19. An Explanation by Rhode Island (1699)
Cranston was annually elected governor of Rhode Island for thirty years (1696- 1726); a firm, popular, and successful administrator. This letter is addressed to the Lords of Trade. — Bibliography: Arnold, Rhode Island, I, 544-548; Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, III, 376-380, V, 163; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 133. — For previous Rhode Island history, see Contemporaries, I, ch. xvii.
RIGHT Honorable : Your letter bearing date Whitehall, October the 25th, 1698, came to our hands the 5th of April last, as likewise the duplicate of the same, we received the same day; wherein your Lordships do signify your observation of the long interval between the date of your letter, the 9th of February, 1698-9, and our-answer to the same.
May it please your Lordships : We shall not justify ourselves wherein we have been remiss, or negligent in that affair ; and hope your Lordships will not impute any thing of contempt in us for the same ; and we shall for the future endeavor to be more dilligent and observant in re turning your Lordships an answer, and giving an account of the affairs of this government. But we having no shipping that sails directly from this Collony, and many times we are disappointed for want of timely notice from other places, the which has been a great disappointment to us in the performance of our duty to your Lordships.
Your Lordships are also pleased to signify that our letter was principally in vindication of our conduct in relation to piracies and pirates, &c. We hope your Lordships will put that constructions upon our writing, that we do not vindicate ourselves, wherein we have ignorantly erred, or for want of better knowledge and a right method we have gone out of the due form and practice your Lordships have now prescribed for us ; and wherein we did or do vindicate ourselves, it is in our innocency, and it s said sins of ignorance ought to be forgiven. And we do humbly beg your Lordships' pardon for the same, hoping for the future to be more circumspect. Your Lordships having been so favorable as to give us directions and instructions, the which we accept as a most bountifull favor from you, and shall with our best endeavors follow the same accordingly.
Your Lordships are also pleased to require a copy of all private commissions which have been granted to any persons from this government,with the bonds, &c. And in obedience to your Lordships' command,
