USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 10
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1 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 278, 283-286.
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world to expect to hold our Charter, deserves the most serious Consideration of this Honble House, for if our Charter should be hereby forfeited, it will be lost forever, and it would be as vain an Imagination as ever entered into any Man's Head to expect that any thing we could do, would recover what we had thus rashly and presumptiously thrown away.
The Preservation of Privileges, as valuable as any People upon the Face of the Earth enjoy, deserves, Gentlemen, of all Things under Heaven your great- est Attention, and can any Man, who will give him- self Time to think seriously of this Affair of our Currency, say, we shall be in no Danger of forfeiting them, by a large new Emission of Bills at this Con- juncture? What! Affront His Majesty, our most gracious Sovereign, and the Parliament of Great Britain, our Supreme Lawgiver, by taking out of their Hands a Matter of great Importance, now under their Consideration, and run no Danger by so doing ! It will not bear the Mentioning, for certainly no rational Man can possibly think it may be done with Safety.
I have now, I think, very plainly proved that a new Emission of Bills is so far from being necessary, that it would be, in all probability, pernicious to the Trade of the Colony, manifestly injurious to all Creditors in general, and ruinous to many Widows and Orphans in particular, and besides all this prob- ably occasion the Loss of our Charter, and therefore pray in behalf of the Petitioners of this Town that the several Petitions for a new Emission may be dis- missed.
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The Facts I have taken notice of cannot be denied, and my Reasoning upon them is, I believe, just and conclusive, but all that I have said is Submitted to your candid Consideration by
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble Servant
NEWPORT ON RHODE ISLAND August 24th 1750.
GOVERNOR GREENE TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND Decem! 15th 1750
May it please your Lordships
In the Beginning of August last I Received Your Lordships Letter 1 with the printed Copy of An Act of Parliament Made to encorage the Importation of Pig and Barr Iron from His Majesty: Colonys in America, And to prevent the erection of Any Mill or other Engine for Sliting or roling of Iron, or Any plaiting forge To work with a Tilt hammer or Any furnace for Makeing Steel, In Any of the Said Colonies And in a few Days after when the General Assembly Sat at Newport I Caused the Same to be Published In their presence; and thereupon a Com- mittee was appointed to Make the Strictest Serch and enquirey after Such Mills engines and Furnaces, as in the Act of parliament are Mentioned and Ex- pressed. The Gentlemen so appointed Made Report to the General Assembly at their Session in provi- dence the Last week : who thereupon Became fully
1 See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 314, for letter and for act of Assembly. VOL. II.
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Assured, there is in this Colony No Such Mill or Engine for Sliting or Roleing of Iron or any plating forge to work with a Tilt Hammer, or any Furnace for Makeing Steel as Mentioned and Expresed in the aforesaid Act of Parliament, and of This they Desired me to Inform Your Lordships, I Do it ac- cordingly being
May it please Your Lordships
Your Lordships Most obediant and Very Humble Servant
W. G
The Honble Lords Commissioners for Trade and plantations
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR GREENE. LONDON 5ª mo. the 3ª 1751.
Gov. Greene
The foregoing is Copy of my last to thee per Capt Richards since wch the Parliamt broke up the 15th Instant when they were prorogued at which time the King as usual made a Speech to both Houses a Printed Copy whereof comes inclosed in the Ga- zette.
The Act concerning Paper Bills of Credit (with the amendm's) thou wilt see is passed the Royal Assent after a pretty deal of debating in the House of Commons but as it is, greatly altered from what it was when first formed, the Sting being taken out, and for that now it may probably be a means to prevent any further depreciation of the Paper
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Money and other circumstances considª. It is to be hoped the Act will not be attended wth any great In- jury to the Colony especially too as all the other 3 N. E. Colonys are included and put on the same Bottom.1
The Parliam! have also passed an Act this Sessions for the Encouragmt of making Pot Ash in our Plan- tations by taking off the Duty which is about £6 per Tun or upwards which we hope will prove bene- ficial, wherein I contributed my Assistance in the Solicitation.
There are lately some change in the Ministry, the Earl of Granville is appointª President of the Council, in the Room of the Duke of Dorset, who is going over L' L: of Ireland. The Earl of Hol- derness made Secry of State in the Room of the D. of Bedford, and Ld Anson first Com! of the Admi- ralty in the Room of Lord Sandwich and they say Lord Gower the Privy Seal has also resigned. I am &c
Thy Friend
R. P.
24th Ditto
I wrote thee last of 3ª Inst via New London since which I have been served wth Notice 2 from the West India Agents of their Intention to apply to Parliam! again early next Sessions for a Prohibitg Act respecting the Trade of the Northern Colonys,
1 See note to the Governor's message to the House, August 24, 1750.
2 See the following document. The Assembly were already preparing to oppose any such solicitation. See Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 331.
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on the same footing doubtless as was Solicited for in the last Sessions, wherefore in the mean time ample Instructions shod be sent over hither for Conducts in behalf of the Colony, inclosed is a Copy of said Notice in writing that was sent me, who am as above
RP. PARTRIDGE
I have accepted all thy latter Bills on me, the last that came to hand was that of £275. Payble to Edw! Kinnicutt.
6 mo. or Aug ** 9*h.
Since the foregoing my Sol' Paris has sent me in, his Bill of Costs for the Business transacted for your Colony in the last Sessions of Parliament about the Paper Currency Bill only, amounting to £375:19.8 a Copy whereof I send thee here in- closed which I think extravagantly high and there- fore I intend to dispute it with him before I pay the Money.
And I am Still yet more confirmed it was well I did not proceed further in sd Paper Currency affair, for if I had gone through at the Commons and fol- lowed it at the Lords it might probably have come to near as much more, and this is besides an acco! he brought me in for Connecticutt of £51.18.8 and besides his Bill of Costs for opposing the West India Merch's in their late Prohibiting Scheme, the whole of which West Inda Affair for the 4 Colonys (which I represent) he makes to am. together to £414. 18. II. more, which I shall also contend with him about :
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but more of this hereafter, interim I remain, as be- fore
RP PARTRIDGE
To Governour GREEN Rhode Island
THE WEST INDIAN AGENTS TO RICHARD PARTRIDGE.1
Tho' from what passed when the Petition of the Merchants of London in general and of the British Sugar Planters Merchants and others praying the prohibiting the Northern Colonies from taking any Sugar Rum and Molasses from the ffrench and other foreign Sugar Settlements was under the Consider- ation of the House of Commons this last Session and the Declaration then made that the like application would be resumed the next Session of Parliament We apprehend any formal notice of such Intention to be unnecessary Yet to avoid all pretence on be- half of the Northern Colonies of their not having such Notice We do hereby give you this notice in Writing that we purpose and intend to renew the like Application to the House of Commons upon or immediately after the commencement of the next Session in Parliament in order to obtain an Act of Parliament to prevent His Majesty's Subjects of the Northern Colonies from buying or taking by way of Barter or Exchange or otherwise howsoever any foreign Sugar Rum or Molasses from any foreign Settlement whatsoever and to prohibit the Importa- tion thereof into any of His Majesty's Dominions
1 Enclosed in letter of July 3, 1751.
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As Witness our hands this Eleventh day of July 1751.
JNº SHARPE Agent for
Jamaica Barbadoes Antiqua and Novis JAS GEO : DOUGLAS Agent for S! Christophers JON : WILMOT Agent for Montserratt, 1
To RICHARD PARTRIDGE Esq' Agent for his Majesty's Coloney of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
THOMAS HILL- TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
WHITEHALL July 9th 1751. Gentlemen,
Three Acts having been passed in the last Session of Parliament, wherein the British Plantations are concern'd, viz:
An Act for continuing several Laws therein men- tion'd relating to the Premiums upon the Importa- tion of Masts, Yards and Bowsprits, Tar, Pitch and Turpentine; to British made Sail-Cloth, and the Duty payable on foreign Sail Cloth; and to the Allowance upon the Exportation of British made Gun powder.
An Act to regulate and restrain Paper Bills of
1 Secretary to the Lords of Trade.
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Credit in His Majesty's Colonies or Plantations of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecti- cut, the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire in America, and to prevent the same being legal Ten- ders in Payment of Money.1
An Act for encouraging the making of Pot Ashes and Pearl Ashes in the British Plantations in America.2
I am directed by my Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to send the inclosed printed Copies of them, for Your Information and Govern- ment in the several Matters therein contain'd. I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
THOS HILL
Gov' and Comp! of Rhode Island
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
Gov. Greene
LONDON 4th mo. or Apr! the Ioth 1752
I wrote thee last of the 6th Ult. via Boston to which I refer having since recd none of thy favours. The Parliam! broke up the 26th Ult. and the King soon after set off for his German Dominions and is safe arrived in the Holland leaving the Royal Authority, as to the Kingdom with a Number of Lords ap- pointed Regents as Usual.
As the Parliam! were prorogued sooner than ordi- nary a pretty deal of business was postponed so that
1 See note to letter of August 24, 1750.
2 See letter of July 3, 175I.
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the West India Gentlemen did nothing at all this Sessions in their intended Scheme respecting The Trade with the Foreign Sugar Islands,1 But it's very likely they will prosecute it the next Year.
I send thee per this Conveyance some of our Lon- don Prints to be forwarded to thee per a private hand of which I desire thy acceptance.
From Thy assured Friend
RP. PARTRIDGE
5th mo. or May the 4th
The foregoing is Copy of my last to thee, and now this accompanys my acco! wth the Colony the Ballce whereof is £240. 14.0. Sterl. in my favour. I have charged in the said accot 2ds of my Sol's Bills for acco! of the opposition in Parliament, on the Score of the Paper Currency Affair, and the other ad to the Colony of Connecticut, in as much as the Com- mencement of the Solicitation was principally at first against Rhode Island only, which involved the Col- ony of Connecticutt, and I charge as thou wilt see but £101. 12. 9. being {th of the Sol's Bills in the op- position to the West India Merchants and Planters which for the 4 Colonies I represent amº together to £406. 10. II, but as I apprehended my Sol' has charg'd his Bills too extravagantly, I have not yett Setled with him expecting I shall get him to make some abatement, and what ever I get taken off I shall Credit your Colony with a due proportion of. I hear the Charge of the Pet's of Rhª Island for the late Act relating to Paper Currency in Parliament amounts to near £700, which I think is very extraordinary.
1 See p. 133.
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No Material alterations in the Ministry of late. Lord Holderness the present Secry of State holds still his Office, as some people will have it as his Pre- decessors had it before, notwithstands the Report of its likelihood of being divided and part thereof with relation to the Plantations given to another Lord, but yet some assert it to be otherwise, and that the Board of Trade are invested with part of the powers of the Sec'y of StateShip relating to the Plantations.1 And now I have of this date drawn upon thee for {200. Sterl. payable at 40 days sight to my Friend Gideon Wanton towards paying our Sol! wch please to honour accordingly.
I have lately had a Message from one of the Board of Trade hinting it is likely in the next Sessions of Parliam: some endeavours will be used to get the Sugar and Mollasses Act revived again as it is near expiring, but that on the other hand probably some means will be used to postpone or drop it and have a new Act passed lowering the Duty to 2d. or Id. per Gall. on Mollasses in lieu of the present duty, wherefore it may be necessary for me to have In- structions thereabout, in the meantime, I am with respects to thyself, and the Gent" of the Council and House of Representatives
Thy and their assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To WILLIAM GREENE Esq: Governour of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
1 See letters to Governor Greene, directing all future communications in the way of ordinary business to be sent to the Lords of Trade; also Order in Council for the regulation of the plantations ; and letter of Governor Greene to Partridge. Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 350-355, 359.
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RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
LONDON Nov! 15th 1753
Gov'. Greene
Thine of 23ª Augt last per Capt Sheldon I have duly recd and according to what is expected of me from yo! Colony I intend to be on the watch respect- ing any thing especially as to Trade and Commerce in the House of Commons and exert my Endeavours for the good of the Colony as there may be occasion and give thee timely notice thereof, and send over Such Laws as shall pass here wch materially may affect the Northern Colonies.
As to the old Sugar Act1 it was for a while ap- prehended that it would be repealed and a new one Enacted for a duty of one penny a gall only on Mollasses instead of 6ª as it now stands, but the Par- liamt rose without doing any thing in it, and altho' that Act was mention'd among the expiring Laws yet it seems it does not end till the year 1755. But there was a sort of Coalition come into wth Some of the Active Members of the House of Commons to let the time run out as it now stands, and be con- tinued for one year after that, yet to be discussed in Parliament the ensuing Sessions or the Sessions next after - wch measure it is supposed in some de- gree will weaken the Argument for the continuance of that Act, but be it howsoever it happens I in- tend to advise thee as early as I can the needful concerning it.
And as to the Settlem of yo! Northern Boundary 2
1 The Act of 1733. See note on p. 19 of vol. I.
2 See a report of the Rhode Island and Connecticut committees thereupon, Col.
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wch thou mentionest, - when ever I shall have recd the Colonies Instructions thereabout I intend my best Endeav' shall not be wanting for their Interest, tho' thou canst not but be sensible it will be attended wth great Expence; for the Lords of the Privy Coun- cil, or the Lords of Trade will scarce take upon them to determine such an Affair without issuing a Commission under the great Seal to appoint Com- missioners out of the Neighbouring Gov'mts as usual in such cases, wch bare Commiss" will come to above £100 Sterl besides all other charges.
And now I must inform thee that at length on Settling accots with our Soliciters Bills in the late Transactions at the Board of Trade and House of Commons, I have got some considerable abatement made thereon, and have credited the accot of Rhd Island Colony for their proportion thereof amount- ing to £85 : 15:0 Sterling.
And as I think I have all along acted hitherto for the Colonies Interest according to my ability and Judgment with integrety, and in diverse Instances its well Known have been attended with good Suc- cess of which many can Witness for me, yet its pos- sible I may have some Enemies (not sensible of it) endeavouring to prepossess the minds of those Gen- tlemen who are my Constituants agst me, but that shall not in the least abate my Zeal nor discourage me from doing my duty in behalf of those I represent ; and I cannot well omit acknowledging with gratitude the sence of obligation I have of my Friends in the
Rec. of R. I., V. 346 ; and a petition of the Governor and Company to the Crown, March 2, 1753, Ibid., V. 367.
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House of Representatives who have thought fit to continue their favourable Regards towards me, who am with kind respects to thy Self the Gentlemen of the Council and Assembly
Thy and their assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To WILLIAM GREEN Esq! Governour of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
LONDON 3ª mo. or March 7th 1754 Gov'. Greene
My last to thee was of Novem' 15th per Capt Davis via Boston wch I hope thou hast recd, since that I have had none of thy favours - As to publick Af- fairs, This Sessions of Parliam' holds out longer than was once expected, but nothing has been done in it or attempted hitherto to the prejudice of the Plantas, Save that in the. Course of the demand on the Esti- mate for a further Supply for Nova Scotia some satirical expressions were thrown out very Severely agst Charter Gov'mts perticularly Rhode Island by a Member of the House wch indicated such threatnings as if something was certainly intended at a proper Season hereafter to take them in hand for Maleprac- tices, tho' I did not understand they descended to particulars wch no doubt they imagine they have suf- ficient Matter to alledge agst the Colony that will affect their Charter privileges : perhaps the time they
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aim at for it will be the next Sessions, to take the opportunity when the Sugar and Molasses Act comes to be considered and discussed in Parliam!
May I be worthy to advise I wod recommend your Legislature to act in all their proceedings with Candour, Caution, and Strict Justice that our Ene- mies may have no occasion to clamour, which will certainly redound to their Honour and Reputation and make things easier for their Agent to appear in their Vindication; I hope they will forgive the freedom I take after this sort wch I do assure thee is from a motive of true regard to their own advantage and welfare, being perswaded as I am that they are very sensible I have hitherto endeavd according to my best understanding to vindicate the Rights and Privileges of their Charter and wch has been attended with Success, and the continuance whereof I esteem it my duty to persue. and further I must needs say respecting the above aspertions, it is not the first time that harsh Things have been vehemently utterd before the Lords of Trade as well as in the Hº of Commons but as they were transient and not formal Complaints there was no occasion then to take any further notice of them.
Yesterday dyed Henry Pelham Esq', which must make some alteration in the Ministry and they say Hen : Fox Esq' Secry at War is likely to succeed him, but its uncertain, as Chancelor of the Excheq' &c,1 and on this occasion both Houses of Parliamt have ad-
1 Newcastle became First Lord of the Treasury in his brother's place, and was re- garded as Prime Minister. Henry Fox became Secretary of State in 1755, following Sir Thomas Robinson.
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journ'd to the 12th or 14 Inst - for the rest I refer thee to the Magazines and News Papers herewith sent of which I desire thy acceptance from Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To Governor GREENE.
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
LONDON 7. mo or July 30. 1754
Gov. Greene
I wrote thee last of the 2ª of 4th mo. per Capt Rodman to which I refer having Since that recd none of thy favours. This now comes at the request of Thom: Stephens who is a Gentleman as I apprehend well acquainted with the method of making potash, which he has satisfied the Kings Ministers in, and they have agreed wth him as I am informed on Terms suitable to a dozin years labour and as many hundª Pounds St! wch he alledges he has expended.1
I need not say that the Ministry wd be as glad so valuable a Branch of Commerce to this Kingdom shª Succeed (for making Returns) in the Colonies as People there wou'd be themselves.
I was present before the Lords of Trade when he was examin'd very particularly as to his Abilities in making this Comodity, and which according to my observance and judgment was demonstrated very evi-
1 In October, 1753, the Assembly granted to Moses Lopez of Newport the sole right of manufacturing potash in the colony, for a term of ten years. Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 376.
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dently as to the goodness of the quality wherein the Lords took a good deal of pains at the Examination.
the price here of Russia potash (wch I understand is the best) is commonly Sold at 35/ per Sterls, and it is expected it may be made considerably cheaper in our Plantations so as to under sell the East Country Commodity especially too as the Duty wch is about £6 -a Tun, is lately taken off by Act of Parliament.
As he now goes over to America on purpose to set this Manufacture on foot, the Colonies promot- ing it might be grateful to the Duke of Newcastle and other Personages of note who are disposed to encourage it, as well as of Service to the Colonies
I am Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
the taking of the duty of Potash is owing princi- pally to the industry of the above sd Gentleman and without him I really beleive it had not been done.
To WILLIAM GREENE Esq.
Governour of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
LONDON 8 mo : (Augst) 22ª : 1754.
Gov". Greene
My last to thee was of 30th Ult1 per Thos Stephens a Gent" gone over to New England to promote the Manufacture of Pot ash in our Plantations encour- aged by the Ministry here.
1 See preceding letter.
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All Matters at present remain quiet respecting your Colony but I am apprehensive next Sessions of Parliam! (which is to meet in November next for dispatch of business) something will be on the Car- pet relating to the West India Trade, about which I shall be on the Watch.
The Kings Ministers of late have been very intent and anxious as I apprehend on the Incroachmts of the French on the Territories of our Plantations about the River Ohio on the back of Virginia, Pen- sylva &cª and Special Orders are again lately gone over to the Gov: of Virginia &cª thereupon : with orders as I have been informed, and Credit given to draw Bills for a Considerable Sum (besides what the Provinces thereabouts will advance themselves) in order to raise Forces Sufficient to repel force by force. for the rest I refer to the Prints herewith sent, and remain
Thy assured Friend
RICHP PARTRIDGE
To Governour GREENE of Rhode Island &c
GOVERNOR GREENE TO GOVERNOR SHARPE.
NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND Nov. 28th 1754.
Sir
Your fav! of the 8th of Novem! Currant,1 I This Day Received by which You Request Some Assist- ance from this Government To Repel the encroach-
1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 403.
THE GOVERNOR WILLIAM GREENE HOUSE, EAST GREENWICH
0991 * *
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ments that the French are and have Been making on his Majesty's Dominions in Your Parts of the Con- tinent; 1 and wherein You also Request that I Will Use my Indeavour with the Generall Assembly of this Colony to Procure Such Supplies either of Men or Money, as the Exigency of affairs Does at this Time Demand ; Sir you may Depend I Shall Strictly observe Your Request And Communicate the Same to the General Assembly of this Colony at their Next Meeting, which will be on the Last Munday in Feb- ruary Next; And Shall Move it In the most pressing manner That they at the first opening of the Assem- bly, Will take the Same into Consideration : And Shall Inform you of theire Resolve as Soon as may be, but if You Should be of opinion that it will be to late In the Spring then to Answer the Intention and Design Please to Signifie it to me as Soon as may be That I may Govern my Self Accordingly
I am Sir Your Most Obedient Humble Servant
W. G
Gov: Maryland
RICHARD PARTRIDGE TO GOVERNOR GREENE.
LONDON Dec. the 9th 1754.
Gov. Greene
My last to thee was of 9th and 23ª Octo! per Cap! Bruce via Boston since wch I have recd none of thy favours
1 See Introduction, p. xxxvi. The Assembly met in January, in response to a letter from Secretary Robinson calling for troops. This is printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., V. 406. See for action of the Assembly, Ibid., V. 404. VOL. II.
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