viii. Governor and Council of New York to the Council of Trade, v. C.S.P. 22nd Nov., 1729. 1 p. | |
| 95. ix. Votes of the Assembly and Mr. Bradley's reply. Printed. 6 pp. v. C.S.P. 22nd Nov., 1729. 1 p. The whole endorsed, Recd, in the D. of Newcastle's letter, 7th March 1729/30, Read 2nd Sept., 1730. [C.O. 5, 1055. ff. 131, 131v., 132v.–134v., 136v.–141, 142v–143v., 145–148v.] | |
| [March 7.] | 96. A proposal for improving and the better settling of S. Carolina, (i) That H.M. grant 200,000 acres of land for townships on the frontiers at a noble per township acknowledgement every township to contain 20,000 acres—three townships on Savanah River, one on the head of Ponpon River, two on Santee River, one on Watery River, one on Black River, one on Pudee River, and one on Wacomace River, and that no persons be allowed more than one lott in said townships, and that the said person be a resident in said township, and that each of these townships have the priviledge of sending one or two Members duly qualifyed to represent them in the Assembly, (ii) All lands without the priviledge of the said townships pay 2/6 Proclamation money per ann. pr. 100 acres acknowledgment to H.M. That no person hereafter be allowed to take up more than 640 acres of land, the said person obliging himself to settle it within two years or the said lands revert to the King. (iii) That no person possest of any lands in S. Carolina be allowed to take up any more except he settles it within one year, the Governor and Council being judges what shall be deemed a sufficient quantity, so that it do not exceed 500 acres. (iv) That all lands laid out on any navigable river, creeks, lakes, bays or seas do not exceed 1/4 part in front, excepting townships etc. (v) That no person be allowed to take up any lands on any of the said rivers till the said townships be laid out, the Surveyor General to be ordered to lay out the lands for them immediately. (vi) Whereas several persons are possesst of grants for large tracts of land by the late Lords and Proprietors, that no person so possest be allowed to take up more than 640 acres by virtue of any such grant within 10 miles of any of the said townships, (vii) That all foreigners as well as H.M. free-born subjects be allow'd reasonable quantity of lands and have the same priviledge in voting at elections for Assembly men as if born in any of H.M. Dominions. Endorsed, Recd, (from Col. Johnson) 7th, Read 13th March, 1729/30. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 361. ff 78, 78v., 79v.] |
| [March 7.] | 97. Governor Johnson's replies to 10 Queries about the Paper Currency in S. Carolina. Thinks that "£100,000 is a just medium between the merchant and planter, and that a lesser sum would not be sufficient," the planters being vastly in debt and their debts all payable in the present bills, so that, if the present paper currency were lessened and thereby brought nearer to sterling it would ruin at least 19/20 of the inhabitants and enrich 20 or 30 persons. Proposes that the £106,354 now current be preserved, and that he be instructed to apply the sinking fund towards transport, tools and provisions for poor Protestant immigrants etc. Endorsed, Recd. 7th, Read 12th March, 1729/30. 3 ½ pp. [C.O. 5, 361. ff. 59–60v., 61v.] |
| March 7. | 98. Duke of Newcastle to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Refers following. Enclosed, |
| 98. i.–v. Governor Philips to Duke of Newcastle, Nov. 25, 1729. (v. C.S.P. under date) with enclosures i.–iv. Endorsed, Read 2nd Sept., 1730. [C.O. 217, 5. ff. 207–209v., 210v., 211–212v., 213v.–216v., 217v.–218, 219v.] | |
| March 7. Whitehall. |
99. Duke of Newcastle to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Encloses copies of letters from Col. Dunbar, "giving an account of the progress he has made in forming the new settlement between Nova Scotia and New England, and of what he thinks is still necessary to enable him to carry on that undertaking with success"; and letters between him and Lt. Governor Dummer etc. "His Majesty would have you take the whole into consideration; and report the state of the several matters therein mentioned, with your opinion what further directions are proper to be sent to Mr. Dunbar upon them." Encloses for their opinion copies of letter etc. from Mr. Bradley relating to the irregular proceedings of the Assembly of New York, "and other matters which he apprehends it is of importance to H.M. service should be speedily considered by your Lordships" etc. Encloses copy of letter from Col. Philips, 25th Nov. "You will please to consider the several matters contained in it; particularly what relates to giving new grants of land to the inhabitants [of Nova Scotia], the proposals made to him for a settlement of French Protestants there, and the necessity of his having a vessel constantly kept to attend him in his progresses from one part of his Government to another." etc. Signed, Holles Newcastle. Endorsed, Recd. 7th March, Read 2nd Sept., 1730. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
| 99 i. Col. Dunbar to the Duke of Newcastle, 10th Dec, 1729. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 13 ½ pp. | |
| 99. ii. Same to Same. 30th Dec, 1729. Endorsed, Read 2nd Sept., 1730. Copy. 2 ¼ pp. | |
| 99. iii. Penobscot Indians to Col. Dunbar, v. 30th Dec., 1729 encl. i. Endorsed as preceding. Copy, 1 ½ pp. | |
| 99. iv. John Gyles to Col. [Jeremiah] Dunbar, v. 14th Nov., 1729. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 2 pp. | |
| 99. v. Same to Same, v. 15th Nov., 1729. Copy. 1 ¼ pp. | |
| 99. vi. Extract of letter from Lt. Governor Dummer to the Duke of Newcastle, 26th Dec, 1729. Endorsed, Read. 2nd Sept., 1730. Copy. 1 ¾ pp. | |
| 99. vii. Lt. Gov. Dummer to Col. Dunbar. 3rd Dec, 1729. Same endorsement. Copy. 1 p. | |
| 99. viii. Col. Dunbar to Lt. Gov. Dummer, 4th Dec, 1729. Same endorsement. Copy. 4 1/3 pp. | |
| 99. ix. Lt. Gov. Dummer to Col. Dunbar. 6th Dec, 1729. Same endorsement. Copy. 3 pp. | |
| 99. x. Col. Dunbar to Lt. Gov. Dummer, 8th Dec, 1729. Same endorsement Copy. 1 ½ pp. [C.O. 5, 871. ff. 132, 132v., 133v.–140v., 143v.–146v., 147v.–148v., 149v.–150v., 151v.–152v., 153v., 154, 155v.–161v., 162v.] | |
| March 9. Munday night 50 m. past 8. |
100. Mr. Forbes to [? Mr. Delafaye]. If the enclosed pacquet contains the French letters, my Lord Duke desires you will send them to Ld. Scarborough, Ld. Privy Seal, and Lord Chancellor. His Grace does not find amongst the papers relating to Sta. Lucia his letters to Mr. Walpole in 1727 and 28, nor the Lords Commissioners of Trade report upon that head, and therefore begs you'l please to look them out, and if His Grace does not call at the Office before ten, you'll bring them yourself to Mr. Secretary at Warr's at ten, where his Grace will be at that time. Signed, P.(?) Forbes. Endorsed, Mar, 9, 1729/30. 1 p. [C.O. 253, 1. No. 47.] |
| March 9. | 101. Note by the Duke of Newcastle as to absence of above papers. Endorsed, My Lord D. Mar. 9, 1729/30. 1/8 p. [C.O. 253, 1. No. 48.] |
| March 9. | 102. Memorandum of papers relating to Sta. Lucia. ½ p. [C.O. 253, 1. No. 49.] |
| March 9. | 103. [Mr. Delafaye] to the Duke of Newcastle. Refers to papers sent to him making up a complete set of what relates to Sta. Lucia etc. "Mr. Walpole took with him, as he came by from ye House, all that he wants. I am setting ye Clerks to write out again your Grace's letter to Mr. Poyntz etc.; but as I doubt whether they can finish them in time; if this should not find your Grace at home I will send ye originals to the Secry. at War's." No signature. 1 p. On back, |
| (a) Note in Duke of Newcastle's hand, that as he now has all the papers on that subject, he need not be in haste about the copies. [C.O. 253, 1. No. 50.] | |
| March 10. Tuesday noon. |
104. Duke of Newcastle to Mr. Delafaye. Dear Del, Upon looking over again the St. Lucia papers I find no letters to or from Mr. Pulteney when he was Commissary in France, or the original agreemt. wth. ye Duke of Orleans. I begg you would send me all yt. is in the Office upon this matter, and also the letters I desired yesterday might be lookt over yt. I had reed, from ye Board of Trade and wrote to Mr. Walpole. You will likewise send me a list of ye papers given in by ye Board of Trade. I give you a great deal of trouble, but when our enemies are so busy, you won't wonder I am a little upon ye hurry. The letters also about ye D. of Montagu. Signed, Holles Newcastle. Addressed. Holograph. 1 p. [C.O. 253, 1. No. 51.] |
| March 10. | 105. Mr. Delafaye to the Duke of Newcastle. I send your Grace a compleat list of all the papers, we could yet find in the office; Mr. Courand and I are continually (as we have leisure) looking over ye letters and papers a second time, but never with no gleanings etc. Details. Continues :—The only papers, in my mind, that are material are, The state of H.M. title to Sta. Lucia, wch. was sent to Mr. Poyntz the 30th Jan. last. The Conference with the Regent etc., of which Mr. Pulteney gives an account in his letter of Jan. 15, 1720, n.s. (v. C.S.P.), copy of which was also sent to Mr. Poyntz, 30th Jan. (There was no convention or agreement in writing). The order for M. d'Estrée's Colony to evacuate the island, also sent to Mr. Poyntz. The enclosed account of the Duke of Montague's settlement, etc. Without signature. Dated, Mar. 10. In Delafaye's hand, 2 ¾ pp. [C.O. 253, 1. No. 52.] |
| [March 10] | 106. (Enclosed in preceding ?). List of papers relating to Sta. Lucia. Oct. 6, 1719—6th March 1729/30. 8 1/8 pp. [C.O. 253, 1. No. 53.] |
| Whitehall. | 107. Duke of Newcastle to Lt. General Mathew. Encloses memorial of the South Sea Company, "desiring that restitution may be made of the effects saved out of the Spanish ship Sta. Rita, which were seized by the Surveyor General of the Customs at Antegoa in March, 1726/7, unless it shall appear that those effects were legally condemned on account of contraband trade" etc. Continues :—It is H.M. pleasure, that you cause such restitution to be forthwith made, if, upon examination, you find the case to be such, as may come within the meaning of H.M. orders lately sent you, for the immediate restitution of Spanish prizes, and within the intention of the Articles in that behalf of the Treaty of Seville, a printed copy of which was transmitted you with those orders, and not to be one of those seizures, the discussion and decision of which is, by the said Treaty, referred to the Commissarys to be appointed for that purpose. Signed, Holles Newcastle, 1 ¼ pp. Annexed, |
| 107. i. South Sea Company to the Duke of Newcastle. South Sea House, 20th Feb,, 1729(30). Enclose following. Continue:—As the seizure in this case occasioned an immediate reprisalia of a great value in effects belonging to the Assiento in several of the Spanish Windward ports, they are persuaded, that a speedy and full restitution to the Spaniards interested in the Sta. Reta will greatly contribute to the restitution of the Company's effects in several of the Spanish Governments, particularly New Spain between which and the said Windward ports there is a very frequent intercourse etc. The Court of Directors pray that directions may be given to the Governor of the Leeward Islands, that in case it shall not appear, that such effects have been legally condemned on account of contraband trade, he cause such restitution to be made accordingly. Signed, D. Wescomb. Enclosed, | |
| 107. ii. Case of the Spanish ship Santa Reta, Pedro de la Neva Captain. The said ship making her voyage from the coast of Caracas and the Havana to Old Spain etc. was stranded at Barbuda Feb. 1727. The Captain on application to the Lt. Governor and principal Officers of the Customs at Antigua, had liberty granted him to bring his effects to the said island, and did bring accordingly about 60,000 pieces of eight, about 70,000lb. of cacao and 16,000lb. of snuff being damaged with the salt water. On 2nd March Mr. Dunbar (Surveyor General of the Customs) seized the said snuff and cacao with 7600 ps. of 1/8 and sold the same at publick outcry and has kept the produce in his hands ever since. Although the Spaniards applied to the Council of Antigua for redress, they could not obtain it, nor a copy of any orders or proceedings whatsoever made in this case. May, 1727, Don Joseph de Pena (alias Don Manuel de la Pena) who was concerned in the cargo of the said ship, got his passage by way of the French islands to Caracas, and made a declaration upon oath, that said effects were seized on account of war, which occasioned the seizure of the English effects belonging to the Assiento in Caracas, Coro, Maracaybo and St. Domingo to the value of 30,000 ps. of 8/8 and upwards. [C.O. 324, 36. pp. 198–201; and (without enclosures) 152, 43. ff. 57, 57v.] | |
| March 11. Whitehall. |
108. Mr. Popple to the Governors of H.M. Plantations (excluding Proprietary Governments). Circular letter enclosing Additional Instruction relating to the Whale Fishery (v. Feb. 5). [C.O. 324, 11. pp. 162, 163.] |
| March 11. St. Christophers. |
109. Lt. General Mathew to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I formerly informed your Lordships how few members of H.M. Council remained on this island. For want of a Board I was forcd first to swear Abraham Payne Esq. into the Council, and since I have admitted for the same reason Joseph Phipps Esqr. Col. Phipps wrote me the letter (enclosed) at his retiring from that Board. The Council had past a bill agreable to what your Lordships recommended, as to Mr. Secretary Smith's fees, but the Assembly have rejected it. That House has now before them a bill for altering the Vestry act as your Lordships directed, and another to make the like alterations in the four and twenty member bill. I have forborn for some time and missd two oportunities, of informing your Lordships with the transactions here. It has been occasioned by my waiting to receive from the several officers the transcripts and returns you wrote to Lord Londonderry for. I observe your Lordships call for papers already received, for that the series of them was much broke into, in those remitted to your Board, and therefore I am still unwilling to remitt the few I have receivd, till I can at once compleat your orders, and it may chance to be an honour reservd for Lord Forbes. I did not get from Lord Londonderry's Exectr. here, the orders you sent, till three months after his death, and my orders hereon to the severall officers are dated so long ago as the 12 Deer, last. I am now explaining peremptorily with them, and have threatnd a suspension of those I can suspend, and a removal of others, if they delay this duty any longer. They complain much, on having already deliverd to Colo. Hart the papers requird of them during his Government, and that they shall find it difficult to obtain payment for these voluminous repeated transcripts. I still insist with them, and if I do not get them before Lord Forbes's arrival, I pray I may stand excusd before your Lordships, as not having been wanting in my own duty etc. Signed, William Mathew. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd April, Read 13th Oct., 1730. 2 pp. Enclosed, |
| 109. i. Col. Phipps to Governor Mathew. Nov. 19, 1729. The Lords Commissioners for Trade having reported upon the dispute between Mr. Estridge and myself in his favour, I hope your Honour will excuse my declining to meet the Council for the future, as it must oblige me to sit under a gentleman I have had the precedence of at that Board for upwards of twenty years etc. Signed, Francis Phipps. Endorsed, Recd. 22nd April, 1730. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 18. (with abstract) ff. 1–2, 4v., 5, 6v.] | |
| March 12. St. Christophers. |
110. Lt. Gen. Mathew to Duke of Newcastle. Refers to changes in Council as in preceding. Continues :—A French man of warr commanded by the Chevalier Maischin, burnt in Sept. last, two sloops belonging to H.M. subjects of this island, at Sta. Cruz, and took away with him a third belonging to Col. Phipps, and four or five negroes belonging to the English etc. Encloses proofs. Continues :—After this abrupt injury was done us, I receiv'd a most extraordinary letter from the Marquis de Champigny, telling me Sta. Cruz was undoubtedly belonging to the Crown of France, that he heard the English had built a town there, carryd familys there to settle, raisd batterys and more such chimericall matter, which I only took for beginning to complain first, as having not a word of truth in it, and I therefore onely transcribd his method of expostulating, and calld for reparation of the injurys done there by this man of warr, and one of their guarde da costas, (for they have guarde da costas as well as the Spaniards) sent thither under his orders. I have waited his answer a long while, and therefore I forbore aquainting your Grace herewith, but 1 find waiting is in vain. I would transmitt to your Grace the publick papers, required by H.M. Instructions, but they are not yet to come to hand from the several officers. H.M. Council for this Island having advised me to remove Mr. Browne from being Chief Judge, I have done it, etc. Refers to enclosed Minutes of Council. Continues :—If Mr. Browne retires without complaining, I shall avoid (as I wish to do) explaining on this affair, which would do him no good, nor justify me from the fault I was guilty of in mistaking his worth and placing him there. Signed, William Mathew. Endorsed, R. 29th April. 2 ¾ pp. Enclosed, |
| 110. i. Minutes of Council of St. Christophers, 19th Dec., 1729, disclosing breaches of duty by Mr. Browne, C.J. 8 ¼ pp. | |
| 110. ii. Deposition of Thomas Hodgskin and Walter Chapman. St. Christophers. 19th Nov., 1729. Describes capture of Col. Phipps' sloop, the Chance, at Sta. Cruz by a French man of war and guarde de costa. They also plundered and burned two other sloops of St. Christophers there. 5 pp. | |
| 110. iii. Col. Phipps to Lt. Genl. Mathew. Dec. 4, 1729. Requests him to apply to the Governor of Martinique for £600 reparation for the loss of his vessel and negroes. (v. preceding). Signed, Francis Phipps. 1 p. | |
| 110. iv. Petition of Joseph Grimes, of Montserrat, to Lt, General Mathew. Prays for £200 reparation for the loss of his sloop burnt by the French at Sta. Cruz. Signed, Joseph Grimes. 1 p. | |
| 110. v. Petition of Mathew Smith, of St. Christophers, to Lt. General Mathew. Prays for £120 reparation for his sloop burnt by the French at Sta. Cruz etc. Signed, Mathew Smith. 1 p. | |
| 110. vi. Col. Phipps to Lt. General Mathew. Copy of encl. i. preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 43, ff 59, 60, 61, 64–71, 73, 75, 77, 79.] | |
| March 12. Jamca. |
111. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and Plantations, Our Assembly which mett yesterday have not as yet proceeded so as I may make any judgment of their intentions, but if they have any feeling they must be induc'd to provide better for their security from danger both from within and without. I have inclos'd what I sayd to them. Col. Anthony Swymmer one of ye Council died lately, so that we have now two seats vacant his and Mr. Forbesses. I have formerly recommended William Needham Esq. and the Attorney Generall if that seat be compatible with his office, and now take the liberty to recommend William Gordon Esq. a Gentleman of good understanding interest and estate and firm affection to our happy establishment and H.M. service. The remote residence of many of the Council renders their attendance uncertain. Mr. Laws is in England for his health, so that I am frequently at a loss for a Quorum, and humbly intreat a remedy. I hope long e'r this yr. Ldships. have proceeded to report upon our Acts lay'd before you. By the Plymouth which is to sail soon after this ship (the Ruport) I shall be able to send your Ldships. a particular account of the proceedings of our Assembly so far as they shall then have proceeded. I return'd lately from Port Antonio, where I had been some weeks with rear Admll. Stuart who has not been idle there, having erected one storehouse, began a wharf for careening, and clear'd ground for ye uses of a hospital. He has given his sentiments of ye place to the Lds. of the Admiralty. A party of the slaves in rebellion carried off from one of our settlements there six women and a boy and wounded an overseer; I sent after them thirty eight arm'd men with nine baggage slaves, who were surpriz'd in a narrow path put into confusion, most of them return'd, several were wounded, and about a dozen either kill'd or lost in ye woods. P.S. Recommends Coll. Charles Price for a vacancy in the Council, a gentleman of a considerable estate and intrest and firm affection to H.M. Government. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, Recd. 18th May, Read 3rd June, 1730. 1 ¾ pp. Enclosed, |
| 111. i. Governor Hunter's Speech to the Assembly, v. March 30, infra. Same endorsement. Copy. 2 ½ pp. [C.O. 137, 18. ff. 70, 70v., 71v.–73v.] | |
| March 12. Jamca. |
112. Same to the Duke of Newcastle. Refers to letter of 15th Feb. Has obeyed the orders for a noli prosequi in the case of the victuallers of H.M. ships. Encloses Speech to Assembly. Continues :—If the sense of their late danger be not effaced by the approaching peace, or dissapointed by the artifices of a party, and the weakness of others they must apply most humbly and earnestly to H.M. for an additional force for their defence, at any expence, for if the danger returns it may be too late to do't. They increase in wealth and numbers of slaves, 'tis true, but decline yearly as to white or freemen. I am indeavouring to procure some good laws for remedying the last, and when they have sat a few days I shall be able to guess att ye course they steer, and inform your Grace punctually and particularly. Refers to Admiral Stuart and attack by rebel slaves as in preceding. Continues :—Six hours after I dispatch'd a party etc. with a good partisan to command them, they fell into an ambush att the brink of a river where they cou'd march but one abrest, the first fire put them into disorder, some cross'd the river and wet their ammunition others who cou'd save theirs fir'd from thence whilst they had any left etc. Proposes Mr. Gordon for Council etc. ut supra. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed, R. 18th May. 1 ¾ pp. Enclosed, |
| 112. i. Duplicate of encl. i. preceding. [C.O. 137, 53. ff. 194, 194v., 195v.–197.] | |
| [March 13] | 113. A State of the Paper Currency in Carolina and a proposal in relation to the same [? By Governor Johnson]. Merchants in London and ail parties in S. Carolina are agreed that there is an absolute necessity to continue the paper currency to supply the want of gold and silver etc. Proposes the suspension of the sinking fund for 7 years etc. as 7th March, and that, as a mark of H.M. bounty and goodness to the Province on its first coming into the possession of the Crown, all arrears of quit-rents be applied to such public uses as the Assembly shall judge most for their advantage. As a proper return of gratitude for this bounty, it is proposed that the quit rents for the future may be settled at a certain value, for at present by an Act the same is to be paid in the produce of the Province at such value as two of the Council and two of the Assembly shall annually ascertain the same at, which probably will not exceed one fifth part of the value of Proclamation money etc., and that the Governor be instructed not to apply the arrears or suspend the sinking fund till this is done. Proposes instructions for the Governor for encouraging settling of towns etc. Endorsed, Recd., Read 13th March, 1729/30. 2 1/3 pp. [C.O. 5, 361. ff.76–77v.] |
| March 13. Whitehall. |
114. Mr. Popple to Mr. Scrope. Requests that the money granted to Mr. Hintze deed, may be paid to his son for the same purpose etc. [C.O. 218, 2. pp. 176, 177.] |
| March 13. St. James's. |
115. H.M. Warrant for the use of new seals for the Leeward Islands, New York, Bahama Islands and Nova Scotia, described. Cf. C.S.P. 1705. Nos. 1089 ff and the return of the old. Countersigned, Holles Newcastle. Copy. [C.O. 324, 36. pp. 202–208.] |