America and West Indies: April 1635

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: April 1635', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, (London, 1860) pp. 201-206. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol1/pp201-206 [accessed 17 March 2024]

April 1635

April 2.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Edwards is entertained in the Company's service. Loan of 4l. to Lieut. Thorpe to furnish himself for the voyage. Capt. John Hilton not being in England, upon whom the Company desires to settle the government of Association, it is resolved that Capt. Wormeley continue in the government until further order; the heads of a letter and instructions agreed on. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 211–12.]
April 3.
From the Fort at Point Comfort in Virginia.
53. Governor Harvey to Sec. Windebank. The preposterous haste of Sir John Zouch and Captain Button, to leave the colony, has prevented him from writing at large. His next letters will show that faction and not zeal to the King's service has caused them to leave the chief of their business behind. Endorsed by Windebank, "Rec. 9 June 1635."
April 9.
Virginia.
54. Governor Harvey to Sec. Windebank. Knows not any man so fit for the command of Point Comfort as Capt. Francis Hook, an old servant of King James. Requests the King's approbation of his appointment. Endorsed by Windebank, "Rec. 5 June 1635, by Mr. Hawley."
April? 55. List of the number of men, women, and children, inhabiting in the several counties within the colony of Virginia-total 4,914. Underwritten is a memorandum that since this list was brought in 205 persons had arrived in two ships from Bermudas. Endorsed by Windebank, "Rec. 5 June 1635, by Mr. Hawley."
April 10
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Mrs. Filby gives an account of the surprise of Association. Capt. Wormeley, by reason of his cowardice and negligence in losing the island, is deprived of his government and banished thence, and Mr. Woodcock undertakes to provide a fit person to succeed him. Thos. Higgins is entertained to go to Providence in the Expectation. Orders concerning Mrs. Filby's return to Association. Mr. Danvers licensed to return to Providence; order for an account of his plantation. The Council in Association to have orders to sequester the estate and debts of Capt. Hilton, to the use of his wife and children. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 212–13.]
April 14.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Mr. Woodcock proposes Capt. Lea for the government of Association; but on the motion of Sir Nath. Rich, it is resolved that a Council shall be appointed to govern the island, with a President, to be elected by themselves. The negroes to be taken to Providence to discharge Capt. Hilton's debts. Authority to suspend Capt. Wormeley, seize his goods and secure his person, if found guilty. Proposal of a minister, who is also exercised in the practice of physic, to enter the Company's service. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 213.]
April 17.
Warwick House.
Minutes of a Committee for Association Island. Capt. Nic. Riskinner is entertained Governor of the island; heads of instructions agreed on; encouragements promised if he remain. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 214.]
April 18.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Proposals of Captain Riskinner for two pieces of ordnance and ammunition, to be delivered to him at Association, with 30 muskets, and 20l. in commodities. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 214.]
April 18. Grant, by indenture, of the Council for New England to John Wollaston, goldsmith of London, of certain lands, to be called the Province of New Hampshire. Copy. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LIX., pp. 123–25.]
April 18. Abstract of the above. [Colonial Corresp., 1620, Nov. 3.]
April 18. Minutes of the above. [Ibid.]
April 18.
Lord Gorges' House.
Minutes of the Council for New England. Lord Gorges chosen President. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, p. 27.]
April 20.
London.
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Bell, Governor. Send some useful persons and supplies. Received his letter of 10 March 1634 in August last, with a full account by Mr. Lane of the success of their intended trade at Darien. Have ordered rewards to those eight persons who accompanied Mr. Lane. Lament the "disunion of hearts and ends;" nothing more dangerous nor troublesome than such reports. Censure his conduct for unlawfully imprisoning the clerks of the stores, and countenancing Capt. Elfrith in that particular. Verdict in Mr. Jenks' action against Capt. Elfrith. Condemn Mr. Rishworth's behaviour concerning the negroes who ran away, as indiscreet ("arising, as it seems, from a groundless opinion that Christians may not lawfully keep such persons in a state of servitude, during their strangeness from Christianity") and injurious to themselves. Mr. Lane returns, and has liberty to choose ground in the island not already possessed, for planting madder, indigo, or other commodities. Capt. Hook may reside upon Capt. Axe's plantation. Heavy charges against some of the Councillors. Forbear as yet to censure Mr. Rishworth. Desire that Trippett, the gunner, will discover to him the true way of making "mecoachan;" if he refuse, the Company forbid his departure from the island. Tobacco. Timber from Henrietta. The people to be diligent in planting cotton, and particularly Camock's flax. If their expectations are realised, will quickly send a large supply or men. Will write to Capt. Rudyerd to send his colours back, as "the island is left destitute." A good smith provided. Are sorry that turtle should fail at the Mosquitos; propose a remedy. The Indians to receive good usage and encouragement to trade. Not yet satisfied with his proposition for bringing Indian women to the island. If children of either sex may be had, would not have that opportunity neglected of their Christian education. Are glad that the Black Rock is finished. Have endeavoured to supply the lack of soldiers; men experienced in the wars were sent by the Robert; Lieut. Thorpe goes by this ship. The planters' discouragement. Supply of salt; see no reason why it should not be made in the island. Wish to know what letters were committed to the care of Sam. Colson. Capt. Hilton's authority to dispose of goods. Are very desirous that Lawrence Peterson should stay in the island. Complaint of Mr. Hunt. Maintenance of peace and friendly correspondence among the Council. Would have certain times appointed for public consultation. Inconvenience of too frequent meetings. Privacy in debate insisted upon. Directions to keep "a fair correspondency" with the Council; to concur in all their resolutions, except where he has warrant to determine alone. "For the word absolute power, we do utterly dislike the language, and therefore would not have it once named." All respect of persons to be avoided. The Secretary to enter all causes tried by jury. Directions for prevention of errors, wilful or accidental. Mr. Lane to be admitted of the Council, and Lieut, Price to have liberty to come home. Paget's relations concerning Dureren [Darien?]; forbear as yet to prosecute that design any further. Forbid masters letting out for private benefit, servants consigned to them by the Company. Supply of Capt. Camock's company. Freight and dispatch home of commodities procured upon the main; and the disposal of those in Providence, "the price whereof we desire to improve to the utmost." Isaac Barton appointed Sheriff in the room of Sam. Symonds. Will. Wyatt's complaint. Approve of the choice of Capt Rous to be Captain of the leeward side of the island. Wil. Thorpe to be Lieutenant of Warwick Fort, if Lieut. Price leave Providence. Trippett's complaint concerning his excommunication. Disapprove of Ant. Rous' conduct with Langton; but "because of the different quality of the persons," Rous' fine is moderated. Had due watches been carefully provided, the surprise of Association might have been prevented. Disposal of negroes from Association. Mr. Danvers to have his plantation, servants, &c. The Governor to show his public instructions and letters to the Councillors when requested. Wild cotton to be sent home. Capt Riskinner goes Governor of Association; should that island be deserted by the English, Gov. Bell is directed to give him kind usage and entertainment. If Capt. Christ Wormeley arrive at the island from Association, a very strict eye is to be kept upon him, and he is to be sent home by this ship for having "given us some cause of distaste." [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 75–9.]
April 20.
Warwick House.
Commission from the Company of Providence Island, appointing Capt. Sussex Camock, Governor of all agents, factors, and other servants employed in the trade at Cape Gratia de Dios. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 79.]
April 20. Instructions from the Company of Providence Island to Cornelius Billinger, master of the Expectation, of London. To sail from St. Christopher's direct to Association, "otherwise called Tortuga," and ascertain whether it be in possession of the English. If so to attend Mr. Lane 14 days, and from thence proceed to Providence. If the English are not in possession, to find out what has become of them, and receive directions from the Company's Commissioners concerning them. To consign the goods for Capt. Camock to him, by the first opportunity; and if he cannot provide a full freight, to supply himself at Providence. Being laden, to make all speed home. To forbid the seamen to truck for any commodities at the main. If Capt. Riskinner resolve to stay at Association, to leave two pieces of the ship's ordnance, with a few bullets, for better defence of the island. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 80.]
April 21.
Warwick House.
Minutes of a Court for Association Island. Capt Riskinner to be supplied with muskets, pistols, ordnance, and ammunition for defence of the island, and tools for building and planting there. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 214–15.]
April 22. Grant of the Council for New England to Capt. John Mason, of certain lands, to be called the province of New Hampshire, with an additional 10,000 acres in New England, to be called Masonia. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LIX., pp. 127–30.]
April 22. Abstract of the preceding. [Colonial Corresp., 1620, Nov. 3.]
April 22. Counterpart of the above, signed and sealed by Capt. John Mason. [Copy. Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LIX., pp. 131–35.]
April 22. Abstract of the preceding. [Colonial Corresp., 1620, Nov. 3]
April 22. 56. Grant of the Council for New England to William Lord Alexander, of all that part of the main land in New England from St. Croix, adjoining New Scotland, along the sea coast to Pemaquid, and so up the river to the Kinebequi [Kenebeck], to be henceforth called the county of Canada; also the island of Matowack, or Long Island, to the west of Cape Cod, to be hereafter called the Isle of Sterling; to be holden of the Council and their successors, per Gladium Comitatus, that is to say, to find four able men, armed for war, to attend upon the Governor of New England for the public service, within fourteen days after warning given. [Copy on parchment.]
April 22. 57. Grant, by indenture, for the Council of New England to James Marquis of Hamilton of certain lands in New England, to be henceforth called the county of New Cambridge, with an additional 10,000 acres, to be called [left blank]. [Copy.]
April 25.
Earl of Carlisle's of Chamber, Whitehall.
58. Declaration of the Council for New England, for resignation of the great charter; present, Lord Gorges, President; Capt. Mason, Vice-President; Marquis of Hamilton, Earls of Arundel and Surrey, Southampton, Lindsey, Carlisle, Sterling; Lords Maltravers, Alexander; Sirs Ferdinando Gorges, Kenelm Digby, Robert Mansell, Henry Spilman, James Bagg, and Mr. Montague. Have found, by long experience, that their endeavours to advance the plantation of New England have been attended with frequent troubles and great charges; that they have been deprived of near friends and faithful servants employed in that work; assaulted with sharp litigious questions before the Privy Council by the Virginia Company, who complained to Parliament that their plantation was a grievance to the Commonwealth, and that they have been much disheartened by the loss of the "most noble and principal props thereof," as the Duke of Lenox, Marquis of Hamilton, and many other "strong stays to this weak building;" and also by the claims of the French Ambassador, taking advantage of the divisions of the sea coast, which have been satisfactorily answered. These crosses only left a "carcass in a manner breathless," until some lands in Massachusetts Bay were granted to certain persons, who surreptitiously obtained a second grant of lands justly passed to Capt. Robt. Gorges and others long before. Capt. Gorges went in person Governor, settled a plantation in Massachusetts Bay, but, leaving it in charge of the sevants of the Council of New England, they were thrust out by those intruders, who, unknown to the Council, obtained a confirmation of a grant of some 3,000 miles of the sea-coast. The first foundation was thus rent in pieces, and new laws, new conceits of matters of religion, and forms of ecclesiastical and temporal government framed. Those who did not approve were whipped, their houses burnt, or otherwise punished. Receiving complaints which the Council for New England had no means to redress, the people petitioned the King, but the Council easily made it appear that they had no share in the evils committed. The Privy Council finding matters so desperate, saw a necessity for the King to take the whole business into his own hands, and they finding it too great a task to rectify what had been brought to ruin, resolved to surrender their patent, with reservation of their lawful rights. Pray that particular grants of the proportions of land they have mutually agreed on may be passed to them, that having a settled government, they may cheerfully proceed in planting the several provinces. Have thought fit to publish to posterity these reasons and necessities for resignation of their patent.
April 25. Another copy of the preceding. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, pp. 27–32.]
April 25? Petition of Edward Lord Gorges, President of the Council for New England, in the name of himself and others of the Council to the King. Are about to join in a voluntary surrender of the grand patent of their Corporation to His Majesty. Prays that Mr. Attorney General may be ordered to prepare patents for confirmation of land formerly allotted to them by mutual consent, to be held immediately of the King, with reservation of the rights of every one lawfully planted on such lands. [Copy, on same sheet as No. 58. "Presented to the King 1 May 1635."]
April 25? 59. Another copy of the preceding, with slight alterations.
April 26.
Earl of Carlisle's Chamber, Whitehall.
Minutes of the Council for New England. Draught of the preceding petition to the King is read and approved; also His Majesty's declaration concerning the establishment of a general government in New England, a province to be allotted to the Governor, and contributions from the plantations, the Great Seal to be delivered to Sir Ferd. Gorges. Directions for succession in the government. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, pp. 23–26.]