|
| [Dec. 4.] |
1168. Petition of Eleanor Langdon, widow, and Robert Langdon,
citizen and merchant tailor of London, to the King and Council.
By the death of petitioner's husband and of both his sons in
Barbadoes an estate has come to both petitioners in Barbadoes of
300l. per annum for which they have been in suit in the Court at
Barbadoes almost seven years but can get no good end, although a
verdict passed for Eleanor about thirteen months past; possession
is detained by one Thrale together with 3,000l. arrears of rent.
Pray for an order to the Governor of Barbadoes for recovery and
possession of what belongs to petitioners. "Read 4 Dec. 1676."
[Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 72.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall |
1169. Journal of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Paper
containing "The state of the business of Newfoundland and the
fishery" read. Ordered that Mr. Pepys be written to for copies of
the returns made to the Admiralty concerning Newfoundland by
Captains Russell and Wyborne, who went convoys thither last year,
and their Lordships will remember to chide them for not having
made answer to the heads of enquiry put into their hands. Ordered
that Messrs. Parrot and Ryder, agents for the West Country
Adventurers, attend next meeting and give account of the West
Country charter, and whether the additional rules allowed by the
King for the regulation of the fishery are sufficiently settled. Sir
John Berry's observations to the papers given in against a colony
read, and to be further considered. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIV.,
p. 261.] |
| [Dec. 5.] |
1170. "The state of the business of Newfoundland and the fishery"
referred to above, and endorsed "Rec. 5 Dec. 1676." This copy is
full of corrections in the handwriting of Sir Robert Southwell,
secretary to the Lords of Trade and Plantations. The title has
also been altered to "An Account of the Colony and Fishery of
Newfoundland and the present state thereof," which is certainly
more accurate than the above title. Another copy of this document without endorsement appears to be a fair copy of the above,
but it is evident further alterations were made in the original
after this fair copy was made. 9 pp. Two copies. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXXVIII., Nos. 73, 74.] |
| [Dec. 5.] |
1171. "French regulations in the fishery of Newfoundland,
received from Mr. Secretary Williamson, 5th December 1676."
These consist of extracts taken from the registers of St. Malo, and
include a list of the names of twenty-nine French ships, with the
number of men to each ship, total 1,627 men. French. 9½ pp.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 75.] |
| [Dec. 5.] |
1172. Title same as preceding, but this is a Decree of the
Parliament of Brittany at the request of the noble Burgomasters of
St. Malo on the regulations for ships and harbours in Newfoundland.
Rennes, 1640. 31st March. French. 18 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol.
XXXVIII., No. 76.] |
Dec. 6.
Whitehall. |
1173. Order of the King in Council. On petition of several
merchants of the city of London trading to Virginia and Maryland,
for liberty to proceed with their ships bound for those parts, that
the Lords of the Admiralty forthwith give order for taking off the
embargo whereby said ships may freely proceed on their respective
voyages. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., p. 135.] |
Dec. 6/16.
Barbadoes. |
1174. Governor Sir Jonathan Atkins to the Lords of Trade and
Plantations. The rumours of differences with the French lodge them
under some apprehensions. Is vigorously putting the Island into a
posture to encounter all accidents. A Dutch squadron of ships in
these parts, they have taken Cayenne and Marigalante from the
French, and all the negroes taken they have transplanted to Tobago
where they are fortifying and settling a colony. Doubts their stay
will be long for a large French frigate has been met bound for these
parts. There is never a frigate of the King's in all these parts, nor
has he so much as a boat to send out for intelligence. In want of
a quantity of match but of no other stores. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol.
XXXVIII., No. 77; also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VI., pp. 148, 149.] |
Dec. 7.
Whitehall. |
1175. Journal of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Letter
received from Mr. Pepys of the 6th instant, enclosing several papers
sent to the Lords of the Admiralty by Captains Russell and
Wyborne, convoy for the fishery of Newfoundland, viz., List of
papers concerning Newfoundland and the fishery:— |
|
i. Account of ships fishing between Trepassa and Bay of Bulls
by Captain Wyborne, 1676 (two copies). |
|
ii. Account of ships making fishing voyages in Newfoundland
in 1676. |
|
iii. Account of fishing ships by Captain Russell, 1676. |
|
iv. Account of the French trade in Newfoundland (two
copies). |
|
v. Account of the French ships in Newfoundland, 1676, by
Captain Wyborne. |
|
vi. Account of sack ships between Trepassa and Bay of Bulls,
1676. |
|
vii. Account of sack ships between Bonavista and St. John's,
1676, by Captain Russell. |
|
viii. Account of sack ships with their number of men, guns, and
tons, 1676. |
|
ix. Account of the English inhabitants in Newfoundland
between Bonaventure and Petty Harbour, 1676, by
Captain Russell. |
|
x. The names of English inhabitants, their habitations,
number of boats, men, wives, children, and servants from
Bonaventure to Trepassa. |
|
xi. Total account of the inhabitants, their boats, fish, cattle,
&c., from Trepassa to Bay of Bulls, 1676, by Captain
Wyborne. 431 people, 9,743 kintals of fish worth
6,347l. 11s., and 75 cattle. |
|
xii. Abstract of the above papers made by order of their
Lordships, from which it appears (by Captain Russell's
account) that the number of English ships that went
this year to fish is 126, the number of men belonging to
these ships 4,556, the number of boats belonging to the
ships 894, and the fish "made by them" 178,800, worth
112,618l. sterling. The number of French ships 102,
with 18 boats to each and five men per boat, 9,180 with
2,040 guns. In "another account" of the number of
English ships, &c., the figures vary, but not considerably.
Total of English inhabitants, 1,657. This abstract is
endorsed "Recd. from Mr. Pepys, 6 Dec. 1676." [Col.
Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., Nos. 78–91; also Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. CIV., pp. 262, 263.] |
Dec. 7.
Whitehall. |
1176. Journal of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Order in
Council of 29th November last read, in which Secretary Coventry
is directed to add a clause to his Majesty's letter to Sir Jonathan
Atkins commanding him to take bonds of ships suspected by the
agents of the Royal African Company; and their Lordships being
also directed to give the same instructions to Lord Vaughan and
other Governors of His Majesty's plantations, it is thought fit that
these words be inserted in the letter now sending to Barbadoes, viz.,
"We do further in relation to the said Royal Company signify
unto you his Majesty's Order in Council of 29th November last,
copy enclosed, and require that the same be carefully observed and put
in execution." Messrs. Ryder and Parrot attend and present copy of
the Western charter containing the additional rules which his Majesty
had by Order in Council of 5th May 1675 approved (see ante,
No. 550), and inform their Lordships that the charter was settled
last spring, and orders sent by an express to Newfoundland to give
information of his Majesty's pleasure. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIV.,
pp. 263, 264.] |
Dec. 8.
Whitehall. |
1177. Order of the King in Council. That Secretary Coventry
insert a clause in his Majesty's intended letter to Governor Atkins
to take effectual care that no ship, except in the service of the
Royal African Company, be permitted to go to sea on a trading
voyage from any port within his government, the cargo of which
may be suspected by the Company's agents to be proper for any
parts of Africa within said Company's charter, until the master or
proprietors of such ship has given security not to go to any part
within the limits of said Company's Charter, viz., from Sallee to
the Cape of Good Hope, and that they shall not import negroes,
gold, elephant's teeth, malagetta, or other commodities of the
countries within said Charter. Also that similar directions be sent
to Lord Vaughan, Governor of Jamaica, and to the respective
Governors of all other his Majesty's American Plantations. 1½ pp.
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. I., pp. 59, 60; also Vol. VI., pp. 139, 140.] |
Dec. 8.
Whitehall. |
1178. Order of the King in Council. That, for the greater
security of the ships bound to Virginia and Maryland, and to
prevent their falling into the hands of the rebels in Virginia,
whereby those rebels may be supplied, the Lords of the Admiralty
take care that notice be forthwith given to their respective masters
to sail for James River for orders from Sir John Berry, Commander
of his Majesty's ship the Bristol, before they proceed to their
respective ports to trade. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., p. 136.] |
| Dec. 9. |
1179. The King to Sir Jonathan Atkins, Governor of Barbadoes. |
|
Trusty, &c. When of our special grace and mere motion we designed
you Governor of our Island of Barbadoes, it was not without trial made
and experience had of your conduct in other employments wherewith
we had entrusted you, and therefore we could not but expect from you
a suitable deportment in that government. And we are the more surprised to find foundations laid for the support of government in that
our Colony, and for the rendering the same useful in some measure to
this our native kingdom, by a due observance of such Acts as the
wisdom of Parliament here hath judged necessary and established upon
mature consideration, not only shaken by the presumption of some
pragmatical spirits there representing them as grievances, but countenanced and encouraged therein by your patronizing and pleading in
their behalf, whose duty it was to bend all your reason and interest to
have diverted such proceedings, and convince them of their error and
danger in the attempt, at least to have refused your concurrence in
affairs of that consequence and import till you had acquainted us therewith, and received our pleasure and direction concerning the same.
The particulars which chiefly give us offence are these: First, that
concerning our Farmers of the four-and-a-half per cent. weighing the
casks of sugar; secondly, the complaint of the want of sufficient supply
of negroes from the Royal African Company; thirdly, which is the main
matter, a dispensation proposed by the Acts of Navigation and Trade;
concerning which, when you have reviewed your late address of the
4/14 July 1676 to our Committees of Trade and Plantations, we doubt
not you will be so sensible of your mistakes that we shall not need
animadvert further thereupon than to tell you, as to the first, that the
four-and-a-half per cent., being a revenue acknowledged by those who
gave it to be settled and paid as cheerfully as any was by our people, if
any hardship did appear in the collection by the Farmers thereof which
might be remedied for the ease and convenience of our people, without
damage to us by the abuses that are often practised in making casks
bigger than the gauge, and ramming sugar therein to a greater weight
than the casks are allowed to contain, you, who know how tender we are
of our people's good, should have informed us thereof, with the safest
way of remedy without promoting the same to a head of complaint,
which yet we have under consideration for a regulation if it may be
found, and cannot but blame you, the more that, in the close of your
large account of that Island, though our Council and Assembly never so
much as mention it as a burthen in their address, yet you desire for their
encouragements they might be eased for some time of that duty, which
themselves never so much as touch upon in their paper of grievances,
but, on the contrary, profess as before to pay it with all cheerfulness.
To the second, the Sub-Governor and Deputy Governor of the Royal
African Company attending the Committees of Trade and Plantations,
together with Colonel Thornbury, Agent for that our Island, he did not
insist further upon that head, but agreed that the Island had been well
supplied for this twelve months' past, and when there was any interruption of sending negroes it was occasioned by the stop of trade in the
late Dutch war, and yet we observe you continue this complaint without
the least colour for it. As for the third, we had thought you had been
too well instructed in the constitution of this government not to know
of what evil consequence it is that any of our subjects should, out of
Parliament, presume to petition against the laws they must live under,
and call them grievances, upon which the whole frame and navigation
of this kingdom doth turn. But, above all, we admire that in your accounts to our said Committees which they have laid before us (with
commendations, nevertheless, of your answer to all their inquiries) you
make a complaint of the desperate condition of all our Plantations, and
that they lie under great discouragements (without naming any, as you
ought to do if there be anything that is truly so), such general discontented representation no way conducing to our service or the quiet
of our people. And, therefore, upon the whole matter, being willing
favourably to interpret what you have done to have proceeded rather
from surprise, incogitancy, or importunity of some you found there not
so well affected to our service as we judge you, than from any ill intention or declination in your zeal to promote the same, according to the
trust reposed in you, we choose rather to caution you upon this occasion
than to give you that severe reprehension which this action void of those
favourable circumstances would require from us, and will yet hope to
see your example and diligence for the future not only restore you fully
to our good opinion but render you a "President" worthy imitation by
the Governors of our other Plantations. And to the end you may be
so in all respects we think fit further to take notice of a complaint made
to us by the Company of Royal Adventurers trading to Africa that an
action hath been brought against their Agent residing under your Government for having seized, according to the power they have by our Royal
Charter, a veesel called the Anne of Barbadoes, with her lading of
negroes imported thither, and to let you know that you failed in duty
to us in suffering the said action to be commenced against the said
Company's Agent for acting according to our said Charter, which ought
not to be questioned or judged there. And therefore we require you to
discountenance this action, and to prevent such proceedings for the
future. And we, intending that the said Company of Royal Adventurers
shall not by any ways be invaded upon as to the rights of our Charter to
them, have thought fit to order in Council that no ships but only such
as are in the service of the said Company shall be permitted to go to sea
on a trading voyage from any ports or places of any parts of our
Plantations in America whose cargo may be suspected by the Agents of
the said Company to be proper for any parts of Africa within the said
Company's Charter, until such time as the masters, owners, or other
proprietors of such ships and vessels have given good security that they
will not go to any parts within the limits of the said Royal African
Company's Charter, viz., from Sallee to the Cape of Good Hope. And
that they shall not import any negroes, gold, elephants' teeth, mallagetta,
or other commodities of the countries within our said Charter to any
of our said Plantations. We have therefore thought fit to signify our
pleasure to you, and do hereby require you to take such bonds accordingly.
And so we bid you farewell. Given, &c. |
|
Countersigned by Secretary Coventry. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. I.,
pp. 60–63; Vol. VI., pp. 140–144; and Vol. CX.,pp. 103–106]. |
| Dec. 9. |
1180. R. P. to [Colonel Jeffreys ?]. Showed his letter concerning
the two invalid soldiers set on shore at Deal to the Duke of Monmouth who ordered him to draw a letter for their relief to the
Governor of Deal Castle for the Duke to sign. 1 p. Draft with
corrections. Annexed, |
|
1180. i. The draft letter above referred to. That Colonel
Jeffreys had two soldiers of Captain Picks' company set
on shore, one disabled by sickness, the other by an
accident wound in his leg, from proceeding to Virginia.
It is the King's pleasure they be lodged in some convenient place and be allowed 8d. a day each for their
subsistence which shall be paid out of contingencies.
He is to send speedy notice to [Mat.] Lock, Secretary to
his Majesty's forces, at his office in the Horse Guards,
whether they were old soldiers or newly raised and of
what company and regiment. Together, 2 pp. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., Nos. 92, 92 i.] |
| Dec. 11. |
1181. The King to Lord Vaughan, Governor of Jamaica. Taking
into consideration a complaint of the Royal African Company that
in some of the American Plantations the rights granted to them
by charter have been invaded, his Majesty was pleased to order in
Council that only ships in the service of said Company be permitted
to go to sea in a trading voyage from any places within his government whose cargo may be suspected by the agents of said Company
"to be proper for any parts of Africa within the said Company's
charter" until security be given not to go to any part within the
limits thereof, viz., from Sallee to the Cape of Good Hope, and that
they shall not import negroes, gold, elephants' teeth, magalleta, or
other commodities of said countries. Requires him to take care
that said Order be duly observed. Mem.—The like letter was
sent to Colonel William Stapleton, Governor of the Leeward Isles.
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CX., p. 107.] |
Dec. 12.
Port Royal. |
1182. Journal of the Council of Jamaica. Ordered that Proclamation be issued immediately for prohibiting the landing of
Indians from New England or any other places. The Proclamation.
Ordered that the Secretary underwrite the account of the quit rents
to certify it was sworn to by John Crompton; that the King's
Attorney-General deliver to the Secretary the deposition of Captain
William Bragg touching Sir Thomas Modyford and with the Judge's
letter to his Excellency to be filed by the Secretary. The accounts
of the Treasury allowed except the year's salary of 200l. to Sir
John Griffiths, for solicitation of the confirming our laws and stores
which is left to the King to allow. The accounts (from 1st March
1675 to 1st March 1676): total disbursements, 4,141l. 10s. 9d., which
include 1,500l., the Assembly's gift to the Governor, 671l. 15s. 10d.,
on the forts. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXV., pp. 535–543.] |
| Dec. 13. |
1183. Order of the King in Council. On petition of John
Jefferies, John Banks, John Ewers, and others of London, merchants, owners of the Merchant's Delight and Hannah, praying for
passes for said two ships in order to the more secure bringing them
home; that the Lords of the Admiralty forthwith grant said passes.
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX.,p. 137.] |
Dec. 13.
Wallingford House. |
1184. Warrant from the Earl of Danby to Anthony Segar.
Whereas in pursuance of his Majesty's letters of Privy Seal of 15th
June last, several tallies amounting to 4,500(l.) stricken upon the
duty of 4½ per cent. at Barbadoes are delivered to him for his
Majesty's service, that he forthwith deliver, in pursuance of his
Majesty's warrant of 6th instant to the Duke of Monmouth, so
many of said tallies as amount to 2,604l. 2s. 7d. for his own use.
½ p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XLI., p. 72.] |
| (Dec. 13.) |
1185. Receipt of the Duke of Monmouth from Anthony Segar
pursuant to above warrant of three tallies, viz., for 950l., 900l.
and 700l., amounting in all to 2,550l., part of the tallies above
mentioned. ¼ p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XLI., p. 72.] |
| (Dec. 13.) |
1186. Petition and Address of the Governor and Company of
the Massachusetts Bay in General Court assembled to the King.
Refer to the Indian war as the cause of the delay of answering
the King's letters; no sooner had it ceased in the southern and
western parts than it sprung up unexpectedly in the eastern parts,
concerning which the controversy between them and the complainants doth arise. Are yet willing to offer their pleas and
produce their evidences in this matter; are sure that no intention of
wrong to the claimers, no unlawful design of enlarging their borders,
no profit thereby accruing (the contrary of which has hitherto been
found) but a grounded apprehension of their interest, real compassion to the petitioning inhabitants in an unsettled and suffering
condition together with a sense of duty to be faithful to their patent.
Trust caused them to receive those inhabitants under the wing
of the King's government in this Colony established. "Betrust"
the further management of their defence to William Stoughton and
Peter Bulkeley. Thank the King for his consideration in letting
them see the complaints against them. Signed by "John Leverett,
Governor, with the consent of the General Court." Endorsed,
"Read in Council, December 13, 1676." 1 p. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXXVIII., No. 93; also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LX.,
pp. 182–186.] |
| (Dec. 13.) |
1187. Petition of Robert Mason and Ferdinando Gorges to the
King. Pray for a hearing of their complaints of the unjust proceedings of the Massachusetts. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LX., pp. 187–188.] |
| Dec. 22. |
1188. Similar petition to the King for a hearing. [Ibid.,
pp. 188, 189.] |
| Dec. 22. |
1189. Order of the King in Council. Appointing 12th January
for hearing the complaints of Mason and Gorges and ordering the
attendance then of the Massachusetts' Agents, Stoughton and
Bulkeley. [Ibid., pp. 189–190.] |
Dec. 21.
Council Chamber, Whitehall. |
1190. Lords of Trade and Plantations to Sir Jonathan Atkins,
Governor of Barbadoes. Have received under the same cover his
letters of 15th August and 4th July, with answer to articles of
inquiry, upon which they cannot but express the satisfaction they
receive from so particular an account of the present state of
Barbadoes, but indeed are sorry to find him so far engaged in the
recommendation of some particulars which are not only prejudicial
to the settled condition of Barbadoes itself, but contradictory to
the established laws of this kingdom, his Majesty's authority, and
the privileges granted to his subjects. Have lying before them the
petition of the Council and Assembly, with annexed paper of
grievances. But do not so much wonder at these representations
from the body of a people who may by malicious or unadvised
suggestions be persuaded into misapprehensions of their own
interest and welfare, as their Lordships have reason to disallow of
the countenance he has given them by several expressions and
arguments in his letters. This was a matter of so great moment
and importance as to deserve his Majesty's inspection in Council.
Refers him to his Majesty's letter he will receive herewith [see ante,
No. 1179] for answer to those particulars. Must add their own
observation that in the point concerning negroes "you join in
complaint after such time as you knew the island was sufficiently
supplied with them, which hath been fully proved to us by the
Royal [African] Company, and the complaint itself disowned by
Colonel Thornbury, agent for Barbadoes." Further send him copy of
the King's Order in Council, and require same to be carefully observed.
Desire he will supply in his next such of the articles of inquiry
sent to him as are defective. He can make "a reasonable conjecture" of the value of imports and exports; also of the number
of merchants and factors, the value of their estates and wealth of
the whole island, the number of sectaries and qualities; also the
number of ministers and the provision made for each, also for the
poor, and an account of the burials and christenings for the time
to come; also to furnish all the laws in force, and which have
received his Majesty's approbation. Expect to hear from him by
every single ship or fleet coming from thence. Have received his
letters of 3rd February and 25th September last [see ante,
Nos. 811, 1040] with exemplification of the trial of Colonel Warner,
which came not until 26th November. Cannot but express their
wonder that an account of a matter of this importance should be
imparted by him six weeks after their Lordships had been informed
by other hands. Signed by Anglesey, Craven, Fauconberg, and
H. Coventry. A paragraph has been added after this letter was
signed, so another copy was signed and most probably sent. 3 pp.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 94.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
1191. Fair copy of the preceding, including the paragraph
inserted in the margin. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VI., pp. 144–147.]
Also copy of the first part of the above; probably the letter
originally intended to be sent. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. I., pp 64,65.] |
