BHO

America and West Indies: February 1636

Pages 220-222

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1860.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying and sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Public Domain.

Citation:

February 1636

Feb. 1.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Lord Brooke offers two ships nearly ready and able to carry 200 men for the Company's service, and proposes to supply the island with 200 men upon certain conditions. After conference with Mr. Woodcock his proposition is withdrawn, and Lord Brooke resolves otherwise to dispose of his ships. Sir Ben. Rudyerd signifies his purpose not to adventure any more. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 242.]
Feb. 5.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Consideration of Mr. Key's petition for recompence for his services, and charging the Company with shuffling; Lord Brooke desired to advise him to acknowledge the Company's bounty and his own error. Mr. Treasurer requested to set down some propositions for carrying on the plantation; unanimously declared that the work ought not to be deserted. Treaty with Lord Brooke and Mr. Woodcock about hiring their ships for reprisal. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 242–43.]
Feb. 8.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. The Treasurer acquaints the Company with some propositions for carrying on the business [of the plantation], but no resolution is passed. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 243.]
Feb. 11.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Note to be prepared against next meeting, of every man's proportion of the debt payable by the Company. A bond sealed. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 244.]
Feb. 12.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Mr. Key renews his request for relief, but nothing is done. Upon serious consideration of the late assault of the island by the Spaniards, and the planters' desire of a speedy supply, as also of the encouragement given by the State, which expects that something will be done, a proposition is made to every member of the Company to send 500 men within two years with ammunition and necessaries, the cost of which is estimated at 10,000l. In case that stock should not be underwritten, Lord Brooke proposes to undertake the whole business upon certain conditions. Debate upon Grissell's petition for remitting his transportation in the Robert. Communication received from Mr. White of Dorchester upon the superiority of Camock's flax to the ordinary flax. Committee appointed to ascertain every member's proportion of the Company's debt. Some of the adventurers declare the sums they will underwrite for, in the new stock. It is proposed that the government of the island be put into the hands of a religious and able person; Mr. Hunt recommended for that service; and that the whole 10,000l. be subscribed, to enable the Company to transport 500 men. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 244–47.]
Feb. 13.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Lord Brooke undertakes to supply the money not underwritten for, short of 10,000l. for sending 500 men and ammunition to Providence. After serious deliberation touching the present state of the plantations, it is ordered that the subscription of a new joint stock be offered to every adventurer, who will enjoy certain privileges. Names of those who underwrite, and the amounts. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 247–49.]
Feb. 15.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Concerning the hire of two ships, and payments to the new stock. Request of Mr. Woodcock to set down men at Henrietta upon his own account, allowed, upon certain conditions. Two exemplifications of the patent for Providence plantation to be procured, one for the Governor there, the other to be kept on board ship. Petitions to the King ordered to be drawn up for procuring a discharge from customs and preventing others from meddling with reprisals within the bounds of the Company's patent. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 249–50.]
[February.] 4. Sir John Harvey's reasons for desiring to have one of the King's ships to transport him to Virginia. The Governors have always had 500l. allowed for their transport, but he will free His Majesty of that charge; it will be an honour to the King's Governor and will also much "animate the boldness of the offenders" in the colony when they see His Majesty "takes the business so to heart;" a merchant ship could not return for a twelvemonth, and the Whelps are too small.
Feb. 15. 5. Sir John Harvey to Ed. Nicholas, Clerk of the Council. To move the Admiralty to lend him the Mary Rose for six months, furnished with munition, but with 50 or 60 marines only, and fit for sea, to transport him to Virginia. Will pay the charge of victuals and wages. Desires that Capt. Woodstock may go master.
Feb. 18.
Brooke House.
Minute of a Court for Providence Island. Mr. Woodcock is directed to rate proposals for ammunition for the island. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 251.]
Feb. 19.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. The manner of dividing prizes that may be taken, considered. One half of the charges for transportation of Fras. Grissell and wife remitted. Conditions proposed to "an able man" who had thoughts of going to Tortuga and taking with him 100 men. Mr. Treasurer requests that 10 men may be sent to the main to cut Camock's flax, near Monkey Bay; 10 or 12 tons by that means might be planted at Henrietta, and "dettee" procured for Providence. Debate on a proposal of the Treasurer for dividing into proportions of 50 and 30 acres, 3,000 acres of good ground in the island, to be assigned to planters. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 251–52.]
Feb. 20.
Brooke House.
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Mr. Partridge, a minister, treated with, about settling in Providence. The Company is acquainted with "the noble intention" of the Earl of Warwick to undertake a voyage to the West Indies and especially to Providence Island; a large and ample commission constituting him Principal Governor there, and Capt. Gen. both by sea and land of all the Company's forces, ordered to be drawn out. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 253.]
Feb. 22.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Mr. Hunt, recommended for the government, will be ready by the next ship, if his conditions are agreed to. Resolved that all monies from the new undertakers be received by Lord Brooke, who, after every voyage, will make up the accounts. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 253–54.]
Feb. 25.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Financial business. Answer to the propositions of Mr. Delahay, who had offered his services at Association. Examination of complaints against Capt. Riskinner, for miscarriages in his government, ordered. Resolution concerning Mr. Leicester, master of the Blessing. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 254–55.]
Feb. 26.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Inquiry into complaints against Capt. Riskinner, for taking goods from Mr. Lane by force; striking, offering to pistol, and threatening to hang him; but, because accounts varied, further examination is deferred. Goods belonging to Wil. Spratley, deceased, to be given up. Payments to Mr. Halhead. Answers to letters from Providence considered. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 255–56.]
Feb. 27. Minutes as above. The proposals of Mr. Delahay for employment at Association approved; another voyage intended about May next. Answers to letters from Providence further considered. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 256.]
Feb. 29.
Brooke House.
Minutes as above. Capt. John Elfrith appointed master of the Little Anne, on undertaking to pay all charges, and have one-half of the proceeds of prizes. Some of the late planters reply to queries by Mr. Knight, who was much commended for his qualifications in the Company's service, concerning the healthfulness, fruitfulness, &c., of the island, "whereby he received much contentment." Financial business. Inquiry ordered as to the sufficiency of Rowland Buckley, gunner, who proffers his services. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 256–57.]