|
1675.
Jan. 2. |
406. List of papers relating to Surinam, 1574–1674, received from
Mr. Locke and delivered to Mr. Bridgeman by Mr. Sec. Williamson's
order, viz.:— |
|
8 Aug. 1674. Two passes in Dutch from the States General for
Mr. Gorges and Mr. Cranfield to go to Surinam. |
|
15 Nov. Pass in blank for a person and ship to be sent to
Surinam by the King. |
|
Two letters in Dutch from the States to the Governor of Surinam,
sealed. |
|
8 Aug. Extract of the resolution of the States General concerning
Surinam. |
|
8 Aug. Translate of the States pass for Messrs. Gorges and
Cranfield. |
|
8 Aug. Translate of the Extract out of the States Register. |
|
21 Dec. Translate of the Extract of the States Resolution concerning Surinam. |
|
Draft of a Commission for Mr. Gorges. |
|
Draft of Instructions for the Commissioners. |
|
Nov. 15. Translate of the Extract of the Resolution of the States
concerning Surinam. |
|
Nov. 15. Translate of the States letter to the Governor. |
|
Translate of the pass for the Advice yacht. |
|
Signed by John Locke. 1½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. 34, No. 1.] |
| Jan. 8. |
407. Caveat for no pardon to pass to James Colleton for killing
Elisha Bridges at Barbadoes till notice be first given to Auditor
Bridges at his office in the Inner Temple. See No. 421. [Dom.
Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. 45, p. 5.] |
Jan. 8/18.
The Hague. |
408. Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the States
General touching the departure of the English from Surinam. The
Pensionary Counsellor and other Deputies for Foreign Affairs,
having reported that they have been in conference with Sir Wm.
Temple, Ambassador Extraordinary of Great Britain, and had
examined with the Prince of Orange a reglement and instruction
for the Governor of Surinam, in reference to the 5th Art. of the
Treaty of Westminster of the 9/19 Feb. 1674, which reglement has
been approved with the advice of his said Highness, Ordered,
That the same be sent to said Governor with orders to execute it
in the fullest manner, and to afford every facility for carrying this
affair to a happy termination, and to receive the Commissioners,
Ferdinand Gorges, Edward Cranfield, and Edward Dickenson, with
all possible civility, and render them every assistance. And also
that copies of said reglement and this resolution be sent to the
States of Zealand, or their Deputies, requiring them to give orders
that the same be punctually observed by the said Governor.
Further that there be put into the hands of said Ambassador 3
original copies of Resolutions and letters to be sent to said Governor,
and that 3 passports be expedited for the merchant ships America,
Roger Paxton, Master, and Hercules, Simon Orton, Master, and for
the Hunter, man-of-war, Richard Dickenson, Captain, which his
Majesty has appointed to convoy said merchant ships to Surinam.
Reglements and instructions from the States General to the
Governor of Surinam, for the execution of the 5th Art. of the
Treaty relating to Surinam, in 14 Articles. The first 12 are
identical with those submitted by the Council for Plantations (see
preceding Vol., No. 1367), excepting articles 6 and 10, which are
omitted, and a few additions to articles 2, 3, and 12, as noted in
Sir Wm. Temple's letter of 11/21 Dec. 1674 (see preceding Vol., No. 1403).
Article 13 provides that the Governor shall be obliged to name
Commissioners to adjust differences with those of his Majesty, and
particularly where his Majesty's subjects, who are indebted to
those of the States, have good debts, lands, beasts, &c., they shall use
their best endeavours to prevail upon creditors to accept same in
payment at the current price; and in case they cannot agree that
prompt justice be administered by the ordinary judges. Article 14
provides that in case his Majesty send a ship of war to convoy the
transports the same shall be permitted to accompany them into the
river of Surinam, and there remain till their departure. French,
10 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. LXXVIII., 32–42.] |
Jan. 8/18.
Hague. |
409. The States General to the Governor of Surinam, enclosing
the above-named reglements and instructions, and enjoining him to
carry them out in the best possible way. French, 2 pp. [Col.
Entry Bk., No. LXXVIII., 43–44.] |
| Jan. 8/18. |
410. Passport from the States General for the Hunter man-of-war,
Captain, Richard Dickenson, which his Majesty of Great Britain is
sending to convoy the ships America and Hercules to Surinam in
pursuance of the 5th Art. of the Treaty of 9/19 Feb. 1674; to suffer
the same to pass to Surinam, and return thence, without any
molestation, but on the contrary to afford all assistance when
required. 2pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. LXXVIII., 50–51.] |
| Jan. 12–14. |
411. Minutes of the Assembly of Barbadoes. Most of the day
spent in debate of the Bill for Settlement of the Militia and the
amendments made by the Committee. |
| Jan. 13. |
Voted that the Bill for the Settlement of the Militia pass. That
for payment of the 200,000 lbs. of sugar presented to his Excellency
and for discharging other the country's debts, 700,000 lbs. of sugar be
levied on land and negroes, land paying 3 lbs. per acre, and negroes
10 lbs. per head, and that there be levied on St. Michael's Town
85,000 lbs., Speight's Town 10,000 lbs., the Hole Town 3,000 lbs.,
and Ostin's Town 2,000 lbs.; two members nominated to draw a
Bill accordingly. A new Bill for Imposition on Liquors, drawn by
the Clerk, as the former Act is near expired. That said Bill be in
force for 12 months; that Lt.-Col. Wm. Bate be Treasurer, and
Majors John Hallett and Edw. Yeamons, Capt. John Johnson, and
Francis Bond or Edward Hussey, Comptrollers; and that the Bill
pass. |
| Jan. 14. |
Ordered, that the Bill for an Imposition on Wines and Liquors
imported pass; that the Treasurer provide, out of the Excise on
Liquors imported, one ton of refined sugar to be presented with
the concurrence of his Excellency and Council to Capt. Chas.
Atkins of H.M.S. Phœnix that persons excused from Parish
Levies be also excused from paying for their land to this levy;
that the Bill for the Levy on. Land and Negroes pass; and that
the Treasurer, with the concurrence of his Excellency and Council,
pay to his Excellency 200,000 lbs. out of the first sugars received
from said levy. Committee appointed to consider the papers recommended by his Excellency from the Council of Plantations,
respecting defects in their laws, the Jews' petition, the complaint
of the Farmers of the 4½ per cent., and his Excellency's speech, and
prepare answers thereto against the next sitting of the Assembly;
and to consider such addresses as may be fit for the House to make
to his Majesty. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XIII., 135–139.] |
| Jan. 13. |
412. Petition of Ferdinando Gorges to the King and Council.
Sets forth his right to the Province of Maine, where he has expended
20,000l., and his being dispossessed of the same by the power of
the Massachusetts, and prays to be restored to his just rights, and
for relief in the premises. Signed and endorsed, "Rec. 13 Janry.
1674–75. Read at the Comtee for Plantations, 22 April 1675." [Col.
Papers, Vol. 34, No. 2.] |
| Jan. 13. |
413. Petition of Robert Mason to the King and Council. Sets
forth the several grants made to his grandfather John Mason, of the
Province of New Hampshire, and his own right to the same, notwithstanding the Massachusetts usurp an authority and disturb
the government and propriety belonging to petitioner. Prays his
Majesty to reinforce his commands for his just protection, and to
restore him to the possession of his inheritance. Signed and endorsed, "Rec. 13 Jan. 1674–5. Read at the Comtee for Plantations, 22 April 1675." [Col. Papers, Vol. 34, No. 3.] |
| Jan. 13. |
414. Mem.—That these Despatches, viz., the Instructions for
Capt. John Baker, the Original Letter from the States to the
Governor of Surinam, and their Pass (see ante No. 406), were
given to Mr. Pepys, Jan. 13, 1674–75. As also a copy of the following paper:—Capt. John Thorne, Mr. Andrew Knight, Mr. Elias
Elly, Mr. Hierome Westhorpe, these being the names of the principal Planters of Surinam, it is convenient the Captain of Advice
ship repair to them for their assistance. ½ p. [Col. Entry Bk.,
No. XCIII. fo. 127.] |
| Jan. 13–14. |
415. Minutes of the Council of Barbadoes. Letter produced by his
Excellency from the Council of Trade and Plantations in relation
to the defects of the Laws of the Island, to the end same be
rectified; ordered after debate that said papers lie under consideration until it be seasonable to send them to the Assembly.
The Assembly attended, to whom his Excellency said he would
consider the Militia Bill next Session, and gave them his Majesty's
letter about the 4½ per cent., and the manner of collecting it, and
a paper from the Council of Plantations about defects in Laws. |
| Jan. 14. |
Bill presented by the Assembly for a Levy on land and negroes,
also an order for 200,000 lbs. of sugar lately given to his Excellency,
and a present of a ton of refined sugar to Chas. Atkins. Request
of the Assembly that care be taken that the arrears on coppers
and stills be gathered in. Four amendments proposed to the Act
for the Levy on land and negroes. Ordered, that the Bill this day
brought by the Assembly for the Excise, the Bill formerly sent by
the President and Council to the Assembly and not passed by them,
and copy of the Act of Excise in the Act Book, fol. 242, be sent to
Sir Peter Colleton to be considered. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XI.,
284–286.] |
| Jan. 18/28. |
416. Extract from the Register of the Resolutions of the States
General. Consenting to the demand of the Ambassador of Great
Britain that they would write to the Governor of Surinam that
his Majesty had appointed Marc Brent as a Commissioner in place
of Ferdinand Gorges; and ordering that copy of this Resolution
be sent to the States of Zealand, requiring them to give order that
the same be punctually executed by the Governor of Surinam; and
further that 3 original copies of Resolutions and Letters be put
into the hands of the said Ambassador to be sent to the said
Governor by the safest and most convenient route. French.
2½ pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. LXXVIII., 45–47.] |
| Jan. 18/28. |
417. The States General to the Governor of Surinam, enclosing the
above Resolution. French. 1½ pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. LXXVIII.,
48–49.] |
| Jan. 20–21. |
418. Minutes of the Council of Barbadoes. Conference desired by
the Assembly and agreed to. Resolved, on consideration of some
amendments in the Bill of Excise proposed by the Assembly, that
the clause, that in case of the Treasurer's death or removal the
Governor appoint another, be left out; also, the two clauses about
the Council and Assembly drawing on the Treasurer for their
expenses, it being mutually agreed that they should bear their own
charges in their Public Meetings; but that the clause for settling
the Comptroller be adhered to, and that Major John Hallett be
Comptroller. |
| Jan. 21. |
The Assembly attended with two papers, the continuance of the
Excise on Liquors, and a vote appointing a Committee to consider
the getting a convenient house for his Excellency; also Bill for
continuing the Committee of Accounts, and three others for payment of gunners and matrosses. Ordered that three of the Council
be joined with the Committee named by the Assembly to answer
several papers by his Majesty relating to the 4½ per cent., and
other papers. 2pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XI., 286–288.] |
| Jan. 20–22. |
419. Minutes of the Assembly of Barbadoes. Ordered, that whereas
divers persons, having made entry of wines, have long kept them,
with design to sell them at unreasonable prices, till they have
turned "eagar" and unsaleable, and then petitioned for abatement
of excise thereon, that in future no abatement of excise be made
on any wines, unless demanded within 3 months of entry. On
debate of the defects in the laws set forth by the Council of
Plantations, voted that in future the 80 days appointed in the Act
for Judicial Proceedings be taken off. To the 3rd clause in their
paper, the Assembly assert that sufficient provision has been made
by the Act of the 4½ per cent. Voted that anything attached and
appraised for payment of any debt below the value of the effects
attached shall be divided, and part delivered to the creditor for
payment of his debt. The Bill for laying an imposition on wines
and liquors returned by his Excellency and Council with some
alterations; the House, being unsatisfied, desired a conference
with the Governor and Council, on returning from which they
adjourned. |
| Jan. 21. |
On debate of that part of his Excellency's speech relating
to the multiplicity of Courts, voted that they continue as they are.
Also, on request of Richard Forde, Surveyor, that an Act be passed
to prohibit the copying, reprinting, or selling draughts of this
Island from the copy made by said Forde, without his licence, for
7 years, under a penalty of 2,000 lbs. of sugar. That his Excellency
be requested to appoint some of the Council to join with their
Committee to prepare answers to the defects of the laws sent by
the Council of Plantations, and other papers recommended to the
Assembly. Resolutions, on debate of the alterations made by his
Excellency and Council in the Bill of Excise, to pass the Bill for
3 months only, and that it be presented with the reasons set forth,
and as it stood in Lord Willoughby;s time; and in regard they are
resolved to manifest their respect and service to his Excellency in
as full manner as they have to any other Governor, they promise
themselves that his Excellency and Council will not insist on such
alterations as will lessen the privileges former Governors have
allowed them. Voted that the Bill of Excise, with his Excellency
and Council's alterations, do not pass. |
| Jan. 22. |
The Bill for continuance of the imposition on wines and other
liquors till 23 April next, read and passed. That a law be provided according to the prayer of the petition of some of the Hebrew
nation; also that William Sharpe and 2 others be a Committee to
treat for a habitation for his Excellency. Bill for reviving the
authority of Commissioners for settling the Public Accounts, read
and passed. Ordered by his Excellency, Council, and Assembly,
that the Treasurer pay out of the Excise on liquors imported, to
Edward Preston, Gunner of James Fort, 8,240 lbs. of sugar for his
salary from 19th May 1673 to 12 Jan. 1674–75; and to the Gunner
of the Fort of Spights and his mate from the last May 1673, and
to the three Gunners of the Forts at Ostin's Bay from the 25th
June 1673 to this day, after the rate of 2,000 lbs. of sugar per
annum each. Adjourned to Tuesday 6 weeks; altered at his
Excellency's request to Tuesday 3 weeks. 6½ pp. [Col. Entry
Bk., No. XIII., 140–146.] |
Jan. 21.
Whitehall. |
420. Sec. Sir Joseph Williamson to Sir Jonathan Atkins,
Governor of Barbadoes. Has his of the 9th Nov., with news of his
safe arrival at Barbadoes, where he wishes him all happiness, and
will be extremely glad if he can contribute to it. Would be glad to
knit such a correspondence with those parts as to know regularly
all that passes, especially what relates to trade and the general
interests of the Island; and if the occurrents of this part of the
world be of any satisfaction to him, they shall be punctually sent.
½ p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XCIII., fo. 128.] |
Jan. 22.
Whitehall. |
421. The King to Sir Jonathan Atkins, Governor of Barbadoes.
Having understood that one Elisha Bridges, of Bridgestown, in
that Island, has been lately killed by James Colleton and others,
whereby their estates will, in case they be found guilty, become
forfeited to his Majesty, he is to take care that the said estates be
preserved safe and entire, to be disposed of as his Majesty shall
hereafter direct. ½ p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XCIII., fo. 128.] |
| Jan. 22./Feb. 1. |
422. Extract of a letter from the Deputies of Zealand at the
States General to the States of Zealand. The Ambassador Extraordinary of Great Britain has earnestly desired that the letters and
despatches, which ought to be sent to Surinam in virtue of the
Resolution of the States General of 8–18 Jan. (see ante, No. 408),
should be addressed to M. Van Benninghen, Ambassador Extraordinary at the Court of Great Britain, to be delivered to those
his Majesty sends to Surinam, so that they may go at the same
time with the Resolutions. French. 1½ pp. [Col. Entry Bk.,
LXXVIII., 52, 53.] |
Jan. 28.
Whitehall. |
423. The King's pass to Edward Cranfield, one of the four
gentlemen ushers daily attending his Majesty's person, whom his
Majesty has commissioned with others to go into the West Indies.
Recommends him to all Governors and officers, that they receive
him with all civility and favour, suffer him to travel where he
shall think fit, and see him accommodated with conveniency for it,
without debarring him entrance into any of his Majesty's towns,
castles, &c., at due hours, and take order for his transportation
into any other of his Majesty's plantations, or into England, as he
himself shall judge fitting. And all his Majesty's subjects are
required to give him their best assistance. 1½ pp. [Col. Papers,
Vol. 34, No. 4.] |
| Jan. 28. |
424. Minutes of Council of Antigua. Ordered, that all that
have claims upon the country bring them in to the Treasurer, so
that the debts and credits of the country be known; that an Act
be drawn for the better regulating of the Militia; that persons going
off the Island set up their names in both Falmouth and St. John's;
and that storehouses be discharged and suspended to all intents and
purposes. That an Act pass for each man's proportion of arms
and ammunition, and for encouragement to bring in arms and
ammunition. (See under date 23 Augt. 1670.) ½ p. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXV., No. 55*.] |
Jan. 30.
Whitehall. |
425. Sec. Sir Joseph Williamson to Sir Jonathan Atkins,
Governor of Barbadoes. This comes to let him know what is at
the bottom of his Majesty's desire (see ante, No. 421), that all care
be taken of the forfeitures arising on occasion of the killing of one
Bridges. His Majesty has granted those forfeitures to Lord
Sunderland, who has commanded this to engage his kindness in the
matter. Begs he will let his Lordship see he was not mistaken
when he took him in his friendship. Hopes his people take care to
send regularly all the occurrents of these parts, in return of which
must beg what passes there constantly and a little at large. 1p.
[Col Entry Bk., No. XCIII., fo. 128.] |
Jan.-May.
Antigua. |
426. Two Acts passed in the Island of Antigua, viz.:—An Act
for the better regulating and governing of the militia of this
Island, dated 28th Jan. 1674/5. 2½ pp. An Act for encouragement of the Royal African Company in England for the supplying
this Island with negroes, dated 3rd May 1675. 2pp. Together,
4½ pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. L., 295–299.] |
