son of Strong Liquors being brought in such great Quantities into our Town, (Čyder by the Barrel, and Rhum by the Gallon). English Men often bring great Quantities of Strong Liquor up the River to us, and whatsoever we have that they want they purchase with it, and our Indians often Buy great Quantities of Strong Drink in the Neighbouring Towns. And my Humble Petition is that there might be some way found out whereby the Evil Practise might be Suppressed.* Sir, [Oct. 1733.] BEN UNCAS GOVERNOR BELCHER TO GOVERNOR TALCOTT.† Majr: Sewall brought me your Honour's Favour of 2: psent, and In Answer to what you say respecting the Perambulation of the Lines betwixt your Colony & this, I have got an Act past in Form, by the Assembly here, and now inclose it, not doubting, but your Assembly will conform thereto, that so necessary a Work may be got thorro".— This I intend by my worthy Friend Abiel Walley, Esq., to whom I shall esteem your Honour's Civility & Respect. Mrs Belcher joins her best Respects to yourself & Mad: Talcott to those of, Sir Yr Honour's assured Friend, & BOSTON, Octr: 25: 1733. Gov TALCOTT. Mr Walley. The Act is not ready but ye Secry will send it in a few dayes. *The Assembly passed an Act for the more effectual Preventing the Selling of Strong Drink to the Mohegan Indians, in October, 1733; and Adonijah Fitch and Abraham Avery, living in Mohegan, were appointed to see that its provisions were enforced. - Colonial Records, VII. 472. + From the original in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Abiel Walley was born in Boston, Aug. 30, 1686; died in 1759. Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, IV. 400. Suffolk County Probate Records. GOVERNOR TALCOTT TO FRANCIS WILKS. Sir: I have since my last to you received the favor of yours of the 14th of April, 1733,* upon which I inform you that our Gen" Assembly do not advise that you proceed to carry our Address (lying before his Majesty) into the Parliament, without you receive further advice from them on that head. I acknowledge your favor in your information relating to the Common Law and the Statute Laws of England, and how far you suppose the Plantations are obliged by them; yet take leave to say that it's a thing not generally received that the Statute Laws of England, as to such as were in force prior to the first settlement of the Plantation, are the Laws of the Plantation, unless they are mentioned in them by express name, or enacted by the Assembly in the Plantation, any more than those that are made subsequent to our first settlement in the Plantations. But I shall not controvert that matter, but let it rest. I have rec'd yours of the 1st of Septemb', 1733.† have now sent the One Hundred Pounds granted by our Assembly in May last, (according to your desire,) to Mr John Edwards in Boston. I acknowledge the favor of the Acts inclosed to me, that passed the last Sessions of Parliament, relating to the trade with the French and Dutch Islands, and hope you'l please from time to time inform us in any thing that affects the Colony and Gov'ment of Connecticut: and if any thing appears to be forming to our hurt, you'l seasonably appear on our behalf, and you'l oblige, Sir, This Colony, and your humb Servant, J: TALCOTT. HARTFORD, Novemb' 10th, 1733 TO FRANCIS WILKS, Esq'. GOVERNOR BELCHER TO GOVERNOR TALCOTT.* Honoble Sir, Having occasion to send some Writings to my Son at London that are recorded by Mr Secry Wyllys, I have desir'd him to draw two Certificates, with the seal of the Colony, which he will present to your Honour, and I pray your Favour in signing them. With my humble Service to Mad: Talcott & all your good Family, I remain, BOSTON, March 5: 1733/4. Gov TALCOTT. your Honour's Most obdt: humble Servant J: B. John Shepherd. FRANCIS WILKS TO GOVERNOR TALCOTT. I S': I have the favour of yours of the 10th of Novem'. last, and shall duly observe the contents. should have wrote you by one of the first Spring Ships for Boston, but being much hurried, and having nothing material to advise you, I hope you'l excuse it. The House of Lords have appointed a Committee to examine into the affairs of the Plantations, and have ordered a Report made by the Board of Trade to be printed, (one of which you have inclosed.) They have not as yet done any thing in the affair, nor I believe will do this Session, but it's thought they will prepare something relating to the Manufacturys, against next Session. I was present one day in the House of Lords, when it was mentioned in a speech that the Constitution of some of our Plantations was *From the original in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. See Appendix. + Jonathan Belcher, Jr., the Governor's younger son. inconsistent with the Interest of England, and ought to be new Model'd; but whether anything of that nature be design'd I know not. My best services shall not be wanting whenever any thing offers that concerns the Colony or Government of Connecticut. I am not fully prepared to answer your other letter of the 10th of Novem', but shall give you the best account I can of that affair in my next. 1 am, S', Your most Obed'. Hum. Serv', LONDON, the 29th March, 1734 FRA. WILKS. To the Hone JOSEPH TALCOTT, Esq. FRANCIS WILKS TO GOVERNOR TALCOTT. LONDON, the 4 May, 1734 Copy, p Cap" Cary. S': This accompanys copy of my last, and is chiefly to inclose you copy of the Resolutions the House of Lords came to before their breaking up last Session, by which you'll find something particular is aim'd at the Colony of Connecticutt, but I can't learn the least of what is designed, further than appears by said Resolution. As the time is sufficient for me to expect your particular Instructions what part you'll have me act when the Affair comes on, I shall expect it, and do all I can to secure the Colony in the possession of their Rights and Priviledges. If there should be occasion, and you approve of it, that Council be imploy'd to support your Right, a considerable charge will arise, which I doubt not you'll make pro-. vision for. I shall be as frugall as possible, if you shall think it worth while to be at any expence. In a little while will be publish'd an abstract of all the Acts passed last Session, when I shall inclose one to you. I have not seen the Gent" you wrote about, but expect to meet him in a little time, when shall write you about it. To the Honoble JOSEPH TALCOTT, Esq'. [Indorsed] Franc Wilks, Esq', about his discourse with Tho. Talcott, &c. Sees no likelyhood, &c. RESOLUTIONS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS.* Die Veneris, 5° Aprilis. [1734] 66 The Lord Lovell reported from the Lords Committees appointed to consider the Representations of the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, laid before this House the 23d of January last, relating to the Laws made, Manufactures set up, and Trade carried on, in any of His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America, which may have affected the Trade, Navigation, and Manufactures of this Kingdom, "That the Committee have met, and considered the Matter to them referred; and have come to the following Resolutions, (videlicet,) That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that each Colony, whether under the Crown or otherwise, be obliged to send over a complete Collection of all the Laws understood to be in Force there, to the Board of Trade; and that the Crown be empowered to repeal any Law, passed under any of the said Governments at any Time whatsoever, which hath not actually received the Royal Approbation in Council, if such Law be found detrimental to the Prerogative, or to the Trade, or Navigation, or Interest, of Great Britain; any Privilege, or Limitation by Charter or otherwise, for the Time or Manner of repealing such Laws, notwithstanding. "2. That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That all the Laws made in the Plantations as well under * Journal of the House of Lords, Vol. XXIV. 411–12. Not found in the Talcott MSS., though said in letter above to be inclosed; I have therefore copied it from the Journal. |