America and West Indies: July 1680, 16-31

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 10, 1677-1680. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1896.

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'America and West Indies: July 1680, 16-31', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 10, 1677-1680, (London, 1896) pp. 579-585. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol10/pp579-585 [accessed 27 April 2024]

July 1680, 16–31

July 22. Orders to Sir Henry Chicheley to draw out soldiers for relief of the garrisons. Petitions of Elizabeth Sykes and Richard Carver considered. The Governor's attention called to the extravagant meeting of Sir H. Chicheley's Company on 20th July last in the restoration of Ensign Ross [Rous] to his employment, he though long suspended having been cleared before the Council and Assembly. These men by their long stay are not only useless but dangerous, and the personal differences of Lieutenant Morris and Ensign Ross have contributed to the evil. His Excellency therefore caused Lieutenant Morris and Ensign Ross to be brought to the Council table, and rebuked them, telling them that if they did not lay aside all personal differences and reform he would be constrained to dismiss them the service in disgrace. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., pp. 49–55.]
July 16.
Plantations General.
1454. Extract of a letter to the Royal African Company from its Factors at Nevis. Captains Cope, Hehnes, and Holbital will give you full account of the proceedings of Thornbury, an interloper, who on 15th June came to anchor off the fort and there rid four or five days in sight of all the Island till he had landed all his neg roes in boats that came off from the shore to him. We waited on the General [Stapleton] the same day, and asked his help to seize the negroes and prevent the landing of them, according to the King's charter. He issued a warrant to the Marshal to seize them, which was delivered to him that afternoon. The Marshal promised to do it with all speed, but went out of the way and never did it. Of this the General was informed. On the 16th, about sunset, about 80 negroes were landed in a sloop in Stanley Bay, where we attempted to seize them, but were prevented by Mr. Philip Lee, Speaker of the Assembly, who drew his sword and bid defiance to any that would seize them. Others also, Mr. Richard Cary, Thomas Belchamber, Lieutenant John Sockwell, Ensign John Standley, and one Austerman, all stood with their swords, and some with their pistols, pointing to our breast, swearing bitterly that they would kill the man that offered to seize a negro, notwithstanding that at that very instant was read to them the General's order, commanding all his commission officers to assist us in the seizing of those negroes. Whereof they took no notice, but instead of obeying they, with about twenty sailors and privateers, kept us with drawn swords from making any seizure, saying that they had brought them, and would land them if they died for it, and that what they did they would maintain with their lives and fortunes. Next day we informed the General of this, who answered that he knew of no law to punish them, but that he would acquaint the King thereof. Mr. Lambert, your factor on the George and Betty, was with us, and saw all that passed, of which he will give you a fit account, God sending him well to you. 25th July. It would be a great satisfaction to us that our prosecution of the interlopers should take some effect. We shall not fail in our duty therein, and "should be heartily glad to see so much countenance from England as might discountenance those that countenance them." We hope that the King's declaration to the petitioners will somewhat dishearten them. 1¼ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 57.]
July 18.
Nevis.
1455. The Agents of the Royal African Company to the Company. When we had information of the arrival of interlopers about the island we always asked for the assistance of Sir William Stapleton in seizing and surprising such ships, and he always granted us warrants and such other precepts as were necessary, ordering all officers civil and military to aid us. Signed, Henry Carpenter, Robert Helmes. Copy. Endorsed, Recd. 1 Oct. 1680. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 58.]
July 19. 1456. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Miller's petition concerning Carolina read. Ordered that copies thereof and of those presented by Timothy Biggs be sent to the Lords Proprietors, with directions to attend with their answers on 19th August, and to the Commissioners of Customs with directions to attend at the same time. Their Lordships expect to receive also report of the Proprietors and Commissioners on the settlement of Carolina, required of them on 19th February last.
Lord Culpeper's letter from Virginia of 8th July, and Colonel Spencer's of 9th July (see Nos. 1433, 1434) read. (N.B.—These letters are misdated in the entry book as of the 8th and 17th September respectively.) [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVI., pp. 101–103.]
[July.] 1457. The case of Francis Mingham, and his grievances against Sir Henry Morgan and Receiver General Martyn of Jamaica. Humbly offered to the consideration of the King and Privy Council, with request that an Order in Council may be issued to bring him to England for the re-trial of his case. Printed. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 59.]
[July.] 1458. Petition of Dorothy Mingham to the King and Privy Council. Setting forth the story of the troubles of her husband, Francis Mingham, in Jamaica, and begging for his liberation from prison. A long story. Signed, Dorithy Mingham. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 60.]
July 21.
Whitehall.
1459. Order of the King in Council on petition of Dorothy Mingham for the release of her husband Francis Mingham. That the said Francis Mingham or some other person on his behalf give security to the Board in the sum of 2,500l., that he will answer the judgment given against him in Jamaica for that amount in case the Board see fit to affirm the same, and that Francis Mingham be set free and allowed to transport himself to England, there to answer his complaint. Mem.—The security was given to the Board before the delivery of the order. 2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., pp. 403–5.]
July 21. 1460. [William Blathwayt] to the Earl of Craven. Transmitting Minute of Lords of Trade and Plantations, and petitions, for communication to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. On the same sheet.
The same to Mr. Guy. Transmitting similar papers respecting Carolina to the Lords of the Treasury that they may give their orders thereon to the Commissioners of Customs. Drafts. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 61.]
July 24. 1461. Minutes of Assembly of Nevis. Nine members present. Proposed by the Governor that all those who appear in the troop and keep horses and neglect to look out, having been ordered to the same, be fined. Ordered by the Governor and Council, nem. con., that whosoever hath been obliged to find a horse in the troop and neglects to send one to the look-out, be fined 500 lbs. of sugar besides the penalty inflicted by the Articles of War. Proposed by the Governor and Council that a file of men be added to the standing guard at Charles Fort (formerly Pelican's point) in consideration of the great number of guns there, and that the 8,000 lbs. of sugar ordered to the continual look-out, and the fines of those that neglect the look out, be ordered for the payment of the said file of men. Proposed by the Governor and Council, but rejected by the Assembly, that the former Act of fining all those who refuse building of churches or other public works in 500 lbs. of sugar be transcribed into the new book of Acts and remain in force for the future. Agreed on proposal of the Governor that the battlements at Charles Fort be built with lime and stone. Ordered that the transactions of the Assembly be sent to the Lords of Trade and Plantations. The clerk's letter advising despatch of the same, 31st July 1680. Endorsed, Recd. 12 Oct. 1680. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIV., No. 65.]
July 26.
Port Royal.
1462. Sir Henry Morgan to Lord Sunderland. My last was sent by Captain Knapman of the 2nd instant. Nothing has happened since beyond the arrival in this harbour of a good English merchantman, which has been for five months past among the Spaniards on the Main. She reports a friendly reception of herself, but great desolation of the maritime towns through the frequent sacking of the privateers. This cannot be prevented but by the present force of some small nimble frigates, which not being here, the privateers are so bold as to keep daily coasting about this Island, tempting all bad servants, debtors and dissolute persons to join them, which adds to their strength beyond our power of prevention without such a force as I have mentioned. Sloops returned from the coasting on Hispaniola report the arrival of the French fleet, some say fourteen, some ten, sail. We have no certain account of their errand, which we partly conjecture, and we shall be in readiness to receive them in this port, though as yet we do not believe them to have any such purpose for the present. Undoubtedly, however, they will call for wood and water, and then they will see how our defences are improved.
July 28. Mr. Secretary Coventry promised Lord Carlisle copies of the several treaties by which this Government is concerned with France, Spain, and Holland, but they have never been received. I beg that they may be transmitted that I may be able the better to guide myself on various occasions. Signed. Endorsed, Answd. Oct. 1680. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 62.]
July 27.
Nevis.
1463. Governor Sir William Stapleton to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Since my last of 1st July (ante No. 1418) I have learned from a pen that has seldom erred in its intelligence that the errand of the Vice-Admiral of France is to demand satisfaction from the seizure and detention of one of his men-of-war when last he was here, and to view the coast with the design of some action against the Spaniards in Cuba and Hispaniola. He is first to return to Martinique, where he has left 100 soldiers in Fort Royal; then he is to take the French General, Count de Blenac, and his intendant with him to inspect the forts at Guadaloupe; thence he goes to St. Christophers where their lodgings are taken up, and leaves there 300 men in addition to the two strong companies already in pay on the spot. Having thus secured the Islands he will attack the Spaniards to leeward, unless he receives the satisfaction demanded. I hope this is not given out on purpose to amuse, and that his design be not upon those Islands, and that he is not bringing up 1,500 buccaneers to affect his stratagem when he returns. Nothing troubles me more than that I cannot be at St. Christophers when they are there, from fear of the dilemma that I once writ of. If I should go, it must be in a shallop, or long boat, for I have never a vessel to attend the King's service. What a dishonour it is I refer to your Lordships' most prudent consideration. Their show, and doubtless in case of a breach their real design, is always among the Leeward Islands. It is but accidentally or once in twelve years that they go near Barbadoes or Jamaica. God of His mercy give us here conduct and courage to defend His Majesty's interest and grant that I may not survive the loss of any part thereof.
P.S., 28th July.—The conveyance not going so soon as I thought I send the trial of the parties concerned in the death of the man murdered in the attempt to seize the interloper. I pray you overlook interlineations and conspurcations, for I write all with my own hand, as is my duty to superiors, and it (the hand) is lame. This postscript appears only in the Entry Book. Holograph. 1 p. Inscribed, Recd. 22 Sept. 1680. Read 30 Sept. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 63, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVI., pp. 432, 433.]
July 27. 1464. Warrant to the Commissioners for the Mastership of the Ordnance from the Lords of Trade and Plantations to deliver five small carriages shod for brass minions to be shipped for Jamaica. Signed, Anglesey, Albemarle, Bath, J. Ernle, L. Jenkins, H. London, Radnor, Worcester, Francis Gwyn. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., p. 398.]
July 27. 1465. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the Admiralty Requesting them to ship the five carriages for brass minions to Jamaica. Signed as preceding, excepting the Bishop of London. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., p. 399.]
July 28. 1466. Richard Powell, Secretary of Jamaica, to Lord Sunderland. Having had the honour to attend your Lordship's uncle, Colonel Algernon Sydney as a young Secretary when he was Plenipotentiary in Sweden and Denmark, I am encouraged to hope for your Lordship's favour in the station which I now hold, being Deputy Secretary of Jamaica, lately Secretary to Lord Carlisle and now Secretary to the present Governor [Sir Henry Morgan]. I cannot but rejoice that we in this part of the world are in your Lordship's province, and I hope that the good opinion of your Lordship's relation my admit me to your favour. 1 p. Endorsed, "Mr. Powell about himself." [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 64.]
July 29.
Nevis.
1467. Governor Sir William Stapleton to William Blathwayt, In the black box addressed to the Lords are the last acts of Nevis, copies of proceedings at a Court of Admiralty concerning a murder etc. (see ante, No. 1440), copies of warrants granted by me to the Agents, which I send because the Royal (African) Company has complained that I do not do my duty as to the Charter and proclamations (see ante, No. 1394), and four letters from the respective Councils and Deputy Governors (ante, Nos. 1392, 1400). If their Lordships observe that I have not signed along with them, pray tell them it is because the gentlemen have inserted something relating to me which I thought it not modest nor prudent to sign. 1 p. Holograph by Stapleton. Endorsed, Recd. 4 Oct. 1680. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 65.]
July 30.
Barbadoes.
1468. Edwyn Stede, Secretary of Barbadoes, to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Transmitting Quarterly Returns from the Councils and the Secretary's Office pursuant to Circular of 14th January (ante, No. 1262). 1 p. Endorsed, Recd. 9 Feb. 1680–81. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 66, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 54.]
July 31.
Windsor.
1469. Lord Sunderland to Lords of Trade and Plantations The King having thought fit to recall Sir Jonathan Atkins from Barbadoes and appoint Sir Richard Dutton to be Governor in his stead, would have you forthwith consider and prepare the necessary Commission, Instructions, and other despatches. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 67, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 10.]
July 31.
Nevis.
1470. Clerk of Assembly of Nevis to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Transmitting copy of the Journals of Assembly. Signed, Tho. Thorne. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVI., p. 433.]
July 31
to Sept. 29.
Newfoundland.
1471. Papers respecting damage done to the French at St. Mary's. Declaration of Johanis Ducarrett of damage done to his beach or rock at a place called Collonett in St. Mary's. "They" (he does not specify who) "have destroyed me two new shalloways and three shallops, also they have burned my cabin and other things." I hereby empower George and Thomas Perriman to recover the said goods for me. Copy, dated Trepassy, 31st July 1680. On the back, Declaration of George Perriman empowering George Kirke to demand the stolen goods above mentioned. Dated 31st August 1680.
1471. i. Examinations of Samuel Wood 22nd August 1680, and of John Wallis 24th August 1680, taken on board H.M.S. Assistance. Showing how they were driven to take Ducarrett's boats, but never damaged his cabin. 3 pp.
1471. ii. Bond of Christopher Polliard and John Rolson to John Ducarrett in Satisfaction of the damage done to him. Dated 30th September 1680. Copy. 1 p.
1471. iii. Declaration of Aaron Browning and Robert Fishley respecting the damage aforesaid. Dated 27th September 1680. Copy. 1 p.
1471. iv. Sentence against Francis Knapman, William Couch, Samuel Wood, and John Wallis to be "duck at the main yard arm" of H.M.S. Assistance for the damage aforesaid, and be liable also to pay satisfaction in money. Dated 29th September 1680. Signed by Robert Robinson and three others. Copy. 1 p. All five papers endorsed, Recd. 29 October 1680. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., Nos. 68, 68 I.–IV.]
[July.] 1472. An Account of the Islands of Statia and Saba. Saba lies three leagues, and Statia ten leagues, to leeward of St. Christophers. They were first settled by the English, taken from them in the first Dutch war, and retaken in the last war by Sir William Stapleton. They are important from their situation. While the Dutch had them they diverted very much of the plantation trade from England, and, if the French were to take them their power would be much increased owing to their nearness to the English islands. The Lords of Trade and Plantations were aware of this, and too sensible that the only reason why the Dutch (from whom they were last taken) had not demanded them upon the conclusion of the peace with England, was an apprehension that the islands would fall into the hands of the French with whom they continued at war. Their Lordships therefore directed Sir William Stapleton, by letter of 6th September 1677, to comply with no demand of restitution from the Dutch without special orders. After the conclusion of peace between the French and Dutch, Van Leeven, the Dutch ambassador, addressed a memorial, dated 11th October 1679 (ante No. 1143), to the King, praying him to order the islands to be restored pursuant to the Sixth Article of the late Treaty. The Lords reported to the King on the subject on 30th October 1679 (ante No. 1168), and the report having been approved on 6th November 1679, orders were addressed to Sir William Stapleton to give an account of the islands, which he has supplied in his letter of 18th May (ante No. 1358). Here follows an abridgment of that letter. 4½ pp. Unsigned, and in two different hands, seemingly a draft appended to a fair copy. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLV., No. 69.]