|
Feb. 1.
Whitehall. |
Commission appointing Sir George Ayscue, Daniel Searle, and Capt. Michael Pack, Commissioners for reducing the island of Barbadoes and the inhabitants thereof to their due obedience to the Commonwealth. Sir George Ayscue is constituted Governor, with power to choose six councillors; Daniel Searle to be one and to succeed him in the government. [Ibid., pp. 17–19.] |
| Feb. 1. |
Warrant to Sir George Ayscue, Commander of the Rainbow, Success, Ruth, Brazil frigate, Increase of London, Amity, and the Malaga Merchant, to be employed in reducing Barbadoes to the obedience of the Commonwealth. Authorizing him to force the inhabitants to Submission, to land men, surprise their forts, beat down their castles and places of strength, seize all ships and vessels belonging to them or any others trading there, but not to attempt any act of hostility on shore without the consent of the major part of the other Commissioners who are joined with him. [Ibid., pp. 19, 20.] |
Feb. 1.
Whitehall. |
Instructions to Sir George Ayscue, Daniel Searle, and Capt. Mich. Pack, Commissioners for reducing Barbadoes. To repair on board the Rainbow, Admiral of the squadron. Upon their arrival to make known to the inhabitants the cause of their coming and to omit no opportunity to reduce the island. If they find the inhabitants sensible of their late defection, power is given to assure pardon and indemnity, except to such persons as they think fit. Everything concluded by them to be effectual and valid to all intents and purposes. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XLV., pp. 21, 22.] |
Feb. 1.
Whitehall. |
Additional instructions to the above. Particulars to be insisted upon. The inhabitants of Barbadoes to submit to the government of the Commonwealth. The Acts of Parliament against Kingship, the House of Lords, abolishing the Book of Common Prayer, and for taking the engagement, with other acts delivered to the Commissioners to be published. The Governors from time to time appointed by Parliament to be received, and all the inhabitants to take the engagement. Those who for their affection to the Commonwealth have been damnified either in person or estate, to have full reparation. The charges for reduction of the island to be repaid "so far as you find it feazible," by the inhabitants whose rebellion and delinquency occasioned the expense. All trade and intelligence with the island to be prohibited. Full powers to treat and conclude upon any other articles they may find advantageous to the Commonwealth. [Ibid., pp. 23, 24.] |
| Feb. 3. |
Order of the Council of State. Upon petition of Peter Legay and Daniel Hersent, owners and freighters of the Adventure, of Southampton, trading between Barbadoes and New England, directing the Commander of the Barbadoes fleet, in case he meet with the ship, to give her protection, as is desired, and licensing the Virgin frigate to trade to Barbadoes, in case the island be reduced, upon the petitioners giving security. [Ibid., pp. 27, 28.] |
| Feb. 4. |
Similar Order. Upon petition of Sir David Kirke. Answer to be returned that the petitioner is free to repair to England, for the ends mentioned in his petition. [Ibid., p. 29.] |
| Feb. 5. |
Similar Order. Upon petition of Lieut.-Col. Robt. Yeomans and other merchants of Bristol, and owners of the Mary and Francis; granting licence for the ship to go with the fleet to Barbadoes, upon the same terms as other ships, upon giving security to the value of the ship and goods, that she does not depart from the fleet or trade with any in defection from the Commonwealth. [Ibid., p. 40.] |
| [Feb. 11.] |
29. Petition of Merchants trading to Barbadoes, to the Council of State. Led by their deep concernments to a sad consideration of the proceedings intended against that island, and persuaded that when they see so great a force it may put them upon a sudden and violent defence, to the prejudice of those of a more moderate temper, the disadvantage of the fleet, and the probable ruin of the most improving plantation in the world; pray that such persons as they shall undertake for may be permitted to go before the fleet, to persuade the island to a reasonable compliance to this Commonwealth. Endorsed, 13 Feb. 1650–1, "Read and ordered to be layd by;" and in another hand, "laid aside." |
| Feb.? |
30. Reasons why the Merchants have solicited Parliament and the Council of State to divert their fleet and apply more soft and merciful means for reducing the Caribbee Islands. They believe such a course will be more effectual and less chargeable than the sword; it should be undertaken by persons selected and instructed by themselves to represent faithfully their condition and the certain destruction which a continued obstinacy must draw upon the islands. Request leave to send ships there with the banished persons now in the west, who, when put into their possessions, would be of use in carrying out the service intended. |
| Feb. 11. |
Orders of the Council of State. Mr. Oldsworth to have copies of letters from Sir David Kirke to the Council, or of petitions presented to the Council in his behalf. Two petitions of Plymouth and Dartmouth, complaining against Sir David Kirke, to be referred to the Committee for Plantations. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XLV., p. 65.] |
| Feb. 12. |
Similar Order. Letter to be written to the Committee of the Navy to pay the money to be advanced to the Commissioners for Barbadoes, and to take care that their salaries be also paid as they become due. [lbid., p. 68.] |
| Feb. 13. |
Similar Orders. Additional Instructions for the expedition to Barbadoes approved, to be fair written, signed, and delivered. Petition of merchants of London trading to Barbadoes, for liberty to send some persons before the fleet to Barbadoes, to be laid aside. [Ibid., pp. 77, 79.] |
| Feb. 13. |
Instructions to Sir George Ayscue. Capt. Michael Pack having been appointed to the command of the Barbadoes fleet, in case of his death, Ayscue is empowered to appoint his successor in case of the death of Capt. Pack. [Ibid., pp. 81, 82.] |
| Feb. 13. |
Instructions to Capt. Michael Pack. Power to command the Barbadoes fleet in case of the death of Sir George Ayscue. [Ibid., pp. 82, 83.] |
| Feb. 13. |
Instructions to Capt. Michael Pack. Having been appointed to the command of the Barbadoes fleet, in case of the death of Sir George Ayscue, Capt. Pack is empowered to appoint his successor in case Ayscue had not nominated one to succeed to that command. [lbid., p. 83.] |
Feb. 13.
Whitehall. |
Additional Instructions to Sir George Ayscue and the other Commissioners for reducing Barbadoes, Bermudas, &c. to the obedience of the Commonwealth. In case of being able to recover the island of Barbadoes to send one or more ships for reducing the other plantations to the like obedience. Bermudas, which may be gained without much strength or difficulty to be ["then primarily" -these words have been erased and the following substituted according to the Order of 25 Feb. "or upon any the other plantations now in defection, as your intelligence and opportunity shall serve"] - attempted. Appointment of a commander for that service, with orders similar to those to be observed for the reducement of Barbadoes. Choice of a Governor. Power to appoint William Wilkinson, of Bermudas, or some other able and faithful person, Governor, and also councillors. The several Governors of the reduced Plantations to follow instructions to the same effect as those received by themselves for the settlement and government of Barbadoes. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XLV., pp. 84–86.] |
| Feb. 18. |
Order of the Council of State. The whole Council, or any five of them, to be a Committee to consider the business of Plantations. [Ibid., Vol. XCIII., p. 4.] |
| Feb. 19. |
Similar Order. Upon petition of [Anthony] Tierens, granting him licence to send the three ships mentioned in his petition with the fleet to Barbadoes, upon giving security to their value that they will neither leave the fleet nor trade with any of the revolted plantations. [Ibid., p. 12.] |
| Feb. 19. |
31. Act for the defence of the government, liberty, and freedom of Barbadoes. With the "Engagement." To be published by the minister of St. Philip's on two Sundays. |
| Feb. 25. |
Order of the Council of State. Directing certain alterations to be made in the instructions for the voyage to Barbadoes. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 28.] |
| Feb. 26. |
32. Petition of John Bayes to the Council of State. Has drawn much envy upon himself, for having been so active these seven months, in endeavouring to discover to the Council all things that might any way hinder just proceedings in Barbadoes. Prays for a recommendation to Sir Geo. Ayscue, appointed Governor of that island, to preserve him from the malice of his enemies. Endorsed, "Desires he may go along with the fleet to Barbadoes. Granted." |
| Feb. 26. |
Orders of the Council of State. John Bayes to be recommended to Sir Geo. Ayscue, to take him with him to Barbadoes, he having been found very faithful to the interest of the Commonwealth. Certain papers from Barbadoes being read, to be kept by the Secretary of the Council, and produced when necessary. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 34.] |
Feb. 26.
Whitehall. |
The Council of State to Sir Geo. Ayscue. Are informed by John Bayes, that for the good affection which he has in an especial manner showed in Barbadoes, he has incurred the envy and ill-will of many, and he being now about to take his passage in the fleet going there, and to remain if the place be reduced, the Council request all just and due protection to be given to him. [lbid., Vol. CXVII., p. 14.] |
| Feb. 28. |
Order of the Council of State. Referring petition of-Scutt, concerning a ship to go to Barbadoes, to the Committee of the Admiralty. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 45.] |
