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Nov. 7.
Westminster. |
Commission to several of the Privy Council, nobility, gentry, and merchants, 35 in number. Appointing them a standing Council, with power to any five to order the condition of the foreign plantations, according to instructions; and authority to appoint officers and make them allowances, not exceeding 300l. per ann. [Minute. DOMESTIC Corresp. Car. II., 19 June 1660.] |
Nov. 13.
Ordnance Office. |
51. Estimate of the cost of powder, shot, and other supplies necessary for the defence of Jamaica. Total, 4,915l. 6s. 8d. |
| [Nov. 28.] |
52. Petition of Capt. Thomas Lynch and Capt. Epenetus Crosse to the Privy Council. Have done what they could for the public concernments of Jamaica, and received orders to return within the time limited by their furlough; pray for an order for provision and transportation in either of the King's ships now ordered for that island. Endorsed, "Received and read in Council 28 Nov. 1660." |
| Nov. 28. |
53. Order of the King in Council. For the Committee for Jamaica to meet on Friday next to send away provisions and ammunition appointed for that island, and to dispatch the necessary commissions, instructions, and letters. They are likewise to inform themselves of the quality and employment of Capts. Lynch and Crosse, and report thereon to the Privy Council. |
| Nov.? |
54. "Capt. Lynch's paper concerning Jamaica." Considerations about peopling and settling the island, and the necessity of disbanding and paying off the army there. Erection of forts to secure the island and encourage people to go there. Free trade for four or five years. The Government to have some title or power over all the Caribbee Islands. No new plantation to be settled in the West Indies. The King to have a private plantation in Jamaica, or join with adventurers in discoveries. |
| [Nov. 30.] |
55. Considerations relating to the affairs of Jamaica, offered to the Privy Council. Supplies for the two ships sent hence in May last. The ships to go to the Caribbee Islands to transplant planters with the King's letters to the several Governors to use no indirect course as has been done hitherto, to prevent people from going to Jamaica. A small frigate very useful to carry soldiers or ply on the coast for intelligence. The Lieut.-Gen. to be enabled to complete the fortifications; two or three thousand pounds to be sent for that purpose, and the ships ordered there to be ballasted with bricks. Immediate dispatch of the vessels, and regard for establishing the Government. |
| Nov.? |
56. Proposals concerning Jamaica by James Earl of Marlborough. A small vessel to be dispatched with the King's letters to the several Governors of the Caribbee Islands, to encourage all willing to transplant themselves to Jamaica. To hasten the settlement of New England affairs, from whence good store of men may be expected. To revoke all commissions of reprisal. To persuade the Royal [African] Company to make Jamaica the staple for the sale of blacks. The King to contract with that Company for 100 negroes to be delivered at the island. Religious toleration to be granted to all who desire it. Encouragement to those sending over servants and goods. Good proportion of arms and stores for horsemen for defence of the island. To send over women for planters' wives; Newgate and Bridewell to be spared as much as may be, and poor maids instead, with which few parishes in England are unburdened, sent over. The custom of the planter is to give, not to require anything with his wife. Powder manufacturers to be sent over. Commodities of the island's growth to be duty free for two or three years, "if it be very inconsiderable." |
| Nov.? |
57. Long report concerning Jamaica, the heads of which may be abstracted as follows: Situation, form, climate, and diseases. Description of the harbours, plantations, towns, and forts. Commodities; cattle, fowl, fish, and fruits. Materials for building. Weather and soil. Hurtful things. Number of English inhabitants: the relic of the army about 2,200; planters, merchants, and others, probably as many more. State of the Spaniards upon the island. English affairs in America. Reasons to justify the first design into the West Indies, and why the King should retain and supply Jamaica. If His Majesty and Council intend to preserve the island, a person of reputation should be commissioned for the government, and positive instructions immediately dispatched thence; the army will then more cheerfully defend it, the merchants will renew their trade, and the planters their labours. [Thirty-one pages.] |
Nov.
Whiteball. |
58. The King to Colonel Thomas Modyford. The King has received no small satisfaction from the address of the inhabitants of Barbadoes, and the cheerfulness and loyal joy wherewith His Majesty had been proclaimed in the island. They are assured of the King's protection, and Colonel Modyford is empowered to remain as Governor, and with the Council he has chosen, directed to have an "exact care of religion, peace, and godly conversation, together with a due administration of justice." [Draft, with corrections.] |
