|
| Sept. 1. |
345. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Orders for various payments to gunners, and for work and material for fortifications. The Assembly attended the Lieutenant-Governor, who pointed out the absolute necessity of provision for the fortifications, especially of those to leeward. He also reported that the new magazine was finished; that the fortifications of St. Michael's stand well considering the encroachment of the sea; and that the new brass pieces from England were not yet mounted for want of suitable timber. Address of the Assembly to the Lieutenant-Governor begging his intercession with the King against the additional sugar-duty. A joint Committee appointed to fulfil the ends of the address. The Speaker reported that they were raising a levy on negroes for present needs, and would in time find other expedients to meet the wants of the country. Adjourned to 3rd. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 619–642.] |
| Sept. 1. |
346. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Address to the Governor asking his assistance in obtaining relief from the additional sugar-duty carried. Vote of 1,000l. carried for payment of matrosses and poor people employed on the fortifications, the sum to be levied by tax of 7½ d. per head of negroes. John Waterman, William Forster, John Davies, and John Mills appointed of the joint Committee to draw up a petition to the King for remission of the additional duty on sugar. |
| Sept. 2. |
The tax per head increased to ninepence. |
| Sept. 2. |
Bill for a levy on negroes, and bill to prevent trading with negroes read and passed. Adjourned to 15th. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 113–116.] |
| Sept. 2. |
347. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The case of Lord Baltimore and Mr. Penn as to their boundaries was heard, and adjourned to 30th inst. |
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Sir Philip Howard and the members of the African Company attended. Ordered that the Company draw up proposals for the supply of negroes. Petitions of John Thorp and John Banckes read (see Nos. 348, 349). Order for them to be delivered to Lord Sunderland. |
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The report of the Commissioners of Customs as to Barachiah
Arnall to be sent to the Lord Treasurer. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVIII., pp. 188–190.] |
| [Sept. 2.] |
348. Petition of John Thorpe and James Wall to the King and Privy Council. Praying for redress for the capture of the sloop James by the pirate Yankey off the coast of Carthagena (see Nos. 258, 259). A detailed account of the case. 2½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 47.] |
| [Sept. 2.] |
349. Petition of John Banckes to the King and Privy Council. Praying for redress for unjust detention of the pink St. George, by the Government of Petit Guavos. 1 p. Endorsed, Received 2 Sept. 1685. Memo. That this and foregoing petition were delivered to Lord Sunderland, to be sent to the envoy at Paris. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., pp. 83–84, and Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 48.] |
| Sept. 2. |
350. Edward Randolph to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I annex a list of persons fit to be employed in the temporary Government of Massachussetts Bay, that you may select as many as you think necessary. I beg that the Commission prepared by Mr. Blathwayt may be read before the Committee enters on the business of Lord Baltimore and Mr. Penn. A great part of the time-limit for serving writs on Rhode Island and Connecticut is lapsed, and it is time that I were despatched forthwith to New England. Signed, Ed. Randolph. Holograph. 1 p. Annexed, |
|
350. I. Names of well-disposed persons for the Council of Massachusetts Bay. One President, one Deputy-President, and eighteen to be of the Council. 1. Joseph Dudley, Simon Bradstreet; 2. William Stoughton; 3. Peter Bulkeley; 4. John Pyncheon; 5. Richard Wharton; 6. Waite Winthrop; 7. Nathaniel Saltonstall; 8. Bartholomew Gidney; 9. Jonathan Ting; 10. John Usher; 11. Dudley Bradstreet (son to the Governor);—Hinkman; 12. The Secretary. In the Province of New Hampshire. 13. Robert Mason; 14. John Hinks. In the Province of Maine. 15. Francis Champernoun; 16. Edward Ting; Edward Blackman. Narragansett Country. Edward Palmer; 18. Richard Smith; Francis Brinley. The numbers seem to indicate the rank according to which the individuals were rated by Randolph. 1 p. |
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350. II. Names of fitting persons to be of the Council of the Colony of Charlestown Bay, New England. Simon Bradstreet, Joseph Dudley,* William Brown, sen.,* Nathaniel Saltonstall, Richard Wharton, William Stoughton,* Jonathan Ting, Peter Bulkeley,* John Pyncheon, sen., Waite Winthrop, Bartholomew Gidney, Edward Randolph, Secretary. Names marked * have against them the words put out or out. |
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Towns to have liberty to choose Assembly-men. The number indicates the number of members allotted to each. |
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Boston |
3 |
Salem |
2 |
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Ipswich |
2 |
Newbury |
2 |
|
Salisbury |
1 |
Andover |
2 |
|
Braintree |
1 |
Hingham |
1 |
|
Windsor |
1 |
Weymouth |
1 |
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Springfield |
1 |
Rowley |
1 |
|
Hadley |
1 |
Beverley |
1 |
|
Northampton |
1 |
Cape Ann |
1 |
|
Doncaster |
1 |
Charlestown |
2 |
|
Roxbury |
1 |
Malden |
2 |
|
|
|
Lynn |
1 |
|
|
|
Marblehead |
1 |
|
|
10 |
|
10 |
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350. III. New Plymouth Colony. Persons to be of the Council: Thomas Hinckley, John Walley, — Thornes,— Lathrop, William Bradford, Richard Burton, Benjamin Church, Secretary. |
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Towns to choose Assembly-men. |
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Plymouth |
1 |
Marshfield |
1 |
|
New Bristol |
1 |
Dunkery |
|
|
S.—(?) |
2 |
Taunton |
1 |
|
Sandwich |
1 |
Barnstable |
1 |
|
|
|
Swansea |
1 |
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Province of Maine. |
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Council: Champernoun, Edward Blackman, John Shapleigh, Edward Ting, Sam. Wheelwright, Edwd. Rushworth, Secretary. |
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Towns to choose Assembly-men. |
|
York 2, Wells 2, Casco Bay 1, Kittery 2, Kennebec 1. 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., Nos. 49–49 I.–III.] |
| Sept. 2. |
351. William Blathwayt to Sir William Stapleton. The King pardons Barachiah Arnall the forfeiture of his ship and bond (see No. 297). Draft. ½ p. Endorsed. [Col Papers, Vol. LVI, No. 50.] |
| Sept. 2. |
352. The same to Henry Guy. To the same effect as the above. The Commissioners of Customs will report to the Lord Treasurer accordingly. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., p. 194.] |
| Sept. 3. |
353. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Order for surveyors to give an account of the acres in each parish to be taxed for repairing the way to St. Michael's. Act for a levy on negroes brought up by the Assembly and passed. Act to prevent persons from trading with negroes presented. Adjourned to 15th. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 642–3.] |
| Sept. 3. |
354. Acts of Barbados, 3 June to 3 September 1685. |
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Act to confirm the lease of Fontabelle. |
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Act to continue expiring Acts. |
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Act for a levy on negroes. |
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Act to prevent trading with negroes. |
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Act for settlement of the Militia. |
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Act for an impost on imported liquors. |
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Act concerning Attorneys. |
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Act for commutation of the four and a half per cent duty. |
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Act for a present of 100l. to Captain Jones. |
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These last three Acts are in Vol. XVI. only. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 57–105, and Vol. XVI., pp. 101–143.] |
| Sept. 4. |
355. Journal of Assembly of Nevis. Act concerning the fortifications read and passed by the Council and Assembly. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 43.] |
| Sept. 8. |
356. Articles agreed upon between the English in New Hampshire and the Indians inhabiting that province. Lasting peace. Indians injuring English to be punished by the Sagamore, English injuring Indians by any justice of the peace. Indians to warn English of any Indian conspiracy. English, while the peace continues, to protect Indians against Mohawks or other tribes. Indians not to leave English plantations with their wives without timely notice; if such notice be not given, it will be understood that the peace is broken, and the English shall have right to apprehend the Indians. Signed, Robert Mason, Walter Barefoot, Francis Hooke, John Davis, Robert Elliott, Henry Green. Signed, Winnolancet, Mesandowit, Netambonet, Kancomagus, Wahowah, Tecumorissick, Umbesnowak, Upsawah, Baggeson, Higgon, Newcone, Josias, Robin, Nomeny, Joseph, Ned. Copy, certified by Richard Chamberlain. The marks against the Indian names are all different, and evidently carefully copied from the original. The five names, Josias, etc., to Ned, are written against those of Tecumorissick and the four following Indian names, and having no marks against them, appear to be simply English appellatives applied to those Indians. The whole 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. from Mr. Mason, 30 July 1686. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 51.] |
| Sept. 9. |
357. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Lords recommend the immediate despatch of Lord Howard's instructions, together with a copy of the Commission, which the King approved. |
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A draft grant submitted by Mr. Wharton was referred to the Attorney-General. |
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Petition of Richard Young read (see No. 176). Order that he be furnished with copies of the proceedings against him. |
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Draft Commission for the Governor of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine considered. The Lord President desired to ask the King as to calling Assemblies for making laws, and as to inserting a clause for liberty of conscience. Mem.—The King replied that no mention should be made of an Assembly in the Commission. |
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Mr. Bysshe, Mrs. Cony, and Mrs. Oxford were called in. The Lord President was directed to represent that Mr. Bysshe and Mrs. Oxford should be discharged from their bail, as Governor Cony was faulty in his directions to the Commander of the ship that brought them over, and to ask for the signification of the King's
pleasure on the whole state of Bermuda. |
|
Memorandum of letters despatched and received. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVIII., pp. 191–197.] |
| [Sept. 9.] |
358. Deposition of Sir John Witham. On arrival of the King's order for my release, dated 28 March, I asked for liberty and to be restored to Council. Sir Richard Dutton said I should never be a member of Council, and soon after obliged me to enter into much stricter recognizances than the order required. The Council empowered me to take depositions before any of them, but whereas the King had ordered execution against me to stop, the Council ordered only proceedings to stop. Mr. Quintyne and Mr. Hallett then issued summonses to witnesses (see Nos. 242, 244), at which Colonel Walrond and Mr. Hothersall took offence. Sir Richard Dutton summoned a Council. Mr. Quintyne sent me word that he was threatened to be hanged for granting the summons. The day before my witnesses were to be heard, one of them, John Shaw, was carried off by an unusual warrant from Sir Timothy Thornhill (see No. 249), and next day Mr. Quintyne did not keep his appointment. The Governor and Walrond commanded their witnesses to attend in the King's name, whereas mine attended chiefly at my expense and persuasion. On 26th June I addressed myself to the Commissioners appointed by the Council, of whom two, St. John and Walley, tried to ensnare my witnesses. Colonel Hallett told me he dared not take depositions. The 25th and 26th June were appointed by Walrond for taking evidence, but he only cross-examined my witnesses. On 1st July some depositions were taken for me but others were refused, and Mr. Hannay was persuaded to omit half of his evidence. Several of my witnesses durst not appear, and two others, Judge Walrond and Mr. Stede, were sick; thus the depositions of fourteen of my witnesses were not taken, and several persons told me that they were so discouraged they could not appear for me. Two assistants to the Judge of Common Pleas, two justices and another in military office, were turned out because they were well wishers of mine. Mr. Gascoigne and Mr. Quintyne told me they had received unkind language and threats from Sir R. Dutton because the former would not be a Commissioner in the manner appointed. Signed, Jno. Witham. 5½ pp. Inscribed. Recd. 9 Sept. 1685. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 52.] |
| [Sept. 9.] |
359. Abstract of depositions on Sir John Witham's behalf, viz., of John Shaw, Sir John Witham, and Ralph Lane (see Nos. 256–258, 336). 6½ pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 53.] |
| [Sept. 9.] |
360. Draft of a grant of Pojebscot, New England, to Richard Wharton. 4 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 26 Aug. 1685. Read in Committee, Sept. 9 1685 and 10 June 1686. Referred to Sir Edmund Andros. Endorsed on the other side. A reference of the draft to the Attorney-General for his opinion. Signed, William Blathwayt. 9 September 1685. Below. Minute of the Attorney-General. That the draft contains nothing unfit for the King to grant. Signed, R. Sawyer. 1 May 1686. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 54.] |
| Sept. 9. |
361. Draft of the reference by William Blathwayt abstracted above. Scrap. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 55.] |
Sept. 9.
Council
Chamber. |
362. Lords of Trade and Plantations to Lord Sunderland. Recommending the immediate despatch of the new instructions to Lord Howard of Effingham, with a copy of the Commission, which remains unpassed owing to the death of the Lord Keeper. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 61–62.] |
Sept. 9.
Whitehall. |
363. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Governor Joseph West. We understand that, notwithstanding our orders of 21 June 1672 and July 1683, Mr. Maurice Mathews and Mr. James Moore are chosen Councillors, in the room of Mr. Andrew Perceval and Mr. Bernard Skenking. Mr. Perceval has not been absent two years, and how Mr. Skenking has ceased to be of the Grand Council we know not. This choice, too, has been made, not by ballot (as provided in our fundamental Constitutions), but by open voice and by surprise, and when there was not the full proportion of members to sit in the House that Colleton County ought to have chosen. Mr. Maurice Mathews, one of the persons thus illegally chosen, and Mr. John Boone are admitted to be deputies, though not the eldest men in age of those chosen by the Commons. This illegal choice is not to be permitted, it being an encroachment on the people's liberties of choice, nor can we suffer men who have, for disobedience, been dismissed from all civil and military employment to be thus irregularly and by a trick imposed upon us as deputies. You will therefore not permit Mathews nor Moore to sit in the Grand Council, but if there be a real vacancy therein, you will direct a new choice to be made by ballot when the vacancies of the members chosen for the two counties are by new writs filled up. Nor will you permit either Mathews or Boone to sit as deputies, the one being not legally chosen of the Grand Council and neither of them the eldest in age of those chosen by the Commons. We positively order that they be put out from being deputies, and that you appoint others in their room. And as inconvenience may arise through the absence of too many of the Grand Council of the Commons' choice, the Governor will in future choose a person to supply the place of any member who has left the province, who shall sit and act as a member of the people's choice until the return of the absent member. Many have hinted to us that there is great disorder in the debates of the Parliament and Grand Council, owing to the boisterous behaviour of some of the members. You must know that it is the method of Parliament that no member speak above once to the same matter, unless the House be turned into Grand Committee, and that every man is to speak in his time; of which the Speaker is the judge. In the Grand Council the Governor is to be judge. If two or more rise together, and if any man behave himself rudely and disorderly, and does not amend upon your first admonition, we would have you (unless he be one of our deputies) put the question by ballot to expel him the Council. If he be a deputy of ours you will report him to us. We sent you an Act against pirates, which we hope is passed. If not, let us know the reason, and who are the obstructors of it. Since writing the above,
we hear that Mr. Skenking was put out of the Council for misdemeanour. If this was done by a vote by ballot, it is well; but if by vote by open voice you will restore him as not legally put out, and, if he be really guilty, the vote may be repeated by ballot. Complaint has been made to us that many new-comers have been undone by being put upon duty as soldiers, and compelled to contribute largely to other charges before they have been a year in the country or have been able to provide houses or clear land for the subsistence of their wives and families. This we think hard. Newcomers should be eased of military duties except in case of actual invasion. Signed, Craven, Shaftesbury, P. Colleton, S. Sothell, Tho. Amy. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., pp. 64–66.] |
| Sept. 10. |
364. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Governor Joseph Moreton. We have been informed of irregular proceedings in the choice of members of the Grand Council (see preceding abstract), and have given our orders thereon, which you will see obeyed. You will dismiss Mathews and Boone, and appoint other deputies in their stead; and you will discharge them from all offices, civil and military, in the gift of the Governor or Palatine's Court. If they persist in transporting Indians, you will indict them. We hear that Mr. Richard Morgan and Mr. William Brockhouse are men well qualified for the public service of Carolina. You are empowered to grant them land enough to make up their holdings to 500 acres. You will take all imaginable care that no pirates or privateers be received in Carolina. If any harbour them or trade with them you will try them according to the Act sent to you, if it be passed. If it be not passed, you will send us depositions, that they may be tried in some other place. You will take care that the Acts of Trade and Navigation are observed, remembering that they do not prohibit persons and provisions to be brought in English ships from Ireland or Scotland, provided they be of the growth of the kingdom where they are loaded. You will see that the penalty of a Governor for wilfully permitting vessels to infringe the Acts is a fine of 1,000l. Complaint has been made to us of ill men in Carolina who encourage seamen to call upon masters for their wages, and, if the masters cannot speedily procure the money, proceed to the condemning of the ship, which is sold for a song. This is a barbarous practice. You will moderate complaints between masters and seamen, so that no hardship fall on either, and you will report to us the names of the men who have encouraged the aforesaid practice. Signed, Craven, Shaftesbury, P. Colleton, S. Sothell. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., pp. 67–68.] |
| Sept. 10. |
365. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to [Governor Joseph Moreton?]. We hear that many good substantial men have lately become inhabitants of the Colony. You are therefore empowered to notify to Parliament that it is our pleasure that they make a new choice by ballot of a number of persons equal to our deputies to be of the Grand Council. You will enquire how Mr. Robert Quarry and Mr. Stephen Bull have carried out our instructions as to landgrants, and on the evidence of disobedience will suspend them and fill up their places. If either of them should be a deputy when sus-
pended from office you will suspend him from being deputy also and fill up the vacancy according to our instructions. Do not suspend them except for just cause, but we insist that our lands shall not be disposed of except according to our methods. Signed, Craven, Shaftesbury, P. Colleton, S. Sothell. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 69.] |
| Sept. 14. |
366. Minutes of Council of St. Christopher's. Petition of French inhabitants to be taxed for ammunition instead of furnishing labour to the fortifications. Referred to Colonel Thomas Hill and eight of the Council, on whose recommendation the petition was agreed to. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 41–43.] |
| Sept. 14. |
367. The Deputy-Governor, Council, and Assembly of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Our deplorable condition leads us to beg you to consider the great charge we are at in the making and producing of sugar, our staple commodity. We say no more of our difficulties and risks here, but refer you to the enclosed paper, wherein our hard state is clearly set forth. We are most of us so much in debt and make so little of our commodity when sent to market that we have no hope of clearing our estates. This makes us unable to bear the burden of the late additional duty on sugar; which, though appointed by the Act to be paid by the first buyer in England, will wholly fall on the first maker of it in Barbados, as we know already by woful experience. Sugar that at the beginning of the year was sold here at 13s. 6d. to 14s. the hundred-weight, will not now make more than 8s. We beg you to lay our representation favourably before the King. Signed, Edwyn Stede, John Hallett, John Peers, John Hothersall, John Gibbes, Tho. Walrond, Robert Davers, Tim. Thornhill, Stephen Gascoigne. Assembly. John Reid, Speaker; Will. Forster, Jno. Codrington, Jo. Davies, John Waterman, John Farmer, Michael Terrell, Paul Lyte, E. Binny, Rich. Elliott, Abel Alleyne, Jon. Leslie, Sam. Lambert, John Mills, Sam. Smith, Ric. Barrett, Richard Salter. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 13 Nov. Read 14 Dec. 1685. Annexed, |
|
367. I. A Moderate Calculation of the Charge and Produce of a Plantation in Barbados containing one hundred acres. The annual cost of such a plantation, including interest at five per cent. on capital outlay for land, buildings, and machinery, wear and tear, teams (five horses and eight cattle), labour (seven white servants, forty negroes, artificers), and parochial taxation is 745l. 10s. 0d. Of the hundred acres, but forty can be brought into computation of the annual crop, eighteen months being required for the canes to attain maturity, and twenty acres being required for provisions, pasture, etc. The average produce is 2,000 lbs. of muscovado per acre, which, at ten shillings per hundredweight, added to rum and molasses, gives 540l. as the worth of the produce. Thus the profits are short by over two hundred pounds of the expenses; but the land was bought and the buildings were erected in many cases during better times. Those who have not
paid for them will soon be ruined. Our calculation is not exaggerated, for such an estate as we speak of could hardly be bought for less than 4,000l, which in England, at six per cent., would bring in 240l., and in Barbados, at ten per cent., 400l. We have also undervalued the cost of teams, labour, and annual expenses, and we have overvalued the produce. Again, of 80,000lbs. of sugar for London, but 70,000 of neat sugar can be put on board ship, owing to the following rates. Seventy hogsheads cost 4,900lbs. of sugar; four and a half per cent. duty amounts to 3,150 lbs.; storehouse and shipping charges amount to 1,950lbs. Total, 10,000lbs. |
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Thus the eighty thousand pounds becomes seventy thousand in the shipping, and this, by wastage and pilferage of seamen and storehouse-keepers in London and allowances to the buyer, is reduced to 58,300 at most, which at 20s. per hundredweight produces in sterling but 583l., from which must be deducted for freight, duty, insurance, commissions, and other charges, 168l. 9s. 0d., reducing the produce to the planter for his 80,000 lbs. of muscovado to 414l. 11s. 0d. It will now be seen how impossible it will be for us to live if the new duty be imposed, which will lower the ten shillings which we now receive to seven. Again, we have omitted from our calculations all the risk of weather, of cane-fires, and of misfortune at sea; to which the knavery of buyers is often added. Moreover, our public expenses are increasing, notably owing to the cost of fortifications. Until this new duty we had some remedy against depression by claying our sugars, but we shall lose this unless relieved, for by improving muscovado into white sugar we lose more than a third of the weight, to say nothing of preliminary expenses. It does not bring twice the value of muscovado, yet the duty thereon is triple of that on muscovado. This will ruin many skilful planters who have become farmers of plantations. Again, we have been obliged to discharge our hired servants, who were a great safety to the Island, since they formed most part of the Militia and curbed our negroes and white servants, which last, being the sweepings of the jails, will be a danger to England if they return. We would point out also that not only the planters here, but the retailers and "consumptioners" in England will suffer from the new duty. We beg consideration. 10 closely written pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., Nos. 56, 56 I.] |
| Sept. 15. |
368. Minutes of Council of Barbados. The joint Committee brought up the calculation of the expense of a plantation to be annexed to the address to the King. The address in question. The letter of the Council and Assembly to the Lords of Trade and Plantations (see preceding abstract). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol, XI., pp. 644–652.] |
| Sept. 15. |
369. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Order for the penalties on absent members to be enforced. |
| Sept. 16. |
The address to the King on the additional duty on Sugar read and passed. Copy of the address and its enclosure (see No. 367). Letter to the Lords of Trade and Plantations read and passed. Letter to Mr. Blathwayt, entreating his good offices in the remission of the additional duty, read and passed. Letter to Sir Richard Dutton, to the same effect read and passed. Letter to Sir Peter Colleton to the same effect, with copies of the address and enclosure, read and passed. An address for the Marshal's salary passed. Adjourned to 24 November. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 116–135.] |
Sept. 17.
Bermuda. |
370. Depositions of [name lost] and Richard Sanders as to land in dispute between Stephen Ingham and Nicholas Hide in Bermuda. Top edge damaged. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 57.] |
Sept. 18.
New York. |
371. Governor Dongan to the Earl of Sunderland. We gladly received your letter of 26th June, announcing the defeat of the rebels. It came very seasonably to give us a true account of the rebellion amid all the malicious and factious reports that reached us from Boston. In my opinion the King cannot do better than send his Governor thither with all expedition. It would certainly alter the way of that people very much for the better, and the Government would, with discreet management, soon afford a revenue more than sufficient to maintain itself. I have a very exact character of those people, and cannot hear of many that are honest and loyal, except Dudley, Shrimpton, Wharton, Usher, McCarthy, and a few more. The place is composed most of strangers, and there are few or none of ill principles. If any of the English be so, they have the wit to conceal it. We want a new seal much, the people being anxious to have the King's seal set to their patents, etc. Signed, Tho. Dongan. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Dec. 85. 1½ pp. Printed in New York Documents, III., 364. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 58, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXVIII., pp. 83–85.] |
| Sept. 19. |
372. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. The King's letter of 26 June read (see No. 253). The Council desired the Lieutenant-Governor to express their gratitude for the same. The King's proclamation of 11 July read. Ordered that it be read in all Churches on Sunday next, and that the 24th instant be observed as a day of thanksgiving. The Council agreed to a congratulatory address to the King on the suppression of the rebellion. Copy of the address. Order for recalling and paying off all parties of men in pursuit of the rebel negroes, Captain Davis being now in pursuit of them. Order for remitting half a year's salary to Mr. Blathwayt. Adjourned sine die. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 87–89, and pp. 100–102.] |
| Sept. 20. |
373. Warrant of Lords Proprietors of Carolina for grant of 3,000 acres of land to James le Bas. Signed, Craven, P. Colleton, S. Sothell. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 70.] |
Sept. 21.
Barbados. |
374. Deputy-Governor Stede to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have been much troubled by ill weather and a very sickly time of fevers and small-pox, of which great numbers have died. On the 1st instant the Assembly met, to whom I commended the completion of the new forts which, unless speedily finished, would be spoiled, pointing out that the Excise was at present so overcharged by expenses of gunners and artificers that it would not avail to pay for unfinished forts. But the Assembly was unwilling to raise any money, from fear of the new duty, which has lowered the value of all kinds of sugar here. On my further importunity, however, they readily agreed to levy a tax of ninepence a head on young and old, which will bring in 1,500l. or 2,000l. God be thanked we are in perfect peace and quiet, but the Assembly has adjourned for nine weeks, in consequence of the sickliness. Their great comfort is the hope that their representation to the King may cause a means to be found to relieve the planters from the burden of the additional duty. Holograph. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 9 Nov. Read 14 Dec. 85. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 59, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 339–40.] |
| Sept. 21. |
375. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Order for payment of 30l. to Sir Peter Colleton for the expenses of presenting the address to the King. Adjourned to 27th of October. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., p. 653.] |
| [Sept. 22.] |
376. Account of military stores in Virginia. 4 long pp. in two columns, marked, Received. Disposed. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Sept. 85. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 60, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 65–75.] |
| Sept. 23. |
377. William Blathwayt to Henry Guy. Forwarding bonds from the Naval Office of Jamaica for the Commissioners of Customs. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., p. 71.] |
Sept. 25.
Jamaica. |
378. Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth to William Blathwayt. The King's letter of 26 June was most gratefully received by us, as well as the news of the defeat of the rebels. The 24th instant was fixed as a day of thanksgiving, and in the Council was prepared an address of congratulation. I find that the additional duty on sugar is much otherwise than we apprehended. We believed that it was to be paid on all imported sugar without exception; but, considering that it is only to be paid on what is expended in England, and that our exported sugars are free from it, I incline to the opinion that it will fall chiefly on the expender. For so much as is necessary for the expense of England will still be brought up, and, so long as our exportation is free, it will be in the merchants' power to place this duty on the consumer. I do not mean that it is so directed by the Act, but that it ought to fall out so by natural course of trade; and if it happen otherwise, it must be for want of management of the merchants. I am at no small trouble owing to the differences of the rival factors of Porcio and Coymans. The powers granted to Coymans have been certified to me by the Bishop of Carthagena, and also by the President of Panama; and one of
them requires justice against Porcio's agent. The Courts here are virtually closed, the judges scrupling to sit under their old Commissions; so Coyman's factor has brought the matter before me as Governor and Chancellor, to judge of a matter of state and of equity. The continuance of our negro-trade with the Spaniard depends upon it, for if our methods of justice are so dilatory and imperfect as to protect the factors of the late contractors in withholding the effects of their principals, it can never be expected that they will entrust their estates to any man here, from whom they cannot obtain the justice that is granted to them in every other port where they trade. Besides, it would be a great scandal to us and blame to me if the trade were lost for such reasons. But I shall proceed with all caution, so as not to withhold from one party the justice due by our laws, nor from the other that which is due by the law of nations. The news that the privateers in the South Seas are in great distress is confirmed. Their retreat by land is cut off by revolt of the Indians from them, and they have not ships enough to carry them all by sea, so we may soon hear that they have been wholly subverted. Grammont's French privateers have taken Campeachy, but found nothing there but a few parcels of Indian corn. About five weeks ago a sloop of this Island, which they had impressed, slipped away in the night. The master reported the men sickly and short of provisions, and the ships out of repair, so that they were chiefly concerned how they should get to windward again. From Petit Guavos we hear that the King of France has lately given very strict orders for the recall of all privateers from attack on the Spaniards, wherein hitherto they have been encouraged. This looks as though they were to be turned some other way, for being accustomed to live by rapine and hating honest labour, they cannot forsake their old practices, and we may find ourselves concerned. But we hope that before any serious attack can be made on us the King will have given us a guard of good frigates, or the plantations to seaward will be in great danger. There is, moreover, no enemy that we have such cause to dread as the French. |
|
Just about the time when the first report of Monmouth's rebellion reached us Captain Charles Hudson uttered, in his drink, some words that, in the circumstances, were of serious import. He was at once cashiered, and committed close prisoner in order to his trial; but the Judges expect a New Commission before the trial is likely to be held. For the same reason I have been obliged to bear with a drunken sot who affronts the whole Government by vilifying the Commissions and encouraging others to despise our authority. I have no remedy at present but to commit him close prisoner on board H.M.S. Ruby. The offender is senior lieutenant of the ship, one Butler, who commanded her after Captain May's death, but who since his return to his first station has behaved very mutinously. Sundry depositions against him I was obliged to slight, not knowing how to treat him, but among them is one shewing that when arrested by the guard he ran the corporal through in two places. I mention this to show you my difficulties owing to a worn-out Commission. Captain Mitchell leaves to-morrow for a cruise to windward. He has orders to seize Banister, as we can now prove piracy against him. Another of our sloops, impressed by the
French privateers, has escaped, and reports that they are going into Honduras Bay to careen. Signed, Hder. Molesworth. Holograph. 6 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Dec. 85. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 61, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., pp. 103–112.] |
Sept. 25.
Jamaica. |
379. Lieutenant-Governor Molesworth to the Earl of Sunderland. The Council was transported into a rapture of gratitude by the King's letter of 26 June. I have written at length to Mr. Blathwayt. Holograph. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Dec. 1685. Duplicate received 13th. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 62, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., pp. 113–115.] |
| Sept. 26. |
380. A receipt for a hundred prisoners attainted of treason, to be transported by Sir Philip Howard to the Plantations. Signed, Chas. Campleman, Matthew Kent. Full list of the prisoners' names, headed, "to be transported from Wells." 2 pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 63.] |
| Sept. 26. |
381. Similar receipt for a hundred more prisoners, brought from Ivelchester to Wells to be transported. 2 pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 64.] |
Sept. 27.
Windsor. |
382. Commission to Hender Molesworth to be Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., pp. 69–70.] |
Sept. 27.
Windsor. |
383. William Blathwayt to Captain Thornhill. Transmitting a copy of Bysshe's articles against Governor Cony for reply by his Agent. Draft. ½ p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 65.] |
| Sept. 27. |
384. Commission for the Government of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Narragansett by a President and Council. Joseph Dudley, President. Simon Bradstreet, William Stoughton, Peter Bulkeley, John Pyncheon, Robert Mason, Richard Wharton, Waite Winthrop, Nathaniel Saltonstall, Bartholomew Gidney, Jonathan Ting, John Usher, Dudley Bradstreet, John Hincks, Francis Champernoun, Edward Ting, John Fitzwinthrop, and Edward Randolph, Council. President may appoint any member of Council his deputy. Any seven members of Council may hold pleas in all cases as well as in pleas of the Crown. President and Council may give military Commissions. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 252–258.] |
| Sept. |
385. Proposals offered by Importers of Virginian tobacco to the Commissioners of Customs. In consideration of our difficulties we ask (1) that you will dispense us from the prohibition to deliver tobacco to any retailer till duty be paid, and (2) will take our bonds for the said duty at three-six months, (3) making us an allowance for waste, (4) allowing us some discount to encourage our buyers to pay ready money, and (5) extending the time from importation to export to twelve months. Signed, Tho. Ellis, Micaiah Perry, George Richards, Jeff. Jeffreys, Robt. Bristow, Tho. Law, Tho. Starke, Sam. Deane, John Thornbush, James Cary. 1p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 66.] |
Sept. 28.
Custom
House. |
386. Commissioners of Customs to [the Lord Treasurer?]. We have considered the proposal of Mr. Jeffreys and several other merchants, importers of Virginian tobacco. We think it will be for the ease and comfort of merchants to let them fix bond for three-six months for the whole in lieu of ready money with ten per cent. rebate, granting them also the four per cent. rebate for waste. We think that the time of exportation for the buyer may be extended from four to twelve months, and that merchants may be permitted to take up their bonds as their circumstances admit, by discounting the time left unexpired. Signed, Ch. Cheyne, J. Buckworth, W. Dickinson, T. Chudleigh, N. Butler, Jo. Werden, D. North. 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 67, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIII., pp. 104–107.] |
Sept. 30.
New York. |
387. Governor Dongan to the King. I could not but observe, on inspecting former proceedings in this province, the tottering condition to which it was reduced by the malpractices of those who were entrusted to receive the revenue, had not the present bearer upheld it by supplying the garrisons. I think it my duty to report this on his behalf. The accounts having been surveyed and passed, the sum coming to him appears to be 3,533l. 15s. 8d., the greater part whereof was advanced by his reputation with the inhabitants, many of whom remain unpaid. Signed, Tho. Dongan. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVI., No. 68.] |
| Sept. 30. |
388. Minutes of Council of St. Christopher's. Proceedings of a Court of Admiralty against the ships Rose of Boston and Laurel of New Haven. Proposed by the Assembly that all officers, civil and military, give an account upon oath of their slaves. Order for hire of a gunner for the fort at Cleverly Point. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 43–53.] |
| Sept. 30. |
389. Minutes of Council of Barbados. On receipt of letters from Whitehall, the Lieutenant-Governor summoned the Council. Colonel Codrington was sent for, and asked whether he had paid to Sir Richard Dutton the 2,000l. voted by the Assembly. He answered that he had paid 1,000l. by bills of exchange and the rest in money; but Sir Richard Dutton had lent him 1,000l., for which he had given him his bond. Order for the Assembly to be summoned on 5th October. The 18th October appointed as a day of thanksgiving for the defeat of the rebels in England. Adjourned to 5 October. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 653–656.] |
