|
75
March 3
Antigua | Governor William Mathew to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. There remaining in this island but six members of the Council by
the death of Samuel Byam, I have sworn in Rev Francis Byam, son of
the lieut-governor, to make up the number seven. Signed. 1 small p. Endorsed, Recd. 28
April, Read 2 May 1739. [CO 152/23, ff 206–207d] |
76
March 3
Boston | William Shirley to Duke of Newcastle. This morning I received your
commands relating to Sir Thomas Prendergast's demand against Mr
Auchmuty which I hope I have already finished to Sir Thomas's
satisfaction. Your former letter to Governor Belcher concerning this affair came enclosed
to me under my cover from Sir Thomas when he first committed the care of his lawsuit to
me. Having by that means got the knowledge of your recommending Sir Thomas's
interest, I looked upon it as my duty to accept the procuration against Mr Auchmuty and
have for that reason acted in it as I acquainted Sir Thomas from the beginning and I think
with more success than I could reasonably expect. I must now entreat your favour in
permitting me to express the great concern I am under at receiving this morning an
account of your having been lately troubled with an impertinent letter, signed J Bowden,
containing complaints against Governor Belcher and desiring that I may be put into his
post, and to assure you that it's all counterfeit. The person whose name is borrowed to
sign the letter with is a merchant of the largest estate in this province, a Frenchman by
birth who does not trouble his head about anything that relates to the government, is on
good terms with Governor Belcher and has very little acquaintance with me. And to bring
it to the test whether the letter is of his signing or not, as he is one of the signers of our
merchants' public bills, I have sent Mrs Shirley one of those bills to make use of for a
comparison of his handwriting with that letter. I am also persuaded that the letter did not
come from any friend of mine but some person who designed to discredit me with you.
For if the writer of this letter had really designed to serve me and prejudice the governor
he would I doubt not have communicated it to me and consulted me about the propriety
of framing it and sending it. And I hope I am not fallen so low in your opinion as that you
can think me guilty of offering so very weak and silly an abuse to your goodness as to
encourage such a pitiful contrivance. Besides, when the letter was written I was myself an
utter stranger to any application of my friends for the government and the thing itself was
not then in my aim or thoughts, and there is no person in this province who had any
reason to think that I had any such view. There is indeed one gentleman in the province
whose jealousy I can't forbear mistrusting in this affair and who I know would now be
glad by any contrivance to hurt me in your opinion. It may seem hard and groundless to
impute so mean and improbable an artifice to a gentleman in the highest station among us
but I am so thoroughly acquainted with his politics, and knowing of [MS: to] some other
instances of a like kind of treachery from him towards another gentleman now in
England, that I dare almost risk my credit upon the truth of my suspicion. Having thus
broken in upon you, I must further beg leave just to mention my uneasiness at Mr
Waldo's indiscretions in his application to you in my favour. The account which he has
sent me of his intruding upon you in Sussex and manner of soliciting for me since has
given me no small pain. It is what I am surprised at and should never have consented to if
I had been consulted in it. I am well satisfied of Mr Waldo's friendship for me and am
obliged to him for his good intentions, but I can appeal to my own letters to Mrs Shirley
upon this occasion and Mr Waldo's to me for full proof that he had no commission from
me to act in this manner. It is impossible for me to express fully the deep sense I have of
your late goodness to me in the whole course of my application to HM for annexing a
salary to my post of advocate-general and afterwards in nominating me for chief justice of
the province of New York, and there is nothing I more ardently wish for than to have an
opportunity of giving you a proof of my duty and gratitude to you. Signed. 2½ pp.
Endorsed, Duplicate, R, 9 May (by Mr Waldo). [CO 5/899, ff 360–361d] |
77
March 3
Georgia Office | Harman Verelst to James Oglethorpe, by Mary Ann, Capt Thomas
Shubrick. Herewith you receive copy of the Trustees' letter of 5
February [MS: 15th instant] sent by way of New York. Your letter to
me of 22 November last I received 15th of last month and laid it before the Trustees. They
are thereby, as well as by your former letters, furnished with reasons for their increasing
of their first demand and they are proceeding with all possible diligence to obtain the
wanted supply. The Trustees having received 40l for John MacLeod, the Scots minister at
Darien, they have sent over sola bills for that purpose. They have also sent 70l more in
sola bills whereof 30l is to be paid to Mr Gronau to make up the charges of building his
dwelling-house from 10l to 40l, and 40l to Mr Bolzius towards the maintenance of
Salzburgh widows and orphans, which 70l is out of money appropriated for the use of the
Salzburghers. The Trustees desire also that, out of the sola bills now sent you and payable
with the money appropriated for the religious uses of the colony, you should direct a
house to be built at Frederica for Mr Norris, the minister who is (on the arrival of Mr
Whitefield at Savannah) to be stationed there, and also to have a 5-acre lot to be fenced
and cultivated for him; and a 5-acre lot to be fenced and cultivated for the minister at
Savannah as near as may be to the minister's house there. |
| Herewith you receive invoice of the 15 tons of beer amounting (with freight and
insurance) to the sum of 160l 10s 6d, the produce whereof is to be applied for the clothing
and maintaining the Trustees' servants to be employed in cultivating lands for religious
uses, which William Stephens, Henry Parker and Thomas Jones or any two of them are to
account for to the Trustees in the same manner as they are to account for the sola bills
they are directed to issue. The sola bills sent you, which the Trustees now desire you to
endorse, amount to 710l and herewith you receive an indemnity for the endorsement of
them under the seal of the corporation. They are to be issued by William Stephens, Henry
Parker and Thomas Jones or any two of them in the following manner, viz 600l part
thereof to be applied in clothing and maintenance of the Trustees' servants whose services
are to answer the expense thereof as far as 400l towards building a church at Savannah and
200l in cultivating lands for religious uses in the northern and southern parts of Georgia;
and the other 110l to Mr MacLeod, Mr Gronau and Mr Bolzius as beforementioned. And
they are directed that the two of them who shall issue the said bills do send an account
signed to the Trustees showing on every issue to whom and for what services agreeable to
the above instructions each respective issue was made, together with a list of the several
bills so issued. The Trustees take the opportunity of acquainting you that the Lords of the
Admiralty, instead of a small sloop to attend on the settlement of Georgia, have ordered
the Phoenix and Seaford men-of-war, both 20-gun ships, alternately from South Carolina
to Georgia to attend upon and secure Georgia from any attempts. PS. The sola bills are in
a small box directed to you and marked G x C, and consist of 31 of 10l each nos 201 to 231
and 400 of 1l each nos 2501 to 2900. Entry. 1½ pp. [CO 5/667, ff 213–214] |
78
March 3
Georgia Office | Harman Verelst to Thomas Jones. I received your letters dated 19 and
20 October and 12 November last and several accounts drawn out
which Mr William Stephens sent me. The Trustees will apply to
Parliament for money to discharge the debt incurred and for further settling and
improving the colony, which when voted they intend to send over a commission to state
and determine the public debts in Georgia and the commissioners will be enabled to sign
to each account the several sums which shall appear to be due to the respective persons
entitled; and such debts is intended to be made payable in England and sola bills will be
sent as soon as the sum is voted; which are to be issued for the service of the colony
according to the regulations to be sent with them whereby all future expenses will be
defrayed with ready money and all occasions of contracting new debts avoided pursuant
to the public notices affixed on the storehouses in Georgia and published in the London
and South Carolina Gazettes. [Orders concerning disposal of sola bills and beer in no 77
repeated.] Entry. 1½ pp. [CO 5/667, pp 214–215] |
79
March 3
Georgia Office | Same to William Stephens. The observations and directions arising from
the Trustees' perusal of your journal to 21 November last, which they
received 29 January following, will be sent to you by the next
opportunity, they not having time at present to fully determine thereupon. The Trustees
have desired Gen Oglethorpe to order the issuing 500l in their sola bills consisting of 100
of 5l each which by endorsements thereon are to be issued by yourself, Thomas Causton
and Henry Parker or any two of you for defraying the most necessary services of the
colony in the supporting and assisting the industrious and helpless. Therefore you and Mr
Parker are desired to be the two persons who sign to the issue of them, and as you issue
them you are to make out an account showing to whom and for what services agreeable to
the above directions each respective issue is made, which you are to send over to the
Trustees signed by both of you, together with a list of the bills so issued, in order to be
discharged therefrom and to enable the Trustees to account to the public in what services
the monies granted and given have been applied. [Orders concerning disposal of sola bills
and beer in no 77 repeated.] Entry. 1½ pp. [CO 5/667, pp 216–217] |
80
March 3
Georgia Office | Same to Rev William Norris. Though the Trustees have received no
letter from you, yet they hear of your safe arrival by their secretary
William Stephens and by his account hope you will be an acceptable
pastor to the people of Savannah. Mr Whitefield, who arrived here in December last, has
been ordained priest and intends to return soon for Savannah. The Trustees on that
occasion have agreed to your being minister at Frederica after his arrival at Savannah and
have ordered a house to be built there for your reception and a 5-acre lot near it to be
fenced and cultivated for you at their expense, which will be a very commodious
situation. They desire to hear from you by every opportunity. Entry. ½ p. [CO 5/667, p
217] |
81
March 3
Georgia Office | Same to Rev John Martin Bolzius acknowledging letter of 6 November
last and notifying grant of 40l by the Trustees towards maintenance of
Salzburgher widows and orphans. Trustees are favourably inclined to
the passage of two Palatine families by the Two Brothers. Nothing shall be wanting to
encourage industry and good harmony. Entry. ½ p. [CO 5/667, p 218] |
82
March 3
Georgia Office | Same to Rev Israel Christian Gronau acknowledging letter of 6
November last and notifying grant of 30l towards cost of house in
consideration of its remaining a dwelling-house for a minister for the
time being. Entry. ¼ p. [CO 5/667, p 218] |
83
March 3
Georgia Office | Same to Messrs Crokatt & Seaman acknowledging letter of 12 January
and care of goods and packets by Minerva, Capt Nickleson. Charges
will be paid. Entry. ¼ p. [CO 5/667, p 219] |
84
March 3
(NS)
The Hague | Robert Trevor to Benjamin Martyn acknowledging letter of 11th past
(OS). I hope all precautions required by this government with respect
to transit of emigrants will have been complied with. There are standing
orders not to let pass the frontiers those without certificate of some sufficient subject of
this state having given bail for orderly passage through and immediate transportation out
of this country. Your board should have an agent at Rotterdam. Because of contagious
distemper in Hungary attestations of health are also required. Signed. 2¾ pp. [CO 5/640, ff
219–292] |
85
[March 3] | [Hugh Anderson to Earl of Egmont.] When a person presumes to take
up your time, so valuable in public and private life, by a long epistle it
should carry along with it an apology either from its value or necessity. The first I have no
title to, the second I plead as my excuse. I am no politician and never entertained thoughts
of meddling with other policies than those of nature and vegetables. But when signal
misfortunes threaten a society each member is obliged to contribute his mite for the
public benefit. Such is the melancholy disposition of our affairs which oblige me to waive
the following what inclination and genius would dictate for those measures which
prudence and necessity for the present enforce and to lay before you the present situation
of your poor afflicted province of Georgia which has been so much the object of your
care and the exercise of your humanity. I no wise doubt but information from properer
hands and more able capacities are laid before you, but as truth and sincerity shall guide
my pen I rest assured it may be some confirmation to have the same conveyed in different
channels. |
| The representation of this division of the province of Georgia which contains the
principal causes of the grievances and presents [the] deplorable condition of the
inhabitants has, I doubt not, before this been presented to the Trustees. As the general
heads of it regard culture and trade I shall beg leave to lay before you my sentiments on
both those grounds. The concurring circumstances of HM's and the nation's bounty and
the generous undertaking of the Trustees, which could only flow from a disinterested
view to the happiness of mankind, were incitements sufficient to engage numbers of
persons of spirit and resolution to risk their all upon the success of an experiment so
apparently well concerted and probable, and in the execution whereof the adventurers
might warrantably expect all the assistance of wisdom, power and humanity. But the best
concerted schemes are but theories and cannot arrive at certainty until put in execution.
According to the best of my knowledge and capacity I shall endeavour to show how far
the concerted plan has succeeded, what now retards its further success and threatens to
conclude the hopes of the nation, the joy of friends and terror of our adversaries, in
confusion and tragedy, which no doubt you and the nation will takes the justest measures
to prevent. I repeat it, my lord, that it was the joy of friends, the envy of neighbours and
the terror of enemies to see the barrier and safeguard of British America rise like an
exhalation under your forming hands: beautiful towns built in the most healthful and
advantageous situations, villages cut out and cultivated, forts in the proper passes erected
and guarded for the safety of the inhabitants, our navigable rivers covered with vessels
and made a new asylum for British ships and commerce in peace or war, and the outmost
isles and lines of our boundaries fortified within sight of our adversaries. Such was lately
the situation of affairs, sufficient to oblige the French (after having in vain tried all the arts
of peace and terrors of war to draw off from our interest or destroy our friendly Indians
that border upon their settlements) to send over numbers of regular forces to reinforce
their garrisons and the Spaniard to augment their forces at St Augustine and erect new
fortifications upon Apallatche Fields. But, oh, how fallen, how changed the beautiful
town of Savannah, decaying and desolate, the greater number of its inhabitants dispersed
in other parts of the world to shun misery and famine, the remainder dispirited and in
want of common necessaries of life, supported only with the assurance of the justice of
the nation and honour and humanity of the Trustees, the cultivated plantations deserted
and overgrowing with brush, the villages unpeopled, manufactures given over, credit lost
and public works mouldering to destruction before they are finished. I may well apply
here the conclusion which the Trojan hero draws from the review of the tragedy of his
native country, quis talia fando temperet a lachrimis. (fn. 1) |
| The colony is composed of two sets of people, those who were sent over by the
Trustees and supported by them, or others who from the probable view of success
ventured their private fortunes in the adventure without being burthensome to the public.
Both I shall now view in the same light as either party have spent their public support or
private stock in prosecuting the intended plan in the first necessary and essential article of
cultivation without success. I do not say that every person of the society has exerted
himself this way. But it suffices for my argument that so many of each kind have with all
diligence, care and application prosecuted the experiment. But now it appears from the
repeated trials of six, five, four, three, two and one years that the labour of the industrious
has sooner exhausted their substance than idleness could have done, and that it is
impossible for us in the present situation we are in, by the produce of our improvements,
to balance the expenses of them: for which I shall assign the following reasons: |
| 1st The nature of the soil. It appears from a simple view of the surface of the soil of
this province and all the maritime coasts of America that we are now possessed of the soils
of the ocean which certainly at some time covered all this part of the continent. The
particles of matter, while in a state of fluidity by their mixture with the water, subsided
according to their specific gravity and upon the retiring of the sea exhibit a level surface of
sand, of which consists the greater part of our firm land. The rivers proceeding from the
distant mountains in their natural tendency to the ocean, where they met with resistance
bedded and dilated, their waters forming swamps and morasses until their swelling and
proper gravity overpowering all resistance digged out those channels in which now they
flow. And therefore the second and lowest level of this country is equal to the surface of
the rivers and consists of savannahs, swamps, morasses and cane or cypress galls, many of
which afford the most valuable soil, the violent course of the rivers having carried off the
movable sand and discovered the clay and loamy strata that lay underneath, and of such
generally are the ricegrounds. The face of the earth, naturally sown with the seeds by the
hand of the Almighty, when impregnated with the fertilizing dews and warmth of the
sun, would soon be covered with vegetable productions most suitable to the nature of the
soil, climate, etc, and thus I present you with a natural landskip of this part of the
continent. It might be expected that the continual falling of the leaves from the trees might
in so many centuries have covered the natural soil with a fertile crust of rotted manure,
but such is the absorbing nature of the trees and plants who generally spread their roots
and fibres upon the surface, or the exhaling heat of the sun, or both, that hardly is the
sand tinged with a different colour; and where it is, on the best high grounds which
produce oak and hickory, the mixture of black earth descends but a few inches, and where
the land is pine-barren the soil is much less improvable. I need say no more to convince
you that no extraordinary returns can be expected, that the ground stands in need of
continual supplies of dung and proper manures (which for the present we cannot furnish)
and that so thin a soil, by the powerful influence of the sun, must be soon exhausted. I
talk of improving by sowing of corn and other the first necessaries of life. As for other
manufactures of silk and wine I shall afterwards express my sentiments. Though the
returns are small the necessary culture includes a continued course of toilsome labour and
intolerable to the constitution of British servants, such as felling, cross-cutting, logging,
heaping, burning, splitting, railing, hoeing, planting, clearing, reaping, etc, and especially
when we reflect upon the second reason viz. |
| 2nd The heat and climate. It will easily be believed that a removal from Britain to so
southern a latitude must very sensibly affect the constitution and that the excess of heat in
the summer disables the servants from working in the middle hours of the day; but to
explain how the heat may occasion those many diseases that they are subject to is the
province of a physician. Only this I know, that it visibly affects the barometer in a
surprising manner, occasions a violent perspiration and languor of the animal spirits and
relaxes all the solids of the body. Nothing more conduces to relieve either persons or
vegetables than a free current of air which as yet we enjoy in very few places, for there
being no concert or methods taken for cultivating contiguous plantations, the many small
improvements made are cut out of a surrounding forest, which admitting no avenues of
air, the health of the inhabitants is impaired and the hopes of the labourer disappointed. |
| 3rd The expense of maintenance is so great that an extraordinary return must be
expected to defray it. The lowest proportion that will satisfy white servants is 1 lb flesh, 1
lb breadkind per day, and 1 bottle molasses per week. Many exceed this quantity, and if it
were possible to retrench it the masters would gain nothing by it for servants when
discontented are of little service. It adds not a little to our necessities that as we cannot
raise those necessary provisions of our own we must buy the greater part from strangers
at double the price they give in the neighbouring province. And in proportion as our
poverty increases, our credit decreases, provisions grow scarcer and the price augments.
To this, join clothes, linens, shoes and other necessaries with the chargeable article of
sickness and expenses, and I must conclude (though I do not pretend to understand
political arithmetic) the total cannot be less than 10 or 12l sterling each. And I must say
that the expenses of physicians and apothecaries is amongst the greatest grievances we
labour under. Our servants are so sensible that it is impossible for them to execute the
most laborious parts of cultivation with safety that great numbers have deserted and daily
do so, well knowing that in all the other provinces there are Negroes to undergo those
labours that would be fatal to a British constitution, and of those who remain almost
certain sickness and frequently death is their fate, and the loss of time the smallest part of
the damage that the master suffers. |
| 4th As the plan of the several lots were cut out regularly and without regard to the
quality of the soil, in many places they occur in pine-barrens which are unimprovable or
in swamps where the necessary dykes and drains surpass the abilities of the planter. |
| 5th I shall only add upon this head another reason that hinders the success of the
laborious planter, and this is poverty. Cattle, hogs, etc would be most useful in
supporting the family but are absolutely necessary to enable him to improve his land,
carry his commodities to and from market, and other uses. |
| I presume to say that since my arrival in this colony I have with the greatest
application I was capable of prosecuted the improvement of my small farm, cleared,
enclosed and planted 15 acres with corn, potatoes, peas, rice, cotton, tobacco, nurseries,
etc, in doing which and maintenance of my family I expended 150l sterling. The returns of
all which amounted to about 6l sterling. Nor was this the greatest of my losses: two of my
servants deserted to Carolina, four died; out of my family twelve continued sick a long
time; myself after six months of illness given over by the physicians; and a charge of
sickbed expenses, not included in the former, of above 50l sterling. God forbid that I
should lay down my case as a mean to judge others by; I hope few have shared so many
misfortunes. But I may be bold to say that every person has sustained losses and that none
can pretend by his improvements to defray the fifth part of his necessary expendings. |
| That we are as incapable to relieve our necessities by trade as culture will appear from
reflecting on what is said in relation to our servants. No branch of trade and manufactures
can be useful or profitable unless the profits arising therefrom do overbalance the
necessary charges; and our private convenience has obliged us to try several kinds of
them, boards, bricks, tannage, etc, which has made some circulation from hand to hand
amongst ourselves. But how could we ever expect to export those commodities to foreign
places when our neighbouring colonies can afford them at a much cheaper rate and in a
great measure have even broke off our endeavours to proceed further by pouring in upon
us those very species much below the extent of our necessary expenses? I acknowledge
that some lumber and staves have been exported from this colony but I do aver it as truth
that no advantage ever did arise to the exporter further than it was perhaps a less loss to
employ their servants in such labour than culture. The second reason which disables us to
prosecute either trade or culture is our want of credit. Your lordship knows very well that
both the mechanic and mercantile part of mankind live more by credit than stock, and the
man who has a probable scheme of improving credit is naturally entitled thereto. We have
exhausted our public support and private stocks in prosecuting the scheme laid down to
us by the Trustees and now stand in need of credit to enable us further to go on. This
credit now so necessary for our subsisting and welfare, we are cut off from by wanting a
full right and title to our lands and being laid under a chain of restrictions to which all
HM's other subjects in America are strangers to. The wisdom of the honourable board in
not dispensing to us at our first settlement the full right and privilege contained in the
King's most gracious charter, with the conveyance of which in the properest manner
those honourable persons were entrusted, was never by us called in question, having
assurances that those restrictions were temporary, for preventing the abuses that might
arise at the settlement of an infant colony and until a proper body of laws under your
consideration should be perfected. For who could scruple to entrust his interest in the
hands of such honourable guardians? Not until the last scene, and I may say catastrophe,
of our tragedy have we presumed in so unanimous manner to request and insist for those
just reliefs which the exigencies of our affairs, the justice of the nation and the humanity
of the Trustees make us depend upon. My lord, I will be bold to say that in no part of
America are there a handful of more resolute spirits either to withstand an enemy, defend
their property (if they had any) or dare difficulties. And as we have not fled our country
for crimes but generously ventured our lives in effecting a settlement upon the most
exposed point of HM's dominions where the barrenness of the earth, the aspect of the
heavens, and situation of our bordering enemies all conspire to shorten our lives and
exercise our courage and patience, we might and do expect that our privileges and liberties
shall equal those of our fellow-subjects. For who would venture his life to defend no
property or fight to secure to himself slavery and poverty? It would be presumptuous in
me to launch into arguments for support of our cause with you whose sympathy and
humanity will supply stronger and more moving defences than I can express. The voice of
our case is sufficiently moving without embellishments to affect the generous. It is
sufficient to the skilful physician that the circumstances of the patient be clearly and justly
represented; to prescribe the method of cure would be superfluous. As for the
manufactures of silk and wine I entertain the most promising hopes that they (especially
the former) may turn to the great support and enriching of the colony and in time, if your
honours will be pleased to give the proper orders and supply the means of bringing those
experiments to perfection, commence a staple commodity [provided] our neighbouring
colonies do no wise interfere with us or we with them. But this is more the subject of our
faith and hopes than of our present advantage. |
| And now, my lord, to sum up the whole, it appears morally certain that this colony
cannot subsist upon the present footing, and if it is to be altered in the favours of others,
why not of us who have risked our all in the adventure and who are chargeable with no
blame but that we could not effect impossibilities? Were I to advance that the dissolving
of this colony would disappoint the noble designs of the nation and leave this now
important pass a prey to the French or Spaniards, render the advantages of a regiment and
garrison useless as well as impracticable, irritate the Indians, endanger the loss of the
Indian trade, and expose all the northern colonies to the insults of adversaries, these might
be informations to others but can be none to you whose comprehensive knowledge
engrosses the political interests of states and countries. It is probable that the particular
difficulties of my own condition may necessitate me to seek bread for my family and
children in some other corner of the world before measures for retrieving the state of this
colony can be taken by the board but this shall never abate my solicitude for the
prosperity of this society of which I am a member nor my gratitude to the Trustees, and
particularly your lordship, for favours received which I shall always acknowledge. And I
presume to hope that your goodness will regard my sincere intentions as an apology for
many weaknesses which render this letter unworthy of being presented to you. Copy. 7¼
pp. Endorsed, (1) Copy letter to Earl of Egmont, 1739. (2) 3 March 1738/9. Copy of letter
from Hugh Anderson to Earl of Egmont. [CO 5/640, ff 287–290d] |
86
March 5
Jamaica | Governor Edward Trelawny to Duke of Newcastle. A party of the
militia under command of Col Guthrie, together with a detachment of
Capt Robinson's independent company under the command of Lieut
Sadler, having with great resolution and bravery forced their way through two dangerous
ambushes which were disputed and many narrow passes inexpressibly difficult, and drove
the most considerable party of the rebels in this island out of their town, the rebels sued
for terms which, considering the difficulty and almost impossibility of getting the better
of them by force, by advice of the Council I empowered Col Guthrie and Mr Sadler to
grant them. I send you herewith a copy of the articles of agreement with them, and it will
be the greatest satisfaction to me if HM approves of what has been done. Indeed I am
persuaded myself by what I have seen of the country, and it is the universal opinion of
those that have been the oftenest out on parties and the most acquainted with it, that it is
impossible to reduce the rebels by force. All throughout the length of the island from one
end to the other the middle for some miles is full of thick woods, craggy mountains and
stony precipices. In these the rebels have their settlements which are almost inaccessible
and so posted that a few can keep out fifty times their number. They have fastnesses
behind fastnesses, ambushes and narrow difficult passes one behind the other, and when
with great danger and loss of men you beat them out of one they retire to another and so
on. By knowing the country and being nimbler they are often able to surround our parties
and attack them on every side, hemmed in within those straits. By these means parties
have been generally so unsuccessful that it is supposed that much the greatest part of the
arms which the rebels now have have been taken from those that have gone against them.
I therefore dreaded, I must own, sending out this party; nor should I have done it if I had
not been well-informed and entirely satisfied of the courage, conduct and ability of Col
Guthrie, who as well as Mr Sadler, has entirely answered my utmost expectations. If you
will give yourself the trouble to peruse the extracts of letters which are herewith enclosed,
you will conceive the nature of the service in this country and the almost impossibility of
reducing the rebels by force. It has long been the desire of the generality of the country to
treat with the rebels; I was convinced of the necessity of it but I thought it dangerous to
offer them terms. I wished for such an event as this, that the offer might come from them;
thanks to the bravery of the party that event is brought about and I think there is little
doubt but if we pursue the blow we shall in a little time rid the island of all its rebels.
Unhappily at this time we are but thinly inhabited, a great many having been forced by
the rebels to throw up their settlements and others deterred from coming among us; but
now those fears being removed, if at this critical conjuncture HM would be pleased to
countenance us, if he would give his consent to our having from Parliament a sum of
money a third or fourth part of what has been granted to Georgia, to be laid out in
furnishing newcomers with provisions and other necessaries as well as tools to fall lands
and build conveniences till such time as they are able to provide for themselves, they
obliging themselves within a certain time to return the money to be employed in the same
manner to other newcomers (so that it would be a perpetual fund for the settling the
island), I say I am persuaded if HM would extend his royal favour to us so far, this would
be a most flourishing colony and an important possession to the Crown of Great Britain.
I entreat you to represent this matter to HM and to implore at this critical time his most
gracious assistance and protection. I am desired by the Council of this island to use my
good offices for Lieut Sadler who has distinguished himself on this occasion, that he may
receive farther preferment in the army, and likewise for Mr James Cunningham now
acting as lieutenant by warrant from the governor and who went out a volunteer on this
service, that he may have HM's commission. I cannot comply with the desire of the
Council better than by entreating you to move HM that he would prefer these two
gentlemen as desired. Lieut Brodie of Capt Robinson's company and Mr Charles
Ramsay, who acts as lieutenant to the said company by warrant, both did their duty
extremely well; I therefore recommend the latter for a commission. Signed. 4 pp.
Endorsed, R, 4 June. Enclosed:
86 i Trelawny Town, 17 February 1739. Extract of letter from Col John Guthrie
to Governor Trelawny. It is with some pleasure that I am to acquaint you that we are
now masters of Cudjoe's Town. We marched Tuesday last from Mr Hall's at Montego
Bay and yesterday morning about ten of the clock we came up to the open ground
where several Negroes were at work. But being discovered before we could get nigh
them, there was only a child killed and a woman and a child taken. This occasioned a
general alarm, on which they returned in considerable numbers to an ambush through
which we were unavoidably to pass in our way to this town. On our arrival at it the
independents commanded by Capt Sadler sustained a very great fire and in spite of our
best endeavours we were about fifteen minutes before we could gain it, and where one
soldier was killed and two wounded. After having passed the first ambush we came
into a spacious opening where we halted, and the town being about a mile from us we
resolved to proceed no farther that day; but this morning early we marched to it. It is
impossible for me to describe to you the difficult access to it, but being resolved to
make ourselves masters of it we made our way through a strong ambush where three
more of the soldiers were wounded and I am afraid one of them mortally. We stayed
about two hours in the town and then burnt it. We are now returned to the provision
ground where there is great store of it. I have had but little assistance from the free
mulattoes and several of the Negroes, and at the same time I must do justice to Mr
Sadler who has behaved himself with great resolution and bravery. I am sensible you
will be surprised when I mention the resolution of the gentlemen who composed this
party, when we have done so little as to the affair of taking or killing the Negroes, but
if ever you visit this town (which now bears your name) you will not attribute it to
any remissness in us. Copy. 2¼ p.
86 ii Trelawny Town, 18 February 1739. Same to same. Since mine of last night
we sustained a few shot from Cudjoe which brought on a second conference with him.
Let me assure you that I dread telling you that it ended in peace. I have had him by the
hand, although by so doing Mr Sadler and myself ran some small risk, as did one or
two other gentlemen. On our first conference he offered to assist against any foreign
enemy and to take up for the future all runaway Negroes, and I on my part promised
in your name that they shall live unmolested in this place with all that they now enjoy.
It is likewise stipulated that I shall stay here in a peaceable manner with them for ten
days, by which time I hope to receive your commands. But as this affair requires a
better head than mine I pray you will make choice of a person to transact the whole
with them. As to any other circumstance in the whole I refer you to the bearer of this,
Lieut Cunningham, who has behaved himself in the best manner. I shall only add that
they live in such places as are almost inaccessible, and to reduce them entirely will
certainly cost much blood and treasure. I shall with impatience wait your pleasure and
shall be careful that no advantage is taken by this treaty. Copy. 1½ pp.
86 iii Trelawny Town, 17 February 1739. Lieut Francis Sadler to Governor
Trelawny. The enclosed is a report or rather a journal of my duty in obedience to your
commands since my last of the 13th, when we marched from Mr Hall's. I fear it will
not be quite so agreeable to you as I could wish as it contains an account of our losing
one man and having five more severely wounded. I hope the nature of our duty will
plead an apology for our misfortunes in this case for I must confess that I should have
judged it more to my own credit could I have executed your commands with less loss.
You gave me instructions that if it should be my opinion the town or any place near it
would be proper to maintain a garrison I should leave a party of soldiers in it. In the
first place a part of what are here at present, nay the whole, would not be sufficient to
defend a barrack in any place I have hitherto seen, unless it were a barrack built with
stone and properly flanked. In the next place, the road to the town from Montego Bay
is so full of cockpits (as is every part near the town) and fit for ambushes that the
baggage will always require an extraordinary guard, and that subject to be intercepted
or cut off with the greatest ease. But as Col Guthrie is of opinion that the country will
support an extraordinary number of militia for his service, he seems willing to
maintain it till it can be determined. Therefore I shall accompany him while properly
supplied with provisions and I shall receive your further pleasure on this head. Copy.
1½ pp.
86 iv Trelawny Town, 18 February 1739. Same to same. My letter of yesterday to
you was just going away when we received a salute from the rebels, which therefore
prevented its departure. But an incident since falling out occasions our resolutions on
that head not long to be retarded, for after we had received a few shots we had a
second conference with the rebels which has produced such an alteration in regard to
our differences with them as has never before been known in this island. As we found
them inclinable to peace Col Guthrie and myself endeavoured to forward the affair as
far as we possibly could consonant to your sentiments formerly declared to me on the
occasion. In fine, one or two of the rebels ventured to show themselves on the open
ground, and having then ordered our men not to fire Col Guthrie and myself met
Capt Cudjoe, Capt Cuffee and the captain of the Port Antonio gang (who had not
long before joined them with 100 shot), half-way, unarmed, where after mutual
civilities passed between us [they] seemed very well disposed to acknowledge you
with all the deference due to your character, to hold a perfect harmony with the
country, and to render themselves as useful to it as possible by taking up our
runaways and returning them, and of their own accord offered to be assisting on the
first command against the Spaniards or any other foreign enemy on condition that
they might have free possession of this place and be free from slavery, might not be
disturbed by parties, and might have a commerce with us, which we undertook to
answer for as far as possibly we could, presuming it would be agreeable to your
pleasure and the good of the country. I hope these proceedings will meet with your
approbation. I beg leave to add an account from Dr Harris, our surgeon, of the
wounded: Thomas Bradley, dangerous; Patrick Dillon; George Welch; George
Sinclair; Hugh M'Kay; William Hatchet, dead. Copy. 2½ pp.
86 v Trelawny Town, 1 March 1739. Articles of agreement between Col John
Guthrie and Lieut Francis Sadler, and Capt Cudjoe. Copy of articles in no 116i. 6½ pp.
[CO 137/56, ff 189–204d; signed duplicate, undated, with copies of enclosures, at ff
181–188d] |
87
[March 5] | Petition of John Jenkins of Barbados, merchant, to the King setting
forth his losses by the seizure by the Spaniards of his sloop Speedwell
on 27 August 1720 at St Lucia; also the losses of Abel Tudor of Barbados by seizure by
Spaniards of the Marygold on 12 February 1726 at St Croix. The said Tudor, being
indebted to the petitioner, has assigned the claim to him. Signed. 1½ pp. Endorsed, R, 5
March 1739. [CO 28/40, ff 165–166d] |
88
March 6 | Petition of Chaloner Jackson to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations praying that action should be expedited upon his complaint
against Governor Fitzwilliam. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 10 March, Read 15 March
1739. [CO 23/4, ff 55, 55d, 58, 58d] |
89
March 8
Savannah | James Oglethorpe to Trustees for Georgia recommending grant of 500
acres at Augusta to Mr Obryan who has kept a storehouse there for
furnishing Indian traders with goods. Settlement of Augusta is of great
service, it being 300 miles from the sea and the key to the Indian country. There are others
I shall recommend for lots who have deserved well of the Trustees. Signed. 1½ small pp.
[CO 5/640, ff 293–294d] |
90
March 8
Palace Court | Account showing how money granted to the Trustees of Georgia in the
last session of Parliament has been applied. Entry. 1 p. [CO 5/670, p
379] |
91
March 9
Boston | Governor Jonathan Belcher to Duke of Newcastle. I beg leave of you to
admit my agents, Mr Partridge and Mr Belcher, to put this into your
hands, wherein I would first of all give you my humble and sincerest
thanks for the constant course of your justice and favour to me in the affairs of my
governments. And in the next place I am to beseech your attention for a few minutes
while I say the last ship from London informs me that a complaint had been entered
against me by one Mr Thomlinson in behalf of the House of Representatives of New
Hampshire under the name of an appeal of the said Representatives from the judgment of
HM's commissioners for settling the boundaries between this province and that, though it
seems (by a copy I have seen) to be rather an invective or a libel upon the King's governor.
I am also advised that Col Dunbar and one Mr Waldo were endeavouring to cook up
complaints against me. These gentlemen are my sworn enemies, full of wrath and malice. I
would therefore, while I mention these things, humbly beg you to consider that it is
impossible for a gentleman to be at the head of two of the King's provinces and not have
enemies, although I have good reason to believe the people of both are at this day (19 in
20) in greater tranquillity than they have been for many years past. And what I am now
most humbly to beg of you is whenever anything shall be laid against me as complaint I
may have the liberty of an Englishman to be served with copies and time given to answer.
This I can't but hope you will think my undoubted right, more especially since HM is
pleased to honour me with commissions for the government of two of his provinces and
in his royal instructions to call me the representative of his royal person. And if I may
have so much justice or favour I shall not be in much pain because I have been always
determined since I have had the honour to serve the King in the station he has placed me
to maintain HM's just rights and honour, and at same time to be tender of the liberties of
his people, and which I think very compatible in an English governor with an English
government. I humbly pray the continuance of your countenance and protection. Signed.
6 small pp. Endorsed, R, 23 May. [CO 5/899, ff 362–365d] |
92
March 9
Savannah | James Oglethorpe to Trustees for Georgia. I acquainted you upon my
first arrival with the terrible bad situation of affairs but I find you
received those advices extremely late by reason of neglect at Charleston.
The store has received a second advice from you that you have sent back an account
certified by Mr Causton of 772l 4s 7d due to Mr Symond for goods delivered to the stores
here and that you have ordered it to be paid here. The situation of the stores you will find
by Mr Jones's letters as well as mine and that there was a great deal more due amongst the
people than the stores amounted to. The store offered Mr Purry, who is Mr Symond's
correspondent, to deliver him provisions, etc that were in the stores in payment of the
debts at the prices which other creditors offered to take them in payment of theirs but he
said he was unwilling to take the provisions, which was all the poor people here had to
keep them from starving, out of their mouths; and also that his demand was for goods
sold for money and not for provisions and goods which he did not know how to raise
money upon if he had them. Mr Purry here, as well as Mr Symond at London, have been
of great service to the colony. All that they have delivered into the stores has been of the
best sorts, in a good condition and at the lowest prices; and if other people had dealt as
well by the Trustees there had been several thousands of pounds saved. I should therefore
recommend it to you as a point of expediency as well as justice to pay out of the first
monies that come to hand this demand of Mr Symond's. There was 426l 0s 2d more
delivered by Mr Purry to the store before my arrival and expended, otherwise he would
have taken the same goods back again. Signed. PS. There is also another account not yet
settled which is supposed may amount to about 400 and odd pounds for provisions and
goods delivered before my arrival and money to the missionary. 4 pp. Endorsed, Recd.
18 June 1739. [CO 5/640, ff 295–296d] |
93
March 12
Savannah | James Oglethorpe to Trustees for Georgia. It is with great difficulty I
carried on affairs here. Mr Jones hath acted with steadiness and
courage: he desired me not to confirm a certificate signed by Mr
Causton in favour of Mr Williams for the reasons in his letter. Mr Williams is very angry
and hath got the poor people of Savannah, many of whom are deeply in debt to him, to
sign the petition for Negroes which affirms that white men cannot work in this province.
This assertion I can disprove by hundreds of witnesses, all the Salzburghers, the people at
Darien, many at Frederica and Savannah, and all the industrious in the province. The idle
ones are indeed for Negroes. If the petition is countenanced the province is ruined. Mr
Williams and Dr Talfeur will buy most of the lands at Savannah with debts due to them
and the inhabitants must go off and be succeeded by Negroes; yet the very debtors have
been weak enough to sign their desire of leave to sell. A worse affair hath happened upon
the civil letter wrote by the Trustees to Mr Causton to furnish Col Cochran with what he
wants for the regiment and paying for the same. A credit hath been given to this order to
the amount of 935l 13s 3d and Mr Causton hath taken from Col Cochran 198l in wines.
The debt cannot be demanded of the regiment for regiments have nothing but the pay of
each individual officer and man. When six officers were subsisted out of the Trustees'
store no more should have been issued than what their pay would have discharged but
they have received and spent their pay and the debt for their subsistence is still due to the
Trustees nor can I tell from whence the money can come for to discharge it. I have
advanced for the services of the colony about 2000l and have drawn bills upon Mr Verelst
upon my own account and have ordered all my cash, pay and salary, and appointments in
his hands to answer those bills with that sum. I have paid the five months expenses since
my arrival and if Parliament have granted any money I hope you will reserve that sum
that when you are satisfied that it hath been applied in such manner as you shall approve
of you will pay that money into the hands of Mr Verelst for replacing my money that paid
the bills. There are ten ounces of silkworms' eggs hatched and Lyon hath planted ¾ of an
acre of vineyard which thrives well and hath 20 acres cleared already which he intends to
plant in the fall. The Trustees have ½ an acre and the plants have begun to shoot and
promise well. Signed. 2½ pp. Endorsed, Recd., by Capt Yeoman, 14 May 1739. [CO 5/640,
ff 297–298d] |
94
March 12
Savannah | William Stephens to Trustees for Georgia. My last of 6 February was
intended by me to be followed with another a week since in order to go
by Capt Thomson then loading at Charleston; but the general's
presence amongst us requiring frequent application from such as have the honour of
serving you to diversity of matters as occasion offered during his short abode here, I was
obliged to postpone it till a few days more were passed, so that I fear Thomson will be
sailed. And now my duty calls upon me to present you with copy of my journal
continued and duplicate of my former letter as customary, both which are herewith
enclosed, and from thence I conceive you may in some measure form an opinion what
posture we are in here. The late representation, so much in vogue with some and in
contempt with others, I have no further occasion to touch upon since (if I am rightly
informed) it is gone to England and either is or will be exposed to your view with all the
celebrated arguments as well as notorious absurdities, more especially relating to
Negroes; and there let it take its fate. The general has shown evident tokens of his deep
resentment here, wherein it is to be hoped men of different sentiments will not be all alike
equally involved. It would be great injury in me not to say with confidence that a remnant
is yet left of such as peaceably and quietly follow their own business without meddling
with matters above their reach. |
| We are now come to the high season for planting, and upon the general's giving orders
for providing a sufficient stock of good seed of divers kinds for that purpose he also
required the officers to bring him in lists of the several tithings of such as intended to
plant and what store of seed they stood in need of for that use; the returns of which lists
he appeared well pleased at, exceeding far what he expected. But whilst I would be an
advocate for those who are truly deserving I must not swell that number beyond due
bounds, wherefore I took the freedom to offer a caution in delivering out such seed, being
not without reason apprehensive that there might be some among those promisers who
sought corn or potatoes rather with a view of putting it into their bellies than into the
earth; for which reason I conceive when planting is over is the only time to judge of those
who have busied themselves truly in that work and that (if it please God) I shall be exactly
careful to give an account of, and not palliate even my own defects which with grief I
foresee will appear in a disagreeable light not through want of an hearty goodwill and
sincere endeavour to do better but through the inability of some and the incurable
slothfulness of others of that wretched crew of servants that have been a plague to me for
so many months past (which I have often before taken notice of and is too well known
distinguishable from all about me). I have the mortification to find myself sadly defeated
in those essential points whereon I raised my greatest hopes and must submit (I fear) to be
ranked in a class far inferior to what I aimed at as a planter. |
| When I look upon myself in another capacity, having the honour to be employed in
your service, I beg leave to say without giving offence that living in a distressed state
cannot but abate those faculties which should enable a man to act with vigour and a spirit
requisite to break through many difficulties which he must expect here to encounter in
discharging his duty as he ought. Your kind approbation of my service which I received
some time since, with an assurance of supporting me against all opposition, gave a fresh
spring to my endavours and I think I may without vanity take upon me to say that as it is
at my heart to render you more acceptable service, so I am confident I could make it
effectual were not my wings clipped in the attempt. But whilst I am tied down to the
narrow limits I live in through scantiness of means to bestir myself at any time as occasion
may require, it is not possible but many things must escape my knowledge which
undoubtedly you ought not to want information in, and I cannot easily persuade myself
to submit to the low work of writing by hearsay, believing it incumbent on me to
maintain the truth of what I lay before you. Nothing can be more in my aversion than to
be thought craving. It is well know I seek no expensive way of living but, notwithstanding
all the retrenchments I am content to make, I cannot avoid the hateful running in debt for
the necessary incidents of life which affects me heavily. The general was so sensible of this
that he was pleased to order me 20l immediately towards supplying my wants additional
to the small sum he gave me in November last, and advised me to write to you about it
that your pleasure might be known, which indeed I had partly done before in my letter to
Mr Verelst of 3 January, and which I begged the favour of him to make known as he saw
proper. To set forth the incessant application to the business my son and I came about,
which we have done our utmost in, would be making an eulogy of ourselves, a task
against my nature, and to be seeking favour with a quantum meruit I think would be
absurd and ridiculous; wherefore I lay that wholly aside and humbly submit it to your
consideration how far you will judge us capable of being useful in your service
henceforward, for in proportion to that and no otherways we ought to rely upon being
favourably upheld from sinking which I will not entertain the least doubt of, that upon
such a firm and certain footing I may go on with courage and act in everything required of
me so as to ensure the continuance of your good opinion. Mr Jones (I am persuaded) has
wrote largely what he thought needful concerning all such affairs as he got the knowledge
of but by what conveyance he sent it I cannot tell. After looking over the contents of my
present journal I am at a loss what to add more. Signed. 2½ small pp. Endorsed, Recd., by
Capt Mackay, 9 May 1739. [CO 5/640, ff 299–300d] |
95
March 13
St James's | Warrant to Governor Jonathan Belcher to continue Benning Wentworth as member of Council of New Hampshire while absent for
twelve months. Entry. 1 p. [CO 324/37, pp 123–124] |
96
March 14
Ebenezer | Rev John Martin Bolzius to Harman Verelst referring to letter of 6
November last. Gen Oglethorpe ordered the surveyor to lay out farms
at Abercorn Creek. Harvest was good enough for the Salzburghers to
maintain themselves and sell some provisions. Help is needed for the orphan-house.
Another transport of Salzburghers is requested with the same encouragements; they will
be as well satisfied here as we are. The hot season is not as hot as represented by those idle
and delicate people who want to employ Negroes. No Negroes are wanted here: white
people if industrious are capable, of planting. Liberty to sell land would have very
unhappy effects on this congregation. It is hoped that the Trustees will go on aiming at
the true common welfare. Copy. 3½ pp. [CO 5/640, ff 301–302] |
97
March 14
Palace Court | Minutes of Trustees of Georgia. Read resignations from office of
Common Councilman of Earl of Shaftesbury and Viscount Limerick.
Resolved that notice of resignation should be given at least one month
before the charter-meeting in March. Entry. 1 p. [CO 5/687, p 112] |
98
[March 14] | Petition of merchants and planters, trading to and interested in the
sugar colonies, to the House of Commons, representing fall in re-
exports of sugar from Great Britain. British sugar trade is under many disadvantages
compared to French. British indigo trade has greatly declined. Pray for relief. Copy. 2 pp.
Endorsed, Recd. 14 March, Read 15 March 1739. Recd. from Mr Sharpe, attending with
several of those merchants. [CO 152/23, ff 203, 203d, 210, 210d] |
99
March 15
St Bride's
Vestry | Minutes of Trustees for Georgia. General abstract of account of
Trustees from 9 June 1738 to 14 March 1739 was read and approved.
Resolved that the requirement upon Trustees to give one month's
notice of resignation before the charter-meeting should be a by-law.
Lord Sidney Beauclerk was elected a Trustee; he and Lord Carpenter were elected
Common Councilmen. Committee appointed to prepare a law to enable legal possessors
of land in Georgia, in default of male issue, to leave land to daughters or other female
relatives and their male issue. Entry. 2 pp. [CO 5/687, pp 113–114; entry of abstract of
accounts in CO 5/670, pp 382–387] |
100
March 18
Whitehall | Duke of Newcastle to Gen James Oglethorpe. I send you herewith by
HM's command a copy of the convention between HM and the King of
Spain concluded at the Pardo on 3/14 January last. As you will see that
by the 2nd article 'the regulation of the limits of Florida and Carolina is referred to the
plenipotentiaries' appointed by HM and the King of Spain, and that it is stipulated 'That
during the time that the discussion of that affair shall last things shall remain in the
aforesaid territories of Florida and Carolina in the same situation they are in at present
without increasing the fortifications there or taking any new posts,' I am to acquaint you
with HM's pleasure that you should conform yourself to what is so agreed by the said
2nd article. Draft. 1 p. [CO 5/654, ff 203–204d] |
101
March 18
Charleston | Gen James Oglethorpe to Duke of Newcastle. In my last I acquainted
you with my having sent down an officer with the deputies of the
Assembly of Carolina to demand the runaway Negroes from the
governor of Augustine. They are returned with the governor's answer, a translation of
which I send you enclosed. With respect to the complaint that he makes with regard to
the Ouchee and Cherokee Indians who murdered two Spanish soldiers at Pupa, those
Indians were under the protection of the people of Carolina and that action was done long
before my arrival. If that was authorized by any it must have been those wicked Indian
traders of whom I have often complained and for the prevention of whom the Trustees
had a trial before the Council; and I at that time acquainted the Lords of the Council that
many of these things would be the consequence if they did not oblige the traders to take
passports and give security. As to the other complaint of eight Spanish transports who
deserted, they were stopped by Capt Mackay in the garrison at St Andrews in order to be
returned; but Lieut-Colonel Cochran commanded Capt Mackay to send them to him at
St Simons and he dismissed them before my arrival, and for which he must answer. I hope
you will be so good as to hasten to me HM's orders what to do upon this occasion. If the
Spaniards continue protecting all slaves that fly to them Carolina will undoubtedly suffer
greatly though Georgia lying between them will, as it already hath, prevent most from
escaping, though some may surmount the difficulty and get safely thither as those from
Port Royal lately did. Signed. 1¾ pp. Endorsed, R, 17 May. Enclosed:
101 i Translation of letter, dated at St Augustine on 13 March 1739 (NS), from
Governor Don Manoel Montiano to Gen Oglethorpe acknowledging his letter and
complaining of murders by Indians and harbouring of deserters who had been
condemned to perpetual service. Royal orders require the giving of liberty to fugitive
Negroes. Copy. 3½ pp. [CO 5/654, ff 198–202d] |
102
March 19
Admiralty | Josiah Burchett to Thomas Hill requesting copy of commission granted
to commanders-in-chief of men-of-war sent to Newfoundland to be
governors and of the instructions annexed thereto. Signed. ½ p. Addressed. Endorsed, Recd., Read 21 March 1739. [CO 194/10, ff 105, 105d, 110, 110d] |
103
March 20
Savannah | Thomas Causton to Harman Verelst sending extract of accounts under
general heads for 1736. Those heads I hope to send completed and
whatever else shall appear necessary on my part. I doubt not of your
advice in matters unavoidably perplexed as the fruits of your humanity, especially when
affairs of the colony require it. Signed. 1 small p. Endorsed, Recd., by John galley, Capt
Paterson, 26 June. [CO 5/640, ff 303–304d] |
104
March 21
Whitehall | Duke of Newcastle to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations
enclosing the following. You are to lay before the House of Commons
copies of the papers desired. Signed, Holles Newcastle. ½ p. Endorsed,
Recd. 22 March, Read 25 March 1739. Enclosed:
104 i Resolutions of House of Commons, dated 20 March 1739, to address HM
for copy of representation of Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to House of
Lords, dated 14 January 1735, relating to the strength, trade and fortifications of the
British islands in America; copies of letters received by the Commissioners for Trade
and Plantations since Christmas 1738 from the governors of the sugar colonies giving
an account of any inhabitants deserting to the Danes at Santa Cruz or elsewhere, and
of the illicit trade carried on between the said colonies and St Eustatius and other
foreign colonies; and copy of report of Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to
HM dated 24 July 1724 with the several accounts annexed thereto. 1½ pp. [CO 152/23,
ff 197–198d, 202d] |
105
March 21
Palace Court | Minutes of Trustees for Georgia. Oath as Common Councilman was
administered to Lord Sidney Beauclerk. Letters lately received referred
to committee of correspondence. Entry. ¾ p. [CO 5/687, p 115] |
106
March 22
St James's | Order of King in Council appointing Edward Jessup to be of the
Council in St Christopher's in room of William McDowall. Copy,
certified by James Vernon. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 8 May, Read 8 June.
[CO 152/23, ff 217–218d; sealed original in CO 5/21, ff 43–44d; entry of warrant in CO
324/37, p 125] |
107
March 22
St James's | Same appointing Samuel Dicker, Rose Fuller, Sir Simon Clark Bart,
Samuel Whitehorne and Edward Garthwaite to be of the Council in
Jamaica in the room of Thomas Hals and Thomas Garbrand, deceased,
and of Edward Charlton, Henry Dawkins and William Gordon who have refused to
re-accept place in the Council. Copy, certified by J Vernon. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd. 8
May, Read 8 June 1739. [CO 137/23, ff 15, 15d, 18, 18d; sealed original in CO 5/21, ff
45–46d; warrants dated 27 March for Dicker, 28 March for Fuller, 29 March for Clark, 30
March for Whitehorne and 31 March for Garthwaite, entered in CO 324/37, pp 126–128] |
108
March 22
St James's | Same directing that Act passed in South Carolina in 1736 for emitting
210000l in paper bills of credit is to lie by for the present. Commissioners for Trade and Plantations are to prepare draft of additional
instruction to governor of South Carolina agreeable to report of Committee for
Plantation Affairs of 15th inst. Seal. Signed, James Vernon. 2½ pp. Endorsed, Recd., Read
24 May 1739. [CO 5/367, ff 1–2d] |
109
March 22
St James's | Lords of Council to Governor Edward Trelawny. Whereas HM by
additional instruction of 12 January 1738 directed you to inquire into a
petition of several traders of Jamaica and others in behalf of the Jews of
that island complaining of additional taxes on Jews, and to transmit a state thereof to HM
in Council, and you were thereby required not to assent to any Act for additional taxes on
Jews until you had received HM's pleasure thereon; and whereas you have transmitted to
HM a state of this matter together with some reasons for continuing such taxes: although
HM does not approve of the method taken in laying a tax on Jews over and above what is
laid on the rest of the inhabitants, he grants you a discretionary power to act therein for
the present year in such manner as you shall find the circumstances of the island may
require. It is HM's determined resolution that after the present year you do not on any
pretence give your assent to any Act whereby such additional tax shall be imposed on the
Jews. We recommend you to consider some expedient to answer the deficiency either by a
duty on dry goods and liquor retailed in the island or in other manner. Copy, certified by
W Sharpe. Signatories, J Cantuar, Hardwicke, Wilmington, Dorset, Montagu, Holles
Newcastle, Pembroke, Abercorn, Torrington, W Lee, Charles Wager. 2½ pp. Endorsed,
Recd. 8 May, Read 8 June 1739. [CO 137/23, ff 16–17d] |
110
March 26 | Certificate by Governor Gabriel Johnston that Nathaniel Rice is
Secretary and Clerk of the Council of North Carolina. Signed. ½ p.
Endorsed, R, 10 April 1740, in a cover directed to Duke of Newcastle without any letter.
Enclosed:
110 i Minutes of Council of North Carolina, 28 June 1738 to 29 June 1738.
Signed. Nathaniel Rice. 7 pp.
110 ii 30 May 1739. Certificate by Governor Johnston to same effect as covering
document. Signed. ½ p.
110 iii Minutes of Council of North Carolina, 16 November 1738 to 6 March
1739. Signed, as no 110i. 25 pp. Endorsed, as covering certificate. [CO 5/306, ff
81–102d] |
111
March 28
Palace Court | Minutes of Common Council of Georgia. Agreed to report of committee to send 80 sacks of flour, 30 firkins of butter and about 20 cwt of
cheese to Georgia consigned to storekeepers at Savannah and Frederica
who are to account for issue thereof under the supervision of William Stephens and the
bailiffs of each place, for distribution to the Trust's servants, widows and orphans, and
the sick. Accounts to be made up of all provisions remaining in the stores in Georgia.
Signed draft on the bank for 250l for these provisions and freight. Resolved that William
Stephens have 50l in consideration of sickness of his family and losses of servants. Rev Mr
Norris to be paid salary due, and for the future to be paid quarterly. Ordered that copies
of all certified accounts demanded here be sent over to William Stephens, Henry Parker
and Thomas Jones to examine and state their opinion whether they are true and still due.
Referred to a committee to consider proper persons to be commissioners in Georgia for
examining and stating the public debts of the colony and to prepare instructions for said
commissioners to examine the accounts of Mr Bradley and Mr Causton. The same
committee to prepare an estimate of the future expense of Georgia from midsummer 1739
to midsummer 1740 and to consider in what manner forfeited lots may be regranted.
Ordered that the surveyors send the Trustees maps of lands which they survey. Agreed to
report of committee of correspondence upon the judgment made on Joseph Hetherington, Henry Bishop and Francis Elgar, found guilty of felony: that it was surprising the
magistrates had sent no report; and that the proper punishment for cattle-stealing would
be a pecuniary mulct of three times the value. Agreed to report of same committee on Col
Oglethorpe's letter of 7 October 1738 that the old freeholders at Frederica should have 2
lbs of meat each a week till Michaelmas 1739; that five persons newly arrived at Frederica
should have the same; that the payment of a month's wages to servants at St Andrews
should be allowed though their services are unknown and there is no establishment at St
Andrews; and that Mr Auspurgur be desired to explain the employment of a surveyor,
deputy surveyor and labourers. Entry. 7 pp. [CO 5/690, pp 201–207] |
112
March 28
Palace Court | Minutes of Trustees for Georgia. Received, by Dr Hales, 12 Bibles and
48 books of Whole Duty of Man, an anonymous benefaction. Entry. ½
p. [CO 5/687, p 116] |
113
March 29
Great Trinity Lane | John Thomlinson to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. Gout
makes it impossible for me to wait on you tomorrow on the affair of the
paper currency of Massachusetts. I hope you will not encourage any
scheme for emitting more paper money until the merchants trading thither have time to
write to their factors in New England and have their sentiments on the affair, or at least
more time to consider better of the affair, and thereby be better enabled to lay before you
the effect such a scheme may have on their property in that and the neighbouring
provinces. Signed. 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 30 March, Read 3 April 1739. [CO 5/881, ff
84–84A dorse] |
114
March 29
Savannah | William Stephens to Harman Verelst. Having sent away my last no
longer since than 22nd inst for want of an opportunity of doing it
sooner though it was ready long before, I have scarce anything
particular immediately to offer as from myself but intend soon to write again fully of
what I apprehend may be proper to notify. The occasion of this is from Mr Causton who
has just now brought me the two enclosed packets desiring me to take charge of them (as
he had formerly received orders from the Trust to send what he wrote under cover from
me), and as a friend of his was going instantly for Charleston he said he should be well
pleased if I would commit the care of it to him who he could confide in to deliver it safe
into the hands of some master upon sailing that should take a proper receipt for it, etc,
and as the affair was properly a concern of his own I thought what he asked was not
unreasonable. I find Mr Jones and he, after long prelude, are near coming to closer work
and defiance seems to be given on both sides; but as these are matters out of my
cognizance I meddle on neither. Signed. ½ p. Endorsed, Recd., by John galley, Capt
Patterson, 26 June 1739. [CO 5/640, ff 305, 305d] |
115
March 30
Jamaica | Governor Edward Trelawny to Duke of Newcastle sending duplicate
of letter of 5 March and enclosing the following. The Spanish man-ofwar, reported lost at Anegada, was not in her way from Old Spain but,
as I find since, one of those ships that sailed from Havana for Cartagena on 13 November
last: her name Victoria, the same that was reported to be lost in the Gulf. There is so little
dependence on informations from captains of ships that I shall be more careful how I
trouble you with them for the future. Signed. 1½ pp. Endorsed, R, 4 June. Enclosed:
115 i Speech of Governor Trelawny to Council and Assembly of Jamaica
reporting progress of operations against rebels and recommending that this opportunity of securing peace be not let slip. Copy. 4¼ pp.
115 ii Speech of thanks by same to Council of Jamaica for their address. Copy. ½
p.
115 iii 16 March 1738. Address of Assembly of Jamaica to Governor Trelawny.
Copy. Signatory, William Nedham, Speaker. 2 pp.
115 iv 14 March 1739. Address of Council of Jamaica to Governor Trelawny.
Copy. Signatory, Samuel Williams, Clerk. 2½ pp.
115 v Speech of thanks by Governor Trelawny to Assembly of Jamaica for their
address. Copy. ½ p. [CO 137/56, ff 205–218d] |
116
March 30
Jamaica | Same to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations. I have concluded an
accommodation with the principal and most numerous body of the
rebellious Negroes upon the conditions of which I herewith send you a
copy. The chief reasons of this island's being so thinly inhabited is because there is hardly
any good land which has hitherto been safe from the incursions of these rebels,
unoccupied, at least unpatented. There is enough, and upon all accounts as good as that
already patented, which has remained desert for fear of those incursions, and many who
have begun plantations exposed to that danger have been forced to abandon them upon
that account. As these fears are now diminished and in a fair way to be soon entirely
removed I think it a critical conjuncture to settle this island better than it ever yet has been
and consequently to render it more beneficial to our mother country. I have for that
purpose wrote to the Duke of Newcastle desiring him to represent this matter to HM that
HM may countenance the improvement of this island by giving his consent to this island's
having from Parliament a sum of money, though it were only a third or fourth part of
what has been granted to Georgia, to be laid out in furnishing newcomers with provisions
and other necessaries as well as tools to fall land and build conveniences till such time as
they shall be able to provide for themselves, they obliging themselves to return the money
within a certain time, which shall be employed in the same manner for the use of
newcomers so as become a perpetual fund for the settling of the island. I hope you will
think this a reasonable, useful and practicable scheme, and if you do that you will
represent it as such to HM, and if it be proposed in Parliament that you will contribute
your endeavours to effectuate it for the public advantage. Signed. 2½ pp. Endorsed, Recd.,
Read 5 June 1739. Enclosed:
116 i Jamaica, at the camp near Trelawny Town, March the 1st 1738/9. In the
name of God, amen. Whereas Capt Cudjoe, Capt Accompong, Capt Johnny, Capt
Cuffee, Capt Quacow and several other Negroes, their dependents and adherents,
have been in a state of war and hostility for several years past against our Sovereign
Lord the King and the inhabitants of this island, and whereas peace and friendship
among mankind and the preventing the effusion of blood is agreeable to God,
consonant to reason, and desired by every good man, and whereas HM George the
2nd, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and of Jamaica Lord, etc, has by his
letters patent dated February the 24th 1738, in the 12th year of his reign granted full
power and authority to John Guthrie and Francis Sadler to negotiate and finally
conclude a treaty of peace and friendship with the aforesaid Capt Cudjoe, the rest of
his captains, adherents and others his men, they mutually, sincerely, and amicably
have agreed to the following articles.
1st. That hostilities shall cease on both sides for ever. 2nd. That the said Capt
Cudjoe, the rest of his captains, adherents and men shall be for ever hereafter in a
perfect state of freedom and liberty, excepting those who have been taken by them or
fled to them within two years last past if such are willing to return to their said masters
and owners with full pardon and indemnity from their said masters or owners for
what is past, provided always that if they are not willing to return they shall remain in
subjection to Capt Cudjoe and in friendship with us according to the form and tenor
of this treaty. 3rd. That they shall enjoy and possess for themselves and posterity for
ever all the lands situate and laying between Trelawny Town and the Cockpits to the
amount of 1500 acres bearing N West from the said Trelawny Town. 4th. That they
shall have liberty to plant the said lands with coffee, cocoa, ginger, tobacco and
cotton, and to breed cattle, hogs, goats or any other stock, and dispose of the produce
or increase of the said commodities to the inhabitants of this island, provided always
that when they bring the said commodities to market they shall apply first to the
custos or any other magistrate of the respective parishes where they expose their
goods for sale for a licence to vend the same. 5th. That Capt Cudjoe and all the
captains adherent and people now in subjection to him shall all live together within the
bounds of Trelawny Town and that they have liberty to hunt when they shall think fit
except within three miles of any settlement, crawl or pen, provided always that, in case
the hunters of Capt Cudjoe and those of other settlements meet, then the hogs to be
equally divided between both parties. 6th. That the said Capt Cudjoe and his
successors do use their best endeavours to take, kill, suppress or destroy either by
themselves or jointly with any other number of men commanded on that service by
HE the governor or commander-in-chief for the time being all rebels wheresoever
they be throughout this island unless they submit to the same terms of accommodation granted to Capt Cudjoe and his successors. 7th. That in case this island be
invaded by any foreign enemy, the said Capt Cudjoe and his successors hereinafter
named to be appointed shall then upon notice given immediately repair to any place
the governor for the time being shall appoint in order to repel the said invaders with
his or their utmost force and to submit to the order of the commander-in-chief on that
occasion. 8th. That if any white man shall do any manner of injury to Capt Cudjoe,
his successors, or any of his or their people, they shall apply to any commanding
officer or magistrate of the neighbourhood for justice, and in case Capt Cudjoe or any
of his people shall do any injury to any white person he shall submit himself or deliver
up such offenders to justice. 9th. That if any Negroes shall hereafter run away from
their masters or owners and fall into Capt Cudjoe's hands, they shall immediately be
sent back to the chief magistrate of the next parish where they are taken and those that
bring them are to be satisfied for their trouble as the legislature shall appoint. 10th.
That all Negroes taken since the raising of this party by Capt Cudjoe's people shall
immediately be returned. 11th. That Capt Cudjoe and his successors shall wait on HE
the governor or the commander-in-chief for the time being once every year if
thereunto required. 12th. That Capt Cudjoe during his life and the captains
succeeding him shall have full power to inflict any punishment they think proper for
crimes committed by their men among themselves, death only excepted, in which case
if the captain thinks they deserve death he shall be obliged to bring them before any
Justice of Peace who shall order proceedings on their trial equal to those of other free
Negroes. 13th. That Capt Cudjoe with his people shall cut, clear and keep open large
and convenient roads from Trelawny Town to Westmorland and St James's, and if
possible to St Elizabeth. 14th. That two white men to be nominated by HE or the
commander-in-chief for the time being shall constantly live and reside with Capt
Cudjoe and his successors in order to maintain a friendly correspondence with the
inhabitants of this island. 15th. That Capt Cudjoe shall during his life be chief
commander in Trelawny Town; after his decease the command to devolve on his
brother Capt Accompong; and in case of his decease, on his next brother Capt
Johnny; and failing him, Capt Cuffee shall succeed, who is to be succeeded by Capt
Quacow, and after all their demises the governor or commander-in-chief for the time
being shall appoint from time to time whom he thinks fit for that command. In
testimony of the above presents we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and
date above written. Copy. Signatories, the mark of Cajoe; John Guthrie; Francis
Sadler. 6 pp. Endorsed, Recd. with Mr Trelawny's letter of 30 March 1739. Recd.,
Read 5 June 1739. [CO 137/23, ff 5–10d] |
117
March 30
Georgia Office | Benjamin Martyn to Rev William Norris by Charles, Capt Henry
Hammond. The Trustees have received your two letters of 19 October
and 12 December last. They are very much pleased with the zeal which
appears in the prosecution of your duty which the Trustees have heard by other hands is
very great. They are very sensible that you must have met with great difficulties but they
hope by your prudence and the restoration of affairs there (which will soon take effect)
that everything for the future will prove easy to you, especially as you are placed at
Frederica in a more healthy climate than Savannah is and among a people who by
accounts which have been received lead sober and orderly lives. You will receive by this
ship a box of books containing 36 Bibles, 51 Common Prayerbooks, 88 Lewis's
Catechism and 20 of the Duties of Man. The box is directed to you and the books are for
the use of the people at Frederica to be distributed as you think proper. Entry. ½ p. [CO
5/667, p 219] |
118
March 30
Georgia Office | Same to Consul John Cross at Teneriffe acknowledging letter of 13
November. The Trustees have no occasion at present for sending wine
to Georgia. Entry. ¼ p. [CO 5/667, p 220] |
119
[March 30] | Traders to Massachusetts to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations
opposing bill of Massachusetts for emission of 60000l in bills of credit.
No new bills should be issued until old ones have been cancelled and then only in
proportion. Bills should be taken at stated rates and at no more under penalty. This Act
will prejudice special contracts already existing for payments in gold and silver. Provision
should be made for government being answerable for any loss by issue of these bills of
credit in case borrowers or their security should not be responsible. Money paid in by
borrowers ought not to lie useless to the public for so long a period as five years but said
bills should be gradually sunk. 1½ pp. Endorsed, Recd., Read 30 March 1739. Left by Mr
Wood, agent for the merchants. [CO 5/881, ff 80, 80d, 83, 83d] |
120
[March 30] | Objections by merchants trading to New England sent to Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, against bill for emitting 60000l in bills of
credit in Massachusetts. New England's trade with West Indies brings in gold and silver.
No new emission should take place until old bills have been called in. Large sudden
emissions have been found detrimental to Great Britain. Maximum value of bills should
be set. Locking up so much bullion for so long time must be detrimental to any country;
payment of these bills should be in three, six, and ten years. We see no provision for
deficiencies that may arise from misfortunes attending the borrowers. We hope you will
not think it reasonable that this paper currency should go in discharge for specialties made
or to be made. Ratio between gold and silver is wrong. 2½ pp. Endorsed, Recd., Read 30
March 1739. Left by Mr Townsend and others. [CO 5/881, ff 81–82d] |