|
March 1.
Westminster. |
618. The King's Commission to Charles, Earl of Carlisle, appointing him Governor of Jamaica. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. XXIX.,
pp. 198–214, and Vol. XCV., pp. 247–254.] |
| March 4. |
619. Colonel Moryson to Samuel Wiseman. Thinks Colonel
Jeffreys must think him in love with business or would never write
that he intended to send Moryson the charge against Ludwell and
Beverley; the Commissioners are ignorant of what has passed in
Virginia since their coming away, therefore, if the Governor charges
them he must make the proofs. Because he was once employed in
Virginia, sees no reason that any affairs of that place must still
require his attendance. Desires him to put in a memorial that the
Commissioners have done nothing more than what was enjoined
both by their Commission and Instructions. If they had countenanced the unjust and rigorou courses against those His Majesty
pardoned, three parts of the country would have been plundered
after their coming in. Begs he will discourse with Sir Thomas
Dolman and say it is Moryson's opinion that if all former actings
be not buried in oblivion, new disturbances will arise, now the
soldiers are drawn off. The party likely to be persecuted is six
times the number of the other, and take away 30 or 40 gentlemen,
and the rest deserve more punishment for deserting the King's
Governor, than others that stayed at home and followed not the
Governor to Accomack. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No. 138.] |
March 5.
St. Christopher's. |
620. Minutes of Council of St. Christopher's. That a larger
supply of workmen be employed to finish the fortification on
Cleverley Hill; all hands in two parishes at a time, any white
person neglecting to be amerced 500 lbs. of sugar, and for every
negro kept back 300 lbs. to be paid by the owner. Nine vessels to
be pressed to bring the cannon at Stones Fort and the old road to
the new fort at Cleverley Hill. Ordered that Major Roger Elrington
and Captain James Phipps make search amongst all the merchants'
warehouses for gunpowder and secure it in the magazine and payment made for what shall be used by the public at the country's
charge. And that all carts on the plantations lying convenient be
pressed to transport the ammunition and artillery from the old
fort to the new fort. The Assembly being assembled the Governor
and Council proposed the laying in a stock of provisions in Cleverley
Hill Fort. The Assembly voted 40,000 lbs. of sugar for that
purpose to be levied on all slaves from 14 years old and upwards,
to be laid out by four discreet gentlemen. Forty pounds of sugar
per poll to be levied on said slaves in consideration that the next
lavy be made only on the whites not to exceed 20 lbs. of sugar per
poll. Ordered that an Act be forthwith made for said levy, and to
be paid to William Colhoun at Sandy Point, Lieutenant-Colonel John
Estridge, and Captain Joseph Crispe, of the Council, and Thomas
Soley and William Colhoun, of the Assembly, to see to the disposal
of the goods hereby raised. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXVIII., No. 69,
pp. 18, 19.] |
| March 6. |
621. Secretary Coventry's Minutes about the new levies [for
Virginia]. The King to allow 20s. a man for levy money, that is
100l. a company. Two papers. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII.,
Nos. 34, 35.] |
March 11.
Port Royal. |
622. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Present, Governor Lord
Vaughan and Sir H. Morgan, Colonels Thomas Freeman and
Thomas Fuller, Lieutenant-Colonels Thomas Ballard, Robert Byndlosse, and Samuel Long, John White, and John Ball. The Governor
communicated that if he had not been so much indisposed in his
health of late he would have had frequenter meetings. Account
of moneys in the collector's hands issued out for the fortifications
and other contingencies, the forts all perfectly repaired and well
finished. No quit-rents received by the Governor since March
1676, nor has he received one farthing from any public revenue
towards his support and charge of Government since April last,
but now intending to embark for England very speedly, he has
delivered to Sir Henry Morgan, Deputy Governor in his absence,
attested copies of his Commission and Instructions and other papers
necessary for the administration of Government. His private fortune
was much impaired, but he should depend upon his Majesty's bounty.
Captain Wilson and John Crompton sent for and ordered to bring
in their books; balances in their hands, Captain Wilson's account of
the impost money entered at large, according to order. [Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. XXXV., pp. 641–645.] |
March 15.
(Received.) |
623. The past and present state of the Leeward Islands. When
in 1666 His Majesty's declaration of war against the French came
to the islands, Watts, then Governor of St. Christopher's, more
generous than prudent, gave the French three days' notice for
submission, but they fell on the English and forced them to submit,
becoming masters of the whole island. Francis Lord Willoughby
came from Barbadoes with a fleet, but perished in a hurricane near
Guadaloupe with most of this men. Not long after Monsieur de la
Barre attacked Antigua and forced them to capitulate, and then
made themselves masters of all the said islands, disarming the
inhabitants, carrying away their negroes and every thing of worth,
destroying their sugar works and cattle, exposing them to the
cruelty of the barbarous Indians who accompanied them in taking
said islands. The Dutch, coming from the taking of Surinam,
joined with the French, but Sir John Berry engaged them so
smartly they were forced to retreat from Nevis and Antigua, and
Montserrat soon after returned to their obedience to His Majesty.
After the fight by Nevis the French never more appeared in those
seas during that war. St. Christopher's, being much depopulated
by the French, is at present for inferior to them in number, and in
great danger, in case of a breach with France, of being taken again.
Antigua and Montserrat are in a fine thriving way again, but
weak as to their defence. Necessity of guarding Nevis the most
considerable of all. Those who are masters at sea in those parts
may upon occasion take all these islands. He that gives the first
onset may easily master St. Christopher's if anything equal in
strength. Experience of the late war hath shown that he that is
first ready and strikes hath great advantage, as the French had
then. Great trade of the Leeward Islands, they trade yearly some
200 ships with sugar, tobacco, and indigo, considerable to His
Majesty's customs. The islands may moderately be estimated to be
worth one million sterling, and the loss of them may endanger
Barbadoes. If a war be designed a good squadron of ships with
some forces should attack first and attempt the conquest of all the
French islands. Marigalante and the Saints near Guadaloupe, both
small islands, the first may have 250, the other some 80 men;
Guadaloupe and Grancera about 1,500 men; St. Christopher's
some 1,200 men; St. Bartholomew some 200 men; St. Martin the
same; St. Croix cannot exceed 300 or 400 men. The strength
upon the English islands, Antigua, the largest, about 1,300 or
1,400 men; Montserrat some 1,200 men; St. Christopher's, 400,
besides His Majesty's two companies of soldiers; Nevis some 1,600
or 1,700 men; St. Eustatius some 80 men; Anguilla 150 men. A
present supply of four or five ships of war, with 500 or 600 soldiers,
would be a great encouragement to the inhabitants until more ships
and men can be sent. "Received from Mr. Freeman and presented
to the Lords 15 March 1677(–8)." 6 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII.,
No. 36.] |
| March 19–28. |
624. Journal of Assembly of Barbadoes. Ordered that John
Hallett, Treasurer, do cause to be put on board the first ship or
ships so much of the first of the public sugars as may reasonably
be computed to make in England 1,500l. sterling, and consign to
whom his Excellency thinks fit for payment of 1,200 firelocks and
200 carbines, with cartouch boxes, belts, and swivels. An Act to
repeal an Act to prohibit the bringing heading and timber from
Surinam, read second time. An Act to continue the Act of the
Militia, read first time. An Act to continue an Act to prevent the
people called Quakers from bringing negroes to their meetings,
passed. It having been noticed that Solomon Eccles and other new
comers to this country frequently teach and preach at Quakers'
meetings, contrary to an Act of this island, ordered that John
Hallett, Treasurer, employ an attorney to prosecute, according to
said Act, said Eccles and others upon account of the public. Every
member of this House not appearing to morrow morning to pay five
shillings. |
| March 21. |
Orders for getting in arrears of taxes made since 20th March
1671 by the gentlemen of the Assembly in their respective parishes,
and in default themselves to be charged with and liable to make
satisfaction out of their own estates. Act to continue the Act of
Militia, passed. Acts to be drawn for raising a sum of goods for
carrying on the fortifications. Ordered that John Higinbotham,
Clerk of the Assembly, be paid his salary of 10,000 lbs. of sugar
for six months. |
| March 27. |
Acts against Quakers, for the Militia, and for the fortifications,
passed. Ordered that John Hallett buy iron or other shovels not
exceeding one thousand, to be had in shops or houses. Other Acts
passed. |
| March 28. |
Ordered that the Commissioners appointed for repair of the
Indian Bridge and other repairs have power to accept voluntary
subscriptions for same. The House moves his Excellency that no
ships in the road be permitted to leave the island till he has news
from England, and for safety that they be drawn into Carlise Bay.
Petition of the Representatives to Governor Atkins against the
practice of molesting and disquieting His Majesty's subjects traders
to this island, on pretence of the Acts of Trade and Navigation,
who have been condemned in the Court of Admiralty, when by law
informations upon penal statutes ought to be brought to the Courts
of Common Law. Ordered that the Commissioners for repairing
and finishing the fortifications be empowered to make payment for
same as herein directed. Adjourned to 16th April. [Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. XIII., pp. 297–306.] |
March 20.
Whitehall. |
625. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. That a letter
was this day received from Colonel Moryson to Sir Thomas Dolman,
enclosing abstract of letters from Colonel Jeffreys to Colonel
Moryson. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. Cv., p. 223.] |
March 22.]
Read. |
626. Petition of Thomas Martin, Receiver in Jamaica, to the
King. That Notwithstanding His Majesty's letter to Lord Vaughan
(see ante, No. 416) Petitioner is still detained prisoner in the gaol
of St. Jago de la Vega. Prays for such further orders for his
release as shall seem meet. "To be released. Read March 22,
1678." Annexed, |
|
626. i. Order of the King in Council. That the Earl of Carlisle,
Governor of Jamaica, do on his arrival cause Petitioner
Thomas Martin to be forthwith discharged from his
confinement and restored to the full enjoyment of his
office. 1678, March 27. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII.,
Nos. 37, 37 i.] |
| March 22. |
627. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Notice taken
of a paper presented by Mr. Mason and received on the 21st instant
from Mr. Secretary Williamson about New England, but by reason
of Mr. Secretary's absence nothing is resolved thereupon. [Col.
Entry Bk., Vol. CV., p. 224.] |
March 25.
Whitehall. |
628. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Carlisle,
Governor of Jamaica. Recommend to him several heads of inquiry
concerning Jamaica to which they expect his answer, and require
him from time to time after his arrival to send clear and full
accounts of the state of the island. Mem.—The inquiries were
such as were sent to Lord Vaughan, those being left out upon
which their Lordships were sufficiently satisfied. [Col. Entry
Bks., Vol. XXIX., pp. 194–196, and Vol. CV., p. 227.] |
| March 25. |
629. Robert Mason to Lords of Trade and Plantations.
Mr. Gorges has sold the Province and Government of Maine to the
Boston agents notwithstanding his often offers to His Majesty and
His Majesty's seeming inclinations of buying the Province. Has
lately had overtures made for his Province; has hitherto declined
the thoughts of a treaty (although for many years oppressed by the
Massachusetts Government) in confidence that the King himself
will do him right by establishing his Royal authority in New
England. Underwritten, "Read March 25 at Com[mit]tee. No further
consideration had of the Province of Maine. This was rejected.
Read again ye 28, and ordered that His Matie be again moved in
Council on this matter." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 38.] |
| March —. |
630. Petition of William Hou[ghton and] Peter Bulke[ly] to the
Lords of Trade and Plantations. Pray their Lordships to appoint
some short day for reading their petition and hearing Petitioners.
Underwritten, "Read at Comtee. 25 and 28 March 1678." 1 p.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 39, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LX.,
p. 247.] |
| March. |
631. Petition of Edward Randolph to the Lords of Trade and
Plantations. Has attended His Majesty and their Lordships upon
the business of New England for 18 months. Prays their Lordships to signify whether his attendance may be further serviceable,
wherein he hath many material things yet to offer, or if otherwise
to report his faithful endeavours and great pains to His Majesty,
having been forced to lay aside all thoughts of his private concerns
that he might be the better at leisure to serve His Majesty. [Col.
Entry Bk., Vol. LX., p. 248.] |
| March 25. |
632. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. On reading
petitions of William Stoughton and Peter Bulkeley, and of Edward
Randolph, and hearing several of the allegations on both sides, the
Committee order a copy of Heads of Inquiry concerning His
Majesty's Plantations to be adapted to the colony of Massachusetts,
and delivered to the agents for them to return an answer thereto;
and as the agents declare that they are possessed of a copy of
Mr. Randolph's narrative to the Committee, and are ready to
discover several falsehoods therein, their Lordships direct the
agents to prepare their answer in writing and to attend on the 28th
instant. Mr. Randolph praying the Committee to signify whether
his attendance be further necessary or to report his faithful service
to His Majesty, their Lordships, seeming well satisfied with his
past service, and taking notice that he has may material things
yet to offer, direct that he take a view of the papers formerly given
in by him, and of those delivered by the agents, and draw up a
paper containing all such new matter as he shall think fit to
present. The order and inquiries delivered to Mr. Bulkeley.
Answer of the Judges of the Admiralty in the case of the Sherrard
referred 26th January, read, dated 2nd February, to the effect that
(1.) No prince in war can prohibit his allies to trade with his
enemies except in goods accounted contraband, or such as are for
the support of the war, or encouragement of the enemy, which
may be confiscated, if there be no Treaty providing for their freedom.
(2.) The prohibition must be proclaimed, and a convenient time
allowed for it to arrive to the knowledge of those whom it is to
affect, and it is agreeable to the law and practice of nations when
a neuter trades with a nation at war with another in goods not
expressly contraband, but such as may be judged by the other
nation to be advantageous to the enemy, to send over agents to
expostulate the case of such trade, and give them notice to desist
from carrying such goods under pain of confiscation. (3.) Know of
no such ordinance in France, and, if any such be, it cannot operate
against His Majesty's subjects so as to justify their capture and
confiscation, for, if they were really bought and paid for, she cannot
by the Law of Nations be condemned, although she was taken
before she touched in an English port. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV.,
pp, 225, 226, and pp. 228, 229.] |
March 26.
London. |
633. Answer of Charles Lord Baltimore to the Inquiries concerning
Maryland presented to Lords of Trade and Plantations on 26th
March 1678. Original grant of King Charles I. to his father. The
making of laws. Courts of judicature. The records are in the
Province, "and necessarily remaining there," copies would make a
long and tedious volume. Laws generally temporary, and continue
only for three years. Where the exigencies of the Province do not
force any particular laws to be made no other laws are used than
those of England. Concerning the castles and forts and trained
bands; three troops of horse, about 180 in all. Does not know of
any privateers or pirates frequenting the coasts. Their neighbours
either English or Indians. The English know their own strength
of which he can give no account. The strength or number of their
Indian neighbours is not considerable, as they live under several
distinct governments, some having two hundred, some three, some
five hundred subjects, generally a good correspondence with all.
The more remote Indians more numerous, but their strength cannot
be guessed. Their trade not considerable; they are generally an
idle people who take no care for anything but food which they gain
by hunting and fishing, and sometimes they sell to the English
skins which is their only commodity. The boundaries, &c., well
set forth in a map of Maryland lately made by Augustin Herman,
an inhabitant, and printed and sold in London by His Majesty's
license (see a previous volume of this Calendar, 1674, No. 1210).
Impossible to give the number of acres patented and settled or
unsettled. The principal town called St. Maries, where the
Assembly and Provincial Court sit, and where all trading ships in
the first place resort. Description of St. Maries, not above thirty
houses, and those at considerable distances from each other. The
Province very mean and little, and generally after the manner of
the meanest farmhouses in England; no other places can be called
towns. Reasons why hitherto they have been only able to divide
the Province into counties without making any sub-division into
parishes or precincts. The only considerable commodity is tobacco;
the customs amount as near as he can guess to more than 40,000l.
per annum, more than double the amount the planters receive for
their commodity. The commodities imported are all manner of
cloths and other necessaries for wearing, also iron tools, given in
exchange for tobacco. The imports arise to near the value of the
exports. Does not know of any saltpetre produced or produceable.
Whereas in many other parts of America they refuse (out of
covetousness) to permit negroes and mulattos to be baptized out of
an opinion that baptism is a manumission, and the same thing as if
their servants were dead, and this opinion beginning to take place
in Maryland, a law was made to encourage the baptizing of them,
by which it is declared that as in former times the baptizing of
villains in England was not taken by the law of England to be a
manumission in enfranchising the villains, so neither shall it be in
this Province as to negroes or mulattos; and there have been found
good effects from this law, all masters since having been willing to
instruct those kind of servants in the faith of Christ, and to bring
them to desire and receive baptism. Reasons against the making
such scrutinies as their Lordships require which would certainly
either endanger insurrections or a general dispeopling of the Province
which is at present in great peace and quiet, all persons being
secured to their content of a quiet enjoyment of everything that
they can reasonably desire. Reasons why such scrutinies would
be dangerous. His father had absolute liberty to carry over any
from His Majesty's dominions willing to go, but he found very few,
but such as for some reason or other could not live in other places,
and could not conform to the laws of England relating to religion;
these declared their willingness to plant in this Province if they
might have a general toleration settled by a law by which all of all
sorts who professed Christianity in general might be at liberty to
worship God in the manner most agreeable to their conscience
without being subject to any penalties. These were the conditions
proposed, and without the complying with them in all probability
this province had never been planted, All the planters in general
affect the style of merchants, because they all sell tobacco, and their
chief estates is the number of their servants, who serve generally five
or six years, and then become planters and call themselves merchants.
They are generally poor, their commodity only tobacco, not selling
for more than 1s. per lb. Can give no probable guess of the number
of masters or servants, nor of the number imported for any time,
but are generally English and Irish. No certain answer can be
given as to the number of vessels trading, not any of the build of
this Province, the only certain course to know their number is by
inquiry at the several ports of England. The greatest obstruction
to trade is the late Act of Parliament for navigation. Does not
conceive that their Lordships intend to make inquiry into or expect
from Lord Baltimore a particular of his own rents, and what is his
property and revenue. All public rates are laid by the General
Assemblies who consider what is fit to be raised and how to raise
it, but being always various and uncertain, it is impossible for him
to give any certain account of them or of their various applications.
Signed. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 40, and Col. Entry Bks.,
Vol. LII., pp. 35–45, and Vol. CV., p. 224.] |
March 26.
St. John's. |
634. Minutes of the Council of Antigua. Present, the whole
Council and 18 of the Representatives. Ordered, that four of the
Assembly and two of the Council forthwith audit the country
accounts; that the gentlemen of the Assembly in their respective
divisions be appointed to receive the public stock for the future,
and to have for their pains what the former Treasurer had; that a
speedy reparation of the forts of Falmouth and St. John's be made,
and all the great guns in the island mounted; that no order be
issued for payment of any public debts till the ammunition be
satisfied for, except what is due to the forts; that in compliance
with his Excellency's request a shallop be provided to give in
telligence; that storehouses be set up as formerly in each division,
good security taken for each storekeeper, and the most eminent
men in each division appointed surveyors of the same. That warrants be issued to the constables to bring in lists as usual in order
to levying the common stock, and that thereupon orders be sent to
the Assembly men in each division to collect the same. That, as
the levy and arrears will fall short of defraying their debts, besides
the great charge of making provision for the supposed approaching
war, one lb. of sugar or tobacco per acre on all lands laid out be
added to the above levies, and that the same continue no longer
than this year. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXV., No. 55*, p. 760.] |
| March 27. |
635. Order of the King in Council. Approving reports of Lords
of Trade and Plantations on an Act of Jamaica for confirmation
of pious charitable and public gifts and grants and directing
Secretary Coventry to prepare a Warrant for the immediate
passing of said law under the Great Seal of England. Annexed, |
|
635. i. The above Act. Endorsed, "Read in Council and
approved 27 March 1678." 2 pp. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XLII., No. 40 I., and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX.,
pp. 196, 197.] |
| March ? |
636. Petition of Ferdinando Gorges, Agent for Colonel William
Stapleton, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the King. That
His Majesty has allowed Colonel Stapleton 700l. per annum as
Governor, and also to establish two companies of foot in St. Christophers with 2,778l. 10s. 8d. pay per annum none of which has
been paid since June 1671, whereby the soldiers are reduced to
great necessity. The French have seldom less than six ships of
war, and have lately sent ten companies of old soldiers well clothed
and paid. Fears His Majesty's service and interest in those parts
will be injured if not timely prevented. Prays His Majesty to do
therein as shall seem most agreeable to His Majesty's service. 1 p.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 41.] |
March 28.
(Received.) |
637. Representation of William Freeman to Lords of Trade and
Plantations. Has received instructions from Colonel William
Stapleton, Governor of the Leeward Islands, to represent the
great fears and dangers the inhabitants of those islands are
apprehensive of, by reason of the great force and naval strength of
the French in those parts. That it be represented to His Majesty
they are altogether unprovided against such great forces, and to
beseech His Majesty to send timely assistance of land and sea forces
as may fully protect them. The ruin to the inhabitants, trade,
and His Majesty's customs in case the French should make themselves masters of said islands. "Rec. 28 March 1678." 1½ pp.
Annexed, |
|
637. i. An estimate of the stores needful to be sent to the
Leeward Isles. "Rec. from Mr. Freeman 15 April 1678,"
1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., Nos. 42, 42 i.] |
| March 28. |
638. Memorial of the Ambassador of the States General of the
United Provinces to the King. That seventy negro slaves belonging
to the Admiralty of Amsterdam as masters of Tobago, hid in a
wood after the French had abandoned said island, were removed
and delivered to Governor Stapleton, and because the English can
have no right to said slaves by reason the French made, but a
temporary invasion without settling themselves or ever seizing said
slaves; prays that Governor Stapleton may be ordered to restore
them or the money they have been sold for. French. Annexed, |
|
638. i. Order of the King in Council. Referring above petition
to Lords of Trade and Plantations for their report what
they conceive fit for His Majesty to do. Whitehall, 1678,
April 5. Two papers. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., Nos. 43,
43 I.; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVI., pp. 271, 272.] |
| March 28. |
639. Sir Robert Southwell to the Attorney and Solicitor General.
In accordance with their Lordships' direction of 27 July 1677, they
are to examine the Massachusetts Charter as to whether the authority of the Crown be sufficiently preserved, as it may be more
advisable to try them according to the Rule of the Charter than
wholly to overthrow it by what Mr. Mason alleges sufficient to that
effect; that it be observed how far their power of legislation
and taxation extends, especially on trade, which if abused might
affect the course of trade in other of the King's dominions. Copy
of Charter enclosed to be returned with their opinion. 2 pp. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 44.] |
| March 28. |
640. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Boston
agents having declared that they were possessed of the Narrative
of the State of New England presented by Randolph to the Committee in pursuance of his instructions of 20 March 1676, and the
clerks disowning knowledge of it, the agents were interrogated and
declared that they had it from a private hand, and being pressed to
know the hand said they had received it 6 months since from
Mr. Mason, who, being asked by what authority he had given a
copy and how he himself came by it, answered that he thought
himself a party concerned in the matter and had assisted Randolph
in drawing it up and gave a copy to the agents because he had
heard from Wade, a servant of the Lord Privy Seal, that another
of the servants had made a copy for them; therefore, he was
willing to give it them without fault or mistake, but they affirmed
that they had not had it before, but acknowledged to have sent a copy
to New England. Upon which their Lordships think fit to report
the state of the case to the King, to know whether it is his pleasure
that an attested copy should be given to the agents for them to
answer the particulars thereof. Mr. Stoughton, one of the Agents
of New England being interrogated if they had not desired
Mr. Blathwayt to give a copy of Lord Carlisle's Commission and
Instructions, said he had not desired to see the Instructions but
only the form of a Commission out of curiosity. Upon reading
again Randolph's petition their Lordships agree to report to His
Majesty in favour of him as a fit person to be Collector of Customs
in New England, or deserving some other reward for his services.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 45; also Col. Entry Bk., Vol., CIV.,
pp. 231, 232.] |
March 30.
Whitehall. |
641. The King's Instructions to Charles, Earl of Carlisle,
Governor of Jamaica. On his arrival to call a meeting of the
Council, by name Sir Henry Morgan, Sir Francis Watson, Thomas
Modyford Thomas Freeman, John Cope, Robert Byndlosse, Charles
Whitfield, Thomas Ballard, Thomas Fuller, William Fry, Hender
Molesworth, John White, and Samuel Long, and with due solemnity
to cause his Commission (see ante, No. 618), to be published at the
said meeting. Not to express any limitation of time in his commissions to Judges and Justices of the Peace. In case of vacancies
in the Council to transmit the names and qualities of the new
members he appoints. Freedom in matters of religion and the
oaths of allegiance, and supremacy to be dispensed with under
certain conditions "but we oblige you in your own house and
family to the profession of the Protestant religion." For the
future no general assembly to be called without His Majesty's
directions. Drafts of Acts he thinks necessary to be passed to be
transmitted to His Majesty. Has ordered to be delivered to him
a certain body of laws for the use of Jamaica, formed in pursuance
of other laws transmitted by former Governors with such alterations
and amendments as we have thought fit, which he shall offer to the
next Assembly that they may be enacted as laws originally coming
from us. Nevertheless, in case of rebellion, invasion or some urgent
necessity, he may pass Acts to raise money. The present style of
enacting laws by the Governor, Council, and Representatives of the
Commons assembled to be converted to, Be it enacted by the King's
most Excellent Majesty by and with the consent of the General
Assembly. To demand an account from Lord Vaughan how the
arms, ammunition, and stores have been employed. In case of
distress to assist any of the Plantations on application of their
several Governors. As to trade and duties upon imports and
exports, and supply of negroes at merchantable rates. To send
account of number of planters and inhabitants. To appoint markets
and fairs, and cause surveys to be taken of the considerable landing
places and harbours. To inform himself what hath been done
concerning the setting apart of 400,000 acres for our Royal demesne
suspended by His Majesty's instructions to Sir Thomas Modyford
and Sir Thomas Lynch. To encourage the improving of cocoa
walks and the plantations of sugar and indigo. Servants to serve
their masters four years who, for every servant, is to have thirty
acres of land, and said servants at the end of their term to have
thirty acres. Offices held by the King's letters patent to be freely
enjoyed and held without molestation. He is to take a salary of
2,000l. sterling per annum, and the third part of fines, forfeitures,
and escheats. The Lieutenant-Governor a salary of 600l. per annum,
the Major-General 300l., and the Chief Justice 120l. per annum.
No minister to be preferred to any Ecclesiastical benefice without a
certificate from the Bishop of London that he is conformable to the
doctrine and discipline of the Church of England. No Councillor
suspended to be received into the General Assembly. [Col. Entry
Bks., Vol. XXIX. pp. 216–241; and Vol, XCV., pp. 255–267.] |
March 30.
Nevis. |
642. Governor Stapleton to Lords of Trade and Plantations.
The report of war with France is so fresh that he has no time
to comply with their Lordships' commands. Is night and day
at the sea side with all the white men in arms, and some negroes
with lances, and all the rest completing our trenches. Expects the
French Admiral to pass by or attack them; it is likelier he will go
to St. Christopher's, where he has 1,200 buccaneers from Hispaniola.
Cannot but sufficiently "admire" if there be likelihood of a
breach; there are neither English nor Dutch squadrons to watch his
designs, he has now 20 men of war besides 13 buccaneer vessels.
Wishes it may not be said instead of sero sapiunt Phryges, sero
sapiunt Angli. Although the lesser number and destitute of men
of war, hopes they may preserve the King's right. Reasons for his
not going to St. Christopher's. They may imagine under what
burthen he groans for want of a squadron to relieve these islands
which may be taken before he knows it. The Governments of
Barbadoes and Jamaica have not near the trouble, their forces
being united. "Rec. 31 May." [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 46,
and Col. Entry Bks., Vol. XLVI., pp. 300–302 and Vol. CV.
p. 258.] |
March.
Navy Office. |
643. Estimates of the charge of transporting to Jamaica two
hundred soldiers with two hundred and forty tons of stores,
ammunition and other goods, with the Earl of Carlisle going over
as Governor. Signed by Finch, C., Monmouth, Anglesey, S. Pepys,
and others. Three papers. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., Nos.
47, 48, 49.] |
March.
Virginia. |
644. Information of Thomas Grendon, of Charles City county,
on behalf of the King, to Governor Herbert Jeffreys. Against
Edward Hill and John Stith for their wicked designs against the
people of Charles City county, maligning the King's Commissioners and publicly declaring they have done what they could not
answer. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 50.] |
March-Sept.
St. Christopher's. |
645. Four Acts passed in the island of St. Christopher's, viz.,:—An Act for the raising of 40 lbs. of sugar per poll by all the
working slaves in His Majesty's part of this island, 8th March
1678. An Act prohibiting the transportation of anything tending
to the making of sugar, indigo, or to bacco out of the English part
of this island, or cattle, or horses, 30th September 1678. An Act
touching tavern keepers and rum punch house keepers not to trust
any person upon account for above 200 lbs. of sugar before take a
note (sic) for the same, 30th September 1678. An Act concerning
debts made by account in this island that a lawful demand be
made of the same within four years next after, 30th September
1678. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. L., pp. 19–21.] |
