America and West Indies: July 1683

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 11, 1681-1685. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1898.

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'America and West Indies: July 1683', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 11, 1681-1685, ed. J W Fortescue( London, 1898), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol11/pp452-462 [accessed 15 October 2024].

'America and West Indies: July 1683', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 11, 1681-1685. Edited by J W Fortescue( London, 1898), British History Online, accessed October 15, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol11/pp452-462.

"America and West Indies: July 1683". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 11, 1681-1685. Ed. J W Fortescue(London, 1898), , British History Online. Web. 15 October 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol11/pp452-462.

July 1683

July 1.
Barbados.
1139. Return of ships arrived from 1st January to 1st July 1683. 8 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. X., No. 16.]
July 4. 1140. Instructions to John Moore, Secretary of the Province of Carolina south and west of Cape Fear. Seven clauses respecting correspondence and the keeping of records. Signed, Craven, Albemarle, Bath (for Lord Carteret), Pr. Colleton. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 13.]
July 5. 1141. The Clerk of Assembly of Nevis to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Forwarding transactions of the Assembly. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIX., No. 83.]
July 9.
London.
1142. The Secondary of the Sheriffs of London to the Governor and Company of Massachusetts. Advising them of the issue of the quo warranto against them. Signed, R. Normansell, [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 180–181.]
July 10. 1143. Minutes of Council of Barbados. The Council was occupied with several causes upon errors, &c.
July 11. Order for payment of 15l. annually as a pension to Jane Baynes. Warrant for payment of 40l. to John Tagg, mason, for work on the fortifications, of 50l. to Edwyn Stede for sundry small necessaries for the same, of 20l. to Sir Timothy Thornhill, and 30l. to Colonel John Sampson for the forts of Hole and Speightstown. The Deputy Governor ordered notice to be entered of the frequent absence of Thomas Walrond and Henry Walrond from the Council. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 578–581.]
July 11.
Barbados.
1144. The Council of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Forwarding quarterly return of Council's transactions and of imports from 7th March to 7th June. Signed, Jno. Witham, Henry Walrond, Thomas Walrond, Edwyn Stede, Richard Howell, Robert Davers. ½ p. Inscribed and Endorsed. Received 7 September 1683. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 24, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 188.]
July 11. 1145. Edward Randolph to [the Lord Keeper]. The news of the quo warranto against New England malicious people may be apt to infuse false and seditious insinuations into the public mind respecting the future settlement of the Colony. I venture to suggest that a declaration from the King, promising to preserve their liberties and properties, would induce people more easily to surrender their charter, and that some person be immediately sent to carry that declaration over, as was done when the charter of Virginia was vacated. I hear that the Mermaid frigate leaves soon for Barbados; it will not be a fortnight's sail out of her way to go first to Boston. Signed, Ed. Randolph. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 25.]
July 11. 1146. Duplicate of the foregoing, unsigned, addressed to the Lord Keeper and endorsed. Read 17th July 1683. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 26.]
July 16.
St. Christophers.
1147. Sir William Stapleton to Lords of Trade and Plantations. The thirty solidiers to recruit the foot companies were duly delivered by Captain Carlile of H.M.S. Francis on the 6th instant. He is arrived at a season when the danger of hurricanes obliges me to order him either to a safe harbour, or to keep the sea in some safer latitude, and in the latter case to pursue the Indians and pirates who molest our traders. I have ventured to order fourteen men on board of him, twelve from the foot companies and two who were left behind by the Ruby. This will be no additional expense beyond that of their rations for three months. The pirates are well manned and resolute, while the Francis was indifferently manned. I therefore thought it my duty to strengthen her. We are in want of great guns in all these Islands, and especially for a fort at St. John's, Antigua. Sir Thomas Lynch was good enough to send Captain May in the Ruby, to help us against the Indians and pirates, a report haying got abroad that they had ruined us. The Governors of barbados, instead of assisting us, as you once wrote that they had been ordered to do, neglect not only that duty but even to avenge murders of their own inhabitants, as, for instance, thirty-seven Barbadians who were cut off by the Indians six weeks before I went there. Pray remember the arrears of the troops and of myself. Holograph. 1¼ pp. Endorsed with a long précis. Recd. 7 Sept. 1683. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 27, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 101–102.]
July 16.
Virginia.
1148. Nicholas Spencer to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I enclose copies of the Council's transactions. I have no doubt that Lord Culpeper has acquainted you with the affairs of the Colony. Signed, Nicho. Spencer. 1 p. Recd. 28 Sept. 1683. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 28, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXXII., pp. 120–121.]
July 16.
Virginia.
1149. Nicholas Spencer to Sir Leoline Jenkins. All is quiet, and the people are busy with their crops. In former letters I have acquainted you that in this year and last this Government has been much infested by privateers, or rather pirates, of whom we have great apprehensions, for our nakedness lays us open to their outrages while the Government is wholly unable to provide adequate means of defence. Lord Culpeper, however, fitted and entered into the King's service a small vessel of eighteen men and officers to cruise within the bay. This of course can do little more than give us timely notice of an intended attack, and we shall be as anxious as ever unless the King would graciously send us a small man-of-war, for the furtherance of which request I beg your good offices. Signed, Nicho. Spencer. 1½ pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 29.]
July 16. 1150. Duplicate of foregoing. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 30.]
[July.] 1151. Petition of the Agents for Massachusetts to the King. Begging for leave to return home. If they may be instructed as to the reforms required by the King in the Government they will endeavour to advise their principals accordingly, that legal proceedings may be avoided. Signed. Joseph Dudley, John Richards. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 182–183.]
July 17. 1152. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Petition delivered by Mr. Randolph against Massachusetts (see No. 1134). The Lords thereupon enquire whether the Mermaid or any other frigate be shortly bound for the West Indies, and direct the Attorney-General to prepare a declaration from the King to Massachusetts. Mr. Randolph to carry the notification of the quo warranto to Boston.
Memorandum of documents received. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVII., pp. 173–176.]
July 17.
Council
Chamber.
1153. William Blathwayt to the Attorney-General. Directing him to prepare a declaration from the King to the inhabitanes of Massachusetts, with instructions as to the contents thereof. 1¼ pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 183–185.]
July 17.
Council
Chamber.
1154. William Blathwayt to Mr. Brisbane. Requesting to know whether the Mermaid or any other frigate is bound for the West Indies shortly, that she may take the advice of the issue of quo warranto against Massachusetts to Boston. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 182.]
[July 17.] 1155. Proposal of Mr. Daniel touching the Government of New England. What mediums may be proper in reference to the Governor and Deputy Governor; how the King's Customs may be regulated and secured; will a general Governor or superintendency be most practicable? They put in a bill of nomination of twenty-six, of which the eighteen that have most votes stand for the year ensuring. Instead of that, the King might strike off six, possibly remove the malignant, and engage the rest to serve him faithfully lest they be removed next year. For Governor and Deputy Governor three might be nominated to each place, and the King prick one. For the security of the revenue the King could prick seven of the above magistrates to form a Court, who shall have a sworn sheriff to prick a jury. Where cases are not managed justly in the King's interest they should be referred to Whitehall. If the present agents be dismissed and return with Mr. Randolph, the people will probably submit, especially if the King refuse to receive more agents until submission be given. A general Governor can hardly be appointed until the business of the quo warranto is complete, which will take time. But a superintendency may include all the Colonies and leave none to complain that they are differently dealt with. Might not four or six superintendents for all the six New England Colonies, hear cases of appeal, leaving only the most difficult and important to be brought to England? The King would do well to assure people of the safety of their private rights and interests. Scrap. Unsigned, in a very minute hand. Inscribed with the above heading and date. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 31.]
July 17. 1156. Minutes of Council of St. Christophers. Ordered (1) that the King's Escheator, Joseph Crispe, do for the future receive all fines and forfeitures; (2) that the Act for the better resettlement of the English part of the Island be put in full execution; (3) that two of the Assembly join two of the Council in examining the Treasurer's accounts. Address of the Assembly to His Excellency, asking for the first of these orders, also that no disbursement of public money should be made but by warrant of the Governor with the advice of the Council and the Speaker of Assembly; which was refused. Ordered that the days of humiliation and fasting begin on Friday, 3rd August, and continue every other Friday till the end of October. [Col. Papers, Vol. L., No. 98.]
July 19. 1157. Journal of Council and Assembly of Antigua. Message of the Governor and Council to the Assembly, desiring a supplemental Act to inflict severe punishment on those who fail to appear at guards, and bringing forward the defective state of the fort at Falmouth. Answer of the Assembly, expressing willingness to increase the punishment when it knowns by what Militia Act the Island is now governed, and suggesting the appointment of a joint committee to see to the repairs of the fort. Paul Lee and John Parry of the Council, William Wainwright and John Lucas of the Assembly, to form that Committee. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIX., No. 81.]
[July?] 1188. Copy of Minute of the Board of Trade and Plantations of 8th December 1623, respecting a complaint of the Virginian planters who were ready to surrender the Charter, that the expenses of the defence were still paid out of the public stock; with the order thereupon. Dated 8th December 1623. Copy. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 32.]
July 20.
Whitehall.
1159. Order of the King in Council. Approving the draft of a declaration from the King to the Governor and Company of Massachusetts. Edward Randolph to be the bearer of two hundred printed copies thereof to New England, as also of the notification of the quo warranto. 1 p. Signed, Phi. Lloyd. Annexed,
1159. I. The declaration alluded to. Promising to respect all private interests and properties in spite of the quo warranto, to regulate the charter liberally if the Governor and Company submit without further ado. All persons defending the Charter to pay their own expenses; no public money to be spent on the defence; men not free and freemen willing to surrender the Charter to be exempt from all taxes for maintenance of the defence. 1 p. Blanks left for date, Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., Nos. 33, 33 I., and Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LXI., pp. 185–186, and Vol. XCIX., pp. 214–216.]
July 20. 1160. Order of the King in Council. That Mr. Randolph be sent in a frigate to Boston with the quo warranto, and that the Agents for Massachusetts be discharged from further attendance, pursuant to report of the Lords of Trade and Plantations agreed to on 17th instant. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 186, 187.]
July 21.
Derby House.
1161. Mr. Brisbane to William Blathwayt. No ship is bound to the West Indies except the Mermaid, and the time of her sailing depends on Sir Richard Dutton's return. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 182.]
July 25.
Whitehall.
1162. Order of the King in Council. That a letter be prepared to Sir Thomas Lynch authorising the appointment of Mr. John Bourden to the Council of Jamaica in the room of Colonel Colebeck deceased. Signed, Phi. Lloyd, ½ p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 34.]
July 26.
Jamaica.
1163. Sir Thomas Lynch to Secretary Sir Leoline Jenkins. Two days ago, just as our fleet was leaving Port Royal, one of our fishermen came in from Caimanos with the news that the privateers had taken Vera Cruz, I wrote this hastily to Mr. Blathwayt for your information. I give you what particulars I can, though I have no good intelligence. In my former letters I gave you an account of the career of Vanhorn (see ante, No. 963 I.). On leaving the President of St. Domingo he picked up three hundred men at Petit Guavos and sailed with them to the Bay of Honduras. On his way he anchored at the Cays and sent me a letter from Mons. Ponçay, saying that Vanhorn is sent after La Trompeuse, but instead of going to Hispaniola he bore up for the Bay of Honduras where Laurens the privateer was lying in wait for a couple of ships from Guatemala. The Spaniards hearing of this put little on board these two vessels, but sent to Havana for a great ship. Vanhorn coming in at the time when this ship was expected, sails into the road, boards the larger of the two ships, finds but thirty chests of indigo, burns her in a rage, and, bringing off the smaller vessel, joins Laurens, who was violently enraged at having thus lost his prize. The other pirates, however, made them unite; and so about the middle of May (as I judge) they sailed from Bonaco, a little island in the Bay of Honduras, with seven or eight ships, five or six barques, and twelve hundred men; chief commanders, Vanhorn, Laurens, and Yankey Duch—no English, except one Spurre, and Jacob Hall in a small brig from Carolina. With this force (having hardly agreed who should command in chief) they came, at the latter end of May, on the coast of Vera Cruz, and then put eight hundred men into Yankey's and another ship. These approached the coast, and, by a mistake as fatal as that of Honduras, were taken by the Spaniards ashore for two of the flota. They lit fires to pilot them in without sending to find out who they were, and thus the pirates landed in the night but two miles from the town. By daybreak they came into it, took two forts of twelve and sixteen guns, finding soldiers and sentinels asleep, and all the people in the houses as quiet and still as if in their graves. They wakened them by breaking open their doors, and then a few gentlemen appeared with swords but immediately fled. So the pirates had the quiet possession and plundering of churches, houses and convents for three days, and not finding gold and silver enough they threatened to burn the great church and all the prisoners, who were six thousand in number. So the prisoners sent into the country for money for them; and on the fourth day the pirates left the town and went with their pillage to a cay, and there divided it in the face of the flota, who, to add to the miracle, had been two days off the port, and durst neither land nor attack the privateers' empty ships, though the flota was fourteen good ships. The pirates made ten or twelve hundred shares, and had about eight hundred pieces of eight a share. Vanhorn struck thirty shares or about six thousand pounds for his own ship alone. When he came on board he pressed the Captains to attack the flota and offered to board the Admiral himself, but Laurens would not, either because he had got enough, or from jealousy of Vanhorn, whom he wounded and was like to have killed on shore, out of revenge for taking the Spanish ship and for calling him coward. On the third day of the sack Spurre found the Governor under a manager and with great difficulty saved him from some of the French who had been prisoners there and ill-used. These would have killed him, but they appear to have spared him and all the Spaniards. They brought away abundance of negroes, Mulattoes and Mesteios. In the action the Spaniards killed but one man. Some three more, all English, that were of the forlorn, were killed by the French themselves. Once at sea again they parted. Most talked of going to Petit Guavos. Vanhorn could not go there without careening, so said he would make for New England. Jacob Hall is gone to Carolina, Yankey got first to Caimanos and is bound for Hispaniola. A sloop that came in yesterday got this information from his men. I have sent orders to the Point to prohibit the sloops from bringing in persons or goods, for as we were not the thieves we will not be the receivers. The Council meets to give further orders to-morrow. The design is affirmed to be lawful not only by Vanhorn's Brandenbury Commission but by the Governor of Tortugas, for the war is publicly owned and declared.
The authorities in Spain or the Governors here have thought that the interloping trade of Dutch ships and of some few sloops of ours is an injury to the commerce of Europe, and have therefore armed some small craft and ordered them to take all ships that have on board any frutas dessas Indias, whereby they make all fish that come to net. They [the holders of Spanish commissions] have committed barbarous cruelties and injustices, and better cannot be expected, for they are Corsicans, Slavonians, Greeks, mulattoes, a mongrel parcel of thieves and rogues that rob and murder all that come into their power without the least respect to humanity or common justice. It was one of these, one Juan Corso, who by landing on the coast of Hispaniola and carrying away many prisoners, slaves, &c., caused the French Government to grant commissions of war, and it is to be feared that on the privateers' return they will destroy St. Jago de Cuba, where Corso shelters himself. If Vanhorn shold get up, it may be St. Domingo that will suffer. The injustice and avarice of that President [St. Domingo] is the cause of all this; and all the Governments act after like manner, forced to it either by orders from Spain or an insatiable desire to get money. So that it is to be feared that these Indies will be ruined. The Spaniards are so covetous that hardly one of them will spend a piece of eight to save a province, so formal that they will not redress the most notorious injury but remit it to Spain. Still, for all these discouragements I have done my best, for it is England's interest that peace should be kept and the Spaniards not destroyed. But it is impossible to save those quos perdere vult Jupiter. All the Governors in America have known of this very design for four or five months. Just about so long ago Don Juan de Castillo, by whom I wrote to the Viceroy of Mexico about our prisoners, left this Island in one of our sloops, [so he was aware of it]. The President of Panama received advice by Don Juan de Ollo. Three months since I wrote the Governor of Havanna complaining of the piracies of Juan Corso, and desiring to know if he owned them; but neither he nor the Governor of St. Jago would ever answer. This Juan a month since took a boat of ours bound to New Providence; he has killed divers of our people in cold blood. In one case he cut off a man's head because he was sick and could not row so strongly as he expected. Barbarities like these and worse he commits daily, so I would beg you to direct me what to do. No redress is to be expected of any Spanish Governor. He of St. Jago has now a New England ketch that some French seized at Salt Tortugas and forced to come into Hispaniola. Off the coast this Juan Corso takes them, and brings them into St. Jago. The Frenchmen are then condemned to death as pirates, but the vessel and the Englishmen detained. As the French pirates were marched to execution the town mutinied and reprieved them from fear of the Frenchmen's revenge, and paid the Governor two hundred pieces of eight in composition. This is the manner in which they do everything. The Ruby as you know is to windward, where La Trompeuse and other pirates were. I hear now that the pirates have made for Virginia to capture Lords Culpeper and Baltimore on their way to Boston. They will miss them, however, for the Lords will travel by land; and I rather believe now that La Trompeuse is gone to the coast of Africa for more gold. The Guernsey is expected every day from the coast of the Main. I am thinking whether to send her to Vera Cruz for the English prisoners. Holograph. 7 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 29 Oct. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 35.]
[July 26.] 1164. Petition of Richard Brayne to the King. Petitioner for several years served faithfully as Chief Judge of the Common Pleas, and of the Court of Admiralty, and as Captain of a troop of horse in Jamaica, until discharged from all those offices, under pretence of contempt and other misdemeanours, by Sir Henry Morgan. Sir Thomas Lynch since his assumption of Government has offered him a commission as Chief Judge of the Common Pleas, but petitioner being deeply hurt and conscious of innocence, seeks restoration to all his offices or an immediate trial of the offences imputed to him. Prays therefore for the royal order to Sir Thomas Lynch personally to examine the case. 1 p. Subscribed with a minute referring the petition to Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed, L. Jenkins. 26 July 1683. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 36, and (minute only) Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXX., p. 163.]
July 26. 1165. Edward Randolph to Sir Leoline Jenkins. I am ordered to carry the King's declaration and the notification of the quo warranto to Boston. The Mermaid frigate may be otherwise disposed of, but it is essential that a frigate should be on the New England coast at such a time to second the quo warranto and hasten the submission of the Bostoners; otherwise every artifice will be devised to oppose the King's orders and plead to the quo warranto which will delay the vacation of the Charter for twelve months. I therefore suggest that for the support alike of the Royal authority and the revenue that some small frigate may be ordered to lie on the coast of New England while the Bostoners make up their minds either to submit to the quo warranto or evade it by tumults or otherwise. This is in some manner a parallel to the rebellion in Virginia, where the timely despatch of a war vessel would have saved eighty thousand pounds spent too late for the same service. If a frigate be sent now early to Boston, the people will submit. Pray glance at the enclosed copy of a letter from New England. If they still oppose the King's Government when their agents are here, what is to be expected when they return home with news of the quo warranto, unless a war vessel be present to awe them? 1½ pp. Holograph. Endorsed. Annexed,
1165. I. Barnard Randolph to Edward Randolph. I have received many affronts since I took up the office you left me and cannot get justice. I ordered one of our deputies on board a sloop at Marblehead to search her. He was shrewdly beaten and the constable had his staff broken over his head. I have seized a Jersey ship and brought her to trial but am cast, having protested and appealed against the Court. "Your truly loving brother." Boston, 13 June. Copy. 1 p. [Col., Papers, Vol. LI., Nos. 37, 37 I.]
July 27.
Whitehall.
1166. Order of the King in Council. Referring petition of Robert Orchard to the Lords of Trade and Plantations for report. Signed, Phi. Lloyd. 1 p. Annexed,
1166. I. Petition of Robert Orchard, of Boston, New England, to the King and Privy Council. On 19th April 1682 (see ante, No. 479), I complained to you of divers illegal impositions laid on me and levied by distress by the authority of the Governor and Company of Massachusetts, and it was ordered that a copy of the petition should be delivered to them for answer in writing, and that they should appoint an agent to represent them at Council Chamber within three months of delivery. I delivered the petition in person on 22nd February last past, and not the least notice has been taken. I beg for relief. 1 p. Copy certified by Philip Lloyd. The whole endorsed. Recd. 14 August. Read 17 August. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 38, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., p. 188.]
July 27.
Whitehall.
1167. Order of the King in Council. Referring Sir Richard Dutton's answer to the petitions of Samuel Hanson to the Lords of Trade and Plantations to deal therewith. Signed, Phi. Lloyd. ½ p. Annexed,
1167. I. The answer of Sir Richard Dutton, prepared in obedience to the order of 20th July 1683. I long since submitted my answer to Hanson's first petition, and did not expect to be further troubled by such vexatious petitions. As to his two later petitions, I never saw them till last Wednesday, when I also received your order. This last surprised me considering the short time that it gave me for my answer, and the ill-effect to the King's affairs in Barbados if that answer were rash and unconsidered. All my witnesses and papers are in Barbados, for I did not foresee that they would be required against so malicious an adversary as this proves to be. That you may know how fraudulently he has treated you I may tell you that he threatens to spend two thousand pounds to be revenged on me. I would call your attention to a statement in his third petition, wherein he says that on breaking gaol he left behind him an estate of fifteen hundred pounds and three hundred negroes. If this be true he has cheated the country. By two Acts that I passed for levying a tax on land and negroes every owner makes a sworn statement of his property in both, and I shall prove by the records that he never paid half that proportion of either land or negroes. Notwithstanding my want of witnesses and papers, I am ready to submit to a hearing before you, and meanwhile I would ask that Hanson be required to find security for his return to Barbados, or, in default, be taken into custody. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 30 July 1683. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., Nos. 39, 39 I., and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 196–198.]
July 30. 1168. "A Journal of my proceedings Of H.M.S. Francis with the Governor of St. Thomas's Island, belonging to the King of Denmark, there being in that port a pirate ship at anchor mounted with thirty-two guns and six patararoes by the name of Trampues [Trompeuse], commanded by John Hambling, a [Frenchman]." Monday, 30th July.—Arrived before the port of St. Thomas by three o'clock, saw a ship with white colour flying, jack, ensign, and pendant. The pilot assured me she was the Trompeuse. Stood in to view her, and when within range the pirate fired at me, and the Castle ashore also. Stood off. Sent a boat ashore with a letter from Governor Stapleton to the Governor desiring his assistance. Commanded a sloop to come on board, being English, which also assured me that this was the pirate. The Governor fired several guns in salute, which I returned gun for gun. Tuesday, 31st.—Sent the master ashore with a letter to the Governor, protesting against the shot fired at the ship, and asking for information as to the consorts of the pirate. Made all haste to prepare fireworks, hoping to burn the pirate this night before she could be moved up into the bay. Letter from the Governor inviting me ashore on business. He had a great mind to get me ashore and in custody before the pirate's consort, which is daily expected, should come in. He sent me a present of fresh meat, and an invitation to dine with him to-morrow. Got my fireworks fixed to burn the pirate to-night. At 7 p.m. shoved off in the pinnace with nine men, towing another bout with five men more. The pirate discovered us before we reached them; we exchanged shots with them, and then boarded and took possession. The crew escaped. Fired her in several places, and lay on our oars close by, to see that none came off to put out the fire. When she blew up she kindled a great privateer that lay by, which burned to the water's edge. Names of the men who went with me to fire the pirate. Wednesday, 1st August.—Got under sail and plied to eastward about a league, where there was a ship aground, a Flemish vessel of three hundred tons, full of good ship's stores for the pirates. Cut down her masts and set her on fire, but could not stay long, the people coming to oppose me. Returned and anchored off the port. Thursday, 2nd.—Sent a letter to the Governor saying that no doubt he would be angry at what I had done, but that I thought his firing on the King's flag was an even greater affront than my burning the pirate in his harbour. I demanded the delivery of four Englishmen, pirates, and warned him that, if he refused, I should summons three more frigates to my assistance. The pirates ashore were threatening to take vengeance, so kept good watch. Friday, 3rd.—Thick weather, with rain. Made a signal for sailing. A gun was fired unshotted from the Castle, and a messenger came on board with the Governor's answer to my letter. It being in Dutch could not translate it, but gathered from the messenger that the Governor had sent away the pirate captain and others to another part of the Island in an open boat. Searched for this boat, but could not find her. Saturday and Sunday, 4th and 5th.—Cruised along shore. Monday, 6th.—A storm, with wind shifting all round the compass. I thank God, had sea room enough. Signed, Cha. Carlile [Captain]. 5 large pages. Endorsed. Recd. 13th October 1683. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 40.]
11169. Duplicate of foregoing. [Col. Papers, Vol. LI., No. 41.]