America and West Indies: November 1686, 16-30

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

'America and West Indies: November 1686, 16-30', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 12 1685-1688 and Addenda 1653-1687, (London, 1899) pp. 282-293. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol12/pp282-293 [accessed 24 April 2024]

November 1686



Nov. 16.	995. Journal of Council and Assembly of Nevis. The Governor and Council proposed to the Assembly to consider the proper means of receiving the Duke of Albemarle. The Assembly deferred consideration, saying that the Duke was not expected for some time. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., pp. 124, 125.]
Nov. 16.	996. Minutes of Council and Assembly of St. Christopher's. Proposed by the Governor and Council. 1. That the gate of the fort on Cleverley hill be finished. 2. That an Act be drawn to remedy defects in the militia. 3. Also an Act for punishment of crimes committed by negroes. 4. Also an Act to confirm the ancient privilege of shipping negroes at various places on the windward side of the island. The Assembly concurred with the last three; and dissented from the first. Committees appointed for drawing the Acts proposed by the Council. The Assembly refused to consent that the Governor's obligation to return 48,000 lbs. of sugar in case the King should not consent to his receiving it, should be cancelled, although the King appeared to have cancelled his order respecting presents to Governors. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVIII., p. 63.]
Nov. 17. Barbados.	997. Lieutenant-Governor Stede to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Since my last of October 20th (see No. 923), the owner and master of the suspicious brigantine at Tobago have, on her arrival at Martinique, made large protests against Captain Temple for damages sustained by the taking of the ships to Barbados, as also for injuries received at St Lucia by his forbidding them to cut timber, and his destruction of their towns and settlements. These protests, with a letter from Count de Blenac, were sent me by express with demand for reparation. Copies of them and of my answer are enclosed. I assured Count de Blenac that I knew or no damage done to any of their people by Captain Temple, so could give them no satisfaction beyond an assurance that I had reported the whole affair to the King. I must observe in regard to these protests that the French have not spared to say anything, true or false, that might make a great noise. Some part of them I know to be untrue, particularly their charge against use of rough and inhuman treatment of the master of the brigantine, and or opprobrious language. On the contrary, I received them with more courtesy than was due to them, ordered them to be despatched as soon as the examination was over, restored all that had been taken from them, and furnished them with provision for the voyage. I knew this was done, and that they owned it before they left Barbados, though, since their arrival at Martinique, it is denied. Four men have not set their mark to the protests, under pretence that they could not write, but really, I believe, from pure conscience, knowing the allegations therein to be false. Signed, Edwyn Stede. Recd. 1 Feb. Read 10 Feb. 1686–7. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 3, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 400–401.] Annexed,
	997. I. Extract from the registers of the Civil Court of Martinique. Depositions of several French witnesses as to the proceedings of Captain Temple at St. Lucia. 6½ very closely written pages. French. Endorsed with a long detailed précis. Recd. from Colonel Stede. 1 Feb. 1686–7.
	997. II. Lieutenant-Governor Stede to Count de Blenac. Captain Temple, of H.M.S. Mary Rose, met with a brigantine under Captain Pons, and suspecting her from the language used by the captain, from having more men than allowed by her commission, and from other suspicious circumstances, to be a pirate, brought her into Barbados. Pons has not wholly cleared himself of these suspicions, yet the charge not having been fully proved, I have discharged him and his company, and have ordered all their goods to be restored to them, which they confess has been done. I have also furnished them with provisions. I must observe that since you prohibit English ships to anchor in French roadsteads you might at least specify which those roadsteads are. You have, I hope, received apprisal of the King of England's orders respecting St. Lucia, Dominica and St. Vincent. I hope that you have before now recalled all Frenchmen from St. Lucia, for I cannot allow them to continue there except on the conditions already specified. Dated, September 29 1686. Copy, 2½ pp. Endorsed as the preceding.
	997. III. Extract from the register of the Civil Court of Martinique. The protest touching the capture of Captain Pons's ship at Tobago. French. Copy. 1¼ pp. Endorsed as the preceding.
	997. IV. Count de Blenac to Lieutenant-Governor Stede. It is easy to see by your letter that you seek to justify the action of Captain Temple, though you know as well as I do that it cannot be justified. If you do not punish him I am sure that the King, my master, will make an example of him. He has misexecuted your orders at St. Lucia (Ste Alousie), and far from following your directions has fired on French subjects, pillaged them, and taken their goods away to Barbados for sale. I thought that I had to do with a pirate, and that his credentials were forged, and but for your last letter I should think so still. He has also pillaged the barque François of Martinique, an act from which your letter cannot acquit him. It appears that your orders were not obeyed in Barbados. My passes have never caused difficulty with Mons. Stapleton, and the rest of the English governors; they are in the form agreed on. You wish to know which are the French anchorages. No one has ever asked this before, and they are well enough known. You say you have orders to retake St. Lucia and Dominica. I have orders to hold them. The matter is for our masters to decide. You say you wish to keep the peace between the two nations. Allow me to inform you that Captain Temple's proceedings are not best calculated to do so. As to Tobago, I was present when we took it from the Dutch, and I don't remember that the English took any part in the capture, and you do not explain your claims. The English Governors have always been on good terms with me; it is for you to uphold those good terms. Dated, 24 October 1686. One very closely written page. French. Endorsed as the preceding.
	997. V. Lieutenant-Governor Stede to the Count de Blenac. I have received your letter of 24 October, and am surprised to find so many reflections on my former letter, and on my good treatment of Jean Pons and his crew. They were brought here on the information of good witnesses for threatening and suspicious language. I am not surprised therefore that they make untrue statements. I never used scurrilous nor opprobrious language to them. On the contrary, they were very well treated by me; their goods were restored without embezzlement, and I ordered that they should be supplied with provisions, without which they would have starved. If any English subjects had spoken evil so unjustly of a French Governor I should have chastised them. As to St. Lucia and Tobago, I know my duty and have done it. If Captain Temple has done wrong my justification will avail him little with my King, though in my opinion the many suspicious circumstances surrounding Captain Pons did justify his action. Considering how these seas are infested with pirates who pretend to hold lawful commissions, I cannot see that I place undue difficulty in the way of your passes. I cannot perceive my error in desiring you to name the French ports. I have lived here fifteen years, so can be no stranger to them, but your new commissions for the confiscation of English ships make me desire greater certainty that I may not disturb the amity of the two nations. I thought that the treaty permitted subjects of both nations to wood and water in each other's ports. We have never denied it to French ships, yet our subjects complain that they are denied any sort of refreshment in French ports. I must therefore again ask you to name the roadsteads that are closed to us. As to Tobago, I have no instructions, but as the Duke of Courland is in amity with my master, I conceive that we may visit the Island without offence. Nor can I understand your claim to exclude the English from St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Dominica. Complaint has been made of damage sustained by the Francis through her detention at Barbados, though I can obtain no particulars. I have asked that these complaints may be laid before the King of England, for I have no orders to give compensation for damage done by our men-of-war. Copy. 2½ closely written pages. Endorsed as the preceding.
	997. VI. Commission from the Chevalier de St. Laurens to Captain Pons of the Francis. Dated, Fort St. Pierre, Martinique, 28 September 1683. Copy. 1 p. Endorsed as the preceding.
	997. VII. Commission from Count de Blenac to Captain Pons. This includes an order to allow no foreign ships in French anchorages. Dated, Martinique, 26 July 1686. Endorsed as the preceding. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 3I–VII.]
Nov. 19.	998. Mons. de Seignelay to [Lord Sunderland?]. I have just received letters that an English of fifty-four guns has anchored at St. Lucia [Ste Alouzie], ordered the French to leave it, and apprised M. de Blenac that this was done by order of the Governor of Barbados. I have laid this Extraordinay proceeding before the King, who is the more surprised at it since the Treaty of Neutrality between the two nations in America is but a year old. The King is convinced that both the Governor and the captain have acted without orders. As to the property of St. Lucia, it belongs incontestably to France, as is proved by several deeds, notably by a deed of sale made by the French West India Company to the Sieur du Parquet of 27 September 1650. This was confirmed by letters patent in the following August; du Parquet took formal possession, built a fort and installed a governor, who remained there until 23 June 1664. Then some English made themselves masters of it, but with such full consciousness that they had no right, that they sent deputies to Martinique to say that the affair was an accident and abandoned the Island. St. Lucia was confirmed to the possession of France by the twelfth article of the Treaty of Breda, by which the King of England bound himself to restore to France all places possessed by her before 1 January 1665, that had been captured by the English. Even therefore if the English possessed it at the time of the treaty they were bound to restore it. I am therefore sure that the King will disown the captain's action. &c. Extract. French. 2½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Nov. 1686. Enclosed.
	998. I. Copy of the capitulation of St. Lucia at the time of its capture in 1664. Copy. 1½ pp. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., Nos. 4, 4I., and (letter only) Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 392–393.]
Nov. 19. Whitehall.	999. Order of the King in Council. That the judgment of the Court in New Hampshire, against which William Vaughan appealed, be ratified and confirmed (see No. 975). Signed, Wm. Bridgeman. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXVII., pp. 158, 159.]
Nov. 19./Nov. 20.	1,000. Minutes of Council of Maryland. Nehemiah Blakiston sworn in as King's collector, and George Layfield as comptroller and surveyor of the King's Customs. Order for appointment of a Councillor or eminent inhabitant in each county to direct and superintend the officers for towns. Instructions to these gentlemen. Order renewing Colonel Stevens's commission to grant land warrants. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LIV., pp. 78–84.]
Nov. 20.	1,001. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The law officers attended on the Duke of Albemarle's proposal to pardon pirates, and were ordered to draw up a proclamation offering pardon to all pirates who come in within a certain time. The Lord President communicated the King's decision as to the question of the Duke's half salary and perquisites, with the King's reasons for the same (see No. 973). The Duke moved his proposal as to the restoration of Sir Henry Morgan and Robert Byndloss. The Lords replied that he would be directed to report on the question from Jamaica.
	Colonel Stede's letter of 18 September read. The Lords directed a circular to be despatched to all the Governors, with copies of the Treaty of Neutrality, directing the same to be published. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIX., pp. 32–37.]
[Nov. 20.]	1,002. Petition of Robert Mason to Lords of Trade and Plantations. You have been pleased to affirm the judgment in the appeal of william Vaughan. I have been put to great cost for my voyage from New Hampshire and my stay in England for this appeal, besides damages to the amount of £1,000, through being kept out of possession of a great part of New Hampshire by a great number who looked for the success of the appeal. The appellant having given security to abide by the judgment, I beg for costs and damages. Memo.—Nathaniel Weare has been allowed, as his coming to England, £100 as a gift, £6 a month from the day he left New Hampshire to the day of his return, 2s. a day to hire a man to do his work in New Hampshire, and his passage both to and from England. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 20 Nov. 86. Presented 8 Dec. 86. Annexed.
	1,002. I. Short statement of grounds wherein damages are claimed. Scrap. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., Nos. 5, 5I.]
Nov. 21. Whitehall.	1,003. Order of the King in Council. On the petition of Richard Stafford and four more prisoners from Bermuda, ordered that they be heard by the Lords of Trade and Plantations on the first Committee, and meanwhile be discharged on giving security to appear. Signed. Wm. Bridgeman. ½ p. Endorsed. Recd. 22 Nov. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 6, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., p. 90.]
[Nov. 21.]	1,004. Petition of Richard Stafford, William Keele, George Bascom, and Joseph Hinson to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Owing to the barbarous usage received at sea, and the bad weather here in England, we are reduced to great indisposition (whereof William Righton, one of our company, is dead), and have no hope of recovery but in a speedy return to Bermuda. A Ship is sailing thither shortly, if we could be discharged, as we doubt not that we shall be when we are admitted to a hearing. Signed by the four petitioners. 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 7.]
Nov. 20.	1,005. Minutes of Council of New York. Examination of the disputed claims to the land at Southampton. Order for the Indians to come up in ten days in order to purchase the land.
Nov. 21.	The Governor's instruction read, with the clause as to ships entering the Hudson's river. Order for bringing up the ships now lying at Amboy to New York, or, if the master refuse, for seizure of the ships.
Nov. 22.	Isaac Swinton, Clerk of Council, sworn to secrecy, Mr. West's charge against Captain Lucas Santen, consisting of thirty-two articles, read. Order for the Mayor to prohibit the keeping of ordinaries in the city and county without a licence. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 106.]
Nov. 21.	1,006. Abstract of the papers relating to St. Lucia. A digest of Lieutenant-Governor Stede's despatches and enclosures of September 18 and October 20 (see Nos. 871, 923). 2½ pp. Endorsed. 21 Nov. 1686. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 8.]
[Nov. 22.]	1,007. The Duke of Courland's agent to the King. The Duke of Courland's recollection of the goodness of your ancestors to his house encourages him to hope for the same protection from you for his settlement at Tobago. The late King showed great zeal for the success of this colony, and your Majesty's will will suffice to allow a few English families, who are only fit to till the soil, to contract with the Duke for their settlement on the Island. If you will grant this permission, pray also give orders to the Governor of Barbados to help them to all necessaries at a reasonable price. Signed, de Blumberg. Brought to the Committee by the Lord President. 22 November 1686. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 383–384.]
Nov. 23. Barbados.	1,008. Lieutenant-Governor and Council of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Forwarding quarterly returns of the Council's transactions and of imports. Signed, Edwyn Stede, Robert Davers, John Gibbs, John Hothersall, John Hallett, Henry Quintyne, Thomas Walrond. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 407–408.]
Nov. 23.	1,009. Minutes of Council of Barbados. The Assembly attending, the Governor reminded them of several expiring laws that required renewal, and several payments due for repair of the fortifications. He acquainted them also that the King had given the country forty great guns, which were arrived and would be mounted as soon as the timber arrived from St. Lucia. The Speaker begged the Lieutenant-Governor to return to the King their thanks, and thanked the Lieutenant-Governor also for his care. The business of Sir Timothy Thornhill and Mr. Harwood (see post No. 1,017). Order for various payments for repairs of the forts, to gunners, and for compensation for executed negroes. Order for rebates of import duty to various persons.
Nov. 24.	The petition of Sir Timothy Thornhill, to be tried by special commission, refused. The Assembly asked to be adjourned till Monday, in order to finish the Bill of Excise. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 721–734.]
Nov. 24.	1,010. Warrant of the Governor of Jamaica to Captains Richard Cubitt and Conway to apprehend John Coxon, the pirate, said to be logwood-cutting in the Bay of Campeachy. Copy. 1¼ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 10 March 86–7. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 9.]
Nov.	1,011. William Blathwayt to Edward Cranfield, Robert Mason and Nathaniel Weare. The appeal of William Vaughan will be heard on the 27th inst. Draft. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 10.]
Nov. 25.	1,012. Minutes of Council of New York. The charges against Lucas Santen read, and a copy given to him, with orders to give an answer before Monday next. Order for issue of commissions to John Wallwin as Sheriff of Cornwall county, and Nicholas Manning as collector for the same county, also for military commissions to be made out for Cornwall to such persons as Captain Palmer shall select. Captain Manning to execute Captain Palmer's orders, prohibiting ships from entering the Kennebec without paying duty. Mutiny of the militia in Richmond county. Major Brockholes and Major Baxter to go to Staten Island and condemn the mutineers to fine or corporal punishment at their discretion. Petitions of Abraham Corbet and Mr. Jeames read. [Col. Papers, Vol. LVIII., No. 106.]
Nov. 25. New York.	1,013. Grants of Crown lands by Governor Dongan to the inhabitants of Newtown (pp. 53–61), Elias Doughty (pp. 61–63), Thomas Hicks (pp. 63–65), Richard Cornwall (pp. 66–67). [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIII., pp. 53–67.]
Nov. 25. New York.	1,014. The Secretary of New York to the Earl of Sunderland. It will be very difficult for this Government to subsist unless Connecticut and East and West Jersey be annexed. This place is the centre of the King's territory in these parts, and is therefore by situation the fittest to have them joined to it. The proprietors of East Jersey have already disposed (as I hear) of more land than there is in that province, and I am sure they must be at great expense to support it, and it is very inconvenient to the King's interest here, this side of the river paying customs, and the other being free. The goods that come here cannot be consumed there, but are "stolen" into this government to the great prejudice alike of the King and the merchants. The Lord Nial Campbell is Governor of New Jersey, and one Mr. Hamilton, who has been sent by the proprietors to report in the colony, has been convinced by me how disadvantageous it is to the proprietors to keep it. I have promised Lord Nial Campbell to write to that effect, and to propose the exchange of Pemaquid for East Jersey, and I believe they will petition either for an exchange or that the King will take over the plantation. Signature lost. J[ohn]S[pragg]. Holograph. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 11.]
Nov. 25. Custom House.	1,015. Commissioners of Customs to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have considered the draft instructions to Sir Robert Robinson, Governor of Bermuda, and think that the enclosed clause should be added. Signed, D. North, Ch. Cheyne, Jo. Werden. N. Butler. J. Buckworth, W. Dickinson, Sam. Clarke. 1 p. Endorsed. Annexed.
	1,015. I. Draft instructions to the Governor of Bermuda. To require all masters of ships on arrival to produce their certificates of bonds, and see that the naval officers and collectors observe proper care in granting certificates, and that those certificates which are not attested by the Commissioners of Customs in England be not accepted. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., Nos. 12, 12I., and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 75–76, and 86–89.]
Nov. 26. Treasury Chambers.	1,016. Henry Guy to William Blathwayt. Forwarding report of the Commissioners of Customs (see preceding abstract). [Col Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 13, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., p. 75.]
Nov. 26. Barbados.	1,017. Lieutenant-Governor Stede to Lords of Trade and Plantations. In my letter of September 18 (see No. 871), I wrote to you of the objections of the Council to the admission of Mr. Harwood. I could not join with them in their addresses to the King on the subject, and enjoined that all animosity on the subject must cease in the Council until the King's pleasure on their address for Mr. Harwood's removal were known. This order was observed until a few days ago, when false suggestions by pernicious whisperers and mischievous tale-bearers and backbiters raised some of the Council to a height against Mr. Harwood. The peace has not been broken, but passion has transported some people so much beyond reason as to utter such unbecoming speeches in vindication of their own and their ancestors' reputation as to draw both into suspicion and question. This is shown by Mr. Harwood's enclosed information against Sir Timothy, which he brought to me. I advised with the Council thereupon, who agreed that we could not do less than commit Sir Timothy to the custody of the Provost Marshal, and suspend him from the Council and all his offices, both civil and military, until the King's pleasure should be known. I beg you therefore to lay the matter before the King for his orders, pending the arrival of which I conceive that Sir Timothy cannot be admitted to a trial, though he presses me for it, and petitions for a special commission. For I suppose that the meaning of the instruction, that the suspension of a Councillor must always be reported to you, together with the charge, the evidence against him, and his answer, is that such Councillor shall not be tried until the King's pleasure be known. His petition for a special commission therefore remains unanswered, though at request of the Council I have accepted bail of £4,000 for him. Signed, Edwyn Stede. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 1 Feb. Read 10 Feb. 86–7. Enclosed.
	1,017. I. Depositions of John Harwood. Riding into Bridgetown on 12 October 1686, I met Sir Timothy Thornhill, who asked me to alight and speak to him, but I being busy we agreed to meet on the green before Government House. There he called me aside and told me that he had heard that I had called his father a rogue and a son of a whore, that he would not bear it, and that but for my gray hairs he would be revenged on me there and then. I told him that I had used no such language as to his father, but owned that I had called him traitor, since he deserted to Sir George Ayscough with the best part of his troop of horse. Sir Timothy asked me if my father was not a traitor too, and I answered that he was in Lord Carnarvon's regiment, and was killed fighting for his prince at the first battle of Newbury, that I was taken prisoner there myself and sent to Barbados by the Parliament. Sir Timothy said that all who fought or pretended to fight for the King in those days were traitors and that he owned that his father deserted to Sir George Ayscough at Oistins. I answered that I knew it well, for I was in the troop that took his father and him that is now Colonel Fryer at Oistins after his desertion. Sir Timothy rejoined that all that fought for the Parliament then were good subjects, and those that fought for the King were rogues and traitors, since those that ruled at Whitehall, whoever they might be, governed all the King's dominions and deserved the obediences. He then beckoned John Duboyce to him, and told him what had passed. Sworn before Edwyn Stede, 15 November 1686. Attested copy. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 1 Feb. 1686–7. This and the document next abstracted are entered in Col, Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 715–718.
	1,017. II. Deposition of John Duboyce. I was called by Sir Timothy Thornhill to hear Mr. Harwood deny that he had ever called Sir Timothy's father rogue and son of a whore, which he did, admitting however that he called him traitor. Sir Timothy asked Mr. Harwood to abuse his father's ashes no more, or he would take private satisfaction for such affronts. Sworn before before Edwyn Stede. 19 November 1686. Certified copy. 2 pp. Endorsed as the preceding.
	1,017. III. Extract from the minutes of Council of Barbados, 23 November 1686. Mr. Harwood's deposition against Sir Timothy Thornhill laid before the Council. Sir Timothy denied the truth thereof, saying that he and Mr. Harwood had some difference, and that Harwood had enlarged his information out of malice to him. Both parties having withdrawn, the Council resolved that Sir Timothy be suspended from the Council and all public offices, and be committed to the custody of the Provost Marshal. Sir Timothy being apprised hereof, asked to be admitted to bail, and his recognisances in £4,000 was taken for his appearance at the next Grand Sessions, four members of Council becoming his sureties. 24 November. Sir Timothy Thornhill presented a petition asking for a special court to be held to try him for the matters laid to his charge, but the Council made no order thereupon. Certified copy. 3 pp. Endorsed as the preceding.
	1,017. IV. Copy of Sir Timothy Thornhill's recognisance to appear at the next Grand Sessions. Taken. 23 November 1686. Certified copy. Endorsed as the preceding.
	1,017. V. The petition of Sir Timothy Thornhill for a special court for his trial. Certified copy. 1 p. Endorsed as the preceding. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., Nos. 14, 14I.–V., and (despatch and list of enclosures only) Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 402–404.]
Nov. 26. St. Christophus.	1,018. Deputy Governor Hill to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I send the minutes of Council and Assembly. The expectation of Sir William Stapleton's return is the reason for the delay. Signed, Tho. Hill. Holograph. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 2 March 86–7. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 15, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., p. 248.]
Nov. 28.	1,019. Additional Royal instructions to Governor Sir Robert Robinson. For the enforcement of the Acts of Trade and Navigation. Countersigned, Sunderland. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XVIII., pp. 76–89.]
Nov. 28.	1,020. Instructions to Sir Nathaniel Johnson, Governor in Chief of the Leeward Islands. These include instructions for the formation of a Court of Exchequer, for asserting the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Bishop of London, for the restitution of Tortola, for passing a law to restrain inhuman severity to Christian servants, and for building a Government House at Nevis. Countersigned, Sunderland. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 213–229.]
Nov. 29.	1,021. Minutes of Council of Jamaica. Sundry business with the accounts of the Island. Mr. Smith Kelly, the new Provost Marshal sworn. Petition of St. George's parish considered. Major Archbold and Cornet Risby gave an account of their marches against the rebel negroes, and the account of the operations was reviewed at length. Resolved to keep a standing party, to be raised from the two parties of St. George's and St. Mary's parishes, and to be paid regularly; but since the Treasury is empty, agreed to recommend them to the good offices of the vestries of the Island. In the meantime all officers are ordered to be vigilant, and all footmen of the militia, who have a good horse and equipment and shall be willing to serve in the horse, shall be transferred thereto. The good service of the Attorney-General in the suppression of piracy was brought forward. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXVI., pp. 136–144.]
[Nov. 29.]	1,022. Copy of a commission issued to Bartholomew Sharpe by Sir William Stapleton, dated 29 January 1683–4. Certified, 11 Sept. 1686. Endorsed. Recd. from Mr. Pepys 29 Nov. 86. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIX., No. 16.]
Nov. 29.	1,023. Journal of Assembly of Barbados. Bill for an impost on liquors and for appraisement of negroes and slaves read a third time. A letter from Sir Timothy Thornhill read, disclaiming the disloyal words imputed to him by Mr. Harwood, and begging the testimony of the Assembly to his loyalty, dated November 29. Answer of the House, expressing surprise that Sir Timothy should be accused of disloyalty, considering the many high offices that he has discharged with honour. Act for an impost on liquors passed.
Nov. 30.	Adjourned to 25 January. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 161–164.]
Nov. 30.	1,024. Minutes of Council of Barbados. The Assembly brought up a Bill to lay an imposition on liquors, representing that it had been passed with some irregularities by reason of haste; it being expedient to pass it before the old Act should expire, and before the Lieutenant-Governor go for a cruise for the establishment of his health. The Lieutenant-Governor said that such irregularities would be a bad precedent, that he could not pass the Bill, that though he was just going aboard ship he would wait, and begged them to think of the best means for setting the matter right. The Assembly therefore passed a short Act to continue the expiring Act, which was passed by the Council for three months' duration only. Order of the Lieutenant-Governor committing the care of the Island to the members of Council, during his absence at sea, within the limits of his government. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 735–737.]
Nov. 30.	1,025. Acts of Barbados passed in 1686.
	Act for the governing of convict rebels transported.
	Act to appoint a Treasurer.
	Act appointing a Committee of Public Accounts.
	The above passed 4 January 1686.
	Act to continue various expiring Acts. Passed 26 October 1686.
	Act of appraisement of negroes and slaves. Passed 29 November 1686.
	Act to continue an Act for an impost on liquors. Passed 30 November 1686. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIV., pp. 145–171.]
[Nov. ?]	1,026. Commission to Christopher, Duke of Albemarle, to be Governor of Jamaica. The power of Vice-Admiralty and of suspending the King's naval officers are included in this commission. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXXI., pp. 219–241.]