America and West Indies: July 1660

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1860.

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'America and West Indies: July 1660', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, (London, 1860) pp. 483-486. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol1/pp483-486 [accessed 27 April 2024]

July 1660

July 4.
Whitehall.
15. Order of the King in Council. Upon petitions of merchants trading to the English plantations in America [see ante, p. 482, Nos. 13, 14], appointing a Committee to deliberate thereon, and to receive any further petitions or proposals concerning the plantations in America, and report their proceedings to the Privy Council.
July 9.
Whitehall.
16. Warrant for a grant to Francis Lord Willoughby, of Parham, of Guiana, in America, to be held of the manor of East Greenwich, on payment of two white horses, when the King or his successors land in the country. [Copy. Endorsed by Nicholas, "To be shown to the Lord Treasurer."]
July.
Whitehall.
17. Another copy of the preceding.
July 9.
Whitehall.
18. The King to Francis Lord Willoughby, and the inhabitants of Barbadoes, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, and the several islands of the province of Carliola. Directing him instantly to apply himself to undertake the government of those islands, either by going himself or appointing a Governor, with instructions agreeable to the powers granted by letters patent to the late Earl of Carlisle; and strictly commanding the inhabitants to yield ready obedience to him. [Copy. Endorsed, "Received 13 July 1660."]
July 16. 19. Objections offered to the consideration of the King against Lord Willoughby, concerning Surinam. Whether the gift of 1,200 miles in length and 600 in breadth, to one subject, with the title of proprietor, is not without precedent. The title of general, which denotes a dependency, thought better. Great grievance to the inhabitants to be given away from the Crown. Nomination of Governors should be with the King. If Willoughby's pretence to the generalship of Surinam, as the first settler, holds good, his title to the Caribbee Islands from Lord Carlisle cannot, the greater part having been first settled by Sir Thomas Warner.
July 16.
Whitehall.
20. Order of the King in Council sitting as a Committee of the Plantations. Lord Willoughby having been heard in support of his right to the government of the province of Carliola, as also to a grant of part of Guiana, wherein the plantation of Surinam is comprehended, as also several merchants, planters in Barbadoes, against his derivative authority thereto; the King afterwards coming and sitting in Council, directed both parties to attend on the 26th inst. for a further hearing, upon which the Committee will report to His Majesty what they judge fit to be done.
July 16.
Barbadoes.
Minutes of Council of Barbadoes. Colonel Thomas Modyford communicates his commission from the Council of State by authority of Parliament, dated 24 April 1660, for government of the island, upon which Daniel Searle freely resigns. Commission is recited. Colonels Daniel Searle, Henry Hawley, John Burch, John Yeamans, Timothy Thornhill, and Major Samuel Barwicke are chosen of the Council. His Majesty's right and title to the dominions of England, &c., to be proclaimed in St. Michael's town; the States arms to be taken down and the King's arms put up in their place; the King's declaration to both houses of Parliament and the city of London to be published. Proclamation of Governor Middleton concerning his powers to make laws. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 13–16.]
[July 17.] 21. Petition of Thomas Elliott, one of the Grooms of the Bedchamber, to the King. A certain place in America, called Nova Scotia, was formerly given by King James to one of the Stirlings in Scotland, who sold it to the French. Cromwell took it from them about five years since, and gave it to Temple and Crowne for ever, who are now in possession. The right of disposal belonging to the King, prays for a grant thereof, for a term of years or otherwise. Underwritten, is a reference to the Commissioners for Foreign Plantations, to certify what is fit to be done. Endorsed, "Rd 19 July 1660. Read in Council 12 March 1660–61." [See also p. 485, No. 24.]
[July 19.] 22. Petition of Sir Lewis Kirke, John Kirke, and Francis Berkeley, to the Committee for Foreign Plantations. Were with others settled in Nova Francia, Acadia, and Canada from 1628 to 1632, and expended above 60,000l. in improving the plantations and trade of those parts; but were obliged, by the treaty of 1632, to withdraw themselves, their servants, ships and goods, and pay the French 9,000l., notwithstanding none of the agreements have been performed by the French, although the petitioners have prosecuted their demands for redress, as also for a ship taken in 1633. In 1655 the late pretended Protector regained those forts and places, and retained them upon the petitioners' title, but refused their right because they were malignants, and committed the benefit and trade to Thos. Temple, in whose custody they now are. Pray that the several forts and places now in the hands of Temple may be given up to them, or detained until the French satisfy the petitioners, who can make it appear they are damnified above 53,000l. sterl. [Orig. signed. "Rd. 19 July 1660."]
July? 23. Considerations as to the right of King Charles to "the forts in question." The King hath absolute dominion, but yet they are fallen into His Majesty's hands, liable to the Kirkes and Berkeley's demands. Treaties in reference to them. Whenever the French demand these forts, "which certainly they will do," no right can detain them but the interest of those above-named.
July 19.
Whitehall.
24. Order of the Committee for Plantations in America. Directing Sir Lewis Kirke and others, as also Thomas Elliott, who has the King's reference for government of Nova Scotia [see ante, No. 21], to attend the Committee upon the 30th inst., when their several pretensions and interests may be examined.
July 25. 25. Deposition of Capt. Simon Gordan. That he landed about 40 years past at the island of Barbadoes, and with others hunted hogs without discovering any people there. In 1626 the William and John was set forth by Capt. Henry Powell, who with Gordan and "several other free Englishmen" settled on the island, and planted at their own charge, and without any manner of commission. They nominated John Powell, the younger, their chief, and never heard of any authority from Lord Carlisle, or any other person.
July 26.
Jamaica.
26. Lieut. Gen. Edward D'oyley to Commissioners of the Admiralty. All the frigates are gone, and neither money in the treasury, victuals in the storehouses, nor anything belonging to the State is left. Requests that the Treasurer and other officers may be sent for home to give in their accounts. Parts with this frigate with sorrow and unwillingness; is apprehensive of their future condition. The island has a sense of being deserted by their own country, which fills the minds of the people with sad and serious thoughts. Alludes to "this unsuccessful war with Spain," and regrets that some decided course is not taken. "Read in Council, Oct. 17, 1660." Incloses,
26. I. Report of Capt. John Aylett and others, appointed to survey the Coventry. 1660, June 5.
26. II. D'oyley to Capt. Abraham Langford. Desires him to make a survey of the Coventry as to her fitness for doing service in the island. 1660, June 12.
26. III. Report upon the condition of the Coventry. She is defective and unfit for any further service in the island. 1660, June 12.
July 26.
Jamaica.
27. Copy of the above letter.
July 30. 28. Minute of Committee for Plantations in America. Petitions of Thos. Elliott and Sir Lewis Kirke, and others being read, Viscount Say acquaints the Committee that Thomas Temple, now in possession of the places in question in Nova Scotia, has a good title, and desires that the consideration of the business may be deferred until he can make his interest appear. Further inquisition is therefore adjourned to 13th Aug. Annexed,
28. I. Petition of Sir Lewis Kirke, John Kirke, and Francis Berkeley to the Committee for Foreign Plantations. [Copy of petition calendared 19 July 1660, as received on that day see ante, p. 484, No. 22. Endorsed, "Received 30 July 1660. Read at the Committee 12 March 1660–1." Thomas Elliott's petition will also be found calendared 17 July 1660; see ante, p. 484, No. 21.]
July 31.
Westminster.
Commission appointing Sir Will. Berkeley, Knight, Governor of Virginia, with power, by his Council, to order and direct the affairs of the colony as may most tend to the advancement of trade, and the enriching of the inhabitants. [Minute, DOMESTIC Corresp. Car. II., 19 June 1660.]
July 31.
Barbadoes.
Minutes of Council of Barbadoes. The Assembly to take the oaths of allegiance before they choose their Speaker on the next day. To join with the Governor and Council in addressing His Majesty; to take into consideration Lord Carlisle's patent, and to do something for prevention of his claim to the island. Committee to be appointed to review the Acts of Barbadoes, and to expunge such as are any way against the authority or dignity of the King's Majesty. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. XI., p. 17.]
July? 29. Petition of planters of Barbadoes and St. Christopher's to the Committee for America. On 26 July this Council was heard concerning their title to those islands. Pray that the King will recall his letter requiring them to obey Lord Willoughby, in right of the Earl of Carlisle, as the proprietor of those islands, because dated before they knew that Willoughby was endeavouring to strengthen his pretended title, and that all the parties concerned may be heard, and the right in question determined by the laws of England. Signed by John Colleton, Thos. Middleton, and 14 others. Endorsed "Read in the Committee 2 Aug. 1660."
July? 30. Petition of planters and merchants of the Caribbee Islands to the King. Have received advice from Barbadoes that the people there "did wonderfully rejoice at the strong probability of his Majty's return to his dominions," but were much perplexed lest they should be required to pay obedience to Lord Willoughby's pretended proprietorship before the law had decided their rights. Pray that his Majty will recall his letter or mandamus until the proprietorship of the islands is decided according to law. Signed by Sir And. Riccard and 30 others.