America and West Indies: July 1677, 1-13

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 10, 1677-1680. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1896.

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'America and West Indies: July 1677, 1-13', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 10, 1677-1680, (London, 1896) pp. 110-116. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol10/pp110-116 [accessed 17 March 2024]

July 1677, 1–13

July 3.
Whitehall.
316. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Mr. Secretary Coventry acquaints their Lordships that having presented to His Majesty several letters and papers lately received from the Commissioners and Governor of Virginia, His Majesty refers them to their Lordships' examination, and promises to transmit the same to them.
Their Lordships, taking notice that, after so long time, the Judges have not yet made their report concerning the difference between Mr. Mason and the Government of Boston, order their Lordships to be reminded and desired to hasten their report. Mem.—In the evening Mr. Blathwayt attended my Lord Chief Justice Rainsford, who declared that he would prepare the report, if possible, for Thursday se'night. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV., pp. 75, 76.]
July 4/14.
Barbadoes.
317. Governor Sir Jonathan Atkins to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Sickness has made him incapable of doing business, and he still languishes under the weakness of so great a distemper usual in this climate and often fatal. Has been alike unfortunate in two ships bound home, which carried his letters, and sprung leaks at sea, forcing them to Antigua. The merchants traders hither are in England, Jacob Lucie, Sir John Bendish, John Bawdon, Captain George, Colonel Searle, Sir Peter Leir, and others, he knows not. These have all very considerable plantations here, and return great quantities of sugar. Goods imported not considerable, provisions excepted; greatest part of ships' cargoes liquors; very few factors of value. Colonel Drax, one of the first gentlemen of the island, who is thought to ship sugars to the value of 5,000l. sterling. Colonel Samuel Newton has a very considerable estate. All the Council have considerable plantations, and so have very many more, which will be too tedious to give in particulars. To make a computation of the commodities of this island exported is very difficult, it amounts to many millions of sugar (sic) yearly, of several rates, the coarse Muscovado the greatest. Very little ginger and indigo grown, and no tobacco. Appeals to their Lordships' justice in an affair which concerns both his honour and interest as to an Order of the King in Council for him to pay 2,700l. for a prize brought in by the Phoenix frigate condemned in the Admiralty Court of England, all the particulars of which he describes. Death of Colonel Henry Hawley, one of the Council, nearly 80 years of age, who forty years ago was Governor. Recd. 11 Sept. 1677. 2½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No. 1, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VI., pp. 180–184.]
July 6. 318. List of Papers concerning Virginia delivered to Mr. Blathwayt which His Majesty has commanded that the Lords of Trade and Plantations do consider and report their opinion thereon. These include the Declaration of Governor Herbert Jeffreys of 27th April, letter of the Commissioners to Governor Berkeley and the Governor's reply of 23rd April, also letter from Lady Berkeley of 23rd April, and letters from Governor Berkeley of 25th April, and of the Commissioners to Mr. Watkins of 4th May, all calendared in order of date. Signed by Sir H. Coventry (Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No. 2) and were referred as above on 14th July 1677. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., p.144.]
July 10.
319. Journal of Assembly of Barbadoes. Resolved to present the Governor with 200,000 lbs. of Muscovado sugar for his support in the Government of this island, and that Colonel William Bate, Treasurer, pay the same out of the excise upon liquors. That the Speaker request the Governor and Council that the Bill presented by the last Assembly for regulating the Court of Chancery and the fees, and also a Bill to suppress seditious conventicles, may pass or be returned with amendments. Also that the Governor will enquire into the cause why the public informers are discountenanced contrary to the Act for preventing Quakers bringing negroes to their meetings. Also that the Governor having been hindered by sickness will now expedite the business of the fortifications. Ordered that the Treasurer pay the salary of Thomas Rawlins, chief gunner of the forts at Austin's Bay, 5,000 lbs. of Muscovado sugar, also 2,000 lbs. to John Price as clerk upon the Committee for inspection of the laws. Matthew Yates to have credit for excise of thirty-two pipes of Madeira pricked and unsaleable.
July 11. Act to empower Benjamin Middleton to sell his estate for payment of his debts read the second time. Ordered that the Treasurer allow to William Goodall for his levy on lands and negroes and houses, and for those belonging to Robert Margetts and for a debt due to the estate of Thomas Pargiter. Also that Tobias Frere be also allowed his levy. Petition of Richard Seawell for payment of about 10,000 lbs. of sugar due to him for making carriages, ironwork, and other materials for mounting the guns about the forts at Austin's Bay, granted. Committee appointed of the Council and Assembly to adjust and settle the accounts of the Treasurer for the excise and the several Receivers appointed by the last Act for the levy on land and negroes, and to consider the renting out of the excise. On petition of Samuel Checkley, the duty to be allowed on three pipes of wine turned sour and unsaleable, and on petition of Edward Crispe the duty to be allowed on seventy butts of wine burnt in the year 1668 in the town of St. Michaels to his great loss. Petition of Jacob Legay for his disbursements about the Bridge and of Robert Stanford for repayment of his overpaid levy. Act explanatory of the Act of underwriting and arrests, passed. Adjourned to 4th September 1677.[Col. Entry Bk., Vol.XIII., pp. 260–265]
July 11.
Whitehall.
320. Order of the King in Council. On report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations in reference to the appropriation of considerable sums of money raised in Virginia in 1674 and 1675 that Thomas Ludwell and Colonel Daniel Parke, Treasurer for Virginia, attend the Board concerning this matter on the 13th instant, and that in the meantime no public moneys of said Colony be disposed of. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., pp. 142, 143.]
July 11.
Whitehall.
321. Order of the King in Council. The Lords of Trade and Plantations finding it requisite for His Majesty's service that copies of several commissions, charters, and patents be taken out of the Rolls, ordered that such copies be delivered to their Lordships without fee or charge whatsoever, except the labour of the clerks employed in the searches and transcribing said copies according to custom.[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCVII., p. 46.]
July 11. 322. Memorandum of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Lord Privy Seal is desired to signify to the King in Council that whereas by an Order of 15th June (see ante, No. 300) His Majesty directed that levies should be made for the recruit of the two companies at St. Christopher's in due time, their Lordships being informed a ship is shortly departing for those parts, desire His Majesty to declare his further pleasure concerning said levies. Annexed,
322. i. Order of the King in Council. Recommending to the care of Lords of Trade and Plantations to see that all necessary orders be forthwith issued for making said levies and transporting them to St. Christopher's by the conveniency that now offers. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No. 3, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVI., pp. 230–231.]
July 11. 323. Memorandum concerning injuries done to the English by the Spaniards in the West Indies under pretence of the logwood cutting. That the Lord Privy Seal is desired by the Lords of Trade and Plantations to signify to His Majesty on reading their Lordship's Report on this subject, that the chief questions upon which these differences arise are—1. Whether the English have any right to cut logwood in any part of the West Indies claimed by the Spaniards? 2. Whether the Spaniards have right to take all ships they find at sea laden with logwood ? 3. Whether the Spaniards have right to seize all ships which they find upon their coast? "Read in Council, 11 July 1677." Two copies. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No8. 4,5.]
July 11. 324. Report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King, That having received through Secretary Coventry several letters, accounts, and depositions (referred to above) transmitted by Lord Vaughan, touching injuries and affronts offered by the Spaniards to the English in the West Indies, and considering that not only His Majesty's sovereignty appears to be thereby disputed but his subjects obstructed in their lawful trade and oppressed by unwarrantable cruelties, their Lordships lay the whole facts before His Majesty. Lord Vaughan also adds he was credibly informed no less than sixty English remained at the Havanna prisoners, who were worse used than they would be in Algiers and are without all hopes of redemption. These sufferings and the continual breach of peace call for effectual and speedy redress. Draft with corrections, 10 pp., also fair copy. Two papers. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., Nos. 6, 7, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., pp. 129–133.]
July 11.
Whitehall.
325. Order of the King in Council on preceding Report. That Secretary Coventry speaks effectually with Count Bergeyh, Spanish Envoy Extraordinary, for redress of the affronts and injuries referred to, and acquaint him that if some speedy course be not taken, His Majesty will be forced by the clamours of his subjects to use such means for their reparation as honour and justice oblige him to, and that Secretary Conventry expostulate with said Envoy Extraordinary that His Majesty's subjects have free liberty to trade in logwood in regard it is not contraband, but frequently sold by the Spaniards to His Majesty's subjects. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No. 8, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., pp. 128–133.]
July 11. 326.Report of Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King. On petition of Thomas Martin and Leonard Compeare complaining that they are discouraged and obstructed by Governor Lord Vaughan in the execution of the office granted to them by patent to receive all duties payable to His Majesty in Jamaica, offering their opinion that His Majesty forthwith signify his pleasure to Lord Vanghan to admit petitioners into full possession of the office of Receiver. Draft and fair copy. Together, two papers. 6 pp. The above petition with several enclosures including the Order of the King in Council approving aforesaid Report are all abstracted in the previous volume of this Calendar, see Nos. 986, 986 I.–XI. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., Nos. 9, 10.]
July 12. 327. Petition of Thomas Martin of Jamaica, merchant, to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Praying their Lordships to report so much of his case as has been already agreed on, leaving the matter of instructions until the Lord Treasurer give his directions. Signed by Thomas Martin. "Rec. 5 July, Read 12 July 1677. Ordered." Their Lordships in consideration of the long attendance of the petitioner ordered accordingly. Annexed,
327. i. Order in Council on report of Lords of Trade and Plantations that Secretary Coventry prepare a letter for the King's signature to Governor Lord Vaughan to admit petitioner to enjoy the full benefit of his patent. 1677, July 13.
327. ii. The King's letter to Governor Lord Vaughan above mentioned. Whitehall, 1677, July 14. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., Nos. 11, 11 I., II.; and Col. Entry Bks., Vol, XCV., p., 209, and Vol. CV., p. 79.]
July 12.
Virginia.
328. William Sherwood to Secretary Sir Joseph Williamson. Has formerly given him the trouble of his two petitions to the King, and begged he would promote this affair. Has now desired his friend Samuel Wiseman to importune his Honour in it, because his future well-being depends thereon; he will give an ample account of the rise, progress, and cessation of the troubles here. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No.12.]
329. Petition of William Sherwood of James City, Virginia, to the King. Several inhabitants of said Colony who were executed for rebellion were indebted to petitioner and have forfeited their estates. Petitioner came to England on purpose to inform His Majesty of the miserable condition of said Colony and has been a great sufferer by the rebellion. Prays that he may receive his just debts out of said forfeited estates. Annexed,
329. i. Affidavit of William Sherwood of James City, gentleman, before His Majesty's Commissioners for Virginia. Amount of debts due to him by several persons named, all of whom have been attainted or executed for their late rebellion. Certified by the Commissioners. 1677, May 26. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., Nos. 13, 14; see also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXI., p. 431.]
July 12. 330. Petition of William Sherwood of James City, Virginia, gentleman, on his own and Richard James' behalf, to the King. That while on his voyage to England to inform His Majesty of the miserable condition of the Colony, the late Governor Sir William Berkeley having left James Town to the rebels, they beseiged it and totally burnt and destroyed said town, with the Church and State House; in which fire, in right of said James, an orphan, petitioner lost one thousand pounds sterling. That Richard Lawrence, one of the grand rebels, did with his own hands destroy petitioner's houses, and having neither wife nor children is fled out of said Colony. Prays a grant of such of said Lawrence's estate as he can discover in Virginia. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., p.15.]
July 13.
Whitehall.
331. The King to Lord Vaughan, Governor of Jamaica. By Letters Patent of 16th September 1672, His Majesty erected an office of Chief Clerk to attend the Supreme Court at St. Jago de la Vega, and granted said office to Robert Clowes, to be exercised by him or his sufficient deputy; and whereas said Robert Clowes did appoint two deputies, who both died soon after being admitted to said office and thereupon deputed another fit person to succeed them whom his Lordship has refused to admit, and having now nominated Charles Herbert to be his deputy whom His Majesty is informed to be well qualified, His Majesty, on report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations, hereby signifies his express pleasure that Lord Vaughan forthwith admit said Charles Herbert to said office; and also be assisting to said Robert Clowes or his assigns in the recovery of all fees, profits, and arrears due to him from said office since he has been entitled thereto, and has legally appointed his deputies, reasonable satisfaction being made to those who have officiated by his Lordship's order. This letter was written on petition of Robert Clowes, see Order of the King in Council, ante No. 28 v., 3 pp. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. XXVIII. pp. 153–155, and Vol. XCIII., pp. 153, 154.]
July 13.
Whitehall.
332. Order of the King in Council. That Thomas Ludwell and Coloned Daniel Parke, Treasurers for Virginia, forbear to issue out or dispose of any public monies (of Virginia) to any persons whatsoever, without receiving His Majesty's Order in Council for the same. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., pp.143, 144.]
July 13.
New Plymouth.
333. Nathaniel Morton, Secretary, by order of the General Court, to the King. Humbly begs pardon for not having given an account of their late troubles in the day of them, which was not from any disrespect. Philip, a proud and ambitious Sachem, began the mischief in this Colony, which by unmanly treacheries and great sufferings gave occasion to some that judge only of events to pass hard censures on them. It was always their care to live kindly and inoffensively by the Indians; they possessed not one foot of their lands but what they obtained by lawful purchase. When an English plantation was near a body of Indians the English frequently fenced their fields for them that the cattle might not damnify them, and on complaint of trespass English justice was speedily granted, yet they treacherously fell on our most remote and weakest plantations, committing outrages on those that had been most kind to them. The plot was generally against all the English. Will not trouble the King with an account of the war, as it will be presented in Mr. Hubbard's printed narrative. All the benefit they can hope for is that they, being frend of such ill neighbours, may live quietly and be protected against the encroachment of their English neighbours on their conquered lands which have cost them dear and are within their patent grant. Their Rhode Island neighbours were so ungrateful that, after having had the island given them when banished by the Massachusetts, they obtained of the King by misinformation a good quantity of our best lands on the main, now called Conquest Lands, which were returned to Plymouth on better information by the Commissioners; they are coveting it again, as there is reason to fear, and some may pretend to have a right by purchase, but this could not be good, the lands being within Plymouth Patent, and there being a law that no one should obtain lands of the Indians without the Court's allowance. The truth is the authority of Rhode Island being in the hands of Quakers during the war they scarcely showed an English spirit either in offering to assist their distressed neighbours or relieving their own plantations on the main, but on the rout of the Indians took in many of their enemies, thereby making a profit of their neighbours' expense of blood and treasure. They would rather bear some injuries than complain, and if too much oppressed will rather address the King than attempt to right themselves on their fellow-subjects. Requests the King's protection. 1 p., with seal. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLI., No. 16; also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI.,pp. 5–10.]