|
June 3.
Boston. |
126. The Secretary of Massachusetts to Sir Leoline Jenkins. We humbly acknowledge the King's letter of 30th September 1680, giving us a further opportunity to attend him; and least we should seem ungrateful we trouble you with the following account of ourselves. On the receipt of the said letter, although through the extremity of the cold and snow it was difficult for the Freemen to assemble, the Governor summoned a General Court. It met on 4th January, and heard the King's letter read. We first considered the choice of Agents, that they might have timely notice to prepare themselves to embark at the first opportunity. We considered their instructions, and we carefully perused the laws to which the King's Attorney and Solicitor-General had taken exception, and have made great progress to a conclusion. We also published the King's orders to our villages on the south of the Merrimac. Mr. Mason pretends to some part thereof, but neither we nor the inhabitants know his boundaries. We trust that this will suffice with the King to silence the clamour and groundless pretences of this complainant. "But so it is, Right Honourable, that we cannot prevail with persons in any degree qualified [to act as Agents] to undertake such a voyage at this time." We have made choice of several men but received the consent of none. The present calamity of others of this country who are slaves in Algiers, one of them [William Harris] an Agent from one of these Colonies, is a great discouragement. Harris is not yet ransomed, and we fear that the ransom for one taken in such a character would be higher than a poor community, still labouring under the burden of the late Indian war, could afford. We do not urge this as the cause that has kept us from our duty, but merely as an inconveniency that meets us in the discharge thereof. We took not take ourselves to be released from obligations, nor departed from our resolutions, but we hope that the foregoing statement, without mentioning other matters, will not cause our delay in sending Agents to be reflected on as due to want of loyalty and allegiance in us, which we humbly profess that we will always bear to His Sacred Majesty. We hope the more for his pardon herein since we understand is still taken up by the affairs relating to that execrable Popish plot, which were the chief occasion of his dismission of our former agents; so that we have reason to fear that our attendance at present may be troublesome to His Majesty and unprofitable to ourselves. "Right Honourable, we humbly pray that this our address may be accepted and taken in good part by your Honour, and that you will be pleased to favour us, His Majesty's most dutiful and obedient subjects, with a representation of our present condition herein contained, that we may not incur His Majesty's displeasure, nor be thought regardless of his commands, whereunto we have been assembled in General Court, endeavouring to give evidence of our obedience." Signed, Edward Rawson, for the Governor and Company. 1 p. Inscribed, "Read Sept. 12, 1681." [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No.], and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 127–131.] |
| June 3. |
127. Duplicate of foregoing. Endorsed, "Recd. 30 August 1681." [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 2.] |
| June 6. |
128. Deposition of Mr. Vincent Lowe against Mr. Christopher Rousby. Some day last April I went to Mr. Rousby's house, where we fell a talking of affairs in old England. He showed me several newsbooks which he had lately received from thence, and after I had perused some of them I told him that I perceived that the King in all his speeches insisted much on this point; that the succession of the Crown should continue in the right line; and that the King stuck very close to his brother, the Duke of York. Rousby answered that so he did. I continued that the King could not do less than take the Duke of York's part, being his brother, as his nature obliged him to it. Whereupon Rousby clapped his hand to his breast and said it was not nature that caused it; but he believed that the King was at heart of the same persuasion as the Duke of York. Afterwards which we were talking of the Bill in the English Parliament to disable the Duke of York from inheriting the Crown of England. I told Rousby that I heard Lord Halifax was much against it; whereto he answered that great men were great knaves and turncoats. Signed, Vincent Lowe. Inscribed, "Sworn to by Mr. Vincent Lowe this 6th of June 1681 before me, C. Baltemore." 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 3, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 53, 54.] |
June 7.
Maryland. |
129. Lord Baltimore to the Earl of Anglesey. I have already written twice to you about one Christopher Rousby, who I desired might be removed from his place of collector for the King in Maryland, he having been a great knave to the King, and as great a disturber of the trade and peace of my province. I send you herewith a writing sworn to by one of my Council (see preceding abstract), by which you will judge to some measure of what ill principles this Rousby is, and how seditious and wicked he is in his common discourses, this being the least matter in that kind that he is guilty of. I dare affirm that he is as great a traitor in his heart as is this day living. Since Rousby left for England one Badcock, a surveyor for the King here, came about a fortnight ago to acquaint me that though some master of vessels from Poole and Liverpool (who lately arrived in my province) had brought certificates of bonds to carry away their lading of tobacco to England and Ireland (for the Act for nine years which excepted Ireland is now some time since expired), yet such masters were obliged to pay the penny per pound here before they could be permitted to clear with my officers. I answered that I was aware that Ireland was now open, and that since at London, Bristol, Poole, and Liverpool such bonds were taken by the officers of those ports (as by certificates produced to me here was evident), I thought that sufficient for my officers and myself to walk by. I therefore told Badcock that I would not sufter him to molest any masters that had such certificates, unless he could affirm that they were counterfeited, which he durst not affirm. Yet he had the impudence to tell me before some of my Council that he would complain to the Commissioners of Customs that I hindered him from discharging his office. Now I was satisfied that his intention was only to cheat the merchants concerned in these vessels of as much money as a penny per pound would come to; for the King's duty was secured by the bonds given at Poole and Liverpool, which Badcock owned to be legally taken, as well as that the certificates were good. By this you will see what hungry indigent fellows are appointed to serve the King here, men who would dishonour the King, cheat his subjects, and drive all the trade out of my province if they were permitted to act at their will. Let me beg you to procure that such dissolute fellows shall be removed from the King's service here, and that the Commissioners of Customs may be required to appoint some persons of good estates and lives to serve the King here, for such will be careful to discharge their trust faithfully, and pay some respect to the Government they live in. Holograph. 1 p. Addressed to the Earl of Anglesey, etc., in Drury Lane. Endorsed, "Rec. Oct.], 1681, by his Agent in town." [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 4, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 46–48.] |
June 7.
New Hampshire. |
130. At a Court held at Dover, New Hampshire, 7th June 1681. Bill of costs of Nehemiah Partridge against Francis Huckins. Total, 1l. 1s. Copy. Certified by Richard Chamberlain. Scrap. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 5.] |
| June 7. |
131. Minutes of Council of Barbados. His Excellency approved Christopher Codrington as Speaker of the Assembly on the sickness of Richard Guy. The Assembly made its motion respecting the inhumanity of deferring the holding of General Sessions, to which his Excellency replied. His Excellency reminded the Assembly of the King's proposals for commutation of the four-and-a-half per cent. duty, to which they had given no reply. This entry is found only in the duplicate copy of the Minutes. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 403, 404.] |
| June 7. |
132. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Colonel Richard Guy being absent through sickness, General Christopher Codrington was elected Speaker. On the petition of Samuel Hanson, supported by two witnesses, against John Witham, voted that Richard Seawell and Richard Pococke take the depositions of the said witnesses, and Edward Littleton, William Sharpe, Samuel Husbands, John Davies, and Richard Seawell be a Committee to examine the petitions of Samuel Hanson, of Ralph Fretwell, of Thomas Pilgrim, of the Attorney of Richard Dawes, and all other petitions lying before the Assembly, and report on them at next sitting. Address to the Governor, praying him speedily to hold a sessions to deliver the prisoners from the common gaol, where for years past they have lain under great cruelty and oppression. On the petition of Captain Samuel Norris, gunner of Hole Fort, ordered that 5,000 lbs. of Muscovado sugar be paid to him, and 3,000 lbs. to John Chilcott, his matross. Voted that divers expiring Acts be continued, and others revised. Message received from the Governor, that his Excellency has often declared his opinion that it is unreasonable and inhuman so long to defer the holding of a gaol delivery, and will hold a General Sessions with all convenient speed, as soon as the means of meeting the expense be provided. Resolved that an answer be prepared hereunto. |
| June 8. |
Bills for continuing and revising expiring Acts advanced. After debate on the King's proposals for the commutation of the four-and-a-half per cent. duty, the following address to the Governor was drawn up and presented, in substance as follows:— We are ready to establish a revenue to the King and his successors for ever upon imported wines and liquors to the value of 5,000l. a year, which we humbly conceive is 1,000l. more than the King now receives for the Island's proportion of the rent now paid into his Treasury by the farmers of the four-and-a-half per cent. duty. If this impost falls short of the sum we are ready to make good the arrears by a law upon the lands of this Island. —The House considered the Governor's answer respecting the holding of a General Sessions, and made answer to him as follows:— We crave leave to inform you that the four-and-a-half per cent. duty was granted to the King to defray the expenses of Government, as was done all the time of Francis, Lord Willoughby. After his death we confess that out of our affection for the King's service and the exigencies of his affairs, we have been drawn from time to time to defray several expenses of the Government; but the charge of the General Sessions hath not hitherto been put upon us, but has been allowed by the King, and we have no doubt that His Majesty will continue to do so. We have reason to believe, also, that taking one time with another, fines and forfeitures will reimburse the charge. — Voted that the House defer proceeding with the debate of raising an excise on liquors till next meeting. Bill declaring when the laws of England shall take effect read a first time. Petition of John Farmer recommended to the Governor and Council as follows:— We earnestly recommend to you this petition. We knew petitioner's father well, who was a person of great honour and a true lover of his King and country, and we should be extremely sorry to see this family rooted out by the most undue practice ever known in Barbados. Such judgments as those mentioned in the petition are very usual in this Island; they have always taken effect according to the agreement of the parties, and not otherwise, which good usage we desire may have no disturbance. As the petitioner so we, too, rely on your Excellency's justice and honour. — Adjourned to 5th July. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIII., pp. 432–8.] |
| June 8. |
133. Minutes of Council of Barbados. The Assembly brought several Bills to revise and continue expiring Acts, also a Bill declaring when the laws of England shall take effect in this Island. Order for paying Samuel Norris and the matross of Hole Fort passed. The Assembly's answer to the Governor's message about the commutation of the four-and-a-half per cent. (see preceding abstract). Certificate on page 348 from Edwyn Stede that the foregoing minutes (from 7th March to 8th June) are a true copy. Dated 14th June 1681. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 347, 348.] |
|
Duplicate of the minutes of 7th March to 8th June. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 371–409.] |
| June 9. |
134. Petition of certain inhabitants of Barbados to the Assembly. Requesting it to represent to Sir Richard Dutton, as it had already represented to Sir Jonathan Atkins, the barbarous inhumanity and subtle conspiracy of the Jewish nation in general against all Christendom, and particularly against England, which conspiracy and inhumanity is already began to be regulated by the removal of Jews from Tangier. The presence of Jews is inconsistent with the safety of Barbados; they have already given, as there is too much reason to believe, intelligence to her enemies, and will do the same again. Signed by Jer. Cooke, Robert Draper, Thomas Morris, John Smith, on behalf of the persons concerned. Copy. Certified by Edwyn Stede, 9th June 1681. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 10 Aug. 1681 (see No. 57). [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 6.] |
June 10.
Barbados. |
135. Return of Imports and Shipping, from 10th March to 10th June 1681, [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. X., Nos. 9, 10.] |
June 11.
Barbados. |
136. Sir Richard Dutton's answers to the heads of enquiry respecting Barbados. (1.) There is only one Council in the Island, consisting of twelve persons appointed by the King under the Great Seal of England. The Assembly is called as occasion requires and consists of twenty-two persons, two for each of the eleven parishes, chosen by the freeholders. There are five Courts of Judicature or Common Pleas, each consisting of a Chief Judge and four assistants, any three of whom may hold a court and try causes. There is also a Court of King's Bench for the redress of errors or irregularities in the Common Pleas; and a High Court of Chancery, held by the Governor and Council, for equitable causes. (2.) There is no Court of Admiralty established, only formed as occasion may require. (3.) The power of making statutes is vested by the Governor's commission in the Governor, Council, and Assembly. (4.) The laws are such as have been made from time to time. How far the laws of England are binding is a question under consideration. (5.) The land forces consist of six regiments of foot, equal with officers to about six thousand men; two regiments of horse and a regiment of guards, equivalent with officers to twelve hundred horse. (6.) There are twenty forts and batteries, with breastworks between them. The ordnance mounted therein are demi-cannon, culverin, demi-culverin, sackers, falcons. (7.) There are no privateers or pirates. (8.) This being the windwardmost of the islands has little trade with the others. (9.) We have no correspondence with our neighbours for the same reason. The French forbid the vessels of the English islands to enter their ports. (10.) The ammunition in the magazines amounts to about fifteen hundred foot arms, besides those issued to the regiments, five hundred barrels of powder with match and ball, and all other necessaries for the great guns. (11.) No money has ever been appointed by the sovereign out of any branch of his revenue for military purposes or any other. The cost of arms and repairing forts is generally defrayed by an excise on imported liquors, by levies on negroes to come and work, or by taxes on land or negroes to pay the necessary charge thereof, as from time to time is found convenient. (12.) The longitude and latitude of the Island is variously estimated, there being no other admeasurement than that of Richard Ford, a surveyor, whose description is printed and sold in England. The general estimate of its longitude is about twenty-eight English miles, its latitude about twelve, and its acreage about a hundred thousand acres, all of which is granted, settled, and manured by the inhabitants. There are of men able to bear arms about ten thousand, and of negroes forty thousand. (13.) There are four towns for trade, all adjoining the seaside, viz., to windward, Oistin's town; six miles thence to leeward, St.' Michael's, the capital; seven miles to leeward of St. Michael's, Holetown; and five miles to leeward of Holetown, is Speightstown. The original houses were all of timber, but as they decayed or were destroyed by time, fire, or hurricanes, they were rebuilt with stone or brick and covered with tiles, slate, or shingles, and built after the English fashion for commodiousness and decency as well as strength. They are now general all over the Island. (14.) There are eleven parishes, divided into five precincts, each of which has its own Court of Common Pleas, wherein alone the inhabitants of that precinct can be sued. (15.) There are no rivers and no harbours, only roadsteads of varying depth and with rocky bottoms. (16.) The commodities produced in the Island are sugar, cotton, and ginger. The value thereof spent in the Island is difficult to compute; the value exported can only be given by the Collectors of the Four-and-a-half per cent, duty who have excused themselves to your Lordships. Imports are of all kinds, as may be seen from the quarterly returns, whence also their value may be estimated. (17.) Some years since there was an attempt to make saltpetre in the Island, but it only ruined the undertakers. (18.) The number of men fit to bear arms is ten thousand. (19.) The Island has for many years been so fully settled as to include none but the King's subjects. The Royal African Company has imported about two thousand negroes in the past seven years, which fetched from forty shillings to twenty pounds a head. Many have been brought also from Madagascar and by interlopers. (20.) No account is kept of births of negroes or mulattos, few of them being christened; and an ill account has been kept of the christian children born, for the Quakers and other sectaries, who are many, do not christen or register the birth of their children. (21, 22.) The like holds good of marriages and burials. The Quakers bury their dead in fields and hedges. (23.) It is difficult here as in any part of the King's dominions to make any reasonable estimate of the estates of the planters or merchants, for many who seem to be traders on their own stock are but the factors of others, and many who seem of considerable value are worth little. Planters, though their stock is visible in land, building and negroes, are as difficult to reckon; many, whose estates appear great, being encumbered with debts. The best account of the wealth of the Island is to be taken from the exports and can be furnished by the Collectors of the Four-and-a-half per cent. duty. (24.) The shipping that comes to the Island can be best judged from the quarterly returns. Few vessels belong to the Island except shallops, though there are some small ships and barks that go to New England for provisions. (25.) The attempt to settle St. Lucia, esteemed the best of the Islands under the Government of Barbados, proved so fatal in the time of Lords Francis and William Willoughby, when most of the men that went to settle it died by reason of the sickliness of the Island, that it has wholly discouraged all people from attempting the settlement thereof. Nor have any attempted to settle St. Vincent or Dominica, both for the aforesaid reasons and because they are particularly infested with Indians. The Duke of Courland's subjects have recently begun some settlement of Tobago, but were not strong enough to resist the Indians who, with French among them as wild and savage as themselves, often assaulted the late settlers, killed several of them and forced them to desert the Island. They were brought hither to seek their passage to England and embarked some time since. (26 and 27.) These queries shall be answered as occasion offers. (28.) No duty of any kind is paid on exports except the four-and-a-half per cent. to His Majesty, as by Act of this Island, and a certain duty on goods exported to the other colonies as by Act of the English Parliament. There is not nor has been for the last eighteen months or two years any duty on imports. (29.) The king has no revenues in this Island but the four-and-a-half per cent. which is collected by Mr. Roger Cowley, and Mr. Richard Grant, officers appointed by the farmers of that revenue, and the duty raised by Act of Parliament of 25 Charles II. which is collected by Mr. Edwyn Stede, appointed thereto by the Commissioners of Customs in England. (30.) The true Christian religion as established by law in England prevails in this Island, and its service is held in all the churches. The Quakers come next, not comparable in number to the Anglicans; but they are often very rich and have such influence on one another that few die without bequeathing something to their faction and worship. There is also a small parcel of Anabaptists, but inconsiderable and dwindling. There are about two hundred and sixty Jews, men, women, and children, either born on the Island or made denizens by royal letters patent. (31.) There is a good church built in every parish, and to every church a very able and orthodox minister; ministers are appointed one pound of Muscovado sugar per acre for their maintenance, but sugar being now low in price, each parish provides for his maintenance to the minister's satisfaction out of the parish levies. Each parish provides for its poor, so that there are few vagrants and beggars, though some there are. Signed, Ri. Dutton. 7½ 3pp. Endorsed. Recd. 19 Aug. 1681. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 7, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 76–84.] |
June 13.
St. Jago de la
Vega. |
137. Sir Henry Morgan to Lords of Trade and Plantations. All things here at present have a prosperous aspect, and I am in hopes that when the Assembly meets again on 24th instant matters will be quietly carried on. Yet I much fear that the perpetuity of the Act of Revenue will not be assented to, though I shall leave no means untried to advance it. I have by me some queries of your lordships concerning the nature of this place and the constitution of this Government, to which I shall answer to the best of my ability by the first ship. I shall also send at the same time the naval officer's accounts which were omitted through the negligence of my secretary, Mr. Powell, whom for that and several other incorrect and unhandsome dealings with me I have by advice of the Council turned out of that office. Signed. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 8.] |
June 13.
St. Jago de la
Vega. |
138. Sir Henry Morgan to [Sir Leoline Jenkins?]. The remoteness of this place gives so much opportunity to the tongue and hand of malice that the greatest innocence cannot be protected without much care and watchfulness. I suppose you have heard of the foul dealing I have lately had shown me by one who should have stood between me and calumny, my Secretary, Mr. Rowland Powell. To his great shame and the endangering of my reputation he has without my knowledge or the privity of any of the Council here made use of my seal and pretended my hand to a proclamation of his own contriving, to empower the factors of the African Company (whereof he is one) and command this country to do things against interlopers contrary to law. But I hope I have taken sufficient care to remove that false aspersion at home. I have for that purpose taken several depositions which clear the matter and disclose his printed shame, but I did not think myself secure till with the Council's advice I had removed the dangerous cause and employed, instead of Powell, one Barclay for my Secretary. He is a man of untarnished reputation who has lived here these many years, has acted as secretary of the Island, been clerk both of Supreme and Petty Courts, and three times clerk of former Assemblies without the least blame or suspicion. I speak these truths about him to prevent calumny, which will doubtless be busy. I have taken the utmost care to protect the African Company, maintain its rights and obstruct the coming of interlopers, and I doubt not that the interloping commerce would fall of itself if the Company would keep the Island sufficiently supplied with negroes at the present rates. Powell is responsible for the failure to transmit the naval officer's accounts. I have little assurance about carrying the Bill for perpetual revenue. Signed. Endorsed. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 9.] |
June 14.
Council
Chamber. |
139. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Sir Henry Morgan's letters of 16th March read, two quarterly letters from Barbados, and Sir Richard Dutton's speech to the Assembly of Barbados (see Nos. 51, 59). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVI., pp. 263, 264.] |
June 14.
Council
Chamber. |
140. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King. We have received several letters and papers dated April last from Barbados, by which we hear that Sir Richard Dutton is safely arrived and that his proposals have been well received by the Assembly. Here follows a recapitulation of the Assembly's reply to Sir R. Dutton (ante, No. 59). Signed, Arlington, Clarendon, Craven, Radnor, Worcester, L. Jenkins. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Read in Council 16 June 1681. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 10, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 63, 64.] |
June 14.
Barbados. |
141. Governor Sir Richard Dutton to Sir Leoline Jenkins. It is a great misfortune to me at the entrance to my government to have cause of complaint of the ill administration of my predecessor. Could I consistently with my duty do so, I shold rather extenuate than aggravate it. The people since my arrival have renewed their former fears and jealousies (for they have as good a faculty for creating them here as in England), defaming the King's honour and justice. This, which is certainly their main design, was grounded on a letter from England to some of the Assembly, which was slily and maliciously insinuated into the credulous ears of the less discerning of that body, and blown up to such a height, that, when they were upon resolutions for passing an excise upon liquors (which was the only way they had of raising money for the Government, as well as the easiest for the people), this letter was foisted in among them. Its import was that if the impost on liquors were passed the King would defraud the country of the whole, and its design simply to alienate the people's affections from the King. The devil which they were possessed withal not being speedily whipped out of them, seven others worse than the first have entered into them. They thought monarchy was on its last legs in England, and I am confident were preparing to set up a commonwealth here as early as any of the plantations; and it is my great unhappiness that I stand here alone to resist such traitorous designs. The Act was consequently lost, and though the country is much in debt no provision has been made for public debts. Nor has provision been made for a common gaol or house of correction. The malefactors are ready every night to break gaol, being kept only in a private house; and, what is the greatest scandal to a Christian government, there has been no gaol-delivery for the last three years, for the freeing of the innocent or the punishment of the guilty, who lie both in a miserable condition. The principal reason for not holding the grand sessions has been the great expense, some six or seven hundred pounds sterling, which must be defrayed either by the King, the Governor, or the country. How able I am to bear the charge you can easily judge. I am already 4,000l. out of purse, I have not received one penny from the King, and my allowance is so small that it hardly allows me bread in this expensive place. The country says that the King should allow it out of the four-and-a-half per cent. duty, and the people are or seem so obstinate in this resolution that the prisoners may run away or starve in gaol unless the King bears the expense of the sessions. The consequences are very mischievous to a Governor who depends only on the King and his bounty for his support. I am unwilling to complain, especially in my own case, except when forced, but unless the King be not kinder to me in advancing salary I must be ruined. I can expect nothing from the people here, who have noised it a broad that I was forbidden by the King to receive their benevolence on my coming here. The cause of all these misfortunes to the place and to myself I must attribute wholly to Sir Jonathan Atkins. At the first he made but a negligent inquiry into the authors and dispersers of the libel above referred to for fear of displeasing the people and losing their benevolence, and for fear that they should extend the same benevolence to myself, as they have done formerly to other Governors on their arrival. He had the confidence or malice to tell me that he did think that the King would lay his hand upon any money Bill that might be enacted here. I told him that it was an ill thing of him to say so, and that it would never be attempted. I presume that a man who will say such a thing to me will cunningly insinuate it into the heads of others to prevent the passing of that which he could not obtain, he being aware that the Assembly is now entering upon new resolves for an excise upon liquors, having lost at least 10,000l. in the last three years through their folly in trusting to false news. |
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Since my arrival one Binckes has produced a Commission under the Great Seal of England, granted to one Benloes and another citizen, for no less than four distinct offices, all included in one Patent. He produced also a deputation to himself to execute those offices, and a mandamus from the King for his admission thereto. You will, I hope, believe that no one will obey the King's commands more readily than myself, but finding myself forbidden by my instructions to allow any deputy to act in more places than one I hesitate to admit him to more than one. While in this difficulty I received an information against Binckes for dispersing among the Assembly men a defamatory report seconding the libellous letter from England as to the King's intention to lay hands on the revenue. Upon my examination of him he confessed that he had done so, on which I thought him very unfit for employment in the King's service, and discharged him. Sir, you cannot imagine the great mischief that arises to the King's service, in that the patentees are not obliged to attend their employment personally, instead of by deputies. I am very much pressed by the Agents of the Royal African Company to issue my warrant to the man-of-war that lies here to seize the interlopers that frequently come in, but I tell them that I have no instructions empowering me to do so. When the King gives me such orders, I shall be ready to execute them. All the power that I now have is, when the Company have sold their slaves for time to the inhabitants, to see that they have no delay of justice in obtaining their money according to contract. It is not my nature to trouble you with tedious letters, but I had several small particulars to acquaint you withal that I could not control. Pray pardon it. 4 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 72–75.] |
June 14.
Barbados. |
142. The Governor and Council of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Transmitting quarterly returns of public affairs at the Council Board, and of imports. Signed, Ri. Dutton, Fran. Bond, Richard Howell, John Peers, Edwyn Stede, Thomas Walrond, Thomas Wardall, John Witham. ½ p. Inscribed, "Rec. 10 Aug. 1681." [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 11, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 66. Another entry under date 11th June, Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 106.] |
June 14.
Barbados. |
143. The Secretary of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Transmitting quarterly returns of public affairs at the Council and in the Secretary's office. Signed, Edwyn Stede. ½ p. Endorsed and inscribed, "Recd. 10 August 1681." ½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 12, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 65.] |
June 16
Hampton
Court. |
144. Order of the King in Council. In reference to Sir Henry Morgan's letter of 16th March reporting that he had respited the condemned pirates pending the King's pleasure (see No. 51). Ordered, That Mr. Secretary Jenkins prepare a letter for signature to Sir Henry Morgan requiring him to cause the said pirates to be executed. Signed, John Nicholas. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 13.] |
| June 16. |
145. Copy of above. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 14.] |
| June 20. |
146. The Bishop of London to Sir Leoline Jenkins. The bearer Mr. Hinton is a person that has stuck to the King in the worst of times, and made an end of his fortune by waiting on him in Flanders to the loss of four or five thousand pounds, and has requested no other recompense for his service than the Government of Newfoundland, for which he has long fitted himself, to the King's knowledge. I could not therefore do less than recommend his case in my absence especially to your care and patronage. One Mr. Coney stands in competition with him, whose wife is a Papist and has educated all her children, it is said, in that way. Pray procure the Lord President's assistance and help the poor man as you think best. Signed, H. London. Holograph. ½ p. Seal perfect. Annexed, |
|
146. I. Petition of William Hinton to the King. Petitioner has for many years endeavoured the settlement of Newfoundland at his own great charge, all this being done upon your Majesty's repeated promises that he should have the Government in consideration thereof, and of his family's and his own great sufferings in the royal service. There are now some who would gladly build their fortunes at petitioner's cost by obtaining the Government for themselves, the prosecution having ceased for some time past through petitioner's indisposition and his expectation of further proofs from his agent, William Downing, who died on the passage to Newfoundland. Petitioner therefore prays for the Government. 1 p. |
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146. II. and III. Duplicate and triplicate of foregoing. |
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146. IV. Memorandum [by William Hinton]. My father was gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King James and King Charles, and died in 1669 serving the present King in the same post, and as Providore of the Robes to the Queen. I was several years abroad with the King and transacted business between him and Colonel Popham with success. I raised a troop of horse in Sir George Booth's business which cost me seven hundred pounds. I never was troublesome to the King nor asked him anything but the Government of Newfoundland, which he always promised should be mine when established, in which encouragement I followed the business several years and have spent thereon in one way or another two or three thousand pounds. My father was sequestered, decimated, and plundered of all that he ever was worth by the late usurpers, losing also large sums which he had advanced to the late King; and for years he durst not come home to his wife and children. Newfoundland approves of me and has long expected me. I have also, in expectation of the post, had household goods of all sorts in the country many years. 1 p. |
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146. V. Recapitulation of the foregoing in the third person with slight variations, and the following additions. If the King disposes of the Government to any one but Hinton he will be reduced to extreme want. He has studied Newfoundland and done his best for the King's service and the trade therein, and believes that no one knows more about it than he does. Lastly, Hinton's father-in-law, Mr. James Boeve, of Middleburg in Zealand, was the person through whom most of the King's business passed during his exile, a duty which he fulfilled with integrity and with expense even to ruin. Yet he never asked reward, and declared that he would be satisfied if his son-in-law obtained the Government of Newfoudland. 1 p. Endorsed by Sir Leoline Jenkins, "Sent me by My L. of London, 23 June '81." [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., Nos. 15, 15 I.–V.] |
June 21.
Council
Chamber. |
147. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Randolph presents a report from the Attorney-General concerning New England, in particular concerning the forfeitures due to the King (see No. 122). Agreed to recommend that the Government of Boston be required to pay all such fines to His Majesty, with the other particulars of Mr. Attorney's report, or that upon their default their charter be questioned by Quo warranto next Hilary Term. Meanwhile Mr. Randolph is to lodge his appeals against the proceedings of the Bostoners against him, and the necessary persons will be summoned. |
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Mr. Hill is called in and asks leave to transport three hundred malefactors to the Leeward Islands, two hundred to St. Christophers and one hundred to Nevis. Agreed to recommend that leave be granted on his entering into two good securities of five thousand pounds to carry them to the places aforesaid. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVI., pp. 266, 267.] |
| [June 24.] |
148. Petition of Mrs. Thoma Roet to the King. Petitioner being sixteen years old, lawfully married Isaac Roet, vicar of Stansted, Essex, and by him became the mother of four children. These about seven years ago he left with petitioner, and went to Barbados to find a livelihood, in which undertaking he was so blessed that he had more than 300l. a year, whereof he sent petitioner annually 40l. which enabled her and the children to live comfortably. But for four years past he has never sent one quarter, though all means have been used by the admonition of his diocese and by messages, letters, and messengers to entreat maintenance from him. By his unchristian neglect petitioner is reduced to great poverty and has been forced to betake herself with her family to the alms of the parish, although her husband enjoys not only his former preferments, but the same much augmented. Prays an Order in Council to compel him to provide for her. Annexed, |
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148. I. A certificate signed by the vicar, churchwardens, and sixteen other inhabitants of Stansted that petitioner's story is true. 1 p. Endorsed on the petition, A minute requesting Secretary Jenkins upon assurance of the truth of the certificate to favour the woman so far by a letter to the Governor of Barbados, that her husband may either send for her, or that so much of his perquisites may be sequestrated as to pay her arrears of 120l. and 40l. per annum for the future. Endorsed elsewhere with date 24 June 1681. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., Nos. 16, 16 I.] |
June 25.
[Barbados.] |
149. List of Bonds entered into by Masters of ships. A list of eight such bonds extending from 6th December 1680 to 25th June 1681. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 17.] |
| June 29. |
150. Nathaniel Bacon, John Page, and Thomas Thorp to George Richards. If the Planter's Adventure cannot be sold for our price, 500l., pray apply without delay to Lord Culpeper to procure that our privileges as Virginian owners may be continued to us so long as the Planter's Adventure may be fit to go to sea. ½ p. Signed. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 18.] |
June 30.
Hampton
Court. |
151. Order of the King in Council. On reading a letter from Lord Baltimore, dated 28th April last, setting forth the insolent and unwarrantable proceedings of Christopher Rousby, Ordered that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury examine the matter and report. Annexed, |
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151.I. Copy of the letter referred to. Lord Baltimore to Lord Anglesey. I must beg your assistance in moving the King in Council to remove one Christopher Rousby, a Collector here; and that he who is my collector here, may have a commission for the additional duty of a penny per pound, who will be able to serve the King and be more faithful in the discharge of the place. In Virginia the King's Collectors are the same men that collect the country's duties, and when I was in England Sir George Downing moved to have my Collector chosen to serve the King here; but as I had recommended this Rousby to the Commissioners about five years since to succeed me in that place (for in my father's lifetime I was the King's Collector here), I persuaded Sir George Downing to permit Rousby to stay until the Commissioners or I had just cause to except against him. These two years and more I have had such cause, and have sent two letters the last two years to the Commissioners about his removal and the appointment of the Collector of my own dues, but by means of this knave, Rousby, my letters have been stopped, and so never came (as I imagine) to the Commissioners' hands, for had they come safe to them I should have received their answers. I now send again, hoping by your assistance to be relieved from so great an evil, or rather devil, for so I may term the present Collector to be. Since my return to Maryland he has carried himself to several West Country and New England traders with such pride that many of them have quitted a trade that they had long had here. He has imposed fees, exacted presents, seized and brought several masters into trouble, notwithstanding that they brought their clearings from the King's Custom houses in England. And all this to force them to comply with his unjust demands. He forewarns masters of vessels to make no entry with my collector till they have paid their duty, as he terms it, to himself, nor will he permit any masters to bring their certificates of bond given in England to my officer, or, indeed, to me, notwithstanding that the Acts of Trade and Navigation absolutely command all masters to present themselves to the Governor within twenty-four hours of their arrival in any Government, and require them further to give the Governor an account of their ship, its crew and cargo. And if the Governor, who is bound by heavy penalties under the Act to require these duties of masters, neglects to do so he forfeits a thousand pounds and is incapable of further office and employment. I being proprietor here may be looked upon as Governor while I am resident in person, and I am therefore in danger of being brought into trouble by the unwarrantable proceedings of this insolent and knavish collector who presumes daily to pose me and my Government with instructions which he pretends to have received from his masters the Commissioners. Herein he abuses them, as he has greatly injured several masters that have traded here, and is become so insolent in his carriage to me and my Government that I am forced to ask you to obtain his speedy removal; otherwise I must certainly expect that all dealers and traders will leave my province to my own great detriment, and the diminution of the King's revenue. For if masters of ships are thus discouraged by the knavery and insolence of a collector, much tobacco will be left in the province; and the inhabitants may be brought to mutiny when they see ships and supplies leave them by reason of an idle officer whose daily boast is that he cares not how much he injure the King and his subjects if he can do but make his fortune. When my officers by my order have called him to account for exacting fees for entry or clearance of vessels, which are only due to my own officers, he has had the insolence to send me answers to this effect. Moreover, besides this knavery in his transactions with the shipping, he is the most lewd, debauched, swearing and profane fellow in the whole Government, and, indeed, not fit to be admitted to civil society. He is a rogue in his heart towards the King, and is impudent enough to publish hatred of Kingly Government aboard all ships; and by his ill example commanders of London ships are grown to that height of presumption that treason is become their pregnant discourse both aboard their ships and in Rousby's house, where they are much treated. I shall weary you if I were to attempt to enumerate the several knaveries and villanies of this fellow, and become more troublesome than I am willing to be. I therefore cease, only begging you to ease my Government by removing this pernicious person, and that my collectors may collect the King's dues. I will see that they perform their office faithfully. Copy. 3 pp. Endorsed with a reference from the Commissioners of the Treasury to the Commissioners of Customs, 23rd November 1681. Signed, Henry Guy. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., Nos. 19, 19 I., and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., pp. 65–71.] |
| June. |
152. List of Quarterly Accounts received from Barbados, 7th March to June 1681:— |
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Orders of Council. |
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Return of Imports. |
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Journal of Assembly, 29th March to 8th June 1681. |
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Acts of Barbados, 9th June 1681, passed the Seal, viz., — |
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Act to continue and revise divers Acts, 8th June 1681. |
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Act to confirm the lease of Fontabelle to Sir R. Dutton, 18th May 1681. |
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Act appointing a Committee of Public Accounts, 18th May 1681. |
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Act to supply further labourers for the fortifications. |
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Bills received from Clerk of Assembly, 9th April to 8th June 1681,— |
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An Act to appoint a writ of habeas corpus. Not passed. |
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An Act explaning the Act for Establishing Courts of Common Pleas. Not passed. |
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Act declaring when the laws of England shall take effect. |
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Act for securing possession of slaves. Not passed. |
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(Several letters enumerated which are abstracted under their dates.) [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 57, 58.] |
| June. |
153. "Form of a condition of transportation." Rough draft of a clause of agreement, with many corrections. Latin. Scrap. Inscribed as above, with date June 1681. This probably refers to the transportation of malefactors to the Leeward Islands. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 20.] |
