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July 16.
Kensington. |
360. Order of the Queen, Guardian of the Kingdom, etc., in Council. Appointing John Colleton and John Braithwaite Councillors, S. Carolina, in the room of Ralph Izard and Francis Yonge. Signed, W. Sharpe. Endorsed, Recd. Read 25th Aug., 1736. 1¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 365. ff. 116, 116 v., 117 v.] |
July 17.
Antigua. |
361. Governor Mathew to Mr. Popple. I now send Minutes of the Council of Montserat from the 25 March to 24 June, 1736, and Minutes of the Assembly of Montserat for that quarter. And an Act of the Island of Montserat entitled An Act for the more effectual preventing all trade in those parts between H.M. .subjects and the French. I must pray in behalf of these distressed Sugar Colonys, you lay before their Lordships this most necessary law for their kindly commending it to H.M. for the royal confirmation. We cannot here with any show of reason pretend to intercept any French vessel laden with their own produce sayling on the High Seas any whither through this Government. And the Act of Parliament, to prevent the Rhode Island and New England men tradeing with them, from their evasions in these parts, and the negligent behaviour of the officers to the Northward is of no better avail, than as a testimony that 'tis the sence of the Parliament this destructive trade to these Colonys should be broke through, and this has chiefly, besides H.M. Instructions and other motives recited in the Preamble of this law, with a firm conviction we were dayly undoing by this trade, indue'd me to assent to this law. And such a one is passing the Legislature of St. Christophers and introducing in the Legislature here. For tho' French vessels, as I said, cannot be intercepted on the High Seas carrying their molass and rum to the New England and Rhode Island men who have and still continue to sett the Act of Parliament at nought. Still this last resource remains for us, and is provided for by this law. That they shall not return with the produce of this illicit trade, for the English commoditys found on board shall convict them of that trade and bring them to a confiscation. This if watchfully attended to, by the Governours and ships of war here, will, I hope, give us in great measure the releif intended by Parliament, and the French will soon grow weary of a trade big with our ruin, and have less encouragements to trample upon and destroy us, as with the most unheard insolence and cruelty, they have long continued to do in these French Islands. A very recent testimony of their presumption hapned but in May last. The sloop Dolphin of this Island went to Domenica. The French Guarde de Cote seizd her there, pretending she had traded with the French there, carry'd her by force to Martenica, imprisoned and cruelly used the crew, brought her to tryal, but no trade was prov'd. Yet, after long imprisonment, they were dismissd, paying all charge of suit expences and exorbitances, of which I have the testimonys now by me from their own bureaus. Is Domenica a French Island? The French are actually 364 familys now upon it, under Monsieur Le Grand, the Commandant. But the French General took his commission from him about four months ago, that he might say he held no power then under him, but he has given him another since, and directs to him as Commandant: Arthur Wilkinson of this Island tells me he once carry'd a letter from Monsieur Champigny to Le Grand directed, Commandant des Français d La Domenique. John Tomlinson Junr. Esqr. having refused to continue acting as a Puisne Judge in this Island, I have with consent of the Council appointed Edward Home Esqr. in his stead. Signed, William Mathew. Endorsed, Recd. 10th Sept., Read 1st Oct., 1736. Holograph. 3½ pp. [C.O. 152, 22. ff. 127–129 v.]. |
| July 19. |
362. Mr. Shirley to the Duke of Newcastle. Abstract In obedience to instructions from Governor Belcher has drafted a bill for the better preservation of the woods, which, I apprehend, will effectually remedy the several mischievous practices I have found by experience in my part to have rendered the acts already made etc. ineffectual, and without which I am satisfy'd no new act of Parliam't ever can be made to answer the end of the Crown etc. Refers to Governor Belcher's letter recommending that a salary should be annexed to his post, etc. Signed, Wm. Shirley. Endorsed, Recd. Sept. 17th. Holograph. 3 pp. [C.O. 5, 899. ff. 239–240 v.]. |
July 20.
Great Trinity
Lane. |
363. Mr. Thomlinson, Agent for New Hampshire to Mr. Popple. Forwards information as to the paper money out in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Signed, John Thomlinson. 3 large pp. [C.O. 5, 879. ff. 105–106 v.]. |
July 20.
London. |
364. Captain Burrington to Commissioners of H.M. Customs. Makes suggestions concerning collection of the customs in N. Carolina. Signed, Geo. Burrington. Endorsed, Recd. 27th July, Read 21st Oct., 1736. 9½ pp. [C.O. 5, 395. ff. 29–33 v., 34 v.]. |
July 22.
Boston. |
365. Governor Belcher to the Council of Trade and Plantations. Since I had the honour of writing you last, I have had a conference with a number of Indians delegated from those call'd the Penobscot tribe being in the Eastern part of this Province ; Encloses following. Continues:—I think they went away satisfy'd in the justice of this Government, and which I hope will tend to establish and lengthen out the good peace subsisting between H.M. subjects of this Province, and those Indians. The present given them consisted in blankets, hats, guns, powder and shot, to the value of about £35 sterling. Mr. Partridge will deliver your Lordships the Journal of the House of Representatives of this Province to the time I prorogu'd them. Signed, J. Belcher. Endorsed, Recd. 13th, Read 16th Sept., 1736. 3 pp. Enclosed, |
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365. i. Conference between Governor Belcher and the Penobscot Indians, relating to Mr. Waldo's settlement on St. George's River. Penobscot Indians' letter to the Governour, July 22, 1736. Great Governour, whereas there have been misconstructions of what we have said at Casco and other places, as tho' some Frenchmen or others had filled our heads with what we should deliver: we assure your Excellency, that our results have been formed and consummated at our Head Plantation without the advice of French or English, and that we have conjured Captain Gyles to send you the sense of our souls which shall be expressed to him in our words. Having for a year past desired that some of our tribe might, as our Representatives, wait on your Excellency; and met with various obstructions herein; it's apparent to us that our attendance upon your Excellency is thought unnecessary, therefore we undertake the declaration of our mind by writing, and now, Governour Belcher, we would mention something of the case between Mr. Waldo and us, fearing whether you may have been well informed thereof. At his first appearance at George's a few Indians met him, and (perhaps through expectation of liquors) assented to his building an house and mill, without any direction from Chiefs, Council, or the proper owners of the land. But on his second arrival, the Chiefs being present, we let him know our dislike of his setleing upon any former or foreign pretences of claims derived from those, whose the land never was; yet after long debate, and through extream fondness of Peace, we assented to his setleing the lots, and finishing the houses which he had begun upon the river; which upon long and serious consideration of its attendants and consequences we now repent of, and desire you to prevent; we expect you have power so to do; we think it will cause the breach of peace: which doubtless it's the duty of every power to prevent. But if they will proceed further up the river, or elsewhere, they may depend on our displeasure. For when lands are taken from us in time of war, we are content, but if in time of peace, we cannot rest satisfied. If persons would setle lands not their own; we choose that they would tell us so plainly, and not wind themselves in, and encroach upon us by subtilty, for then we should immediately come to some resolution— we must acquaint your Excellency of something further vizt.: Whereas its our agreement to inform each other of any grievances &c.; we account ourselves aggrieved in the late restriction of trade, which at the time of our agreements was free and open, tho' we are well pleased with that article in the restriction which prohibits strong liquor. In case one or two of our tribe should write to your Excellency, we desire your Excellency would take no notice of it unless by the advice of a General Council. We pray your Excellency to give these words their due weight, for they are of vast importance, and let us do our utmost for the securing peace and friendship, with hearty affection we salute your Excellency. Chasonset, Adowekenk, Lewis Henguid, Loron, Papoodowit, Joba, Joseph Akasunhawk, Asswenuit, Paterrimin, Bamenuit. [Totem marks]. Copy. 2½ pp. |
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365. ii. Minutes of Council and Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay, 17th May—25th June. The Penobscot Indians were heard by the Governor in the presence of the two Houses, and at his invitation, a Joint Committee considered and reported upon their complaints after hearing Mr. Waldo and the said Indians (July 3). Governor Belcher accordingly gave the Delegates of the Penobscot Indians the following reply in a Conference in the Council, the whole General Court being present (July 6): concluding : I have considered your first grievance and complaint of Mr. Waldo's endeavouring to setle above the Falls or flowing water in St. George's River, and I do assure you, upon the advice of this whole Government, that neither Mr. Waldo nor any other person shall have any countenance for setleing above the falls or flowing water there until the Government is satisfied that these lands have been purchased of such Indians as were the rightful owners thereof. As to the grievance of what you have offered about the new law for restraining trade, it was done to prevent your being cheated and imposed on by private traders, and the Government make no doubt of your finding the benefit of it, but if it should turn out otherwise, you shall find reliefe. As to the truck master's imposing on you about the price of beaver; care shall be taken you shall have the full price for the future according as the season of the year governs, and care shall be taken you have a copy of what I say for your information. I have said what I have to say. If you have anything to say, I shall be glad to hear it. Coll. Espegnet. Some of our young men did some mischief at Pemaquid, they killed a pig, I am sorry for it, but they have been very hardly used. A man took away the English flagg the Govemour formerly gave us, and two shirts. Governour. Who took away the flagg. What person was it? Indian. I don't know who he was, but we ask'd Captain Woodside, and he told us 'twas a man the Governour sent for to the westward to live at his farm. Governour. I'll ask Captain Woodside, and if the flagg is lost you shall have another. Espegnet. I would not hinder the Delegates' Speech. Captn. Jobe, Speaker. The conclusion of what we have to say is allowed, so far is concluded if anything should happen by our young men, we pray there may be a hearing and enquiry into the matter first; we have got no more to say at present. Governour. As we are now good neighbours and friends we desire to continue so, and this is specially agreed to in all the Treatys of Peace. You must act wisely and prudently respecting the settlements made there, and if you find difficultys, you know where to complain, that things may still be kept peaceable. You may entirely depend on the observation of all the Articles of Peace, they shall be strictly performed. Governour. Drink, King George and all friends at Penobscot. Indians. Return the Salute. The present of the Government brought out, and his Excellency ordered the present to be delivered and said it was from the Government, there being three hatts with feathers. The Governour told them that was to distinguish those three who were King George's officers, etc. Signed, P. Simon Frost. Dep. Secry. Endorsed, Recd. 13th, Read 16th Sept., 1736. 3½ pp. [C.O. 5, 879. ff. 40–52 v, 53 v.]. |
July 26.
New York. |
366. President Clarke to the Duke of Newcastle. I do myself the honor to send to your Grace a copy of my letter of the 18th[?] of June, I hope Mr. Oglethorp's apprehensions of hostilities from the Spaniards are pretty well over, for we hear nothing of it. I heartily wish succes to the setlement of Georgia on every account. If the people have their health they will in a few years be too numerous to fear any attacks from the Spaniards and become a strong barrier to Carolina, and I think those places that are frontiers both against the Spaniards to the Southward, and against the French to the Northward ought to have incouragement to extend their settlements and to make them as populous as possible. It was principally with this view and to augment H.M. quit rents that I projected a scheme to setle the Mohacks country in this province, which I have the pleasure to hear from Ireland and Holland is like to succeed. The scheme is to give grants gratis of an hundred thousand acres of land to the first five hundred Protestant familys that come from Europe in two hundred acres to a family; who being setled will draw thousands after them for both the situation and quality of the land are much preferable to any in Pensilvania, the only northern colony to which the Europeans resort, and the quit rents less. Governor Cosby sent home the proposals last summer under the Seal of the province, and under his and the Council's hands, but it did not reach Dublin till the last day of March; had it come these two months sooner I am assured by a letter which I lately received directed to Governor Cosby, that we should have had two ships belonging to this place (then lying there) loaded with people, but next year we hope to have many both from thence and from Germany: when the Mohacks' country is setled we shall have nothing to fear from Canada; our beaver trade will be well secured, and greatly augmented, and the navigation and trade of the province in general vastly increased, and the hempen manufacture set on foot, and I presume to hope the scheme will receive your Grace's approbation and protection. I have the honor to assure your Grace that the heats and animosities which lately raged in this province are so much abated that from one end of the town to the other, nothing of complaint or party disputes, which were lately the whole conversation, are now talked of, and if neither Morris nor Van Dam be restored, I am confident that I shall restore the province to perfect tranquility and to a more flourishing condition than ever. I may venture to assure your Grace, however vain it may appear, that the present good disposition of the people arises in a great measure from the opinion they have of me on a long experience. The main things that remain to be done to fix the quiet of the province on a lasting foundation are to get this Assembly to meet, to make good the deficiencies of the present Revenue, and to setle another before this expires of which I have now a fair prospect: It is the present Assembly that must do it. If your Grace will vouchsafe to give me your protection, that I may be continued in the administration of the Government, I will undertake on the forfeiture of my life to get the Assembly to do those things before this revenue expires, which will be in September, 1737. But if a Governor arrives before it be done, the province will undoubtedly be thrown again into convulsions. Zanger has lately published a vile paper highly reflecting on the memory of Governor Cosby, which would not have been writ, I believe, had not some warm spirit printed the introduction to Morris's case with some observations on it; this enraged his son or one of his friends who in revenge wrote this scandalous paper, the only one that has appeared a good while; their spirits were sunk, they had nothing to say, and must be silent unles Bradford the other printer provoked them, which I will endeavour to prevent, etc. Signed, Geo. Clarke. Endorsed, R. Sept. 11th. Holograph. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 1093. ff. 410–411 v.]. |
| July 28. |
367. Governor Mathew to Richard Coope. Extract from letter. My sloop has seized a French ship just in the same circumstances with the sloop Fortune (v. Nov. 3 etc.), except that under the countenance of the Montserat act, she has been brought to trial (as that sloop was not) and is condemn'd ; but on a petition of the master, an appeal is granted him, and everything he ask'd, (viz.) twenty five days' time to fetch counter-security from Martinica, for security he offered in Montserat by his petition, on giving wch. he is to have ship and cargo untouched and to proceed on his voyage to Cadiz. Endorsed, Recd, (from Mr. Coope), Read 3rd Nov., 1736. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 22. ff. 152, 155 v.] |
1736.
July 29. |
368. (1) Memorandum [? by Mr. Delafaye] of letters and papers relating to Admiral Vernon, "for Sir R. Wle." |
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(2) Considerations on reading Admiral Vernon's letters, 3½ pp. [C.O. 318, 3. Nos. 40, 50.]. |
July 29.
London
5th mo. |
369. Mr. Partridge to Mr. Popple. In answer to thy letter of this day according to thy desire I send thee my answers to thy several questions relating to the publick bills of credit of Rhode Island, etc. (1) In 1732, the last account I have etc., there was extant no more than £180,000, part whereof was for the service of the Crown in the expedition to Canada and Port Royal, for the building of their fortification and other publick uses etc. It was then about 20 years, since silver money pass'd as a currency in that Colony, but since that time it has been bought and sold there as other commodities, to export for Great Britain, therefore the people were under a necessity for making public bills of credit to serve as a medium of trade and for a better conveniency in their commerce with their neighbours. (2) Thinks that they were at first lent out at 5 p. cent on land security, but has not had any of their laws for making those bills transmitted to him. (3) As the Exchange is at present £530 in Rhode Island currency is equal to £100 sterl. (4) Undoubtedly a profit arises to the Colony by the interest on loan of the said bills, which goes a good way towards paying the incident charges of the Government etc., besides the advantage it is to particular persons that are under but indifferent circumstances of life by relieving them from the grievous oppression of paying 10 and 15 p. cent interest for money as they did before these bills were issued. (5) Not having seen the laws in question, cannot say what provision was made for sinking them, but does not doubt there is some, "and altho' the Boston people refused to take these bills for a while, yet now they pass there currantly etc. Refers to enclosed paper and report of the Lords of Trade in 1732 or 1733. PS.—I wish thou coud'st put forward the affair at ye Board relating to the New Jersie petitions etc. Signed, Richd. Partridge. Endorsed, Read 2nd Feb., 173 6/7. 2½ pp. Enclosed. |
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369. i. Copy of Remonstrance or Answer to Complaints in a petition to the King. Newport, 17th May, 1732. (1) In all our laws etc. relating to the paper currency no mention is made of silver money by the oz., which the complainants have falsely insinuated etc. There is not now extant of bills of credit more than £180,000 etc., as in preceding. (2) The Memorial that was presented to the General Assembly of complainants etc., was look't upon after a due hearing to be full of absurdities and not worthy of notice, whereupon the same was dismiss'd. The aforesaid memorial with copies of some other papers presented to H.M. by the complainants was accidentally discover'd (with the Seal of this Colony affix'd thereto) by his Honour the Depty. Govr. who immediately with two of the Council waited on the late Governor, Joseph Jencks, Esq. who gave permission to the Depty. Govr. to call the Assembly particularly on this affair, the Councellors aforesaid then present. The Assembly etc. finding the copies the complainants obtain'd of the Secretary were loose papers and never recd, in the Assembly as record, except the Rit for emitting £60,000, did unanimously order said copies to be cancel'd, which original copies were not directed to this Government, but were brought by a private hand and not authentic, and before the Seal is affixed to any papers relating to the Colony, it is the custom to have consent of some of the Council except Commissions for Officers, which we have particular acts for ; and the late Governor's dissent from the act from the last Bank in 1731 was voted illegal by the General Assembly, the same being enter'd the day after the adjournment of that session, as appears by the records of said Court; also his petition presented to his Majesty by Mr. Thomas Sandford relating to the complainants affairs is revok'd by a letter under his hand to said Mr. Sandford; and likewise the transactions of the Secretary in affixing the Colony Seal to papers not accepted by the Assembly is illegal and contrary to the practice of his predecessors in said office ever since this has been a Government. (3, 4) The acts and proceedings of this Government are in conformity with the Charter and not repugnant to laws of Great Britain on H.M. prerogative etc., and by no means elude the Proclamation and Act for ascertaining the rates of foreign coins etc., but was more strictly observed by this longer than any of the adjacent Governments, till it became a practice to clip and engross the then currt. silver money and to export it to the neighbouring Governmt. of New York, where it pass'd currt. by tale. Which with the expeditions aforesaid, and the encrease in European goods occasion'd so great a scarcity of money and oblidged us as well as the other Governments to make a paper currency for a medium trade, and 'tis now the unhappy circumstances of the Government that so long as we have no produce in the Colony nor any commodities to ballance the vast sums of money due from this country to the British merchants etc. saving only a small proportion of goods, as bone, oyle, tarr etc., which with all the silver money imported is immediately exported to England to pay our debts, and with great submission after a long experience we find it impossible to support trade without a medium of their currcy. (5) There was never any such order as they set forth sent to the late Honble. Govr., Govr. Cranston and Company came to hand, nor was it ever the practice of this government to send their laws home for H.M. royal approbation thereon, But the same were in force here as soon as proclaim'd and presum'd always to be agreable with our Charter. (6) We likewise humble conceive that the instruction given to H.E. Jonathan Belcher, Esq. Govr. of the Massachusets Bay relating to the limitation of their currcy. does no way reach and affect this Governmt. being seperate and distinct from that. (7) The several acts for continuing the payment of our mony was agreable to the state of the country and to the satisfaction of the inhabitants in general, and we can't perceive it has sunk in value by the last emission, silver mony being then sold for 20s. per oz. now for 18s. 6d., and most of the commodities vendible here are fall'n in proportion. If there should be an order for paying the mony according to the first acts upon which the several Banks were emitted, it will make great confusion and be of very ill consequence to the inhabitants. And our happy priviledges which we have enjoy'd near seventy years under H.M. and his Royal predecessors we conceive will not be eclips'd by so small a number as eighteen unreasonable and dissatisfied men, some of whom have been in the practice for many years past of exacting exorbitant interest at the rate of ten and fifteen p. cent, which is a grievous oppression to the inhabitants (notwithstanding the cares of the Government to suppress it) and likewise the bane of trade and directly contrary to the Act of Parliament ; From all which it is very evident that the complainants have no other view but to enhance their estates by the ruin of their country. Copy. 4 pp. [C.O. 5, 1268. ff. 249–252 v.]. |
| July 30. |
370. Mr. Wilks to Mr. Popple. Has never been sent any Austin Fryers, account of the paper currency from Connecticut. Continues:— I only know that it passes promiscuously wth. the Massachusets bills of creditt, and is at the same discount in proportion to sterling money, wch. is abt. £520 for £100 sterl. etc. Signed, Fra. Wilks. Endorsed, Recd. 2nd Feb. 173 6/7. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1268. ff. 253, 256 v.]. |
