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Nov. 5 & 6.
St. John's (Antigua). |
823. Minutes of the Council of Antigua. Present, the Governor,
Council, and Assembly. Ordered, that the book of patents
belonging to the Registrar's Office be transcribed and a good book
provided for that purpose, and that the Acts for resettling the
island, and confirmation of all titles of land, be entered in the
frontispiece. |
| Nov. 6. |
Ordered, That a day of thanksgiving for deliverances be held on
the 21st instant, and that the 10th of June be annually kept as a
fast and day of humiliation that it may please God to avert them.
That an agreement be made by some of the Assembly with a
surveyor for drawing a map of the island. Ordered by the Governor,
That the Assembly be dissolved. ½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXV.,
No. 55*, p. 762.] |
Nov. 6.
St. Christopher's. |
824. Minutes of the Council of St. Christopher's. Proposed
by the Governor that Lieutenant-Colonel John Estridge go to
Governor St. Laurens, and complain of the many injuries and
abuses the English daily receive from the French and their negroes
while going about their lawful occasions. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXVIII.,
No. 69, p. 27.] |
Nov. 10/20.
Barbadoes. |
825. Governor Sir Jonathan Atkins to Lords of Trade and
Plantations. Their letter of 14th April 1676 came not to his hand
until July 1678, "and 'tis often so here," more than twenty weeks
since any ship arrived from London. Has made return of all laws
since he came Governor. Remarks on the object of passing some
of them. Two years ago sent the laws since made. The people
conceive that, until His Majesty confirm or reject the laws presented
to him, that they continue to be laws, for 'tis a dangerous thing to
leave them without laws, they having never yet been governed
but by laws of their own making. Ill effects of waiting for their
confirmation, inevitable ruin may fall upon the place. The
Assembly seldom sets long. Now in time of the great noise of
war are preparing for their defence. Neither press nor clerks here
to transcribe the laws, so could not be sent sooner. The people
very jealous of their laws, apprehending that, if they were taken
away, their proprietors might follow them. When a law is made
and published, which is done in every church in the island the
Sunday after the confirmation, none observe them or obey them
better than these people, the Quakers excepted, who oppose all
that concerns the Church or State, and they are so well acquainted
with them, keeping copies of them. Death of Samuel Farmer
and John Sparkes, of the Council. Sir Peter Colleton has been
away three years, and Colonel Willoughby, now Lord [Charles]
Willoughby, returned to England, so can hardly make a Council,
Wardell being an ancient gentleman and sometimes not able to
attend, and without the quorum of seven no order can pass. Has
sworn Richard Howell a Member, and represented to Secretary
Coventry three others, Colonel Codrington, once Deputy. Governor,
William Bates, and William Sharpe. Others may deserve well, but
none very desirous to be of the Council, for 'tis a great burden to
attend every month and neglect their own charge. Endorsed,
"Rec. 20 Feb. 1679 with the laws by Capt. John Price." 3 pp.
Annexed, |
|
825. i. The titles of the Twenty-seven laws transmitted by
Governor Atkins made in March, July, October, and
December 1677, and in January, March, April, May, and
October 1678. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 143, and
Col. Entry Bks., Vol. VI., pp. 238–249.] |
Nov. 14.
Barbadoes. |
826. Governor Atkins to [William Blathwayt?]. Has sent the
laws for the last two years directed to Sir Robert Southwell; the
rest are being transcribed as fast as possible, but are so many that
the books will be little less than the Statutes of England, and only
one clerk can write at a time; the Secretary says with the best
industry it will be Christmas before they are tinished. 1 p. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 144.] |
Nov. 15.
St. Jago de la Vega. |
827. Governor Lord Carlisle to Lords of Trade and Plantations
Has thoroughly considered what would most conduce to His
Majesty's service in this place, and has sent Mr. Atkinson who was
Secretary to Sir Thomas Lynch and Lord Vaughan, and is perfectly
able to satisfy their Lordships in anything they may desire. Finds
the present form appointed for making and passing laws very
impracticable besides very distasteful to the sense of the people
here. Begs His Majesty's instruction to call another Assembly and
re-enact and make what laws are fit for this place. Has sent the
drafts of such bills as are fundamental and he will not in any
material point vary from them. Shall then be enabled to settle
everything upon so good a foundation that neither His Majesty nor
their Lordships will ever repent of having made any deference to
his opinion. Much of the success depends upon despatch |
| Nov. 25. |
Since writing the above Mr. Atkinson is dead. Must desire his
brother Sir Philip Howard and Sir Thomas Lynch to attend their
Lordships. "Rec. 24th. Read in Council 28 Feb. 1679." [Col.
Papers, Vol. XLIV., No. 145, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX.,
pp. 273, 274.] |
| Nov. 22. |
828. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. In pursuance
of an Order in Council for adjusting the price of the seal of the
Leeward Isles sent by Mr. Harris, and after reading report from
Mr. Slingesby for appraising same, referred to him by Mr. Chancellor
of the Exchequer, agreed that Harris be paid 100l. for the silver
cutting and other charges, with which the Lord Treasurer concurred. |
|
Their Lordships think fit that Governor Atkins be directed to
send all the Barbadoes laws authenticated in the best manner
under the seal of the island; which was done by letter dated 25th
instant. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV., p. 268.] |
Nov. 25.
Council Chamber. |
829. Sir Philip Lloyd to Governor Atkins. The Lords of
Trade and Plantations are very glad to hear the laws are in such
forwardness, and desire that all the laws in force be sent to them
authenticated in the best manner, with the seal of the island
affixed, like the two laws formerly sent concerning the estates of
Plumley and Middleton. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VI., pp. 237, 238,
and Vol. CV., p. 268.] |
Nov. 25.
Jamaica. |
830. Governor Lord Carlisle to Secretary Williamson. Sudden
death of Mr. Atkinson whom he had designed to inform the King
and Council of some things of importance relating to this island. In
his letters to Secretary Coventry and the writer's brother Phil.
Howard, Williamson will find a full account of these matters. Has
directed a quantity of double refined sugar to him; 'tis good in
itself though deficient in colour, and is the first made upon this
island since his arrival. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 146.] |
Nov. 26.
Whitehall. |
831. The King to Governor Sir Jonathan Atkins. We have
taken special notice of Sir Robert Hacket as a person well qualified
to be of the Council of Barbadoes, not only in regard of a considerable estate he hath acquired there, and his long experience iu
the affairs of that island, but also of the great constant loyalty of
his relations, particularly his brother Colonel Richard Hacket,
and we hereby require you forthwith to swear and admit him a
Member of said Council. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CX., p. 138.] |
Nov. 26
.St. Jago de la Vega. |
832. Governor Lord Carlisle to [Sir Robert Southwell?] Sends
six Bills which most immediately appertain to the King's prerogative and interest in this island, which were all delivered to
Charles Atkinson, late Secretary to Sir Thomas Lynch and Lord
Vaughan, but he was taken ill and died in three days on 16th inst.
None so fit as he was to have given every information about the
island, therefore has desired Sir Thomas Lynch to attend him in
that affair. Agrees with the Assembly that the distance of this
place renders the manner prescribed in passing laws impracticable.
Prays His Majesty to send him an instruction for calling another
Assembly to re-enact laws municipal and fit for the island, which
will so gratify the people that he will be able to settle everything
upon a good foundation. Has written to his brother Sir Philip
Howard to attend him. Has sent him a little box of double
refined sugar. Has an Order from the King of Spain to the
Governor of the Havanna for setting at liberty all English
prisoners, and particularly Mr. Wingford, with which Governor
Lord Carlisle sends H.M.S. Hunter. "Rec. from Mr. AttorneyGeneral 20 Mar. 1679." 2 pp. [Col Papers, Vol. XLII.,
No. 147.] |
| Nov. 26. |
833. Bills sent by Lord Carlisle, Governor of Jamaica, to Mr.
Secretary Coventry, viz: For the public revenue, for speedy
collecting the quit rents, for the militia, for regulating courts of
justice, for ministers and the poor, and for prevention of law suits,
with Mr. Attorney-General's opinion thereon. 1 p. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XLII., No. 148.] |
| Nov. 26. |
834. Minutes of the Council of Barbadoes. Samuel Farmer and
John Sparkes were not present (see Governor Atkins' letter, ante
No. 825). Richard Howell took the oaths and his place in
the Council. The Speaker of the Assembly prescribed two papers,
one concerning the Militia and the other for allowance to Colonel
Bate in passing his accounts. Ordered that Proclamation be forthwith issued restraining the importation of bad and light money to
be published with due solemnity in the four seaport towns of this
island. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 299–300.] |
| Nov 26. |
835. Journal of Assembly of Barbadoes. Ordered on petition of
Colonel William Bate, late Treasurer, that he be allowed to reduce
his money account, wherein he stands charged to the country, into
sugar, at the rate of 12s. 6d. per cent. and not exceeding 1,000l.
sterling, and the Committee for settling the public accounts are
directed to allow the same accordingly. Ordered that the Committee do meet for inspecting the Acts of the Militia and for
preparing Amendments. Adjourned to 1st. January next. [Col.
Entry Bk., Vol. XIII., p. 328.] |
Nov. 27.
Newport. Rhode Island. |
836. Governor John Cranston to the King. Encloses returns
on Mr. Harris's case [see ante No. 810 I.]. Prays protection
against intruders on the lands of the colony. [Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. LX., pp. 344–346.] |
