Andersons of Colonial N. Carolina

‘America and West Indies: May 1699, 11-15’, Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 17: 1699 and Addenda 1621-1698 (1908), pp. 208-224. URL:

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?

385. Thomas Bulkley, late Deputy Secretary to the Bahama Islands, to Council of Trade and Plantations. Nicholas Trott, late Governor, has wilfully neglected to repair to his Government the space of seven months, though he was informed of the miserable condition the inhabitants were in under the horrible tyranny of Cadwallader Jones. Upon his arrival he made Jones a Proprietor’s Deputy and a Privy Councillor, though he then stood publicly accused of high treason and other capital crimes; as also a Bartholomew Mercier, a natural Frenchman notoriously guilty of sundry heinous crimes and one of Jones’ traitorous confederates. He denied the benefit of the laws of England to the King’s Evidence against and bounden prosecutor of Jones, when for his signal loyalty therein manifested he had been cruelly imprisoned 14 months under the deposed, confined and rescued traitor Jones’ usurpation. The Governor encouraged and abetted a conspiracy of Jones and his traitorous adherents to try the said King’s Evidence before a pretended Court of Justice appointed by Governor Trott, whereof the Chief Judge and Assistants were unlearned in the law, and the Grand Jury who found the indictment were nominated and appointed by the said illiterate Chief Judge, some of them being infamous and the rest, one excepted, unqualified by law. The Governor assumed an arbitrary and despotic power, compelling the free people of the islands to work at his pleasure without wages or victuals, taking the tenth part of the product of their labours in salt and dyewood, and compelling masters of vessels to pay such extortionate port charges as discouraged merchants from trading thither. He discharged a prisoner without trial who was accused by two witnesses of joining in open hostility with the French against the subjects of the King of England, from whom the French took sundry vessels as lawful prizes of war and thereof the said traitorous renegade had his share and joined with the enemy in an attempt to invade New Providence. The King’s Evidence against Cadwallader Jones, when acquitted, renewed his accusation, but Governor Trott neglected to issue legal process against Jones, and signed a licence for his going out of his jurisdiction and thereby promoted his escape from vindictive justice. He freely admitted into the port of New Providence Henry Avery, alias Bridgman, and his company of notorious pirates in the ship Charles II., alias the Fancy, after they had piratically taken and plundered sundry vessels. He received twenty pieces-of-eight and two pieces of gold for each man as a present to himself, and the ship with all that was in her, and thereupon permitted them to stay during their pleasure and then depart with their piratical treasure out of his government, whereby they have dispersed and most escaped demerited punishment. Signed, Thomas Bulkley. Endorsed, Recd. Read May 15, 1699. 3 pp. [Board of Trade. Proprieties, 3. No. 15.]

‘America and West Indies: February 1702, 16-20’, Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 20: 1702 (1912), pp. 79-98. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=71634

120. Mr. Cole to the Council of Trade and Plantations. On June 26, 1701, I arrived at New Providence, came just within the Point to anchor, the Governor’s boat came aboard requested me ashore. I said I would waite upon him as soon as I was drest. Before I could doe it, he fired a shot at me. When I came ashore he bid me welcome, but dam’d me, and askt why I did not come sooner? I told him I had not been an hour and half at anchor. He tould me I should pay eighteen shillings for the shot. I said it was not just. He churlishly asked for all my letters, and charged me upon my oath to deliver them every one to him. I said it was more than ever was demanded of me under any Government. He said he would have them. I tould him as for the public letters he might do what he pleased with them, but private and particular letters of my own business I should not deliver. The Public letters I see him open. About two hours after, being in a public house with him, a Gentleman of the place in discourse said it was hard that every private man’s particular affairs should be known by the public. I chance to say it was a barbarous act. The gentleman, Mr. Lightwood, saying it was not just, the Governor presently drew upon him, and swore Dam him, he would murder him. Mr. Lightwood clasping hold of the sword, prevented him. He still swore and dam’d that he would murder somebody or other, if they should contradict him in any such thing, for he would do what he pleased. About four in the afternoon he met Mr. Graves, the King’s Collector, in the street, and asalted him after this manner, “You pittiful Custom-house officer, you Rogue, if ever you goe aboard of any vessel before my boat has been aboard, I’ll rost you alive, you dog.” Mr. Graves answered his Commission ordered him to go aboard of all vessels within that government when he thought it necessary, therefore he was oblidged to do it. “God damme you, you rogue,” replied the Governor, “I’le go aboard yea [? you]” and so flew upon him and beat him with his cain most sorely. Mr. Graves endeavoured to defend off the blows with his hatt; he with one hand took hold on his hatt, and with the other beat him over the head with the head of his caine, and then committed him to the Fort prisoner, and ordered irons to be put upon him (as the Marshall told me), but could not find any that would fit him. The Governor gave him liberty to come out of prison this evening. Saturday the 28th, I went to Mr. Graves to enter, but he was so abused that he could not wright my permit. I did it, as he dictated, then he (with much paine) signed it.

Sunday, 29th, appeared two saile, which give an allarum, being all at arms in the Fort. Some said it was a read seaman (sic). The Governor answered, “I wish it may, he shall be very welcome,” but it proved a Portuguese, belonging to the Agento [? Assiento], who left her negros on Abbico, having been lost in the Gulf, and in great want of provisions. He would not let any go aboard but his creatures, that he might ingross all the Trade to himself. I had several European goods with provisions of Carolina, which he wanted. The Governor would have bought the provision of me, but at half the price. I would not sell it him, for which, I was informed, he swore he would be revenged of me. Soon after the arrival of the Portugues he endeavoured to hire a sloop to fetch his negroes. The Governor would not lett any body agree with him but whom he pleased. At last he agreed with Reed Elding, who was forced to promise the Governor to give one third of what he should agree for, which was 200 pistolls. They went for them and in three days return’d back again. In this time several arbitrary actions was committed on the poor people who brought fresh provisions to sell to the Portuguese, it being by the Governor’s house where they came ashore, he seeing them, took it away and paid what he pleased. If they went away seeming not contented, he would swear and dam them, he would cut their ears off.

Aug. 3. Was brought in by a privateer, or if more justly may be called a pirat, and the Governor, whose Commission was to bring in all vessels that they should find amongst Lucaos Islands, except those that had cleirings from England. A Bermudion’s sloop laying amongst them mending her sails, they takes him by force of arms, he nothing in but provisions for his company, and brings him here to condemn him as a prize, puts two of the men prisoners in the Fort with irons, but before that brings them before him, and as his accustomed way is, Hectors, swears and dams them, and sometimes ready to strike, calling them thiefs, rogues and doggs, with threats that he will put them to their oaths against their master and Goddam them if he catches them in the least tittle not agree, he would cut their ears off, whipp them and hang them (as the prisoners themselves informed me). A lad of about 18 years old, being thus affrighted, did owne that about two years agoe the sloop took in about 800 bushels of salt at Turks Islands, which is not in the jurisdiction of this government. On Aug. 4 the sloop was to be tried, the jury was summoned, but no declaration fil’d, the defendant could not know what he was accused for, but the declaration was read in Court, and the sloop accused for loading salt at Turks Islands. The Master could get nobody to plead his cause, the people generally are so afraid of the Governor, he espousing the prosecution, so that they durst not speak or doe justice in noe terms, if he dictated the contrary, he ruling these poor people by such an arbitrary power. The Court was adjourned till the 7th. On the 5th, I went to the Governor’s man, the Naval officer, to know my Port Charges, thinking to sail this day. He told me it was 3l. 6s. 0d. and 70lb. of powder, or 3s. per tun, which would be 10l. 10s. 0d. I said it was very unjust, the Law and Custom of the place was 14s., Naval Officer fees, and ½ lb. of powder per tun. He said it was in vain for me to dispute it, for the Governor swore I should pay it. I answered it must be in such arbitrary government as this, otherwise they would not exact it.

At ten in the morning the Governor went aboard his ship and hoisted his flag, and bore his shipp athwart the Harbour. I coud not find anybody had given him a challenge, therefore know not the meaning of it. But soon after he fired a shot up the Harbour, then two more at my ship, and, as I was told, he said of me that I was a prodigal dogg, sink him, but I’le beare you out in it. At length I was tould it was to put out my coullers, but my men being gone about five miles off, and I ashore, had nobody to put them out. I presently ordered a boy aboard to doe it, but before he could, the Governor sent his boat with six men, and by force and violence took them away. The people told me of it. I answered, it was a drunking frolick, and to-morrow they would send them again. The Governor came ashore. I did not go to ask for them, lest his being hot in drink should quarrell with me. He finding I did not come, send his man for me at 3 in the afternoon, and churlishly asked why I would not pay my Naval Officer’s fees. I answered, I was ready to pay what the Law required, his demands were unreasonable. He said if he had been there, he would have broke my head for saying [soe] if I must pay it, it must be by arbitrary power. I said, I did not say it to him, but to his man, the pretended Naval Officer. He swore, dam me, I should pay him presently before I went. I answered, I had not so much money about me, but if his Honor pleased I would leave my coat in pawn, before I would be prisoner myselfe, till I fetched it. He dam’d and curst me, and askt why I did not pay my powder. I said I was ready to pay what the Law of the Country required, which was ½ lb. per tun. He swore I should pay a pound, for no Laws in that country was in force till he made them; then I was not obliged to pay anything but what was customary. He swore I should pay what he pleased. I told him I was ready to pay what he required, let his man, the officer, give me a receipt, that I might answer it to my owners. His reply was, No, dam you for a dog, he shan’t. Then I said, Let me but bring two of my men to justify what I pay. I won’t differ with your Honor. “No, you dogg, I won’t.” “Neither,” said he, “you shall not goe to the Pond to load.” “If your Honor had told me so at first, I had taken other measures ; when your Honor offered me my load of salt at 5d. per bushell ready money, you told me of no such thing.” He swore I should not goe.

At 6 in the morning I was summoned to wait upon the Governor from his door to Church. At 8 I went to the Castle and found men at arms about thirty. They marched out the Fort and drew up before the Governor’s door, all the Gentlemen of that place standing there, being summoned to wait upon him to Church. If they did not, they must expect to be beaten, if not ruined in their intrist, so that the people are miserable living under such arbitrary and military Government. After Sermon we returned to the Governor’s door very orderly, where we was dismissed.

Monday the 7th, at 6 a.m. I went to the Naval Officer to cleare, who demanded 3l. 6s. 0d. for his fees. I desired the particulars. He answered, He durst not give it me, for he was but a servant of the Governor’s, and was ordered the contrary. I said I would send my Mate with the money. He answered, he dare not take it of anybody but myself, nor in presence of anybody. I then waited upon the Court where I was summoned for a Juryman in trial of the sloop. The Court being set, the Governor came in, set himself by the Judge, called for the list of the jury, found my name there, ordered me to depart the Court. I said I was summoned. He bid me gone. I desired liberty to stay and hear the trial, but he would not grant me it. I was forced away. No sooner was I gone, but he swore I was an impudent dog, he would break my head before I went thence, before the whole Court, as I was informed. After the Governor had packt the Jury, he left them and on the trial the Master of the Sloop and his Attorney desired them to prove the jurisdiction of the Court of that place, Turks Islands, and by evidence, if they would permit him, he could prove the Lords’ pattern (? patent) did not extend to that, but was not granted it, but a sham Instructions of the Lords Proprietors was brought into Court, wherein, as the Judge would have it, the Lords has ordered that if any vessel loaded with salt there, they should be confesticated (sic), which the jury took for granted. The Master and his Attorney speaking in defence of his right, the Judge struck his hand on the table, and swore if they speak a word more he would commit them both to prison. So condemnation put upon the vessel.

At 2 p.m. I sent my mate with 3l. 6s. to pay my Naval Officer’s fees. The Governor told him it should not be received without I came myself, and at the same time called me all the rogues and villins he could imagine, and swore he wd. break my head. I was forced to send 70lb. of powder. I durst not deny it, least he should murther me, he having this day wounded a man in the arm in two places with his sword, the man with some others being on the Guard. He was at least 65 years old ; he had committed no other fault than letting the Captain of the Portegues ship goe into Reed Elding’s house, being just by where they landed, this poor old man not being able to run from him as the rest of the Guard did, he wounded him as aforesaid. I carried my mate with me to desire at the Secretary’s offices the Act of the Country for paying port charges, to justifie before my owners the unjusts (sic) done there, but could not get it. At 6 p.m. I see the Secretary goe to the Governor’s, and as I judge told him of it. The Governor came to Towne. As soon as I see him, I made away, having foreseen his barbarous and inhuman actions. He sent his Marshall after me, who brought me back his prisoner. I forced myself into a house, seeing the Governor come with his caine to strike me. The Governor and Marshall followed me, he beate me, pulling me by the neckcloth and the Marshall by the Arm about the floor, and abusing me in a most barbarous manner, cutting my face with the head of his caine, and broak my head so that I bled very much, then committed in custody of his Marshall, sent me aboard, damming and cursing me in his most brutish way, saying I’ll teach you to ask questions.

Thursday, 8th. Being very much out of order, I sent my mate ashore to cleire, I being not able to go myself, he having given me most cruel and barbarous bruises, so that my urin was like blood. I was much afraid he had given me my mortal wound by some of those barbarous kicks he gave me on the back and belly when I was hawled by him and his Marshall on the ground. When my Mate came before him he curst him and said he would break his head, and bid him be gone, and sent for me ashore by his Marshall. I was not in a capacity to come. He then sent his boat with five men and a black ruffin fellow Commander, who came after a ruffin manner to my cabbin side, and said the Governor ordered me to come ashore and bring my ship before the Fort. I thought he would serve me as he had done the Bermudian. I told him I was not in a capacity to come, I was so abused by him. He said I must, if not, they would fetch me. So with much pain I went to the Governor. He then after his brutish way, abused and curst me, and said he’d teach me how to obey command. I said, I thought I was to obey the Laws. “No, you dog, I’ll make you bring your ship before the Fort, or else it shall be worse for you. So for fear of being murther’d by such a New-England-Canade-Indian, whose nature is most barbarous, I ordered my men to do it, before he should send his rogues to robb and rapin upon me. He further said I did not tell him when I took brazeletto wood aboard, and for that my ship was forfeited. I said I had a permit from the King’s Collector so to do, and that I had done nothing contrary to Law. He said I had cheated in the weight, and that I should land it all and weigh it. I offered my oath with the Gentleman’s that I bought it of, but he said he would take no man’s oath. I left him. He once told me I was one of Mr. Aymo’s creatures, that pittiful rogue. I answered I was not his creature, nor had nothing to say against him. My ship was brought down before the Fort and at 2 p.m. the Bermudion’s sloop was exposed to sail. She was bought for 335l. Providence money.

Wednesday 9th at 6 a.m. went to the Governor before he was warmed with drink to get him to accept the people’s oath I bought the wood of, though before that it was not customary. At last he said he would, but swore I should not go to the pond to load salt, but should hire sloops to fetch it (which was another villainous act), but said he would hire me the Bermudion’s sloop, which he took from the Bermudion the day past. I thanked him, and said I would consider of it, but was resolved to have nothing to do with such an ill man, lest I should bring myself into a worse trouble, he being Judge and Jury and everything, and what his will and pleasure is must be a law. The 10th, the Gentlemen I bought the wood off gave their oaths of the weight, I also did mine, all this being out of pure malice to put me to trouble and charge, because I would not suffer my owners and self to be devoured by him. At 6 a.m. I went to the Governor to desire him to let me goe to take in my salt which I had bought, and ready to pay the Lords’ Tithes. He said he would consider of it, and bid me come about 2 hours after. This delay was no other than to force me to pick myne owne pocket and give it him. He sent one of his creatures to me, who speaks that language, but I could not do it, I told him. At time appointed I went to him again. At last he granted me liberty to go on this condition, to say you shall take your oath that you shall carry no man’s letter of this Island, but shall be brought to me, and that I should pay for the salt after the rate of 13½ d. per bushell, which I bought for 4½ d. He asked me to present him with two bever hats. I told him I had none. He answered that my Pilott had. I said I must pay him 50s. per hat. His creature, the Judge, being by, said what signified 5l., place it to account. I said my owners would not allow it me. The Governor swore, begod he would have them, or I should not goe, soe, to redeem myselfe and ship out of prison and saverly (slavery) I was obliged to comply with all his unjust demands. At 10 o’clock I sent a white beaver’s hatt to him, he having a black one before. I went not neare him, for generally in the afternoon he is hott with drink, and then cares not what he does, so that the poor inhabitants are in danger of their lives, as well as strangers, if they do not give away what they have to him, and sell it him at such terms as he pleases. Sure I am there is a juster Government amongst Piratts and Thieves than under him. His Marshall is one of those rogues that belonged to that great pirate, Avery, and one of them that ran away with the Charles from Carolina. Friday at 6 a.m. I went to the Governor to see if he would let me go. I told him I brought money to pay his demands. I requested a receipt. He gave me one, but would not mention what money I paid him. He told me I might have my bever hatts again. I sent for them, but he would [? only] send me one. I gott my cleirings, and bid him and Providence farewell as long as he governs. No signature. Endorsed, Recd. Read Feb. 17. 170½. 7¾ pp. [C.O. 5, 1261. No. 46 ; and 5, 1289. pp. 362–380.]