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GOVERNOR'S LETTER-BOOK, ANNAPOLIS.
1713-1717. |
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NOTE. This document is no. 15 of the Akins catalogue, and is entered, p. 6, "1714-1717 . Original Letter Book kept at Annapolis between 1713 and 1717, rebound in Russia, small folio." The book consists of 48 leaves, neither numbered nor indexed; and the entries are mainly in two styles of penmanship, first a rapid, straggling, slanting hand, very difficult to read, and afterwards a small, careful, square hand, more clerkly in character. Many of the pages are frayed, and deeply stained; and the writing is often faint.
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Great advantage to the colony in clearing wood: No harbor within two leagues of the coal mine, and no vessel can be loaded without grounding; no boat can land for the sea. No credit to be given to soldiers within or without the garrison, but they are in debt already. Chief trade is with Indians along the coast. Boston merchants undersell ours. This must be stopped if we are to have any correspondence with them (the Indians), who only come here when driven by necessity. Caulfeild disposes the gain among the inhabitants for bread. Newton's account to "Yr, Excellency" shows that C. has made him acquainted with the state of the garrison. Hopes to answer questions in regard to provisions in his Ex-
1. The name is spelt "Caulfield" in Akins (Nova Scotia Archives) Murdoch, Kingsford, Calnek, and all who have followed their authority; but there seems to be little or no justification for it. It is never unmistakably so spelt in this letter-book! but "Caulfeild," even when it is the name of a vessel (20] and in one case [17] the "i" has been inserted before the "e," after the name was, written. The difference, though apparently slight, is really important as a means of identifying this governor. This is the way the family name of the house of Charlemont is spelt; and this circumstance would seem to show that Govr. Caulfeild was a cadet of that house. It is curious to note that a sloop was plying about this coast at that time called the Charlemont. The matter is put beyond doubt by his reference [36] to General Carpenter and "my brothers” and immediately after to "my Unckle." This is evidently Gen. Carpenter (1657-1732) who served with Peterborough in Spain, as did Wm. Caulfeild, the second Viscount Charlemont, and apparently our governor. who refers [28] to having known James, the first Earl Stanhope in Spain. He married Alice. daughter of the first Viscount Charlemont and sister of the second. Lt.-Gov. Caulfeild must therefore have been a son of the second viscount or of one of his brothers. - See Dict. Nat. Biog.
Although the beginning, date, name of addressee and place of writing are wanting, it seems pretty plain that it was written to Nicholson from Annapolis.
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1713 (?) |
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