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| [Feb. 8.] |
151. Petition of Francis Cradock, Provost Marshall of Barbadoes to the King and Council. That his Majesty, in August 1660, by Letters Patent granted the office of Provost Marshall General of Barbadoes to Petitioner for life, who sent over his deputy, but the President and Council there suspended execution thereof. His Majesty having sent command to have the grant obeyed, in April 1661, Petitioner's deputy was admitted, but great part of the profits of said office were taken away by new devised offices, which, Lord Willoughby disowning before this Board, Petitioner obtained an order of the Council of Barbadoes for the enjoyment of his rights, and then removed Richard Dickeson and himself took possession of the prison; but Dickeson confederating with Capt. George Waldron, a justice of the peace, and others, broke open the prison, kept Petitioner close prisoner, and fined Petitioner, and made Dickeson Provost Marshal, till at a meeting of the Council about a month after Petitioner was restored to his office. But the old vexations were soon again put in practice, and Petitioner having put up his name, as all must that go off the Island, to go for England to appeal to his Majesty, his confinement was contrived, and he was forced to remain in the Island. On the arrival of Lord Willoughby, Petitioner moved for justice, but found overtures made to buy his office, so he again put up his name to leave the Island, but two days before his departure was underwrit for 1,500l. debt, where he owed not a farthing, to acquit himself of which abuse and proceed on his voyage, he procured a special court to be called, but his Excellency sent an order to stop the proceedings, and the ship departing next day, the underwriting was withdrawn. Petitioner details several proceedings at law, of which he was denied the benefit, and complains that he has been arrested in England in 3,000l. for the actings of the deputy kept in against Petitioner's will. By all which Petitioner has not only lost the benefit intended, but has expended 600l. in defence of his Majesty's right and his own interest. Prays that Lord Willoughby's agents may answer the matter of complaint, and that he may be no longer denied the benefit of law and justice. Endorsed, Received Feb. 8, 1669. Read May 12. Ordered to be shown to Lord Willoughby's agent. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXV., No. 8.] |
| 1670 ? |
152. Petition of Averina, late the wife of Richard Holdopp late of Barbadoes deceased, on behalf of herself and Hilliard her son an infant. Concerning a plantation called Locust Hall, from which Richard Holdopp was ejected in 1649, Lord Willoughby then alleging it to be part of the 10,000 acres said to be in arrear to the Earl of Carlisle; but which, Holdopp soon after gained possession of and entrusted to Edward Pye. That Holdopp came to England in 1660, where, after devising said plantation and all other his estate to Petitioner and her son and making Ferdinando Gorges one of his executors, he soon after died. In 1663 the Provost Marshall's deputy, by order of Lord Willoughby, forcibly turned Petitioner out of possession, and seized it with negroes and stock to the value of 20,000l to his Majesty's use, and Lord Willoughby soon after granted it in fee to Pye, contrary to law. Petitioner, who cannot hope for justice there in Barbadoes from those hands that have done the injury, prays: that Lord Willoughby's agents may show cause before the board why the conveyance to Pye ought not to be made void by his Majesty; that said Gorges may give reasons why he neglects to prosecute Cradock the Provost Marshall, that was arrested here for seizing said plantation by illegal writ; that Pye may be ordered to account for said plantation before auditors here, or that his Majesty will commission persons to adjust the accounts in Barbadoes. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXV., No. 9.] |
Feb. 17.
Somers Islands.
Shaftesbury
Papers. |
153. John Dorrell senior, and Hugh Wentworth to Lord Ashley. Through his lordship's ship Carolina being forced into one of their harbours, they have begat an acquaintance with Captain O'Sullivan, Surveyor-General, who acquainted Dorrell with his lordship's desire of promoting new plantations. Our island of Bermudas is over peopled and the natives much straitened for want of land, so that a hundred inhabitants can yearly be spared for new plantations. Many have gone to Sta. Lucia, Trinidad, Antigua, and Jamaica, but the most part of them died. Some went three or four years since to one of the Bahamas, which they first named Sayle's Island, but they now call New Providence. Dorrell, and Wentworth an inhabitant here, have transported most of those people on credit, and given them time for payment until they can raise it off their plantations. There are now about 300 inhabitants. The island is very healthy and has gallant harbours, it produces as good cotton as is ever grown in America, and gallant tobacco. Their great wants are small arms and ammunition, a godly minister, and a good smith. Advantages of the situation, it is the nearest place for neighbourhood of any plantation in America. Request his lordship would patronise their poor inhabitants of New Providence by gaining a patent for all the Bahama Islands so they may be governed according to His Majesty's laws, and that themselves may be remembered as the first beginners and encouragers of the settlement of New Providence. 2 pp. Examined by John Locke. [Shaftesbury Papers, Section IX., No. 55, pp. 4, 6.] |
| Feb. 21. |
154. Thomas Ludwell, Secretary, to John Farvacks, Merchant in London. Has received his letter of Attorney since he wrote to Alderman Jeffries. Finding he submits to the proposition of receiving 1,000l. at three payments for what is due to him from Col. Scarborough, he will put the business to a speedy issue and hopes to both their consents. Desires he will give Scarborough better language in his letters or else he cannot show them to him fearing they may cause him to try all extremities. Has received his father's legacy and could have wished he had lived longer if for no other reason than to have gone out of the world with a better opinion of this government. Indorsed, Received 22nd June 1670, Read 23rd June 1670. To be read again in full council. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX V., No. 10.] |
| Feb. 23. |
155. Petition of the adventurers trading to the north part of Africa to the King. Having occasion to send 40 or 50 factors and soldiers for Gambia, to carry on the trade of those parts and maintain their forts, pray for an Order for passing them at Gravesend. Indorsed, Received and Read the 23rd of February 1669–1670. Granted. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXV., No. 11.] |
| 1670 (?). |
156. Petition of the Company of Royal Adventurers to Africa. That if the Spanish subjects of the West Indies be licensed to trade with his Majesty's, the whole trade may be appropriated to petitioners for the following considerations, viz. :—That the license is a prerogative of the Crown, being the suspension of a law, is free to be placed where his Majesty shall please. The English planters were never posessed of that trade, nor will the Spaniards ever be drawn to a traffic but for the sake of the negro trade, which is vested in the petitioners. His Majesty's subjects in England have been invited freely into said Company, like invitations shall be given to all English subjects in America. If the trade be made universal it will (not) be possible to reserve the benefit to the English, for avaricious persons will lend their names to the goods of strangers, and find means to cheat the King of his dues by conveying Spaniards goods direct to foreign parts, whereas the Company infallibly bring all into England. The trade being dispersed, English manufacturers will be prostituted to the Spaniards at vile prices, but the utmost benefit may be made when the Spaniards have but one with whom to buy and sell. Without the trade is confined to said Company, the revenue of 5 per cent. will not be recovered without great expense, whereas the Company will secure the revenue to the King at their own charge. As to the objection that this would hinder the growth of Jamaica, the Planters never had that trade, and those who have stock may have shares in it, it will give them a fair advantage by consumption of their fruits, besides money for porterage and labour. 2 1/2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXV., No. 12.] |
