USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. I > Part 17
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2 Sir Charles Wager, who retired from the Admiralty in March, 1742, and was in December appointed treasurer of the navy. He died in the following May.
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are alterations made in the Ministry about the King, whether any of those who have been in the oppo- sition to the late measures will be put into Office. Time will soon manifest it
I am with due respects to thy Self and the Gen- tlemen of the Council and House of Representa- tives
Thy assured Friend
RICH? PARTRIDGE
I send thee herewith some News Papers to wch I refer desiring thy acceptance of them.
GOVERNOR WARD TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
NEWPORT Feb! Ioth 174} May it please your Grace
The honble Brigadier Wentworth commander in chiefe of his Majesties Land Forces in the West Indies having tho't proper to make application to Several of the Provinces in the British Dominions in North America to raise Recruits for his Majesties army greatly diminished by Sickness and the Events of Warr; and having sent especial directions to this Colony of Rhode Island with proper officers for raising such a Number of men as could be done with conveniency (in Conformity to his Majesties pleasure signified to us by your Grace) 1 I immediately upon receiving his orders called the Assembly together who voted and ordered the raising as many men as the sd officers could inlist herein without Limitation
1 See letter of February 2, 1742.
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of Number. And further in their great Zeal for his Majesties Service and as an encouragemt for the more effectual and speedy raising the same Enacted that a Bounty of five Pounds this Currency and a Watch coat (over and above his Majesties bounty) should be given to each effective that should be inlisted in his Majesties service.1 In consequence whereof the sd officers have enlisted in this small Colony fifty three Able Men, which embarked and saild from this place the twenty seventh Day of December, in a Vessel built at the expence of the Colony on purpose for the defence of our Coasts and protection of our Trade and is well equipped with a sufficient number of men, Cannon, small Arms, and other warlike Stores to defend her from; or even to attack the Enemies Privateers; the Capt has or- ders To deliver the said Recruits at Cuba or at such other Place as he shall find his Maj's Army encamped and altho the Number of these Recruits may appear to your Grace but small yet if it be considered what a small proportion this Colony bears to the neigh- boring Provinces and the Number of Levys we sent the last year we make no doubt but your Grace will be of Opinion that we have greatly exceeded our Quotas. The Great Expence of this Colony caus'd by the War has laid us under a Necessity of encreas- ing the quantity of our Paper Currency which causes heavy complaints from some of our neighbours but we humbly hope that when his Majesty is truly informed of our Circumstances and the great Zeal we have shown for his Service we shall meet with
1 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 30.
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his gracious approbation of all our Conduct As also your Graces Patronage for this Colony if any Attempts should be made (by those who envy our happiness) to deprive us [of] our Priviledges. I heartily wish success to his Majys Counsels and Arms and that your Grace may long continue in his favour and be an instrument of doing good as well to this Colony as to the rest of his Majys dominions.
May it Please your Grace I am, With the greatest Respects
Your most obedient and most humble Servant
R. WARD
Endorsed : To the Duke of Newcastle 1742.
GOVERNOR WARD TO RICHARD PARTRIDGE.
S.
NEWPORT April 21: 1742
Your fav" of the 22ª Feb : and 12th March were this day received for which I return you hearty thanks. Herewith you'l receive the Case as it was heard before his Majestys Court of Comissioners and the Judgment they gave thereon respecting the Eastern Boundaries of this Colony towards the Pro- vince of the Massachusetts.3 You will observe we have appealed from that Judgment and (if the inclosed state of the Case or Arguments in the Colonys behalf be thought worthy of notice) will communicate Them to the Gentlemen whom you shall employ on our
1 See p. xx of the Introduction.
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Part. I doubt not you will puruse this affair with utmost application and if you shall find it necessary for this Colony to make you any further remittances for the carrying on this affair let Them be timely apprised of it that you may be seasonably supplied your steady and diligent pursuit of this appeal will recommend you to the fav' of the Government who have the Case at heart I am S!
Your sincere friend R. WARD
M: RICHARD PARTRIDGE Merch! In London.
GOVERNOR WARD TO RICHARD PARTRIDGE.
NEWPORT April 26th 1742
S.
Doctor Teddeman Hull the bearer hereof being bound for London and wholly a Stranger their and unknown to your Selfe and in order that you may know the Character of the Gentlem I inform you that he is the Son of Cap: John Hull late of this Colony (under whom S: Charles Wager was edu- cated) 1 and has the Character of an honest man, he has sustained the part of a Justice of Peace divers Years amongst us and has been several times for- merly and latterly a Representative for the Town of James Town; he is a facetious Temper and has a fair Interest in Lands.
I have sent you via Boston a Copy of the Case of
1 See note on p. 76.
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our Eastern Boundarys and the State thereof drawn up by our Council and a Letter To the Duke of New-Castle containing an Acct of our Recruits for Gen1 Wentworth, which I hope youl receive Safely: I am S!
your Assured friend
R. WARD
To M: RICHARD PARTRIDGE Merch: In London
THE COMMISSIONERS OF CUSTOMS TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Sir
The Bearer hereof Thomas Lechmere Esq:1 being deputed by us pursuant to a Warrant from the Lords Commiss's of the Treasury to the Surveyor General of the Northern part of the Continent of America in the room of John Peagrum Superceeded. And he having received Instructions from us for the more effectual putting in execution the Laws relating to Trade and Navigation. We desire you will please to be assisting with your Authority to the said Lech- mere and the other Officers of the Customs under his Inspection as they shall have occasion to apply to You and that You will Strictly command all Offi- cers and Ministers employd under You to be assist- ing to them in putting in Execution the Laws against
1 At one time surveyor of the port of Boston. He married Ann, daughter of Wait Winthrop, of Connecticut, and was the defendant (in behalf of his wife) in the famous case of Winthrop vs. Lechmere.
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illegal Trade that the Service under our Management may be effectually carried on. We are Sir Your most humble servts
CUSTOM Hº LONDº. 16 May 1742
CHANDLER
J. EVELYN
S ANSON
JOHN HILL
To The Honble Gov! and Company of His Majesty's Colony of Rhode Island &c America
GOVERNOR WARD TO THE HOUSE OF DEPUTIES.
To the House of Deputies,
Gent?
This being the Sessions for granting my Salary for the Year past, desire You'l pass a Vote for the Same and likewise to consider of the extraordinary Services and Pains that I have been obliged to trans- act in the Year past of which You are not unac- quainted with, and therefore expect You'l allow me a reasonable Compensation, and pass a Vote to enable me to draw both out of the General Treasury.1 I am Gent™
Your faithful and Assured Friend and humble Servt
RICHP. WARD
June 23ª 1742 To the House of Magts
1 The Assembly voted that the sum of £350 be paid the governor "for his last Years Salary and extraordinary Services." See the manuscript records for June 21, 1742.
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Correspondence of the
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WARD.
LONDON 5ª mo : or July 14. 1742
Gov'. Ward
My last to thee was of the 8th Ins: Via New York of which I Send thee a Copy. My Solicitor has Since that as he acquaints me read over the whole Case and Record of the Com" But for want of the Plan (which is not Sent me with the Papers) he cannot make any usefull application : Enquiry hath been made Both at The Council Office and Board of Trade but no Copys of the Record nor yet of the Plan is Sent in thither. However as the Case is Cir- cumstanced our Pet" of Appeal is drawn up, Engrost and ready to present against next Council day that we may get the Start of our Antagonists (as theirs is not yet Lodged) which we apprehend wod be an Advantage to us in haveing the Privilidge of Reply at the Hearing by our Counsel.
Altho' we can present our Pet" of Appeal, yet we Cannot pretend to bring it forwd to a hear? nor Scarse to prepare for itt, with out a Plan, the Case being very long and obscure as it is, which would be illus- trated by the Plan, and therefore pray Send it me as Soon as possible, and mark the Copy of itt how we are to Claim the Boundaries for if the Original Shoud be Sent over to the Masachusets Agent and be in his Custody the Addition to it of a Word, or a line or Even a Mark may hurt our Cause, and we have no possibility of Checking it here; the Com's I understand ordered all the Original papers to be
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deposited in the Sec's Office at N : Y : 1 and what is wanting may be had there if the Colony has 'em not already
Att the Same time please to Send me over also the Printed and Manuscript Book 2 in 1632, 1634, 1646, 1652, 1674, 1677 (if it can be) which the Massachts offered, but which the Com's rejected, because our Sol: thinks the Masach's will try here to get them Received, for perhaps the Lords may be willing to Receive all the Light they Can have and we ought to be acquainted before hand of what it is the Masach's May have to offer against Us, and we Shall in the meantime Endeavour to keep off the Hearing till I hear from thee in Answere Hereto.
Since writing the foregoing our Pet" of Appeal being ready I have got a Copy of it made out which I Send thee herewith.
16th ditto.
The King Came to the House of Lords Yesterday and put an End of the Sessions of Parliament : the Speech he made on that Occasion I Send thee in the inclosed Print: no War with France Yett,
I am with Respects Thy assured Friend
RP PARTRIDGE
23 ditto
I send thee some Prints per this Conveya to T: Hutchinson Esq! of Boston to forward to thee To Governor WARD.
1 The reference is to the boundary commission of 1741, by whose order the records of the court were deposited there. Arnold, History of Rhode Island, II. 133.
2 Probably the records of the work of former commissions dealing with the disputes with Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Connecticut over the various claims to the Narra- gansett country. Arnold, History of Rhode Island, I. See Index.
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Correspondence of the
GENERAL WENTWORTH TO CAPTAIN HOPKINS.1
KINGSTON JAMA Octo! 8th 1742
SY
As His Majestie has been pleased to put an End to the Expedition,2 And to Order me to reduce Colo Gooch's Regiment, And to send them to the North- ern Colonys, I take this first Oportunity of Signi- fying to you, that it is his Majesties Pleasure that you put an End to your Recruiting, and that you do without delay after this Letter shall reach you, dis- charge such Men as you may have raised for the Service of the said Regiment.
And you are hereby directed to draw out your Recruiting Accounts, and send them forthwith to Col. Gooch in Virginia, desiring him to send them by the first Oportunity to Cap: Alexander Wilson I am, S!
Your most humble Servt
THOS WENTWORTH
To Cap: WILLIAM HOPKINS of Col. Gooch's Regim at Rhoad Island.
GENERAL WENTWORTH TO GOVERNOR WARD.
Sir
His majesty having Signifyed To me That it is his Pleasure That The Expedition Design'd by his
1 See note to letter of August 12, 1741.
2 For an account of the expedition against the Spanish West Indies, see page 143.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Land forces against The King of Spains Domin- ions In South America, Should be putt an End To, and that the Regiment Commanded by Coll Gooch, Should be Immediately Reduced, and That I Should Send Back To north America all such Soldiers of That Regiment, as do not Choose To Remain here In The Plantations, or To Serve in Companys on- board The Fleet; I have taken The best measures In my Power for Executing The above orders, and accordingly have Dispatcht Transports To The Ports, from whence The Soldiers may be most Con- veniently Dispersd To Their Respective habitations ; Every man having Received his full Pay To octo- ber the 24th his Firelock, and The Cloathing of which he was Possesst, at The Time of his Reduc- tion, according To what his majesty was Graciously Pleasd To Promise, att The first Raising The Regi- ment.
As Some of The men will Probably arrive feeble, and Sick, I beg Leave Sir, To Recommend it To you, That They may be Commodiously Convey'd To Their Respective habitations, as men who have undergone a good Deal of hazard, and hardships, During The Course of Their service In This Part of The world. I am, S.
Your most obedient Servt
THOS WENTWORTH
KINGSTON JAMAICA October 15 1742.
His Excellency The Governor of Rhoad Island.
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Correspondence of the
GOVERNOR WILLIAM SHIRLEY TO GOVERNOR WARD.
Sir
Being informed that your Honour has divers Span- ish Prisoners with you, brought in by Cpt. Rouse, and among them some Persons of Consequence, namely an Officer or two in the Land Service, and a Captain of a Privateer and a Master of a Schooner; which two last are good Pilots, as well in the Span- ish West Indies as on the Coasts and Harbours of the English in North America; And apprehending it to be the Duty of the Governours of the Planta- tions to correspond with each other for their mutual Assistance, in all Matters wherein his Majesty's Ser- vice and the Interest and Safety of the Provinces are concerned ; I thought it proper to acquaint you that it is my Opinion that Prisoners of such Conse- quence should be sent home, and delivered to one of his Majesty's Secretaries of State, with a full Acco: of their Charecters and Circumstances, to prevent any ill Effects of their being left at large, and that
1 Shirley was governor of Massachusetts from 1741 to 1757. He was born in Sus- sex, England, and emigrated to Boston in 1731, where he became a persistent place- hunter. He was conspicuous in raising troops for Cathcart's expedition, in 1740. In 1741 he served on the commission to settle the Rhode Island boundary. As gov- ernor he was noted for his determined attempts to restrain the colonial issues of paper money, and for his part in military affairs. The capture of Louisburg was due to him, as regards both the idea and its execution. From 1749 to 1753 he was on leave of absence. In 1755 he led an unsuccessful expedition against Niagara. Upon Braddock's death, Shirley was made commander-in-chief of the British forces in Amer- ica, but he had incurred the displeasure of the New York politicians, who intrigued until he was superseded in his command. In 1756 he was ordered to England by Lord Loudoun, who held him responsible for the loss of Oswego, and was removed from his governorship in the following year. He was made governor of the Bahamas, returned to Massachusetts in 1770, and died there in 1771. He was buried in King's Chapel, Boston. J. A. Doyle in Dict. Nat. Biog.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
the Governm' may dispose of them in such man- ner as may be most for his Majesty's Service. Your Honour will excuse me that I use this Freedom, and I pray that you will take the like with me, as Occa- sion shall require. I am, Sir,
Your Honour's most Obedient, Humble. Servant
BOSTON Novem! 8. 1742.
W SHIRLEY.
Honble Gov! WARD.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WARD.
Gov. Ward
LONDON 12 mo or feb' 21 1743.
Thy favour of the 6th Dec! last I have received with the Copy of the Plan referred to in the Colonys State of their Case and allmost at the same time came to hand from New York an Authenticated Plan of the same of a larger Size - certified by the Surveyor Gen !! and the Collector and the Chief-Justice three of the Commiss's, and now I apprehend we are Suf- ficiently Provided with wht is necessary to Instruct our Council and prepare for the Hearing upon our appeal, which I intend shall be prosecuted with all Convenient Expedition, for Since Receiving the Plan we have already got the Cause sett down in the List at the Council Office for a Hearing before the Lords Committee of Council to whom our Petition of Ap- peal was Referred, because there are several Causes down allready before us, and we would get as early a Turn as Possible, it being for our Interest (as we
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Correspondence of the
Judge) to be the Partys that apply to bring it on. The Colony may depend on my best Endeavours in the Course of the proceedings towards bringing it to a good Issue for us, and I do gratefully acknowledge their favour in keeping me duly Supplyed having lately had a Remittance from Peter Bours and Jos : Whipple Esqrs
Our Briefs long as they are were all Prepared last Summer but Could not get the Case ready for Print- ing before, but now we may do it
In this Session of Parliam: nothing has been ex- hibited to the prejudice of the Plantations, Matters are Carried on there by a Considerable Majority, in such as Concern the King and its thought they will break up in about a Month or 6 Weeks time more, and that its Probable there will be yet Some more Changes in the Ministry, the War with Spain like to Continue, but we have none with France yet, for the Rest I referr to the Prints herewith sent, and Remain with Dew Respects to thy Self and the Gentle of the Council,
Thy Assured Friend, RICHP PARTRIDGE
We have engaged the attorney General1 and the famous Counsel: Murray2 who is now Sol! Gen! as Counsel for us on our Side
Leond Lockman3 appointed Judge of the Admi-
1 St. George Canfield, appointed in 1742.
2 William Murray, who gained popularity by his eloquent support of the Spanish war in the House of Commons. He was attorney-general to the Newcastle adminis- tration, was made lord chief justice of the King's Bench in 1756, and first Earl of Mansfield in 1776.
3 See note to letter of 3 mo. (May) 28, 1743.
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ralty of yo! Colony goes over per the first Man of War that goes that way
To RICHARD WARD, Esq.
Governor and Comand! in chief of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
GEORGE R.
Trusty and Welbeloved, We greet You well. Whereas the Sieur Hop Envoy Extraordinary from our Good Friends and Allies, the States General of the United Provinces, has made Strong and repeated Complaints to Us,1 that since the Commencement of the present War with Spain, the Captains and Offi- cers of Our Ships of War, and others acting under Our Commission, have, without any Regard to the Terms of the Treaty of Marine2 between our Royal Predecessor King Charles the Second, and their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Neth- erlands, concluded at London the Ist Day of De- cember 1674 S. V. confirmed by Subsequent Trea- tys, frequently made prize of Dutch Ships and their Cargoes as well in Europe, as in America, upon pre- tence of their having on board Spanish Effects, tho' not contraband ; And it being Our Royal Intention that all Engagements, which Subsist between Us,
1 See letter of July 14, 1743.
2 This was a renewal of the Marine Treaty of 1668, which defined the rights and obligations of neutral nations.
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Correspondence of the
And Our said good Friends and Allies the States General should be most carefully and religiously ob- served ; It is therefore Our will and Pleasure, and We do hereby authorize, and empower You to enjoyn all Captains of Ships to whom you shall grant Let- ters of Marque, or Commissions, for private Men of War against the King of Spain and his Subjects, to observe carefully and religiously the said Treaty Marine, and give Security pursuant to the Tenth Article for their due performance thereof. And so We bid you Farewell. Given at Our Court at S: Jame's the Thirteenth Day of April 1743. in the Sixteenth Year of Our Reign.
By His Majesty's Command HOLLES NEWCASTLE
To Our Trusty and Welbeloved
The Governor and Company of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation in America, Or to the Governor and Company of the said Col- ony for the time being.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WARD.
LONDON 3ª month 28. 1743 Gov. Ward,
I Apprehend it my Duty to Acquaint thee that of late the Crown has appointed Naval Officers in Sev- erall Governments of the Plantations one reason for which as I understand is that it is more likely the · Acts of Trade and Navigation wod then better be put
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in due Execution than by those who are Appointed in the Colony by the respective Governor's tho' by Act of Parliament 1 the right is in the Gov. Among the rest Leonard Lockman 2 a Person Commissioned to be Judge of the Admirality of your Colony is also now made Naval Officer who goes over in the Tor- rington Man of War by way of N. York, and as I take this to be prejudicial to the right of our Charter as well as to the Gov: I judged it proper to exhibit a Petition against such Nomination, a Copy whereof comes inclosed 3 which is lodged at the Council Office but till I have Instructions from the Colony I shall not prosecute it but let it lye dormant, least it shod at this time prejudice our Colony otherwise in a greater degree having heard some Hints thrown out against us which if prosecuted here might prove Dis- advantagious to us all tho' at present they are winked at, however when the said Lockman gets over and the Colony shall think fit to refuse to Admit him as Naval Officer and give me Instructions to defend their rights in that respect I shall act accordingly.
1 See letter of October 29, 1743.
2 A committee was appointed by the General Assembly to inspect Lockman's patent as clerk in the naval office, and reported that the office was in the appointment of the colonial governor, not of the Crown. This report was accepted. As judge of vice- admiralty, Lockman found himself so hampered that he complained to the Crown, and his complaints occasioned an especial answer from the General Assembly (Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 96). The true inwardness of this stand for privilege on the part of the colo- nists would seem to be found in Partridge's suggestion that upon the appointment of a naval officer by the Crown the Acts of Trade and Navigation would be more strictly executed. So far as the office of judge of admiralty was concerned, we find the Assembly, in the session of March, 1743, voting that, "Whereas, the judge of admi- ralty, for this colony, being gone home for Great Britain, and his deputy appointed here, declining to serve any longer ; - It is therefore voted, that M'. John Gidley, of Newport, in the county of Newport, be, and he is hereby appointed judge of the admiralty for this colony, until a person be properly appointed from home, to that office." Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 60.
3 See the following document.
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Correspondence of the
He says he shall appoint J. Honyman his Deputy and has got leave for it from the Lords of the Admi- ralty here. Our Cause relating to the Boundarys is now the Sixth on the List for hearing before the Lords Comee of Council but it's thought that it will be the fall of the Year before it will be possible to bring it on to be heard. I am,
Thy Assured ffriend
RICHP. PARTRIDGE
4 month Ioth
Our good Frd S: Cha. Wager 1 is lately deceased. The King is gone to Germany and its expected will bring about an Accommodation between the Queen of Hungary and the Emperor leaving the French in the Lurch. If that be done probably we may have a Peace with Spain but this last is uncertain yet
R P
To RICHARD WARD Esq"
Governour and Commander in Chief of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plan- tations
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO THE LORDS JUSTICES.2
To the Lords Justices in Council
The Humble Petition of Richª Partridge Agent for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in America
Sheweth That by Charter under the Great Seal
1 See note on p. 211.
2 Enclosed in letter of 3 mo. (May) 28, 1743.
RICHARD WARD 1740-1743
1
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King Charles the Second Incorporated Gov: and Compª of the sª Colony and for valuable Considera- tions granted them sundry necesary Powers and Privilidges for the well ordering and good Govermt thereof and more especially Powers to constitute proper Offices.
That the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom have invested the Gov: of all his Majtys Colonys with the Power of appointing the Naval Officers in the same and for whom those Govern's are answerable.
In consequence whereof not only the Gov. of Rhode Island but of all the others of his Majtys Colonys whatsoever have from time to time constituted the Naval Officers from the first Erection of that Office to the present time without any Exception to the contrary, that yo !. Pet' is able to discover.
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