America and West Indies: February 1663

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

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. Public Domain.

Citation:

'America and West Indies: February 1663', 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/pp122-124 [accessed 5 December 2024].

'America and West Indies: February 1663', 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 5, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp122-124.

"America and West Indies: February 1663". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668. Ed. W Noel Sainsbury(London, 1880), , British History Online. Web. 5 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp122-124.

February 1663

Feb. 1.
St. Jago de-la-Vega.
412. Proclamation of Sir Chas. Lyttelton, Deputy Governor, in accordance with the preceding Minutes of Council of Jan. 23 concerning the free negroes. That Juan Luyola and the rest of the negroes of his Palenque, on account of their submission and services to the English, shall have grants of land and enjoy all the liberties and privileges of Englishmen, but must bring up their children to the English tongue. That other negroes in the mountains shall enjoy the same benefits, provided they submit within 14 days after receiving this notice. That Luyola be colonel of the black regiment of militia, and he and others appointed magistrates over the negroes to decide all cases except those of life and death. Copies in English and Spanish. [Col. Entry Bks., No. 34, pp. 75-79, and No. 37, pp. 27, 28.]
Feb. 11. 413. Minutes of the Council and Assembly of Barbadoes. Ordered that Major William Bate, the Treasurer, pay as formerly 150,000 lbs. of sugar for the support of the Government, for the year ensuing the 18th Dec. last. p. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., p. 78.]
1663? 414. Desires of the Royal Adventurers to Africa. That if the Spanish subjects of the West Indies be licensed to trade in his Majesty's dominions of America, the whole trade and commerce may be appropriated to said Company for the considerations herein named, among which it is urged that the granting such a license is a prerogative of the Crown ; that English subjects have been freely invited to join the Company on equal terms without any fine, and therefore have no reason to complain of being excluded ; and that the Company will give the like invitation to English subjects in the Plantations, so they can have no reasonable pretence of clamour. Also reasons against making this licensed trade universal, and reply to the objection that if this trade should be established in Jamaica in the Company's hands only, it may hinder the growth of that infant plantation. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 4.]
Feb.?
Whitehall.
415. The King to [the Governor of Barbadoes]. His Majesty being certainly informed that the Spanish planters of the West Indies lately attempted to trade with Barbadoes for a supply of negro slaves, but were given to understand that they could not lawfully do so, hereby grants license to Spanish subjects in America to purchase from the Caribbee Islands and Jamaica supplies of negro slaves, and such other European commodities as their own Plantations may want, on payment of customs for the same, for every negro five pieces of eight, at the rate of four shillings sterling for every piece of eight. Draft with corrections, and with mem. added, "If this be intended only for the Governor of Jamaica and the Governor of Barbadoes, some expressions must be amended for it now the Governors of Virginia, and all the American Plantations." 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 5.]
Feb.? 416. Another draft of the preceding. The duty for every negro person or slave is set down at ten pieces of eight, and two clauses have been added prohibiting Spanish subjects to trade with English Plantations in any goods whatever of the growth of Europe, Asia, or Africa. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 6.]
Feb. 26.
Whitehall.
417. Another draft of the above, with alterations and the date filled in, by Sec. Nicholas, who has also written "To Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, Governor of Barbadoes and other the Caribbee Islands." Annexed,
Extracts of letters from Thomas Modyford? of Barbadoes to his brother. Concerning trade for negroes in Barbadoes with the Spaniards. Overtures made by Spaniards from Martinique to the President of Barbadoes, in which the Governor of Cartagena had a share ; that the negroes now bought were to be transported to Peru where their market price was 1,000 pieces of eight per head ; that if assured of free trade in Barbadoes the Spaniards would undertake to bring commodities to the value of five million pieces of eight yearly ; and that for the King of England's encouragement to grant a license they would pay ten per cent. customs for all commodities or slaves they should carry off. His Majesty is recommended to grant license for said trade for several reasons, the first being that it will be worth 100,000l. per annum to him. Barbadoes, 1662, March 30. Since his last a Spanish ship has arrived and filled our island with money ; 125 to 140 pieces of eight per head given for negroes, the trade opposed by the Council, but the President "hath done all on his own head." The Spaniards have bought 400 blacks and intend to make them 800. Will himself go to Cartagena if his negro ship came not in before the Spaniards go hence. Barbadoes, 1662, April 30. At the Assembly on 7th May the 11 pieces of eight tax (on negroes) was voted illegal and arbitrary, and the writer carried the resolution to the President and Council. Col. Birch said it was no less than high treason to assume a power which none but King, Lords, and Commons durst or could lawfully execute. Scene with the President ; the Council assented to and recorded the vote. 100 negroes from the Peregrine bought by the Spaniards at 220 pieces of eight per head embarked for Cartagena. A ship belonging to the Royal African Company sold negroes to the Spaniards, and although Jas. Beake told the President they were the Duke of York's, he insolently enforced the payment of 11 pieces of eight. 1662, May 26. Another Spanish ship arrived with plate, jewels, indigo, &c., but was denied trade ; it would be of great advantage if the license were here now, but when it comes doubt not to make it highly beneficial to the Royal [African] Company, and consequently to the whole nation. Barbadoes, 1662, Sept. 3. His ship has safely arrived at Boston from Cartagena with the price in pieces of eight agreed for [the negroes], so the Spaniards have performed honourably. A ship of theirs allowed to trade with their bullion and jewels only. Hopes something has been done towards the intended trade. Barbadoes, 1662, Sept. 13. The last two letters are signed T. M. Indorsed by Nicholas, "Barbadoes, Ch. Porter." 6 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., Nos. 7, 8, 9.]
Feb.? 418. Copies of the preceding extracts of letters from Barbadoes. Indorsed by Nicholas, "Trade of negroes." 6 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 10.]
Feb. 27.
Point Cagua.
419. Minutes of the Council of Jamaica. Ordered that the Act concerning runaway servants be amended as to penalties, which shall be recovered by action. That Nicholas Keine, fire-master, have the use of the timber house called Stephen's building, one mile from the town. That fairs and market days be holden on Lady-day, St. John Baptist's, Michaelmas, and New Year's days. That a place be fixed for the sale of flesh and fish on Point Cagua. That Mastro de Campa be forthwith despatched with 12 men, to deliver the declaration to the runaway negroes, and "endeavour their response." [Col. Entry Bk., No. 37, p. 21.]
Feb.? 420. Petition of David Dacosta and Moses Hamesgago to the King. Born in Spain, but now living in Barbadoes, and great traders, pray for letters of denization for the better security of their persons and estates. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVII., No. 11.]
Feb. 421. Grant of denization to Hamesgago and Jeronimo Rodrigues Resio, aliens born, living in Barbadoes, provided they take the oath of allegiance before the Governor or chief magistrate there. [Dom., Chas II., Vol. LXVIII., No. 138, Cal. p. 61.]