America and West Indies: September 1662

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1880.

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'America and West Indies: September 1662', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668, ed. W Noel Sainsbury( London, 1880), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp107-111 [accessed 1 December 2024].

'America and West Indies: September 1662', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668. Edited by W Noel Sainsbury( London, 1880), British History Online, accessed December 1, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp107-111.

"America and West Indies: September 1662". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668. Ed. W Noel Sainsbury(London, 1880), , British History Online. Web. 1 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp107-111.

September 1662

Sept. 1.
Jamaica.
360. Clement de Pleneville to M. Le Chevalier Moray [? Sec. Morrice], at the Court at Withale. Is unwilling to defer giving an account of all that has passed since his departure from London. Weighed anchor at Plymouth, stopped at Barbadoes but two hours, and on the evening of his arrival [at Jamaica] was commanded by Lord Windsor to embark for Porto Rico. Took occasion to speak with some officers and soldiers on board, and has given an attestation of the conversation to Lord Windsor. Has had no relaxation since his return from Porto Rico, being daily employed in drawing plans of the isle and town of Porto Rico, with a description of the island, forts, cannons, coasts, &c., which he has given to Lord Windsor for his Majesty. Has been at San Domingo, where he saw what he could of the town, fort, and coasts, and will draw a plan of it at leisure ; but that of Porto Rico is a great work, there being four different forts. As he wrote his Majesty, he left 2,500 men in San Domingo, but there are no more than 1,500, and the half of them monks and churchmen. Lacks some one to whom he may consign his letters. Is in hopes of returning shortly to Hispaniola, to make trial of the Hispaniols, who have ill-treated the Maroons [marons] of San Domingo : affairs are in such a state that in hour's conversation he could demonstrate the execution of the memorials he presented to his Majesty. Lacks some servants and a brigantine capable of carrying 50 men ; but if his Majesty will send the ship, and Sec. Morrice and M. Le Febvre will embark some servants upon it, will strike three blows with one arrow, and serve his Majesty, Sec. Morrice, and himself. The scourging the mountaineers (?) of San Domingo have had, makes them stretch out their arms towards his Majesty : cannot say more, for they play tricks in this country, and fears his letters might be seen. Begs his Majesty to recommend him to Lord Windsor, or Sir Chas. Lyttelton, who has been all his support. Will not write again till he hears from Sec. Morrice, nor will he put anything in the ships for his Majesty's satisfaction, till Sec. Morrice has found means to receive them in safety ; for without his Majesty's signature nothing can be done, and had it not been for Lyttelton, should have feared for the passage of his men, though his Majesty had so ordered. French. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVI., No. 99.]
Sept.? 361. Abstract of memorial of Clement de Pleneville to the King. That his Majesty name some person with whom he may communicate in cypher. That the mountaineers [montaires] of Hispaniola are ill-treated and hold out their arms to a protector, and there are but 1,500 men in San Domingo, half of whom are monks and churchmen, instead of 2,500. Needs some men, and a brigantine to carry 50 to 80 men, for his Majesty's service. Desires to be recommended to the Governor of Jamaica, and above all to Sir Chas. Lyttelton ; and to have a commission for lading any rarities he may procure for his Majesty's satisfaction. French. 1 p. This is contained in his preceding letter to Sec. Morrice. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVI., No. 100.]
Sept.? 362. Petition of Robert Sanford to the King. Whereas petitioner has complained to his Majesty of divers great wrongs and injustices acted towards himself and others, by certain pretenders to power in the colony of Surinam, and same are referred to the Privy Council ; prays that a day may be appointed for petitioner to appear before his Majesty and Council, to declare his case, and receive according to the merits thereof. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVI., No. 101.]
[Sept. 3.] 363. Petition of Lieut.-Col. Robert Sanford to the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council. The case of the proscripts from Surinam briefly stated. The colony, neglected by those who had usurped our sovereignty, was constrained to unite in constituting a Government. Elected delegates decreed that yearly the respective divisions should depute representatives, in whose joint bulk the dominion should remain, with subjection to the supreme power of England, and that one, by nomination of the rest, should be their head. Byam was first chosen, and for three successive years continued according to this Constitution, in which time he made himself a faction that overruled the less numerous party, and decreed their own continuance in the Government. Complaints against Byam for exacting a heavy imposition upon the people and calling the colony into arms, causing tumult and civil war about the taking prize a Dutch shalop ; only his word that they should have a legal trial for her, and seizing all that had disputed his authority, many asleep in their beds, keeping them prisoners, and bringing them to trial by court-martial, or rather a High Court of Justice like that of Bradshaw's. The prisoners who pleaded not guilty, without being heard, were hurried away, first into irons, and then into exile, and a heavy load of fines was added ; of all which penalties petitioner also became a patient, for only labouring to avert so tyrannical a prosecution. This is the substance of their sufferings, many parts of which will appear from such witnesses as are here, and the whole may be proved by the confessions in Byam's own declaration. Beseeches their Lordships "to perpend" how insecure their future life must be under an irritated authority, and not to remit them thither for satisfaction, but condemn those lawless rulers to be commanded home, here to make a defence of their actions. Indorsed, Petition of Lieut.-Col. Robert Sandford to the Privy Council, with a petition and reference from his Majesty to the Board and remonstrance of the petitioner [see ante, Nos. 351, 362]. Received 3rd Sept. 1662. Read in Council 12th Sept. 1662. Ordered. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVI., No. 102.]
Sept. 5-30.
Point Cagway, Jamaica.
364. Minutes of the Council of Jamaica. Resolved that the island of Tortodoes be reduced under the English Government, and that two or more of the Council report what is requisite for settling the possession of it and the better security of Jamaica. Sir Chas. Lyttelton, sworn Keeper of the Great Seal ; Will. Michell, Judge of the Administration of Law, the Admiralty, and Probate ; and Colls. Wilbraham and Barry, Justices. Mr. Freeman ordered to bring in his books of transactions in General Bryan's time. All persons who have claims to lands or houses on Point Cagway to send them in to Sir Chas. Lyttelton or Sec. Povey within 10 days, so they may receive their grants according to his Majesty's instructions.
Sept. 12.Resolved, that men be enlisted for a design by sea with the Centurion and other vessels, provided they be not servants or persons who sell or desert their plantations for the purpose ; that Capt. Joye receive 40l. from Sec. Povey for buying 20 horses, to form a troop for his Excellency's guard, each man to be paid 2s. per diem ; that the inhabitants on Point Cagway appoint a nightly watch of eight or ten under Lieut. Edgoose ; that the field officers appoint their inferior officers until they be commissioned ; and that Constantine Lyttelton receive a commission as justice of the peace.
Sept. 19-20.Capt. Constan. Lyttleton sworn of the Council. Concerning the rights of Capts. Craw and Haywood and other officers and soldiers to the donative money sent by the King for distribution to the army, to be referred to the Council on their return from the present design by sea. Instructions drawn up for Capt. Ming.
Sept. 27.John Standly of Ligonia, prisoner, ordered to serve seven years at St. Christopher's, and to suffer death if he return without license.
Sept. 30.Warrant to Sec. Povey to draw up an Act for receiving and settling the people called Quakers ; the fees to the Seal to be 6d. per acre, and to the surveyor 4d. per acre. A yearly rent of 1d. per acre on all plantations allowed to the King. Two of the Council to report on the rates of commodities. 4 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 37, pp. 17-19.]
1662? Sept. 6. 365. Petition of owners of ships and merchants, traders to Virginia and Maryland, to the King and Privy Council. Against the petition for prohibiting ships leaving Virginia until 1st May next [see ante, No. 301], and praying that all ships may return from thence according to the usual manner. Signed by Robert Vaulx and 42 others. Indorsed, "Read 6 Sept." Annexed,
Reasons offered for the foregoing petition. Together 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVI., Nos. 103, 104.]
Sept.? 366. Reasons against an intended petition for prohibiting ships coming from Virginia or Maryland until May. The merchants of Bristol and other English ports and the merchants and planters inhabiting in Virginia and Maryland ought to be heard before any order is made in it. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVI., No. 105.]
1662. Sept. 8.
Wrington [Somerset].
367. J. Fontinoy? jun., to Richard Talbott of [Bridgetown?] Barbadoes. Family news. Sudden death of Samuel Tucker. Whether he can give any good encouragement to come to Barbadoes, as he and other nonconformists may soon be forced by prelatical persecution to leave England. Comforts himself with the reflection that he does not "partake with the Beast in his mark or name." Indorsed, "A Quaker's letter to one Talbot, a merchant upon the Bridge." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVI., No. 106.]
Sept. 12.
Whitehall.
368. Instructions for Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia To take especial care that Almighty God be devoutly and duly served throughout the Government, the Book of Common Prayer as now established read, and the Sacrament administered according to the rites of the Church of England. The churches already built to be orderly kept and more built, also houses for the ministers, each of whom is to have 100 acres of land assigned to him for a glebe. Within one month after his arrival to call a General Assembly and publish his Majesty's free pardon and oblivion to all not attainted of "the horrid murder of our dear father." All Acts passed during the late rebellion to be repealed. Laws for the suppression of vice, debauchery, and idleness to be passed. The planters to be encouraged to build towns upon every river ; "they cannot have a better example than from their neighbours of New England, who have in few years raised that colony to breed wealth, reputation, and security ;" one town at least to be built upon every river. Staple commodities of silk, flax, hemp, pitch, potashes, &c. to receive every encouragement. To appoint commissioners to treat with those of Maryland to restrain the planting of tobacco. 1,000l. per ann. to be paid to the Governor out of the 2s. per hogshead. To have the Act concerning navigation strictly respected. Quit rents to be carefully and justly levied. To transmit to England his opinion and advice upon the erection of an iron work which the King wishes to undertake himself. To send yearly accounts of the state of the colony to the Council of Plantations. A commission of oyer and terminer having been granted, the impartial administration of justice is earnestly recommended. Persons learned in the law for the performance of that service will be sent over if found requisite. 12 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., pp. 265-276. Copies of the preceding instructions are also entered in Col. Entry Bks., No. 80, pp. 99-107, and No. 92, pp. 263-272 ; and in Dom. Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 67-72.]
Sept. 12.
Whitehall.
369. Warrant for Sir Wm. Berkeley to have a ship of tobacco of 300 tons customs free, when he shall send or bring over a ship of the same burthen laden with silk, hemp, flax, pitch, and pot-ashes, the produce or growth of the colony of Virginia. 1 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., pp. 237, 238.]
Sept. 25.
Whitehall.
370. Order of the Committee for Plantations. The settlement of plantations in New England being seriously debated, the Lord Chancellor declared that the King would speedily send commissioners to settle the respective interests of the several colonies ; the Duke of York to consider the choice of fit men ; a patent of corporation to be granted to Rhode Island ; the instructions for Lord Willoughby of Parham, Captain-General of Barbadoes, corrected and approved, and the Attorney-General ordered to see the same, and also prepare form of a grant for Lord Willoughby to settle and grant lands in the said plantations. 1 p. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 60, pp. 9, 10.]
Sept.? 371. Warrant for Richard Miller, prisoner in Newgate, pardoned upon condition of transportation, to be transported upon his own humble suit to Jamaica. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. LX., No. 47, Cal., p. 502.]
1662? 372. Petition of Capt. Thos. Trafford to the King. That Will. Sayle, a severe separatist had surreptitiously possessed himself of the Government of the Bermudas, and exercised cruel tyrannies over the inhabitants, for which he was by the then Committee for Foreign Plantations adjudged fit for banishment ; but by the exorbitant power of Desborow and Jones, two persons proscribed by Parliament, who were sent thither, Sayle was settled in that Government. Prays to be sent over to take the Government, which he presumes to undertake, "because he has spent so much time in travel." Capt. Florentia Seymour was appointed to succeed Wm. Sayle as Governor, September 1662, see Gen. Lefroy's Memorials of the Bermudas, II., 185. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVI., No. 107.]