1705
July the 5^th

To the Noble Lords Commisioners for trade and Plantations

My Lords and Gentlemen
I send you herewith some proposals of the Newfoundland Merchants for your consideration and it is Her Majestys pleasure that you report your opinion what is fit to be done on to that part which relates to putting the inhabitants under a civil and military goverment bu constituting constables or other majestrates and by establishing militia officers and that you prepare a scheme for such a settlement pursuant to your opinions therein, and further that you also send to me such a draught of instructions for the commodore and captain of the fort as may be proper for them to set the inhabitants to work in building or repairing storehouses and places of security for the fishing tackle in the fort or elsewhere, for laying up when the season is over, and for exempting the inhabitants from any press and their going or being carryed away by the New England ships as is proposed I am my Lords and Gentlemen Your most humble servant.

C Hedges

Newfoundland
1705
July the 5

In obediance to the commands of the Right Honourable Lords of Her Majestys Cabinett Council when we had the honour to attend thir lordships about our petition for the preservation of the colony of Newfoundland, we humbly represent that the inhabitants of the English settlements in Newfoundland being in the winter seasons, when the Comordore and Admials are absent without any civil regulations and at all times without any military discipline, are thereby very much exposed to the inroads and insults of the neighbouring french , for remedy we humbly propose that the inhabitants of each harbour be aurthorized to choose from amongst themselves every year at all saints, one chief majestrate and one or more constables for the preservation of the peace and good order, and that some blank commisions my be sent from England to be filled up by some proper persons at Newfoundland, to be delivered gratus to some of the inhabitants of each harbour to be elected by the majority of their neighbours whereby they may be apponted as officers over them and by whom the people may be frequently disciplined and trained up and under their conduct either guard or defend themselves or attack the enemy as where may be occasion.
According to the best accounts we have at present we compute that in the winter there may remain in the several bays of Newfoundland at least a thousand men fit to bear arms

St Johns and adjacent Southern Harbours 400
Consumption 200
Trinity 200
Bonavista 200
1000

which being unarmed and in entirely impoverished by the late invasion from Placentia , not withstanding the good conduct of Leutenent Moody and the brave defence made by him and garrison, We humbly pray that her Majesty may be graceily pleased to send them such a number of arms and as much ammunition as may be thought neccessary.
And whereas their Lordships were pleased to order us to give directions that the inhabitants of all the land may before winter ferry their goods and fishing craft into the fort at St Johns we humbly represent that the greatest number live at such a distance that we very much fear it will not be in their power and we apprehend that there are not sufficent convienceys in the same for the effects and fishing craft of that harbour alone , but in order to such a security we are humbly of opinion that it will be requsite to give directions to prepare more storehouses in the fort of St. Johns in which the people of that harbour may lodge their effects gratis and take them away at their pleasure and that Forts or such other places of safty may be built in the bays of Consumption, Trinity and Bonavista wherein the inhabitants may safely lodge their effects and by this all the land will be further secured from the incursions of their enemies as freedom and good order have been encouraged of this fishing trade We pray that the always thought neccesary for the planters and their servants may be exempted from any press that strict orders may be given to the majestrates and Commander to prevent the New England ships from carrying off the inhabitants or their servants without due notice because by such methods the people that owe money in the land very often go away to the great loss of their creditors and the general prejudice of the fishery and that for the prevention of many oppresions and incoviences which may arise from the liberty the officers of the garrisons may take in trade they may be barred from the same.

Sam Shepheard William Cock
J Jolliffe ? Renews
William Brown William Brooking
Sam Ayre ? Or Eyre Nath ??????
Will Brooke William Rodgers
J Campbell