America and West Indies: August 1663

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1880.

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'America and West Indies: August 1663', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668, (London, 1880) pp. 151-158. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp151-158 [accessed 12 April 2024]

August 1663

Aug. 1.
Whitehall.
519. Petition of Samuel Mavericke [to the King]. Has lived many years in New England, and with many others suffered great wrongs from those who have the rule. Prays his Majesty to take order for rectifying said abuses. With reference to the Council of Foreign Plantations. p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XIII., p. 335.]
Aug. 3. 520. The King to the Governor and Council of Virginia. Recites the patent granted in the first year of his Majesty's reign to Henry Lord Jermyn, now Earl of St. Albans, Ralph Lord Hopton, John Lord Berkeley, Baron of Stratton, Sir Wm. Morton, serjeant-at-law, and others, of a tract of land within the heads of Rapahannock and Patowomac rivers and all islands within the banks of said rivers, which by reason of the late unhappy and unsettled times they could not plant or enjoy ; the demise of said Patent to Sir Humphrey Hooke, John Fitzherbert, and Robt. Vicaredge ; and his Majesty's letter of 5th Dec. last to the Governor and Council of Virginia to be aiding and assisting in settling said plantation and receiving the rents, issues, and profits thereof, [see ante, No. 391.] Is induced to believe that said letters have miscarried, as they have lately obstructed the proceedings upon said Letters Patent, so they are commanded on sight hereof not only to forbear any further interruption, but to restore said Letters Patent to those employed by Sir Humphrey Hooke and the other lessees, which the King is informed they detain, and to assist and protect them in carrying on that work. Signed by the King and countersigned by Sec. Sir Henry Bennet. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII. No. 66.]
Aug. 3. 521. Draft of the preceding, with corrections by Williamson. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 67.]
Aug. 3. 522. Entry of the above with the marginal note "enforcement of a former letter to the Governor of Virginia." 4 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., pp. 32-35.]
Aug. 4. 523. Warrant to [the Governor of Newgate?]. On petition of Richard Miller, prisoner in Newgate, pardoned on condition of transportation, to detain Miller in gaol till he can find sureties before Alderman Sir Thos. Adams for his transportation to Jamaica, see No. 551. p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XV., p. 145.]
Aug. 11.
Point Cagua.
524. Minute of the Council of Jamaica. Letters read from the King and Sir Henry Bennet, forbidding any further attempts on the Spaniard, in pursuance of which all private ships of war are to be called in forthwith. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 37, p. 22.]
Aug. 12.
Whitehall. Shaftesbury Papers.
525. Order of the Privy Council. The King having taken into consideration the present condition of the Province of Carolina and his grant of the same to the Lord High Chancellor (Clarendon), George Duke of Albemarle, William Lord Craven, John Lord Berkeley, Anthony Lord Ashley, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir George Carteret, Vice-Chamberlain, Sir William Berkeley and Sir John Colleton, Knts, the Attorney-General is directed forthwith to proceed either by inquisition or by scire facias in the revoking of all former Letters Patents and grants of the said Province, and it is ordered that the Lord Chancellor and the other patentees proceed in the planting of said Province, and that no grant of any Foreign Plantation shall pass the Great Seal in future without a clause that if within a certain number of years no plantation be made the said grant shall become void. Signed by Clarendon C., Albemarle, T. Southampton, and 12 others. [Shaftesbury Papers, Section IX., No. 2.]
Aug. 12. 526. Copy of the preceding. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, p. 15.]
1663? Shaftesbury Papers. 527. The Great Seal of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, with the inscription Magnum Sigillum Carolin Dominorum, and the motto Domitus cultoribus orbis. On the reverse are the coats of arms of the eight Lords Proprietors named in the preceding Order in Council. Two separate seals, being impressions in red wax of the obverse and reverse, slightly imperfect. [Shaftesbury Papers, Section IX., No. 105.]
Aug. 12. 528. Proposals of several gentlemen of Barbadoes. Sensible of the great loss that might redound to the nation, by the evil reports of those sent from New England to settle at Cape Fear, they have again sent Wm. Hinton, with his ship Adventure, for discovery of the coast southward from Cape Fear as far as 31 N. lat., in which design are above 200 gentleman of good quality in this island. They desire the noble undertakers to send an exemplification of the Charter of Carolina ; and to empower them to purchase of the natives such lands as they shall find fit for their accommodation, not exceeding 1,000 square miles, to be granted to them and their heirs and assigns for ever, in the form of a corporation or county, to be called the Corporation of the Barbadoes Adventurers, with the same privileges as is granted to them by his Majesty. Desire to know as soon as may be if any other rents or services be required, for there are many hundreds of noble families and well experienced planters, that are ready to remove speedily thither, with negroes and servants. And as many of their number are fit to manage the government of so considerable a corporation they expect to have the sole power of electing all delegates, governors, and officers, and making laws and governing themselves, according to the charter from his Majesty. They also desire a proclamation may be procured from the King to all Governors in these Plantations, not to hinder any free and unengaged persons from going thither ; and they intend by their next to send a list of such persons as have already subscribed, and are of the Committee by them chosen to manage affairs. 1 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, pp. 10, 11.]
Aug. 12. 529. Tho. Modyford and Peter Colleton to [Duke of Albemarle.] Advise that he will appoint some persons to treat on the above proposals, and bring them to accept of byelaws only instead of general laws, and that the Governors they mean to choose should be only such as in the city of Exon, viz., mayors, aldermen, sheriffs, constables, and the like, which he conceives may satisfy them. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, p. 11.]
1663? 530. Statement of Sir Chas. Lyttelton's case. That on the return of Lord Windsor he was left Governor of Jamaica, without any allowance, and in consequence, notwithstanding some small advantage from prizes, at the date of his last letters, April 2nd, he had contracted a debt of 500l. for completing the fort and satisfying other charges of Government. His household expense also as Governor is very unsuitable to his small estate, his table alone costing at the rate of 600l. per annum, while since Lord Windsor's arrival the perquisites of the Governor amount not to 150l. He therefore requests some annual salary, and in the event of the recall of his commission such prize money as he shall be accountable for, not exceeding 1,000l., seeing that he is in the place of one to whom his Majesty allowed 2,000l. per annum. Indorsed, Sir Chas. Littelton, 1,000l. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 68.]
1663. Aug. 15. 531. Warrant to the Attorney-General. To prepare a bill for the Royal signature to pass the Privy Seal, authorising Sir Charles Lyttelton, Knt., Deputy Governor of Jamaica, to retain 1,000l. for his own use towards defraying the charges of his office out of prizes and prize goods. 1 pp. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II. Vol. XV., pp. 164, 165.]
Aug.? 532. Draft of the preceding warrant, with corrections in the handwriting of Williamson. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 69.]
Aug. 15. 533. Warrant to the Sheriff of Radnor. Whereas Mathew Mathews and Thomas Jones stand convicted, the first for clipping and coining, the other for stealing cattle, and whereas his Majesty is informed that they being strong of body it might be for the advantage of the public to suffer them to be transported, his Majesty's pleasure is that he forthwith deliver them to Sir Richard Lloyd to be transported to Foreign Plantations, they being willing to be so transported. p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XV., p. 165.]
Aug. 18. 534. Minutes of the Council of Barbadoes. Present, Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, Governor, Sir Robert Harley, Cols. Thos. Ellice, Edmund Reid, Hump. Walrond, Jas. Browne, John Yeamans, and Wm. Kirton. The oath of allegiance to the King, and to be true and faithful to the Governor, administered by Lord Willoughby to each of the Councillors. Ordered that summons issue forth for a meeting of the Assembly on Tuesday next. 1 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 79, 80.]
Aug. 19. 535. Grant to Sir Charles Lyttelton, Deputy Governor of Jamaica, of 1,000l. towards his expenses there, to be by him received and retained out of prizes and prize goods without account, with directions to the officers of the Exchequer to allow the same. [Dom., Chas. II., Docquet.]
Aug. 21. 536. A Declaration and Proposals to all that will plant in Carolina. His Majesty having by charter dated 24th March 1663, granted to Edward Earl of Clarendon and others certain territories in America, said Lords Proprietors declare to all his Majesty's subjects : 1. That the first colony shall be free to settle on Charles river, the Lords Proprietors reserving to themselves 20,000 acres, which they intend in due time to settle and plant, submitting themselves to the government of the colony. 2. That the first colony may have power at their own charge to fortify the river and sea coast, engaging to be faithful to his Majesty and his successors by some oath of their own framing. 3. That the undertakers of that settlement before repairing thither shall present to the Lords Proprietors 13 persons of those that intend to go, of which number the Lords Proprietors will commissionate one to be Governor for three years and six to be of the Council, and others to succeed in case of death or removal ; and by the 25th March before the expiration of the time of the Governor in being, a new presentment of 13 shall be made by the freeholders, out of whom by the 10th April following the Lords Proprietors will commissionate a Governor and Council as aforesaid. 4. That they will empower deputies to be chosen by the freeholders, two out of every parish, to make their own laws, so as they be not repugnant to the laws of England ; which laws shall within one year after publication be presented to the Lords Proprietors for ratification, and shall be in force until repealed by the same power or by time expired. 5. That they will grant freedom of conscience in all religious things. 6. That they will grant the full benefit of the annuities granted to them by the charter as to freedom of customs on tools exported from England, and on wine, oil, raisins, olives, capers, wax, currants, almonds, and silkes imported, for seven years after 4 tons of every respective specie is imported in one bottom. 7. That they will grant to every undertaker within five years of the first settlement 100 acres for ever, for every man servant armed with a good musket 20 lbs. powder, and 20 lbs. of bullets, 50 acres, and for every woman servant 30 acres, and to every man servant 10 acres, and to every woman servant 6 acres, at the expiration of their time. 8. That they will enjoin the Governor and Council to take care that there be always one man armed for every 50 acres granted. In consideration of the premises the Lords Proprietors expect one halfpenny per acre for every acre granted as aforesaid, that the court-houses, &c. be erected by the public monies on the land taken up by the Lords Proprietors, but to be to the country's use for ever, paying some small acknowledgment. 2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, pp. 1-3.]
Aug. 21. 537. Bond of Daniel Gotherson of Godmersham, Kent, and John Scott of Long Island, America, in 60l. to pay 30l. 4s. to John Legg of Blackfriars before 25th March next. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. LXXIX., No. 10, Cal., p. 246.]
Aug. 24. 538. Petition of Edmond Wyndham and Thos. Elliott, "Your Majties servants," to the King. Are willing to undertake the working of those copper mines which are presumed to be in Nova Scotia in a mountain adjoining a river, commonly called Seganectucke. Pray for a grant to themselves, or to those whom they may nominate of the sole profit of all mines they shall discover within said mountain, rendering one-fifth part in specie of the metal raised to the Crown. With reference to the Lord Treasurer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the King being inclined to gratify the petitioners and to encourage an undertaking of such public use and benefit. Annexed,
538. I. Report of Lord Treasurer Southampton to the King on above petition. The petitioners having obliged themselves to bring home all the copper, gold, and silver to be excepted in the lease, and to pay customs, recommends that limits be given to the mountain and a lease granted for 31 years without inheritance, 16 Dec. 1663, see No. 636, 16 Jan. 1664. Together 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., Nos. 70, 71.]
Aug. 25.
Whitehall.
539. Circular letter from the King to [the Governors of all his Majesty's Plantations]. His Majesty and Privy Council, having maturely considered the importance of two Acts lately made for the increase of Shipping and Navigation in relation to trade and revenue, and for keeping his Plantations in constant dependance, commands the utmost diligence to be used for punctually observing the same, and has appointed (left blank) to administer the oath prescribed in said Acts. Any neglect will give his Majesty great displeasure. Signed by the King and countersigned by Sec. Sir Henry Bennet. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 72.]
Aug. 25.
Whitehall.
540. Duplicate of the preceding. Signed by the King and countersigned by Sec. Sir Henry Bennet, with the addition after the date "in the fifteenth year of our reign." 1 p. and 3 lines. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 73.]
Aug.? 541. Two drafts of the above, with corrections by Joseph Williamson, Under Secretary of State. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., Nos. 74, 75.]
Aug. 25. 542. Copy of the above circular letter. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II,, Vol. X., pp. 108, 109.]
Aug. 25. 543. Licence to John Browne, who has a patent for setting up works for refining sugar in Scotland, to use four Scots' ships for full and free trade with the King's lands, islands, plantations, and territories in Asia, Africa, or America, provided the said ships return directly into Scotland or England, notwithstanding that by a late Act all Scots' ships seem to be excluded from trading with any such lands, islands, plantations, and territories. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. LXXIX., No. 75, Cal., p. 253.]
Aug. 25. 544. Minutes of the Council of Barbadoes. Ordered that the Assembly sit with the Council at this time, Lord Willoughby's Patent giving him power to order them to sit together or apart. The Assembly sent for, when his Excellency's Patent was read, after which he informed them that the King had been at very great charge in purchasing the Earl of Carlisle's Patent, and though he had been offered large sums by gentlemen in England for this revenue, yet out of his affection for his subjects his Majesty had refused. His Excellency said it therefore would now become them to express their duty and thankfulness to his Majesty in settling his revenue. Some resolves of the Assembly were then read and laid aside, and a Committee appointed, to consist of four of the Council and eight of the Assembly, to treat together in the afternoon about settling the King's revenue. 1 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 80, 81.]
Aug. 26.
Whitehall.
545. Order of the King in Council. On petition of the Royal African Company, setting forth that their privileges are entrenched upon by Derrick Will Rey, who assumes the title and power of Governor-General of the coast of Africa for the States General, and praying that Sir George Downing, his Majesty's envoy to the States General, may be empowered to prosecute and protest in the affair. His Majesty was pleased effectually to recommend Sir George Downing to demand full and speedy satisfaction for the injuries complained of, and to effect that the like be prevented hereafter. 1 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XIII., p. 355.]
Aug. 30.
Cockpit.
547. The Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Col. Tho. Modyford and Peter Colleton, Esq. Find by letters from Ric. Evans, Jno. Vassall, and others, and from Col. Modyford, that several people of Barba does have inclination to settle in Carolina, whom Lords Proprietors desire by all means to encourage, so have sent enclosed declaration and proposals [see ante, No. 536], copies of which they may give to all such as desire them, and send others to the "Barmuthos," New England, and elsewhere. Are informed that some ill-willers to the settlement upon Charles river contrived its miscarriage, and that they went not to the branch of the river that Hilton was in, and besides took not the proper time of year. Are informed the air is wondrous healthy there, and the land proper to bear commodities not yet produced in other Plantations, as wine, oil, currants, raisins, silks, &c., the planting of which will not injure other Plantations, which may very well happen if there were a very great increase of sugar works or more tobacco, ginger, cotton, and indigo made than the world will vent. The proposals sent are but heads, yet will willingly give a more formal and large assurance when the same is desired. Have written to Lord Willoughby to countenance their proceedings. The business is the King and nation's service more than their own. 1 p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, pp. 8, 9.]
Aug. 30.
Whitehall.
548. Petition of Samuel Mavericke [to the King]. Has long lived in his Majesty's great and hopeful colony in New England, and with many thousand loyal subjects there, has for about 30 years been debarred all liberty, civil and ecclesiastical, by some of their countrymen, who always seemed disloyal. Has for near three years been a constant solicitor for relief from his Majesty, but cannot perceive anything done effectually towards it, and therefore prays that some persons may be speedily sent over to regulate all things there now out of order, being assured that if relief appear not they will either rise in arms one part against the other or remove to the Dutch or other places. With reference to the Committee of Foreign Plantations. 1 pp. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XIII., p. 356.]
Aug. 31.
Cockpit.
549. Duke of Albemarle to Lord Willoughby. Presumes he is not a stranger to his Majesty's grant of the province of Carolina, which the Lords Proprietors have undertaken, to serve his Majesty and his people, and not for their own private interest. There are some persons in Barbadoes who have set forth their desires of beginning a settlement in those parts, which the Duke conceives will be rather advantageous to Willoughby's Government, for it will divert them from planting commodities with which his plantation abounds and put them upon such as the land of Barbados will not produce, and which the King has not yet in his territories, as wine, oil, raisins, currants, rice, silk, &c., as well as corn, meal, flour, beef, and pork, which will in a short time abound in that country. Both the Duke and the Lord Chancellor desire he will encourage this settlement. Has written to his own cousins Modyford and Peter Colleton to promote the Carolina plantation. p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 20, p. 9.]
1663? 550. Memorial of Sir Ellis Leighton to the Duke of York. To move his Majesty to write to the Governors of Jamaica and Barbadoes, that the agents of Signor Grillo may reside there, with the same liberty as the King's subjects, during the time their abode there shall be necessary in order to the carrying on the contract between said Grillo and the Royal Company. Indorsed, Sr Ellis Leighton brought this mem1 from the Duke that a I?e may be drawn up to the effect written : the gent, goes away to-morrow. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 76.]
Aug.? 551. Petition of Rich. Miller to Sir Wm. Wylde, to subscribe his petition for transportation to Jamaica. Was convicted of stealing a watch which he won at play ; has near relations desirous of his company in Jamaica, and is willing to put himself in any condition or country where there is hope to be advanced by industry, see ante, No. 523. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. LXXVIII., No. 36, Cal., p. 229.]