|
July 1.
Whitehall. |
615. Minutes of the Committee of Trade and Plantations,
St. Christopher's. Report of Sir R. Southwell that, having asked
Sir Chas. Wheler whether anything he did with M. de Baas
obstructs his Majesty from demanding justice from the French
King for the Planters of St. Christopher's agreeable to the Articles
of Breda, he answered that there is not any part of any Article
relating to St. Christopher's that he did not demand of M de Baas,
and can show his demand in writing, and M. de Baas answers that
he obtained many of those points, and for those he could not
obtain brought M. de Baas to sign an instrument referring them
back to the two Kings, which instrument Sir Charles can produce;
and that he insisted on some things for the advantage of the
English which were omitted from the Articles of Breda. Ordered,
that Sir Charles read over the memorial approved by their Lordships,
and make such amendments as he conceives fit for preventing any
objections from France. 1 pp. [Col. Entry Books, No. CIV., 31;
and No. XLVI., 13.] |
July 1.
Barbadoes. |
616. Sir Jonathan Williamson.
The trial over it is fit he should give some account of Lord
Sunderland's business. There were never better juries empannelled
than this sessions, and many witnesses were heard for the King,
who gave evidence that Bridges, the constable, presently after
9 o'clock, the fish market not ended and most of the shops open by
reason it was market day, called out his watch, and hearing some
gentlemen come singing along the street went hastily down the
street to meet them, and asked why they kept such a noise; some
replied we keep no noise, but are going to our lodgings, and said
good night and parted; but hearing them singing again, which he
took for an affront, and having a pique against Mr. May on, whom
he had said he would put in the cage, the constable, with his
watch, warned them, and with his staff struck 3 or 5 times
upon them, saying nothing to them, but calling on his watch to
seize Mayon; he lighted on Mr. James Colleton, whose head he
broke in two places, and one swore he saw Colleton's blood on the
staff, and heard him say, "Flesh and blood is not able to endure
this," and he drew his sword and passed it into the body of the
constable, who cried out, "This is fine; I am killed." The
evidence was that the others made no resistance, the truth might
easily be discerned, the streets were full of people, and it was a
bright moonshine night. On the whole the jury found them not
guilty of murder, and, if Mr. Colleton had stood his trial, it is
believed it would have been found he had done it in his own
defence The country were well satisfied with the verdict, blaming
much the imprudence of the constable and his illegal executing his
office. Is informed that, to prevent all accident, they had procured the King's pardon, but has not yet seen it. Dictated this
with much pain, having for 10 days laboured under the torment
of an impostume in the thigh, in which he thinks there can be no
greater anguish. Had it lanced yesterday, and hopes it may
conduce to his future health, for so they repute it here. Endorsed,
"R., 17 Aug." 1½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. 34, No. 109.] |
| July 6–8. |
617. Minutes of the Council of Barbadoes. An Act for Settlement of the Militia passed without the clause for appointing a
Muster Master, and again laid before his Excellency and Council. |
| July 7. |
Ordered, that the Treasurer pay out of the Excise on Liquors to
Mrs. Elizabeth Egginton 50l. for rent of her houses for his Excel
lency's use the last 6 months, Resolved. on debate of the presentments of the Grand Jury at the last General Sessions, to prepare
an Act to restrain the too frequent wanderings and meetings of
negroes, and punish crimes, insolencies, and outrages committed by
them. Ordered, that an Act be drawn to prevent the running away
of Christian servants, and their getting off by the negligence of such
as keep boats and other vessels. |
| July 8. |
Ordered, in regard to the present low value of sugar that it be
referred to the Treasurer to deal as well as he can for the public
as to the rate at which to pay Col. John Stanfast the rent of
Fontabel plantation leased by his Excellency. An Act for reviving
the Commissioners of Public Accounts passed. Ordered, that the
Treasurer pay out of the Excise on Liquors 5,000 lbs. of sugar to
Nicholas Gammage for his pains in contriving an advantageous
way of hanging coppers to the general good; 5,000 lbs. of sugar to
Thomas Rawlins, gunner of the forts and platforms at Austin's
Bay, for his salary for one year, also 3,000 lbs. to William Bragg,
gunner of the new battery; 5,000 lbs. to Thomas Larcombe, gunner
of Willoughby's Fort; 10,000 lbs. to John Higinbotham, Clerk of
the Assembly; and 1,500 lbs. to Joseph Mithers, the Assembly's
Marshall, all for salary. An Act to give encouragement to all
persons to take up runaway Christian servants, and requiring
security from such as keep boats, passed and ordered, together with
a supplemental Act to a former Act for the better governing of
negroes, to be transcribed against next sitting of the Assembly.
Adjourned to Wednesday 3 weeks. 4½ pp. [Col. Entry Bk.,
No. XIII., 184–188.] |
| July 7. |
618. Sir Chas. Wheler to the Committee of Council for Trade
and Plantations. Has, in obedience to their commands, given
Sir R. Southwell the best information he can for preparing their
Lordship's paper for the King. Offers also some papers of his own
which passed between M. de Baas and himself containing his
demands under every article of the treaty, and the reasons, with
M. de Baas' reasons, for refusing them. Suppose they may be
useful, for when the King shall press the French King for reparations, it is likely his Ministers will send back the reasons
M. de Baas remitted, and his own replies, which were from eye
witnesses of the wrongs and injuries done. Has yet a further end,
viz., to represent the state of the English part of St. Christopher's,
because although the French King should fully satisfy His Majesty's
demands now made (which Sir Charles believes he will not), yet
his Majesty's part of St. Christopher's will be lost whenever the
French attempt to take it. Will therefore endeavour to propose
the means of making it capable to defend itself till it may be
relieved from his Majesty's other Windward islands. It is a great
mistake to hope that those 2,000 English who bore arms when
the French overcame them will return to their respective plantations, because they are settled better elsewhere. The present
strength of the island is only a fort at Sandy Point and a fort at
the English Road, with 20 cannon mounted, and defended by the
two companies of foot, which should consist of 160 Englishmen,
but is informed are not effectively above 70. The militia, that is
planters and servants formed into one regiment, whereof about
half is on either side of the island, may consist of about 600 men,
whereof 150 may be French and Dutch who have purchased
English estates, and 150 Irish; and by the French and Irish the
King is so much weaker, for in any war the French would revolt,
and the Irish betray the English as in the first war. The strength
of the French is their castle, a platform at Basseterre, on which
many cannon are mounted, and a little fort at Sandy Point,
defended also by two companies of foot; their militia, formed into
two regiments, one in Basseterre and the other in Sandy Point
quarter, may consist of about 1,600 musketeers, and 200 of their
best planters on horseback, whereof several are of good families in
France. The French Governor of St. Christopher's is M. St.
Laurence, a Knight of Malta, and of great courage, and the
Lt.-Genl., M. de Baas, a man well experienced in the wars; while
the King's Governor is Capt. Mathews, who never saw any action
in his life, and his Lt.-Genl., Col. Stapleton, as little; yet
for all this odds his Majesty's part of St. Christopher's may
be reasonably secured and defended and the French utterly overthrown there (and in all other their islands except Martinico) in
case of war. Proposes that 2 companies of 100 in each be new
raised from Barbadoes, Antigua, and Nevis; that the forts at
Sandy Point and English Road be well repaired, and defended by
one of the companies; that a house, to be defended by the other
company, be built for the Lieutenant-General on the windward side
of the island, and he obliged to live there; that a yearly expense be
bestowed to keep the way passable through the mountains; and
that some gentlemen be commissionated to muster the companies,
and be answerable that they be always recruited with English and
not Irish; to see the disbursements made for the repair of the way
through the mountains and of the forts; and to dispose the
English soldiers now remaining of the two companies into convenient plantations, providing each with two servants, and wood
from Antigua towards the building of his house, which help, with
the arrears of his pay, will make him a substantial planter,
making a considerable addition to the militia of the country.
The forts at Sandy Point and English Road and the Governor's
House can hardly be taken by the French, because no cannon can
be brought against them, but with such difficulty that in the meantime relief may be had from Nevis, which can send down 1,000
musketeers in 3 hours; and if the war be of such length that
M. de Baas should bring from Martinico and Guadaloupe 1,000
musketeers, which is near all their strength, the King shall gain
all the French islands if the Governor of Barbadoes take the opportunity to make a descent on Guadaloupe. Computes that 3,000l.,
with the help the country will contribute of hands to work, will
largely repair the forts, build the Governor's house, and put in
order the highway through the mountains; for the levy money and
transportation of two companies, 400l.; about 100 servants for the
soldiers to be made planters, about 1,000l.; timber for their houses
about 200l.; and the establishment of the two companies yearly
and repair of the way, 3,400l.; computes this to be only for
3 years, in which time the Commissioners, having settled 40 or
50 soldiers every year in plantations, the militia will be strong
enough to keep the forts as formerly in times of peace, and
reckoning 600l. per annum to buy servants and timber for these
soldiers, the expense for the first year will be about 8,600l., and
for the two years following 4,000l. per annum, to defray which
his Majesty will receive for the 4½ per cent. from Barbadoes and
the Leeward Islands about 5,700l. per annum; but this revenue is
now anticipated for 4 or 5 years by tallies struck for soldiers'
pay and other disbursements of war for those Islands. If this be
too great an expense, the next best is that the little fort at Sandy
Point be slighted and a new one of good strength raised at the
English Road and all the cannon mounted there, and 30 soldiers
in garrison with no other officers than 2 sergeants, which comes to
about 420l. per annum; and that special care be taken that on any
danger of war all the English retreat under protection of said fort
till relief be sent them. This will secure the King's interest,
although expose his subjects' plantations to fire and other spoils of
war. About 2,000l., with the help of the country, would raise this
fort and repair the way through the mountains. The LieutenantGeneral, who now lives at Nevis, should be obliged always to live
on St. Christopher's, which will be a great means to replant it, and
bring much business of the other islands. 4 pp. [Col. Papers,
Vol. 34, No. 110.] |
| July 7. |
619. Copy of preceding 7 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. 34, No. 111.] |
July 8.
Whitehall. |
620. Minutes of the Committee of Trade and Plantations.
St. Christopher's. Sir Chas. Wheler's amendments to the draft of
a memorial read in part, and being demanded if his Majesty were
still at liberty to insist on the advantage of the Treaty of Breda,
he referred himself to his answer of July 1 (see ante, No. 615), and
told the Lords if they had not copies of his proceedings with
M. de Baas he would furnish them. Resolved to have the whole
matter seriously considered. The reading of the [above] letter
from Sir Charles, of the 7th instant, setting forth a method of his
own for the demand of reparation, and a method for the security
and preservation of the island, put off. ½ p. [Col. Entry Bk.,
No. CIV., 32] |
| July 8. |
621. Sir Chas. Wheler to Sir R. Southwell, Secretary to the
Committee of Council for Plantations. Begs pardon for his
absence the next day the Council shall meet on the affairs of St.
Christopher's, having engaged himself in some business in the
country before receiving his summons; but Mr. Preacott will
attend their Lordships with his papers, and Sir Robert may take
copies or abstracts of any that may throw light on the pretended
reasons of the French Lieutenant-General to obstruct the execution
of the Articles of Breda, not doubting that he took notice of their
Lordships' order to use them only and give them back. Mr. Prescott
will keep them safe for Sir Charles. "Recd., 12 July." 1p. [Col.
Papers, Vol. 34, No. 112.] |
July 11.
Surinam. |
622. Edward Cranfield and Marcus Brandt to Sec. Sir Joseph
Williamson. Sailed out of the Downs, 6th April with H.M.S.
Hunter and the Hercules and America; anchored 8th in Torbay;
on the 12th sailed towards Madeira where they arrived on the
27th, but the Governor denying them "produck" unless they
would enter the king's ship as a merchantman they sailed for
Surinam; on 14th May met two ships bound for Barbadoes by
whom they wrote to the Secretaries of State; on 29th made Cape
Orange, about 80 leagues from Surinam River, where they arrived
June 2nd. It was concluded not to adventure over the Bar till the
rise of the spring tides, so they dispatched a boat to the Governor
with notice of their arrival, who, by return, sent a pilot with
invitations to come ashore. Delivered all letters on the 4th, and
took the Governor's receipt, who received them with extraordinary
civility at Paramaribo, where the Advice boat rode, which arrived
28th March, but the Captain died before she was clear of the
Channel; the next day the State's Order was published in English
and Dutch in Paramaribo and Tororica, and notice given that on
30 June/10 July the Governor and two of his Council would sit
with his Majesty's Commissioner at Paramaribo to determine all
matters directed by those orders. In four days all matters were
brought to a final determination according to justice, and the
Governor gave satisfaction for the cattle and provisions taken in
time of war, and anything else that appeared due, and execution to
issue in three days against the stayers if payment be not made
to his Majesty's subjects according to sentence. Were obliged to
promise them all transportation direct to Jamaica, else three
families would not have removed; and such a supply may conduce
more to the advantage of that place than four times the number
from Europe, both in respect of their seasoned constitutions and
great experience in planting, most having been at it these twenty
years. All things being amicably accommodated, and compliance
given to all demands, except the detention of two or three orphans
left particularly to the care of the Governor and Council, who will
give reasons upon the refusal, and all things finally determined
between party and party, they thought it their duty to render a
particular account by the Hunter having no further service for
her here; and have also given notice to his Majesty's subjects that
at the next full moon they intend to sail direct for Jamaica, whence
Sec. Williamson shall have a further account. Endorsed, "R.
Sept. 19" &c. 2½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. 34, No. 113.] |
| July 11. |
623. Duplicate of the preceding. Endorsed, "Recd. this by the
Rainbow of Flushing who arrived at Plymouth, 8 Oct. 1675 and
sent away the same day your very humble servant William
Jenneus. R., 11 Oct. 1675." [Col. Papers, Vol. 34, No. 114.] |
July 11.
Surinam. |
624. Edw. Cranfield and Marcus Brandt to Sec. Williamson.
Since closing their letters, have occasion to add that the Jews
having demanded transportation with his Majesty's subjects, the
Governor told them his orders were to suffer only the English to
go, and that the 5th Article of the last treaty mentioned only
English in the Dutch translation; but finding that the Latin
original was subjects, the Governor complied and made publication
that the Hebrew nation might depart, but since a ship from
Holland (as the Governor pretends) brought orders for stopping
them, but finds this a pretence. Understanding the Mayor of the
garrison had been all over the country to take a list of the Dutch,
took occasion to pump him and found they were but 130, besides
the garrison of about 140; and finding the Jews to be as conslderable for number and fortune, and that more had given in
their names to depart than the Governor expected, the Governor
wholly altered his resolution of suffering them to go, believing
it would be an immediate destruction to the place. Endorsed,
"R., 11 Oct. 1675," &c. 1p. [Col. Papers, Vol. 34, No. 115.] |
July 12.
Surinam. |
625. Edw. Cranfield and Marcus Brandt to Sir R. Southwell.
Duplicate of their letter to Sir J. Williamson (see preceding No.).
2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. 34, No. 116; also Col. Entry Bk,
No. LXXVIII., pp. 97–100.] |
| July 14. |
626. Order of the King in Council. On reading petition of the
merchants and freighters of the ship Virgin, setting forth their
proceedings to obtain satisfaction for their losses by her capture by
the Spaniards in the West Indies, amounting to 15,000l., which
Capt. Cooke had been soliciting at great expense above nine months,
being more than double the time limited by his Majesty, and yet
could not obtain any other answer than a despatch sent to the
Havana, which had not the least prospect of satisfaction, and
therefore praying letters of reprisal according to the order of 3rd
July 1674; ordered, that copy of this petition and of said despatch
be delivered to Sec. Coventry, who is to acquaint Don Pedro
Romquillos, Envoy Extraordinary of the King of Spain, therewith,
and that if satisfaction be not forthwith given his subjects his
Majesty can no longer deny them letters of reprisal. 1p. [Col.
Papers, Vol. 34, No. 117.] |
July 18.
Whitehall. |
627. Sec. Sir Joseph Williamson to Lord Vaughan, Governor of
Jamaica. In execution of the last Article of the Treaty Marine of
1st December 1674 with the States General, his Majesty has
commanded him to transmit the enclosed authentic copy that it
may be punctually observed by all his subjects. With Latin copy
of the Treaty, attested by Secretary Williamson. ½ p. [Col.
Entry Bk., No. XCIII., 139.] |
July 24.
Bristol rrigate, in St. John's Harbour, Newfoundland. |
628. Sir John Berry to (Sec. Sir Joseph Williamson). Arrived
11th instant in St. John's Harbour and found H.M.S Swann with
40 ships, the greatest part bound to a market. Has sent two able
persons as far as Capes Bonavista and de Race to call in all the
harbours, bays, creeks, &c., and take exact account as directed, and
to declare his Majesty's pleasure to all the Planters. Has already
done it in this Harbour, and they promised obedience, but the
greatest part are too poor to remove unless his Majesty will send
a ship for them, and at last they must be put on the Parish
wherever they come. A labouring man will get in a summer
season near 20l., and their daily food comes out of the sea, while
such a person would not get 3l. in England. Has made diligent
inquiry into all those things laid to the Planters' charge by the
Merchants, and finds most of them false, manifested in this single
point. Summoned the Admirals and Commanders of 45 ships,
and told them he thought it would be convenient that no stages,
flakes, storehouses, or anything else should be pulled down, but
preserved till next season; several old and experienced Commanders were for the preservation of all, but three-fourths were for
taking them down, making many pretences that they had been at
great charge and labour to build them, and why should another
enjoy their goods next year? In conclusion, told them his Majesty's
Charter forbids that any spike or nail should be drawn, but everything entirely preserved, and he would take particular notice of
those that should offend, and acquaint his Majesty therewith. All
these things are laid to the Planters' charge. It is a common
practice with the Commanders to brew beer, wood their ships, and
sell the remains of the stages and houses to the sack ships. Has
had experience of it 20 years since in a voyage here, and taken
them in the very act of doing it since he came here. The charge
laid to the Planters of enticing the men to stay behind and neglect
their families is as true as the former; for when the voyage is
ended, to save 30s. or 40s. for their passage, the Commanders
persuade the Planters to receive them, and the seamen to tarry
behind, as some Commanders have confessed, pretending they knew
no order to the contrary. As to buying wine and brandy from
New England in exchange for fish, has ordered them all to give
account of all the wine, brandy, and other goods they have bought
this year, with names of ship, master, and where she belongs.
These Planters are not so bad as the Merchants make them, but
some "self-ended" persons have a mind to engross all into their own
hands. It is the opinion of several experienced Commanders that
if those people be removed from this country, his Majesty's subjects
would in few years find the ill-effects of it, for undoubtedly the
greatest part would settle among the French, where they are
already invited with great promises, or else for New England;
they implore his Majesty's favour to continue, and promise all
obedience to what orders shall be given. Several of the ships
whose Merchants made such a clamour for convoy are scattered up
and down, and going away without taking any notice of him.
Designs to sail in August for the Bay of Bulls, there to make up
the fleet, and to sail thence 20th Sept. at furthest, unless the
ships cannot be ready. The fishers are like to make an indifferent
good voyage, having taken about 200 kintalls per boat; the
"Caplinge scoole" of bait is gone, which is a great detriment.
St John's is an excellent Harbour, large enough for 100 sail, with
a narrow entrance and very high land; a small charge may fortify
it to keep out a considerable fleet, and several think that, if the
inhabitants be taken away, the French will soon possess it, to the
loss of several advantages his Majesty's subjects yet enjoy, it being
in the middle of the land. Has inquired in this Port, and cannot
find that any New England vessels have been here with the goods
before mentioned; but, on the contrary, that New England has
taken good quantities of those goods from hence, the product of
which is shipped in Enghsh vessels for a market. Has given
account to Mr. Sec. Coventry and Mr. pepys to the same effect
Endorsed, "R., 23 Aug. 1675." 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. 34,
No. 118.] |
| July 29. |
629. Sec. Sir Joseph Williamson to Sir Jonathan Atkins,
Governor of Barbadoes. To same effect as his letter to Lord
Vaughan (see ante, No. 627), with copy of the Treaty Marine with
Holland. ½ p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XCIII., 139.] |
July 30.
Windsor. |
630. Mem. of letter to Lord Vaughan, appointing Sir Henry
Morgan, of the Council of Jamaica, in the room of Maj.-Gen,
Banister, deceased. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XCV., 92.] |
