|
Mar. 2.
Boston,
N. E. |
24. Sir Thomas Temple to Sec. Lord Arlington. His last two letters were sent by Captains John Fayreweather and John Long, with a map of Nova Scotia, the best he could get. His vessels are now returned from Port Royal, which is in the same posture as before the Monsieurs arrival, as are all the rest under his command, though these motions have put him to excessive charge. Was about to return to England when intelligence came from Nevis that St. Christopher's was speedily to be delivered to His Majesty; whereupon, considering that His Majesty sent him word in his last letter of 1 Aug. 1668 that M. Colbert was then to come to England with new overtures concerning Nova Scotia, he thought it his duty to remain till His Majesty's further pleasure were known. Has fully informed his Lordship of his sad condition, unless His Majesty, in case Nova Scotia be surrendered to the French, should make provision with the French Ambassador to reimburse Temple what he paid M. De La Tour for the purchase of his lands in Nova Scotia and Acadia, extending about 1,000 miles along the sea coast. Beseeches him to be a means to His Majesty that he may be heard in his defence as to anything Mr. Elliott hath to object against Temple. The country never yielded above 900l. per annum in furs and elk skins, and Elliott receives 600l. Has had to pay merchants 180l. yearly to remit it. Has already paid 2,600l. to Elliott in London and 700l. more to merchants here for returning it to Elliott there in old English money. Thos. Breedon, who Temple employed in England to make his addresses to His Majesty, on his return from Breda worked so craftily with Elliott and the Lord Chancellor that this part of the country, which is propriety and Temple's purchase confirmed under the Great Seale of England, was given to Elliott, "under the pretence that I was a delinquent and a great Cromwellist;
though I made it appear to his Majesty at my arrival into England, by old Mr. George Kirke, then Master of Whitehall, that the true reason of coming into these parts was to fly Cromwell's fury, for having laid a design for his late Majesty's escape when he was at his trial; which Mr. Kirke, if he be alive, will inform your Lordship I had very near effected, having made a brother of mine, Col. Edmund Temple, captain of the guard for one night of his Majesty's person; it coming to Cromwell's ears I was privately advised by the then Lord Fiens (in great favour with Cromwell) to absent myself till the times might be more propitious, he being my kinsman; and my old Lord Say, my very good friend, and my uncle advised and assisted me in making this purchase, which, as I have declared, was thus injuriously and unjustly given to Mr. Thos. Elliott, who gave the government to Captain Breedon, he indenting to pay fine 600l. yearly. So soon as I was informed of the treachery I repaired into England, and finding Mr. Kirke alive he very nobly informed his Majesty of the truth, who very graciously gave me the government again; but finding the Chancellor then so great in favour, and Mr. Elliott, their power being too great for me to struggle with, I consented to give Mr. Elliott the 600l. Breedon promised him, and performed it until the war, and then also he pressing for his rent as he termed it, I sent him a ship with 40,000 lbs. weight of sugar and 500l. bills, which was unfortunately taken in sight of Barbadoes by a Zealander, which great loss I was never able to repair, the ship being wholly my own, and indeed all I ever had in my life." Beseeches pardon for acquainting him with his sad miserable condition. Has never had above 120l. a year to live upon since his last coming over, more than seven years ago; but has supported our pigmy war with the French, and preserved the King's country at his own proper charge, which has
cast him into a debt of 5,000l., for which he has mortgaged his very house and goods. Has never received the least comfort or assistance from the Lord Chancellor or Mr. Elliott, and has not dared to write to his Majesty, in which he now finds he committed a great mistake. His only hope is in Lord Arlington's noble disposition and favour; being altogether friendless, and receiving intelligence that Elliott intends to take away both his government and propriety, and now being near 60 years of age, infirm and broken with grief and cares, and much in debt, his intentions are to make all speed to London so soon as he receives his Majesty's pleasure concerning this country. Is sensible that this is a most impertinent letter, yet hopes God may inspire his Lordship's heart to do a charitable deed to a friendless person in distress, ("a rare thing I confess at Court,") for his Lordship spoke so obligingly when Temple took leave of the King at Hampton Court, that the very thought thereof has kept his heart up ever since. 4 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 20.] |
March 2.
Boston,
N.E. |
25. Sir Thos. Temple to Sec. Lord Arlington. Excuses for his having insensibly fallen into presumption and impertinent tediousness in the above (inclosed) letter, and begs his Lordship's favour to hinder Elliott from doing Temple any injury before he has time given to answer for himself. Hopes Lord Anglesea will join in his behalf to the King, and that his Majesty will be informed that Temple was never in any capacity to open the rich copper mine whereof he left a piece in his Majesty's hands, for Elliott promised to send miners, but they never came. His intentions are for London as soon as he receives his Majesty's pleasure concerning Nova Scotia, but if the King part not with it to the French King, Temple will at his coming reveal a way to improve this country so as in a few years to bring in a greater revenue to the Crown than he dares to write, for fear his Lordship should think it a romance, or some end of his own; but will not desire one penny benefit to himself. Annexed, |
|
25. I. A breviate of the purchase by Sir Thos. Temple, Governor of Nova Scotia, for his Majesty, with M. de la Tour, of all his lands in Nova Scotia and part of Acadia, all duly passed under the Great Seal, with rent paid to Elliott, &c., all lands from Marliquesta on the East to La Have, Port de La Tour, Port Royal Mines, Seganecto, St. John's, and Pentagoet bordering on New England on the West; for which was paid, to Maj. Gibbons and family, 3,350l.; to Maj. Leverett,. 1,800l.; to M. De La Tour, about 1,200l.; for seven years rent, &c. to Mr. Elliott, 5,460l.; for building at Port Rosignol, Port La Tour, Port Royal and St. John's, about 1,150l.; owing by the French at Port Royal, about 700l.; and by the Indians, 2,600l.; total, 16,260l.; of which there is still due to noblemen, gentlemen, and merchants in Old and New England to the value of 7,000l. Together 3 pp. [ Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., Nos. 21, 21 I.] |
March 2.
Whitehall. |
26. Petition of Sir Gilbert Talbot, Knt., [to the King]. For the estate of John Colleton, planter in Barbadoes, forfeited to his Majesty by killing one Yeamans, a planter there. With reference to the Commissioners of the Treasury to give order for passing it to him in such manner as they shall find necessary. 1/3 p. [ Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. 33, p. 11.] |
| March 3. |
27. Petition of Major Wm. Nedham, Joseph Archer, and 19 others to the King. The Petitioners being commissioned to go against the Indians on the coast of Guiana, his Majesty's enemies, did long after the peace with the Dutch put into Surinam, where being unjustly seized by Admiral Crynsens, they were sent in irons into Zealand, and used with extraordinary cruelty, where they have been many months waiting to represent their condition, being not able to subsist for want. Pray his Majesty to order some compensation for their subsistence, till there may be satisfaction had for their sufferings. Endorsed, Rec. 3rd March. Read 5th March. 1668–9. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 22.] |
March 4/14.
Amsterdam. |
28. Declaration of Peter Van Buytene, Notary Public of Amsterdam , in the presence of Gerrit Slechtenhorst, Adrian Gerritson, Peter Jacobson, William Abrahamson, and Claes Ripse; also on behalf of Oloff Stevenson, Dirck Van Cleeff, Immetge Volckerson, Marritge Van Doesburch, and the wife of Maes Cornelisson, all in this country, subjects of his Majesty of Great Britain dwelling at New York and Albany, impowering Jaques Cousseau, a subject of his Majesty at New York, to entreat his Majesty, the Duke of York, and where else is requisite to obtain freedom for them, their families, and companions to sail to New York by a certain vessel made in New England, lying at Amsterdam, and belonging to New York, they being not able to depart to their respective habitations in the ship that sailed hence to New York last winter. Endorsed, " Received 2nd April 1669. Read in Council, April 14th 1669." Certified translation from the original Dutch. 2 1/4 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 23.] |
| [1669.] |
29. Petition of James Cousseau and Frederick Phillips, in behalf of themselves and other free denizens of New York and Albany, to the King in Council. On the 23rd June 1668, Petitioners, owners and masters of the ship Fort Albany, built at Barnstable, New England, and belonging to New York, obtained a pass from the Governor of New York for said ship to make her voyage out of Europe to New York; and they also obtained a pass from the Duke of York, dated 24th Oct. last. But by reason of a later order of the 18th Nov. which puts a restriction on Dutch ships trading to that Plantation, several families, denizens of New York and Albany, now in Amsterdam, where said ship is ready to receive its lading, are unwilling to ship themselves and goods unless Petitioners may enjoy the privilege of said pass. Wherefore, as Petitioners and said families are in danger of being ruined unless they can transpot themselves and goods in said ship to New York, and forasmuch as the Duke of York has been authorised to grant a pass for the King Charles, a Dutch ship, notwithstanding the said order of restriction of 18th Nov., Petitioners ("being the first proprietors of any ship which as yet hath belonged to the said port of New York") pray that said ship may be permitted to proceed on her voyage, or that said order of restriction may not extend to hinder said ship from trading to New York as an English built ship. Endorsed, " The Petition of James Cousseau and Frederick Phillipps and others, 1669." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 24.] |
| March 5. |
30. Petition of William Griffith, on behalf of John Style of Jamaica, to the King and Council. Refers to a previous petition of John Style of 26th Feb. last, setting forth the grievances and sufferings of himself and other planters in Jamaica, from which the Governor gave them no redress, so Petitioners appealed to his Majesty, and in order to the prosecution of the same, licence was taken out for John Style's departure thence in the next ship homeward bound, but he was apprehended by warrant from the Governor, kept close prisoner, and bail refused. Forasmuch as his Majesty has thought fit to refer the examination of said petition to the Lords Commissioners of Foreign Plantations, prays for order to said Governor of Jamaica to permit said John Style to go aboard the next ship from thence homeward bound. Endorsed, Rec. and read March 5–6. 1/2 p. [Col. Papers, Vol., XXIV., No. 25.] |
March 6.
Whitehall. |
31. Petition of William Earl of Kinnoul to the King. Desiring to be restored to his estate in St. Christopher's, or have a consideration for his interest therein. With reference to Committee for Plantations to report to the end his Majesty may give Petitioner just satisfaction. 1/2 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II, Vol.33, p. 12.] |
| March 8. |
32. The King to Sir Thomas Temple, Governor of Nova Scotia. Whereas by letter of 31 December 1667 his Majesty signified his pleasure for the immediate restoration of the country of Acadia to the French King, and by letter of 1 August directed him to forbear the delivery thereof until further order; his Majesty's final pleasure is, that according to his said letter of 31 December, he immediately give order for restoring, without any delay or difficulty, the said country of Acadia to the said King or such as he shall thereto appoint under the Great Seal of France. Draft, with corrections in Williamson's hand. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 26.] |
March 22,
Whitehall. |
33. Commission to Sir John Yeamans, Col. Philip Bell, Col. Samuel Barwicke, Col. Wm. Sharpe, and Capt. Philip Payne, or any one or more of them, to demand and receive that part of St. Christopher's which his Majesty's subjects possessed on January 1, 1665, in pursuance of the Treaty of Breda and of orders from the Most Christian King and the West India Company. All previous commissions, particularly one dated 13 February 1668 to Wm. Lord Willoughby, Col. Morice, Col. Hooper, and Lieut.-Col. Lambert to be revoked. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 27.] |
| March 22. |
34. Draft of preceding, with corrections by Williamson. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 28.] |
| March ? |
35. Draft in Williamson's hand of part of the above commission. 1/2 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 29.] |
March 22.
Whitehall. |
36. Commission appointing the above-named Commissioners finally to determine and adjust all differences and disputes that may arise concerning the putting in execution the orders for the restitution of that part of St. Christopher's which the English possessed before the declaration of the late war. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 30.] |
| [March ?] |
37. Draft of preceding, mostly in Williamson's hand, with corrections. Indorsed by him, Powers to adjust differences. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 31.] |
| March 22. |
38. Mem. of a Warrant to the Lord Keeper to seal two Instruments for receiving St. Christopher's and composing the differences that may may arise thereupon. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. 30, p. 121 đ.]. |
| March ? |
39. Instructions to Sir John Yeamans and the other Commissioners above named for the amicable composure of differences that may arise between his Majesty and the French King about the restitution of St. Christopher's. To give the Sieur De la Barre notice of their Commission, and adjust with him the time and place of meeting with the French Commissioners. The great difficulty which his Majesty can yet foresee will occur in that which concerns the re-entry of the English into such of their estates as have been actually sold to the French, for which provision is made in the 8th article of the treaty, and which is therefore to be the rule to determine those differences. As to all moveables, the words of the article are express that they shall not be restored till the price paid for them be first refunded by the English. As to immoveables, as lands, houses, plantations, &c., his Majesty, having seriously considered the matter, finds upon the whole that he could not evince that the word Bona in the treaty did not also signify immoveables, his Majesty has therefore concluded to make the case of lands, houses, &c. the same with moveable goods, and the English must agree to repay what they have actually received for their estates before same are restored to them. If within one year and a day from the time that the French King's orders of the 6/16 January last are presented to the French Commander-in-Chief, the English shall not refund the price paid for said goods and estates the same shall for ever remain to the French that bought them. 4 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 32.] |
| [March 24.] |
40. Petition of several officers of Sir Tobias Bridge's regiment to the King. Whereas they have already presented a petition to his Majesty representing the miseries they have indured since their going to the West Indies, and the miserable condition they are in at present, upon which his Majesty ordered a committee to consider how said regiment might be paid. Petitioners, being pressed daily to it by their fellow sufferers, beg his Majesty "to order some speedy course for the payment of them their arrears, as also for the future, and not to suffer so many of your subjects and their relations to perish for want of their pay." "Received March 24. Read at Committee the 27, 1669." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 33.] |
| March 24. |
41. Memorial of "the persons concerned in Carolina" to the King. Surinam being more proper for the production of sugar than any of his Majesty's Plantations, the Dutch are in great hopes to beat the English out of that trade, but the Dutch are no planters, and should the English and their slaves be removed Surinam must sink. These planters are willing to quit Surinam, and in regard many of them are desirous to remove to Port Royal, in Carolina, Memorialists offer that if his Majesty will send a ship of war to demand these people and protect their ships, they will, at their own charge, send two ships to transport those willing to Port Royal, with victuals and necessaries, or if his Majesty will add a fly-boat or other vessel they will fit her with masts for his Majesty's use. Endorsed, Received 24 March 1668–9. Read the same day: suspended till we hear from Holland. 1/2 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 34.] |
