America and West Indies: December 1665

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: December 1665', 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/pp338-351 [accessed 4 October 2024].

'America and West Indies: December 1665', 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 October 4, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp338-351.

"America and West Indies: December 1665". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668. Ed. W Noel Sainsbury(London, 1880), , British History Online. Web. 4 October 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp338-351.

December 1665

Dec. 5.
Oxford.
1097. The King to the Commissioners of New England. His Majesty warned them in his late letters to apply themselves to secure the King's Plantations from the hostilities of the Dutch, and having cause to apprehend that the French may break with his Majesty, the Commissioners are directed to observe the same cautions with them, and further to damnify the French to the utmost of their power in their adjacent Plantations, with as much privacy as they can ; the whole management is left to them, "not being able to direct you particularly therein at this distance." Signed by the King and countersigned by Sec. Lord Arlington, with seal. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 140 ; also Dom. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIV., No. 2.]
Dec. 5.
Oxford.
1098. The King to [Governor of Barbadoes?]. His Majesty has in his late letters warned him to secure the island from the Dutch. The remainder of this letter is a copy of the preceding. Draft partly in Williamson's hand. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 141.]
Dec. 5.
Oxon.
1099. Sec. Lord Arlington to Lord Willoughby, Governor of Barbadoes. His brother will have advertised Lord Willoughby of the motives and reasons that have prevailed with the King to allow of the Governor's return home ; will only say this one word, "that it is not an easy thing to persuade the King that you have done any [thing?] which you cannot very justly own, upon which assurance your Excellency may come hither with all quietness of mind to vindicate yourself and to shame those who have falsely aspersed you, towards which I shall be very glad to contribute all good offices on my part." The King has this day commanded Arlington to prepare a letter for his Majesty's signature, directing Gov. Willoughby to have a care of the French in all the neighbouring Plantations, since they have in effect broken with his Majesty, and further directing that he begin with them especially at St. Christopher's rather than expect what they will do upon our countrymen. 1 p. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 55.]
Dec. 5.
Boston.
1100. Sir Robert Carr to [Sec. Sir Wm. Morrice]. Upon the report of Col. Cartwright being taken by a Dutch privateer, again troubles him concerning his own business lest what he wrote before should not come to his hands. There is a tract of land lying from Coweset south and south-west to a river called Sagatucket running into the sea about Point Judith in the Narraganset country which he desires to settle upon. He knows the King's promise to him (Carr) "in your own house at a private music." The little he got at Delaware and for which he hazarded his life, he is told is given away and taken possession of. Begs his assistance to have the land above-mentioned granted to him by patent. If the King keep Delaware in his own hands it will make a very convenient trading place for the use of the King's Province. Advantages of the Eastern parts being under his Majesty's own Government ; all the people very desirous he should be their Governor, and would have altered their petition to the King, but Col. Cartwright could not stay. If the King will take these Provinces under his own Government, Carr will serve his Majesty as faithfully as any he shall set over them ; hopes he will stand his friend at this distance. Wishes the King would take some speedy course for redress of the grievances complained of and the suppression of the insolencies of these persons here. Hopes he will be his friend concerning the contents of the inclosed to Col. Cartwright, which he has left open for his perusal. The reason is something has been maliciously reported concerning him which has come to the King's ears, and made him displeased with Carr, but which he doubts not to clear himself of, If Col. Cartwright be taken, begs he will present the inclosed letter (in his stead) to the King. Printed in New York Documents, III., 109, 110. Incloses,
1100. I. Petition of John on behalf of his brother Daniel Hoare to the New England Commissioners. Details his proceedings for recovery of his brother's share of his estate, in partnership with Lieut. Richard Cooke, of Boston, merchant, but instead of justice was fined 50l. without any examination, or notice to answer any charge against him, and for want of payment sent to gaol. Prays that justice may speedily be administered without partiality in all the actions now depending.
1100. II. Sir Robert Carr to Col. Cartwright. If as is here reported it was his misfortune to be taken by a Dutch privateer, and the writings be lost, he refers him to their letters and papers sent by Thirston to Lord Arlington [see ante, No. 1089]. Commits to his discretion his inclosed letter and petition to his Majesty. Boston, 5 Dec.
1100. III. Sir Robert Carr to the King [Cal., ante, No. 1031]. Copy attested by S. Wheat. Boston, 1st Aug. 1665.
1100. IV. Petition of Sir Robert Carr to the King. His Majesty promised petitioner at his going for New England, that something there should be granted him for his advantage ; that little which petitioner had gotten at Delaware with the hazard of his life is given to another. Prays he may have that tract of land in the King's Province lying from Coweset south and south-west to a river called Sagatucket, running into the sea about Point Judith, granted to him by patent ; also that he may be entrusted with the Government of either the King's Province or the Province of Maine, or that which Mr. Mason lays claim to, if his Majesty keep them under his own Royal Government. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 142, 142 I.-IV.]
Dec. 12. 1101. Duke of Albemarle to Sec. Lord Arlington. There is danger of the Dutch and French being beforehand at the island. Two ships should be sent from his Majesty to the Governor of Barbadoes about the business, to help transport men from one island to another. Incloses,
Information from a Dutch prisoner that the Dutch have several ships for Guinea ; their private men-of-war are to be all in by the last day of January ; the owner intends sending them to the West Indies to spend away their provision. They have a free trade to the French Plantations upon condition that they will transport their soldiers from island to island. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXXXVIII., No. 107, Cal., p. 98.]
Dec. 12. 1102. Warrant (to the Commissioners of the Ordnance) for 300 barrels of powder and match proportionable to be delivered to John Champanty for Barbadoes and other the Caribbee Islands. p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XXII., p. 327.]
Dec. 14. 1103. George Carr to (Sec. Lord Arlington?) In obedience to his Lordship's commands, here are the transactions of the Commissioners in New England briefly set down, each colony by itself. The papers by which all this and much more might have been demonstrated were lost in obeying his Majesty's command by keeping company with Capt. Pierce, who was laden with masts ; for otherwise in probability we might have been in England 10 days before we met the Dutch caper, who after two hours' fight took, stripped, and landed us in Spain. Hearing also some Frenchmen discourse in New England of a passage from the West Sea to the South Sea, and of a great trade of beaver in that passage, and afterwards meeting with sufficient proof of the truth of what they had said, and knowing what great endeavours have been made for the finding out of a north-west passage, he thought them the best present he could possibly make his Majesty, and persuaded them to come to England. Begs his Lordship to procure some consideration for his loss, suffering, and service. Annexed,
Connecticut.This colony thanked the King for sending Commissioners, and made great promises of loyalty and obedience, and submitted appeals to his Majesty's Commissioners, who determined some differences amongst them. All forms of justice pass in his Majesty's name. All that desire it may be free of their corporation. They will not hinder any from the sacraments, or using the Common Prayerbook, provided they hinder not the maintenance of the public minister. They will amend anything that hath been done derogatory to his Majesty's honour. The bounds between the Duke's Province and Connecticut were mistaken by wrong information, for it was not intended they should come nearer Hudson's river than 20 miles. Have nothing to say against Duke Hamilton's patent, but that their writings were burnt, and they bought that land of Lords Say and Brooke, and others, and his Majesty has confirmed it to them ; they never knew the late Marquis Hamilton had a grant of it, for he never sent any to take possession of it. Their eastern bounds are "a line drawn westward from the midst of the ford in Pawcatuck river, near to Shawe's house ; their northern bounds is the south line of the Massachusetts, which as they complain is stretched much too southerly." They have many good rivers and harbours, many scattering towns, and a scholar to their minister in every town or village, but no place fortified except Seybrooke Fort, which is much gone to decay, and for the most part they are rigid Presbyterians.
Rhode Island And Providence Plantations.They thanked the King for sending Commissioners and made great demonstrations of loyalty and obedience. Approved that appeals should be made to his Majesty's Commissioners, who having determined some causes, referred others to their General Court, Governor, and others, some of which they again remitted to the Commissioners. All proceedings in justice are in his Majesty's name. All who desire it are admitted freemen. Liberty of conscience and worship allowed to all who "live civilly." Anything in their laws or practice derogatory to his Majesty's honour, they will amend. The Marquis of Hamilton's patent takes in all Rhode Island colonies, and about half of Connecticut. The Nanhygansetts Sachems in 1664 by writing surrendered themselves, their people and country, to the late King's protection ; two of which Sachems surrendered themselves, people and country, before the Commissioners, and delivered the very deed made in 1644, which had been carefully kept by Mr. Gorton, &c., whereupon the Commissioners entered upon the country in the King's name and named it the King's Province, have taken the natives into his Majesty's protection, and appointed justices of the peace to govern it, for this country is almost all the land belonging to this colony, and therefore they have ordered that the magistrates for the colony should be justices of the peace for the King's Province. The Sachems thankfully received two coats in his Majesty's name, and in acknowledgment of their subjection are to pay yearly on the 29th May two wolf skins ; and did now send "two caps of peag and two clubbs inlaid with peag for a present to the King, and a feather mantle and a porcupine bagg for a present to the Queene, which were all taken by the Dutch." One of these princes named Pessius, desired that no strong liquors might be brought into that country, for he had had 32 men die of drinking it. These Indian princes gave a long petition complaining of violence and injustice from the Massachusetts, amongst others that they had caused them to be fined, and then took their whole country in mortgage (according to the remonstrance sent to his Majesty) ; but there could be no redress, the Massachusetts refusing to let the Commissioners have the hearing of appeals. Their western bounds are determined with Connecticut ; their northern must be the Massachusetts southern line, which they complain to be too southerly ; their eastern bounds with New Plymouth could not be determined, Rhode Island claiming a thread of land three miles broad all the length of the mainland next to Nanhygansett Bay, which New Plymouth could not part with, whereupon the Commissioners appointed the water to be the natural bounds of each colony till his Majesty's pleasure be known. William Breton, Deputy Governor of Rhode Island, having bought, desires he may continue to possess, a farm on that thread of land, though it fall within New Plymouth ; and Dr. Alcock, having bought Block Island for 400l., desires he may not be dispossessed, he submitting to the government of Rhode Island : both these petitions to the King lost. This colony, which now admits all religions, even Quakers and Generalists, was begun by such as the Massachusetts would not suffer to live amongst them, and is generally hated by the other colonies, who endeavoured to suppress them, supporting other Indians against the Narragansets. The Commissioners of the united colonies disposed of great part of this country, pretending they had conquered it from the Pequid Indians ; but evidence being made that the Narragansett had conquered it first, and that the right was in him who sold it to the Rhode Islanders, his Majesty's Commissioners determined it for the latter. The Massachusetts maintained Punham, a petty Sachem, 20 years against this colony and his chief Sachem, and with armed soldiers besieged and took prisoners Messrs. Gorton, Howden, Wykes, Greene, and others, put them in chains at Boston, and took 80 head of cattle from them. This could never be acknowledged a colony, till his Majesty's charter was published, though in 1643, finding the King gone from London, they took a charter from the Lords and Commons, which was more than Newhaven pretended to, or Connecticut could show, yet these two were admitted colonies in their great combination and Rhode Island slighted. Nanhygansett Bay is the largest and safest port in New England, and fittest for trade. There are two scattered towns besides two upon the mainland and four small villages. Only limestone is found, and the Governor and magistrates serve at their own charges. Here is the greatest number of Indians, yet they never had anything allowed towards civilising and converting them. There is no place of strength fortified. The best English grass and most sheep are in this Province, the ground being very fruitful, ewes bring ordinarily two lambs, corn yields 80 for one, and in some places has grown 26 years together without manuring. Not any places for the worship of God, there being so many sects, but they sometimes associate in one house, sometimes in another.
New Plymouth.Thanked the King for sending Commissioners, made great promises of loyalty and obedience, and submitted appeals to the Commissioners. All forms of justice are in his Majesty's name. Sometimes constrained to compel men to be freemen, so far are they from hindering any. None hindered from enjoying the sacraments, or using any form of worship not against Christianity, provided they contribute to the maintenance of the public minister ; and will amend anything derogatory to his Majesty's honour. The colony is seated upon a neck of land, the barrennest part of the country. Were the first planters in New England, though the Massachusetts got the first charter, and have much straightened them, by stretching their line too much westward. Said they were too poor to renew (their charter), whereupon the Commissioners offered to get it renewed at their own charge, if they would let his Majesty choose one of three, whose names themselves (the colonists) should send to the King, to be their Governor, and this to be done every three or five years. The Commissioners thought if this had succeeded well in the first colony visited, it might have been a good example ; but the General Assembly, with many thanks and great protestations of loyalty, chose to be as they are. They have about 12 small towns, one saw mill, "one bloomery for iron," neither good river, nor good harbour, nor any place of strength ; and are so poor, that they are not able to maintain scholars for their ministers, but are necessitated to make use of a gifted brother in some places.
The Massachusetts.This colony was the last and hardliest persuaded to use his Majesty's name in their forms of justice. At the first coming of the Commissioners, were many untruths raised and sent into other colonies ; as that the King had sent to raise 5,000l. yearly for his use, &c., whereupon Major Hawthorne made a seditious speech at the head of his company, and the late Governor another at the meeting-house at Boston, but neither were so much as questioned for it by their magistrates. The Commissioners visited all other colonies before this, hoping that their submission would have abated the refractoriness of this, which the Commissioners much feared, and that the assistance of Col. Nicolls would have prevailed much, but nothing could prevail with them to let the Commissioners hear so much as those particular causes, Mr. Deane's and the Indian Sachem's, which the King had commanded them to take care of ; yet they proclaimed by sound of trumpet that the General Court was the supremest judicatory in that Province, and that the Commissioners pretending to hear appeals was a breach of the privileges granted by the late King, and confirmed by his Majesty's own letter ; by which they have silenced about 30 petitions for justice against them, but which were lost at sea. To elude his Majesty's desire that men civil and of competent estates be admitted freemen, an Act has passed that a housekeeper 24 years old bringing certificates of civil life, orthodoxy in faith, and paying 10s. at a single rate, may make his desire known to the Court when it shall be put to the vote. The Commissioners have found that scarce three in 100 pay 10s. at a single rate, and that a church member, though he be a servant and pay not 2d., may be a freeman. None admitted but members of their church to the Communion, or their children to Baptism ; yet they marry their children to such, if they be rich. Mr. Jourdain imprisoned and barbarously used for baptizing children. Those whom they will not admit to Communion, they compel to come to their sermons, by forcing from them 5s. for every neglect, yet these men thought their own paying of 1s. for not coming to prayers in England an insupportable tyranny. They have put to death and banished many Quakers on pain of death, and then executed them for returning, and have beaten some to a jelly, and been exceeding cruel to others, and say the King allows it in his letters to them, yet they pray constantly for their persecuted brethren in England. Many things in their laws derogatory to his Majesty's honour, the Commissioners desired might be altered, but nothing as yet done. Amongst others, who ever keeps Christmas Day is to pay 5l. A map of their territories made by guess at their direction ; in it Fort Albany is claimed, and beyond it all the lands to the South Sea : by their south line they intrench upon New Plymouth, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and on the east they have usurped Capt. Masons's and Sir Ferdinando Gorge's patents, and say the Commissioners had nothing to do betwixt them and Mr. Gorge, because his Majesty had commanded them either to deliver possession to Mr. Gorge or give his Majesty reasons. The Governor sent a warrant to forbid the towns to meet to hear his Majesty's letter read concerning the fortifying of the harbours, or to do anything commanded by the Commissioners, and sent an unbeseeming letter to the Commissioners, both of which were lost at sea. Col. Whalley and Goff were entertained and feasted in every place after they were told they were traitors and ought to be apprehended. They were furnished at Cambridge with horses and a guide, and sent to Newhaven for security. Capt. Daniel Gooking being reported to have brought over and to manage their estates, the Commissioners seized his cattle in the King's Province for his Majesty's use, but he refused to answer before the Commissioners, so no more was done in it. Capt. Pierce, who transported Whalley and Goff into New England, may say something to their estate. They of this colony say that Charles I. granted them a charter as a warrant against himself and successors, and so long as they pay the fifth of all gold and silver ore they are not obliged to the King but by civility. They hope by writing to tire the King, the Lord Chancellor, and the Secretaries, and say they can easily spin out seven years by writing, and before that time a change may come ; nay some have dared to say, who knows what the event of this Dutch war may be. They furnished Cromwell with many instruments out of their corporation and college, and solicited him by one Mr. Winsloe to be declared a Free State, and now style and believe themselves to be so. They demand what taxes they please. Some few soldiers they keep at the castle ; the Governor has 100l. yearly, every magistrate 30l., &c. They convert Indians by hiring them to hear sermons, which the more generous natives scorn, and appointing rulers over tens, twenties, fifties, &c., but the lives, manners, and habits of those converted cannot be distinguished from those who are not. This colony, which has engrossed the whole trade of New England, is the richest. It hath many towns but not one regularly built within its just limits, which are "Seconnet Brook on the south-west, and Merrimack river on the northeast, and two right lines drawn from each of those two places, till they come within 20 miles of Hudson's river, for that river is already planted and given to his Royal Highness. Boston, the chief town, is on a peninsula in the bottom of a bay, which is a good harbour and full of fish. It was fortified this year 1665 with two block houses. The houses are generally wooden, the streets crooked, and neither days, months, seasons, churches, nor inns are known by their English names. At Cambridge they have a wooden college, with a brick pile of two bays for Indians, where the Commissioners saw but one. It may be feared that this college may afford as many schismatics to the church and the corporation as many rebels to the King as formerly they have done, if not timely prevented. In this Colony, too, the King has very many loyal subjects, who petition the Court for owning his Majesty, and since for complying with his Commissioners. Are sorry that so few (for there are scarce above eight of the most factions) should carry on so strong a faction, but they are so overawed they can do nothing to remedy it. They only say it is now with them as it was with the King's party in Cromwell's time. In Boston lie 10 iron guns, taken from the French fort in Cromwell's time, which would do well at Piscatoquay to defend the mouth of that river where the masts are laden. On Sept. 10, 1664 was published by order of the Court a paper to deter all from making any complaints to the Commissioners. The commodities are fish, sent to France, Spain, and the Straits, pipe-staves, masts, fir-boards, pitch, tar, pork, beef, horses, and corn, which they send to Virginia, Barbadoes, &c., and take tobacco and sugar for payment, which they send for England. There is good store of iron made in this Province. Their way of Government is Commonwealth-like ; their way of worship is rude, and called congregational ; they are zealous in it, for they persecute all other forms. [This Report so far as it relates to the Massachusetts is printed in New York Documents, III., 110-113.]
New Hampshire was granted to Capt. Robert Mason about 1635, and was to begin on the sea coast three miles easterly of Merrimack river, and reaches to Piscatoquay and 60 miles of that breadth up into the country, but now it is usurped by the Massachusetts, who pretend it is within their bounds, and that the people petitioned to be within their protection ; differences of opinion made a division amongst them, and some few who were for congregational churches did petition for their assistance, by which occasion, partly by force, partly by composition, they have engrossed the whole and named it Norfolk. When Massachusetts charter was first granted the mouths only of the rivers Charles and Merrimack were known, for they durst not travel far up the country, and a house was erected three large miles north from Merrimack, which for 17 years was called and known to be their bounds, and in that time was this patent granted to Capt. Mason. Mr. Wheelwright banished out of the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts. Mr. Mason and Mr. Cradock, first Governor of Massachusetts, who lived in London, agreed that the Massachusetts should have the land granted to Capt. Mason about Cape Anne, and Capt. Mason that beyond Merrimack river granted to the Massachusetts. This agreement was sent to Mr. Henry Jocelin to get recorded at Boston, but hearing Capt. Mason was dead he went not ; of this he made affidavit before the Commissioners, who forbore to do anything about the limits of this Province till this might be more fully proved, though the generality of the people petitioned to be taken from under the Massachusetts tyranny, as themselves styled it. The Massachusetts have since divided the land into several townships, very large and thin, three being on Piscatoquay river, which is a very good harbour, and very capable of fortification. Excellent masts are gotten, and dry docks might be made ; above 20 saw mills upon this river ; great store of pipestaves are made, and great store of good timber spoilt.
Maine begins at the eastern side of Piscatoway and reaches to Kenebeck river, and was so named and granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorges by Chas. I., but was usurped also by the Massachusetts, who named it Yorkshire. One gentleman, who refused to submit to the Massachusetts and suffered great losses, showed the Commissioners a warrant which the Massachusetts made, to have him brought to Boston alive or dead. Upon petition of the inhabitants, the Commissioners took this Province under his Majesty's protection and government and appointed justices of the peace to govern them. The inhabitants afterwards petitioned that they might always continue under his Majesty's immediate government, with Sir Robert Carr for their Governor. An Indian Sachem also, who lives near the great lake from whence flows Merrimack river, petitioned his Majesty to take him under his protection ; both petitions were lost at sea. But few towns, and much scattered, and rather farms than towns. In Casco Bay are very many islands, two outlets to the sea, many good harbours, and great store of fish, oysters, crabs, and lobsters. In all these Provinces are great store of wild ducks, geese and deer, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, barberries, bilberries, several sorts of oaks and pines, chestnuts and walnuts, sometimes for four or five miles together ; the more northerly the country, the better the timber is accounted.
Kennebeck.Upon the north-east side of Kennebeck river, upon Shipscot river, and upon Pemaquid, eight or ten miles asunder, are three small plantations belonging to his Royal Highness, the biggest of which has not above 30 houses, and very mean ones too, spread over at least eight miles. The people, for the most part fishermen, never had any government, and most of them have fled from other places to escape justice. Some of opinion that as many men may share in a woman as they do in a boat, and some have done so. The Commissioners have appointed the best in each place to be justice of the peace, and have ordered three of those next them in Maine to join with them in holding sessions. In these parts are the best white oaks for ship timber. All the lands granted to his Royal Highness in these northern parts of New England, except these three plantations, are also granted to Sir Thomas Temple in the patent of Nova Scotia. Indorsed, Mr. Madder, Mr. Mayo, at Boston ; Mr. Elliott, at ; Mr. Mayhew, at Martin's Vineyard ; Mr. Brown, at Sudbury ; Mr. Hubbard, at Hingham ; Mr. Hubbard of Ipswich ; Mr. Woodbridge of Newbery ; James Oliver of Boston ; John Porter ; Majr Hawthorne. 15 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 143.]
[Dec. 14.] 1104. Extract from the above, touching the Narragansett country. Indorsed, Extract out of the Report from his Maj. Commissrs for the affairs of New England in the year 1665. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 144.]
Dec. 15. 1105. Warrant to the Solicitor-General. To prepare a grant under the Great Seal of the office of Surveyor-General of the Plantation of Virginia, void by the death of Thomas Loving to Edmund Scarburgh, Esq., with all fees, &c. belonging thereto during the term of his life. p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 344.]
Dec. 22. 1106. Warrant to the Attorney-General. To prepare a grant of full power and authority to Sir Wm. Berkeley, our present Governor of Virginia, Sir Chichester Wrey, Sir John Denham, and Wm. Ashburnham, cofferer of the King's House, for renewing and putting in execution the powers and privileges contained in a former grant of the late King Charles I., giving Sir Wm. Berkeley license "to gather, make, and take snow and ice with this our kingdom of England and dominion of Wales, and to preserve and keep the same in such pits, caves, and cool places as he should think fit," saving to the King's loving subjects liberty to make and preserve snow and ice necessary for their own proper use. 1 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 340.]
Dec. 23. 1107. Sir John Knight to Williamson. His son has received from my Lords some packets which he has sent to Lord Willoughby with direction to cast them into the sea in case of danger ; has ordered him to send the other for New England with the first to Barbadoes under a cover to Lord Willoughby, to be sent on from thence. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXXXIX., No. 103, Cal., p. 113.]
Dec. 29
to 1666. Feb. 12.
1108. Relation of the Governor of Canada's march with 600 volunteers into the territories of the Duke of York in America. On the 29th December last M. Courcelle marched with near 600 men to take revenge on their inveterate enemies the Mohawks, for their murders and spoils for many years exercised in Canada upon the French and Indians of those parts, who being taken alive were usually tortured and eaten or burnt. All which furnished the French with heat enough to march over the Frozen Lake of Canada and snow 4 feet deep by the use of Indian snow shoes, "which hath the very form of a racket tied to each foot," their provisions being laid in slight sledges drawn by mastiff dogs. By the mistake of his guides he encamped on the 9th February within two miles of the small village of Schonectade, 20 miles in the woods beyond Fort Albany, in the territories of his Royal Highness, and three days march from the first castle of the Mohawks. Here the French encountered a party of the Mohawks, who drew 60 of them into an ambuscade, 11 were slain and divers wounded ; the report whereof was brought by the Indians, with the heads of four of the French, to the Commissary of Schonectade, who immediately despatched the news to Fort Albany, whence next day three of the principal inhabitants were sent to M. Coureelle to inquire his intentions of bringing such a body of armed men into his Majesty's dominions. The Governor replied that he came to destroy his enemies the Mohawks, without intention of visiting their Plantations, and had not heard of the reducing of those parts to his Majesty's obedience ; but desired he might be supplied with provisions for money, and that his wounded might be succoured at Albany ; to all which the emissaries freely consented. On the 12th February with great silence and diligence the French returned towards Canada. The cause of this sudden retreat is not known, "but surely so bold and hardy an attempt (circumstances considered) hath not happened in any age, all which vanished like false fire," and has given new courage to the Mohawks, who pursued them to the Lake, but only took three and found five others dead with hunger and cold, and, "according to their manner brought the crowns of their heads away." Those who observed M. Coureelle, saw him disturbed in mind that the King was master of these parts, "saying that the King of England did grasp at all America, but he did believe to see the Dutch the masters ere long." He inquired what garrison or fort was at Albany, and was told a captain and 60 English soldiers, with 9 pieces of ordnance, and that Capt. Baker had sent for 20 men from the Sopes. Thus finding his men tired, the Mohawks resolute, the goodwill of the English doubtful, because reports were strong that France and Holland were united against England, M. Courcelle returned nothing effected. The two prisoners taken by the Mohawks tell them that this summer another attempt will be made on their country with a greater force. 4 pp. Printed in New York Documents, III., 118, 119. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 145.]
1665. 1109. Petition of Robert Swanley to the King. Is Deputy-Governor, under the Duke of York and Lord Baltimore, of his Majesty's dominions of Newfoundland, where many of his subjects are planted, who cannot subsist but by supplies from other parts, and must inevitably perish if they have not a supply of necessary provisions. Having engaged his whole estate in those parts, petitioner prays for a warrant for eight seamen, and as many landsmen as are needful, to sail his ship, the Terranova, to Newfoundland, for the support of the Plantations. 1 p. Indorsed, 1665. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 146.]
1665? 1110. "The general description of America, or the New World" ; Discovery, description, and situation. The natives of America at this day are described as of three sorts ; their manners, religious customs, and mode of warfare. Account of Virginia, where in 1659 were about 80,000 inhabitants ; of Long Island, New England, which contains 27,000 fighting men ; Plymouth colony, about 2,500 fighting men ; Connecticut, 4,300 ; New Haven and Providence Plantations, with about 5,400 men. Description of the Bermudas, the Bahamas : "since I petitioned for these islands, which was six years ago, and my abilities hindered my prosecution, Capt. Sayle and others obtained a patent," went to an island he called Illethuria, where his ship was wrecked, but the people saved. "I saw him after his escape in a small boat of three tons, recovering Virginia, where he procured a pinnace of near 25 tons, with which he carried relief to those he left on the islands ;" but understood afterwards from said Sayle that none of them knew the place or were ever there before. Of Hispaniola, Cuba, "their delicatest fare in this island is partridges, which are in great abundance ; the Spaniards breed them up tame and esteem them the sweetest eatable flesh in the world." St. John de Portorico, Santa Cruz, Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda, Blances, Anagada, Sombriro, Anguilla, St. Martin's, Sustas (St. Eustatius), St. Bartholomew, St. Christopher's "this ground is so populous that ground can hardly be obtained" Nevis or the Snows, Barbada, Redendo, Montserrat, Antigua, Marigalante, Dominica, Matinina, Santalusa [Sta. Lucia], Guadeloupe, Dodos Sanctos, and Deseada. Indorsed by Williamson, Our Plantations in America. 9 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 147.]
1665? 1111. Petition of the Royal African Company to the King. The advantages to the King's subjects both here and in the Plantations by the Guinea trade have most clearly appeared by that one year's trade enjoyed by the Company : had they not been injured by the violence of the Dutch, they might in a few years have been able to give the King in any time of necessity such assistance as the States of Holland now have from a Company with them, whose wealth was built upon the ruins of the King's subjects. Besides employment of ships, vending of native manufactures, and furnishing the Plantations with negroes, it hath and will bring the King supplies of silver and gold in great quantities, which he had not from any other commerce. But the Company being so injured, there is wanting timely supply ; there is 17,000l. owing from members, of which the King's part is 7,600l. ; if this be paid in, the rest will undoubtedly follow. Petitioners pray, therefore, that direction may be given to the Lord Treasurer, that he may find out some way to give an assignment for 7,600l. upon anything most convenient to the King's affairs and petitioners' occasions. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLII., No. 1, Cal., p. 136.]
1665? 1112. Petition of Lieut.-Col. Amand La Louh to the King. Served the King and his father faithfully in the civil war ; was Governor of Fort Latour, in Nova Scotia, for the King, till it was surrendered to the French king ; coming from Nova Scotia last winter with his family was taken by the Hollander, and lost in the ship his whole estate ; but is encouraged by the King's promise formerly made him at Bordeaux, and prays for the privilege of importing 20 ton of French wine yearly to this city without paying custom or excise during his life. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLII., No. 137, Cal., p. 153.]
1665? 1113. Extract from a letter. There were yesterday four young men scourged by the hangman through Edinburgh, burnt behind the ear, and delivered up to be sent to Barbadoes, for abusing James Scott, minister at Ancram, in time of sermon. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLIII., No. 28, Cal., p. 171.]
1665? 1114. Statement that Mary Wood and Capt. Provise, prisoners, who have had the King's pardon, are yet in prison for mere want of money to discharge their fees. Pray for an order to discharge them, and hope her Majesty the Queen Mother will send them to her Maryland. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLIII., No. 77, Cal., p. 178.]