America and West Indies: March 1668

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: March 1668', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668, (London, 1880) pp. 552-555. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp552-555 [accessed 18 March 2024]

March 1668

March 2. 1709. Mem. by Williamson on the French King's Act for the restitution of St. Christopher's, Antigua, and Montserrat [see ante, No. 1606]. "That the original of this instrument was delivered to me by Mons. de Ruvigny at his lodgings in the Duchy House, the 2nd March 1667-8, at which time I, by my Lord Arlington's command, delivered him his Majesty's commission under the Great Seal of England for L'Acadie, La Cayenne, &c. Joseph Williamson." [Correspondence France.]
March 2-9.
Barbadoes.
1710. Governor Wm. Lord Willoughby to Sec. Lord Arlington. Has sent this to give account of Surinam, his son Henry, sent thither to bring off the people and settle affairs, having returned. He found a Zealand frigate there and six small merchantmen, which brought news of the peace on 10th November, and demanded the rendition of the colony. The Governor answered, as became a subject, that he could not surrender his charge without positive order from his Majesty or Lord Willoughby, yet his after carriage savoured of a traitor, as his Lordship will conclude by the inclosed charge [wanting]. Several of the principal settlers came off, and is sending shipping for more. The Government is left in the hands of the most loyally affected with orders to encourage and prepare the inhabitants for removal, and is in hopes that most of the chief and many of the poorer sort will come off (the Dutch not having much observed the articles of surrender whilst they governed), and that if delivery of the place be delayed, most of the sugar works, except those of the Jews, will be utterly demolished, and few of his Majesty's subjects left, so that the Dutch shall have little reason to glory of their purchase. The concerns of the Royal Company there (except the prize taken from Capt. Yard) being considerable, and the books and bonds carefully preserved by Col. Byam their agent, has sent the Norwich frigate with instructions to endeavour as much as may be to serve them.
March 9.Deferred closing this till the last hour of this ship's stay, expecting orders by the ship Bendish concerning St. Kitts, also what to do with the regiment of foot and the five frigates Sir John Harman left ; for want of which will this week try his fortune among the Indians at St. Vincent's, not being able to keep the soldiers quiet without pay or action. Indorsed, Received May 3rd. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 50.]
March 12.
New Hall.
1711. The Duke of Albemarle to the Duke of York. The Governor of Jamaica having by several addresses made known how advantageous it would be for the defence of the island, for the suppression of Privateers, and for the advance of trade and commerce if one of his Majesty's ships were employed thither, has lately moved his Majesty in Council, that one of the fifth rate frigates should be forthwith fitted and despatched for that service, the Governor and Planters giving caution to victual the ship and pay wages, which was granted, and his Royal Highness was pleased to direct the Navy Commissioners to deliver the Oxford frigate for that occasion. Therefore since the Governor has undertaken to defray the sheathing of the ship, desires orders to the Commissioners of the Navy for fitting her, with all other repairs. Is assured this will be much to the encouragement of one of the most hopeful of all the Plantations in the West Indies. Indorsed, Read in Council 13th March 1668. 1 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 51.]
March 12.
Whitehall.
1712. Report of the Committee for Foreign Plantations. On reading several letters from Lord Willoughby and the addresses of the inhabitants to his Majesty, they apprehend Barbadoes to be in an ill condition, in regard of the multitude of negroes and Irish ; the other inhabitants having been much lessened by the late expeditions to the Leeward Isles. Conceive it not unfit to satisfy that island for their charges in those expeditions beyond his Majesty's revenue there ; and that Lord Willoughby receive the thanks of this Board (in margin, "a civil letter that may signify nothing") for his endeavours to reconcile the differences he found there, and be encouraged to continue them. Are of opinion that Lord Willoughby should receive his Majesty's commands not to return to England without permission. A dilatory letter to the Address of the island that it is under consideration. Draft the two last paragraphs have been added. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 52.]
[March 13.] 1713. Petition of William Ballocke, Edward Fieldinge, and William Jenkins, owners of the Pearl of Bristol, Capt. Walter Morgan commander, to the King and Council. Said ship was pressed by William Lord Willoughby at Barbadoes 8th March 1667 for Nevis and St. Kitts. Pray for immediate payment of 1,475l. 8s. 8d. due to them. Indorsed, Read the 13th March 1668. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 53.]
March 16.
Jamaica.
1714. Gov. Sir Thos. Modyford to the Duke of Albemarle. Has sent his Majesty's despatch to Lord Willoughby, much begging him to pay the sugar to John Reid, the Royal Company's chief factor in Barbadoes, but much more fears that it will not be paid, because he is advised that Lord Willoughby is making war with the Indians of St. Vincent, that he might settle an agueish island called Antigua, which those Indians much infest. Judges it will be very difficult to subdue them, and fears the French will defend them, as their allies in the last war, and this action may again put those Plantations in hazard, or at best into new broils. It had been far better to have made peace with them, which formerly Antigua enjoyed, until Lord Willoughby took away their plantations in Sta. Lucia ; which was a great advantage to the French, those Indians always landing on one side of our islands while the French attempted the other, so that the conquest became easy to the French, our people being more apprehensive of the Indians than them. Very much fears that that intention will be the total ruin of all the English islands there, and will so waste the revenue of Barbadoes, as nothing will be paid. Annexed to his letter of 20th Feb. 1668. p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 47.]
March 16.
Jamaica.
1715. Gov. Sir Thos. Modyford to [the Lord Keeper]. Sends copy of his letter of 20th Feb. [see ante, No. 1702]. Will only add, that his Lordship's predecessor promised that no grants should pass under the Great Seal for any offices or other thing whatsoever touching this island, until he had given his opinion thereon, being very sensible how much this colony was hindered by such grants, as the Surveyor's, Marshal's, and Secretary's places. Humbly requests him to continue that favour, whereby he will infinitely oblige this whole colony. 1 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 54.]
March? 17.
Kitterey.
1716. Nic. Shapleigh to Col. Nicolls. Sends copy of his last by Edm. Downes, merchant [see ante, No. 1651], and desires his answer as soon as convenient. Understands he is bound for old England ; requests an address where letters may find him ; as also in behalf of a poor widow of these parts, that in case her business shall be agitated before him by Capt. Richard Morres Morell, he will do her right. p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXI., No. 165.]
March 23. 1717. Copy of a Treaty between Wm. Lord Willoughby and several of the chief captains of St. Vincent, viz., Captains Nicholas, Aloons, Rebura, Le Suroe, Nay, and Wappya [sic.] The Indians of St. Vincent and St. Lucia shall ever acknowledge themselves subject to the King of England, and be friends to all in amity with the English and enemies to their enemies. The Indians shall have liberty to come to and depart from, at pleasure, any English islands and receive protection therein, and the English shall enjoy the same in St. Vincent and St. Lucia. His Majesty's subjects taken by the French and Indians and remaining among the Indians shall be immediately delivered up ; as also any Indian captives among the English when demanded. Negroes formerly run away from Barbadoes shall be delivered to his Excellency ; and such as shall hereafter be fugitives from any English islands shall be secured and delivered up as soon as required. Said Indians shall forthwith send to advise all the rest of the Captains of this Peace, and that they repair to his Excellency to give their concessions thereunto. These were subscribed by the six above mentioned, and also by the Grand Brabba and 14 more of the chiefest Captains. 1 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 55.]
March 24.
Jamaica.
1718. Sir Jas. Modyford to Under Sec. Williamson. These are only to let you see I am not indebted to your letter, though to your kindness. That I never had one word in answer to all those letters writ my Lord Arlington, is not so much my admiration as my trouble. On same sheet as his letter 21st Feb. 1668, ante, No. 1705. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 49.]
March 28.
St. Jago-de-la-Vega.
1719. Minutes of the Council of Jamaica. Petition of James Benham, Wm. Wright, and Nath. Smith to be sold to pay their debts granted. Examination of John Paul, who was sent to the Varmahaly negroes by the Governor and Council :how they came to kill the five English hunters for stealing away their women ; that they would be obedient to this Government, and thankfully accepted the charter of pardon and liberty, promising to do any service that should be desired of them, and that they wished to be settled away from the negroes about town, with whom they should never well agree. Proclamation of the Governor and Council that the Varmahaly negroes may pass quietly about their business throughout this island. 4 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XXXIV., pp. 173-176.]