America and West Indies: July 1669

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 7, 1669-1674. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.

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'America and West Indies: July 1669', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 7, 1669-1674, (London, 1889) pp. 31-35. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol7/pp31-35 [accessed 19 March 2024]

July 1669

[July 4.] 81. Wm. Lord Willoughby to Under Sec. Williamson. All he can say in answer to the long memorial received last night is in the words of Col. Codrington's letter. "The 6th of February arrived a small French man of war with a letter from M. De La Barre, only in my opinion for a colour to his old spy Grand Mason. The pert Monsieur was not willing to do his duty to the King's flag, but being before hand doubtful of some such thing, I had ordered Major Bate into the fort, with orders to make him strike or sink him. The Monsieur stood two shot through him the loward a maine; this I thought my duty." This being all written concerning the affair, cannot easily credit the Ambassador's narrative, knowing the Governor to be a person of honour and punctual to his word, and that Major Bate well understands the duty of his place; nor could they want a pilot, Grand Mason being on board and as well acquainted with the road as himself. They also differ much in dates, but presumes there are many now in town that were present at this intended salute. Endorsed, Rec. 4 July 1669. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 76.]
July 5.
New York
82. Samuel Mavericke to Col. Nicolls. Sends copy of his letter of April last [see ante, No. 59]. Mr. Laurence has arrived, but has not brought one line from Nicolls, which is very strange. Is informed how exceedingly those of Boston boast of the gracious letters received from his Majesty, of his kind acceptance of the masts and of the provision they sent to the fleet at Barbadoes, all which were paid for by a rate levied upon the inhabitants. The loyal party which groan under the burthen of the Massachusetts Government now despair of relief. Those in Maine are in exceeding bondage, and most earnestly desire him to endeavour to purchase their freedom. How they have lately acted in the King's province, Nicolls will see by a letter from Mr. Gorton inclosed. It grieves him exceedingly that he should live to see his Majest's loyal subjects and his ancient friends enslaved, for they are now in a far worse condition than before; doubts not they have petitioned his Majesty, and craved his assistance, which Mavericke in their behalf humbly begs of him, and may come to his hands if not intercepted. The ship in building goes on slowly, so does the house, though one-third of the old house is left out; wishes Nicolls' advice had been attended to. Many from Bermudas and Barbadoes intend to remove hither; some are come as agents and have already bought houses and plantations. Mr. Davenport has made such a rent in the church of Boston as will never be reconciled; another great church is erecting for the Dissenters, and some will remove. Hopes Nicolls will not forget what he desired him to do; since Mavericke came over he has never received directly or indirectly to the value of sixpence, one horse excepted, which Mr. Winthrop presented him with. What he had by his Majesty's order he has spent, and 400l. besides, in England in prosecution of this design. If any course be taken for reducement of the Massachusetts, hopes Nicolls will not leave him out as one that may be employed in it. 1 1/4 pp. Printed in New York Documents, III., 183–184. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIV., No. 52, pp. 2–3.]
July 10. 83. Warrant to all Admirals, &c. to permit Sir Robert Cann, Knight, merchant trading to Barbadoes, and a planter there, to transport 50 nags, not exceeding the price of 10l. each, to Barbadoes, to be employed on his sugar works, paying customs for the same. 1 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. 25, p. III.]
July 21.
Shaftesbury
Papers.
84. The original or first set of the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina. A little volume of 75 leaves bound in vellum, entirely in the handwriting of John Locke, and full of corrections by him. 111 articles. Printed in full, with all the additions and corrections, in the 33rd Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records, Appendix 3, pp. 258–269. [Shaftesbury Papers, Section VIII., No. 3.]
July 26. 85. The Lords Proprietors of Carolina to William Sayle, Governor of that part of Carolina to the southward and westward of Cape Carteret, and his Council. Giving them power to grant land, with such provisoes, conditions, and limitations as are directed by their Lordships' instructions and concessions annexed; and ratifying and confirming every act which the Governor and Council shall do in the premises; also instructions in case of the absence or death of the Governor. 2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, pp. 41–42.]
July 27. 86. Instructions from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina (to William Sayle) annexed to the commission for the Governor and Council. In regard the number of people which will at first be set down at Port Royal will be so small that it will not be possible to put our grand model of Government in practice at first; but that it may be as near as practicable, the Governor on his arrival at Port Royal is to summon the freemen to elect five persons to be joined with the five deputed by the respective Proprietors to be of his Councill, and to govern according to the following limitations, observing what can be put in practice of the Fundamental Constitutions. Councillors to take the oath of allegiance, but if any person for religion's sake be not free to swear he shall subscribe the same in a book. To choose a place whereon to build a fort, under the protection of which is to be their first town, and in which their stores of all sorts are to be kept. If the first town be built upon an island, the whole island to be divided into colonies and reserved for the use of the people and no signory or barony to be taken up in it, if on the mainland the six next adjoining squares of 12,000 acres each to be all colonies, so that the people may at first plant together in convenient numbers. No one to take up land within two miles and a half of any Indian town if it be on the same side of a river "we hoping in time to draw the Indians to our government" and the quantity of a barony to be left about every cassique's house or town. To establish Courts for the administration of justice until our grand model of government can be put in execution. To summon the freeholders to elect twenty persons who together with the deputies shall for the present by their Parliament make laws to be ratified as as is provided in the 12th and other articles of said Constitutions. To take notice that the Lords Proprietors grant to all freemen above the age of sixteen that come to Port Royal to plant before 25th March, 150 acres and 150 for every able man servant they bring with them, 100 acres for every woman servant and man servant under sixteen, and 100 acres to any servant when out of his or her time to their own proper use; proportions of land to be granted to those who come to Port Royal to plant before 25th March, 1671, and 25th March, 1672, to cause land to be laid out in squares each containinig 12,000 acres, every of which squares that shall be taken up by a proprietor to be a signory, if by a landgrave or cassique to be a barony and if planted by any of the people to be a colony and reserved wholly for their use, keeping the proportion of twenty-four colonies to eight signories and eight baronies. To order the people to plant in towns and one town at least in each colony, and no inhabitant to have more than a fifth of the depth of his land to front the river; the form of grant to be passed and the manner of passing it; weekly distribution of stores under certain restrictions to those people who thro' poverty have not been able to supply themselves. To direct the storekeeper how much of the Indian trade sent shall be delivered to any of the Indian cassiques to purchase their friendship and alliance, and never to let the Indians know what stores there are which has been observed to be prejudicial. 3 1/2 pp. [Col. Entry, Bk., No. 20, pp. 43–46.]
July 27. 87. Commission from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Joseph West. Appointing him during pleasure Commander-in-Chief of their fleet and the persons embarked in it bound for Carolina. 1 p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, p. 39.]
July ? 88. Instructions from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina for Joseph West. To sail with all possible speed with the fleet under his command for Kinsale in Ireland, where he is to endeavour to get 20 or 25 servants for their lordships' own proper account, and then sail direct for Barbados, but no servant to be put on board until their own number be first complete. To take the best order for the fleet keeping company. In case the master of a family die at sea, his servants to be reserved to the use of their lordships, who pay their passage and have the most right to them. To apply to Mr. Southwell and Thos. Gookin at Kinsale for servants. Not to suffer any freeman to leave the ship without giving security for his return, nor to suffer any servants ashore at Barbados. 1 p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, p. 38.]
July ? 89. Instructions from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Joseph West "about our plantation." On his arrival at Barbados to apply to Thos. Colleton to furnish him with cotton and indigo seed and ginger roots, which roots he is to carry planted in a tub of earth that they may not die before his arrival at Port Royal, as also some canes, several sorts of vines and olive sets. On his arrival at Port Royal to take up one side of the town, where least inconvenient to the people, as much land for their lordships' own use as their proportion will come to at 150 acres per head of 30 servants, taking care to have some marsh land and as many varieties of soil as may be, some sandy, for the purpose of trying what soil agrees best with the several things planted. To have convenient housing erected for himself and his servants, making them warm and tight, which is a great means of preventing sickness, and so place the houses that upon a division of their lordships' land, each man may have a share of them. When the houses are built the land is to be cleared; the canes and ginger to be planted in a rich soil and light mould. Directions for planting the seeds, as also Indian corn, beans, peas, turnips, carrots, and potatoes and grape vines, and for keeping the cattle to be sent from Virginia. To take with him from Barbados six young sows and a boar. To consult in all things with John Rivers, agent for Lord Ashley and agent for Sir Peter Colleton. 2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, pp. 34–35.]
July ? 90. Instructions from Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Joseph West, storekeeper. To have erected within the port at Port Royal two houses, which are not to be thatched, for stores of war and for victuals, clothes, tools, &c. The key of the war stores to be given to John Rivers, who is to have the charge and make an inventory of them. The presents to be given to the Indian Kings and the distribution of victuals, clothes, and tools and the prices at which certain commodities are to be reckoned in regard there is no money in Carolina. To take account of passengers and goods laden from or brought to Port Royal. In the handwriting of John Locke. 1 1/2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, pp. 31–32.]
July ? 91. Instructions from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Henry Brayne. To sail to Kinsale in Ireland and thence to Barbados, under the command of Joseph West, appointed Commander-in Chief of the fleet, and observe the orders of their lordships' Governor for his proceedings to Port Royal, and to return to Barbados or to Virginia as directed by Sir John Yeamans, Thos. Colleton, and Major Kingsland, and there take in passengers and freight for Port Royal. If he go to Virginia to apply to Wm. Burgh in Chocatuck Creek, James River for instructions; if to Barbados to deliver the goods from Port Royal to John Hallet for the Lords Proprietors account, and take his and Thos. Colleton's advice for his proceedings to Virginia or back to Port Royal. At Port Royal to consult with Jos. West or the Governor there to what port he shall sail. To send their lordships from time to time accounts of his proceedings. 3/4 p. In the handwriting of John Locke. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, p. 33.]
July ? 92. Instructions from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina for John Rivers. To take charge of the storehouse at Port Royal and to deliver out such quantities of guns, powder, shot, and other stores as directed by the Governor and Council in writing. To keep account and take receipts for the same and deliver them to Joseph West, who is to charge the persons with them in his books and account with Rivers for the same. 1/2 p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, p. 37.]
July.
Shaftesbury
Papers.
93. Account of monies received [by John Rivers] from Thomas South and laid out for clothes, &c. Total, 15l. 1s. 3d., which includes 7s. 6d. for three weeks' lodgings. Indorsed by Lord Ashley, "Carolina. July 1669. Rivers accounts." [Shaftesbury Papers, Section IX., No. 10.]
July 94. The form of appointment of a Deputy. Whereas in the fundamental constitutions and form of government of Carolina it is ordained that each proprietor shall have his deputy who shall sit in the Grand Council and Parliament and have several other powers, as in said constitutions are set forth. And whereas there is no landgrave or cassique in Carolina at present, or such a number of people as will admit of said constitutions and form of government entirely to be put in practise, yet that their Lordships may come as nigh as is practicable at present, it is agreed that each Lord Proprietor shall choose a deputy who for the present shall act with the Governor as provided in said constitution is there appointed deputy to [sic, blanks]. 1p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, p. 40.]