|
May 2.
Nevis. |
697. Governor Stapleton to Lords of Trade and Plantations.
Movements of the French fleet; they could not fetch any part of
the island without several tacks though they kept in sight all day,
about sunset they bore away. Apprehensive they have gone to
Martinique to wait for further orders or to take in men to attack
some part of this Government, if they have the first news of war.
They expect more ships and a regiment of 8 companies from
home. The French who have sworn allegiance have deserted us
at St. Christopher's and repaired to the French ground on the
arrival of d'Estrées at Basseterre road. The Indians strike a
greater terror for their cruelties than any Christian strength of
which there has been woeful experience. Was forced by the clamours
and cries of the people to secure the helpless sex, old men, and
children. "Rec. and Read to his Maj. in Council." 1 p. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 75, and Col. Entry Bks., Vol XLVI.,
pp. 308–311; and Vol. CV., pp. 258, 259.] |
| May 7. |
698. Journal of Assembly of Barbadoes. Matters under consideration:—1. Account of the arrears of levies since 1671. 2. The
poor serving as guards not able to provide for themselves. 3. The
number of negroes to be brought down upon alarm, and how to be
managed. The second taken care of by an Act allowing each poor
guard 7½d. a day, and the third also by an Act this day passed.
Acts to strengthen the Militia and for establishing the Courts of
Common Pleas, passed. |
| May 8. |
Ordered that John Hallett, Treasurer, pay 200,000 lbs. of
Muscovada sugar to the Governor, for his better support in the
Government, out of the excise on liquors imported. Order for the
disposal of the supply of arms received from Captain Charles
Howard, the prices to be paid and the commission to Robert
Chaplin for his kindness to the country, and the remainder of the
money returned to him as far as will make him full payment and
satisfaction for what he has disbursed for said arms. Duty on
twenty puncheons of beer to be remitted to Captain Thomas Crofts.
Salary of John Forbes, Marshal, to be paid, also 5l. 15s. to Paul
Gwynn for the accommodation of the officers of the Assembly.
Ordered that John Hallett, Treasurer, hire a vessel to be sent to
the Leeward Isles for intelligence. The Assembly, finding their
year will expire on Tuesday (14th), order that their records be left
in the hands of the present Speaker until a new election, and then
delivered to the then Speaker. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIII.,
pp. 309–313.] |
May 8.
Sadler's Hall, Cheapside. |
699. Minutes of a Great and General Quarter Court, being a
Court the election of officers for the Somers Islands Company.
Concerning the cause between Henry Sandys and William Righton
with reference to a share of land in Bermuda; that said Righton
have time until next Quarter Court to make out his title to his
said share of land, when the Court will give judgment in said
cause. Underwritten is a notice to William Righton to attend the
Quarter Court at Sadler's Hall in Cheapside, on 26th June 1678,
when judgment will be given. Signed by Robert Harison, Beadle.
3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 76.] |
May 15.
Whitehall. |
700. Order of the King in Council. The Lords of Trade and
Plantations having represented to His Majesty the necessity of a
regiment for the security of the Leeward Islands, the Duke of
Monmouth is directed to cause estimate to be made of the charge of
raising one thousand foot soldiers, with clothes, provisions, and
arms, and transportation and subsistence for one year. [Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. XLVI., p. 381.] |
May 15.
Whitehall. |
701. Order of the King in Council. The Lords of Trade and
Plantations having represented the necessity of sending six ships
of war for the security of the Leeward Islands, the Lords of the
Admiralty are directed to prepare estimate of the charge. [Col.
Entry Bk., Vol. XLVI., pp. 281, 282.] |
May 15.
Whitehall. |
702. Order of the King in Council. The Lords of Trade and
Plantations having presented an account of stores of war necessary
for the Leeward Islands, the Master of the Ordnance is directed to
prepare estimate of the charge. Annexed, |
|
702. i. Estimate of the charge of Ordnance carriages, shot, powder,
arms, and gunners' stores for supply of the Leeward
Isles. Total, 3,691l. 18s. "Rec. 31 May 1678." [Col.
Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 77 I.; and Col. Entry Bk.
Vol. XLVI., pp. 380–384.] |
| May 16. |
703. Petition of William Stoughton and Peter Bulkeley to Lords
of Trade and Plantations. Acknowledge their misundertanding in
not representing over to their superiors anything presently to be
done (save in the matter of Trade and Navigation), which was the
true cause of the omission which their Lordships have taken notice
of. Dwell on the benefits that would follow on the King granting
the petition of the inhabitants of the four towns. Crave their
Lordships' consideration of their long absence from home for
18 months, so that they may receive a gracious answer from the
King. "Read May 16, 1678." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII.,
No. 78; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LX., pp. 276–278.] |
May 16.
Whitehall. |
704. Lords of the Privy Council to the Lord Treasurer. Have
received a petition from Mr. Randolph setting forth his services in
New England and entreating their commendation of his pretensions
to be employed as Collector of the Customs at Boston. Declare that,
if ever they are able (as they are endeavouring) to lay before the
King a full and perfect narrative of the condition of New England
and what may conduce to the King's service in the settlement of
that great affair; they have had more light and information from
Mr. Randolph, than from any person else, he having at all times
attended their meetings. Cannot but acquaint his Lordship with
their good opinion of his zeal and capacity to serve the King in
that employment; recommend him to his Lordship's favour. 1 p.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 79; and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LX.,
pp. 278, 279.] |
| May 16. |
705. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Petition of
the Agents of Boston read, with the answer of Mr. Attorney and
Mr. Solicitor-General to the queries referred to them by Order of
8 April (see ante, No. 653). Report ordered to be prepared, reciting
all things past from the first settlement of New England, the
encroachments and injuries practised by the Massachusetts on their
neighbours, their contempts of His Majesty's commands, and their
Lordships' offer their opinions that a Quo Warranto be brought
against the charter, and new laws framed instead of such as are
repugnant to the laws of England. Recommend Mr. Randolph to
the Lord Treasurer for a favourable issue of his pretentions to be
Collector of Customs in New England. Mem.—The Lord Treasurer
having received the recommendation and acquainted His Majesty,
His Majesty approves and orders a commission to be prepared.
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV., pp. 256–258.] |
| May 16. |
706. Inquiries delivered to Wm. Stoughton and Peter Bulkley,
Agents for Massachusetts, for their answer pursuant to the Order
of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. See No. 746 for answer to
same. 6 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LX., pp. 279–283.] |
May 17.
Whitehall. Treasury Chambers. |
707. Report of Lord Treasurer Danby to the King. On petition
of Thomas Sands of London, merchant, praying, for reasons therein
set forth, liberty to ship out of Virginia free of impost, 580 hogsheads of tobacco; that he concurs with the Council of Virginia, who
have thought it reasonable Petitioner should have the reparation
prayed for. Endorsed, "Read and approved May 24, 1678." 2 pp.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XLII., No. 80.] |
May 18.
St. James'. |
708. Commission to Sir Edmund Andros. His Royal Highness'
Governor of New York and Dependencies to be His Royal Highness'
Vice-Admiral of said colony. Mem. only. [Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. LXX., p. 26.] |
May 18.
St. James'. |
709. Warrant of the Duke of York to Sir Allen and Sir Peter
Apsley. To pay to Sir Edmund Andros 1,100l., the equivalent of
1,381l. 10s. 5½d., Beaver pay, due to him on the accounts for New
York, from June 1674 to Nov. 1677, "in order to his speedy return
into those parts." Printed in New York Documents, Vol. III.,
p. 267. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXX., p. 25.] |
May 18.
St. James'. |
710. Warrant of the Duke of York to Sir E. Andros. To increase
the duty on rum imported into New York, on account of its
excessive use and pernicious consequences, being particularly fatal
to the health of many of His Majesty's subjects there, owing to the
smallness of the duty imposed, "which the Bostoners have already
in some measure prevented by raising the said duty considerably
within their colony." Printed in New York Documents, Vol. III.,
p. 268. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXX., p. 25b.] |
May 20.
St. James'. |
711. Warrant of the Duke of York to Sir E. Andros. To appoint
a Judge Register and Marshal of the Admiralty in New York.
Printed in New York Documents, Vol. III., p. 268. [Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. LXX., p. 26.] |
| May 22. |
712. Receipt of Captain John Ward for 62l. 2s. 10d. from John
Levin and Edward Thornburgh, by order of John Palmer of New
York, who married the relict and executrix of John Winder,
deceased. Endorsed, "Read 4 March 1680." [Col. Papers,
Vol. XLII., No. 81.] |
| May 24. |
713. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the Earl of Clarendon.
Being engaged in preparing a report concerning New England, and
finding by report of Lord Gorges that one William Lutterell, a
servant of his grandfather, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, President of the
Council of Plymouth, had given the Earl of Clarendon, soon after
the King's restoration, a book of the Council's proceedings which
was never returned, and Mr. Robert Mason informing them that in
1662, at the Earl's command, he delivered to him a large book in
folio bound in parchment, being a Journal of the Council's proceedings from 1620 to 1639, containing the grants made by the
Council and the Act of Surrender, and gave also several other
papers belonging to his grandfather, Mr. John Mason, but that he
never received back any of them, and on application had answer
as if they did not now appear, yet may easily be buried among the
many books and papers the Earl, his father, left, and seem too
many to be lost, if a strict search were to be made, the Committee
desire his Lordship as a matter of much consequence to cause a
diligent search to be made for those things, and to give an account
thereof with all convenient speed. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII.,
No. 82.] |
May 26./June 6.
Middelburg. |
714. Marke Fletcher to Secretary Sir Joseph Williamson. Wrote
to him on 23 September last requesting his favour to procure His
Majesty's patent for erecting a new colony on the main continent
of America, according to the tenor of his petition, copy of which he
encloses. If it succeeds it must be of advantage to the nation, and
no prejudice to any one, and is willing to adventure the charges,
for to any one but himself it is not of the least worth or value.
Promises himself shortly to see the effects of his good will. "Rec.
19 July 1678." Annexed, |
|
714. i. The petition above referred to (but the name of Marke
Fletcher has been struck thro' and the letters A. B. substituted). Offering to settle a plantation under His
Majesty's authority on the main continent of America to
the leeward of Surinam and Essequibo, called Demerara
in case His Majesty would grant his patent for the establishment thereof, or at least a provisional order to
prosecute the affair. Order of the Lords of Trade and
Plantations on said petition of A. B. presented by Secretary
Williamson. That Petitioner more fully explain himself
in some necessary particulars which are by letter put into
Secretary Williamson's hands for Petitioner's answer. |
|
714. ii. Sir Robert Southwell to Secretary Williamson. Their
Lordships not having an opportunity of discoursing with
"the proposer" desire to be informed on certain points.
As to whether any are seated thereabouts, what tract of
land he means to take in, and the description, under what
tenure the benefits to be expected, what associates, stock
and strength to maintain the place, and lastly, how far
he proposes free trade contrary to the Act of Navigation.
Council Chamber, 1678, July 30. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLII.,
Nos. 83, 83 I., II.; also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV., p. 265.] |
| [May 27 ?] |
715. The Duke of Monmouth to Sir Thomas Chicheley. Has
received an Order of the Privy Council to prepare an estimate of
the charge of 1,000 soldiers in 10 companies, to be raised for defence
of the Leeward Isles, and their subsistence there for 12 months
Desires him to send an account of the charge of arms and ammunition
for that number of men for one year, also for the officers requisite
to take care of said stores. ½ p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II.,
Vol. XLI., p. 129.] |
| [May 27 ?] |
716. The Duke of Monmouth to Mr. Pepys. Similar letter to
the preceding, but desires him to send an account of the charge of
their transportation, and of the necessary provisions for the officers
and soldiers. ½ p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XLI.,
p. 128.] |
May 31.
Port Royal, Jamaica. |
717. Minutes of Council of War. Upon the present emergency
of affairs, ordered, after debate, that no ship be permitted
to sail for Europe until a fortnight hence, when a good fleet of
merchantmen would be ready, whereby they might in some
measure secure themselves. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXV.,
p. 658.] |
