America and West Indies: May 1636

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

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'America and West Indies: May 1636', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, (London, 1860) pp. 233-235. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol1/pp233-235 [accessed 23 April 2024]

May 1636

May 5. Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Money due on bonds. Schedule of the Company's debts to be prepared. Accounts to be audited. The state of Association considered, and the danger of the Dutch or French seizing the island, if the Company relinquish it. Concerning Capt. Newman's proposition for taking prizes, and Mr. Key's request to consider his brother's late service. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 267–69.]
May 7.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Propositions debated concerning supplies for Association; whether the Company will undertake them or an offer be made to others to do so. Accounts ordered that every man's debt may be known. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol III., pp. 269–70.]
May 14.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. The Treasurer proposes that 5,000l. be immediately raised for furnishing the Company's plantations with supplies. Inducements to contribute. He also suggests that some of the Company should go in person, and urges a speedy resolution, as without present relief, Providence will not be secure, and Tortuga will be certainly lost. Various sums promised for settling Association; Capt. Rudyerd named as very fit to govern the island, Order upon petition of the wife of Grimes, the late gunner of Association, praying for her husband's release from slavery at St. Domingo. Lord Brooke replies to Sir Thomas Barrington's remarks touching the new stock of 10,000l. Proposed that a minister and 50 men be sent to Providence with Capt. Newman, that the honest men be encouraged to stay until a fuller supply can be sent; and that money be raised for the supply of Association. Mr. Woodcock is ordered to bespeak apparel and iron ware. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol.III., pp. 270–72.]
May 16.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Debate upon Capt. Newman's propositions to do the Company service in a man of war, in some parts of the West Indies, by taking prizes. Sir Nath. Rich offers to subscribe 100l. in that adventure. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 272–73.]
[May 17.] 11. Petition of Sir John Harvey to the King. The Black George, the prize ship lent to him for his transportation to Virginia, is charged with 80 mariners. Prays that she may be delivered to him for that voyage, with powder and munition, and 50 mariners only, "who are sufficient to sail her." Underwritten is a reference by Sec. Windebank, that the King is pleased to grant the petitioner's request, and the officers of the navy are to certify whether 50 mariners will be sufficient for the ship. Whitehall, 1636, May 17. On the same sheet is added,
11. I. Certificate of Ken. Edisbury and Den. Fleming, officers of the Navy, that 50 mariners will be sufficient for the sailing of the Black George to Virginia, because many passengers will go in her besides. 1636, May 23.
May 17.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Statement of the cost of victualling, &c., a ship, by Capt. Newman, approved; he is desired to inquire for a vessel. Request on behalf of Math. Thompson concerning money paid for goods taken out of the Company's stores. Inducements to members of the Company to undertake the supply of Association. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol.III., pp. 273–74.]
May 18.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. The charge of Capt. Newman's voyage is computed, and the means of raising money to supply it. Several agree to contribute, and Mr. Woodcock has direction to prepare for the voyage. Directions for heads of a letter to Providence, for alteration of the oath of the Governor and Councillors, excusing not having sent the intended supply, by reason of the plague; no man to be permitted to leave the island until next spring; no design to be undertaken by sea that may weaken the island; reason for examination of complaints on record being respited. Capt. S. Rippam having been desired to undertake the government of Providence, and writing that his engagements to the States will not permit, to speak with him further on that subject. Debate concerning the petition to the King for abatement of customs upon the Company's tobacco. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 274–75.]
May 19. Minutes as above. Resolution concerning Capt. Newman's voyage is again confirmed. Directions for providing a ship of 300 tons and a pinnace, to carry 40 or 50 passengers to Providence. His instructions to be the same as those to other masters, with power to examine all ships found trading or acting in hostile manner, within the limits of the Company's patent, and to seize their goods. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 275.]
[May 20.] 12. Petition of Francis Pott, late Capt of His Majesty's Fort in Virginia, close prisoner in the Fleet, to the Privy Council. Has been a close prisoner since 14 July last, upon Sir John Harvey's complaint, and is truly sorrowful for any offence committed on his part. Prays for liberty, whereby he may be preserved from infection "in this dangerous time of contagion." With reference to Sec. Windebank to acquaint the King with this petition, when further order will be given. Star Chamber, 1636, May 20.
May 21.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Resolved, that a ship of 300 tons, "inquired out" by Capt. Newman, be hired at 80l. per annum for the Company's service in their plantations, and that a minister and a few servants to supply the Governor of Providence, be only sent in her. Lord Mandeville admitted to half of Sir Nath. Rich's share of adventure. Petition of Ant. Roberts for reward for three years services as clerk of the Company's stores answered at length, in the negative. Conference desired with Capt. John Hilton, who offers his services. Propositions presented by Wil. Stevenson and Owen Duren, on behalf of the planters at Association, read and answered at length, "in which there appeared much unreasonableness." They assure the Company that they can supply Association with 200 beasts in a month from Hispaniola, and will deliver calves there a 20s. a piece. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 276–77.]
May 23.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Mr. Buckley offers upon certain conditions, to procure a good number of servants from Wales. The ordering of Sir Ed. Seymour's pinnace to be left to the discretion of the Treasurer. John Pym informs the Company that at his request, the Earl of Holland before signing, read "every whit himself" of the commissions for prizes, sent by the Blessing and Expectation. Accounts for Cap. Newman's voyage. Resolution concerning the Company undertaking the planting of Association; certain members subscribe towards it. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 278–79.]
May 26. Minutes as above. The Earl of Holland elected Governor of the Company, and Henry Darley chosen Deputy, in the room of Sir Nath. Rich. After debate whether it be necessary to have a Treasurer, and John Pym, who reminds the Company of his great charges and a previous entry in his favour, is desired not to relinquish that office, resolved that the choice of a new Treasurer be respited. Will. Woodcock chosen Husband, and Wil. Jessop Secretary to the Company. Sir Wil. Waller admitted to a quarter part of John Pym's entire share of adventure. Capt. Newman promises shortly to give an answer concerning "a very fit ship," not having agreed about the vessel he was formerly in treaty for [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 279–81.]
May 30. Minutes as above. The state of adventure with Captain Newman again considered, accounts laid before the Company; and several orders made. One sixth part of the prizes taken by the Hopewell, to be allowed the Company. Mr. Pym proposes to settle the late order concerning the undertakers, and their receipt of profits of all the islands for nine years. Resolution touching the Company's debts. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 281–82.]
May 30.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Mr. Moreton, the minister, states that Mr. Sherhard had been at great charges through his imprisonment, and that he is left destitute of all means for convenient supply; no judgment can be given until the cause has been examined. Financial business. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 282–83.]