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Dec. 7.
Brooke House. |
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Proposition of Ant. Roberts for payment of 35l., to be recommended to the Company. Opinion upon the state of Mrs. Hart's demands; she accepts 120l., which is ordered to be paid, and requests an allowance for her husband's services as husband to the Company. It is replied that she had little cause to expect any reward, things not having been well husbanded by him. Demands for wages by Forster's wife, for his services as surgeon in the Robert. Several bonds sealed and renewed. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 237–39.] |
Dec. 11.
Whitehall. |
Notes by Nicholas of a meeting of the Privy Council, at which the King presided. The causes of Sir John Harvey's coming from Virginia are examined into and letter from the Council of Virginia of 16 May read. The King thinks it necessary to send the Governor back, though to stay but a day; if he can clear himself he shall remain longer than otherwise he would have done. An assumption of the regal power to send hither the Governor. Harvey denies the general charge of not administering the oath of allegiance to new planters, and of being a favourer of the Popish religion, and says there is no particular charge against him. Denies the accusation of one Rabnet, of Maryland, that he said it was lawful and meritorious to kill a heretic King, but apprehended Rabnet, who afterwards proceeded against Harvey, by one Williams, a minister; would not admit his testimony, because he had married two persons without a licence. Lord Baltimore's servants had slain three men at the entrance of Hudson's river, which goes to Maryland. Governor Harvey assumed the power to place and displace at the Council Board, and sequestred Thos. Hinton, because of ill-words spoken; well answered. Charges by Mr. White, a minister; silenced. Denies having permitted the Dutch to trade without taking security to take the commodities into England, according to his instructions. Struck Capt. Stevens, a Councillor, because of his ill language. Denies that he countenances the [Popish] religion in Maryland, and that there is public mass there. A note is added that Lord Cottington says he must make some order upon it. [Extract from Nicholas' Note Bk., Dec. 1635, DOMESTIC Corresp. Car. I.] |
| Dec. 21. |
81. Declaration to the Earl of Holland, Governor, on behalf of the Company for Providence Island. Letters have been received from the Governor, Council, and other inhabitants there, which state that upon 24 July last a Spanish fleet attacked the island, but unable to land amongst the rocks, were, after five days, beaten off, being much torn and battered by the ordnance from the forts. The place is of extraordinary importance from its position in the West Indian Seas, and interest in the trade of the richest part of America. There is a large harbour, where 100 ships of good burden may ride. 30,000l. have been spent upon the plantation, which yields the King in customs 1,000l. per annum. Discouragements received and continued injuries committed by the Spaniards. They have published an intention of their King to send greater forces to destroy the plantation, and the planters are so alarmed that, unless relieved by May next, they threaten to desert the island. It is requested that some sudden resolution may be taken to encourage other adventurers to join the Company, and to "hearten" the planters for defence of the island. Endorsed by Nicholas, "Presented Sunday, 27° Dec., to the King in Council by the Earl of Holland." |
| Dec. 21. |
82. Copy of the preceding. |
| 1635? |
83. Memorial in the handwriting of Secretary Sir John Coke, concerning the Isle of Providence. Situation, "nature," and productions of the island. About 500 able persons, and 30 or 40 women, who have as yet no commerce, but are endeavouring to trade with the Indians. A harbour, defended with three forts, which will contain three or four score vessels of 300 tons; ships of a larger size cannot enter without hazard. About 13 or 14 fortified places, of which good gunners are the chief preservation. An enemy could only land in boats. All the planters are trained and armed. One thousand good men will defend the island against any force, but no other benefit, except from trade, must be expected. The planters discouraged because their adventurers fell off last year more than one half. There were 18 "whole sharers" and quarter sharers to make up 24. Every man costs near 30l. to send out. Arms and munitions have cost above 2,000l. More than 8,000l. will be required to supply the island, for 250 men at least must be sent over yearly. If maintained at the King's expense, the sum will be greater. The inhabitants unable to maintain so great a charge, but others may be able to undertake it, and afford the King 10,000l. profit, whereas if taken by the Spaniards they will lose all, and can expect nothing but cruelty. The planters desire the King's speedy resolution, because they must either desert the island or receive supplies before the spring. [Rough draft.] |
| [Dec. 22.] |
84. "Memorial for Virginia." [Lord Baltimore] requests that the King will be pleased to give orders that Capt. John West, Sam. Mathews, John Utie, and Wil. Peirce, the prime actors in the late mutiny, be sent for into England, to answer their misdemeanors; that the Attorney General draw out a new commission for Sir John Harvey to be Governor, with enlarged powers; that Sec. Windebank prepare his instructions; and that any petition touching Maryland may be examined in that country or else the King be moved to hear it. |
| Dec. 24. |
Minutes of Committee for Providence Island. The Expectation having arrived, a course is proposed to discharge the money payable upon her return. Mr. Woodcock proposes to set up families on his own account in the island, and to put off servants and commodities for the planters' maintenance and defence, upon certain conditions. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 239.] |
| Dec.? |
85. The names of such men as have been proved to be the chief heads and actors in the late faction and mutiny in Virginia, and are to be sent for into England; with reasons: Capt. John West "the usurper of the Government," Capts. John Utie, Sam Mathews, Wil. Peirce, and Mr. Geo. Menefie. Also reasons why Sir John Zouch should not be made one of the Council in Virginia, nor be permitted to return. |
Dec. 27.
Whitehall. |
86. Order of the Privy Council upon a declaration to the Earl of Holland, Governor of the Company for Providence Island [see ante, p. 216, No. 81]. The further consideration is referred to the Privy Council, until the treaty with Spain is duly weighed, the King giving licence to his subjects to defend themselves from assault, and to act on the offensive against any who attempt to hinder their trade. [Draft.] |
Dec. 27.
Whitehall. |
87. Copy of the preceding. |
Dec.
Salem, New England. |
88. Geo. Burdett to Archbishop Laud. His voluntary exile is exposed to censure, but the truth is, his practice was regular and therein obedience ecclesiastical very real. His judgment in the five articles was moderate, declarations correspondent, the knot of the controversy declined whatever malice did inform, or perjury confirm to the contrary. Wished to impart this to rectify his Grace's judgment of him and his ways, and to stop the mouth of calumny. The ground of his secession was impetuous and malicious prosecution, "importable expense," the end tranquillity in distance, which, could he yet enjoy in his native country, it would exceedingly rejoice him. Prays his Grace to accept these lines from him who desires a favourable answer. Endorsed by Laud, "Rec. Feb. 22, 1635–6." |
| 1635? |
89. Reasons for the stay of Wil Gayner, an Irishman, and his associates, from proceeding in their voyage from Holland to the [River] Amazon and adjacent parts. The King granted those countries to a company of noblemen and gentlemen of England, and they have been possessed by his subjects about sixteen years. The Council have thereupon stayed some English gentlemen who were going thence. These are in confederacy with Gayner, who is likely to take the Dutch there, which would cause quarrel and bloodshed between the two nations. Underwritten is a note that Gayner lieth at one Clifton's, an English innkeeper in Flushing. |
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90. Memorandum concerning the position and climate of Guiana. Attempted by Sir W. Raleigh, [Robt.] Harcourt, and others. Raleigh ruined by King James, who, by Gondomar, let the King of Spain know his whole design before Raleigh was out of the Thames. |
| 1635? |
91. Petition of Francis Pott, late Capt. of His Majesty's Fort in Virginia, now a close prisoner in the Fleet, to Sec. Windebank. Upon complaint of Sir John Harvey, has stood committed since 14 July last, whereby he hath no means left to subsist upon and is weakened in health. Prays for liberty to go abroad sometimes about his affairs, with his keeper, returning to the Fleet at night. |
| 1635? |
92. Petition of Francis Pott, of America, close prisoner in the Fleet, to the Privy Council. Was, by Sir John Harvey's accusation, cast into prison, by the Mayor of Plymouth, on 14 July last, all his letters taken from him, and afterwards sent close prisoner to the Fleet, Prays for liberty until his business is heard, upon giving good bail, and that Sir John Harvey may be ordered to pay 50l., long since due to him. |
| 1635? |
93. Petition of Henry Robinson, a prisoner in the Marshalsea, to the King. Was convicted by the Judge of the Admiralty of piracy in June last, but reprieved from execution. Prays that he may be delivered to one James Place, an English planter in Virginia, who is bound thither. Sir Henry Marten has certified to the truth of this petition, and that the King had expressed himself willing to grant a warrant for sending the petitioner to one of the plantations. Endorsed by Sec. Windebank, "Robinson to be sent away upon certificate of Sir H. Marten." |
