America and West Indies: October 1673

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: October 1673', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 7, 1669-1674, (London, 1889) pp. 527-530. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol7/pp527-530 [accessed 14 April 2024]

October 1673

[Oct. 3.] 1147. Petitions of the Governor, Council, and Burgesses of Virginia to the King. Are not able without his Majesty's assistance to provide for their defence during the war with the United Provinces and pray for a sufficient supply, the particulars they have desired Sir Thos. Chicheley, Master of his Majesty's Ordnance to present. Signed by William Berkeley, Tho. Ludwell, Secretary, for the Council, and Robert Wynne, Speaker, for the Assembly. Endorsed, Read in Council Oct. 3, 1673. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 69.]
[Oct. 3.] 1148. The Governor, Council, and Assembly of Virginia to Sir Thomas Chicheley. For a supply of arms and ammunition which they request of the King for their defence, 50 pieces of ordnance, 1,000 musquets, and as many horse, arms and 40 barrels of powder. Signed as the preceding 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 70.]
Oct. 11.
[received.]
1149. Memorial of the Council of Virginia to the King and Council. Setting forth this true character and account of Sir Wm. Berkeley and his actions, as some ill-affected persons, vexed with their loss in this late unhappy accident, may unjustly asperse his fame. He has governed this Colony for near thirty years with prudence and justice, and gained the love and reverence of the inhabitants, and spends all his revenue amongst them in setting up manufactures to their advantage. His courageous behaviour, "beyond what could be expected from a man of his years," in this last conjuncture. Signed by Hen. Chicheley, Edward Digges, Tho. Ludwell, Nathaniel Bacon, Augustin Warner, Henry Corbyn, Daniell Parke, Tho. Ballard, and Nicho. Spencer. Endorsed, Recd. 11 Oct. 73. Read 7 Nov. 1673. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 71.]
Oct. 13.
St. Jago de la
Vega.
1150. Minutes of the Council of Jamaica. On his Excellency's proposing whether an appeal from his sentence in the Admiralty to the King or Court of Delegates in England should be received or not, it was unanimously declared that it would prove of ill consequence and tend to the subversion of the Government if once admitted, and that there never had been any such precedent of an appeal allowed, either in this island or any of his Majesty's dominions beyond the seas. 1 p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XXXV., 358.]
Oct. 15. 1151. Warrant to the Clerk of the Signet. To prepare a Bill to pass the Privy Seal authorising Thomas Lord Viscount Latimer, High Treasurer of England, and Sir John Duncomb, knt., Chancellor and Under Treasurer of the Exchequer, to pay to John Locke, Esq., whom by warrant under Privy Signet of 14th Oct. inst. his Majesty has appointed Secretary to the Council for Foreign Plantations in the room of Benjamin Worsley, Esq., the yearly salary of 500l. at the Feasts of Michaelmas, Christmas, the Annunciation, and the Nativity of St. John Baptist by equal portions during such time as he shall continue Secretary to said Council; and that no payment be made to said Benjamin Worsley upon his like salary for any time after the Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist last. [Dom. Entry Bk, Chas II., Vol. XL., pp. 120–121.]
Oct. 19. 1152. Warrant to the Attorney or Solicitor-General. To prepare a Bill to pass the Great Seal containing a grant to Henry Stubbs, Gent., for life, of the offices of Secretary of Jamaica and Commissary or Steward-General of all provisions sent for the use of the fleet or army there after the death of Richard Povey, the present patentee, with all rights and profits. 1/2 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XL., p. 124.]
Oct. 23. 1153. Jo. Richards to John Locke. The advice from Middelburgh he desires came annexed to a memorial put in by the French Ambassador, which is now in the hands of Mr. Pepys, Secretary to the Admiralty, to whom he may send for it, it being lodged with him above a fortnight since by his Majesty's direction. Endorsed by Locke. Annexed,
1153. I. Extracts of letters from Middelburg. Since his last "they" have agreed with the Deputies of the particular men to furnish six frigates, three of 40 guns, one of 36, one of 34, one of 24, and a flute to serve for a magazine. To equip them with all haste; and that the particular men shall furnish victuals for nine months and ammunition for these vessels as well as those the State will furnish, and shall agree on the course said vessels shall take for the best advantage of the State. Sept. 21. Sieur Munuqs was deputed to Brussels to propose to the Count de Montery, that the State being busy in arming ships, very considerably to ruin the English and French Colonies, but having no place near where they may retreat and send their prizes, may have leave to retire to Porto Rico and sell prizes there, and demand orders to the Governor of Porto Rico to assist them in case of necessity with men and other necessaries to help carry on their designs. Sept. 23. Endorsed by Locke, "Middelburg advice Spaniard and Dutch." Together, 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., Nos. 72, 72 I.]
Oct. 24.
Whitehall.
1154. The King to Sir John Heydon, Governor of the Bermudas. Perient Trott, a member of the Bermudas Company having represented that to his great loss he has several times been denied and hindered the shipping of his goods of the growth of those islands on ships putting in there, though qualified by Acts of Parliament, "and the same be not contrary to the rules of the Company," it is his Majesty's will and pleasure that he permit said Trott or his agents to ship his goods on ships qualified as above-said. With a note below that "the clause underwrit [in inverted commas] was added afterwards to the letter unknown to Mr. Trott or Brigge." Also certificate, dated 27th Oct., by Timothy Brigge, Notary in the Royal Exchange, that this is a true copy of its original. 1 1/2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 73.]
Oct. 24. 1155. Petition of John Smith, son and executor of English Smith, late of Nevis, to the King. Recites his petition of 24 September [see ante No. 1146] which has twice been referred to the Council for Plantations besides one order to Dr. Locke, Secretary to said Council, but petitioner cannot hear of any certain time for their sitting, neither can Dr. Locke act in any business until he hath taken his oath, which cannot be until their meeting which is very uncertain. In margin, "Received Oct. 24, 73, to Committee of Grievances the Wednesday following." Annexed,
1155. I. Order of the King in Council on above petition. That Thomas Smith be required to attend the Board on 21st November to answer petitioner's complaint, whereof he is not to fail at his peril, and that petitioner give 500l. security to answer said Thomas Smith's damage by the delay of his voyage, if it be found petitioner had no just cause of complaint. October 31, 1673.
1155. II. Costs and charges sustained by Thomas Smith, planter of Nevis, by reason of a petition preferred against him by John Smith to the King, and an order obtained whereby said Thomas was required to attend the Council Board, total 35l. 1s. 7d., besides 100l. damage sustained by being stopped of his voyage. In margin, "Recd. December 10, 73." Together, 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., Nos. 74, 74 I. II.]
Oct. 26. 1156. "A memorial (concerning New York) sent to Mr. Locke by Mr. Bridgman." After the Dutch men-of-war in July 1673 had taken and burnt several ships in Virginia they sailed to and soon became masters of New York, from whence they may at pleasure infest the adjacent Colonies, which cannot hope for any security until his Majesty again reduce New York, without which both Colonies and traders will be ruined and his Majesty lose a considerable part of his customs, and it is credibly informed the Dutch will send six men-of-war and fortify themselves in those parts when it will be more difficult to reduce. Endorsed by Locke as above. Another copy endorsed received October 22, 1673. Printed in New York Documents, III., 207. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., Nos. 75–76.]
[Oct. 27.] 1157. "Mr. Dyer's project for reducing New York." A recapitulation of his former paper [see No. 1145]. Endorsed by John, Locke as above, and 27 Oct. '73. Printed in New York Documents, III., 207–8. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 77.]
Oct. 28. 1158. Mem. of grant to Sir Nicholas Armorer of the office of Receiver of the customs upon all liquors imported into Jamaica by himself or Deputy during pleasure. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XL., p. 126.]
Oct. 29.
Westminster.
1159. Sir John Knight to Earl of Shaftesbury. Suggests that ten of his Majesty's ships should be dispatched with 500 land soldiers to New York with all speed, with store of arms and ammunition for his Majesty's subjects over there, and full power to the Commanders to raise forces in New England and Virginia to join with his Majesty's ships, and that some forts be made near the sea coasts and harbours of Virginia, under which the merchant ships may defend themselves from the enemy and the planters prevented from revolting to the Dutch, as it is much to be feared they will, if some better government than formerly be not kept over them. Gives as his reasons the importance of New York between Virginia and New England, the absence of forts and ammunition in Virginia, the invasion of the Dutch last year into Virginia, where they were permitted to land, the desire of the planters for a trade with the Dutch and all other nations, and not to be singly bound to England, they saying openly that they are in the nature of slaves, so that the hearts of the greatest part of them are taken away from his Majesty, and his Majesty's best, greatest, and richest plantation is in danger, with the planters' consent, to fall into the enemy's hands. Virginia pays 150,000l. revenue by the customs of tobacco imported to England, and, probably in a few years would have improved to 250,000l., so that Virginia is of as great importance to his Majesty as the Spanish Indies to Spain, employs more ships and breeds more seamen for his Majesty's service than any other trade; it cannot subsist without a yearly relief by way of trade be sent over to clothe and preserve the planters and to carry away the produce of the country; 24 ships are now going for Bristol, London, and other places, which, if they come home in safety, may bring his Majesty about 140,000l.; does not see how they can escape, the enemy being near that coast, by which the planters will be in extreme want, and be brought without fighting to deliver their country to the enemy. They cannot make up above 13,000 men in Virginia, and these lie scattered in far distant plantations. The Dutch at New York will be bad neighbours to New England and destroy their trade, but these can make an army of 50,000 men and have frequent musters, and, though they be factious, yet if they be made sensible they may easily bring an army and fall upon New York by land, while his Majesty's ships fall upon Evertsen by sea. If ten ships be forthwith dispatched away, they may not only meet with and destroy Evertsen but preserve the rest of the Plantations and return back with the Virginia fleet by 20th April, and bring home with them 140,000l. that will be due for customs and the seamen to help man the navy for the next year. Endorsed by Locke Sir John Kt's Proposall. 29 Oct. 73. 3 pp. Printed in New York Documents, III., 209–210. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 78.]