Robert Robinson letter to [William Blathwayt?], 1687 December 30

Tho' I long since engag'd to you an ample account of Our
proceedings in the regulating & methodizing this vncouteht
Government yett hope (wanting a ready Cleark) the desistancy
hitherto will meet with a favourable Censure Having here
giu'n an abbreviate of what I cann judge most immediately
necessary And am fully purpos'd (God willing) to send all the
[Marginal note]The Swan
went about
the 1st December[Marginal note]
Acts past with whatsoever else may or shall bee expected in
a due forme & method by Captain Bee who intends hence within
a month at furthest They are putting fair into a Book all
Transactions as well of the Councell as Assembly The Assembly
satt farr longer then I thought their occasions would require
or myselfe first intended they should yett could at last no:
ways prevaile with them to settle any manner of Tax on Tobacco
nor so much as lay 2 per Cent of the money expected from the Wreck
towards the raising a Publique Stock which I frequently mov'd to
them for the generall supply and support of these Islands if Besidg'd
or invaded by any Forraigne Enemie But Wee have
allready built a Fort at the Ferrie & allmost finishd Two
other New Forts of: 8: or 30: Gunns each as Gunns cann bee
gott which said Forts will become of great service both offensive
& defensive for the Countrys safety, as they are placed And
they are likewise repairing their ancient Forts together
with the Castle And the Country design's speedily to erect
a House for myselfe & Successors The School and
gleab Lands I have at present appropriated to the Publique
vse, untill fitt persons presents to officiate But Wee very
much want a good Lawyer or Two For the Kings intrest &
the better quiett & vnderstanding of each oththers Right &
Property   These People greatly covitts the annexing the
Bohamahs with these Islands the which I am perswaded (if his Majestie
shall see fitt to allow of) will become of great vse and
benefitt to both Ther's neer Three Tunn of Silver
recover'd from the Wreck since last advis'd, out of which I secur'd
The Tenths And have bought off the Major part of the Twelve

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Copper Gunns which I signified weighs about 3800ll vpward of
[Marginal note]150ll:[Marginal note]
3000: each intending shortly to buy the remaining parts; And
then to send them home to the Kings pleasure Yesterday arriv'd
another Vessell from the Wreck with about 2000li: sterling vnder
standing Sir William Phipps is arriv'd there I suppose all Our
Vessells will come home (The Jaimaica men have allready
left it) while his Majesties pleasure is knowne therein Tho' I
hope the King will please to favour these People with a little of
it. They which come from Providence & some of these People
which vse those Parts are possitive That They are sensible of
another Wreck with Gold neer equall to this. And some are
goeing out to look for her, Some asserts That mony has been
taken out of her when I know more of it your Honor shall
Here was a Bristow man of about 200ll: Tunn from Virginia
cast away on the Norwood Sholls who made shift to save them
selv's & some part of theire sailes & Riggin with about 20 Hogsheads
of Tobacco   There is at last a Tax raised for the Payment
of the new erected Forts & repairing the former together with
the Castle But it's onely for the present Her's also an Act for
Raising Two small Troops of Horse ready on all occasions The
Militia is very well settled but for the present I am forc'd to
lend mony Armes & Powder but they are to pay it againe
They have sent for Armes according to an Act made now to
that purpose The Man that was so long in Prison for
willfully killing a Woman in Collonell: Conys time was the 22d of
September last brought to his tryall in the Sessions House Captaine
Richards Cheif Justice with 4 others his Assistants with the
grand And Petty Jury The One found the Bill and the other
brought him in guilty And so being one of Sharps men
& indeed allmost starv'd in Prison was hang'd the 5th of Octo
ber Hee was very penetant and very willing to die as the
People was to have him I Received 2 Packetts from their
Lordships baring date the 28th of May last with his Majesties Pro
clamations of Liberty of Conscience & the coming in of all
Sea Rovers which were instantly vpon Receit Publish'd
as vsuall

Sir I am
Your Most Obedient Servant
Robert Robinson

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30 December 1687
From Mr. Robert Robinson
Received the 19th: March
1687/8