|
| July 2. |
Commission from the Company of Providence Island to Capt. Sam. Axe, appointing him Vice-Admiral during pleasure. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 131.] |
| July 2. |
Commission from the Company of Providence Island to Capt. Butler, Governor, Capt. Sam. Axe, and Elisha Gladman, for examination and redress of complaints and abuses made in divers letters from the planters and inhabitants of the island. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 127.] |
| July 2. |
Commission from the Company of Providence Island. The King having permitted the Company to right themselves in hostile manner in the West Indies, upon the ships and goods of Spanish subjects, Capts. Nat. Butler, Robt. Hunt, Sam. Axe, and And. Carter are appointed a Council of War for all matters concerning military affairs in the island. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 128–29.] |
July 2.
Greenwich. |
118. Warrant for John Burnett of Aberdeen, the sole merchant of Scotland, who hath supplied the plantation of Virginia, "and become our tenant there," and his factors, to have free commerce with that colony. [Copy.] |
July 3.
London. |
The Company of Providence Island to the Governor and Council. Have received their letter of 27th Dec., with others from the inhabitants. Are very sensible of the want of ministers, who have been discouraged by the planters not contributing to their maintenance. Hope to send two by the next ship. Complaint of the discontinuance of magazines answered. Leave to trade with the Dutch. Instructions restraining men from leaving Providence interpreted; "we never intending to make the island a prison to any men." A council house to be built; cannot as yet send tiles and bricks. Capts. Axe and Carter appointed Councillors. The former Marshal was found fault with as a condemned man, but being pardoned, he may be continued in that place. Directions for preventing disorders by removing from old plantations. Cotton to be chiefly regarded, as more valuable than tobacco; also stores of oranges and lemons to be planted. A Council of War established. Dislike of Capt. Newman's permitting the Spaniards to view "the passages" [of the island]. Have endeavoured to furnish gunners. John Seberry to be encouraged to remain. Agreement with the armourer to be performed. Persons running away from the island to be punished by the Council of War. Taking in of negroes excused. Danger of too great a number. Hope shortly to send 200 English to be exchanged for as many negroes. To two English men in a family, one negro may be received and no more, for whom 40 lbs [of tobacco] per head is to be paid. Reasons. Negroes to contribute a double proportion to the works. Special care to be taken of the "Cannibal negroes brought from New England." Buying negroes from the Dutch. Liberty to purchase them under certain conditions. Difference with Capt. Newman about his negroes. Suspect the Governor and Council were too much swayed by "some by-ends." Glad that the island hath such store of provisions. Cows will speedily be brought there. Goods to be issued from the Company's stores for commodities; poor families especially to be respected. Planting of cotton to be promoted, so that manufacturers may be set up in the island, and the colony in time furnished with clothing. The storehouse and bridge to be repaired. Messrs. Woolsey and Peck appointed clerks of the stores, in the room of Isaac Barton. Their duties. Public charges to be defrayed out of the revenue. Elisha Gladman, clerk of military and maritime stores. No cause for complaining of 25 per cent. profit upon the sale of them. Former scarcity occasioned by the planters' negligence. Directions concerning Ralph Leicester, Geo. Hatterell, Will. Smith, the carpenter, and Randall Ince. Robt. Woodfall may leave the island if he wishes. Chas. Wettenhall to be paid out of the tobacco, for keeping the fort. John Seberry's fine remitted, and his negroes and lands restored; the transportation of his wife and children to Providence will be borne by the Company, "he being a man useful in the island." If Peter Finchley will remain, he is to have the same allowance as other gunners. As a general rule, negroes not to be sold for more than they were purchased at. Commend Lieut. Brent's industry. Rich. Lane's services not thought worthy of much recompence. Law. Peterson has liberty to leave the island. Are ready to reward Wil. Stockdale's diligence in the advancement of Capt. Rudyerd's voyage. A plantation may be assigned to Jas. Smith, if he be a man of good government. Rice James and Wil. Painter to be encouraged to stay; their wives will be sent over by the first opportunity. Hope of mines of good value in the island. Servants for Mr. Acton. Robert Davies and Nic. Hunter released from service, and at liberty to come home. Mr. Francis supplied with servants by Capt. Butler's ship. An armoury to be built. Servants for John Randall. John Chesly to be supplied, as soon as encouraged in the practice of surgery. Hope Phil. Trippett and Jo. Collins will continue in the island. Have sent Lieut. Adcock four servants. Others will be supplied as opportunities arise. John Peck and Capt. Woodcock to be accommodated with lodgings and provisions until their servants arrive. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 123–25.] |
July 3.
London. |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Nat. Butler, Governor. Hope he is well settled in the government. Directions concerning those who wish to leave the island. Intreat him to persuade men to stay, by all means possible. Recommend sugar canes, oranges, lemons, pines, and other fruits, to be planted "for the comfort and refreshment of the colony." Have contracted with some merchants to deliver 200 English at Providence, and receive the same number of negroes in exchange. Liberty to purchase negroes from the Dutch. Every year English will be sent in exchange for them. A family of fourteen not to have above six negroes. The surplusage may be sold to the poor men who have served their apprenticeship. Those turbulent spirits who threatened the Governor for suspending his resolution about admitting more negroes into the island, to be banished. Hope by the next ship, to "make a certain and full supply" of ministers, knowing them to be of great importance for the contentment of the island. Mr. Sherhard to be encouraged by all possible means. Direct a survey of Cape Gratia de Dios. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 126.] |
July 3.
London. |
The Company of Providence Island to Mr. Sherhard. Thanks for his pains and constancy. Have not yet been able to send a further supply of ministers. Hope he will still continue in the island, but will not press him, if his health compels his removal. Have recommended to the planters to increase his allowance, advanced him 20l. towards the discharge of his debts, and allowed him two negroes. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 127.] |
| July 3. |
Instructions for Capt. Nat. Butler, Capt. Sam. Axe, and Elisha Gladman, Commissioners for examination of abuses and complaints in Providence Island. Concerning the accounts of the clerks of the stores; excessive expenses of some families in riotous feasting; Mr. Downes' estate; goods delivered for public services; difference between Capts. Hunt and Elfrith; public works not paid for; apportioning of plantations, particularly of Isaac Barton's; a family of 14 not to have above 50 acres. Mrs. Bell's fine and negroes. John Seberry's grievances and bond to Capt. Bell. Phil. Trippett's fine. Mr. Downes' imprisonment. Matters at variance between Capt. Elfrith and Wil. Russell, concerning a piece of ground. Contract between Capt. Hunt and Wil. Scott, and the allowance due to the latter for his services as Secretary. Ensign Collins' allowance for tobacco. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 127–28.] |
| July 3. |
Instructions for Capts. Nath. Butler, Robt. Hunt, and Sam. Axe. Concerning the "fyners or provers" of ore now sent to the Island of Providence, in the service of the Company of Adventurers for that plantation. To search in the most convenient places in the island, particularly where now or lately stood "Michael Archer's kitchen." [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 134.] |
| July 3. |
Instructions for the Council of War for Providence Island. Defence. Employment of public negroes. Liberty to set ships to sea, and appoint commanders for taking of Spanish prizes. Inventories of prize goods. Reservations for the Company. Employment of vessels taken by the Company's ships. Care of prisoners. A prison to be built. Respect to the captains of the Company's men-of-war. Elisha Gladman, clerk of the military stores. Treasures and jewels. Cattle from Hispaniola. Yearly returns of arms and ammunition. Military storehouses to be built. Certificates of seamen's behaviour. Authority to purchase negroes at 150 lb. of tobacco per head. Their employment. Punishment for deserting the island. Instruction from gunners. Repressing mutinies. Especial recommendation of Lieut. Fitch. Employment for Ensign Collins. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 129–130.] |
| July 3. |
Articles of agreement between the Company of Providence Island and Capt. Sam. Axe. To be Captain of Warwick Fort, appoint his own lieutenant, and have the free labour of four men. To be one of the Council of War, and of the Council for government of the plantations, which he may attend at his own convenience; also Vice-Admiral, and have 1 per cent. of all prizes. To receive 40l. at once, and 30l. per annum for two years, besides 1,200 wt. of tobacco annually. To have a plantation assigned to him, the use of the Company's negroes to clear it and build a house, and seven acres of land near Warwick Fort, and to be allowed one ton of freight for every year he remains in the Company's service. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 131.] |
| July 3. |
Instructions from the Company of Providence Island to Capt. Sam. Axe, captain of the Swallow, bound to the West Indies. Contract with the seamen. Passengers to be taken on board at Gravesend. To sail direct to Providence. Seizure of Spanish vessels in the West Indies. Inventories of prize goods. Disposal and examination of prisoners. Spanish pilots to be detained. Defence of the island if attacked. Conference with other commanders of ships. Prizes. Provisions. Negroes. Consortship with Dutch or English vessels. In case ore of value be discovered by the refiners, the Spy to be sent home with samples. Encouragement to stay abroad. Revictualling of his pinnace. Charges. Spanish letters and instructions to be opened and sent home. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 132–34.] |
| July 3. |
Instructions for Capt. Nich. Parker, captain of the Spy, bound to the West Indies. Almost word for word the same as the above, with the exception of the last three articles but one, which refer exclusively to Capt. Axe. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 132–34.] |
| July 4. |
119. Report of Attorney General Sir John Bankes and R. Wanderford, Attorney of the Court of Wards, to the Privy Council. The custody of any idiot in Virginia belongs to the King, and is in his disposal, according to the laws of England. |
July 14.
Greenwich. |
120. The King to Cecil Lord Baltimore. Has declared his pleasure that William Clobery, David Moorehead, and others, planters in Kentish island, should not be interfered with, but rather encouraged in so good a work [see ante p. 191, No. 33]. The King understands that contrary to his pleasure, Lord Baltimore's agents have slain three persons, possessed themselves of the island by force, and seized the persons and estates of the planters. These disorders have been referred to the Commissioners for Plantations. He is therefore commanded to allow the planters and their agents to have free enjoyment of their possessions, without further trouble, until the cause is decided. |
| July 15. |
121. Report of the Sub committee for Foreign Plantations to the Privy Council. Upon petition of Capt. Sam. Mathews, late of the Council in Virginia, who complains of the unjust seizure, by order of Governor Harvey, and sequestration of his whole estate, "the best in that colony," during his absence; declaring the proceedings of Thos. Hill, or any others there against Mathews unwarrantable, that they ought to be recalled and vacated, and express commands sent to the Governor and Council to cause their Lordships' former order of 25 May 1637 [see ante, p. 252, No. 53], to be put in execution. |
| July 27. |
122. Report of the Sub-committee for Foreign Plantations to the Privy Council. Upon two petitions in the name of the planters and traders to Virginia. In the first, the petitioners complain of being compelled to unlade all their goods at James' Town only; the Sub-committee report that no master of a ship should break bulk until he arrive at James Town, but as the public storehouse is gone to decay, the Governor, should be directed to deal with some private persons to build others, to be let out for that purpose. In the second, the petitioners complain of the imposition of a proportion of ammunition from every ship for public defence, of 6d. a head for every passenger taking the oaths of allegiance, and 2d. for the registry of every hogshead of tobacco; the Sub-committee report that the first imposition should not be discontinued, but that the others should be suspended for the Governor's answer. |
| [July 29.] |
123. Order of the Privy Council. Upon petition of John Woodcock, of London, merchant, who sets forth that he has adventured the greatest part of his estate in Virginia, which he is in danger of losing through the death of his factors and some of his debtors; directing the Governor and Council of Virginia to be effectually assisting him in its discovery and speedy recovery. [Draft. On the endorsement Sec. Coke has written that the bearer was the party for whom he moved the Board for a letter to the Governor and Council of Virginia.] |
| July. |
List of names of passengers bound to Providence Island in the Swallow and the Spy. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 135.] |
| July? |
124. Petition of Jas. Earl of Marlborough, His Majesty's ward, to the King. Recites petition of his father, Henry Earl of Marlborough [see ante, p. 242, No. 32], and complains that his annuity is eleven years in arrears, and his estate in no way able to support his dignity. Prays that the present Earl of Carlisle may be commanded to satisfy the petitioner, and in case he refuse or delay to do so, that the King will grant letters to the Governors of St. Kitt's, Nevis, and Montserrat to permit the petitioner to seize goods there for satisfaction of his arrears. |
