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March. 16–19.
Warwick House. |
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Divers bills to be discharged, but there being no money in stock, the means of payment are considered. Bonds for payment of various sums of money and letters, instructions, and commissions for Providence Island, and the Mary Hope are sealed. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III, pp. 294–95.] |
| March. |
Instructions from the Company of Providence Island to John Wells, master of the Mary Hope, bound to divers parts of the West Indies. To receive passengers on board at Gravesend, according to list, also Capt. Wil. Rudyerd, at Plymouth, under whose directions he is to act, with power to follow Capt. Rudyerd instructions in case of his death. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 114.] |
March 19.
London. |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Dan. Elfrith. Have received his letter. Thanks for his care of the fortifications and advice for planting provisions. Conceive he has done very good service, and beg he will not be discouraged by opposition. All that was concluded against him in the tumultuous proceedings about the petitions, has been nullified. Further time will be taken to consider Mr. Sherhard's business. Hope he will not think of coming home. Intend some employment for his encouragement. It is hoped those troublesome distractions which have interrupted his comfort may be prevented. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 111.] |
March 19.
London. |
The Company of Providence Island to Mr. Sherhard, minister. Have received his letter by the Hopewell. Proceedings about petitions from the island, some of the principal agents have been sent for, to be examined. Many things seem to have been done, unwarrantable by divine or human law. The charge or inconvenience which he sustained through his wife going over, was not intended; were not informed of his directions to the contrary. All his bills shall be paid, though they amount to more than will be due to him next term. Are very loath that he should leave the island, it being at this time full of trouble and discouragement. Hope he will stay till other ministers can be sent over. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 111–12.] |
March 19.
London. |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Hunt, Governor. Have received his letter by the Hopewell. Too many negroes in the island. Directions concerning them. Some to be transported to Virginia and the Somers Islands, "where they may be put off to the masters' very great advantage." Suppose he made some agree-ment with Capt. Rous and the master about the pinnace. Those who "took up the Ravenett" to be rewarded. Shallops left at the island for public use may be employed, with certain precautions, for taking Spanish vessels. Are loath to be charged with pensions for any officers in the island; and prefer salaries to be in men, who increase the strength of the island. Desire his care for reserving freight for the Company's ships, so that they may be enabled to send over magazines. Hope to send men, pinnaces, ammunition, and other necessaries both able to guard the island and to make an attempt upon the enemy. Store of provisions to be planted. The King takes special notice of the island, and has very much enlarge the Company's privileges. A good account will be therefore expected, particularly as "it may be very serviceable to some designs that are now thought on in this kingdom." He may very likely see some members of the Company, or those of very good quality, shortly. Mr. Leech's son, lately a servant to Mr. Johnson, to be well used. Commend the maintenance of justice and peace, and the advancement of the glory of religion. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 110.] |
March 19.
London. |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Bell, one of the Council. Have received his letter by the Hopewell. Promise that his complaints shall be fairly dealt with. Judgments against him for anything that fell out in the time of his government, have been declared void, and his goods and negroes restored. Concerning his carriage about the petitions. Capt. Rous and Mr. Rishworth, the principal actors, have been sent for. Grant him liberty to come home by the first ship. Their vessels employed about prizes, unfit for the passage of women, or his number of negroes. Wish it might be for his contentment to stay longer in the island. Do not think any servants sent over at their charge should be taken out of the island. Have always promised to reward his services with a certain number of men, and not with money or goods out of their stores. Intreat him to go on with cheerfulness, and give his advice and assistance for the good of the island. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 111.] |
March 29.
London. |
The Company of Providence Island to the Governor and Council. Are glad that the Blessing and Expectation have safely arrived. Further supply of men and ammunition; some also sent in the Happy Return, under Capt. Newman. The island held to be of singular consequence; necessity of keeping it in a state of defence. Hope the inhabitants will attend to their labours, and make a quick retribution of some part of the great disbursements. Have received a relation of differences, grounded upon a petition for depriving Capt. Elfrith of his places of Councillor and Admiral. Carriage of the petitioners very strange; desire to hear both parties. Capt. Rous and Mr. Rishworth, who appear principal agents, ordered home by the first ship, also concerning former misdemeanors, for which Rous was put out of the Council. The factious should be sent out of the island or otherwise punished. Capt. Elfrith to be restored to his offices of Councillor and Admiral, "being deprived in so tumultuous a way, we hold a meer nullity." Expect to be satisfied of the grounds of his dismissal. Directions concerning debts for the last store, and "stranger ships." Reserve for their own hearing, complaints of miscarriage in Capt. Bell's late government; whatever done against him declared void, and everything taken from him by virtue of any sentence at the Council table to be restored. Disapprove proceedings concerning Latimer. If a man go over at their charge, not having agreed to remain in the island as a freeman, he must be received as a servant. Wonder they should be so forward to receive complaints against Capt. Bell, "that being the way not to compose, but to nourish differences." Desire he may be respected as becomes a man of his quality and merit. Case of Finchley. Not suitable with the gravity and dignity of the Governor to punish contempt with his own hands, "unless it be upon the place in time of service." Greatly blame the Governor for allowing Spaniards to view the island. Reasons for misliking so many negroes in the island; Association was deserted thro' their mutinous conduct. Further trade for them prohibited, with exceptions, until Providence be furnished with English. Whoever keeps a negro shall maintain a servant one day in the week upon the public works. Directions for carrying on the works. Hope the inhabitants will repair the church, and keep it in a decent manner, "being commended to Christians by the practice of the very Pagans themselves." Take it very ill that the commodities of the island are carried away by the Dutch. Evils of such a system, and instructions to prevent its recurrence. Assistance to be given to Mr. Lane, Lord Brooke's agent, in disposing of certain goods. No fort nor bay to have Dutch names, any so called to be altered. Rates upon which servants are now sent over. Wil. Woodcock's contract. Require returns of the number of men landed from various ships. Injustice and inexcusableness of a resolution to leave the island, in case supplies were not received by a certain time. Precautions for defence. Regret that the fortifications should have been neglected and almost ruined. An officer to be appointed to deliver out the stores for the general works. Answers to many particulars of the records deferred. Alexander Bryan, the Marshal, under sentence of death for mutinous words against the late Governor, pardoned. Remarks on his case. Proceedings to be truly entered in the records; some things wholly left out, and alterations made. Capt. Carter's commission touching Henrietta cancelled; he is recommended for employment in Providence. Fitness of one Vanbotten, a high German, for the Company's service, left to the Governor's discretion. Distribution of the stores. Complaint of want of fresh water may be supplied by digging wells or "pitching of ponds." Geo. Hartlett, "a lame and unserviceable man," may come home when he pleases. A person to be appointed to assist the Sheriff. Concerning Capt. Hook's plantation. Permission to the brother of Mr. Symonds, the minister, to return home. Demands of the Bradfords and Woodfall, the smith. Injustice of Mr. Downes' bills; if the Governor see cause, he should be removed from the Council, and his plantation and goods seized to satisfy those who trusted him. The cotton engine to be delivered to Capt. Elfrith, and some land near the Black Rock restored to him. Would have his advice used in fortification, and encouragement given him. A magazine has been sent by private men, and some quantity of iron. Hope shortly to engage a minister, that Mr. Sherhard may have the more ease. Recommend Capt. Rudyerd to their favour; Chas. Darley may go to sea with him. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 104–109.] |
March 30
James City |
44. Governor Harvey and Rich. Kemp, Geo. Donne, Fr. Hooke, and Wm. Brocas, of the Council of Virginia, to the Privy Council. Certify according to instructions, the complaints upon oath, of divers passengers who have arrived in the colony, touching the unwholesome victuals supplied to them on their voyage. Inclose, |
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44. I. II. III. IV.Examinations concerning the victuals supplied to the passengers of the George of London, by Robert Page, Cape merchant, on their voyage to Virginia
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| [March.] |
45. Memorial of Cecil Lord Baltimore for Sec. Windebank, concerning Virginia. Sets forth his desire to do the King service, and undertakes to improve His Majesty's revenue from thence 8,000l. yearly, without laying any other tax or imposition upon the planters than what they do now and most willingly will pay. For which service it is believed Lord Baltimore, at the King's command, would accept the government of the colony, with 2,000l. per annum, payable out of such improvement of revenue. |
