USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. I > Part 16
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Your Honors Most Humble Servants
DANIEL JENCKES JOHN RICE : INR ROBERT GIBBS
WILLIAM HOLDEN
P S. Sir by order of the Judges after the above Letter was wrote I Waited on M: Thornton and read the same to him and Desired him to Comply and prevent farther Trouble but Herd the same flatt denial as had been given to the Comtee and Judges
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before so that he seems to be Resolved not to de- liver the Records on any Terms at all
STEPHEN HOPKINS
To the Honble RICHARD WARD Esq! Gov! of The Colony of Rhode Island
GOVERNOR WARD TO THE SHERIFF OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.1 Colony of Rhode Isª
George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c
To the Sheriff of Our County of Newport Greet- ing especially appointed for the Service of this Pre- cept.2
Whereas, Complaint hath been made unto Us the Subscribers by Ezekiel Warner, Robert Gibbs and Jabez Bowen all of Providence in the County of Providence Esq's That Richard Thornton of sª Provi- dence Esq: the late Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace establish'd in the sª County of Providence hath refused to de- liver the Records, Papers and Seal of sª Courts to the Complainants (who are a Committee appointed by the Gen! Assembly to receive the same and them to deliver to Stephen Hopkins Esq: the present Clerk of sª Courts) and that the sª Richard Thornton
1 See letters of May 15 and 16, 1741.
2 A precept is, in English law, a mandate in writing, issued, pursuant to law, by an administrative officer.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
at Providence afores! hath removed and doth feloni- ously conceal and secrete sª Records; Papers and Seal from whence there is a great Suspicion that He the sª Richard Thornton hath embezled and utterly destroy'd the sª Records, Papers and Seal
These are therefore in his said Majs Name to com- mand You upon Sight hereof to make diligent Search for the sª Richard Thornton and him if to be found within this Colony to apprehend and bring forthwith before the Superior Court of Judicature Court of Assize and Gen! Goal delivery now sitting at New- port within and for the Colony aforesª that He may be examin'd respecting the aforesª Complaint and be further dealt with as the Law directs. And if the sª Richard Thornton shall be found in Prison for Debt, then the Sheriff who has the Care of him as a Pris- oner is hereby ordered on Sight of this Precept to deliver him the sª Richard Thornton in order that He may be convey'd to the Superior Court to be examined and dealt with as afores! And upon Your receiving the sª Richard Thornton into your Custody You are commanded to take all imaginable Care to prevent his Escape from the Hands of Justice ; And You are further Required to make diligent Search for the said Records, Papers and Seal in any sus- pected Places within this Colony and if need be You are hereby authorised to take especial Aid and As- sistance with You and to break open any Locks or doors that may hinder your searching for the same, and if you should find the sª Records, Papers or Seal or any of them, then You are to deliver the same to the aforesª Complainers. Hereof fail not and make
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Return of this Precept with your doings. Given under our hands and Seals in Newport aforesd May 20th 1741
RICHP WARD Gov" WM GREENE D Gov. P. BOURS Assist
Endorsed : COLONY OF RHODE-ISLAND May 22ª 1741
By Virtue of this Precept, I have made diligent Search after the within Mentioned Richard Thorn- ton, and found him in Goal in the County of Provi- dence, on a Civil Action, there committed by the Sheriff of the sª County, and was by the sª Sheriff delivered to my Custody.
THOS POTTER Sher.
THE HOUSE OF MAGISTRATES TO THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES.
Oct: 29th 1741.
To the House of Deputies. Gent"
Finding by the Return from the Town of Provi- dence that M: Richard Thornton1 is chosen One of the Deputys for that Town to represent them in this General Assembly, do not think proper to give him his Engagement to that office until we have the
1 See letters of May 15 and 16, and sheriff's precept of May 20. In June, the Assem- bly voted that since Thornton had in his possession £2800, old tenor, belonging to the colony, a committee be appointed to demand security therefor. In August, the colony brought action against Thornton for the costs of the search for the court records described in the letters cited above. Bartlett's edition of the Records omits the entire August session.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Opinion of Your House for the following Reasons, vizt. For secreting and refusing to deliver the Records of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace held in the County of Provi- dence to a Committee appointed by the General As- sembly to receive the Same; for not discharging his Trust as a Committee Man for that Town in the Year 1738- and not yet delivering to the Grand Com- mittee the Tenth Bonds for upwards of two thousand pounds.
Pass'd per ord!
JA MARTIN Secretary.
To the House of Magts
Gen®
This House are of Opinion that Mr Richd Thorn- ton is qualifyed for a Member of this House and pray he may be Engaged.
Voted and past
per Order J LYNDON Clerk
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WARD.
LONDON 3ª mo. or May the 15th 1741 Governor Ward
Thine of the 23 feb! last I have received per Capt Orrocks together with a packet for the Lords of Trade containing a Representation of the State of the Colony with respect to yo! paper currency1 which I deliverd the day after it came to my hands and
1 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 8.
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Correspondence of the
hope it may be Satisfactory, but at Present that Board is adjournd for Some time Since the dissolution of the Parliam! and as I suppose most of them gone down into the Country about their Elections; nothing at all was done as I have already advised thee at the last Sessions of Parliam: with regard to Publick Bills of Credit, but an Act has been pass'd for Suppress- ing Banks Erected for Issuing Bills or Notes by any Companys, agreeable to the Bill herewith sent thee, the printed part was as it stood when first it was brot into the House and the written part of it are the amendmts which together now is past into a Law.
herewith I also Send my accot with the Colony the Ballance whereof in my favour is £213 : 15 : 0 St. which I hope will be remitted me in due time. with a further Supply to enable me to prosecute the Affairs of the Governm' and wch will be very acceptable to me. the War expected with France keeps off hitherto, and no great likelyhood of it at present. We are dayly in Expectation now of News from our Fleet in the West Indies
The King is gone to Hannover and arrivd Safe in Holld about a week Since for the rest I refer to the News papers herewith sent and remain with due respects
Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To Governour Ward.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
GOVERNOR WARD TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
NEWPORT June the 24th 1741 May it please your Grace
His Majesty's orders for Levying a Number of Men on an expedition against the Spaniards came safe to hand the latter End of April and was laid before the Assembly the first Wednesday of May1 who readily and chearfully complied therewith and shewed their Zeal for his Majestys Service in their giving a Bounty to each Person enlisting some con- siderable time before any of the other Governments, which forwarded Us so much more than our Neigh- bours that Wee soon filled up two Companys of one hundred Men each pursuant to his Majestys direc- tion (before the Massachusets tho They are ten times as Numerous as Wee) who sailed the 13th of Sep! fol- lowing for New. York agreeable to the Instructions I recd from the honorable Colº Gooch in two good Topsail Vessels hired and fitted out with Provisions and all things necessary for their Transportation to the general Rendezvouz at the Colonys charge
The Company raised on Rhode. Island was com- manded by
Samuel Dun Cap:
Walter Chaloner 2n.d Lieu!
Joseph Cook Ensign
The officers of the Company raised on the main- land are William Hopkins Cap!
1 May, 1740, is meant. See Col. Rec. of R. I., IV. 571.
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Correspondence of the
Thomas Brenton 2nd Lieu!
W. Smith Ensign
With great Submission S! I assure you I esteem it a singular happiness this Colony is under your inspection ; and none shall more chearfully receive nor more readily observe his Majys orders at all times communicated by your Grace to us. Hoping that our Conduct in this as well as in all others may be accepted by his Majesty and approved by your Grace which this Government shall esteem the great- est honour can be done them
May it please your Grace I am With the most pro- found Respect
Your most obedient and most humble Servant
R. WARD
Endorsed: Copy of Letter To his Grace the Duke of Newcastle Principle Secretary of State
GOVERNOR WARD TO RICHARD PARTRIDGE.
NEWPT July 15th 1741 S!
Yours of the 15th May with your Acct stated came to hand with two Acts of Parliament for this Colony by Cap: Evers. I laid your former bill of M! Paris's and your Acct as then stated before our Assembly in May who rose without doing any thing on it; in their June sessions1 They ordered a Committee to
1 In the June sessions of 1741, as entered upon the original records at the State House, there is provision made " that the Sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds Ster-
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
remit You {150 Sterling which I suppose You'l re- ceive ere this comes to hand. I moved the lower house to make You a larger remittance but They declined it that time; by your Acct stated 15th of May there is £213.15. due to ballance in your favour our Assembly will set in August I shall lay your Acct before Them1 and doubt not but They will remit You the full ballance and advance a considerable Sum to enable You to carry on our Affairs I shall press it forwards to the utmost of my power. you are strenuously to oppose any attempt that may be made agst our striking off any more bills of Credit without the Royal Assent. The Commissioners for setting the boundaries between the two Colonys have made a Judgment2 in our favour for the Gore; and for three miles N.E. from the Mouth of Providence river and from Bristol harbour till They bring us over the Neck to the Eastern branch and then crossed the Bay and then gave us a ps of Land southward to the Sea of three miles in wedth.
I am S! With Respect
Your obedient humble Servant
ling be remitted to our Agent in London in the Kingdom of Great Britain for the Use of the Colony," and a committee was appointed " to draw the Same out of the General Treasury, and procure Gold, Silver, or Bills of Exchange, and send the Same to our said Agent by the first good Oportunity."
1 No record appears of any further emission in the August session.
2 See p. xx of the Introduction. Arnold, History of Rhode Island, II. 132, 133, gives an account of the judgment of the commission.
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Correspondence of the
GENERAL WENTWORTH TO GOVERNOR WARD.1
FROM THE CAMP ON THE RIVER HUMBER IN THE ISLAND CUBA Aug: 12th 1741.
Sir,
His Majesty having directed me to use my best Endeavours to recruit his forces under my Com- mand, in his Colonies in North America, I have appointed Cap: Hopkins2 to repair for that end to your province, not doubting of your giving him all the assistance in your power, to Levy soldiers not only for Compleating Colo Gooch's Regiment, but if practicable to raise a greater Number, either to fill up vacancies in the two old corps, and in the Marines, or to form another Battalion, as it shall be found best for his Majesties Service.
As I have here no means of supplying the recruit- ing Officers with money, You will, Sir, be pleas'd to give the aforesaid Captain Credit for such sums, as may be wanted for that service, and to draw upon the Right Honble Henry Pelham Esqr3 the Paymaster General for the said usd. As to the particular sums to be paid to the said Recruiting Officer, I Refer you to his Instructions which he will lay before you.
All such as shall Inlist themselves on this occa- sion, will be Intitled to the Advantages offered by his Majesty, in his Instructions on the first raising Col° [Gooch's] Regiment. I don't doubt, Sir, but
1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 30.
2 Captain William Hopkins, of Providence.
8 A prominent politician, nephew of the Duke of Newcastle, and a supporter of the Walpole administration ; later, chancellor of the exchequer and prime minister.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
you will take the proper measures for their being transported hither, to support which Charge I flatter myself the respective Provinces will make a provi- sion, as all his Majesties dominions in the West Indies are particularly Interested in the Success of this Expedition.
I am, S.
Your most obedient servant
THOS WENTWORTH
To the Honble RICHARD WARD, Esq. Governour of Rhode-Island
=
GENERAL WENTWORTH'S ORDERS TO CAPTAINS HOPKINS AND WINSLOW.
To Capt"s Hopkins1 and Winslow2
You are required without Delay to repair on board the Sea Horse Commanded by Cap! Allen Who is ordered by Vice Admiral Vernon to conduct You directly to North America.
2ndly You are as soon as You land to repair to such Provinces, as You think the most likely to afford You Recruits, Of which You are to raise as Many as You shall be able with all Expedition.
3™ª! You are only to enlist able bodied Men, not exceeding Thirtyfive Years of Age, Nor are You to enlist any Native of Ireland, Except You have un- doubted Proof of his being a Protestant, and of a good Character.
1 See note to preceding letter.
2 Doubtless John Winslow of Massachusetts (General Winslow of the Seven Years' War), who led a company of his own raising to Cartagena.
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Correspondence of the
4thly You are to apply to the Governour of the Pro- vince, where You propose to raise Men, for Money to enable You to begin Your Recruiting, and may afterwards receive from Him, Four Pounds for each Man You shall have raised, Out of which is to be deducted the Sum, You shall have before received on Account.
5thly As an Encouragement for Gentlemen to assist You in raising Men, I shall reserve Twelve Vacan- cies of Ensigns Commissions which shall be given to Those, Who shall appear to Me, from a Certificate signed by the Governour of the Province, (where is the Seal of Your recruiting) And by Your Self, to have been the most Active in assisting You in rais- ing Recruits, each Captain employed in raising Men to Certify for Six.
6thly The Recruits are to be subsisted at the Ex- pence of the Recruiting Officer, and He is to stand to all Hazard of Death or Desertion, till They shall be actually embarked, of Which no less than Fifty to be embarked at one Time; After They shall be embarked, They are to be subsisted at the Publick Expence, and any Loss by Death to fall upon the Regiment.
As often as shall be practicable, Accounts are to be sent to the Officer, commanding Colº Gooche's Regiment, to be laid before the Commander in Chief, of the Number of Men raised, and of what Prospect there may be of raising More.
THOS WENTWORTH
FROM THE CAMP IN THE ISLE OF CUBA August 12th 1741.
Endorsed : Copy Instructions from Gen! Went- worth to Cap! Hopkins, 1741.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
GOVERNOR WARD TO GENERAL WENTWORTH.
S:
Immediately after I had the honor of yours of the 12th Augst per Cap: Hopkins I called the Assembly and laid your Letter before Them Who most read- ily and chearfully concur'd in raising what forces we possibly could and accordingly gave orders for advancing such Sums of money as Cap: Hopkins's occasions might require 1
Beside the advantages Graciously offered by his Majesty we have given a further bounty of five pounds this Currency and a Watch Coat to every Soldier upon their Embarkation in the present expedition by which means we have raised upwards of fifty able- bodied Men and We have sent them in our Colony Sloop at our own charge. I heartily wish their quick and safe Arrival, that They may prove Acceptable to you and that our Conduct in this whole affair may have your Approbation
That the Providence of God may succeed his Majestys just Arms under your present Conduct in every attempt against an unreasonable Enemy is the sincere desire of
S!
Your most obedi: and humble Serv:
R : WARD
1 See the two preceding documents, and for proceedings of the Assembly, Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 30.
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Correspondence of the
P. S Cap! Hopkins and Lieu! Chaloner have been very diligent and industrious in raising recruits and have given a general Satisfaction
To The Honourable THOMAS WENTWORTH Esq. Brigadier Gen! and Commander in Chief of his majestys Forces In The West Indies.
DANIEL UPDIKE 1 TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
To the Honorable the General Assembly of His Majesty Colony of Rhode Island &c. held [at] Newport within and for said Colony on the first Tuesday of Octob! A. D. 1741.
I the Subscriber hereby inform the Honorable Assembly that I attended His Majesty Court of Commissioners for Setling the Bounds of the Col- ony at their Sessions in Providence on the 7th Day of April 1741. And that I again attended said Court about the Twenty eighth Day of said month and con- tinued to attend said Court which Set with small In- termissions 'till June 30th 1741 when final Judgment was given. In the Prossecution of which Business I postponed all other Concerns and gave up the Advantage of Providence Court which Set in said Time That I might be the better able to Serve the Colony. And I was at the Pains of arguing the Cause in Behalf of the Colony. Moreover when the said Court of Commissioners Set in Septemb. 1741.
1 Updike was attorney-general for the colony from 1722 to 1732, and from 1743 to his death, in 1757. He was one of the two attorneys who represented Rhode Island before the Boundary Commission of 1741.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
I attended and assisted the rest of the Committee in entering an Appeal to His Majesty in Council. And further before the Setting of said Court I spent con- siderable Time with others of the Committee in con- sulting and advising about said Cause, And procured what ancient Papers I cou'd find that would Serve the Cause of the Colony. For all which Time and Service and Expence and Skill I apprehend I reason- ably deserve One hundred and fifty Pounds. Which nevertheless is humbly submitted to the Judgment of the Honorable Assembly
Octob: 8th 1741
DANIEL UPDIKE
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WARD.
Governour Ward
LONDON 8ber the 16. 1741
I have before me thy favours of the 15 July and 22ª August2 last and am heartily glad to understand that the Commissioners for settling the Bound- arys have determined so well in favour of the Col- ony,
If that Affair after all shd come to be disputed here and the Comm's Judgmt appeald against I shall do my very utmost with the assistance of my Soli- citor and Counsel to Support before the Lords of the Privy Council, not doubting but I shall have Sufficient Instructions for that purpose.
As to the hint thou givest me relating to a Com-
2 It was voted to allow Colonel Daniel Updike "the sum of £125" for "his time and service in the above mentioned affair." Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 33.
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Correspondence of the
plaint of some of the Massachusetts People agst the Colony touching Paper Money I shall be diligent in my enquiry about it and use my utmost Endearvours therein for the Interest of the Colony, in Supporting their Rights and Privilidges as well before the Kings Ministers as in Parliamt and shall oppose any attempt that may be made to our prejudice, all which to be sure must necessarily be attended with considerable Expence, and I don't doubt but the Same will be con- siderd by yo! Assembly and that I shall be suffi- ciently furnished with what is necessary. I have lately received a Remittance from Geo : Goulding &cª of One Hundred and Ninety eight pounds 17/5 Sterl on accot of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providce Plantations wch I give their accot Cred! for, and which I gratefully receive with due acknowledgm's, I observe thy observations in the affair of the above Complaint wch will be of good use to me in checking any thing of that Nature and shall regard thy hint as to secrecy till I hear further about it, and shall give thee due Notice hereafter, as any proceeding may be had about it. I am with due respects
Thy assured Frd RICHP PARTRIDGE
No War wth France yet nor any likelyhood of a Peace with Spain the King is expected over from Hannover in 2 or 3 days.
To RICHARD WARD Esq!
Governour of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
GENERAL WENTWORTH TO GOVERNOR WARD.
Sir
His Majesty having directed me to use my best Endeavours to recruit his forces under my Command in his Colonys in North America I have appointed Cap Hopkins1 Lieut Chaloner and Lieu' Smith to repair for that purpose to your province not doubt- ing of your giving them all the assistance in your power to levy Soldiers not only for compleating Coll Goochs Regiment, but if practicable to raise a greater Number either to fill up Vacancys in the two old Corps and in the marines or to form another Bat- tallion as it shall be found best for His majestys Service.
As I have no means of supplying the recruiting officers with money, you will, Sir, be pleased to give the aforesaid Captain, Credit for such Sums as may be wanted for that Service and to draw upon the Right Honourable Henry Pelham Esq" the Paymas- ter General for the said use. As to the particular Sums to be paid to the said recruiting officer I re- ferr you to his Instructions which he will lay before you.
All such as will inlist themselves on this occasion will be intitled to the Advantages offered by His Majesty in his Instructions2 on the first raising Coll Gooch's Regiment. I dont doubt Sir, but you will take the proper measures for their being transported hither to support which charge I flatter myself the respective provinces will make a provision as all His
1 See note to letter of August 12, 1741.
2 See letter of January 5, 1740.
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Correspondence of the
majestys Dominions in the West Indies are particu- larly interested in the Success of this Expedition.
I beg leave to assure you, Sir, that such young Gentlemen as shall give their assistance in raising men, and shall be properly recommended, will be provided for in the Vacancys which may happen in Coll Gooch's Regiment. I shall Sir have a more par- ticular regard to your friends being I am S.,
Your most obedient humble Servt
THOS WENTWORTH
KINGSTON JAMAICA 2. ffebry 174}
The Honble the Governour of Rhode Island.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WARD.
LONDON 12th mo. the 4. 1741
Governor Ward,
The last I wrote thee was of the 8th of xber, Since which I have recd none of thy favours. all things remain quiet here respecting the Colony.
As to Publick affairs There has been nothing brought into Parliament yet relating to the Planta- tions, the Sessions began the Ist of xber last wherein pretty much of their time has been spent in setling the Controverted Elections, and some Endeavours used to Embarrass and distress the Ministry; those in the Opposition to them were for having the State of the War and the Management of it retrospected and examind into by a Comittee of 21 Members to be elected by ballotting which occasiond warm and long debates, and upon a division of the House it
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
was rejected in favour of the Court by a Majority of 3. there being 508. Members Present in the whole, a greater Number than ever I knew together before.
Our Merchants complain heavily of their losses by the Spaniards which indeed has been very great, for that upwds of 335. Ships and Vessels have been taken since the present War began, and now they are apply- ing to Parlmt for redress for the futre wherein I am apt to think they will succeed, but at present they are at a stop by the Kings coming to the House of Lds yesterday and desire the Parliamt to adjourn them- selves to the 18th Inst which was done accordingly and Last night S! Rob! Walpole they say resignd up all his. Places to the King which occasiond a Consid- erable alteration in the Ministry:1 its said La Wil- mington will be first Commissioner of the Treasury and Doddington Esq" Chanl' of the Excheq' in his room, La Carteret Presid' of the Council, and the Duke of Argyle reinstated into Offices and favour again, Ld Chesterfield Secy of State and Ld Grenard first Comissioner of the Admiralty in the room of S: C- W- -2 but some of these changes must not fully be relyed on for fact till'there is a con- firmation thereof ; during the Recess its very prob- able the settlement of the Ministry will be fixed and some new measures enterd into respecting the Publick. but some yet doubt very much when there
1 For two years the popular opposition to Walpole had been steadily increasing, and his majority in the House gradually disappeared during the winter of 1741-42. His resignation took place February 2, 1742.
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