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July 3.
Whitehall. |
316. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Secretary
Coventry acquaints their Lordships that having presented to His
Majesty several letters and papers lately received from the
Commissioners and Governor of Virginia, His Majesty refers them
to their Lordships' examination, and promises to transmit the same
to them. |
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Their Lordships, taking notice that, after so long time, the
Judges have not yet made their report concerning the difference
between Mr. Mason and the Government of Boston, order their
Lordships to be reminded and desired to hasten their report.
Mem.—In the evening Mr. Blathwayt attended my Lord Chief
Justice Rainsford, who declared that he would prepare the report,
if possible, for Thursday se'night. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV.,
pp. 75, 76.] |
July 4/14.
Barbadoes. |
317. Governor Sir Jonathan Atkins to Lords of Trade and
Plantations. Sickness has made him incapable of doing business,
and he still languishes under the weakness of so great a distemper
usual in this climate and often fatal. Has been alike unfortunate
in two ships bound home, which carried his letters, and sprung
leaks at sea, forcing them to Antigua. The merchants traders
hither are in England, Jacob Lucie, Sir John Bendish, John
Bawdon, Captain George, Colonel Searle, Sir Peter Leir, and others,
he knows not. These have all very considerable plantations here,
and return great quantities of sugar. Goods imported not considerable, provisions excepted; greatest part of ships' cargoes
liquors; very few factors of value. Colonel Drax, one of the first
gentlemen of the island, who is thought to ship sugars to the value
of 5,000l. sterling. Colonel Samuel Newton has a very considerable
estate. All the Council have considerable plantations, and so have
very many more, which will be too tedious to give in particulars.
To make a computation of the commodities of this island exported
is very difficult, it amounts to many millions of sugar (sic) yearly,
of several rates, the coarse Muscovado the greatest. Very little
ginger and indigo grown, and no tobacco. Appeals to their Lordships' justice in an affair which concerns both his honour and
interest as to an Order of the King in Council for him to pay
2,700l. for a prize brought in by the Phoenix frigate condemned in
the Admiralty Court of England, all the particulars of which he
describes. Death of Colonel Henry Hawley, one of the Council,
nearly 80 years of age, who forty years ago was Governor. Recd.
11 Sept. 1677. 2½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No. 1, and
Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VI., pp. 180–184.] |
| July 6. |
318. List of Papers concerning Virginia delivered to Mr. Blathwayt which His Majesty has commanded that the Lords of Trade
and Plantations do consider and report their opinion thereon.
These include the Declaration of Governor Herbert Jeffreys of
27th April, letter of the Commissioners to Governor Berkeley and
the Governor's reply of 23rd April, also letter from Lady Berkeley
of 23rd April, and letters from Governor Berkeley of 25th April, and
of the Commissioners to Mr. Watkins of 4th May, all calendared in
order of date. Signed by Sir H. Coventry (Col. Papers, Vol. XLI.,
No. 2) and were referred as above on 14th July 1677. [Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. LXXX., p.144.] |
July 10.
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319. Journal of Assembly of Barbadoes. Resolved to present
the Governor with 200,000 lbs. of Muscovado sugar for his support
in the Government of this island, and that Colonel William Bate,
Treasurer, pay the same out of the excise upon liquors. That the
Speaker request the Governor and Council that the Bill presented
by the last Assembly for regulating the Court of Chancery and the
fees, and also a Bill to suppress seditious conventicles, may pass or
be returned with amendments. Also that the Governor will enquire
into the cause why the public informers are discountenanced
contrary to the Act for preventing Quakers bringing negroes to their
meetings. Also that the Governor having been hindered by sickness will now expedite the business of the fortifications. Ordered
that the Treasurer pay the salary of Thomas Rawlins, chief
gunner of the forts at Austin's Bay, 5,000 lbs. of Muscovado
sugar, also 2,000 lbs. to John Price as clerk upon the Committee
for inspection of the laws. Matthew Yates to have credit for
excise of thirty-two pipes of Madeira pricked and unsaleable. |
| July 11. |
Act to empower Benjamin Middleton to sell his estate for
payment of his debts read the second time. Ordered that the
Treasurer allow to William Goodall for his levy on lands and
negroes and houses, and for those belonging to Robert Margetts
and for a debt due to the estate of Thomas Pargiter. Also that
Tobias Frere be also allowed his levy. Petition of Richard Seawell
for payment of about 10,000 lbs. of sugar due to him for making
carriages, ironwork, and other materials for mounting the guns about
the forts at Austin's Bay, granted. Committee appointed of the
Council and Assembly to adjust and settle the accounts of the
Treasurer for the excise and the several Receivers appointed by
the last Act for the levy on land and negroes, and to consider the
renting out of the excise. On petition of Samuel Checkley, the
duty to be allowed on three pipes of wine turned sour and unsaleable, and on petition of Edward Crispe the duty to be allowed on
seventy butts of wine burnt in the year 1668 in the town of
St. Michaels to his great loss. Petition of Jacob Legay for his
disbursements about the Bridge and of Robert Stanford for repayment of his overpaid levy. Act explanatory of the Act of
underwriting and arrests, passed. Adjourned to 4th September
1677.[Col. Entry Bk., Vol.XIII., pp. 260–265] |
July 11.
Whitehall. |
320. Order of the King in Council. On report of the Lords of
Trade and Plantations in reference to the appropriation of considerable sums of money raised in Virginia in 1674 and 1675 that
Thomas Ludwell and Colonel Daniel Parke, Treasurer for Virginia,
attend the Board concerning this matter on the 13th instant, and
that in the meantime no public moneys of said Colony be disposed
of. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., pp. 142, 143.] |
July 11.
Whitehall. |
321. Order of the King in Council. The Lords of Trade and
Plantations finding it requisite for His Majesty's service that copies
of several commissions, charters, and patents be taken out of the
Rolls, ordered that such copies be delivered to their Lordships
without fee or charge whatsoever, except the labour of the clerks
employed in the searches and transcribing said copies according to
custom.[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCVII., p. 46.] |
| July 11. |
322. Memorandum of the Lords of Trade and Plantations.
The Lord Privy Seal is desired to signify to the King in Council
that whereas by an Order of 15th June (see ante, No. 300) His
Majesty directed that levies should be made for the recruit of the
two companies at St. Christopher's in due time, their Lordships
being informed a ship is shortly departing for those parts, desire
His Majesty to declare his further pleasure concerning said levies.
Annexed, |
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322. i. Order of the King in Council. Recommending to the
care of Lords of Trade and Plantations to see that all
necessary orders be forthwith issued for making said levies
and transporting them to St. Christopher's by the conveniency that now offers. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No. 3,
and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVI., pp. 230–231.] |
| July 11. |
323. Memorandum concerning injuries done to the English by
the Spaniards in the West Indies under pretence of the logwood
cutting. That the Lord Privy Seal is desired by the Lords of Trade
and Plantations to signify to His Majesty on reading their Lordship's Report on this subject, that the chief questions upon which
these differences arise are—1. Whether the English have any right
to cut logwood in any part of the West Indies claimed by the
Spaniards? 2. Whether the Spaniards have right to take all
ships they find at sea laden with logwood ? 3. Whether the
Spaniards have right to seize all ships which they find upon their
coast? "Read in Council, 11 July 1677." Two copies. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XLI., No8. 4,5.] |
| July 11. |
324. Report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King,
That having received through Secretary Coventry several letters,
accounts, and depositions (referred to above) transmitted by Lord
Vaughan, touching injuries and affronts offered by the Spaniards
to the English in the West Indies, and considering that not only
His Majesty's sovereignty appears to be thereby disputed but his
subjects obstructed in their lawful trade and oppressed by
unwarrantable cruelties, their Lordships lay the whole facts before
His Majesty. Lord Vaughan also adds he was credibly informed
no less than sixty English remained at the Havanna prisoners, who
were worse used than they would be in Algiers and are without all
hopes of redemption. These sufferings and the continual breach of
peace call for effectual and speedy redress. Draft with corrections,
10 pp., also fair copy. Two papers. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI.,
Nos. 6, 7, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., pp. 129–133.] |
July 11.
Whitehall. |
325. Order of the King in Council on preceding Report. That
Secretary Coventry speaks effectually with Count Bergeyh, Spanish
Envoy Extraordinary, for redress of the affronts and injuries
referred to, and acquaint him that if some speedy course be not
taken, His Majesty will be forced by the clamours of his subjects
to use such means for their reparation as honour and justice oblige
him to, and that Secretary Conventry expostulate with said Envoy
Extraordinary that His Majesty's subjects have free liberty to
trade in logwood in regard it is not contraband, but frequently
sold by the Spaniards to His Majesty's subjects. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XLI., No. 8, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., pp. 128–133.] |
| July 11. |
326.Report of Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King.
On petition of Thomas Martin and Leonard Compeare complaining
that they are discouraged and obstructed by Governor Lord
Vaughan in the execution of the office granted to them by patent
to receive all duties payable to His Majesty in Jamaica, offering
their opinion that His Majesty forthwith signify his pleasure to
Lord Vanghan to admit petitioners into full possession of the office
of Receiver. Draft and fair copy. Together, two papers. 6 pp.
The above petition with several enclosures including the Order of
the King in Council approving aforesaid Report are all abstracted
in the previous volume of this Calendar, see Nos. 986, 986 I.–XI.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., Nos. 9, 10.] |
| July 12. |
327. Petition of Thomas Martin of Jamaica, merchant, to Lords
of Trade and Plantations. Praying their Lordships to report so
much of his case as has been already agreed on, leaving the matter
of instructions until the Lord Treasurer give his directions. Signed
by Thomas Martin. "Rec. 5 July, Read 12 July 1677. Ordered."
Their Lordships in consideration of the long attendance of the
petitioner ordered accordingly. Annexed, |
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327. i. Order in Council on report of Lords of Trade and
Plantations that Secretary Coventry prepare a letter
for the King's signature to Governor Lord Vaughan to
admit petitioner to enjoy the full benefit of his patent.
1677, July 13. |
|
327. ii. The King's letter to Governor Lord Vaughan above
mentioned. Whitehall, 1677, July 14. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XLI., Nos. 11, 11 I., II.; and Col. Entry Bks., Vol,
XCV., p., 209, and Vol. CV., p. 79.] |
July 12.
Virginia. |
328. William Sherwood to Secretary Sir Joseph Williamson.
Has formerly given him the trouble of his two petitions to the
King, and begged he would promote this affair. Has now desired
his friend Samuel Wiseman to importune his Honour in it, because
his future well-being depends thereon; he will give an ample
account of the rise, progress, and cessation of the troubles here.
1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No.12.] |
|
329. Petition of William Sherwood of James City, Virginia, to
the King. Several inhabitants of said Colony who were executed
for rebellion were indebted to petitioner and have forfeited their
estates. Petitioner came to England on purpose to inform His
Majesty of the miserable condition of said Colony and has been a
great sufferer by the rebellion. Prays that he may receive his
just debts out of said forfeited estates. Annexed, |
|
329. i. Affidavit of William Sherwood of James City, gentleman,
before His Majesty's Commissioners for Virginia. Amount
of debts due to him by several persons named, all of whom
have been attainted or executed for their late rebellion.
Certified by the Commissioners. 1677, May 26. 2 pp.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., Nos. 13, 14; see also Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. LXXXI., p. 431.] |
| July 12. |
330. Petition of William Sherwood of James City, Virginia,
gentleman, on his own and Richard James' behalf, to the King.
That while on his voyage to England to inform His Majesty of the
miserable condition of the Colony, the late Governor Sir William
Berkeley having left James Town to the rebels, they beseiged it
and totally burnt and destroyed said town, with the Church and
State House; in which fire, in right of said James, an orphan,
petitioner lost one thousand pounds sterling. That Richard
Lawrence, one of the grand rebels, did with his own hands destroy
petitioner's houses, and having neither wife nor children is fled out
of said Colony. Prays a grant of such of said Lawrence's estate
as he can discover in Virginia. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI.,
p.15.] |
July 13.
Whitehall. |
331. The King to Lord Vaughan, Governor of Jamaica. By
Letters Patent of 16th September 1672, His Majesty erected an
office of Chief Clerk to attend the Supreme Court at St. Jago de
la Vega, and granted said office to Robert Clowes, to be exercised
by him or his sufficient deputy; and whereas said Robert Clowes
did appoint two deputies, who both died soon after being admitted to said office and thereupon deputed another fit person
to succeed them whom his Lordship has refused to admit, and
having now nominated Charles Herbert to be his deputy whom
His Majesty is informed to be well qualified, His Majesty, on
report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations, hereby signifies his
express pleasure that Lord Vaughan forthwith admit said Charles
Herbert to said office; and also be assisting to said Robert Clowes
or his assigns in the recovery of all fees, profits, and arrears due to
him from said office since he has been entitled thereto, and has
legally appointed his deputies, reasonable satisfaction being made
to those who have officiated by his Lordship's order. This letter
was written on petition of Robert Clowes, see Order of the King in
Council, ante No. 28 v., 3 pp. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. XXVIII.
pp. 153–155, and Vol. XCIII., pp. 153, 154.] |
July 13.
Whitehall. |
332. Order of the King in Council. That Thomas Ludwell and
Coloned Daniel Parke, Treasurers for Virginia, forbear to issue out
or dispose of any public monies (of Virginia) to any persons whatsoever, without receiving His Majesty's Order in Council for the
same. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., pp.143, 144.] |
July 13.
New Plymouth. |
333. Nathaniel Morton, Secretary, by order of the General
Court, to the King. Humbly begs pardon for not having given an
account of their late troubles in the day of them, which was not
from any disrespect. Philip, a proud and ambitious Sachem, began
the mischief in this Colony, which by unmanly treacheries and great
sufferings gave occasion to some that judge only of events to pass
hard censures on them. It was always their care to live kindly and
inoffensively by the Indians; they possessed not one foot of their
lands but what they obtained by lawful purchase. When an English
plantation was near a body of Indians the English frequently fenced
their fields for them that the cattle might not damnify them, and
on complaint of trespass English justice was speedily granted, yet
they treacherously fell on our most remote and weakest plantations,
committing outrages on those that had been most kind to them.
The plot was generally against all the English. Will not trouble
the King with an account of the war, as it will be presented in
Mr. Hubbard's printed narrative. All the benefit they can hope
for is that they, being frend of such ill neighbours, may live quietly
and be protected against the encroachment of their English neighbours on their conquered lands which have cost them dear and are
within their patent grant. Their Rhode Island neighbours were so
ungrateful that, after having had the island given them when
banished by the Massachusetts, they obtained of the King by misinformation a good quantity of our best lands on the main, now
called Conquest Lands, which were returned to Plymouth on better
information by the Commissioners; they are coveting it again, as
there is reason to fear, and some may pretend to have a right by
purchase, but this could not be good, the lands being within
Plymouth Patent, and there being a law that no one should obtain
lands of the Indians without the Court's allowance. The truth is
the authority of Rhode Island being in the hands of Quakers during
the war they scarcely showed an English spirit either in offering to
assist their distressed neighbours or relieving their own plantations
on the main, but on the rout of the Indians took in many of their
enemies, thereby making a profit of their neighbours' expense of
blood and treasure. They would rather bear some injuries than
complain, and if too much oppressed will rather address the King
than attempt to right themselves on their fellow-subjects. Requests
the King's protection. 1 p., with seal. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI.,
No. 16; also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI.,pp. 5–10.] |
