America and West Indies: May 1640

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1860.

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'America and West Indies: May 1640', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, (London, 1860) pp. 311-312. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol1/pp311-312 [accessed 26 March 2024]

May 1640

May 6.
Point Comfort
[Viginia].
67. Sir John Harvey to Sec. Windebank. Is so narrowly watched that he has "scarce time of privacy" to write. His estate has already been torn from him, and his passage to England denied, notwithstanding his many bodily infirmities, which are beyond the skill of the colony. Requests the King's warrant to repair to England, where he will give an account of his services and sufferings.
May 7.
Warwick House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Letters brought by the Swallow are read, which contain great complaints against Capt. Butler. A commission of inquiry to be applied for, concerning the embezzlement of goods on board the ship. Request of Capt. Bell for money for his cattle; he declares that he will submit to the award of John Hampden and his brother Sir Robt. Bell, concerning his salary; referred for consideration. Any addition to the 70l. already allowed Mr. Warner for his expenses at Dunkirk refused. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 374.]
May 9.
Warwick House.
Minutes as above. Further allowance to Mr. Warner refused. Capt. Elfrith petitions for satisfaction for his services in the island, but no answer is returned, the Company conceiving nothing justly due. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 374.]
May 11. Minutes as above. Advice having been received that Capt. Sam. Axe had arrived at Plymouth with the Swallow, and in her some goods of value taken in the West Indies, resolved that a commission of inquiry out of the Admiralty Court be sent down. Several merchants and others are appointed to take an inventory of her lading, "being gold, silver, jewels, or other goods of value." Instructions agreed on. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 374–75.]
May 12. News letter [from Edmund Rossingham]. Last Wednesday the Earl of Warwick, Lord Say, Lord Brooke, Sir Walter Earl, John Pym, and John Hampden, all Parliament men, had all their papers taken from them. Lord Brooke had a discourse taken from him between Mr. Cotton, a minister in New England, and Mr. Bull, concerning the English Church Liturgy, one maintaining it against the other; he had also some petitions from silenced ministers complaining of grievances. [Extract from DOMESTIC Corresp. Car. I.]
May 16. Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Twenty shillings each to be paid to John Dunning and William Ilford, seamen, late of Capt. Newman's company. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 375.]
May [27].
Whitehall.
68. Order of the Privy Council. Upon petition of the merchants, masters, and owners of the Charles of Gloucester, freighted for a voyage to the Foreign Plantations and from thence to Newfoundland, granting them licence to take 100 passengers, upon taking the oath of allegiance; list of goods and provisions underwritten. [Draft, with corrections.]
May [27].
Whitehall.
69. Similar order. Upon petition of the merchants, owners, and master of the Amity, to take 120 passengers to the plantations; list of goods and provisions underwritten. [Draft.]
May 27. Minutes of letters from the Company of Providence Island, to Abrah. Jennens. Concerning the freight of the Swallow, seamen's wages, and harbour charges, passengers, embezzlers of the Company's goods, and other matters connected with the vessel. To examine concerning Capt. Butler compounding for Truxillo at 16,000 pieces of eight; a safe way will be thought of to send up the plate, pearls, &c. To Capt. Axe, with directions for payment of the seamen's wages, the "lodging" of the Swallow and her freight; and to Mr. Darrell, desiring his care about his commission for recovery of what has been embezzled, and giving him liberty to return when that is accomplished. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 376.]