Addenda: Miscellaneous, 1678

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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'Addenda: Miscellaneous, 1678', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 10, 1677-1680, (London, 1896) pp. 646-647. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol10/pp646-647 [accessed 17 March 2024]

Miscellaneous 1678

1678.
Feb. 28.
Whitehall.
1643. Sir Joseph Williamson to Governor Lord Carlisle. A letter of recommendation in favour of Mr. Beckford. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 97.]
March 20.
Whitehall.
1644. The King to Governor Stapleton. Whereas since the capture of Tobago from the Dutch by the French, and the subsequent abandonment of the Island by both nations, it has come to our knowledge that certain negroes have been left behind there by the Dutch, and that no one is in possession of Tobago except some "Salvage" Indians, we have thought fit, in acceptance of your good services, to grant you the said negroes for your own use and property, provided that no one else can show legal title to the same. By His Majesty's command. J[oseph] W[illiamson]. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 97.]
July 31.
Port Royal.
1645. Governor Lord Carlisle to Secretary Williamson. I have been much troubled with gout in my passage, but was greatly refreshed by the wine you obliged me with. I despair not of a deliverance, having walked more here in twelve days than in as many months in England. You will have heard before this of the disaster to the Count d'Estreés on the Isle of Avis. I hear this morning by a boy coming from Petit Guavers in Hispaniola that he put on shore about 2,500 men, of whom some 1,200 are dead, and the rest in a perishing condition. This voyage will turn to a very ill account to His Most Christian Master. [Col. Papers, See Addenda Volume.]
Aug. 1.
Barbadoes.
1646. Governor Sir Jonathan Atkins to Secretary Coventry. According to intelligence received yesterday from Governor Stapleton, there is little danger now from the French fleet under the command of Count d'Estreés, the greater part of it having been "ruined almost to a miracle." Desirous it seems of making some further attempt on the Dutch or Spaniards, or both, they made their first design upon Curacoa, whereof the Governor sent out three ships to discover them, with orders to attend the French fleet, but with such care as to run no risk of capture. The French discovering them, it seems, gave chase with all their fleet. The Dutch better acquainted with these seas than they drew them on among some islands, where there was neither water for the great ships nor possibility of avoiding the shelves and rocks there. The first ships that struck fired guns to warn the rest to stand off, which they took as signal for an engagement, and pursued more eagerly, to their ruin, as enclosed relation shows (see ante No. 741 XIV.). D'Estreés and most of the men are saved, and not many lives lost, though all their great ships are ruined and gone. Yet for all this my intelligence says that d'Estreés lost not his courage, but would have attempted Curacoa with the ships which were left, but his buccaneers, "which are only beasts of prey," seeing there was little to be got but blows, deserted him. Since this first misfortune another frigate was driven into Porto Rico, where the Spaniards cut her off, and another wrecked on Crab Island, so that d'Estreés is like to give his master a good account of his fleet; I wish them as good luck at home, if we have a war with them. Doubtless this intelligence will reach you before my letter, for the Dutch have not of late years been much acquainted with success, and General Stapleton is so much nearer to those parts that if he had a ship at hand he will send it away at once; but having a ship ready to sail I thought it my duty to despatch the news. Copy. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, See Addenda Volume.]
Aug. 3.
Barbadoes.
1647. Colonel Strowde to [Lords of Trade and Plantations?]. A vessel came in yesterday from the Leeward Islands with news of a great disaster to Count d'Estrées before Curacoa, his fleet being decoyed on to a place called the Island of Rocks by three Dutch privateers. The loss is reported to be himself prisoner, and 13 ships utterly lost; the rocks are said to be covered with 500 brass guns. This news came to the Leeward Islands by a vessel sent from Curacoa to treat for an exchange of prisoners. This is the second fleet which Count d'Estrées has lost. [Col. Papers, See Addenda Volume.]
[Oct. 4.] 1648. Address of the Jamaica Assembly to Governor Lord Carlisle. Objections to the Bills brought over by Lord Carlisle from England, and the whole system of Poyning's law:—(1.) The distance of Jamaica from England. (2.) The swiftness of change in colonies from the nature of the case. (3.) The privation of a deliberative voice in the making of laws. (4.) The excessive power vested in the Governor. (5.) The superiority of the former system. [Presented with. the Bill of Impost, 4th October (see ante, No. 807).] Copy. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, See Addenda Volume]
Dec. 9. 1649. The King to Governor Atkins. Directing that Mr. Edwyn Stede, Agent for the Royal African Company in Barbadoes, be sworn of the Council in that Island. By His Majesty's command. J. Williamson. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 158.]
1679.
Nov. 29.
St. Christopher's.
1650. Governor Sir William Stapleton to Captain James Aire, commanding H.M.S. Deptford. Ordering him to sail and seize a Dutch vessel said to be at anchor in Statia Roads, and take her to Digby's Bay. Holograph. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIII., No. 186.]
1680.
May 27.
1651. Certificates of Lord Vaughan concerning Captain Charles Morgan, that he served as Captain of Fort Charles, Commissary of Ordnance, and Commander of all other forts and fortifications in Jamaica; also as Captain in the Regiment of Port Royal, in all of which he served with the deportment of a prudent, discreet, and sober officer, from 1st November 1676 to Lord Vaughan's departure from the Island, 14th March 1678.
A similar certificate from Lord Carlisle, only with dates altered to 18th July 1676 and 27th May 1680. Copies. [Col. Papers, See Addenda Volume.]