|
| April 2. |
51. Capt. John Mason to [Sec. Coke]. Certain Hollanders began a trade, about 1621, upon the coast of New England, between Cape Cod and Delaware Bay, in 40 degrees N.L., granted to Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584, and afterwards confirmed and divided by agreement by King James in 1606. The plantations in Virginia have been settled about 40 years, in New England about 25 years. The Hollanders came as interlopers between the two, and have published a map of the coast between Virginia and Cape Cod, with the title of New Netherlands, calling the river upon which they are planted Manhatan, and giving Dutch names to other places discovered by the English. Sir Sam. Argoll, with many English planters, were about to settle in those parts, and the English Ambassador at the Hague was ordered to complain against the proceedings of the Hollanders. [1621, Dec. 15, see ante, p.26, No. 56.] Nevertheless the following year, under a pretended authority from the Dutch West India Company, they made a plantation upon Manhatan; have since fortified themselves in two places and built ships there, one of 600 tons sent into Holland. They were warned by the English plantation at New Plymouth neither to trade nor make any settlement in those parts, but with proud and contumacious answers say "They had commission to fight against such as should disturb their settlement," and persisted in planting, vilifying the English to the Indians, and extolling their own nation. It is reported that they have exported from thence to Holland this year 15,000 beaver skins, besides other commodities. |
April 2.
Brooke House. |
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Letters received from Providence by the Seaflower, referred for consideration and the secretary ordered to summon the absent adventurers. As the ship "was not then come about" and many letters were not received, resolved that the passengers have orders to stay in the country until further directions. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 55.] |
April 6.
Bristol. |
52. Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Capt. John Mason. Is glad to find by his letter of 30 March, that the business against those of the Dutch plantation is before the Privy Council. Hopes they will not be over hasty in concluding a business of that important nature. Cannot come up [to London] having "taken a fall" from his horse at a race, and is unable to move. Hopes he will make some shift to send away the horses, as no shipping leaves again until the winter quarter; knows they will be of great service at the islands. |
April 6.
Brooke House. |
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Mr. Dike and Capt. Tanner ordered to enter the Seaflower in the custom house in the name of John Hart, to the use of the Governor and company, to take order for her discharge, and warehousing her goods until composition be made for the customs. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol III., p. 55.] |
April 11.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. Letter from Mr. Morgan to Sir Nath. Rich, stuffed with bitter expressions, and avowing of a spirit inclined to sedition and mutiny, is read. Resolved that he should be brought home by the next ship, he being the author or at least the fomenter of the planters' seeming discontent, which might cause a revolt in the island from the Company's government. Debate arises, and instructions are agreed upon to that effect. The planters' petition, complaining of the "unfortifiableness" of the island, and of other personal grievances, is referred for consideration. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 55, 56.] |
April 12.
Westminster. |
Patent to Peter de Liques, Sr. des Antheux of Picardy, and William Boswell, "Keeper of our Papers of State at Whitehall." Containing a grant of the office of Receiver General hereditary of the augmented revenue arising in America, with power to retain one fifth part to their own use; and of letters of denization to Peter De Licques [see ante, p. 140, No. 42]. Beautifully engrossed on vellum, with the effigy of Charles I. drawn in pencil and ink, and the Great Seal, mutilated, attached. [Colonial Corresp., Vol. VII., No. 1.] |
| April 12. |
Minute of the above. [Colonial Corresp., 1607, Jan. 9.] |
| April 13. |
Declaration of the Company for Providence Island. Arthur Rous is elected one of the ministers for that island, he being contented to transport himself and family thither; a fit place and lands are assigned to him and further encouragement promised. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 43.] |
April 13.
Brooke House. |
Minute of a Court for Providence Island. Ordered that in the instructions to be sent to the Governor and Council, they should measure and set out 20 parcels of ground of 25 acres each, in the most fertile places in the island, to be assigned to the first 20 adventurers of the Company. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 56, 57.] |
| April 14–24. |
Minutes of Meetings for Providence Island. Instructions and answers to the general letters to the Company agreed on. Accounts of the Seaflower to be paid. Supplies bought for the use of Mr. Morgan in the island, ordered to be purchased for the Company's magazine. The Company's debts. Rich. Goodman to have 80l. per annum, he having joined Capt. Axe in ordering the fortifications of the island. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 57, 58.] |
| [April 24.] |
53. Answer of the Adventurers of Canada to the articles contained in a letter from Sir Isaac Wake, the King's Ambassador in France, of 30 March/9 April. 1632 [see Corresp. FRANCE]. They relate to the Company's instructions to Wake, which the latter complains were weak and far short of what was necessary for their defence; to the unreasonable demands of De Caen; the restitution of the Helen and her goods; satisfaction for beavers owing by the savages, their number and weight. Conceive the carriage of the business to have been very unequal, and that "it is plain that the depositions of the French are fully approved, and the English wholly rejected." This paper is signed by David Kirke "For my mother Eliz. Kirke," Robert Charlton, and Will. Berkeley. |
| April 25. |
Minutes of a Meeting for Providence Island. Sam. Filby to be permitted to sail in his own ship to the Island of Association; heads of articles between him and the Company concluded on. Payments for wages of artificers in Providence ordered. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 58.] |
| April 28. |
Minutes as above. The number of passengers to be sent over is considered; resolved to put off some until a better opportunity. Various sums ordered as rewards to those who had attended the Company's service. Articles between the Company and Thos. Goodbarne directed to be sealed. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 58, 59.] |
