America and West Indies: August 1668

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1880.

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'America and West Indies: August 1668', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668, (London, 1880) pp. 600-608. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp600-608 [accessed 16 April 2024]

August 1668

Aug. 1. 1815. The King to Sir Thos. Temple, Governor of Nova Scotia. By letter of the 31st December last (see ante, No. 1654) his Majesty ordered him forthwith to restore Acadie to the French King ; but whereas the Sieur Colbert brings certain overtures concerning those countries to be surrendered respectively, his Majesty's pleasure is that if the said country has not been restored to the said King, he forbear the delivery thereof till he shall have received further directions. Draft in the handwriting of Williamson. 1 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 32.]
Aug. 3.
Barbadoes.
1816. Address of the Representatives of Barbadoes to the King. Humbly beg pardon if they renew their desires submitted to his Majesty in former addresses (see ante, Nos. 1565, 1642), and add thereto from the necessity the late dreadful fire has put upon them ; though less might be said at present, in respect of the studious care of Governor Lord Willoughby, and the account his Majesty will receive from his son Col. William Willoughby. When they consider the potent and frank Hollander, settled on the one hand at Surinam, and the proud and envious French on the other at the Leeward Isles, whose study it is now to overbalance the commerce of the English colonies, to depress the inhabitants' spirits, they are induced to represent their sad condition and the most probable way of remedy. First, the sad and deplorable effects of a dreadful fire in April last, when, in less than six hours, three-quarters of the principal town or metropolis of the island were consumed, with the chief magazine, leaving them naked to the attempts of the enemy. Pray for a supply of cannon, powder and shot, hand grenades, and fire-arms. Represent the heavy burden of the 4 per cent. imposed by an Assembly illegally convened by Francis Lord Willoughby, and pray his Majesty to take a sum of money for purchasing off that duty for ever, and for granting them a charter, which shall advantage his Majesty's interests and make the inhabitants happy and prosperous ; or that said duty may be paid in England at some reasonable rate on sugars. Represent the inconceivable poverty the want of trade of late years has brought the inhabitants under ; and the rather that the Dutch and French by their frank and free offers induce all they can to their settlements, and their own pinching and heart killing restraints, and pray for free trade with Guinea for negro slaves, and with all nations in amity with England, paying customs here or in England. That they may set up a mint for coining money to be proper to this place only ; and that no person be compelled off this island to answer in other place or other manner than in this island, according to the laws of England, and laws and customs here practised. The want of these things has not a little obstructed his Majesty's revenue and interest, for a prosperous people render a Prince potent and happy, for he hath the argument of a free subject to cope with the restraints and fears of enslaved peasants and servility. "A true copy of the original examined per me, Edward Bowden, clerk of the Assembly." 6 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 33.]
Aug. 3.
Office of the Ordnance.
1817. Estimate of the charge of ordnance, carriages, powder, and other provisions to be issued out of his Maiesty's stores for the defence of Barbadoes, by warrant from the Privy Council of 28th July 1668. These include 30 culverins, 10 demy culverins, 800 round shot, 200 barrels of powder, 1,500 muskets, 150 barrels of shot, 1,500 bandoliers, 500 long pikes, 2,000 swords, and 40 ship carriages for mounting said guns ; and amount to 4,502l. 17s. 5d. Signed by Fra. Nicholls, Ri. March, and Edw. Sherburne. Indorsed, Read in Council Aug. 5, 1668. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 34.]
Aug. 8. 1818. Report of Dr. Jo. Mylles and Dr. Rich. Lloyd, substitutes to the Judge of the Admiralty, to [the Lords of the Privy Council], why they refused to decree the delivery of the ship [Our] Lady of Conception to Anthony Maldenas Vicino and Company, Spaniards. Because the said ship, now called the Crescent, was condemned by the Judge of the Admiralty in Jamaica in August 1667, and aftrewards bought at a public sale by Molesworth, Holmes, and Company, English merchants and was by them laden at the port of London under the command of Samuel Walker, who was at the arrest and long before in quiet possession of said ship, and no cause shown why he should be dispossessed. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 35.]
Aug. 11.
Barbadoes.
1819. Governor Wm. Lord Willoughby to the King. His son Will. accompanied by Col. Drax and Mr. Bowden, two of his Council, intelligible persons, and of no faction, which is rare in Barbadoes, will inform his Majesty of his behaviour and the people's temper, of which he has given some account to the Council and Secretaries of State, craving his Majesty's assistance by additional instructions for proceeding with the French at St. Kitts and the Dutch at Surinam and suppressing some few factious persons here. This Assembly by their impudent Address have fully declared what they aim at, to which if his Majesty please to give a sharp rebuke, they will learn that his Majesty will justify his Governor till he disobey him. Col. Lambert has shown great contempt to his Majesty's authority in the negotiation at St. Kitts, and though Willoughby has a little humbled him he yet perseveres. The great pique these persons have against Willoughby is for endeavouring to enlarge his Majesty's territories, and if his Majesty will allow Antigua and Montserrat some privileges for a few years, with arms, ammunition, and great guns, doubts not they will soon reimburse his Majesty and be a greater gall to the French than Barbadoes. Renews his request for leave to come for England if his Majesty have no design of war, but whether peace or war, some ships here for the present are of absolute necessity. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 36.]
Aug. 11.
Barbadoes.
1820. Gov. Wm. Lord Willoughby to Williamson. Hopes he has seen his son Will, and read all he brings. Admiral Abraham Crynsens has supplied him with new matter ; wishes his Majesty would supply him with ships that he might discourse with the Admiral in his own dialect. By the narrative of Col. Banister, Governor of Surinam, that affair may be understood ; desires to hear from him what to do, meantime will give his admiralship good words, as by enclosed copy of letter Willoughby has already written but not sent will appear. Expects orders likewise as to Monsieur, and begs he will name more proper Commissioners than formerly, as he will perceive by Col. Lambert's behaviour from the beginning to the end of his employment (sic). How some few inconsiderable factious persons endeavour to discompose the island, countenanced at home by Sir Peter Colleton and others, who pretend great interest in your office, which was the foundation of the Assembly's impudent Address to his Majesty ; this address passes not through Willoughby's hand, though he had no mind to stifle it, that they may appear the persons he reports them. Had been better able, had he been permitted to come home, to have served his master and acknowledged his friends' favours, which he desires may yet be promoted, unless they apprehend wars with the French, "and if so, supply me with ships and men and trust me with the conduct, unless some abler person, such as Sir Robt. Howard, be designed for that honour." Hates to die in debt, and were his Government the thing it is supposed, Williamson had long ere this heard from him ; but he vows as yet he has not received an ounce of sugar or a penny of money from the King or country. Indorsed, Rec. 21 Oct. Incloses,
1820. I. Gov. Willoughby to Capt. Abraham Crynssens. The first paragraph of this letter is word for word the same as the first paragraph of enclosure No. 1812. Shall justify the giving commission against the Arwacas, nor does he believe that Crynssens can imagine that by possessing Surinam the Dutch are become lords of the whole mainland of America ; and though he has thought fit to surprise a poor sloop that intended him no injury, and to keep it and send the persons in her to Zealand, believes he will repent it, for full satisfaction will be required at his hands. Knows nothing of the persons who took the five Indians from the river Marowyn. Expects the restitution of Col. Codrington's sloop. It is impossible to make a friendly visit on the terms they are yet on. Has since received a letter from him dated about the 2nd, stilo novo, and with it a narrative of his severe behaviour to Col. Banister, Governor of Surinam, and the rest of his fellow subjects, wherein, if rightly informed, Crynsens has broken the Articles of Peace and his own articles with the inhabitants, by refusing them liberty of removing with their goods. By the articles Willoughby conceives only the land to be Dutch, and that his master's subjects ought not to be detained prisoners or refused transporting their goods and negroes, but Col. Banister for asserting those articles is sent prisoner to your High and Mighty. "If by our masters you and I be appointed judges in this matter, I shall endeavour to justify my own nation, and perchance trouble you ;" but will obey orders and be very cautious of the breach of that happy Peace made at Breda. Will not send any English vessels for traffic till he receives positive answer to this and the return of Col. Codrington's sloop, and the persons belonging to her ; as he receives answer he will provide for the transport of such of his master's subjects as shall desire to remove. Barbadoes, 1668, Aug. 15. Indorsed, Rec. 21 Oct. 1668. Together 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., Nos. 37, 37 I.]
1668? 1821. The King to [Wm.] Lord Willoughby, Gov. of Barbadoes. License to return home, as well in consideration of his private affairs as for several important reasons relating to the King's service. Draft with corrections in Williamson's hand. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 38.]
1668. Aug. 12. 1822. Warrant to the Attorney or Solicitor General. To prepare a bill containing his Majesty's grant of special license to Benjamin Worseley, Doctor of Physic, and his assigns, for the sole use of his invention of planting, dressing, and curing Senna in his Majesty's Plantations in America for 14 years, with a prohibition to all others within his Majesty's dominions during said term without license of said Dr. Worseley or his assigns, see ante, No. 1299. 1 pp. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XXX., p. 65 ; also Vol. XXI., pp. 68, 69.]
[Aug. 12.] 1823. Copy of preceding Warrant, mutilated. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 39.]
Aug. 14.
Whitehall.
1824. Order of the King in Council. On report of the Committee for Trade and Plantations that the rates, quality, and goodness of the clothes proposed for Sir Tobias Bridge's regiment in Barbadoes be referred to Sir Peter Colleton, Major Edmund Andros, and Capt. James Cotter, for their report. [See No. 1839.] Annexed,
Report of Sir Peter Colleton, Major Andros, and Capt. Cotter to the King in Council. That they find the clothes very well worth the following rates :Two shirts, 2s. 6d. each ; 1 pair of linen trowsers, 2s. 6d. ; 2 pairs of linen stockings, 1s. each ; 2 pairs of shoes, 2s. 4d. a pair ; 2 cravats, 6d. each ; 1 hat, 3s. ; and 1 cloth coat edged with blue, 15s. 6d. ; amounting to 1l. 13s. 8d. each man, which for 600 men will amount to 1,010l., and for twenty drummers at 25s. each 25l. more. Indorsed, Read in Council 19 Aug. and allowed of and ordered. Together 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., Nos. 40, 41.]
Aug. 15.
Montserrat.
1825. Ten Acts passed before the late war, and this day publicly read and confirmed until the Governor and Council further consider of the same, viz. :
1. Act for the observation of the Lord's day.
2. Act for free trade for merchants and dealers. Reserving to the Governor 24 hours for his particular with the inhabitants, and for preventing the fraud in quality or quantity of weights and measures.
3. Act against ingrossers of commodities and forestallers of goods.
4. Act to prevent merchants or factors in this island from selling goods left with them at a dearer rate than the first merchant sold, upon pain of 1,000 lbs. of tobacco. (Title only.)
5. Act for viewing, sealing, and allowing merchants' weights and measures, &c. (Title only.)
6. Act for masters of ships, boats, or vessels that come to anchor in the road of this island to enter into bond within 24 hours in the Secretary's office not to transport any person from the island without license from the office under the Governor's hand, and to have license of trade from the office before they sell their goods, &c. (Title only.)
7. Act for the Marshal's attending the Governor once in every 24 hours, &c. (Title only.)
8. Act against going through fields of canes with lighted pipes of tobacco, &c. Jan. 4, 1659-1660.
9. Act against slaves going from their masters' plantations on the Lord's day ; and against such as entertain any runaways. 4 Jan. 1659-1660.
10. Act against negroes and slaves that presume to go from their masters' plantations without licence under their hand, &c. 20 May 1662. Together 5 pp. [Col. Entry, Bk., No. XLIX., pp. 90-94. These Acts are printed in Col. Entry Bk., No. LV., pp. 24-31.]
Aug. 19. 1826. Deposition of Major Samuel Smith, late Governor of Providence. That being by commission from Sir Thos. Modyford in quiet possession, he was on Aug. 1666 by three Spanish vessels, a New England ketch taken from the English by the Spaniards, and an English ship, the Concord, 30 guns, of which Henry Wasey was commander, manned by Spaniards, summoned to surrender, which he refused to do. Whereupon the enemy landed, and after three days' siege he was forced to surrender upon articles for good quarter, which the Spaniards did not in the least perform, for the English, about forty, were immediately made prisoners, and all, except Sir Thos. Whetstone, this deponent, and Capt. Stanley, who were commanders, forced to work in irons and chains at the Spaniards' forts, with many stripes, and many are since dead through want and ill-usage. Said three Commanders were sent to Panama, where they were cast into a dungeon and bound in irons for seventeen months. At length being released this deponent arrived at the Havannah, "his company being lost," where he was clapped into gaol. In which city were many English prisoners lying in irons, where this deponent heard the Griffin, Capt. Swaert, was sunk by a Spanish galleon. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 42.]
Aug. 19. 1827. Deposition of Henry Wasey, master of the Concord, of 400 tons. That on 25th May 1666 he was seized with his said ship lying at anchor in Portobello, and put in irons on pretence of being a spy, although registered and licensed, and was forced to send to Panama for an attestation that the Spaniards manned his said ship and sailed her to Providence to retake said island. That he saw prisoners taken in Providence made slaves in Portobello, and 13 more slaves in Cartagena, and that Capt. Mansfield, an English vessel, brought in as prize at the Havannah, and Capt. Mansfield, the Commander, clapped in irons, who it was reported was suddenly after put to death. Indorsed, Read in Council 19 Dec. 1668. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 43.]
Aug. 19. 1828. Deposition of Roger Baker, mariner, husband and pilot of the St. Fortunetta, alias Leghorn Merchant, of 260 tons, and 20 guns That in October 1664 he sailed from London to Jamaica manned with Spaniards, who in a base and violent manner forced him to leave said ship at Jamaica, and the Spaniards have ever since detained her to this deponent's utter ruin. Indorsed, Read in Council 18th Dec. 1668. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 44.]
Aug. 25.
New York.
1829. Samuel Mavericke to (Sec. Lord Arlington). Begs leave briefly to give account of what has passed in the northern parts of New England since August 1666. A packet was received on the 6th of that month by the Commissioners from Sir Wm. Morrice with letters from his Majesty to the three colonies which had freely submitted to his Government, and a signification of his pleasure concerning the Massachusetts which had refused to submit, commanding Governor Bellingham and Major Hathorne to repair to England. It was six weeks ere the Council assembled, and shortly after they voted that the persons sent for should not go : which, when known, many of the considerablest persons within the Government petitioned that his Majesty's command might be obeyed, but they received a sharp reproof for their presumption, and Bellingham was made choice of for Governor, and Hathorne for a Councillor, and so they remain. In his Majesty's signification he expressly commanded that no alteration should be made in what the Commissioners had done as to bounds between colonies, until his pleasure were further known ; and in particular the Province of Maine, which the Commissioners had taken from the Massachusetts. Notwithstanding at a General Court in April last Bellingham was again chosen Governor, and he commissioned Major Jno. Leverett and others to go into Maine and turn out those appointed by the Commissioners, and to hold a Court at York in the name of the Massachusetts. Accordingly they went with horse and foot, seized forcibly on the records (which have been well kept there under four changes of Government for near 30 years), committed the Marshall to prison, and appointed their old Marshall. It came very near to shedding of blood : but the Justices published a protest, and so remain subject to their enemies the Massachusetts, till his Majesty shall relieve them, for which they have by this conveyance earnestly petitioned. Shortly after the reducing of these parts from the Dutch, Lord Jno. Berkley and Sir George Carteret sent over to take possession of land granted them by his Royal Highness out of his patent, which has proved very prejudicial to this place. Their bounds reach from the east of Delaware river to the west of Hudson's river, including a vast tract of the "most improvablest land," within the Duke's patent, who has nothing left to the west of New York, and to the east upon the main, about 16 miles only. Long Island is very poor, and besides this city there are but two Dutch towns, Sopus and Albany, which lie up north on Hudson's river. Supposes when Lord Berkley had that grant the inconveniences of the grant were not known or considered. Col. Nicolls can give full satisfaction of matters here, who, after his abode of four years, where he hath lived with great reputation and honour, is now returning home. Must accompany him with this character, that he has done his Majesty very considerable service in these parts, having kept persons of different judgments and divers nations in peace, when a great part of the world was in wars : and as to the Indians they were never brought into such a peaceable posture and fair correspondence as by his means they now are. Printed in New York Documents, III., 173, 174. 4 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 45.]
[Aug. 25.] 1830. Mem. concerning miscarriages at St. Christopher's, in the handwriting of Dr. Leoline Jenkins. His Royal Highness being, by his Majesty's order in Council of July 9th last, desired to give directions for putting the miscarriage at St. Christopher's into the proper way of examination, commanded the Judge of the Admiralty to proceed with all care and speed, who forthwith acquainted his Majesty's Advocate and Proctor with said order, declaring that he was ready to take the examinations of any persons they should produce touching said miscarriages ; but said Advocate and Proctor not having found any person, as they say, that can give any account thereof, said Judge craves his Royal Highness's further directions. Indorsed, Read 25 August 1668. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 46.]
Aug.? 1831. Report of [Dr. Jenkins] Judge of the Admiralty, "of the miscarriage at St. Christopher's." Supposing the miscarriage to have been occasioned by the discord or ill-conduct of officers or soldiers belonging to his Majesty's Navy on the sea, the trial of offenders is to be before the Lord High Admiral, either in his courtmartial, according to the Articles of War, established in Parliament 13 Car. II. cap. 9, or else in the ordinary Court in criminal matters. If by the mutiny or other fault of the land officers or soldiers while on the sea, before the Lord High Admiral in his ordinary Court ; but if by the discord or fault of the officers or soldiers upon or after landing, before the Lords Constable and Marshal, in their Court of Chivalry, secundum Legem Armorum, and the Civil Law. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 47.]
1832. Draft order [in the handwriting of Williamson] from the King to [the Commissioners of Ordnance]. To deliver certain arms and ammunition to Col. Fras. Lovelace, appointed by the Duke of York Governor of New York, see ante, No. 1480. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 48.]
1668? 1833. Petition of Dorothea, widow of Daniel Gotherson, formerly Dorothea Scott, to the King. Was heir to the young house of Scott's Hall in Kent, and brought her husband an estate of near 500l. per ann., which was all mortgaged by him, and since his death all taken for debt, so that petitioner and six children crave the King's clemency in the case following : a great part of her husband's debts were contracted by his disbursing near 2,000l. to one John Scott for land and houses in Long Island ; the land is all disposed of, and her son, for whom it was bought, has been exposed to work for his bread the last three or four years, though not full 17 years of age. Prays therefore for an order to Fras. Lovelace, Deputy Governor of Long Island, to examine her pretensions and do her justice : if she has no interest in land there, has not any elsewhere. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLII., No. 98, Cal., p. 148.]
Aug. 28.
Fort James, New York.
1834. Governor Francis Lovelace to Sec. Lord Arlington. It has been a great affliction to him, that at his departure from England he had not the opportunity to wait on his Lordship and receive his instructions. Is now invested in the charge of his Royal Highness's territories, "being the middle position of the two distinct factions, the Papist and Puritan." Should esteem some instructions a most singular favour ; preparatory to which he has received from his worthy predecessor, Col. Nicolls, "the character that was fixed betwixt you." If his Lordship will command one of his Secretaries to correspond with Lovelace, he will not fail to give exact account of these parts of the world. Indorsed, "Aug. 28, '68." Printed in New York Documents, III., 174, 175. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 49.]