America and West Indies: February 1666

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: February 1666', 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/pp356-359 [accessed 11 December 2024].

'America and West Indies: February 1666', 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 11, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp356-359.

"America and West Indies: February 1666". Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668. Ed. W Noel Sainsbury(London, 1880), , British History Online. Web. 11 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol5/pp356-359.

February 1666

Feb. 1. 1128. Speech of Governor Lord Willoughby on the meeting of the Assembly on 1st February 1666. Stating his reasons for not being doubtful of good success in their consultations and for having called them together [see Journal, ante, No. 1121]. That the King has granted him licence to return home, and which Lord Willoughby shows the Assembly, lest some may doubt it is the order to send him home, so much talked of to be brought by the new Governor. Explains that he procured his license only to attend to his own particular concerns, but that he will not budge from them so long as the least show of danger threatens the island. 5 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 9.]
Feb.? 1129. Minutes by Joseph Williamson. "Send for Champante." Taking notice of the King's letter of 5th December to instruct Lord Willoughby, Governor of Barbadoes, forthwith to fall upon all the French Plantations near him with the best face he can, and to begin with St. Christopher's : preparations to be made with the greatest secrecy, the Government only to be privy to it. The same to Jamaica and to the Governors of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and to Sir T. Temple. To apply themselves to root out the French or Dutch in all the neighbouring Plantations. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 10.]
[Feb. 8.] 1130. The King to Fras. Lord Willoughby, Gov. of Barbadoes. His Majesty warned him on 5th December last to be watchful of the proceedings of the French, and to prepare to take all fitting opportunities of beginning with them. Since then war has been openly declared in France, with a more professed conjunction with the Hollanders ; his Majesty warns him to begin by seizing any parts held by the French, and has sent two frigates, the Hope and Coventry. Thinks it best that he principally attempt the reducing the French part of St. Christopher's, and recommends corresponding privately with the English Governor, and taking measures with his concurrence in reducing it. Draft with corrections by Williamson. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 11.]
Feb. 16. 1131. Grant from Ccilius Lord Baltimore, absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Provinces of Maryland and Avalon, to his son Charles Calvert, of the office of Lieut.-General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief and Admiral of the Province of Maryland. With power to summon assemblies of freeholders to make laws, subject to the assent of Lord Baltimore, his heirs and assigns, as near as may be to those of England, and in no way repugnant to Lord Baltimore's rights, or contrary to an Act of Assembly made in the 19th year of his dominion in anno 1650, entitled "An Act concerning Religion ;" also power to grant land to all such persons as Lord Baltimore shall direct by warrant. All former Commissions granted to said Charles Calvert or any other in relation to any of the offices or powers hereby granted are revoked. Given in the four and thirtieth year of our dominion over our said Province, Annoq[ue] Dom. 1665. 3 sheets. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 12.]
[Feb. 22.] 1132. The King to Sir Thomas Modyford, Governor of Jamaica, and to Lord Willoughby, Governor of Barbadoes. His Majesty has warned him to secure the island against the hostilities of the Dutch ; and now having cause to apprehend that the French may break with his Majesty, warns him to use the same circumspection towards them ; and further authorises him to damnify them to the utmost of his power in their adjacent Plantations, particularly in St. Christopher's, where they are most strong, and likely to seize that part of the island belonging to English subjects. Draft in the handwriting of Williamson. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 13.]
[1666.] 1133. The King to the Governor and Council of the Colony of the Massachusetts and the rest of the United Colonies of our good subjects in New England. Has signified his pleasure to the Captain-General of the Caribbee Islands that he keep a constant correspondence with them ; and it is his Majesty's pleasure that they likewise be in all things assisting to said Captain-General, with victuals, arms, ammunition, &c., and with such number of men as shall be agreed upon, either for defence of those colonies, or for dispossessing the subjects of the French King or of the United Provinces. Two copies. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., Nos. 14, 15.]
Feb. 22. 1134. The King to the Governor and Council of Connecticut. Has by former letters directed them to put themselves in the best way of defence against the assaults of French and Dutch, and for securing the coming of all ships to England. And because the time is now more favourable than ever to deliver themselves from their unquiet neighbours, the King authorises them to apply themselves with all their force and skill to reducing the French and Dutch islands and plantations, and especially Canada. Must leave the effecting of this to their prudence, since it is impossible at this distance to instruct them, and has required Sir Thomas Temple, Governor of Nova Scotia, to be assisting therein. Directions for publishing the inclosed declaration of war against France. Mutilated. Annexed,
Extract of his Majesty's declaration against the French. Together 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 16.]
[Feb. 22.] 1135. Draft of the preceding letter in the handwriting of Williamson. Indorsed, Letter to the Massachusetts and Connecticut. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 17.]
Feb. 22.
Whitehall.
1136. The King to Sir Thos. Temple. Sends declaration of war against the French King, which he is required to have so lemnly published [in Nova Scotia]. Is commanded to apply himself by all ways and means to annoy, damage, and destroy the French as well as the Dutch, and to reduce their colonies and Plantations near to him to his Majesty's obedience, and more espe cially the French in Canada, about which the colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut have been enjoined to correspond with him. Countersigned by Sec. Lord Arlington. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 18.]
[1666.] 1137. The King to [Sir Thomas Temple, Governor of Nova Scotia]. Refers to his Majesty's letter of 22nd February last, with declaration of war against France, in which "Wee enjoined our Colonies of the Mattachusetts and Connecticut in New England to join and correspond with you." Has thought it not amiss to quicken their resolves, that the French may not prevent them, as his Majesty has reason to believe they will endeavour to do ; and considering the more immediate danger to which Barbadoes and the other Caribbee islands are exposed, and that his Majesty cannot yet spare supplies from home,his Majesty recommends it to him to consider with his neighbour colonies of some fit number of forces to be speedily sent to the relief and defence of said islands. Draft. with corrections by Williamson. Indorsed, To New England, 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 19.]
Feb. 22.
St. Jago de la Vega.
1138. Minutes of the Council of Jamaica. Present : Gov. Sir Thos. Modyford, Maj.-Gen. Thos. Modyford, Lieut.-Cols. John Coape, Robt. Bindloss, Wm. Ivey, Robt. Freeman, and Thos. Ballard, Major Thos. Fuller, and Col. Henry Archbold. Resolved that it is to the interest of the island to have letters of marque granted against the Spaniard. 1. Because it furnishes the island with many necessary commodities at easy rates. 2. It replenishes the island with coin, bullion, cocoa, logwood, hides, tallow, indigo, cochineal, and many other commodities whereby the men of New England are invited to bring their provisions, and many merchants to reside at Port Royal. 3. It helps the poorer planters, by selling provisions to the men-of-war. 4. It hath and will enable many to buy slaves and settle plantations, as Harmenson, Guy, Brimacain, and many others who have considerable plantations. 5. It draws down yearly from the Windward Islands many an hundred of English, French, and Dutch, many of whom turn planters. 6. It is the only means to keep the buccaneers on Hispaniola, Tortugas, and the South and North Quays of Cuba from being their enemies and infesting their sea-side plantations. 7. It is a great security to the island, that the men-of-war often intercept Spanish advices, and give intelligence to the Governor ; which they often did in Col. D'Oyley's time and since. 8. The said men-of-war bring no small benefit to his Majesty and Royal Highness, by the 15ths and 10ths. 9. They keep many able artificers at work in Port Royal and elsewhere, at extraordinary wages. 10. Whatsoever they get the soberer part bestow in strengthening their old ships, which in time will grow formidable. 11. They are of great reputation to this island and of terror to the Spaniard, and keep up a high and military spirit in all the inhabitants. 12. It seems to be the only means to force the Spaniards in time to a free trade, all ways of kindness producing nothing of good neighbourhood, for though all old commissions have been called in, and no new ones granted, and many of their ships restored, yet they continue all acts of hostility, taking our ships and murdering our people, making them work at their fortifications and then sending them into Spain, and very lately they denied an English fleet bound for the Dutch colonies wood, water, or provisions. For which reasons it was unanimously concluded, that the granting of said commissions did extraordinarily conduce to the strengthening, preservation, enriching, and advancing the settlement of this island. 4 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XXXIV., pp. 143-147.]
[Feb. 23.] 1139. Petition of Samuel Farmer to the King in Council. His Majesty had appointed the 26th of this inst. Jan. for hearing the complaints of Lord Willoughby against petitioner ; but his Majesty's sudden removal from Oxford no way permitting it, prays the King to prefix some other day ; notice being left at John Champante's house, who is Lord Willoughby's agent, as petitioner has already been at expense in summoning him and others. Indorsed, Recd. 23 Feb. 1666. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 20.]
Feb. 1140. [Sec. Lord Arlington?] to Executors of Sir Martin Noel. Asks their compliance with his request about the dispatch of Don Juan Ximenes de Bohorques, whose business the King has so far taken into his particular cognizance as to order the writer to see it terminated ; they must contribute their assistance, as Mr. Litcott cannot advance such a sum without first receiving what is due from them. The impediment formerly alleged by them of not daring to go into Sir Martin's house is now over, and it cannot be for their advantage to let the King see slow compliance with what he has so earnestly recommended. Their speedy compliance will bring them no prejudice, and delay will in a great degree prove injustice to this poor gentleman, whom the King desires to go with the Earl of Sandwich, and his departure will be very speedily. Having told them how much the King concerns himself therein, expects they will see what it becomes them to do, not only in obedience but in relation to some of their interests. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLIX., No. 84, Cal., p. 277.]
Feb. 23? 1141. Request that the Baronet's Warrant granted to Robert Carr, and left by him when he went to Newfoundland in Lord 's hands may be filled in the name of John Nelthorpe. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLIX., No. 2, Cal., p. 264.]