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May 5.
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734. Pardon to Edward D'Oyley of all treasons, felonies, and
misdemeanors, by him committed in Jamaica before June 1, 1661,
with other clauses requisite and usual. [Dom., Chas. II., Docquet.]
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May 6.
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735. Petition of Wm. Duke of Hamilton and Ann Duchess of
Hamilton to the King. That the Council at Plymouth bargained
and sold to petitioner's father, James Marquis Hamilton, his heirs
and assigns, a portion of the main lands in New England called
the county of New Cambridge, with several other lands and privileges.
Since which time, by reason of the late war, several persons
have possessed themselves of the best and most considerable parts of
the said lands without any acknowledgment of petitioners' right.
Pray that the premises be recommended to the Commissioners for
New England, and care taken that petitioners be restored to their
just right. With reference to said Commissioners to examine the
allegations and restore the petitioners to their just rights and
interest, or otherwise to report their opinion. Annexed,
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735. I. Report of the Commissioners Ric. Nicols, George Cartwright,
and Samuel Mavericke, to the King, on the above
petition. They cannot find that any servant, agent, or planter
was ever sent over by said James Marquis of Hamilton, to take
possession of any part of said patent, or that it was ever
known there that any such patent was granted to said Marquis.
But they find that the land contained in that patent has been
granted in part to the Massachusetts as they pretend, part to
the colony of Connecticut, and part to Rhode Island. The
10,000 acres which were to be had at the head of Sagadahock,
in the eastern parts, they cannot find out, for that river hath
two great streams that feed it, whose heads are not yet known,
neither can they hear of any land that Edward Lord Gorges
had in these parts, by which those 10,000 acres were to have
been set out. Together 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII.,
Nos. 61, 62.]
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May 6.
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736. Copy of preceding petition and reference. [Dom. Entry Bk.,
Chas. II., Vol. XVIII., p. 49.]
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May 7.
On board the
Jersey,
Cape Coast.
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737. Orders of a Council of War held on board the Jersey, in the
Road of Cape Coast. That there be put into the castle of Cape Coast
50 soldiers, under Capt. Robert Muschamp, and that Gilbert Beavis,
agent for the East India Company, be desired to be chief factor
there for the Royal Company, for the same salary he had of the
East India Company, or for his friends in England to agree with the
Royal Company, and with two assistants. That masons and carpenters
and materials for repair of the castle be landed, and provisions
and ammunition for six months, before the departure of the fleet.
That whereas upon a fair summons to the Governor of said castle,
then in service of the Netherlands West India Company, to surrender
to the Royal Company, they made no reply, and the English were
necessitated to employ force, and agreed that merchandise found
there should be equally divided between the inhabitants and soldiers ;
resolved that each ship that landed men appoint an officer for distribution,
and that 20 shares be reserved, of which six to Capt. Robert
Muschamp, four to Lieut. Hammond, four to Henry Clarke, and the
other six to wounded men and others. That after Cape Coast is
victualled and manned six men and victuals for six months be sent
to the castle of Anta if it be spared. That whereas the forts of
Anamabo and Adia, between the Royal fort of Inashang and castle
of Cormantin, are still detained by the Netherlands West India
Company, a speedy course be taken for reducing them. That with
all possible expedition the Britain frigate, Capt. Philip Cowne, be
dispatched for England, with letters to the Royal Company. Signed
by Robt. Holmes, Joseph Cubitt, Fran. Selwyn, R. Lister, Charles
Talbott, Peter Bowen, Peter Braithwaite, Peter Marett, Robert Fenne,
Philip Cowne. Indorsed, "Result before Cap Corso." 2 pp. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 63.]
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May 10.
Barbadoes.
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738. Sir Thos. Modyford, Governor of Jamaica, to the King. His
Majesty's Royal commands found a heart full of alacrity to embrace
and execute them. Such gracious condescensions, so full of honour
and confidence, challenge no less than the simple resignation of his
all to his Royal will and pleasure, which by these he humbly sacrifices.
Earnestly beseeches the Great God to make the same an
acceptable present, whilst in all his actions he appears his Sacred
Majesty's industrious, beneficial, grateful, and loyal subject. Sir
Henry Bennet will present an account of the little progress hitherto
made in his American affairs. Indorsed, Rec. June 5, 1664. Acknowledged
July 10. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 64.]
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May 10.
Barbadoes.
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739. Sir Thos. Modyford to Sec. Sir Henry Bennet [Lord Arlington].
Has received his letter of Feb. 22nd, with his Majesty's commissions,
instructions, and letters. The Westergate arrived April 21st.
Col. Morgan and his family came to Modyford's plantation the next
day ; he had lost his eldest daughter, a lady of great beauty and
virtues, on the tedious voyage, and two more of his family have since
died of a malign distemper caused by the nastiness of the passengers,
which has carried off about 30 of the passengers, whereof 12 were
seamen. This accident has caused most of his passengers to the
number of 1,500 to refuse to embark on that vessel. In spite of his
earnest persuasions to the contrary, Morgan did again put himself on
board with some scores of planters for Jamaica. Has dispatched
enclosed commission, letters, and instructions to San Domingo. Has
first sent there as being just in the way, and employed a noted
Quaker of good temper, skill, and knowledge in merchant affairs,
whose great cunning, searching, and industrious spirit and loyalty to
the King will beget a confidence in Modyford from that party, and
many of that persuasion now go and will come after. This Quaker
has sent for his wife and children from England, and really it may
take off much of the rude roughness of that sect's temper when they
find John Perrott, an eminent preaching Quaker, content for his
Majesty's service to appear in a black satin suit with sword and belt,
and be called captain. Has agreed for a ship with Perrott to transport
between 300 and 400 passengers, and intends himself to embark
in three or four days with 400 more. Has given the enclosed commissions
to some merchants to send on the rest of the subscribers,
about 600 more. May with good reason expect from hence a yearly
supply of 1,000 persons, but they are generally so poor they cannot
pay their passage, which to encourage them should be free. Recommends
that this be done by merchant ships, for the Westergate conveyed
200 at a cost of 3,000l., whilst 300 from hence on the merchantman
shall not cost 500l. [Sec. Bennet has here written in the margin,
Propose to his Majesty.] His promise of free trade, which is really
one of the chiefest inducements, has not been confirmed in the
instructions, but as it is granted to Lord Willoughby, will govern
himself at present according to his Majesty's intentions, and restrain
Titsall from seizing any [foreign traders] ; but begs for positive
instructions by the very first conveyance. Will show how his
Majesty's revenue may be very considerably increased in these parts
by drawing a parallel betwixt Jamaica and Barbadoes. Barbadoes
contains 100,000 acres, worth from 10l. to 20l. per acre, and loads
10,000 tons of shipping. Jamaica, therefore, with 7,000,000 of acres,
will be of great value if well peopled. Advises (1) that his Majesty
be prodigal in granting the first million of acres, allowing 30 acres
per head to white or black ; (2) that land be reserved for those who
promise to bring out more people ; (3) that until the said million be
reasonably filled and planted the following additional privileges be
granted :(1) freedom from custom in England on exports for
Jamaica ; (2) trade with all nations in amity with the King ; (3)
free passage to servants in the Caribbees ; (4) more strict injunctions
to Lord Willoughby in the matter ; (5) the great men of England to
be obliged to settle plantations there ; (6) the Royal Company to be
obliged to furnish the necessary negroes yearly on easy terms to the
poorer sort of planters ; (7) that the meaner sort of the people that
lie on the parish throughout the three nations be sent thither, and
delinquents sold for five or seven years ; (8) that encouragement be
given to Germans now oppressed by the Turk, and to all other nations,
by making them as free as the English ; and (9) that power be given
for making a coin of the alloy and weight of that of New England,
about 10d. to the English shilling. This would furnish 20,000
trained soldiers and 30,000 inhabitants, and then the most cautious,
whose bags now lye in the dark, will bring them out to improve
their talent in so fruitful and secure a place, for it is an undeniable
truth every shilling now gained from those people is 20s. loss to
his Majesty. Finds his character of Col. Morgan short of his worth,
and shall cherish him as a brother ; he wants the money owing him
from the Exchequer, in order to purchase 30 or 40 blacks to maintain
his wife and seven children. Princes that go not forward go backward,
and their Royal growth is safest when least perceptible ; the
well filling this navel (as the Spaniards call it) of the Indies may
notably further this growth. Indorsed, Rec. 5 July, answrd July 10th,
though referred to the Committee of Jamaica for further consideration.
Read at the Committee 16 July 1664. 6 pp. Incloses,
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739. I. Sir Thos. Modyford to (the Governor of San Domingo).
His Majesty of Great Britain has commanded him to take
charge of his island of Jamaica, and strictly enjoined him
to restrain all his subjects from molesting the ships or
invading the territories of his Catholic Majesty, nothing
being more desirable to his Royal nature than that his
subjects should live in friendly and good correspondence
with all their neighbours ; in order to which his Majesty's
Ambassador is now residing in the Catholic King's court,
well instructed to make all those tenders which may produce
an everlasting friendship betwixt these most glorious
nations. In the meantime let us not only forbear all acts
of hostility, but give each other the free use of our respective
harbours and the civility of wood, water, and provisions
for money. Promises himself by the hands of Col. Theodore
Cary and Capt. John Perrott a reply suitable to the sincerity
of what is here written. Aboard his Majesty's ship
Marmaduke, 1664, April 30. Indorsed by Modyford, Copy
of my letter to the Governor of Sta. Domingo.
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739. II. Sir Thos. Modyford's commission to Col. Theodore Cary
and Capt. John Perrott. To present his letters to the President-General
of San Domingo in Hispaniola, and to treat
with him touching a good correspondence and commerce
betwixt his Majesty's subjects of Jamaica and those of the
Catholic King in the Indies, according to such instructions
as they shall herewith receive. 1664, April 30.
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739. III. Sir Thos. Modyford's instructions to Col. Cary and Capt.
Perrott touching their negotiations with the Spaniards at
Sta. Domingo. After magnifying his Majesty's power, his
great love of peace, and the settlement of Jamaica, and
how much all friendly proceedings will be for the advantage
of both nations, they will obtain discourse with the
inhabitants, and very warily treat with them for a trade
at Jamaica, especially for blacks ; and if they can, persuade
some to come in the ketch to treat with Modyford, offering
to leave hostages as security. If complying, to advise their
correspondents in Carthagena of this amicable overture,
and, if they can, obtain some testimonial from the Governor,
which may be made use of hereafter. Having stayed so
long as the matter may require, they are to order Capt.
Ensom to sail directly for Point Cagway, where Modyford
hopes to meet them. 1664, May 2.
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739. IV. Sir Thos. Modyford to Col. Morgan. Has advised the
ablest planters of Jamaica of his coming with a considerable
number of freemen and labourers, and has desired them to
repair to the several ports to hire them, whereby the disorders
and ruin which have happened to former passengers
will be prevented. Therefore desires him to put into Port
Morant, Lygonee, Point Cagway, and other ports, to give
opportunity of making contracts with the inhabitants.
None but merchants and traders to be landed at the town
of Point Cagway. Has sent his servant Samuel Conyers
on these ships, to whom let Modyford's one-half of the
prisoners be delivered and his goods and provisions got on
shore. Is confident he will find Sir Chas. Lyttelton very
glad of his coming, and until his own coming, which will
be within 10 days, he is to act with Sir Chas. and the
Council. 1664, May 2.
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739. V. Sir Thos. Modyford to Sir Chas. Lyttelton. Has received
[22nd April] his Majesty's commission for the government
of Jamaica, in which Lord Windsor's commission is repealed
and the honourable bearer (Col. Morgan) appointed Lieut.-Governor ;
to both which his loyal compliance cannot be
doubted. The sickness of the Westergate and the number
of planters going with Modyford cause his stay awhile, but
hopes on the Marmaduke, Admiral Stokes, to be with him
within 10 or 12 days. 1664, May 2.
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739. VI. Sir Thos. Modyford's commission to Col. Samuel Berwicke,
Francis Raynes, Serj.-Maj. James Beeke, Captains Sam.
Newton, Jeremiah Eggington, and Thos. Modyford, John
Searle, John Hallett, John Rokesby, and Thos. Kendall.
To treat with any free inhabitants of Barbadoes desiring
to go to Jamaica, to procure ships for their transportation,
and to make any reasonable contracts. 1664, May 10.
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739. VII. Sir Thos. Modyford's instructions to Col. Berwicke and
the above Commissioners. To make known the great privileges
his Majesty hath granted to the inhabitants of
Jamaica, which are recapitulated. "I have nothing to
return to you but thanks for the pains you may take
herein and the hopes of those rewards which usually attend
persons that serve so gracious a prince as our Sovereign."
1664, May 10. Together 10 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII.,
Nos. 65, 65 I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII.]
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May 10.
Barbadoes.
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740. Copy of the above letter of Sir Thos. Modyford to Sec. Sir
Henry Bennet. Indorsed by Williamson, Rec. October 7. 6 pp.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 66.]
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May 10.
Barbadoes.
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741. Extract from the above letter of Sir Thos. Modyford concerning
the encouragement of a free passage to poor persons who
desire to go from Barbadoes to Jamaica in merchant vessels and not
in his Majesty's ships. Indorsed, Proposals concerning Jamaica
[submitted to the King and the Council for Foreign Plantations].
p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 67.]
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May 18.
Boston.
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743. Minute of a General Court held at Boston, being a report of
the proceedings of the Commissioners appointed by the General
Courts of the Massachusetts and New Plymouth Colonies, determining
the boundary line, hitherto undetermined, betwixt said colonies.
That the line stretched from Accord pond upon such a course and so
marked, and so as aforesaid to the White Oak Angle tree, from that
Oak westerly to Neetmocke river as before described, is and shall be
accounted and reputed the true and settled bound line between the
colonies of the Massachusetts and New Plymouth ; and that the line
first drawn from said Angle tree to Accord pond shall not be understood
to be the line of division, it being wholly within Plymouth
The length of the whole line is by estimation about forty miles.
Signed by Eleazer Lusher, Roger Clapp, Joshua Fisher, Josiah
Winslow, Constant Southworth, and Robert Hudson. Read in full
court, May 29, 1664. Copy certified by Edw. Rawson, Secretary.
3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 67*.]
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May 25.
Jamaica.
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744. Lt. Col. Thos. Lynch to Sec. Sir Henry Bennet [Lord Arlington].
Sir Chas. Lyttelton having committed the Government to the
Council, Lynch was chosen President and made Commander-in-Chief
of the militia and Judge of the island, and on 2nd instant Sir
Chas. sailed hence in the St. John's Head for London. Under Sir
Charles's government the people have become obedient and industrious.
They have many hopeful plantations if supplied with
negroes, but the inhabitants do not number more than 5,000 at the
most, and they are taking an exact account to give Sir Thos. Modyford
at his arrival. Good store of provisions, and not one person
sick in the whole island. Their settlements being scattered, near
180 miles along this vast country will be commodious to the new
Commissioners, who will find more than enough vacant land for
planting. People generally pleased with Modyford's coming, and
the more so, as he is of the Lord General's recommendation, who
once before sent the fittest and worthiest man in the world. The
Deputy Governor, Col. Morgan, arrived 3 or 4 days since, and the
Governor is expected in five or ten more days in the Marmaduke,
with 600 or 800 people. The Swallow and Westergate went to
San Domingo, where Col. Cary, C. Hemlock, and J. Perrott obtained
a favourable answer to Sir Thos. Modyford's overtures of peace, but
it is improbable Jamaica will be advantaged by it, for it is not in
the power of the Governor to have or suffer a commerce, nor will any
necessity or advantage bring private Spaniards to Jamaica, for we
and they have used too many mutual barbarisms to have a sudden
correspondence. When the King was restored the Spaniards thought
the manners of the English nation changed too, and adventured two
or three vessels to Jamaica for blacks, but the surprises and irruptions
by C. Mings, for which the Governor of San Domingo has
upbraided the Commisioners, made the Spaniards redouble their
malice, and nothing but an order from Spain can gain us admittance
or trade, especially while they are so plentifully and cheaply supplied
with negroes by the Genoese, who have contracted to supply them
with 24,500 negroes in seven years, which the Spaniards have contracted
to receive from the Dutch at Curaao, on which cursed little
barren island they have now 1,500 or 2,000. Sec. Bennet may judge
by this whether the Royal Company had not best sell their negroes
by contract to the Genoese, and whether the best way to get the trade
and silver of America is not to seclude the Flemings out of Africa.
The calling in the privateers will be but a remote and hazardous
expedient, and can never be effectually done without five or six
men-of-war. If the Governor commands and promises a cessation
and it be not entirely complied with, his and the English faith will
be questioned and the design of trade further undone by it. Naked
orders to restrain or call them in will teach them only to keep out
of this port, and force them (it may be) to prey on us as well as
the Spaniards. What compliance can be expected from men so
desperate and numerous, that have no other element but the sea,
nor trade but privateering. There may be above 1,500 of them in
about 12 vessels, who if they want English commissions can have
French and Portugal papers, and if with them they take anything
they are sure of a good reception at New Netherlands and Tortugas.
And for this we shall be hated and cursed, for the Spaniards call all
the rogues in these seas, of what nation soever, English. And this
will happen, though we live tamely in Jamaica, and sit still and see
the French made rich by the prizes, and the Dutch by the trade of
the West Indies. We hope at last to thrive by planting, and are
sure none of our inhabitants will now go to sea or follow another
C. Mings. Those that were so disposed are long since gone and lost
to us. If Sir Charles has arrived, supposes he has informed Sec.
Bennet how many indignities the French of Tortugas and Hispaniola
have put upon them, and that they infinitely increase and will be bad
neighbours if not timely suppressed. The gold-finding Jew, Senr.
Abram Israel de Pisa, has sailed for England, and left here ore and
directions to find the gold, but we are all infidels, because the miracle
is to be wrought in our country ; we believe he has really found and
cured some little of vanilla and pimenta. The bearer of this, Jacob
Watson May, is Sir Wm. Davison's nephew and agent. 4 pp. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 68.]
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May 28.
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745. Warrant to the Attorney-General. Whereas his Majesty
lately granted to Francis Lord Willoughby, of Parham, the Island of
Barbuda, within 17 N. lat., and eight or ten leagues from Antigua,
uninhabited save by cannibals, for seven years from Michaelmas last,
rendering to his Majesty a moiety of the profits thereof ; his Majesty's
pleasure is that he prepare a bill, to pass the Great Seal containing
a grant to John Collins, gentleman, and his assigns, of one half
of the said moiety of said profits for the residue of the said term ;
and also a further grant of said island for 31 years next ensuing
after said term of seven years, rendering to his Majesty, his heirs
and successors, four per cent. of all goods exported out of said
island, together with the same dues and profits reserved to his
Majesty in Jamaica, see ante, No. 514. p. [Dom. Entry Bk.,
Chas. II., Vol. XVI., p. 134.]
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