America and West Indies: December 1623

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: December 1623', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, (London, 1860) pp. 54-56. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol1/pp54-56 [accessed 27 April 2024]

December 1623

Dec. 8. 52. The King to the Lord Lieutenant of —. The trial made by persons of quality in the adventure of their private estates and fortunes for planting a colony in New England, the benefits and commodities found in those parts, and the returns from thence, prove the undertaking to be of public hope and consequence, and worthy of His Majesty's care. But as so great a work cannot well be managed without more help, and the western counties are so conveniently situated for receiving commodities and sending supplies, he is invited to move other persons of quality to join with him in the advancement of that plantation, a work in which the public take great interest and likely to bring in good returns, and which the agents of the patentees will more fully explain. Hopes that no persuasion is needed to further good works, and expects a full account of his proceedings. [Draft. Endorsed, "Three letters, of the like tenor, were directed to the counties of Cornwall, Somerset, Devon, and the cities of Bristol and Exeter."]
Dec. 8.
Whitehall.
Order of the Privy Council upon a petition of the Company of Adventurers to the Somers Islands, concerning the differences between the Governor and Company and the adventurers and planters of those islands. The debts of the Company amounting to 1,400l., it was ordered that 400l. should be borne by an imposition upon all tobacco that came this year from thence, the residue to be paid equally by the adventurers according to each man's share; impositions were likewise layed upon the tobacco of the planters towards the public charges. The above orders are confirmed, and it is declared that those who refuse to pay such assessments shall be proceeded against, and compelled to do so. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., pp. 208–9.]
Dec. 8.
Whitehall.
Order of the Privy Council, upon a petition of adventurers and planters of Virginia, complaining that the charges for defence of those of the Company proceeded against by a quo warranto is, by an order of the Court, to be borne out of the public stock, to the prejudice of such as are willing to surrender their charter; directing that all those questioned in the quo warranto make their defence at their own particular charge. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol.LXXIX., p. 209.]
Dec. 8.
Whitehall.
Order of the Privy Council, directing the Attorney General to report upon a complaint of William Cannyn [Canning] against Thomas Kightley, for having arrested him on an action of 500l., because he did use some reasons in Court to persuade the surrender of the Virginia charter, and not to contest with the King about the government. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., p. 209.]
Dec. 8.
Whitehall.
Order of the Privy Council, directing the Attorney General to report upon a petition of Nich. Ferrar, Deputy of the Virginia Company, who affirms that the Commissioners for examining into the affairs of the Virginia and Somers Islands Companies had not set any course for paying the debts of the Somers Islands Company, which was referred unto them by the Board. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., pp. 209–10.]
Dec. 19.
Whitehall.
The Privy Council to the Governor and Company of Virginia. Capt. John Martin, a planter of Virginia, having been detained a good while in England by reason of controversies concerning that plantation, is now returning with some of his servants and many others that would plant with him. Recommend that "more than ordinary respect should be had of him," and that he and all under his command be free from oppression and allowed peaceably to enjoy their lands and goods. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., p. 210.]
Dec. 30.
Whitehall.
The Privy Council to the Deputy Governor of Virginia [Company?]. For reasons known to the Privy Council, he is directed to seize all letters, public as well as private, in a ship lately arrived from Virginia, and to send them immediately, unopened, to their Lordships. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., p. 210.]
Dec. ? Petition of the Governor and Council of Virginia to the King, for the sole importation of tobacco to them and the Somers Islands. [Minute. Colonial Corresp., 1609, p. 5.]
Dec. ? 53. "Project concerning Virginia" [by Capt. Baily.] Has laboured in this business four years, and presented reasons to the King to induce the people to contribute to a plantation there. Points out a way to raise 15,000l. per ann. by the gift of one penny per poll in London and the suburbs from Tothill St. to Limehouse, supposing there to be 600,000 householders, and to increase the sum to 600,000l. by similar contributions from the forty shires in England and twelve in Wales. Requests that the King may be moved to make a trial of his project by commanding letters to be written to London and Middlesex. [See ante, p. 50.]
Dec. ? 54. Proportion of the charge to furnish and transport six men to Virginia. The amount for victuals, apparel, tools, arms, transport, and freight, is estimated at 114l. 19s. 6d.Endorsed"For Mr. Webb."