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Aug. 4.
St. Jago. |
905. Minutes of the Council of Jamaica. Whereas, by reason that all persons have been indifferently buried in the body of the church and chancel of St. Jago, the ground has not only been broken up in divers places, but likewise very indecently continued so for two or three months, and many fresh graves have been opened, whereby very offensive smells have proceeded highly to the annoyance and danger of those attending said funeral, Ordered, that no person hereafter be buried in said church unless their executors or administrators pay 10l., and, if buried in the chancel, 13s. 4d. besides to the parson; provided that those that have pews erected in the body of the church pay but 5l., if they are buried within said pews; said sums to be paid to the churchwardens, who are required to take particular care that the graves be made up and the church kept clean, and that all such monies be employed towards the inward ornaments of the church and providing of plate and other conveniences for the Communion table. Whereas by the ill practice of divers inhabitants in suffering their patents to remain in the office for some years after they are sealed, his Majesty has suffered exceedingly in his quit-rents, and the Receiver has been put to exceeding trouble in collecting them, Ordered, that in accordance with the intent of the King's proclamation the patent be taken out within 12 months after date of the order, otherwise the grant to be void and disposed of by the government on certain conditions hereafter named. And whereas many patents are in the office, sealed in the late Governor's time, Ordered, that unless taken out within three months by the persons concerned, they be cancelled with provisoes for having built upon, planted, or manured the lands, and for the interest of infants or persons not residing on the island. Whereas Thos. Bromhall, attorney, having presented a kind of petition in the nature of an impeachment of John White, Chief Judge of the island, for bribery, partiality, and other offences, and his own witnesses, vizt., Capt. Rich. Brayne, John Mirfield, and Sam. Conyers, on their oaths approved the integrity, learning, and justice of said Mr. White; and whereas Mr. Bromhall has likewise published defamatory papers to several persons before presented to the Governor and Council and to the end that others may be deterred from the like, Ordered, that said Mr. Bromhall be committed to the custody of the Marshal till the next Grand Court day, and then stand for quarter of an hour on a pillory on the parade, with his mouth gagged and his thumbs tied, and a paper pinned on his back signifying the offence; and that he suffer the like punishment at Port Royal on the next Court day following; and then be remanded to prison till he give security of 2,000l. for his future good behaviour and better abearing. 5 1/2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XXXV., 317–322.] |
Aug. 7.
Montserrat. |
906. Gov. Stapleton to (the Council for Plantations). This conveniency offering accidentally, and not daring at this time of year to stop a vessel in an open road for fear of the hurricane, and having lately written at large (July 13) by Capt. Ed. Saye of the Lætitia, will only beg their Lordships to consider their weak condition at St. Christopher's, and how they are daily wronged by the French, having little or no compliance from them in anything relating to the Articles of Peace, especially the 13th as to restitution of negroes. To take notice, from the annexed copies of Col. Codrington and M. de Baas's letters, how the latter deals with Barbadoes relating to Dominica, where there has been an English commission these 10 years; since they so huff it with Barbadoes, it may be imagined how they hector it upon St. Christopher's, where the English are but a handful to them. Is now venturing thither upon some difference betwixt Governor Matthews and Chev. de St. Laurens, of which will send particulars by his next. Prays that the Governments of Barbadoes and New England be commanded on any rupture to assist the Leeward Islands, they being potent in men, shipping, and provisions, especially New England; and that there may be an order from the French King to his Governors to join with them against the Indians, or at least not to countenance those who have lately murdered some of the King's subjects on Antigua; those he secured were innocent, but has kept hostages to oblige them to find out the offenders. The French have them always at command, and made them their bloodhounds in the late war, and to some they are more terrible than the French. Prays that these and their former grievances be represented to his Majesty. Annexed is a list of all the papers he sent by the Lætitia. 13th July 1672. Encloses,
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906. I. M. De Baas to Col. Codrington, Dep. Gov. of Barbadoes. Martinique, 1672, July 1/11. Cal., ante, No. 901 I. |
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906. II. Col. Codrington to M. De Baas. Barbadoes, 1672, July 8/18. Cal., ante, No. 901 II. Endorsed by Locke. Together, 4 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., Nos. 19, 19 I, II.] |
Aug. 9.
Piscataqua. |
907. Francis Champernowne and Henry Jocelyne to Robert Mason. Having had no answer to a former letter they wrote in March last, remind him of his concerns in these parts, that some speedy settlement be made either by himself or the King. Their Province and Maine are very desirous of such a settlement, especially since his letter of April 1671 to Major Shapleigh, to the effect that for what was past he would not trouble any one, but would only demand a reasonable quitrent of each inhabitant, granting to every man the lands they now possess, and to their heirs. This letter, communicated to a public meeting of the principal inhabitants of the colony, has quite rooted out former apprehensions, and now every man expects earnestly his coming over or sending Commissioners. Are informed that he has offered the surrender of the province to the King; if it is so they hope he will take care that no worse conditions are required of them than were offered by his letter, and that he will retain some propriety with the King in the Province wherein his grandfather laid out many thousand pounds. Are informed that the Magistrates of the Bay are endeavouring to invite him to an agreement by joining his Province to theirs; hope he will not hearken to them, as he can gain no advantage but only detriment thereby, in case any contest arise between the King and the Magistrates. The Government of the Bay grows more and more in disesteem, and if his Province and Maine were settled by the King many of the principal merchants would come and inhabit his Province, the river being the most commodious for trade of all New England. The Magistrates of the Bay have often written to the towns in that Province, but the people will own no subjection to them, especially since the King's commission declared them not to be under their Government. Besides, they have many ill-willers at home, and if the King should send a commission to settle those parts, that of the Bay must comply out of necessity, especially if the King published his declaration of not meddling with church government, but leaving to the country to have what they most like, with toleration to all his subjects. Earnestly desire to hear from him by the first opportunity. Endorsed, "To be especially considered, showing the general inclination and desire of the people to be under his Majty's protection, the Bostoners being to be easily necessitated to comply." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 20.] |
Aug. 12.
Whitehall. |
908. Answer of Lord Arlington to the Spanish Ambassador's Memorial of July 17th last. His Majesty having perused the memorial of the Marquis del Fresno, Ambassador Extraordinary from Spain, concerning the frigate St. Dominic and Our Lady of the Rosary, from Cartagena, taken by a vessel who said she was from Jamaica, has commanded this answer to be made: That he has sent orders to the Governor of Jamaica that if this matter appears as is complained of, that said frigate be restored and the guilty persons severely punished. But his Majesty has great reason to believe that this violence has not been done by any of his subjects of Jamaica, but by some of those privateers who have refused to submit themselves, and take not only Spanish vessels but English also, and that her Catholic Majesty may be assured of the King's resolution to cause the Peace to be observed with all strictness in America, and in pursuance of his Majesty's commands the Governor of Jamaica has taken one Capt. Witherborne, condemned him as a pirate, and sent him here, where he remains a close prisoner. But his Majesty cannot but take notice of several injuries his subjects have received from those of Spain, since the publication of the Peace, viz.:—
In November 1671 a small ketch from New York was taken, robbed, and carried into St. Jago, where the Governor dismissed the Spanish captain without any satisfaction given.
In August 1671 the pink Peter, of London, was taken, the men abused and imprisoned at Campeachy, and the ship plundered to the value of 3,000l.
About December 1671 one Capt. Yellows, who had been denounced a pirate by the Governor of Jamaica, tendered his services to the Governor of Campeachy, and was by him given a commission to take his Majesty's subjects on the coast of Yucatan, and surprised five of their vessels, which are detained, with their men, in Campeachy, and their men kept prisoners. His Majesty commands Lord Arlington to represent these instances to the Queen, from whom he hopes no less than that she will order satisfaction to be done, and that for the future no such violences be committed, nor her Governors permitted to revenge injuries her subjects may happen to receive from those of the King; who, upon complaint, will cause satisfaction to be made, and the offenders severely punished. 4 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 21.] |
Aug. 13.
Court House,
Falmouth. |
909. Minutes of the Council of Antigua. Ordered, that an Act be drawn declaring at what prices Spanish money shall pass in this island; an Act concerning alehouse keepers; an Act for preventing and punishing the wilful burning of canes; an Act for confirming several statutes made before the late unhappy war and repealing all others; an Act for encouraging trade at the two towns; an Act for enlarging and keeping clear the King's highways; an Act for relief of such as shall lose negroes or slaves, or have them maimed in the service of the country. 1/2 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXV., No. 55.*] |
| Aug. 14. |
910. The King to Sir Thos. Lynch, Lieut.-Governor of Jamaica. His Majesty having by his late letters signified that ships from Jamaica should come only at certain times of the year, and in fleets, for their better security during the war with the Dutch, but since finding how inconvenient this may be to the inhabitants and traders, has thought fit to leave it to his discretion to permit ships to return from Jamaica as Lieut.-Governor Lynch shall judge convenient. 1/2 p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XCIII., fo. 68.] |
| Aug. 14. |
911. Warrant to Sir John Robinson, Lieutenant of the Tower, or his Deputy, to suffer Sir Thos. Modyford, Bart., prisoner, to have the liberty of the Tower. 1/4 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XXXIV., p. 177.] |
Aug. 14.
Maderab.
[? Madeira.] |
912. Sir Tobias Bridge to Sec. Lord Arlington. Sailed from Plymouth 20th July with the fleets for Tangier and Barbadoes, and parted from them the 30th. Discovered on 2nd August four sail, two of which proved Dutch men-of-war of 50 or 60 guns, which made up to them; and they, being only two ships of any considerable burden, the William and the Katherine, and other two small ships, had a dispute with them for an hour and a half, when the Dutch found it too hot and left them. Capt. Williams behaved with great prudence and courage: one of the smaller ships not being able to keep up was taken; are repairing some damages to rigging, &c. and masts, and purpose to pursue their voyage tomorrow. Endorsed, "R. 6 Oct. 1672." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 22.] |
| Aug. 14. |
913. Eight Acts passed in the island of Antigua, viz.: — (1.) An Act for the confirming of several necessary and useful statutes made before the late unhappy war, and for the repealing of all others. (2.) Concerning alehouse keeping. (3.) For the preventing and punishing of those who shall wilfully burn or fire any canes. (4.) Declaring at what prices Spanish monies shall pass in payment between person and person in this island. (5.) For encouragement of trade at the two towns. (6.) For the enlarging and keeping clean of the King's highways in this island. (7.) For the relief of such as shall lose or have negroes or slaves maimed in the service of the country; and (8.) For the confirmation of all marriages had and solemnized by any Justice of Peace or other Magistrate on this island. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XLIX., 41–48.] |
| Aug. 14. |
914. Duplicates of five of the above Acts. [Col. Entry Bk., No. L., 285–290.] |
| Aug. 14. |
915. Another copy of the above Act passed in Antigua for confirmation of marriages. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 110.] |
Aug. 23.
New
Providence
(Bahamas). |
916. John Wentworth, Governor of New Providence, to Sir Thos. Lynch, Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica. Has not till now had opportunity to make his grateful return in behalf of himself and the inhabitants of this young colony for his letter of 16th March last; but the emergency of affairs has induced them to hire this shallop to spread before his Excellency their impotent and unsettled condition, their daily expectation of assistance from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina for these two years having prevented their more early application to Jamaica, the rock whence their first Government and order was hewn. Has stirred up the people from a sense of the misery which threatened them in regard of the reported war, to address his Excellency for a supply of such arms and ammunition as are in a schedule affixed to their annexed petition. They are a party of above 500 souls, of whom 200 fighting men, but not above 60 armed, or 30 lb. of powder and shot amongst them; their harbour, which is very apt for fortification, has not one gun, so that they are totally exposed to any incursion; and they hope that through his assistance with his Majesty they may be adjoined as a branch to his Government of Jamaica. The Council and Assembly have courted his Excellency to ratify Wentworth's Government by his immediate commission and instructions, for which there is the more need, for that some licencious persons have sprung an indifferency in obedience, by reason of Sir T. Modyford's remove and the recall of all his commissions. Encloses copy of his commission and instructions, craving that his next may extend to all the Bahama Islands as formerly, in regard many of the inhabitants range amongst the banks and kayos in pursuit of wrecks or other profitable drift, which sometimes usher in a small benefit. Has pursued his instructions with the best of his skill, but desires them more ample, and in particular some statute books, and instructions for the duty of the Assembly, assuring him he will render better acknowledgment for his trouble when capable. New Providence is 30 miles in length and 10 miles in greatest breadth, part being waste with fresh and salt ponds, but it may entertain 8,000 or 10,000 labourers; all growths suitable for these climes, and all creatures thrive well, the salubrity of the air beyond all places he is acquainted with; plentifully accommodated with fresh water and fish, and ordinarily with timber; a harbour for ships drawing 15 foot water, the entrance from the northward ocean, between the islands Abaco and Eleuthera, which are 14 leagues apart, and free from danger; these are 30 leagues in length, but with little habitable land; and eastward, southward, and westward for 40 or 50 leagues are islands of no value, with shallow water and banks, navigable only for barques and shallops. Intends to take a more cosmographical account of these islands with his first leisure, and shall thereby be better prepared to give a more ample account. New Providence more considerable than all the rest, all things thriving to content. Lastly, requests favour for the bearer, Abraham Aderly, to be protected from all incumbrances which may prevent his hasty return with his Excellency's commands. Original signed, with seal. Encloses,
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916. I. Petition of the inhabitants of New Providence and the Colonies adjacent to Sir Thos. Lynch, Governor of Jamaica and the islands adjacent. That in 1666 they transplanted themselves to this place from their straitened condition in Bermuda, and in two years increased to 250 people, who by a solemn proclamation acknowledged his Majesty's title to these islands, and applied to Sir Thos. Modyford, who granted a commission and instructions to their elected Governor, Capt. John Wentworth, till his Majesty's pleasure should be known, whose commands have been observed; since which they addressed his Majesty by petition through Sir Thos. Modyford, but with no answer, only that the Governor was advised by letter from Sir Peter Colleton of 20th August 1670, that his Majesty had conveyed the propriety of the Bahama Islands to the Proprietors of Carolina, promising a speedy mission of power to their present Governor. But since these two years, neither commands nor means for protection have been transmitted by their Lordships. The inhabitants have increased to 500, but their known incapacities are so great, and their lives and fortunes are so unsafe and perilous, especially on account of the intelligence from Bermuda of a war breaking forth with the Dutch and Spaniard. Pray him that in consideration of their naked condition they may be clothed with a speedy supply as in the schedule affixed, and recommend the confirmation of their Governor's authority; and they oblige themselves in some reasonable time to make payment for the same. Signed by John Wentworth, John Devitt, Rich. Jones, Thos. Griffin, and Geo. Thornton, Councillors, Jas. Witter, Secretary, and 19 others. |
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916. II. A brief of arms and ammunition desired as by the country's petition, which include 100 small arms, six barrels of powder, four great guns, with shot, &c. Signed by John Wentworth in behalf of the Council, and William Raynor in behalf of the Assembly. Together, 4 1/2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX, No. 23, 23. I., II.] |
Aug. 29.
Whitehall. |
917. Petition of Sir Francis Clinton, Knt., Gentleman of his Majesty's Privy Bedchamber in Ordinary, to the King. That the Secretary of Barbadoes hath constantly been granted by patent for life and is so now to Mr. Dawes, also the Provost Marshal to Mr. Steed. Prays for a grant for 21 years of the Offices of Secretary and Provost Marshal of Nevis, which is now vacant. With reference to the Council for Plantations to consider and report thereon whether the granting said office as desired is consistent, "his Majesty having favour for the petitioner." Whitehall, 1672, August 29. "Recd. Sept. 3, '72. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 24.] |
| Aug. 31. |
918. Concessions of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina "to certain persons in Ireland" (in Locke's handwriting.) Every freeman that arrives in Carolina to plant there within one year from this date shall have 100 acres of freehold, and for each man servant above 16 he carries with him 100 acres, and 70 for each woman, and 70 for each man servant under 16 to him and his heirs for ever, paying ld. per acre annual rent after the year 1689. Every servant when out of his or her time to have 70 acres of freehold for ever under the same rent. Those who go may take up one or more colonies according to their number and the quantity of land granted entirely to themselves and have free exercise of their religion. And those who have a right to take up manors vid. Fund. Const § 17. It is required that they plant in towns and do not build their houses stragglingly, "such solitary dwellings being incapable of that benefit of trade, the comfort of society and mutual assistance which men dwelling together in towns are capable of giving one another." In each colony there must be one town and the streets must be straight, broad, and regular. If the undertaker get 600 men transported within a year he shall be made a Landgrave vid. Fund. Const. § 9 and have four baronies; if 900, he shall besides have the nomination of a Cassique; if 1,200 or upwards, the nomination of two Cassiques. Every man must carry one year's provision. The Lords Proprietors will give the best advice they can on the best way of transport, &c. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XX., p. 90.] |
