It would be to her Kingdom, if a method could be found to settle them here (so as they might get a comfortable livelihood instead of sending them to the West Indies.)

In order to do this, the Lords Commissioners of Trade consulted with their Attorney and Solicitor General to these two Queens (May 30th 1709 No. 27 Prase)

1st. Whether her Majesty has a right and power by law to grant lands in her forests and wastes to any of her subjects, with license to build cottages and inclose the said Lands in order to convert the same into Villages etc.

2nd What security her Majesty may give to indemnify the parishes from the settlement of poor families amongst them, who shall be admitted to dwell in the same cottages.

To the first of these they answer, Her Majesty has a right and power to grant such wasts for 31 years, or three lives, or terms of years, determinable upon one, two, or three lives, with license to build and inclose provided four acres be laid to each cottage and a third part of the yearly value of the Land reserved for a rent upon cash lease.

To the second (which makes the case of the petitioners the harder) they answered, that no security is required by law to be given to indemnify any parish from the settlement of any poor family of foreigners, who never had any settlements in England before, for there is no way of obliging any poor family that comes to settle in a parish to give security, but by removing them by a warrant from the Justices of the Peace, to the Parish, where they were last legally settled In case they refused to give it, which being a remedy no parish can make use of In the case of foreigners upon their first arrival in England they are at liberty to settle where they please, and it can't be expected her Majesty should give a security to indemnify any parish upon this account.

Great endeavors were used here to disperse and settle the Palatines in several towns in England. My Lord Sunderland wrote a pressing letter to the Mayor of Canterbury, to receive some of them into that city, which upon communicating the letter to the rest of the magistrates, they refused to do, because of the burden of their own poor, they already labored under.

Several proposals were likewise made by private persons to receive some and many were received, the Commissioners allowing five pounds per head, and traveling charges with them; but in a very short time, most of them returned and were afterwards otherwise disposed of. Captain Elkins proposed to take off 600 and settle them in Scilly; who were accordingly embarked in the river and two transports, by order of my Lord Sunderland and provisions put on board for them from the victualing office (September 21, October 26, 1709) but after they had lain on board two months, the ships were, by order from my Lord Sunderland, discharged and the Palatines again set on shore and the charges lost viz.

17091711

It appears by an account from the Transport
Office that they have paid for bringing
over Palatines in the Richard Joseph and
Hopewell, Transport ships

236.

1. 5

And the resolution of the Committee upon the said petition of the Minister, Church Wardens and Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Oleaves in Southwark in the County of Surry together with the principal inhabitants of the adjacent parishes was referred, who were to inquire upon what invitation or encouragement, the Palatines came over and what moneys were expended in bringing them into Great Britain and for maintaining them here and by whom paid was read a second time.

Resolved that the House doth agree with Committee that the petitioners have fully proved the allegations of their petition and had just reason to complain. Resolved, that the inviting and bringing over into this Kingdom the poor Palatines of all religions at the public expense, was an extravagant and miserable charge to the Kingdom and a scandalous misapplication of the public money tending to the increase and oppression of the poor of this Kingdom and of dangerous consequences to the constitution in church and state.

Resolved, that whosoever advised the bringing over the poor Palatines into this Kingdom was an enemy to the Queen and this Kingdom.

Ordered, that the farther consideration of the said report be adjourned till this day seven night.

1709

ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.

New York.

1709, April 2nd. The Rev. Deputati ad res Exteras announce that inasmuch as the letters formerly despatched to New York have been captured by the enemy, they have written thither again. For this they are thanked. ix. 188.

SUNDERLAND TO THE BOARD OF TRADE-THE PALATINES.

Trade Papers, Bundle D. 54.

My Lords and Gentlemen:

White Hall, May 3, 1709.

The Queen being informed that some hundreds of poor German Protestants are lately come and more are coming from the Palatines with intentions to settle in her Majesty's plantations in America. Her Majesty being convinced that it would be much more for the advantage of her Kingdom if a method could be found to settle them here in such a manner as they might get a comfortable livelihood instead of sending them to the West Indies, that it would be a great encouragement to others to follow their example and that the addition to the number of her subjects would in all probability produce a proportionally increase of their trade and manufactures. Her Majesty has commanded me to signify to you her pleasure that you should take this matter into consideration and that if you can think of any proper method of having this done you should propose the same to her Majesty as soon as is possible, together with your opinion in what part of England it may be most possible. I must not omit to acquaint you that they are for the most part husbandmen and laboring people which makes it the easier to dispose of them to the advantage of the public.

I am my Lords and Gentlemen, your most humble servant,

Sunderland.

1709

Letter of Sunderland to Board to inquire into the condition and

Trade Papers,

number of Palatines.

White Hall May 5, 1709.

Bundle D. 55.

Lords and Gentlemen:

Some hundreds of the poor German Protestants concerning whom I lately wrote to you, being since come over, the Queen being graciously disposed to relieve their necessities has commanded me to signify to you her Majesty's pleasure that you should forthwith make inquiry into their numbers and condition and report to her Majesty as soon as may be what it may be necessary to give them for their present support till they be either settled here, or sent to her Majesty's plantations.

I am, my Lords and Gentlemen, your most humble servant,
Sunderland.

ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.

Letters from Revs. Le Bouck, Freeman, Anthonides, Du Bois. 1709, May 6th. Rev. Bomble hands in to the Assembly letters from Rev. Le Bouck, Rev. Freerman, Rev. Anthonides, and Rev. de Bois, which were read to the Rev. Assembly by the president.

In regard to the letter of Rev. Le Bouck: since this contains nothing material besides that which was mentioned in his previous letter, therefore the Rev. Assembly in regard to this, abides by its resolution previously adopted; but inasmuch as there are also found in the said letter some very sharp expressions concerning several persons, the Rev. Assembly resolves that the Messrs. Committee ad res exteras, in a postscript, made known to him the displeasure of Classis at such expressions, and admonish him to abstain from such language in the future; otherwise this Classis will institute such measures against him as may be deemed expedient.

The other letters are placed in the hands of the Messrs. Committee ad res Exteras, to report on the Rev. Assembly. ix. 189.

Bundle D. 56. May it please your Lordships.

According to your Lordships order of Thursday last, we the under written ministers have made a particular inquiry into the condition and circumstances of the poor Palatines of which we humbly lay an account before your Lordships, showing,

1st The trades and names of all the men.

2nd Their age.

3rd Their wives.

4th Their sons and daughters with their age.

5th Their religion.

May it please your Lordships.

These poor distressed people who most humbly implore her Majesty's most gracious protection have desired us to represent with all submission to your Lordships,

1. That those of them who had some subsistance when they left their own country have during their journey and voyage been obliged to assist the others who had nothing to live upon by which means all of 'em (except some few) are now reduced to great

want.

2. That they finding themselves under great straits and having already some sick among 'em for want of subsistance and many of 'em going almost naked their most humble request is your Lordships would provide some speedy relief for 'em, lest the vigorous young men might lose their health and strength and so not be serviceable in the plantation.

1709