|
March 2.
Warwick House. |
Minute as above. Two patents to Sir Ferd. Gorges, Lieut.-Col. Walter Norton, and their associates, of the same tenure and date as the patent of 2nd Dec. 1631, are sealed, with the names of Seth Bull, Dixie Bull, Mathew Bradley, and John Bull, instead of Thos. Coppyn, Joel Woolsey, Geo. Norton, and Robt. Rainsford. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, p. 10.] |
March 2.
Whitehall. |
43. Minute of an order of the Virginia Commissioners. The adventurers having accepted a new charter of restitution of a company, the Attorney General is desired not to pass any grant or patent, without a proviso or exception of all territories, &c., formerly granted to the late Company of Virginia. |
March 18.
Bristol. |
44. Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Capt. John Mason. Approves of the course he has taken for stay of a ship, lately arrived at Plymouth from the Dutch plantation in New England [see p. 154, No. 62]. They must stand upon the just title of the King to those parts, in respect of the first discovery and actual possession, by virtue of several patents. He may remember that King James' Ambassador to the United Provinces had orders to question the authority of the Dutch in those limits, [see ante, p. 26, No. 56] when it was answered if any such were there, it was by their private adventure alone. Cannot be in London before Easter, when he will put the business in the way it ought to be. Wishes him to keep the party who has lived so long with the Dutch, and to inform himself of their strength, where they live, how they are fortified and provided for, and what other commodities they find besides their trade of furs; what cattle, horses, and carriages they use, and where are their friends and enemies. Requests him to do his best to prolong the stay of the ship at Plymouth, until the Lords [of the Privy Council] are fully informed of the consequence of the business; that the Dutch may be prohibited trading in those parts, and from presuming to settle without licence from the Council [of New England]. Leaves to his own judgment what is best to be done for the present; nothing shall be wanting in the power of Gorges for making good their undertakings. Will send the horses promised by Lord Gorges and himself, when he knows the fit time for their dispatch thence. Has lately written his resolution to Mr. Eyre. Hopes he will not despair, although he finds a coldness in those who understand not the business aright. Hears that my lord of Warwick has promised to further their purpose. Will put more life into if than heretofore, having every day more and more reason to do so. |
March 21.
Westminster. |
Bill to pass the Privy Seal, declaring an abatement of the customs upon tobacco on the 2nd March, and reducing them from 9d. to 4d. per lb., on the growth of Virginia and the Somers Islands, and from 12d. to 6d. on that of St. Christopher's and the other Caribbee Islands. [Sign Manual, Car. I., Vol. XIII.] |
| March? |
45. Objections [in Sec. Lord Cottington's hand] to certain arrangements, whereby the King is obliged to pay 14,330l. for supposed debts to Du Cane [De Caen] from the Canada merchants. The King should have been first consulted before the articles were signed, especially as they are to be ratified under the Great Seal; and Burlamachi is made a pledge for skins, debts from savages, knives, and French ships. Conceives it most fiting that the Canada Company should answer my Lord Ambassador [Wake's] long letter. [This was done on 24th April 1632, see p. 145, No. 53.] On 19th April following, these objections were embodied in a letter from Sec. Coke to Sir Isaac Wake. Coke is commanded by the King to let him know, that though for the King's own honour he will not free himself from the disadvantage and burden cast upon him, by disavowing openly those ministers to whom he gave powers, yet as to Wake and Burlamachi, the King disavoweth both their proceedings as being without his commission or allowance. "His Majesty disavoweth the transaction as not justifiable on your parts, yet requireth you without reply immediately to see it done." [Corresp. FRANCE, 1632, April 19.] |
| 1632. March? |
46. The King to ["the Canada merchants and the commanders under them."] The differences with the French King and his subjects having been settled, and His Majesty having consented to the restitution of Quebec, "as taken by force of arms since the peace," they are commanded to deliver up the fort and habitation to whomsoever the French King shall appoint, in the same state as at the time of the surrender. [Draft, a paragraph of which is underlined, and another written on the outer page in substitution.] |
| March? |
47. Copy of the preceding, without the substituted paragraph, signed by King Charles, but afterwards corrected by Sec. Dorchester, who has endorsed it, "Letters from His Majesty to the Canada Merchants and the commanders under them for rendering Quebec, corrected as in these first originals appeareth," in allusion also to the following. |
| March? |
48. Copy of the above No. 46, with the substituted paragraph, signed by King Charles, in which Sec. Dorchester has subsequently made corrections different from those in the preceding. [Ambassador Sir Isaac Wake writes to Capt. Thos. Kirke from Paris on March 22/April 1 1632, that the treaty for the restitution of the fort and habitation of Quebec had been concluded. Kirke is therefore required speedily to deliver up those places to General De Caen, or whosoever he may appoint, who will be the bearer of this letter. Wake incloses copy of the treaty, that Kirke may the better know how to govern himself, and gives him particular directions concerning his own and his company's return to England, the merchandise he had transported to Canada, and other matters, See 22 March/1 April 1632, Corresp. FRANCE, , where a great deal of correspondence concerning Canada will be found.] |
| March? |
49. Declaration upon oath of the Sieur Champlain, as to the quantity of arms, ammunition, and other materials left in the Fort of Quebec at the surrender, and which ought to be restored according to the treaty. French. [Copy.] |
| 1632? |
50. List of the "Marchandises de traicte" sent to Quebec, which were found in the Mary Fortune of London, taken at Tadousac. French. |
