USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. I > Part 11
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1 Enclosed in the preceding letter.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Island who have No Objection to the said Nomina- tion.
We are My Lords Your Lordships Most Obedient and Most humble Servants
MONSON M BLADEN R PLUMER
WHITEHALL Decem! 21st 1738
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 12 mo. the 12. 1738
Governor Wanton
This is just to acquaint thee I have writ thee of the 10th Inst by Cap: Newell to which I refer thee.
We are now about geting the Commission or Order of the King in Council for constituting the Comm's for setling the Boundary line as fast as we can and when it is ready Shall send it thee Who am with respects Thy assured Friend RP PARTRIDGE
To JOHN WANTON Esq Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON Ist mo. the 15. 1738
Governor Wanton
I writ thee last of the 5th Inst per Cap: Harrison who sailed through the Downs the 10th Inst ; since which our Petition for an Order of Council to be issued instead of a Commiss". to save charges (as I
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heretofore hinted to thee was intended to be done,) has been laid before the Lords Committee, but their Lordships did Not think it proper it shd pass - after that manner, -so that now there is no other way for us but by procuring a Commiss" under the great Seale wch my Solicitor tells me will amount to about £135 sterls besides his trouble therein, which as we are the Complainants and consequently sue out the Commission we must advance, but then the Lords of the Council afterwards would certainly order the Mas- sach's to pay one half of it; and yesterday I went to Agent Wilks to know of him if he wod advance half the money for sueing out the Commiss" but could get no promise from him that he would, and there- fore I judgd it most prudent first of all to give thee notice thereof in order for my further Instructions, before I laid out so considerable a Sum of money. The like Sum of £135 I find has been laid out of Pocket by our Sol' for New Hamps! and he has not been able to get the half of it advanced for the other Province in to this day, tho' I am apt to think it will be paid in time.
I send thee herewith a Copy of a Pet?1 prepared in order to sue out a Commiss" with Articles an- nexed suitable thereto which now must lye by a while in expectation of the Colonys answer
Inclosed I also send thee my acct wth the Colony the Ballce whereof appears to be £94: 7: 1 St! in my favour, and I doubt not of Sufficient Supplys from them as usual to enable me to carry on their affairs So wth due Respects to thySelf and the Gentlemen
1 Not in the archives.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
of the Council and Representatives I remain Thy ffaithfull ffriend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
yesterday the Princess of Wales was delivd of another Son for a further acct I refer to the inclosed Print
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 2ª mo. the Ioth 1739
Governor Wanton
I have had none of thy favours for a pretty while and having lately writ thee the needfull about the Colonys Affair refer thee thereto,
this now comes to acquaint thee that there is like to be a Bill brought into Parliam: relating to Iron a Copy whereof I have obtained and Send it thee here inclosed, its thought it will pass this Sessions.
alltho' some part of it is for encourageing the making of Iron in the Plantations, yet other parts of it will be prejudicial and therefore I was [at] once for opposing it, but could not find any were for joyn- ing with me, in as much as it is not by abundance so bad as the Bill that was prepard last year on that head, and so thought we had better let this pass as it is without opposition, than to run the hazard of hav- ing an other imposed on us a great deal worse.
I thought it my duty to give thee this early notice of it who am with due respects
Thy assured Friend RICHP PARTRIDGE
To JOHN WANTON Esq Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
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RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 2ª mo. 27. 1739
Governor Wanton
I writ thee of the 15. ult per Cap! Fones - to which I refer. this now serves chiefly to bring thee my Solicitor Paris's Bill for the Colony for what he has done hither to amounting to £128 : 15 : 8 in part whereof I have pd him £9-10-0. at several times wch thou willt find I have chargd in the. Colonies acct, besides Counsel fees, so that there is yet due to him £37: 15: 8. not doubting of being Supplyd with further remittances I remain
Thy assured Friend RICHP. PARTRIDGE
I sent thee per Fones my acct the Ballance whereof was then £94: 7: 1 in my favour
To JOHN WANTON. Esq: Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
GEORGE II. TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Trusty and Welbeloved, We greet you well.
Whereas several unjust Seizures1 have been made, and Depredations carried on in the West Indies, by Spanish Guarda Costas, and Ships acting under the Commission of the King of Spain, or his Governors, contrary to the Treaties subsisting between Us and the Crown of Spain, and to the Law of Nations, to
1 See note on p. 88.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
the great Prejudice of the lawfull Trade and Com- merce of our Subjects; and many Cruelties, and Barbarities have been exercised on the Persons of such of Our Subjects, whose Vessels have been so seized by the said Spanish Guarda Costas ; And whereas frequent Complaint has been made to the Court of Spain of these unjust Practises, and no Sat- isfaction, or Redress been procured; And whereas a Convention,1 for making Reparation to Our Subjects for the Losses sustained by Them, on account of the unjust Seizures and Captures abovementioned, was concluded between Us and the King of Spain, on the 14th Day of January last N. S., by which Convention it was stipulated, That a certain Sum of Money should be paid, at London, within a Term specified in the said Convention, as a Ballance due, on the Part of Spain, to the Crown and Subjects of Great Britain ; which Term did expire on the Twenty Fifth Day of May last, and the Payment of the said Sum, agreed by the said Convention, has not been made, according to the Stipulation for that Purpose ; by which means the Convention abovementioned has been manifestly violated, and broke by the King of Spain, and Our Subjects remain without any Satisfac- tion, or Reparation for the many, great, and grievous Losses sustained by Them; We have thought fit, for the Vindicating the Honour of Our Crown, and for Procuring Reparation, and Satisfaction for Our in- jured Subjects, to order Reprisals to be made upon the Crown and Subjects of Spain. And We do therefore, by vertue of these Presents, authorise and
1 For the details of this Convention, see the next document in the series.
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empower you to issue forth, and grant Commis- sions of Marque, and Reprisal to Any of Our loving Subjects, or others, who shall apply to You for the same, and whom you shall deem fitly qualified in that behalf, for Arming and Fitting out private Ships of War, for the Apprehending, Seizing, and Taking the Ships, Vessels, and Goods belonging to the King of Spain, his Vassals, and Subjects, or Any inhabiting within His Countries, Territories, and Dominions in the West Indies: Provided always, That before any such Commission, or Commissions, be issued forth, Security be given upon every such Commission, as hath been used in such Cases. And you shall insert in every Commission, to be so granted by You, all such Clauses, and give such Directions and Instruc- tions to the Person, or Persons, to whom you shall grant such Commission, as have been usual, in Cases of the like Nature:1 And for so doing This shall be your Warrant. And so We bid you Farewell. Given at Our Court at Kensington the Fifteenth Day of June 1739. in the Thirteenth Year of Our Reign.
By His Majesty's Command. HOLLES NEWCASTLE.2
To Our Trusty and Welbeloved the Governor and Company of Our Colony of Rhode Island and Providence in America :
1 In the General Assembly of August, 1739, it was " Voted and resolved, that His Honor, the Governor, grant all such commissions, in behalf of this colony, to private men of war against Spain, and the subjects thereof, &c. as he shall think needful and necessary, pursuant to His Majesty's Warrant." Col. Rec. of R. I., IV. 561.
2 Secretary of State for the Southern Department.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE GOVERNOR AND COM- PANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
WHITEHALL June 15th 1739.
Gentlemen,
As It was Stipulated by the Convention, concluded between His Majesty and the King of Spain, on the 14th of January last, N. S. That the Sum of ninety five thousand Pounds Sterling should be paid at London, within the Term of four Months, to be reck- oned from the Day of the Exchange of the Ratifi- cations of the said Convention, as a Ballance due, on the Part of Spain, to the Crown and Subjects of Great Britain ; and as the said Term of four Months, from the Exchange of the Ratifications of the Con- vention, did expire on the 25th Day of May last, and the Payment of the said Sum of Ninety five thou- sand Pounds sterling, agreed by the said Convention, has not been made, according to the Stipulation for that purpose, by which means the Convention above- mentioned has been manifestly violated and broke, and His Majesty's Subjects remain without any Satisfaction or Reparation for the many, great and grievous Losses sustained by Them, His Majesty has thought Himself obliged to take such Measures, on His Part, as are necessary for the Support of the Honour and Dignity of His Crown, the Security of the just Rights of His Subjects, and the Good and Safety of His Dominions, and has therefore ordered the Ships and Effects of the King of Spain, and His Subjects, to be seized and taken wherever They shall be met with; with which I am commanded to
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acquaint You, that You may cause the same to be made known in all Places under Your Government, to the End that His Majesty's Subjects in those Parts may be upon their Guard, to prevent any Mis- chief, they might otherwise suffer from the Span- iards, in Revenge for the Measures, which His Maj- esty is obliged to take, to do Himself and His Sub- jects Justice; and that They may, in their several Stations, annoy the Subjects of Spain in the best Manner They are able. And I send You herewith, by the King's Order, His Majesty's Warrant,1 under His Royal Sign Manual, authorizing and empower- ing You to grant Commissions of Marque and Re- prisal, for arming and fitting out private Ships of War, against the Ships, Goods, and Subjects of the King of Spain. And It is His Majesty's Pleasure, That you should be very rigorous and severe, in preventing any Ammunition, or Stores of any kind, from being carried to the Spaniards; and You are to use all proper Methods, that may be most effectual for this Purpose.
I am Gentlemen
Your most obedient humble Servant
HOLLES NEWCASTLE
Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode Island.
1 See the preceding document.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
THE LORDS OF TRADE TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
WHITEHALL July the 5th 1739.
Gentlemen,
We send you herewith Copies of two Addresses from the House of Lords,1 and likewise of two Ad- dresses from the House of Commons2 to His Ma- jesty, of the 13th of the last Month, and desire that you will for[th]with prepare and transmit to Us as soon as possible, the several Accouts therein re- quired that the same may be laid before the respec- tive Houses the next meeting of Parliament. So We bid you heartily farewell, and are
Your very loving Friends and humble Servants,
MONSON T PELHAM
R PLUMER JA : BRUDENELL.
Honble the Gov! and Company of Rhode Island.
ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS TO THE CROWN.3 Die Mercurii, 13. Junii 1739.
Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, That His Majesty will be graciously pleased to give Directions to the proper Officers, That an Account be prepared, and laid
1 See the next two documents.
2 Not in the archives.
8 Enclosed in letter from the Lords of Trade, of July 5, 1739.
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before this House at their next Sessions, what was the Amount of the Paper Bills, or Bills of Credit, which by virtue of any Act or Acts of Assembly Subsisted or passed in Payment in any of the Brit- ish Colonies or Plantations in the Year 1700. And also an Account of the Amount of what Paper Bills, or Bills of Credit of any species, or Kinds, have by Virtue of any Act or Acts been created or issued in any of the said Colonies or Plantations since the Year 1700, with the Amount of the Value in Money of Great Britain, of such Bills at the respective Times of their creating and issuing; and what Pro- vision was made thereby for the sinking or dis- charging of any such Paper Bills, or Bills of Credit; Together with an Account of the Amount of the Bills, that have been sunk or discharged in pursu- ance thereof, and also of the Bills subsisting or pass- ing in Payment at this Time in any of the said Colonies and Plantations with the Amount of the Value in Money of Great Britain, of such Bills ; dis- tinguishing each species, or Kind of Paper Bills or Bills of Credit and each Colony or Plantation.
sign'd
WM COWPER, Cler. Parliamentor.
ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS TO THE CROWN.1
Die Mercurii, 13° Junii 1739.
Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled That an humble Address be
1 Enclosed in letter from the Lords of Trade, of July 5, 1739.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
presented to His Majesty, That His Majesty will be graciously pleased to give Directions to the proper Officers, That an Account be prepared and laid before this House at their next Sessions, at what Rates all Gold and Silver Coins were accounted, received, taken or paid, and Gold and Silver were Purchased at, or Sold for per Ounce, in any of the British Colonies and Plantations in America, in the Years 1700, 1710, 1720, 1730, and at what Rates Gold and Silver Coins are accounted, received, taken or paid, and Gold and silver are Purchased at, or sold for per Ounce at this Time in such Colonies and Plantations, distinguishing each Colony and Planta- tion.
sign'd
WM COWPER, Cler. Parliamentor.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 5th mo. 10. 1739
Gov. Wanton
I have had none of thy favours for a considerable time but I hope I shall by the next Ship that arrives from New England.
This now I write at a venture to meet a Ship at Dover bound to New York from Holland and comes to acquaint thee that the present posture of Publick Affairs seems to be upon a Crisis tending to War which I take to be what is generaly apprehended will ensue, and that its thought will break out in a little time between this Kingdom and Spain with whom France will undoubtedly Joyn (unless any
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thing unforeseen shd intervene). I judg'd it therefore need full to give thee some hints of it, great prepa- rations has been for some time making here, a con- siderable Number of Men of War are fitting out, a Strict Press for Seamen, and an Embargo on Ships from going out wch has lasted already abo! 3 weeks and when it will be off we know not.
If a War shd be the Consequence its talkt that it will begin first by our making Reprisals some where on the Spaniards in the West Indies or by Admiral Haddock in the Mediterean, and this Resolution seems to be taken by our Ministry in as much as the Spaniards delay or refuse to comply with the Terms of the Convention on their parts, no doubt they have been encourag'd therein and Matters fomented un- doubtedly by the French.
They say the Tartar Man is lately gone to Amer- ica which probably carry some Instructions about these Affairs to the British Governors on the Conti- nent. for the rest I refer to the inclosed prints and remain with due respects.
Thy assured Friend
R. PARTRIDGE
To JOHN WANTON Esq.
Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plan- tations
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
JOSIAH WILLARD TO MESSRS. PETER BOURS, GODFREY MAL- BONE, AND JAMES MARTIN.1
Gentlemen,
I have herewith inclosed a Copy of the Vote of our General Assembly for appointing Commis's to treat and transact with Commiss's on the part of your Government on the Affair of the Boundaries. You will please to inform me or Coll. Dudley (the Senior Commis' for this Service) of the Result of your Assembly hereon. I am Gentlemen
Your most obedient Humble Servant
J. WILLARD
BOSTON July 16. 1739. Mess's PETER BOURS, GODFREY MALLBONE, and JA. MARTIN.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 6 mo. the 10. 1739
Worthy ffriend
The foregoing is Copy of my last to thee since which I have not recd any letter from thee so have the less to say now : our Affair relating to the Gore of Land in dispute lyes quite still till We have fur- ther Instructions, wch I expect to receive from thee per [the] first Ship from N E and then I shall not faile to pursue them in the best manner I am capa- ble off.
1 A committee appointed in May, 1739, " to write to the General Court of the Pro- vince of the Massachusetts Bay " concerning " the affair of the gore of land in contro- versy." Col. Rec. of R. I., IV. 557.
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I herewith send thee Copy of a Bill for the fur- ther enforcing the Sugar Act that was brot into the last Sessions of Parliament but it was dropt and did not pass, wch as I take it wod have been of pernicious Consequence to the Plantations : whether it will be revivd or not next Parliamt we know not, however I judgd it proper to acquaint the Colony with it to let them see what Some People here aim at; there was a Law relating to the Sugar Trade did pass which I also here send thee.
· Thou willt see by the Votes herewith sent that the Parliament are for having an acct of the state of Bills of Credit in the Plantations ready to be laid before them next Sessions wch its probable they call for in order to do something by way of Regulation and very likely thou willt receive a letter from the Lords of Trade (among others) thereabout.1
As to War it is not actualy broke out yet and when any proclamation for that End will be Issued is uncertain after all, tho' Great Preparations are still continueing to be made, time must discover the Event. for the rest I referr to the prints I here send thee and remain with due respects to thy self and the Gentlemen of the Council and House of Repre- sentatives
Their ffaithfull friend
RICHP. PARTRIDGE
To JOHN WANTON, Esq Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plan- tations
1 See letter on p. 120.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 7ber the 5. 1739
Governor Wanton
As the Publick affairs pretty much draws the At- tention of People respecting a War at this juncture, so I judgd it necessary now and then to advise thee of occurrances of that kind; and to send thee the inclosed Prints for thy information. The Spanish Ambassador is now gone away home for Madrid having left behind him his Masters Manifesto (wch is published here) to justifie their Conduct touching the Breach of the late Convention, the fault whereof they wod throw intirely upon the English, but People here seem to think his Arguments are weak, frivilous and easily refuted, And whether or no our Ministry will think it worth their while to answer it is un- certain, and now a War that is a Sea War seems unavoidable, preparations for which have been mak- ing here for a considerable time so that the English have got the whip hand of both the other Powers they are to be engag'd against, for the rest I refer to the Prints here with sent and remain
Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
Our Ministry by their putting at sev1 times so large a Number of Men of War in Commiss". seem to be vigorously intent in pushing on for obtaining satis- faction some how or other and in the mean time for protecting our Trade at Sea also.
the IItb : 1739
Since the foregoing I have recd thine dated 13 July, together with a Packet of Papers for the Agent
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of Connect which I shall deliver him accordingly and observe thy further directions thereabout when he is recovd of his illness which he has been lately seiz'd with. I note some endeavours are like to be used for accommodating the affair wth the Massachts if that could be done there it wd to be sure save a great deal of Expence, but if it shª not take Effect I shall readily pursue Such further Instructions in be- half of the Colony as I shall receive from thee who am with kind respects
Thy faithfull friend
RP. PARTRIDGE
I send thee the King of Spains Manifesto and some more prints in a packt to B. Bagnal to forwd to thee I take kindly the favour the Colony has done me in honouring my late draught of One hundd Pounds
To JOHN WANTON Esq! Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON Sber the 5. 1739 Gor". Wanton
My last to thee was of the IIth ult acknowledging the rect of thine dated the 13 July last with the Papers relating to Connecticut for their Agent Wilks, but the Indisposition with which he has been seizd of late prevents my attending him, when he recovers I shall not be wanting to pursue thy directions there- about.
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I note some Overtures have been made with the Massachusetts about accommodating the disputed Boundaries, relating to the Gore of Land, if that cod be brought to bear it would Save the Colony a pretty deal of Expence here, but if not when I receive thy Orders I shall proceed in the best manner I can for the Colonys Interest which they may be assured off as I have hetherto done.
As to publick News Preparations for War are vigorously carried on still, Our Minister Keen lately returnd home from Spain, France not yet declared against us neither is it believd they will in hast, for it cannot be suppos'd they are in any degree so far prepar'd as we are for a Rupture, But will doubtless again try their Skill to bring about an Accommoda- tion by way of Mediation which hetherto our Court don't seem much to regard, judging that either they may have some Sinister View in it or that they are naturaly so attach't to Spain that we can expect only an amuzement and no good from their Interposition; Yet if there be any probability of an accommoda- tion its possible it may be rather expected now that there is Peace lately concluded between the Turks and Russians as well as between the former and the Germans, for that as the Russians are look'd upon as our good Allys, its not unlikely (but if it shd be required by the English) they wod afford us a consid- erable Assistance agst the French, and that consider- ation wod rationaly keep them still back from break- ing with us-for the rest I refer to the Inclosed Prints and remain wth due Respects to thy Self and
1
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the Gentlem" of the Council and House of Repre- sentatives Thy ffaithfull Friend
RP PARTRIDGE
To JOHN WANTON Esq. Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plan- tations
CIRCULAR LETTER TO THE GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND, CON- NECTICUT, AND RHODE ISLAND.
[1739]
Sirs
We send You herewith inclosed the Copy of an Address of the House of Commons to His Majesty in the last Session of Parliament by which You will perceive how much they apprehend the Commerce of Great Britain to have been Affected by the large and frequent Emissions of Paper Currency in His Majestys Colonys in America in which Rhode Island has had too large a Share 1 (the words Scored under to be inserted only in the Letter to the Gov. of Rhode Island) and His Majesty in pursuance of the said Address having sent Circular Instructions to the several Colonys more immediately under His Government not to pass any more Bills for the issuing of Paper Money without a Clause inserted therein, as proposed by the said Address, to Suspend the Execution till His Ma- jestys Pleasure shall be Signified thereupon. We think it proper to acquaint You therewith and at
1 See Partridge's letter of 6 mo. 10, 1739. This document is unsigned and marked Copy.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
the same time to Admonish and Advise you to pay all due regard to His Majestys Intentions and to the sense of the House of Commons upon this Occasion. So we bid you heartily farewell and are Your very Loving Friends and humble Servants
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 8ber the 26th : 1739
Gov. Wanton
I lately writ thee per Cap: Seabrook direct to Rhode Isla this I write now at a Venture to the Downs and Just comes to bring thee one of our News Papers and Proclamation of War agst Spain which was pub- lishd here the 23ª Inst; as to France People here differ in their opinion whether we Shall have a War with them or not, time alone must discover it: I am with respects Thy assured Frd
RP PARTRIDGE
THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE GOVERNOR AND COM- PANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
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