|
Dec. 17.
Council
Chamber. |
330. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. A journal of proceedings in the Government and an account of the condition wherein he left the Colony were presented by Lord Culpeper (see No. 319). Agreed, on his recommendation, to suggest Colonel Bird as a member of Council. Agreed also that the Governor of Virginia endeavour to substitute an impost on imported liquors from the present tax of titheables. |
|
Secretary Jenkins informs the Lords that the King, being willing to gratify Captain Charles Morgan, refers to them the question whether according to the usual methods of government, and without altering the powers granted to Sir Thomas Lynch, he can grant a commission to him to command Charles Fort in Jamaica. The Lords seeing that the appointment of all officers is by the King's Commission vested in the Governor, and knowing of no precedent to the contrary, are of opinion that it will be more convenient for Secretary Jenkins to recommend Sir Thomas Lynch to grant the said commission to Captain Morgan. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVI., pp. 326–327.] |
Dec. 17.
Council
Chamber. |
331. [William Blathwayt] to Lord Craven. With reference to my letter of 27th July (ante, No. 193) respecting the boundaries of Carolina and Virginia, the business will be considered by the Lords of Trade and Plantations on Tuesday next. Draft with corrections. ½ p. Endorsed, "To my Lord Craven concerning the boundaries of Carolina." [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 111.] |
| Dec. 20. |
332. The Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have received an Order of the Assembly of Virginia of 3rd July for the levying of rents on the inhabitants of Blackwater and Currahtuck. The matter is easily settled by a view of our Patent, wherein the boundaries of Virginia and Carolina are exactly set down, viz., extending northward and eastward as far as the north end of Currahtuck river; upon a straight easterly line to Wyanoke Creek, which lies within or about the degrees of thirty-six and thirty minutes north latitude, and so west in a direct line as far as the south seas. So that there can be no further dispute in the affair if you will send your orders to the Government of Virginia requiring them to appoint Commissioners to meet Commissioners from us at Currahtuck in July or August next, to adjust the boundaries as far as Wyanoke Creek. We do not think that Virginia can take exception to so fair a method. 1 p. Unsigned. Endorsed. Read 20 Dec. 1681. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 112.] |
Dec. 20.
Plymouth. |
333. Sir Thomas Lynch to John Cooke, Whitehall. I have been here eight weeks, and have not importuned you with mine, expecting to be gone every day, and judging that I ought not, except on pressing occasion, to trouble a man so full of affairs as Mr. Cooke. Otherwise I had sooner desired you to let me know if you have had anything from our friend Sir William Godolphin about my pretension at Madrid, or whether Sir Harry Goodricke has written anything to Mr. Secretary. I have presumed to write to Mr. Secretary twice since I came, once about Mr. Banckes, once about the commissions issued by the French Governor of Tortugas. I have lately understood from an acquaintance of Captain Charles Morgan in London that he there makes great parade of his interest at Court, and designed to have the King's commission as Governor of the Castle of Port Royal at Jamaica. I shall wonder if this be pretended, though the young man be wild and inconsiderate enough, because when I was first sent for by Mr. Secretary I sent for him and assured him of my friendship, and his continuance afterwards gave him leave to stay till Knapman came. So far was I from any thought of removing him that last week I wrote Colonel Beeston to speak to Colonel Morgan to bring cartridge paper for the fort with him; so that it seems to be rather his desire to affront me than fear of losing his command that makes him make this application. I suppose Mr. Secretary will understand it so, and that if I am so imposed on at my entry into this employment it will be impossible for me to effect what is expected of me; for much depends on my credit here, and the setting up of this man in this trifling employment will be the settin up of a party against the King's Government. Besides, I suppose Mr. Secretary knows as well as you the hard terms I go on, and since the Governor and Captain of the Forts has nothing, and is no more than a militia officer of the country, it would be inconvenient to appoint him here, whence he has nothing, and a thing unthought of in any Government. It will have such a train of ill consequences that I believe Mr. Secretary will not advise the King to do anything in it; and I hope he'll make the young man know he is indiscreet and ungrateful in mistrusting my promise, in endeavouring to maim the Government, and in making other application than to himself, whose recommendation would have obliged me to continue him, even though I had removed him, which is a thing I never thought of, for his father's and relations' sake. I beg you to discourse Mr. Secretary in the affair if you think it needful. I hope from his prudence and justice that favour which will enable me cheerfully to do my duty, and the more for that I have near him such a friend as Mr. Cooke. Holograph. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 113.] |
Dec. 20.
Council
Chamber. |
334. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Lords having reviewed all that has passed concerning the Bermuda Company in reference to the quo warranto, do not think it necessary that any further order should be sent to the Islands until the quo warranto be determined, which in their opinion should be vigorously prosecuted by the Attorney-General, as a thing highly concerning the King's service. ½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 114, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVII., p. 98.] |
| Dec. 20. |
335. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. By the King's letter of 30th November it is ordered that the debts and quarters of the two foot companies in Virginia shall be fully satisfied; whereby they will have nothing left for their maintenance and will be forced to sell themselves as servants in the country. Their Lordships will therefore beg that the order shall be so explained as to save them from this (see No. 341). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXII., p. 7.] |
Dec. 20.
Council
Chamber. |
336. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The remainder of Lord Culpeper's journal and report read. Agreed on his suggestion to suspend that part of the Cohabitation Act which concerns the time of its operation for regulating the landing and shipping of goods, and to move the Assembly to pass a better Act. A new instruction to Lord Culpeper ordered, directing him to press in the next Assembly the settlement of a more equitable system of tare in the commodities exported from Virginia; also to endeavour to change the present imposition on titheables for a duty on brandy or other liquors, which may be appropriated to the uses of the Government, except only the twenty pounds [of tobacco] per poll to be raised by the Governor and Council, for which he will endeavour to obtain the concurrence of the Assembly. As to the regulation of appeals, Lord Culpeper will study the methods of other plantations and recommend what he thinks best. As to the raising the price of foreign coins, as suggested in the address of the Assembly, the Lords order an instruction to be prepared, leaving it to the discretion of the Governor and Council to enhance the price of foreign coins by proclamation as they shall see cause, except what shall be given in payment of the duty of two shillings per hogshead and of other duties payable to the Government, which shall all be paid in sterling money and according to the same value as formerly. As to peace and war with the Indians, the Lords think it is of dangerous consequence that every distinct Governor is allowed discretion to do as he thinks fit, without obtaining the consent of others; but as this discretion is already granted by charter, they see no better remedy than that the intent of an Order of Council of December 1677 be pursued, whereby all Governors and Proprietors may be directed not to make peace or war with the Indians without the consent and participation of one another. As to Lord Culpeper's suggestion that no Assembly may be called until his arrival or till further order, the Lords leave it to him to submit the question, as also that concerning the payment lately ordered to the soldiers in Virginia, to the King in Council as he shall think fit. The Lords explain the meaning of the King's order for payment of the soldiers (see No. 341). |
|
The Lords consider what has passed in relation to the Bermuda Company and to the quo warranto directed against them. It is again proposed by Lord Finch that the King's orders may be signified to the inhabitants that they continue to obey the Company and its officers till the quo warranto be determined. The Lords, considering that the Company refused formerly to refer the dispute to the arbitration of the Committee, see no reason for making any such order in its favour, and in reporting thus to the King will recommend that the Attorney-General be directed to prosecute the quo warranto with the utmost care, as a matter of high concern. Mem.—Lord Culpeper being present says that he touched at Bermuda on his return from Virginia, and found that there was no use there of the Book of Common Prayer, but rather a prohibition thereof; also that the people were much divided against themselves and in very great disorder. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVI., pp. 327–31.] |
| Dec. 20. |
337. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Samuel Husbands, Richard Seawell, and John Davies, of the Assembly, brought an address of thanks to the Governor for his promise of a favourable reply to their address. Declaration of the Council, that the Assembly's address of 5th October (see No. 251), respecting sundry affairs connected with the Grand Sessions, and stating in particular that the Governor had imposed fines without consent of Council, was made without the knowledge or approbation of the Council. John Davies and John Hethersell, from the Assembly, informed the Governor that they had no business finished to bring him this evening. |
| Dec. 21. |
Order for the vestries of the several parishes to prepare a full report on the charities existent therein against the meeting of the Council on 24th January. The Assembly brought three addresses, as to one of which his Excellency asked for explanation (see following abstract). The Council replied to the Assembly's explanation that they do not see how the fines can be disposed of except as directed in the Acts, and cannot see that they are appointed for the fortifications, as the Assembly seems to suppose. Request to the Assembly to form a joint Committee to prepare an address to the King on great guns. Instructions to the Councillors appointed to meet the Assembly in joint Committee, including an order to remind the Assembly that it is not to join the Council in any of their addresses without preliminary conference and concurrence; and a warning that the Assembly's Bill for defining freeholders has been rejected. Joint address to the Governor, praying to forward the address to the King. |
| Dec. 22. |
The Assembly brought up its Bill for a duty on imported liquors (see following abstract). The Governor's speech to the Assembly (see No. 345). Adjourned to 4th January 1682. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 479–99.] |
| Dec. 20. |
338. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. William Sharpe elected Speaker. Address to the Governor, asking for a reply to past addresses. Address asking for issue of sums raised for fortifications to the Treasurer, and for appropriation of fines and forfeitures to the same purpose. Address to the King asking for great guns, and to the Governor requesting him to forward that address. |
| Dec. 21. |
Debate on the duty on imported liquors. Details settled and ordered to be embodied in a Bill. Message from the Governor asking to what laws the Assembly refers in its message about fines and forfeitures. Answer of the House, giving the names of three Acts. The Assembly having voted the duty on imported liquors for three months, the Governor informs them that he is directed to require it for one year. Put to the vote whether the time be altered or the subject further considered, and carried for further consideration. Message from the Council desiring a Committee of the House to meet its own Committee to draw up an address to the King for great guns. Richard Guy, John Davies, Samuel Husbands, John Codrington, and James Walwyn appointed. Address to the Governor asking him to favour the address to the King. Debate on the Bill for duty on imported liquors; passed unanimously that it be for three months and no more. Voted that the Governor be informed that the House will be ready to carry it on from three months to three months according to the accustomed form, and desires to know if he accepts it or no. |
| Dec. 22. |
On petition of Thomas Walrond and Elizabeth his wife, ordered that the Treasurer pay him the rent of Fontabelle at the rate of 300l. a year. Address to the Governor presenting the Bill for duty on imported liquors limited to three months. His Excellency replied that his instructions forbade him to pass such an Act for less than a year's continuance. The Assembly retiring prepared an answer saying that they could not, in discharge of their duty to the people, comply with the Governor's limitation of one year; but, being able and willing to make some other provision for raising the money, appointed John Davies, Samuel Husbands, and Richard Seawell to be a Committee to draw up a Bill for that purpose. The House at noon adjourned to the house of Judith Sparrow, widow, and at three o'clock adjourned to 24th January 1682. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIII., pp. 463–70.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
339. Order of the King in Council. Approving the report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations of 13th December (see ante, No. 322) respecting the Virginian Act for Cohabitation and for encouragement of Trade and Manufactures, and directing the Governor of Virginia to declare his pleasure therein according to that report. Signed, Francis Gwyn. 1 p. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXII., pp. 8, 9.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
340. Order of the King in Council. Approving the report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations respecting the declarations presented by the Assembly of Virginia to Colonel Jeffreys, and directing the recommendations therein contained to be carried out (see No. 322). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol., LXXXII., pp. 10, 11.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
341. Order of the King in Council. On report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations, ordered that a letter be prepared to Sir Henry Chicheley and other persons appointed to pay off the two foot companies in Virginia, informing them that the debts and quarters ordered to be paid in the King's letter of 30th November last be understood of debts contracted for their quarters, and of no-other debts whatever beyond the settled allowance of the said quarters. Signed, Francis Gwyn. ½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 115.] |
Dec. 21.
Whitehall. |
342. The King to Sir Henry Chicheley, Nicholas Spencer, Nathaniel Bacon, and Philip Ludwell, or any other of them. Ordering them to pay the debts and quarters of the two companies before any payments and allowances whatever, for the full satisfaction of those who have entertained them, and defining debts and quarters as in preceding abstract. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LXXXII., pp. 7, 8, and Vol. XCIX., p. 95.] |
| [Dec. ?] |
343. Petition of George Hannay to the King. Having obtained letters patent for the office of Provost Marshal-General of Barbados where he had been Deputy Provost for many years, he offers for consideration the great necessity of a common gaol in the island which has been wanting for some years. The Assembly has declared that the duty of 4½ per cent. was given for that and other public uses. Suggests that the fines, forfeitures, and escheats arising there on offenders would accomplish that object; prays for directions. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 116.] |
| Dec. 22. |
344. Memorandum of Lords of Trade and Plantations. That the Report of 13th December (ante, No. 322) was approved except so far as concerns Robert Beverley and Edward Hill. Sir John Berry to be summoned and the complaints of the Commissioners again examined. Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXII., p. 6.] |
| [Dec. 22.] |
345. Governor Sir Richard Dutton's reply to the Addresses of the Barbados Assembly (see ante, No. 251). I have considered both addresses and your answer to my late proposals, and think myself obliged to make you this return, that you may see on what mistaken grounds your suppositions are founded. You tell me that you have addressed me on behalf of yourselves and the rest of the King's loyal subjects. Had it been only for such, I should have been quick to gratify you consistently with my duty and honour to the King, for I cannot bear to make his Government uneasy, but rather happy to us both; and it shall not be my fault if it is not so. Then you propose that the Courts of Chancery and King's Bench should be public and the Councillors sworn. You have evidently forgotten the qualifications and oaths under which these gentlemen already are, viz., to advise me in nothing but what is loyal, just, and honest, otherwise you had not obtruded so disobliging and disingenuous a thing upon me, which you never attempted with any of my predecessors. As to publicity of the debates and resolutions, I think that, if granted, it would not be grateful to you, it being an innovation (which you seem greatly to fear) never customary nor practised in the Island. Did I believe that it were better, which I am assured it is not, since I and the Council, having no legal training, are not quick to arrive at resolutions, I should not hesitate to prefer it. As to the Bills, which at present lie under consideration of a Committee of Council, I do not think it seasonable to answer you at present. When they are passed by the Council (whose debates and resolutions I never have interrupted, nor shall interrupt) and submitted to me, I shall, without using the Council as a screen, give you frankly my resolutions, if, in my judgment, they are for the King's honour and the good of this famous Island. And now I must tell you that I think it not candid dealing for you to suggest that you are unkindly used by me in that all the Bills you have presented to me are not passed without further consideration, as though all legislative power lay in yourselves. The Committee of Council has sent you down many Bills of great importance, which you have either contemptuously laid aside or so changed that they could not be recognised. |
|
As to your other addresses I held a Court of Gaol delivery by virtue of the King's commission, wherein all justices of the peace are in duty bound to attend me, not under the qualification of Councillors, Assembly men, or judges as you seem to suppose. Should any have failed to attend I should not have been wanting in respect to the King's commission, but should have fined them at my discretion according to the law and practice of England, by which I must be guided. You have no law declaring the contrary, only a pretended custom which you are not able to make appear. All my predecessors in this Government since the Restoration issued commissions of gaol delivery, omitting the greater number of the justices of the peace as they thought fit, as in the time of the Lords Willoughby. That you concern yourselves to speak for the Council and Judges (who are not of your body), or undertake to say that they did not concur in the method of passing sentences and imposing fines is a great presumption in you. I expect and require of you to give me an account how you came by such information, if such you had, and, in default, I must look on your assertion as a scandal to the administration of justice and an aspersion on the Council. As to the fines that I have imposed, I shall levy them as speedily as possible for the King's advantage, my proceedings being according to law. While your addresses relate to the public concern I shall embrace them with cheerfulness, but when you address me on the petition of every person (though his suggestion be never so false, as in the case of Binckes) (see ante, No. 165), and interfere in things you are not concerned with, merely to insinuate into credulous people's ears that you are specially careful of their rights, as though I was not impartial in administration of justice—that is an imposition to which I shall not submit. You assume, to my admiration, a power of settling a committee of grievances wherein you exceed the power granted by His Majesty to the kingdom of Ireland, and I only wonder that you do not the same with a committee of privileges. I never heard that the King had granted you a new magna charta, though you dispute all his commands as though he had, so I tell you plainly that those who obstinately oppose their prince's commands (as you apparently do on all occasions) would, if they had power and opportunity, as confidently make war upon him. I cannot pass over your discontent that the King should, by his commission, have empowered me to suffer no public money to be issued from the Treasury without my own warrant, as if he had done you some injustice in not first asking your advice. It is an insolence beyond expression to imagine that the King should be bound up by the petulant and factious humours of some ill men among you (for I do not condemn all) to lessen or enlarge his Commission. Besides, you forget that this same power in my commission limits me to the issue of moneys for such uses as are specified in the Act for raising it. One thing more. During all your several sessions you have never taken one step to the reduction of the people to their religious duties, which has always been the practice of a Christian Assembly before this. |
|
Gentlemen, I am not to be deluded with elegancies and words. I have lived long enough to know the cheat of it. I judge of men's inclinations by their actions. When I see any tendency in you to dutiful compliance with the King's commands or to any measure for the public good—for so far you seem by your actions to repent of any steps in that direction, and to have injured the prosperity and credit of the Island, all of which might be set right if a factious disposition were not so prevalent among you—when I see these things reformed, I shall be ready to meet you with all kindness. But without such reform it will be impossible for us to continue much longer in friendship. Copy. 6 pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 117, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 493–499.] |
Dec. 23.
Council
Chamber. |
346. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Several Acts of Assembly and Orders of Council from New Hampshire read (see No. 98 I.). The Lords being dissatisfied both with the style and matter of them, will offer to His Majesty that they be wholly rejected, that the same method of passing laws be used in New Hampshire as in other Colonies, and that the laws of England be in force except where any particular local circumstance requires alteration in them. And since the people of New Hampshire have taken upon them to dispose of and confirm lands to themselves, the Lords think fit to set aside all such laws and reserve the determination of titles of land to the King. On the whole, they will report that the whole proceedings of the country have been so irregular that it will be necessary for the King to send some person with a Governor's Commission to settle the country. |
|
The Lords, seeing that an order is given to pay the two companies in Virginia till the 1st of January only, think that this may cause a mutiny for want of the full pay due to them. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVI., pp. 332, 333.] |
Dec. 23.
London. |
347. Lord Culpeper to Sir Henry Chicheley. I am so pressed for time that I have hardly enough to tell you that all Virginian affairs were settled by the Committee on 21st instant. You will hear more by a later ship, but, meanwhile, the King instructs me to order you to call no Assembly, except on urgent occasion and with the consent of seven of your Council, till 20th November. I shall return to you before that day. You will be infinitely surprised at the disbanding of the companies, still more at the reducing of the pay of the officers, allowing them nothing after next January, and refusing them a passage home. As to the soldiers' short pay, there is no hope of altering it, but it is resolved that the Golden Fortune, which sails 4th January, shall bring pay to the end of March at the reduced rates, at least for quarters, and that masters of ships shall receive one pound a head for each soldier that they bring home. You will receive something extraordinary about the Act for Towns very soon. Meanwhile, the King has suspended the execution of anything prejudicial to the Customs. I desire your utmost kindness in the matter of my company in giving certificates, licenses of absence, sickness, &c. It is all the benefit you and I are like to have. You may communicate this to the Council. Entered in the Minutes of Council of Virginia with the words: "The rest could not be read." [Col Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXIV., pp. 113, 114.] |
| [Dec.] |
348. Report of John Lewin on the Government of New York. Describing the irregularities which he found under Sir Edmund Andros, John West the Secretary, and Captain Dyre, and the abuses by which they had enriched themselves at the expense of the Duke of York. 4½ large pages. Printed in New York Documents, Vol. III., pp. 302–308. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 118.] |
| Dec. 27. |
349. List of the principal Officers of Maryland:— |
|
Council. |
|
Philip Calvert, Chancellor, Roman Catholic. |
|
William Calvert, Secretary, Roman Catholic. |
|
Vincent Lowe, Surveyor-General, Roman Catholic. |
|
Henry Darnall, Roman Catholic. |
|
Henry Coursey, Protestant. |
|
Thomas Tayler, Protestant. |
|
William Steevens, Protestant. |
|
William Diggs, Protestant. |
|
Benjamin Rozer (who died in June last), Protestant. |
|
Colonels commanding the Foot Forces in the ten Counties of the Province. |
|
Colonel William Chandler, Protestant, Charles County. |
|
Colonel William Calvert, Roman Catholic, St. Mary's County. |
|
Colonel Henry Joles, Protestant, Calvert County. |
|
Colonel William Burges, Protestant, Ann Arundel County. |
|
Colonel George Wells, Protestant, Baltimore County. |
|
Colonel Henry Coursey, Protestant, Cecil and Kent Counties. |
|
Colonel Vincent Lowe, Roman Catholic, Talbot County. |
|
Colonel William Colebourne, Protestant, Dorchester and Somerset Counties. |
|
Colonels of Horse. |
|
Colonel William Steevens, Protestant, Dorchester and Somerset Counties. |
|
Colonel Philemon Lloyd, Speaker of Lower House of Assembly, Protestant, Baltimore, Ann Arundell, and part of Calvert Counties. |
|
Colonel Henry Darnall, Roman Catholic, Charles, St. Mary's, and part of Calvert Counties. |
|
In all these counties there are magazines, under the charge of the several Colonels of Foot. The arms have been equally distributed in the several counties since my return from England, as the whole Province can bear witness. Signed, C. BALTIMORE. 1½ pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 119.] |
| [Dec. ?] |
350. The names of the Council of Lord Baltimore in Maryland, from Mr. Rousby:— |
|
Philip Calvert- |
Roman Catholic. |
|
William Calvert- |
Roman Catholic. |
|
George Talbot- |
Roman Catholic. |
|
Henry Darnall- |
Roman Catholic. |
|
Vincent Lowe- |
Roman Catholic. |
|
Henry Coursey- |
Protestant |
|
Thomas Tayler- |
Protestant |
|
William Steevens- |
Protestant |
|
William Diggs- |
Protestant |
|
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LII., p. 57.] |
| Dec. 29. |
351. Philip Calvert, Chancellor of Maryland, to Colonel Henry Meese. I find by the masters of ships that the imprisonment of Captain Josias Fendall and Captain John Coode has made great noise in London, and therefore think it necessary to give you an account of it, as having been formerly an inhabitant of Maryland and an eye-witness of the carriage of Captain Fendall in the years 1659 and 1660, when he perfidiously broke his oath and trust as Governor of the Province, cancelled his commission from the Lord Proprietor and took a new one from the Assembly. For that offence he was only fined and declared incapable of ever again holding office in the Province, as you may remember, and this has galled him ever since. He now sets all his wits to work, inciting the people of Charles County to mutiny and sedition, and tampering with some of the Justices of the Peace in St. Mary's County. First he tells the people they were fools to pay taxes (though imposed by Act of Assembly), that there was war in England between King and Parliament, and that a man might say anything, for that now nothing was treason. He then tells the justices how easy it would be to overturn the Government here by seizing the Lord Proprietor, Chancellor, Secretary, and Colonel Darnall, all the rest (as he said) counting for nothing. One Justice of the Peace told him he had no commission and that it would be downright rebellion. He left him and told the whole story to another justice who revealed the whole matter to Lord Baltimore. Shortly after, Captain John Coode takes the opportunity, at a feast, to discourse with a Papist who was suing a friend of his for a piece of land. He told him that he need not trouble himself about a piece of land, for that no Papist in Maryland should be owner of any land at all in the provinces within three months; for he had ten thousand men at his command and could make it high-water or low-water when he pleased. After this it was observed that Coode paid visits to Fendall, which he never used to do before, and they both went over to Virginia. A few days after their return a boat bound from Maryland to Carolina was driven by stress of weather to a house in Virginia (sic), when the owner of the boat heard that Fendall and Coode had been thereabouts, and that the general discourse then was, that Fendall intended to raise mutiny in Maryland, and that he and Coode would carry their families into Virginia. This was sworn to, and at the same time information was given that one of Captain Coode's servants had reported that his master meant to move his family to Virginia on the following Thursday. Lord Baltimore then thought it high time to look to the security and peace of the province, and sent Colonel Darnall, with about ten men, to bring Coode and Fendall before the Council. Colonel Darnall came to Coode's when it was light, the usual servants opened the door, and Darnall entered alone leaving his men outside, and coming to Coode's chamber told him he was his prisoner. Coode laid his hand upon his sword, but presently yielded, after which Darnall crossed the river, captured Fendall also and brought them both before the Council. Next day Mrs. Coode hectored my Lord at a rate that I never heard from a woman before, by which you may conclude she was not run mad with the fright of her husband's being pulled out of his bed, as we are told that her son Slye falsely reports in London. I saw her three or four days later at St. Mary's, and then I suspected that she would not long continue in her wits; you know that she had been mad for a time on the death of her eldest son about the year 1659, and you had heard that she sometimes fell into the like fits since. After this Lord Baltimore took bail for Coode within five days, but Fendall was kept until my Lord had secured Lieutenaut George Godfrey, who laid a plot to unhorse his captain and carry the troops to the rescue of Fendall, instead of employing it in search of the Indians that had murdered some of our planters and were daily expected to invade Charles County in great numbers, as indeed they did three weeks later. Lord Baltimore intends to send over their trials to show with how much favour the Court proceeded and to stop the mouth of calumny. 2 pp. Printed sheet. Inscribed, The Committee took notice of the printing thereof, 8th April. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 120.] |
Dec. 31.
London. |
352. Sir Edmund Andros's answer to John Lewin's report on New York. Going through Lewin's criticisms seriatim and ending with a denial of the truth of all imputations against him (seeNo. 348). 4 pp. Printed in New York Documents, Vol. III., pp. 308–13. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 121.] |
|
353. Map of Virginia. On parchment. Some soundings given. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXII., init.] |
| Dec. 31. |
354. Abstract of the Accounts returned from Newfoundland for the year 1681. List of inhabitants, viz, planters, 219; married planters, 97; children, 246, servants, 1,956; total inhabitants, 2,514. Boats, 361. List of ships: fishing ships, 151; sack ships, 21; men, 4,611. Boats, 806. Stages, 63. Train-fats, 34. Quintals of fish caught, 83,240, which, at 12s. 6d. per quintal, is 52,025l., viz., 32,950 quintals, value 20,593l. 15s. Od. exported in sack-ships; 50,290 quintals, value 31,431l. 5s., exported in fishing ships. Large sheet, giving no further details. Endorsed as above. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLVII., No. 122.] |
