--- Page 1 --- --- Page 2 --- --- Page 3 ---
Extracts of Letters from the Duke of
PORTLAND to Major GeneralWILLIAMSON; and other Papers ; relative to the
Mfland of Sr. DOMINGO.
Ordered t0 be printed 8tb May 1797. --- Page 4 --- --- Page 5 ---
3 1
SECRETARY OF STATESOFFICE,
HOME DEFARTHENT
(1.) Extract of a Letter from tl.e Duke of PORTLAND
to Major General WILLIAMSON; dated Whitchali,
6th Oétober 179:
You will of courf, as foon as" you arc enabled, tranfmit fuch Information as is required by your Infruétions, cfpecially fuch as rclateto the Revenue,the Crown, and Church Lands of every Defcription, including thote ppropriated to Religious Eflablifhinents, and the
Efates of the Perfons taken or killed in Arms againft His Majely,
where there appear no lawful H:its, or fuch only as are living in tie
Enemy's Country, to hold the fame. This latter Circumftance will,
in the Courle cf Events, render it highly expedient that you fould
collét ali fuch Particuiars as may ferve to trace out and afcertain the
Courfe of Defcent in regard to fuch Eftates, according to the'Lawof the
Colony; alfo fuch Informacion as may be requifice fer receiving His
Majefy's Pieafure, on the Elablfment of fuch Civil Offices as the
prelent Governent oft the Colony abloiutely: requires, with the Amount
ofthe Salaries, and of the Fees and Perquifices, where r:ceived, and as
far as the famc can be afcertained, which, previous to the Year 1789,
were received by fuch Officers relpestively; and in the inean Time :t
will be neceffary that you fhould immediately tranfmit a Lit of the
tempo:: ary Civil Appointments aiready made by ;0u to Perfons row
holding the fame, with the Amount ofthe Salories, and of the Feesand
P'erquifites refpeétively annexed to each of them. --- Page 6 ---
4 ]
(2) Extract of a Letter from the Duke of PORTLAND te
Miajor General WILLIAMSON ; dated Whitchall,
7th Oétober 1794.
I HAVE tranfmitted to the Lords Commifioners of the Treafury fo
much of your Letter, No. 53 ofthe ift of Auguft, with its Inclofures, as
relates to the Duties colledted at St. Marc and. L'Archaye, for their Lordfhips further Directions to you thereupon.
You will obferve from His Majefty's Inftructions to you as Governor
of St. Domingo, that you are to tranfmit to their Lordthips, from Time
to Time, all Matters relative to the Revenue of the Colony, and to receive
their Lordfhips Directions thereupon; and it is equally necefiary, until a
Receiver General is appointed by their Lordihips, that Accounts of all
Receipts and Expenditures within the Colony, with proper Vouchers,
Ahould through you be tranfmnicted to their Lordibips by the Perfons
who have refpeétively received or ezpended the fame.
Mr. Rouffelet's Account Current to the sth July laft with His Majefty's Government, as far as it relates to Difburlements, contains only an
Abltraét, or Heads ofan Account, without any ofthe neceffary Vouchers,
which you will of courfe direét him to lay before you, in order that you
may tranfmit them to the Lords Comnifioners of the Treafury.
you be tranfmnicted to their Lordibips by the Perfons
who have refpeétively received or ezpended the fame.
Mr. Rouffelet's Account Current to the sth July laft with His Majefty's Government, as far as it relates to Difburlements, contains only an
Abltraét, or Heads ofan Account, without any ofthe neceffary Vouchers,
which you will of courfe direét him to lay before you, in order that you
may tranfmit them to the Lords Comnifioners of the Treafury. --- Page 7 ---
[ 5 1
(3-) Copies of the 14th, 17th, and 18th Articles of His
Majefty's Inftructions to Sir ADAM WILLIAMSON,
K. B. dated at St.James's, the Oétober, 1794.
14th. Axo whereas it is fipulated in the roth Article ofthe annexed
Capitulation, c That the local Taxes deftined to acquit the Expences of
Garrifons, and of the Adminiftration of the Colony, fhall be affeffed in
the fame Manner as'1789, except the Alleviations and Remittances
which fhall be granted to the Inhabitants, whofe Property has fuffered
by Fire, till their Poffeflions: are repaired 5 and thatan Account fhall be
kept by the Colony ofall thc Sums advanced on the Part of Great Britain, for fupplying the Deficiency of the faid Taxes; which Deficiency,
as well as all the Public Expences of the Colony (except of thofe of
His Majefty's Naval Forces deftined for its Protedtion) thall always be
defrayed by the faid Colony." You are to take efpecial Care, that the
faid Article be duly exccuted, and that thofe Revenues, which were
paid to his late Moft Chriftian Majefty, in the Year 1789, excepting
only the Alleviations and Remittances mentioned in the faid Article,
be levied and paid into the Hands of the Receiver General, who Thall
be appointed by Our High Treafurer, or the Lords Commiffioners of
the Treafury, for thar Purpofe; and you are to obey fuch further Direflions refpecting the faid Revenues, and the Application thereof, as
you Aball from Time to Time receive from the Lords Commiflioners
of Our Treafury.
17th. And iti is Our Will and Pleafure, that you Thould make Enquiry
into the Eftates and Revenues belonging to fuch religious Houfes or
Convents as have been fuppreffed, or which Ahall be found to belong to
any religious Order or Society, not refiding in the faid Colony; and
you arc to report the fame to Us through One of Our Principal Secretaries of State; and you are in the mean Time to take Care that the
faid Eftates Ahall be duly and properly managed, and thac the Amount
of the Revenues arifing from them, after paying out of them a fuicable
and fufficient alimentary Penfion to cach of the Perfons who belonged
to thefe religious Eftablifhments, and remain in the fiid Colony, fuffcient for their confortible Maintenance; and all Sums heretofore
(B)
charged
and
you arc to report the fame to Us through One of Our Principal Secretaries of State; and you are in the mean Time to take Care that the
faid Eftates Ahall be duly and properly managed, and thac the Amount
of the Revenues arifing from them, after paying out of them a fuicable
and fufficient alimentary Penfion to cach of the Perfons who belonged
to thefe religious Eftablifhments, and remain in the fiid Colony, fuffcient for their confortible Maintenance; and all Sums heretofore
(B)
charged --- Page 8 ---
[ 6 ]
charged on thefe Revenues, for public or charitable Purpefes, before the
prefent, paid to the Receiver tot be appointed by the Lords Commiflio"s -S
of'Our Treafury, and to be ultimately applied for the Public Service f
the faid Colony,in fuch Manner as We fhall be pleefed ito dircét, througn
the Lords Commifioners of Our Treafury.
ISth. And whereas by an ACt, paffed during the laft Sefion of Parliament, intituled C AnAc for preventing Money or Effects, in the
K Hands of His Majefty's Subjeéts, belonging to or difpofcable by
4 Perfons relident in France, being app'ied to the Ufe of the Perfons
c: exercifing the Powers of Government in France, and for preferving
€ the Property rhereof for the Beneft of the Individual Owners
4c thereof," no Money arifing from the Eftates of Abfentces in the fid
Colony can be tranfmicted to fuch of them as are now refiding under
the Government of thofe who exercife the Powers of Government in
Francc, you are to make the faid Adt public within the faid Colony,
and to take efpeciai Care to enforce the fame; and you are to confult
with the faid Commiffioners to be appointed by virtue of the Third
Article of thefe Inftructions, in what Manner this Species of Property
can be fecured, and in whofe Hands it can be fafely depofited, for the
Benefit of thofe to whom i may eventualiy belong, cill We Thall think
fit to give further Orders on this Subjeét, according to Principles of
Juftice and Equity, and you. are to report to Us, by One ofOur Principal
Secretaries of State, your's and their Opinion thereon. --- Page 9 ---
[ 7 ]
(4-) Extract of a Letter from the Duke of PORTLAND to
Sir ADAM WILLIAMSON, K. B. dated Whitehall
the 1othof December 1794.
Irist highly expedient that competent and even liberal Salaries fhould be
appointed for the Judges of the fuperior and other Courts; but previous to your determining the Amount of their Appointments, and the
Mode ofraifing them, it will be advifeable thac you fhould inform yourfelf
of the Rules which were obferved in both Cafes, previous to the French
Revolution, in Oétober 1789, and tranfmit to me the Refult of your Enquiries by the Firft Opportunity. In the mean Time, however, until
you can hear from me upon the Subjeet, you will not fuffer the Perfons
who may provifionally occupy the judicial Stations within the Inand
to be diftreffed for Want of Salaries, but you will advance them by
Quarterly, or even lefs diftant Payments, as the Exigency may appear
to you to require 3 obferving, until His Majefty's farther Pleafure Thall
be fignified to you upon this Head, not to exceed, in proportion, the
Salaries which were ufed to be received by the former Magiftrates of the
fame Rank; and you will for the prefent ufe your own Difcretion in
the Choice of fuch Part of the Public Revenue of the Colony as you
wiil provifionally apply to this Service, givingimmediate Notice thereof
as well to this Office as to the Lords Commifioners of His Majefty's
Treafury.
until His Majefty's farther Pleafure Thall
be fignified to you upon this Head, not to exceed, in proportion, the
Salaries which were ufed to be received by the former Magiftrates of the
fame Rank; and you will for the prefent ufe your own Difcretion in
the Choice of fuch Part of the Public Revenue of the Colony as you
wiil provifionally apply to this Service, givingimmediate Notice thereof
as well to this Office as to the Lords Commifioners of His Majefty's
Treafury. --- Page 10 ---
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(s-) Copy of a Letter from WILLIAM HUSKISSON, Efq.
to CHARLES Loxc, Efq.; dated Horfe Guards,
roth of April, 1795HORSE GUARDS, roth APRIL, 1795.
SIR,
I HAVE received yourLetter of the ISth Ult. tranfmicting, by Command
of thel Lords Commiffioners of the Treafury, for Mr. Secretary Dundas's Opinion, a Leiter from Governor Williamfon, dated Jameica, the
17th of January laft, advifing ofhis having drawn upon their Lordfhips,
Bills for the feveral Sums of 4.20,000, 6.25000, k. 30,002, 6-35,000,
and 6-42:324. 19. S. to defray the Expences of the Public Service in
the Iflands of Jamaica and St. Domingo, from the ift of'Oétober to the
3tft of December 1794 and inclofing his Account Current with George
Atkinfon, Efq. the Agent General, with various Receipts and Vouchers
in fupport thereof; and alfo inclofing an Extract from the Minutes of
the Council of Jamaica, fating, that they had examined and compared
the. Account and Veuchers befors-mentioned, and that the Charges and
Vouchers did properly correfpond,
Having laid thefe Papers before Mr. Secretary Dundas, he has
direéed me to iefer you to the Letters which have at different Periods
been written, by his Diredtion, on the Subjeêt of Bills drawn by Governor
Williamfen, fuggeling the Expediency of fubmitting the Charges for
which they were drawn to the Inipection of fuch Departments refpectively, as might be moft competent to form an Opinion upon then;
and I am row to flate to you, for their Lordfips Information with
regard to the Accounts at preient under Confideration, that Mr. Dundas
feels himfelf incompeten: to decide upon Charges incurred in the Execution of Services fo various in their Na:ure, and which, from their
Magnitude, he conceives to require thc molt regular and minute Invefrigation of the different Depariments to which they relate. The folJowing Obfervations, howes.r, occurred to bimon examining Mr. Arkinfon's Account, and the Papers accompanying it.
The Vouchers preduced for the Charges of hiring Vefels for the
Cenveyance of Troops and Stores, and other fimilar Services, for which
an Exyenc- to a confiderable Amounc appears to have been incurred,
though they contain the Receipts of the. Depury Quarrer Matier General,
do no appear fuficiencly <xplanatory, nor do they contain the Infermaticn neceffary for forming a Judgnent, how far the Agreements entered
into
bimon examining Mr. Arkinfon's Account, and the Papers accompanying it.
The Vouchers preduced for the Charges of hiring Vefels for the
Cenveyance of Troops and Stores, and other fimilar Services, for which
an Exyenc- to a confiderable Amounc appears to have been incurred,
though they contain the Receipts of the. Depury Quarrer Matier General,
do no appear fuficiencly <xplanatory, nor do they contain the Infermaticn neceffary for forming a Judgnent, how far the Agreements entered
into --- Page 11 ---
[ 9 J
into fer the Execution of the different Services, may or may nut have
been concluded with a due Attention to theIuzereft ofthe Public.
In parcicular Account, No.4. a Bill is charged, drawn by Coloncl
Grant, in Favour of Mr. Bogle, dated the 20th of Oétober 1794 and
amounting to 1.7,665. 17. 11. of which noMention is made by Mr.
Bogle in his Account Current for that Period. But Mr. Dundas particularly noticed the Charges ftated under the Iead of Commiflion upon
Money advanced, wherein it appears that a Rate of Commiffion of 5 per
Cent. is charged by Mr. Bogle, in St. Domingo, upon the Amount of the
Bills drawn in his Favour by Brigadier General Hornick, which Bills,
upon pafling through the Ilands of the Agent General at Jamaica, are
fubjeé to a Second Rate of Comniflion alfo of 5 per Cent. And as the
Commanding Oficers of the different Diftricts in the Iland of St.
Domingo appear feparatcly to draw, for carrying on the Service in fuch
Diftriéts, Bills upon Jamaica in Favour of their refpective Agents, by
whom poffibly a Commiffion may alfo be charged, I am to defirc that
you will bring chis Circumftance under their Lordfhips View, as appcaring to merit their particuiar Confideration.
The verys great Amount of the Public ExpealitomeonAcount ofMilitary
Services in the Ifland of St. Domingo, under the prefent Circumltances,
and the Impofibility of forming a correét Judgment here, with refpect to
thcAccounts, asat prefent tranfmitted from thence, have fuggefted to Mr.
Dundasthelreprictyo ofrecommending to theirLordfhips to take into their
earlieft Confideration the ablolute Neceffity which appears to him to cxif,
oftheir adopting fuch Meafures, and making fuch Appointments, as may
be neccffary for eftablifhing a Syftem of Regulation and Control witi
refpeet to the Expenditure in Quekion, fimilar to that which exifts in
the other Branches of Public Expenditure now incurring on Account
ofMilitary Scrvices in different Quarters of the World; at leaft in all
Cales where they are of fuch an Extentand offo much Importance as thac
in Queftion, in order that the Sums for which Bills may be drawn
their Lordfhips, for carrying on the Public Service in the Ifands upon of
Jamaica and St. Domingo, mriayl be accounted forin fuch Manner as they
may think proper to require,
Ia am, Etc.
1. IlaRifon.
Charles Long, Efg. &cc. 8cc.
(C)
arters of the World; at leaft in all
Cales where they are of fuch an Extentand offo much Importance as thac
in Queftion, in order that the Sums for which Bills may be drawn
their Lordfhips, for carrying on the Public Service in the Ifands upon of
Jamaica and St. Domingo, mriayl be accounted forin fuch Manner as they
may think proper to require,
Ia am, Etc.
1. IlaRifon.
Charles Long, Efg. &cc. 8cc.
(C) --- Page 12 ---
a
(5.) Extrér ca Letter fom WILLIAN Hesriscs,
to GLoRCz Roct, Eiquire, dated Horle
itJely: 1795.
a037
I navrreceived and laid brfore Mr Secretery Dundasgour.emer
to nie of the 6th Inflant, tanlmicsing, by Command ofthe Lords
Comamifioners of the Trecu.y, for II:. Dundas's Opinion, Two
Letters from Major Guneral Sir Adam Williamnfen, datrd Janaica,
2Sth ofMarch and 2780 of April lait, advifing cf his having drawn
upon their Lorfaips Bills fo: the Sums of 6.87500. 9. and
6.131,146. 3- frcarrying on Eis Majetly's Service there endin the
Iand of St. Domingo,nil: am direéted by Mr. Dundas to refcr
you to the Leiters which have at differen: Times been written by his
Direftion on the Subjeet of Bilis drawa by Sir Adam Williamfon for
the fame Service, bur more particularly to my Letter to Mr. Long, of
the Ioth of April laft, ftating, that Mr. Dundas felc himfelf incompetene to decide upon Charges incurred in the Execution of Services
fo various in their Nature, and which he conceived to require the moft
regularand minute Inveftigation of the different Departments to which
they relate. --- Page 13 ---
1: 1 j
(7) Extract of a Letter fiomMr. Sccretary DUNDAS to
Major General GoRDON FOREES; dated florfe
Guards, coth ofSrprember, 1795Te Conditions offered in Sir Adam Williamfon's Proclamations,
for the Formation of Black Corps, are very different from thofe on
which it waS here expeéted the Levy might be made, and though at
this Diftance I am not competent to determine whether any Terms
more fivourable could have been obtained for the Public, cannot but
confels that it was nct expeéted that no Attempr would be made for
procuring the Men without incurring the very great Expence at which
thcy will be raifed under this Plan,
No Attempt, however, muft be made to alter thefe Terms, with
refpect to the Corps authorized by General Williamfon ; but it will be
for your Confideration, in cafe of any further Levies, whether they
cannot be made on Conditions lefs expenfive, and more conformable
to my original Inftructions; and I muft requeft of you to take the
earlieft Opportunity of acquainting me with your Sentiments on thefe
Points.
the Men without incurring the very great Expence at which
thcy will be raifed under this Plan,
No Attempt, however, muft be made to alter thefe Terms, with
refpect to the Corps authorized by General Williamfon ; but it will be
for your Confideration, in cafe of any further Levies, whether they
cannot be made on Conditions lefs expenfive, and more conformable
to my original Inftructions; and I muft requeft of you to take the
earlieft Opportunity of acquainting me with your Sentiments on thefe
Points. --- Page 14 ---
12 ]
(S.) Copy ofa Letter from the Duke OfPORTLAND to the
Lerds Commifioners ofthe Treafury; datedi Whitehall, 7th Oéober 1795WEITEHALL, FhOCTOBER 1795
My Lords,
M. WIGGKESWORTH being onhis Departure for St. Domingo, in His
Majefty's Service, I 2m torecommend it to yoar Lordihips, thac he may
be fernifhed with Copies of my Lerter to your Lordthips, and of Mr.
King's Letters to Mr. Rofe and to Mr. Long, and of the feveral Papers
tranfmitted therewith, relative to the Revenues of fuch Parts of" che
Ifland of St. Domingo, as are in Ilis Majefty's Poffcliion : and that he
be inftruéted, after attentively coufidering the Contents thereof,and upon
a Communication with the Perfon holding the Government of thc Colony for the Time being, to make the ftriéteft poftible Enquiries, both
into the Receipts and Difburlements which have taken Place with refpect
to thofe Revenues, and into the Mode in which the fame have been
managed; and to inake fuch Report thereupon to your Lordfnips, and
to me, as the Nature of the Cafe Chall be found to require.
I am further tO recommend it to your Lordfhips, to direét Mr. Wiggiefiworth's Attention in particular to the 14:h Article of His Majefty's
Inftructions, which relates to the Receipt of fuch Revenucs as were col--
leéted under the French Government, previous to the Year 1789-as well
asto the Application of thofe Revenucs.
To the 17th Article, which provides for the Receipt and Difpofal of
the Revenues arifing from the religious Eftates therein mentioned.
To the 18th Article, which provides for the prefent Security of the
Monies arifing from the Ettates cf fuch Abfenters, as being refident in
Parts under the Dominion of Perfons now excrcifing the French Government, cannor, by Law, be paid to them.
And to the Inclofures contained in Mr. King's Letter tO Mr. Rofc,
of the Sth of October 1794, by which Mr. Wigglefivorth wili obferve,
that until a Receiver General fhall be appointed by your) Lordfhipsin St.
Domingo, conformably to Ilis Majefty's Inflructions, the Governor is
inftruéted, thac Accounts of all Receipts and Expenditures within the
Colony, with proper Vouchers, fhould, through him, bc tranfmitted tc
your Lord(hips by the Perfons who have relpeétively received, or expended the fame.
Lam,&c,
Poriland,
Lords Commifioners
uf the Treafury.
orth wili obferve,
that until a Receiver General fhall be appointed by your) Lordfhipsin St.
Domingo, conformably to Ilis Majefty's Inflructions, the Governor is
inftruéted, thac Accounts of all Receipts and Expenditures within the
Colony, with proper Vouchers, fhould, through him, bc tranfmitted tc
your Lord(hips by the Perfons who have relpeétively received, or expended the fame.
Lam,&c,
Poriland,
Lords Commifioners
uf the Treafury. --- Page 15 ---
[ 13 ]
(9.) Copy of aLetter from WILLIAM HUsKiSSON, Efq.
to CHARLES LONc, Efi dated Horfe Guards, 12th
May 1796.
HaviNo laid before Mr. Secretary Dundas your Letter to me of the
4th Inftant, tranfinitting for his Opinion Letters from Sir Adam Williamfon, advifing of his having drawn upon the Lords Commiflioners ef
the Treafury for the following Sums, viz. 6.31,179. 14. 3- 6.100,000.
K. 149,543. 3- 8. L.150,708. 14. 6. 5-172,284. 8. and 4-250,000. for
carrying on His Majefty's Service in the Ifland ofSt. Domingo, from
the ift ofJanuary 1795 to the 29th of February 1796, I am direéted
by Mr. Dundas to acquaint you, for the Information of theirLordfhips,
that, with Reference to his former Letters on the Subjedt of Sir Adan
Williamfon's Bilis, he is ofOpinion that they fhould be paid upon Account. At the fame time Mr. Dundas has cbferved, with much Regret
and Surprize, that fo immenfe a Sum fhould be called for on Account of
Services performed in St. Domingo during a Period in which a very
large. Amount has already been difcharged; but as Sir Adam Williamfon
is now in England, Mr. Dundas is of Opinion ic would be right that a
complete Explanation fhould be immediately had with him upon the
Subjeét, and that a minutcInveftigation fhould inftantly be entered upon
by the refpedtive Departments conneéted with the Services for which
Sir Adam's Bills have been drawn.
(D) --- Page 16 ---
[ 14 ]
(10.) Extraét of a Letter from the Duke of PORTLAND
to Major General FORBES, dated Whitehail 3d
Auguft 1795.
Aurnouomt therefore, I am not apprized oft the Plan propofed
de Cotte and Monf. le Point for this Purpofe, yet the
iby Monf.
ledge and Ability ofthe former, and the very.zealous andable profeflional KnowMonfieur le Point, in fupport of His Majefty's Interefts, Exertions of
me to doubt their propofing, in this Behalf, any
liable would incline
Objeétions, and nothing lels fhould have defeated Thing a
to folid
the enormous Charges to which this Country has hitherto Projedt been for leffening
on account of St. Domingo. The abfolute Neceffity of
fubject
Charges within duc Bounds, will of courfe
reducing thele
Exertions, that the Department in which inftigate you to ufe your utmoft
to the moft rigorous and ceconomical Control they arc incurred. fhall be fubject
courfe receive from Mr Secretary Dundas fuch and Infpeation; you will of
neceffary for the carrying on thc Military Services Inftruétions with which as may be
entrufted.
you are
of St. Domingo. The abfolute Neceffity of
fubject
Charges within duc Bounds, will of courfe
reducing thele
Exertions, that the Department in which inftigate you to ufe your utmoft
to the moft rigorous and ceconomical Control they arc incurred. fhall be fubject
courfe receive from Mr Secretary Dundas fuch and Infpeation; you will of
neceffary for the carrying on thc Military Services Inftruétions with which as may be
entrufted.
you are --- Page 17 ---
L - 15 ]
(11.) Copy of a Letter from Mr. Sceretary DuxDAS to
Major General GoRDON FORBES; dated Parliament
Strect, the 18th of Auguft 1795.
Ir being of the utmoft Importance that the very heavy Expences incurred in the Tranfport Service fhould bc as much reduced
ture of the Service will adinit of, it has been
as the Naof the Stations, where thc occafional Removal determinedto of the allot to each
the Affiftance of Shipping, fuch a
Troops requires
neceffary for that Purpoft.-With this Proportion only as may be abfolutely
will bc appropriated to the Service of the View, Arny 7:500 under Tons ofTranfporis
a Quantity which, from every Information I have been your able Command,
will be amply fufficient for its Ufe; and I am to delire that to procure,
take particular Carc that no Dircétions arc given
you will
under your Authority or Order, which may in
by Perfons a@ting
the Orders given by the Commiflioners of any Way interfere with
Arrangement into Effeét, a Copy of which Tranfports I herewith for inclofe. carrying this
alfo neceffary that you fhould be particularly careful that all
It is
Veffels arriving at Saint Domingo with Freight, or with
Tranfport
be unloaded without a Moment's Delay, by which Means Troops, a
fhould
Expence of Demurrage, as well as, in many Inftances, Peyment very of heavy the
Penalty incurred by a Breach of the Charter Party, will be faved to the
Public.
It is fcarcely neceffary for me to add, that in every other
conneéted with this Service, you will take Care to enforce an Particular
of the ftriéteft (Economy and Regularity, and be careful thac Obfervance the
of this Difpatch is on all Occafions duly attended to.
Object
fhould
Expence of Demurrage, as well as, in many Inftances, Peyment very of heavy the
Penalty incurred by a Breach of the Charter Party, will be faved to the
Public.
It is fcarcely neceffary for me to add, that in every other
conneéted with this Service, you will take Care to enforce an Particular
of the ftriéteft (Economy and Regularity, and be careful thac Obfervance the
of this Difpatch is on all Occafions duly attended to.
Object --- Page 18 ---
16 ]
(12) Extrast of a Joint Letter from His Grace the Duke
cf PURTLAND and Mr. Secretary DUNDAS; to
Major General SIMCOE; dated Parliament Street,
the 2gth ofNovember 1796.
We fhall now proceed to call ycur Attention more particularly to
that Poin: which we have already referred to, 2s forming a leading
Objea of your Infructions, and to which your Excrtions ere to be
moit immedintely dircéted, namely, the reftraining within fixed Limits
the pecuniary Succours to be afforded by this Country, and the
enfuring the fxithful Colleétion of the Revenues, and the due Application of all the Refources ofthe Iand, in Aid of the peblic Service.
On this Head, bowever, as cn all the others which we have touched
upon, the Details muft be left to be regulated by your Difcretion
on the Spet; and we can only point out to you, the general Objects
and Principies which you arc to kcep in View.
Youwill obferve, that the frft Point v7C have mentioned, and the
one moft efential, iS, to rettrain at all F.ven:s the pecuniary Charge
to be brought on this Country.-You muft alfo underftand, that not
only the Limit to be now fixedi is.in. no Cafe whatever to be cxceeded,
bur that, even within that Limit, pecuniary Succour is from Time to
Time to be afforded only in Proportion as it thall be fhewn that. the
Service rendered is adequate to thc Expence, and cannot be performed
withou: it, ard that the Refources of the Hland cannot ofthemfelves be
rendered fufficient to defray it.-This Point thereforc, and, at the
fame Time, the Safety of the Ifand, is neccfiarily connected with
effeétual Previfions "fcr employing to the beft Advantage the Refources which the Iand icfelf furnifhes, and placing all the Eftablithments, Civil and Military, on the molt regular and csconomical
Footing which the Nature of thc Cafe will admit.-It will therefore
bei incumbent OF ycu to obtain the moft cxact Information ia your
Power ofthe Public Revenue, which can be realized in the prefent
Statc of the IAand; of the Extent, Produce, and Valuc of the Eftates
which belong to the Crown, and ofthe Regulations under which they
are adminifered; of: any ordinary Contributions or Taxcs which have,
according to Ufage, been heretofore levied in the Colony, and alfo of
fuch extracrdinay Refources as, with a View to the prefent Exigency,
may, without too fevere a Preffure, be brought in Aid of the Public
Service in different Diftriés, from further Contributions, cither in
Money or in Provifion and other Produce, or in the perfonal Service
of the Negrocs. You will alfo endeavour to afcertain, on confuling
with
: any ordinary Contributions or Taxcs which have,
according to Ufage, been heretofore levied in the Colony, and alfo of
fuch extracrdinay Refources as, with a View to the prefent Exigency,
may, without too fevere a Preffure, be brought in Aid of the Public
Service in different Diftriés, from further Contributions, cither in
Money or in Provifion and other Produce, or in the perfonal Service
of the Negrocs. You will alfo endeavour to afcertain, on confuling
with --- Page 19 ---
E 17 ]
wich Perions of the greateft Weight and local Knowledge, whar
Civil (tablifhments are neceffary in the prefent State of the Ifland,
for the Purpofe of Police, the Colleétion of the Revenue, and the
Adminiftration of Juftice, endeavouring of Courfe to reduce the
Exp-nce of each within the narroweft Limits. Ycu muft alfo
examine what is the greateft Extent of Colonial Corps, compofed
cither of White Inhabitans or of People of Colour, or of Negroes,
which can be formed and maintained in the different Diftriets, and
what is the leaft expenfive Footing, in Poin: of Payand Subfiftence,
and ofthe Proportion ofOficers-andMen, on which they can be placed,
confiftently with the Public Service. - And you will fuffer no Deviation, without your previous Authority, from the Rates and Proportions
which you have once fixed to be admicted as a Juflification of any Expenditure, or as a fufficient Ground for the Application ofany Part of
the Funds underyour Controul.-You will endeavour, as far as the Natureoft the Caf- will poffibly admit, to extend this Principie to the Articles of extraordinary and contingen: Expences attendant on Operations, and particularly to thofe of the Hofpitals, whichhave been fated
to be a Source of much Abufc, and which, although they cannot be
brought within pofitiveLimits, are capable of Checks andi Regulations,
which may cftablifh fome Proportion between the Charge incurred
and the Reliefafforded, and inftead ofnarrowing the latter, may render
it more effeétual.-lt will alfe be material to learn how far the. Amount
of Succours meant to be furnifhed at the Expence of this Country can
be fuppliedin Articles either-of Manufaéture or Produce, for the Purpofes of Clothing, Provifions, or any other : Whatever Part of thelimited Amount can be fo furnifhed will be mo:e fecure from poffible
Abufc, and will be furnifhed in a,Mode on every Account preferable;
and it muft be deduéted from the Sums of Money to be periodically
furnifhed, except as far as it miay confilt of Arms and Ammunition to
the Extent which we Ahall (tate hereafter. It may alfo poffibly be an
advantageous Way of employirg ihe Refources oft the Country, andrelievethe Dithiculty of finding Specie, to endeavour to exchargein Kind
Articles of Produce, either ari@ng from Land held by th; Government,
or from private Contributions, in Exchange for fuch Articles ofProvifions as it may be neceftry to obiain from the United States of
America.
Thefe Confiderations, and the Refule of your further Enquiries on all
the Points which may occur to you, muft guide youin regulating the
Proportion, and conduéting the Mode of the Expendiune-Yau wili
be equally careful to eftablith the moft cfelual Regulations for audiing and examining, at ftated Periods, the Accounts both of the Expenditure and Receipt; for eftablimhing as much Regularity andAccuracy as polible in the Vouchers to be admitred ; for afcertaining both
(E)
: the
.
Thefe Confiderations, and the Refule of your further Enquiries on all
the Points which may occur to you, muft guide youin regulating the
Proportion, and conduéting the Mode of the Expendiune-Yau wili
be equally careful to eftablith the moft cfelual Regulations for audiing and examining, at ftated Periods, the Accounts both of the Expenditure and Receipt; for eftablimhing as much Regularity andAccuracy as polible in the Vouchers to be admitred ; for afcertaining both
(E)
: the --- Page 20 ---
I 18 J
the Reslityand Nacefsyofevery Charge, and the Perfurmance of the
Service for which it isincurred, and, in particular for muftering at properIncervals all the Corps for w.hom Pay or Allowance arc iffued; and
to afeertain their Firnefs for Service, and their due Compiiance withthe
Conditions which you may have efablifhed. Tou willt take the earlieft
NrPaEaIESrEd Enquirics on allrhefe
Points, andt the general Regulations which you may eftablifh in confequence; and you will alfo furnifh us reguiarly, from Time to Time,
vith an Abfrast of your Pioceedings, and Accounts of the whole
Receipt and Expenditure under diftinét Heads, with fuch Obfrvations
as you may: think neceffary for His Majefty's Information.
It only now remains to fate to you, as nearly as Circumflances wiil
admit, the Amount ofthe Succours to which we have referred, and of
other Aids which may be afforded from this Country for the Proteétion oft theIfland.
Under the Firft Head, we have to inform you, that a Credit of
f-300,0c0 will be opened in Favour ofthe Colony, on whieh you will
be at Liberty to draw for the Sum of L.A 25,000 per Month, and to
receive the firft Three Months, if abfolutely necefary, in Advance,
underthe Conditions and Regulations, and fubject evertualiy to the
Deductions which we have alrezdy explained. You will underftand
that the Pay, Subfiftence, and every other Expence which may DE
incurred for the Maintenance and Support of the Foreign European
Troops now in Saint Domingo, cr of thofe which may hereafter be
fenc thither, is to be charged upon the above-mentioned Sum of
f-30c,c00; and in order to prevent any Uneafinefs which might
otherwife arife in the Minds oftne Officers and Men of the faid Foreign
Corps, from an Apprehenfion that the Advantages to which they are
entitled, under their refpective Capitulations, might be loft fight of,
or withheld, in confequence of this new Arrangement, you wiil
inform them that; you are fpecifically inftruéted to make Provifion
for fulfilling. their Capitulations, and you will accordingly take Care
to accomplith your Engagements to them, either ina direét Manner,
or by giving Means andAuthority, to this Effeêt, to fuch oftheFrench
Agents and Oficers appointed by you, as you may think proper to
icleêt for this Service. Perhaps the lait Method wouldbe moft adviftable, aS it would tend to frengthen the neceffary Conneétion, and
to improve the good Underftanding wbich ought to fubsft betwecn
the faid Corps and the Perfons under whofe Management and Commandt tehy are to be placed. --- Page 21 --- --- Page 22 ---