America and West Indies: February 1632

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1860.

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'America and West Indies: February 1632', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, (London, 1860) pp. 139-141. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol1/pp139-141 [accessed 19 April 2024]

February 1632

Feb. 1.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Resolved, though the Company receive no tidings of the Seaflower, that a ship be fitted for 150 persons and sent to the island, also a magazine of provisions in proportion; the ship to be hired by the adventurers. Thos. Hartly, Cooper, covenanted to be the Company's servant in Providence for three years, at 5l. a year wages, received 50s. in part payment. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 45–46.]
Feb. 6.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. No ship to be hired for the next voyage to Providence until 1st of April next, unless the Seaflower arrive before then. Committee named to treat with the owners of the Charity for that service. Each member to pay in 150l. to meet the great charges which will become due on the return of the ships already set forth. Permission to Gabriel Barber to leave the Company, and any other member "that shall express a desire to fall off" to have liberty to do so. Planters to be allowed to pay the charges of their passage out of the proceeds of their labours. Upon petition of Geo. Needham to go to Providence in the next ship, and to be lent 30l. out of the Company's stock, resolved, the petitioner promising never to revive any differences, particularly with Capt. Elfrith, that he go as master of six servants, because of his long experience in plantations; the loan refused. Upon petition of Mrs. Dew that her husband might have leave to remove from Association to Providence Island, have six servants allowed him, and she be permitted to go in the next ship, with an advance of 20l. for her outfit, a warrant for her husband's removal is granted, the loan refused, and her proposition for servants referred for consideration. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 46–48.]
Feb. 9.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. 20l. ordered to be presented to Mr. Hart for his diligence, fidelity, and discretion; also 20l. per annum to Mr. Sec. [Pym] for the faithful discharge of his duties. Resolutions passed concerning the present allowance of 100l. apiece to the adventures "for discovery of this plantation;" for supplying the plantation with ministers, the Company willing to bear half their salaries, the other half to be levied in the country; and for encouragement of artificers going over, either as free men or servants. Mr. Deputy [Dike] desired to "harken out" some sufficient gunners for the island. Various previous resolutions confirmed. Debate touching Gabriel Barber quitting the Company. Rules laid down in case of any other member of the Company wishing to sell his share. After the rate of 6l. per head, to be henceforth allowed for transportation of any persons to the island. Auditors for the accounts. The Seaflower shortly expected, and a standing committee appointed for the next voyage. [,Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 48–52.]
Feb.? 40. Petition of the President and Council for New England to the Privy Council. The proclamation [of 24 Nov. 1630], forbidding the sale of any kind of arms to the savages in New England, has been put in force by the Governors in America, and one Edward Astley apprehended and sent to England. Pray that order may be taken for his exemplary punishment.
Feb. 11. 41. Attorney General Noye to [Thos.] Meautys. Incloses Astley's examination with the testimonies against him, and recommends, since Astley says it was commonly done before the restraint and has since forborne it, that he "give caution" not to furnish the Indians with any more arms. Annexed,
41. I. Examination of John Deacon, Henry Sampson, Geo. Watson, and Oliver Gallow before Capt. Walter Neale, in New England, concerning unlawful trading in arms and munition by Edward Astley, late inhabitant of the said country. 1631, July 19.
41. II. Examinations of Thos. Willett and William Phips before Capt. Hen. Keye, on the same subject. 1631, July 30.
41. III. Examination of Edward Astley before Attorney General Noye. Confesses to bartering with the Indians of New England for powder and shot, but did not know of the proclamation prohibiting it. 1632, Feb. 11.
Feb. 11. 42. Petition of Peter de Licques, Sieur des Antheux, &c., Picardy, to the King. Has "an advice in writing" concerning plantations in Virginia and other parts of the West Indies, whereby a revenue of 50,000l. per annum may be raised for His Majesty's own use, and after five years "one lusty tall ship, of 500 tons" at least, for the King's service shall be built by the petitioner annually for ever Prays, as a recompence for such services, to be appointed hereditary Receiver General and to have a grant of one-fifth part of all rights and profits, &c. as collected by reason of his advice; also for letters of denization. [See 1632, April 12.]
Feb. 11.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Deputy Governor Dike and Mr. St. Johns, on behalf of Sir Gilbert Gerrard, having "discovered a willingness to fall off" from the Company, a discussion arose, but the consideration was deferred. Mr. Hart's account of his conference with the owners of the Charity; an offer made for hire of the ship. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 52, 53.]
Feb. 13.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Certain members of the Company offered to take Mr. Deputy's share, who, having assented, ordered accordingly. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 53, 54.]
Feb.14.
Mr. Treasurer's Chambers.
Minutes as above. Mr. Hart's proposals to the owners of the Charity for hire of their ship having been accepted the agreement is approved. Resolutions passed to prevent prejudice to the Company's affairs for want of money; for defraying the expenses of the supplies now intended and other incidental charges; and for dispatch of business concerning the voyage [of the Charity to Providence Island]. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 54.]
Feb. 29.
Warwick House.
Minutes of the Council for New England. Two duplicate patents to Sir Ferd. Gorges, Capt. John Mason, and their associates, of the same date and upon the same tenure as the patent of 4 Nov. 1631, are sealed. Also a patent granted upon petition, to Robert Aldsworth and Giles Elbridge, merchants, of 12,000 acres of land in New England, and an additional 100 acres for every person transported by them to New England within seven years, provided they abide there three years; the 12,000 acres to be laid out near the river Pemaquid, in consideration of their having undertaken to build a town there and settle divers inhabitants for the general good of that country. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, pp. 7–10.]