|
Jan. 26.
Paris. |
66. Sir Thos. Edmondes to the King. "Though I make no
doubt but that your Majesty is otherwise sufficiently advertized
of that which passeth in Spain, nevertheless I hold it my duty to
make known unto your Majesty that many advertisements which
I have seen, both out of Italy and from other parts, do report that
the intent of the preparations which the King of Spain maketh by
sea is certainly to employ the same this Spring for the removing of
our Plantation in Virginia." [Extract, Correspondence, France.] |
Feb. 18.
Madrid. |
67. Sir John Digbye to the King. It is true they make ready
their fleet at Lisbon … The only action which I conceive
possible (and indeed something probable) for them to enter into is
to essay the removing of the English from their Plantation in
Virginia, the which they here generally profess toucheth this King,
both in honor, and likewise in prevention of the inconvenience
which the English settling there may procure to their West Indies
not to permit. And this very day they have clapped up into close
prison Clarke, the English Pilot, whom two years since they
brought from Virginia, having formerly used him well and permitted him his liberty, only being attended by a keeper. …
If they attempt anything against Virginia it will be with the
West Indian galleons from the Havana, in the Island of Cuba,
with the forces of those parts. I do mean presently to send down
a couple of fit persons whom I have provided, to enter themselves
into this King's service in his navy, who, I hope, will be able to
attain in some part to the knowledge of their intents, and to
advertise me from time to time of such things as they shall be
able to learn. [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
Feb. 21.
Liston. |
68. Extract from Letter from Liston. Here is sudden
commandment given for the preparing thirteen sail of shipping
to be ready to set sail by the 15th of March next. First
they are to sail unto Cadiz, there to take in soldiers, munition,
and victuals, from thence it is divulged amongst the common
sort that they are to go unto the Bermudas, there to inhabit.
Others say plainly that they go where the English shall pay
for it, which is for Virginia, for that is the mark they shoot at,
as their own proceedings do manifest; for in their entertainment,
they receive of all nations that will offer themselves to go in this
service, Almains, Italians, French, and Irish, but neither English,
Scottish, nor Dutch will be permitted nor entertained to go in the
voyage. To such strangers as will come there shall be given nine
months pay. Eight of the ships are carvels of about 100 tons
apiece, nimble sailing vessels, fit for transportation but of no
defence, neither to give offence to any shipping. The other five
are ships of 150 or 200 tons, and are furnished in warlike manner,
[Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
March 5.
Madrid. |
69. Sir John Dighye to the King. All possible diligence used
for making ready the shipping and soldiers, so that by the end of
April they intend certainly to put to sea. Those that I employ
send me word that they every day grow more to doubt that there
will be something attempted against the plantation in Virginia,
and they are strengthened in this their belief, for that though they
have so great want of men, that they have made public proclamations that whosoever will serve in this voyage shall receive
nine months pay beforehand, yet they refuse to admit of English,
Scottish, and Hollanders, but not of Irish. But men of good
judgment here in Court (and in whom I have reason to have some
confidence) assure me that there is no such intent. But, howsoever, it will be requisite that those of Virginia live in a continual
expectation of being assailed, for first or last the Spaniards will
certainly attempt them, for thereof they make already public
profession. [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
| April 20/30. |
70. Advertisements sent from Don Alonso de Velasco, Ambassador in England, with the Council's opinion of them and the
King's direction. Three matters of great consideration in the
despatches of Don Velasco. … The third, for change of
the prisoners, it is good to procure, that that may take effect which
hath been agreed upon, and that perfect and true information be
procured of the estate of Virginia, which, if the Ambassador
already have not, he must procure speedily, and accordingly the
fitting remedy must be ordained; and in case it do certainly appear
to be a matter of consequence, provision must be made to remove
the English from thence. The Marquis de Velada agreeth with
Don Juan de Idiaques, and holdeth it convenient, that this matter
of Virginia be looked unto with much care, for that if it should be
so prejudicial for the Indies (as some do say), a remedy may be
provided speedily. The Duke of Infantado, the Marquis de Villa
Franca, and the Marquis de La Laguna agreeth. The King's
opinion was that order should be given in all the particulars
according to the opinion of the lords. [Extract, Correspondence,
Spain.] |
April 24.
Paris. |
71. Sir Thos. Edmondes to the King. Word brought to him
that Mons. de Hauterive, a nephew of Mons. de Villeroy's, who is
newly arrived out of Spain, is certainly informed that the Fleet
which is there preparing for the West Indies, is intended to be
employed for the removing of our plantation in Virginia. [Extract,
Correspondence, France.] |
April 28.
Paris. |
72. Sir Thos. Edmondes to the King. "I have again understood
that part of the forces which are prepared in Spain are certainly
intended to remove our plantation in Virginia." [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
May 13.
Madrid. |
73. Sir John Digbye to the King. They have further the last
week had a consultation concerning Virginia, but their resolution
is not to stir therein until they shall be better informed of the true
state thereof. For that here, by the advertisements that they
have had out of England, they are yet in a great hope that the
business will fall of itself, though Don Pedro de Cunega at his last
being in England, moved that the removing of our plantation might
be no longer deferred, as your Majesty shall see by the copy of a
letter sent from him in September last. Encloses, |
|
73. i. Don Pedro de Cunega, Spanish Ambassador in England to
the King of Spain. There is come hither a ship from
Virginia, and although some principal men and others
suppose that the Plantation there doth rather diminish
than increase, I have understood by a friend of good
credit, that they treat and have a determination to marry
some of the people that go thither with the Virginians,
and he telleth me that there are forty or fifty persons
already married there, and other English intermingled
with them, and that the women which were sent over live
amongst the Virginians, and are received and used kindly
by them, and that they wounded a certain zealous
minister of their sect for reprehending it. They have
made a lottery, out of which they will raise 20 thousand
ducats, and herewith will send away six ships with all
the people they can procure. Upon this pretext of their
turning infidels it will be an easy matter to remove these
people from thence in the beginning, for the not punishing
hereof is the cause why they so boldly attempt others, as
your Majesty may well perceive; for they have already
houses and begin another plantation in Terra Nova, in
the parts where the great fishings are, and now it will be
to the purpose to punish it, which, if it may be done, they
shall perceive that your Majesty will not proceed with
them altogether by entreaty, which hath already made
them more presumptuous than their own forces can
promise them. God preserve your Majesty. A short
abstract of this inclosure is in the first volume of this
Calendar. [Correspondence, Spain.] |
May 22
Madrid. |
74. Sir John Digbye to Sir Dudley Carleton. Concerning our plantation of Virginia (which I have often written unto your Lordship is
a great eyesore unto them) they have lately had several consultations
about it. Their resolution is that it must be removed, though they
have thought it fit for a while to suspend the execution till they
get perfect information of the state thereof, for that they are not
yet out of hope that the business may fall of itself, since they see
it not maintained by the King or State, but only upheld by
lotteries and such like uncertain shifts. Our new plantation of the
"Vermudos" (Bermudas) prospereth better than that of Virginia;
good commodities brought from thence; a ship sent thither last
year to attempt the discovery, returned without having done
anything, the Captain, &c., brought to Madrid in chains to be
proceeded against. [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
May 26
Madrid |
75. Sir John Digbye to Sir Thomas Lake. They have lately
had here several consultations about our Plantation in Virginia.
The resolution is that it must be removed; but they think it fit to
suspend the execution of it till they receive perfect information in
what state it now is, for that they are in hope that it will fall of
itself. They have given precise order to their Ambassador speedily
to advertize what he can learn of it, and that he use all means for
the restitation of the Spaniards that were left there, and to this end
have clapt up Clarke, the English Pilot, into close prison, and I hear
they mean to send him to the Gallies, hoping thereby that Clarke's
friends to redeem him will labour for the restitution of the other,
by whom they hope to discover the true state of Virginia, [Extract,
Correspondence, Spain.] |
June 4.
Madrid. |
76. Sir John Digbye to the King. "There went from hence the
Spanish Ambassador in England, with directions to this effect:—That though it was conceived by the King of Spain that the
plantation and fortification of the English in Virginia need not (in
the case it now standeth) give much cause of fear, yet to the end
that here may be taken the fullest resolutions, he commandeth
him to procure a true and certain information of the present estate
thereof, and what the intent of your Majesty and the English is in
this point, and whether businesses of that nature grow not much
colder since the death of the late Prince, and likewise that he inform
himself very particularly concerning the 'Vermudos' and give speedy
advertisement hither." [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.]; |
| July? |
77. Extract from the Secret Instructions of Don Diego Sarmiento
de Acuna, sent by the King of Spain as his Ambassador into
England. "And it shall be fit for you, having perused those copies
(of despatches sent heretofore to Don Pedro de Zuniga, Marques de
Flores et Avila), and having informed yourself upon them from the
said Marques, and Don Alonso de Velasco, in what estate these
matters (the marriages made with France) stand, as also these others
specified in the said copies, about the league of the Protestants, the
peopling of Virginia, the suits of the English, of the Pirates and of
the Consuls, that you prosecute all those matters as if they were
here given you in your Instructions, and that you advertize me
often of whatsoever shall succeed thereupon." Translation.
[Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
Aug. 15.
Madrid |
78. Sir John Digbye to the King. Desire of this State to maintain peace; they meddle not in slight or uncertain enterprises; if
they were fit for war, and that any occasion of important advantage
were offered, they would not omit to lay hold of it; "but herein
I likewise restrain myself to these parts of the world, for that I
know they would have attempted the removing of the English from
Virginia, but that they are certainly informed the business will fall
of itself; and within these two days I know both the Council of
War and of State have set about the overthrowing of our new
plantation in the Bermudas." [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
Sept. 3.
Madrid. |
79. Sir John Digbye to the King. "Touching Virginia, the
Spanish Ambassador in England hath received letters from Molina,
the Spaniard that is there, of the misery and distress in which they
live; so that it is determined by this Council not to speak any
more in that business, being a thing (they suppose) which will die
of itself; only it is ordered that the Spanish Ambassador shall
represent unto your Majesty the ill-usage that the Spaniards have
had in Virginia, and that one of them is dead with hunger, notwithstanding that the English Pilot which was brought from thence and
is here, hath been ever very well used." [Extract, Correspondence,
Spain.] |
Sept. 22.
Madrid. |
80. Sir John Digbye to the King. Has found the means to come
by his (the Conde de Gondomar, the Spanish Ambassador in
England) despatch. Here follows "the true estate in which I find the
businesses of this King and kingdom." "He advertiseth further,
divers things concerning Don Alonso de Velasco's departure, and
your Majesty's bounty in presenting him, as likewise of the state
of our people in Virginia, and of the course which is held in the
new plantation in the Vermudos." In Cypher deciphered. [Extract,
Correspondence, Spain.] |
Oct. 11.
Paris. |
81. Sir Thos. Edmondes to the King. Understands that they are
nothing well satisfied here, that the French ships were hindered
this year by the English, from the making of any benefit of the
whale fishing at Greenland, which discontentment is also further
aggravated by another advertisement which is come hither, that
the English ships at Virginia took a French ship which was going
to make a plantation in those parts, and killed divers of the men,
and, as they here say, used greatest cruelty against certain Jesuits
which were in the said ship. [Extract, Correspondence, France.]
Admiral de Montmorency in a letter to King James complains of
these depredations committed by Sam Argoll, Capt. of the Treasurer,
see First Volume of this Calendar, p. 15. |
Oct. 13.
Madrid. |
82. Sir John Digbye to the King. In reference to the despatch
of the Spanish Ambassador, "It is appointed, that for the business
of Virginia and the Bermudas, his advertisements be made known
unto the Council of the Indies, and that the Spanish Ambassador
be willed to advertize what he shall further hear of them, and that
the Spanish Ambassador particularly labour to get the liberty of Don
Diego Molina, the Spaniard that was left in Virginia." [Extract,
Correspondence, Spain.] |
Dec. 8.
From my Chamber in King Street. |
83. Sir Henry Wotton to Secretary Sir Thos. Lake. "Concerning the complaint of the Town of Rochelle against a certain
disturber of their fishing, which is found to be a man of Bristowe
(Bristol) haunting that part of the Newfoundlands which they
have baptised Nova Francia. This seemeth to imply somewhat
more than a bare complaint against violence on the sea; the
Rochellers indeed being rather jealous of the man's habitation
there, and of his seizure on the land, which they interpret a kind
of intrusion upon that continent where the French have continued
possession from immemorial time, as themselves say. So as, the
matter requiring some further debatement, my Lord Privy Seal
hath propounded it in Council, and hath in the meantime let the
French Ambassador know by me that they have a care of that
business, and after due information will seek to satisfy him in it."
[Extract, Correspondence, France.] |
