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May 2.
Brooke House. |
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Concerning the government of the island. Sir Gilbert Gerrard desired to request the Earl of Warwick's order for payment of a good sum of money which he owes to the Company. A meeting fixed for Monday next, the members then absent to be fined 20s. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 215.] |
May 4.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. Mr. Treasurer's proposition, to be discharged with credit and without loss, from the office he had held from the first incorporation of the Company, to be considered; also proposals for clearing off debts owing by the Company. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 216.] |
May 5.
Lord Gorges' House. |
Minutes of the late Council for New England. Acknowledgment to be made before a Master in Chancery of deeds containing their several grants of land and an enrolment of the same before the surrender of the grand patent. The King to be moved for confirmation of their deeds when the surrender is made. Thos. Morton to be solicitor and prosecute a suit for repealing the patent of the Massachusetts Company. [Colonial Corresp., 1631, Nov. 4, p. 36.] |
| May? |
60. Report of Francis Earl of Bedford and Henry Earl of Dover to the King. Concerning Captain Bamfield's demands against the Guiana Company; he is willing to accept 300l., in addition to the 198l. 4d. formerly allowed by the Committee for expenses and loss of time. Annexed, |
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60. I.Answer of the Guiana Company concerning Captain Bamfield's business. Cannot find any sufficient cause to increase their former allowance to him of 198l. 10s. 3d. [sic], but in respect of the King's reference, they have assigned him 100l. out of the first money from certain arrears of adventure, 1635, May 6. |
May 7.
Brooke House. |
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. The Earl of Holland chosen Governor; Sir Nath. Rich, Deputy; John Pym, Treasurer; Mr. Woodcock, Husband; and W. Jessop, Sec. of the Company. Committee appointed to examine the state of the Company's debts. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 217–18.] |
May 11.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. The Company's debts to be paid out of "the proceeds" before any dividend is made. Information given by Barth. Styles, lately a minister of Association, and by others left behind at Gratiosa, of Capts. Hilton and Wormeley's care of the Company's interest at Association. Money due to Barth. Styles to be paid. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 218–20.] |
| May 11. |
Sir Henry Marten to the Privy Council. Second report upon petition of Edward Kingswell [see ante, p. 194, No. 38] concerning the victualling and usage of passengers in the Mayflower on their voyage to Virginia, the endeavours of Vassall to take Kingswell from thence to Carolina, and the repair of the George which should have accompanied the Mayflower. Seven witnesses affirm the victuals to have been good and sufficient. Henry Taverner, master of the Thomas, was hired by Vassall to take 28 passengers, in case any should die in the Mayflower. They arrived at Virginia in July 1634, but Kingswell had left for England in the preceding May. Orpheus Dunkin, master of the Henry, was likewise hired to go out in July last, but the voyage was deserted for the same reason. Three shipwrights depose to the sufficient repair of the George, which should have accompanied the Mayflower to Virginia. Submits how far these witnesses "shall be considerable." [Colonial Corresp., 1634, Dec. 20.] |
May 13.
Brooke House. |
Minute of a Committee for Providence Island. Letters received from Mr. Washborne, the Company's agent in France, concerning the affairs of the William and Anne, are answered. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 220.] |
May 16.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. Financial engagements of the Company. Five pounds lent to Anth. Roberts, many years in the Company's service. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 220–21.] |
May 17.
Virginia. |
61. Richard Kemp, Secretary of Virginia, to the Lords Commissioners for Plantations. Was appointed by the King, Secretary for Virginia in August last; arrived in December and sent the answer of the colony to His Majesty's letters to have the sole "peremption" of all their tobacco. The necessity of the times call upon him to give "a true and perfect relation of the late distempers here," caused by Capt. Martin, Francis Pott, and William English, the Sheriff of York, gathering a multitude of people, about 27th April last, at the house of William Barrene, in York, the chief speaker, when "a writing" was read by Pott, subscribed by many from other parts of the country, complaining of a tax imposed by Governor Harvey, of the government of want of justice, and of the Governor that he would bring a second massacre among them. These men were apprehended and brought before the Council, when scenes of violence ensued, and Capt. Mathews informed the Governor that the fury of the people was up against him beyond their power to appease, unless he went to England to answer their complaints. About 40 musqueteers marched up to the Governor's house, and danger to his person was apprehended. Sir John Harvey then resolved to go for England, and signified certain conditions to the Council, to none of which would they yield, but he afterwards delivered his commission and instructions into Kemp's custody. Describes the danger of such a precedent for future insolencies. The writing was by Dr. Pott, "whom we find to be the incendiary of these broils," and who has been sent into England and security taken from him to attend their Lordships' commands. Capt. John West is chosen Governor until the King's pleasure is known; hopes it will be hastened and these "miserable distractions" settled. |
| May 22. |
62. Sec. Windebank to Sir John Harvey, Governor of Virginia. Desires him to believe that "he values him as a gentleman whose fair carriage to himself in particular, makes good to him the reputation he generally holds of a person of worth." Has received his letters concerning Capt Yong and Lieut. Evelin, the bearer. His furtherance of the King's service is very pleasing to His Majesty, who expects the continuance of his care and assistance. |
| May 22. |
63. Sec. Windebank to Robt. Earl of Lindsey. The King expects that he will give every assistance to the bearer, Lieut. Robt. Evelin, who is on his return in the Plain Joan, to Capt. Yong in America, upon "special and very important service." |
May 23.
Elizabeth City. [Virginia.] |
64. Capt. William Claybourne to [Sec. Coke?]. Laments the tumults and broils, wrongs and oppressions, which yearly increase the infelicities of the colony. It seems to him a wonder that Sir John Harvey could not gain power to re-establish himself, but all men forsook him. Advises for the future, as little innovation as the nature of affairs will bear. All his rights have been trampled upon, and the King's express commands, under the protection of which he deemed himself so safe, have been contemned; and so he has perished by security. Incloses "testimony of the misfortunes that swallow us." Annexed, |
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64. I. Breviat of Capt. Claybourne's petition to the King, in reference to the disputes with Lord Baltimore concerning the jurisdiction of the Isle of Kent, from the King's commission of16 May 1631. His Majesty's letters of 8 Oct. 1634 [see ante, p. 191, No. 33], have been slighted and the settlers on the island brought to extreme want. The petitioner has been unjustly accused of many crimes and an endeavour made to remove him. |
May 25.
Newport News. [Virginia.] |
65. Capt. Sam. Mathews to Sir John Wolstenholme. Has presented him with divers passages concerning their late Governor Harvey by the hands of Sir John Zouch. Describes the infinite number of injuries done to the people by Sir John Harvey; the grounds of their grief and their reasons for begging some speedy redress. Wrongs done by the Governor to the colony in detaining and not communicating to the Council, the King's letter concerning a contract; his usurpation of power in all causes, without any respect to the votes of the Council; shutting out the Marylanders from every place of trade for corn, which increased the wants of Virginia, 2,000 persons having arrived in the colony this year; making a dangerous peace with the Indians against the advice of the Council and country, and violent conduct and proceedings at the Council and country, and violent conduct and proceedings at the Council table. The Secretary had been requested to take charge of the Governor's commission and instructions, and by Governor Harvey's desire a sufficient guard for the safety of his person was appointed. It has been thought fit that the general grievances only of the people should be presented to the Lords Commissioners for Plantations, omitting particular complaints. Capt. John West, an ancient inhabitant and brother to Lord De la Warr, some time Governor of Virginia, has been elected Governor. Capt. Claybourne had applied two days since for redress against the oppressions of the Marylanders, who had slain three and hurt other inhabitants of the Isle of Kent. Does not believe they would have committed such outrages without Harvey's instigation. Concludes with "an assured hope that St. John Harvey's return [to England] will be acceptable to God, not displeasing to His Majty, and an assured happiness into this colony." |
