USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. I > Part 9
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3 Brother-in-law.
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guilty either of doing or omitting any thing whereby their Interest might suffer or be prejudiced in the least. As to an Order for a Suspention of Taxes, I have discoursd my Solicitor upon it, and find it at present impracticable to be obtain'd. however we shall give it a further consideration. the Person® I have employd as Solicit' is also engag'd for New Hampshre in the dispute of the Boundaries on the other side wth the Massachusets which is now de- pending.1
Our Colonys Petition has been some time since laid before the King in Council and referrd to a Committee who have since referrd it to the Lords Comis's for Trade and Plantations where it now lyes for their Report and where it must first receive an Examination in due form, In order whereto they have been pleas'd to order a Copy of our Petition to be sent to the Agent of the Province of the Massach's with directions for him to procure an an- swer to it in Six months time, as thou willt see by a Copy of Secretary Popples letter to him here in- closed.
Inclosed is one of the Maps of the Colony we have got done here with a Plate which our Solicitor insisted upon to be realy necessary - one of which maps is also sent to Agent Wilks by the said Sec- retary.
As to the Resolutions2 of the House of Lords respecting the Plantations (I heretofore writt the Govern" off) The Judges have not yet brought in
1 See letter of xber (December) 31, 1736.
2 See letter of September 6, 1734.
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any heads of a Bill as directed last Sessions of Par- liamt but that House have resolved to take into con- sideration on the 17 Instant the State of the Plan- tations and the Lords of Trades Report, wch being delayd so long I am in hopes they will scarce be able to go through with anything of that nature this Sessions, but if they should push it, I shall exert myself to the utmost in vindicating the Rights and privilidges of the Colony and duely observe their motions.
As to the Jersies I am sorry any difference shd arise touching the Charge I was at in opposing the Sugar Bill, and rather than there shª be any contest remaining, I will give the Colony Credit back for fifty Pounds out of the Article chargd in my last acct upon hopes of their coming in to an Augmen- tation of my Salary, though I dont expect one Shil- ling of it of the Jersies, they being considerably in arrears to me and I was only appointed Agent for 5 years as I remember.
I was given to expect in Gov: Cranstons time I should be considerd when the Affair of the Bound- aries with Connecticut1 was ended, but after his death that matter dropt. and I hope the Colony will not postpone me till the present Affair is over, so re- lying on their generosity I remain with due Respects
Thy ffaithfull ffriend RICHP PARTRIDGE
To JAMES MARTIN Esq Secretary of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations In Newport
1 For an account of the Connecticut boundary, see p. xxii of the Introduction.
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Correspondence of the
THE LORDS OF TRADE TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
WHITEHALL, June the 17th 1735.
Sir,
His Majesty having been pleas'd, upon the address " of the House of Commons dated the 12th of the last Month, to direct us to Prepare, in order to be laid before that House the next Session of Parliament, an Account of what Laws were in Force in any of His Majesty's Colonies in America on the 25th Day of March 1731, And what Laws have been since pass'd in any of them, by which any Duties or Im- positions are laid on the Trade and Shipping of this Kingdom; As likewise an Account of what Duties or Impositions are now payable by an Act or Acts of Assembly in any of the British Colonies and Plan- tations in America, on the Importation and Expor- tation of Negroes, Wines, or other kind of Liquors or on any Goods, Wares or Merchandize and Ship- ping, distinguishing each Duty or Imposition. We desire, you will forthwith upon Receipt hereof, cause to be prepar'd, and transmit to Us as soon as possi- ble a List of the said Laws and the Accounts before mentioned belonging to your Gov: So we bid you heartily farewell, and are,
Your very loving Friends and humble Servants,
FITZ WALTER
T. PELHAM R. PLUMER
JON. ASHE JA. BRUDENELL.
O. BRIDGEMAN
Honble Gov. and Comp! of Rhode Island.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
Honble Sirs
In Obedience to his Majesty's Command signi- fied to Us by your Letter of the 17th June past1 re- lating to what Laws were in force in this Colony on the 25th March 1731 and what have been since pass'd laying any Duties or Impositions on the Trade or Shipping of Great Britain, Or any other Duties or Impositions now payable on the Importation or Exportation of Negroes Wines, or other kind of Liquors Or on any Goods, Wares or Merchandizes whatsoever : We do now in pursuance thereof in- form You That We had not then nor have now any Act or Law in this Colony that lays any Duty or Imposition on the Trade or Shipping of Great Britain, Or on the Importation or Exportation of any Goods Wares or Merchandizes of any kind whatsoever, But some few Years before, We had only a Duty of £3 per head on Negroes imported from the West Indies (and then exempted therefrom All directly from Africa) Which Act was immedi- ately repealed upon the receipt of an Order from Your Honble Board. We heartily Salute You with the greatest Respect.
1 See preceding letter.
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Correspondence of the
Sign'd by Order and in behalf of the Governour and Company of his Majesty's English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England
NEWPORT ON RHODE ISLAND Ist December 1735.
To the Right Honble Lords Comm's for Trade and Plantations London
GOVERNOR WANTON TO RICHARD PARTRIDGE.
S.
NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND It Dec! 1735
Your Letters to the Governour and Secretary have been communicated to Us, and we apprehend that We have already sent You Evidences sufficient to shew that the Plimouth Grant never reached the Lands in Controversy now with the Massachusetts Province by many Miles, And inclosed have sent You further Evidences of the late Gov. Jenks and M: Sprague to prove the continual Claims of this Colony thereto for near 70 Years back, We desire You to put forward this Affair with the greatest Expedition You possibly can, And for that purpose You may certainly expect to be furnished with a Supply the next Spring hoping in the mean time that the ballance now in your hands will be suf- ficient, But if not and You should want before then (Rather than our Cause should suffer) If You will advance the Money that shall be wanting 'till You have a Remittance, We will make You an Allow- ance for the Same.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Inclosed We have sent You a Letter open accord- ing to your Draught for the Right Honble S: Charles Wager1 which You are desired to seal and super- scribe and wait upon him with it praying his further good Offices and Assistance to Us in procuring the Cannon. And You have likewise inclosed a Letter to the Lords Comm's for Trade and Plantations wherein We have answered their Demand relating to any Act of this Colony laying Duties or Imposi- tions on the Trade or Shipping of Great Britain Or any Goods Wares or Merchandizes whatsoever Hav- ing no Duty at all here either Inward or Outward.2
We might Once more press You to use your ut- most Efforts against the passing any Bill upon the Resolutions of the Lords relating to the sending home our Laws for the Royal Approbation &c And as to what You write about the Augmentation of your Salary The General Assembly do not seem to incline to come into that Method But are willing to allow You a handsom Gratuity upon the Conclusion of this Affair against the Province, And You need not be under any Apprehension of being served now As You write You was upon the Determination of the Connecticut Boundary They being very unan- imous to make You a suitable Compensation.
When You send any Packet again on the Colo- ny's Affairs of any Bigness (Postage now running very high) We desire You'l put it under Cover to M: Benjamin Bagnell Watchmaker in Boston who will take Care and transmit it here by some private Hand, there being always Oportunities from thence for such a purpose.
1 See the following document.
2 See preceding letter.
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Correspondence of the
In the last Conference of the Meeting of the Com- missioners1 on the part of each Government at New London the Committee that attended for the Pro- vince for the Massachusetts Bay insisted very much that they had made a Purchase of the Lands in Controversy Which We allow, For our Dispute with them is not for the Property of the Lands, But only for the Right of Jurisdiction And therefore thought proper to give You a Hint of this Not knowing but they might make Use of the same Argum! again at home
Sign'd by Ord! of the Gen! Assembly JOHN WANTON GOV.
To M: RICHARD PARTRIDGE
Merch! in London
THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND TO SIR CHARLES WAGER.2
Honble S.
The Inhabitants of this Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations being sensible of your Regards and Readiness to serve them, Which You
1 Commissioners to settle the disputed boundary line between Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
2 Enclosed in Wanton's letter of December I. Charles Wager was the nephew of John Hull, a London merchant who removed to Newport, and by whom he was adopted. He served with Hull in several voyages across the Atlantic, and his gallant conduct attracted the attention of friends who were able to secure him a post in the royal navy, where he ultimately became first lord of the admiralty, and a member of the privy council. He has a monument in Westminster Abbey. The colony of Rhode Island relied much in its suit with Massachusetts upon Wager's local knowledge, as well as his disposition in favor of the home of his adoption. See Weeden's Economic History of New England, II. 600, and Sheffield's Privateersmen of Newport, pp. II, 42.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
have been pleased to demonstrate at all Times when Application has been made to You by our Agent (as He has inform'd Us) calls for our grate- ful Acknowledgement in Return thereof which I now make to You, Honble S! in their Behalf, pray- ing a Continuance of Your further Favours as there shall be any Occasion Yet We hope that M! Par- tridge will not at any Time be troublesom in wait- ing upon You, But as urgent Necessity shall urge Him to it
He lately informs Us likewise That upon a Peti- tion referred from His Majesty in Council for a Supply of a Number of Cannon for our Fortification here (Upon the Foundation of our Address a few Years since) The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations have been so good as to come into a Report in our Favour for a Grant of 20 Cannons and 20 Shotts for each Gun.
This comes therefore humbly to request That You would be pleased to favour Us so farr with a Contin- uation of your good Offices That the said Report may be carried on to effect, which will be a very signal Service to this Colony, who have within a few Years past been at the Expence of £15000 this Cur- rency in building an intire new and regular Fortifi- cation capable of mounting 50 or 60 Cannons, Those We have had hitherto were but 12 in Number and they so old and decayed are hardly fit for any Use, But lately We have got 24 Pieces from London at our own Cost.
And considering this Colony has not put the Crown hitherto to any the least Expence or Charge
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Correspondence of the
for its Support And that the well Fortifying It against any Invasion of an Enemy will be of great Consequence, As well to the Neighbouring Govern- ments more imediately under the Crown as to the Government it Self, We humbly hope this our Re- quest will be the more readily granted, and which will lay Us under Obligation in the most sensible and dutiful Manner to his sacred Majesty.
I hope You will Excuse the Trouble of this and heartily salute You with due Respects
In behalf of the Governour and Company of his Majesty's English Colony of Rhode Island and Pro- vidence Plantation in New England and am Honble S: Your most obedient and most devoted humble Serv:
JA: MARTIN Secretary.
NEWPORT ON RHODE ISLAND I. October 1735
To the Right Honble S! CHARLES WAGER
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 12 mo. the 6. 1735. Gov'. Wanton
I have recd thine of the It Decem! last with the Papers inclosed 1 wch doubtless will be of Service to us : - I would gladly have the affair of that Contro- versy brought forward to a Hearing with all the expedition that well could be, and in order to it the Lords of Trade have been duely solicited to press
1 See preceding letter.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
the Massachusets Agent for his answer which at length he has delive in,1 for till that was done there was no such thing as making any progress at that Board, which answer I Send thee herewith. my Soli- citor informs me it contains great numbers of new facts as to which we have not sufficient Instructions hitherto - that it cannot be proper to move for a Hearing until such time as the Colony Shall have given particular information and taken further proofs wth relation to the Matters therein contained, and must wait your further directions thereabout.
I see the disposition of the Assembly as to my Salary, so do not intend to give them any further trouble about it.
I intend to take a proper opportunity to wait on Sir C. Wager with the letter but doubt it is too late to get anything done in that affair this Year
The preliminary Articles for a Peace between the late contending Powers at War2 have been some time since agreed on and it is not doubted but a general Peace will ensue and tranquility restored to Europe which is doubtless very much owing to the endeavours of the King of Great Britain. I am Thy assured Frd
RP PARTRIDGE
To JOHN WANTON Esq! Govern' of Rhode Island and Providence Plan- tations
1 Arnold gives the date of the answer of Wilks, the Massachusetts agent, to the petition of Rhode Island as January 9, 1739. History of Rhode Island, II. 117.
2 The war of the Polish succession. England and Holland submitted a plan of pacification which was finally rendered acceptable to France, Austria, and Spain, and signed at Vienna in 1735.
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Correspondence of the
GOVERNOR WANTON TO RICHARD PARTRIDGE.
NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND II! May 1736
S.
Yours of the 6th of February past 1 came safe with the Answer of the Massachusetts Agent to our Com- plaint, of which We shall take Care and fully answer such Matters of Fact as You have not Evidence already sufficient for, Having ordered a Committee for that purpose and desired to make what Dispatch they possibly can.
The Assembly only met this Time for the General Election and to choose their Officers both Civil and Military throughout the Government, and adjourn'd to the 2nd Monday in June for Business, and then You may expect to have a further Supply for the carrying on this Affair according to your Desire And likewise such further Instructions as will be necessary for the pressing forward this Matter to a speedy Determination
Sign'd in Behalf of the General Assembly JOHN WANTON Gov.
To M: RICHARD PARTRIDGE Merch: In London
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON xber the 31. 1736
Governour Wanton
I received thy letter dated the 11th of May last 2 intimating the receipt of the Massachusets Agents
1 See preceding letter.
2 See preceding letter.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
Answer to our Complaint and that care would be taken to answer such matters of Fact as we had not already sufficient Evidence for &c - which yet are not come to my hands. when they do I shall with my Solicitor do my utmost for the Service and Interest of the Colony, but at present all things relating to that dispute lye still here and we are not able to pro- ceed for want of yor Reply.
There has been a long dispute depending between the Massachts and N. Hampsh! about their Boundaries 1 and at length it results after this manner - Com- mission's are Nominated by the Crown to examine into the Affair and as I think to fix the Bounds or to make Report of their Opinion in what manner they ought to be adjusted. the number of Commis" are Twenty, viz 5 out of the Council of Rhode Island 5 of N. York 5 of N. Jersie and 5 of Nova Scotia, but because these persons are appointed by the Crown at the recommendation of the Lds of Trade the Massachusets Agent if I am rightly informed intend to controvert the Nomination in as much as they were imposed on them without either Province having so much as the liberty of choosing any part of them. thus I thought it proper to give thee some hints of this affair and as they proceed in it thou mayst expect to have a further account from me. No Govern! absolutely appointed for New York 2
1 A detailed account of the dispute and its settlement is given in Hutchinson's Mas- sachusetts Bay, II. 382-391, where the statement is made that the commissioners were all proposed by the New Hampshire agent. See note to letter of 9ber (November) 3, 1738.
2 Governor Cosby died in March, 1736. Lord Delaware was appointed in June, 1737.
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yet. the King is still in Holland waiting only for a fair wind for his Return who has been absent this time longer than usual.
I herewith send thee sundry Prints for thy Amuse- ment and with kind Respects remain
Thy faithfull frd
RICH? PARTRIDGE
the Colony may depend upon the ability of our Solici- tor 1 whom I have employd in the affair of the Bound- aries with the Massachusets - for he has had a large Experience in things of that kind and scarce any equal to him or however to exceed him: he is the same as is employd for N. Hampshre against the Massach's and by the Penns of Pensilva against Lord Baltimore - about their Boundaries.
To JOHN WANTON Esq Governour of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 3ª mo the 5. 1737
Govern. Wanton
nothing has happend here since I writt thee last affecting your Colony. all things lye dormant relating to the dispute with the Massachusets neither can any
1 Ferdinando John Paris, a London solicitor, who was active in representing vari- ous colonial and individual interests during the thirty years from 1730 to 1760. Hutch- inson alludes to him as "one of the first rate and who had a peculiar talent at slurring the characters of his antagonists. Many of his briefs which I have seen, abound in this way." History of Massachusetts Bay, II. 384.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
further proceeding be made therein till I have a Reply to their paper, a Copy whereof I sent thee some time since.1
This Sessions of Parliam! is like to pass over without doing any thing relating to the Plantations in general, save that some endeavours have been used for bringing in a Bill for the encouraging the importation of pig Iron as well as bar Iron from the Plantations and for putting a Stop to the erect- ing or making for the future any Slitting Mills, in which affair they proceeded so far as to appoint a Committee who met often upon it examind several Evidences and at length brought in their Report, but yesterday they dropt it for this Sessions, that is it was put off for 6 weeks: before the end of which time the Parliam! will break up - whether they will resume it the next Sessions time must discover. inclosed I send thee a News paper wch contains some considerations on the Subject - and am with respects to thy Self and the Gentlemen of the Council
Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To JOHN WANTON Esq Governour of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
1 Arnold says that on October 27, 1737, Partridge presented to the Board of Trade his answer to the memorial of the Massachusetts agent, combating his positions at great length, and under twenty heads of reply. History of Rhode Island, II. 118.
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Correspondence of the
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 8ber the 18. 1737
Governour Wanton
In answer to thine of the 4th 5th mo. last relating to our Solicitor Paris.1 Above thou hast a Copy 2 of what he writt me on that head : I think indeed he might have acquainted me wth that affair wch I knew nothing off before, however I am fully perswaded he will act the just part with us in the Affair I have employ'd him in, and is the Same Solicitor the New Hampsre Agent employd in their Business against the Massachusets about the' Boundarys between them, wherein as I take it he has had Success,3 and I thought him the fitter to be employd for us, not doubting but he may be depended upon to do his best to serve us- alltho' I think he might have spared some expressions in his foregoing answer
I am with due Respects Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To JOHN WANTON Esq Governour of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
1 See notes to letter of Xber (December) 31, 1736.
2 See the following document.
3 The commission for settling the New Hampshire boundary was issued April 9, 1737.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
F. J. PARIS TO RICHARD PARTRIDGE.1
Sir
At my return to Town last night I mett your favour of the 20th of last month in relation to M: MªSparrans Affair, and take this first opportunity to acquaint you in answer thereto that I did write such Letter as therein enclosed to M:2 Auchmuty, and that the Contents of it were true, and particularly it was thought very strange and arbitrary that, for the very same parcell of Land, the Colony should readily allow M' Torrey an Appeal to the King but refuse one to M' McSparran,3 and I am still of Opinion that had M' McSparran prosecuted any Complaint as agt the Colony, for it and other irregularitys in his Affair, they could not have been justified. But I was very farr from inflaming that Affair, or endeavouring to aggravate matters. On the contrary my Clyent and my self both sought for peace.ª The Governor seems to think strange I should not acquaint you of this matter, especially as I am employed by you to Sup- port the Colonys right to the Gore, but I believe upon recollection he and you both will think that those two different matters have no sort of relation each to the other. The Colony may be assured I
1 Enclosed in preceding letter.
2 Robert Auchmuty, agent for Massachusetts in the boundary case.
8 The reference is to the famous case of the Narragansett Church Lands, in which McSparran was plaintiff. For an account of the affair see Douglass's Summary, II. 104 ; Updike's Episcopal Church in Rhode Island, 68-82 ; R. I. Hist. Coll., III. 123 ; Hazeltine's Appeals from Colonial Courts, in the Report of the American Historical Association for 1894, p. 340, et seq.
4 Dr. McSparran went to England in June, 1736, and returned in August, 1737. Updike's Narragansett Church, p. 191.
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shall render them the most faithfull Service in rela- tion to the Gore, As, on the other hand, I shall think I owe the same Duty to Mr McSparran in relation to his matter.
F. J. PARIS
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR WANTON.
LONDON 2ª mo. 29th 1738
Govern". Wanton
I writt thee last of the 10th and 13th 12 moth last, via Boston, since which I have had none of thy favours, and now I can inform thee, that after several appointments of the Lords of Trade, we had a Hear- ing before them by Councel learned in the Law on the 25th and 28th Inst. for our Collony were Councers Murray1 and Clark, the former, to wit, Murray is allowed I believe as eminent in his profession as any in England and indeed pleaded excellently well. during the course of the proceedings, I observ'd a disposition in the Lords for advising the King to appoint Commissioners to adjust (the dispute about the Gore of Land) between the two contending Colonys there upon the Spott, for they seem'd to observe from what was argued on both sides, that they did not agree as to the names of the Rivers or Places about the Boundarys, and that the names of them differ'd in their Spelling or being written, to what they were formerly, and therefore could not see it was possible upon considering the whole to decide it here - and yesterday after they broke up I went
1 William Murray, Lord Mansfield. See note to letter of February 21, 1743.
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to their Secretary to learn if I could what would be the purport of the Lords Report and find it will be as I apprehended as aforesaid, that is for appointing Commissioners out of some of the neighbouring Governments which is what the Concel for the Mas- sachusets very streniously argued against and oppos'd at the Hearing, and therefore I take it a point gained in our favour, for I understand Esq: Wilks intends to oppose the Report when it comes to the Commit- tee of Council and then we are like to have another Struggle, so that this as usual will be a chargeable affair. it cost me 40 guineas bare Councel ffees at these 2 days of Hearing. I hope the Colony will soon make me some Remittance and in the mean time nothing shall be wanting on my part to serve their Interest.
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