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Nov. 6.
Capt. Mason's House, Fen-church Street. |
Minutes of the Council for New England. The number of the Council to be filled up. A new patent from the King to be obtained. Patents formerly granted, examined. No ship, passengers, nor goods permitted to go to New England without licence from the President and Council. No fishermen allowed to trade with the savages, nor with the servants of the planters. The King's letters to be procured to the Lieutenants of Shires for the poorer sort of people to go to New England. A surveyor to be sent over for settling the limits of every plantation, also Commissioners to hear and determine differences and relieve grievances. The Dutch plantation to be considered. Special officers to be transported in the ship London Merchants. Copy of Lord Baltimore's patent of Delaware Bay in Virginia, to be taken for Sir Hen. Spilman. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, pp. 15–17.] |
Nov. 13.
Lord Great Chamberlain's House, Channel [Cannon] Row. |
Minutes as above. A petition to be prepared to the King to speak with the Dutch Ambassador concerning the Dutch plantation in New England, that they should forthwith either relinquish it or become subjects of the King of England. John Peacock appointed solicitor in the matter of a new patent. Divers petitions for patents of land in New England deferred. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, p. 17.] |
| Nov. 19. |
68. [Capt.] Tho. Wiggin to Sec. Coke. Having lately returned from New England, and visited the English plantations there, particularly the Massachusetts, "the largest, best, and most prospering in all that land," sends some observations of that country and plantation. The country well stored with timber, and will afford cordage, pitch, and tar. The English, numbering about 2,000, and generally most industrious, have done more in three years than others in seven times that space, and at a tenth of the expense. They are loved and respected by the Indians, who repair to the Governor for justice. He [John Winthrop] is a discreet and sober man, wearing plain apparel, assisting in any ordinary labour, and ruling with much mildness and justice. Is induced as an eye witness to clear the reputation of the plantation from false rumours spread abroad by Sir Christ. Gardiner, Morton, and Ratcliffe, all discontented and scandalous characters; proofs of which are set forth. Upon their false information, Sir Ferd. Gorges is projecting how to deprive the plantation of the privileges granted by the King, and to subvert the Government, which will be the utter ruin of that hopeful colony. Has written this letter out of respect to the general good. |
| Nov.? |
69. Petition of Edward Winslow, agent for the planters in New England, to [the Privy Council]. Confesses that he had spoken by way of exhortation to the people in America, and had performed the marriage ceremony there, the inhabitants having been seven or eight years without a minister, but that had he not done so "we might have lost the life and face of Christianity." Reasons for the colonists leaving England, "disliking many things in practice here in respect of Church ceremony," and choosing rather to leave the country than be accounted troublers of it. Replies to objections that they are Brownists, factious Puritans, and schismatics. Describes the fruitfulness of the country of New England, their contentions with the French and Dutch, and the valuable supplies they can export to England, if the King will continue to them liberty of conscience, afford facilities for new settlers, and grant them a free commission for displanting the French and Dutch. Refers to consideration the characters of their adversaries, Morton, twice sent to England as a delinquent, Sir Christopher Gardiner, a Jesuit, and one Dixie Bull, a pirate. Prays that a country so hopeful may not be ruined, nor allowed to suffer by reason of his imprisonment. |
Nov. 21.
Brooke House. |
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. A magazine gone to Association, and the island supplied with a minister. Custom of tobacco brought home in the Seaflower. Auditors appointed. Allowance to Capt. Tanner to cease, he having undertaken other employments. Mr. Dike's demands against the Company. Petition from a poor seaman who had received an incurable wound in the Company's service, praying for relief, referred for consideration. Charges incurred by Mr. Rous and family, and others, attending the Company's ships' arrival at Plymouth, ordered to be paid. The defence of Providence, and Capt. Hilton's proposition for the discovery of Fonseca referred to the next meeting. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 70–73.] |
Nov. 26.
Lord Chamberlain's House. Channel Row. |
Minutes of the Council for New England. Patents granted to Sir Christ Gardiner, Capt. Wiggin, and Mr. Delbordge [Delbridge?] of Barnstaple. Delivery of the Great Seal. Examination of abuses in the plantations of New England referred to the Council on 29th May last, by the Lords of the Privy Council, to be speedily taken into consideration Capt. John Mason chosen Vice-President. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, p. 18.] |
Nov. 26.
Mr. Treasurer's Lodging. |
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Previous resolutions confirmed for lessening the burden of Adventurers, so that the island may be the sooner peopled and fortified. Several persons who had contracted with members of the Company for parts of their shares, admitted adventurers. Auditing of Mr. Treasurer and Mr. Hart's accounts. Resolutions for raising money to carry out Capt. Hilton's design for discovery of the island of Fonseca. The Charity shortly expected home. Petition to be presented to the King for renewing a grant for goods exported to be custom free and "easy" on tobacco imported. Instructions for the intended voyage to Fonseca. Relief to seamen hurt in the Company's service under Capt. Tanner. Disposal of the fustick [wood] from Providence. Division of tobacco from the Seaflower. The Company's patent to be sent to Providence and Association. Robt. Abbott to have licence to go in the next ship to Providence. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 73–77.] |
