[Page 1]
December 12th. 1762
Sir
I have just now recd. your Honour's Letter of
the 9th. and it gives me singular pleasure that the
greatest part of my Conduct towards the Spaniards
is approved of by you & the Gentlemen of the Council:
As to that part in which I have erred, I beg your Honours
pardon for it, and am much obliged by your Condescension
in explaining it and the favorable Construction you are
pleased to put on it. I very well know that it would
be descending from the Dignity of your Station, to make
a Visit to Don Pedro, but about the time when I men=
tioned it to him, the Case in which you are pleased to say
you might have dispensed with that piece of punctilio,
did really exist, for if his fever had continued & increased,
it might have gone hard with him at this time of Life;
however it was not said as by your Honours Directions &
nothig has since passed on the Subject
The person who fired into the house has not yet
been discovered; Mr. Miller says he would know him
if
Lieut. Govr. Fauquier
[Page 2]
if he could see him & that he believes he belongs
to the Arundel
With this your Honour will receive a Certi=
ficate of the Survey; Capt Longbottom is at present
unwell & cannot wait on you or the Agent Victualler,
but hopes you will be pleased to give the necessary
Orders concerning the Provisions, to Colo. Hunter
who I suppose is now in town, He has not yet
made out a List of what is wanted to complete
them for the Voyage, but I shall endeavour to get
it tomorrow & send it over to Colo Hunters Clerk
As it is necessary for the Dispatch of the ship
and will give Satisfaction to the Spanish Gentn.
I have declined going up this Court, but shall have
the Honour to wait upon you with the Accounts
soon after they embark & am with the utmost
Respect
Yours &c
Cha Steuart
P.S. It is necessary that your Honour will be pleased
to give Orders concerning the Provisions that were
con=
[Page 3]
condemned. They are not fit to be put on bd. the
Ship, & are too good to be thrown into the River;
the poor would be glad to have them, or they will
sell for something at Vendue ~
[Page 4]
6 (Copy) December 12th. 1762
10.
[Page 1]
Portsmouth December 2d. 1762
Sir
I have received your Honour's Letters of the
23d & 26th. of last Month and am happy in knowing that
what I proposed and have done with respect to the
Spaniards met with your Approbation and that of
the Council
I have informed Don Pedro that at his Request
you have granted a Warrant for a survey of provisions
belonging to the Transport, & have desired the Master
of the Arundel to let me know when he can come for
that purpose, that I may have two other Gentlemen
ready at the same tie. I have also acquainted the
Officers of the Miitia and others who have given Assistance
& shewed Civilities to these distressed people that I have
your Honours Commands to thank them in your name.
I presume you have received my Letter of the 25th.
November with one from Don Pedro, I then acquainted
your Honour that another of his Men was dying, he is
since dead but the other two are recovering. Don Pedro
himself is much better, but has now an Inflammation
in one
Lieut. Govr. Fauquier
[Page 2]
in one of his Eyes owing to the wounds he received on his
head, he says that when he gets well he will write to you
himself - I was undesignedly led to talk with him on
a delicate Subject to which I found myself very unequal,
but shall trouble your Honour with Some Account of the
Conversation & submit my part of it to your Correction -
I told him last Saturday that on the Monday following
there would be a Court of Enquiry concerning the Riot & for
hearing the Evidence against the Criminals, that those against
whom there is any proof may be sent to Williamsburg for
Trials, & I apprehended it would be necessary that they
(the Spanish Gentlemen) should go to Court to declare what
they knew against any of the Prisoners. He desired his
Son, with whom only I can converse in bad Latin, to ask
me if that Court was for punishing the Rioters for profaning
his house, or for the Robberies & Murders they had committed?
I told him the whole would be Strictly enquired into, but
that the King only could make Satisfaction for Injuries
done to Ambassadors or others in a publick Character who
are protected by the Laws of Nations, for that our Laws
make -
[Page 3]
make no Distinction between Foreigners & Subjects. He
said he did not think it consistent with his Dignity that
he or the other Gentlemen should go into an inferior Court
to give Evidence, & asked if a Kings Officer, for instance
Capt. Manwaring, could be called into that Court, & if
there are not different Courts for Trial of Offences commit=
ted by or against Kings Offers & those committed by or
against other persons. I told him there are Courts Martial,
but under the immediate Sanction of the Laws, for
preserving Discipline and punishing Offences committed
in the King's Armies & Navy, but that all other Crimes
are tried in the Civil Courts, & that not only Capt. Manwa=
ring but the first Officers in the Kingdom are amenable
to these Courts; for it is a principle in our Constitution -
that the Laws are above all Men; He said it was dark
whenthe riot happened; that the Lights were put out
& that neither he nor his Officers knew any of the Mob.
I told him that as Some of their things were found,
particularly a Sword & hat, it would be necessary to
prove the property of them, for without such proof, the
persons with whom they were found would not be
punished.
[Page 4]
punished. He said that if they could give any Testimony
against the persons who broke into his house & beat him=
self & those of his family, they would do it, but would not
descend to give Evidence concerning the Robbery; & signifyd
that he would not accept of any of the things that were
carried away. He had before told me that he would know
ther person who searched his Pockets, which I reminded
him of, & he said he believe he should know him, but
would not appear against him. I told him I was sorry
their punctilio was such, for that by our Laws no person
can be punished without proof of his Crime; & that as
your honour is much inclined that the most exemplary
Justice be done on the Offenders, they might in part de=
feat that Intention by withholding their Testimony, but
that I hoped he would permit his inferior Officers to give
what Evidence they could, to which he agreed: However
I have been told since that Aliens cannot be admitted
as Evidence against natural born Subjects & therefore
they were only examined concerning two Foreigners -
I have found his Punctilio as great in another
Instance
[Page 5]
Instance, for I have frequently before & since that fatal
Night made an offer of procuring for him everything
this Country affords that would render his Stay among us
more agreeable & told himI had your Honours Commands
to do so, & should have the greatest pleasure in executing
them; he always very politely acknowledged the Civility
but never gave the least Intimation of a want of any
thing for himself or family. As a general & direct Appli=
cation of that Sort would not Succeed, I have endeavoured
to get the better of his Delicacy by sending him from
hence furniture & other necessaries which I knew he
must want, his own having suffered much in the riot;
but this only brought an Expence on him, for he has
since made me a present of some fine Wine. Hearing
him complain of the Butter the other day, I sent him
some of the best that could be got, & as they are Water=
drinkers & that of Norfolk very bad, I have been looking
out for a Hamper of Bristol Water for him which I
believe would be an acceptable present but cannot
meet with any. I shall endeavour to get him to ac=
cept of the Live Stock &c as a present from your Honour
They
[Page 6]
They all consider me in a particular manner as their
friend - call me their Comforter - wish me to be
always with them & load me with the most Sincere Ex=
pressions of regard & Esteem; so that from a principle
of Gratitude & friendship, abstracted from the Consideration
of doing your honour a pleasure, which will ever be
a verty strong Motive with me, I dedicate much of my
Time to their Company & Service -
The Examination of the Rioters is now over & only
four of them are ordered up for further trials: Some of the
Magistrates came readily into your Honour's Sentiments,
and at first all the Prisoners against whom there was
any proof, were ordered to be sent to Williamsburg; but
the last day, some other Justices being on the Bench, all
that were brought before them were cleared; though in
my opinion & that of many others, some of them were more
guilty than Some of those who are to go up: One Instance
is so Strong that I cannot help acquainting your Honour
with it; indeed I am desired by one of the Bench to do so.
Francis Miller, a person of good Credit, swore positive=
ly -
[Page 7]
postively against one of the Rioters, named Thomas Boon,
that he heard him swear that he would blow up the
house in which the Spaniards were, & would go to the
Vessel to which he belonged, or to the Warehouse in
in which her Stores were lodged, & bring a Barrel or half
a Barrel of Gunpowder for that purpose; & that he
accordingly went off with that Design, and persuaded
others to go with him to help him to bring it: but because
hat horrid Intention was not carried into execution,
the Majority of their Worships thought proper to clear
him. The Kings Attorney acquitted himself very well,
& read the Law which was clear & express against the
Prisoner, as intending, counselling & advising a felonious
Act, which makes him accessary to the felony that
was committed. The Vessell he blongs to is at Norfolk
& I am told that notwithstanding his Discharge, he is
still within the reach of the Law, if you think him a
proper Object of its Justice -
It may also be proper to acquaint your Honour
that
[Page 8]
that in giving this Information, & everything else I
have done for discovering the Rioters, I have not acted
by desire of the Spanish Gentlemen, nor with any other
View than as a friend to Justice. They indeed seem
to err on the other Extream, & are desirous that none
may suffer capitally on their Accounts, sayting that
the principles of their Religion oblige them to forgive
those that injure them, as they expect forgiveness
from God. I told them that is a very amiable prin=
ciple in them as Individuals, but that it did not pro=
perly take place in the present Case, as the Laws of
God & Nations were violated in a high Degree: and
the Honour of our Nation particularly concern'd to
do severe Justice on the Offenders: Notwithstanding
what has been done, the greatest Criminals are not
yet discovered, but if your Honour should thinkg proper
to issue a Proclamation with a proise of pardon &
a reward to them who will discover their Accomplices (if that
is agreeable to the Rules of Government) I beleive it would
have
I told Capt Longbottom before the Receipt of your
Honour's Letter, that he should not carry these Men with
him that were concern'd in the riot, & have since given it
to him as your Orders, & also at the Desire of Don Pedro who
objected to three of them; hte Capt is to dishcarge these three
and agreed to every other proposal he made, & all Diffe=
rences are seemingly made up : Two of these Men were
cleared among the last, which surprized Don Pedro a good
Deal, for his petty Officers were the witnesses against
them, & indeed the proof was stronger than against some
who are sent up, however he expressed no resentment,
and only said that as they are Italians & can speak
some Spanish, they may get among his people & make
some furhter disturbance, therefore he wished they had
not been discharged from Jail till he was gone; on this
I applied to Capt. Maximilian Calvert, a Magistrate
who has been very active & diligent in this matter and
he immediately recommitted them. Don Pedro said that
he
As he and the other Gentlemen are sensible Men,
& not unacquainted with the manners of our people,
they distinguish properly, & ascribe the ill usage they
have met with entirley to the rage & fury of our druncken
Seamen (the most licentious of all human Beings:) indeed
they do not say much upon the Subject, but enlarge on
the Civilities they have met with; which however are
no greater than they are entitled to as polite well-bred
Strangers. I took the Liberty to tell them that the
General
I am &c
Cha Steuart
Norfolk Decr. 3d
If your Honour should think proper to send a Warrant
for apprehending Boon & bringing him to Trial this
Court, I am told it will be necessary to send also a blank
Summons for his Evidences, lest he should pretend that
he has some; & be pleased to give Orders at the same time
that blank Summonses be sent for Witnesses against all
the other rioters, for I believe some stronger proof may be
4 /Copy/ December 2d. 1762
7.
[Page 1]
December 9th. 1762 -
Sir
I did myself the Honour to write to you
fully by Mr Bradley. Yesterday there was a Survey
on the provisions belonging to the Transport by the
Master of the Arundel, Mr Paul Loyall, Mayor of Norfolk
and Mr Maximilian Calvert, one of the Aldermen &
a Justice of the Peace. The two last have been Masters
of Vessels several years and are competent Judges
of provisions that are fit for Sea. I desired also
the two Spanish Captains to be present but they
did not stay long, & said they were satisfied with what
the Gentlemen should do: Some of the Provisions were
condemned, but the Report is not yet made out, for
I wait for a form from the Man of War: Capt Longbot=
tom will go over soon to Colo Hunter & I presume must
also wait on you for an Order to the Agent Victualler
to compleat his provisions, it being a rule that they
must be supplied by the same Authority that con=
demned the former
I am &c
The honble. Francis Fauquier esqr.
[Page 2]
[Blank]
[Page 3]
[Blank]
[Page 4]
December 9. 1762
9.
[Page 1]
Portsmouth November 23d. 1762
Sir
I received your Honour's Letter of the 12th. and
made your Compliments to Don Pedro agreeably to
your Desire; he desired me to return you Thanks, and
said he was much obliged to you for your Civilities to
him - It gives me the utmost concern that I have
now to inform your Honour of a most violent Assault
and undeard of Cruelties committed on these unfortunate
Strangers by a Number of Seamen, most of them belonging
to the Aundel. Last Sunday Evening a quarrel happened
between some of them & some of the Spanish Soldiers or Sailors,
on which the former called in others to their Assistance
and they at last amounted to a great Number; they
drove the Spaniards to the house where they lodge, and
not satisfied with that, they fired into it upon them;
killed one and wounded Several others, of whom one
died this Morning; they also burst into the Commandants
house, beat himself and one of the Captains severely;
& all his Domesticks excepting two who hid themselves -
are
Lieut. Govr. Fauquier
[Page 2]
are grievously wounded; and they plundered and robbed
the house of money and other things of considerable Value:
they set fire to the house in which the people had locked
themselves, and Some actually went for powder to blow
them up but happily the Extent of their Fury was not
accomplished; however their Rage would have been attent=
ded with still more horrid and fatal Consequences, if
Capt. Mainwaring, hearing of it, had not come & dispersed
his people, on which the rest went off also: Some of the
Gentlemen here endeavoured, but in vain, to quell the
Riot, & one in particular at the imminent Hazard of
his life rescued the Lady & two of the Gentlemen from
the hands of these Barbarians : I happened to be in
Norfolk that night & when the Alarm was given
there, came over with Some of the Militia of that Bo=
rough, who discovered the greatest Alacrity to assist
these unhappy people. I found the Commandants family
in the utmost Distress, and the Scene was really moving
& affecting beyond Description. I begg'd that he would
allow Doctor Ramsay who was present to assist his
Surgeon
[Page 3]
Surgeon in dressing his & his people's wounds, but he
said his own Surgeon was sufficient : I told him he, &
his people were then in perfect Safety, that the Militia
had come to his Assistance, that we would keep a strong
Guard and watch all night, and beg'd that he and
his famiy would compose themselves and retire to rest
which he consented to, but first desired that he might
have houses for himself and family in Norfolk
as he could not remain in Safety here, which I promised
should be provided for him, & accordingly went over with
his Son next Morning, when we looked at some houses
which he approved of & the Mayor hired them imme=
diately for that purpose, and yesterday they were removed
with all their Baggage -
The Magistrates are very active in apprehending
the Rioters & several of them are now in Jail, but to your
Honour he looks for redress and I have taken the Liberty
to assure him, that every thing that can, consistent with
the Laws of the Country, will be done for his Satisfaction
he signified at the same time that he should be under a
necessity -
[Page 4]
Necesitty of representing this Affair to the King his Master :
Some families in Norfolk have behaved with great
Complaisance to them, and I beg your Honour will
believe that I have don every thing in my power
to alleviate their Distress; not only Humanity but also
sincere Respect that I have conceived for the Gentlemen
Lady owing to their agreeable & polite Behaviour,
moves me to this, and I know that I cannot in any way
render your Honour a more acceptable Service: I shall
continue to victual them, & to prevent a Multiplicity of
Accts. at the Mayors desire I shall pay some little Charges
that have attended their Removal &c -
Don Pedro was very unwell this Morning & complain=
ed much of the pain of his wounds; I then repeated the
request I had made twice before, that he would give
me leave to send a Doctor to attend him, but he again
refused, it, & said if he was worse he would accept of the
Offer: he told me some time ago that he should want Some
stock & other necessaries for his Voyage: I desired him to
give me a List of them & said I would provide them -be
[Page 5]
be pleased to let me know how I am to behave, if he
offers Money to pay for them & pardon the Liberty I take
in mentioning this: I am also desired by the Owner of the
houses which he and his people possessed here to acquaint
your Honour that they have been much injured by the
fury of the Mob & that he hopes you will be pleased
to order him Satisfaction for the Damage he has received
in them & his furniture. I shall not trouble you any
further on this melancholy Subject, but refer to the
Letter herewith from Don Francisco, his father not being
ble to write & am &c Cha Steuart
P.S. Norfolk 10 PM
I am now with Don Pedro who continues in great
Pain & have kept his bed all day: the next in Command
has given me a List of Necessaries for the sick & wounded
which I shall provide to morrow: I am ashamed to send
this Letter in the Condition it is returned to me by the person
who copied it, but it being now late I hope your Honour
will have the Goodness to excuse it
[Page 6]
(Copy) November 23. 1762
3.
[Page 1]
November 25th, 1762
Sir
I had the honor to write you the 23d & to
forward a Letter wrote by order of the Spanish Commandant
This accompanies another which I am told contains
something that was omitted in the former ~
He was easier & better yesterday than the Day before
but complained of pains all over his Body, & has been
at sometimes a little delirious: The other Gentlemen
told me very seriously yesterday that they were still
apprehensive of further Danger, and intended to write
to your Honour to desire your Protection & that they
might be removed to some place of greater Security. -
I assured them they had nothing to fear, that all the
people, excepting those concerned in the riot, abhorred the
Treatment they had met with and were ready to protect
them, & that such Order was taken that they might depend
upon it no Injury would be done to them
They were pleased to say that they would be advised by
me in every thing and that as I told them they were safe
they -
Lieut. Govr. Fauquier
[Page2]
they would think themselves so, but to make them
still easier I apply'd to the Mayor, who went with an
Interpreter and gave them the like Assurances, and they
on their parts have given strict Orders to their Officers
and people that the greatest Care be taken to avoid
giving Offence
I am with the utmost Respect
Sir
your honours most obdt hble Servt.
Cha Steuart
[Page 4]
2 (Copy) November 25. 1762
5.
[Page 1]
November 9th. 1762
Sir
I am desired by Don Pedro Bermudez to
present his Respects to your Honour & to forward a
present of a dozen of Wine which he sent to me with
the Inclosed Note; I have packed them up & put them
on board the Packet recommended to the particular Care
of the Master.
He had been very importunate with Mr Loyall
for fresh Provisions for his Men, but their victualling
ashore began only last Thursday; Capt Longbottom
said that he could not issue any particular Species of Provisions
for them without giving their whole Allowance, but
when they return onboard the Ship he will give a Cer=
tificate of the time they shall have been victualled
ashore, which I presume will be allowed for by the
Government: inclosed is a Copy of their Allowance on
board the Ship which is the same as for the Kings Troops,
and I intend to victual them here in the Same manner,
with the difference only of Butter or Hogs lard in lieu of
Oyl & Raisins which cannot be got.
The Commandant declines accepting of an Allow=
ance for himself & the other two Captains, which
reduces
[Page 2]
reduces the Number supplied here to 117; As provisions
of all kinds are dear here & beef in particular will
be still higher, I imagine their victualling will cost
about seven pence a Man p day; if your Honour shall
think two pence more reasonable Allowance for firewood,
which will be a troublesome & expensive Article, being
much wanted at present, with the hire of Negros carry=
ing their provisions & wood to them, for they will do
nothing themselves, & for my Trouble, I will take
the whole upon myself at that rate, viz nine pence
a man p day, which at our present Exchange I ap=
prehend must fall short of the Governments Allowance;
however I submitt this entirely to your Honour.
Don Pedro expects that a sufficient Quantity of good
Provisions for his Men for 70 days Allowance, shall be
put on board the Transport for their Passage to Cadiz,
& objects to those now on board; Capt Longbottom says
that on Complaint of this kind he is directed to call
a Survey of three Masters of Men of War, but as there
are not so many in the Country, he apprehends it
will be necessary for his Justification that your Honour
grant
[Page 3]
grant a Warrant for a Survey of his Provisions and
after the Report he will have a right to indent with
the Agent-Victualler for what shall be deficient,
but he thinks the Application to you will come more
properly from the Commandant who complains of
them than from him -
I shall punctually execute what Commands
you shall be pleased to honour me with, & am with the
utmost Respect,
Sir
Your Honour's most obdt hble Servt.
[Page 4]
November 9. 1762
1.
[Page 1]
February 15th. 1763
Sir
I wrote to your Honour the 8th & 10th. Insta.
the last to inform you that the person to whom Capt.
Longbottom wrote for a Credit in New York was gone to
Albany; his Wife opened the Letter & told the Express that
she could not give any Answer to it, & Mr. Sprowle refuses
to supply Capt Longbottom with more Cash, or to settle
with him for what he has furnished on other terms than he
proposed before; which makes it necessary to make use
of the power your Honour has been pleased to give me
by your Letter of the 9th. to take the Captains Bills on the
Navy Office payable to you for the Amount of his Dis=
bursements, which I shall do, & send or carry them up
to be indorsed without detaining the Ship for their return
& shall pay off Mr Sprowles Acct against her ~
Most of the Spaniards embarked yesterday & the
Officers proposed to go onboard to day, but the weather
being now extremely bad prevents them: as I have hither=
to given the greatest attention to the, I shall continue
to -
[Page 2]
to do so while they remain in the Country, & at their
Desire I intend to go down with them. This leads me to
observe (what I hope your Honour is already convinced of)
that I have had a great deal of Trouble with these people
more than was occasioned by supplying them with provisions
only; few days have passed since their removal to Norfolk
without my visiting them & being sent for by them, for
they applied to me on all Occasions & I have been much
employed in supplying their wants & removing their
fears & Apprehensions: many of these last were indeed
groundless, but excusable after what happened to them
here, & by the Confidence my Behaviour has obtained with
them, I prevented many Applications that would other=
wise have been made to your Honour; however I shall
not presume to trouble you with a Detail of my Services
for them, & will readily own that I should with pleasure
have done the same for genteel Strangers in their Situation,
without any prospect of reward, but I flatter myself
that will not lessen their Merit in your Honours esteem
& the Councils. The settling of the victualling Acct. with
Capt
[Page 3]
Capt Longbottom is ready so soon as I can know when to
stop; for he is desirous to keep up his Complement of
provisions for sea as long as he can, & one good Day
will finish the Ships Business - I am &
P.S. The Gentlemen appointed viewed Mr Millers house
yesterday, & I presume their report will soon be
laid before your Honour
[Page 4]
February 16. 1763
16.
[Page 1]
February 8th. 1763 -
Sir
Your Honour will herewith receive a
Letter from Don Pedro: the Express from New=
York is not yet arrived, nor Capt Longbottom,
who I am told came part of the way & returned to
Williamsburg, if so I hope he will bring your Honour
Determination in Council concerning his Affair
I shall refuse money from Don Francisco for his
Expences and mine to Williamsburg, & hope it will
be agreeable to your Honour that I charge it in the
Acct for Provisions &c
The Letters for the Secretaries of State were deli=
vered to Capt Chilcott who is to sail for Bristol in
a few Days. I shall get Mr Millers damage settled
soon & what further Commands you shall be pleased
to honour me with, will be carefully executed by
Sir
Yours &c
Turn over
[Page 2]
February 10th. 1763 -
Sir
I did myself the Honour to write to you
the 8th. by the Packet. Capt. Longbottom is not yet
returnd. I have just now received a Letter from my
friend in Philadelphia to whom I recommended his
Letter to be sent by Express to New York, which was
done, but the person to whom it was directed was
gone to Albany, & his Wife would not give any Answer,
so no Credit is to be expected from that Quarter -
I am
Yours &c
[Page 3]
[Blank]
[Page 4]
February 8. 1763
14.
[Page 1]
January 5th. 1763 -
Sir
On Receipt of your Honour's Letter of the 25th
of last Month I wrote to Colo. Hunter for his Direc=
tions in regard to the form of the Settlement to be
made with Capt. Longbottom, & about that time I
received a Letter from him on the same Subject
I have since received an Answer to mine, in
which he recommends a different Manner of settling
the affair with respect to the Provisions supplied the
Spaniards here, viz, that Capt Longbottom shall draw
Bills on the Commissioners for victualing the Navy
payable to you for the Amount of those provisions
at the Contract prices for this Colony, & shall give a
Receipt on the back of each Bill for the Quantities
of these provisions as supplied by your Orders -
He thinks that he cannot regularly take in this
Victualling under the Contract, & hopes that this
Method will equally answer your Intention of reim=
bursing the Colony for the Expence. I shall be glad
to receive your Honours Directions concerning this
proposed
[Page 2]
proposed Alteration, however if it should be necessary
to settle with Capt Longbottom before I receive an
Answer I shall presume on your Approbation of this
Method, which from my little knowledge in matters of
that Sort, appears under the present Circumstances
to be the most eligible, & I shall settle with him
accordingly. I beg Leave to wish your Honour the
return of many happy new years & am with the
greatest Respect
Sir
Yours &c
[Page 3]
[Blank]
[Page 4]
January 5. 1763
12.
[Recto]
Papers relating to a
Riot in Virginia
in 1762.
[Verso]
[Blank]
[Page 1]
Wms.burgh Decr. 25th. 1762
Sir
I have just settled with Colonel Hunter that
he as Agent Victualler is replace the condemned prov-
isions. It will be necessary for you to settle Accts
with Captain Longbottom for the provisions with wch.
he ought to have supplyed Don Pedro Bermudez's
people had not you provided for them on Shore, and
you must take Bills from Colonel Hunter on the
Commissioners for victualling the navy for that Amt.
the difference I am sensible must be paid by the Colony
the Bell sings for Church so that I can say no more
or give any Answer to your former Letters I hope
soon to see you and am
Sr. yr. very hum : Servt.
Fran : Fauquier
To Mr. Chas. Steuart.
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The Hon'ble Francis Fauquier Esqr
Williamsburg December 25. 1762
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Wms.burgh Decr. 9th. 1762
Sir,
I laid your Letter concerning your
Conversation with the Spanish Gentlemen, and other
Matters relating to them, before the Council, who were
pleased to express their approbation of your prudent
Conduct, in explaining the Nature of our Laws to those
Gentlemen : But if no Evidence will appear against
them, they must of course be acquitted. Nothing can
be resumed in regard to those who were acquitted
by the Court of Enquiry, unless they can be bound
over to their good Behaviour. A proclamation was
orderd for the further Discovery of the principal
Actors in this Riot, as you proposed thinking it might
be of Service. Particular Enquiry ought to be made
about those who fired into the House, by which
Murder ensued.
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Your Courtesy and Civility to these unhappy
Strangers was applauded, tho' it was thought, this good
Disposition carried you a little too far in speaking
of my going down to them ; it was what I should have
done at first, if it had been according to the Rules of
Decorum ; as I stand here in a higher Rank than Don
Pedro does at his Court by the Command of a Man
of War. The Spaniards who are puntilious in this
point, understand this very well, so will most pro-
-bably consider it only as an overstrained Civility, and
it had better rest so than have any thing more said
about it, one way or the other. If the Gentlemen had
come up to Williamsburgh, I might have thought it
right to have returned the Compliment, or if Don
Pedro had been in Danger of his Life I might have
dispensed with this piece of Punctilio necessary to
be preserved between the Officers of different Courts.
In continuing your Information on these Matters
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You will oblige
Sir
Yr. very hum: Servt.
Fran: Fauquier
P.S. I recd your Letter of the 25th. ulto. with one
from Don Pedro Bermudez in Relation to the
Crew of the Transport, for wch. I have already
provided. Please to make my Compliments
to the Spanish Gentlemen & Lady
F.F.
To Mr. Chas. Steuart.
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The honble Francis Fauquier Esqr.
Williamsburg December 9. 1762
5
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Wms.burgh Novr. 12th. 1762
Sr.
The Master of the packet delivered me
Your letter, and the Cask of Wine for wch. I beg the
Favor of you to return my thanks to Don Pedro
Bermudez, and should be glad to be informed in what
I can render him any acceptable Service or pleasure.
As the Council are adjourned to Monday sinnight
I can do nothing in the Affair of Victualing the Men
more than desire you to do it on the Terms you pro-
pose till I consult them upon it, which I will do
on their first meeting and immediately let you know
the Result of our Consultation
I am Sr.
Yr. very hum : Srvt.
Fran : Fauquier
Mr. Charles Steuart.
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The Honble Francis Fauquier Esqr.
Williamsburg November 12. 1762
2.
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Wms.burgh Novr. 23d. 1762
Sir
I laid your Letter before the Council wch. met yester
-day who approved of your providing for the Spanish priso
-ners on the Terms you propose, therefore you will continue
so to do. I have sent a Warrant for a Survey of the
provisions on board the Transport, and have left the Names
in blank, the Master of the Arundel must be one, it being
the constant Custom of the Navy. You will add two others
to him who you take to be impartial and competent Judg-
-ges of the Matter referd to them, upon their Report the
whole affair must be settled by the Agent Victualer who
I imagine will give his Bills for Repayment to the Colony
from the Crown. Please to make my Compliments to Don
Pedro Bermudez and let him know I have ordered a Survey
to be made of the provisions on his Complaint according
to the Rules of Government here
I am Sr. yr. Hum : Servt.
Fran : Fauquier
To Mr. Charles Steuart.
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The Hon'ble Francis Fauquier Esqr.
Williamsburg November 23d. 1762
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Wms.burgh Novr. 26th. 1762
Sir
I am much obliged to you for the very particular
Acct. you have sent of the late unhappy Riot and Distu
bances at portsmouth. Such an affair is at all times
a Reflection of the Nation which commits such unlaw-
ful Outrages, and at this critical Juncture may be
attended with very disagreeable Consequences; I therefore
hope the Magistrates of Norfolk will exert themselves
to bring the offenders to Justice. I cannot suppose they
will acquit them and not sent them up for Trial, if they
should take this Step they ought to bind the offenders
over to their good Behavior. But this will be little
Satisfaction to the Spanish Commander, and I am afraid
give him but an indifferent Impression of the Jus-
tice of the Nation to Strangers.
I thank you and desire you in my name to
thank the Militia Officers and other Gentlemen of
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of Norfolk and portsmouth who have shewn Humanity
and politeness to these unhappy Strangers, who have
met with a hard Fate. I have wrote to Don Pedro
My Self to offer him all assistance in my power, and
to the Mayor of Norfolk to proceed with all the rigour
the Laws will allow against the offenders.
You cannot do me greater pleasure than to shew
all acts of Civility to Don Pedro the other officers and
the young Lady. I would have you refuse payment
for the live Stock &ct. If it should be insisted upon
you may take it, as the Spanish punctilio will not
perhaps receive it on other Terms, tho I desire you
will offer it as a present from me in return for the
Wine he was so polite as to send me. I hear some
of Captain Longbottoms Crew were concerned in this
Attack on the Spaniards, if so, I do not think it
advisable they should go home in the Transport wth.
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the Spaniards, as some heart burnings will surely
arise and probably cause Mischief in their passage
to Cadiz.
I am Sr.
Yr. very hum. Servt.
Fran : Fauquier
To Mr. Charles Steuart.
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To Mr. Chas. Steuart
Mercht. in
Portsmouth
The Honble. Fras. Fauquier Esqr.
Williamsburg Novemr. 26. 1762
6.
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Wms.burgh Feby. 9th 1763
Sir,
It was yesterday resolved in Council that if
things come to an Extremity, and that Captn. Longbottom
could not otherwise procure such Security as Mr. Sprowle
should be satisfied with, I should endorse his Bills on
the Commissioners of the Navy : but this is not to be done
unless an unsatisfactory Answer should come from
New. york. In that Case if you shall find there is no
other Remedy left that the Spanish gentleman may de
part, after settling and adjusting the Acct. between you,
you may safely take his Draughts on the Navy office
which you may depend on my endorsing if made paya-
ble to me, without farther delaying the Gentlemen
by sending them up to me and waiting the Return.
I rely on your Conduct in this Affair for the Security
of the Colony, and am Sr yr very hum : Servt.
Fran : Fauquier
To Mr. Steuart
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To Mr. Chas. Steuart
Mercht. In
Portsmouth
The Honble. Francis Fauquier Esqr.
Williamsburg february 9. 1763
15.
[Recto]
Wms.burgh Janry. 7th. 1763
I have just received your Letter by the Packet.
Whatever Method you, Colonel Hunter and Captn.
Longbottom can agree on, conformable to the Rules
of the Navy to indemnify this Colony for the provisions
furnished to the Spaniards, as fair as the Crown can
indemnify it (for I suppose they are under certain
Limitations and Restrictions) will be equaly agree
-able to me; but I beg the Favor of you to go thro'
it before Captain Longbottom sails, otherwise we
shall meet with great Difficulties in settling it
afterwards. Please to make my Compliments
to Don Pedro with my Wishes for a prosperous
Voyage to his Native Country
I am Sr.
Yr. very hum. Sert.
Fran : Fauquier
To Mr. Charles Steuart.
[Verso]
To Mr. Charles Steuart
Mercht.
in
Portsmouth
The Hon.
ble Francis Fauquier Esqr.
Williamsburgh January 7. 1763
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Wms.burgh June 17th. 1763
Sir
I have enclosed to you two Letters, purporting
that you are the gentleman who signalized yourself
by granting protection and shewing Civilities to the
Spaniards, and that you are more capable than any
other person to give his Majesty or his Ministers any
further Light into this Affair that they may require.
I have given my Brother who lives in Stratton Street
Picadilly Notice of your Intention of going to London
who I doubt not will shew you all Civilities. I
sincerely wish you a happy Voyage and safe Return
and am
Sr.
Yr. very hum. Servt
Fran : Fauquier
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Lieut. Govr. Fauquier
Williamsburg 17th. June 1763
17.
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In October 1762 a Cartel Ship from the
Havannah bound for Cadiz arrived in Virginia in
distress, having in board Don Pedro Bermudez second
in command in the sea service at the Havannah,
several other Officers and a Lady with 116 Spanish
soldiers, and sailors. I received orders from Mr. Fauquier
Lieutenant Governor of that Colony, to provide Houses
for them and to supply them with fresh provisions
during their stay. This introduced me to an
Acquaintance with those Gentlemen and the Lady,
which was afterwards improved into respect and
Friendship by their polite and genteel behaviour :
an I was unhappily soon furnished with an occasion
for the utmost exertions of humanity in their
service, by a riot in which they were most barbarously
and inhumanly treated - - I sent a particular
account of it to the Lieutenant Governor, and wrote
several letters afterwards to him on their Affairs -
A polite Correspondence was carried on between him
and the Spanish Commander, in which the latter
frequently expressed himself in the most obliging
terms of my civilities to them. - They were detained
till late in February and left me with expressions
of great regard and friendship, promisting to write
to me after their arrival in Spain; and frequently
said that in the representation they should
make to the King their Master of what happened
to them in Virginia, they should take such
notice of my behaviour to them, as they did not
doubt would procure an honourable mention of me
by
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by his Minister at the Court of London - happy
in having contributed to alleviate their Distress, I
neither asked nor expected any other Reward.
Intending to go to England that summer
upon private business Business I waited on the
Lieutenant Governor to ask his commands. He
said he had sent home Copies of all the papers and
letters relating to the Spanish Affair, in which
he was pleased to add, I had so eminently distinguish-
ed myself and that he had lately received a letter
from the Earl of Egremont, one of his Majesty's
principal Secretaries of State expressing his Majesty's
abhorence of the cruel treatment those people had
met with and his approbation of the civilities that
were afterwards shewn to them; and desiring to be
informed of what further happened to them during
their stay in the Country. - I told him I should be
glad to have the Honour of carrying his Commands
on that subject, which he approved of, and sent
me soon afterwards a letter to Lord Egremont,
and one for the Lords of Trade, accompanied by the
following ~ to myself. I have inclosed to you two
letters purporting that you are the Gentleman
who signalized yourself by granting protection
and shewing Civilities to the Spaniards, and
that you are more capable than any other
person to give His Majesty or His Ministers
any further Light into this Affair that they
may require soon after my Arrival I was
informed that Prince [?] the Spanish
Ambassador had been enquiring for a Gentleman
of my name from Virginia, and I was accordingly
introduced
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introduced to him by the Spanish Agent. ~ He
was pleased to speak very favourably of my attention
to the Spaniards in Virginia, and desired to know
wherin he could serve me; the Agent intimating
at the same time that I might have a Sum of
Money if agreeable. - I beg'd leave to decline accepting
any pecuniary reward, and said I should be happy
if through his Excellency's recommendation to the
King's Ministers I could have the Honour of obtaining
some civil Employment in America. - He accord-
ingly recommended me to the late Right Honourable
M<supr. Grenville, then First Lord of the Treasury, who
did me the Honour to express himself in Terms of
the highest Approbation of my Behaviour to the
Spaniards on that unhappy Occasion; and after
satisfying that upright Minister that I was
qualified for any Office in the Revenue of the
Crown in America, I was appointed by him Surveyor
General of the Customs in the Eastern - Middle
District of North America. - I continued to execute
the duties of that Office during all the disturbances
occasioned by the Stamp act, and until the Establish
ment of a Board of Customs took place; and I had the
singular good fortune to obtain very full and repeat
ed approbation of my Conduct from the Board of
Customs in London, with whom I officially corresponded,
and at the same time to meet with no unpleasant
or disagreeable circumstance to myself in the discharge
of my duty
Cha Steuart
London 26th.. August 1789
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Copy of Narrative