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Feb. 1.
London. |
70. J. Basse to Council of Trade and Plantations. Consonant to my promise when I waited on the Board, I enclose all my proceedings in the two Governments of the Jersies against pirates. If this be in any measure acceptable, I shall be emboldened to present your Lordships with all other proceedings whilst I continued in that station, with an account at large of the rise and progress of that division and disturbance in those Provinces, that I cannot believe will be concluded any other ways than by H.M. mandate to the people to obey the Governor appointed by the Proprietors, or taking them under his own immediate protection, which last I am very certain would be not a little grateful to all the unprejudiced, sensible men in both the Jersies. I enclose some Addresses that came home this last conveyance. Signed, J. Basse. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 5, Read Feb. 7, 1669/1700. ¾p. Enclosed, |
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70. i. Journal of Governor Basse's proceedings relating to Pirates, 1698, 1699. 12¼ pp. |
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ii. Petition of the People in the County of Cape May to the Honble. Society of West New Jersey. The Commission you conferred on Gov. Basse was obstinately and furiously opposed by the Quakers here. We have maintained your authority against the violence of this powerful Conspiracy. It is the bent of their souls to meditate a
revenge. The weight of their oppression and unsupportable partiality we have heretofore felt, the smart and terror whereof have drove some out of the Province and discouraged others to settle, which was the effect only of their natural avertion and professed alienation to the People of the World, as they style all out of their communion, but this fire of religious hatred being increased by our fidelity to you, and power by this new commission of Governor Hamilton being put into their hands, for what power is in him is executed by them, we know they will leave no stone unturned until they effect our ruin. For your own sakes, for ours and for the sake of the present Governor, who is highly disgraced and damnified by these sudden and surprising measures, and is a wrong we believe he hath no ways merited, no ill management during his short administration being justly chargeable to him, we humbly request you will reinstate him. 1 p. |
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iii. Address of the Representatives of East Jersey to Governor Bass. We being highly sensible of the great benefits this Province hath received by your prudent conduct of affairs, whereby our intestine feuds are in very great measure allayed, acknowledge your zeal and care and promise our support. The violation of our rights by the illegal power of our neighbours, whereby our trade is wholly obstructed, is the only burthen we now labour under. Deeming it a matter of the highest importance, we have raised money for the defence of our rights. Nothing can more avail towards the removal of our present grievances and supporting our privileges than your honour's appearing in person in England on our behalf. Signed, Edw. Earle, jun., Speaker. 1¼ pp. |
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iv. Copy of Proclamation for the arrest of Darby Mullin, pirate. Burlington. Oct. 9, 1699. 1 p. |
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v. Copy of Proclamation by Gov. Basse for the arrest of Capt. Kidd, etc. Aug. 24, 1699. 1 p. |
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vi. Copy of Proclamation by Gov. Basse against the Scotch at Darien, Aug. 1, 1699. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 4. Nos. 38, 39.i.–v.] |
| Feb. 1. |
71. Depositions relating to the conduct of Mr. Day in the Government of Bermuda. |
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71. i. Deposition of Basil Hill, Chyrurgion. Mr. Day several times in London attempted to suborn him to make a false oath against one Mr. Bellamy. Signed, Basil Hill. ¾p. |
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ii. Deposition of John Dudgeon. Appointed Secretary of the Bermuda Islands, Governor Day so threatened him that he was forced to surrender his grant. Signed, Jno. Dudgeon. ¾p. |
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iii. Deposition of Isaac Richier. Governor Day forbad any actions to be entered against Col. Goddard by deponent and publicly justified Goddard's actions as Governor,
how illegal soever. After stopping his suit in Court by contrivance with the Judge, Richard Stafford, he dismissed his appeal, and refused an appeal in the case of a sloop belonging to deponent wrongfully seized by Goddard, slighting the authority of law-books, saying the law was in his head and he would do as he thought fit, and boasting of his interest at Court and of his father's being a leading man in the House of Commons. He refused to obey H.M. order directing depositions to be taken by Commissioners on both sides in the matters between Col. Goddard and the deponent, and endeavoured to make John Rallins retract an affidavit he had made thereon. He discharged from the Council those who would not join with him and took in Col. Goddard's corrupt instruments. Col. Goddard had arbitrarily imprisoned and fined Mr. White: Mr. Day released him, but Nelson, his Judge, granted an execution for the fine, etc. Signed, I. Richier. 3 closely written pp. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 1, 1699/1700. |
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iv. Deposition of William Brice, made Dep. Marshall at Bermuda by Mr. Day. Mr. Day tried to persuade him to get the goldsmith at Major Burrows' to clip some money, and then having drawn in Major Burrows and as many of the richest men as he could, to inform against them, that he might seize their estates. Mr. Day offered to discharge Daniel Smith and Benjamin Griffin, in custody for piracy for £100 each: he kept the Church Plate for his own use and disposed of the books, sent by Dr. Bray for the Church Library, as his own. Signed, Wm?. Brice. Endorsed as preceding. 1 p. |
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v. Deposition of Henry Pulleine. Confirms Wm?. Brice's account of Governor Day's dealing with Benjamin Griffin. He refused sufficient bail tendered on Griffin's behalf. He imprisoned deponent as he was leaving for England and demanded 40l. for his clearings. He forced Jonathan Waterland, master of a ship, put in through stress of weather, to give him 8l. worth of linen and a young woman valued at 14l., before he would allow him to sail, though he had the permit of the Collector Trott and the Naval Officer, Roger Crane. Signed, Henry Pulleine. 2 pp. |
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vi. Deposition of Matthew Newman. Confirms evidence of Richier. Day took away deponent's commission of Capt. of the Fort for taking Mr. Richier's part, and forbad the Captain of a ship to take him on board for England lest he should be evidence against him. He attempted to suborn deponent to declare that Mr. Richier had drunk the late King James' health. Signed, Matthew Newman. 3 pp. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 1, 1699/1700. |
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vii. Deposition of Jonathan Ward, late Provost Marshall of Bermuda. Gov. Day suspended him because he would
not promise to forbear executing warrants against Col. Goddard, Mr. Nelson, etc. Confirms depositions of Brice and Pulleine. Signed, Jonathan Ward. 2½ pp. Endorsed as preceding. |
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viii. Abstract of above. 3¼ pp. Endorsed, Recd. from Mr. Richier, Feb. 1. Read Feb. 6, 1699/1700. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 4. Nos. 11, 11.i. – vii.] |
Feb. 1.
Jamaica. |
71. Governor Sir William Beeston to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I have received your letter of Oct. 12 with the list of some persons proposed for the Council, and according to your commands return an impartial account of them, and a list of such as I think of the best interest and parts. Your commands shall be fulfilled, when any Assembly sits again, in entituling the Acts to the time of the session, and in sending more duplicates. I think there will be but little need of an Assembly till the laws grow near out and must be renewed, for the making so many laws in a country is but a burthen to it, neither are one half of them observed as they ought to be. The two Spaniards that I have formerly mentioned with others to have taken two New England vessels bound hither were found guilty of piracy, and with one Smithers, who I am told is the Minister's son of Cripplegate, were all hanged. This I mention because I know the Spaniards hold all their people to be sacred and perhaps may complain of it; but they owned the fact and were justly condemned; and I'le serve all the rest so, that I can have just proof against, which I think will be the only means to cause them to leave off their insults, which on all occasions they make upon our small vessels. I have only mentioned our want of people that you might perfectly know our condition, not with any expectancys your Lordships should furnish, nor would there be need if we were but healthy, for I believe since 1698 at least 1,000 people have been imported, but perhaps 2/3 of them are dead, nor do our doctors find the way to cure many. The Company of soldiers have been disbanded ever since July 1, when their money was out, and I have long since sent home the account of the receipts and payments of that money, which I should be pleased to hear were settled. I cannot blame Capt. Webb for making the best of an ill action, and what he says in his letters to your Lordships may be true for ought I know, but several letters and depositions sent me from that Island say otherwise, and declare it a piece of hardship. There has been negroes ranne away from Rio de Hache, and other places of the Spaniards to this Island, and on the application of their masters I have sent them back. But 20 of ours that ran away to Trinidadoe on Cuba, when I writ to the Teniente and Alcaldes to desire them to return them, their answer was their King protected all that fled to him for succour and that it was beneath his dignity and honour, when he had so protected any, to let them be returned to their former state. But this is only an excuse, for at first they promised to return them or the full value in money, but when I sent a sloop
for them (or) for the money, they sent the aforesaid answer and kept all to themselves. All that we desire is that they may have order to return our runaways as we do and will do theirs. |
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The storehouses are finished and of great use and so is Fort Charles with all the advantage the ground will afford. Capt. Lilly would have had it built in another figure, but that was more to shew his desire it might be done by his directions than of any use, for, as he proposed, there would have been much less room, and the spurs were not capacious enough to contain any guns. I had the approbation of all people in in the figure I proposed, and it's not only very useful but very beautiful also. The next public work we go about is to lay a line of thirty or forty guns in good stone work to the eastward of Fort Charles, which guns will lie right up the channel where all ships come in, and make the place not easy to be attempted by sea. If, may it please your Lordships the other islands have more men fitting for Judges or Officers than we have, they may be the better contented with the Act, but there are not so few as 3000 negroes imported in a year here, and everyone of note hopes to be concerned in the disposal of them for themselves or friends. This last week a vessel from Guiny sold her negroes to the country for 38l. per head, at which rate it is impossible for planting to increase in this island or any new Plantations to be made. The same ship that brought me your Lordship's letter, brings me advice that instead of being removed and having leave to return for England, H.M. as a farther mark of his kindness to me has advanced me to a greater dignity, and that besides H.M. kindness much of it is owing to your Lordships' recommendation. This is a troublesome and an uneasy Government by reason of its situation and the many contingencies that thereby happen here more than in other Plantations, which are concerned only for their planting interest, and I grow also into years which makes it the more uneasy to me, nevertheless since H.M. has been graciously pleased to show me such signal marks of his favour, and your Lordships also seem to accept of my management, I will do the best I can to continue so long as I am able, and when I am growing past being able to discharge my duty as I ought to do, I will beg leave to be released. I am in great hopes that you will recommend the Act in my favour, it being not without precedent, to Sir Henry Morgan here and always done in Barbados, and was truly done here because the Council know well I have but 1000l. per annum and never aim at less expense than 1800l. or more, which overplus is from my own estate (for the perquisites now are nothing), or else I must live sneakingly and dishonour H.M. Government. Signed, Wm. Beeston. The Scotch continue on at Darien and have sent 5 or 6 men hither in one of our boats. I have clapt the Master in prison for his disobedience and seized the sloop and what small things they brought with them. I am just now favoured with your Lordships' letter of Nov. 9. Endorsed, Recd. April 17. Read April 30, 1700. Holograph. 2¼ pp. Enclosed, |
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71. i. List of persons recommended for the Council of Jamaica by Gov. Sir Wm. Beeston. I cannot guess who should give your Lordships that list of persons fitting for Councillors, whose abilities and characters I will faithfully give, as having no prejudice to any of them, though I cannot think that office, of so great reputation here, ought to be subjected to any but such as are fitting, and not to everyone's recommendation, who do it for friendship or interest: — |
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(1.) Col. Freeman would have been fitting but is dead some months since. |
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(2.) Capt. Hall is also dead. Were he alive no man in this island would think him fitting. |
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(3.) Capt. John Walters is very fitting; of good estate and understanding and is one of the Judges of the Grand Court. |
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(4.) Dr. Bonnor is a staid man, but he refused my offer to recommend him 4 years since and I thought it was not reasonable to subject H.M. favours to those who refused them. |
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(5.) Major Halse not long since kept a tavern: his wife now keeps a retail shop: he is old, lives 30 miles from town and is of very indifferent parts. |
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(6.) Mr. Phelps is but a Lieutenant, of pretty good estate but indifferent parts. |
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(7.) Major Holdsworth is an ingenious man, but lives 100 miles from town, nor is his interest as yet very considerable. |
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(8.) Mr. Moreton has married a widow, by whom he has a good estate: he has been but a small time in the Island and may be envied if he rise so soon. |
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(9.) Capt. Hudson has lived long formerly in the island, and has a wife and children in London: he is a good understanding man, but has, since he came last, refused all places, civil and military, and so I believe would this, being here only for some time to get money and then intends to return for England. |
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(10.) Mr. Kent is a young merchant here on the same hopes. And now who to name that are fitting, especially such a number as 12, is beyond my ability, there being no men left in any of the precincts that are fitting for any of the great officers, Civil or Military, but those who are already in Commission, and if any of them should die or go off, I shall be at a great loss to fill their vacancies. But there's now 10 in the Council, unless your Lordships will please to recommend Capt. John Walters and Mr. Emanuel Moreton. To fulfill your commands I will put down the best and most proper in the Island, though 20 years since, when there were many Gentlemen here, none of these would have been thought fitting: — Capt. Walters, Mr. Moreton and Major Holdsworth as above: Sir Thomas Modyford,
Bart., grandson of Sir Thomas, Governor in Charles II.'s time; a young man of good parts and fine estate; Lt. Col. Charles Sadler of Port Royal, of a good interest and a settled family there; Major Charles Hobby, merchant of Port Royal, ditto: Capt. Edmund Edlyne at St. Andrews, formerly Receiver General, ditto: Capt. Thomas Clarke, junior, of the same place, and a man of good parts and estate, first Commissioner of the Admiralty Court: Major Francis Rose of St. Thomas in the Vale, of good interest and a settled family: Mr. John Peeke and Mr. Charles Long, both young men of very good parts and estates, sons of Councillors. Mr. Long's father was Chief Justice. Major Valentine Mumbey of Vere, a rising man and of good interest. Of these I recommend to your first preferment, Capt. Walters, Mr. Moreton and Sir Thomas Modyford and Capt. Edlyne. Capt. Banister has been so long afflicted with the gout that he cannot stir abroad, so that in effect there is now but 9 in the Council; therefore it will be no prejudice if your Lordships think fit to recommend these four. 5 p. |
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ii. Duplicate of preceding. Endorsed as letter. 1½ pp. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 9. Nos. 15, 15 i., ii.; and 57. pp. 46–56.] |
| Feb. 1. |
72. Council of Trade and Plantations to the King, enclosing following draughts of letters for signature. We humbly crave leave to propose, in relation to the Province of East and West New Jersey, that because of the right of Government which we conceive to be in your Majesty, and is yet under dispute with those Proprietors, that the directions of such letters be to Such as are in the present execution of the Government of East and West New Jersey. Signed, Stamford, Lexington, Wm. Blathwayt, Jno. Pollexfen, Abr. Hill. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 35. pp. 163, 164.] |
| Feb. 1. |
73. Draft of a letter, for His Majesty's signature, to Ralph Grey, Gov. of Barbados, for sending to England such pirates as are or may be seized in the Island. You are to send hither in safe custody all pirates in prison in Barbados at the time of your receiving this, and also the witnesses and other evidences which may be of use towards their conviction here. As for pirates that may be seized in Barbados for the future, if you judge by the circumstances of any particular case and by the laws in force and disposition of the people that such pirates may be more speedily and effectually brought to punishment there than by sending them hither, you are to take care that they be tried there, and punished accordingly. But if you judge otherwise, you are to send them hither, and in both cases to take care that their goods and effects be secured. Signed, Jersey. Mem. H.M. signed this letter Feb. 10, 1699/1700. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 45. pp. 25, 26.] |
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74. Similar letter mutatis mutandis to Sir Wm. Beeston, Governor of Jamaica. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 57. pp. 9, 10.] |
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75. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to Christopher Codrington, Governor of the Leeward Islands. [Board of Trade. Leeward Islands, 46. pp. 30, 31.] |
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76. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to Francis Nicholson, Governor of Virginia. [Board of Trade. Virginia, 37. pp. 380, 381.] |
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77. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to Nathaniel Blakiston, Governor of Maryland. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 9. pp. 478–480.] |
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78. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to Richard, Earl of Bellomont, Governor of Massachusets Bay, New York and New Hampshire. Begins as (No. 73.) but adds, "Provided always that our directions herein do not in any wise contradict, alter or interfere with any former orders relating to Kidd or any other pirate signified to you by us." [Board of Trade. New York, 54. pp. 79–81; and New England, 37. pp. 268–271.] |
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79. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to Samuel Day, Lt. Governor of Bermuda. Begins as No. 73., but with regard to pirates seized in future directs: — "Which method of sending pirates hither . . . you are upon pain of our displeasure in like manner to observe from time to time as a standing rule" . . . [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 29. pp. 251, 252.] |
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80. Similar letter, mutatis mutandis, to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. [Board of Trade, Proprieties, 26. pp. 149, 150.] |
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81. Similar letters, mutatis mutandis, to Wm. Penn, Proprietor and Governor of Pennsylvania, to the Governor and Company of Connecticut, the Governor and Company of Rhode Island, and "to such as are in the present in execution of the Government of East and West New Jersey." [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 26. pp. 150–152; and Plantations General, 35. pp. 165–171.] |
Feb. 1.
Kensington. |
82. Order of King in Council approving of above drafts and ordering their preparation for H.M. signature. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 2, 1699/1700. ½p. [Board of Trade. Plantations General, 5. No. 43; and 35. p. 172.] |
Feb. 1.
Admiralty>br/>Office. |
83. J. Burchett to Wm. Popple. My Lords of the Admiralty having received H.M. Order in Council, Jan. 25, will give the necessary orders for the timely sending those things to Newfoundland in the ships of war, except the Boom, which they conceive must be procured in the country. But that they may be the better enabled to give effectual directions in relation to the chain, they desire to know what length it ought to be, and if you have by you any draught of the Harbour of St. John's wherein
it is described where the boom and chain is to be placed, I desire you will send it me. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 2, 1699/1700. 1 p. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 4. No. 3; and 25. pp. 342, 343.] |
Feb. 1.
Whitehall. |
84. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Letter from Mr. Secretary Vernon, Jan. 29, with petition of Capt. Joslin Mead, read. |
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Memorial from the Royal African Company in answer to the French Ambassador read. Ordered that they be desired to state what proof they have of any satisfaction promised by the Court of France before the war for injuries done unto them, as intimated. |
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Representation with draughts of letters to Governors about pirates sent to the Council Board. |
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Lord Bellomont's letter, Oct. 24, about the affairs of Massachusets Bay read. Mr. Charles Nodin summoned to attend. |
| Feb. 2. |
Letter from Mr. Burchett, making enquiries about the harbour of St. John's, read. Extract of Representation of March 3, 1698 ordered to be sent him. Letter of Lord Bellomont, Oct. 24, read. With regard to his remarks about the convoying of salt ships, letter ordered to Mr. Burchett desiring the Lords Commissioners of Admiralty to give instructions to Captains of H.M. ships in those parts, as they shall understand to be requisite in pursuance of their own report, May 27, 1697. As to Captain Mitchell's insult to his Lordship at Jamaica, ordered that Mr. Burchett be desired to let this Board know what the Admiralty have done therein. As to the sending of a minister of the Church of England to Rhode Island, instructions were given for a letter to the Lord Bishop of London. Mr. Weaver and Mr. Brenton were summoned to attend. |
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Mr. Solicitor General having sent to the Board the draft of a Bill prepared by himself to punish Governors of Plantations, ordered that he be desired to attend. [Board of Trade. Journal, 12. pp. 354–358; and 97. Nos. 21, 22.] |
Feb. 2.
Maryland. |
85. Governor Blakiston to the Council of Trade and Plantations. I humbly acknowledge the honour of yours of June 26. I have, as directed, enclosed a copy of Mr. Thomas Lawrence's commission, and do not find there is any other Patent Officer in this Province. By the best information I have he gives a general satisfaction. I am obliged by one of H.M. Instructions to transmit to your Lordships the entries and clearings with the commodities exported and imported and the names of all shipping coming and going out of this Province, which I have carefully always done to the Commissioners of H.M. Customs. The latter paragraph of the Instruction commands me to transmit quarterly the said list of shipping, etc., but I humbly crave leave to inform your Lordships that it is not practicable, for there are few or no ships goes out of this Province but from Feb. to June, after which time the worm begins to molest them, and no ship comes in but by
great chance from the middle of March till October or November. I must acquaint you of the receipt of a letter from the Lords Justices, July 25, 1699, with their commands to me about detecting illegal traders, which I hope I have not been wanting in duly putting in execution the Acts of Trade and Navigation, and I am farther enjoined by their Excellencies to see that the officers of H.M. Customs and those belonging to the Admiral have all imaginable regard and assistance, which I can assure your Lordships they have effectually in this Province. I have not been wanting to assist Col. Quary to the utmost of my power in Pennsylvania. Mr. Penn is now come over, who I hope comes with a resolution to discountenance all those which have been active in the great enormities of opposing H.M. interest. The Bay is almost frozen over, so that we have not had any late accounts from thence. Your Lordships was pleased to intimate to me that the man-of-war, which was directed to attend this Province, was of the sixth rate; who is arrived safe here, of which I have also acquainted the Admiralty. She is the Advice-boat, Messenger, Capt. Peter Cood, who, by the little experience I have had of the gentleman, will, I am confident, be very diligent in the discharge of his duty. I look upon her fitting enough to be in quest of illegal traders, but she is very small; she has not above four guns and four patareros, she has indeed 40 men, but is not very capable of engaging with the great seas without the Capes, unless it be two or three months in the year to go towards Delaware Bay and to join the man-of-war at Virginia, as he is directed, if occasion be. I will endeavour she shall be industriously employed while in this Province. The commands your Lordships are pleased to enjoin me concerning pirates being countenanced in H.M. Plantations, I hope what little of that affair has come within my cognizance your Lordships will be too favourable to acquit me of any imputation that way, for I have never heard of any that has been in this Province but Theophilus Turner, whom I secured and have sent for England according to the commands I received from Mr. Vernon. I hope your Lordships have received the Journals of the Council and Assembly with the Body of Laws which I transmitted, Aug. 28. I should very much joy to have your favourable opinion of my earnest endeavours of acquitting myself as became me in that Assembly. I may justly affirm the inhabitants are all very easy and satisfied under my management. Signed, N. Blakiston. Endorsed, Recd. May 13. Read May 14, 1700. 4 pp. Enclosed, |
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85. i. Abstract of above. |
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ii.–Vi. Memoranda of enclosures. — Copy of Mr. Laurence's Commission to be Secretary of Maryland; Naval Officers' list of ships entered and cleared at Patuxent, May 9, 1698–July 4, 1699; List of same at Portwilliamstadt, Sep. 7, 1698–Aug. 4, 1699; Naval Officer's list of ships entered Nov. 29, 1698–July 2, 1699, and cleared May 6, 1698–Aug. 2, 1699, at Port Annapolis; List of ships entered and cleared in Pocomoke Division, Sept. 5, 1698–June 22, 1699. [Board of Trade. Maryland, 4. Nos. I., I.i. – vi.; and 9. pp. 484–489.] |
| Feb. 2. |
86. William Popple to Mr. Burchett. The Council of Trade and Plantations desire you to lay before the Commissioners of the Admiralty the enclosed extract of Lord Bellomont's letter, Oct. 24, that instructions may be given in pursuance of the Lords Justices' order on the report of May 27, 1697. Their Lordships desire to know what the Lords of the Admiralty have done with regard to the affront done to Lord Bellomont by Capt. Mitchell, Commander of the Falmouth, at Jamaica. [Board of Trade. New England, 37. pp. 296, 297.] |
Feb. 2.
Whitehall. |
87. Mr. Secretary Vernon to the Council of Trade and Plantations, enclosing the petition of Sir Thomas Lawrence. Endorsed, Recd. Feb. 2. Read Feb. 5, 1699/1700. Enclosed, |
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87. i. Petition of Sir Thomas Laurence, Bart. Having served H.M. about six years as Secretary in Maryland, petitioner applies for the Government of Bermuda. Signed, Thomas Laurence. 1 p. |
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ii. Tho. Littleton to the Council of Trade and Plantations, supporting the candidature of Sir T. Lawrence. Feb. 6, 1699/1700. 2 pp. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 4. Nos. 12, 12.i., ii.; and 29, pp. 253, 254.] |
| Feb. 2. |
88. Minutes of Assembly of Barbados. Charges of Grand Sessions reported on by Committee and ordered to be paid. Concurrence of His Excellency and Council desired. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. pp. 463, 464.] |
| Feb. 2. |
89. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Act to secure the possession of Slaves read a second time with amendments and sent down. Act for the placing of servants read the first time. [Board of Trade. Barbados, 65. p. 486.] |
Feb. 2.
Whitehall. |
90. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. The Council of Trade and Plantations command me to send you an extract of their representation, March 30, 1698, and the draught of the harbour of St. John's as desired. They also command me to send you the enclosed extract of a letter from Lord Bellomont, Oct. 24 last, relating to the sending of H.M. ships of war to convoy the salt ships in the winter, which they desire you to lay before the Lords of the Admiralty, that such instructions may be given to the Captains of H.M. ships as they shall understand to be requisite in pursuance of their report, May 27, 1697, and the Order of the Lords Justices in conformity thereunto (See. Cal. A. & W. I. 1697, No. 1044.) Lord Bellomont having in the same letter acquainted their Lordships that he has writ to the Lords of the Admiralty about an affront done unto him by Capt. Mitchell, H.M.S. Falmouth, at Jamaica, they desire to know what the Lords of the Admiralty have been pleased to do thereupon. [Board of Trade. Newfoundland, 25. pp. 344, 345.] |
Feb. 3.
Admiralty
Office. |
91. J. Burchett to Mr. Popple. I will take the first opportunity of communicating your letter, Feb. 2, to my Lords of the Admiralty. In the meantime I send copies of instructions sent to Lord Bellomont. As to the length of the chain to be sent to Newfoundland my Lords will be enabled to give the necessary directions from the extract of the Representation enclosed in your letter. Capt. Fairborne, who commands in chief to Newfoundland, will attend the Lords of the Council of Trade within a few days to receive instructions. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 5, 1699/1700. 1 p. Enclosed, |
Jan. 10.
Admiralty
Office. |
91. i. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Governor the Earl of Bellomont. In accordance with your representation to us you are hereby empowered, at such time of the winter as the men-of-war cannot be employed in the service of New England and New York, to send the biggest ship to Barbadoes and the lesser ship to the Leward Islands to convoy the merchant ships trading from New England to those places and so repair to the Salturtudoes with their convoys, there to remain till the merchant-ships under their convoy are laden with salt and then return to New England. And in case you shall at any time find it absolutely necessary to employ either one or both of the ships on any other service, either for intercepting pirates or protecting the trade of H.M. subjects, we empower you to do the same; but your Lordship is to take particular care to give the commanders of the men-of-war such orders as that they may proceed on this service and return to New England and New York again, at such a season of the year as shall be judged most convenient, that so the Governments of New England and New Yorke may have as much service from the said ships as possibly may be. Signed, J. Bridgewater, Haversham, D. Mitchell, G. Churchill. Copy. 1 p. |
| Jan. 22. |
ii. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Governor the Earl of Bellomont. Jan. 22, '99 (1700). With regard to the complaint you make of Captain Mitchell [See Cal. 1699, Nos. 890, 890, xv.] as their Lordships will be very far from justifying any captain in H.M. service in un-becoming and disrespectful actions towards your Lordship, so are they obliged to encourage them in the doing what their Instructions and the Custom of the Sea obliges them to. In this particular they think Capt. Mitchell has done his duty, for such care has been always taken of the honour of H.M. colours, that so his ships of war may be distinguished from those belonging to private persons, that even those who have had from this Board in the late war commissions as privateers, or letters of marque or reprisals, have constantly been obliged to wear such colours as differ from those worn by H.M. own ships. And not only this care has been
taken by public proclamations with respect to such privateers, etc., but even the vessels employed by any public office in the Kingdom, such as the Customs, Post Office, Victualling and the like, have thereby been strictly forbid to wear the colours born by His Majesty's own ships, and at all times upon meeting with any of the King's ships they have and do salute and pay the respect due unto them. Copy. 1¼ pp. [Board of Trade. New England, 10. Nos. 11, 11.i. – ii.; and 37. pp. 298–302; and, (without enclosures), Newfoundland, 25. pp. 346, 347; and, (memorandum of letter only), 4. No. 4.] |
Feb. 5.
Whitehall. |
92. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord Bishop of London. We enclose a copy of a petition from the inhabitants of Rhoad Island for assistance towards settling a Minister of the Church of England there, sent us, Oct. 24 last, by the Earl of Bellomont, with an extract of what he writes about it. (See Cal. 1699. Nos. 890, 890, xix.) Signed, Stamford, Lexington, Ph. Meadows, Wm. Blathwayt, Jno. Pollexfen, Abr. Hill, Geo. Stepney. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 26. p. 153; and New England, 37. p. 297.] |
| Feb. 5. |
93. Petition of George Golding, Provost Marshal of Jamaica, to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Appointed to hold this office, by himself or deputy, Aug. 1692, petitioner never farmed it nor hath as yet made any profit by it. To prevent farming, the residence of all future Patent Officers was commanded by Order in Council, Feb. 16, 1698 (9). In order to lessen H.M. prerogative and to get the chief offices into their own power, some persons in Jamaica have lately obtained an Act of Assembly, the preamble of which insinuates that patentees put in unqualified deputies who take exorbitant fees, and the enacting part that patentees shall execute in their proper persons. Petitioner's fees are settled by the laws of the island: deputies give great security for the due execution of the office: it is H.M. prerogative to grant offices and power to patentees to appoint deputies. By the Act, the Governor and Council are to appoint in case the Patent Officers do not execute in person or go off the Island, which must be frequently done. Petitioner prays that the Act may not be confirmed or that his office be excepted out of it. 1 large p. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 5, 1699/1700. [Board of Trade. Jamaica, 9. No. 9; and 57. pp. 11–13.] |
Feb. 5.
Whitehall. |
94. Journal of Council of Trade and Plantations. Letter of Mr. Secretary Vernon with Sir Tho. Lawrence's petition read. |
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Letter of Mr. Samuel Allen, New Hampshire, Sept. 30, giving an account of the difficulty he found to recover any rents due to him from the inhabitants, read. |
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Petition of George Golding against a late Act of Jamaica read and ordered to be taken into consideration with the said Act. |
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Mr. Burchett's reply, Feb. 3, read. Ordered that what relates to Lord Bellomont be signified to him. |
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Mr. Charles Noden, attending, said he was part owner of the Fidelia [Cal. 1699, No. 890, etc.] The ship was sent hence on a trading voyage to Madagascar and returned to the West Indies with negroes, and the last news they had of the Mr. was from Providence in the Bahama Islands. Whereupon being told that she was come to Boston under the command of one Syms, who had received her from Rogers, the former Master, in truck for a sloop, he said he had not heard anything thereof. Mr. Nodin being also asked about Capt. Bennet, in favour of whom he had signed a recommendatory certificate, said he had known him long and believed him to be a fair, honest man. |
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Letter to the Bishop of London, about a Minister for Rhode Island, signed. |
