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| June 4. |
58. List of names of the seamen in the Unity, William Upton, master, who Capt. John Hobson, one of the Council of Virginia, about to proceed to Virginia, desires may not be pressed. |
| June? |
59. Names of such of the Council in Virginia as are proper to be continued, and of such other persons as are resident in Virginia and fit to be called to the Council there. John Hobson is ready to return thither, and is also thought fit to serve in the Council |
| [June 5.] |
Petition of Sir James Hay, Archibald Hay, and Richard Hurst to the King. Are left feoffees of the late Earl of Carlisle for the Caribbee Islands, for letting the lands, collecting profits, and ordering the government of those islands. Complaints against some of the Governors there and differences between the inhabitants have already been addressed to the petitioners, and because reformation of things amiss in the government will be expected from them, and they are not able to perform this duty, pray for a royal commission to some experienced persons, to hear and determine matters concerning those islands. With reference to the Attorney General to prepare a bill for the King's signature, containing the commission petitioned for, to Robert Lord Dalziel, Sir William Balfour, Sir Edward Littleton, Solicitor General, Sir Robert Heath, Dr. Rives, Sir Charles Harbord, Sir Henry Spiller, Sir John Wolstenholme, Sir Abrah. Dawes, Sir John Jacob, Lawrence Whitacre, Justinian Povey, and Edw. Johnson, or any five or four of them. Whitehall, 1637, 5 June. [DOMESTIC Car. I., Entry Bk., Petitions, 1636–38, p. 91.] |
June 14.
Brooke House. |
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Conference with Capt. Bell and Mr. Rishworth, having returned in the Expectation on the 10th instant. Rishworth professes that the inhabitants have a desire to go to the main, should a colony be settled there. That Providence affords no quantity of tobacco nor cotton, though it will produce good quantities of provisions, and is strong enough to resist the whole power of Spain. He is questioned concerning Spaniards being taken on shore at Providence. Albertus Blufeild, mate of the Expectation, says there is a good harbour, a mile and a half in breadth, at the mouth; that he was two miles up the main, and found the country overgrown with silk grass and a river 8 or 10 feet deep, and 30 feet broad. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 297.] |
June 15.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. Capt. Bell's account of the island. Provisions wanted; only small quantities of commodities can be raised. Thinks never more than 40,000 wt. was made in the island. No means to dress cotton. The ground overrun with grass, which makes men seek out new plantations. Things grow well on the hills where sheltered. Servants' times expiring, hands are wanted to clear the ground. Fortifications in a good state. The island may maintain 1,200 men, if wholly set upon provisions, but 600 or 700 if upon commodities. The soil is hard, and rain sometimes falls three months together, which makes the ground chillish, and commodities die, especially tobacco. Corn liable to be blasted with winds. Rats increase exceedingly through the people's negligence. Children thrive well. Cattle are fat only during the rainy time. Good water; salt may be made. Capt. Bell's propositions are read. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 297–98.] |
June 16. 19.
Brooke House. |
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Giles Mersh confesses that he sent the Spaniards on shore [at Providence] the day before he came off; he is directed to attend the next day with his journal. Geo. Terry is ordered to come home by the first opportunity. Time mostly spent in private conference. Capt. Bell's tobacco to be given up to him. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 298.] |
June 21.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. A suit to be commenced against Giles Mersh in the Admiralty. Complaints contained in the information against him, viz., directing the Spaniards to be set on shore near Carthagena; forsaking the Blessing, whereby she fell into the hands of the Spaniards to the loss of near 2,000l.; staying at Bermuda and appropriating money, the price of the Company's negroes to his own use; spending the ship's best provisions on himself and mate, and giving such allowance to the passengers that very many died. Alb. Blufield petitions for satisfaction for three negroes set on shore at Bermuda. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 299.] |
June 22.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. Committee appointed. Mr. Rishworth's information grounded upon a letter received from the Governor of Providence. The fortifications were repaired, and earth used instead of mouldering faggots. The order for restraint of buying negroes was general, although some were bought with leave. The Governor requests a supply of military stores and a drummer. Of one hundred persons put aboard the Expectation, but ten living. The Governor wishes his salary "might proceed another way than by servants;" and to have power to punish such as run away in boats. That ratcatchers might be sent over, servants to supply the places of those whose times have expired, and cattle. Edbery, formerly driven into the woods at Henrietta by the Spaniards, and now employed in making salt for turtle, favourably recommended. Finance. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 29–300.] |
June 24.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. Unlawful sale of two negroes belonging to the Company. The large sums of money disbursed for fortification and planting of Providence, the discouragements received from the hostile attempts of the Spaniards, and the negligence and insufficiency of their own agents, are considered. For reasons stated at length, the design to be prosecuted with further supplies and adventures. Plans for doing so. Eleven heads of propositions; one that a stock of 100,000l. be raised, in shares of 1,000l. each, to be paid up in five years. Payments to cease if profits of the adventure shall be sufficient to support the work, "as is hoped they may be within a year or two." [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 300–302.] |
June 26.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above The gunner and boatswain of the Expectation examined concerning the conduct of Mersh. Financial business. Information of Mr. Rishworth concerning the storekeepers. Mr. Billing's goods. Wil. Ashby and John Cox, two seamen of the Expectation, state that the ship was so near the Fort at Providence that Capt. Rous came aboard; the master might have landed all the passengers, but did not, "whereby they lost near 40 men's lives." Account of goods laid out for negroes. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 302–304.] |
