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1003. (?Sec. Lord Arlington) to (Sir Thos. Lynch, Lt.-Gov. of Jamaica). The laws he sent are delivered to the Council for Plantations, who have represented that the Act for ascertaining his Majesty's quitrents is not fit to be passed, it seeming very unreasonable that any Assembly should oblige his Majesty to part with his land for a halfpenny per acre. His Majesty therefore will not pass that Act, but would have the patents granted by Sir Thos. Modyford pay as that Act requires, but all others according to their grants and patents. And though his Majesty expects nothing from that island that has cost him and his subjects so much, he would have him and the Council raise the rents of the land to be granted as high as possible, to support better the charge of Government, provided he neither discourages those there nor hinders others from coming, for his Majesty desires exceedingly the prosperity of their colony, but is not much pleased with the Assembly, who, the Council advised, declared they would do nothing for the public safety of the island, though so much pressed by himself and Council. Endorsed, "Copy of a letter, &c. to be sent to T. L. 1672." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 72.] |
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1004. Reasons why an Act passed in Jamaica against engrossing and forestalling ought to be discontinued [see ante, No 829 (33),] it is generally observed that a restraint upon trade is a national disadvantage, and that it has been fatal to Jamaica, for not long since a limited price was by an Act set on negroes imported, which was so low that the African Company would not furnish the island; and the planters, sensible that they should be ruined for want of a constant supply of slaves, represented their condition to the King and Council, who abrogated the law and left the trade open, since which the African Company have ordered several considerable ships for Guinea and Jamaica; and should this new Act be confirmed, it will manifestly lessen his Majesty's customs, greatly prejudice navigation, and much discourage merchants from adventuring their estates abroad, where they cannot be allowed a free and open trade and market, and not only reduce planters' goods to very low rates, but occasion them to lie upon their hands unsold. Vast quantities of liquors and provisions are yearly exported from England and Ireland to Jamaica, which being perishable are commonly disposed of from the ships' sides and consumed in 14 days; but by this Act no vintners, victuallers, chandlers, hucksters, or any other shopkeepers or retailers whatsoever can or dare accommodate themselves with any strong liquors and provisions till the same have been imported 14 days, in which time several ships may arrive with fresh supplies, so that the last shall only sell and the rest perish, which on arrival were very good and merchantable. Though the planters do not know of the arrival of all ships at Port Royal, they cannot pretend any prejudice, for their factors, who sell their sugar and other commodities to the merchants and buy of them provisions, liquors, and dry goods, may take the first of the market. Many of the ships trading for Jamaica sail at above 200l. charge per mensem, and generally one half of their lading is in liquors and provisions; but should this Act continue in force they must certainly go out half freighted and lie as long again at Jamaica to procure their loading, so that at last the whole freight will scarcely pay seamen's wages. Signed by Antho. Swymmer and ten other merchants, also by Thos. Stubbs and six other Commanders of ships. With Mem. This Act is already in force, and will so continue for two years, except his Majesty command to the contrary. Signed, Joseph Knapman. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 73.] |
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1005. Petition of Governor Randolph Russell, and the Council and Assembly of Nevis, to the Council for Foreign Plantations. Having lain under many grievous pressures during the late unhappy war, for relief wherein they made several addresses to be presented to his Majesty by Wm. Lord Willoughby, their then Capt.-General, to which they have never received any answer, have thought fit to present these addresses by the mediation of Wm. Stapleton, their present Capt.-General, together with copy of their former addresses and account. Pray their Honours to represent their suffering condition to the King, which renders them incapable of making the requisite provision for their defence in these threatening times; and if his Majesty's more important affairs will not admit of a full compliance with their account, that they will move for such a supply of great guns, small arms, swords, drums, colours, pistols, ammunition, &c. as may put them in some probable equipage of defence; and that the Public Seal may be forthwith sent for the confirmation of lands. Signed by Ran. Russell, Fra. Morton, Walter Symonds, Justus Burkin, Christ. Woodward, Ja. Russell, Will. Leach, Jos. Rokeby, Dan. Lanhather, John Hughes [of the Council], and Jno. Nethway, Jno. Smith, Wm. Howard, Jno. Cade, Rob. Haymon, Tho. Cooke, Thos. Nicolson, John Luxford, Tho. Goodwin, and Roger Earle [of the Assembly]. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 74.] |
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1006. Petition of James Cotter, Esquire to the King. Showing that Wm. Stapleton, Capt.-General of the Leeward Islands, has, notwithstanding his power to dispose of all places under him in those islands, given him leave to beg of his Majesty the places of Secretary and Marshal of said islands. Prays therefore, in consideration of his long service and late losses in his Majesty's service, a patent for 21 years of the places of Secretary and Marshal of Nevis, St. Christopher's, Montserrat, and Antigua. 1 p. [ Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 75.] |
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1007. Statement about the ship St. Joseph. In March 1670 Pierre Estelle and Etienne Goillard of the ship St. Joseph, being at the isle of Tortuga, received orders from Daniel Godefroy, the owner, to return to Lisbon or Rochelle. They put a cargo on board ship, and being weak in numbers engaged Jorge Cusicque, an Irishman, and many others, part English, part Irish, so that they outnumbered the French. The first night of the voyage Jorge Cusicque with his helpers made himself master of the ship, put the French on shore at Cartagena, where they were kept prisoners by the Spaniards for 17 months. Estelle and Goillard when set at liberty were informed that the ship had been taken to Boston in New England. According to letters received from them by Godefroy 12 January 1672, they made a demand to the Governor who referred them to the Council; they declared the value to be 170,000 dollars and proved the value by certificates. It being found out that the buyers of the vessel had been compelled to pay to the Council 40,000 dollars as security in case a search should be instituted by the owners, Goillard demanded this sum. The Governor and Council answered that a year and a day had passed, to which he replied that he had been in prison during that time. The King is requested to give orders to the Government of Boston to help to reimburse Godefroy for his loss. French. 2 pp. Two copies. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., Nos. 76, 77.] |
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1008. Capt. Wm. Davies, his reasons for the decay of the trade of Newfoundland given to the Council for Trade at their request about the year 1672, which he has not only collected by going convoy thither of late but by several years' experience, living formerly upon the island. Signed. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 78.] |
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1009. The state and condition of the island of Newfoundland as Capt. Davies found it in 1671, being then Commander there of H.M.S. Mary Rose. Endorsed, Rec. 8 Dec. 1676. Mem. The same paper was presented by Mr. Hinton with his petition and there entered. Signed, Will. Davies. 1 1/2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., No. 79.] |
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1010. Petition of Samuel Wilson to the King. Has for many years traded to the West Indies and New England and Nova Scotia, but by Sir Thos. Temple delivering up the forts of Acadie petitioner lost about 1,500l., as he shortly after informed Sec. Lord Arlington, since which in this war petitioner has lost nine ships and goods to the value of 9,000l., which constrains him to seek relief. Prays his Majesty to bestow upon him one of the East India prize ships. Annexed, |
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1010. I. Account given to H. Slingesby of what Sam. Wilson knows of the matter of Acadie in Nova Scotia, which he can prove by the testimony of many merchants who walk the Change daily. Together, 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIX., Nos. 80, 80. I.] |
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1011. Seven Acts passed in the island of Antigua, vizt.:—(1.) An Act concerning those that remove from one division to another without a ticket from the Commander of the division. (2.) Against indebted runaways suing for their credits by attornies. (3.) Appointing the proportion of ammunition to be kept in private houses. (4.) Against transporting of timber without licence. (5.) Touching the principal surveyor or surveyors of this island, their fees and duties. (6.) Against heaving ballast or other hurtful matter out of any ships or vessels within any the harbours or roads of this island. And (7.) The punishment of scurrilous and reproachful speeches or behaviours towards the Governor and Council, Repesentatives or Members of the Assembly of this island. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. L., 290–295.] |
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1012. Three Acts passed in Barbadoes in 1672:—(1.) An Act to prohibit the transporting of uncured ginger off this island; February 15. (2.) Concerning forestallers and ingrossers of provisions; May 7. (3.) Concerning persons intended to depart this island, and the setting up their names in the Secretary's office, and warrants of arrest; May 9. Printed. 9 1/2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XV., 84–93.] |
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1013. Fifteen Acts passed in the island of Nevis (but without titles), vizt.:—(1.) An Act for registering the time of servants and fixing their wages at 10l. according to custom. (2.) Providing that poor orphans shall be bound as apprentices by the Justice of the Peace in each parish. (3.) Concerning merchants receiving goods at the customary places. (4.) Fixing the value of Mexico, Pillar, Seville, and Peru pieces, and of money coined in New England. (5.) Providing that all debts, &c., payable in money sterling may be paid in sugar, at the rate of 100 lb. of good muscovado sugar to 15s. sterling. (6.) For the election of two or more constables out of each division. (7.) For fixing titles to lands. (8.) Providing that none under the age of 14 years be listed to pay any public levies. (9.) For preventing the use of any scales, weights &c., not first allowed by the Clerk of the market. (10.) Declaring Bath Bay, Old Road, Morton's Bay, New Windward, and Indian Castle, lawful ports for shipping goods of the Island. (11.) Providing that all masters of ships must obtain licence of the Governor before they trade in the island. (12.) for appointing overseers to take charge of the poor in each parish. (13.) For the maintenance of the ministry by a yearly payment of 10 lb. sugar per poll, and fees of 100 lb. sugar for a marriage, and 300 lb. for preaching a funeral sermon. (14.) Making it felony for any indebted freeman or servant to run away with any boat. (15.) Providing that any person presuming to administer physic without licence from the Governor, shall not have his account allowed in any court of record in the island. 1 p. Endorsed by John Locke "Nevis Acts," also " By Sir Chas. Wheler in 1672." [Col. Entry Bk., No. XLIX., 98–112.] |
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1014. Orders and regulations in force in Nevis. Order of the Assembly regulating the manner of elections. Return of Captains William Howard, John Nethway, and John Smith, and Lieutenant Thomas Nicholson, for the parish of Figtree and Gingerland in the South Division of the island, dated 19 June 1672. Form of oath for Wm. Lord Willoughby's Privy Council in the island of Nevis. Form of oath for Assembly men. Together, 3 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XLIX., 1, 4.] |
