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1611.
Feb. 6.
The Hague. |
51. Sir Ralph Winwood to Lord Treasurer Salisbury. Has
received his Lordship's letters in favor of Sir Thomas Gates; and
because the like motion some few days before was made for Sir
Thomas Dale, which the Prince was pleased to recommend to the
States Ambassadors when they were in England, whereunto the
States General gave this answer, that during his absence for three
years his company should be upholden for him, but in the meantime the "treatment" for his person as Captain should cease,
fearing Sir Thomas Gates should find no greater favor, he first
acquainted Count Maurice with the charge he had received from
his Majesty, and then Mons. Barnevelt, before his audience with
the States General, whom he addressed in these words [Speech in
French]. Your Lordships have heard, for it is noised everywhere
abroad, howsome English Lords and other honorable gentlemen of
quality, at their expense, have undertaken to plant a colony of our
nation in Virginia. Among others who have laboured for the
success of this design, there is not one who has not done more to
advance it than one of your Captains named Sir Thomas Gates,
who the past year was there, where the providence of God led him,
after having run the risk of shipwreck, being cast in a tempest
upon the Bermudas, where he dwelt with all his followers more
than forty weeks. His Majesty of Great Britain desiring the
happy issue of this undertaking because of the good which he
foresees will arise out of it, as well for the Christian religion as for
the increase of commerce, is of opinion that nobody is more fit to
be employed there than said Sir Thomas Gates, as well for his
sufficiency as for the knowledge (practique) he has of these
quarters of the world. This is why his Majesty has commanded
me to beg your Lordships in his name and on his behalf, that with
your kind permission he may be able to make once more a tour in
those countries and remain for some time there to govern the
Colony, until your service recalls him home; and still that his
Company may be entertained until his return, under the charge of
his lieutenant and other officers. It is no great thing; and besides
these little favours draw closer together the bonds of friends and
allies. It must not be feared that this demand will be drawn into a
precedent, for there is only he and Captain Dale destined for
employment in this service. I beseech your prompt resolution;
the business does not require long deliberation. Sir Thomas Gates
is under orders and the four ships destined this time for the voyage
to Virginia are ready to set sail and only await a (favurable)
wind and his coming. To this speech the States General made
answer through their President that they were content, that, at his
Majesty's instance, Sir Thomas Gates might be employed in
Virginia, during which time his company should be entertained,
but his treatment as Captain to cease. Winwood answered that
was the mulct ordinarily imposed on them who were absent
without leave, but the President replied the resolution was taken
by the States and could not be altered. Requested them to advise
better of it, and send an answer in writing; encloses copy, having
delivered the original to Sir Thomas Gates. The States think they
do him an extraordinary favor to bind themselves during his
absence to the upholding of his Company. Encloses, |
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51. i. Answer of the States General to the proposition made
for Sir Thos. Gates. The States General of the United
Provinces of the Low Countries having deliberately advised upon the recommendation made in their assembly
by Sir Ralph Winwood, Ambassador from the King of
Great Britain, in favour of Thomas Gates, Captain of an
English Company in their service, to be permitted to
absent himself from his Company for the time that his
Majesty will wish to employ him on the voyage he is
about to make with four ships to Virginia, or for such
time as their Lordships may wish to limit him to, allowing
him nevertheless to enjoy his ordinary treatment of
Captain, &c., declare that they desire nothing more than
to please and serve his Majesty in all things, when the
consequence does not prejudice the interests of their State,
and in this sense they are content to grant Captain Thos.
Gates leave of absence so long as the affairs of these
countries will permit, that during such time his Company
be entertained and his post of Captain reserved for him
till he returns, if he likes. Nevertheless, it must be well
understood that during his absence he cannot enjoy his pay
(traictement), and even in this respect the Province will
have particular difficulty in paying his Company. The
States General request the Lord Ambassador to make this
excuse agreeable to his Majesty. French. Together, 5 pp.
[Correspondence, Holland.] |
April 10.
Madrid. |
52. Sir Francis Cottington, Ambassador in Spain, to Lord Treasurer
Salisbury. The ships built at the Havana, and said to be ordained
for a journey into Virginia, are now in Lisbon. Is daily told by
many that from thence shall the Virginian voyage proceed and
with at least forty sail of ships, to which he gives so little credit
(knowing the poor ability of this State) as he is almost ashamed to
advertize it unto his Lordship, yet can assure him out of his own
knowledge that with those plantations they are here so much
troubled as they know not how to behave themselves in the
business. [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
April 23.
Madrid. |
53. Sir Francis Cottington to Lord Treasurer Salisbury. The
rumour of sending from hence certain armed galleons into Virginia
doth daily increase, but he is still so far from believing it as he
would not willingly that his Lordship should so much as dream of
it. [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
Nov. 2/12.
Madrid. |
54. Hugh Lee to Thomas Wilson, Secretary to Lord Treasurer
Salisbury. The success of Francis Lymbrye, the English pilot
that went out of Portugal to the discovery of Virginia, is happened
unto him as I ever hoped it would, for the carvel that carried him
is returned without him; but whether he were stayed there against
his will, or that out of his love to his country he stayed himself, I
refer me to the truth which you shall receive from thence; but
very glad I am that he returned not to make report of what was
committed to him in charge. I hope the advertisement given of
his going will be esteemed for a loyal service. It hath pleased my
Lord Ambassador to acquaint me with this news, unto whose
larger relation I refer you. [Extract, Correspondence, Portugal.] |
Nov. 4.
Madrid. |
55. Sir "Jhon Digbye" to Lord Treasurer Salisbury. "I
advertized your Lordship of one James Limry an English Pilot
serving the King of Spain, who was sent to the West Indies, and
was said to be returned some few days before the Armáda went
out, but I since understand that he remaineth in Virginia, having
been sent thither from the Havana upon discovery, where arriving
he went on shore with the Captain of the ship and one man more,
saying that distress of weather had brought him thither, whereupon a Pilot was sent aboard to bring in their ship; but because
this Limry came not aboard, according to his promise, the Master
of the ship, growing jealous, set sail and went back to the Havana,
carrying with him the Pilot which was sent aboard him at Virginia.
This news cometh by a Frenchman and an Irishman, who say they
spoke with this English Pilot at the Havana where he was
prisoner, and they say that he is now brought secretly to Seville
in this last fleet, where I will use all diligence for the freeing of
him and sending him speedily home." [Extract, Correspondence,
Spain.] |
Nov. 15.
From the Pardo. |
56. The King of Spain to his Ambassador in England, Don
Alonso de Velaseo. "Don Alonso de Velasco of my Council, and
my Ambassador in England. A carvel having gone by order of
the Governor of the Havana in search of a ship which sailed from
the port of Carthagena of the Indies with certain artillery which
was there taken from a galcon which touched on the coast of
Buenos Ayres, and having passed by the coast of Florida in that
expedition, and three men of the said carvel, named Diego de
Molina, Marco Antonio Perez, and Master Antonio, landing in good
faith, certain Englishmen took them, who say that by order of the
King of Great Britain they have set foot in the part of that coast
which they call Virginia, of which I have determined to advertize
you, and to command you (as I do) to express to the said King the
just resentment which I feel at the seizure of these men, and that
therefore (I expect) he will give order by the briefest way which
may present itself, to the effect that without doing them any
damage they do give them liberty to return and accomplish the
commission which the Governor of the Havana gave them, and you
shall inform me immediately of the offices which you shall have
done in this matter, and what shall be its result. From the Pardo,
on the 15th of Novr. 1611, I the King. Antonio de Archstepin(?)."
Original in Spanish. Literal Translation. [Correspondence,
Spain.] |
Dec. 13.
Madrid. |
57. Sir John Digbye to Lord Treasurer Salisbury. "The
advertisement I gave your Lordship concerning the Englishman
that was brought from Virginia to the Havana is true, and I have
spoken with another Englishman that saw him and spake with him
there, and the man is himself kept prisoner in one of the galleons
at Lisbon. I humbly beseech your Lordship that I may receive
directions in what manner I shall behave myself herein, for that I
believe this accident of demanding his liberty will set the main
question on foot." [Extract, Correspondence, Spain.] |
