America and West Indies: June 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: June 1668', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668, (London, 1880) pp. 576-581. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp576-581 [accessed 18 March 2024]

June 1668

June 3. 1765. William Dyre, Secretary, by order of the Governor and Council (of Rhode Island?), to John Allyn and Thomas Stanton. Their proposals have been received : the General Court is not now sitting, nor is the General Council to be convened on a sudden ; but their application shall be communicated to either Court or Council on the first opportunity ; being very desirous of a peaceable compliance with their colony and all his Sacred Majesty's subjects. Indorsed, Mr. Dyre's answer to some proposals. p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 119.]
June 12.
Fort James, New York.
1766. Col. Nicolls to the Governor and Assistants of the Massachusets. Was for some time very unwilling to believe that they would re-assume Government in the Province of Maine, the absolute decision whereof is lodged with his Majesty ; and surely it will appear an open breach of duty to usurp a power after his Majesty was pleased to signify his pleasure to them from his Court at Whitehall, on 10th April 1666. But he has seen the order of their last Court, in answer to a petition of some restless spirits, in which resolution is taken to send Commissioners to keep a Court, &c., as under their Government. Knows they have force enough to compel most of their neighbours to submit to their Government, but if they think his Majesty's arm will never be stretched forth to defend his subjects from usurpation, they may attempt anything under the notion of settling peace and order. Dares not be silent in a matter so expressly contradictory to his Majesty's signification ; for though some of their great people have spread a report that said signification was never owned by his Majesty, yet they are to expect that his Majesty will own his hand, and Sir William Morrice will require satisfaction for such scandalous aspersions upon him ; and how can they say that they have heard nothing that might weaken their title to the said Government? Is necessitated to write in these plain and large terms, because the shortness of his time here will not permit him to give them a visit ; but fears that if they proceed in subverting the Government of Maine, in all likelihood they may cause blood to be shed, for it is both natural and lawful for men to defend their just rights against all invaders. Shall send a copy of this letter with an original of his Majesty's said signification to those gentlemen of the said Province, and there leave the decision betwixt God and themselves. Heartily wishes and prays that they may be endued with the spirit of obedience, charity, meekness, and brotherly love. Indorsed, Papers and letters relating to the Massachusetts colony. Very material. Original with corrections. Printed in New York Documents, III., 170, 171. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 120.]
June 12.
Fort James, New York.
1767. Fair copy of the preceding, signed. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 121.]
June 12.
Whitehall.
1768. Order of the King in Council. His Majesty taking into consideration the sad condition of Barbadoes by reason of the late fire which consumed a great part of the principal town ; to prevent inconveniences and cheer up the distressed inhabitants, has appointed a Committee of Council to sit on Tuesday next the 16th, to confer with the Merchants and Planters now in London on the best means for present relief and defence of that island. In order whereto said Planters are required to give their attendance, as also Mr. Champante, agent for Lord Willoughby. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 122.]
[June 16.] 1769. Address of the Merchants and Planters of Barbadoes now in London, to the Committee of Council appointed to consult for the relief and defence of that island, on the occasion of the late sad and raging fire [see ante, Nos. 1734, 1739]. Acknowledge with thankfulness his Majesty's care in the appointment of their Lordships' Committee, and offer the proposals following : 1. That the whole magazine of the island having been blown up, his Majesty will send thither with all speed 300 barrels of powder, 2,000 fire-arms, with ammunition and swords, and 40 great guns, with ball proportionable. 2. That their Lordships will take into consideration the address of the representatives of that island of the 5th September 1667 [see ante, No. 1565], especially the particulars of a free trade for negroes, and servants from Scotland. 3. That the duty of 4 per cent. lately imposed, which is a very great burden and grievance, may be removed or moderated, and that what duty his Majesty shall think fit to continue may be collected at his Majesty's Custom House here, whereby the charge and vexation of collecting it in Barbadoes may be removed. 4. That, as many of the poorer inhabitants are utterly ruined and ready to perish, some relief may be given them by way of general collection by his Majesty's Letters Patent within this kingdom or otherwise. Indorsed, Read at Com[mit]tee of Trade June 16, 1668. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 123.]
1668? 1770. John Champante to [the Committee of Council]. Craves leave, as agent to Lord Willoughby, to remind their Lordships of that part of [the preceding] paper which concerns the militia, viz., that his Majesty would send thither 200 or 300 barrels of powder, 2,000 fire-arms, with ammunition, swords, and great guns, for that Lord Willoughby has informed his Majesty that the new fortications there would require a hundred pieces of ordnance. And it is further offered that two or three of his Majesty's ships be continued there, till they have overcome the disorder occasioned by the late fire ; especially as St. Christopher's is not yet delivered to the English. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 124.]
June? 1771. Account of the forts and fortifications on Barbadoes. At Austins, Needham's Point, Carlisle Bay, the Bridge, Willoughby's Fort, the Fort at the Hole, and Spikesfort, showing that the whole ordnance amounts only to 67 guns, whereas the forts could manage 158, so that 90 are requisite, whereas the planters and merchants have desired only 40. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 125.]
1668. June 17. 1772. Note by John Kirkham that Robert Rich, merchant, writes April 25, that by a fire on the 18th there were consumed above 1,000 tenements at the Bridge Town, in Barbadoes, and those standing are so shattered by the blowing up of the magazine that they are useless. p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 126.]
[June 19.] 1773. Petition of the Governor, Council, and Assembly of Nevis to the King. That petitioners are a people newly breathing from under the heavy pressure of a dangerous and chargeable war, during which after the loss of so many of their neighbour islands, their island became a receptacle to all despoiled people, which lay very heavy upon them. That they did at last receive a welcome supply of ships of war from Barbadoes, under Capt. Berry, which proved a wall of defence and a terror to their enemies, yet could not be so well provided but that petitioners were forced to take up of strangers' provisions, ammunition, and fire-ships to a very considerable value ; and soon after arrived Henry Willoughby, their Lieut.-General, with a considerable force of land soldiers, who required their assistance in his designs abroad. All which they willingly engaged their credits to strangers for, at any rate they could gain them, and at great charges, as by their account presented to Lord Willoughby, and now ready to be presented to his Majesty, may appear. These charges they are not able to satisfy without his Majesty's assistance, especially after that unheard of hurricane, which totally ruined their exhausted store. Pray, therefore, that as Lord Willoughby has wholly referred them, his Majesty will afford them a helping hand, either by some small relaxation of the strictness of trade with strangers, or by some other means. Signed by the Governor, James Russell, the Council, and Assembly. Inclose,
Account of charges for fortification, ammunition, and other necessaries at Nevis, from 28 April 1664 to 30 Dec. 1667. Signed by Walter Symonds, Speaker of the late Assembly, John Eade, William Howard, John Nethway, Ant. Peterson, John Smith, Thos. Nicholson, Samuel Windall, Frans. Franklin, and Rob. Overton. Dated this 19 June 1668. Together 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., Nos. 127, 127 I.]
[June 26.] 1774. Petition of John Harris to his Majesty. Petitioner having suffered by the late fire at Bridgetown, Barbadoes, has hired in Holland the ship Endracht to make a voyage thither with timber for building, in regard all shipping here proper for transporting timber are employed in fetching it for this city. Prays that on security given that said ship shall return to London and pay custom his Majesty will grant licence for said ship to unlade at Barbadoes, and there relade and return to this port, "the rather for that your Majesty hath been pleased to dispense in this kind with the Act of Navigation for the promoting the building of this city." Indorsed, Read in Council June 26, '68. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 128.]
June 28.
H.M.S. Bonaventure, Nevis Road.
1775. Col. Simon Lambarte to the King. In obedience to his Majesty's commission of 13th February last to Lord Willoughby, Col. Lewis Morris, Col. Robert Hooper, and himself, or any of them, to demand and receive the English part of St. Christopher's, Lambarte sailed from Barbadoes on 15th June for Guadaloupe, where he solemnly demanded possession of St. Christopher's from M. De la Barre, but receiving nothing but dilatory pleas and excuses, he sailed for Nevis, and De la Barre followed to St. Christopher's, where Lambarte again personally demanded possession, but after many debates received a positive denial under his hand and seal, with reasons, copy whereof is enclosed, with his own protest. As soon as he arrives at Barbadoes will send his Majesty the originals and all papers relating to the affair. His Majesty has many faithful subjects in this island, formerly possessors of good estates on St. Christopher's, who pray his Majesty to take care that no further devastation be made, it being an island of great concern to all his Majesty's islands, for once resettled it will put a check on all the French in America. Indorsed, R. 19 Oct. Incloses,
1775. I. M. De la Barre's reasons for refusing to deliver the English part of St. Christopher's to Col. Lambert. That he cannot put his Majesty of England or his Commissioners in possession of that part of St. Christopher's stipulated to be returned to the English unless all the articles of the Treaty concerning this country are at the same time executed. Demands positively that the provisions for the English prisoners, surgeon's expenses, and clothing be reimbursed, and that restitution be made for things taken since the cessation of hostilities, vizt., 39 negroes and 3,000 florins in plate and moveables from Cayenne by Henry Willoughby ; 12 negroes retained by the Governor of Montserrat ; eight negroes taken from Martinique ; and a barque of the West India Company ; and that reimbursement be made for the price of dwellings sold by the English to the French, with the ameliorations that have been made according to the estimation of Commissioners named on either side. Signed by Le Febvre De la Barre, Le Chevalier de St. Laurens, De Chambre. Guadaloupe, 1668, June 25/July 5. French.
1775. II. Protest of Col. Lambarte against M. De la Barre for not delivering St. Christopher's. Refers to his Majesty's commission to receive the English part of St. Christopher's ; the most Christian King's orders to M. De la Barre to deliver it ; and relates his own voyage to Guadaloupe, where M. De la Barre was unwilling to deliver it except upon certain conditions, all of which he was willing to condescend to, and would have obliged himself that the French now in possession should quietly enjoy the same until differences were determined in Europe, provided that they would have surrendered all unsettled parts, that his master's subjects in other islands might have returned to their possessions. But finding said M. De la Barre altogether unwilling to perform the same till all his demands are completed, Lambarte hereby protests against the most Christian King and said De la Barre, De St. Laurence, and De Chambre for all damages, &c. that may arise by reason of such refusal. "The original was delivered to M. De la Barre in the Pavilion at Basseterre, in St. Christopher's. H.M.S. Bonaventure, Basseterre Road, 1668, June 26." Together 7 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., Nos. 129, 129 I., II.]
June? 1776. Petition of Charles Modyford to the King. Whereas by order of Council of May 29th, 1668, his Majesty was pleased to direct that the Oxford frigate should be speedily fitted with all necessary reparations and stores to sail to Jamaica, the Commissioners of Ordnance make some difficulty to deliver powder and gunners' stores upon the general words of said order, but desire it to be expressed at large. Prays his Majesty expressly to order such quantities of powder and gunners' stores as shall be necessary for the intended voyage, she being now ready to sail. The Oxford frigate arrived at Jamaica 14 Oct. 1668, see No. 1867. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXII., No. 130.]
June? 1777. King Charles II. to Louis XIV. The same day that Ruvigny left here his Majesty received news of the difficulty made by the French King's officers in America to give up possession of the English part of St. Christopher's, according to the Treaty of Breda and the French King's orders, which Ruvigny gave to his Majesty on his arrival here. His Majesty desires the French King will renew his said orders as justice and the punctual execution of the Treaty require. The Earl of St. Alban's will deliver this letter and explain at length the particulars of this matter, and his Majesty desires he will apply the necessary remedy, make reparation for the delay, and punish those who have dared to disobey his orders, so that nothing remains to disturb the good correspondence and friendship between the two Kings. Draft in Sec. Lord Arlington's hand. French. 2 pp. [Correspond., France.]