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Jan. 1.
Somers Islands. |
39. Capt. Josias Forster, Deputy Governor, Thos. Turnor, Roger Wood, Henry Tucker, Sheriff, John Trimingham, Nath. Stowe, John Milner, Thos. Penistone, Chas. Morgan, John Turnor, John Devitt, the Council, and J. Vaughan, Secretary, to the Company of Adventurers to the Somers Islands. Have omitted no opportunity to advise them of the condition of the colony, but not one line of instruction has been received in return. Complain of the Act prohibiting trade with Barbadoes, Virginia, and Antigua, in which they are termed rebels and traitors. Great distress of the colony for want of supplies timely relieved by a Dutch vessel with many necessary commodities. In despair of any other supply, and because of a great wind on 16 August last, which blew away most of their summer tobacco, liberty was given to the inhabitants to trade with the ship. No credit should be given to strange things, which some discontented and turbulent spirits, by the last ship, may inform the Company of. The colony in peace and quietness, and want nothing more than encouragement from the Company. Think the privileges of the Company may be enlarged, whereby the poor inhabitants may look for seasonable supplies. Desire the odium of rebels and traitors to be taken off from them. [See p. 378, No. 49.] |
Jan. 5.
On board the Rainbow. |
Sir Geo. Ayscue to Lord Willoughby. Has sent many invitations to persuade him to preserve the island from desolation and ruin. Has been owned by a considerable part of the country, his commission published, and himself received as Governor; yet is the more induced to offer the same grace and favour as formerly. Sends inclosed the articles accepted by the Windward Regiment, to which, if he have any scruples, let them be made known by Commissioners, and fit persons shall be appointed to satisfy them. Hears that his powers to perform what is agreed upon are doubted, is ready to convince any person. [Colonial Corresp., 1652, Jan. 10.] |
Jan. 6.
From my Quarters [Barbadoes.] |
Lord Willoughby to Sir Geo. Ayscue. Does not find the paper which he mentions as inclosed, and to which, therefore, he can expect no answer. [Colonial Corresp., 1652, Jan. 10.] |
| Jan. 7. |
Order of the Council of State. Referring petition of Lord Brooke to Committee of the Ordnance, to consider of the powers of the Council as to what is mentioned therin, and report their opinion. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XCIV., p. 172.] |
Jan. 7.
Rainbow, in Austin's Bay. |
Sir Geo. Ayscue to Lord Willoughby. Finds by an oversight he did not send the articles mentioned in his letter; has now been more circumspect, and sends them inclosed, and hopes the public interest will be considered, and the further spilling of blood avoided by an acceptance of the fair terms now offered. [Colonial Corresp., 1652, Jan. 10.] Incloses, |
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I. Proposals from the Commissioners appointed by authority of Parliament for the reduction of Barbadoes, to be presented to the Governor, Council, and Assembly of that island for a safe and well-grounded peace. These proposals contain only 12 articles in lieu of the 14 abstracted at p. 369, inclosure I. The three articles relating to oaths, covenants, and engagements; to liberty of conscience, and to the garrisons, forces, and militia, being wholly omitted, and the delivering up of Barbadoes, with artillery, arms, &c., is made a separate and last article. To the article, "All persons to be restored to their sequestred estates," is added, and "some expedient considered of to make reasonable satisfaction to those whose estates have been kept from them." Respecting Lord Willoughby, no reference to any estate in England is made; the article states that he is not to be hindered in the planting of Surinam so long as he submits to the authority of the Commonwealth, and that he may peaceably enjoy his plantation upon Antigua, with the profits thereof. |
Jan. 7.
From my Quarters [Barbadoes.] |
Lord Willoughby to Sir Geo. Ayscue. The articles inclosed in his letter were the same in effect as had been formerly received. The Council and Assembly continue in the same resolution respecting them, and much wonder that what they may claim by law should be denied. Neither the treachery of one [Col. Thos. Modyford, see p. 373, No. 41], nor the easiness of many others seduced by him, have so weakened them as to accept either an unsafe or dishonourable peace. To procure a good one, none will endeavour more than himself. [Colonial Corresp., 1652, Jan. 10.] |
| Jan. 8. |
Orders of the Council of State. Sir David Kirke to be summoned forthwith to attend the Council; papers of complaint against him to be looked out, and brought to the Council on the following day. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XCIV., p. 179.] |
Jan. 9.
From my quarters [Barbadoes.] |
Lord Willoughby to Sir Geo. Ayscue. offers still his endeavours to prevent the calamities and effusion of Christian blood which follow a civil war, and seeing that the fire is now dispersed in the bowels of the island, has resumed the consideration of his former overtures for a treaty. Does not doubt his own force, but what might be done would in a few weeks turn the face of a country so flourishing and so great an honour to their nation into desolation and sadness. Would rather seek a decision of this difference by reason, and, that some fair interpretation may be given to the first article of Willoughby's propositions, has appointed Sir Rich. Pearce, Chas. Pym, Col. Thos. Ellice, and Serj.-Maj. Wm. Byham, Commissioners, who, upon receiving a safe conduct, will repair to Oystens, to meet a like number from him, with full powers to treat and conclude. Desires there may be a cessation of arms during the treaty upon conditions named. [Colonial Corresp., 1652, Jan. 10.] |
Jan. 9.
On board the Rainbow in Oystens Bay. |
Ayscue to Willoughby. Is passionately desirous to preserve Barbadoes from further ruin, and will not stand upon the great advantages put into his hands by those gentlemen who have joined their forces to his, to gain a speedy and happy peace for their country. Agrees to Willoughby's propositions, and has sent a safe conduct for the persons named. It is resolved that Col. Modyford and Col. Colleton shall be joined with Dan. Searle, and Capt. Pack as Commissioners on their side, to meet at 8 a.m. to-morrow at Mr. Turner's house, being the sign of the "Meremayd" in Austins. Desires him to give directions respecting the places to which the cessation of arms will extend. [Ibid.] Incloses, |
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I. Safe conduct for Sir Rich. Pearce, Chas. Pym, Col. Thos. Ellice, and Serj.-Major Wm. Byham, Commissioners appointed by Fras. Lord Willoughby of Parham, with their servants, to proceed to Oystens Bay. Signed by Ayscue. |
Jan. 10.
From my Quarters [Barbadoes.] |
40. Willoughby to Ayscue. Has, according to agreement, sent those gentlemen, for whom a safe conduct was desired, with full power to treat and conclude upon matters concerning the composing and settling of the unhappy distractions of that poor island. Cannot tell what directions to give to the places inserted by him for a cessation of arms, but will take care that no spoil is made other than what is necessary for the supply of his forces. |
| Jan. 12. |
Order of the Council of State. Appointing Mr. Neville, Earl of Pembroke, Col. Morley, Mr. Love, Col. Purefoy, Mr. Hay, Mr. Holland, Mr. Scott, Mr. Bond, and Sir Arthur Hesilrig, or any three of them, a Committee to examine the business concerning Sir David Kirke, to peruse papers relative to his actings at Newfoundland, and to require an account of what is due to the Commonwealth of the profits of shares forfeited to the State; and to report upon the whole matter. Mr. Neville to take care of the business. In the margin are the names of Sir Hen. Vane, Mr. Masham, Mr. Challoner, Col. Dixwell, Mr. Corbett, Lord Bradshaw, Mr. Morley, added to the Committee on the 2nd April 1652. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XCIV., p. 192.] |
| Jan. 21. |
Order of the Council of State. The business of the letters from Barbadoes delivered to the Council, to be considered the next day. [INTERREGNUM, Entry Bk., Vol. XCIV., p. 236.] |
| Jan. 26. |
Similar Orders. Mr. Holland, Lieut. Gen. Fleetwood, Mr. Gurdon, Mr. Carew, and Sir Arthur Hesilrig, or any three of them, appointed a Committee to report upon the paper given in by [Edward] Winslow concerning New England. Letters brought by the Guinea Company in a ship which touched at Barbadoes, relating only to merchants' affairs, to be delivered as directed. [Ibid., pp. 256, 257.] |
| Jan. 29. |
Similar Order. For Sir David Kirke to enter into bond not to depart out of the Commonwealth, and to be in readiness to attend the Committee when sent for. [Ibid., p. 272.] |
| Jan. 30. |
Similar Order. Referring petition of Sir David Kirke, with the state of his case annexed, to the Committee appointed for that business. [Ibid., p. 280.] |
