|
Oct. 2.
Office of the Ordnance. |
1047. Estimate of the charge of Ordnance Ammunition and other
stores and provisions of war to be forthwith issued out of the
King's stores and sent to Virginia, besides those ordered to be sent
thither by the warrant of the Lords of the Council of 21st July
last, according to a former estimate presented 14th June 1676.
Total, 2,238l. 2s. 0d. Signed, Edward Sherburne, Jonas Moore, and
Edward Conyers. Endorsed, "Read, October 3rd, 1676." 2 pp.
With the marginal note, "Estimate of stores sent to Virginia."
[Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII., No. 58; also Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. LXXX., pp. 70–72.] |
Oct. 3.
Whitehall. |
1048. Order of the King in Council. That Sir Thomas Chicheley,
Master of his Majesty Ordnance, do cause certain stores [as per
preceding Estimate] to be forthwith provided and transported
to Virginia and delivered to the Governor there. [Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. LXXX., pp. 72, 73.] |
Oct. 3.
Whitehall. |
1049. Warrant to the Attorney-General. To prepare a Bill
for his Majesty's signature containing a Commission (as herein set
forth) to Herbert Jeffreys, Sir John Berry, and Francis Moryson,
to inquire into grievances in Virginia. 4 pp. [Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. XCV., pp. 117–120.] |
Oct. 3.
Whitehall. |
1050. The King's Commission to Herbert Jeffreys, Sir John
Berry, and Francis Moryson. Whereas great divisions and distractions have arisen and great disorders have been committed in
Virginia, and having been informed that these evils have in a great
measure been occasioned by grievances which our good subjects
have lain under, the particulars whereof are yet to us unknown;
and because by reason of the great distance of said plantation,
our good subjects there cannot easily make known to us their
grievances, we, being willing to be informed of the premises, to
the end we may apply fit and speedy remedies, do appoint Herbert
Jeffreys, Sir John Berry, and Francis Moryson, our Commissioners
to inquire into and report unto us all such grievances and pressures
which any of our loving subjects have suffered or do suffer, and
especially all causes which have occasioned the late rebellion, with
power to receive informations brought to them; also to inquire by
examination of witnesses upon oath or by other ways into all
grievances and pressures aforesaid and all other things which
have occasioned the late rebellion and to report their opinion
or any two of them touching the premises, to the end we
may give orders for redress of said grievances and for the future
well government of the plantation. With power to send for such
persons, papers, and records as may be useful for the better
carrying on of our service hereby intended, willing and requiring
our Governor, his Deputy Governor, and all Officers within said
plantation to be aiding and assisting in the execution of this Commission. And, lastly, that said Commissioners carefully observe such
instructions as have been or shall be given or sent to them in
writing under our royal signet and sign manual. [Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. LXXX., pp. 83–85.] |
Oct. 3.
Whitehall. |
1051. The King's Commission to Sir John Berry. Whereas we
have thought fit to send ships and forces to Virginia for suppressing
the rebellion and reducing the rebels there, we hereby appoint you
our Commander-in-Chief at sea for that expedition. You are
therefore to take upon you and execute that command according to
the best of your judgment and experience for our service. [Col.
Entry Bks., Vol. LXXX., p. 121, and Vol. XCV., pp. 166, 167.] |
Oct. 3.
Whitehall. |
1052. Order of the King in Council. Approving certain Commissions and a pardon relating to his Majesty's Colony of Virginia
(all of which are calendared) and directing the Lord Chancellor of
England to cause the Great Seal to be affixed to said Commissions
and Pardons. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., pp. 81, 82.] |
| Oct. 3. |
1053. "Mr. Secretary Williamson's notes concerning the expedition to Virginia." The levying of the men. Captain Jeffreys,
with the help of the other four captains and their officers, to raise
500 men in a fortnight at 20s. per man, to bring them to the Tower
as they are raised, and as mustered 25 at a time to enter into the
King's pay at 8d. per diem, to be sent off from the Tower on ship
board as soon as they come to the number of fifty, an officer with a
guard going with them. Beds, pillows, rugs, and blankets to be
provided for the 500 old men as well as for the 500 new men,
Captain Jeffreys to be trusted with the money to pay according to
the rates agreed on with the navy. The ships to be below Gravesend before taking in the men. Estimate of clothes, victuals, &c.,
to be provided by Captain Jeffreys, for the 1,000 soldiers, the
money to be furnished by the Lord Treasurer. The pay of the men
when in Virginia. Contingencies, surgery, boats to land the men,
stores of war. Commissions to be prepared for the officers of the
five companies according to the names to be given in by Mr. Locke.
Establishments to be prepared by Mr. Locke. 8 pp. Two copies;
one copy with corrections in Secretary Williamson's hand, the
other being a fair copy. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII., Nos. 59,
60.] |
Oct. 4.
Newmarket. |
1054. Four Commissions appointing respectively John Tonge,
Quartermaster, Jonathan Grover, Surgeon, William Clerk,
Chaplain, and William Morris, Adjutant, to the five companies of
footguards employed by the King in an expedition to Virginia
under the command of Captain Herbert Jeffreys. [Dom. Entry
Bk., Car. II., Vol. XXIX., pp. 183, 184, 188, 189.] |
| Oct. 4–8. |
1055. Commissions to the Officers of the five Companies of Foot
in his Majesty's Regiment of Guards to be employed in the expedition to Virginia, of which Captain Herbert Jeffreys is Commander-in-Chief, and William Earl of Craven, John Earl of
Mulgrave, Sir Charles Lyttleton, and John Russell are Colonels;
viz., Thomas Fairfax, William Meole, Charles Middleton, John
Muslowe, and Edward Picks, Captains; Francis Hellin, Walter
Morgan, Henry Taylor, John Tonge, and — Webb, Lieutenants;
Thomas Moile, Edward Rouse, Thomas Sanders, John Thorne, and
Thomas Trousbeck, Second Lieutenants; and George Ange, John
Jeffreys, William Matthews, Edward Savile, and Thomas Seymour,
Ensigns. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XXIX., pp. 166–183,
and p. 190.] |
| October ? |
1056. "Account of how many of the five hundred soldiers now
to be sent to Virginia are of the regimented and how many of them
are of the non-regimented companies." Names of the places from
whence they are drawn, and the numbers of soldiers. Also of the
regimented and non-regimented companies. 1 p. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXXVII., No. 61.] |
| October ? |
1057. Estimate of the immediate clothing for six Corporals
and three Drummers of each Company, being in all thirty Corporals
and fifteen Drummers. Total, 89l. 12s. 6d. For magazine clothes,
computed for forty-five men, 71l. 5s. Total, 160l. 17s. 6d. 1 p.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII., No. 62.] |
| October ? |
1058. Estimate of the Charge for the immediate clothing of
the soldiers and magazine of cloth under the Commissary of
Victuals for the expedition to Virginia. Total, 3,200l. Besides
for bedding and clothes for 30 Corporals and 15 drums (sic) and
bedding for 30 Sergeants. 1 p. Two copies. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXXVII., Nos. 63, 64.] |
| October ? |
1059. An Account of the draught of soldiers for the ships for
Virginia, being 24 Companies of the Regiment of Foot Guards and
12 Companies of the Coldstream Regiment of Guards, in all 425
soldiers. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII., No. 65.] |
Oct. 7.
Newmarket. |
1060. The King to Captain Herbert Jeffreys. Orders in
reference to the new levies of men, in part of the five hundred
volunteers he is to raise for the King's service in Virginia, who
are to be lodged in the Tower of London and paid at the rate of
8d. per diem each man until there be twenty-five men, when they
are to be mustered, and as their numbers increase to embark by
fifty or somewhat more from Tower wharf until they be carried
below Gravesend and there put aboard the ships which are to
carry them to Virginia. Also orders after the landing of "your
men" in Virginia in reference to the victualling of the soldiers
and the keeping of exact accounts, "which you are to cause to be
defalked for out of their pay after their landing, although the
soldiers be allowed victuals aboard ship without any defalcations,
… and you are to take care that meet defalcations be made
for any of the said magazine clothes out of their pay that use them."
[Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII., No. 66.] |
Oct. 7.
Newmarket. |
1061. "Establishment of the forces for the expedition to
Virginia," as settled by his Majesty. To consist of five companies,
of two hundred soldiers and officers for each Company, with a
Deputy Paymaster, Chaplain, Surgeon, and Quartermaster, at a
total cost of 16, 139l. 1s. per annum. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII.,
No. 67.] |
Oct. 7.
Navy Office. |
1062. Estimate of the charge of transporting 1,000 men from
hence to Virginia, including victuals and freight, also for providing
brandy, bread, and cheese for victualling said 1,000 men for three
months after their arrival. Total, 8,068l. 6s. 2 pp. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXXVII., No. 68.] |
|
1063. Secretary Coventry to the Lord High Treasurer. It
having been resolved last night at the Committee of Foreign
Affairs that the contingent money for the forces going upon the
present expedition to Virginia should be issued out of the Warrant
of Captain Jeffreys the Commander-in-Chief, takes the liberty to
acquaint his Lordship, that he may give such orders as he shall
think fit. ½ p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XXVI.,
p. 214d.] |
| Oct. 7 ? |
1064. Account of his Majesty's Orders passed in Secretary
Coventry's office concerning the expedition to Virginia. Endorsed:
"Recd. 30 Oct. 1676 at 9 of clock at night." To Lords of the
Admiralty approving estimate prepared by officers of the Navy,
and directing the shipping of the soldiers in Long Reach. For
adding 77 non-commissioned officers to be provided in the same
manner as the 1,000 men. For two months provisions over and
above the three months allowed by the estimate for the whole
number of men employed in this present expedition. To the
Master of the Ordnance for providing 1,500 "swyns feathers."
Commissions for five Captains, five Lieutenants, five Second Lieutenants, and five Ensigns; also for a Surgeon. "The names we
have from Mr. Locke." To the Master of the Ordnance for providing 30 hoes "to be passed;" also bags or sacks instead of
baskets. For three and fifty men more to be added to the 1,077,
and to be provided for in the same manner in every particular.
Endorsed, "Recd. 30 Oct. 1676 at 9 of clock at night." 1 p. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XXXVII., No. 69.] |
Oct. 10.
Westminster. |
1065. Grant of pardon to the Governor and Assembly of
Virginia. Whereas Nathaniel Bacon the younger, of Virginia,
combining with divers indigent and seditious persons in the month
of June last, traitorously levied war against his Majesty and his
Government, and with his complices, to the number of 500, beset
the Governor and Assembly of said plantation in the Statehouse
in James City, and said rebels holding up their muskets ready
charged and cocked, threatened to murder the said Governor and
Assembly unless they would grant a commission to said Bacon
constituting him Commander-in-Chief of certain forces to be raised,
and would pass certain pretended Acts which were offered them by
said Bacon and his adherents, and more particularly one whereby
the said rebels might be pardoned for their said treason, all which
Acts said Governor and Assembly were (for fear of their lives)
compelled to pass. And though his Majesty is satisfied that his
said Governor and Assembly were not guilty of any ill-affection
towards him in passing said pretended Acts, yet that they may
not be subject to any question or be in danger of any punishment
for their assent to said pretended Acts and for granting said pretended Commission, his Majesty hereby pardons them, in as ample
manner as if their names were particularly mentioned, for all
crimes and misdemeanours by any of them committed about the
passing and granting of said pretended Acts and Commission, and
from all punishments, &c., by reason of the premises. And these
Letters Patents shall be taken most favourably for said Governor
and Assembly. 1 Memb. [Pat. Roll, 28 Car. II., pt. 1, No. 10.] |
Oct. 10.
Westminster. |
1066. The King's grant to all his subjects inhabiting the Colony
of Virginia:—That they shall have their immediate dependence on
the Crown of England under such Governors as his Majesty, his
heirs and successors, shall appoint, and upon no other person. The
Governor to be resident in that country unless his Majesty shall
command his presence in England or elsewhere, in which case a
Deputy shall be chosen as hath been used, unless his Majesty shall
nominate such Deputy. And if any Governor die another may be
chosen as hath been used until his Majesty shall appoint a new
Governor. All lands now possessed by the several planters or
inhabitants shall be confirmed to them and their heirs for ever
where any man's interest shall not be prejudiced thereby. And
for the encouragement of such as shall go to dwell in said plantation there shall be assigned to every such person 50 acres as
hath been used, to be held of his Majesty in free and common
soccage. All lands that shall escheat to his Majesty shall be
enjoyed by the possessor and his heirs for ever, paying 2 lbs. of
tobacco for every acre, which is the rate set by the Governor.
And the Governor or Deputy and Council, or any five of them,
whereof the Governor or Deputy to be one, shall have power to
hear and determine all treasons, murders, felonies, and other
offences committed within said government, and proceed therein as
near as may be to the laws of England. And lastly every clause
in these Letters Patent shall be construed in the most beneficial
sense for the advantage of his Majesty's subjects of Virginia, as
well against his Majesty as against every other person. 1 Memb.
[Pat. Roll, 28 Car. II., pt. 1, No. 11.] |
| Oct. 12. |
1067. Answer of Edward Randolph to several heads of inquiry
concerning the present state of New England. I. Boston.—(1.) The
Government, the legislative power, is seated in a general court, consisting of the Governor, Deputy Governor, 10 magistrates and
deputies from the towns, which is the supreme judicature; the
Governor, Deputy Governor, and magistrates are chosen every year
by the freemen of the Colony, the deputies by the freemen of the
towns which have more than 20 freemen; no attorney can be
chosen deputy; none but church members can be freemen; no law
can be made without the consent of the major part of the magis
trates and deputies; the Governor has a casting vote, and can
summon any Court at his pleasure. The executive power is vested in
the Governor and Council, which sits twice a week; there are two
Courts of Assistants a year to hear appeals and capital cases, and
county courts to hear smaller charges; the Governor and Deputy
Governor agreeing, or three magistrates consenting, can reprieve a
condemned criminal till the next General Court; every magistrate
is a Justice of the Peace, and can determine any cause under 40s.,
and commit to prison for breach of the laws; the Governor and
magistrates at all assemblies have a public table kept, and their
necessary expenses borne at the charge of the Colony; insult to the
established authority is punished by fine, whipping, imprisonment,
disfranchisement, or punishment, treason to the State by death;
as a mark of sovereignty they coin money of four sorts, stamped
with "Massachusetts" and a tree in the corner on one side, and
"New England" with the year "1652" and the value of the coin
on the other (1652 is the era of their commonwealth); the transportation of this money is forbidden on penalty of confiscation of
goods; commissions are made out by the Governor, with the
consent of the Council; passes by the Governor alone, with copy
of the forms of commissions and passes. (2.) Laws contrary to
those of England. The magistrates do not mind the letter of the
law where their public interest is concerned; they regard more
the quality and disposition of the persons than the nature of the
offence, and can see no evil in church members, against whom it is
difficult to get a verdict; it is accounted a breach of their privileges to urge the observation of the laws of England; the laws
most contrary to the laws of England are,—excommunicated and
condemned persons may make wills; the word of God is the law
to be followed in capital cases where there is no other; an injunction in point of doctrine cannot be put on a church officer; the
observance of Christmas Day and other festivals and non-attendance at their meetings on Sunday are punished; pressing is
forbidden except in wars enterprised by the commonwealth; only
magistrates are permitted to join persons in marriage; strangers
fleeing from religious persecution are to be protected, thus
Whalley, Goffe, and others were received by Mr. Guggius and
other magistrates; possession of land for five years gives a
title; no oaths to be required except those commanded by
the General Court. The only oaths are those of fidelity to
the government imposed on all persons, strangers, and inhabitants; the oaths of allegiance and supremacy are not taken,
sends copies of the oaths of a stranger and an inhabitant. (3) Number of church members, freemen, inhabitants, servants, professions,
estates, men able to bear arms. Number of church members compared with the dissenting party very inconsiderable, not more than
a sixth of the whole; the most wealthy of all professions are well
affected to the King, only interest drawing the people to think well
of the religion and government; inhabitants (including Hampshire
and Maine) about 150,000; professions and mechanical arts of all
kinds thrive well; about 30 merchants are esteemed worth from
10,000l. to 20,000l.; no servants but on hired wages, except a few who
serve four years for the charge of being transported thither; not above
200 slaves and these brought in their own ships from Guinea and
Madagascar; 30,000 and 40,000 able to bear arms, 4,000 in Boston.
(4.) Military forces. No standing army, but only trained bands,
12 troop of horse and 6,000 foot, 160 men besides officers in a troop;
there are no pikemen, they being of no use against the Indians; the
pay in time of war is 6l. a month to a captain of horse, 4l. to a foot
captain, 1s. a day beside victual to a common soldier, in peace the
officers have an allowance for their expenses on muster days; the
present Governor, Leverett, the only old soldier in the service, having
served as a captain of horse under Cromwell; the Governor is always
General, the Major-General is chosen from the magistrates, they are
places of good profit and no danger, as they stay at home and share
the spoil while younger men command in the field. (5.) Castles and
forts. Three miles from Boston on an island a castle with 38 guns and
a battery of six, commanding the entrance to the channel; none can
sail out of Boston without sending the Governor's pass to the captain
for which 10s. is paid or 14s. if it is a Bill of Health; a small brick
fort at the south end of Boston with 12 guns but of little use; a
platform on the north side commanding the river mounted with five
demi-culverins and two small guns; a small fort at Marblehead, but
of little use; at the mouth of the Piscataqua is a fort with five
guns built by John Mason; every vessel above 20 tons not belonging to the inhabitants of the Colony pays ½lb. of powder the ton
or 9d. in money; in the stores are 1,000 barrels of powder and
6,000 small arms lately come from England; a powder mill at
Dorchester, and great quantities of salt-petre on the islands and
swamps, the powder good as English, the master of the work
Eversden formerly of Battle in Sussex; great guns have formerly
been cast but the works fell from a quarrel of the undertakers;
plenty of iron ore and as good iron made as in Spain, six forges for
ironmaking. Boston built in a very strong position, easily defensible.
(6.) Boundaries. The present limits are as large as the government
please to make them, who declare that they do not yet know the
boundaries of their commonwealth, spite of the Commissioners'
decision in 1665. (7.) Relations with their neighbours the French
and New York government. The Boston people continue a private
trade with the French and Indians and openly keep on their fishing
on the coast of Acadia, though forbidden by the French King's
Lieutenant; last year the French Governor, La Bourn, inhibited
this trade and laid an imposition of 400 cod on vessels fishing on
their coasts; the Boston government imposes on the French and
encourages an interloping trade, causing to the inhabitants dread of
a French invasion, and looks on the French with an evil eye,
believing they had a hand in the Indian wars; there have been
disputes with New York so that trade is stopped between the two
governments; a great outcry was made against the Fort Albany for
supplying the Indians during the war, but it is supposed to be
malicious; the New York government was very friendly during
the war and Colonel Andros offered to engage the Mohawk and
Maquot Indians against Philip, but his offers were slighted, nevertheless, he kept these Indians from taking part with Philip.
(8.) Causes of the war with the Indians. Various reports; some
attribute it to an imprudent zeal in the magistrates to Christianise
the Indians and an over strict enforcement of the laws against
drunkenness, some to the machinations of vagrant and jesuitical
priests stirring up the Indians to extirpate the English, some to
injuries offered to Philip; the Massachusetts government declare the
causes to be punishment for the breach of the fifth commandment,
for men wearing long hair and periwigs made of women's hair, for
women wearing borders of hair and for cutting, curling, and laying
out their hair and disguising themselves by following strange fashions
in their apparel, for profaneness in the people in not frequenting
meetings and for going away before the blessing, and for suffering
the quakers to live among them; the English have contributed
much to their misfortunes by teaching the Indians the use of arms
and admitting them to muster; the praying Indians have been the
most barbarous enemies, their leader, Captain Tom, being lately
hanged at Boston; notwithstanding the law of 1653 forbidding arms
to be sold to the Indians the Massachusetts government have granted
licences to sell; in the war 600 English have been slain many of
loyal principles, the church members having liberty to stay at home
and not hazard their lives in the wilderness; the loss is reckoned at
150,000l., 1,200 houses burnt, 8,000 cattle killed, many thousand
bushels of grain burnt, of which the Massachusetts has not been
damnified one third part, the loss falling on Plymouth and Connecticut; the war is now ended and a peace of amity made with the
Indians. (9.) Commodities, imports, trade, &c. Commodities consist
chiefly of naval stores, cattle, and provisions, which are exported to
Virginia, Jamaica, Maryland, Barbadoes, Nevis, St. Christopher's,
Antigua, &c. (to which are sent "houses ready framed"), Spain,
Portugal, the Straits and England; tobacco, sugar, indigo, cottonwool, ginger, logwood, fustic, cocoa, and rum are imported and again
transported. They trade with most parts of Europe from which they
directly import all kinds of merchandise, so that little is left for
English merchants to import; some ships have been sent to Guinea,
Madagascar, &c., and some to Scanderoon; there are built in the
Colony 730 ships varying from 6 to 250 tons, there are 30 master
shipbuilders; no notice is taken of the Navigation or Plantation
Acts. (10.) Taxes, fines, duties, revenue. There is a poll-tax of
1s. 8d. a head, a land-tax of a penny in the pound, merchants'
estates being rated at the common estimation, workmen at their
wages, and strangers at the value of their cargo; there are also
fees in law-suits varying from 20s. to 10s.; magistrates, ministers,
and elders pay no taxes; there are duties on provisions and wines
imported, and on ships, taxes on the selling of wine and beer and
fees for licence to sell ammunition to the Indians; no custom on
exports except on horses; the revenue is computed at upwards of
20,000l. and is disposed of as the Governor and magistracy think
fit without giving any account to the country; 50,000l. was raised
for the Indian war; the duties, taxes, &c., are commonly paid in
money; there is a reasonable quantity of silver monies, but no
gold. (11.) How generally affected towards the English government. The inhabitants are generally desirous of submitting to
a general government to be established by the King; some of
the magistracy are well affected, but the rest are of different
principles, as, Governor Leverett, Deputy Governor Symonds,
[Thos.] Danforth, [Edw.] Ting, Major Clark, Hawthorn (continued a
magistrate spite of a summons to England); these, who with a
few others of the same faction keep the country in slavery, have
continually disobeyed the King's letters of 1662, 1664, 1665, 1666,
and of March last, reserving a power to alter or disannul any law
not agreeable with their humour; the most popular and well-principled men are Major Dennison, Bradstreet, and Dudley in the
magistracy, and of military men, Captains Curwin, Saltonstal, Brattle,
Richards, Gilham, Mosely, Majors Savage, Champernoon, Shapleigh,
and Phillips; the rest of the magistracy are Pinchon and Stoughton;
the magistrates generally continue in office till death by virtue of a
law commanding the former magistrates to be first put to vote at
elections; the clergy civil and well inclined to the King, but kept
under by the ruling elders. (12.) Ecclesiastical Government,
Universities, &c. Church government is in the hands of lay elders;
the formation of a church not allowed without the approbation of
three magistrates and the elders of neighbour churches; every
church has liberty of electing and ordaining officers and ministers,
of exercising God's ordinances according to the scripture, of celebrating days of fasting, &c.; no injunction put on any church
besides the institution of the Lord; there is liberty of admission
and expulsion, but the civil authority has power to see the peace,
ordinances and rules of Christ observed; no church censure degrades
a man from any civil post; interrupting a minister is punished by
a fine of 5l.; the Boston ministers are paid by a collection, the others
by a rate. There are three colleges at Cambridge, seven miles from
Boston, one of timber covered with shingles of cedar at the charge
of Mr. Harvard and bearing his name, one a small brick building
called the Indian College, where some few Indians did study, but
now converted to a printing house. New College built at the public
charge and covered with tiles, not quite finished by reason of the
late Indian war, containing 20 chambers for students, two studies
in a chamber, a hall for chapel, a convenient library with books of
the Fathers and school divines, and many English books of the late
nonconformist writers, especially Mr. Baxter and Dr. Owen; here
they teach Hebrew before they well understand Latin, no formalities or distinctions of habits or other decencies as in England, much
less those exhibitions and supports for scholars; they take no degree
above Master of Arts; their commencement is kept yearly on
August 2nd in the meeting-house at Cambridge where the Governor
and Magistrates are present, attended with throngs of illiterate
elders and members who are entertained with English speeches and
verses; most of the students are come from England and at present
no settled President, but Mr. Oakes, a rigid Independent, supplies
his place; the President's allowance is 100l. a year and a good house;
there are but four fellowships, the two senior have 30l. per annum,
the two junior 15l., but no diet allowed; these are the tutors:
Mr. Thomas Graves, an ingenious and worthy person, was put by
his fellowship by the late President, Dr. Hoare, for refusing to
renounce the Church of England; the Government of the colleges
is in the hands of the Governor and Magistrates. II. New Plymouth
and Connecticut. The laws of England are observed, the oath of
allegiance taken, writs, &c., in the King's name; inhabitants about
80,000, there are no slaves; few merchants, the Colonies being
supplied with commodities from Boston; number of men fitting to
bear arms about 20,000; the country fertile; a great quantity of
whale oil is made there; the Navigation Acts are observed, they
have no ships of burthen; the people are loyal; the Governor of
New Plymouth, Winslow, is popular and was General of the united
forces against the Indians; the Connecticut Governor is William
Leet; the losses the Colonies have sustained amount to near
100,000l. 16 pp. Endorsed, "Read 16th November 1676." Part
printed in. Palfrey's New England III., 240. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXXVII., No. 70; also Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LX., pp. 114–161, and Vol. CIV., p. 250. |
Oct. 13.
Whitehall. |
1068. The King's additional Instructions to Sir William Berkeley,
Governor of Virginia. 1. To be no more obliged to call an
Assembly every year but only once in two years unless upon some
emergent occasion; also fourteen days shall be prefixed for their
sitting and no longer. 2. To take care that the members be elected
only by freeholders. 3. To endeavour to make a good peace with
the neighbour Indians, and to make use of the assistance of the
Commissioners, whom he shall treat with all due respect and provide
them with a convenient house and lodging. 4. Not to suffer any
one, during these troubles, to go on board any merchant ships.
5. Immediately on the arrival of the Commissioners to call a new
Assembly. 6. To declare null and void all proceedings of the late
Assembly, wherein Bacon and his accomplices were pardoned and
force and violence offered to the Assembly. 7. To summon and seize
Bacon and proceed to his trial or send him hither as may be judged
most convenient. 8. In case Bacon refuse to surrender himself,
immediately to publish his Majesty's proclamation and endeavour
to surprise Bacon. 9. To reduce to a moderate proportion the salary
of the Assembly members. 10. To give once a year an account
to the Lords of Trade and Commissioners of Customs of those several
things directed in his former Instructions. Mem.—The Commissioners going away before Colonel Jeffreys, carried these Instructions
with them. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LXXX., pp. 111–114, and
Vol. XCV., pp. 154–158.] |
Oct. 13.
Whitehall. |
1069. Secretary Sir Joseph Williamson to Secretary Coventry.
Sends part of the Flanders mail. The other larger paper is copy
of one left this evening by the Virginia Agent, being an account of
the state of things in that Colony on the 10th August, as it is
brought by Evelyn's ship, which has been long expected, and to
which the agents have referred them for a full account of things.
Extract. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XLIII., p. 119.] |
Oct. 18.
Boston. |
1070. Governor Leverett "with the consent of the Council" to
Sir Joseph Williamson. Received the King's letters of 18th February
1675–76 on 3rd September last, referring to the memorial of the
Dutch Ambassador, which were communicated to the General
Court. Have drawn up a bare narrative of the transaction
without any plea to be presented to the King, and have committed
it to William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley; request him to be
assistant in their accesses to the King and dispatch of this and
other business. 1 p., with seal. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII.,
No. 71.] |
| [Oct. 18.] |
1071. "Answer of the Governor and Council of Massachusetts
to the complaint of the Extraordinary Ambassador of the StatesGeneral, 22nd January 1675–6, which came to our hands 8th September 1676." [The Ambassador's complaint is dated 26th July/
5th August 1675, see ante, No. 821 I.] Captain Jurian Aronson,
commanding the ship Flying Posthorse of Curaçoa, came into the
Massachusetts harbour in 1674 and asked permission of the
Governor to come up to Boston to repair and revictual his ship,
he having been at the River Pantagoult, and there made himself
master of the fort and brought the French Governor his prisoner,
showing his commission, which was against English as well as
French. The Governor, having the proclamation of the peace,
granted him permission, and he informed the Governor that he had
not left any men to keep possession of his conquest, but had dismantled the fort and brought away the guns. On his taking leave
the Governor asked him if he had given commission to any to
keep any part of that country, or had given a copy of his commission to that end, but he said he had not, nor would he make
himself liable for others' actions; this was in October 1674. He
left in Boston several that had been in his company; among them
John Rhodes, a Boston man, Cornelius Andreson, a Dutchman,
and Peter Rodrigo, a Flanderkin. John Rhodes, said to be the
principal, told the Governor he was going a trading to the eastward, but not to take vessels coasting and trading there, that they
had no commission to do so. In December following William
Waldron complained that coming homewards Andreson, Rhodes, and
others fired two guns at him and commanded him to anchor; they
came on board and forcibly took peltry to the value of about 60l.,
carried himself and goods to their vessel, and made him set his
hand to a writing drawn by John Rhodes that they had taken
nothing but peltry, and had taken it in New Holland. In February 1674–75 John Freak, merchant, complained that a small
vessel of his, under command of George Manning, on the voyage home
from the eastward, was, in the river of St. John, by John Rhodes
and some Dutchmen, his complices, in December last, piratically
seized and the master wounded. Several others, of the Massachusetts jurisdiction also complained and asked that measures might
be taken for security. Whereupon the Governor commissioned
Captain Samuel Moseley, who took John Rhodes, Peter Rodrigo,
Peter Grant, Thomas Mitchell, and Edward Young in Thomas
Mitchell's vessel, and afterwards the other vessel with Cornelius
Andreson, John Thomas, and John Williams, and returned to
Boston 2nd April 1675. Examined by the Governor and Council,
they owned the seizing of the goods, but denied that they had done
it piratically, and Peter Rodrigo produced a paper with three seals.
Cornelius Andreson produced another without seals for liberty to
trade, keep the country, and sail on the coast, for which they were
not seized, but for piratically seizing vessels, and so were committed to trial. Peter Rodrigo, John Rhodes, Richard Fowler,
Randolph Judson, Peter Grant, and Cornelius Andreson were, all
except Andreson, sentenced to death, but reprieved, and on their
petition acknowledging the justness of the Court's proceedings
pardoned and banished the Colony on pain of death. So that
what was done was not because the English would not suffer any
Hollanders to be nigh them, but to suppress the piratical practices
of English, Dutch, or other nations; of them that were brought to
trial there was but one Dutchman, four Englishmen, and one
Flanderkin. Did not or do they judge it tolerable that any government, much less one deriving its authority from the King, suffer
any to associate themselves and by ways of hostility molest quietminded subjects in their lawful occasions; had the matter been
truly laid before the States-General they would have seen the
justice of the proceedings. Signed, John Leverett, Governor. 1 p.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII., No. 72.] |
Oct. 19.
Whitehall. |
1072. Journal of Committee of Trade and Plantation. Packet
received from Mr. Chaplain from Sir Jonathan Atkins' containing
letters to their Lordships of 4/14th July and 15th August last [see
ante, Nos. 973, 1022]. 23 articles of his answers to inquiries read.
Ordered that Secretary Coventry be desired to impart to their
Lordships Governor Atkin's letter concerning the confiscation of
the ship [Salisbury] by De Baas, and that inquiry be made what has
become of the 350 barrels of powder and stores valued at 6,000l.,
mentioned in the 10th Article. Commissioners of Customs to be sent
to for the scheme of trade between England and Barbadoes. All
ships coming from thence July and August, and none arriving 'till
Christmas, there is no hearing from Barbadoes within that time.
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIV., p. 228.] |
Oct. 20.
Port Royal, Jamaica. |
1073. Sir Henry Morgan to [Secretary Coventry]. Thanks for
all his favours. Here hath happened a little transaction which
may not possibly be written by my Lord to his Honour. On
27th September, being at his own house, Captain William Bragg,
a man of very good fame and estate both here and in England,
dined with Sir Henry, and after dinner, discoursing of Sir Thomas
Modyford, was pleased to say that Sir Thomas was a traitor and
that he could prove it, and desired to go home for England with
said Sir Thomas. Asked him why he did not acquaint his Excellency, he said he was not so well acquainted with him as he was
with Sir Henry, and therefore he would tell the latter, which
immediately he did, Colonel Cary being witness. The words
spoken are here enclosed, which Sir Henry wrote down immediately. My Lord received Sir Henry very well, sent to Captain
Bragg not to go out of town, who he would examine before the
Council the next day, when my Lord sent the Marshall to bring
Bragg, but he was gone. Then Colonel Ballard was ordered to
send a squadron of horse to fetch him, but Bragg came immediately. Sends his deposition, which is not so full as he told
Sir Henry, but thinks it shows Sir Thomas has no love for his
Majesty, and that truly he wants only power, and not will, to
trust him. He now sues Bragg in an action for 10,000l., and often
says it is not the first time he has been indicted for treason. If
not treason or misprision, it certainly is a great misdemeanour, and
Sir Thomas ought not to be Chief Justice. Hopes Secretary
Coventry will see by this how very zealous Sir Henry is for his
Majesty's service. Encloses, |
|
1073. i. Words spoken by Captain William Bragg to Sir Henry
Morgan. That Captain Bragg declared Sir Thomas
Modyford was guilty of treason, for he told Bragg he
had got two counties to rebel against the King, because
he had done things against Acts of Parliament, and
Sir Thomas had left Andrew Arguile to solicit more.
Essex and Suffolk were "solicited" by Sir Thomas, and
Arguile was to get Norfolk, and they were sure of Cornwall. Signed by Sir Henry Morgan, Jamaica, 27th
September 1676. |
|
1073. ii. Deposition of William Bragg, aged forty-five. That in
March last, being at his house in St. Jago de la Vega,
Sir Thomas Modyford told this deponent that in his
letters Andrew Arguile said he had discoursed with
several clothiers about the Guinea trade, and the loss
they sustained in their trade since the Guinea Company,
upon which they had made a mutiny in one or two
counties at the assizes, and Sir Thomas added he did not
question that his next letters would tell him several other
counties had joined, and that "he had rather have the
love of his subjects than of the King." 1st October 1676.
Two copies. |
|
1073. iii. Sir Thomas Modyford's declaration against William
Bragg. That William Bragg, of the parish of St.
Katherine, gentleman, summoned to answer Sir Thomas
Modyford, of said parish, Bart., of a plea, &c. That
whereas said Sir Thomas is a good, pious, and faithful
subject, and a man of good name, credit, and repute with
the King, and of good fame and conversation with all his
Majesty's liege people to whom he was known from the
time of his nativity until this day, and so was esteemed,
received, known, and reputed; and whereas said Sir
Thomas is at present in great credit, favour, and repute
with his Majesty, as by his Majesty's great trust reposed
in him doth appear by being made his Majesty's Chief
Justice of this Island, which he hath faithfully and truly
discharged for near two years; said Bragg, being of the
premises not ignorant, of mere malice, plotting, and contriving the name, fame, and allegiance of said Sir Thomas
to render scandalous and infamous to his Majesty's good
subjects, certain false, scandalous, and malicious words in
the presence and hearing of several of his Majesty's liege
people spoke, published, and proclaimed in these English
words following [as contained in the deposition of
William Bragg above mentioned], under colour and
pretence of which false words Sir Thomas, in the name,
fame, and allegiance, which before he usually had, is
altogether impaired and lost, beside the hazard of his
own life and fortune and ruin of his posterity, to the
damage of him the said Sir Thomas of ten thousand
pounds, and therefore he bringeth his suit. Mem.—Secretary Coventry delivered to Lords of Trade and
Plantations [the above] three papers [I., II., III.] concerning Sir Thomas Modyford and William Bragg.
Together, 5 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVII., Nos. 73,
73, I., II., III.; also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., p. 106.] |
| Oct. 21. |
1074. Secretary Coventry to [the Attorney-General]. His
Majesty was pleased to order last night at the Committee of
Foreign Affairs that he forthwith prepare a commission empowering
Herbert Jeffreys to command in chief five companies of foot,
consisting of one thousand soldiers, appointed for the present
expedition to Virginia, with power to fill up the vacant places of
lieutenants and ensigns, and a clause for using Martial Law during
said expedition. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCV., p. 117.] |
| Oct. 21. |
1075. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the present Government
and Assembly of the county of Albemarle. Have received their
letters of 17th November 1675 and 28th March last by the hands
of Thomas Miller, and assure them they will never part with the
county of Albemarle "but will always maintain our province of
Carolina entire as it is." Their reasons for this resolution to
maintain and preserve them in English rights and liberties and
the being so contiguous to Virginia is of great importance.
Expected the well-planting of their Province would have long since
had better progress as well as the rivers Pamplico and Newse, and
that a way and intercourse by land would have been discovered
between you and our plantation on Ashley River, and the neglect
of these has been the cause that hitherto we have had no more
regard for you as looking upon you as a people that neither understood your own nor regarded our interest, but some of us discoursing with [Thomas] Eastchurch, your Speaker, who is now
come over, and Thomas Miller who brought their letters, they
have fully satisfied us that the fault was not in you, but in those
persons into whose hands we had committed the government, and
that several of you that had made attempts for discovery of a way
by land to the plantation on Ashley River, as also to plant more
southward upon Pamplico and Newse, were with great violence
and injustice deprived of any powers to proceed any further in
such worthy undertakings, and some of you that were planted on
the south side of Albemarle were commanded back, to your great
prejudice and inconvenience. Are very well pleased with their
proceedings with Lieutenant-Colonel Jenkins, and their settlement
of the Council and Government until they heard further from their
Lordships, and with the maintenance of their due respect and
regard to fair justice, but must blame them and either disallow
their sending Thomas Miller or any person to be tried in Virginia,
which is a prejudice to the authority their Lordships derive from
his Majesty's grant, but cannot reflect on them when their Lordships consider their apprehensions that Sir William Berkeley was
sole proprietor. Utterly dislike trying or condemning any person
without a jury. Have given instructions to their Governor and
Committee that they earnestly press them to settle the south side
of the River Albemarle as much as may be in towns, it being a
frontier settlement, and should be made a security against incursions of Indians; three towns to be settled; would have the first
and chief town Roanoke Island, and the place where the Council
assemble, the second town should be placed on the west side of the
little river's mouth, and the third town upon the neck of land
between Salmon Creek and Marratock River, these three to be
the only places for ships to lade and unlade, with such other
necessary privileges as the Governor and Council have been ordered
to advise the Assembly to grant. Finding Mr. Eastchurch, their
Speaker, to be of a very good family, and a discreet and worthy
man, and well instructed in their Lordship's desires concerning
these particulars, have chosen and authorised him to be Governor
of Albemarle, and have appointed deputies, and the Assembly are
to choose the same number to make up the Great Council. Thomas
Miller has delivered a paper of complaints of great oppressions and
injuries which their Lordships refer to the Council and Assembly,
and earnestly desire that justice be done, and certify their proceedings therein. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XX., p. 111–113.] |
| Oct. 21. |
1076. Warrant to Sir Thomas Chicheley, Master General of the
Ordnance, to prepare fifteen hundred "Swyns Feathers," to be
made use of in the present expedition to Virginia. [Dom. Entry
Bk., Car. II., Vol. XXIX., p. 172.] |
| Oct. 24. |
1077. Estimate of the charge of the drums, halberts, and partizans,
&c., further ordered for his Majesty's service, for the soldiers now
going to Virginia by his Majesty's warrant, together with swynes
feathers and other stores of war. Total, 4,655l. 15s. Signed:—Edward Sherburne, Jonas Moore, and G. Wharton. Endorsed,
"Approved 25 October 1676." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII.,
No. 1; also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., pp. 73, 74, with
memorandum in margin:—Third estimate of stores for Virginia.] |
Oct. 24.
Jamaica. |
1078. Governor Lord Vaughan to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Has endeavoured to do his duty in advising them of every
thing that has occurred here. Sends now a very exact map of
this town and harbour of Port Royal, by which the natural
advantages of it may be plainly seen, and how capable it is of
being made very considerable if the fortifications were completed.
Five weeks since sent the Phœnix and his own Secretary
Mr. Atkinson to Carthagena to discourse some matters with the
Governor of that place relating to the Peace, the Governor used
him with great respect, and entertained him five days in his own
house. No news of the galleons this year, but the Nova Hispania
fleet went from the Havannah about two months since. 1 p.
Endorsed, "Rec. 22 Aug. 1677, per Capt. Keates, Commander of
the London Merchant." [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 2;
also Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., pp. 134, 135.] |
Oct. 24.
Jamaica. |
1079. Governor Lord Vaughan to Sir Robert Southwell. Has
directed to him a map of this town and harbour to be presented to
their Lordships. Has taken great pains in it that it may be exact,
and endeavoured to make this place fully understood. Hopes their
Lordships will believe he has perfectly answered all their inquiries
and obeyed their commands. 1 p. Endorsed, "Rec. 22 Aug.
1677." [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 3.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall. |
1080. Order of the King in Council. That Sir Thomas
Chicheley, Master of his Majesty's Ordnance, do cause the several
stores to be forthwith provided, according to preceding estimate
[No. 1077], and transported to Virginia for his Majesty's service.
[Col. Entry Bk., No. LXXX., pp. 74, 75.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall. |
1081. Order of the King in Council. That in the Proclamation
about the rebellion in Virginia, the reward to be given for taking
of Nathaniel Bacon shall be three hundred pounds sterling, to be
paid in money by the Lieutenant-Governor; and the other alterations
thought fit to be made in said Proclamation read and approved.
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXXX., p. 133.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
1082. Secretary Sir Joseph Williamson to the Duke of Monmouth.
In obedience to his Grace's commands of this morning, has caused
his books of entry to be exactly searched and cannot find that any
despatch relating to the present matter of Virginia has passed his
office. [Dom. Entry Bk., Charles II., Vol. XLIII., p. 124.] |
| Oct. 26. |
1083. Names of the officers of the five companies to be commissioned for the expedition to Virginia:—Captains Herbert Jeffreys,
Edward Picks, John Mutlowe, Charles Middleton, and William
Meoles, also names of the Lieutenants, Second Lieutenants, and
Ensigns. 1 p. Two copies. [Col Papers, Vol. XXXVIII.,
Nos. 4, 5.] |
Oct. 26.
Whitehall. |
1084. Journal of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Sir Jonathan Atkins' relation of the present state of Barbadoes [see ante,
No. 973.]. Read 24th Article, and upon mention made in the 25th
Article of the desperate state of the English Plantations and the
difficulties of maintaining them, the Lords think fit to reprehend
Sir Jonathan Atkins for using these expressions without giving any
reasons for them. And where he proposes a liberty of trade as
necessary for settling a new Plantation, the Lords take notice of
this notion as dangerous in regard of the old ones and prejudicial
to England itself, and resolve to give him a cheque for upholding
this maxim of free trade. Read 26th Article where he insists upon
the inconvenience of the Act of Trade and Navigation which does
therefore confirm their Lordships in the resolution of returning
their severest censures of these dangerous principles which he
entertains contrary to the settled laws of the Kingdom and the
apparent advantage of it [see the Lords of Trade report to the King,
No. 1116]. 27th to 32nd Articles read. Upon the whole their Lordships agree to return their acknowledgments and approbation of this
discourse and will take notice of such points as require a more
particular answer. Sir Jonathan Atkins having made reflections
upon a paper lying before the Committee, called the "Grievances of
Barbadoes," presented by petition to his Majesty in Council, 24th
November 1675 [see ante, No. 714], and referred to their Lordships,
it is thought fit they be again taken into consideration. Read the
Article concerning 4½ per cent, and an Act for regulating the gauge
of cask in Barbadoes. Ordered that both the Farmers and Commissioners of Customs have copies of both these papers, and be
directed to attend Tuesday (31st October). As to second Article
concerning negroes, answer read of the Royal African Company of
6th July last, ordered that it be sent to the Agent of Barbadoes, and
that he and some of the Royal African Company attend next
Committee. On last Article complaining of being obliged to bring
all their commodities to one market, ordered that copy of these
grievances he sent to Commissioners of Customs and that they
attend, when summoned, with their opinions. [Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. CIV., pp. 235–236.] |
| Oct. 26. |
1085. Minutes of the Lords of Trade and Plantation. The
paper called the "Grievances of Barbadoes" again read, together
with an Act for regulating the gauge of cask in Barbadoes.
Annexed, |
|
1085. i. Act for regulating the gauge of sugar cask. Read and
passed the Assembly, April 15, 1675. John Higinbotham,
Clerk to the Assembly. Read and passed the Council and
consented to by his Excellency. 1675, April 15. Edwin
Stede, Deputy Secretary. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VI.,
pp. 97–99.] |
| Oct. 26. |
1086. Part of the general letter from the [Bermudas] Company
to the Governor. Send copy of Petition of Thomas Ward and
"order you to return us your opinions what is fit for us to do
therein." In the meantime, let him continue on the four acres of
land therein mentioned, and, for the future, let no petitions come
without your opinions and thoughts concerning them. Attested
copy, Richard Banner, Secretary, Endorsed, "This went to the
Governor Sir John Heydon. Read, 21 Oct. 1679." Extracts
from this general letter, but not the above "part" of it, are printed
in "Memorials of the Bermudas," by General Sir J. H. Lefroy,
II. 444–446. In another general letter, dated 1st October 1677, the
Company remind the Governor that they sent a copy of Ward's
petition for his opinion. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 6.] |
Oct. 27.
Whitehall. |
1087. "By the King. A Proclamation for the suppressing a
rebellion lately raised within the Plantation of Virginia." Whereas
Nathaniel Bacon, the younger, of the Plantation of Virginia, and
others his adherents and complices, being persons of mean and
desperate fortunes, have lately in a traitorous and rebellious manner
levied war within the said Plantation against the King, and more
particularly being assembled in warlike manner to the number of about
500 persons, did, in June last, besiege the Governor and Assembly,
and by menaces and threats of present death compel said Governor
and Assembly to pass divers pretended Acts. To the end that said
Nathaniel Bacon and his complices may suffer such punishment as
they justly deserve, his Majesty doth declare that said Nathaniel
Bacon and all his Majesty's subjects as have taken arms under and
assisted or shall hereafter take arms or assist said Nathaniel Bacon
in carrying on the war shall be guilty of high treason. And his
Majesty strictly commands his loving subjects to use their utmost
endeavours to secure the persons of the said Nathaniel Bacon and
his complices in order to bring them to their legal trial. And his
Majesty doth declare that such person or persons as shall apprehend
said Nathaniel Bacon shall have a reward from his Majesty's royal
bounty of 300l. sterling, to be paid in money by the LieutenantGovernor. And because many of Bacon's adherents may have been
seduced by him into this rebellion by false pretences, his Majesty
doth declare that if within twenty days of the publishing this Proclamation any such adherent submits himself to his Majesty's
government, and takes the oath of obedience and gives security for
his future good behaviour, such person is hereby pardoned; but those
who shall not accept this offer of pardon, but persist in said rebellion,
their servants or slaves as shall take arms under his Majesty's
Governor or Commander-in-Chief shall have their liberty and
be for ever free from the service of said offenders. And that his
Majesty's loving subjects may understand how careful his Majesty
is to remove all just grievances, he hath not only given instructions to reduce the salaries of the Members of the Assembly to such
moderate rates as may render them less burthensome to the country,
but hath also sent Herbert Jeffreys, Sir John Berry, and Francis
Moryson, his Majesty's Commissioners, to inquire into and report to
his Majesty all such other grievances as his Majesty's subjects
within said Plantation do at present lie under, to the end such
redress and relief may be made as shall be agreeable to his Majesty's
royal wisdom and compassion. And his Majesty hereby declares
that the pretended Acts and Laws made in the Assembly held at
James city in June last shall be null and void. Bacon died of a
bloody flux, 26th October, the day before the date of this Proclamation. Printed. Two copies, also MS. copy, 6 pp. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXXVIII., Nos. 7–9, also Col. Entry Bks., Vol. LXXX.,
pp. 129–132, and Vol. XCV., pp. 140–144.] |
| October ? |
1088. Names of the officers designed for Virginia out of the
regiments of foot. Four of the five Captains to be commissioned
in a paper No. 1083 are identical with this list, but Captain
Robert Walters is herein substituted for Captain Edward Picks.
1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 10.] |
Oct. 27.
Ordnance Office. |
1089. A particular account of Ordnance, Mortar pieces with
equipage and all other stores of war now ordered for Virginia.
Signed by Edward Sherburne. Endorsed, "Rec. 30th October 1676."
6 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 11.] |
| October ? |
1090. The names of the Engineer James Archer, junior, at
10s. per diem, the gunners, &c., now ordered to go along with the
train of Artillery from the Office of the Ordnance for Virginia.
1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 12.] |
| October ? |
1091. Memorandum of the names of the officers and soldiers
going on board the men-of-war to Virginia. In the Henry and
Anne, Captain Jeffreys, Lieutenant Rouse, and Ensign Grymes
with 195 men. In the Constant a Sergeant and 19 men. In the
Barnaby, Captain Edward Picks, Lieutenant Hetley and Ensign
William Mathews, and 116 men. In the Recovery, Lieutenant
Webb, the rest of Captain Picks' officers and men to make up 100.
In the William and Robert, Captain Charles Middleton, Lieutenants
Francis Hobbin and Thorne, and 167 men. In the Constant, Ensign
John Jeffreys and 48 men. In the Francis, Captain John Mutlowe,
Lieutenant Thomas Troutbeck, Ensign Seymour and 97 men. In
the Merchant's Consent, Lieutenant John Tonge and 79 men, and
39 men in the Constant. In the Golden Lyon, Captain William
Meoles, Lieutenant Thomas Sanders and 148 men. In the Constant,
Lieutenant Walter Morgan and the rest of the officers to make up
69 men. Total, 1,094 officers and men on board eight ships. Two
Papers. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., Nos. 13, 14.] |
| Oct. 28. |
1092. Names of the hired ships and their Commanders with the
number of soldiers to be carried on each, for transport to Virginia.
Total, eleven ships with 1,105 soldiers and 500 "new raised men on
board." See the King's letter to Colonel Jeffreys in reference to
these new raised men or volunteers, ante No. 1060. The three ships
not mentioned in previous paper are the Dartmouth and the Rose
at Sheerness and the Deptford at Portsmouth. 1 p. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XXXVIII., No. 15.] |
Oct. 30.
Jamaica. |
1093. Governor Lord Vaughan to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Received their Lordships letter of 28th July, yesterday
concerning the condemnation of Deane the pirate [see ante, No. 1001].
Long since gave an account of the trial and sent an exemplification
to Secretary Coventry. The reasons that induced him to proceed
in that manner. It has had a very good effect, and been the means
of reclaiming divers of the privateers "who I believe had not else
come in." Upon his great repentance, confession of his faults and
often petitioning, did about a month since grant him a pardon under
the great seal of this island, "so if I was not right in the law no
great harm is done, it being very prudential and seasonable at that
time to do what I did, however, I humbly beg your Lordships
particular directions for the future." 2 pp. Endorsed, "Rec. 22nd
August 1677, by Captain Keate's, Commander of the London
Merchant." [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 16.] |
Oct. 30.
Jamaica. |
1094. Governor Lord Vaughan to Sir Robert Southwell. Has
just received his of 31st July [see ante, No. 1002]. Perceives by the
objections made to the laws they are not likely to be returned confirmed. His only desire is that if a power be sent him over to
re-enact he may likewise receive particular directions as to what
amendments their Lordships would have passed. Was commanded
by his instructions on his arrival to re-enact and make a good body
of laws, and he passed no law or gave his assent to any except that
for naturalisation but what was already in force and had been
twice re-enacted by Sir Thomas Lynch. Would not consent to the
Act for free importation of negroes passed by his predecessor. Has
answered their Lordships' letter, and cannot but take notice that in
the trial of the pirate he is blamed for asserting the Admiral's
jurisdiction, and in the case of the interloper he is blamed for not
defending it. Has fully vindicated himself in both. It is the business of receiving complaints against a Governor which makes him
thus reflected on, but when their Lordships know how much both
themselves and himself have been abused by the officious untruths
of some busy people, hopes they will do themselves and him that
right and justice for the future never to condemn him before he is
heard. Understands that one Martyn has likewise made his
solicitations to their Lordships, and that some have been so unfaithful to the Governor as to sign his papers. Has long since advised
Secretary Coventry of the truth of the whole case which he now recapitulates. Prays him to acquaint their Lordships with what he
writes and "that in all such cases they would please to suspend
their own beliefs till they receive my information." 2 pp. Endorsed,
"Rec. 22nd August 1677." [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 17.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
1095. Minute of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Ordered
that when any letters are sent to the Plantations, notice be taken
by what conveyance they are dispatched. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIV.,
p. 237.] |
Oct. 31.
Whitehall. |
1096. Journal of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Sir
Charles Wheler and Colonel Strode, farmers of the 4½ per cent.,
attend and complain of the great abuses practised in the making of
cask and filling the sugar. The Farmers affirm this duty was given
his Majesty in lieu of the 40s. per head due to the King by the Earl
of Carlisle's patent, that they have raised their cask in Barbadoes
from 1,200 to 1,600, and have increased some of them to four staves
more than ordinary. Arguments of Sir Peter Colleton, Mr. Bandas,
and Colonel Thornborough, and of the Farmers on the other side.
Those of Barbadoes offer to agree upon a medium between two
extremes of sugars to be rammed into a cask and negligently thrown
in. Resolved to refer the regulations to the Lord Treasurer who is
about farming this duty for a new term. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CIV.,
pp. 237, 238.] |
Oct. 31.—
Nov. 1. |
1097. Journal of the Assembly of Barbadoes. After debate, was
passed with amendments, an Act to prevent the inconveniences
upon the inhabitants of this Island by forestallers, engrossers, and
regrators; as also an Act to prevent the breaking up and taking
away of any rocks or stones in the sea before this Island. |
| Nov. 1. |
Edwyn Stede appeared to answer complaints against him by Captain James Vaughan and Robert Rich; after debate the House think
fit to waive the three first articles against Stede, and that the last be
considered at their next meeting. The Act for securing possession
of negroes and slaves returned by his Excellency and Council with
amendments agreed to and passed. Also an Act to explain a clause
in the Act for establishing the Court of Common Pleas. Agreed at
their next sittings to consider the presenting a sum of sugars to his
Excellency for his support in the Government of this Island. [Col.
Entry Bk., Vol. XIII., pp. 235–237.] |
|
1098. "Proposals, most humbly offered to his most sacred
Majesty by Thomas Ludwell and Robert Smith, for the reducing
the Rebels in Virginia to their obedience." It being evidently
true that that Colony has always been and in the worst of times
eminently loyal to the Crown of England, they cannot believe that
the present disorders have their beginning from disaffection to his
Majesty or his government either here or there, or that the infection hath seized upon any of the better or more industrious sort
of people, but from the poverty and uneasiness of some of the
meanest, whose discontents render them easy to be mislead, and,
as they believe this to be the sole cause of these troubles, so are
confident that, upon the first appearance of his Majesty's resentment
of their disobedience and commands on all his subjects to return to
their duty, there will be a speedy separation of the sound parts
from the rabble, and many who now follow Bacon, out of opinion
that they do his Majesty and the country service against the
Indians, will quit the party when they understand it to be rebellion,
and the hands of those who abhor the present disaffection will be
strengthened by his Majesty's resolution of vindicating his authority and punishing the principal offenders against it. To effect
which they suggest two ways: either to send a force superior to
any that can be brought against it, or a smaller number of men
to assist those ready to obey his Majesty's commands. Also, that
it will be for his Majesty's service that his Majesty's authority be
justified in the person of Sir W. Berkeley before his removal from
the government, for the reasons given. That a frigate proceed
directly to James Town able to land 200 men. Suggestions for
taking or killing Bacon, and the prevention of further mischiefs by
him or his assistants. And that the Lords Proprietors of Maryland
be commanded not to receive any inhabitants of Virginia. Offer
for consideration, as the most effectual means to reduce Virginia
to a lasting obedience, that those grants which have and still do
so much disturb their minds may be taken in, and their just
privileges and properties settled for the future on a solid foundation,
the fear of forfeiting which would keep them in perpetual awe.
2 pp. Signed. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., No. 18.] |
| October. |
1099. Colonel Francis Moryson to Sir William Jones, AttorneyGeneral. It is so far from his opinion that it is anyways necessary
for a Commission to issue from hence to exercise martial law in
Virginia, that he conceives it the most destructive means that can
be used to attain the ends intended by it. Conceives it must be
either for carrying on the war against the Indians or for quelling
the mutiny amongst the English. If for the first, argues that,
from the nature of the enemy and manner of their fight, the war
must be managed by the inhabitants there and not by forces sent
from hence, and that most of the war on our side must be defensive; the great expense of sending men over, and no towns to
quarter them in, five hundred men must be lodged in three
hundred houses; the dangers of sickness; the King has no exchequer there, and instead of a help they will be an insupportable
burthen to the people. The country wants no men to fight if the
enemy will appear, and if not, who can find them in their coverts ?
The Indian way of fighting is only by surprise, so that all our
offensive war is but hunting them like wolves and not fighting
with them as men. We may feel them once a week and yet not
see them once a year; they will burn a house or two to-night and
be forty miles off to-morrow. How the Governor successfully
managed a former war, by sending small parties out in July and
August to burn the Indians' corn that bordered on our frontiers,
and to secure the houses from sudden assault he strengthened the
weak families by joining two or three families together, and
pallisadoed their houses, which forced the enemy to sue for peace.
Replies to the objection that may be made that there is more need
now, since there is a mutiny of the English, and the people refused
to march with the Governor against the Indians. The defection
must be greater than is owned here, or else how should it come to
pass that amongst so many thousand reputed honest men there
should not be found a thousand to fight five hundred inconsiderable
fellows ? by which it is evident the major part of the country is
distempered, and it is to be feared, if martial law be sent, it would
make many more declare themselves. Arguments: This defection
at this distance has an ugly aspect, yet the face of things would
soon be changed if his Majesty would send two or more discreet
Commissioners into the country to inquire into their grievances
and faithfully report them, "for grievances undoubtedly they must
have, or else 'tis impossible that a country of so signal a loyalty
should, in so short a time, show more of disloyalty than any part
of his Majesty's dominions." Is confident, if this course be taken,
and the King promise redress and pardon to all who lay down
arms, the heads of the rebels excepted, his Majesty would quickly
find they will return to their old obedience, and leave those
miserable wretches to the King's mercy. But if the people remain
stubborn, no better way "can be thought on" than was found
practical in the time of the late usurpation, to send two small
frigates to prohibit trade. As to what concerns the Governor, he
must have contracted odiums in so long a time of government, yet
is confident the grievances justly laid to his charge will go in a
little room, therefore shall desire that the Commissioners may be
ordered, if any complaints be brought against him, civilly to desire
the Governor's own answer to present to his Majesty, "that one
great seal may not arraign another." Apologises for the length of
this letter, but thinks the weightiness of the matter may excuse it.
Fears there will be wrong measures taken; it is the last paper he
shall write in this agency, and concludes it with a protestation
that he has never offered anything to any Minister of State but
what he thought necessary for his Majesty's service. [Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. LXXXI., pp. 6–16.] |
| Oct.—Nov. |
1100. Notes by Secretary Sir Joseph Williamson concerning
Barbadoes, being brief abstracts of the contents of Governor
Atkins' letters and his answers to inquiries [see ante, No. 973].
Also in reference to the price and supply of negroes and the 4½ per
cent. The Act for gauging sugar casks; the King's customs on
sugars from Barbadoes and tobacco from Virginia, and the reports
of Sir George Downing and Sir Peter Colleton; also trade between
England and Holland, and how to advance the Navy of England.
10 pp. [Col. Papers. Vol. XXXVIII., No. 19.] |
| Oct.—Dec. |
1101. Depositions of Mathew Sheares, Master of the Pellican,
taken before Lord Vaughan 17th October 1676, concerning the
treatment he met with while endeavouring to get water on the
north side of Cuba from a Spanish vessel, and his escape. Of John
Pursley and Mathew Lowe, taken 10th November 1676, that they
were kept prisoners at the Havannah near 15 months like slaves,
but made their escape; 42 English prisoners there, eighteen of
whose names deponents remember and are noted. Of Mathew Lowe
of Port Royal, Mariner, taken 4th December 1676; made his escape
from Havannah where he had been prisoner near twenty months,
where two vessels belonging to Jamaica, John Ewers and John
White, Masters, were made prize and the men made slaves, the
number of English prisouers there between forty and fifty; heard
the Governor say there was no peace in the Indies, and it was lawful
for the Spaniards to take all they met with. Of David de Rocque,
taken 28th December 1676; was seaman to a French barque fishing
off Cuba and taken by a Spanish vessel who had also an English
vessel and two more vessels at her stern, an English sloop and
Bermudean barque. Of William Green and Henry Smith, taken
28th December 1676, to the same effect as preceding deposition.
And of Francisco Antonio in Spanish. Together, six papers. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XXXVIII., Nos. 20–25.] |
