m
PblJC*tiotu.
CALENDAB
OF
STATE PAPERS,
OOLONIAL SERIES,
tVo l.*4J
AMERICA AND AVE.ST INDIES,
JULY, 1711 -JUNE,
PRESERVED IN THE
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE.
EDITED BY
CECIL HEADLAM, M.A., F.R. Hist. S.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF TIIK LORDS CO.M.M ISSIONDKS or HIS MA.JKSTY's TKKASUU1
UNDKI! THK DIUF.CTION OP THE MAST Kit OF TIIK Kol.LS.
LONDON .
PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OF
1925.
To be purchased directly from
H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses :
Ai>ASTKAr, HOUSK, KiNcswAY, LONDON, W.C.2 ; 28, ABINGDON STEEKT, LONDON, S.\V.l
YORK STREET, MANCHESTER ; 1, ST. ANDREW'S CRESCKNT, CARDIFF;
or 120, GKORGE STREET, EDINBURGH ;
or through any Bookseller.
Price 1 10?. net.
CONTENTS,
PAGE
iv
CORRIGENDA
v
PREFACE
1
CALENDAR
313
GENERAL INDEX
Paije 4, lints 31, 32. Delete words repeated [and . . . .
causes.]
,, 19, line J) from bottom, for L. Bourn read 8. Bourn.
,, 32, line 23, for W. Spots wood msrrZ A. Spotswood.
,, 52, fo'we 21, for Whitney read Whiting.
,, 66, line 11 from bottom, for 43 read 42.
66, last line, for 868 read 898 ; awe? arfd French.
,, 108, line 20, for Arpil raw? April.
,. 189, line 5, /row bottom, for pleplexitys read perplexitys.
,, 211, line IS, for Signed read Endorsed.
,, 215, line 5 from bottom, for Barbados read Bermudos.
248, line 29, for 38 read 28.
278, line 33, /or future rer/rf failure.
,, 284, ft/?e 34, for revised read revived.
V.
PREFACE,
1.
GENERAL.
Many matters of high importance in the sphere of
Colonial administration occur in the ensuing pages.
The handling of the situation in the Leeward Islands
after the murder of Governor Parke ; Col. Gary's rebellion
and the Indian rising in North Carolina ; the deadlock
created in New Jersey by the opposition in the Council ;
the intransigent attitude of the Assembly of New York
and the consequently contemplated action by Parliament ;
these and other such questions would by themselves
render the year under review notable enough. They
are overshadowed, however, by two other events of
wider and more permanent significance ; the failure
of the Expedition against Canada, and the preliminary
negotiations for Peace.
The Peace of Utrecht is one of the great landmarks
of European History. Few transactions of like moment
have given rise to controversy so bitter and so lasting.
Whatever may be the merits or demerits of the case for
entering upon that much debated Peace at that particular
moment, it can hardly be disputed that the two weakest
links in the vast and complicated chain of arrangements,
territorial and commercial, known as the Treaty of
Utrecht, were, from the point of view of the British
Empire, those concerned with the Newfoundland Fishery
and the French occupation of Cape Breton. " Against
these substantial gains," wrote Lord Morley in his
life of Walpole, after enumerating the advantages
obtained by England, " were undoubtedly to be set the
risks of some counterbalancing mischiefs. But the
Wt. 26089, C.P. a.
Vi. PREFACE.
mischiefs never came to pass." The documents pub-
lished in this series will show very plainly, on the contrary,
that the mischiefs came to pass immediately, were the
cause of enormous strife, and continued down to our own
day.
Immediately after the signing of the Treaty, its authors
were denounced as traitors to their country ; and from
that time onwards the belief has been widely held that
the Cape Breton arrangement was the outcome of bribery.
(v. for example, Douglass' Summary, 1760, quoted by
Senator J. S. McLennan, Louisbourg from its foundation
p. 1.)
That St. John gave more than he need have given,
and took less than he might have taken, can scarcely
be denied in view of the military position resulting from
Marlborough's victories before the fall of the Whigs.
But the suspicion that his concessions were bought is
not, I believe, supported by a shred of evidence, and a
document published in the present volume is to some
extent evidence to the contrary. It fitts in with what we
know of the negotiations for " Matt's Peace " as revealed
by Prior's correspondence with St. John, the recently
published Portland Papers, and De Torcy's accounts of
the matter. The document referred to is No. 365. It
demonstrates at least two things ; first, that St. John
acted with his eyes open, and secondly, that in approach-
ing the problem of whether or not he should concede to
the French " a general right to fish and to dry their fish
in the Sea of Newfoundland and on that coast, as they
have hitherto done, together with a liberty of settling
and fortifying on the Island of Cape Breton," he acted
openly and above-board. This was in April, 1712. It
was then a question of bargaining amongst the Plenipo-
tentiaries at Utrecht. The quid pro quo offered was that
the French should make " an absolute cession of Nova
Scotia with Annapolis Royal, and of the Island of New-
foundland with Placentia." It was also suggested " that
all the fortifications in Newfoundland should be demol-
ished, and that no others be suffered to be erected there,
or in any of the adjacent islands." St. John ( No. 365)
asked for the opinion of the Board of Trade and
PREFACE. Vii.
Plantations upon this bargain, and asked for it " as soon
as possible, it being necessary to write abroad upon this
subject at the end of the week." The answer he received
( No. 374) was a clear-sighted one, and can have left him
in no doubt as to the value of the concessions which were
eventually made. If the French retained the privilege
of fishing on the Newfoundland coast and drying on the
shore, they would have the same advantage in the trade
of dry fish as His Majesty's subjects, the Board of Trade
declared, " and the good end of our having Newfoundland
restored to us would be defeated." As to Cape Breton,
that Island had always been esteemed as part of Nova
Scotia, and, considering its situation, the permitting the
French to fortify and settle there would give them the
like advantages as if they were allowed to dry their fish
on Newfoundland or the adjacent islands. The Board of
Trade concluded by stating the boundaries of Nova
Scotia, " which ought to be so described for avoiding
future disputes," and representing that the fortifications
on Newfoundland ought to be maintained ( No. 574).
The concessions which were eventually made were at
least an error of judgment. But the procedure indicated
above is hardly that which would have been pursued by
statesmen or Plenipotentiaries about to sell their country.
Preliminary The negotiations for Peace with France, begun through
s< the agency of the Abbe Gualtier, had been continued by
Matthew Prior, an ex-Commissioner of Trade and
Plantations, on his secret mission to Fontainebleau in
July, 1711. Of the preliminary demands of the British
Government which Prior was then commissioned to
communicate to the French Court (P.R.O. Treaty Papers,
15), those which most nearly concerned the Colonies were
that the Asiento (the right of supplying the Spanish
Colonies with negro slaves) " should be entirely in the
hands of Great Britain ; that Newfoundland should be
entirely given up to the English ; that the trade of
Hudson's Bay should continue in the hands of the French
and English, as they are now ; and that all things in
America should continue in the possession of those they
should be found to be in at the conclusion of the peace."
Concerning these provisions, attention should be drawn
PREFACE.
regarding the first, that in Jamaica, where the Peace was
eagerly welcomed (421), there was a demand for the
recovery of the Asiento trade, which had previously
brought great prosperity to that Island (345). As to
the second, there was as yet no reference to fishing rights
one way or the other. As to the third, the claims of the
Hudson's Bay Company are not yet pressed. Although
the depredations committed by the French in those parts
had been stated by King William as one of the reasons
for the declaration of war, the Treaty of Ryswick had
left the Company worse off than they were before it.
Before the Plenipotentiaries met at Utrecht the Company
once more entered their claim, stating their case and
demanding not only reparation for damages but also
that the French should surrender all pretention to the
Streights and Bay and abandon their settlements there
(219 i.). They explained their demands in detail to the
Council of Trade (300), who reported in their favour
(326).
The last of St. John's " private propositions " involved
not only the retention of the French part of St. Christo-
phers, and of Nova Scotia and Annapolis Royal, but also,
no doubt it was hoped, the retention of Canada, if the
expedition under General Hill should meet with the
expected success. The French, on the other hand, might
be supposed to look for some compensation if the expedi-
tion under Duguay-Trouin against Brazil should prove
successful. We once more catch a few glimpses of that
expedition in these pages (pp. 15, 48, 49).
From other quarters the acquisition of Moville, as well
as Montreal and Quebec, was enthusiastically urged
(440).
When Prior had brought De Torcy to the necessary
stage of agreement over these preliminary demands,
the scene of negotiations was transferred to London at
the end of July, and still with the utmost secrecy.
By the 17th September agreement had practically
been reached. The preliminaries were on the eve of
being signed, when the question of the Newfoundland
Fishery was again raised. In haste to conclude the
Peace, upon which all their hopes depended, Ministers
PREFACE. IX.
decided that the question should be referred to the
Congress, but they conceded to the French the right of
drying their fish. Thus a sore was left open, which was
to prove a source of trouble for two centuries.' Before
the end of the year the hand of the Tory Peacemakers
was greatly strengthened by the publication of Swift's
Conduct of the Allies. In December Marlborough was
dismissed, and the creation of twelve peers gave to the
Ministry the majority required in the Upper Chamber.
Peace J n January the Plenipotentiaries met at Utrecht. The
at utrecht. Council of Trade and Plantations soon called attention
to the necessity of fixing the boundaries of Canada
(Feb., 1712. Nos. 326, 385). It was in April that St. John
consulted them about Cape Breton and the Newfoundland
Fishery (365, 373 i., 374), and a fortnight later he conferred
with the Board upon the question of the New England
Fishery, having himself proposed the attendance of
Colonel Nicholson and the New England Merchants
interested therein (386). At this time also the whole
question of a Treaty of Commerce with France was
referred to and considered by the Board of Trade (v.
Journal, and Trade Books).
Th > The advent of the projected expedition against Canada
Expedition J r
against and Newfoundland was nailed with loyal addresses of
welcome and gratitude from New York (47), New Jersey
land. (21), Connecticut (93 i.), New Hampshire (40), and
Massachusetts (45). The New Yorkers took the oppor-
tunity to complain of the burden of defence which they
had to bear and the cost of their contribution to the
abortive expedition of the preceding year. The quota
required of them, was, they maintained, excessive, and
they hinted at the superior lot of Proprietary Govern-
ments, whither " the little wealth this Plantation
possessed and the best and most industrious of its
inhabitants were being drained by the ease and indulgence
of those Governments " (48, 96). However, the quotas
of Colonial troops required for the advance by land upon
Montreal were agreed upon by the Congress of Governors
assembled at New London (71, 87 i., 95, 96, 97 iii.).
Pennsylvania, in the event, failed to contribute a man
(95) ; and Governor Hunter was obliged to complete the
x. PREFACE.
New York contingent by enlisting Indians and some of
the German Protestant refugees. The Five Nations,
however, impressed by the sight of the Armada at Boston,
were induced to send 800 men. By the end of August
these troops were on their way to Albany, whence they
were to commence their march to Woodcreek, under
General Nicholson (46 i., 61 i., 95, 95 ii., 96).
The The Naval and Military forces under Admiral Sir
at M Soston U Hovenden Walker and Brigadier General Hill sailed
from Plymouth on the 4th of May and arrived at Boston
on 24th June, The incidents of the voyage are described
(46 i., 61). The troops were disembarked and encamped
on Nodles Island (45, 46 i.), whilst the necessary measures
were being taken for the assembling of the Colonial
contingents, selecting pilots, providing transport for the
troops by sea, boats for the land expedition, and transport
for the siege-train, as well as collecting fresh provisions
from the neighbourhood and salt pork from Maryland
and Virginia (46 i., 61, 94 i., 96).
The season was already late, and the arrival of Col.
Nicholson, who had been sent ahead from England to
prepare the several Governments, had been delayed
till June 8th by adverse weather. There had been little
time, therefore, for progress to be made with the necessary
preparations before the Expedition actually anchored
in Nantasket Bay (46, 61, 61 i., 96).
Meantime a French officer, M. La Ronde, had arrived
at Boston from Placentia with the ostensible object of
proposing a cartel for the exchange of prisoners. He
was detained by Governor Dudley in order that he
might not carry news of the preparations for the proposed
attack upon Canada and Newfoundland. The detention
of the French Agent was probably neither unforeseen
nor undesired. For he was apparently instructed to
make use of his opportunity to dissuade the Colonists
from supporting the Expedition. As to tidings of the
Expedition, both its objects and its strength were known
in France and conveyed to Placentia and Quebec (94 i.,
164).
According to the accounts given by Governor Dudley,
not only was money voted readily and the quota promptly
PREFACE. xi.
supplied by Massachusetts, but everything possible
was done to secure an adequate quantity of provisions
at a reasonable price, and to obtain all the competent
and experienced pilots who could be found in the Province
(44 i.-x., 45 i.-x., 164, 164 i., 165, 167). It is evident,
however, (from the reports of General Hill and his Quarter
Master General, Col. King), that considerable friction
arose, and that great dissatisfaction was felt and shown
at the delays they experienced and at the attitude of
the Colonists both towards deserters and the provision
of supplies (46, 46 i., 61, 61 i.). No one, Col. King
declared, but a man of General Hill's good sense and
good nature could have overcome " the interestedness,
ill-nature and sourness of these people, whose Government,
doctrine and manners, whose hypocrisy and canting
are insupportable." There was nothing for it, he
concluded, but to resume their Charters to the Crown,
and so settle them all under one Government, " with
an entire liberty of conscience " (46). It was just the
fear of this result, he was finally led to suppose, which
could alone account for the reluctancy and ill-nature of
the people, whose object in delaying the Expedition could
only be explained by their dread lest the conquest of
Canada should lead to the establishment of one uniform
Government of America, for the real good of the Colonies
but to the loss of those who profited by their disorderly
disunion (p. 48).
But for the dilatoriness of the Government, the
Expedition might have sailed from Boston a fortnight
sooner than it did. " But all has been done with indo-
lence and indifference with a thousand scruples and delays' '
(46). Yet, notwithstanding losses from deserters, enticed
away by the Colonists, and the lateness of the season,
nothing, thought Col. King, but the difficulty of navigat-
ing the St. Lawrence or the arrival of a French force
from Europe, could prevent their success (46, p. 48).
He severely blamed Col. Nicholson, against whom he
displays considerable animus, for not forwarding the
transports with supplies for New York immediately upon
his arrival (46, 46 i., 61, 61 i.). There were delays in
delivering the fresh provisions required for the troops, and
Xll. PREFACE.
a determined effort was made by the New England
merchants to exact an exorbitant price through the
exchange (61). It was only when continual pressure
had been put upon the Assembly that they were induced
to take measures to fulfil their promises of support and
their duty to their Queen. The details are given in the
Journal of the Expedition written by Col. King for
Brigadier General Hill (46 i., 61 i.), and the papers
sent by Governor Dudley (44 i.-x.)
T tn th^st** ^he Expedition sailed from Nantasket harbour on
Lawrence. July 30th, with high hopes of success (46 i., 61 i., 73, 87,
92). But a fatal blunder had already been committed.
The Colonial troops which accompanied General Hill
were placed under the command of Col. Vetch, the
original author of the scheme. After they had sailed,
and before the fatal event, he wrote to St. John the follow-
ing ominous warning : " The getting up (to Quebec)
by reason of the difficulty of the navigation I looke upon
to be the difficultest part of the enterprise, being myself
if not the only att least the best pilot upon the Expedition,
although none of my province " (71). Yet, in the face of
the well-known difficulty of navigating the St. Lawrence,
and of the shortage of good pilots, Admiral Sir Hovenden
Walker appears to have acted with almost incredible
improvidence. Capt. Cyprian Southack, Commander
of the Massachusetts Province galley, was well known as
one of the most experienced and competent sailors in
those parts. He had been particularly mentioned in
. the Instructions as a suitable pilot for the Expedition
(164 i.). Yet, on the eve of sailing, he was dispatched
to Annapolis Royal to pick up some artillery stores and
marines from the Garrison there, which had already
been sent for once, but which the Deputy Governor,
Sir Charles Hobby, declared that he could not spare
(46 i., 61). Nor was this all. The Admiral had brought
with him from England a French pilot, whom Col.
Vetch, after some experience, took occasion to warn
him was both ignorant and a rogue (175, 175 i., ii., v.).
Vetch was at first invited to show the way to the Fleet
himself, with small vessels. But as he refused to go on
board the Saphire frigate for this purpose, he was
PREFACE. Xlll.
presently ignored. If that plan had been adhered to, he
declares, the disaster could not have happened. As it
was, he followed the Flag at a discreet distance, watching
her course with surprise and foreboding (175 v.). We
have several accounts of the catastrophe which ensued
(92, 92 i.-iii., 94, 94 i., ii., 98, 175 v.). For Fate, so
tempted, exacted the penalty to the full. On the night
of the 22nd of August in a stiff gale nine transports were
dashed to pieces on the north bank of the St. Lawrence,
and the whole Fleet -was within an ace of being involved
in a similar fate among the shoals off the Isle aux Oeufs.
742 lives were lost, including 35 women. On the two
following days the shattered remains of twenty six com-
panies were rescued from the shipwrecks (92, 94 i., ii.).
On the 25th, three days after the disaster, a Council of
War was held. The General and the army officers were
apparently of opinion that they might still continue
the advance (175 ii., v.). But the naval officers, after
consulting a few of the pilots, unanimously resolved that
" by reason of the ignorance of the pilots and the un-
certainty of the currents " it was impracticable to proceed
(92, 92 ii.). Col. Vetch protested, instancing the success
of Sir William Phips' Expedition, which had navigated
the river successfully at a much later season of the year,
without the aid of a single man who had ever been there
before. In response to a challenge, he expressed his
own willingness to point out the way to the Fleet
(175 v.). So dissatisfied was he with the pusillanimity
of the resolution to retreat, that upon returning to his
ship, he wrote a strong letter to the Admiral, begging
him to hold another Council of War and to reconsider
his decision, and urging that the navigation from that
point to Tadousac presented no further difficulty (175 ii.).
Sir Hovenden Walker ignored this suggestion, and there
was now nothing for it but to send an express to recall
Nicholson from his advance upon Montreal, and to retire
to Spanish River, where the Fleet cast anchor on Sept.
4th (92).
The There still remained the possibility of reducing Pla-
abandoneS! centia. Another Council of War was held on the 8th to
consider whether the Instructions for an attack upon that
XIV.
PREFACE.
place on the return from Quebec could be put into
execution. A letter from the Governor of Placentia to
M. Pontchartrain was intercepted and brought in at
this juncture. It seemed to promise invaders a warm
reception. The Council of War unanimously decided
to abandon this design also, fear of bad weather combined
with a shortage of provisions being given as the
reasons. For, after the losses in the river, the
provisions remaining in hand were found to be only
sufficient for ten weeks on- short allowance. But further
supplies were being collected in New England, and
three transports fully laden with salt provisions from
Virginia were expected to join the Fleet from New York
(92, 92 iii., 94 i., 175 v.). Together with their convoy,
H.M.S. Faversham, these transports were eventually lost
off Cape Breton, Oct. 7 (162). A detachment was sent
to Annapolis Royal, to strengthen and relieve the garrison
there ; the remainder of the New England troops were
sent home ; and the Expedition returned ingloriously to
England, Sept. 15th. Some of the troops intended for
Annapolis Royal found their way to Boston and were
there disbanded (92, 92 iii., 94 ii., 175, 175 iii., iv.). The
document 175 iii. is obviously wrongly dated August
for September. The evidence of the pilots was taken and
sent home (165).
The ill effects from the failure of the Expedition
anticipated by Col. King (94) and Governor Dudley
(165), were soon apparent. There was an outbreak of
raids upon the frontiers of New England, New York
and Nova Scotia (162, 175, 229, 296). It was feared,
too, that the loyalty of the Five Nations had been
shaken (296). Addresses for the renewal of the Expedi-
tion were forwarded from New York (162), Massachusetts
Bay (123), and New Hampshire (147), with the hope that
they would not again be required to supply a contingent.
Grant of The bills for the expences of the Expedition were
and payment paid with remarkable promptitude. Lord Dartmouth,
lls> in announcing the decision of the Treasury, expressed
the hope that such punctuality would be an encourage-
ment to everybody to show their zeal for the good of
their country. At the same time the small arms and
Addresses
for its
renewal.
PREFACE. XV.
ammunition which had been designed for the Expedition
were presented to the Governments of New England and
New York, and Lord Dartmouth communicated this
' mark of H.M. concern for her subjects in the Planta-
tions" to the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (308 311).
Frequent and urgent demands for supplies of stores of
war for the Plantations had given rise to some discussion
at home.
The Board of Ordnance, in response to an enquiry
about the demand of arms and stores for the Leeward
Islands, represented that they had no grant from Parlia-
ment to enable them to satisfy it. If the Islands could
no longer pay for their own arms, then, the Board
suggested, they ought to apply direct to Parliament
(63, 69, 194, 194 i., ii.). The Council of Trade thereupon
made a representation, recommending that an annual
sum should be voted for providing stores for the defence
of the Plantations (313). Virginia, threatened with an
Indian war, was practically destitute of ammunition
(204, p. 113). But when the request for arms and
ammunition for that Colony came to be considered (382 i.,
383, 387), it was objected that there had been grave
abuses in connection with the distribution of such stores,
and that it was " a common practice to sell arms etc.
to those very Indians against whom they were intended
to be employed." The Council of Trade were asked
to consider, therefore, what steps could be taken to pre-
vent such frauds (387, cf. 120). In reply they pointed
out that by the Act of 1684 every Virginian Militiaman
was obliged to provide himself with arms, and also that
when arms were sent from England in 1702 directions
were given that they should be paid for. This had not
been done. It was suggested that, if arms were now
sent to supply the urgent need of the Dominion, they
should only be delivered to such persons as should pay
for the same, and also that the Militia Act should be put
in force (417).
The Navy Apart from trouble arising from the protection of
.. '" th deserters from the Navy, and the difficulty of replacing
West Indies. J ' A i
them, to which frequent reference is made in the accounts
of the Canada Expedition, there is evidence of considerable
XVI.
PREFACE.
Friction
between
Governors
and Naval
Com-
manders.
Trading by
ships of war,
Capture of
Spanish
Galleons.
friction between Governors of Plantations and some
of the Commanders of the Naval ships detailed to act as
guardships in the West Indies. Thus Capt. Norbury
in the Leeward Islands, when requested to take home for
trial some officers concerned in the rising against Parke,
objected that he was not under the command of the
Governor (63, 81, cf. 120). The Governor of Barbados
reported that the great losses of the shipping off the
coasts of that Island from enemy privateers were largely
due to the " little regard the men of war paid to the
orders " of the late President (77). Capt. Constable
presently refused to send a ship to England with French
prisoners whom the Government wished to convey there,
(318, 318 viii., 378 xii.). He also refused to convoy the
merchant fleet upon the General's orders (318, 318 viii.,
.378 xii., 434, 434 i., in.). By their Instructions Governors
were directed not to exercise any authority over the
Captains of the men of war, unless they had a com-
mission from the Admiralty so to do (63, 77, 434).
Another grievance was set forth in a petition by the
leading merchants of New York, who complained that
the trade and navigation of that city was much diminished
by the men of war which, in cruizing to and from the
West Indies, carried cargoes of merchandize and entered
into unfair competition with ordinary traders and
shippers (433 i.). The Council of Trade represented
that this was a dishonourable practice which ought to
be strictly forbidden (438).
The Naval Squadron under Commodore Littleton,
stationed at Jamaica, was constantly on the watch
for an opportunity to pounce on the Spanish galleons
which were reported to be ready to sail from Cartagena.
It was also hoped to intercept the French Squadron
under M. Ducasse, which had been sent to convoy them
(18, 25). Littleton was partly successful. For he
captured some of the galleons, and with them a Spanish
Vice-Admiral. But Ducasse, with the plate, eluded
him (37, 75, 76, 82). The prizes were therefore not so
rich as had been expected. The Spanish Admiral had
been killed, but the Vice-Admiral was captured. He
PREFACE.
XV11.
Spanish
at Lima.
French
refused.
st. John's
proposal for
uniformity
Of ment. m
with the other prisoners was detained by the Governor of
Jamaica in order to secure the release of the English
prisoners at Lima (25, 76, 83). The Governor of the
Spanish coast of St. Domingo, who was captured shortly
afterwards by a Jamaican privateer, was similarly
detained (125, 267).
Besides many prizes taken by privateers on either
side (18, 77 i., 82, 94 i., 186, 378 xi., 335 i., 418, etc.),
Windsor and Weymouth captured the French man of
war Thetis and two rich merchantmen in July, 1711,
after a sharp fight (18, 28). In May, 1712, the guardships
of Virginia and Barbados acting in concert made a rich
haul, taking twelve out of a fleet of seventeen sail of
French merchantmen with stores and ammunition bound
for Martinique, whilst Enterprize captured the man
of war which was convoying them (319, 418). Cartels
^ or ^ e excnan g e of prisoners were proposed to several
Governments by the French. They were generally
refused on the grounds that such interchanges gave
opportunities both for spying and illegal trade, whilst,
in the case of those returned to Martinique, where, the
Governor of Barbados declared, the people lived entirely
by piracy and privateering, such returned prisoners
were back at their trade on the English coasts within a
week (77). We have seen that the officer sent from
Placentia to Boston, ostensibly to propose a cartel, seems
to have been sent really as a spy and French agent to
dissuade the Colonists from supporting the Expedition
against Canada.
A very remarkable passage occurs in a letter from the
* . . ,
Governor of New York. In reply to some enquiries by
St. John, who had asked for his views upon the state of
affairs in the Plantations, Col. Hunter declared outright
that the " British interest in these parts ... is in a bad
state, of which the frequent tumult in all parts, and the
general aversion to the support of Government in most,
are sufficient indications." St. John had hinted at the
desirability of putting all North America under one
uniform scheme of Government (it will be remembered
that it was the fear lest the conquest of Canada would
lead inevitably to a uniform Government throughout
XV111. PREFACE.
America which, in the opinion of Col. King, prompted
New Englanders to attempt to prevent it (p. xi.). Such
a consummation as St. John proposed would, Col.
Hunter agreed, be a sure remedy, but unfortunately it
must be a slow one, and more urgent measures were
necessary. In the Proprietary Governments, the Councils
were a mere cipher, having no share in the Legislature,
and the Governors, being dependent for their daily bread
upon the goodwill of the Assemblies, had been obliged
to make such concessions, that the Crown would pay dear
for much trouble and no dominion if they were purchased
and continued upon the present footing. The neigh-
bourhood of Colonies in which the Assemblies were almost
all-powerful stirred the ambition of those which were
under the more immediate Government of the Crown.
They took the " Connecticut scheme " as their model,
and by starving their Governors, refusing adequate
supplies, and endeavouring to restrict the powers of the
Councils, were aiming at establishing themselves on the
same basis as those Chartered and Proprietary Govern-
ments which, they conceived, were better off than them-
selves. They had but one short step to take then
towards complete independance. Hunter concludes :
" A greater assertor of Liberty, one at least that under-
stood it better than any of them, has said, that as
Nationall or Independant Empire is to be exercised by
them that have ye proper ballance of Dominion in the
Nation, soe Provinciall or Dependant Empire is not to
be exercised by them that have the ballance of dominion
in the province, because that would bring the Govern-
ment from Provinciall and Dependant to Nationall
and Independant. Which is a reflection that deserves
some consideration for the sake of another from ye same
person to wit, that ye Colonies were infants, sucking their
mother's breasts, but such as if he was not mistaken,
would weane themselves when they came of age." (pp.
103, 104, No. 250).*
Hunter, of course, in writing thus was thinking more
* The passage in question is quoted, with some verbal inaccuracies, from
James Harington's political romance, The Commonwealth of Oceana. I am
indebted to Professor A. P. Newton for his help in placing this quotation.
PREFACE.
XIX.
Reaction of
political
ideas and
events.
Cornbury
and the
German
Protestant
Refugees.
particularly of New York and New Jersey, where he was
in the thick of a critical constitutional struggle.
Elsewhere, as for instance in Carolina, the evil effects
of the chaos and confusion resulting from incompetent
Proprietary government were sufficiently evident to
the inhabitants to render them anxious to exchange
such chartered freedom for the greater security of the
neighbouring Dominion of Virginia (p. 221). But, in
general, the same motives may be assumed to underly
the same manoeuvres, which were being executed by the
Assemblies in other Governments, not only on the
Continent, but also in Barbados, Jamaica and the Leeward
Islands. The records printed in this Calendar demon-
strate that the progress of political ideas, whether
inspired by the writings of Sir Harry Vane or another,
marched with equal steps in America and the West Indies.
The reaction of the Colonies to political developments
at Home was also remarkably close and immediate.
Attention has been called to this phenomenon in the
Preface to the previous volume. In the present one we
have fresh instances of it. The sudden change of the
Ministry induced the Assembly of New Jersey, according
to Dr. Coxe (pp. 9, 10), to withdraw an address which they
had prepared representing their grievances against the
late Governor, Lord Cornbury. Cornbury himself, now
third Earl of Clarendon, entered once more into the arena
of Colonial affairs. He was given office in the new Tory
Ministry as First Commissioner of the Admiralty, and
was invited by Harley, the Lord High Treasurer, to
report upon Governor Hunter's estimate of the sum
required for the subsistence of the German Protestant
Refugees whom he had settled in New York. Hunter
had suggested that 15,000 a year for two years would
be needed before the Palatines could make their own
living by manufacturing naval stores. Cornbury, of
course, seized the opportunity to torpedo the whole
scheme and to embarrass his successor. To continue
their subsistence for two years would, he suggested,
merely encourage the Palatines in laziness and enrich
Livingston. He also threw doubt upon Hunter's boasted
economy (193, 193 i.). The replies made on Hunter's
XX. PREFACE.
behalf, together with his accounts, enabled the Council
of Trade to urge the continuance of the scheme upon the
basis he had proposed. Hunter had pledged his own
credit deeply in order to carry on the settlement of the
Palatines in accordance with the Instructions he had
received. He was as good and honest a Governor as
Cornbury had been a bad and corrupt one. But Hunter
was a Whig, and Cornbury apparently had the ear of the
Tory Minister (206, 210, 290).
T1 ?e Board w e have now reached the beginning of a period
when enormous delays are revealed in dealing with the
dispatches of Colonial Governors by the Council of Trade
and Plantations. The reasons for such delays were, it
may be suggested, twofold. In the first place, the
elaborate and intricate commercial questions which arose
in the course of the negotiations for the Treaty of Utrecht
were usually referred to the Board of Trade. The whole
case for a Commercial Treaty with France was explored
by them during the months now under review (v.
Board of Trade Journal}. The solution of these problems
involved the Commissioners and their small staff in an
immense amount of urgent business, to which the volumes
of the Colonial Office Records relating to Trade matters
at this period, now preserved at the Public Record Office,
bear most ample and interesting testimony. Plantation
business was therefore necessarily postponed. A second
cause will presently begin to operate. This was the
uncertainty of the political issue. For before long, when
Bolingbroke was manoeuvring towards a Legitimist
restoration, the substitution of " honest " men for those
of Hanoverian principles began. It was not only in
the army that officers of the " right " principles were
appointed by the Tories to military posts of importance
on the eve of the coup d? etat which they never struck,
but a similar substitution also began, or was prepared, in
the case of Colonial Governorships, and civil servants, of
the Commissioners of Trade and their capable and long-
trusted Secretary, William Popple. The effect of such
uncertainty of status would naturally be paralysing.
Case of A case in point is a letter written by Lord Archibald
Creagh and Hamilton, Governor of Jamaica, in which reference was
made to the case of one David Creagh. Merchant
PREFACE.
and supercargo of a sloop from Barbados he had been
committed on a charge of High Treason for trading with
the Queen's enemies, and sent to England for trial.
The witnesses against him were not sent home at the
same time owing to an oversight on the part of the
Commodore of the Jamaica Squadron who carried them
off with him on a cruize (423, 423 vi.). This letter was
not read at the Board of Trade till twelve months after
its receipt, a delay which led to some confusion.
-^ n ^ e course ^ correspondence with the Treasury,
the Secretary of the Board states that, in spite of frequent
reminders, Governors of Plantations on the Continent
had wholly failed to make returns to the Council of
Trade of the public revenue and expenditure. They
had, he declared, received " only some few from Jamaica."
This was certainly an over-statement of the case. He
refers for further information to the Auditor General,
William Blathwayt. Students of Colonial History wish
that they could follow his advice. But what has become
of the papers of that industrious official ? (84, 99).
Replies to A circular letter was presently dispatched to Governors,
instructions . . . ^ . L . .
demanded, requiring their observance ot the Article requiring them
to render half-yearly accounts, as well as other articles
of their Instructions which they had omitted to fulfil
Acts of (132 142). At the same time copies of two recent Acts
to be of Parliament affecting the Colonies were forwarded for
publication, the Act for the encouragement of trade to
America, and the Act for the preservation of white and
other pine-trees.
Salary of The salary of the Commissioners was two and a half
in arrears, years in arrears by Lady Day, 1712 (159, 367). The
Board suggested that a lump sum of 400 should be paid
to their Secretary annually for defraying the incidental
expenses of the office, apart from postage (217), but
New this suggestion was not adopted in the new Commission
Commission. /OO1 ,
(281).
Delay in The Attorney General drew attention to the delay
which sometimes occurred in transmitting for confirm-
ation Acts passed in the Plantations (390). In the
event of repeal, such delay was bound to cause unneces-
sary trouble (394).
Wt, 26089. C.P. b -
XX11, PREFACE,
2.
THE AMERICAN COLONIES.
Whilst Edward Hyde was being duly appointed and
coi. Gary's approved at home as Lt. Governor of North Carolina,
(13, 57), he was engaged, through no fault of his own, in
a serious struggle with Col. Gary and the Quaker party,
who broke out into open and armed rebellion against
his authority and that of his Council and Assembly.
We have here accounts of the matter from the Council,
the Assembly, Hyde himself and Col. Spotswood, Lt.
Governor of Virginia (42, 42 iv., 78, 78 i.). From these
we gather that Col. Tynte, Governor of Carolina, having
died before he had given Hyde his commission as Lt.
Governor of North Carolina, the latter, on his arrival in
the country, found himself without proper credentials.
He was able, however, to demonstrate that the Lords
Proprietors intended him for Lt. Governor, and he was
accordingly unanimously invited to administer the
country as President of the Council until his commission
should arrive. Col. Gary had himself joined in this
invitation. But he presently proceeded to obstruct the
Government, protesting that Hyde had exceeded his
powers in summoning an Assembly, which he probably
perceived to be inimical to himself. The Assembly
thereupon ordered him and some of his chief supporters
into custody, and passed some Acts directed against him,
in retaliation for his previous misdemeanours. In this
Col. Spotswood thought they showed themselves both
vindictive and indiscreet. Gary soon escaped from
prison and, defying the authority of the Assembly,
raised a revolt. First he fortified his house and shut
himself up in it. Then, finding that the Government
was powerless to capture him, he passed to the offensive.
Fitting out a brigantine and some other vessels, he
declared himself President, and sailed to attack Hyde
and his Council. Hyde thereupon appealed to Virginia for
help. Col. Spotswood at first endeavoured to mediate
between the two rival factions. But Gary insisted upon
an appeal to arms. Moreover, he and his supporters
PREFACE. Xxiii.
endeavoured to incite the Tuscarora Indians to rise and
massacre their opponents. Failing in his attempt to
seize Hyde and his Council, Gary withdrew into the
recesses of the country, where it was not practicable for
the Virginian militia to pursue them. For Spotswood had
raised his militia when Gary and his Quaker supporters
had rejected his attempts at mediation. The Commodore
of the convoy of the Virginian trade fleet had refused
to help him with men and boats, " judging it the least
part of his duty to do any service to this country." But
Spotswood dispatched some marines from the guardships
to Carolina. Upon their appearance, the leaders of the
rebellion dispersed. Gary and some others fled to
Virginia. There they were apprehended by order of
Col. Spotswood, and sent to England for trial (55, 60,
78, 78 i.).
Massacre by The troubles of North Carolina were not, however, at
Indians, an end. Unsettled by the intrigues of Gary and his
supporters, and emboldened by the evident weakness
and division of the country, a party of Tuscarora Indians
rose and massacred the inhabitants of the frontier
plantations, " killing without distinction of age or sex
about sixty English and upwards of that number of
Swiss and Palatines, besides a great many left dangerously
wounded," and burning the plantations. Even in the
face of this deadly menace, Hyde was unable to rouse
the province to make a united resistance. Col. Spotswood,
however, fully aware of the danger lest the conflagration
should spread over the borders of Virginia, called out
his Militia, and summoned to a conference both those
Tuscarora Indians who had remained loyal and the
other tributary and bordering tribes. He at once put
a stop to all trade with the Indians, " finding they were
better provided with ammunition than ourselves," and
demanded the release of the Baron de Graffenried, the
head of the Swiss and Palatine settlement, who had been
taken prisoner by the raiders and was being reserved
" to be tomahawked and tortured at their first public
war dances" (120). In this he was successful (177).
Graffenried was released after being obliged to conclude
an agreement of neutrality with the Indians, on behalf
XXIV.
PKEFACE.
Lords
Campaign
of his Palatines, seeing that he could rely upon no help
from the distracted people of North Carolina. Such.
indeed, was the condition of the country that both he
Emigration and other settlers were anxious to migrate to Virginia
(301, 408). In these circumstances Col. Spotswood urged
the necessity of orders being sent from home directing
Virginia, Maryland and Carolina to assist each other in
case of either being attacked (p. 222). The Lords
Proprietors wrote to the Council and Assembly recom-
mending the Lieutenant Governor and urging the passing
of a Militia Act. They required the quit-rents to be
paid in silver, and whilst commending to their care the
establishment of the Church, promised to contribute
200 towards the building of a church (306). They
also expressed their thanks to Col. Spotswood (339).
More effective aid was rendered by the Government
of South Carolina. At the beginning of 1712 a body of
700 Indians under British officers was sent to the aid of
the Northern Province. Their first attack upon the
Tuscaroras met with success, but this was followed by a
check. The preliminary success encouraged the people
of North Carolina to elect a new Assembly and raise a
fund for carrying on the war. But they could not
enlist a sufficient force. For the Quakers who had
fought against Hyde's Government would not carry arms
against the Indians. Another appeal for aid was made
to Virginia. It was readily granted. For there seemed
good reason to believe that the whole Tuscarora nation
was in sympathy with the outbreak. The conditions
to which they had agreed at their Conference with
Spotswood had not been fulfilled ; evidence had come to
light that they were endeavouring to induce the tributary
Indians to join them ; and the repulse of the force sent
from South Carolina had excited their' warriors' ardour.
It was recognised that to send Virginian troops to Carolina
was a prudent measure of defence for their own frontiers.
The Council of North Carolina, however, refused to
undertake any responsibility for the payment of the
Virginian troops or for furnishing them with provisions.
Before they were ready, and without the knowledge of
Lt. Governor Hyde, the Commander of the troops from
PREFACE. xxv.
South Carolina made a hasty peace with the Indians
" upon very unaccountable conditions, at a time when he
had reduced one of their most considerable forts to the
last extremity." With such an object lesson of the weak-
ness and disunion of the Carolinans, it was not thought
likely that the Tuscaroras would be content for long to
keep the peace so hastily made (408). (See also under
Virginia).
Maryland. The Governorship of Maryland still remained vacant.
Governor. Lord Baltimore had petitioned that he might now be
Rep Lo fc rd P n allowed to exercise again the Proprietor's right of
Bal e t tition e S a PP om t m g a Governor. The Attorney General and Coun-
cil of Trade, however, reported that the circumstances
which had rendered the appointment of the Governor by
the Crown necessary and desirable still obtained, and
were likely to do so at least so long as the war lasted
(38 i., 50). ' Complaints came to hand as to the adminis-
tration of the law by the Roman Catholic party. The
need of a Governor was emphasised (101, 101 ii., 314).
The Council of Trade, in a further representation, made
a suggestion of their own for filling the vacant Governor-
ship (349). But their suggestion was ignored.
New Preparations for the Expedition against Canada,
Mafsachu- dealt with above, form the greater part of the public
statLucJ business transacted in New England. The replies which
Dudley sent home in response to the enquiries of the
Board of Trade into the administration of New England,
contain a good deal of statistical information (135, 375,
375 i.). A list of causes tried in Massachusetts Bay is
Taper given (230 viii.-xvii.). Issues of paper money had now
resulted in driving out of circulation all coin, foreign or
other, in accordance with the well known monetary law
Church (167). A considerable amount of heat was engendered
by the laying of a tax upon the inhabitants for building
a new meeting house at Newbury and the maintenance
of Ministers, whilst several of the inhabitants and
freeholders of that town, some of whom had recently
become members of the Established Church and had
begun to erect a church for themselves at their own
cost, were ordered by the Assembly to desist. Mr.
Bridger, the Surveyor General of Woods, took up their
XXVI.
PREFACE.
Waste of
New Act sot
Mining
Governor
Conference
Raids by
s, who
t Aibany. t
Presents etc.
to the Five
Nations.
Hunter's
with the
y>
cause, and an appeal was made to Lord Dartmouth (291,
291 i.-iii.).
Bridger found himself powerless to prevent the waste
of the Crown woods by the contractor to the Navy as
well as by the inhabitants (85, 163, 292.) Hopes, how-
ever, were entertained of the new Act for the preser-
vation of white and other pine trees, the publication of
which was specially ordered, together with the Act for
the encouragement of the trade to America (132/f., 142,
292).
A prospectus was issued by the Society of Mines for
the development of iron and steel works in New England
and of copper works in Connecticut, with a pamphlet
directed against the " base and scandalous stockjobbing "
of an " upstart Company of Mine- Ad venturers " (439
i.-iii.).
Governor Hunter found his hands full with the affairs
of New York and New Jersey (95). His instructions
f r the preparations for the Canada Expedition reached
him as he was returning from a Conference with the Five
Nations at Albany. This Conference followed upon Col.
Schuyler's mission to counteract the French influence
at Onondage. The Five Nations renewed the Covenant
and presently contributed about 800 warriors to the
Expedition (96, 95 ii., 97 iv.).
The failure of the Expedition had its natural reper-
cussion in an outbreak of frontier raids. There is evidence
that these raids were sometimes combined with the
trading at Albany which New York merchants car-
ried on with enemy Indians (162, 401).
Following upon resolutions by the Society for the
* r J /
Propagation oi the Gospel, orders were given tor making
presents to the Five Nations, the dispatch of a Missionary
and interpreter, the settling of a garrison in the new
fort, and the furnishing of the Chapels, etc. (359, 361).
Hunter carried on his struggle with the Assembly
of New York throughout the year. He was at length
compelled to declare that it was hopeless, and that
nothing but strong measures by Parliament could save
the situation. A new Assembly came back on the
popular cry of economy almost identical with the old.
PREFACE. xxvii.
It could not therefore be expected that it would prove
any readier than the last to make adequate provision
for the support of the Government (p. 97).
The Representatives soon showed, indeed, that they
would not abate one jot of their pretensions. They
maintained their attitude of denying to the Council the
right to make any amendment to a money bill, and in
order not to lose their vote for the Canada Expedition,
Hunter was obliged to resort to a subterfuge by which
to secure a necessary amendment. " They will be a
Parliament," he comments (pp. 97, 100). In a letter
written to St. John in Sept., 1711, to which we have already
referred ( 1), he warns him that unless some speedy and
effectual remedy is applied, " the disease may prove too
strong for the cure." For the Assembly was already
claiming all and more than all the powers and privileges
of the House of Commons, and, should the Council
follow suit and claim the rights of a House of Peers,
there would then be established a body politic independent
of the Great Council of the realm. To keep them within
bounds, whilst the Revenue bill was being passed through
Parliament, he urged that they should be reminded by a
royal letter that they held their privileges by favour from
the Crown and only so long as they used them for the
Queen's interest and the support of her Government
(pp. 103, 104, No. 162). A few months later (Jan. 1st,
1712) he again wrote both to St. John and Dartmouth,
as strongly as it was possible to write, appealing to them
to remedy the desperate condition of the Queen's Govern-
ment in that Colony. He had done everything in his
power, but the mask was now thrown off. The Assembly
was deliberately challenging the position of the Council
and the powers granted by Royal letters patent. ' They
have but one short step to make toward what I am
unwilling to name." Officers of the Government were
being starved and treated as enemies, and the expenses
of the administration were defrayed by the Governor's
credit alone (250, 252). The details of the situation are
given in his letter to the Council of Trade of the same date,
and in an Address by the Council complaining of the
proceedings of the Assembly (251, 251 i., 389).
XXV111. PREFACE.
Hunter >phe Council of Trade gave Hunter their full approval
supported
at home, and support. Writing in Nov., 1711, they informed him
that, upon their representation, a bill had been ordered to
be brought into Parliament for settling a Revenue for the
support of the Government in New York. It was probably
merely intended as a threat, and Parliament rose before
it could be proceeded with. But in view of the con-
tinued obstinacy of the Assembly, the Board of Trade
recommended the re-introduction of the bill (169, 170).
At the same time they confirmed Hunter in his attitude
concerning amendments to money bills and the disposal
of stores at Albany. They directed him to remind the
Assembly that they sat merely by virtue of the Queen's
Commission to himself (169). Upon receipt of Hunter's
abovementioned letters in April, they repeated their
recommendation that Parliament should make provision
for a revenue at New York, and supported the Governor's
suggestion that the Queen should signify her disapproval
of the undutiful proceedings of the Assembly. " If the
Assembly of New York is suffered to proceed after
this manner " they added ' it may prove of very
dangerous consequence to that Province, and of very ill
example to H.M. other Governments in America, who are
already but too much inclined to assume pretended rights
tending to an independency on the Crown " (250, 251,
389). They also wrote again to Hunter repeating their
strictures upon the Assembly's infringements of the
Royal Prerogative, and warning them that proper
remedies would be applied unless his next letters brought
news of then: having changed their behaviour (444).
It is evident that great reluctance was felt in using the
extreme measure of Parliamentary authority. But such
warning and forbearance had so far but little effect.
In June Hunter reported that he had been obliged to
accept a quite inadequate Act for the support of the
Government, whilst the Assembly made it clear that they
were ready enough to relieve the intolerable difficulty of
his personal position, if only he would concede to them the
Royal Prerogative of appointing and paying officers (454).
Objection to In collecting statistics for replies to the queries of
the Cpnsus
the Board of Trade (454, 454 i.-vii.), Hunter encountered
PREFACE.
XXIX.
No registers
kept.
A negro
conspiracy.
Hunter's
humanity.
Invalid
soldiers.
The settle-
ment of
German
Protestant
Refugees.
Shipbuild-
ing at New
York.
Complaints
against the
Clergy.
an objection to the Census, " the people being deterred
by a simple superstition and observation, that the
sickness followed upon the last numbering of the people "
(454).
Analogous instances of this superstition based on the
same fear of the " sin of David," have been collected
by Sir James Frazer (Folk Lore, in the Old Testament,
Pt. III., Ch. V.). Hunter hoped, however, to complete
his census, having devised a new method of securing
returns (p. 301). As to births and burials, no registers
had ever been kept, nor could they be, until the counties
were divided into parishes. Great numbers remained
unchristened for want of Ministers (454).
A murderous outbreak by some negroes, who sought
revenge for cruel usage, caused something of a panic at
New York. Those conspirators who were seized were
brought to trial before the Justices under an Act for
dealing with such emergencies. Exemplary but savage
punishment was inflicted on those found guilty. More,
indeed, were executed than were known to have taken an
active part in the insurrection. Hunter endeavoured
to moderate the vengeance of the Colonists and reprieved
some of the prisoners (454). He also found time to
champion the cause of the invalid regular soldiers in the
Independent Companies at New York. They amounted
by this time to a quarter of the whole strength of the
establishment. Upon his representations it was arranged
that they should become out-pensioners of Chelsea
Hospital (96, 231).
In the autumn of 1711 Hunter was able to report that,
after his quelling of the mutiny, the German Protestant
Refugees were settling down to work, and that they were
now well on the way to produce Naval Stores. Soine of
them, as we have seen, were drafted for the Canada
Expedition (95, 96). The question of their subsistence
was, however, causing the Governor great anxiety (v. 1).
Other matters referred to in Governor Hunter's corres-
pondence are Col. Heathcote's proposal for shipbuilding
at New York (335, 335 ii.), and complaints against the
factious behaviour of some of the clergy of the Province
(337 //.).
XXX. PREFACE.
New Jersey. j n New Jersey the position was the reverse of that
Opposition * *-
of the in New York. Here the Assembly and the Quakers
supported the Governor, whilst half the Council were
bitterly opposed to him and them. A long letter from
one of the opposing Councillors, whom we may
presume to have been Daniel Coxe, gives their point of
view, that of the Anglican or Jacobite party and sup-
porters of Cornbury (14 i. c/., 436, 443, 449). News of
the change of Ministry at home, it is said, led the Assembly
to suppress a representation they had drawn up against
Cornbury 's administration and those Councillors who
had supported him (p. 10). But they took measures
against those who had championed Cornbury and his
administration, expelling two members, who were, how-
ever> again returned by the counties for which they sat.
The Assembly refused to allow them to take their seats.
They passed and sent up several bills which the obstruc-
tive Councillors promptly rejected, being especially
horrified by a bill to qualify Quakers for serving on all
juries and holding office, and another to make the
English bankruptcy laws current in the Colony (14 i.).
A petition against the former bill and the activities of
the Quakers as enemies of Church and State was presented
to the Queen (58 i.). Another grievance of the Councillors
was that they were governed from New York, and by
officers who resided in that Province, whilst of those who
resided in New Jersey " all the North Brittains that can
be found, though never so scandalous, are preferred, and
next to them the Quakers" (p. 11). This complaint
was an echo of Mr. Sonmans' indecent demonstration at
the Middlesex election, when he had declared against a
North Britain Government (p. 6). It was, of course,
an attack upon Hunter. The Governor, meanwhile,
had come to the conclusion that the experiment of
appointing an equal number of representatives of both
parties to the Council had proved a disastrous failure.
The six obstructive Councillors were determined to stir
up strife and interfere with the administration of Justice.
One of them had now started an agitation against
the payment of taxes (249, 249 i.). Nothing was required
to secure the peace and goodwill of the Province but the
PREFACE. XXXI.
removal of these Councillors from office. That done,
he could promise an entire settlement of the country.
Till that was done, everything was in suspense (249).
Hunter's reading of the situation was confirmed by
the Proprietors of New Jersey in London, who referred to
their former representations to the same effect, and
submitted the names of more desirable Councillors (156,
156 i., 413).
When Col. Vetch left Annapolis Royal to take up
his command of the Colonial troops on the Canada
Expedition, he appointed Sir Charles Hobby to be Deputy
Governor in his absence (71). The French Indians had
made an attempt upon the fort after their successful
ambush, but without effect. Vetch reported (July,
1711) that the place was safe, and some troops and stores
could be spared from the garrison (46 i., 61). These were
requisitioned by General Hill. Sir Charles' refusal has been
referred to above ( 1). Lively fears were entertained
as to the effect of the failure of the Canadian enterprise.
It was expected that an attempt would be made by the
French to recover Nova Scotia (175, 247), and intercepted
letters seemed to point to a possible attack upon Annapolis
Royal by sea (92, 94 i.). In these circumstances disposi-
tions were made both by orders from home for the pro-
tection of the place (247), and by Governor Vetch and
General Hill to strengthen the garrison. A detachment
of New England troops and a company of Mohawks
were ordered to their relief. Stores and an engineer
were also sent there, and, for the sake of discipline, Major
Caulfield was appointed Lt. Governor (92, 175, 175 iii.,
iv., 253). At the end of the year he reported that the
place had by then been rendered strong enough to resist
any force that could be brought against it, and that the
inhabitants, who had suffered some hardships, were
well satisfied since the publication of the Royal Pro-
clamation (62, 92, 208, 457).
References are made by both sides to the severe
treatment which had been meted out to the French
inhabitants (46, 46 i., 94 ii., 208). Governor Vetch is
blamed for this by Capt. Vane, the Engineer (403),
who also charges him with trading on his own account
XXX11.
PEEFACE.
Vetch's
report.
Pennsyl -
vania.
Penn's
surrender.
Affirmation
Act
repealed.
Virginia.
The
Assembly.
to the detriment of the inhabitants, the garrison and the
Treasury alike. Vetch, on the other hand, had good
grounds of complaint, and was subjected to strong
temptation (402). It often happened at this period that
Governors were ordered to undertake certain enterprises,
involving more or less heavy outlay, without any care
being taken to provide for their financial necessities. So
Vetch at Annapolis Royal found himself without means or
salary, and the bills he had drawn for the provision of the
garrison were not accepted at the Treasury (84, 304,
452, p. 165).
Col. Vetch sent in a report upon the resources of the
country and the measures which he deemed necessary
for its development (192).
The Attorney General reported upon William Penn's
proposed surrender of his Government (331). The
question of the amount of compensation to which he
would be entitled produced an account of the Revenue
of the Province (298, 298 i.).
The affirmation Act, which enabled Quakers to give
evidence in criminal cases, and against which protest was
entered from New Jersey, was repealed (58 i., 203, 221).
In Virginia, Lt. Governor Spotswood found the
Assembly recalcitrant. They renewed their quarrel with
the Council and still refused to provide for the payment
of the public debts, although they approved of the
services for which they had been incurred. They were
ready, indeed, to raise money by imposing a duty upon
British manufactures, but this could not be admitted
(301, 408). But as to laying a tax upon the country, the
received opinion of the populace was that "he is the
best patriot who most violently opposes the raising any
money, let the occasion be what it will," and upon this
cry at the elections members calculated to retain their
seats (301). Spotswood therefore dissolved the Assembly
on Jan. 31st. No provision had been made for carrying
out the terms of the Treaty with the Tuscaroras, and the
Government was left without any fund wherewith to meet
any emergency that might well arise in the unsettled
condition of the frontier (301, 408). Spotswood declared
that there was no personal difference between himself
PREFACE. XXxiii.
and the Burgesses or the country. He expected a
reaction against the parsimonious policy of the late
Assembly, but determined to await sure signs of it
before holding another election (301).
Virginia Upon hearing news of the massacre in North Carolina,
and the .
Indian War. (cf. See p. xxiii.), in which some at least of the Tuscarora
Indians were involved, Spotswood at once put a stop to
the Indian trade, mobilised the Virginian militia, and
summoned the Tuscaroras and the neighbouring Indians
to a conference. Impressed by the appearance of the
Militia, the Sachems expressed their desire for peace and
their concern that any of their tribe should have taken
part in the massacre. Spotswood suggested that they
should take a share in the punishment of the assassins,
offering them rewards for so doing, and he obtained the
release of Baron de Graffenried. He also demanded that
two children of the chiefs of each town should be sent
to be educated in Virginia and held as hostages for their
good behaviour. This scheme he welcomed as a step
towards the conversion of the Indians to Christianity.
At the same time, by offering to remit their tribute, he
induced some of the Chiefs of the tributary Indians to
send their sons to be educated at the College, hoping that
the Assembly would supplement the fund left by Mr.
Boyle for that purpose (177). Several of the Council
agreed to advance the money which the Assembly refused
to supply for making good the treaty with the Tuscaroras.
But the situation remained very anxious. The good
faith of the Tuscaroras was doubtful ; the Senecas were
threatening to take revenge for the killing of one of their
Chiefs by a Virginian ; and there was a danger lest the
French should succeed in uniting all the neighbouring
Indians with those subject to them in an attack upon
the frontiers of the English Colonies (382 i.). It was not
long before Carolina again appealed for help. Spotswood
prepared to send it, but, as we have seen (p. xxv.), a peace
with the Indians was patched up before the Virginian
troops crossed the border (408). Unmoved by the dan-
gerous nature of the situation, the Assembly persisted
in their refusal to provide for the defence of the country.
When, in the previous summer, there was reason to
XXXIV.
PREFACE.
Quakers
and Con-
scientious
Objectors.
Proposal for
combined
defence of
the Colonies.
Boundary
with
Carolina.
apprehend an attack by the French squadron in the West
Indies, they had refused to vote supplies for the forti-
fication of a province which could not boast a single
palisade or mounted gun, " the expense," Spotswood
observed " appearing to them much more immediate
than the danger." He had, however, persuaded them to
revive a law for the defence of the country in emergencies,
and under the powers conferred by this Act he made some
progress in the fortification of the mouths of the chief
rivers. In this task, however, he was impeded by the
attitude of the Quakers. They refused to work them-
selves or to allow their servants to work on the fortifica-
tions, affirming their consciences would not permit them
to do so, or even to supply provisions for the workers,
though they would feel obliged by their religion to feed
the French, should they come. Spotswood sardonically
contrasted this attitude with that of the Quakers who
had been the most active in taking up arms against the
Government of Carolina. He decided to put what
pressure he could upon them under the existing laws,
deeming it " absolutely necessary to discourage such
dangerous opinions, as would render the safety of the
Government precarious, since everyone that is either
lazy or cowardly would make use of the pretence of
conscience to excuse himself from working or fighting
when there is greatest need of his service" (pp. 113,
114).
In the face of these difficulties and dangers, the
Lieutenant Governor urged that he should be allowed to
make use of the quit-rents as an emergency fund ; he
made repeated appeals for a grant of arms and ammuni-
tion, of which the country was almost bare (seep, xv.),
and. in view of the critical nature of the situation, he
suggested that speedy orders should be given for Virginia,
Maryland and Carolina to assist each other in case an
attack should be made upon any one of them, and that
the regulation of such assistance should be defined and
not left " to the precarious humour of an Assembly "
(p. 222).
The settlement of the boundary between Virginia
and Carolina still hung fire, no instructions to that
PREFACE. XXXV.
end having been given by the Lords Proprietors to the
Governor of North Carolina (90, 408, 418).
immigration Whilst the terms of grants of land and the collection
to Virginia t t c
and Carolina, of quit-rents in Virginia were being made more strict, the
more advantageous terms upon which land could be taken
up in Carolina were tempting settlers to cross the border
into the Proprietary Government. The unsettled state
of that country, on the other hand, led others to wish to
move from the Indian frontier to the greater security of
Virginia (408, 418). The latter movement was checked
by doubts as to the proprietorship of lands in the fork of
Potomac (p. 280) ; the former was further encouraged
by the fact that whilst in the grant to the Lords Pro-
Mines and prietors of Carolina the amount of the royalty to be paid
to the Crown upon the working of mines discovered there
was definitely declared, the royalties reserved by the
Crown in Virginia had not been stated. A good deal of
prospecting for gold and silver in the mountains was now
in progress, an enterprise in which Spotswood himself was
taking great interest. He therefore pressed for a defini-
tion of the " due share in all the mines " claimed in
grants of Crown lands (418).
Virginia is again described as an Island in an Order of
Council (222).
3.
THE WEST INDIES.
Barbados. In recommending the repeal of a private Act of Barba-
transmLsion dos upon the ground of its injustice to one of the parties,
f Acts. t j ie Attorney General drew attention to the ill conse-
quences which might arise from the omission on the part
of Governors to obey their Instructions as to remitting
Acts for approval by the first opportunity (390, 394).
^wth r ^ e new Governor was soon in trouble. Lowther found
and Patent occasion to suspend both the Attorney General, Carter,
and the Secretary of the Island, Skene. The former
he had at first refused to allow to act as deputy to Mr.
Hodges ; the latter complained that the Governor had
encroached upon his office (80, 211 i., 228, 318, 318
vi.-viii., 378 i., vi., vii., 393 i.). The Council of Trade
XXXVI.
PREFACE.
The
Governor
and the
Navy.
Complaint
by Clergy.
Complaint
against
Lowther.
Addresses in
his favour.
Exchange
of prisoners
refused.
Trade
returns.
Barbuda.
were directed to enquire into Skene's case, and also to
consider the general question whether it was desirable
that Governors should suspend Patent Officers without
orders from home (393).
Another source of trouble was the relations of the
Governor with the Commanders of H.M. ships appointed
to that station. Naval Officers refused to take orders
from the Governor. Their refusal to cruise according
to his directions or to convoy the Trade Fleet as required
was the occasion, it was said, of the severe losses experi-
enced at the hands of enemy privateers (77, 77i.,319vi.,
378 xvii., 434, 434 i., iii.). Capt. Constable refused to
send a ship home with Thomas Kerby, one of Parke's
murderers, who had been arrested by the Governor in
Barbados. Lowther asked for powers under his Vice-
Admiralty Commission, to call Naval Officers to account
for disobeying his orders (318).
The Assembly was much incensed by a complaint
of the Clergy as to the provision made for them. It
was claimed that they were very generously treated. The
Clergy, pleading their poverty, had applied for a grant of
escheated lands to add to their glebes, and for the settle-
ment of Col. Codrington's donation (228, 228 i., iii.,
378 xv.).
Discontent with the Governor's actions found expres-
sion in a complaint which was surreptitiously sent
home. Such discontent, he suggested, was not uncon-
nected with his rigid enforcement of the Acts of Trade
and Navigation, as in the case of the ship Oxford. He
countered the complaint, whatever it might be, with
Addresses in his favour by the Council, the Assembly and
the Grand Jury (318, 318 ii.-vi., viii., 319 viii., 378, 378 i.
//., 395, 395 i.).
He gave good reasons for sending French prisoners
to Europe, and refusing to comply with their request
to be exchanged for English prisoners at Martinique
(77). The Board of Trade approved of his decision (186).
An account of exports is given (378 ii.).
The Island of Barbuda was the subject of a petition by
William Codrington and the Society for the Propagation
of the Gospel in Foreign parts (441 i., 463). In 1710
PREFACE.
XXXV11.
Bermuda.
Jamaica.
French
attack
feared.
Arrival of
the new
Governor.
Claims by
the
Assembly.
Right to
adj ourn
denied.
The new
Assembly.
the Island had been plundered and the fort destroyed
by the French. As beneficiaries under the will of Chris-
topher Codrington, the petitioners represented that they
had, at their joint expense, re-occupied and re-stocked
the Island and rebuilt the fort. The original grant by
Charles II had been for fifty years only. The Queen was
now petitioned to make the grant permanent, in which
case it was arranged that the Society should become
possessors of one quarter of the Island. It is described
as a nursery of horses and black cattle, and capable of
being planted with cotton, ginger, etc.
Bermuda was mildly plagued by measles and a
privateer (143). The appeal of the Secretary, Edward
Jones, was dismissed, the Council of Trade representing
him as unfit for H.M. service (212, 334).
The movements of the French fleets under Ducasse and
Duguay-Trouin and preparations at Martinique caused
uneasiness lest a descent upon Jamaica should be designed.
A proposal for the reinforcement of the garrison was
submitted by the planters and merchants (22, 22 i., p. 48).
The new Governor, Lord Archibald Hamilton, arrived
on llth July, 1711 (18, 28). On the eve of relinquishing
his government, General Handasyd had been obliged to
dissolve the Assembly. They were pursuing the same
tactics as those followed by the Assembly of New York.
On the one hand they quarrelled with the Council over
the right of the latter to amend money bills, on the other
hand they claimed the right to adjourn themselves (18).
Upon the latter point Lord Archibald asked for a ruling
by the Council of Trade (82). The Board replied that
the Assembly being called and sitting by virtue of the
authority of the Crown, vested in the Governor by
Commission under the Broad Seal, could have no power
to adjourn themselves without his leave, for longer than
de die in diem (187).
The new Assembly, which Handasyd had summoned,
was described by him as one which promised to be the
least inclined to faction he had known. This result may
have been due in part to the influence of the Councillors
in the election. They had promised " their best endea-
vours that such persons should be chosen as should shew
Wt. 26089. C.P. c.
XXXV111. PREFACE.
their duty and loyalty to Her Majesty and their zeal for
the good and welfare of this Island" (18). Their first
session was amicable enough. The Act for quieting poses-
sions was passed in the amended form required, and
provision was made for the Regiment and support of
Government for three months (82). Thanks were
returned for the recent relief from the duties on prizes
and prize goods by which privateering had been dis-
couraged, and the cancelling of bonds entered into for
the payment of such duties was requested (75, 124,
124 i., 345).
Unsatis- Lord Archibald found the Treasury empty, the accounts
& ditionof n of public funds much in arrear, and the state of the
the island. f ort ifi ca tions " ill-contrived and out of repair." Govern-
ment House and the public buildings were in a ruinous
condition (82, 267). The amount of the annual expendi-
ture was double that of the revenue. There was also a
great scarcity of provisions (p. 204). The last deficiency
was soon rectified by a plentiful harvest, and the arrival
of supplies from Europe (345, 421, 423). The repair of
the fortifications was at once taken in hand, and with the
help of Capt. Hawkins, the Royal Engineer, a new fort
at Port Morant was begun, and a new line of fortifications
at Port Royal was undertaken. For this work stone had
to be imported from England (82, 267, 423, 423 vii.).
The deficiency of the revenue was made good for the time
being by a vote of Assembly (267).
Returns and Lord Archibald presently returned answers to the
statistics.
series of queries put to Governors of Plantations by the
Board of Trade concerning the administration of the
Colonies (345). Returns of imports and exports are
Registers given (267 i., ii., 423 viii.). But a return of births,
christenings and burials it was found impossible to make,
registers not being kept for reasons which throw a vivid
light upon the conditions of life at that time (423).
Cartel As in the case of Barbados, a cartel with the French at
St. Domingo for the exchange of prisoners was refused,
and the refusal approved (82, 187, 267).
The It is noticeable as a matter of procedure that Lord
pomtm it j) ar mou t, n consulted the Council of Trade before making
Councillors. an appointment to the Council of Jamaica. This was
PREFACE. XXxix.
in the case of two well known Jamaicans who had been
recommended to him (108, 459). Lord Archibald urged
the Board not to support any application of the kind
without his knowledge and approval (p. 81).
The activities of the Jamaica Squadron have been
indicated above ( 1).
Leeward The new Governor of the Leeward Islands, Major
Governor Walter Douglas, arrived at Antigua on July 10th, 1711.
Douglas and jjj s Instructions were to enquire into the circumstances
the murder _~
of Governor of the murder of Governor Parke, to proclaim a general
pardon and to arrest and send home for trial, if need be,
half a dozen ringleaders of the rebellion. His first
report emphasised the necessity of proceeding slowly and
cautiously. The inhabitants were under arms. An
invasion from Martinique was daily expected, and the
island was. on the verge of civil war. The minority of
Loyalists, or supporters of Governor Parke, were terrorised
by the majority of the Planters, who, banded together
under the title of the " Association," had risen against
him. With one solitary exception, every member of
the Assembly had taken arms against Parke, and the
feeling of the majority was demonstrated by their
re-election. Col. Jones's regiment was on terms of friendly
intimacy with the rebels, and their cause was supported
by the active sympathy of the Commanders of H.M.
ships upon the station. In these circumstances, Douglas
decided to proceed with caution,. " believing it were
much the same thing to lose a thriving Colony to the
publick enemy or by a civil war " (36, 81, 302, 305, 355).
In view of the imminent danger of an attack by the
Defence of French, he first applied himself to putting the islands
into a state of defence, repairing fortifications, revising
* the discipline of the militia, and restoring order and
discipline in Col. Jones' regiment (36, 39, 63, 194, 302).
He had soon come to the conclusion that without naval
and military forces upon which he could rely for support,
Rebels and it would be worse than useless to attempt to arrest any
of the ringleaders amongst the inhabitants. ' Upon
the least motion I should make to apprehend any of the
planters," he writes to Lord Dartmouth's Secretary,
" the Island would be in an Insurrection, and the Loyalists
xl. PREFACE.
being the weakest, exposed to certain ruin and destruc-
tion " (81, 302, 305). He set himself, therefore, to
divide the leaders of the Association, and at the same time
H.M. to select and discipline about 200 men of the Queen's
regiment. . i i \ i -i i
regiment who should obey him in any action he might
Arrest of take. He arrested and sent home three officers of that
regiment who had taken part in the rebellion, to be
tried for high treason (63, 81, 160, 225, 302 iv., 305).
Lt. -General His next step was to suspend Walter Hamilton, the Lt.
suspended. General of the Islands, whom he describes as an enemy
of all chief Governors and an aider and abettor of the
rebels both before and after the murder of Governor
Parke.
The grounds for this action are given in addresses by
the Councils of St. Kitts and Antigua (302 i.-iii., vi.) and
evidence (154 ii.-vii.).
Hamilton had obtained leave to return home, but
on his voyage was taken prisoner by the French (332,
422). In relation to his position as Lt. General of the
Leeward Islands, a constitutional question had been
Question of raised and settled. Doubts were raised by the Lt.
Gerferars Governor of Antigua as to whether the Lt. General, by
membership virtue of his office, was entitled to sit in and preside over
of Councils.
the Councils of the several Islands. It was decided
that he was (26, 36, 195, 226).
Five As soon as Douglas felt that his position was sufficiently
arrested a^d secure, he published the Royal Proclamation of a general
sent home. p ar( j on w ith a f ew exceptions, and caused five of the ring-
leaders of the rebellion to be arrested (279, 302, 350,
355). One of them, Thomas Kerby, who had fled to
Barbados, was there seized in Codrington's house (318).
Both in Barbados and the Leeward Islands the Com-
manders of H.M. ships objected to taking orders from the
Governors to convey the prisoners home for trial (63,
81, 318, 355).
Dissatis- In the mean time the relatives and executors of
Douglas' Governor Parke had grown impatient at the delay
res ' in punishing his murderers. Upon their petition, enquiry
was ordered to be made as to how far Governor Douglas
had carried out his instructions (225, 260). The dissatis-
faction and disappointment felt by the supporters of
PREFACE.
xli.
Blackmail
alleged.
Drought in
Antigua.
Defence of
the islands.
St. Kitts.
Census of
St. Kitts.
Dutch at
Eustatia.
The grant
in aid of
Nevis and
St. Kitts.
Parke in Antigua are expressed in two letters, in which
the complaint is made that after a show of coming
firmness, " the mountain produced a mole," and Douglas
is plainly charged with blackmail. He compelled, it is
said, those who had been implicated in the murder of
the Governor, to purchase immunity according to their
means, extracting 1600 from one and a cow from another,
and amassing a fortune thereby " fitter for a noble than a
brevet major " (350, 355). It is, of course, possible that,
whilst Douglas' estimate of the situation was correct and
his procedure wise, he made use of the occasion at once to
frighten and punish the rebels and to feather his own nest.
In addition to intestine political troubles and dread
of invasion, Antigua was suffering from the effects of a
severe drought (36, 39, 355), which extended to Nevis
(313). We have further accounts of Capt. Bourn's
action in defence of Antigua and Montserrat (30, 39).
Another attack upon Montserrat was expected (194).
Douglas spent some time in regulating the affairs, review-
ing the militia and organising the defence of the four
Islands. He encouraged the settlement of the former
French parts of St. Kitts, and restored the routine
of the Courts and administration which had been allowed
to lapse (194). Robert Cunynghame, an ex-speaker of
Assembly, whom he describes as " a turbulent disturber
of the Assembly," was imprisoned under his warrant.
Cunynghame appealed against the Governor's arbitrary
exercise of power (194, 392, 392 i., ii.). Returns from St.
Kitts were hampered by the destruction of records by the
late invasion and the great hurricane, but a census is
given (65, 65 iii.).
Douglas complained of the action of the Dutch at
St. Eustatia and St. Martin's in harbouring deserters
and asked permission to make reprisals (194). He
announced the passing of several useful bills at Antigua
and St. Kitts (36, 194).
In distributing debentures to sufferers in pursuance of
the grant in aid of Nevis and St. Kitts, it was found neces-
sary to have a clear interpretation of the meaning of
' resettlement" required in the clause of the Act (102-
104, 137, 179, 201, 213, 368 i., 397 i.).
xlii.
PREFACE.
Stores of
war
requested.
Virgin
Islands.
Newfound-
land.
Capt.
Crowe's
report.
Failure of
Fishing
Admirals.
Placentia.
Sole right
to the
Fishery
demanded.
The correspondence upon Douglas' request for stores
of war and more frigates for the defence of the Islands
has been referred to above (63, 69, 194, 194 ii., v. p. xv.).
Capt. Walton renewed his application for permission
to settle the Virgin Islands (86, 316, 316 i.).
Commodore Crowe's replies to the usual heads of
enquiry relating to the Newfoundland Fishery were
returned in October, 1711. He commended the
industry of the Lt. Governor, John Collins, who had
succeeded in repairing to some extent the fort of St.
Johns. He himself had organised the inhabitants for
defence, and it was hoped that they would be able
to stand secure that winter. But for the future he
recommended the appointment of a resident Governor
and the establishment of a garrison of 200 men, 150 of
whom should be at St. Johns, as the more convenient
harbour, and 50 at Ferryland. The reduction of Placen-
tia would be the surest as well as the cheapest method of
rendering the Island secure and prosperous (10, 11, 149,
149 ii.). Col. Lilly, the engineer, stated his views upon the
fortifications required (330 i.). Crowe corrected several
abuses in connection with the Fishery. The Fishing
Admirals, it was found, neglected the duties entrusted to
them, having " so much business of their own that they
cannot find time to do justice for others." The inhabi-
tants and fishermen therefore turned to the Commodore
and Captains of men of war for the settlement of their
disputes. A list of the regulations for the better ordering
of the settlement and fishery, made by Capt. Crowe after
cousultation with the chief inhabitants and Captains of
merchant ships, is given, as well as the price and quantity
of fish caught during the season ( 149 ii.-iv.). The strength
of Placentia and Quebec is described (149 ii., v.).
The fate of the intended Expedition against Placentia
has been seen (1). The possession of that stronghold
was destined to be won not by direct assault but by the
arms of Marlborough in the West.
The policy of acquiring the whole of Newfoundland
and the sole right of the fishery at the Peace Negotiations
was pressed by those most nearly concerned (234, 373 i.,
388 i., and see 1).
PREFACE. Xliii.
Some indication of the traditional as well as the
modern pronunciation of Newfoundland is afforded by
the spelling in these documents. In one place it is
Newf'nland ; in another New-found-land. Quebec, (p.
92), again, is sometimes spelt Quibec, sometimes Queebec,
which is the local pronunciation at the present time.
CECIL HEADLAM.
July, 1925.
The documents calendared in the following pages are included
in the volumes of the Colonial Office Records preserved at the
Public Record Office and listed as follows :
C.O. 5, 9 ; 5, 10 ; 5, 11 ; 5, 290 ; 5, 306 ; 5, 308 ; 5, 382 ; 5, 717 ;
5, 720 ; 5, 727 ; 5, 751 ; 5, 848 ; 5, 865 ; 5, 866 ; 5, 898 ; 5,
913 ; 5, 970 ; 5, 995 ; 5, 1050 ; 5, 1084 ; 5, 1085 ; 5, 1091 ; 5,
1122 ; 5, 1123 ; 5, 1264 ; 5, 1265 ; 5, 1292 ; 5, 1316 ; 5, 1335 ;
5, 1337 ; 5, 1341 ; 5, 1363 ; 28, 13 ; 28, 14 ; 28, 43 ; 29, 12 ;
29, 13 ; 37, 9 ; 37, 28 ; 38, 7 ; 42, 13 ; 116, 21 ; 134, 2 ; 135, 3 ;
137,9; 137,10; 137,46; 137,51; 138,13; 152,9; 152,39;
152,42; 153,11; 153,12; 166,1; 194,5; 195,6; 194,23;
194, 24 ; 195, 5 ; 195, 6 ; 217, 1 ; 217, 31 ; 218, 1 ; 318, 3 ; 323,
7; 324,9; 324,10; 324,32; 388,15; 388,76; 389,22; 389,
37.
NOTE. etc. printed in italics in the course of the text indicates
that matter merely repeated or of no importance is
there omitted. Words printed in italics between square
brackets [thus] are suggestions by the Editor in places
where the MS. is rubbed or torn.
The reference " A. P.O. " is to the Acts of the Privy Council,
Colonial Series.
COLONIAL PAPERS.
JULY. 1711.
1711.
July 2.
Whitehall.
1 . Mr. Popple to Mr. Lowndes. In reply to June 28, encloses
papers relating to the Palatines settled at New York. Requests
50 copies of each of the Acts mentioned June 27. [C.O. 5, 1122.
p. 395.]
July 2. 2. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. In reply to June 29, encloses
Admiralty following. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Reed., Read 3rd
Office. July, 1711.- Addressed. I p. Enclosed,
2. i. List of H. M. ships and vessels attending on the Gov-
ernmts. in America. Defyance, Salisbury, Salisbury
prize, Jersey, Weymouth, Windsor, Nonsuch, Medway
prize, Jamaica sloop, Tryall, at Jamaica. Burlington,
Panther, Experiment, at Barbados. Diamond, Leeward
Islands. Lowestoffe, Feversham, New York. Chester,
New England. Enterprize, Try tons prize, Virginia.
Shoreham, Hector, going to New York. 1 p. [C.O.
323, 7. Nos. 14, 14 i. ; and 324, 9. pp. 482, 483.]
July 5. 3. Address of the Governor, Council and Assembly of the
Whitehall. Massachusetts Bay, to the Queen. Duplicate of Address from
New Hampshire, July 22 q.v. Signed, J. Dudley, Isa. Addington,
Secry., By order of the Council, and John Burrill, Speaker,
By order of the Representatives. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 10. No. 140.]
July 5.
Whitehall.
July 5.
Whitehall.
July 6.
4. Mr. Popple to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General.
Requests an answer as soon as possible to letter of Jan. 3rd q.v.
[C.O. 29, 12. pp. 354, 355.]
5. Mr. Popple to Mr. Attorney General. Requests a reply
to April 27 on Wait Winthrop's petition. [C.O. 5, 913. pp.
336, 337.]
6. Minutes of Assembly of N. Hampshire, June 15- July 6,
1711. Endorsed, Reed, from Mr. Newman. Feb. 7, 17} j. 3pp.
[C.O. 5, 865. Nos. 75-77.]
July 7. 7. Bristol Custom-house Officers to the Council of Trade and
Custom House, Plantations. Enclose following. Signed, J. Reynardson, Jno.
Elbridge. Endorsed, Reed. 9th, Read llth July, 1711. Post-
mark. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed,
Wt. 26089. B.& S. 375. C.P. 1.
Bristoll.
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
July 9.
Hamsted.
July 10.
Windsor
Castle.
July 10.
Admiralty
Office.
July 11.
Whitehal.
7. i. List of fishing ships (7) cleared from Bristol to the
Newfoundland fishery June 24, 1710-1711, with ^th
of the crew landmen that never were at sea before, in
accordance with the Act 10 and 11 of Wm. III. 2 pp.
[C.O. 194, 5. Nos. 6, 6 i. ; and (without enclosure) 195, 5.
pp. 231, 232.]
8. Mr. Richier to Mr. Popple. In reply to yours, we have
as yet reed, no letters from ye Jersies, but I have writ to Mr.
Dockininique, ye President of our Society, who will wait upon
ye Lords Commrs. Wtt. we have to offer lies in a narrow compass.
We have formerly complain'd (and not without very great cause)
against those 4 men in ye Council (vizt. Cox, Sunmans, Hall and
Pinhorn, arid agt. Jeremiah Bass, Secretary, and ye late Repre-
sentacion of ye Assembly has justified our complaint. I shall not
wonder if Dockwrey become an advocate for ym., because they
have been his tooles to act such things for his private advantage,
to ye great wrong of those who intrusted him, etc. As to his charac-
ter we must refer to a memoriall etc. left some years since at yr.
Board. Signed, Edw. Richier. Endorsed, Reed. 10th., Read llth.,
July, 1711. Addressed. Sealed, f p. [(7.0.5,970. No. 150.]
9. H. M. Warrant granting to Thomas Day a piece of land
in Bermuda, whereon his brother, Samuel Day, had built a house
when Governor there. The Governor is to recommend to the
Assembly that the house built by him on the said piece of ground
be bought by them for 200 for the use of the Governor for the
time being. But if the house be not so purchased, the Governor
is to issue a warrant as aforesaid. Countersigned, Oxford.
Endorsed, Reed. Read July 26, 1711. 2 pp. [C.O. 37, 9. No.
19 ; and 38, 7. pp. 16-19.]
10. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. Capt. Crow of the Warspight,
who will command H.M. ships at Newfoundland, acquaints me
that in the heads of enquiry from the Council of Trade and
Plantations there are several clauses which require penaltys to
be inflicted, either by seizures or forfeitures, but that those
forfeitures not being inserted, he desires to know how hee shall
govern himselfe therein, etc. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed,
Reed. Read July 11, 1711. Addressed. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 5.
No. 7 ; and 195, 5. p. 232.]
11. Mr. Popple to Mr. Burchett. Reply to preceding. The
Council of Trade and Plantations command me to acquaint you
that there is no mention of any penalties in the Act to encourage
the trade to Newfoundland, neither is there any in the Heads of
Enquiry, and therefore the Commodore is directed upon his
arrival in Newfoundland to take care as far as in him lyes, that
the most effectual method be taken for remedying several irreg-
ularities that stil continue to be practis'd in those parts, and that
others formerly complain'd of be not again practis'd. [C.O,
195, 5. p. 233.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
1711.
July 11. 12. H.M. Warrant to John Rayner, Attorney General of
New York, extending his leave of absence for 12 months. Coun-
tersigned, Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 99, 100.]
Windsor.
July 12.
Whitehal.
July 13.
13. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. We
have no objection why your Majesty may not approve Edward
Hyde as Governor of North Carolina etc. (v. June 14), provided
he qualify himself as the law requires and give good security
for his observance of the Acts of Trade and Navigation etc.
The security usually given by the Governors of other Proprieties
is in a bond of 2000 ster., but in regards the trade in that part is
inconsiderable, we humbly offer that the security to be given by
him be in a bond of 1000 sterling. [C.O. 5, 1292. pp. 313-315.]
14. Mr. Dockwra to Mr. Popple. In reply to enquiry of
July 5, explains that delay in receiving the second packet from New
Jersey, of which he had received advice (v. enclosed), was due to
the death at sea of Mr. Read who had been entrusted with it at New
York, etc. Continues : I have been ill and confined to my bed. I
have in some intervals of my ills read over some of the many New
Jersey Papers lying with me, and taken from some of the last letters
an abstract of some such transactions as are so very extraordinary,
and that come from one of my friends, an honest South Brittain,
and obedient son of the Church, who is no insinuating hypocrite,
but a man of probity, and the noble Lords and Honble. Gentle-
men at the boord may depend upon the truth of what future
reports and representations will appear transmitted by the same
good hand, and two or three more of like character, etc. etc.
Signed, Wm. Dockwra. Endorsed, Reed. July 13, Read Nov. 7,
1711. Addressed. Sealed. 2| pp. Enclosed,
14. i. Extract of a letter to Mr. Dockwra in London from a
Member of Council in New Jersey by Capt. Ball in the
Bristoll Packet-boat, reed. June 14. My last two letters
were by our good friend Col. Nicholson, and by Mr.
Norton, to which narratives I referre you of our new
Governour's surprising beginnings, falling in with the
seditious faction of turbulent men, whose cheif ring-
leader has in his whole life time been Lewis Morris. The
Assembly mett Dec. 4, etc. Mr. Sonmans will send over
coppies of the Acts past, and of such as the Councill
rejected, by which will be plainly perceived what our
pollititians attempted to compass by the countenance
and encouragement of H. E., who notwithstanding his
repeated professions of his impartiallity and desire of
peace and union, has entirely and passionately espoused
the seditious party of Morris, Johnstone etc., and united
with the Quakers ; and little has been transacted during
the sitting of the Assembly without his previous know-
ledge and connivance. His Cabinet Councill has been
and is Lewis Morris, George Clark, John Johnstone, late
Capt. now Coll. Farmer, Thomas Gordon, Tho. Gardiner,
a Quaker, and Geo. Willokes, the three first chiefest
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
managers. They began with entring into a strict
league with the Quakers, and drew up and presented
their Address, by which it is evident they act by the
same principles and moved by the same spirit as formerly.
And the Earl of Clarendon though absent and out of
their reach, must be attacked, in order to open the way
to ruin his friends. H.M. Councill of State was seldome
consulted except about passing of Bills. The Gentlemen
of the Councill might have taken just exception to the con-
tents of their Address, but wee forbore, that the Governor
might see wee were willing to joyn with him in accom-
plishing the great work of peace and union which he
pretended to be so desirous of, how really the event will
shew. Wee presented our Address to H.E. by which
you will see our principles are the same as ever, and that
wee did avoid whatever might look to be entring into
the list of controversy. Our address was extreamly
opposed by Mr. Morris, Tho. Gordon, George Deacon,
and Thomas Gardiner, neither of whome would sign
it, for what reason I never could learn, except that the
first of those had not the penning it with reflections on
the Lord Clarendon's Administration. But our peace-
able address disappointed them extreamly ; for they
could from thence gather no matter for a quarrell with
us, which wee found, they earnestly desired. They then
fell on new measures, which were, to pass some bills,
which they knew wee must reject ; accordingly a bill
for recording of deeds in the severall counties ; another for
destroying prosecutions by informations, and a third for
quallifying Quakers to serve on all juries, give evidence
in criminal} causes, and a third, for quallifying Quakers
to serve on all juries, give evidence in criminal causes, and
hold and enjoy offices of profit and trust in the Government,
which were accordingly sent up to us. The first took
away the only valuable perquisite belonging to the Sec-
retaries office, and was directly contrary to his patent, and
indeed impracticable, the Clerks of many counties being
scarce able to write, and having no particular offices, and
on other accots. most incapeable of such a trust. It was
moreover proved, that the records of severall counties
have been lost or embezzled by the negligence or roguery
of the clerks. The second was directly contrary to the
Acts of Trade and Navigation, and indeed the prerog-
ative of the Crown but you have too well known what
vallue this factious crew have ever had for that. The last
bill was such a monster, that every part of it was terrible.
It unhinged our very constitution of Government, was
directly contrary to the 7th and 8th K. William, a
great encouragement of Quakerism, or rather its establish-
ment, at least in this Province ; and of the most per-
nicious consequence to the Church of England. The
Quakers in the Councill, and their two fast friends,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 5
1711.
Morris and Gordon, attempted the passing that with
mighty warmth ; the Governor himself extreamly press'd
the same, at least the committing it, for fear of angring
the Assembly, or putting them as was the pretence,
out of humour. But wee considered, if it was committed
some trick or other might be used to pass it, so wee
resolved to reject it on the second reading, which being
done and the Quakers disappointed of their Magna
Charta, as it was termed, and indeed the very darling
of their souls, and no doubt part of the prize promised
them by Morris etc., they grew angry ; on which Doctor
Johnstone reported from a Committee of the whole
House, that notwithstanding it was of the utmost
consequence to the Proprietors and inhabitants of this
Province, that a Bill should be brought in for settling
their rights to their lands, yet it was to no purpose to do
it at this time, because there was no likelyhood that the
Councill would pass it. This was designed to throw a
slurr on the Councill and to imprint an ill opinion of
them in the minds of the ignorant, unthinking multitude,
as men who opposed anything that was of benefit and
advantage to them. He reported likewise that they
had passed a Bill in that House conformable to H.M.
injunctions in relation to the ease of the people called
Quakers, but that the Councill without committing
it had rejected it, designing thereby to magnifie their
obedience, and our disobedience to H.M. instructions,
when the case is really thus, H.M. orders her Governor
to take care that, in order to the ease of the Quakers
in what they conceive to be matter of conscience, so
far as may be consistent with good order and Govern-
ment, an act be passed in the Genii. Assembly to the
like effect as that passed in England for the solemn
affirmation of Quakers etc. Now this Act of theirs
being directly contrary to what the Queen recommends,
and to the abovementioned Acts of Parliament, man-
kind must wonder how any set of men could have
assurance enough to make so false and scandalous a
report etc. They resolved also to have a new clerk to
their Assembly,' presuming that Mr. Pinhorne being
formerly of the Earl of Clarendon's appointment, would
not be a tool to them ; they addrest the Govr. agt. him,
and though everything they alleged was false in fact,
or no crime, yet the Governor appointed one Bradford
the Printer at New York in his room, who had been
waiting in this town about a week before in expectation
of that place. Thus you will plainly percieve N. York
and the Party supply N. Jersey with instruments
requisite to accomplish its destruction. And having
in this been successfull, they next attack the Secretary
and Clerk of the Council!, Mr. Basse, first by complaints,
afterwards with petitions and addresses (v. May 7).
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
The Councill finding so great an inconvenience in the
loss of one honest man, the Clerk of the Assembly, and
understanding Mr. Farmer was designed to succeed
Mr. Basse if they could remove him, resolved, if possible,
to prevent that, therefore by advice of Col. Quary, they
drew up an address to the Governor in the Secretaries
behalf, which I believe broke their measures by the
unpleasant answer the Councill recieved, which, to-
gether with the Address, the Governor ordered to be
enter'd in the Minutes, and therein condemning Mr.
Bass, as if positive proof agt. him, tho' at that time
he was intirely a stranger to the particulars of the charge,
having had no sight of it, much less required to answer
it. Mr. Birchfield having suspended Mr. (now called
Collonel) Farmer for severall misdemeanors in his office
of Collector of Amboy, though the Governor made
interest to keep him in, it was resolved by the faction,
that Gentleman should be recompenced with the Sec-
retaries Office. It is reported that H.E. sends over the
charge agt. Mr. Basse to Brittaine, and recommends
Mr. Farmer in his place ; I hope you and all our friends
will at least endeavour to prevent that party man being
topt upon us, or any of that party, which would be
equally mischievous. Mr. Willokes was all this while
busy in drawing complaints against Mr. Sonmans,
which were much of the same nature, with those in my
Lord Lovelace's time, with this addition, that at the
Midlesex election he clapt his hand behind, declaring
agt. a North Brittain Government, which was urged as
a designed affront agt. H.E. and all of that Nation,
but Mr. Sonmans answered all very largely (v. May 7).
Mr. Hall of Salem was at the same time addrest agt. by
the Assembly for making a wrong taxation of a bill of
costs and selling a servant of his, whome they alleged
was then a prisoner, but he presented the Governor with
an answer in writing, as was thought to his satisfaction ;
however it did not prevent his being turned out from
being chief Judge of the place, and since the Grand
Jury have found an indictment agt. Benja. Wright of
Philadelphia for taking a false oath against Mr. Hall
about the servant. You may be informed, that Mr.
Hall being a reputed Quaker, that Party depended
on him for their tool, and he was at first highly caressed
by the Governor who (as Mr. Hall affirmed to me and
most of the Councill) told him as a secrett that he had
resolved in a month's time to have settled the Governmt.
in another manner than it was, had not the surprizing
alteration of the Ministry in Great Brittain intervened.
However Mr. Hall could not be prevailed with to joyn
with Morris, Johnstone etc., but vigorously opposed their
proceedings both in and out of Councill, the Quakers
have now given him a surfeit, so that he went con-
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 7
1711.
stantly to Church during his stay in this town ; and
some talk as if that was the chief reason why he was
removed from being Judge, and one Middleton, a
Quaker (who came into the country in such a poor
condition, he was forced to sell himself a servant to
pay for his passage) appointed Judge instead of Mr.
Hall. The Assembly could now no longer dissemble
their designs, but at once pluckt off the mask by falling
on Major Sandford, a Representative for the County of
Bergen, because he had formerly, when of H.M. Councill,
joyned with the Lt. Governor and seaven more of that
body in signeing an Address to H.M. agt. the proceedings
of the Assembly in vindication of Earl Clarendon, for
this they expelled him the House, making at the same
time a vote, that that Address was false, scandalous,
etc., and that no Member of H.M. Councill that signed
it should be ever capeable of sitting in that House, till
he had publickly acknowledged his fault in so doing.
Major Sandford was afterwards elected a Representative
a second time for the same County, not one opposing
him, with a present of money to bear his charges, and
a declaration that if they refused to admit him or
expelled him again, he should be as often chosen ; the
Sheriff returned the writt, but the House would not
admitt him. Mr. Mott, one of the Representatives
for Monmouth County, a Gentleman who warmly
opposed their extravagant proceedings, was in
like manner expelled the House because he and Mr.
Lawrence had formerly petitioned the Governor and
Councill to have some reasons about the Bill for the
Canada Expedition, which they had presented to Col.
Nicholson, enter'd into the Journall, though the true
reason was his dissenting from them ; he soon after was
returned again by the County with a genii, concurrence,
but not allowed by the Assembly to sitt, some in the
House declaring it was impudence in the county to
return any man they had expelled. Mr. Trot well was
the next they designed for the same fate with Major
Sandford and Mr. Mott ; but what they had done in
relation to those two members had so incenced the
counties for which they were chosen, with the generality
of the Province (that were not Quakers) that it was
thought adviseable to proceed no further in expulsions.
From the time the Councill rejected the three Bills
abovementioned there was a whispering that shortly
something would appear so frightfully to severall of
the Councill as to oblige them to abandon the Province,
and then it would be in the Govr's. power to appoint
a number of new Counsellors, sufficient to carry all
things as they had projected, this was a Bill enacting
thatt all the statutes agt. Bankrupts made in England
should be in force in this Province. And it was past and
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
sent up, where, after long debates and reasonings it was
found the most pernicious bill imaginable ; for besides
that Mr. Edward Billing, and Mr. John Fen wick, under
whome all persons in West Jersey held their lands, so
that no man could be secure of his estate, but the credrs.
of those two gentlemen might come and take from us
our settlements, and hundreds of the inhabitants have
purchased lands of other Proprietors who are likewise
bankrupts ; so that to pass such a bill were to depopulate
and ruin the Province. But there will be many other
unanswerable reasons shown why such a destructive
bill ought not to pass and wee doubt not to satisfie
H.M. and the Honble. Comrs. of the Board of Trade and
Planta. why some other Bills were refused, hoping in
few days more to recover the packet sent over by Peter
Sonmans from the Councill in N. Jersey, which by the
death of the Gentleman to whose hands it was intrusted
to be delivered to Mr. Dockwra, the Proprietors' Sec-
retary, has occasioned this loss of time. Another Bill
is passed for support of H.M. Government to the vallue
of 944 and 300 for the Assembly for one year, new
currency ; and the same for the next year if the Governor
shall continue so long among us. But in case he should
die, or be recalled before that time, then he or his
execrs. and the other officers of the Government are to
recieve their salary only to the time of his death or
removall, and what remains is to be lodged in the
Treasurer's hands to be disposed of by Act of Generall
Assembly ; which is contrived to make all Governors
and other officers tools to the Assembly, or else they
shall have no salarys, for, say they, wee know not who
may be Govr. next, perhaps one that is no friend to the
Quakers and Dr. Johnstone etc., whether this can be
called a Revenue, or something else, I care not to name,
but you will easily judge. The Governor assured the
Assembly that Col. Morris was Presidt. of H.M. Councill
by her particular letter ; and they soon after order'd all
their bills to be delivered to Mr. Morris as President,
who brought them afterwards to the Governor, this was
opposed by the majority of the Councill but to no
purpose, the Governor declaring the Assembly must be
humoured. Indeed the greatest care imaginable was
taken not to displease them, but to allow them their
head in everything. As for the Councill, as little regard
was had for them (except Morris, Gordon, Gardiner,
and Deacon) as possible, nay less than during my Lord
Lovelace's administration ; howsoever, notwithstanding
all the affronts wee met with, all the hardship wee lay
under, wee lost not a jot of our courage, but did what was
our duty to our Queen and Country here. It is true
the Quakers and their adhserents in the Assembly
revile us, but the greater part of the country thank and
AMERICA AND WEST TNDTES. 9
1711.
commend u*, and wee are not out of hopes of H.M.
countenance and protection, for without it wee must all be
crusht, and sink under the weight of a Quaker-arbitrary
Assembly, than which nothing can be more intolerable
to English men, and true members of the Church of
England by law established. Mr. Gardiner is to be
our Surveyor Generall, if he is not already. Mr. Gordon
is Deputy Treasurer under Johnston, Billop, and
Bradford. Billop has a commission to be Escheator
Generall. Capt. Farmer is made a Collonel and Judge
of the Pleas in Middlesex and Somersett, in the room of
Mr. Sonmans, where there is likewise an intire new sett
of Justices. Col. Pinhorne is removed from being
Judge in Bergen, and Kerry Morris in his place. Capt.
Bown is out in Monmouth, and Col. Morris first judge
in his stead. Dr. Johnstone is second Judge. Major
Spicer, who went on the expedition to Canada, is
superseded by Justice Tomlinson in Gloster County,
and one Townsend a Quaker made Judge in Cape May
County. In short the greatest part of those put in by
Earl Clarendon and Col. Ingoldesby are turned out of
commission, and severall Quakers, and men recom-
mended by Quakers, put in. Col. Townley is lately
dead, in whome the honest part of the Council have
sustained a great loss. Col. Huddy is no more my Lt.
Col., he is so uneasy at a prosecution order 'd agt. him
for a monopoly on account of the patent E. of Clarendon
granted him about setting up his invention of carriages
for conveying goods through the Province, that I
believe, if it is not speedily stopt, he will leave the Pro-
vince, which I should heartily regret, he having been
at a vast expence in bringing matters to such a per-
fection. As to myself, I have dropt some words since
the rising of the Assembly, as if I designed for Brittain,
which has occasioned not a little uneasiness to some
people. The evening before the Assembly was pro-
rogued, they delivered the Governor a representation of
the State of the Province, (as they call it) containing
32 pages close writt, penn'd by Col. Morris and the
non- juror, George Willokes ; Dr. Johnstone read it to
him, the Assembly and severall other people being
present, but not one of the Councill except Mr. Morris ;
and as I am told by some of the Assembly, his answer
was he would represent matters to the Queen, and
doubted not but she would take such measures as would
give a genii, satisfaction. It contains (as some honest
Assembly Anti-Quakers assure me) the most scandalous
and villainous reflections on the Earl of Clarendon and
his Ldp.'s administration that could be invented, so bad,
they avoided nameing many of them. Severall pages
are writt agt. his Ldp., and Col. Ingoldesby is likewise
miserably traduced, and the late Chief Justice Mompes-
10 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
son, Col. Pinhorne, Townley and Huddy, Mr. Sonmans,
Mr. Hall and myself, if you'll believe 'em, are some of the
worst of men. Two hundred coppies I hear have been
printed, but since the news of the happy change of the
Ministry and the good agreemt. betwixt H.M. and the
Parliament, they were ordered out of Bradford, the
Printer's hands, and I understand wee here are not like
to have a sight of them. It is talkt abroad, as if some-
thing like scandalum magnatum against his Lordship in
that Representation had terribly scared some people ;
and I believe the fear of that, joined with the change of
the Ministry etc. keep it so private ; some here are of
opinion it will be sent for Great Britain by the Governor
to some of his friends, if not more publickly ; the first
part I believe, though scarce the last : yet nobody doubts
but Col. Morris and Dr. Johnstone will send coppies to
Sir Wm. Ashurst, Micaiah Perry, my Lady Lovelace,
and the Jersey Society. I just now hear a report (but
how well-grounded I know not) that what concerns the
Lord Clarendon is to be omitted, and the remainder
agt. Col. Ingoldesby, and the Councill to be exposed.
I cannot forbear mentioning one thing more,
which a gentleman assures me to. be true, and is as
great a piece of knavery as can be imagined. The
Assembly in their Representation say, that when Col.
Quary signed that Address (meaning that agt. Morris,
Jennings etc.) wee believe he was misled, and depended
too much on the credit of others ; for he has since (they
say) very much declined from joyning with them, in
many of their hott and rash humours, and doth at
present behave himself like a man, that doth intend the
service of the Queen and the good of the country. This
was to make the Councill suspicious of Col. Quary, and
to compliment him out of his design of exposing their
proceedings at home. Col. Quary thinks himself highly
affronted and injured on this occasion, their intentions
(as he imagins) being to make him both knave and fool,
and he has often declared to me, this Assembly was one
of the worst he ever knew ; that, as far as he could
percieve, there was nothing so bad but they would
attempt, if they thought it would injure any of the
Councill that were not their tools, declaring he was sick
of them, and resolved never to see 'em again. Mr.
Sonmans has lately procured some heads of this famous
Representation, which he will transmitt to you ; what
I have seen are intirely false, or miserably misrepre-
sented. Judge Mompesson is turned out, and one
Jemmison, a North Brittain, who lives at N. York is
Chief Justice in his stead in this Colony of N. Jersey ;
the man and his morals are too well known. Mr.
Regnier in imitation of the Assembly forbears not
according to his usuall custome to make out writts
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 11
1711.
agt. the Gentlemen of the Councill ; and but a few dayes
since sent one to the Sheriffe of this county to arrest
Mr. Huddy for 20, which he pretends is due to one
Gomez a Jew in N. York, though in November term
he had filed a declaration agt. him for the very same
money, and Mr. Huddy had put in his plea to it ; and
wee are told by some people that the Gentlemen of the
Councill have no privilege at all tho' an Assemblyman
or an attorney of the Court has. Col. Morris is made
second Judge of the Supream Court, and Thomas
Gardiner and George Deacon both Quakers, Assistant
Judges. The Governor of Pensylvania having passed an
Act of Assembly, whereby a solemn protestation is to
be taken (the name of God being omitted) instead of
the solemn affirmation appointed by Act of Parliament,
has occasioned Addresses from severall of the Ministers
and Vestrys in that Colony to the Queen agt. passing yt.
Bill, and our Minister and Vestry of Burlington have done
the same. Wee are now in a much worse condition than if
immediately under the Governmt. of N. York, for most
of our officers live in, and belong to that Province, yet
wee must pay them. Mr. Morris, the President of our
Councill, who is also Judge of the Pleas in the County of
Monmouth, lives an inhabitant of New York. Our
Chief Justice, who has not one farthing interest in the
whole Province, our Reciever Generall, our Treasurer
and their securities, our Escheator Generall, Mr. Joseph
Billop, who has likewise no manner of estate here ; our
Auditor Generall the like ; and Col. Farmer the Judge
of this county, Dr Johnstone, second Judge of Mon-
mouth County ; Bradford, the Clerk and Printer of the
Assembly, all live in New York Government ; and,
of those that reside in the Province, all the North
Brittains that can be found, though never so scandalous,
are preferred, and next to them the Quakers ; so that
the few tolerable officers will not act, or be concerned
with them. You will by this easily percieve the miser-
able condition of this poor Province, how far wee are
from being reconciled or agreed, and I see no prospect of
amendmt. while the Governor of New York is Governor
of New Jersey, and wee labour under the dead weight
of the Quakers. Now, if the Councill was purged of
Mr. Morris, who has ever been Ringleader of the seditious,
Mr. Deacon, Mr. Gordon and Mr. Gardiner, and the
Quakers kept close to the indulgence the Laws allow
them, but not permitted to bear any offices, much less
to sit either in Councill or Assembly, and then the
vacancies in the Councill filled up with honest, well-
meaning men, such as John Bown, Cornelius Longfield,
and Charles Duncan for the Eastern ; and Danish Leeds,
Jacob Spicer etc. for the Western Division, I believe this
Province might be easily settled. But if the two
12 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
vacancies now in the Council, vizt. Major Sandford and
Col. Townley are supplied with Quakers or others of
the confederacy in their interest, as at the last time,
and such I have no doubt the Governor will recommend,
I doubt the country will be ruined. Endorsed, Reed.
July 13, Read Nov. 7, 1711. 8| pp. [C.O. 5, 970.
Nos. 149, 149 i. ; ami (without enclosure) 5, 995. pp.
153-155.]
July 13. 15. Lt. Governor Hamilton to the Council of Trade and
Antigua. Plantations. Acknowledges duplicate of March 16 by Governor
Douglas, " who arrived here on Sunday last being the 8th instant,
by which your Lordships seem to charge me with neglect in not
sending home an express immediately to give an account of the
death of the late Generall, of which I hope I have cleared myselfe
before H.E. in Council, as your Lordships may perceive by the
inclosed coppyes of the Minites taken from the Council Book, to
which I referr, as I do likewise to the Minites both of the Generall
and private Councill of all my conduct and proceedings since my
haveing had the honour to be at the head of this so disjointed
a Government, and do hope that upon the strictest examination,
I have with honour discharged my duty (in the most difficult
of times) to her most sacred Majesty, the generall preservation of
the Islands and mutuall satisfaction of most of the inhabitants,
but it is my hard fate and for these eight years past I have con-
stantly had the misfortune to come at the head of the most
disordered and ruptured Governements that ever were. First to
that of St. Christophers in 1703, some time after the French part
was delivered me, which Island afterwards in 170f I preserved
for H.M. and defended it with onely 470 men good and bad, of
which but 60 were regular troops, the rest all militia, against
3200 effective men under the command of Monsieur Le Chevalier
de Chavaniat, and after the takeing of Nevis I was removed to
that Island when a great many of the inhabitants were dayly
deserting the place I prevailed with the wavering part to stay and
gave all the incouragement immaginable for others to returne,
which most of them did, which with H.M. benevolence and en-
couragemt. has put the Island (God be praised) in a very flourish-
ing condition againe, and will I hope now in a little time by what
the Parliament have so generously given H.M. for the releife
and resettleing the people of that Island, and St. Christophers
put them in a way to improve their severall plantations, so that
in a little time they will encrease the revenue of the Crowne to
what it was before those Islands were destroyed, for the people
seem to be much more industrious now then they were before
their misfortunes. And lastly I came at the head of a most
distracted Governemt. throughout all the Islands, and have been
ever since harrassed from place to place, as your Lordship has
from time to time observed by my severall letters, all which and
the great expences I have been at the hazard I have constantly
undergone with the great losses I did sustaine both in Nevis and
St. Christophers with the long service and faithfull discharge of
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
13
1711.
July 13.
Antigua.
July 15.
Virginia.
July 16.
Spanish
Towne.
my duty gave me some hopes of H.M. favour to have obtained and
continued at the head of this Governemt., but since the Royall
pleasure is otherwise I do readily submitt, etc. P.S. The
originall of your Lordpps.' letter never came to my hands, so
have not the order you mention therein. Signed, W. Hamilton.
Endorsed, Reed. 10th, Read 12th Sept., 1711. 2 pp. Enclosed,
15. i. Minutes of Council of Antigua, Jan. 26, 17}y,
showing that the Lt. General Hamilton, proposed,
the Assembly agreed, but the Council refused to hire
a vessel to take the news of Governor Parke's death to
England. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 2 pp. [C.O.
152, 9. Nos. 77, 77 i. ; and (without enclosure) 153, 11.
pp. 367-370.]
16. Lt. General Hamilton to Lord Dartmouth. Duplicate
of preceding letter. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 68.]
17. Lt. Governor Spots wood to Lord Dartmouth. Repeats
parts of July 25 following, relating to the disturbances in North
Carolina. ' I shal reserve the further account of these commotions
till the departure of our Fleet, now under an embargo (pursuant
to H.M. commands signifyed to me by Governor Hunter) wch.
will expire with this moneth. Had I found the assistance I
expected from the men of war, my next might have brought
your Lordp. the news of the total extinction of this flame, wch.
now may spread much farther ; but this is not the only disappoint-
ment the obstinacy of the Commodore has occasioned to H.M.
service, etc. v. July 25. I have only been able to purchase about
700 barren's of pork in this Colony, which yet is three times as
much as all the Revenue H.M. has here in bank will discharge :
for the rest I have engaged my own credit, rather than H.M.
service should suffer, and I hope your Lordp. will be pleased
to interpose your interest, that the bills for it be answer'd at
the Treasury. Signed, A. Spotswood. 5| pp. Enclosed,
17. i. Duplicate of No. 42 v. [C.O. 5, 1337. Nos. 11,
Hi.]
18. Governor Handasyd to the Council of Trade and Plan-
tations. Since my last of May 19th, there is past the four follow-
ing Acts, vizt., (1) An Act to enable H.M. Treasury of this Island
to support and discharge 'tis [?-its] extraordinary occasions by
appropriating 3000Z. out of the Additional Duty ; (2) to prevent any
one person from holding two or more offices of projfit in this Island,
(3) for the maintenance of prisoners of war, (4) for vesting the estate
of Thomas Finch of the parish of Kingston Esq. in trustees the
better to enable his security to pay 3800 due from him to the publick.
Some disputes hapning between the Council and Assembly in
relation to a tack made to the bill to enable H.M. Treasury, etc.,
which they refused a conference upon, as your Lordpps. will see
by the Minutes etc. I shall take care to send by H.M.S. the Non-
such, which will sayle the latter end of this month. I designe to
imbarke in her myself. But the greatest misfortune was the
14 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
assumeing to themselves a right to adjourne for a longer time
then de die in diem, as by their Minutes of ye 5 June, which has
been twice attempted before dureing my Goverment, but they
could never carry their point ; since it was so much contrary to
H.M. royal prerogative and Instructions, upon which I com-
manded the Speaker and the House to attend me in Council,
and haveing passed the above mentioned, and then useing all the
little Rhethorick I had to induce them to returne to the business
that was not done, vizt. the Quartring Act, the Additional Duty
Act ; and what others they might think necessary for the well
governing this Island. But instead of that they went about
drawing up a message to desire leave to adjourn for a month,
wch. was within 20 days of the aforesaid Acts expireing. And
being informed that their resolutions was that if the time was
not granted them they would adjourn themselves, myself and
Councill finding their obstinancy, their opinion was unanimus to
disolve the Assembly, (wch. was accordingly done the 8th June)
and to call another, and the Council farther promissed.to use their
best endeavours that such persons should be chosen in their
several parishes as should shew their duty and loyalty to H.M.
and their zeal for the good and welfare of this Island. And
according to the several returnes already rrade they have chosen
such persons as will answer the end of calling a new Assembly ;
for it's my oppinion the least inclined to faction of any Assembly
that has been hitherto since my being here. Capt. Vernon,
Commander of H.M.S. the Jersey returned from Carthageen the
4th or 5th of this instant with an accot. that there was 8 or 9
sayle of large ships, besides other smal vessells in the Harbour,
and seemed to make all the dispatch posible for say ling. My
Lord Hamilton, Governor of Jamaica, arrived here llth instant,
and was waited on by myself and Council at Port Royal where
H.M. Commission was produced and proclaimed, and the usual
oaths administered to the Governor as is customary, after which
I delivered him up my stewardship, and at my return I hope I
shall have the good fortune to demonstrate that dureing my
governing here I have done everything to the best of my judge-
ment for the honour of H.M. and trust reposed in me, as well as
for the interest and good goverment of the inhabitants here,
which I hope will be to H.M. satisfaction as well as your Lordps.,
and at my arrivall shall not fail to pay my respects to your
Lordpps. Yesterday Comadore Littleton sayled with 5 men of
war for Carthageen in hopes to intercept Mons. Du Case pray
God send him good success notwithstanding he is hardly strong
enough. Yet I assure myself he will do all that a gallant man
can do for the service of our Queen and Country. I have put
so many men of H.M. Regt. under my command as he desired to
help to man them, etc. Postscript. Since my writing of this a
New Englandman is come in here, and says that Capt. Padon,
Commander of the Windsor and the Waymouth has taken a French
man of war of 40 od gunns and two French merchantmen all
very rich and of an extraordinary value, and that they arrived at
Boston in New England nine dayes before he came from thence.
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 15
1711.
And a privateer of this place, Capt. Tempest commander, has
also taken four prizes of a considerable value as the Capt. reports,
and has brought them into Boston also, so that we expect them
here in a very short time, the Capt. being come from thence
33 days. Signed, Tho. Handasyd. Endorsed, Reed. 10th, Read
12th Sept., 1711. 21 pp. [C.O. 137, 9. No. 44; and 138, 13.
pp. 348-352.]
July 16. 19. Governor Handasyd .to Lord Dartmouth. Duplicate of
preceding. [C.O. 137, 51. No. 47.]
July 16. 20. Governor Lowther to the Council of Trade and Plan-
Barbados, tations. All the publick affairs of this Island are in a very bad
condition, but I hope by your Lordshipes' kind advice and assist-
ance to see this place once more flourish, etc. Encloses Minutes of
Council and Assembly. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Endorsed, Reed.
Sept. 26th, Read Nov. 15th., 1711. Holograph. 1 pp. [C.O.
28, 13. No. 71 ; and 29, 12. p. 376.]
July 16. 21 . Address of the General Assembly of New Jersey to the
Queen. The great preparations your Majesty has made for the
reduction of Canada is a demonstration that the remotest of
your Dominions are not exempted from your Royall care ; and
that the benefit, ease and safety of your subjects wherever they
are, as they are the good effects of your Administration, so they
are what your Majesty most cheifly studies to promote, which
cannot fail of engaging the favour and assistance of heaven to
make you always victorious, and will procure you a just Fame
as lasting and as glorious as the Trophies gain'd by your triumph-
ant arms can entitle you to. Our duty and the share we shall
have in the common security of North America engages our
thankfull acknowledgmt. for your Majesties' favours. And
as we have with great chearfulness contributed to the very utmost
of our abilities to it, so wee shall most readily and most will-
ingly support your Majesties Government and study to do it in
such a manner as shall be most agreeable to you, espetially now
wee feel the happy effects of it in the prudent conduct of your
Majesties faithful servant H.E. Robert Hunter, etc. Signed,
By order of the House, John Kay, Speaker. Parchment. 1 large
p. [C.O. 5, 1091. No. 41.]
July 16. 22. Memorial of Planters and Traders to Jamaica to the Queen.
We do think it our duty to lay before your Majesty the appre-
hensions we are under of the great danger that all the British
Colonies of ye West Indies, especially the Island of Jamaica, are
now in from the French. It is notorious that Mons. du Casse
was dispatcht in March last with a squadron of large men of war
for the Spanish Indies, and it is now made publick in all the foreign
advices that Monsr. du Guay hath been lately fitted out with a
very considerable Fleet, and that he hath with him a great
number of land forces, and it is said positively in some letters from
France that their chief design is to attack ye Island of Jamaica,
16
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
July 17.
Whitehall.
July 17.
Treasury
Chambers.
July 17.
St. Jago de
la Vega.
and wt. induceth us not to doubt thereof is ye certain advice we
have that there is a body of 1500 made ready at Martinico to be
embarked. The vast advantages that the French would have by
possessing themselves of that Island make it probable, and the
irreperable damage that the British Nation must for ever labour
under besides ye utter ruin of all that are concern'd in the Island
and Trade thereof justly alarms. Pray that speedy and effectual
means be taken for the security thereof. Signed, Cha. Long,
and 19 others. 2 pp. Enclosed,
22. i. A proposal for the better defence of Jamaica, July 16,
1711. There being but 500 regular soldiers there, it is
proposed that three or four 4th rates be sent forthwith
carrying 250 marines each, etc. \\ pp. The whole
endorsed, Reed. Read July 17, 1711. [C.O. 137, 9.
Nos. 40, 41 ; and 137, 51. Nos. 50, 51 ; and (without
enclosure) 138, 13. pp. 339, 340.]
23. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Dartmouth.
Enclose preceding to be laid before H.M. [C.O. 138, 13. p.
341 ; and (with autograph signatures) 137, 51. No. 49.]
24. Mr. Lowndes to Mr. Popple. Encloses following corres-
pondence relating to a complaint by Lt. Governor Spotswood that
Mr. Corbin, Naval Officer of Rapahannock River, had cleared the
Robinson frigate, by which the Governor intended to send letters
and public papers, without his knowledge, Mr. Corbin being part
owner of that ship and having, by a notorious piece of forgery,
altered the date of H.M. sign manual exempting her from being
embargoed. The Lord Treasurer desires the Council of Trade
and Plantations to examine into the matter with all convenient
speed. Signed, Wm. Lowndes. Endorsed, Reed. 18th, Read
19th July, 1711. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed,
24. i. Extract of letter from Lt. Governor Spotswood to
[? Lord Dartmouth] May 5, 1711. As above. 2^ pp.
24. ii. Copy of H.M. permit for the Robinson to sail without
convoy within 12 months from Feb. 18, 1709, in the
eigth year of our reign, etc. Signed, Sunderland. Mem.
The word February, the figure 9 and the word eighth
appear plainly to have been razed and are written with
a different ink. The date in the books in the Lord
Dartmouth's Office is Sept. 18, 1708. If p.
24. iii. Lord Dartmouth to the Lord High Treasurer. En-
closes i. and ii. preceding. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1316.
Nos. 66, 66 i.-iii. ; and (without enclosures) 5, 1363.
p. 326.]
25. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to Lord Dartmouth. Re-
peats and refers to parts of No. 28 infra. Continues : I found the
Marquis de Sucre had been some time gone to Carthagena, as
I suppose, upon his parol ; and I have endeavour'd by the
opportunity of Commodore Littleton's going over thither with five
ships of his squadron to intercept (if possible) Mons. du Casse,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 17
1711.
to notify H.M. commands in relation to the Marquis's exchange
signified to me by your Lop. in such manner as I hope due regard
will be had to them. What your Lop. has been pleased to com-
mand me touching the prisoners at Lima, must be transacted at
Panama, by the way of Portobello, and which I will be sure to
take due care in, as soon as possibly I can, etc. Signed, A.
Hamilton. 3pp. [C.O. 137, 51. No. 48.]
July 17. 26. Lt. General Hamilton to the Council of Trade and Plan-
Antigua, tations. Since my last of the 13th inst. the Lt. Governor of
this Island has rose a dispute between him and myselfe, he alledg-
ing that as I am not named in H.E.'s instructions to be of the
Council, but only for the Island of Nevis, where I have the honour
to bear H.M. Commission as Lt. Governour, so I ought not to
sitt or precide in any of the Councills of the other Islands, but
only in that of Nevis, which seems somewhat strange, and may
prove very prejudiciall to H.M. service ; as to the first it seems
very od that I should one day bee at the head of the whole
Government, and deliver that Government up by H.M. order to
a superior' by her appoynted, and by that means immediatly
loose my place in Councill, or bee quite out of that Councill
where I was but just before the head, and bear still the same
Commission, by which I satt there, then which I think nothing
can be more strange, which dispute was refer 'd to H.E. who
tould me he would write your Lordships about it. As to the
second, of its proveing prejudiciall to H.M. servis, it may be of
vast consequence ; for should H.E. at any time bee to Leeward,
and I in this Island, Mountserratt attack'd, had I whole command,
both civill and military, I might on any such occasion releive
said Island, before H.E. probably could have any notice of it,
and the like by other Islands, for its seldome that the Generall
and Lt. Generall are in one Island long together, now on the other
hand, if the civill power is seperate, and lodged in Lt. Governour,
when the Lt. Generall is in place, the said Lt. Generall may
command and have men reddy for the releife of any Island, or
other service, but cannot take up vessels, provisions etc. for
transporting said forces, without applying himself e to an inferiour
officer, and then perhaps meet with twenty difficultys, of which
I shall give your Lordships but one instance, and that was in
1702, the first year of the war, when I had a commission, the
honour for Major Generall from Col. Codrington, the then Captain
Generall and Governour in chief e, who sent me a letter that the
war was proclaim 'd and inclosed an order to make all the dispatch
that possibly I could with the Queen's troops from Nevis, and
those from Mountseratt who he had ordered to joyne me, to go
and secure St. Christophers, which order I received the 28th day
of June about 2 a clock in the morning. I immediately apply ed
myselfe to the then President of Nevis (for there was no Governour
there at that time) to furnish me with vessels for transporting
myselfe and men, but met with a great many difficultys, and at
last had a brigantine lent me by one of my friends, without which
I could not have made the dispatch I did, for I was with the forces
Wt. 2(5089. C.P. 2.
18 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
aforesaid upon St. Christophers that night before sunsett and
secured all the passes, by which means I had the French part of
that Island delivered me upon the 4th of July following. There-
fore I beg your Lordships to remove the same by ordering the
premisses as in your great wisdome seems meet and just ; I haveing
nothing so much in view as H.M. service, the preservation of the
Islands, the good and wellfare of the people therein, etc. Signed,
W. Hamilton. Endorsed, Reed. Sept. 28th, Read Oct. 27th, 1711.
2| pp. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 89 ; and 153, 11. pp. 399-402.]
July iX. 27. Commandant Vanderheyden Rezen to the Dutch West
Fort India Company. Dutch. 4 pp. Signed, P. Vanderheyden
Ri K EssJ er eb' Rezen - Endorsed, Read Nov. 30 (O.S.), 1711. Enclosed,
27. i.-xxix. Letters, inventories, clearances etc. Dutch. 52pp.
[C.O. 116, 21. Nos. 6, 6 i.-xxix.]
July 17. 28. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Council of Trade
St. J^go de an( j plantations. After many disappointments, I at last arrived
here the llth instant etc. Your Lops, will not expect many
particulars from me in so short a time, etc. As we came to Bar-
bados the 22nd of June, we were allarm'd .vith the danger Ante-
goa was suppos'd to be in from the enemy ; and as we thought it
our duty to give them what assistance we could, we sail'd the
same evening, taking our course between the Sanctos, close by
Guardalupe, in order the better to have intercepted the enemy,
had they been on their return. Arriving the 27th at Antegoa
we found that the enemy had only made a faint on that Island,
but had attack 't Mountserrat, from which they had been bravely
repulsed, etc. Since Commodore Littleton's departure (v. No. 18),
the Medway's prize is come in from Pensilvania, which brings the
confirmation of the Windsor and Weymouth's having taken the
Thetis, a French man of war of 56 guns off the Havana etc. The
prize is said to be very rich, to have Monsr. the Count of Choiseul,
late Governour of Petit Guavas on board, who was kill'd with all
the officers and above 100 men, having very bravely defended
themselves. The loss in the Queen's ships is said to be inconsider-
able. The Medway's prize, my Lords, I find was ordered to
Providence with Ingenier Hawkins for a survey of that Island ;
He arrived here yesterday, and gives a very sad account of
that place : But I must suspend saying any more of his
expedition, untill I have time to examin into his orders and
instructions, etc. The usual ceremony and hurry on the like
occasion has prevented as yet my near inspection into the
civil affairs and circumstances of my Government. The Is-
land, they tell me, is pretty healthy ; the Assembly I find
dissolv'd, and a new one call'd, which is to meet the 23rd instant,
and several material laws expire on Aug. 1st., so that there is
a necessity of their meeting then, and indeed they seem somewhat
straitned for time, etc. Signed, A. Hamilton. Endorsed, Reed.
10th, Read 12th Sept., 1711. 3 pp. [C.O. 137, 9. No. 45 ; and
138, 13. pp. 353-355.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
19
1711.
July 17. 29. Mr. Popple to the Secretaries of the Treasury. Encloses
Whitehall, extract of letters from Mr. George Clarke, May 30, 31, and June
7, relating to the Palatines. [(7.0. 5, 1122. pp. 419-423.]
July 17. 30. Capt. Bourn to [? Secretary of the Admiralty}. I send this
Newcastle f or the information of the Lords Commrs. of the Admlty., that
t BarbadoS on Sunday the 10th of June last off port St. Piers in Martineco
about two miles from the shore, I mett a French ship of 36 gunns,
a hagboat built ship of 24, a two mast vessell and nine privatier
sloopes having (as I have been since informed) 2000 men on board,
and bound to make a decent upon Antegoa, by that time I gott
within pistoll shott of the ships, it fell starke calme, and they lay
soe upon my quarter, that I could not bring a broad side to bear,
however after about three houers engagement with them, I
shatter'd them soe, that with the very first breese, they endeavour'd
to gett into the harbour again, which they succeeded in, for I had
two nine pound shott through my foremast, soe that I could not
venture to carry sayle upon it, and all my rigging and sayles very
much shattered. I lost but one man, and had nine wounded
besides my Lieut, who was shott in four places, but hope all will
recover. I returned to Barbadoes the Friday following, and on
Saterday two expresses arrived from the Leeward Islands desire-
ing assistance (the Larke their guardship being then refitting at
Barbadoes) and the Guernsey and Sweepstakes out a cruizeing ;
I refitted my mast and ship with what expedition I could, and on
Sunday night say led for Antegoa, and perceiving by signalls
made from the shore, that the enemy were not there, I continued
my course for Monseratt, where I arrived on Wednesday evening,
and upon consulting with the President and Councell of that
Island, I was advised by them to proceed to Nevis as the place
the enemy are most probably at, and accordingly I sayl'd at 12
a clock at night, and was scarce gone three hours, when sixteen
privatiers landed 1500 men on Monseratt, but they hearing of
my being at Nevis, and seeing a sloope escape from them with
intelligence of their being there to me, imediately embark'd
again without doeing any damage to the Island, they gott away
before my return, having left severall men prisoners behind them,
who upon examination informed us that their first designe was
against Antegoa, but that their ships were soe shattered, that
they could not goe to sea, and therefore they attempted Mon-
seratt, they having 64 men killed and a great many wounded,
as they give an account. Signed, L. Bourn. Endorsed, Reed,
from Mr. Fawlers of the Admty. Sept. 27, 1711. Copy. 2| pp.
[C.O. 28, 43. No. 62.]
July 19.
Whitehal.
31 . Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Recom-
mend that John Carver be appointed to the Council of Jamaica
in place of Thomas Clark, deed. [C.O. 138, 13. p. 342.]
July 19. 32. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Dartmouth.
Whitehall. We have received letters from Mr. George Clarke (v. May 28, 30,
31 and June 7th) wherein he informed us that the Governor of
20
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
Canada had lately sent to the Five Nations of Indians some
officers and soldiers with a large present, etc., consisting cheifly
in ammunition, of which they are in great want. By the influence
whereof the French had by permission of the said Indians, begun
to build a small fortification in the Onnondage country. That
the neutrality that has been observed between the English Indians
and French Indians this war, has given our enemy the opportunity
of thus corrupting our Indians, and the people of New York seem
generally averse to a rupture between the said Indians, and
rather than be at the expence of supplying them with ammunition
in such a case, and defending their frontiers, which must neccess-
arily follow, choose to sit contented under this precarious security ;
without even so much as raising any money for presents to such
of the Indians, whose fidelity may deserve them. And the
presents Col. Hunter carried with him being almost all disposed
of that way, and for spies last winter (for whom the Assembly
made no provision) there's nothing now left to trust to, but the
faith of those Indians, and how much that is shaken already, is
but too evident from their proceedings. That so soon as Col.
Hunter had notice that these French officers were at Onondage,
he dispatched Col. Schuyler thither, with Instructions how to
behave himself with the Indians on this occasion. Copy of his
Journal inclosed, v. C. S. P. 1710, 1711. No. 864 i. [C.O. 5,
1122. pp. 424, 425.]
July 19. 33. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Dartmouth.
Whitehall. Enclose following.
33. i. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Repre-
sentation on the petition of Berkeley Seymour (v. C. S. P.
1710,1711. No. 343 i.). In consideration of Col. Sey-
mour's long and faithfull services to the Crown, he having
serv'd your Majesty and your Royal predecessors in a
military post above 30 years before his going to that pro-
vince ; and in consideration that he had clear'd several
ships from Maryland, and would have clear'd the
remainder had he lived some few days longer, whereby he
had been entituled to the 12d. per hhd., we humbly offer
that, to enable the petitioner to support his father's widow
and his other children, and to pay his debts and legacies,
your Majesty be graciously pleased to grant the peti-
tioner a moiety of the 9d. per hhd. arrising from the
ships then in Maryland (as granted by his Commission)
the amounts whereof, as we are informed, will not
exceed 4 or 500. We further offer that your Majesty's
pleasure be signifyed to the President of the Councill,
that he account with the petitioner's Attorney for the
moiety of the 9d. per hhd. accordingly. [C.O. 5, 727.
pp. 277-280.]
July 19.
Whitehal.
34. Wm. Popple to Josiah Burchett. Asks for a copy of the
report of the Lord High Admiral upon which H.M. letter of
exemption for the Robinson frigate was founded (v. July 17).
[C.O. 5, 1363. p. 327.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
21
1711.
July 20.
Admiralty
Office. '
July 20.
Antigua.
35. Mr. Burchett to Mr. Popple. Encloses following in reply
to preceding. Signed, J. Burchett. Endorsed, Reed. 21st., Read
25th July, 1711. Addressed. 1 p. Enclosed,
35. i. Report of H.R.H. the Lord High Admiral, Sept. 10, 1708.
I have noe objection to the Robinson frigate being
permitted to sayle without convoy, etc. Signed, George.
Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1316. Nos. 67, 67 i. ; and 5,
1363. pp. 327, 328.]
36. Governor Douglas to the Rt. Hon. Robert Monckton,
one of the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations. I
arrived here ye 10th inst. where the People expressed a great
satisfaction in H.M. goodness for dispatching a new Governor to
remedy their late disorders, and being alarmed by the French
since ye time they were repulsed at Montserrat, I have been
oblidged to spend most of my time as yet in putting the Island
in the best posture of defence, the Regiment being in so weak a
condition as to men, and so ill armed that little service can be
expected from them while they are suffered to continue in this
disorder. I am. by all opportunitys endeavouring to inform
myself of the cases of the persons concerned in the late rebellion
according to H.M. order. I found all the General Assembly with
some of the Council deeply concern'd in it, and the same persons
being the men of the best estates are again chosen, except one
or two. I hope therefore I shall be allowed to proceed according
to H.M. directions with all necessary precaution, believing it
were much the same thing to lose a thriving Colony to the publick
enemy or by a civil war, hopeing in a little time to be able to
prevent both and to do all Justice to the authority of our Sover-
aign Lady the Queen. They seem very unanimous in carrying
on the publick works and fortifications of ye Island, they express
their duty in a most sorrowful sence and detestation of the
desperate fact, their most intollerable oppressions harried them
into, so many hundreds being involved in the same guilt but how
far ye sufferings of this unhappy people who seem disposed to a
more strict obedience and subjection may mitigate H.M. just
resentments, I hope every day to receive the honour of being
acquainted with. I humbly begg the Lords Commissioners of
Trade forgiveness for not having had a possibility as yet of giving
a further account of this affair by this pacquet : begging leave to
recommend Capt. Mathews to be of the Council in this Island.
P.S. I shall readily obey your commands relating to Mr. Parke
with the very first possibility. There being something of a
dispute between Lt. General Hamilton and the Lieut. Governor
of this Island about their taking place, I must desire their Lord-
ships' opinion whether the said Lt. Genl. ought not to take place
of the Lt. Governors in their respective Islands at the Council
board, and in all civil matters, as well as by his Commission he of
right doth in military affairs, he being only mentioned in my
Instructions for the Island of Nevis, where he is Lt. Governor,
begging their Lordships will let me have their advice thereon by
first opportunity, that I may the*better know how to proceed upon
22 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
this or the like dispute. Signed, Wa. Douglas. Endorsed, Reed.
Read Oct. 30, 1711. Addressed. Postmark. Sealed. If pp.
[C.O. 152, 9. No. 86 ; and 153, 11. pp. 390, 391.]
July 21. 37. Governor Lowther to Lord Dartmouth. Since my letter
Barbados, of 16th instant, a sloop arrived here from Curacoa which brought
letters of the 22nd and 26th of June last N.S. that Monsieur du
Cass was at St. Lewis in St. Domingo with ten sail of men of warr,
the least of which carry'd sixty gunes ; and that it was supposed
he design'd to go very speedily to Carthagene to convoy home
several galleons which lay in that harbour ready for sailing. I
cannot pretend to say how much this account may be depended
upon, but several intelligent and sober people here give great
credit to it. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Holograph. 2 pp. [C.O.
28, 43. No. 63.]
July 21.. 38. Mr. Attorney General to the Council of Trade and Plan-
tations. Your Lordships having sent to me the draught of
your Representation on the Lord Baltimore's petition, requiring
my opinion thereon, I humbly lay before you a copy of the report
I intend to make on the said petition to H.M., which has also been
referred to mee, unless better informed by your Lordships, on
which I shall be ready to attend on, or receive your Lordships
commands, as you shall please to direct. Signed, Edward
Northey. Endorsed, Reed. 21st, Read 24th July, 1711. 1 p.
Enclosed,
38. i. Mr. Attorney General to the Queen. Report upon the
petition of Charles Lord Baltimore that his right of
appointing a Governor for Maryland may be restored
to him. Recapitulates events of 16891691 relating to
the taking of the Government into the King's hands, and
the appointment of Col. Copley during the King's pleasure
(v. C.S.P.). Col. Copley's commission under the Great
Seal June 27, 1691, was granted without the consent of
Lord Baltimore, who refused to agree to it. It recited
that by reason of great neglects and miscarriages in the
Government of that Province, the same was fallen into
disorder and confusion, by means whereof, not only
the publick peace and administration of justice (whereby
the property of the subjects should be preserved) was
broken and violated, but also there was an utter want of
provision for the guard and defence of that country
against the enemy, whereby the same was exposed and
like to be lost from the Crown of England, and that the
Province and subjects there could not be defended and
secured by any other way than by taking that Governmt.
into the King's hands and under his immediate care.
Several! orders were made in Councill for the provision
for the Governor, who was ordered to have half of the
2s. per hhd. laid on all tobaccos exported, the Act laying
that duty there having appropriated half that duty
for the support of the Government. But I do not find
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 23
1711.
that any judgement in any of H.M. Courts was ever
given against Lord Baltimore for determining any of
the priviledges granted to his ancestors by the Charter
of King Charles I. And I doe most humbly submit it
to your Majesty's consideration, it being lawfull, on
the necessity before stated, for the late King's preserving
that Plantation, to appoint a Governour, whether the
warr continuing that necessity doth not yet remain, and
thereby make it lawfull for your Majesty to continue
to appoint a Governor, or at least till your Majesty
be fully satisfyed that that Colony will be sufficiently
secured against the enemy by the Proprietor, which will
be less prejudice to him now than it was, when that
Government was seiz'd by King William, for that since
that time, by an Act of Parliament made in the seventh
year of his reign, all Governours to be nominated and
appointed by Proprietors of Plantations are to be
allowed and approv'd of by your Majesty by Order in
Councill. 6 pp. [C.O. 5, 717. Nos. 42, 42 i. ; and
5, 727. pp. 281-290.]
[? July 21.] 39. Governor Lowther to Lord Dartmouth. Encloses tripli-
Barbados. cate of June 24 etc. When I writt on the 24th of the last month
everybody believed that the preparations which the French were
making for an invasion at Martinique were intended against
Antegoa : this conjecture happened to be very right, but they
were disappointed in their design by the two following accidents,
(viz.) H.M.S. the Newcastle being a cruising on the 3rd of the last
month met with a French man of war and some sloopes (which
w r e now understand were bound to Guardaloup) and after a long
ingagement the French shipes were so disabled that they could not
proceed but were forced to return and refit ; the next day H.M.S.
the Guernsey and Sweepstakes met with another French man of
war and chased her into Martinique, upon these accidents the
French laid aside their project against Antegoa, and formed a
design against Mountseratt with their sloops only, which they put
in execution ; for on the 14th of the last month about four in the
morning they landed 1200 men at a place called Kerr's bay nigh
the North west point of the Island and march'd a considerable
way into the country, and then the inhabitants meeting them at
a convenient pass gave them such a warm reception that they
thought fit to retire with the loss of about 50 prisoners and as
many killed, and imbarked about 8 a clock at night, so that they
did not stay above 16 hours upon the Island ; but the reason why
they retired in so great precipitation, was from the intelligence
they received that the Newcastle had been there but four hours
before they arrived, and that a sloop was dispatch'd to informe
the Newcastle of their invasion. We have had no intelligence of
the enemy since they left Mountseratt, and none of their privateers
have appeared about our coastes as usuall. I have advice from
Lt. General Hamilton of the 4th instant, that he sent a truce for
24 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
exchange of prisoners about five weeks ago to Martinique which
they still detain, he also says an other flag of truce which was sent
from Nevis about 27 days ago is likewise detained, so that we
have too much reason to fear that they are preparing for a second
attempt upon some of these Islands. I am extreamly sorry to
informe your Lordship that all the publick affairs of this Island
are in great disorder, but I hope I shall be excused from entring
into the particulars at this time, having already given your
Lordship so much trouble, etc. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Endorsed,
Col. Lowther 21 July, 1711. Holograph. 2| pp. [C.O. 28,
43. No. 64.]
July 22. 40. Address of the Governor Council and Assembly of New
Hampshire to the Queen. Wee crave leave humbly to prostrate
ourselves at your Majesty's Royal feet with all humble and dutifull
acknowledgments of the highest gratitude for the expressions of
your Majesties most compassionate tender regard to the prosperity
of your good subjects in these your Majesties Northern Plantations
in America, throughout the course of your Majesties glorious reign,
perticulerly for the signal instance of your Majesties Royal favour
in the gratious acceptance of our late humble addresses for
obtaining an expedition to be made for the reduction of Canada
and freeing us from those grievous oppressions, which wee have long
laboured under by the French of that country and the salvages
in their interests in soe near neighbourhood to us ; And that your
Majestic has been pleased to command the service of such numbers
of your skilfull experienced officers, and choice troops, with soe
considerable a squadron of your Majesties ships of war in this
important affair. And to committ the conduct thereof to H.E.
Brigadier Hill and Sir Hovenden Walker, etc. The preparations
for the part of this frontier Government in obedience to your
Majesties commands for the Expedition by the hand of the
Honourable Colonell Nicholson are carried with such application
in raising the troops of this Province and transports to joyne
your Majesties squadron are this day perfected, And wee render
our most humble thanks to your Sacred Majestie for the cloaths,
arms, and accoutrements for war of your Royal Bounty directed
for the benefitt of your Majesties troops levyed within these your
Majesties Goverments. May Almighty God on whom your
Majesty's dependance is placed be gratiously pleased to smile upon
this noble important undertakeing, and grant success thereto,
in subdueing of Canada to your Majesties obedience. It will be
a glorious acquisition to your Imperial Crown of Great Brittaine,
and of unspeakable benefit and advantage to the whole Brittish
Empire. May God be also gratiously pleased, to preserve your
Majesties sacred person, long continue your life and reign and
prosper your Majesties just arms everywhere, for the abasing of
the pride of the Great Oppressor of Europe. That your Majesty
may be instrumental under God to bring forward a speedy
happy and lasting peace is and shall be the daily fervent prayer
of Your Majesties loyal dutifull and thankfull tho' distressed
subjects. Signed, J. Dudley, Cha. Story, Secretary, By Order
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
25
1711.
July 23.
Boston.
July 25.
Virginia.
of the Council, and Richard Gerrish, Speaker, By Order of the
House of Representatives. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 10. No. 5.]
41 . Mr. Bridger to [? Mr. Popple]. Since my last of May 21st
by the pacquet I understand that the Palatines, when they should
have gone to worke in the spring, mutined and Col. Hunter
obliged to send for officers and 60 men from Albany to quel them,
and I am informed they will not worke and that most of them are
goeing dn the Expedition against Quebeck, soe that the designe
of naval stores by them ends at once, and am told that the victual-
ing of the Palatines and not the raising of naval stores induced a
Genii, to undertake an affaire he was wholy ignorant of. Sr., I
have this great submition to lay before theire Lordps., that if
they shall recomend me to H.M. for Lt. Governor of New Hamp-
shire and Capt. of Fort Ann allowing me 60 men, a Lieut, and
Insigne, and to have the whole managment of them (keeping
this commision) humbly propose to take 40 men to work at
\'2d. per diem besides theire wages as soldiers, and so relieve them
as the service will admitt, the rest to keepe garrison, the woods
that are to' be worked in is but 16 miles from the fort, 13 miles of
it is by water, it is the best place I know of in this country for this
worke etc. I would engage to make 1500 if not 2000 barreLls of tar.
I presume it would answer and set other people to- work on the
same affaire, and likewise give me power to prevent the utter
mine of H.M. woods. I am thretened to be shot, if they ketch
me in the woods. P.S. By some omission in my commission
the word lands was left out, which should have been added to
the Surveyor General of all H.M. woods and lands, or lands and
woods, wch. is most proper, for now they dispute as much for the
land as ever they did for the woods and more, besides I humbly
offer it on the acct. of lands in generall belonging to H.M. at
Annopolis, and if it please God to bless H.M. armes with success
at Quebeck, and now at New Yorke, New Hampshire etc. Signed,
J. Bridger. Endorsed, Reed. 18th, Read 20th Sept., 1711. If pp.
[C.O. 5, 865. No. 68 ; and 5, 913. pp. 348-350.]
42. Lt. Governor Spots wood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Acknowledges letters of Oct. 26th, Nov. 9th. In
obedience to your Lordps.' commands, I here send a transcript
of the several proceedings in Council relating to the selling the
quitt-rents ; by these your Lordps. will be inform'd upon what
grounds the method of sale by inch of candle prescrib'd in H.M.
Instructions came to be altered : I have also subjoin'd a copy of
a letter from Col. Byrd H.M. Receiver General containing some
additional reasons why a publick sale is less beneficial, than the
method now in use ; and since the former practice was altered
upon the experience of its inconveniency, I must joine in opinion
for continuing the present unless a greater inconveniency appears
therein. I have examined the several tables of fees sent me by the
respective officers in this Colony, and find them all agreeable to
the particular laws by which they were establish'd : and I'm the
more confirm'd in the opinion that they are within the bounds of
26 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
moderation, because I have not heard that there has ever been
any complaint of their exorbitancy. I have used my utmost
endeavours to detect the persons accused of illegal trading to
Curassoa and St. Thomas ; but have not been able to discover
any thing whereon to ground a prosecution ; the books of the
Custom-house officers give no light into the matter, and neither
the masters nor mariners employed in those vessells being in-
habitants of this countrey, nor to be found here, I'm also dis-
appointed of the discoverys which might 'have been expected
from them. Mr. Conner, the owner of one of those vessells, has
been with me with great professions of his innocence, he says his
vessell neither carryed tobacco to Curassoa nor brought any
European commoditys from thence ; and that for avoiding all
future suspitions, he is resolved never to trade again to that
Island. It is very probable that tobacco may be taken on board
by the masters without the knowledge of the owners,. and after
their clearing with the Custom-house officer, which cannot be
prevented any other way than by having a watchful eye on the
vessells while they are lading and searching them after they are
clear'd. I have with the advice of the Council proposed to the
Commissioners of the Customs, as the best means to prevent
such frauds, the establishing two searchers for this Bay, furnished
with shallops or good boats and hands, wch. may be continually
runing in to the little rivers and creeks, where such small vessells
load, and cruising in the Bay for examining them after they are
clear'd ; and that this may be done without any additional
charge to H.M., I have also proposed the reducing of the three
Collectors now established for York and James Rivers, to one
for both, and he to live at Williamsburgh, which is the center
between both rivers and equally convenient for either, and that
the sallarys of the other two Collectors be applyed towards the
support of those searchers, which in my opinion will prove more
usefull officers for preventing illegal trade. I could heartily
wish what your Lordps. seem to expect in relation to the building
a Fort at Point Comfort could suit with the disposition and
ability of this Countrey ; but when I propos'd to your Lordps.
the building that Fort, I knew very well it would be in vain to
expect the least assistance from the Assembly unless they were
first assured they should not be charged with the maintenance
of a garrison, which is an annual expence they will never be
prevail'd with to lay on the country, however necessary it may
be for its security : but if that point were once over, I should not
doubt engaging them to contribute to the building the Fort,
the charge whereof, I'm still of opinion, will be but inconsiderable
in comparison of that of a regular fortification, it being design'd
rather as something resembling a Land-guard-fort, than a- Bergen -
op-Zoom. As to the project of the iron mines, concerning which
I received the signification of your Lordps. 'pleasure, (v. Jan. 29)
I have in my former given your Lordps. an account how that
design was laid aside by the Assembly, and offerred my thoughts
how it may be made more beneficial for H.M. service and the trade
of Great Britain, upon which I hope to receive your Lordps.' com-
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 27
1711.
mands. Encloses Journal of Council, on which I shal only
trouble your Lordps. with these few remarks, that having by a
Proclamation issued last December given liberty to all persons to
take up land on the conditions in H.M. Instructions, it happened
through the interfering of entrys that divers persons made pre-
tensions to ye same peice of land, for determining of which it
was thought necessary to establish the several rules, mentioned
in the Council Journal, which I hope will not be unacceptable to
your Lordps., since they have given such satisfaction to the
people, and that all contra versys upon these entrys are thereby
entirely accomodated. That the directions I gave for restraining
the unlimited granting of rights before the person desiring them
had made appear to me his ability to cultivate the land claim'd
thereby, is readily comply'd with, will appear by the several
applications on the Journal. And that I have with equal
satisfaction and less charge to the people taken the granting of
lapsed and escheated land out of the hands of the General Court
(where it had been a long time improperly placed) and brought
all applications of that nature to the Governor in Council as a
more proper channell to dispense the favours of the Crown.
Notwithstanding the objections made against the terms of grant-
ing land mentioned in H.M. Instructions, and the positive opinion
of some that none would be taken up on those conditions ; there
have been considerable quantitys entered for since the publication
of those Instructions, and patents signed on the same terms last
April, for much larger quantitys heretofore surveyed. I hope
this will be an argument against further clamours on that head,
and hinder any applications from the Assembly for altering the
Instruction, especially if H.M. shal be pleased to allow patents to
issue for all lands entered and surveyed before the death of Col.
Nott, according to what I proposed to your Lordps. Dec. 18.
Having lately discovered here a notorious peice of forgery in
razing and altering the date of H.M. letter mandatory granted
to the Robinson frigat of London, and making it serve a voyage
for which it was never intended, I took the opportunity by the
New York pacquet to impart that matter with the particular
circumstances of it in a letter to my Lord Dartmouth etc. ; and
having found very great reason to suspect that Mr. Corbin the
Naval Officer of Rappahanock, who is also part owner of the ship,
is privy to the forgery, the Council being of the same opinion, I
have removed him from his office, and shal wait H.M. commands
for proceeding further against him, if upon examination of the
other owners at London, they shal clear themselves, and throw the
crime on him. Your Lordps. will perceive by the accompts
herewith sent how much H.M. revenues both of the Quitt-rents
and 2s. per hhd. are sunk of late : this is occasioned by the declin-
ing price of tobacco for several years successively, which has
discouraged people from offerring any considerable rate for the
former, or shipping off their own tobacco for advancing the latter,
many chosing rather to keep their tobacco in the country under
the danger of spoiling, than venture to ship it and run the hazard
of its bringing them in debt. The accompt of the quitt-rents has
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
this last year received an addition of above 10,000 acres of con-
cealed land, for there has been no new land granted in that time,
and I hope to see that revenue much more considerably advanced
by means of the Act passed last session of Assembly. I know
not whether your Lordps. have yet had leasure to reflect on the
advantages H.M. revenue will receive by that clause of it, making
three years non-payment of quitt-rent a forfeiture of the land ;
but the people begin to perceive that will prove so effectual a
remedy against all the evasions wherewith they have hitherto
been able to conceal their land, that some have proposed to me
to move H.M. to accept of a reasonable fine or composition for
altering their tenures, and giving them new patents for their
land upon the terms of paying a small acknowledgment in lieu
of the present annual quitt-rent : but this being an overture on
which I have not yet had time to forme a judgement, I shall
neither encourage nor discountenance it, untill I receive your
Lordps.' directions. Col. Hunter, Governour of New York,
having signifyed to me that he had received H.M. commands to
buy up a great quantity of provision for the subsistance of the
forces sent to Canada, and that it was feared the service might
be prejudiced unless a supply of pork were sent from hence,
provisions being scarce in that and the neighbouring Provinces ;
I have used such dilligence that there are now upwards of 700
barrells of pork ready to ship off from this country, and I believe
I have not left in it one barrell of sound pork besides. Tho' this
great demand happened at a time when I had no Assembly to
sett a rate on this commodity, I have taken such measures that
there is very little of it bought at a higher price than I myself
gave last Christmas when provisions were at the cheapest. The
price of the pork was to be paid out of the quitt-rents, so far as
that would go, but your Lordps. will observe by the quitt-rent
accompt, how little it will discharge. So that I have been obliged
to engage my own credit for the remainder, the people being
unwilling to take Col. Hunter's bills, wch. they do not know how
to negotiate at the Treasury. Capt. Smith, of H.M.S. Enlerprize
attending this Governmt. has had the good fortune to take at
the Capes a French privateer of 88 men belonging to Petit Guaves.
The prisoners have been subsisted here ever since June 7th, and I
have chosen rather to send them to England by H.M. fleet, where
they may be exchanged for the like number of H.M. subjects,
than to transport them with a Flagg of Truce to their own Island,
being resolved on my own part to avoid all suspition of an un-
lawful correspondence with H.M. enemy s, as well as to endeavor
by all means to prevent it in others. I should not have added
to your Lordps.' trouble if the unhappy commotions in our
neighbouring Province of North Carolina did not oblige me to
represent the same as a matter that may very sensibly affect the
peace of this Colony without the appli cation of proper remedy s.
One Col. Thomas Gary being some years agoe appointed Deputy
Governor of North Carolina under Sir Nathaniel Johnson, was
afterwards removed by an order of the Lords Proprietors, and
a President chosen to take on him the administration : but it
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 29
1711.
was not long before Mr. Cary being join'd by certain Quakers en-
trusted by the Proprietors in some part of the administration
gathered together a rabble of the looser sort of people, and by
force of arms turned out the President and most of the Council,
and by his own authority assumed the administration of the
Government. In the mean time the Lords Proprietors appointed
Col. Tynte Governor of South and North Carolina, and Mr.
Edward Hyde to be Deputy Governor of the Northern Province,
who was to receive his commission from the former. Mr. Hyde
arriv'd here last summer, but before his arrival Col. Tynte dyed,
so that he found himself thrown into a country without any
power or credentials, except some private letters from some of
the Lords Proprietors. However, by these he gave so good
satisfaction of his being the intended Governor for that Province,
that every one that could pretend to have deputations from the
Lords Proprietors, and among the rest Col. Cary, joined in a
petition to him to take the administration as President of the
Council, untill his commission for Governor should arrive. Accord-
ingly he was sworne, proceeded to settle Courts of Justice, wch.
had been' interrupted during the course of the former troubles,
and called an Assembly. But Mr. Cary and those of his party
finding their interest decline, and fearing to be called to account
for many unwarrantable actions and oppressions whereof they had
been guilty, began to find fault with their own election, protested
against the meeting of the Assembly as not called by lawful
authority, and endeavoured to stir up the people to throw off
their obedience to the establish'd Government. Upon which the
Assembly ordered Mr. Cary, and some of the chief of that party,
to be taken into custody, and proceeded to pass a law obliging
Mr. Cary to account to the Proprietors for their dues, wch. he
had refused to pay for the subsistance of the Palatines according
to their order, and added some other clauses perhaps too severe
to be justify'd, wherein it must be confessed they show'd more
their resentment of their ill usage during Mr. Gary's usurpa-
con (as they call it) than their prudence to reconcile the dis-
tractions of the country, but of this your Lops, will better judge by
the copys of the laws and address wch. are here inclosed. 'Twas
not long before they found their power was too weak to inforce
the execution of the laws they had gassed. For Mr. Cary having
made his escape out of custody, had again recourse to his old
friends the Mobb, of which he drew together so great a number,
and fortify'd his house with great guns and other warlike stores,
that when the Government had taken a resolution to apprehend
him, they found it impracticable to attempt it. Mr. Cary did
not long content himself to stand on the defensive, but fitting
out a brigantine of six guns, furnished him by a leading Quaker
of that Province, with some other vessells equipp'd in a warlike
manner, he again declared himself President, and went to attack
Mr. Hyde and his Council at a place to wch. they had retired for
their safety. It was then I received pressing applications from
them for assistance from hence to enable them to defend them-
selves against this Insurrection. Whereupon having advis'd
30 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
with the Council, it was thought fitt in the first place to offer my
mediation for accomodating their differences, believing that Mr.
Hyde would be prevail'd on to suspend the severity of the Laws
against Mr. Gary uritill the Proprietors' pleasure were known ;
and that this being once obtain'd, Mr. Gary would be contented
to sit quiet and suffer the Government to go on in the way to
which he himself had agreed. Accordingly I sent a Gentleman
very fittly qualify'd for transacting an affair of that nature to
offer my mediation to both partys, and writt to them the letter
of wch. I here send your Lordps. the copy : and because I was
in some doubt whether Mr. Gary would yeild to a peaceable
accomodation, I also writt another letter (copy inclosed) to be
delivered him in case he rejected the former, intending that if
fair means would not prevail on him, he might at least be frighted
into a compliance by the expectation of a superior force from
hence. Mr. Hyde and his Council readily embraced the offer
made them, declaring themselves ready to yeild to any termes that
could in justice or reason be expected of them ; but Mr. Gary
obstinately rejected all offers of accomodation. Tis true at
first he made a shew of accepting the mediation, but soon show'd
that he had no other intention in it, than to seize Mr. Hyde and
his Council by drawing them to an interview, separated from their
guards, wch. he treacherously attempted to execute in violation
of his own promise and agreement. After his disappointment in
this design, he would never agree to any place of conference where
Mr. Hyde could rely on the safety of his person : he was with
great difficulty perswaded to declare what his demands were,
and after a copy of them was obtained, he positively refused
to sett his hand to it : and tho' he had notice given him by the
gentleman I sent thither that every one of his demands would be
agreed to with some necessary explanations, even that would
not content him, but warned the mediator to retire for he was
resolved to treat no otherwise than with arms. Matters being
now come to the last extremity, Mr. Hyde and his Council again
pressed for assistance by a joint letter (copy enclosed] ; and hav-
ing had the unanimous opinion of H.M. Council here, that there
was now no other way left but that of force to put a stop to
this dangerous insurrection, and that it was conformable to
H.M. Instructions to assist Mr. Hyde and those in the legal
administration of that Government, I thereupon ordered the
Militia of our frontier countys to draw together, designing to
march a detachment of them into Carolina, and at the same time
to obtain a reinforcement of marines from H.M. ships of war here,
to be sent in their boats to the Sound of Chowan for securing
the brigantine and armed vessells with wch. Mr. Gary had been
enabled to insult the Government and overawe the people.
But the Commodore of our homeward bound fleet judging it
the least part of his duty to do any service to this Country,
possitively refused to afford me any assistance either of men or
boats, tho' upon my first communication of that project to him
he seemed to approve it, and that I also represented to him how
serviceable his boats might prove in transporting the pork I had
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 31
1711.
ordered to be bought up in Carolina for the Queen's service ; and
'tis only owing to that disappointment that I have been obliged
to lay aside the thought of getting any pork from thence, which
I wish may not be a disadvantage to H.M. service in another
place. In the mean time I receiv'd advice that Mr. Gary had
attempted to put in execution his chief design of seizing Mr. Hyde
and his Council, that he indeavoured to land a party of his men,
while at the same time he attacked them, with his cannon from
his brigantine ; but finding he was like to meet with some resist-
ance, and the courage of his mobb not being so great in action
as in imagination, he gave over the attempt and is since retired
to a remote part of the country whether it is impracticable to
march the militia from hence to attack him, he is there gathering
a greater force and threatens to bring down the Tuscaruro Indians
to his assistance. I have sent what marines could be spared from
our guard ships to the assistance of that Government, in hopes
by that means to satisfy the people that they are mistaken in
what their Quaker-Polititians have infus'd into them, that this
Government had no authority, nor would ever meddle in their
quarrels, and if this will not do, I shall still endeavour (notwith-
standing the almost insuperable difficulties of marching forces
into a country so cut with great rivers and without any con-
veniency of water carriage) to put an effectual stop to these
confusions, which give so great apprehensions to H.M. subjects
of this Colony, who reflect that ye fatal rebellion raised here,
which cost the Crown a great expence of treasure to quell, sprung
from much less dangerous appearances, especially since Mr. Cary
has threatned to act another Antegoa tragedy, to which his own
desperate circumstances and the wretched crew he has got
together seem like enough to prompt him. It is no small concern
to me to find in two or three of our frontier counties where the
Quakers have got the greatest footing, such a reluctancy to
undertake anything against Cary and his party, which I under-
stand is owing to the crafty insinuations of that sort of people,
who not only have been the principal f omenters of the distractions
in Carolina, but make it their business to instill the like pernicious
notions into the minds of H.M, subjects here to justify all the
mad actions of that rabble by such arguments as are destructive
to all Government. I think it necessary on this occation to
represent to your Lordps. how ill this country is provided for its
defence either against a forreign enemy or intestine commotions.
The powder which H.M. sent hither some years agoe is so much
wasted, that there's no dependance upon its doing execution
even at half distance. I beg your Lordps. will be pleased to
move H.M. for a fresh supply, and that in the mean time the
Admiralty may give orders to the Captains of H.M. ships resorting
hither, to exchange from time to time some of their fresh powder
for some of ours, wch. will be as proper for their use, in their
signals, watch guns and salutes. The confusions in Carolina
have hindered the meeting of the Commissioners for settling the
boundary s, but as soon as the affairs of that country attain any
tollerable settlement, I shal press them all I can to come to a
32 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
conclusion, and hope by the next conveyance, I shal be able to
give a good account of that affair.
P. 8. Kiquotan, July 28, 1711. Since I came hither to dis-
patch the Fleet, I have received advice that upon the arrival of
the marines I sent to Carolina, the heads of that mutinous rabble
there are fled and dispersed, and that there is now great hopes
that country will again be restored to peace ; the Assembly and
Courts of Justice beginning to resume their functions without
fear of further disturbance. The Commissioners for settling
the boundarys are just now mett, and I hope they will conclude
that affair before they seperate ; so that I may be able by the
next opportunity to lay their proceedings before yr. Lordships.
There are now further discoverys made of the ill designs of Mr.
Gary and his party, there being some affidavitts sent in hither to
prove that Mr. Porter, one of Cary's pretended Council, was with
the Tuscaruro Indians, endeavouring by promises of great re-
wards to engage them to cutt off all the inhabitants of that part
of Carolina that adhered to Mr. Hyde. The Indians own the
proposal was accepted by their young men : but that their old men,
who have the greatest sway in their Councels, being of their own
nature suspitious that there was some trick intended them, or
else directed by a superior providence, refused to be concerned
in that barbarous design. Signed, W. Spotswood. Endorsed,
Reed. 25th Sept., Read Nov. 16th., 1711. 12^. Enclosed,
42. i. Lt. Governor Spotswood to Lord Dartmouth. May 5,
1711. v. No. 24 i. Endorsed as preceding. Copy.
2^ pp.
42. ii. Duplicate of No. 24 ii.
42. iii. Copy of Proclamations (i) March 19, 1710 (11), pro-
roguing the Assembly to 7th Nov., and (ii) April 28,
1711, for the due holding of Courts, and for returning
quit-rent rolls etc. Signed, A. Spotswood. Same endorse-
ment. 2 pp.
42. iv. (a) Copy of Acts passed in North Carolina, 1711. (a)
for the better preserving the Queen's peace, (b) for re-
dressing grievances as to titles of land etc.,
(b) Copy of Address of the General Assembly of Carolina
to H.E. the Palatin and Lords Proprietors of Carolina.
We being met to perfect so far as in us lyes the recovery
of this your Lordps.' poor country out of a most wretched
confusion, etc., think it at this time sufficient to inform
your Lordps. that some restless and giddy heads among
the people called Quakers pursuing their wonted practice
and indefatigable endeavour to oppose (we may rath er
say to) extirpate the Church, after they had procured
several changes in the Government being perhaps encour-
aged by their former success, did in 1708 joyn with Col.
Gary, Mr. Porter and Mr. Moseley etc. and some persons
of desperate fortune at Pamplico raised an insurrection
against the Government then duly established by a
Commission from your Lordps. and to which they them-
selves had subscribed : and having by force and other
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 33
1711.
sinister means got the records and offices into their
hands, they set up an arbitrary Government which by
discords amongst themselves soon fell piecemeal to the
ground ; till that nothing remained but confusion,
disorder and oppression. These matters may it please
yr. Lordps. are notorious, and need no proof, the dis-
orders being encreased to that degree, that the continual
clamour amongst ourselves, and the reproach we lay
under in the neighbouring Collonies, as also the grievous
complaints made on behalf of the poor Palatins, put
all who had any sense of duty either to God or man
under a necessity of seeking some remedy for these
detestable evils, which we saw were very likely to
continue another year. The good method which your
Lordps. had taken being frustrated by the death of Coll.
Tynt, and the Hon. Edward Hyde "Esq. being arrived
here, and it appearing by letters from Col. Tynt, and
other testimonys that he was appointed by your Lordps.
to be our Governor, we could not but look upon him to be
the most propper person to receive us out of this distress.
And therefore many endeavours were made to put the
Government into his hands, w r hich were opposed and
frustrated by Col. Gary : but in a little time Mr. Hyde's
great candour and gracefull behaviour so far prevailed
wth. the best, and the awefull respect to his family and
interest overawed others, that Col. Gary found himself
under a necessity of complying or being deserted by all
those that yet adhered to him ; whereupon Mr. Hyde
was unanimously chosen by all who could pretend to
have a suffrage in the election, upon which a Council
was called to appoint Courts of Judicature and necessary
ministers, and to call an Assembly, to which Council
Col. Gary and Mr. Porter were both called, but without
any reason refused to give their attendance ; on the
contrary they have used all possible and most malitious
and odious endeavours, having caused the records and
seal to be detained to obstruct it, and all regullar pro-
ceedings, and to overturn the Government and introduce
the former confusion and miserys : for which their
seditious practices we were under a necessity to bring
them to a tryal (the account of which herewith sent).
And now the Government to the general satisfaction of
all men being thus put into some order, we earnestly
pray your Lordps. favourable construction of what has
been done, and that your Lordps. would assent to these
Acts we have herewith sent. And whereas in the first
there is a provision for continuing the Government,
we do not therein presume to give rules to your Lordps.
but out of a deep sense of the miseries we have allready
felt to prevent the like, untill your Lordps. shall accord-
ing to yr. great wisdoms appoint a better method, being
verrily perswaded that your Lordps. have not been
Wt. 26089. C.P. 3.
34 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
informed of the want of such a necessary provision.
And whereas in the second Act all proceedings during
these two years last past are made void, which howso-
ever it may seem severe, yet we found it necessary
because of the unheard of irregularities and unlawful
judgements therein past, as appear by the copys which
have been given out of their Courts, which could not
be anywise provided for, whilst they conceal all their
Journals and Records, that an inspection cannot be
made, we thought it better that a few should be com-
pelled to bring their suits over, than many be concluded
under unjust judgement, and yet the severity is not so
great as their declaring by proclamation all proceedings
null and void, that had been done by the space of nine
months before they usurped the Government without
any exception, tho in those proceedings they could not
challenge one article. And having laid before yr.
Lordps. this short but true account of our present
condition, we in most humble manner beseech yr.
Lordps. to take this poor countrey into your consider-
ation without any dependance on the other part of your
Lordps.' province, by which the influence of yr. Lordps.
good government towards us have been very much
clouded. And that you would continue to us this
worthy gentleman who has been so happy an instrument
of peace and reconciliation amongst us ; and that you
would remove these three restless incendiaries, Col.
Cary, Mr. Porter, and Mr. Moseley, from having any
share in the Government, which is all the punishment
we pray may be inflicted for many crimes and mis-
demeanours they are justly chargeable with. We have
but one thing more to lay before your Lordps. which
is the sale and surveys of your Lordps.' lands, concerning
which the complaints are so numerous and grievous, and
all the accounts we have yet had from either Mr. Moseley
or the Secretary's Office so short and unsatisfactory,
that no certain account can be had till a careful review
be made ; thus much only is certain, that many surveys
have been returned for tracts of land, whereon the
Surveyor has never sett his foot. We hope this matter
will be reduced into some better order by Mr. Lawson,
who as he has been a very zealous promoter of the
settlement of this countrey, so we doubt not but he
will be serviceable to yr. Lordps. in this office ; which
at this time needs a skillfull and faithfull manager.
We pray leave further to supplicate your Lordps. on
behalf of several of the new inhabitants who have
imported themselves and familys at a great charge into
this Government during these troubles, upon the encour-
agement given of having land by purchase, and there
being no setled Government, was under a necessity of
setling themselves upon any land they found vacant, or
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 35
1711.
else to have removed themselves into some other
countrey to their great dissappointmt. or utter ruine.
We hope yr. Lordps. will consider their case and give
order that they may have their lands granted on the
same terms that other your Lordps. tenants have, who
had the fortune to import themselves at a happier
juncture. We lastly beg your Lordps. that if any person
shall malitiously make any other representacon of the
state of the country and our proceedings than we have
here done, that your Lordps. would be pleased to suspend
your belief till we can make reply assuring your Lordps.
that we have had no other end than the doing justice
to all men and setling such a peace as we and our
posterity may reap the benefit of, etc. Signed, Edward
Hyde, W. Glover, Tho. Pollock, Richd. Sanderson, N.
Chevin, Tho. Boyd, Wm. Swan, Speaker, Fred. Jones,
Wm. Bray, Robt. Wallice, James Coles, Edward Smeth-
wick, John Jordan, Richd. Jasper, John Blunt, Wm.
Read, Tho. Vandormulen, Lag. Reading, Leonard
Laftin, Edward Boyner, Tho. Relfe, Tho. Long, Richd.
Lerry, Tho. Lee, Richd. Stamp, Fran. Delamare, John
Muncref. The whole endorsed, Reed. Sept. 25, Read
Nov. 16, 1711. Copy. 12 pp.
42. v. Copy of Lt. Gov. Spotswood's letters to Col. Gary and
the President and Council of Carolina, June 20, 21, 1711.
Referred to in covering letter. Same endorsement. 3-| pp.
42. vi. Copy of letter from the President and Council of
Carolina to Lt. Governor Spotswood, June 29, 1711.
Referred to in covering letter. Same endorsement. 3 pp.
42. vii. Account of H.M. Revenue of Quitt-rents in Virginia,
April 25, 1710-June 1st, 1711. Total, 1814, 19s. 2d.
Same endorsement. Copy. 1 p.
42. viii. Account of H.M. Revenue of 25. per hhd., 15rf. per
ton and 6d. per pol. in Virginia, Oct. 25, 1710 July 20,
1711. Total, 4105 13s. l|d. Same endorsement. Copy.
Ip.
42. ix. Minutes of Council of Virginia, Aug. 23, 1702, Oct. 18,
1705, July 25, 1710, June 16, 1711, relating to the
manner of selling quit-rents. Same endorsement. Copy.
2| pp. [C.O. 5, 1316. Nos. 71, 71 i.-ix. ; and (without
enclosures] 5, 1363. pp. 346-367 ; and (duplicate of
enclosure No. v.), 5, 9. No. 17.]
July 25. 43. Extract of a letter from Laurence Hollister of Bristol
Bristol. to Benjamin Cater of London. Reports the engagement of the
Newcastle with the French etc. | p. [C.O. 152, 42. No. 69.]
July 25. 44. Mr. Addington to Mr. Popple. Encloses following.
Boston. Signed, Isac. Addington. Endorsed, Reed. 18th, Read 20th Sept.,
1711. 1 p. Enclosed,
44. i. Proclamation by Governor Dudley for preventing
desertion of H.M. forces. Penalties for harbouring and
36 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
rewards for arresting deserters etc. July 13, 1711.
Boston. Printed. 1 p.
44. ii. Duplicate of No. 45 vii.
44. iii. Proclamation by Governor Dudley appointing William
and Francis Clarke of Boston, merchants, to accompany
officers appointed by General Hill and secure provisions
for the Expedition. Mr. Commissary Belcher is to take
up all pork and grain brought in by water, for the
service of the Expedition. Capt. Samuel Gookin and
Samuel Phipps are to attend the camp on Nodles Island
and see that there is no extortion or oppression in the sale
of victuals there, etc. Boston. July 2, 1711. Printed.
I p.
44. iv. Order made by the General Assembly of the Mass-
achusetts Bay, Boston, May 30th, 1711. Any person
enticing or harbouring deserters to be liable to 20 fine
or 6 months imprisonment, etc. Printed. 1 p.
44. v. Order by Governor Dudley, Boston, July 3rd, 1711.
The Select-men of the several towns of the Province are
to see that beeves, sheep, fruits, and greens etc. for
subsisting H.M. 6000 British troops encamped on
Nodles Island, be daily sent to Boston or Winnisimet,
where the proper officers will attend to bargain for the
same. Printed. 1 p.
44. vi. (a) General Hill to Governor Dudley. Lt. General
Nicholson brought me this morning the Act of the Gen-
eral Assembly, passed yesterday, for further enforcing
and enlarging the Act passed in May last against inticing,
harbouring etc. of deserters. I hope it will fully answer
the end for which it was made. I have only to desire
you will be pleased to give direction for securing all
such souldiers and marines as may be apprehended after
I am gone, in consequence of the said Act : and that it
be particularly recommended to Mr. Attorney General
to prosecute the inhabitants of this Colony offending
therein with utmost severity accordingly, etc. July 21st.
(b) Admiral Walker to Governor Dudley. Same as pre-
ceding, with the substitution of seamen for souldiers.
(c) Proclamation by General Hill and Admiral Walker,
pardoning deserters since June 25, surrendering at or
before July 27 etc.. Boston, July 21, 1711.
(d) Order in Council of the Massachusetts Bay. Boston,
July 21. 1711. That the above be printed etc. Printed.
I p.
44. vii. Copy of Act referred to in vi. (a) preceding. Printed.
2pp.
44. viii. Order by Governor Dudley. Boston, July 20, 1711.
The Commanding Officers of the respective regiments
are to cause above Act to be published by beat of drum
in the several towns, etc. Printed. 1 p.
44. ix. Proclamation by Governor Dudley, Boston, July 16th,
1711, addressed to Col. Ephraim Hunt, Major Robert
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 37
1711.
Spurr, Col. John Phillips, Col. John Hathorne, Col.
Benjamin Church. Upon information from General
Hill and Admiral Walker as to desertions from the camp
and fleet, I hereby direct you to raise the military
companies of Hull, Hingham, Weymouth, Brantry,
Milton, Dorchester, Koxbury, Dedham, Melfield, Bi[ ]gs's,
Cambridge, Chaiiestown, Maldon, Lynn, Marblehead,
Salem, Bristol and Pocassett, to examine all strangers
and travellers whatsoever, etc. Col. Nicholson has put
into my hands 100 sterl. for the reward of officers and
persons recovering deserters, etc. Printed. 1 p.
44. x. (a) Resolution by the House of Representatives of the
Massachusetts Bay, June 12, 1711, that H.E. be pleas'd
to emit the annexed Proclamation etc. Signed, John
Burrill, Speaker.
(b) Proclamation by Governor Dudley. Boston, June 12,
1711. Whereas our Soveraign Lady the Queen, express-
ing her most compassionate resentment of the great
losses, charge and expences of her good subjects in
'these H.M. Provinces and Colonies in North America,
for their necessary protection and defence, from the
insults of the French in their neighbourhood, and the
Indian salvages in their interest, as well as for the defence
of the sea-coast : of her tender regard to the welfare
of H.M. subjects aforesaid ; has been graciously pleased
to declare her royall resolution to make an Expedition,
under the protection and blessing of Almighty God,
to attempt the removal of H.M. said enemies ; the
recovery of her country's, and to bring them under her
intire subjection ; thereby to procure a happy and last-
ing tranquillity and quiet to H.M. subjects in these
northern Plantations. For the effectual carrying on
of which great important Expedition, H.M. has been also
pleased to order a very considerable squadron of Her
ships of war, bomb ships, transports and train of artillery,
with accoutrements for war, and land forces, from Her
Kingdom of Great Britain ; part of which are arrived,
and the rest daily expected. And to command the
service of some of her troops in their Provinces and
Colonies to joyn H.M. British forces in this undertaking.
And for their encouragement to yield their dutiful and
chearful obedience to H.M. commands in that respect
over and above the great advantages which will par-
ticularly accrue to them, by the success of this noble
enterprize, H.M. of her royal bounty, has been pleased
to order armes and ammunition for the furnishing of
these her troops, and a coat, breeches, stockings, shoes
with buckles, two coloured shirts, coloured neckcloths,
and hat, gratis ; for every officer and souldier that shall
be retained in her service aforesaid. And further to
promise upon her royall word, to such person or persons
who shall distinguish themselves on this occasion, that,
3S COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
out of the lands and territories which shall be reduced
to H.M. obedience, She will, if they desire the same,
grant them houses, lands, priviledges and immunities
for the support and benefit of themselves and their
posterity ; and to give ample instructions to the Com-
mander in Chief of her said forces, to indulge her loving
subjects in what plunder or booty may be gotten in this
expedition, and to apportion the same justly and equally
amongst her said subjects, according to the service by
them respectively performed, and to settle Garrisons
in those countries of H.M. regular troops. To all which,
H.M. Government of the Province of the Massachusetts
Bay have superadded their further encouragement, of
advancing the pay of their officers, souldiers, sailers
and transports, and provided for the return of their
troops as soon as the Expedition shall be over, etc. To
be published at the head of the several regiments of
militia. Printed. 1 p. This and the preceding Printed
at Boston, by B. Green, Printer to H.E. the Governour
and Council. The whole endorsed, Reed. Sept. 18, 1711.
[C.O. 5, 865. Nos. 69, 69 i.-x. ; and (without enclosures}
5, 913. p. 351.]
July 25. 45. Governor Dudley to Mr. Secretary St. John. Col. Nichol-
Boston, son arrived here June 8, and General Hill and the forces June
New England. 25th, since which there has been no application wanting in this
wild country to persue the affairs so as to save the time, and I hope
3 days will dispatch the fleet and forces in good health and vigour
and a middle passage will in 30 days shew them Quebeck where
God can make them victorious. Refers to enclosures. We
humbly hope the Fast ordered by H.M. Instructions to be holden
to-morrow will fil their sayles etc. Signed, J. Dudley. 1 p.
Endorsed, Rd. 17 Oct. Enclosed,
45. i. Minutes of proceedings of the Congress of Governors
at New London, June 21, 1711, in preparation of the
Expedition to Quebec. Copy. 9 pp.
45. ii. Duplicate of No. 44 iv.
45. iii. Duplicate of No. 44 x.
45. iv. Duplicate of No. 44 iii.
45. v. Duplicate of No. 44 v.
45. vi. Duplicate of No. 44 i.
45. vii. Proclamation appointing a General Fast for July 26th
and the last Thursday in every month during the
Expedition, " that divine conduct may be granted to
H.E. the General and the honourable the Admiral,
with H.M. forces under their command." Signed,
J.Dudley. July 16, 1711. Printed. I p.
45. viii. Duplicate of No. 44 vii.
45. ix. Duplicate of No. 44 vi.
45. x. Copy of Minutes of General Assembly, May 1711,
resolving upon address of thanks to H.M. for setting
forth an Expedition of so great consequence and making
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 39
1711.
provision for 900 men besides commission officers for
the Expedition. 6| pp. [C.O. 5, 898. Nos. 10, 10
i.-x.]
July 25. 46. Col. King to Mr. Secretary St. John(s). Refers to en-
Boston, dosed Journal. You'll there find, what difficultyes we mett with
through Nicholson's neglect in not sending his two transports
with a man of war to New York to convoy our provisions from
thence : through the misfortune that the Coloneys were not
iiiform'd of our comeing two months sooner : and through the
interestedness, ill nature and sowerness of these People : whose
Governmt., doctrine, and manners ; whose hypocrisy and
canting are insupportable, and no man living but one of Gen.
Hill's good sense, and good nature would have managed them with
that patience and dexterity as he has done. But if such a man
mett with nothing he could depend on, altho' vested with the
Queen's royal power and authority, and supported by a number
of troops sufficient to reduce by force all the Coloneys. 'Tis
easy to determine the respect and obedience H.M. may reasonably
expect from them for the future, and how absolutely necessary
it is, and with what great truth one may affirm, that till all their
Charters are resum'd by the Crown, or taken away by an Act of
Parliament : till they are all settled under one Government with
an entire liberty of conscience : and an invitation to all nations
to settle here, they will grow every day more stiff and disobedient,
more burthensome than advantageous to great Brittain. The
inclos'd Plan of Quebeck I form'd from the best advice that could
be had here. As to the strength of the works, the accounts
differ'd : but all agree that the scituation of the place is very
strong, and the avenues leading to it from the River choak'd
with woods, rocks and precipices. I have therefore by my
General's orders provided here a crane and other engines, which
will enable us with the 30 horse we take from hence to surmount
any difficulty of that nature we shall meet with, in bringing our
canon, mortars, and ammunition to the part which shall be
thought proper to attack the Town at. Wherefore neither the
strength of the place, or the great trouble the advantagiousness
of its scituation must undoubtedly give us, do make me in the
least dubious of success, because I know that with pains and
resolution we can overcome them. So that if storms, contrary
winds, and the difficult navigation of the River don't defeat us,
I beleive it's certain nothing else can. The Pilots who were with
Sir William Phipps in his Expedition against Canada, and indeed
all others we mett, represent the navigation of the River as the
greatest difficulty we shall encounter. That from Tadoussac
to some leagues above Quebec the water ebbs and flows with
that prodigious rapidity it will carry a ship above a league and
half an hour : that we must have a sufficient gale of wind to
stemm this tide, or it will drive the ships on shoals and rocks,
which are in vast numbers all along the River : and that there's
every day, especialy in the latter season, such squals of wind,
that the stoutest ships are hardly able to resist them. I am now
40 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
in no very great pain whether Nicholson will gett ready in time to
make the diversion he was order'd by Wood Creek, Chambly and
Montreal. For an expedient is found, which I hope will answer
the end near as well. This expedient is in sending the week we
go from hence one Major Levingston with 100 English and 300
Indians from Albany. These 400 men can alarm that country
as well as 4000, consequently will prevent the regular troops as
well as all the inhabitants above Trois Rivieres from falling down
to defend Quebeck, which I take to be the principal design of
Nicholson's Expedition. Our General's Declaration, which he
sends you by this occasion, would undoubtedly do us great
service if the inhabitants of Accadia had been tolerably well
treated after the reduction of Annapolis. However I hope it
will have some effect, and at least gain us pilots to conduct us up
the River : and encourage part of the inhabitants to join us, and
bring us in provisions when we are landed, since the General has
very prudently resolv'd to give them all manner of encourage-
ment, and perform religiously what he has promiss'd in his
Declaration. I can't express the uneasyness we have been all
in for our long stay at Boston. But it was unavoidable on our
part, unless we had gone without provisions and the men trans-
ports and all other necessarys we were to have from hence.
'Tis certain if the Government here had made that dispatch
which they ought to have done, and which our General constantly
press'd them to : I beleive we might have sail'd from hence a
fortnight ago. But all has been done with indolence and in-
difference with a thousand scruples and delayes. I had almost
forgott to mention one grievance we mett with here, which is
insupportable especialy on such an occasion as this. 'Tis the
encouragement given here by the people to deserters, and the
severe Acts of Parliament against land or sea forces makeing any
reprizal ; I mean to recruit and compleat their respective com-
pliments. This hardship falls very heavy on the Naval Force,
as its more frequently here and that the encouragement given by
the inhabitants to seamen is vastly great. Indeed the Govern-
ment here at the General and Admiral's desire have fallen into
such measures in appearance as would prevent the people from
concealing or enticeing away our men : but notwithstanding we
have lost above 250 : a great number considering how weak our
regiments are, and how ill our men of war are mann'd. But
these losses, delayes and lateness of the season I don't think are
sufficient reasons to induce me to change the opinion I always
had of our succeeding : so that I still firmly beleive nothing but
the navigation of the River of St. Laurents or a force from Europe
can defeat us, etc. Signed, Rich. King. l\pp. Enclosed,
46. i. Col King's Journal, May July, 1711. May 4. The Fleet
for reduceing Canada and Newfound-Land sail'd from
Plymouth. The 8th the Admiral sent back four men of
war he brought to strengthen his squadron till we gott
clear of the Capes being inform 'd that M. Ducass was
at sea with a strong squadron to fall on the Fleet, etc.
May 9th. The Mary transport was miss'd. She had
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 41
1711.
aboard her 80 soldiers of Col. Desney's Kegimt. and a
great part of its cloathing. As we had no bad weather
to separate her from the Fleet, we could not conjecture
what was become of her. May 15. The Monmouth
man of war having sprung her foremast, the Admiral left
the Swift-sure to take care of her till it could be mended :
and order'd them both to make the best of their way
afterwards to Boston. May 21. The Mary gaily,
which had on board cloathing, artillery and several
stores for the service of the Expedition Lt. General
Nicholson was to command, was detach't from the
Fleet under convoy of the Kingston man of war for New
York to deliver there to Nicholson or his order the
aforesaid stores. June 18 we miss'd 13 of the trans-
ports : and considering we had almost constantly for
ten dayes before great foggs, dirty hazy weather, and
often very stiff gales, of wind, it is surprizeing more of
them did not lose the Fleet. June 19. The Fleet
sail'd by Cape Sables and the Seal Islands. The
Admiral left off of these Islands the Mountague man of
war to convoy to Boston such of the transports as lost
the Fleet and should pass by there. The 24th in the
evening the Fleet came into Nantasket harbour. Here
it met with the Monmouth, Swiftsure, Dunkirk and all
the transports seperated from us during the voyage.
The Dunkirk lost the Fleet in giving chase to a French
sloop, which she took and brought in here loaden with
salt fish. The Humber had like to have been lost
coming into the harbour by the neglect or ignorance of
the master of the Monmouth, who placeing a bouy on
the wrong place of a shoal the Fleet should avoid in
coming in : and depending on that, pretended to steer
the ship in by it contrary to the advice of the Pilate,
so runn'd her head aground. It happen'd luckily that
the tide was almost spent, and the water very deep
abaft the ship : so that when the tide return'd, they
toad her off, not perceiving she receiv'd any damage,
etc. June 25. In the morning Deputies from the
Governour and Council came to the Fleet to compliment
the General and Admiral on their arrival. They
acquainted them that Nicholson arriv'd at Boston on
the 8th, with two men of war and two transports, which
were still in the harbour without any Instructions
when to proceed to New York, where the stores aboard
them must be deliver'd, that he was gone to New
London with the Governour the 15th to a General
Congress, etc. ; that there were two sloops under convoy
of a man of war sent to Annapolis to carry provisions
and orders for Col. Vetch to embark immeditely for
Boston with all the officers and artillery that were not
absolutely necessary for the defence of the place : and
that they had letters the 23rd from Col. Vetch, which
42 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
gave an account that Forbus the Engineer with 2
officers and 60 men fell into an embuscade of the
Indians. Forbus with one of the officers and 17 men
were kill'd and all the rest taken prisoners. This
unfortunate affair was undoubtedly perform 'd at the
instigation of the French inhabiting Accadia, who have
been very severely treated since the reduction of Anna-
polis. The 26th. Contrary winds prevented the trans-
ports from coming to Noddles Island, the place the
Governmt. here appointed the troops to encamp on.
This day the Admiral appointed a man of war to convoy
Nicholson's two transports to New York : but they not
expecting to sail suddenly from hence, were careening
as well as the men of war that came with them, and
could not be ready to sail before the 29th. This great
omission of Nicholson in not sending these ships im-
mediately away to New York was a very great morti-
fication both to our Admiral and General, knowing
how absolutely necessary it was they should be there :
the arms and cloathing for the troups that were to
march by Albany, and the presents to engage the
Five Indian Nations in our interest, being aboard them.
This day likewise a demand was made of the Govern-
ment of some stores wanting in the trayn of artillery
which were promiss'd to be provided with the utmost
expedition. June 27th. The troups landed and en-
camp'd on Noddles Island, which is a mile distant from
this town and opposite to it. This place is proper to
encamp 8000 men on, the ground dry, the water good,
and the air sweet and refreshing. Yesterday Captain
Butler of the Dunkirk was broke by a Council of War
held aboard the Admiral for giving chase without
orders to the French sloop he took ; and loseing company
of the Fleet by the said chase. The 28th. Both
yesterday and this day the General and Admiral had
several conferences with the Governour and Council.
They were in order to find out means to prevent the
merchants imposeing on us in our exchange. For they
had already unanimously agreed not to give us above
120 of this country money for 100 sterl. in London :
whereas they ever gave before from 145 to 175. That
the Governmt. here should make the utmost dispatch
in raising the troups and provideing the other necessarys
they were to furnish us, and oblige the country to bring
in provisions of all kinds to refresh our men and save
our salt provisions. They promiss'd at our arrival we
should have in the greatest plenty fresh provisions of
all sorts, but hitherto we found nothing less and were
oblig'd to our men from aboard the transports. The
result of these conferences were, that the Governmt.
should lend us 2 or 3000 of this country money to
subsist the troups till the Assembly mett, July 5th : and
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 43
1711.
that pressing orders should be given to prepare with the
utmost expedition whatever this Province was to furnish,
and particularly that fresh provisions should be brought
in. The money was accordingly lent : and the orders
given as they assur'd us. At the same time the Admiral
gave in a memorial of what provisions would be necessary
for the subsistance of the troups three months ; desiring
they would give an account of what they could furnish
of it, and how they would propose to supply the rest.
This evening the two storeships for Nicholson sail'd
under convoy of the Chester man of war for New York.
The Admiral gave orders to Capt. Mathews, Commander
of this man of war, that when he had convoy'd the two
storeships so far that they could proceed to New York
in safety, he should sail to Cape Britton and cruise
betwixt that place and Placentia till our Fleet should
pass by thence. June 29th. The General order'd to
be provided with all possible diligence 30 horse with
harness, eight waggons or tombrils, and all things
necessary for their transportation. The reason he
order'd these things was grounded on the certain
information he had that there was near 100 pieces of
cannon in Quebeck : that in opposition to these it would
be necessary to make the greatest fire we could and
therefore a vast number of hands must be constantly
employ'd to draw the canon, mortars and ammunition
for that service ; which in all probability we should not
be in a condition to spare, if a great number of seamen
must always remain aboard to preserve our ships from
fireworks we were inform'd the enemy had prepar'd to
destroy them. These fireworks are said to be made on
great floats of timber, which they design to send down
with the tide to the part our fleet shall anchor at, and
as the ebb is excessively rapid and that these floats
sink near 4 foot in the water, they hope we shall not be
able to toa them clear of our ships and consequently
that they will either burn them, or oblige us to cutt our
cables to avoid them and so be drove ashore by the tide.
July 1st. The General receiv'd an express from Col.
Hunter, whereby he acquainted him that the provisions
he was to provide in his Governmt. for our troups were
ready, but that he had no man of war to convoy it
hither. Upon which an order was dispatch't to New
York for the first man of war that should arrive there to
take immediately into his care what transports with
provisions Col. Hunter should order to be deliver'd
to him, and convoy them hither with the utmost ex-
pedition. Col. Hunter's express brought likewise an
account that the Kingston man of war detach'd from
the Fleet at sea with the Mary transport was not yet
arriv'd at New York. This want of convoy for our
provisions from New York, is entirely owing to Col.
It COLONIAL PAPEKS.
1711.
Nicholson's neglect in not sending at his arrival here the
two transports with stores immediately away for New
York, under convoy of the two men of war which brought
them hither. For these were design'd to convoy to us
what provisions we were to have from thence. Thus
has he not only risqu'd dissapointing the diversion he is
to make, but even the whole expedition by detaining us
here for want of provisions, till the season is too far
advanc'd. July 2nd. It plainly appear'd the Govermnt.
here did not put in execution any of the promisses they
made us. For the bread we contracted for, to subsist
our men during our stay here, was not deliver'd. The
fresh provisions, which was to be brought in, in great
plenty, was not sufficient for the quarter of our troups.
And all other things to be provided, were brought us with
that sloath and indifference, there could be no fixing
any time when they would be finish'd. For these
reasons and that the Governmt. and Council had sent no
answer to the Admiral's memorial : the General sent the
Governour and Council a message to represent to them
our condition, and the treatment we mett with : to let
them understand how different it was from what H.M.
could reasonably expect in return for the vast expence
she had put herself to in commisseration of them.
That any one who would read their several memorials
to the Queen and her Ministry, wherein they represented
in the strongest terms the deplorable condition they
were reduc'd to by the frequent incursions of the French
and their Indian allies : by their loss of trade, and the
great expence they were at in maintaining troops to
defend their frontiers ; could not imagine they would
defeat this great effort her Majesty was so graciously
pleas'd to make in their favour by not giving provisions
and whatever else was necessary for carrying on vigor-
ously the Expedition : that H.M. could not but resent
so undutifull, so ungratefull, so unjust a return : and
that if out of her great tenderness and indulgency for
her subjects she should be inclin'd to pardon them, would
not the Parliament interpose, and beg her Majesty to
do justice ? That therefore he hop'd they would
seriously reflect on what they were doing, how far the
season was advanc'd, and the length and difficulty of
the voyage to Quebeck : that they would make pro-
portionnable dispatch with the provisions and other
things demanded of them, and lend the troups 5000
more in their bills, and settle the exchange for it at a
reasonable rate. Upon this message they lent the
5000 and issued a Proclamation to order search to be
made for all provisions fitt to be sent to sea ; that it,
and whatever ships came into the harbour with anything
that could contribute to victual us, should be secur'd for
H.M. Fleet and troups etc. (v. No. 44 iv.). July 2,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 45
1711.
3, and 4th. Diligent search was made for all the
provisions in town that were proper to carry to sea.
All they discover'd they mark'd for the Queen's service,
takeing an exact list of the quantitys of each kind and
where they were lodg'd. The 5th, this list was laid
before the Governour and Council, with a memorial
from the General and Admiral, wherein they desir'd
that they would fix the prizes of each species contain'd
in the said list : that they would order the delivery of
them immediately to our Commissarys, and settle the
exchange of money, that bills might be given for the
said provisions and what other things we should be
furnish'd with here. In the said memorial they recom-
mended to them the utmost dispatch, shewing that the
success of the expedition depended entirely on our
speedy departure from hence. This evening in com-
plyance to the said memorial they fix'd the prizes of the
provisions, and order'd them to be deliver'd to our
Commissarys : and the Assembly or Parliament of this
country (which mett here yesterday) settled the exchange
of money at 140 per cent., which is 10 or 15 per cent.
less than it usualy is at. But our necessities oblig'd
both our General and Admiral to accept of it at this
rate. July 7th we had advices from Col. Hunter that
no man of war was yet arrived to convoy to us the three
months provisions he had prepar'd for us ; that besides
this quantity he could furnish us with what wheat and
peas we should have occasion for, upon which the
General and Admiral dispatch'd an express to him to
desire him to send all the peas and wheat he could
procure along with the three months provisions : and
that if they were gone before this advice should come to
his hands, he should send them by the first opportunity
after us, and particularly that the two frigates which
were to cruise off his coast should be likewise sent, they
being absolutely necessary to assist us in our navigation
up the River of St. Laurents. The 10th the General
reveiw'd our European troups : and found that they all
amounted to 3500 effective men. This day the Admiral
came to a resolution of sending home the Devonshire
and H umber, being assur'd by all the pilots we take from
hence, that it was impossible to carry them up the River
of St. Laurents without running great risque of loseing
them. July 9, 10. 11, 12, our Commissarys and Agent
Victuallers were employ 'd in makeing the distribution
for the fleet and army of the provisions found in town,
and buying three transports to load with a sufficient
quantity of wheat, rye, and Indian corn to subsist the
troups with bread for three months. The General
order'd this corn to be provided, because that all the
provisions we should be able to gett here, would only
compleat what we had aboard to three months, and that
46 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
if any accident should prevent the provisions for New
York to join us before the River of St. Laurents should
be froze up our troups would run a great risque of
perishing before supplys could be sent them the next
sommer. July 1 1th. Capt. Cockburn, Commander of the
Saphire was sent to Annapolis for Col. Vetch and such
artillery stores and officers belonging to it as were not
absolutely necessary for the defence of the place. As
soon as he had put all things aboard at Annapolis he
had orders to return hither, provided he could do before
the 25th instant : otherwise that he should cruise off of
Cape Sables, and join the Fleet as they pass'd by there
for Canada. July 14th. Lt. General Nicholson arriv'd
here from New York and Col. Vetch from Annapolis.
The first brought an account that in 8 or 10 dayes the
troups he was to make a diversion with from Albany
would be marching towards that place. That expresses
were sent to the five Indian Nations in allyance with us,
to desire their attendance at Albany : and that he
beleiv'd they would be there before the 25th instant.
That he did not doubt but they would heartily enter into
what measures Col. Hunter and he should propose for
attacking with all their power our common enemy the
French and their allies. That he did not expect his
full compliment of troups from any of our Provinces,
especialy from New York and Pensylvania : and that
he hop'd the boats, canoes, provisions and other necess-
arys would be ready by the time the troups would
assemble. He could give no tolerable reason why he
did not on his arrival here send to New York the two
transports with stores, the want of which and a convoy
for our provisions he own'd to be a great detriment to
the whole undertakeing. Col. Vetch brought an account
that the French Indians in Accadia summon'd the Fort
at Annapolis to surrender a few dayes after they had
defeated the party he sent to cutt timber to repair it :
that they afterwards block'd it up for four dayes and
then retir'd : that the Fort was at present in a tolerable
good condition and fitt with the garrison in it to resist
any force the enemy can raise in that country against
it : and that he would have brought all the officers, men,
artillery and stores that good (= ? could) with safety be
spar'd : but that the sloop he came in was so smal, it
would not contain the quarter of them. July 17. Capt.
Harrison, General Hill's Aid de Camp arriv'd here from
New York. He was sent with the Kingston man of war
and the Mary transport detach'd from us at sea, with let-
ters and instructions for Col. Hunter and Lt. Genl. Nichol-
son : and to observe how forward they were in raising the
troups and provideing the provisions etc. He brought
an account that he only arriv'd at New York the 12th
inst. with Kingston and Mary transport being detain'd in
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 47
1711.
their passage by contrary winds calms and currants.
That Col. Hunter acquainted him that most of thetroups
to be rais' din this Government were ready: that the boats
and other necessarys prepareing for Lt. Genl. Nicholson
would be finish'd by the 21st instant : arid that now the
two storeships were arriv'd from Boston with the cloath-
ing arms etc., he hop'd to have his men and whatever
he was to provide for the expedition from Albany ready
by the latter end of this month. The 20th, all our
troups were reembark'd to prevent desertion : and to
save the salt provisions, the Agent Victuallers were
ordered to deliver fresh every two dayes. The 22nd.
All the last week we were employ'd in putting the
artillery stores and provisions aboard : in watering and
fitting out all the transports : and getting ready with
the utmost expedition the Windsor man of war appointed
for our General since it has been resolv'd to send back
the Devonshire with the Number to England : and as
it was discover'd about 12 dayes ago that one of our
transports which carry'd 300 men of Col. Kirk's regiment
was not in a condition to proceed further : two vessells
were taken up here for that purpose, and are prepareing
with all possible diligence. This day three of the
Sachems or Kings of the Five Indian nations of Iroquois
our Allies arriv'd here. They were deputed by all the
five Nations as their Plenipotentiaries to our General and
Admiral on account of the present expedition : and to
see what men of war and troups we had here for that
service. For as this Fleet did not come two year ago
and last year as they were assur'd they would, they did
now [? not] expect it or beleive it was arriv'd here.
July 23. They had their audience of our General and
Admiral. The substance of their speech was that with
much fatigue they came a great way in hot weather to
see them : that their troups were already on their march
and would be at Albany by the latter end of this month :
that the fine season would be over before we could finish
our expedition, therefore advis'd the Admiral to take of
his great canoes or men of war : and that as they were
now assur'd we design'd to prosecute vigorously the
war against the French and their allies, they would
heartily employ all their force in our assistance as good
friends and brothers. The General and Admiral treated
them with great civility : made them presents in the
usual manner : gave them all imaginable assurances
of the Queen's protection and the great esteem she had
for their nations : shew'd them our troops and fleet :
and did all they could to imprint in them great ideas
of the Queen and make them long to be under her
Governmt., and to be fellow subjects with those men
that they saw command armys and fleets so vastly
superior to any ideas they ever had before of either.
48 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
The 24th, the New England troups embark'd tho'
their transports were very far from being ready to re-
ceive them. No sailors aboard : and except provisions
and water, beds and all other necessarys were in a
manner wanting. The reluctancy and ill nature that
these people shew'd to serve us and forward the Ex-
pedition upon all occasions before : did not near so
fully demonstrate their perverse and wicked intentions
as this great neglect : it being evident to anybody that
has seen this country, that they could fitt out and
man twice the number of vessells they were to furnish
for this Expedition in much less time than they have had
to do it in. Therefore I can't imagine what their
designs could be by all these delayes if they were not
to delay us here, till the advanc'd season of the year will
probably defeat us. And what almost confirms me in
this opinion is, that it's certain that those who rule and
proffitt by their present dissorderly Governmt. now see
how reasonable it is to change : that the conquest of
Canada will naturaly lead the Queen into it : and shew
her how absolutely necessary it is to put all this Northern
Continent of America under one form of Government
for the real good of the present Coloneys: for the estab-
lishing of others : for their mutual support : and the vast
advantages that will thereby accrue to great Brittain.
One of the three men of warr we have now cruising be-
twixt Cape Britton and Newfoundland took the 12th inst.
a French vessell of 14 guns and 120 tunn, loaded with
wine, brandy and bale goods, and sent her in here.
She brought an account that she left France June 9th
in company with two other merchant men all bound for
Quebeck. That off of Rochelle they join'd a fleet of
theirs of 15 men of war and about 20 merchant men
commanded by Monsieur De Guy. This fleet they
kept company with till they were about 100 leagues off
of Cape Finistre, when they directed their course to
the westward for Quebeck ; the fleet keeping a southerly
course. Monsieur De Guy had not open'd his last
orders when they left him : but all people concluded he
was bound for Barbados, Jamaica, or Brazil, tho' some
private letters taken aboard this prize say possitively
that he is to come to this country if he can't releive
Quebeck, which they suppose in France already lost.
Nine of the 15 men of war are ships betwixt 50 and 76
guns. The prize and the two merchant men which
came out of France with her, had each of them 30
recruits aboard for the troups in Canada. July 26th.
This country gaily came in here, and brought under her
convoy from New York seven sloops loaded with pro-
visions, which we have distributed aboard our trans-
ports. July 29th. Some officers arriv'd here from
Annapolis and brought letters for our General from
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 49
1711.
Sir C. Hobby, Depty-Governour of it : wherein he
inform 'd him that he call'd a Council of War upon the
receival of his letters sent him by the Saphire, for the
marines, and all the officers and ammunition that was
not necessary for the defence of his garrison ; that the
majority of the Council of War was of opinion that the
marines could not be sent away without endangering the
loss of the place : that therefore he kept the said marines
and 100 men of the New England troups which were sent
to releive them. The stores that were order 'd to be sent
Sir Charles takes no notice of in his letter : but the
officers who came from thence assure us, he sent none.
Wherefore Col. Vetch being of opinion that 100 of the
marines and a great part of the artillery stores (which
we realy wanted) could be well spar'd ; our General
and Admiral order'd Capt. Southwyck, Commander of
the New England gaily, to sail with a brigantine to
Annapolis, for them ; and that as soon as he had put
them aboard he should follow the Fleet with all diligence.
And as the New England transports were mann'd out of
the said gaily, Governour Dudley was desired to be
aiding in remanning her with the utmost expedition.
And least Sir Charles Hobby should again evade sending
the aforesaid marines and stores, possitive orders were
now sent him by Capt. Southwyck for the delivery of
both. July 30th. Having at last gott all our Fleet
victuall' d for 3 months, and the New England transports
mann'd, we all sail'd out of Nantasket or Kingroad
Harbour with a fair gale at S.S.W. to pursue our ex-
pedition. This morning several merchants at Boston
had advice from Barbados that Monsieur De Guy was
arriv'd with his squadron at Martinico. Lt. General
Nicholson was to sett out this day from Boston, for
New York, and thence to Albany, where his troops were
assembling to make the diversion. As we had advice
on Saturday that the boats, provisions, and all other
necessarys for the said troups were ready, 'tis probable
he will be at Lac St. Pierre by the time we shall gett to
Quebeck, which will effectualy answer the design of his
expedition. Aug. 3rd. We sail'd by Cape Sables with
all our fleet. The IQth the Saphire join'd the Fleet off
of Cape Britton. Capt. Cockburn, Commander of her,
brought an account that Annapolis was still block'd
up by the French and Indians : that Sr. C. Hobby had
made a sorty on them but to no great purpose : and
that he could neither gett the marines or stores he was
order'd to bring from thence for the reasons Sir Charles
sent before. He brought likewise an account that the
Chester and Leopard men of war, which were to join the
Fleet off of Cape Britton, were watring in Spanish
River : that the Chester took a sloop belonging to Placen-
tia, which gave intelligence that they were all appriz'd
Wt. 26089. C.P. 4.
50 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
there of our arrival at Boston : that they were under
the greatest apprehensions of being attack'd, tho' they
were assur'd our design was against Canada : that they
had sent several sloops to Quebeck to give Monsieur Vau-
dreul the Governour timely notice to be on his guard :
and that several ships were coming from Provence
to his releif. The llth. The Admiral resolv'd not to
send home the Devonshire and Humber off of Cape
Britton as he first design'd : but to take them with us to
the Island of St. Paul ; and there leave them to cruize
20 dayes betwixt that place and Cape Ray before they
return'd. And that he might have an account of all
occurrences they should meet with, he left them the
prize sloop to send after him to Quebeck when they left
their cruize. The reason the Admiral came to a resolu-
tion of ordering these two men of war to cruise, was that
he might by that means take along with him the two
men of war, which he should otherwise be oblig'd to
leave cruising at the mouth of the River St. Lauren ts.
The 12th. The Chester and Leopard join'd us betwixt
Spanish River and St. Paul's Island. 29 pp. [C.O.
5, 898. Nos. 11, 111]
July 26. 47. Address of the General Assembly of New York to the
Queen. Being sensible in the highest degree of the many blessings
wee have enjoyed dureing your Majesties most happy and glorious
reign, wee humbly take this occasion to tender your Majestic
our due acknowledgments and hearty thanks for the same and
in particular for your Majesties great grace and favour in the
present Expedition to reduce Cannada and Newfoundland
entirely to your Majesties subjection and dominion, which as its
grounded not only on the many wrongs, injuries and losses
sustained by your Majesties good subjects from those French
incroachments but in the vast advantages will acrew to the
Brittish Empire on the success of the undertakeings is an un-
deniable proof of your Majesties great prudence and inimitable
goodness to and care of all your subjects. Wee do not fail in
useing our utmost endeavors in contributing towards attaineing
the desired end (which with the favour of Allmighty God) seems
indisputable and its our hearty prayers this and many other
conquests may be added to your Majestic with a long and pros-
perous reign. Signed, W. Nicoll, Speaker. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 1091.
No. 40.]
July 26. 48. Address of the General Assembly of New York to the
Queen. Wee your Majesties most dutiful and loyall subjects of
your Colony and Plantation of New York in America in Generall
Assembly con vein 'd and mett, most humbly crave leave to offer
to your Majesties most royall consideration. That not only during
the whole course of the late and present warr with France this
Colony has been greatly burthen'd with extraordinary levy's
for it's defence against the common enemy, but the charges of
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
51
1711.
the ordinary support of the Government has been very great
and exorbitant in proportion wth. the Colonys adjacent. That
this your Plantation (tho' one of the least in your Majesties
Dominions in America) has long labour'd under many hardships
and difficulties, by reason whereof our trade is decay'd, the rents
of houses and lands decreased, the little wealth it possest and
the best and most industrious of its inhabitants drein'd into the
neighbouring Colonys, induced by the ease and indulgence of
the Government in those parts. That in the last intended attempt
on Canada, induc'd by the commands of your Majty. and the
solid reason of the design, wee not only chearfully supplied our
proporcon of men allotted, tho' very unequal 1 to our neighbours
(Connecticut having twice as many and New Jersey an equall
number of people) but solely bore the charge of victualling the
five Nations and all other Indians, your Majtie's. standing fforces,
the building and making all the battoes and canoes, and many
other incidentall charges too many to enumerate to your Majesty.
That in the present expedition (to which Almighty God grant
good success) altho' wee are very sencible of the vast dispro-
portion of the men and money required of us compar'd with those
in favour of our neighbours, yet with all alacrity wee are doing
out utmost to obey your Royall commands, tho' our extream
poverty and inability obstructs our inclinations to fulfill them
as wee desire. The disadvantages wee sink under its our appre-
hension must proceed from the sinister insinuations made to our
prejudice, the misrepresentation of the state and condicon of
this Colony by such who find it their interest to be our enemys,
and the want of a person fitly authorized and enabled to speak
and act for us at your Majty's. Court and upon all occasions to
appear in our behalf and answer to such matters and things as
may concern this Colony. Wee therefore are most humble
suitors to your most sacred Majestic that graciously weighing our
present and past circumstances you will please to accept of our
most hearty endeavours as farr as wee are able, and that wherein
wee are deficient, your Majesties Royall commisseration, clemency
and bounty will supply the defects, and grant us such farther
releif as is agreeable to your Majesties great goodness and justice,
etc. Signed, By order of the Genii. Assembly, W. Nicoll, Speaker.
1 large p. [C.O. 5, 1091. No. 42.]
49. Mr. Popple to the Secretaries of the Treasury. The
Council of Trade and Plantations have examined into the matter
of the Robinson frigate. It appears to their Lordships that the
words have been rased as Mr. Spotswood observes, (v. July 17,
and 20th). [C.O. 5, 1363. pp. 329, 330 ; and (roivgh draft)
5, 1335. p. 126.]
July 26. 50. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Queen. Repre-
Whitehall. sentation upon the petition of Lord Baltimore (v. Feb. 7, March 10,
July 21). We have heard his Lordship by his Counsell, as also
Mr. Solicitor Generall in behalf of your Majesty, whereupon we
humbly represent, that it appears that in 1689 severall articles
July 26.
Whitehal.
52
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
July 26.
Whitehall.
July 27.
Whitehall.
July 27.
Boston.
July 28.
Nevis.
July 28.
Virginia.
of complaints were exhibitted by the inhabitants of that Province
against his Lordship and his officers. Quote preamble to Col.
Copley's Commission 1691. v. July 21 supra. Whereupon we
are humbly of oppinion that it will best conduce to the safety of
that Province, and to the alaying the fears and quieting the minds
of the people there, to continue the Government, as now it is,
under a Governor of your Majestye's immediate appointmt., at
leastwise during the present war, and till the dangers and in-
conveniencies which may arise from any new alteration be more
fully removed. [C.O. 5, 727. pp. 291293.]
51 . Mr. Popple to Mr. Attorney General. The Council of
Trade and Plantations concurr with you in your report upon the
petition of Lord Baltimore, (v. July 21) and have this day signed
a representation to H.M. conformable thereto. [C.O. 5, 727.
p. 294.]
52. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lt. Governor Ben-
net. Enclose warrant of July 10 relating to Day's house, with
instructions to proceed accordingly. [C.O. 38, 7. p. 20.]
53. Brigadier General Hill to Lord Dartmouth. Encloses
and recommends following. Signed, J. Hill. Enclosed,
53. i. Memorial of Col. Whitney, Capt. Bartlett and Ensign
Cocksedge to General Hill. The above were wounded
and taken prisoner in the fighting about Annapolis
Royal. Pray for relief in the matter of ransom etc.
Signed, Willm. Whiting, John Bartlett, John Cocksedge.
The truth of the above testified by Sam. Vetch. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 9. Nos. 7, 8.]
54. Lt. General Hamilton to the Council of Trade and Plan-
tations. The great hurry and fatague I have had whilst I was
at the head of this Government by frequently pursuing the
enemy, whilst I had the man of war to attend me, has bin the
occasion I could not send home the severall acts past for the
sundry Islands in my time, which as soon as I had any leasure
I sent to the sundry Deputy Secretarys for and now transmit
them to your Lordships for H.M. royal approbation etc. I have
sent the coppy of your letter relateing St. Christophers to the Lt.
Governour of that Island. I am but just arrived at this Island,
so have nothing to ad at present. Signed, W. Hamilton. En-
dorsed, Reed., Sept. 28, Read Nov. 27, 1711. 1 p. [C.O. 152, 9.
No. 90; and 153, 11. pp. 403, 404.]
55. Lt. Governor Spots wood to Lord Dartmouth. Repeats
concluding portions of July 25 q.v. Upon advice that some
of the chief of Mr. Gary's factions were come into this countrey,
the Council advis'd the issuing a Proclamation for apprehending
them till they should give security for their good behaviour, for
no Governmt. can be safe that has in it such dangerous incen-
diarys etc. Signed, A. Spotswood. 3pp. [C.O. 5, 1337. No. 12.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 53
1711.
July 30. 56. Order of Queen in Council. Appointing John Carver to
Windsor, the Council of Jamaica. Signed, John Povey. 1% pp. [C.O. 5,
11. No. 67.]
July 30. 57. Order of Queen in Council. Approving of Edward Hyde
Windsor, as Governor of North Carolina, provided he qualify himself and
give security as proposed July 12. Signed, John Povey. En-
dorsed, Reed. Aug. 25, Read Oct. 23, 1711. 1| pp. [C.O. 5,
1204. No. 121 ; and 5, 1292. pp. 321, 322.]
July 30. 58. Order of Queen in Council. Referring enclosed to the
Windsor. Council of Trade and Plantations for their opinion. Signed,
John Povey. Endorsed, Reed. Aug. 10, Read Sept. 12, 1711.
1^ pp. Enclosed,
58. i. Address of the Minister, Churchwardens and Vestry
of the Church of St. Mary in Bridlington, New Jersey,
to the Queen. Most dread Sovereign, The transcendent
affection to and care of the Protestant Religion and
Church of England that your Majty. hath at all times
and on all occasions given the greatest assurance of and
more especially in your late speech to your Parliamt.
emboldens us your Majty's. dutyfull and loyall subjects
to lay in the most humble manner the following Address
at your Majty's. feet. We have by too fatall experience
found that the admission of Quakers into offices of the
highest trust in the Governmt. such as the Councill and
Assembly hath very much retarded your Majty's. service,
obstructed the peace of the Province, and above all
extreamly dampt the increase and progress of the doc-
trine and discipline of the best of Churches, the Church
of England. But what can hinder the intire ruin of our
Church and State, if these enemys of both, who never
want the will when they have the opportunity to hurt
us be empowered by a law to destroy our religion,
lives, liberty s, reputations and estates at their pleasure.
The danger of wch. has of late been but too apparent
from the cunning address and interest of the Quakers
of this present Assembly, who procured a Bill to be
passed in the house of Representatives (ten of that per-
swasion being then sitting members there) to enable them
to give evidence in criminall causes, serve on any jurys,
and enjoy places of profit and trust in the Governmt.,
wch. being so contrary to the laws and statutes of your
Majty's. Kingdom of Great Britain, was to the great satis-
faction of your Majty's. good and loyall subjects the
members of the Church of England rejected by your
Majty's. Councill here. And tho' we should not pre-
sume to intermeddle in the affairs of another Province,
especially in their making of Laws, if they had not too
great an influence on the temper, humour, and inclina-
tions of a great number of the inhabitants of this your
Majty's. Colony, yet our common safety requiring our
54 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
utmost opposition to whatsoever may endanger those
things we justly think most dear and valuable to our-
selves and our posterity, we further crave leave to
acquaint your Majty. that the Quakers have lately past
an Act in our neighbouring Colony of Pensylvania con-
stituting a new form of protestation repugnant to the
afirmation enjoyned them by Act of Parliamt. in Great
Britain in which the name of God is entirely omitted
thereby slighting the indulgence the laws have allowed
them and setting up for themselves, doing whatsoever
seems good in their own eyes. How far such dangerous
and pernicious practices may tend to the destruction
of the very being of our constitution of Government,
and what security we have for the enjoyment of our
undoubted rights and priviledges either ecclesiasticall
or civill we most humbly submitt to your Majty's.
most wise and just determination, not in the least
doubting but the rays of your Royal benignity will
equally shine on us in this distant wilderness with the
rest of your Majt's. subjects to our great satisfaction
and comfort, etc. etc. Signed, Hu. Huddy, Dan. Coxe,
Tho. Revell, J. Bass, John Talbot, Alexander Griffith,
Daniell Leeds, George Willis, John Lammell. Copy.
3 pp. [C.O. 5, 1264. Nos. 118, 118 i. ; and 5, 1292.
pp. 315-319.]
July 30. 59. H.M. Warrant, granting to George Clarke, Secretary of
Windsor. New York, leave of absence for one year, etc. Countersigned,
Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. p. 101.]
[? July 31.] 60. Lt. Governor Spotswood to [? Lord Dartmouth.] Since
my letter of 28th current, I received information that Col. Gary
and some of the principal ringleaders in the late disturbances in
Carolina were come to this place : whereupon not judging it
consistent with the peace of this Governmt. to suffer such in-
cendiary s to remain here, I thought fitt to examine them touching
their intentions in coming into this Government. They alledged
they came hither to gett a passage for England, that they might
justify themselves before the Lords Proprietors for what they had
done ; but withall refused to give any security to answer there ;
and finding so much shuffling and evasion in all their discourses,
as plainly show'd they intended nothing less than to stand a
tryal ; I have thought fitt to send them home by the men of war
of this convoy, that they may be made accountable for their
actions either before the Lords Proprietors of Carolina or in such
other manner as H.M. shal think fitt. I have directed the
Commodore upon his arrival in England to give your Lordp.
immediate notice, and wait your directions for the disposal of the
prisoners. And I must humbly offer my opinion, that if measures
are not taken to discourage such mutinous spirits, especially
when they are so audacious as to take up arms, and even to
confederate with savages, it may prove a dangerous example to
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 55
1711.
the rest of H.M. Plantations. Signed, A. Spotswood. 2 pp
[C.O. 5, 1337. No. 13.]
July 31. 61 . Brig. General Hill to Lord Dartmouth. Sir Hovenden
From on board Walker having thought fitt to send home the Devonshire and
ndsor // wm ^ er f rom this place, I take that occasion to acquaint you
with our safe arrivall in Nantaskett Road June 24th 'with all the
men of warr and transports, except one which had two companys
of Col. Desneys Regiment and their cloathing on board, that lost
company with the fleet before wee gott the length of Scilly. The
troops landed in much better condition then wee expected, after
a voyage of eight weeks, and those which had been embarqued
the longest were in as good health as the others ; I referr you to
the Admirall for a particular account of our passage, and to the
inclosed copy of that part of my Journall which relates to our
transactions with the Government, and inhabitants of Boston,
concerning provisions etc., which have been attended with more
difficultys and disappointments than are proper to transmitt to
you at this distance. It was unlucky that Mr. Nicholson did not
arrive in North America, with notice of the intended Expedition
before June 8th last, which would not only have been a great
advantage in the timely preparation of provisions, but also put
H.M. affairs into such a posture as would have secured them from
the present necessity of being a prey to the marchants of North
America. Refers to Journal. The first offer the marchants of
Boston made was 120 of their country money for 100 sterling,
and in severall dayes distance between whiles, came up, by ten
pounds at a time to 140, after they found nobody would conive
at or share with them in their exorbitant gain on the publick's
necessity ; which the Assembly established by regulating the
exchange on that foot, and voting a loane of 40,000 to be struck
in their paper money, to be advanced for subsisting the troops
etc. as there should be occasion ; this was the effect of many days
solicitation, and I had the good fortune to carry the point, but
few hours before Col. Hunter informed me from New York, that
the Councill of that Colony would not come up to above 130 p. c.,
which he was obliged to close with, or leave the service undone.
But this 10 p.c. which wee have gained upon the New England
people, more than the exchange settled at New York, wee are
obliged to part with to the troops, in that share of the
loane which goes to the payment of their subsistance, who,
according to the practice at home and in Holland, are payd their
full pay, without discount of tallys or deduction of exchange, so
are obliged to pay them at the rate of 150 p.c., which could in
no wise be avoided, for upon paying their subsistance in English
money, when they landed, before wee could gett paper money from
the country, they found an English shilling, which specie they
had a right to be payd in, went currantly for 18 pence, and I
thought it intirely for the service to reserve the little English
money I brought from England with me for the many necessary
uses we should have for it in a siege, in so distant a country, in
case wee should not be so happy as to be supply 'd from home
56 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
with specie, or find some expedient to answer the want of coin'd
money at Quebeck. Many letters have pass'd between Col.
Hunter and myself during my stay at Boston touching the
levys and procurement of provisions in his and the neighbouring
Governments, ordered by our Instructions for three months for
the Brittish troops, but I rinding that wee must expect the great-
est part of the pork from Virginia and Maryland, and only flower,
biskett and butter from New York, all which he could only
bespeak after he had notice of the Expedition, was of opinion it
could not possibly be sent time enough to us at Boston, or before
it would, it would be "too late to go to Quebeck, therefore con-
sidering this and the many rubbs he mett with and the great
uncertainty of his getting the other species of victualls, made me
resolve to gett all the provision I could in New England, at the
most reasonable price the Government would establish, and to
make the best of my way to Canada, choosing rather to leave
our future supply to Providence and the care of Col. Hunter (who
on all occasions, to do him justice, has shewn an uncommon zeal
and indefatigable application for the service of the expedition)
than to be a day too late in putting to sea. You will agree with
me that this was the only expedient wee could find to retrieve
the misfortune of Mr. Nicholson's late ariivall in these parts,
especially when I tell you that Col. Hunter acquainted me not
many dayes before wee say led from Boston, which was the 30th
of this month, that the Colony of Maryland had baulked him,
the Councill refusing to order the Receivers to part wth. the
money in their hands, and wee had only eight small sloops loads,
which came from New London two days before wee sayled, of
all the provisions wee expected from Col. Hunter, the rest being
to follow, so if extraordinary means had not been used to find
out hidden provisions at Boston, wee must have stay'd for Col.
Hunter's, and the season being already farr advanced, the con-
sequence might have been fa tall. When I came from Boston I
left it in charge with the Governour, to procure a certain quantity
of beef, pork and pease in lieu of that wch. should have been
bought up in Maryland, to send after us in all the month of October
which is the longest time of the year that the River of St. Lau-
rence is open, and I have desired Col. Hunter to correspond with
and assist him in it, I having left an officer to solicite the matter
at Boston. In obedience to the 4th Art. of my Instructions,
I detached the Mary transport, and the Admirall sent the Kings-
ton with her to New York, where she arrived very late, (v. Journal
enclosed), but I hope not too late to supply the New York people
with arms etc., nor the Indians with H.M. presents, the compleat
number of the former being raised, and Col. Hunter having made
up the 4 independent companys with Palatines into a Regiment,
they will be marching from Albany towards the Wood Creek,
much about the time that wee gett to the mouth of the River,
as Col. Nicholson and I have concerted it. Col. Vetch being at
Annapolis when I arrived at Boston, I gott the Admirall to send
the Saphire with two companys of New England men to relieve
the marines, who are reduced to a small number, by reason of
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 57
1711.
the French and Indians having killed and taken a party of the
garrison lately, and therefore I desired but 100, tho' the 8th
Article of my Instructions enjoyns me not only to take all the
marines, but such other men as may be proper for service, putting
others leveyd in New England to serve in the garrison in their
stead. I desired likewise that such Cahorne mortars and ordnance
stores as could be spared might be sent at the same time ; but
Coll. Vetch was come away in the country sloop before the
Saphire arrived at Annapolis, and Sir Charles Hobby, who was
appointed Deputy Governour, has thought fitt to disobey my
orders, in not sending the marines, Cohorne mortars or ordnance
stores, aledging many groundless reasons, which Col. Vetch says
are every one false, for excuse ; so I have thought it for the
service to repeat my orders to him, for sending the marines etc.,
by another of the country vessells. Refers to enclosure ii. q.v. I
have for the present consented to this method, till H.M. pleasure
be further known, since the Government can be no loser thereby.
You will also receive a prented declaration by way of manifesto
in favour of the French and Indians in Canada and Nova Scotia,
who shall peaceably submitt to H.M. Wee have lost some men
by death since our landing, and the people of the country by
favouring and concealing the escape of deserters, have, for their
own advantage, in spite of all the care that could be taken,
seduced too many of our men, which could not be recruited
because of the great price of labour in the Colonys : and as for
restraining the men in their dyet according to the 5th Article of
my Instructions, there was no need of it, because their pay was
but just sufficient to afford them common refreshment, meat
being raised to 3d. in the pound, and every thing else in proportion,
for the people of the country could by no perswasion be brought
to settle a markett. I may venture to say one thing more in
relation to that Art., that troops were never guilty of less dis-
orders than these have been in New England, for I heard of none
in prejudice of the country ; some negroes indeed listed themselves
voluntarily to serve, which the officers were willing to entertain
in lieu of the men that had been stol'n from them, but upon
application I imediately ordered them to be discharged. Wee
sayl'd yesterday morning with a favourable wind from Nantaskett
Road, towards the River St. Lawrence, where wee hope to be in
a few dayes. I pray leave to referr you to Admirall Walker for
an account of the navigation of that River, and all other matters
relating to his element. And the accounts wee have had of the
strength and scituation of the town of Quebeck, differing so
much from one another, I leave it to Coll. King who can give you
the best information. I have directed the Deputy Paymaster
to draw on the Paymaster of the forreigne troops for 23,889
155. Id. sterl. P.S. I fear it will be so late in the year before
Quebeck is over that wee can attempt nothing on Placentia.
Signed, J. Hill. 12 pp. Enclosed,
61. i. General Hill's Journal, June 25 July 29. June 25,
1711. The fleet and transports under command of
Sr. Hovenden Walker having come to an anchor over-
58 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
night in Nantaskett Bay, within two leagues of Boston,
the Secretary of the Province of New England with a
Committee of the Councill in the absence of ye Governor
came this morning on board the Devonshire, and in-
vited the Brigadier to the town of Boston, were he and
the Admirall we[re] received with the ceremonys usuall
on such occasions, this day no Councill was held but the
Brigadier was informed that Francis Nicholson, Lt.
General of the Forces raising in America arrived here
with the Leopard and Saphire and the Joseph and
Neptune transports ye 8th of this month and that all those
ships were here as yett, and no order given for their sail-
ling to New York, the Leopard being now a cleaning and
the Saphire but just clean'd, was thought to be a great
part of the reason of this unaccountable delay, which was
attended with the ill circumstance of the Brigadr.
hearing nothing from New York of the arrivall of the
Kingston and Mary transport laden with stores etc. for
the use of the forces to be raised in that and the neigh-
.bouring Governments, however that no more time might
be lost it was imediately agreed that the Sunderland
should forthwith saile with the two transports to New
York, which transports were to bring back as much of
the provissions f urnisht by that Province as they could
carry. The Brigadr. was likewise informed that the
flat-bottom'd boats and other things, mention'd in Col.
Dudley's Instructions necessary for disembarking the
troops and carrying on a seige we[re] getting ready at
Boston, etc., and he ordered the Coll. of ye Train, Mr.
King, to take upon him ye direction of that work.
This above-mentioned Comittee told the Brigadr. that
they had received an account, that a considerable number
of the Garrison of Annopolis Roy all was lately killed, and
taken prisoners by the French and Indians, and that of
two sloops lately sent thither with letters and pro-
vissions one was return'd for want of convoy, upon wch.
the Comittee who in the afternoon attended the Brigadr.,
desired that a man of war might be imediately sent, with
such of the New England forces as were design'd to
relieve the marines of that Garrison, which forces they
say'd would be ready to parade on Satturday next, the
Brigadr. agreed thereto, and the Admirall being present
say'd he would order the Saphire being a clean ship to
perform this service, and when shee had taken the
marines on board, her Capt. should be directed to meet
the Fleet off Cape Brittaiii in its way to the River of
St. Lawrence. The Brigadr. was told that one Monsr.
Larone, being sent from Placentia with a flagg of Truce
to this Government, was confin'd a close prisoner to the
Castle on the Island. June 26. The Secretary of the Pro-
vince and a Comittee of Councill attended the Brigadr. this
morning, who told him it was absolutely necessary that
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 59
1711.
Col. Vetch and Col. Whiten now at Annopolis should be
forthwith sent for, they being very much wanted here,
and they having no other way to bring them but by
a man of warr, they desired one might be sent. Accord-
ingly the Brigadr. writt to ye Admirall on that subject,
they also represented the danger that Annapolis was
in, by reason a French man of war had lately gon into
an adjacent port to clean, and that one of our men of
warr would on that occasion give great countenance to
the Garrison, which they apprehended had not as yett
any account of the arrivall of the fleet and land forces
in America. June 27. Governor Dudley attended the
Brigr. this day with the Minutes of the Councill of Warr
lately held at New London in pursuance of H.M. In-
structions, and the troops were this afternoon landed
and encamped on Nodles Island. June 28. The
Brigr. and the Admill. were present at a Councill called
by Coll. Dudley to whom it was represented that the
Brittish troops being landed, they would be in want of
fresh provissions, as well for their refreshment, as to save
the salt provissions, which was found at present very
scarce in these provinces, and the Brigadr. having spoke
to some merchants to furnish ready money for carrying
on this service, had found them so unreasonable in their
demands that he was obliged to have recourse to the
Government for redress ; after some debate it was agreed
that 3000 should be lent for the use of the forces out
of the Treasury of the Province, to suply the present
necessity, till such time as proper measures could be
taken, either to bring the merchants to reason, or to
suply the troops, by such methods as the Genii. As-
sembly could fall upon, they being sumoned to sett in a
few days. June 29. This day the Brigadeer din'd with
the Governour at his house at Roxborough, and he
presented to him one Mr. Harman, a Lieutenant in
the American troops, who was just come from Canada,
and gave a pretty, distinct account of the scituation and
strength of Quebeck, where he had been a prisoner
for months. June 30. This morning the Governour
visited the Brigadr., who represented to him the fatall
consequence that might attend the delay wee meet with
here, and if some sudden course was not taken to curbe
the avarice and underhand practices of some perticular
persons who had since our arrivall clogg'd the procure-
ment of provissions and money, which should have been
taken care of before, he had reason to apprehend the
troops would not gett away from hence before it was too
late to put H.M. comands in execution at Quebeck.
This day the merchants of the town, who ever since our
arrivall had insisted upon the hard terms of giving but
120 of this country money for 100 sterl., sent a
message to the Brigadier, that they would give 130.
60 COLONIAL PAPEKS.
1711.
July 1. The Governour attended the Brigadier and
told him that the forces to be raised in this Province were
drawing toward their radezvous at this place, upon
wch. the Coll. of the train and Comissary of the stores
and provissions were severally dirrected to issue ye
arms, accoutrements, and cloathing for the officers and
soldiers, as of H.M. free gift, but that 110 person might
share of the Queen's bounty, that was not quallified for
it, all the arms and cloathing were to be delivered to the
Governour, or such person as he should direct to receive
them, and not to be deliver'd to the forces but upon
producing certificate from Col. Twiszleton of each Capts.
effective men after a strickt review, and if any of the
arm, accoutremt. and cloathing remained after the forces
were equipped, they were to be accounted for by ye
Governour. This day Major Livingston, who was
recomanded to the Brigadier by Coll. Hunter for a very
usefull person, attended, and Coll. King being sent for
with a map of the River St. Lawrence and Quebeck, the
said Livingston was asked severall questions about the
scituation and works of Quebeck, and was thought to
give a very good account of it. July 2. The Brigadr.
ordered Col. King and Mr. Gordon to acquaint the
Councill that he had information given him, that some
merchants and others had provissions in store, which they
concealled for the present to put him under a necessity
of takeing them off their hands at any rate, that he
was very uneasy under so many disappointments, and
that no care was taken neither for supplying the troops
upon Nodles Island with fresh provissions, nor making
any provission for their future subsistance, and it was
now high time to tell them plainly, that if any thing
miscarryd for want of their assistance which they in their
repeated memorialls had offered to the Queen, and wch.
H.M. now expected, it must be layd to their charge that
had not exerted themselves in their stations, upon this
extraordinary occasion the Councill' not sitting they
deliver'd this message to the Secretary of the Province,
who said he would get them sumon'd as soon as possible.
It was proposed yt. Proclamation should be made for
all persons to bring in their fresh provissions and that
a strict search should be made throughout the Province
for salt provissions ; especially pork, with a penalty
on all persons that should directly or indirectly conceall
what provissions they had in store ; accordingly the
Governr. issued a Proclamation next day, directing
Wm. Clark and Francis Clark, two merchants of Boston,
with such officers as the Brigadier should think fitt,
to make search for provissions, but there was no penalty
for any person endeavouring to make a monopoly, as
was proposed. July 3. The Brigadier ordered Mr.
Nutmaker, the Comissary of the Stores, and Major
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 61
1711.
Allen to accompany the two Mr. Clarks, and accordingly
they found the severall quantity and species afloat and
ashore mentioned in the account annexed to ye Brig-
adier's Memorial] to the Governour and ( 'ouncill of the
6th inst., and that they should from time to time make
report to Mr. Gordon, who had the direction of what
quantity of provissions could be gott together ashore or
afloat and the care of getting it into one great magazin,
in order to its being shipt off with all possible expedition
for the use of the ships of warr, land forces and New
England troops all under one, and upon shipping off
the distribution to be made of the whole aboard the
transports, ships of warr etc., according to the proposition
allowed for each service. July 4. The Brigadier was
invited to a Commencement at the College at Cambridge,
near Boston, where he assisted for no other reason than
to put the people of the Colony in humour to comply
with the present necessary demands of the troops, and
they seemed to show a generall satisfaction, for in spite
of the false reports that were spread of the small-pox
being in the camp, it was observed they brought in
sufficient quantity s of all sorts of provissions after this,
which in some measure put a stop to so many soldiers
coming to Boston to by provissions as had done formerly,
and consequently they had not so many opportunitys
of drinking rhum to excess, which had thrown severall
of them into violent feavours, that were now the only
distempers which appeared to be in the hospital!.
July 5. This day Coll. Twizelton review'd Capt. Lyon
and Capt. Brown's Companyes of New England men of
50 each and they were cloathed, and arm'd in order to
be sent in the Saphire to relieve the marines in Annapolis,
and Coll. Dudley, who had receiv'd the cloaths accoutre-
ments and arms for the New England forces, gave the
charge of them to Coll. Townsend and Mr. , and the
officers' cloaths were given to Mr. Mines to make,
the Brigadier haveing order'd one of the remaining suitts
to be delivered to Major Livingston. Mr. Nutmaker,
and Major Allen reported to Mr. Gordon that they had
found severall quantitys of provissions concealed in
town, and had been on board some ships lately come from
the other Collonys wth. corn etc., and Mr. Gordon
desired a perticular accot. in whose custody it was and
the quantity, that application might be made to the
Government to secure it for ye Queen's use. July 6.
This day the Brigadier and the Admirall presented a
joynt memoriall annexing the account of provissions
found on shore and afloat, the entry of both is made in
the Brigadier's books. Whereupon the Governour in
Councill order'd that the exchange should be regulated
at 40 per cent and settled the price of severall species
of provissions as appears by their Minute. July 7.
62 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
Mr. Nutmaker and Major Allen reported to Mr. Gordon
that severall of the townspeople were so enraged at
the order of the Governour and Councill for settling the
price of provissions that they threatned to stave it and
that they had of themselves layd 3d. per gallon more
on rhuin than the said order directed, etc. However
they had made such a disposition as they hoped with
the assistance of packers and coopers they could gett
it on board in a few days. This day Mr. Gordon waited
on the Governour in Councill and it was agreed, since
no price could be putt upon wine, that sworn teasters
might be employed to come as near as they could to the
present value of the quantity, which the Queen should
have occasion for, and that Mr. Lilly's warehouse
should be the generall magazine for the provissions after
they were visited and repacked. And whereas consider-
able quantitys of each specie would be still wanting
it was thought adviseable to buy three vessells loaden
with corn and carry them with us, the said vessells to
be prized by some masters of ships and the boatswain
of the Edgar whom the Admiral! had made Master
Attendant, with their hulls, apparell, and furniture and
cargos, according to the settled price upon corn. July 8.
This being Sunday, nobody would do any work, tho'
the troops were in want of bread. July 9. Major
Allen and Mr. Nutmaker acquainted Mr. Gordon that
the Admirall had appointed Mr. Horton and Mr. Watson,
two pursers, his agent-victuallers to contract for the
3 months' provissions for the land forces as well as an
equall proportion for the sea, that those Agents were
going on in the method formerly prescribed, and bills
were to be drawn on the Commrs. for Victualling the
Navy in England, but since all species of provissions
could not be compleated, the Brigadier gave orders for
buying up the 3 small ships loaden with wheat, rye,
Indian corn, and flower to make up what should be
wanting. July 10. This day the Brittish troops were
review'd on Nodles Island and the Brigadier found them
in good order and pretty healthy, there not being above
100 in the hospitall, who were most of them in a good
way of recovery. The Colonells of some of the regiments
began to complain that the people of the country had
debauched several! of their soldiers and favoured their
disertion, and therefore to make up their loss they were
obliged to list their negroes who had volluntarely entered
themselves to serve the Queen. July 11. This day
nothing matteriall hapened, only the Brigadier pickt
on the 3 ships laden with wheat etc., which were to be
bought (viz.) the Adventure of 90 tun, Barbados of
93, and Content of 90, but the Boatswain of the men of
warr could not be found, so we lost three or four days,
Mr. Gordon not being able to gett all the Apprizers
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 63
1711.
together till 13th inst. in order to take an oath before a
magistrate after a survey to do justice in the sale of
these ships and their cargos between the Queen and
the owners and merchants, which was the only expedient
that could be found to bring them to reasonable terms.
July 12. This day little or nothing was done, except
removing some difficultys in relation to the dispatch of
our provissions. July 13. This day the 3 ships with
their cargos were agreed for at 4872 Is. 2d., and Mr.
Gordon writt to the Admirall to put a trusty midshipman
into each of them for a master, and to allow them men
out of the Queen's ships, to saile them to Quebeck, for
saveing ye charge of hireing others, but he could not
obtain this request, so others were hyred, some part of
the cargo of provissions aboard the Prince Eugene was
ordered to be bought up and put on board the Content,
our men continued to desart by the help of the people
of the Country, and the Governour could not as yett
agree on a remedy, in the mean time the Brigadier gave
order for discharging all the negroes that had been
listed since our coming, tho' they had taken party
volluntarily, in hopes to bring the country to some
reasonable measures concerning our own deserters. The
96 hhds. of salt wh. Mr. Gordon bought of Mr. Prout
was now payd for, amounting to 162 15s. 4d. July 14.
This day two regiments of the New England forces were
review'd by the Brigadier and the Governour. Lt. Genii.
Nicholson arriv'd this night at Boston from New York
and Col. Vetch from Annopolis, the former being asked
why the Leopard and Saphire or either of them had not
been imediately sent away to New York, with the
Joseph and Neptune storeships which were so much
wanted, he sayd he had no directions over ye Capts. of
those ships, and they had prevailed with the Gov-
ernour and Councill to clean here, the Admirall
being present, sayd he would make inquiry into this
matter when Capt. Cockburn of the Saphire return'd
from Annopolis. This day the wells on ye Island of
Nodles were all dry'd up, and the Brigadier ordered the
transports to go up the River to fetch water for the
troops. Severall men deserted this day. July 15.
Mr. Gordon being informed by the Admirall's Agents,
that he had procured the Government's direction for
the packers etc. to work this day on our provissions, they
possitively refused to doe it ; upon which Lt. Genl.
Nicholson and he procured warrants from a J.P. for
takeing severall of them up, and then they went heartily
to work, and we got most of the wine which was bought
for the use of the troops aboard the transports that tyde.
July 16 and 17. Nothing matteriall hapned. July 18.
This day a Sachem of the New York Indians came to
Boston to inform himself of the certainty of the arrivall
64 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
of the Brittish troops and ships of WRIT, he attended the
Brigadier, and received his present of cloaths etc., he
said by his Interpreter that he had allways been true
to the English, and was glad the Queen had taken so
much care of them, to send a fleet and army against the
French, the Brigadr. ordered him to be carryed over to
Nodles Island to see the troops and to be very well
entertained. The Windsor, Capt. Arris, Comndr., being
the ship appointed to receive ye Brigadr. and his retinue
was this day-order'd to be hove down, but some of the
careening geer broke, and we were apprehensive that
she and a transport which was fitting in lieu of another
that proved leaky for 300 of Coll. Kirk's regimt. would
prove a hindrance to our sayling now our provissions
were on board. This night Capt. Harrison, the Briga-
dier's aid du camp, who was detatched with the Kingston
and the Mary transports for New York arriv'd at
Boston with ye wellcom news that those ships were
got safe to New York, but they had had a very tedious
and troublesome passage by reason of foggs, calms and
currents. Coll. Hunter sent a letter by Mr. Harrison
acquainting the Brigadier that the Province galley
with the Joseph and Neptune transports were likewise
arrived at New York, and that he was in hopes to
overcome some dimcultys (in relation to provissions)
which had stood in his way, that the Sachams had
received the news of this Expedition with great joy and
sung the Warr-song, which lasted all night long, and
some French Indians in league with us had promiss'd
upon approach of our troops to retire, and by no per-
suation, be induced to joyn ye French. July 19.
Major Allen and Mr. Nuttmaker brought in the accounts
of the Adventure, Barbadoes, and Content, with the
cargoes and the cost of 96 hhds. of salt and the charge
of manning the said ships, for which the Brigadier
ordered payment to be made since it was for ye use of
the land forces ashore, and could not properly be
supplyed from the Navy or Victualling the soldiers
being to pay for the same. This day Tho. Henley a
diserter from Major Culliford's Company in Col. Kirk's
regiment was try'd and condemn'd by a Generall Court
Martiall to be hanged on Nodles Island in sight of all
the troops, and the case of Joseph Bennett, a soldier in
the same Regiment accused of mutiny was referred to
the examination of a Regimentall Court Martiall.
That night order was given for reinbarquing all the
troops the next day. July 20. All the troops were
reinbarqued on board their proper transportts, except
300 of Coll. Kirk's regiment, whose transport was ex-
changed, being leaky, for one call'd the Queen Ann,
which was not yett fitted, but the Brigadier had thought
of putting those men on board the men of war, that
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 65
1711.
nothing relating to him might stop our say ling, since
Mr. Gorden had assured him all the provissions were
aboard except the Windsor's, which ship was not ready,
but the provissions were. Coll. Kirk readily agreed to
the distribution of his men on board the men of war, to
save time, as the Admirall did after some debate. This
day the Genii. Court or Assembly passed an additionall
act against harbouring diserters, which could not be
obtained before the troops were reinbarked. July 21.
Nothing happen'd of moment, only the Brigadier and
Sr. Hovenden Walker made publication of pardon to
every deserter, seaman or soldier or marine that would
return to the service. July 22. The Governour brought
severall Mohagues, which he said were heads of the Five
Nations, to attend the Brigadier, who received them well
and encouraged them to joyn our troops at the Wood
Creek etc. This day the troops were victualled with
fresh provissions on board the transports. July 23. Six
soldiers of Lt. Generall Seamour's regiment were tryed
at a Court Martiall for mutiny, two were condemned to
be shott, three to be whipt, and one acquitted. This
day ye Mohagues made their speeches, presented their
wampum etc. to the Brigadier, and he gave order to
shew them the troops and men of warr, and being well
entertained, and satisfied with their presents, after
4 or 5 days stay they returned to New York. July 24.
The ship with the troops from Rhode Island arrived at
Nantaskett, the said troops had been furnished with
cloaths and musketts but wanted byonetts swords and
cartouch boxes, which we had not in store for them
because there was no provission made for them in Eng-
land, either because that Island was not mention 'd or
not thought to be a distinct Government, when the
Expedition was first thought of, however since cloaths
and musketts were order'd for them out of the Queen's
Magazine the Brigadier order'd them to accompany
the fleet to Canada. This day we were told the Windsor
has gott almost all her provisions on board, and most
of the Brigadrs. equipage and provissions were gott on
board her and his tender. An additionall loane of
10,000 New England money was voted in case the
service shall require more than the 40,000 formerly
struck in ye country bills. July 25. The Brigadier
being inform'd that the Chester had taken a prize going
in company with 3 other merchant ships to Quebeck
from France, sent Capt. Harrison to the Admirall to
know upon perusall of the papers which might be on
board her, whether there were any intelligence that was
proper for his knowledge. Capt. Harrison returned
with a list of ships mentioned in the margin which he
said came from France and parted with the prize off
of Cape Finistere as also a newspaper between 1710
Wt. 2GU89.
66 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
and 1711. July 26. This day being sett apart for a
day of fasting in pursuance of H.M. Instructions it was
religiou[s]ly observed by the Brigadier himself, and the
officers and soldiers ; the Province galley arrived with
severall victuallers from New York, and Mr. Gorden de-
livered the severall bills of lading and invoyces of their
cargoes to Mr. Nutmaker the proper officer, giving it in
charge to Capt. Forster Agent of the transports to be
assisting to him in getting the provissions shifted into such
of the transports as could best stow it and if there should
not be room enough in the transports to apply to the
Admirall to order the men of warr to receive what
remained. July 27. All the Brigadiers retinue and bagage
haveing been shipt for some days on board his tender,
he went this day himself on board the Windsor in hopes
to saile the next morning, but severall transports having
lost men by disertion could not saile without being
supply'd with others. The men of warr had a great
loss likewise which made it hard to supply them, and
this last and worst difficulty was in a manner without
remedy since both the Governour and Admirall thought
themselves so restrained by the Hte Act of Parliament
against pressing in the Plantations that they could not
by any means think they could justifie pressing seamen
for recruiting the Brittish ships of warr or transports
while that Act was in being. July 28. The Brigadier
dined ashore and imediately went on board the Windsor
againe. July 29. The Province galley being unman'd
for supply of the transports and some other matters
adjusted, the wind coming up fair, the signall for un-
mooring was made this afternoon but it was not thought
fitt to saile till next morning. Endorsed, Br. Hill's
Journal, Rd. at Windsor Sept. 17, 1711. 19 pp.
61. ii. Officers of Regiments to General Hill. Proposals as
to payment of subsistance according to the monthly
muster-rolls, there having always been great confusion
in the accounts in former expeditions. July 25, 1711.
6 signatures. 2pp. [C.O. 5, 9. Nos. 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 ;
and (duplicate of enclosure i.) 5, 898. No. 12 ; and
(duplicate of enclosure ii.) 43, 13. No. 12.]
[July ?] 62. Proclamation by General Hill. The Queen of England is
about to re-assert her incontestable right over all North America.
French inhabitants of Canada and its neighbourhood, who remain
peaceably in their homes and wish to place themselves under H.M.
protection, will be favourably treated and allowed to remain in
peaceable possession of their property, and share the liberty
enjoyed by H.M. other subjects, with the free exercise of their
religion. Those who do not resist, but prefer to return to France,
will be allowed to do so and transport etc. will be provided, etc.
Printed by Green, Boston, 1711. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 868. No. 13.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 67
1711.
[? Ang.] 63. Governor Douglas to the Council of Trade and Planta-
tions. Since my arrival here my time has been cheifly employed
in viewing the forts and magazines, and taking the best measures
I could in so short a time to put this Island into a better posture
of defence then I found it. I must refer your Lordships to the
minutes of the Council and Assembly, which will be represented
to your Lordship in their way concerning the late Insurrection.
I shall after my return from the Leeward Islands make a diligent
enquiry into all particulars relating to that action in order to lay
it in the clearest light before your Lordships. I have upon
good informations sent home on board H.M.S. the Lark Capt.
Norbury, Commandr., three officers in Col. Jones' regiment,
Capt. Rookby, Lieut. Wats, and Ensign Smith. The depositions
and witnesses that appear against them will convince your
Lordships of the dangers this Colony was involved in by men of
their principles and behaviour. Capt. Norbury at first scrupled
to take them on board pretending he was not properly under my
command. I would beg your Lordships to take into your con-
sideration the 69th article of my Instructions, that I may receive
that power from the Board of Admiralty that H.M. service may
not be obstructed by such pretentions. I am desired by the body
of this Island to make application to H.M. by your Lordships
about the flags of truce, this Island bearing the whole charge.
The other Islands though receiving the same benefit refuse to
give any proportion towards it. That H.M. would be pleased
to give some orders that this Colony may be eased from so great
a burthen as the hiring sloops from and to Martinique and main-
taining prisoners of war. If there were two frigats upon this
station the Trade of these Islands would be better secured, the
French Islands reduced to some distresses by their privateers
being forced to leave them who are their principal support, and
H.M. poor subjects would not be soe often in a starving condition,
while there was such a force at sea. Your Lordships will be
pleased to take this into your consideration and to recommend
it to H.M. most gratious Majesty. There is a great want of small
arms, and the inhabitants expect to be furnisht upon all occasions.
There is none in the magazine, 500 arms with swords and bayonets
would be sufficient to furnish those that want, and I shall take
care they shall be only employed upon publick service. The
Assembly are upon altering the Act in relation to their Courts
etc. ; which I hope they will heartily goe thorow with, etc. Signed,
Walter Douglas. Endorsed, Reed. 3rd, Read 8th Nov., 1711.
3 pp. Enclosed,
63. i. Thos. Kerby to Lt. Govr. Yeamans in reply to an order
to copv some Acts, etc. Antigua, Aug. 23, 1711. Signed,
Thos. Kerby. Endorsed, Reed. Oct. 27, 1711. 1 p.
63. ii. Lists of fees taken in Antigua. 8 pp. Endorsed as
preceding.
63. iii. Account of powder received for tonnage of vessels in
Antigua, Oct. 27, 1710 Aug. 22, 1711. Same endorse-
ment. 1^ pp.
63. iv. Account of stores of war in the Magazine, Antigua,
68 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
Oct. 1710. Signed, John Brett. Same endorsement.
I p.
63. v. Account of the stores of war delivered for the forti-
fications, Antigua, Dec. 1710 Aug. 14, 1711. Signed,
Saml. Parry. Same endorsement. 2% pp.
63. vi. Account of the stores of war delivered out of the
Magazine, Antigua, 1710. Signed, John Brett. Same
endorsement. 1| large pp. [C.O. 152, 9. Nos. 87,
87 i.-vi. ; and (without enclosures) 153, 11. pp. 392-
394.]
Aug. 1. 64. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High
Whitehall. Treasurer. Request payment of office expenses and salaries,
from Christmas 1710 to Midsummer 1711. [C.O. 389, 37. pp. 20,
22.]
Aug. 1. 65. Lt. Governor Lambert to the Council of Trade and
St " u Plantations. According to the several Instructions directed unto
irs * me from Governor Douglas, I enclose the particular accounts of
the Island, and whatever can be done shall be forwarded by the
soonest opportunity. But find an impossibility of compleating
the whole by reason a great many papers relateing thereunto were
lost upon the enemy's invadeing the Island, as also by the mis-
fortunes of the hurricane in blowing down most of the houses,
and consequently destroying most papers of publick transactions
as well as private, to the detriment of the Island in general.
Signed, Mich. Lambert. Endorsed, Reed. Oct. 27, Read Nov. 27,
1711. 2pp. Enclosed,
65. i. Account of Stores received and spent, St. Christophers,
Aug. 16, 1707 May, 1710. Endorsed, Reed. Oct. 27,
1711. 2 pp.
65. ii. Account of cannon, stores and forts belonging and
wanting in Antego. Signed, Saml. Parry. Endorsed
as preceding. 1 pp.
65. iii. Census of the inhabitants of St. Kitts, and the number
of slaves owned by them. Aug. 10, 1711. Endorsed
as preceding. 13 pp. [C.O. 152, 9. Nos. 88, 88 i.-ix. ;
and (without enclosures) 153, 11. pp. 397-399.]
Aug. 3. 66. Mr. Lowndes to Mr. Popple. My Lord Treasurer desires
Treasury the opinion of the Council of Trade and Plantations upon follow-
Chambere. ing Signed, Wm. Lowndes. Endorsed, Reed, llth, Read 12th
Sept., 1711< | p. Enclosed,
66. i. Col. Corbet to the Queen. Having been appointed
Governor of Maryland in the room of Col. Seymour
deed., and it haveing been customary between the death
of owne Governor and the arivall of another to divide
the perquisites between the person who officiates and
the succeeding Governor, petitioner prays H.M. to grant
him the same benefitt till his arrival. Signed, John
Corbet. Subscribed,
66, ii. H.M. refers this petition to the Lords Commissioners
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
1711.
of the Treasury for their report. Signed, Dartmouth.
Whitehall, Aug. 28, 1710. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 717. .Yew?.
44, 44 i., ii. ; and 5, 727. pp. 302-304.]
Aug. 3. 67. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lord Dartmouth.
Whitehall. Enclose extracts from Mr. Lillington's letter, June 13, concerning
exchange of prisoners and threatened attack on Antigua.
Enclosed,
07. i. Extracts referred to in preceding. [C.O. 29, 12.
p. 364 ; (covering letter only) ; and (enclosures only) 152,
42. Nos. 71-76 and 64.]
Aug. 0.
68
H.M. Warrant appointing John Carver to the Council of
a in the room of Thomas Clarke denrl. (!nnfprxi</>if><l
Dartmouth. [C.O. 324, 32. pp. 101, 102.]
Aug. 7.
Office of
Ordnance.
69. Board of Ordnance to the Queen. In obedience to Order
of Council July 30, relating to stores of war for the Leeward
Islands (v. June 29). We humbly report to your Majesty, that
wee do not know what stores of warr they now have, so we can
make no judgement what arms and other stores may be necessary
to be sent to those Islands. But if it is your Majesty's pleasure
any quantity of arms etc. should be sent thither, we must begg
leave to informe your Majesty, that the parliament has not
given this Office any money for such service, and we humbly
conceive, if the Islands cannot as formerly at then 1 own charge
supply themselves with stores of warr, then their particular
demands should be laid before the Parliament. Signed, C.
Musgrave, Ja. Craggs, Wm. Bridges. 1 p. Enclosed,
69. i. Extract from Lt. General Hamilton's letter, April 5,
referred to in preceding.
69. ii. Copy of Address of the General Council and Assembly
of the Leeward Islands to Lt. General Hamilton, March
3, 1711, praying H.M. to supply stores of war, etc. f p.
[C.O. 152, 42. Nos. 70, 70 i., ii.]
Aug. 9. 70. Governor Handasyd to Lord Dartmouth. Duplicate of
Span. Towne. part of July 16th. Signed, Tho. Handasyd. Addressed. 2| pp.
[C.O. 137, 51. No. 52.]
Aug. 10.
Off Cape
Brittoun.
71 . Col. Vetch to Mr. Secretary St. John[s]. I was honoured
with the coppy of yours to Col. Nicholson in Aprill last, by which
I was commanded to leave the garison of Annapolis Royall and
Government there, in order to putt in execution H.M. commands
signifyed to me by you, to take the command of the troops of
New England and nighbouring Governments who are in conjunc-
tion with the troops of great Brittan, under the command of
Generall Hill to reduce Canada conform to a scheam I had the
honour to lay before H.M. three years ago. I have accordingly
left that Government to Sr. Charles Hobby as my Deputy : by
order of the Congress have raised, moduled and embark'd all
the said troops, and are now near half way upon our voyage to
70 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
the said place : the getting to which place by reason of the
deficulty of the navigation I look upon to be the dificultest part of
the enterprise, being myself if not the only att least the best pilot
upon the Expedition, although none of my province. However
1 doubt not ere long to have the honour to congratulate you upon
the success of H.M. arms in reduction of the said place and
country : by which H.M. will be sole Empress of North America,
six times larger then all her European Dominions. In the vein
of all which success be pleased to allow me to accquaint you that
notwithstanding my having layd the scheame of those affairs
and having bein last year honoured by H.M. Royall Commission
as Generall in the reduction of Port Royall, and afterwards
when reduced by H.M. Royall Instruction being made Governour
of the same with about 500 troops and 50 commissioned officers,
the maintaining of which characters, and keeping a table hath
occasioned me a verry great expense, for all which as yett I have
had neither allowance, salary nor establishment, and being now
in the greatest hurry imaginable called from my Government upon
the present Expedition to command the troops of the American
Governments concerned in the Expedition by sea, from whom I
have not one groat allowance though my equipage and pre-
parations hath already cost me severall hundreds of pounds, I
must intreate your Lordship's favour and concurrence with my
Lord Dartmouth in procureing from H.M. such a summ of money
as in your consummate wisdom may answer my great expense
etc., etc. Signed, Sam. Vetch. 1 p. [C.O. 217, 31. No. 2.]
Aug. 10. 72. Same to Lord Dartmouth. Similar letter to precudi-ng.
2 pp. [C.O. 5, 9. No. 100.]
Aug. 14. 73. Col. King to Mr. Secretary St. John. I thought I should
From on board have had opportunity of sending you the inclos'd from Boston
man of waT ^ v a mercnan t man. But our General and Admiral thought it
afterwards for the service, to stop all vessells going from thence
to Europe till we were ready to sail. So that this occasion by the
Devonshire's and the Humberts being order'd home, is the only
one I have had since I left Plymouth. The season is now so far
advanc'd, we must have all the good fortune imaginable both by
sea and land, to be able after the reduction of Quebeck to take
Placentia. However 'tis certain that the most proper time to
attack that place is from the middle of October to the latter end
of April. For then the French fishermen are absent ; and while
they are there they can give 2000 as good militia as any in the
world towards the defence of it. Wherefore if the season is not
very boistrous at our return, our General will undoubtedly proffitt
of the occasion, and the more because he will then have the thou-
sand New England troops which must be sent home to assist him
in reduceing it. Having reduc'd the great plan of the River of
St. Laurents to a more moderate size, I have sent you a copy of
it by Mr. Cole Lieut, in the Humber man of war : as also the plan
of the town of Quebeck mention'd in the enclos'd letter. The
freedom with which I have writt part of the enclos'd would
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 71
1711.
I think admitt of no excuse if my great regard to truth and duty
to you had not oblig'd me to it. The inclos'd list of stores I
gott provided for us at Boston by what they call a Committee,
with a good deal of fatigue. This Committee is composed of
five persons, and when they have made up their accounts, another
like Committee is order'd to audit them to prevent their imposeing
on the Queen. As this method has been always practis'd there,
and as it appeared to me a reasonable one, I thought it properer
that the^ stores etc. should be provided that way than by me who
was a stranger to the vallue of all sorts of things in the country.
For the same reason Governour Dudley is the most proper person
to pass the accounts finaly for them, and draw bills on the
Treasury or Office of Ordnance for what summs they'll amount
to : wherefore I have engag'd him to do it at our General's desire :
and as all the said stores are indeed very bad except the strong
gynn, crane, block carriage, chevaux de frize, and sling cart
which 1 made with my own artificers, I hope he will take care that
the Queen may be charg'd proportionably for them. We are
now with .all our Fleet about 10 leagues south from the most
easterly part of the Island of Anticoste with the wind at S.S.W.,
which I hope will bring us into the mouth of the River : from
whence we must have an easterly wind to carry us up. The
Heavens have been hitherto so favourable to us in our navigation
that I doubt not but we shall have it : and that in a short time
afterwards I shall have the pleasure of sending you all an account
of our happily succeeding, etc. P.S. I am persuaded I may
assure you that our forces both by sea and land are resolv'd to
succeed or perish in the attempt. Signed, Rich. King. 3f pp.
Enclosed,
73. i. List of things provided at Boston for the present
Expedition. 2 pp.
73. ii. Copy of No. 61 i. [C.O. 5, 751. Nos. 81, 81 i., ii.]
Aug. 15. 74. Thomas Harley (one of the Secretaries of the Treasury)
Treasury to Mr. Popple. Encloses following to be laid before the Council
Chambers. of Trade and Plantations for their opinion. Signed, T. Harley.
Endorsed, Reed. 25th Aug., Read 12th Sept., 1711. Addressed.
f p. Enclosed,
74. i. Petition of Michael Lambert, Lt. Govr. of St. Chris-
topher's, to the Earl of Oxford, Lord High Treasurer.
Prays for the confirmation of a grant of Olivies plan-
tation in the French quarter of St. Kitts, made to him
by Governor Parke in consideration for his services, for
a certain term, with an equitable title to H.M. bounty
for the same, in case the whole Island shou'd remain
unto H.M. upon the next treaty of Peace. Petitioner
has spent great sums in setling and improving it. 1 pp.
74. ii. William Blathwayt to the Lord High Treasurer.
Report on preceding. By H.M. Letters Nov. 30, 1705,
Governor Parke was directed not to dispose of any part
of St. Christophers taken from the French for a longer
term than 2| years from the time of his arrival there,
72 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
etc. The grant referred to above was made by him Oct.
24, 1707 for 3 years, and is now expired. Proposes
that petitioner having been at great expense in improv-
ing the plantation, the grant be renewed for 3 years as
from April 24. 1710, the time to which it ought to have
been at first limited, etc. Signed, William Blathwayt.
2 pp.
74. iii. Copy of Governor Parke's grant of Olivies Plantation,
adjoining Monkey Hill, near Basseterre, as above. Oct.
24, 1707. Signed, Daniel Parke. The petition (No. i) is
referred by the Lord High Treasurer to Wm. Blathwayt
for his opinion. Signed, Wm. Lowndes. Treasury
Chambers, June 30, 1711. 3 pp. [C.O. 152, 9. Nos.
75, 75 i.-iii. ; and 153, 11. pp. 355-361.]
Aug. 15. 75. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Council of Trade
St. Jago de la and Plantations. The inclosed is a duplicate of what I wrote
Vega. ky j.j ie s c ipi The Assembly have since met, and four Acts
have been past which I shall transmit to your Lordps. together
with the minutes of the Council and Assembly and some observa-
tions on their proceedings by the Non-such, it not having been
possible to prepare them ready for this conveyance. The chief
grievance I find among the inhabitants of this land, is the duties
laid on by the American Act, tho' people are at present pretty
easy on that subject, in hopes of a speedy relief. As this is a
real pressure, I doubt not but your Lordps. will continue your
good offices in behalf of the Island, for obtaining them some ease
from it. I shall now have the satisfaction to mention to your
Lops, the success of Mr. Littleton's cruise, which has been the
taking of the Vice-Admiral of the galeoons, and another galeoon
they call a potache, which are both now in harbour. I can't
give your Lops, any particulars of their value, reports about
galeoons being very different ; these are said to be full of goods,
but that Monsieur Du Casse had taken out all the king's Plate,
and several merchants their money. However it's beyond
dispute that they are very rich prizes. The Admirante of the
galeoon died of his wounds. The privateers have brought in
four other small prizes. Mr. Littleton sail'd the 14th with his
squadron with intent to lye off of Point-Pedro-shoales, there to
intercept Mounsr. Du Casse, if he comes to Leeward, as is ex-
pected : as soon as this cruise is over (which is believ'd will be in
a fortnight or three weeks) the Non-such is to saile with Majr.
Genii. Handasyd, by which opportunity I design to do myself
the honour of writing again to your Lordps. Signed, A. Hamilton.
Endorsed, Reed. Sept. 28, Read Oct. 30, 1711. 1| pp. [C.O.
137, 9. No. 47 ; and 138, 13. pp. 364, 365.]
Aug. 15. 76. Same to Lord Dartmouth. Repeats part of preceding.
St. Jago de la ]yj r Littleton had not an opportunity of delivering my letter
to the Marquis of Suerez. I have detained three of the chief
prisoners (from the galleons) which I think a favourable occasion
to facilitate the relief of the prisoners at Lima. Signed, A.
AMERICA ANT) WEST INDIES. 73
1711.
Hamilton. Endorsed, R. Sept. 28. 1 p. [C.O. 137, 51. No.
53.]
Aug. 20. 77. Governor Lowther to the Council of Trade and Planta-
Barbados. tions. Encloses Minutes of Council and Assembly, and Acts
passed since his arrival, etc. I also take the liberty to send a
list of the prizes which the French have taken and carried into
Martinique from July 1710 till May 1711 ; the greatest part of
which snipes did belong to Barbados, as I am informed by the
merchantes here ; they also told me that these great losses were
chiefly occasioned from the little regard the men of war paid to
the orders Mr. Lillington gave them during his Presidentship,
for when he sent them orders to cruise three weeks or more to
the windward of the Island, they did not stay there very often
above 24 hours, but would go into another latitude : at other
times they would be in harbour four or five weekes after they had
the President's orders to cruise to the wind-ward of the Island :
upon these informations I looked into my Instructions to see how
I was to behave myself upon such occasions, and I find I have no
power over the men of war, nor no authority to call them to
account for the breach of any orders they receive from me ; for
my 69th Instruction directs me not to exercise any authority
over the Captains of the men of war unless I have a commission
or power soe to do from the Lords of the Admiralty : I therefore
submit it to your Lordshipes' consideration whether it will be
for H.M. service that I should have such a Commission from the
Lords of the Admiralty. The Sweepstakes, Capt. Thomas Jacobs,
Commander, took a prize a little before I arrived here called the
Cupid on which were 48 men who made their application to me
by several Gentlemen of this Island to be sent to Martinique and
exchanged : upon a serious consideration of this proposition, I
did not think fit to grant their request ; notwithstanding it was
urged that the French took more prisoners from us than we did
from them, and that therefore it would be for the interest of H.M.
and the benefit of the people of this Island not to have the Queen's
subjects that fall into the handes of the French sent to Europe,
for said they, the sending of them to Europe would be not only
a great interruption to trade, but would also be a very great
prejudice to particular persons, for which reasons they desired
a cartell might be settled with the French at Martinique for the
exchange of prisoners that were taken or should be taken on each
side. I may admit that the French take more prisoners than we
doe, and that the sending them to France is some obstruction to
trade, and a high aggravation of the misfortune of such as fall
into the hands of the French ; yet notwithstanding this I am
humbly of opinion, that it is not only against the Queen's interest,
but also against the advantage and policy of this Island to settle
a cartell with the French : to make this obvious to your Lordshipes,
I take the liberty to put you in mind that the people of Martinique
are the very dregs and refuse of the French Nation, and that they
intirely subsist by piracy and privateering, and that they lose
nothing when they fall into our hands but some armes and
74 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
ammunition. I would likewise remarke that this loss to them is
so very inconsiderable when a cartell is settled with them, that
those very people which have been taken one week, and sent to
Martinique the next, have in the week after they arrived there
returned upon our coastes, for they have nothing wherewith to
subsist themselves and families but what they take from us, and
that therefore it must of necessity happen thus, unless they are
sent to Europe ; but if they are sent to Europe, there is not one
in 50 can ever return to Martinique, having neither mony nor
credit to accomplish it, but must be constrained to go into the
King's service ; so by this means not only many families at Mar-
tinique will be utterly undone, and the country distressed by the
great increase of the poore rates, but it will also disable them from
fitting out their number of privateers which will redound as
much to our advantage as to their ruin, being they have little
or nothing to subsist on but the provisions they take from the
Queen's subjects. I beg leave to say a word or two to obviate
one objection more that I fancy may be made against sending the
prisoners of war to Europe : the objection is this, that all the ill
consequences that attend the French prisoners being sent to
Europe will also befall such of the Queen's subjects as are under
the like unhappy circumstances : all I shall say to refute this
objection is, that the worst of the Queen's subjects that are taken
in a trading vessel, have either mony, credit or friends to support
them under such a misfortune, and to replace them in the same
way of livelyhood, if not in the same condition, which is not the
Frenches case, that live at Martinique. I have one more objection
to offer to your Lordshipes against settling a cartell with the
French at Martinique, which is, that it will give a great opportun-
ity to carry on a trade between this place and them. I desire
your Lordshipes to signify the Queen's pleasure to me upon these
matters, etc. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Endorsed, Reed. Sept. 10,
Read Nov. 15, 1711. Holograph. 3 pp. Enclosed,
77. i. List of prizes brought into Martinique from July 1710
May 1711. Totals : 56, and 2 run ashore. Endorsed,
Reed. Oct. 10, 1711. 1 p.
77. ii. Abstract of the Naval Officer's List of Ships entered
and cleared at Barbadoes, March 25 June 24, 1711.
To England ; 10 ships of 1924 tuns burthen (sugar,
molosses, cotton and ginger). To Guinea : 5 ships of
165 tuns (rum). To the Plantations : 44 ships of 2133
tons (sugar, molosses, cotton, ginger, rum, (2105 hhds.
799 tierces, 691 barrels) and lime juice. Endorsed
as preceding. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 13. Nos. 72, 72 i., ii. ;
and 29, 12. pp. 377-381.]
Aug. 22. 78. Lt. Governor Hyde to [? Lord Dartmouth]. As no one
North Carolina. can more heartily congratulate yr. Lp. in that high station H.M.
has so deservedly placed yr. Lp., so no one can be less desirous of
giving you any trouble now you are in it. But it is my lot at
this time to be plac'd in a Governmt. where I find nothing but
sedition has been industriously cultivated and rebellion too much
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 75
1711.
practiced. An instance of wch. will be very evident in Coll.
Cary, who is now sent prisoner to England. I think this is but
the third rebellion he has headed since he came into Carolina,
beginning with him in Ashley River, where he headed 300 mob
and seiz'd Judge Trot, and twice since he came into North
Carolina, concluding with me. He and those people committed
with him, wch. he intended evidences for himself e, were at the
request of me and the Councell apprehended by the Hon. Alex-
ander Spotswood, Lt. Governour of Virginia, and I shou'd do
very great injustice to that honbl. person, if I did not own that
the prospect we have of peace being setled in this Governmt. is
oweing to him, as well as putting an end to this rebellion to his
measures ; I [? saw] no way left to support H.M. authority and
peace here, and maintain the Lords Proprietors' power, but by
begging assistance from the Governour of Virginia, who with
great compassion tooke the miserable case of that country, and
my circumstances (in a manner I may say) into his own protection.
I humbly supplicate yr. Lp. (that not having had notice of Coll.
Cary's being apprehended and committed before the Fleet sayl'd
for England, by wch. it was render'd impossible for me to send
evidences to make out our charge at this time against him, wch.
I shall have no reason to doubt but I shall do with great clearness)
that I may have sufficient time allow'd me to send over my
evidences and proofs. But if such a favourable consideration
(in yr. Lp.) to the poverty of this country, shou'd prevail with
yr. Lp. to get a Commission sent into Virginia to examine not
onely evidences, but to try the criminals that are in custody
here, (if Col. Cary and those committed with him, shall not by
yr. Lp. be thought fit to be try'd allso) must undoubtedly be
esteem'd a very great charity. Levy Trewit and George Lumley
are two of the most eminent villains that cou'd be pick'd out for
Coll. Cary's purpose, the first Coll. Cary made Clarke of Pemptico
Court in Bath County, where it will be prov'd he was famous for
forging of false judgmts, and razing of records, wch. most in that
Court are now raz'd by him. George Lumley was made the Secre-
tary's Clarke by Coll. Cary, and when he reed, the Colony's scale,
and the Records he gave bond to restore them when requir'd as
whole as when he reed, them, without corruption or imbezelmt.,
when I sent my order for them he refus'd it, and when I compel'd
him to deliver them, abundance of records was not onely raz'd
but whole Councells cut out of the booke, the other two Edmund-
Porter and Callingwood Ward are as usefull for any wicked
purpose as the other, and were all of them in arms on board the
brigantine with Col. Cary when he assaulted me June 30th last
on Col. Pollock's Plantation, but was repuls'd. I hope of yr.
Lp's. protection etc., having been most barbarously us'd ever
since I came in, by a people I never offended. But the Quakers
that have ever strove to overturn the Church Govermt. in this
Colony, has since I came in push'd it on with unusuall force,
many having tooke up arms themselves. I had allmost forgott
to beg of yr. Lp., if John Porter senior, who I hear is gone in a
runner for England, shou'd be heard of, he may be tooke up, for
70 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
he lias not onely at all times been the disturber of the peace of
this Governint. ever since he came into it, but in this last com-
motion has endeavour'd by going in person to severall Indian
towns and by promises of reward, to bring down the Indians to
cut of man woman and child on the western shore of Chowan,
that has been the onely subjects to H.M. that on all occasions has
express'd their loyalty. Begs to have his compliments made to
my Ld. Rochester and my Lord Guernsey, etc. P.S. I hope
Mr. Tobias Knights sent over by this Fleet, who was Secretarye
here, may be admitted to give such proofs before yr. Lp. as he is
furnish'd with, Coll. Cary being tooke after he was on board, and
so cannot be fully prepar'd, as otherwise he might, and wch. I
shall take care that he shall. Signed, Edward Hyde. Endorsed,
R. April 11, 1712. 2$ pp. Enclosed,
78 i. President and Council of North Carolina to [? Lord
Dartmouth]. Whereas Col. Thomas Cary, Levy True-
hit, Challingwood Ward, George Lumley and Edmund
Porter are at the earnest request of us the President
and Councill of North Carolina apprehended in Virginia
by order of Lt. Governor Spots wood, and by him
committed to a hearing, wee in most humble manner
pray leave to inform your Lordship that at a General
Assembly holden for this Collony in March last, the
said Col. Cary and John Porter were impeached of high
crimes and misdemeanours and were thereupon com-
mitted to the custody of the Provost-Marshall from
whom they made their escape, and to protect themselves
from justice did confederate with the abovenamed Levy
Truehit, Challingwood Ward, George Lumley, Ednid.
Porter, and with one Richd. Roach and several other
desperate and evill-minded persons as also with Emanuel
Low, Gabriell Newby and many other of the people
called Quakers and raised an insurrection against the
lawfull authority of the Lords Proprietors, and against
the peace and soveraign dominion of our soveraign
Lady the Queen, and to carry on their rebellious pur-
poses have endeavour'd by promises of reward to draw
into their conspiracy the neighbouring Indians by them
to cut off all such of H.M. subjects as shou'd oppose
their lawless proceedings, and did man and fit out with
great guns etc. two vessels and in them did sail in war-
like manner with a flag on the mainmasthead to the
great terrour of the inhabitants and severall robberys
and other injurys did commit, and in one of the said
vessels did make an assault upon us the President and
Councill at the house of Col. Thomas Pollock (of the
said Councill) in the precinct of Chowan, who there
endeavour'd to keep the peace of our soveraign Lady the
Queen, and maintain the authority of H.E. the Pallatine
and Lords Proprietors, from whence being by God's
assistance repell'd, they fled till they were apprehended
as abovesaid. Wherefore we humbly crave leave in such
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 77
1711.
time and manner as your Lordp. shall think most
necessary, to produce an evidence against the said
Gary, Truehit, Ward, Lumlej^ and Edmund Porter,
who were committed and sent prisoners to England,
before wee had the least notice of it, by which wee were
depriv'd of sending our evidences at the same time with
him, for which reason wee humbly hope considering the
nature of their offences, wee may have sufficient time
allow'd us for the doing of it, wherein wee do not doubt
but to make out full proofs of whatever wee shall accuse
them with. Wee are not out of hopes of yr. Lordp's.
great candour in this affair by which wee may fully
expect to see law and justice once more restored to
H.M. subjects, and this poor country, that for near three
years last past has by these rebellions been dispossess'd
of all. And considering this country is entirely im-
poverish'd through these unhappy commotions wee
shou'd look upon it an Act of the greatest compassion
towards us, if a Commission cou'd be obtain'd to be sent
into Virginia, to try the criminals, as well those sent to
England, as those that remain in custody here, to prevent
that charge which wou'd near complete the ruin of our
Colony. P.S. Wee beg leave if John Porter be fled
to England (as 'tis by all here concluded) that your
Lordp. wou'd please to give orders that he may be
apprehended. Signed, Edward Hyde, Graffenried, Tho.
Pollook, Tho. Boyd, W. Glover, N. Chevin. Aug. 22,
1711. 2pp. [C.O. 5, 308. Nos. 1, 1 i.]
Aug. 22. 79. Petition of Humphry South, of London, Merchant,
Whitehall, Agent for George Liddell of St. Christophers, and of Robt. Clayton,
son anc ^ ne "' f Richd. Clayton, of the same Island, deed., to the
Lord High Treasurer. Prays H.M. confirmation of a grant made
to them by Governor Parke for 2| years of two plantations in
the French Quarter of St. Kitts. 3 pp. Annexed,
79. i. The Lord High Treasurer refers preceding to the Council
of Trade and Plantations, and to Wm. Blathwayt,
Auditor General of the Plantations, for their opinion.
Signed, Wm. Lowndes. \ p.
79. ii. William Blathwayt to the Lord High Treasurer.
Recommends that the grant referred to in preceding be
confirmed with an additional term of two years, till Oct.,
1713. Signed, Wm. Blathwayt. Sept. 20, 1711. 1 pp.
79. iii. Copy of grant by Governor Parke, Dec. 1708. referred
to in preceding. 2| pp. The whole endorsed, Reed.
26th Sept., Read 26th Oct., 1711. [C.O. 152, 9. Nos.
85, 85 i.-iii. ; and 153, 11. pp. 380-388.]
Aug. 24. 80. Governor Lowther to Lord Dartmouth. Repeats part
Barbados. o f ^ o 77 Concludes : Mr. Hodges, the present Attorney
General of Barbadoes, goes for England in this Fleet, upon which
I intend to appoint Mr. Arthur Slingsby Attorney General in his
78 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
room, having power so to doe, till H.M. pleasure is known : Mr.
Slingsby is a gentleman of great worth and partes. and perfectly
well acquainted with the customes, laws and constitution of
this place, in consideration of which character I desire your
Lordship to obtain him a patent for being Attorney General :
it will be a favour I shall alwaies esteem, and think myself very
happy whenever I have an opportunity to acknowledge it as I
ought. I have taken the liberty to send your Lordship 24
quartes of citron water, and 50 weight of sweet-meats, which
1 intreat your Lordship to accept as a marke of my gratitude for
your many civilities, etc. Signed, Rob. Lowther. Holograph.
2 pp. Enclosed,
80. i. ii. List of French prisoners taken by H.M.S. Sweep-
stakes and sent to England. 3 pp. [C.O. 28, 43. Nos.
65, 65 i., ii.]
Aug. 27. 81 . Governor Douglas to Lord Dartmouth. I had not been
Antego. many daies upon the Island till I perceiv'd it was impractacable
for me without endangering the safety of the whole Colony to
execute H.M. Orders in securing some of the inhabitants who were
the principal offenders in the late rebellion. I cou'd expect no
service from part of Col. Jones' regiment her 3, if they had made
any insurrection against me, the officers and soldiers are so
corrupted and influenc'd by the chiefest men of this Island.
Upon some informations I order'd Capt. Rookby, Lieut. Wats and
Ensign Smith, officers in the Queen's troops, to be taken into
custody, and sent on board the Lark man of war, Capt. Norbury
Commander. Your Lordship will perceive by the depositions
and witnesses against them how far they were ingag'd as encour-
agers or actors in the late tragical action. Capt. Norbury has
receiv'd my orders to signify the same to your Lordship, or one of
H.M. principal Secretarys of State upon his arrival at the first
port of England to have your Lordship's farther directions about
them. The greatest part of my time has been employ'd in
viewing the Forts in the Island and putting it into some better
posture of defence to prevent any designs the enemy might have
from the animosities and divisions of the people. I cou'd not
make any progress in the examination of the rebellion as yet fit
to lay before your Lordship. If I had a man of war, with some
draughted soldiers well arm'd for recruiting the regiment, and
under my command, I had probably sent some of the principal
malefactors to England, but Capt. Norbury's sentiments that
he was not properly under my power, his intimacy and friendship
with some persons has in some measure obstructed what I thought
proper for H.M. service, for how can I depend upon those who
will find some pretentious to dispute my orders. If I can't at
the same time send them off as they are taken, I don't know what
might be the fatal consequences thereof. I have writ more fully
to Mr. Lewis, which I beg your Lordship's consideration off,
that I may be better enabled to put H.M. Orders in execution,
etc. Signed, Walter Douglas. Endorsed, Reed., Read Feb. 4,
2 f PP- Enclosed,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 79
1711.
81. i. Deposition of Richard Oglethorp, Aug. 22, 1711. Some
time before his death Governor Parke sent for deponent,
being Deputy Marshall (of Antigua), to go for the purser
of the Lark man of war, Capt. Norbury Commander,
who informed him there was aboard upwards of 20
days provisions. Afterwards H.E. told Capt. Norbury
to cruise about the French Islands for 10 days, and then
proceed for Barbadoes for more stores, for that he was
was informed of an intended invasion of this Island etc.,
to which Capt. Norbury answered, he would not, but
would directly saile for Barbadoes, to which H.E. said
then in a passion, send then the soldiers that I may not
want their assistance, to which Capt. Norbury replyed
he would not, but if he would have it done to land
them himself, and immediatly the Capt. went away in
hast, and going by the house where the Assembly were
sitting, who presently accompanyed him, and in great
hast went downe to the wharf and entred a pinnis and
rowed away, the Assembly or the most of them and others
huzzai'd him off, and in few houres he put the ship under
saile, and did not return till after his death. Signed,
Richd. Oglethorp. Endorsed as preceding. Copy. 1^
pp.
81. ii. Deposition of Richard Oglethorpe, Aug. 22, 1711.
Some few days before Governor Parke was murdered,
he sent deponent, who was Deputy Marshal, from the
Councill Chamber in St. John's, where the Genl. and
the Councill were then sitting, to go to Capt. Marshall,
a Capt. in Col. Jones' regiment, and tell him that it was
his possitive orders, that he should not go off nor depart
this Island. When these orders were given to Capt.
Marshal he was in a boat at Cook's Wharfe, and in a
slighting manner putt off and went on board the Larke,
Capt. Cunningsby Norbury, commander, where his
company of soldiers was, which company with other
soldiers were also ordered to be landed, by reason this
Island was in some danger from the French, notwith-
standing which the Larke, Capt. Marshal and the Queen's
regular forces went to Barbadoes immediatly and re-
turn'd not again till after the General's death. Signed,
Richd. Oglethorp. Copy. I p. [C.O.- 152, 9. Nos.
97, 97 i., ii. ; and (without enclosures) 153, 11. pp. 421-
423.]
Aug. 29. 82. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Council of Trade and
St. Jago de la Plantations. I trouble your Lops, at this time with duplicates
of my two former letters, and transmit the Acts which have been
already past this Assembly, with Journals, and the Accots. of
the Revenue. The proceedings of a former Assembly will be
deliver 'd to your Lops, by Major Genii. Handasyd, to whom I
referr the giving you such satisfaction touching the Laws then
past as your Lops, may require. Amongst them your Lops, will
80 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
find the Act of Fees, concerning which I had your Lops', directions,
and which I understand to have been amended conformable
thereunto. Upon the proceedings of that Assembly your Lops.
will observe they came to a resolution that they had a right to
adjourn themselves for a longer time than de die in diem, w r hich
I am told they intended to assert by adjourning for a month
against the Majr. Genii's, positive directions, and when business
was yet undone, and which occasion'd an abrupt dissolution.
I think myself somewhat oblig'd to mention this matter to your
Lops., the better to explain one part of my speech to this As-
sembly ; if your Lops', leasure should permit you to cast your eyes
upon it ; but more that I may have your Lops', opinion and direc-
tions in this particular, if ever it should be attempted again ; and
wherein 1 cannot but in my own judgment agree with the Majr.
Genii, that it would be of very mischievous consequence here,
that the Assembly should, at any time, separate themselves
against the Governour's commands : But if your Lops, will please
to favour me with some Instructions herein, I shall intirely
resign my own sentiments to yours. By the Acts past this
Assembly your Lops, will find the usual and necessary provision
made for the Regiment and other exigencies of the Government :
and tho' as yet this is done but for three months, I must do them
the justice to acquaint your Lops, it has not proceeded from any
want of a good intention, but the necessity of affairs occasion'd
by the shortness of time ; and the want of having the accots.
upon publick funds adjusted, which had been too long omitted,
and which inclined me to yeild to them in it ; having said upon
that occasion what I thought proper to prevent its being drawn
into practice. You will find (my Lords) the Act for quieting
possessions is now past, exactly agreeable to H.M. pleasure
signified to the Majr. Genii., and the other small Act to prevent
Hawking, being for relief of a growing inconveniency, I think
can meet with no objection from your Lops. I gave them leave
to adjourn till Oct. 1st in respect to the season of the year proper
for planting ; and I dare flatter myself they will then meet
in such a disposition as to compleat the Session as satisfactorily
as it has been begun : and indeed as I shall always endeavour to
keep them in this temper, as much as I can, so your Lops, will
observe, there is a more than ordinary occasion for it now, when
you find that notwithstanding 3000 had been given to the
Treasury, to enable it to pay the Majr. Genii's, salary, I must
still be necessitated to ask considerably of them for the con-
tingencies of the Government : and unless they supply it, I am
told there is not any money to pay me : But I shall examine
further into the state of the Revenue, and endeavour to give your
Lops, a more particular accot. of it. In the meantime I beg
your Lops, to believe that nothing will be a temptation to me
wilfully to forget or omit the nicest part of the duty of my station.
There is in bank, I understand, about 2000 of that branch of
the Revenue appropriated to fortifications ; and 1 can not but
say there seems employ mt. enough for it ; and I design forthwith
to employ it accordingly in repairing old works, and making new
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 81
1711.
where the service and defence of the Countrey may most require
it. And upon this head it may be proper to mention to your
Lops, that Capt. Hawkins, the Ingenier, has acquainted me of
some information he has had of a motion at the Board of Ordin-
ance to send for him away : I hope if anything of that kind be
intended, your Lops, will interpose that Capt. Hawkins be not
recall'd without somebody's being appointed in his stead ;
assuring your Lops, that I think H.M. service here does in a
particular manner require the assistance of an Ingenier, and
especially at this time. I can't send your Lops, the particulars I
promis'd you of his expedition to Providence, not having received
it of him. I think it my duty to inform your Lops, of a letter I
received from the French Genii, of the Coast of St. Domingo, lately
arrived there, in the room of the Count de Choiseul, proposing in
substance the settling a Cartel, which as I thought inconsistent
with the interest of this Island, I rejected, with the unanimous ad-
vice of the Council. Mr. Littleton is return 'd with the squadron
under his command, having had advice that Mounsieur Du Cass
sail'd with three men of war (three days after he left the coast)
neither taking with him any merchant men, nor acquainting
anybody what way he went. It's suppos'd he went directly
home. The success of Mr. Littleton's former cruize I think (my
Lds.) was in a great measure owing to his diligence and conduct ;
nor could there reasonably be any hopes of further, after such an
alarm given to the enemy. The galeoon which is taken proves
less rich than was expected ; which implies that there's still the
more on board those ships which Mounsr. Du Cass has with him.
I hope from the notice that has been sent, he may still be met
with in his passage. Mr. Littleton has now in concert with me
determin'd to dispose of the squadron most for the service of
the Island, and security of the Trade. One of the sloops fitted
out by the countrey, before the arrival of those now in H.M.
service, has lately done a very gallant action in having, with 70
men, taken a French privateer of 120 men from Petit Guavis,
after a smart engagement, board and board ; which I mention
the rather, because that sloop was mann'd out of those privateers
who have been so much discourag'd by the duties, and by such
behaviour merit something of the favour I hope is intended them.
I have now one favour to beg of your Lops., which might have
been introduc'd in a properer place of this letter ; however I
will not omit it here, and that is (my Lords) that your Lops, will
please to discountenance all applications which may be made to
you for the Council here, without my privity or approbation.
I am pers waded your Lops, will entertain so favourable an
opinion of my judgment and conduct, as to think me most
capable (being upon the place) of recommending to your Lops,
the fittest persons for that trust : and your Lops, will easily
conceive the usefulness of having somewhat of reward to bestow
upon such persons as shall distinguish themselves in the service
of H.M. and the countrey, which will always be my rule in such
recommendations. I had almost forgotten to mention anything
of the old seal, which I herewith transmit to your Lops. Signed,
Wt, >(,()${). C.P. 6.
82
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
A. Hamilton. Endorsed, Reed. 24th, Read 30th Oct., 1711.
4 pp. Enclosed,
82. i. Account of H.M. Revenue in Jamaica, March 25, 1710
1711. Total, 3470 6s. 3d. Endorsed, Reed. Oct 24,
1711. 4 pp. [C.O. 137, 9. Nos. 48, 48 i. ; and (with-
out enclosure) 138, 13. pp. 366373.]
Aug. 29. 83. Same to Lord Dartmouth. Repeats parts of preceding,
St. Jago de la including last paragraph as to nomination of Council. I am
told that the prisoners at Lima are already discharged ;
however I intend to detain the galeoon-prisoners at least till I
have further certainty thereof. I have not as yet had any answer
to what I wrote to the Marquis de Suere by Mr. Littleton, etc.
Signed, A. Hamilton. 2J pp. [C.O. 137, 51. No. 54.]
Vega.
Aug. 31.
Treasury
Chambers.
Aug. 31.
Piscataqua.
84. Mr. Lowndes to Mr. Popple. On reading to my Lord
Treasurer (enclosed) report of the Rt. Hon. .Jon. Howe relating
to the severall bills drawn by Col. Vetch for money taken up by
him for the use of the garrison of Annapolis, amounting to
7742 2. 6rf., wherein it is represented that there is no provision
made by Parliament for such extraordinary expence, my Lord
Treasurer transmits said report and desires that the Council of
Trade will let him know whether there be not money of H.M.
Revenues in that countrey that may be applyed in ease of the
said expence, and how much the same doth amount unto.
Signed, Wm. Lowndes. Endorsed, Reed. 5th, Read 12th Sept.,
1711. 1 p. Enclosed,
84. i. J. How to the Lord High Treasurer, July 10, 1711.
Report referred to in preceding. Copy. 2 pp. [C.O.
5, 865. Nos. 67, 67 i. ; and 5, 913. pp. 340346 ;
and 218, 1. pp. 1118.]
85. Mr. Bridger to Mr. Popple. Acknowledges letter of
Nov. 18 etc. Explains why a tree must stand two years after being
prepared and barked before being tapped for turpentine, and also
his process of making tar , etc. Continues : I cannott be silent on
the account of H.M. woods, the wast and destructions made there-
in daily, and not in my power to prevent, etc. I have no power to
prosecute nor have I any foundation to ground an action on, since
the Charter is not binding on H.M. side. I pray that I may be
enabled by Instructions, Law, or any way as shall be thought
proper to save all from destruction. Everyone has land and no
limitts to it on that side next the woods, and that land wch. is
H.M. 's if any such is common to all, but before Collins' contract
I had them under correction, telling them that they could not
cut a mast tree on theire own land, but Mico, Collins' factor here,
cut all before them, and at the same time are informing against
me for destroying H.M. woods. The Governor here has reed,
an order from the Treasury, theire being a complaint against me
lodged there, to examin and take the oath of these who has
informed against me, but theire is not one appears. This is
the same complaint as was before theire Lordsps. 5 years since,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
83
1711.
Sept. 3.
Windsor.
Sept. 3.
Boston.
and because I have made seizures of his masts tho' not confirmed
has given them this incouragment to begin againe. I have seen
40 masts, or very near that number now cut and lyes in this
river above Mr. Collins' contract, if I could obtaine an order to
seize them I am assured it would stoop theire careire, and 'tis
not 10,000 will make good the damage H.M. has sustained by
that contract, there has been more waste made since that contract
than was made in 20 years before. I humbly pray you to lay
this before theire Lordps., humbly begging theire protection for
such pernitious persons and malitious false and continued vilianys,
who has done all the hurt possible and lay it on me. P.S. I
wrote you by the H umber, wch. was ordered home, being thought
to large for the Expedition etc. I am here loading a ship with
masts for Jamaica by the Admiralty's order. This shipp was
taken by the Weymouth and Winsor etc. The Winsor is gon for
Quebeck, and the Weymouth convoys this shipp to Jamaica, etc.
Signed, J. Bridger. Endorsed, Reed. Oct. 22, Read Nov. 2, 1711.
2f pp. [C.O. 5, 865. No. 71 ; and 5, 913. pp. 356-360.]
86. Order of Queen in Council. Referring following to the
Council of Trade and Plantations for their report thereon. Signed,
Christo. Musgrave. Endorsed, Reed. Jan. 31, Read Feb. 1, 17|j.
1% pp. Enclosed,
86. i. Petition of Capt. John Walton to the Queen. Refers
to Representation on the Virgin Islands, April 17, 1711.
Petitioner never had notice of the persons who attended
the Board, and consequently no opportunity to confute
their allegations, for want whereof their Lordships have
mistaken several matters in fact, and omitted others
that were necessary. Prays H.M. to hear him by his
Councill, etc. Copy. 2 pp.
86. ii. Copy of Representation of April 17, 1711. [C.O.
152, 9. Nos. 96, 96 i., ii. ; and (without enclosure ii.)
153, 11. pp. 418-421.]
87. Governor Dudley to Mr. Secretary St. John. Encloses
copy of letter formerly sent by a merchantman. What has occurred
since is that on the 29th of July, the General and all the Fleet
and Force being ready set saile with a fair wind and thirteen
days after were spoken with near the mouth of the River, and
the winds and weather since have been very good and easey, so
that I account them to have been in sight of Quebeck ten days
at least and hope in God they are well proceeded in their approach
to the town, and twenty days more will I hope give in good news
from them. On the land side Lt. General Nicholson has been
at Albany these 25 days, and as he advises by his letters is gon
10 days since from Albany towards Woodcreek where the battoes,
and provisions must take the water to go down towards Mount
Real, and 10 days will bring them thither. We have no doubt
but by the favour of God the forces, stores and provisions on
both sides are superiour to the enemy and sufficient for the
service. And we take courage from H.M. most just and honour-
84 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
able declaration in her instructions to these Governments of the
reasons of her proceedings to which every sensible man must
agree. We are in expectation of the Mast Fleet, tho' doubt it
will be late, by w r hich safe conveyance I always send home the
years accounts etc. Capt. Parkington and Capt. Goodall are both
here in H.M. ships which they command to see if any French
Fleet threatned Port Royall, but we suppose ourselves and that
Garrison is in no danger from the French this year, but if the war
hold and the French King at leisure, may see them next summer.
Signed, J. Dudley. 2| jjp. Enclosed,
87 i. Same to Same. Boston. July 11, 1711. Col. Nichol-
son arrived here June 8 with H.M. commands. Upon
which the several Governours met at New London, the
midway between Boston and York, and soon concluded
the severall quotas of the Governments of New York,
Connecticutt, East and West Jersey, and Pensilvania,
to make 1600. Which being joyned with H.M. regular
troops consisting of 400 at New York makes the 2000
which H.M. has commanded to send on the land side
towards Mount Royall, Troy River and elsewhere. At my
return from the Congress I found the whole Fleet arrived
and General Hill and the forces In good health, who
are now all encamped on the shore to be refresht and
fitted for the remaining part of the voiage, and I have
obeyec^ H.M. command for my thousand men for the
Provinces of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire, they
are drawn and at this time putting on their cloths, my
transports and provisions will be ready in five days time
to go to sea. The only want is of good salt provisions
for H.M. Brittish troops, which it is impossible to kill
and provide at this season of the year, and that forces
us to send as far as Virginia and all the remote parts for
such salt victuals and bread as can be gotten, which
will delay some short -time. The General and the
Admiral are with utmost diligence pressing forward, and
I hope everything will be ready from the other Provinces,
so as to put to sea before this month be out. And if
God please that they have a good voiage, they will be
yet time eno'., tho' it had been unspeakably better if
the Fleet had arrived a month or six weeks sooner as
was projected. Copy. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 898. Nos. 9, 9 i.]
Sept. 3. 88. Order of Queen in Council, granting letters of denization
Windsor, to Moses Israel Henriquez, Jacob Rodrigues Mendiz, Isaac Peixoto
of London and Rodrigo Pacheco of New York. Signed, Christo.
Musgrave. 1% pp. [C.O. 5, 11. No. 68.]
[Sept. 4.] 89. Petition of John Evans, Captain of H.M.S. Defiance, to
the Queen. Petitioner being Commander of the Richmond man
of war in 1693, was sent to attend the Province of New York,
where he continued almost 6 years, and performed considerable
service for the benefit of that Colony. Col. Benjamin Fletcher,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 85
1711.
then Governor, in consideration thereof, and of 500 paid to lu'in
by petitioner in lieu of his established fees upon grants of lands,
by letters patent under the Great Seal of that Province granted
petitioner a large tract of unappropriated land call'd Murderer's
Creek, containing 18 miles in length fronting on Hudson's River,
and 30 miles backward, which had been bought by Col. Dongan
when Governor of New York from the Indian natives for 70.
On which tract petitioner expended great summs of money in
clearing severall places for farms, and planted several familys
of Scots and Irish under annual rents, intending to retire thither
himself when there should be a happy and lasting peace. After
Col. Fletcher and petitioner were commanded from New York
to England, Governor Lord Bellomont, having conceived some
prejudice to them both, and designing to take to his own use
and profit several tracts of land which had been granted by Col.
Fletcher to petitioner and others, in order thereunto procured an
Assembly to be chosen of ignorant, necessitous and profligate
persons, (most of them Dutch) who by his direction passed an
Act for destroying extravagant grants etc., whereby petitioner was
stripped of his lands and improvements, but the said Act being
sent over for the confirmation of the late King, H.M. upon a true
representation of the ill practices used to obtain that Act, refused
to confirm it, but not rejecting it, the same continued in force till
repealed by a subsequent law. Upon the arrival of Governor
Lord Cornbury, the inhabitants of the Province, thinking their
titles precarious whilst such an Act remained in force, apply'd
for redress to the first Assembly conven'd by his Lordship, who
by another Act unanimously repealed it, whereby petitioner was
restored to and enjoyed his lands till your Majesty sent a great
number of Palatines to New York, when your Majesty having not
been truly informed how those Acts were obtained, was prevailed
on to confirm the Act of Assembly made in Lord Bellomont's
time and to reject the Act of repeal, and to grant petitioner's
lands to those Palatines, by which means petitioner who has been
in your Majesty's sea-service during your whole reign etc. is
deprived of his property, and of an estate for wch. he had been
offer'd 10,000 sterl. in England, without being heard in his
defence, or having the least notice thereof, till at his late return
from ye streights, he was inform 'd of it to his great surprize.
Prays to be restored, there being other unappropriated lands in
New York sufficient to receive the Palatines, or that he may be
given an equivalent. Subscribed,
89. i. Lord Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and Planta-
tions. Whitehall. Sept. 4, 1710 (sic). Above is re-
ferred to the Council of Trade for their report thereon.
Signed, Dartmouth. Endorsed, Reed. Oct. 31, Read
Nov. 1, 1711. 1 pp. [C.O. 5, 1050. No. 28; and
5, 1122. pp. 441-444.]
Sept. 5. 90. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Virginia. Plantations. Acknowledges letters etc. of March 12 and April 13.
Immediatly upon the receipt of H.M. commands concerning the
86 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
boundarys, 1 dispatch 'd an express to Mr. Hyde, whom we look
upon here, to be Governor of North Carolina, desiring him to let
me know whether he had received authority from the Lords
Proprietors to appoint new Commissioners, that I might pursuant
to H.M. pleasure appoint the time and place of their meeting,
and shall upon the return of his answer take all possible care for
expediting this affair. I shall according to H.M. commands
publish the repeal of the Law passed in 1666 declaring what is
meant by seating of land. But I hope your Lordps. will be fully
satisfyed by perusing the Act for settling the titles and bounds of
lands passed last Session of Assembly, and what I have formerly
writt on that subject, that there is no occasion for publishing
H.M. Order in Council of April 17, 1707, of which your Lordps.
have now sent me a duplicate. Your Lordps. will observe by
some of rny former letters how much the Country disliked the
Instruction for regulating the taking up of land, insomuch that
it was the chief greivance with which they charged their Repre-
sentatives to the last Assembly. That in pursuance of this
charge the house of Burgesses made early application to me for
granting patents for land upon the former terms, and that by my
answer to their Address and some other means I had the good
fortune to stave off a representation which they intended to make
to H.M. on that subject, by all which your Lordps. will find how
little hopes there is, that the Assembly will pass the 84th Article
of my Instructions into a law as is proposed by H.M. Order in
Council of March 24th. The condition of cultivating and
improving mentioned in that Instruction, has been and is still
thought so hard and impracticable, that your Lordps. may
remember what pressing applications the President and Council
formerly made for obtaining an alteration of it ; yet notwithstand-
ing the general prejudice against this Instruction, I thought my-
self so far obliged to support it, that I would not suffer the last
Assembly in their law concerning land, to mention anything of
the manner of granting or terms of seating otherwise than to
oblige the Patentee to comply with the condition of his patent on
the penalty of forfeiture of his land ; and having afterwards
made the patents conformable to H.M. Instructions as to the
conditions of cultivating and improving. I am humbly of opinion
that H.M. Instruction being the rule for the Governor's granting
of land, and the late law making it so penal for the patentee
if he does not comply with the condition of his grant, H.M.
intentions are as fully answered as if that Instruction were
passed into a Law in terminis, which can never be expected
from an Assembly. For tho' the necessity of passing in the last
Assembly a law to settle the titles of land between party and
party, for avoiding that confusion wch. must have been introduced
in all the Courts of Justice upon the repeal of the former, made
them more easily yeild to the clauses I proposed, yet the people
are now so much convinced that all the fraudulent practices
formerly used to avoid the payment of their quitt-rents are by
this means obviated, that they would gladly lay hold of any
handle to new-model that Law, and I very much fear the propos-
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 87
1711.
ing the enacting H.M. Instructions into a law, would rather give
them occasion not only to complain against it, but even to en-
deavour a repeal of that now in force, which is look'd upon as
one that contains a clause or two the most beneficial for the
Crown, that ever passed a Virginia Assembly : and as I may say
it was not without a good deal of Address that 1 obtain'd them,
so I'm sure I yeilded none either in this law or any other that I
passed, which I imagined would be anyways prejudicial to the
Crown or to Great Britain, as indeed the Virginians do me the
honour to characterize me for a person who will take care that
neither of those interests shal lose ground when I command ;
while on the other hand they do not stick to tax their Burgesses
with being either asleep or guilty of too great complaisance when
they passed a law which abridges them of their former priviledges.
So that upon the whole matter, I hope your Lordps. will beleive
I act for H.M. service if I forbear to lay H.M. Order in Council
before the Assembly untill I receive your Lordps. further opinion
upon what- 1 have here represented, tho' I'm afraid it cannot be
so speedily dispatch'd as to reach hither before the next session,
which is to meet Nov. 7th. Notwithstanding H.M. positive
orders notifyed to the Lords proprietors and Government of
South Carolina to permitt the traders of Virginia freely to pass
through that Province to trade with the Western Indians, that
Government have in June last thought fitt to pass an Act in
contradiction to H.M. order, and thereby imposed on the Vir-
ginia traders all the hardships H.M. intended graciously to remedy
by her Order in Council, and having obtained from Coll. Quary
now lately returned from Carolina a copy of that Act, I have
here inclosed it not doubting your Lordps. will thereupon make
such a representation to H.M. as may free the inhabitants of this
Colony from the like future impositions. Signed, A. Spots wood.
Endorsed, Reed. April 10, Read Dec. 11, 1712. 3 pp. Enclosed,
90. i. Copy of Act of Carolina, June 28, 1711, to oblige those
traders that come from Virginia arid other neighbouring
Colonys to trade with the Indians or white persons living
within this Province and Government to come first to
Charlestown and take out licences to trade, and to be
subject to the like regulations and pay the same dutys of
import and export with the inhabitants of this Province
and Government who trade with the Indians living within
the bounds of the same. Same endorsement. 4 pp.
[C.O. 5, 1316. Nos. 84, 84 i. ; and (without enclosure)
5, 1363. pp. 416-421.] .
Sept. 5. 91. Lt. Governor Spotswood to [? Lord Dartmouth]. Acknow-
Virginia. ledges letter of April 14, with H.M. Order in Council March 24 q.v.
The measures I have taken already in making all patents for
land conformable to H.M. Instructions, together with the clauses I
got inserted in an Act pass'd last Session of Assembly (v. March 6),
will I hope fully answer H.M. intentions without putting the
Assembly to the tryal of enacting that into a law against which
the countrey has already show'd a general dislike. I have
88 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
writt fully by this conveyance to the Lords ( 'ommrs. for Trade,
etc. Signed, A. Spotswood. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 1337. No. 14.]
Sept. 9. 92. Brigadier General Hill to Lord Dartmouth. Encloses
From on board duplicates of July 31. The 30th of July wee sayled with a fair
th6 iiTthe* 0r wm( -l h' 0111 Nantasket Bay, in New England, and had a very good
Spanish River, passage to Gaspee Bay, where the wind took us short Aug. 18,
and obliged us to go in there for a day or two, but it coming fair
the 20th, wee continued our voyage to the River of St. Lawrence
wth. various winds, and Aug. 22 the wind came up very fair,
and wee being with all the men of warr and transports in the
mouth of the River, hoped for a very quick passage to Quebeck,
but about half an hour after tenii at night, the Fleet fell in with
the land of the North side of the River, near the Isle of Eggs,
where with great danger to the whole Fleet wee lost the transports
Maluroagh, Smirna marcht., Colchester. Saml. and Ann, Isabel
Ann ami Catherine, Chattham, Nathl. and Eliza, John and Sarah,
with the officers and numbers of men mentioned in the inclosed
list, with severall flatts of cloathing and a large quantity of
provisions, and one of the three ships with corne etc., which I
was obleiged to buy at Boston, before the arrivall of the provisions
from New York. The next day and the day after the Leopard
and some sloops were employed in bringing off the scatter 'd
remains of six and twenty companys of Seamour's, Windress's,
Clayton's and Kane's Regiments, which were so mangled and
bruised on the rocks, and naked withall, that they were not in
any condition of service. After this sudden and unexpected
disaster, it was thought adviseable to know the opinion of the
sea Captains, and to examine the pylotts touching our further
navigation of the river, who were unanimously of opinion, it
was impracticable (v. enclosure ii.). In consequence of which
I and the Colonells under my command thought it for the service,
that since wee could not gett up to Quebeck, wee should without
loss of time come to an anchor in such place as the Admirall
should think most proper, in order to arme what remained of our
shipwrackt troops, and to make a disposition for attaqueing
Placentia, according to the 21st Art. of H.M. Instructions. At
first the Admirall proposed Gaspee Bay, but on second thoughts
judged Spanish River more proper, as being just opposite to
that place ; wee sayled Aug. 25th from the River of St. Lawrence,
and arrived not here till the 4th instant. The Kingston by which
wee expected three storeships, wch. Coll. Hunter was to send with
victualls from New York, joyned us a day or two after, but
brought no provisions ; upon this disapointment a Councill of
Warr of sea and land officers was held, in which the state of our
provisions was considered, and finding them scarce sufficient
to carry us to England, being but 10 weeks at short allowance,
and there being no probability of being supplyed wth. more at
Placentia, by reason of the winds and slouny [? stormy] weather,
of which seamen have had experience this season of the year, the
Councill of Warr was unanimously of opinion that the attempt
upon Placentia was at this time altogether impracticable. (Refers
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 89
1711.
to enclosure iii.). Yesterday the Enter prize, and Try ton's prize
from Virginia came into this place, and wee were in great ex-
pectation when wee saw them in the offin, that the three storeships
with our provisions from New York were come, which would have
most happily changed the scituation of our affairs, in renewing
our hopes of taking Placentia in our return, but the Captains
of those ships told us that Coll. Hunter had sent the Victuallers
by the way of New London. Finding by severall letters which
have been intercepted from Placentia, to some of the French
inhabitants of Nova Scotia, as well as to Monsr. Ponchartraine,
the Secreatary of the Marine in France, that H.M. Garrison of
Annapolis may possibly be attaqued from thence, I thought it
for the service to make a detachment of 350 private men, with a
proportionable number of officers, together with one company
of Mohaques, who will be of use for scouring the woods, and
according to the power given me in my Instructions, I have
appointed Major Cawfield, a gentleman that has served very well,
to be Deputy Governour, which was absolutely necessary for
keeping good order and discipline in the garrison. I have likewise
sent an ingenier and a sufficient quantity of ordnance stores :
and Col. Vetch having represented to me that a man of warr for
attending that garrison is indispensably necessary, and that he
was promissed one from England, I have desired the Admirall
to appoint such ship as he should think proper for that service.
I have only now to add, that I am sencibly afflicted for the loss
of so many of H.M. troops, and the great disappointment wch.
this disaster has occasioned to your hopes of success, and my
endeavours for promoting this service all that was in my power,
referring you to Coll. Clayton's relation of particulars, whom I
have sent to England for that purpose. Signed, J. Hill. 8 pp.
Enclosed,
92. i. List of officers, men and women (35) lost. Total, 740.
Ip.
92. ii. Resolution of Council of War of Sea officers. At a
consultation of sea officers belonging to the squadron
under comand of Sir Hovenden Walker, Kt., Rear
Admirall of the White, on board H.M.S. Windsor,
Aug. 25, 1711, in the River of St. Lawrence. The
respective pilots on board the men of warr having been
severally examined, wee are unanimously of opinion,
that by reason of the ignorance of the said pilots, it is
wholly impracticable to go up the River of St. Lawrence
with the men of warr and transports so farr as Quebeck,
as also the uncertainty and rapidity of the currants
as by fatall experience we have found. Signed, Hoven-
den Walker, Jos. Soanes, Jno. Mitchell, Robt. Arris,
Geo. Walton, Hen. Gore, Geo. Paddon, Jno. Cockburn,
Augustin Rouse. Copy. 1| pp.
92. iii. Resolution of Council of War of sea and land officers
held on board H.M.S. Edgar in the Spanish River,
Sept. 8, 1711. The 21st Art. of H.M. Instructions to
the Generall, for attacking Placentia in his return from
90 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
Canada, together with the 10th Art. of the Admirall's
Instructions to the same purpose being severally read,
as also a letter from Governour Dudley to ye Admiral!
touching the lateness of the preparation of provision
now makeing in that Colony, for supply of the troops,
if they had wintered at Quebeck, the question was putt
as followeth (vizt.), the state of provissions for the ships
of warr and land forces being considered, which pro-
visions not amounting to above 10 weeks at short
allowance computing it from ye 12th of this instant
September, as appears by the Agent Victuallers' signed
account thereof, and allowing it to be all good, and to
hold out to that time, the said 12th Sept. being the
soonest we can saile from hence, and there being no
hopes of any supply from New England before the begin-
ning of November at soonest, as appears from advice
received from the Governour of New England, and the
opinion of two of the members of the Councill of Warr
who know that country, together with the uncertainty
of any provisions coming to us at Newfoundland by
reason the season of the year is so farr advanced, which
makes the navigation of that coa^t so dangerous. The
Councill of Warr is unanimously of opinion that the
attempt for reduceing Placentia under the circumstances
and difficultys above-mentioned, is at this time altogether
impracticable, and that it is for H.M. service that the
squadron and transports with the Brittish troops do
forthwith return to great Brittain, and the forces raised
in New England, to that Colony. Signed, Hovenden
Walker, Joseph Soanes, John Mitchell, Robt. Arris,
Geo. Walton, Hen. Gore, Geo. Paddon, Jn. Windor,
Jn. Cockburn, Is. Cooke, (Brigadier) J. Hill ; (Colls,
of H.M. troops), Char. Churchill, Wm. Windress, M.
Kempenfelt, Jaspr. Clayton, P. Kirke, Hen. Disney,
Richd. Kane ; (Cols, of the forces raised in New England)
Sam. Vetch, Shad. Walton. Copy. 2| pp. [C.O. 5,
9. Nos. i4 } 3 ? 12, 13.]
Sept. 10. 93. Deputy-Governor Saltonstall to Mr. Secretary St. John.
Newhaven. As soon as I reed. H.M. commands of Feb. 21 last, relating to the
Expedition, I ordered a convention of the Council and Assembly.
They unanimously agreed with me to express our gratitude and
ready obedience to H.M. (Address enclosed by this first oppor-
tunity of the Harley packet boat), and afterwards did with all
readiness pass the necessary Acts, for furnishing our quota of
men for that service. With them I march'd to Col. Nicholson at
Albany. I took leave of him there, July 29th, he designing the
next day to follow the troops to Woodcreek (where they take
water to pass the Lake Champlain) the most of which were on
their march thither some days before. There was a very good
appearance, at Albany of the 5 nations of Indians, commonly
caU'd ye Iroquois, and everything requisite in the Expedition
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 91
1711.
was in good readiness by the indefatigable care and diligence of
H.E. Col. Hunter, and Lt. Genii. Nicholson : The Indians shew'd
a good forwardness in the service. Upon my return to this
Colony I mett with the good news of Genl. Hill's and Admiral
Walker's being in the River of St. Laurence, standing up for
Quebeck, with a fair wind, on Aug. 13th. And I am in good hope
that I may in a short time advise your Honr. of the good success
of H.M. arms, etc. Signed, Gurdon Saltonstall. Endorsed, R.
Oct. 22. 2 pp. Enclosed,
93. i. Address of the Governor and Company of Connecticut
to the Queen. We your Majesties most dutifull and
loyall subjects convened in Generall Assembly, having
received your Majesties commands to be aiding in carry-
ing on the Expedition your Majestic has ordered against
the French inhabiting North America ; esteem it our
duty in the most humble and thankfull manner, to
acknowledge the great instance which, in appointing
that expedition your Majestic has given us of your
Royal concern for the safety and weal of your Colonys
against that enemy. Their lying in wait to kill and
scalp single persons on our frontiers, their surprizing
and cutting off families, their stealing of captives,
torturing and making slaves of them, and suchlike
murthers and cruelties, is what they call carrying on
the warr. All which is frequently done by their skulk-
ing parties (in conjunction with the Indians in their
interest, whose bloody and barbarous manners they
have imbibed, and long practised). And these are
mischiefs which nothing can give us so good hope of
security from, as that removall of this enemy which
your Majestic designes. We shall with all possible
vigour and diligence apply ourselves to the executing
of that part, which your Majestic has allotted us, etc.
Return thanks for supply of clothing, arms, and ammuni-
tion, and pray for success of the expedition and H.M. arms
everywhere. June 19, 1711. Signed, Gurdon Salton-
stall, and Caleb Stanley, Secy. By order of the Generall
Assembly. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 898. Nos. 14, 14 i.]
Sept. 11. 94. Col. King to Mr. Secretary St. John[s], Encloses con-
LdsoT 1 ^ nua ^ on of Journal (v. July 25). I flatter'd myself so much with
in the mouth of the hopes of succeeding on this expedition so truly advantagious
Spanish River to England and so heartily desir'd and put into that forward-
in the Island of nesg an( j g OO( j method by you : that I can't express the
Cape Britton in , J ., J ,. . , .
N. America, greatness of my concern for the dissapomtment : nor the uneasi-
ness it gives me to think what a loss it will prove to our poor
American Coloneys, how much it will contribute to depopulate
their frontiers : to diminish their trade, and discourage all people
by the constant wars they must now be oblig'd to maintain,
from settleing among them or improving the lands. And what
is still a more melancholy reflextion, that they dare hardly
expect any releif for the future, when they see this great effort
92 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
England made to succour them thus ruffled and defeated, not-
withstanding a General conducted it who did all that was humane-
ly possible to make it successful!. This is what was obvious to
all, and a justice that must be done him upon all occasions to his
Queen, his country and friends. Since it's determin'd we are
to return, I hope in a very little time after you receive this, I
shall have the honour of waiting on you in London, etc. Signed,
Rich. King. P.S. I sent you by Capt. Cullyford of the H umber
an account of our proceedings to Aug. 15, etc. Endorsed, Rd.
Oct. 6, per Col. Clayton. 2 pp. Enclosed,
94. i. Continuation of Col. King's Journal. Aug. 15, 1711,
the Devonshire and Humber left the Fleet to cruize to
the latter end of this month betwixt the Island of St.
Paul's and Cape Ray, and then to proceed to St. John's
in New-found-land, and from thence to England. This
day the Admiral sent likewise away the Chester to
Boston to convoy the mast fleet from thence. The Kith
we made the Capes Bonaventura and Gaspa, and the
17th the Island of Anticosta. As we were both these
dayes prevented by contrary winds from entring into
the mouth of the River of St. Laurens, the Admiral
thought fitt to sail with all the Fleet to the Bay of
Gaspa the 18th and anchor there, least we should be
despersed or drove back by contrary winds. Aug. 20th.
The wind coming to the East we sail'd out of the Bay of
Gaspa and the Admiral order'd a Basque fishing vessell
we found there to be burnt, not being able to gett her
equipt in time to carry her with us. The 21st the
Mountague, Saphire and Sunderland join'd the fleet.
They were sent to cruise off of Bonaventura and the
Bay of Gaspa while we were there at anchor, etc. The
22nd since yesterday at noon to twelve a clock to-day
our course was N.W. and by W. distance 34 miles.
The 23rd we had rainy and foggy weather with a very
fresh gale at East. At 8 at night we found by our logg
to have run since yesterday at noon 45 miles west.
At this time the Admiral lay'd by for fear of falling
foul on one side or other of the River : for it was then
so excessively dark we could not see from one end to
the other of our vessell. At half an hour after ten we
saw land to leeward of us, and as soon as we were
convinc'd it was so (for we all imagin'd to be several
leagues distant from it) we made with the utmost
expedition all the sail we could to gett clear of it, but
finding we could not we were forc'd to come to an
anchor near 1' Isle aux (Eufs in 7 fathom water with a
shoal of rocks on each quarter within a cable's length
of us, which we plainly perceiv'd by the waves breaking
over them in a very violent manner. Till the minuit
we came to an anchor it rain'd very hard and blew a
perfect storm directly on shore, when of a sudden it
fell quite calm. If it had continu'd with the great
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 93
1711.
violence it did before we came to an anchor ; our anchors
could not have held and we should have all been lost.
For the wind and the vast seas which ran would have
broke our ship in moment in ten thousand pieces against
the rocks ; and betwixt them and the shore 'twas at least
five miles. At two in the morning the wind shifted to
the north. At four we weigh'd our sheet anchor ; and
at five a fresh gale coming fortunately off the shore from
the west, we cutt our small and best bore cables and
sail'd off. All the night we heard nothing but ships
fireing and showing lights as in the utmost distress :
so that we could not but conclud that the greatest part
of our Fleet was lost : and indeed there were not 10
ships in the whole that were not in danger of being cast
away. The 24th the Leopard with several sloops were
sent in to bring off the men and provisions that were
sav'd from the wracks. In the afternoon we had an
account that we lost ten sail, viz. eight transports with
soldiers, one loaded with corn, and a sloop belonging to
a suttler. All this day the wind was contrary at South-
west, so we ply'd from one side the river to the other.
The 25th the Admiral call'd a Council of war of all his
captains aboard the General to have their opinion
whether we could proceed with any safety. They all
unanimously agreed that it was not practicable to go
up the River with this Fleet so late in the season without
Pilates : every one of those we had declaring they were
not capable of takeing the charge of any one of the men
of war : so that the General and Admiral resolv'd forth-
with to return : quitt the Quebeck expedition and en-
deavour to reduce Placentia : and having given orders
to the Leopard with three brigantines and sloops to
bring off some of our men who went into the woods and
all the provisions he could : and then to follow us to
Spanish River in the Island of Cape Britton, about
7 in the evening we bore away with all the rest of the
Fleet for the Bay of Gaspa. The 26th the Admiral sent
away the Mountague to stop the Devonshire and Humber,
and the Saphire to Boston with letters to recall Nichol-
son, and to acquaint the Governours Dudley and
Hunter of our misfortune. Sept. 4th we came to an
anchor in the mouth of Spanish River. The 5th we
were employ'd in takeing an account of our provisions
in order to make an equal distribution of them, and in
makeing an enquiry through all the Fleet for Pilates to
Placentia. The 6th the Leopard join'd the fleet with
the sloops left with him to bring off the wracks : and
eight of the New England transports which did not see
us when we bore away or return 'd. There join'd us
likewise with him the Kingston man of war, who being
assur'd by Capt. Cullyford of the Humber, Aug. 20th,
off of Cape Britton that our Fleet was then at Quebeck :
94 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
he took our fleet in passing by us in the Lake of St.
Laurens for the French Fleet, therefore stood from us :
and if he had not fortunately mett with the Leopard
at his returning out of the mouth of the river, he would
have made the best of his way to Quebeck. He brought
an account from Boston, from whence he parted Aug.
12th that Capt. Southwyck, Commander of the Province
gaily, would be ready to sail from thence in eight
dayes with the brigantine hir'd for the transportation of
the artillery stores from Annapolis f that the provisions
to be provided in New England could not be sent away
before Oct. 1st : and that Col. Hunter would send as soon
as possibly he could the remaining part of the provisions
he was order'd to provide to New London, from whence
the Admiral said he would take care they should be
convoy'd to us. He brought us likewise the copys of
two letters from M. Coste Belle, Governour of Placentia,
to M. Ponchartrin, wherein the receipt of a letter from
him of Feb. 15th was acknowledg'd, giving an account,
that preparations were makeing in England for an
expedition against them and Canada : and that these
preparations consisted of seven men of war and 3000
men : that just before the dates of his letter which are
of July 22 and 23 he had intelligence by several fishing
sloops belonging to New England taken and brought
into Placentia that our Fleet was arriv'd at Boston.
Then having given a tolerable exact account of our
force both by sea and land and what we were to be
join'd by from our American Coloneys : he proceeds to
give much the same account we had at Boston of the
strength of Quebeck : how prepar'd they were there to
receive us. But that their cheif defence and what they
depended most upon was the difficult navigation of the
River, which he hop'd would defeat us ; that he had sent
H.E's. letters by a sloop to M. Vaudreul, who had
already invited all his Indian allies to come to Quebeck
to a feast he would there prepare for them of English
flesh ; that he (M. Coste Belle) had for some time ex-
pected to be attack'd ; therefore had made preparations
accordingly : and did not doubt but to give a very
different account of Placentia to what the Governour
of Accadia did of Annapolis : that the regular troups,
the militia and fishermen at Placentia would make above
2000 men ; however he begs he would order that the
three companies taken at Annapolis might be sent him :
as also some provisions which he should be in extream
want of ; the greatest part of those that were coming to
him from Quebeck being lost in sloops coming down the
River of St. Laurents : that he had sent Monsieur la
Ronde (under the pretence of settling an exchange for
prisoners) to observe what preparations were makeing
there, and disswade the Governmt. from giving us any
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 95
1711.
supply s of men or provisions. With the copys of
these letters there was one from the Ingeneer of Placentia
directed likewise to Monsieur Pontchartrain wherein he
assures him that the forts and redoutes there were in
a very good condition and capable with the forces they
had to make a long defence : that all the inhabitants of
Accadia by the ill usage and great severity they mett
with had taken up arms and block 'd up our fort there :
that he understood they had a great opinion of him :
therefore he beg'd he would order him thither, and he
did not question but he would in a very little time
drive us out of that country. The Kingston man of war
had these letters from the Warwick off of Cape Britton,
who was going with them to the Governour of New
England according to orders he had receiv'd to carry
or send him all news of consequence he should meet
with. They were taken in a merchant vessell going to
France by two of our privateers. The 1th the General
and Admiral call'd a Council of War of the sea and land
officers to lay before them our present state and to have
their opinion how we should proceed further. As soon as
the Council had examin'd the account of our provisions
and found it would only serve for 11 weeks at short
allowance, they all unanimously agreed (I'm inform'd)
that without risquing the loss of both fleet and army,
there was no other course to be taken but returning from
hence directly home to England. Whereupon, the 8th,
the Agent Victuallers were order'd to make an equal
divident of the provisions that in case of separation each
vessell might have wherewithall to carry him home.
The artillery stores provided at Boston and put aboard
the Brittish transports were order'd to be put aboard
the New England yessells in order to be sent to Ann-
apolis : and to garrison that place and releive the New
England troups and marines there 350 men with officers
in proportion were appointed to be detach't out of our
forces. The 9th the master of a sloop from Quebeck
bound to Placentia with provisions was brought in here.
He said he left Quebeck the 22nd of the last month,
that they had been working at the fortifications of the
town all the summer : that they had perfected the in-
ward rampart which was ruin'd and that they had made
a strong retrenchment from Beauport to the Town, the
only proper place for landing at ; that M. Vaudreul was
at Montreal fortifying that place ; that there were 1000
regular troups in Canada, and above 10,000 militia :
that hearing nothing of us when he came away, they did
not expect we could visit them this year ; and that they
had no account at Montreal the 16th of Aug. that our
troups were advancing by Chambly. The IQth the
Enterprize and Triton men of war join'd us here from
Virginia, they brought no other news than that Gover-
96 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
nour Spotswood had sent 900 barrils of pork to New
York to be sent from to us. This day it was resolv'd to
send the Leopard man of war to England to inform the
Governmt. of our misfortune and that we were coming
all home. 8 pp.
94. ii. An account of the men and vessells that were lost
and shipwrack't neare les Isles aux (Eufs in the River
of St. Lauren's the night of the 23rd Aug. , 1711. Totals :
Officers (including 1 Surgeon and 1 Chaplain) 31,
N.C.O.'s. and privates, 676 ; women 35, (=742) from
General Seymour's, Col. Windress's, Col. Kane's and
Col. Clayton's regiments.
Transports lost : Colchester (530 tons) ; Nathaniel
and Elizabeth, 297; Samuell and Ann, 225 ; Marlborrough,
218 ; Isabella, 326 ; Chatham, 150 ; John and Sarah, ;
Smirna merchant, 364 ; a provision vessel of 120 tuns.
1 p. [C.O. 5, 898. Nos. 15, 15 i., ii.]
Sept. 12. 95. Governor Hunter to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
New York. Acknowledges letters etc. of March 16, April 10, and June 29.
I must begin with humbly begging your Lordps'. pardon for
haveing omitted acquainting you with what was contain'd in
one of mine to his Grace the Duke of Marlborough relateing to
ye stores, arms and amunition in the forts of this Province, and
indeed, ye Assemblys of ye two Provinces, the care and imploying
of ye Palatines, the Indian affaires, the present expedition, and
ye perplexitys in both Governments, hardly affording me time for
naturall rest, may be allowed to plead for me, if I should un-
warilly be guilty of such another omission at this time. That
matter of the stores is now at an end, and sufficientley remedyed
by the quantity brought hither for ye Expedition, but can now
send noe perfect account of what may remaine because I know
not as yet what may be left at Albany after ye troops imployed
upon this Expedition are supplyed. As to Mr. Polhampton's
Memoriall (v. April 10th) I had long ago taken all imaginable
care of ye musters of the four companys, haveing given strict
charge to those that muster them to pass none upon the rolls but
ye effectives, but there is an evil there which wants a remedy, and
may have occasion'd that Gentleman's mistake in his computation
of ye numbers of ye effectives, since ye first establishmt. of
these four company's there has not beene one invalid belonging
to them taken into ye hospitalls, tho' they have paid all
along for that purpose as ye rest of ye army has done, soe
that at this time wee have about 50 of that kind who are not
able to doe any manner of duty, and are a charge to their Capts.
not being able to subsist upon their pay. I humbly propose that
some homeward bound man of warr may be ordered to transport
them to England in order to their being received in ye hospitalls,
or to save ye trouble and expence of transportation that H.M.
may be moved to give directions to ye Managers to enter upon
outlyer's pay as it is term'd, such numbers of that kind as shall
be found by speciall musters and ye Governor's certificate to be
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 97
1711.
actually upon ye place. On June 14th I received H.M. Instruc-
tions etc. relateing to ye Expedition against Canada, wherein
I had orders to procure 3 months' provisions for 5000 land forces
which went by sea, and in conjunction with ye Governors of
Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pensilvania to raise 2000 men to
march by way of ye Lakes to Montreall under ye command of
Francis Nicholson Esq. The Quota's were ascertain'd in ye
Council of Warr according to ye proportions in H.M. Generall
Instructions etc. Which forces were accordingly raised to a very
few, except those of Pensilvania from whence wee have had none,
and on Aug. 29th I left them all upon their march beyond Albany
toward ye Lakes compleatly armed, clothed, accoutred and
victualled, being to be followed next day by 800 Indians of ye
Five Nations and their allies from Albany. Inclosed your
Lordships have copyes of my transactions with the Indians upon
this occasion and of another interveiw I luckilly had with them
imediatly before I had received H.M. commands relateing to this
Expedition. Refers to other enclosures, Sessional Papers and
Acts. I have not time being but just return'd from Albany and
the packett on her departure to make my observations on these
Acts, neither doe any that are materiall occurr to me at present,
which is also ye reason I doe not at this time give yr. Lordpps.
ye accots. of these Provinces by seperate letters. I informed yr.
Lordpps. how oddly the former Assembly of New York had in a
manner dissolv'd themselves. This Assembly which consists of
all the same members save one, unaccountably ye day after
they had resolved to take ye latter part of my Speech relateing
to ye support of Government into their consideration, addressed
for a prorogation, they are to meet againe on Monday next, but
to as little purpose I beleive as formerly, for soe long as ye Mem-
bers hold their elections by noe other tenure, but that of saveing
ye publick money or starveing the Government, there is nothing
to be depended upon from them upon that score, tho' their
frequent sessions cost the country more than a reasonable
support of Government would doe. I shall make but one remark
more on ye conduct of this Assembly. When by inadvertency or
designe there happens some mistakes in their Acts, which render'd
their passing ye Council impossible, I had noe remedy left but
after a first reading in Councill to returne them privately to ye
Speaker, as if they had not been read with a request to amend
them in their owne house, for they will not admitt of an amend-
ment from ye Councill tho' but of one word in what they call a
money Bill, tho' ye safety of ye whole depended upon it. This
conduct how unparliamentary soever (for they will be a parlia-
ment) I was obliged to follow or baulk ye Expedition. As to
ye Palatines, the tumults raised among them by ye ill arts of
such as had a mind to crash ye designe, have had a quite contrary
effect, for since that time, and a new modell of management,
they have been very buissy and very obedient. I have now
prepared neare 100,000 trees, and in ye fall sett them to work
about ye second preparation. Mr. Sackett, who has ye direction
of that work, and seems perfectly well to understand it, has
Wt. 26089. C.P. 7.
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
prepared some thousands in a manner to produce a quantity
of tarr next spring, but that being little better than an experiment
I doe not much depend upon it. Mr. Bridgier's haveing basely
declined, nay endeavour'd to betraye this service, has promoted
it, soe that I think Providence favours it, for the gentleman now
imployed has been three yeares amongst ye tarr workers in the
Eastern countrys, and his manner is soe different from Mr.
Bridgier's that I have good reason to conclude that he knew little
of ye matter and would have served only to have thwarted ye
other and obstructed ye designe. I beleive if he were strictly
examined he would discover upon what inducements hee has
acted soe treacherously. I yeilded to his importunity and let
him goe to Boston in ye winter, hee promissing a speedy returne,
hearing nothing from him in ye spring when I expected him to
attend that work, I wrote to him to meet me at ye Palatine settle-
ments, which by a letter he refused pretending want of sufficient
encouragement. I wrote to him againe with possitive orders to
repaire thither, as hee was directed by H.M. speciall letters, told
him that I had apply'd to your Lordpps. for an additionall
sallary for him and putt him in mind that hee had never beene
refused money when he called for it, but all to ye same purpose.
I protest to yr. Lordpps. whilst hee attended that work hee lived
as I did, and to my knowledge hee did not expend ye value of a
crowne, and had severall summes of money to ye value of about
30 from me dureing that time. I have had by this pacquett a
letter from Mr. Lownds directing me to enquire into some abuses
of his with relation to ye Queen's woods. I have not had time to
make a perticular enquirey and have only heard in generall that
instead of preserveing hee has waisted them by giveing deputa-
tions to such as have saw mills, for certain yearly summes of
money paid him by them, by which meanes all ye valluable
timber in these parts is destroyed. That your Lordpps. may
informe yrselfes. whether wee be in ye right in ye pursuite of this
manufacture, I'll give you an account of Mr. Sackett's method
of prepareing ye trees ; in the spring when the sapp is up, hee
barkes ye north quarter of ye circumference about two foot in
length where ye sun has least force to draw out the turpentine.
In the fall, before ye sap falls downe, hee barks ye south quarter
about 2ft. 4in. ; next spring the east quarter for ye former reason,
about 2ft. 8in., and in that fall the remaineing quarter near 3ft.
After which the part above what is barked being full of turpentine
is cutt downe splitt and putt into kills for tarre. That no hands
may be idle we employed the boys and girls in gathering knotts
whilst their fathers were a barking, out of which hee has made
about threescore barrells of good tarr, and hath kills ready to sett
on fire for about as much more soe soone as hee getts casks ready
to receive it. Now my Lords tho' I have mett with discourage-
ments unspeakable, yet concludeing it impossible that ye wisdome
of H.M. Councills should lett drop so beneficiall a project, and so
considerable a branch of trade, when it is in soe hopefull a way,
I have launch't out all ye money and creditt I could raise in ye
pursuite of it, tho' I have as yet noe returnes to my first bills
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 99
1711.
I have drawne on my Lord Treasurer for about halfe a years
subsistance for that people ending June 24th last according to ye
inclosed scheme, which I beg your Lordpps. to second with your
recommendations. I have made the best bridge in all North
America over the river betweene the pine woods and their settle-
ments, have laid in timber and all other matterialls for building
the store-house upon the place, and am about the purchase of a
convenient house without ye gates of New York on ye harbour
for a generall storehouse. Least I should tire your Lordpps. I
shall referr you to my next for more perticular accounts of this
and all other matters. I shall only beg leave to acquaint your
Lordpps. a little with the deportment of one Mr. Birchfeild who
came over here Surveyor Generall of ye Customes much abt. the
time I did. I acquainted ye Commissioners of H.M. Customes,
how hee had without cause turned out ye most sufficient gentle-
man in ye province of Jersey's of ye Collector's place of Amboy
there ; and putt in his roome ye most insufficient and infamous
person in either province, hee has since that time so persecuted ye
Collector here Mr. Byerley, without any aparent cause, and at last
suspended him without acquainting me with his reasons, tho' I
had told him before hee was a patent officer, and that as such I
considered hee had noe power of suspending him, that I verilly
beleive hee has some secret reasons for his conduct which hee will
not owne. When I urg'd H.M. patent to him, hee replyed she
had noe power to grant such a patent, which indeed stop't my
mouth, thinking after that all replyes were needless. Since that
time I have received H.M. letter commanding me to allow to
Mr. Byerley his sallary dureing ye time of his illegall suspention
(as it is there) called by the then Lord Cornbury, and to dissallow
to Mr. Faukonier who executed that office for that time by his
Lordpp's. commission, the sallary hee has in his accounts made
good to himselfe for that service ; which I think will sufficiently
justifie Mr. Byerley in refuseing his suspention as to his patent.
I can guess noe other reason for his conduct, but that hee had a
mind to pack a sett of officers for a purpose very frequent in his
mouth that hee was sent hither to make his fortune ; hee is now
gone for England, and Mr. Byerley has acquainted the Lord
Treasurer and Commissioners of ye Customes very perticularly
with everything relateing to this affaire. P.S. I have not had
time to gett a copie of my Interview wt. the Indians before I
reed. Mr. Sec. St. John's letters, but I have inclos'd to him that
I had, to which I beg leave to referr you. Your Lordps. will also
receive herewith the body of Laws of New York from 1691, as
you are pleased to order. Signed, Ro. Hunter. Endorsed,
Reed. 22nd, Read 31st Oct., 1711. 11 pp. Enclosed,
95. i. Account of subsistance of Palatines at New York/
Nov. 2, 1710 June 24, 1711, at Qd. per diem adults,
4L per diem young. Total, 10,243 19s. 8d. Endorsed,
Reed. Oct. 22, 1711. 2 pp.
95. ii. Propositions of the Five Nations and River Indians
to Governor Hunter in Albany, Aug. 17-18, 1711,
relating to the Expedition against Quebec. Indians
100 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
bring between 7 and 800 warriors for the Expedition,
and receive presents etc. Set out, N.Y. Docs. V. pp.
265-277. Endorsed, Reed. Nov. 3, 1711. 23 pp.
[C.O. 5, 1050. Nos. 27, 27 i., ii. ; and (without enclosures)
5, 1122. pp. 428-440.]
Sept. 12. 96. Governor Hunter to [? Mr. Secretary St. John}. On
New York. J un e 14th last I had ye honour not without a great deale of
pleasure of yours of Feb. 6th and 21st with H.M. Instructions
and commands relateing to ye Expedition agt. H.M. enemys in
these parts, by an express from ye Lt. Genii. Nicholson who was
but just then arrived at Boston with ye two men of warr and
transports destin'd for this place. The express reacht me 100
miles up in Hudson's River upon my return from an interveiw
with the Five Indian Cantons (v. No. 95 ii.). I hope it will not
be tedious to you to read ye occasion of this interview, for I have
ever since look't upon it as a favourable presage of success. It
was briefly thus ; Being inform'd that Joncoeur and Longeuil,
two French officers and agents, were then in the Seneca's country,
the most remote and powerfull of all our savage allies, that they
had already built a block-house in their cheife place of residence,
and had projected a fort there, I sent Col. Schuyler with some
other men of interest with the Indians to require ye performance
of their former promisses and engagements, that the blockhouse
should be forthwith pulled downe, the French dismist, and their
promise that for ye future they would receive noe more such upon
such errands, all which they performed tho' with some difficulty,
and desired in company with the cheife of the other four cantons
to meet me at Albany, where accordingly I met them. They
renewed their covenant, promiss'd punctuall obedience to all
H.M. commands, and at my desire broke off the designe of a
warr they had meditated agt. some of the farr Indian Nations,
promising not to stir from home without leave. Upon receipt
of ye express, I dispatch 't another back to Albany with orders
to detaine 10 Sachims of each Canton till further orders. At
New York I gave all necessary orders for bread and other pro-
visions, ordered the Fever sham to Virginia and Maryland for
pork, this country affording none, and then went to New London
in Connecticut to concert matters with the Councill of Warr
constituted by H.M. for that purpose. Refers to enclosure. I dis-
patcht Col. Schuyler from New London with orders to ye Sachims
above-mentioned to bring downe imediatley all their fight-
ing men with their arms and canoes to Albany. Being return'd
to New York, I had ye Assembly of ye two provinces to manage,
provisions to secure for the forces by sea and land, and Indians,
and batteaus to build for their transportation. Time begun to
press, for at New London wee had news of ye arrivall of ye whole
fleet. What past in ye two Assemblys, which met ye one at
New York ye 2nd of July, the other at Perth Amboy the sixth,
the Journals of Councills and Assemblys of both provinces will
amply informe you. The Assembly of New York raised 10,000
for that use, and their quota of men being 600 : tho' they grumbled
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 101
1711.
much at ye proportion, which however is warranted by H.M.
Generall Instructions, yet they resolved to raise them in this
nianner,350 Christians, 150 Long Island Indians and 100 Palatines,
which they desired of me, on ye Province's account. All which
were raised except the Indians, of which number I cold find but
50, all ye rest by ye artifices of those who call themselves their
masters being retir'd to their lurking holes in ye woods. I
found meanes howe'r to find about 40 more from Connecticut.
These sea-coast Indians being of great use for managing batteaus
and canoes and all other hard labour. The Assembly of ye
Jerseys raised 5000 for this service to be disposed on by me ; as
the Minutes will inform you. I imployed all hands and arts for
levy's there ; and with some difficulty found at last neare upon
200 volunteers. In short before ye end of ye month, I had ye
troops levy'd, clothed, accoutred and victualled and upon their
march for Albany, had ready made 330 batteaus, capable of
carrying each 6 men with their provisions, and had sent round to
Boston a sufficient quantity of bread, and a very considerable
stock of other provisions, the pork from Virginia not being then
arrived, and on ye 9th of August went in company with Lt.
Generall Nicholson to Albany. I have imployed 300 Palatines
in this service, 100 upon the account of this province, about
100 more to compleat the regular troops to their establishment
being much weakened by a number of invalids in pay, none of
that kind haveing ever beene taken off their hands or disposed
of into hospitalls since their first establishment. The rest if the
Jersey money does not hold out, must fall to H.M. share. I was
troubled to find noe news of our Indians at Albany. Wee made
however our other troops ffyle off as they came upp. They
arrived at last, on Aug. 24th, a jolly crew, about 800 men in
number, very likely men, with all marks of a hearty disposition
for the service, as you will better understand by ye Minutes of
my proceedings with them, and on Aug. 30th they followed ye
troops. These forces consist of Col. Ingoldesby's Regiment
form'd out of ye regular troops compleated by ye Palatines and
joined by the Jersey forces=600 ; Col. Schuyler's Regiment
consisting of ye troops raised in this province, Long Island,
Indians and Palatines=550 ; Col. Whiteing's Regiment composed
of ye Connecticut levys 360 ; and ye Five Nations with their
allies=800. Upon my arrivall at New York on Sept. 1st, I
received advice by a letter of Admirall Walker's that ye Fleet
which had sailed July 28th was upon Aug. 14th in the mouth of
St. Laurence River in good condition and with a faire wind.
The Admirall presses much the sending after him more provisions
for feare of being obliged to winter there. I have now hi this
port the Feversham with transports haveing on board a
thousand and odd barrills of pork, and as much bread, flower,
butter, pease, rum and tobacco as they can carry, which are to
saile for Quebeck the first wind that off errs, which I hope will
make all easey. This, Sir, is ye present state of this glorious
enterprize, which God prosper, hitherto it has a good aspect, and
if there is any creditt to be given to ye report of three French
102 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
officers whom I have detained prisoners, they comeing under ye
mask of Flaggs of Truce (a pernicious custome in these parts)
but really to spye, they are not there well provided for such an
attempt. I beleive the Queene has not a subject with a heart
warmer for her glory and interest than mine. Pardon me this
vanity since it is all I have to boast of, but you doe me but bare
justice to beleive that the concerne you have in this affaire with
that of a freind whom I have esteemed with more than a common
affection ever since I have known him, and who is now at ye
head of it, wou'd have beene sufficient to determine me to vote
all ye endeavours of my life to it's success. I must begg your
patience whilst I give you an account of an accident which fell
out here, and noe doubt but will be improved to my prejudice,
by those who have all along struck at H.M. interest thro' my
sides. The Feversham being almost unmann'd by the death,
desertion and sickness of her crew, and the only ship of warr
then with us, when I had resolved to send her to Virginia for ye
provision for ye forces, I consulted some of the Councill about an
expedient for manning her, being pinioned by the Act against
pressing. They advised to send for all ye masters of ships and
sloops embargo 'd here, and to borrow some men of each in pro-
portion to ye numbers of their respective crows upon promise to
restore them upon the returne of ye Feversham, which would be
an aparent advantage to them in saveing their provisions, dureing
the embargoe, which accordingly I did, and all of them readilly
complyed, except one Foy the supercargoe of a brigantine just
come in from Bristoll, who used me with that insolence, that the
gentlemen present were ashamed of my patience, the other
masters gave in the names of such money (sic ? men) as they
cold spare. I sent my owne boat on board of them with an
officer to receive the men accordingly, hee returned and told me
that all that Bristoll ship's crew were desireous to goe ; I sent
him back with his former orders for one half e only as it was agreed
on, by the time he gott to ye shipps side, this supercargoe was
got on board, and ye whole crew fell upon ye officer and soldiers
with handspikes, tho' ye officer called to them frequently to take
care what they did, that hee came by order of the Government
and to doe harme to noe man, but one of ye soldiers being knock't
downe, shott one of ye crew who dyed next day. I sent for the
crew on shoare and examined them, they declared all that ye
man who was shott had beene soe drunck and troublesome, that
they had beene obliged to bind him till the boatswain who
they blamed most untyed him on purpose for that tumult.
Which boatswain imediatley after run away. The Coroner's
inquest found that John Moore a soldier had killed that man.
Upon which I made him prisoner. Some time after the Grand
Jury of this City presented and found guilty of murder the said
John Moore and Capt. Riggs upon the evidence of that supercargoe
and some others of his crew, not haveing thought fitt to call for
any other. The Capt. was gone upon ye Expedition, the soldier
I delivered over into ye hands of ye Civill magistrate in order for
his tryall. This Sir is a true account of that affaire. The whole
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 103
1711.
Expedition depended upon the saileing of that ship. She was
unmann'd partly by the evill practices of ye Country who have
not only encouraged such desertion, but protected nay rescued
the deserters when legalley secured and in custody of ye constables,
and when I had ordered a prosecution of such riotts noe Jury
would find for ye Queene tho' upon unquestionable evidence,
and ye Queen's evidence were abused and ill treated by ye people
upon this occasion. I have weary ed my Lord Dartmouth and
ye Lords of Trade with the greivances of this Government. My
sufferings are of small account, but I'll venture once more to
affiruie that without speedy and etfectuall remedy H.M. can make
noe State of any Government in this place, and in a little time,
the desease may prove too strong for ye cure. You are pleas'd
to lay your commands upon me to take into my thoughts the
whole state of the Brittish interest in these parts. I am highly
sensible of ye honour you doe me, and at the same time of my
want of capacity to think much to the purpose on soe great a
subject, which indeed deserves and requires the thoughts of ye
greatest Councill in the Realme. That it is in a bad state, the
frequent tumults in all parts, and ye generall aversion to the
support of Government in most, are sufficient indications. What
you are pleas'd to hint of putting all North America under one
uniforme plan of Government, would most certainely be a sure
remedy, but I am afraid it is too lingering a one for the present
exigencey. The purchaseing proprietyes and takeing away of
usurpations being a work of time and trouble. The propriety
Governments which were moddelled according to the humours
of their respective proprietors, consist of ye Governor and ye
Representatives, the Councill in most being a meer cypher,
haveing noe share of the Legislature. By which meanes the
Governours depending upon the good will of the people for their
daily bread have beene obliged to make such concessions and
past them into Laws, that if these Governments be purchased and
continued upon ye foot they now stand H.M. pays deare for much
trouble and noe dominion. This is ye plan of Government how-
ever they all aime at and make noe scruple to owne it. The
Legislature of ye Governments iniediatly under H.M., is in the
Governor, Councill and Assembly by H.M. gracious concession,
for the time was when in this very province, the Governor and
Councill were the sole Legislature, but the Assembly's claimeiiig
all ye previledges of a house of Commons and stretching them
even beyond what they were ever imagined to be there, should
the Councill by ye same rule lay claime to ye rights and priviledges
of a house of Peers here is a body politick coeordlnate with
(claimeing equall powers) and consequently independant of the
Great Councill of the Realme. A greater assertor of Liberty,
one at least that understood it better than any of them, has
said, that as Nationall or Independant Empire is to be exercised
by them that have ye proper ballance of Dominion in the Nation,
soe Provinciall or Dependant Empire is not to be exercised by
them that have the ballance of dominion in the province, because
that would bring the Government from provincial! and dependant
104 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
to Nationall and Independant. Which is a reflection that
deserves some consideration for the sake of another from ye same
person to wit, That ye Colonies were infants, sucking their
mother's breasts, but such as if he was not mistaken, would
weane themselves when they came of age. Upon the whole
I humbly submitt it, if it may not be adviseable at this time,
untill a proper remedy be applyed, that H.M. by her royall
letters (for what a Governor says passes for nothing) put them
in mind that all such priviledges as they claime as bodys politick,
they hold of her especiall grace and noe longer then they shall use
them for her interest and the support of her Government. This
which most assuredly will be of noe force toward the settling of
a revenue here, yet may be of use to keep them within bounds
in other matters. I wish it were in my power to doe for Mr.
Harison as he deserves and I cold wish. There is one imployment
which is imediatley in your owne that is ye Secretaries place of
the Jersies. Mr. Bass ye present Secretary being soe obnoxious
a man, and indeed infamous, that I cannot beleive H.M. will be
induced to continue him there after the representations I have
made against him. There is another, since Mr. Kiel has given
over thoughts of returneing hither, which is Surveyor Generall
of the Customes in these parts. Mr. Birchfeild who is possessed
of that place being gone for England, and haveing demeaned
himselfe in such a manner whilest here that I can hardly be
perswaded the Commissioners of ye Customes will send him back
hither againe. Hee is very capable of executeing either of these
imployments to ye satisfaction of all concerned, and it will be
noe small pleasure to me to have him soe provided. I humbly
ask pardon for this long tedious epistle, and am afraid I shall be
under an obligation to trouble you with more. In the meantime
I begg your recommendation to my Lord Treasurer for my bills,
and your assistance towards a remedy for my pressures here,
etc. Signed, Ro. Hunter. 11 pp. [C.O. 5, 1084. No. 48.]
Sept. 12. 97. Governor Hunter to Lord Dartmouth. Refers to and
New York, repeats parts of preceding. Signed, Ro. Hunter. 1| pp.
Enclosed,
97. i. Duplicate of No. 96.
97. ii. Extract from same.
97. iii. Copy of the proceedings of the Congress at New Lon-
don, June 21, 22, 1711. 8 pp.
97. iv. Copy of Col. Schuyler's Journal of his journey to
Onondage, May 2, 1711, etc.
97. v. Copy No. 95 ii.
97. vi. Copy of Minutes of a Council of War held at Albany,
Aug. 23 28th, 1711. 1 pp.
97. vii. Copy of Journal of the General Assembly of New
Jersey, July 6 16th, 1711. Printed. 5 pp.
97. viii. Copy of Journal of General Assembly of New York,
July 2 Aug. 4, 1711. 12pp.
97. ix. Copy of Minutes of Council of New Jersey, July 6 16,
1711. 8 pp.
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 105
1711.
07. x. Copy of Minutes of Council of New York, June 10
Sept. 3, 1711. 38 pp.
97. xi. Duplicate of No. 95, without postscript.
97. xii. Duplicate of covering letter supra. [C.O. 5, 1091.
Nos. 4357.]
Sept. 12. 98. George Lee to [? Mr. Fox]. Since my last letters to
On board the y Our Honour by the H umber and Devonshire from Cape Brittoon,
marToTwar our fl 66 * in going up the River of Canada has met with a most
in the fatall accident : whether it be ignorance or carelessness in our
Spanish River. Admiral, or by what meanes I know not : the fleet in a fresh
gale the 21st Aug. about 12 at night run ashoar on the North
side of the River at a place called Egg Iseland : by God's great
providence but 9 ships are lost of the whole 75 ships, but no man
of war is lost ; the forces on board the ships cast away are com-
puted to be about 1500 men officers and soldiers, of which number
about 200 were found alive on shoar ; the regiments that suffer'd
most were Col. Seymour's and Col. Windreil's. The ship I
was in with the Rhoad Island men under my command was in the
midst of the breaches among the Red : but Providence has sav'd
us. The next day the Admiral order'd a man of war to find a
harbor and to bring off if possible all that were alive on the shoar,
which has been effected : 8 or 10 vessells besides ours lost the
Fleet. The next night not seeing any signal made by the Admiral
who bore away for this River, we turn'd up believing he was
sayl'd for Canada notwithstanding the loss : but the winds being
against us, forced us to the same place where the ships suffer'd and
the Leopard lay to take up the men : we came to anchor and went
ashoar, where to our surprize we heard the Fleet was come this
way and the Expedition broke, such a dismall spectacle was
never seen, nine ships tore to pieces, and the bodies of 12 or 13
hundred brave men with women and children lying in heapes on
the shoar : we stay'd with the Leopard three days and then sayl'd
hither about 150 leagues ; we met with two violent stormes in
our passage hither, and sprung a leake, but I bless God we came
in safe : here we find the Admiral sending home the New England
vessells, and going home with the fleet : this Leopard carries the
express with this ill news : our expedition is over, a garrison is
going to relieve the men at Port Royall, and the officers that are
upon that establishment are order'd thither, of which number
I am : I have commanded as Lieut. Colonel the Rhoad Island
forces, and notwithstanding the many vacancies I have not
interest enough to get a Capt.'s commission, being wholly a
stranger to General Hill, who has an extraordinary good charr-
acter ; he thinks it so unreasonable that I should go to Port
Royall a Lieut, and be commanded there by those whom I have
these two years commanded as Major and Lieut. Colonell, that
he has granted me a furlow for 9 months to go home, and if possible
to get a captain's Commission ; he has order'd me to sayle to
Rhoad Island with my 200 men and deliver them to the Govern-
ment I have serv'd : I designe God willing to do so, and hope to
see my good friend Genii. Nicholson, whose advice 1 shall allwayes
106 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
begg and take ; we are in very great paine for that good man,
who is marcht to attack Canada by land, and fear that upon this
miscarriage of ours lie will be overpower'd and cut off by the
French and Indians : I designe to stay six months at Boston to
receive your Honour's commands, etc. My humble duty to Lady
Fox and all your family. Signed, George Lee. Copy. 2 pp.
[C.O. 5, 9. No. 15.]
Sept. 13. 99. Wm. Popple to the Secretaries of the Treasury. In
reply to Aug. '31st. The Council of Trade command me to ac-
quaint you, that notwithstanding all the Governors in America
have Instructions to take care that fan 1 books of accounts of all
receipts and payments of publick mony be duly kept, and the
truth thereof tested upon oath, and that authentick copies of
the same be transmitted half yearly to the Lord High Treasurer
and to the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, and not-
withstanding their Lordships have frequently writ to remind the
Governors of the said Instructions, and to demand such accounts,
they have not received any from the Governments on the Con-
tinent (and only some few from Jamaica) and therefore their
Lordships are not able to inform my Lord High Treasurer
whether there be any mony of H.M. Revenues in that country,
that may be applyed in ease of the expence of the garrison of
Annopohs. But they presume that Mr. Blathwayt, who is
auditor and surveyor of the Revenue arrising in the Plantations
may be able to lay a state of this matter before my Lord High
Treasurer. [C.O. 218, 1. pp. 1820; and 5, 913. pp. 346,
347.]
Sept. 17. 100. Order of Queen in Council. Referring enclosed petition
Windsor, to the Council of Trade and Plantations, who are to report upon
the premises, and to make a strict enquiry, how the money
appropriated by the Assembly to the use of the two sloops has
been applyed, etc. Signed, John Povey. Endorsed, Reed.
Sept. 25th, Read Oct. 23rd, 1711. l^ pp. Enclosed,
100. i. Petition of Thomas Simson, of Port Royal, and -
Gandy, widow and administratrix of Charles Gandy,
of Jamaica, to the Queen. The General Assembly
in March last passed an Act for raising 5000 for the
fitting out two sloops to cruize about the Island for
security of the Island against privateers. Thomas
Simson, Thos. Finch and the late Charles Gandy, being
all of the Assembly, were appointed Commrs. and
authorized to fitt out the said sloops, and Charles
Chaplain, H.M. Collector, was ordered to pay the said
5000 to them for that purpose. The Commissioners
agreed for the hire of the said two sloops, but could not
procure sailors to mann them, tho' there were near
3000 registred seamen about a year before who had all
deserted. Simson and the other Commrs. in the next
Assembly laid before them an account of their proceed-
ings, as directed by the Act, but to Simson's great sur-
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 107
1711.
prize Charles Chaplain, H.M. Collector, produces to the
Assembly receipts of Finches, one of the Comrnrs., to
the value of 3800, pretended to be paid him in pursu-
ance of the said Act, without Sirnson and Gandy, the
other Commrs'. authority or priority. Finch abscond-
ing, and Charles Gandy being lately dead, the bond
executed to your Majesty by Simson, Gandy and Finch
in the penalty of 5000Z. for a due application of the
publick money, was putt in suit against Simson and
Gandy, who were obliged to pay or secure to be paid the
said 3800. Petitioners are credibly informed that
Finch never received the said 3800 of Chaplin upon
accot. of the said Act, tho' he had given receipts pur-
porting the same, but that Finch was indebted to Chaplin
in the like sum upon some former account, which they
contrived to discharge this way. This is a manifest
fraud and deceit in Chaplin, to prosecute petitioners
in your Majesty's name, when he hath still the publick
money in his own hands, and not one penny issued
but applyed by himself to discharge a private demand,
betwixt Finch and himself, wch. your petitioner's
bond had no relation to. Pray for relief, etc. Copy.
3pp. [C.O. 137, 9. Nos. 46, 46 i. ; and 138, 13. pp.
356360.]
Sept. 18. 101. J.S. to the Earl of Dartmouth. Remarks upon the
present state of Maryland without a Governor from persons'
letters of undoubted credit etc., by J.S. Addressed. Postmarks.
1 p. Enclosed,
101. i. Copy of trial of Thomas Macnemara and John Mitchell
for the murder of John Graham (v. infra.), July Oct. 14,
1710. Verdict of " homicide by chance medley."
Macnemara, pleading benefit of clergy as a clerk, is
branded in the left hand with the letter M. ; Mitchell is
pardoned. 8 pp.
101. ii. Extracts from letters from Maryland concerning above,
(a) Maryland, Aug. 13, 1710. Macknemarra of Annapolis
has killed a master of a sloop and has had ye honour
to be in irons these 4 or 5 months, and his cousin Rud-
man ; if there had been justice done him he should have
been hang'd ; the manner, I suppose he was employ'd
as a lawyer to gett a small quantity of money of one
Graham (a Philadelphia mercht.) and knowing him to
be a stout fellow borrowes a pair of pistolls of Garrett.
It was such a pedling buisness the Sheriff would have
no hand in it, so he gets Garrett's boat away for ye
sloop which lay in ye Bay without an order from ye
Sheriff, so boarding ye sloop, Graham cry'd, Do ye come
friends or enemies ? Cried they, Friends. Then you
are welcom, said Graham. With that said Mackne-
marra, You are my prisoner. I'le carry you ashoar
108 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
with me. With that Graham getts hold of him to toss
him overboard ; in ye scuffle Macknemarra shootes
Graham under ye armpitt with a brace of balls. Graham
with falling breaks his arm and all ye time Mackne-
marra laying him on with ye cock of ye pistoll till he
fractur'd his skull in severall places. Graham cryed,
you have murder'd me. Then being in that weak
condition he getts him ashore to his own house, and sends
for Dr. Moor and some others, but all in vain, he dy'd
ye next morning. Macknemarra and Rudman were
immediatly clapt into irons and try'd, but to no purpose,
it was brought in chance medly, tho' it was wilfull
murder. If they had been honest fellows they had been
both hang'd presently. This Country does no justice
in ye world it quite stinks for want of a Governour to
sett them to rights. They threaten to pull down all
ye prisons if they putt anybody in prison for protested
bills. People runn away daily with 2 or 3 families at
a time in sloops with negroes and all to North Carolina,
(b) Maryland, Arpil 4, 1711. I am sorry we have not
a Governour with us to putt some life and courage into
a drooping people. The villain Macknemarra privately
gott away from hence to Virginia, and from thence in
a small scotch vessell for Scotland. You will probably
see or hear of him in London amongst the merchts.,
and perhaps he will endeavour to be accquainted with
ye Governour ; wherefore take a true relation of his
villanies and barbarities. Describes murder as in
preceding. He was arraign 'd for murder, but ye Roman
Catholicks all his bosom friends pack't a jury for ye
purpose, who found it manslaughter only, for which he
was burnt in ye hand. He staid with us till Dec. last
in which month contrary to ye order of nature, he
bugger'd Wm. Taylard's little boy, who made his own
complaint, whereupon a warrant was issu'd out against
him. He absconded for a few dayes, and afterwards went
off incognito. Mr. C. a noted Roman Catholick was
much his friend in having him accquitted of ye murther.
3 pp. [C.O. 5, 720. Nos. 8, 8 i., ii.].
[Sept. 20.] 102. (a.) List of inhabitants of Nevis and St. Kitts with the
amount of their losses by the late invasion proved by
the Commission, submitted by Stephen Duport, who
appears as their attorney to receive the debentures
granted them by Parliament. 4 pp.
(6.) Form of a Certificate that the above remained after
the invasion and that they or their agents are resettling
their plantations, and that their shares of the bounty
have not been bought or sold by way of stock jobbing,
etc. The whole endorsed, Reed. Read Sept. 20, 1711.
U PP> [C.O. 152, 9. Nos. 78, 79.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
109
1711.
[Sept. 20.] 1 03. Draught of a debenture to be issued to the sufferers of
Nevis and St. Kitts. Endorsed, Sept. 20, 1711. Printed. 1 p.
[C.O. 152, 9. No. 80 ; and 153, 11. p. 372.]
Sept. 20.
Whitehall.
104. Mr. Popple to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General.
Application having been made to the Council of Trade and Plan-
tations by several persons here in behalf of the sufferers of Nevis
and St. Christophers, that debentures may be issued to them,
pursuant to an Act past the last Sessions of Parliament, their
Lordships are desirous to speak with you thereupon, etc. [C.O.
153, 11. p. 371.]
[Sept. 20.] 105. H.M. Instructions to Governor Parke for granting lands
in the French part of St. Xtophers. Nov. 30, 1705. q.v.
A return of the same is to be made to the Ld. High Treasurer,
and grants by the Governor are not to be for a longer period than
2| years, etc. St. James, Nov. 30, 1705. Countersigned,
Godolphin. Endorsed, Reed. 19th, Read 20th, 1711. 2% pp.
[C.O. 152, 9. No. 81.]
[Sept. 20.] 106. H.M. Confirmation of Mrs. Elizabeth Bowden's grant
of plantation lands in St. Kitts. Aug. 14, 1707. Countersigned,
Godolphin. 2| pp. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 82.]
Sept. 22.
Sept. 22.
Whitehall.
Sept. 25.
Whitehall.
Sept. 25.
Whitehall.
107. The Attorney and Solicitor General to the Council of
Trade and Plantations. Reply to Sept. 20. We will attend
yr. Lordps. on Thursday, etc. Signed, Ed. Northey, Rob.
Raymond. Endorsed, Reed. 22nd, Read 25th Sept., 1711.
Addressed. \p. [C.O. 152, V. No.. 83.]
108. Earl of Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and Plan-
tations. Mr. Hugh Totterdell of Jamaica being very well re-
commended to H.M. to be one of Her Council in that Island, I
desire to know whether you have any objection, etc. Signed,
Dartmouth. Endorsed, Reed. Oct. 30th, Read Nov. 1st, 1711.
1 p. [C.O. 137, 9. No. 49 ; and 138, 13. p. 374.]
109. Mr. Popple to the Secretaries of the Treasury. The
Council of Trade and Plantations recommend H.M. confirmation
of the grant of land in St. Kitts to Lt. Governor Lambert, as
proposed by Mr. Blathwayt (v. Aug. 15), " provided there be a
reservation of the usual quit-rents, as their Lordships find it
reserved in a grant of the like nature to Mrs. Bowden, Aug. 14,
1707, but omitted in the above grant from Col. Parke to Col.
Lambert." [C.O. 153, 11. pp. 374, 375.]
110. The Earl of Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Captain Teate, H.M.S. Reserve, having brought five
persons from Virginia, by order of the Lt. Governor, who setts
forth in the warrant he has signed for taking them into custody,
that they had raised a rebellion against the established Govern-
ment of North Carolina, and failing in their attempts, were fled
110 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
from justice ; I am to desire you will be pleased to communicate
to me what accounts you have received of this matter, particularly
in relation to the evidence produced against them. Signed,
Dartmouth. Endorsed, Reed. Read 26th Sept., 1711. 1 p.
[C.O. 5, 1316. No. 68 ; and 5, 1363. pp. 331, 332.]
Sept. 26. 111. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Dart-
Whitehall, mouth. In reply to preceding enclose extracts from Lt. Governor
Spotswood's letter etc., July 25th. We have reed, no affidavits
or other proofs, nor is there any mention in his letter to us of any
persons being sent over hither. [C.O. 5, 1363. pp. 331, 332 ;
and (rough draft} 5, 1335. p. 130.]
Sept. 27. 112. Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General to the Council of
Trade and Plantations. Having received yr. Lordps. commands to
deferr our coming to the Board, (v. Sept. 22), wee will attend on
Thursday, etc. Signed, Edw. Northey, Rob. Raymond. Endorsed,
Reed. Read Sept. 28, 1711. f p. [C.O. 152, 9. No. 84.]
[Sept. 28.] 113. Petition of Alexander Skeene, Secretary of Barbados,
to the Queen. Prays to be appointed to the Council, there being
now a vacancy by the death of George Lillington. 1 p.
Overleaf,
113. i. The Council of Trade and Plantations are to report
their opinion on this petition, etc. Signed, Dartmouth.
Whitehall, Sept. 28, 1711. The whole endorsed, Reed.
Sept. 29, Read Oct. 11, 1711. 1 pp. [C.O. 28, 13.
Nos. 64, 64 i. ; and 29, 12. p. 368.]
Sept. 29. 114. Petty Expences of the Board of Trade, postage, station-
ery, etc. 6pp. [C.O. 388, 76. Nos. 122 124.]
Oct. 1. 115. James Blake to Mr. Secretary St. John. Replies to
London. the complaints of several Colonels of regiments now employed
in the expedition under General Hill relating to the cloathing
and accouterments furnished by him. I was not acquainted to
what place the expedition was designed, etc. I was directed to
supply for the militia and H.M. forces, etc. The sergants surtout
coates were made of the best Glocestershire cloaths, and 1396
of the centinells' coates, the rest of the centinells with whole
thick kerseys, which are as dear as cloath, but allowed by every-
body to wear much longer, and is what all the foreigners cloath
withall. As to their not being lined H.M. saved largely thereby
in what was given the militia. The breeches, hatts etc. were as
good or better then is used by the Army. Mr. Nettmaker the
Commissary was very nice in his inspection and returned great
quantity es that did not come up fully to the pattern, though
these were accepted by some of the regiments now upon the
expedition. The complaints began at Portsmouth, altho' none
of the cloathing was seen, and by that means the goods were
tossed from vessell to vessell much to their damage, and several
of them left behind etc. Signed, J. W. Blake. 1| pp. Enclosed,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. Ill
1711.
115. i. Certificate by Richard Hallam, Packer, corroborating
preceding. London, Oct. 1, 1711. Signed, Richd.
Hallam. 1 p. [C.O. 42, 13. Nos. 9, 10, (and dupli-
cates) 10 (i.), 11, 11 i.]
Oct. 3. 116. Presents made to the Chief Sachems of the Five Nations
of the Iroquois Indians by Lt. Gen. Nicholson at the House of
the honble. Col. Peter Schuyler in Albany, Oct. 3, 1711. One
Queen Anne's guinea in memory of H.M. One of ye Oxford
Almanack's with ye cutt made upon their late sending the four
embassadors for England, shewing H.M. tender regard for them.
One kane with an amber head in memory of himselfe and in
token that as ye said head when warme is of an attractive power,
so his and their loves should be warme and attractive to draw
each to other. One multiplying glass to represent to them ye
fraud of the French in making a few things seem to be many.
One pair of pocket brass musquetoons and one long gun to shew
the French how well they are armed. And two barrills of bear
to drink the Queen's health, all wch. they thankfully reed, and
replied, Brother Anndegariax, we thank you and promise to
keep your presents in ye Onondage Castle etc. You have shewn
our belts of wampum formerly given you and desired that as
you have kept them so we keep these things, which we promise
to do, and that you shall see them whenever we have the honour
of your company that way etc. Signed, P. Schuyler. Laurens
Clase, Interpreter. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 9. No. 68.]
Oct. 5. 117. Mr. Harley to Mr. Popple. Encloses following for the
Treasury opinion of the Council of Trade and Plantations thereon by
3rs> Tuesday morning, Signed, T. Harley. Endorsed, Reed. 6th,
Read llth Oct., 1711. 1 p. Enclosed,
117. i. Petition of London merchants trading to Virginia
and Maryland to Robert, Earl of Oxford, Lord High
Treasurer. Protest against a new order of the Customs
forbidding the passing of any entries of tobacco inwards
until the bonds were discharged, for which the merchants
have always hitherto been allowed a full eighteen months
law, etc. Copy. 2| pp. [C.O. 5, 1316. Nos. 69, 69
i.; and 5, 1363. pp. 332 339.]
Oct. 11. 118. Mr. Perry to Mr. Popple. Encloses following. The
Trade have agreed to be at Whitehall on fry day morning, the
Queen is at a vast charge and so is the merchants : and time goes
off hand : and the fame of this dispute (v. Oct. 5) runs to Virga.
altogether is a publique evile. Signed, Micajah Perry. En-
dorsed, Reed. 10th, Read llth Oct., 1711. Addressed. Postmark.
| p. Enclosed,
118. i. Mr. Bayley to Mr. Perry. List of Acts laying duties
upon tobacco. Signed, Arthur Bayley. Addressed.
1 p. [C.O. 5, 1316. Nos. 70, 70 i.; and (without en-
closure] 5, 1363. p. 340.]
112
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
Oct. 11.
Whitehal.
Oct. 15.
Virginia.
119. Mr. Popple to the Secretaries of the Treasury. Reply
to Oct. 5. The Council of Trade and Plantations do find by an
Act pass'd II and III Anne, that the time for the exportation of
tobacco etc. is inlarged to 18 months ; but they do not find that
the several times for the payment of the duties are altered ;
however in regard of the low state of the Tobacco trade, and that
the merchants in case they do not export their tobacco in the
time limitted do pay interest from the time the Customs are due,
their Lordships are of opinion that if the merchants are indulg'd,
as they affirm has been used, so far as to have an oppertunity
to clear their bonds by debentures, it will at this time not only
be a great ease to them, but an encouragement to the Virginia
and Maryland trade which, as above limited, is at present in a
low condition, and that the not permitting the merchants who
are already in bonds to H.M. to make entries of their tobacco
upon good and sufficient security till their former bonds be
discharged, may prove a discouragement to that Trade, and in
all probability will produce those ill consequences set forth by
the merchants in their said Memorial, ete. [C.O. 5, 1363. pp.
340342 ; and (rough draft] 5, 1335. pp. 134136.]
120. Lt. Governor Spotswood to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. After what I writt July 28th of the success of my
endeavours in quietting the commotions in North Carolina, I
was in hopes I should not have had occasion to trouble your
Lordships again with the affairs of that unhappy country ; but
a more dismall and unexpected accident happening there lately,
I think it my duty to give your Lordps. the following account of
it, together with my proceedings thereupon. On the 22nd of
the last month some towns of the Tuscaruro Indians and other
Nations bordering on Carolina made an incursion upon the head
of Neuse and Pam[plico] Rivers in that Province, without any
previous declaration of war or show of discontent, and having
divided themselves into partys, at sunrise (which was their
signal) begun a barbarous massacre on the inhabitants of the
frontier plantations, killing without distinction of age or sex
about 60 English and upwards of that number of Swiss and
Palatines, besides a great many left dangerously wounded. The
Baron de Graff enried, Cheif of the Swiss and Palatine settlement
there, is also fallen into their hands, and carryed away prisoner ;
since which [they] have continued their ravages, in burning
those plantations, and others deserted by the inhabitants for
fear of the like crueltys. The Governor, Mr. Hyde, has raised
what men he can to oppose the further invasion of the heathen,
and protect the rest of the country ; but that spirit of disobedience,
to which they have been long accustomed, still prevails so much,
that he can hardly perswade them to unite for their common
safety. I will not affirm that the invitation given those savages,
some time ago by Coll. Gary and his party, to cutt off their
fellow subjects (tho' that heavy charge is proved by divers
testimonys and firmly beleived in Carolina) has been the only
occasion of this tragedy ; yet it appears very reasonable to beleive
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 113
1711.
that the Indians have been greatly encouraged in this attempt,
by the unnatural divisions and animositys among the inhabitants,
and I very much fear their mutinous and cowardly behaviour
in some late skirmishes will embolden the Indians to continue
their insolencies. Upon the first advice of this unhappy event,
I sent out detachments of our Militia to prevent our Tributary
Indians from joining with those savages, and understanding that
the greater part of the Tuscaruros had refused to be concerned
with the rest of their Nation in this bloody execution, I have sent
to them and the other neighbouring Indians to meet me next
week on our frontiers, in order to a treaty. And as they stand in
some awe of this Government, both from the opinion they have
of our strength, and their apprehensions of the loss of our trade
upon a rupture, I hope at this Conference to work so far on their
fears and interests as at least to preserve their friendship, if not
to engage their assistance for the destruction of those Assassines.
There is very little temptation for any man to enter upon an
Indian war, nor much honour to be got by encountering a people
more like wild beasts than men : but if war be the only means
left us to secure H.M. people and territorys from the Heathen,
I don't doubt but our Assembly (which is to meet the 7th of the
next month) will take such resolutions as become them to provide
for the effectual prosecution of it. But whatever air I may give
the matter, to the Indians, I must not conceal from your Lordps.
the incapacity of this country for an offensive or defensive war.
Our Militia are in a manner wholly destitute of ammunition,
and as ill provided with arms that are usefull, and unless H.M.
will be pleased to send in a supply of both to ly ready against an
emergency, I fear I shall not be able to sustain any considerable
attack of an enemy. Upon the apprehensions we had this
summer of the French squadron (which is said to be now in the
West Indies) I made a shift to raise four forts, and run some
lines for the defence of our cheif rivers, and to mount about 70
peices of cannon, not finding at my arrival such a thing as either
parapet, pallisade, or one single peice of ordnance mounted
throughout the whole Government. I endeavour'd to make our
last Assembly sensible of the naked condition of their country,
but the expence appearing to them then, much more immediate
than the danger, they were easily influenced by their low circum-
stances to deferr the consideration thereof, however I prevailed
on them to revive in the meanwhile a former Law made for the
defence of the country in times of danger, and by virtue of that
law I have carryed on the abovementioned works during the late
alarm. Notwithstanding I have been mightily embarassed by
a sett of Quakers, who broach doctrines so monstrous as their
brethren in England have never own'd, nor indeed can be suffer'd
in any Government ; they have not only refused to work them-
selves, or suffer any of their servants to be imployed in the
fortifications ; but affirm that their consciences will not permitt
them to contribute in any manner of way to the defence of the
country, even so much as trusting the Government for provisions
to support those that do work, tho' at the same time they say,
Wt. 26089. C,P. 8.
114 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
that being obliged by their religion to feed their enemy s, if the
French should come hither,' and want provisions they must in
conscience supply them. As this opinion of theirs is quite
different from their practice in Carolina where they were the most
active in taking arms to putt down that Government (tho' they
now fly again to the pretence of conscience to be excused from
assisting against the Indians) I have thought it necessary to
put the laws of this country in execution against that sect of
people, which impower me to imploy all persons as I shall see
fitt, for the defence of the country in times of danger, and imposes
fines and penaltys on their disobedience ; I doubt not they will
sufficiently exclaim against me on this occasion, and perhaps their
brethren in England who keep a Joint Stock (as 'tis said) to
prosecute the quarrells of all that sect, may think fitt to attack
me : but I am perswaded I shall not incurr my Sovereign's dis-
pleasure so long as I act by the rule of law ; and it is absolutely
necessary to discourage such dangerous opinions, as would render
the safety of the Government precarious, since everyone that is
either lazy or cowardly would make use of the pretence of con-
science to excuse himself from working or fighting when there is
greatest need of his service. And I fear the Quakers would find
too many proselytes on such occasions. As soon as I was informed
of this fatal accident in Carolina, I prohibited all trade from this
country with the Indians, finding they were better provided with
ammunition than we ourselves, and had the Government of
Carolina made the same stop when this country had a dispute with
those very Indians, about a murder committed here some years
ago, it is very probable they might have been more cautious of
falling upon any of H.M. plantations, when they found we
espoused one another's quarrells, but the tameness of the Govern-
ment in passing over that affair, and the constant supplys they
received from Carolina of powder shott and other riecessarys,
notwithstanding the representations of this Government, made
them beleive we were under distinct Sovereigns as well as Gover-
nors, and that we would no more assist Carolina than they us.
I have also sent to demand the releasment of the Baron of
Graff enreid, who by our advices was still alive, but supposed only
reserved for a more solemn execution, to be tommahawked and
tortured at their first publick war dances. Upon perusing the
rough drafts of my letters to your Lordships I fear there is
ommitted in the transcribing a recommendation I intended to
make to your Lordships some time agoe of Col. William Fitzhugh
to be added to the Council. He is a gentleman of a plentiful
estate, of good interest in his country, and of principles entirely
loyal so far as I have been able to discover of him. This gentle-
man being added and Col. Bassett restored, according to my
former request, will for the present compleat the number of the
Council, and give me some more time to consider of proper
persons or supplying future vacancys, which I assure your Lordps.
is a matter of some difficulty among the little choice the country
affords. If your Lordps. think fitt to recommend Mr. Fitzhugh
to H.M. there is one Mr. Richard Lee Merchant in London, (who
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 115
1711.
is his brother-in-law) will take out his warrant. Signed, A.
Spotswood. Endorsed, Reed. Read Nov. 29, 1711. 5 pp.
[C.O. 5, 1316. No. 72 ; and 5, 1363. pp. 374381.]
Oct. 15. 121. Same to [? the Earl of Dartmouth]. Duplicate of pre-
Virginia. ceding as far as " such occasions." [C.O. 5, 1337. No. 15.]
Oct. 15. 1 22. Earl of Dartmouth to the Council of Trade and Planta-
Wmdsor Castle, tions. I desire you'l be pleas'd to acquaint me by what power's
and authority's the Admiralty jurisdiction is now exercis'd in
the Plantations, etc. Signed, Dartmouth. Endorsed, Reed. 16th,
Read 23rd Oct., 1711. 1 p. [C.O. 323, 7. No. 15; and 324, 9.
p. 484.]
Oct. 17. 123. Address of the Governour, Council and Assembly of
Boston. the Massachusetts Bay to the Queen. It is with the deepest
sorrow and abasement that we are humbly bold to prostrate
ourselves at your Majesty's Royal feet under the very melancholy
awful reflection upon the late sore disaster and unhappy frustra-
tion of that important Expedition undertaken by your Majesty
at such vast cost and expence for the reduction of Canada etc.,
in the wished for success whereof we hoped by the favour of
Almighty God to have obtained some respit and ease from the
heavy pressures of a long calamitous war under which we are
languishing and have suffered the loss of so much blood and
treasure. We humbly adore the Divine wisdom and soveraignty
in that surprizing Disappointment being supported with the
consideration of having done our duty in giving assistance
thereto to the utmost of our power with a cheerful obedience to
your Majestys Royal commands etc. We should have esteemed
it a very great honour if we might have hapily been instrumental
and serviceable for making Canada a glorious acquisition to your
Majesty's Imperial Crown.. We further humbly address your
Sacred Majesty if in your princely wisdom you shall so think fit,
that a new Expedition may be brought forward for the reduction
of that country to your Majestys obedience withal most humbly
praying your Majesty's most gracious consideration of the
distressing circumstances of your Majesty's good subjects of this
Province so greatly enfeebled and impoverished by the war and
at a constant standing charge for the defence of the inland
frontiers guarding of the sea coast and other incidental charge,
little if anything short of 30,000 pr. annum communibus annis
over and above the extraordinary advances for the preparations
made in the two aforegoing years and for this years Expedition
wherein we employ'd our utmost efforts. And that your Majesty
would be graciously pleased, if it may be, to excuse us from
furnishing a Quota of men for a new Expedition, or at least from
the greatest part of the Quota directed for the former : dureing
which, near one fifth part of your Majesty's subjects of this
Province capable of bearing armes were actually retained in your
Majesty's service and under pay vizt. at the Castle, forts, garrisons
and in cruising on the coast including the souldiers and seamen
116 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
on our part imployed in the Expedition several of which are dead
of sickness and of those of your Majesty's Governmts. of this
Province New Hampshire Connecticut and Rhode Island to the
number of some hundreds left the last year in the garrison of
Annapolis Royal scarce one of five returned home, but dyed there
and near one fifth of the recruites sent thither from hence this
summer are since dead which with other mortalitys and many of
the young men of this Province going abroad by sea few of them
returning home again besides others who to avoid being called
forth to the service or paying of taxes have removed into the
neighbouring Governments, has very much diminished our
numbers etc. Signed, J. Dudley, Isa. Addington, by order of the
Council, John Burril, Speaker. Endorsed, R. 17th Jan. 17J-J-.
1 p. [C.O. 5, 10. No. 141.]
Oct. 18. 124. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Council of Trade
St. Jago de la an( j Plantations. I herewith send a duplicate of Aug. 29, by the
Salisbury bound for Bristol. The Council and Assembly having
had under their consideration the subject matter of two several
Addresses to H.M., and a Representation to your Lordships, did
apply to me to give order for stopping the said ship and some
others now bound for England, untill these Addresses and Repre-
sentation could be got ready ; which, upon their joint request,
I did accordingly, for the space of 24 hours. And now the said
Addresses and Representation being finish 'd makes me write to
your Lops, much shorter and in greater hurry than otherways
I inclined to have done, lest the merchants concern'd may think
they have any just cause of complaint. That one relating to me
in particular is what I was not in the least solicitous about ; as
being truly beyond my expectation, merit, or desire ; tho' I
could not but give way to what the Council and Assembly thought
fit in that matter. But as to the other relating to bonds for the
duties on prize goods, and the state of these bonds, as set forth in
the said Representation, (all herewith transmitted to your Lops.)
'tis what the people here have very much at heart ; and therefore
I must take the liberty earnestly to recommend the consideration
thereof to your Lops., hoping that you will concurr in promoting
the design thereof, for obtaining relief to the several persons
aggrieved by these Bonds. By the first man of war or packet-
boat, I'll do myself the honour to write to your Lops, fully of all
particulars that may occurr etc. Signed, A. Hamilton. En-
dorsed, Reed. 10th, Read 15th Jan., 17||. l%pp. Enclosed,
124. i. Address of the Governor, Council and Assembly of
Jamaica to the Queen. Oct. 18, 1711. Return thanks
for relief from the duties on the American Act, which
were so insupportable, etc. We beseech your Majesty
to extend your bountiful compassion likewise to many
poor families and a great number of seafareing men
belonging to this your Island, who have been captors
and owners of several prizes long since taken, and who
are become lyable to the payment of those duties upon
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 117
1711.
bonds already entered into, and which if your Majesty
is not graciously pleased to remit to them, must not
only be their inevetable undoing, but will prove a great
discouragement to the settlement of this your Colony.
And in regard that several of the Agents for prizes to
counter-secure themselves against the bonds they had
entered into have kept in their hands out of such prizes
as they were concerned for as much if not more than
what the real duties amounted to which Agents if your
Majesty should be graciously pleased to remit the said
bonds would take the intire benefit to themselves of the
shares of such owners and captors as shall never come to
demand the same, we therefore humbly beg, that such
Agents may be obliged to account in such manner as
your Majesty shall think fitting for what was so deposited
or detained in their hands, which will be a great in-
couragement to several seafaring men to return to
this Island and partake of your Royal favour, and that
the parts and shares of such as shall not return by a
time to be prefixed by your Majesty and your Parliament
may be thereby secured for (and we humbly hope
apply'd to) the support of the Government of this your
Island, which at present in many parts thereof labours
under many great and real wants. Pray for H.M.
preservation etc. Signed, A. Hamilton, Rod. Mackenzie,
Cl. Counll., William Brodrick, Speaker. Copy. Same
endorsement. 3 pp.
124. ii. A state of the case of the bonds for duties on prize
goods (referred to in preceding}. Totals, 12,023 4s. Qd.
Same endorsement. 4 pp. [C.O. 137, 9. Nos. 60, 60 i.,
ii. ; and (without enclosures) 138, 13. pp. 380 382.]
Oct. 18. 125. Governor Lord A. Hamilton to the Earl of Dartmouth.
St. Jago de la Repeats part of preceding letter. A privateer of this Island having
taken a vessel bound for the Havannah, wherein the President
Governor and Capt. Genii, of the Spanish Coast of St. Domingo
happen'd to be passenger ; I detain him upon account of H.M.
subjects that are kept prisoners at Lima, concerning whom I had
your Lordship's directions. I take this to be a favourable
occasion for reclaiming them ; and in order thereto I have caus'd
him write to the Vice-Roy of Peru, that he is detain'd for them
by way of reprizal, till I am assured that they are set at liberty.
However I think of sending him soon for England at his own
request, etc. Signed, A. Hamilton. 2 pp. Enclosed,
125. i. Address of the Council and Assembly of Jamaica to
the Queen. Return thanks for the appointment of
Lord A. Hamilton as Governor, etc. Oct. 18, 1711.
Signed, Rod. Mackenzie, Cl. of Counll., William Brod-
rick, Speaker. Ip.
125. ii. Duplicate of No. 124 i. [C.O. 137, 51. Nos. 55,
56, 57.]
118
COLONIAL PAPERS.
Oct. '22.
Hampton
Court.
Oct. 23.
Whitehall.
Oct. 23.
Whitehall.
1711.
Oct. 20. 126. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. Reply to loth Oct. Refer to correspondence relating to
Admiralty Jurisdiction in the Plantations, 18th Dec., 1701 ff.
(i'. C.S.P. 1701, 1702) and give list of Commissions etc. [C.O.
324, 9. pp. 484-488.]
127. H.M. Warrants appointing Samuell Shirlock, Wni.
Outerbridge, Leonard White, John Peasly and Saml. Smith to
the Council of New York. Countersigned, Dartmouth. [C.O.
324, 32. p. 106.]
128. Mr. Popple to the Secretaries of the Treasury. Encloses
draught of a bond for Mr. Hyde (v. June 14). Annexed,
128. i. Draught of bond referred to in preceding. [C.O.
5, 1292. pp. 323326.]
129. Mr. Popple to Mr. Hulston. Refers to preceding. So
soon as you shall have brought a certificate from H.M. Re-
membrance Office, that security has accordingly been given there,
their Lordships will make their final report. [C.O. 5, 1292.
p. 327.]
[Oct. 23.] 130. (a.) Journal of Committee of Accounts, Maryland.
28pp.
(6.) Journal of Council in Assembly of Maryland, Oct.
23 Nov. 3, 1711. 28^.
(c.) Journal of House of Delegates of Maryland, Oct.
23 Nov. 3, 1711. 82pp. Copies. May 29, 1712.
[C.O. 5, 720. Nos. 1012.]
[Oct. 25.] 131. W. Johnstone, of London, Merchant, to the Council of
Trade and Plantations. Recommends James Ayns worth to be
Councillor of Barbados in the room of G. Lillington, deed., he
having served under the late Governor during the suspension of
the three Councillors, etc. In view of Alexander Skene's petition
(v. Sept. 28), encloses copy of order in Council, Aug. 18, 1708,
dismissing him from the office of Secretary, q.v. Endorsed,
Reed. Oct. 25, Read Nov. 2, 1711. 1 p. [C.O. 28, 13. No. 67.]
Oct. 26.
Whitehall.
132. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Lowther.
Acknowledge letter of June 24. We are glad to hear of your safe
arrival at Barbados, where we hope by your prudent administra-
tion the heats and animosities that have too long continued there,
will be wholly composed, since nothing can conduce more to the
welfare and prosperity of that Island. We doubt not but you
have received advise from the Leeward Islands of the repulse the
French met with when they landed at Montserrat, which in a
great measure as we are informed is owing to the conduct and
bravery of the Commander of H.M.S. the Newcastle, and therefore
we shall not add anything more on that head. Whereas there are
several articles in the Instructions to all the Governors of America
which have not punctually been comply 'd with, and which are
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
119
1711.
Oct. 26.
Whitehall.
Oct. 26.
Whitehall.
Oct. 26.
Whitehall.
Oct. 26.
Whitehall.
necessary for our information in order to our laying a state of
each respective Government before H.M. from time to time as
the nature of the thing may require, and tho we do not doubt
of your observance thereof, yet we find ourselves obliged to
mention some of the said articles to you, as we do to all the rest
of the Governors, that answers may be returned thereunto
vizt., accounts of public money, patent places, courts, tables of
fees, numbers of inhabitants, arms, ammunition, negroes import-
ed, and wants and defects of your Government. We shall be
glad to hear frequently from you, and to receive an account of
the present state of your Government etc. P.S. An Act having
been passed the last session of Parliament for the encouragement
of the trade to America, we send you the said Act here inclosed,
which you will cause to be published and duly observed in your
Government. [C.O. 29, 12. pp. 369371.]
133. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Hunter.
We have received letters from Mr. Clarke, May 28, 30, 31, and
June 7, and shall return particular answers on the first occasion.
Require answers to clauses in Instructions as No. 132. Enclose
Acts passed last session for the encouragement of trade to America,
and for the preservation of white and other pine-trees. [C.O. 5,
1122. pp. 426, 427.]
134. Council of Trade and Plantations to Edward Lloyd,
President of the Councill of Maryland. Acknowledge letter of
Nov. 4, 1710. Require answers to clauses in Instructions as in
preceding. Conclude : H.M. having referred to us the Address
from you, the Councill and Assembly relating to ye Governor's
keeping of the seal of Maryland, and we having laid the whole
state of that matter before H.M., she has been pleased by her
Order in Council, June 14, 1711, to declare her royal pleasure
therein etc., which Order we send you here enclosed, that you may
cause the same to be published and entred in the Councill books
and punctually complyed with. P.S. Repeat last paragraph
of No. 133. [C.O. 5, 727. pp. 305308.]
135. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Dudley.
Since our letter of Jan. 29, a duplicate whereof has been sent you,
we have received none from you, and only one from Mr. Addington
etc. Require answers to clauses in Instructions as in preceding.
[C.O. 5, 913. pp. 352, 353.]
136. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Lord A.
Hamilton. We have received your Lordship's letter of July 17,
and at present have only to acquaint your Lordship, that we are
glad to hear of your safe arrival, as also of the repulse given the
French at Montserrat, which we understand from Mr. Hamilton,
Lieut. General of the Leeward Islands, was in a great measure
owing to the conduct and bravery of the Commander of H.M.S.
the Newcastle. We hope that Commodore Littleton, whom your
Lordship mentions to be gone in quest of Monsr. Du Casse, will,
120
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
Oct. 20.
Whitehall.
Oct. 26.
Whitehall.
if he is so lucky to meet with the Fleet under his convoy, be able
to give a good account of his Expedition. Require replies to
certain Articles in Instructions as in preceding.
We hope that your Lordship will find the new Assembly dis-
posed to do everything that you may recommend to them for
H.M. service and the good of the Island. We shall be glad
to hear frequently from your Lordship, and to receive an
accot. of the present state of your Government, and such other
accounts as are required by your Instructions. P.S. An Act
having been pass'd the last Session of Parliament, for the encour-
agement of the trade to America, we send you the said Act here
inclosed, which you will cause to be published and duly observed
in the Island under your Government. [C.O. 138, 13. pp. 361
363.]
137. Mr. Popple to Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor General.
The Council of Trade and Plantations send you the enclosed
clauses of an Act past the last Sessions of Parliament relating to
the issuing of debentures to such of the sufferers of Nevis and
St. Christophers as have resettled or shall resettle their plan-
tations and thereupon desire your opinion upon the following
queries. (1) What is to be deemed a resettlement ? (2) What
will be a sufficient proof of such a resettlement ? (3) Whether
the inhabitants, vizt. merchts., shopkeepers etc., who had no
plantations, and whose losses are inserted in ye returns made by
the Commrs. appointed to state the same, are to be relieved by
the above clause ? [C.O. 153, 11. p. 376.]
138. Council of Trade and Plantations to Governor Douglas.
We have had from Lt. Genii. Hamilton an account of your safe
arrival, and should have been glad to have received it from
yourself. However we hope to receive shortly from you an
accot. of the present state thereof, and of what you have done
in relation to the late Rebellion at Antegoa. We doubt not but
by your prudent interposition, you will be able to allay the heats
and divisions that have too long disturbed the peace of that
Island, and that the Councill and Assembly as well of Antego,
as the other Islands under your care, will act in concert with you
to H.M. service, and their own good. H.M. having been pleased
by her Order in Council, March 1st, 1711, to repeal an Act of
St. Kitts/or the Treasurer's paying the publick stock, etc., we send
you the said Order here inclosed, which you are to cause to be
published and entred in the Councill books of that Island as
usual. Require answers to several clauses in his Instructions as No.
132. P.S. An Act having been passed the last Session of Parlia-
ment for the encouragement of the trade to America, we send you
the said Act here inclosed, which you will cause to be published
and duly observed in the Leeward Islands under your Govern-
ment. [C.O. 153, 11. pp. 377379.]
Oct. 26. 139. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lt. Governor
Whitehall. Bennett. Acknowledge letters of Dec. 26, 1710 and June 22,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
121
1711.
Oct. 26.
Secretary's
Office in
Barbados.
Oct. 26.
Whitehall.
Oct. 26.
Whitehall.
Oct. 26.
Bermuda.
1711. We should have been glad to have received the account of
the fortifications you mention therein. But whereas there are
other clauses in your Instructions that have not been complyed
with, conclude as preceding with request for answers. [C.O. 38, 7.
pp. 2931.]
140. Mr. Skene to the Council of Trade and Plantations.
Encloses the last quarter's Minutes in Mr. Lillington's time, etc.
Signed, A. Skene. Endorsed, Reed. Read Dec. 13, 1711. 1 p.
[C.O. 28, 13. No. 77 ; and 29, 12. p. 395.]
1 41 . Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. In reply to your Lordship's letter of 15th instant,
desiring to know by what power and authorities the Admiralty
Jurisdiction is exercised in the Plantations, quote Order of Council
Dec. 18, 1701, and replies from Governors to circular letter
written to them. (v. C.S.P. 1701. No. 1094, 1702, Nos. 197,
504, 570, 743, 1005, etc.). We have likewise examined the copy
of the Commn. for Vice- Admiral given to the late Sir Bevil
Granville under the Seal of the Admiralty (and we are inform'd
that Commns. to the like purpose are given to all H.M. Governors
in America) whereby he was impowered to appoint a Deputy or
Deputies for determining all maritime affairs, as also all other fit
and necessary officers under him, for the execution of his office
of Vice-Admiral. And as the returns from Jamaica and the
Leeward Islands mention a clause in the Governor's Commn.
under the Great Seal of this Kingdom, impowering them to
constitute Courts, we inclose a copy of that clause in the Lord A.
Hamilton's Commn., which is the same to all the other Governors
in America. Autograph signatures. 5 pp. Enclosed,
141. i. Copy of Clause in Governor Lord A. Hamilton's Commn.,
impowering him to constitute Courts etc. [G.O. 137,
46. Nos. 1, 1 L]
142. Council of Trade and Plantations to Lt. Governor
Spotswood. Acknowledge letter of July 25, etc. Request replies
to Instructions and enclose Acts as No. 133. [C.O. 5, 1363. pp.
342345 ; and (rough draft) 5, 1335. pp. 138140.]
143. Lt. Governor Bennett to [? Lord Dartmouth]. Refers
to letter etc. of June 22. The three soldiers I reprieved att the
gallows were soe penitent, that the Council made applycation
they might be pardoned, as did the Assembly by an Address,
soe that I found none were apprehensive of any second attempt,
or that the Island was in any dainger by them : I therefore
pursuant (as I conceived) to H.M. most gratious goodness and
intention of mercy pardoned them, and are now soldiers again
in the Company : I hope I have not varied anything from the
dictates of your Lordps.' letter, etc. This country in generall is
afflicted with the measles, but does not prove mortall altho'
infectious, none escapeing in a ffamily it seized that has not had
them. Repeats part of June 22. This coast has been lately
122 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
infested by a French privateer of 10 guns and 120 men, and has
taken severall vessells : whereupon I fitted out two sloops, and
sent them to cruse round the Island att a convenient distance,
which they accordingly did for five days, but the privateer was
gone : I wish more in company doe not visit us, and that the
want (in case they should land) of an augmentation to H.M.
independt. Company of Foot (mentioned in mine of June 22nd)
be of noe inconveniency. As for my part I shall doe all that's
possible for me to demonstrate faithfull discharge of my duty,
and the trust reposed in me, etc. Signed, Ben. Bennett. Holo-
graph. 4 p2). [C.O. 37, 28. Nos. 8 ; and, (duplicate) 9.]
Oct. 27. 144. Governor Lowther to Mr. Popple. Encloses duplicates
Barbados, of Minutes and Acts sent Aug. 20 etc. Signed, Rob. Lowther.
Endorsed, Reed. Read Dec. 13, 1711. Holograph, f p. [C.O.
28, 13. No. 76 ; and 29, 12. p. 394.]
Oct. 27. 1 45. Dudley Woodbridge, Judge of H.M. Court of Admiralty,
Barbados. Barbados, to the Earl of Dartmouth. When I did myself the honour
of addressing your Lordship on the 24th instant, I was under noe
apprehention I should have this occation of laying before your
Lordship an account of an appeal from my judgement here to
H.M. in Privy Council, which I granted in pursuance to the Act
for the encouragement of the trade to America. But soe it is, may
it please your Lordship, Capt. Thomas Legge and Capt. Robert
Chad wick, Commanders of H.M.S. Anglesea and Joy having
taken ye shipp Camwood Merchant from the subjects of the French
King on the coast of Affrica brought her into this port and
libell'd her in the Admiralty here. Messrs. Bate and Stewart
Agents to the Royal Affrican Company put in a claim to the
said ship in behalf of the Company, on hearing ye arguments of
ye Council on both sides, and inasmuch as it plainly appeared to
me that the shipp was in ye possession of the subjects of the
French King at the time of her caption, had been soe for the
proceeding 28 days, had been carryed in and anchored in several
ports, or rivers on the coa(s)t of Affrica, where the French usually
trade, and there unloded her English cargo, and was reladed by
the subjects and with the effects of the subjects of the French
King, and bound with the same on voyage to Martineco, an
island (belonging to the French Kong) in America, but was by
such caption of the Anglesea and Joy prevented and compel'd
into this island, it was my opinion and I did accordingly sentence
the said shipp to be lawfull prize to the said Legge and Chadwick
and their ships' companys etc., which reasons etc. I humbly begg
leave to lay before H.M. in Privy Council, thro' the hands of
your Lordship. Capt. Legg and Capt. Chadwick having sail'd
from this place for Jamaica on the 23rd instant are noe ways
apprais'd of this appeal, nor being under any expectation of the
same, did take care to leave attorneys or fee Council to state and
transmit the case and proceedings thereof. For the petition for
said appeal, the order thereon, and ye security given was not
till the 25th and 26th instant, which were the last days within
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 123
1711.
the limitation of the Act of Parliament for granting the same.
I humbly hope and natter myself your Lordship's goodness will
pardon the plainness and freedom of this address, when I tell
your Lordship I am wholy unfit and unaccustomed to applications
of this nature, this being the only appeal from any judgement of
mine, and the first that ever was from this Island on the aforesaid
Act, etc. Signed, Dudley Woodbridge. 4 pp. Enclosed,
145. i. (a) Raynes Bate and Thomas Stewart to Dudley
Woodbridge. Petition for leave to appeal against
judgment in the case of the Camwood Merchant, on the
grounds that she belonged to the Royal African Company
before being taken by the French, and was not carried
into any French port etc., before being recaptured.
The Company therefore claim restitution of the ship on
payment of salvage etc. Oct. 24, 1711.
(b) Leave to appeal granted, provided security be given
Oct. 25, 1711. Signed, Dudley Woodbridge.
(c) Security of 1000 given as above Oct. 26, 1711, by
Raynes Bate and Thomas Stewart. Copy. 2 pp.
[0.0. 28, 43. Nos. 66, 66 i.]
[Oct. 28.] 146. Copy of Order in Council, Feb. 27, 1709, (v. C.S.P. 1708,
9, No. 482) restoring Alexander Skeen to the office of Secretary
of Barbados, etc. (v. Oct. 25, Nov. 15 etc.) Endorsed, Reed. Oct.
28, Read Nov. 15, 1711. [C.O. 28, 13. No. 68 ; and 29, 12. pp.
374, 375.]
Oct. 30. 1 47. Address of the Governour, Council and Representatives
Portsmouth in of New Hampshire to the Queen. Return thanks for H.M. favour
H m^h' m * ne ^ a * e Expedition etc. But whereas the Divine Soveraigntye
was pleased to disappoint that noble design to which wee yeilded
a chearful obedience to your Majesties Royal commands, would
humbly crave that notwithstanding the disappointment your
Majestie would gratiously accept of our sincere design and en-
deavours therein. Att same time most humbly pray, if in your
princely wisdom you see meet, that your Majestie would gratiously
please to renew the Expedition in the Spring for the reduceing of
that Countrey unto your Majesties obedience. And whereas
one halfe of our men, are imployed against the daily insults of
a barbarous enemy, which renders us very poor and feeble ;
And considering that at least one third of our young men yearly
goe abroad, very few of whom return e again ; Wee humbly begg
your Majesties most gratious favour respecting our Quota of men,
under our present distressing circumstances, and humbly pros-
trate ourselves at your Royal feet, etc. Signed, By Order of the
Council, Cha. Story, Secretary. By order of the Representatives,
Richard Gerrish, Speaker. 1 p. [C.O. 5, 10. No. 6.]
Oct. 30. 148. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High
Whitehall. Treasurer. Report upon the petition of George Lyddel and Robert
Clayton of St. Kitts (v. Aug. 22). Petitioners having been at
great expense in improving the sd. plantations, and sustained
considerable losses by the late invasion and dreadfull hurricane ;
124 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
and as such improvements are an addition to H.M. Revenue, we
see no objection why H.M. may not renew the said grant for
2| years (according to H.M. order of Nov. 13, 1705) to commence
from expiration of Col. Parke's grant, provided there be a reser-
vation of the usual quit-rent, as in Mrs. Bowden's grant of Aug.
14, 1707. [C.O. 153, 11. pp. 388, 389.]
Oct. 31. 149. Commodore Crowe to the Council of Trade and Plan-
Warspight, tations. Encloses following replies to Heads of Enquiry April 17.
Ne^oundland ^ evera U abuses that had been committed I have regulated, and
some others which are esteem'd as abuses, cannot be otherways
order'd, but perticularly about the rynding of trees, which cannot
be avoided except the fishing ships and inhabitants doe cover
their stages and houses with board, and as to New England
vesseUs etc. supplying the people with provisions which is allso
esteem'd an abuse, I cannot see my way to avoid unless they were
supply'd with greater quantitys from Great Brittain, the people
are pretty numerous, and would want in the winter season both
bread and flower if not supply'd from New England etc. The
Fort in this place considering the late destruction is in very
good posture of defence against any attempt of the enemy from
these parts, for Mr. John Collins, the deputed Governor in absence
of H.M. ships has by his industery and som charge repaired a great
part of the damages, and somthing that is still wanting is now in
hand a repairing, soe that by the methods I have taken by
forming the inhabitants into bodys in severall places proper for
defence, and divideing those bodys into companies with proper
officers, I hope in god the inhabitants will be capable of defending
themselves and effects this winter, but what is wanting is 200
reguler troops, 150 for this place and 50 for Ferryland, all under
a Governor resideing here, who should have full power to deter-
mine causes between man and man, and by whoes determination
(with consent of some of the principall people) they should stand,
but the Officer soe sent must be an impartiall man prefering the
publique before his own private interest, and who will not doe
unjustice for gaine, it is such a man that must prevent irregularity s
and abuses in this place, and continue to keep the people under
good orders, for they are natureally inclined to be ledd by the
person who has power to drive them. The reasons I propose
for 150 men for this place and but 50 for Ferryland is the con-
veniencies of the Fort and harbour, which is very commodious
for 200 or 250 saile of ships, it being the metropolis of this Island
and lying just in the center of trade and most resorted too ; soe
that whatever occasion may be for assistance to any part it is
sooner sent hence than from any other place. Ferryland and its
adjacent places being the Sothermost part of our Fishery, the
Fort and harbour small, which won't containe above 50 sail,
altho' a place very fitt and commodious for a small fort and fewer
forces will defend it, yet St. Johns exceeds it abundantly, by the
conveniencies of the people's building under command of the
cannon, whoes number is now within the fort, and mounted,
including 4 that I have order'd on shore, 14 with ammunition,
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 125
1711.
I hope sufficient for this winter. If the troops abovementioned
were sent thither early in the spring to arrive here in the begining
of Aprill next, and three men of warr of 50 and 40 guns to cruize
off Placentia would intercept all their provisions and soon starve
that place, the reduceing of which as it is the shurest soe it is the
easiest and cheapest way to fortifie and make this Island flourish,
etc. Signed, Jos. Crowe. Endorsed, Reed. Nov. 28th, Read
Dec. 4th and 14th, 1711. 2| pp. Enclosed,
149. i. List of bodies of inhabitants drawn from several places
Total : 1925 men. f p.
149. ii. Commodore Crowe's Replies to Heads of Enquiry
(v. April 17). Articles 1, 3, 20, 21. Number of English
planters, men, women, children and servants, amounts
to 2281 ; the greatest part being fishermen or boate-
keepers in the summer season, are wholy imployed in
catching and curing fish, or in making train, the former
of which they vend to the sack ships coming for that
purpose, or to merchants and factors residing among
them, of which they have some, both from Great
Britain, Ireland and New England, the latter to British
ships only. In the winter, the planters both to the
northward and southward of St. Johns hunt for deer,
beaver, otter, bear, martin, fox and scales, on whose
flesh they feed for the greatest part of that season and
of their furrs drive some small trade with the ships at
their return into the country, but at St. John's the
inhabitants have little or no benefit of this ; these
beasts generally retiring to the woods frightned by
the greater number of people that resorts there more
than to other places ; besides the danger they are
expos'd too by the neighbourhood of the French at
Placentia makes that much neglected, as it does many
other improvements the country is capable off, as build-
ing, breeding of cattle, planting many Europian grains,
fruits, plants etc., necessary for their more comfortable
subsistence. Their provisions they have in part from
Great Brittain and Ireland, the remainder from New
England, New York, Pensylvania, and Carolina which
is brought in their tradeing sloops in good quantitys ;
particularly flower, briskett, pork, some sheep and black
cattle, without which the Planters would starve, plant-
ing nothing themselves for the reasons before mentioned,
and a sufficient quantity not being brought from great
Brittain ; their salt they have from Portugal!, the
Azores and Canary Islands with some French salt
taken in prizes, but I do not finde that they have any
supply of cloath, neets, tackle, or fishing necessarys,
but from Great Brittain, excepting what is brought in
prizes. Article 4. I do not find that they make any
waste of the woods by setting fire too or burning them
any otherways than for their necessary occasions, but
they continue to rynde the trees as without which they
126 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
cannot (as they pretend) carry on their fishing trade,
and much waste is made of the woods so rynded, for
being at a greater distance than smaller woods which is
of easier carriage and more usefull for building their
stages, flakes etc., it is left in the woods till the weather
and length of time decays it ; for which there is no
remedy, unless they are oblidged to cover their stages
and fishing houses with board. Articles 5 and 0.
Great complaint was made of many and great incroach-
ments and daily makeing upon beaches, stages and ships
roomes, where the planters and by-boate keepers build
dwelling-houses, storehouses and stages, and exacted
exorbitant rates from such ships as had occasion for
them to their prejudice, and the discouragement of
the fishing-trade, all which I ordred to be dispossesed
according to the intent of the Act of Parliament, and
they are accordingly dispossesed. Article 7. The by-
boate keepers and fishing ships have generally more
fresh men then their proportion to their respective
companys of seamen, but very few have certificates
thereof? from great Brittain, and I finde the inhabitants
doe allso imploy a proportinable number of green men,
as the Act directs. Articles 8 and 9 are wholy comply'd
with. (10) I doe not finde that the fishing ships or
others when they are ready to saile or at other times do
destroy or deface or doe any detrement to the stages
or cookroomes etc., or to the materialls thereto belong-
ing, but I finde most of the fishing ships and by-boate
keepers when their fish is cured remove their fleaks and
put them into houses with severall other things which
can be moved in order (as they say) for their preservation,
and so to be imploy'd on the same roome by them that
take it the next year, and I finde all fishing ships and
by-boate keepers do content themselves with what is
necessary for their own use, and do repair the defects
of stages etc. by timber etc. fetched out of the woods,
and I have been informed that the planters in the
winter's season does deface and destroy the stages etc.
belonging to the fishing ships for the repairing their
own, but nothing prov'd against particular persons.
Article 11 is wholy comply'd with. (12) I do not finde
the Admiralls of harbours take that care as they should
aboute the rules and orders in regulateing the fishery,
for they don't keep jornals and accounts, or the number
of all ships, boates, stages, etc., nor of the seamen in
each harbour, as the Act directs, for I have demanded
them here from Capt. Hay den Admirall, and Capt.
Dorrell Vice-Admirall of Carbinear and could not have
them, therefore what jornall they deliver in Great
Brittain I know not, for off ten people yt. were never in
the country before are Admills., therefore it would be
very necessary yt. none who has not used ye trade five
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 127
1711.
years at least should have that previlidge. (Article 13).
I doe not finde by the complaints made to me that the
Admirall of this harbour gave himselfe much concern
for the determination of any differances among the
Planters or others, but they wholy depended on me,
coming with their greivances and complaints farr and
near for me to determine, and I finde they do the like
in other harbours where any man of warr is, and depend
little on the Admiralls, who have so much business of
their own that they cannot finde time to do justice for
others. Articles 14 and 19 are wholy comply'd with.
(1;1) Before my arriveall the Lords Day was nothing at
all reguarded neither by the inhabitants or comon
saylers, who spent it generally in the houses of entertain-
ment in drinking, swareing and the most disorderly
actions, liveing without any sense of religion ; and pro-
faneing the day to that degree that a stranger could
never beleive they had heard of Christianity nor indeed
of god 'except by the oathes, curses, blasphemous
expressions and horried imprecations ; at my first
meeting with the commanders of ships and the Planters
of St. Johns, I represented this to them and proposed
that they should by vollunterry contribution repair
their Church and do something for the maintainance of
the Minester sent by the bishop of London, who arrived
at the same time with me ; when the Church was re-
paired, and upon my publishing by beat of drum and
affixing to the most publique places the laws established
in England against immorality and profaneness, and
punishing those that were found guilty accordingly,
their swareing and riateouse liveing was in a great
measure left off, and the Church upon that day generally
frequented ; had they a man amongst them impowered
to put the laws in execution, who would do it impartially
and prefer the publique before his own private interest,
religion would soon be effectually established, the people
would becom orderly, and deal fairly ; and this Island
by its trade add very much to H.M. Revinue, and the
riches of the Nation ; to this purpose till other provision
is made, I have given the Governor I deputed Instruc-
tions annexed to his Commission, and hope it will have
success accordingly. (16) There is no resort of any
strangers to fish or trade in any part of the Island,
except the French who fish and hunt both to the north-
ward and southward of our plantations, and some few
Spanyards, who come with passes to buy fish. (17 and
19) Due care is taken by those that catch fish for the
well salting and cureing the same, and preparing it fitt
for markitt, which if they neglected to do, it is of such
a nature that it would be quite spoyled before ship'd,
for at any time that they are overtaken with raine
while the fish is green on the flakes, or if by the neglect
128 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
of a salter the fish be over or under salted, it becoms
damnified and called refuge fish, and tho' as good
for present spending as the best, yet will sell but for
halfe price on the spott, and ship'd off for the West
Indias. (22) At present neither wine, brandy nor rum is
brought hither from New England, there being sufficient
quantitys brought from the Azores and the West
Indias, and som quantity taken in prizes, by which some
of the fishery grow debauched and run in debt ; and
great part of the year's wages is gon before it be well
earned, to the great hinderance of their business, and
then they hire themselves to the Planters for another
year, but since my arriveall here, I have supress'd in
som measure by threats, punishments, and other
necessary means both to the vender arid criminall.
(23 and 24) Som small quantitys of wine and oyle are
brought here from Lisbon, Liverhorn or other places
in the Mediteranion by most ships that come thence,
and is expended among the fishermen and inhabitants,
and I don't finde any trade driven by selling the same
to New England or other Plantations, excepting som
masters of small vessells buys a hogs head or two of
prize wine for their own use. (25) I don't finde that
any Plantation commodities excepting sugar, mollasses,
rum and tobacco are exported hither, and no more of
those then what is used by the seamen, planters, and
fishermen of this country, and none to be shipp'd off
for any part of Europe. (26) v. infra. The price this
year is 15s. per quintoll, fish being scarce, but other
years when more plenty, it is sold for eleven shillings,
but I dont' know how it can be sold in great Brittain.
(27) v. infra. They feed their men in the summer
season mostly with fresh codds, with som salt pork and
a little beefe and biskett, they catch all their codd with
hooks and line, but som of their baites with netts, and
other with hookes, by bobbing ; they are at about 150
charges for wages, victualls and craft for each boat, and
have catched not above 200 quintolls per boat and som
a great deale less by reason of the scarsness of fish
this year, (28, 29) which has rais'd the price to 155. per
quintoll, and yet I beleive som of them will be loosers
this year, for other years they catch from 350 to 400
quintolls per boate, and their fish is worth 11s. per
quintoll. Train oyle is worth 16 per tunn, which is
most part or all carry'd to great Britton, but the fish
is sent to Portugall, Spaine and Ittialy. (29) v. infra.
(30) I don't finde any masters of ships encourage their
men to stay behinde, but most that does stay seek it
themselves by hireing themselves to planters for another
year ; others run away from ships and stay in the woods
to meet opportunity to gett for New England, which I
have in great measure prevented, since I came into the
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 129
1711.
country, but others gett on board the privateers, there-
fore cannot learn what number is left behinde yearly,
but finde as som does stay, others as their affairs call
them goe hence to great Brittain, and I finde the best
methods for preventing there staying here, is the dilli-
gence of the officers guarding the severall harbours, to
prevent their goeing for New England. (31, 32). By
the best information I can gett here, there is not above
600 French inhabitants att Placentia and the places
adjacent, but they have now with two company s,
brought lately over, five companys of soldiers ; and but
small encouragement given to settle, or plant anywhere,
for som times they send great ships a fishing in harbours
to the northward of us as farr as 50 and 51 degrees of
Lattitude, and as soone as their voyage is made, they
all retire and leave the place, but there has been orders
given this year, that no ships shall fish there ; they
have no fort or places of strength but Placentia, where
in the Fort on the Hill are 16 gunns, 6 iron and 10 brass,
which were carryed from St. Johns, that fort is square,
haveing only four guns in front in two teere ; in a small
bay under this Castle are planted 12 guns with a brest
work on the East side of the bay ; 2 miles from the Fort
are 4 gunns in the west side of the harbour ; the grand
Fort of 40 guns, 20 of which are at the goeing in of the
harbour, 10 fronting the bay and 2 to the land. They
have a small trade from Quebeck for furrs and flower,
but most of their provisions comes from France, and
if 3 men of warr of 50 and 40 gunns were here early in
the spring, and to cruize off that place by the midle
of Aprill, it would intercept their provisions and soone
starve that place, the reduceing of which, as it is the
surest, so it is the easiest and cheapest way to fortifie
and make this Island flourish. 7 pp.
149. iii. Scheme of the Fishery of Newfoundland. Number of
fishing ships, 62 ; sack ships, 55 ; ships from America,
10 ; 6880 tuns burthen, and 3137 men. Number of
fishing ships boates, 168 ; by boates, 93 ; inhabitants'
boates, 346 ; by boat masters 76 ; men 558. Quintals
of fish made by fishing ships, 33988, by by-boats 13950,
inhabitants boats, 72608 ;=120546 quintals. Quintals
carried to market, 118900. Quantity of train made by
fishing ships, 234 ; by boates, 85 ; inhabitants, 410 ;=
729 tunns. Number of stages, 123. Number of in-
habitants, men, 1925, women, 190 and children 278=
2393. Signed, Jas. Crowe. Warspight. St. Johns,
Newfoundland. Oct. 31, 1711. 1 p.
149. iv. (a) By Capt. Jos. Crow, C. in C. of H.M. ships, forts,
and garrisons in Newfoundland. A record of severall
laws and orders made at St. Johns for the better disipline
and good order of the people and correcting irregulari-
teys by them committed contrary to good laws and
Wt. 26089. C.P. 9.
130 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
acts of Parliament, all which is debated at severall
Courts held wherein was present the Commanders of
mercht. .ships, merchts. and cheif inhabitants and
wittnesses being examined, it was brought to the follow-
ing conclusion, Aug. 23 Oct. 23, 1711. (1) That a
sume of mony should be collected by a voluntary gift
from the commanders of ships, merchants, masters of
famillies and others tradeing to St. Johns and those
resideing there for this winter season for repairing and
refitting the Church which was demollisht in order for
the due worship of Allmighty god therein, and the
remainer for the Minister's subsistance. (2) That
orders be put up att publick houses and other con-
venient places for the suppressing drunkeness cursing
and swearing, and other irregularties with fines and
punishment according to annexed copy. (3) That a
body of seamen or others should keep guard in the night
and patroull along the backsides of the harbour of St.
Johns to prevent the mischeiffs frequently committed
by the spyes of the enimiey and others upon the in-
habitants, to be raised from the complements of the
ship in ye harbour one man for every 15 and by one man
for every three boats of the inhabitants and by boat-
keepers, a commander of a ship and a mercht. to com-
mand them each night. (4) That the tenements,
store-houses and stages, etc., now in posestion of persons
mentioned, being proved formerly belonging to fishing
ships and engros'd since 1685 contrary to Actt of
Parliament to the prejudice of the said ships etc. ; I do
therefore hearby disposses them of the same in right
of the fishing ships for the next season. (5) That the
inhabitants, fishermen, and servants of the severall
places in Newfoundland are to repair to their winter
quarters allotted them (enumerated) by Oct. 1st and
be under command of their severall Governers for the
better security of themselves and effectts against the
assaults of the enimiey. (6) That the houses in Fort
William of St. Johns is not to be sould or lett for hire
but in case ye person that builltt or otherwise purchased
the same for time past does not inhabitt therein them-
selves the said houses are att the disposall of Governor
Collins to put therein such persons that are destitute of
habitation in the said fortt. (7) That the owners of
such houses which shall themselves inhabit therein, and
have not a proportion of people to the said house, it is
at the discretion of the Governer Collins to put to
cohabitt with them such a number of people as he shall
see convenient. (8) That in case there may not be
sufficientt ground in the said fortt to builld habitations
for the number of inhabitants that are to reside there for
this winter season is to be left to the discreetion of
Governor Collins to give leave for the buillding such
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 131
1711.
habitations as will be proper for them under the gunns
without the work of the fortt. (9) That servants
in this country frequently hier themselves to one or
two or three masters at one time not only to their
disappointment butt much to their prejudices and
hinderance thereof for the preventing such irregularities
for the future, I doe hearby impower the Governor
over such persons so offending to oblidge them to pay
for every such offence 2 10. for the publique good or
otherways cause them to [be] whipt three times forward
and backward along some publique place. (10) That
five men for each ship in the harbour shall goe into the
woods and cutt 20 stockadoes and pallasades to repair
the works of the Fortt of St. Johns, and the boat-
keepers for every boat they keep in the season use to
fetch as maney. (11) That the plantation wherein
John Drue of St. Johns has posestion being proved to
be ship's room yet in regard to his age and thereby
past labour, he has free liberty to enjoy the same
dureing life, butt after his decease to return to ye right
of the ships. (12) That Mr. Furss is confirmed at a
second application to loose the upper stage adjoyning
to his own two boats room that he now houlds in behalf
of Mrs. Anne Earll. (13) That whosoever at any
time shall demolish, deface or brake downe any stage,
cooke-room, house or flakes, by removeing any raffters,
rinds, floreing, shores, stakes or layers, any other way
than with a designe to imploy them on the same room
the next year, shall forfeit 10 for repairing the same to
the posseser of the said stage and roome. (14) The
house in possion of Capt. Arthor Holdsworth, that
formerly belonged to Mr. Juitt, I have confirmed to
Capt. Holdsworth, this right being assigned to him by
Mr. Richard Colesworthy. (15) That the minister
have for his subsistance a subscription for the insuing
year from the shollups three, the two men boats two,
and the skiff one quintoll of dry merchandable fish,
to be leavied one from the owner of the stage, one from
the boat-keeper, and one from the servants. (16)
That a plantation of three boats rooms in possesion of
Abraham Barrott and Richard Lutton in Torbay being
ships' rooms, they are disposses'd thereof in right of the
ships that have occasion for them the next year. Signed,
Jos. Crowe.
(b) Proclamation by Commodore Crowe, Warspight, St.
John's harbour, Aug. 28, 1711. I doe hearby strictly
forbid any tavern or publick house to entertaine any
seamen or others upon the Sabbath day except strangers
come from other harbours in boats with effectts, to whom
as well as to others you are not to sell any strong liquers
whereby they may be debauched by drunkeness to the
dishonour of Allmighty god, neither are you at any time
132 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
to suffer any company to keep disorderly hours in the
night, or to lett them have so much liquers as may
make them drunk upon the penalty or forfeiture of
40s., and for the second double that summe with the
loss of the licence, and each person so taken in any
house disorderly shall forfeitt one shilling, or otherwise
be punished according to my direction and the niony so
forfeitted shall be put for repaireing the Church, and
if any person above the rank of a common seaman be
convicted of swearing or curseing shall pay for such an
offence 2s., and a common seaman or servant Is., or to
receive such punishment as I shall think fitt, and the
mony so collected shall be for the use above-mentioned.
The whole, 5 pp.
149. v. Since the writeing the foregoing, I have mett one
Martin Kellogg who lives at Dearfield in New England,
and was taken twice by the Canada Indians, the first
time after liveing with them 15 months made his escape,
the second time of his being taken is three years the
14th 7ber. last, and has been in Canada ever since,
liveing 9 months near Mount Royall, and six with the
Indians, and three with a French preist before he was
discovered to be a man taken before, but then remov'd
to Quebeck, where he continued 2 years and 3 months,
and after that when they heard of the English Fleet
coming they sent him away prisoner to Placentia, but
was taken by the way by the Ambuscade privateer.
He sayeth Quebeck is the principal place, and about
half a mile square with pallasadoes and mudd walls
hove up against them, haveing near 100 guns, but don't
exceed 5 or 600 men in it fit to carry arms. Mount
Royall is the second place and more then halfe as big
as Quebeck pallasaded round, but not mudd walls, has
in it about 200 familys and about 350 men includeing
soldiers fitt to bear arms, and is about 60 leagues S.W.
from Quebeck. Three Rivers is the third place which is
about 30 leagues from Quebeck all by the river side,
and in it not above 50 houses with severall small Indian
Forts, along the river side, wherein is an officer and
guards, the river lies nearest S.W. and N.E., and in-
habited by French and Indians on both sides the river
and may be near 6 or 7000 French in all Canada besides
Indians whom they don't suffer to live in their towns,
only in small places distance from them and can gett
in 15 or 20 day's warning near 2000 Indians to their
assistance. The country is very fruitfull for grain and
produceth very large horses and sheep with a great
many other cattle, and sends abundance of furrs to
France ; but that all their cloathing, stores, necessarys
and liquors etc. come from thence. Signed, Jos. Crowe,
f p. [C.O. 194, 5. Nos. 8, 8 i.-v. ; and 195, 5. pp.
234263 ; and 194, 24. Nos. 2, 2 i.-v.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
133
1711.
[Oct. 31.]
Boston.
Nov. 2.
Whitehall.
Nov. 2.
Whitehall.
Nov. 5.
St. Johns.
Nov. 6.
Tidworth.
150. Abstract of Journal of proceedings of the Governour,
Council and Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay for assisting the
Expedition for the reduction of Canada and Newfoundland,
June 8 24th, 1711. With a note as to the steps taken to provide
supplies, and General Nicholson's uncommon zeal and indefatig-
able pains for the preparations for the Expedition etc. 12 pp.
[C.O. 5, 10. No. 142.]
151. Win. Popple to Mr. Attorney General. Encloses, for
his opinion thereon, two Acts of Barbados, (a) 1709, to render
more effectual certain legacies bequeathed by Capt. Williams, and
(b) 1710, to dock the intail of certain lands in the Parish of St.
Philip etc., and to vest the same in Benjamin Chapman, planter,
in fee simple. [C.O. 29, 12. pp. 372, 373.]
152. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Dart-
mouth. Reply to letter of Sept. 22, (which was brought to us but
three days ago), we do not find that there is at present any
vacancy in the Council of Jamaica ; when we are advised of any
such, we shall humbly lay before H.M. the name of such person
as shall appear well qualrfy'd for that trust. [C-.O. 138, 13. p.
374 ; and (autograph signatures) 137, 46. No. 2.]
1 53. Lt. Governor Collin to the Board of Ordnance. Encloses
copy of letter June 18. I am still apointed to command H.M.
Fort etc. In what lays in my power with the inhabitants shall
contribute all I can for the sarvis. I hope there may be forcees
cum over for the garrison itt being veary harde on the inhabitants
etc. Signed, John Collin. Endorsed, Reed. Dec. 1st, 1711. 1 p.
Enclosed,
153. i. Bill of Exchange for 132 10 drawn by John Collin
on the Board of Ordnance. Nov. 5, 1711. Copy. \ p.
153. ii. Account of disbursement of provisions and munitions,
Fort William, St. Johns, 17101711. Signed, John
Collin. 1 p. [C.O. 194, 24. Nos. 4, 4 i., ii.]
154. H. Boyle to the Earl of Dartmouth. Encloses following.
Signed, H. Boyle. 1 p. Enclosed,
154. i. Governor Douglas to the Duke of Queensberry.
Antigua, Aug. 27, 1711. Duplicate of letter of that
date, q.v. Enclosed,
154. ii. Deposition of John Lindsay, taken before Isaac Royall
and Herbert Pember, Justices of the Peace, Antigua,
Aug. 23, 1711. Deponent was clerk to Lt. General
Hamilton, who used to express himself with a great deal
of venom and hatred against Genl. Parke, promising to
provide for deponent when he succeeded his great enemy,
Genl. Parke, in the Government etc. He often said
he admired that the people of Antigua would suffer
him to tyrannize over them. In his letters to his
friends abroad, he termed him the Grand Monster,
tyranniseing and tryumphing in Antigua, but that it
134 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
could not hold long so, and that Genl. Parke was so
puffed up since the Ministry in England was changed,
that it was impossible for the inhabitants to endure him
any longer, and that he expected by the next oportunity
to hear that he was run or privately gon off said Island,
or that a worse thing would befall him, and generally
ended his discourses with his expectation of haveing
the Government. When informed that Mr. Ayon and
Lt. Worthington and some others who were General
Parke's friends and assisted him when the assault was
made, were not murthered, he expressed himself e that
he was glad they were preserved for the gallows, which
they should certainly have if it lay in his power. He
carryed deponent with him to St. Kitts and Mountserat
before he went up to Antigua, at which Islands he
encouraged and carressed all such persons whome he
knew or declared themselves to be enemys to General
Parke, whose friends were used with a great deal of
indifferency and scorn by him, and few of them had any
admittance to his person, or were used with common
civility. Upon his arrivall at Antigua, he had many
private meetings with the enemys of General Parke,
where what private papers and letters that came to his
hands that belonged to General Parke and that were
taken out of the house where he was murthered, were
exposed and handed about. Observing that deponent
kept company with some of the Loyall party, the Lt.
General often expressed himselfe to deponent his
dislike thereof, by which means the enemys of General
Parke became jealous of deponent, who was frequently
reproved by the Lt. General for the same, soe that he
was not employed in his private affairs, but one Thomas
Kerby, Secretary of Antigua, a prime actor in the
murther, and his Clerke wholy did the same, etc. De-
ponent being one day with the Lieut. Generall at the
house of Dr. Daniell Mackinen, a principall actor in the
murther, and where the Lt. General constantly resided,
a certain common fellow came in and complained to him
that his neighbour had called him one of the murthering
doggs. The Lt. Generall in a passion directed him
(tho' it was knowne he was one of the murtherers, and
that he plundered severall goods out of the Generall's
house) to prosecute the other, and that if he would come
to him when he was in towne, he would do him justice.
After this deponent being with the Lt. General at Nevis,
and in a publick house expressing himselfe at the
barbarity used to General Parke, so that he was left
naked, the Lt. General haveing information of this,
sharply reproved deponent for the same. Signed,
Jno. Lindsay. 2^ pp.
154. iii. Deposition of Richard Buckeridge, Collector, Antigua,
Aug. 23, 1711. At Dr. Daniel Mackinen's house, the
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 135
1711.
Lt. General expressed himselfe in a passion to deponent,
that some persons were about takeing affidavits in
relation to ye death of Generall Parke, but that they had
better lett it alone, and that he should resent it, etc.
Signed, Richd. Buckeridge. 1 p.
154. iv. Deposition of Dr. Gousse Bonnin, Antigua, Aug. 25,
1711. Summoned before the Generall Council at St.
Johns, about March last, deponent was asked by the
Lt. Generall if he knew which way Generall Parke came
by his death. Deponent desired to be excused, for
that it was not safe for him to answer, having already
suffered very much, and had been lately threatend by
severall on that account. The Lt. Generall said he
should only put a few questions to him wch. should be
no way prejudiciall to him, which questions being put,
deponent answered the same. Mr. John Willett, one
of the Council, desired deponent's answer to the h'rst
question should be minuted with his other answers,
which was done after some debate. In the afternoon,
deponent, being sent for again to answer something
more fully, found the answer to the first question which
was minuted to be quite raced out. When he returned
his first answer, the Lt. Generall neither encouraged nor
declared his protection to deponent, etc. Signed, Gousse
Bonnin. 1| pp.
154. v. Deposition of Charles Bowes, Serjeant in the company
whereof Capt. Thoni. Newell is commander, in Col.
James Jones' Regiment. Antigua, Aug. 25, 1711. Taken
before Thomas Morris J.P. and Richard Oliver J.P.
A few days after the murther of Governor Parke, when
deponent was wounded, and having to the utmost of
his ability stood by the General, he fled, for fear of his
life, incognito to Nevis, where by order of Lt. General
Hamilton he was seized and sent up to Antigua, where
he languished with his wounds, notwithstanding which
Col. Jones sent him up to Monks Hill fortifications, and
put him in a dungeon where he could not stand up, and
where he was above two weeks, at last let out, when
Col. Jones would have had him swear that Generall
Parke had sold the Island, which deponent refused,
for that it was false, afterwards was had before the
Lt. Generall and Generall Council in St. Johns, when an
affidavitt was read to him, which he took, but having
seen an affidavit recorded in the Generall Councill
books as taken by him, he on his oath declares the same
not to be the affidavit read to him and by him taken, for
that he never heard General Parke tell him and others
that if he would beat or insult the Gentlemen of the
country, he would give for each of the persons so beaten
a pistole, or anything like it, or of his promiseing a
reward to whom should well thrash Perry and Scheur-
man, or his promiseing any indemnity to those that did
136 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
it, or of his saying if he had but two companys which
he knew in Flanders, he would soon drive half the
Planters of the Island, or that they, the soldiers, were
cowards for not beating the Planters, which he had so
often ordered them. Deponent believes he might say
that one Newgent soldier told him that the General
said to him, why don't you thrash Edwd. Perry, it
being spoken on a complt. made to the General by
Newgent. Perry had grossly abused him. Deponent
believes he might say that the General said that Scheur-
man ought to be well beaten, which was thus, Deponent
going by a house where Scheurman was, Scheurman
said to deponent (the General and Col. Newell going by
at ye same time) There goes the General and that long
dog your Captain. Deponent informing them of it,
the General answered as aforesaid. When he was
under confinement at Monkshill, Col. Jones told him
that he must needs know what women came to the
Generall, deponent being so long Serjeant of his Guard.
He answered he knew not of any. Jones replyed,
that if he did not, he should lye there untill he would
rott. Signed, Charles Bowes. 2| pp.
154. vi. Deposition of Caesar Rodeney, trustee and executor
of General Parke. Antigua, Aug. 27, 1711. Being
informed that Edwd. Chester, senr., had broke open
General Parke's storehouse, joyning to Mr. Saverett's
tavern, the day he was murthered, and had taken from
thence a great parcell of barrs of iron, coco, white sugar
and browne ozenbriggs, then in the custody of deponent,
he demanded the goods of him. He refused to deliver
them, for that he had given the Lieut. Generall credit
for them in his books. Signed, Csesar Rodeney. 1 p.
154. vii. Deposition of Richard Oglethorp. Antigua, Aug.
22, 1711. The morning after Mr. Michael Ayon went
to Leeward in order to goe for England in the pacquet,
being about March 2nd, deponent, being then Deputy
Marshal, went to the house of Dr. Daniel Mackenin.
He found Lt. General Hamilton in a mighty passion,
and he severely checked deponent for not having
acquainted him therewith ; and said he would give 500
to know who carried him off or had a hand in it, and
withall talked of sending a boate after him, etc. Signed,
Richd. Oglethorpe. | p. [C.O. 152, 42. Nos. 77,
77 i.-vii.]
[Nov. 6.] 155. Petition of Arthur Slingsby to the Council of Trade and
Plantations. Prays to be appointed Attorney General of Bar-
bados, he having been appointed by Governor Lowther to fulfill
that office till H.M. pleasure be known, upon Thomas Hodges'
return to England. Endorsed, Reed. 6th, Read 15th Nov., 1711.
1 p. [C.O. 28, 13. No. 70.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
137
1711.
[Nov. 7.]
[Nov. 7.]
Nov. 7.
Whitehall.
Nov. 8.
Whitehall.
Nov. 8.
Westminster.
156. Memorial of the Proprietors of New Jersey to the
Council of Trade and Plantations. By severall letters they have
received advices of the great disorders and confusions there
amongst the people in breach of the peace and quiet of the
Province and preventing the prosperity thereof. The causes and
springs of these disorders are largely sett forth in a Representation
of the Assembly, to which they referr. They have often laid
before this Honble. Board (cf. Nov. 26, 1709) that the continuing
Mr. Daniell Cox, Peter Sonmans and others in the Councill tended
to promote those factions and divisions, and prayed that they
might be left out, and men of justice and temper nominated to
succeed them. Matters are now come to such a heigth that
unless some speedy remedy be applyed, the Proprietors' interest
will be lost, and the Province brought to utter ruine. Pray that
Cox, Sonmans, Pinhorn, Hugh Huddy and Wm. Hall may be
left out of the Councill, and Basse, who is notorious for many ill
practises, may be dismissed etc. Signed, P. Docminique, E.
Richier, Jno. Bridges, Cha. Michel, Fra. Michel, Jno. Norton,
Joseph Ormstonj for himself and George Willocks, Cha. Dunster,
John Whiting, Robt. Michel. Endorsed, Reed. Read Nov. 7,
1711. I p. Enclosed,
156. i. Copy of Memorial of London Proprietors of New
Jersey, Nov. 27, 1709. q.v. [C.O. 5, 970. Nos, 152, 153 ;
and 5, 995. pp. 148152.]
157. Affidavit by Capt. John Evans as to his bona fide
purchase for 500 of the lands granted him by Governor Fletcher,
1694, (v. Sept. 4 supra) ; of his expenditure of 350 in clearing
part of them, and the offer of 10,000 for them. Signed, John
Evans. Endorsed, Reed. Read Nov. 7, 1711. f p. [C.O. 5,
1050. No. 29.]
158. Council of Trade and Plantations to George Granville,
Secretary at War. Enclose extract from Governor Hunter's
letter, Sept. 12, concerning invalid soldiers at New York, upon
which you will please to receive H.M. pleasure, and communicate
the same to us etc. [C.O. 5, 1122. pp. 444, 445.]
159. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lord High
Treasurer. Request payment of Office expenses Christmas 1710
Michaelmas 1711, and for salaries of Secretary etc. 9 months, and
of Commissioners If years overdue since Michaelmas. [C.O. 389,
37. pp. 2426.]
160. Deposition of Michael Ay on. On Dec. 7 last Governor
Parke sent for Capt. Joseph Rookeby of Col. Jones' Regiment
and asked him why he was not at Ms post, seeing the country was
in armes against him. Rookeby answered that he was not sent
there to fight against the subject. Generall Parke replied, I hope
you will support and defend the Queen's Representative when
insulted, assureing Rookeby that he would not fire a shott
against any person unless they first fired att him. Notwith-
138
COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
standing which (/apt. Rookeby ordered his company who were
then in armes not to lire a shott against any person att their
peri-ill. Upon which Generall Parke suspended him, but Capt.
Rookeby took no notice and went out of towne. Henry Smith
then an overseer of a plantation, but now an ensigne in Coll.
Jones his Regiment was in armes that day. He told deponent,
if the murther was to be done againe, he would goe upon his hands
and head a mile to perfect itt. Col. Jones made him an ensign
in his regiment knowing this, etc. Signed, Michael Ayon. f p.
[C.O. 152, 42. No. 107.]
Nov. 10.
Boston.
161. Lt. Governor Tailer to [? the Earl of Dartmouth,
cf. Feb. 27]. I waited upon Coll. Dudley the first night of my
arrivall and delivered him your Lordship's letter, wch. was very
acceptable. H.E. ord'red a Council the next day and I was
sworne. I have spoke to H.E. about the Castle, which my
predecessor Coll. Povey had the command of, and which your
Lordship writt in my favour about, but I have not the command
of it as yet, but have H.E.s' prominiss. H.E. has allso recom-
mended me to the Assembly. I make noe doubt but of a good
agreement betwene us, for I shall in all respects be obedient to
his commands. I begg to remind your Lordship of Mr. Secretary
Granvell['s] report referring to my pay, etc. Signed, William
Tailer. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 898. No. 17.]
Nov. 12.
New York.
162. Governor Hunter to [? the Earl of Dartmouth]. On
Tuesday last a French fisherman brought in to this harbour the
poor remains of H.M.S. the Feversham's crew, which with the
three transports loaded with provisions for the Expedition was
cast away upon Cape Britton on Oct. 7th in the night. All the
officers except the Lutenant and Master perisht, and only 48 of
150 sailors sav'd. Since the fatal miscarriage of the intended
expedition our frontiers have been infested and two familys
cutt off by the French Indians. I have putt them into the best
posture I can in such poor circumstances as the Govt. at present
is and shall do my best in that and every thing else for H.M.
service. Encloses Address of the Council and Assembly for
renewing the Expedition. If H.M. so pleases God grant it better
successe, but it is necessary we have here more timely notice if
anything is to be provided on this side. I know the winds
prevented our last advices, for the Fleet arriv'd much about the
time H.M. orders came to my hands. Sending this by an un-
certain conveyance I shall trouble your Lordp. no further then
to let you know that the affaires of H.M. Government go on at
the same rate in the Assembly here as formerly and not the least
glimpse of hopes of a Revenue or their ever being on a
better foot by any means here. I shall indeavour to maintain
H.M. right, let my sufferings increase never so much, etc. P.S.
The men of the Joseph and Mary transports are all sav'd. The
Master and 5 of the Neptune transport's men lost. Signed,
Ro. Hunter. If pp. [C.O. 5, 1091. No. 27 ; and (duplicate) 28.]
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 139
1711.
Nov. 12. 163. Mr. Bridger to [? the Earl of Dartmouth]. Mr. Mico,
Boston. factor to Mr. Francis Collins, has every year cut the full number
of masts according to the contract with the Navy Board and has
delivered only 3 shipps' loads. He has cut a great number of
masts every year exceeding the number and demolitions of the
contract etc. There are 9 shipps' loadings due or 576 masts
wch. should have been delivered yearly according to contract,
wch. is a great disappointment to the service. All these masts
are rotting in the River of Pjscataqua, and it is to H.M. damage
more than 17,000 at 30 per mast, and by Mr. Mice's workmen's
impudent and unwarrantable proceedings has let everyone into
H.M. woods, where they have cut many hundreds of masts, and
this has been a long time practised, but hope by the due proceed-
ing of the late Act of Parliament in that case made and provided
[hope] I shall be able to give your Lordp. a good account thereof
in a year or two etc. I begg that an order may be granted for
my seizing all masts that shall be found cut above contract, and
that such care be taken of those masts in contract that are good,
as your Lordp.' shall think most convenient, etc. Signed, J.
Bridger. 2 pp. [C.O. 5, 898. No. 18.]
Nov. 13. 164. Governor Dudley to Mr. Secretary St. John. Refers
Boston, to letters of July 11 and Sept. 3. Since which by H.M.S. the
lew England. gq u i rre i j have a letter from your Honour's office, accompanying
certain goods with envoyce dated Aug. 2nd which were left
behind at Portsmouth, to be sent to Mr. Nutmaker, Comissary of
the Stores, etc. which I have disposed in store for H.M. further
order. On Oct. 1st I received your Honour's letter of May 29
by Capt. Wade in H.M.S. the Adventure, on board of wch. were
100 soldiers that were on board the transports separated from the
Fleet in their passage hither and returned to Ireland, the Fleet
being gone home before her arrivall here, she is supplyed with
what Capt. Wade desires, and is returning home, upon whom
Lt. Generall Nicholson returns. I most humbly pray your
Honour to allow mee to represent my obedience to H.M. Instruc-
tions. The first commands 1000 able men from these Provinces,
which I raysed to a man etc., and with them were three score
officers the best that could be found, besides Col. Vetch in com-
mand of the whole. The second Instruction requires the provid-
ing transports, provisions etc., in obedience to which 20 vessels,
brigantines and others were provided with four months and half
full allowance of provisions (the instructions directing onely
three months), and the vessells were in all poynts fitted, and beds
for every two men, and a large Hospital for the sick, and all the
carpenters in the adjacent towns impressed to rayse the flatt-
bottomed boats to the satisfaction of the Admirall. In obedience
to the third article referring to Pilots, letters to all the gentlemen
in the severall parts of both Provinces were sent to examine what
persons saylors had been up Canada River and orders to the
Sheriffs to summons and bring them before the Admiral, with
charts and mapps of the River, their Journalls and soundings in
their passage thither, and I know of no man that was a sayler that
140 COLONIAL PAPERS.
1711.
had by watere seen Quebeck but what were delivered to him and
proceeded to the number of 14 or 15 (except Capt. Southack)
most of which were examined at their return, and the accounts
they gave severally will be humbly layd before your Honour.
The fourth commands a number of artificers, masons, carpenters,
and smiths with all tools etc., there were accordingly master
workmen of all trades above impressed and delivered to Col.
King, H.M. Engineer, and all the smiths near employed to make
the axes, spades etc. from the receipt of the orders to the week the
fleet sayled, and were sent aboard and the account taken by the
engineers and I suppose sent home. In obedience to the fifth
article, so much was sayd to the severall Councills and Assemblys
that they readily came into ye service, and charge, notwith-
standing the heavy burthen of the defence of the frontiers at the
same time, and all imaginable care to conceal the design. In
obedience to the sixth I alwayes kept good intilligence with the
garrison of Port Royal, and at the GeneralTs direction sent a
detachment of 100 men, the first of the forces raysed, who stayed
there untill they were relieved by a garrison of British soldiers
sent thither by the General from Spanish River where he last
anchored, and Col. Vetch commanded the forces of these Provinces
with officers under him to his satisfaction. In answer to the
seventh, in peace we have no trade with the French at Quebeck,
nor elswhere, being forbidden by both the Crowns, much less in
warr, however being long in hopes for such a day as this, I sent
twice up the River of St. Lawrence to Quebeck for the exchange
of prisoners to make pilots, and see the place, till Mr. Voderil
forbid my coming that way about 5 years since. In one of those
vessels Col. Vetch and my son William Dudley, who now served
as a Lt. Colonel to Col. Vetch, were brought thither and tarryed
there 20 days, and made all the advantageous observations they
could, and were now ready to do their duty in all things. In
obedience to the eigt(A), I had 120 Indians in the files, good
marksmen and that had been in the service as scouts during all
the present war. In obedience to the ninth, to put everything
in order, all H.M. Governours concerned mett and unanimously
agreed all necessary articles, etc. I humbly thank H.M. in the
name of both the Provinces for her princely compassion to her
good subjects in easing their charge as much as may be, and
intimating the granting of lands and benefits there, upon the
hoped success (articles x, xi, xii). The 13th commanded an
embargo which was strictly enjoyned from Col. Nicholson's
arrival till the fleet had been gone 20 dayes, and besides the
staying our own shiping, I stay'd Mr. Le Ronde, an officer of
Mr. Costabell, Governour of Placentia, who was with me upon
exchange of prisoners, who is yet here. And besides all the
Generall Assembly stamped 50,000 in bills of credit, and lent
them for two years without interest to enable the merchants to
supply the Generall with provisions and necessaryes and set a
rate on all victualls below the ordinary price that H.M. forces
might be reasonabely supplyed. Mr. Dummer, Agent, for this
Province, will attend your Honour with accounts etc. I was
AMERICA AND WEST INDIES. 141
1711.
alwayes a witness of General Hill's, and the Admirall's application
and dispatch while the Fleet lay here, and humbly submit to the
Divine Providence that orders all things, and onely pray, agreable
to the Addresses from all the Goverments, that H.M. will renew
the Expedition the next year, to preserve us from the continuall
insults of the enemy upon a long frontier of these Provinces of
200 miles consisting of open villages which demand 500 men for
their defence, as well as to assert H.M. just right set forth in 
