America and West Indies: September 1664

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 1664', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668, (London, 1880) pp. 231-235. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp231-235 [accessed 25 March 2024]

September 1664

Sept. 1.
Hartford.
796. Minute of a meeting of the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England, held at Hartford. Commend to the General Courts of the United Colonies respectively, that upon advice from the Commissioners to consult their proposals according to their instructions from his Majesty, they give timely notice to their confederates, to the end if they see meet, they may send their Commissioners invested with full power to advise and act in any case of common government to the whole, that so they may approve themselves faithful and loyal to his Majesty. Extracted out of the Acts of the Commissioners by John Allyn, Secretary of Connecticut. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 101.]
Sept. 6.
Maryland.
797. The titles of nine Acts made at a session of Assembly begun Sept. 15th, 1663, and continued by adjournment till Sept. 6th, 1664, by the Honourable Charles Calvert, Esq., viz. :(1) for the preservation of the several harbours within this Province ; (2) for ferries ; (3) for providing a magazine ; (4) an additional Act to an Act concerning the payment of fees due from criminal persons ; (5) for reviving certain laws within this Province ; (6) concerning negroes and other slaves ; (7) of encouragement for Wm. Smith in his undertaking the country s work at St. Mary's ; (8) for preservation of certain articles made with the Susquehannaugh Indians ; (9) for the burgesses' expenses and other public debts. Together 5 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. LIII, pp. 93-98.]
Sept. 7.
Whitehall.
798. Order in Council on report annexed from the Council for Foreign Plantations, recommending the erection of an office petitioned for (see ante, No. 769) for registering of all persons going voluntarily to the Plantations, as being useful and prejudicial to none, because the registering is left voluntary, directing that a commission be prepared appointing Roger Whitley to be master of the said office. Annexed,
Commission addressed to the Duke of York as Lord High Admiral and Warden of the Cinque Ports, and to the other officers of the ports, for the erecting of an "office for taking and registering the consents, agreements, and covenants of such persons, male and female, as shall voluntarily go or be sent as servants to any of the Plantations in America ;" certificates of consent are to be delivered under the seal of the office to the merchants with whom the covenant is made, and Roger Whitley is appointed master of said office, with the fee of 40s. a year and such allowances as the planters agree to give him. 3 pp. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CII., No. 27, Cal., p. 4.]
Sept. 7.
Newport.
799. Benedict Arnold and William Brenton to the Commissioners for New England. The deep sense fixed upon the heart of the whole colony of the King's grace and favour to this Plantation in making them a body politic and corporate endowed with many eminent privileges, and naming it the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which colony as one man, by their approved faithful gentleman John Clark, their late agent for procuring the charter, congratulate the Commissioners upon their safe and happy arrival, and present their humble thanks to his Majesty, and beg them to give credit to Clark's further expressions of their thankfulness ; their worthy friends Capt. John Cranston and William Dyre will accompany John Clark. They hope the Commissioners have sent those lines sent by Capt. George Baxter ; they did not then know where the Commissioners had gone to, some said to Oyster Bay, others to Manhadoes. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 102.]
1664?
Sept.?
800. The King to (Francis) Lord Willoughby (Governor of Barbadoes). Refers to his Majesty's previous letter of 9th May 1662 on behalf of Sir William Davidson [see ante, No. 296]. Has also seen his Lordship's letter of May 15, 1662, to the President and Council in pursuance of said recommendation, and is the more surprised to hear fresh complaints from Sir William Davidson not only that he reaps no benefit by said letters, but that he is met with more obstruction by an action commenced on his Lordship's account. His Majesty therefore desires that these delays and hindrances may be repaired with justice and expedition. 1 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XIV., p. 34 .]
Sept. 14.
Santa Lucia.
801. Lord Willoughby to Monsieur Tracey [Governor of the French West Indies]. Will be glad to further his desires for a strict alliance between the two nations in those parts. In settling Sta. Lucia, Lord Willoughby gave particular directions to treat with all respect and civil usage any French that might be on the island, who were thought to be but few, dwelling there for better convenience of fishing and hunting wild hogs, and not intending any planting or settlement. The island belongs by ancient title and occupation to the English, though it has only lately been taken under the immediate protection of the King. Wishes he could have treated with M. Tracey upon any doubts he may have on the matter, but since the latter's hands are tied until he receive orders from home, promises to do nothing contrary to the assurance he has given of his desire to maintain all amity between the two nations under their respective Governments. 1 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 103.]
Sept. 14.
Westminster.
802. Privy Seal for Lord Chancellor Clarendon to prepare Letters Patent under the Great Seal to the following effect :Whereas divers merchants, planters, and masters of ships trading to Plantations in America have by petition informed his Majesty that many evil-minded people after they have listed themselves to serve in said Plantations and received money for diet, at Gravesend or other ports, pretend they were carried away without their consents, to the scandal, vexation, loss, and discouragement of said planters, &c. ; and have besought his Majesty to appoint some person in the city of London, before whom such persons as desire to go as servants may declare that they go voluntarily, which will not only be a real means to prevent the betraying and spiriting away of people, but also a testimony of the fair dealing of the merchants, &c. ; his Majesty by these presents creates an office for registering the consents, agreements, and covenants of persons wishing to go or be sent to said Plantations, and there shall be an officer appointed by his Majesty, to be called the master of the said registry, who shall have a convenient place in the city of London, and also (if occasion shall require) in any other port of England and Wales, to take cognizance of such persons, draw up the covenants betwixt them and the respective merchants and planters, and register them in books for that purpose to be yearly kept, together with a declaration of their voluntary consent attested by their names, and he shall make certificates of such consents and covenants and deliver them to the merchant, planter, or master ; and there shall be annexed to said office a common seal for sealing said certificates. And by these presents his Majesty grants to Roger Whitley, Esq. the aforesaid office, with a yearly annuity or fee of 40s., together with such allowance as the merchants and others (who shall use said office) shall agree to give, till some other allowance be settled by Act of Parliament. Provided that this grant shall not extend to the registering of factors apprentices or menial servants, but only of such servants, male or female, as are entertained to serve in said Plantations for a certain number of years, according to their indentures and the custom of the Plantation whither they shall be sent ; and that said merchants, planters, and others shall not be compelled to bring such servants as aforesaid to have their consents and covenants registered, but may, if they think fit, transport them without cognizance of said office. [Privy Seals, 16 Chas. II., Part I., No. E. 8.]
Sept. 14.
Whitehall.
803. Memorandum of warrant for a Privy Seal for 57,000l. to be paid to Sir George Carteret, toward defraying the charge of setting forth for eight months service into Guinea, eight of his Majesty's ships manned with 1,285 men and four merchants ships manned with 570 men, according to estimate of the Duke of York of 8th September last. p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XVI., p. 233.]
Sept. 20.
Barbadoes.
804. Governor Lord Willoughby to the King. Complaints by the Council and Assembly of the Leeward Islands, of the heavy and insupportable pressures they groan under by the restraint laid upon them in their trade by the two Acts of Parliament, for the increase of Shipping and Navigation, and for the increase of Trade. True there is a distinction to be made in his Majesty's islands, some of them being better able to bear these Acts, as Barbadoes and Nevis, but they lived twice as happily in the former times of freedom, before these Acts were made, for he has lately seen 40 ships forced to lie still many months for want of lading, and as these two islands pay the 4 per cent., which none of the others pay, they hope it will be a prevailing argument in their favour. Incloses, [see also No. 731.]
804. I. Petition of the inhabitants of Antigua to Governor Lord Willoughby. That he will represent to the King the hard pressure and disadvantages which they suffer, and their humble request for a grant of free trade. Also, The reasons, motives, or inducements, whereby to move the King to grant them free trade ; it is complained that the island being debarred from free trade may prove of ill consequence ; the English in it were still decreasing, while the French enjoy that privilege and have increased and grown to "numerousness and riches." Signed by Robt. Carden, Charles Ghest, Daniel Fitch, Samuel Winthrop, Phillip Warner, Henry Ashton, Robt. Poynte, Richard Borastone, Jere. Wretkins, John De Lannoy, Gyles Blizard, Obadiah Bradshaw, John Campbell, Walrick Richard, Richard Ayres, Mark Brewster, and Joseph Lee, Secretary.
804. II. Petition of the Council and Assembly of Montserrat to Governor Lord Willoughby. Set forth the advantages of free trade and how the French plantations have increased in strength and wealth through the enjoyment of it, whereas they are much impoverished and weakened, caused by the want of supplies and people deserting their settlements. Pray that he will so address the King that they may be restored to their pristine happiness. Signed by Arthur Hodges, Oliver Handley, Wm. Bagnall, George Wyke, Christopher Hart, Wm. Irish, Wm. Bentley, James Haszine, Reg. Osborne, Nath. Reade, Samuel Rollstone, Anthony Bryskett, and Ric. Angus, Secretary.
804. III. Petition of the Council and Representatives of St. Kitts to Governor Lord Willoughby. That the French in the island daily increase in strength, power, towns, villages, and estate by reason of the freedom of trade they enjoy ; whereas they will be constrained to desert this colony, which hath been the first settled by our nation in these parts, through the want of trade. Pray that he will represent their distressed condition to the King, and intercede that they may enjoy a free trade with all nations in amity with his Majesty. Signed by Chas. Regines, John Cooke, Sam. Payne, Will. Watt, Jo. Watling, Clement Everard, John Bedingfield, The. Loverawne, Henry Creeke, Wm. Varies, Wm. Freeman, and Nic. Taylor of the Council. Thos. Hancock, Roger Ebrington, Will. Rogers, John Law, Rich. Roberts, Anth. Horner, Hen. Bing, John Estridge, Tho. Johnson, Geo. Taylor, Wm. Fry, Adam Jessepp, and Richard Paul of the Assembly. Together 5 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., Nos. 104, 104 I., II., III.]
Sept. 20.
Virginia.
805. Nine Acts passed at a Grand Assembly, held at James City, Virginia, by prorogation from 10th September 1663, to 20th September 1664, but the titles only of two Acts are given, against which is written in the margin, Obsolete, Needless. Printed in Col. Entry Bks., Nos. 89, 90, 91, see ante, No. 562. [Col. Entry Bk., No. 88, pp. 57-59.]
Sept. 24. 806. Articles agreed upon in Fort Albany, between Ohgehando and other Indians, who are named, on the one part, and Col. George Cartwright in behalf of Col. Nicolls, Governor under the Duke of York, on the other part. Also, Further articles proposed by the same Indian Princes and consented to by Col. Cartwright in behalf of Col. Nicolls, 25th September 1664. Indorsed, "Peace with the Mohawks." Printed in New York Documents, III., 67-68. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XVIII., No. 105.]
Sept. 28. 807. The King to the Farmers of Customs. Whereas his Majesty has thought fit, for the advancement of Jamaica, that commodities thereof be not burdened here with any import or custom during the term of five years from the 18th February last ; his Majesty's pleasure is that all ships from Jamaica bringing a certificate from the Governor that the goods are of the growth of that island, be suffered to unlade in any ports of the kingdom, free of impost or custom for the said space of five years. p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XVI., p. 251.]