|
| June 6. |
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Concerning the means of raising 6,800l. and the discharge of certain debts due by the Company. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 360–61.] |
| [June 7.] |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Nat. Butler, Governor. Are very glad to hear of his safe arrival. Reasons for sending the Mary; information received of great quantities of silver ore. Complain of his sharing with others in profits which belong to them. Explain their patents. Sam. Border has been examined, and goes master of this vessel, with instructions to make trial of the metal. Indisposed to venture too great a charge upon it. Will not subject themselves to men's scorn and derision as others have done, when their ships brought home nothing but dirt. Particular instructions. Captains Axe and Brent, Lewis Morris and Sam. Border, are joined with the Governor "in this employment." Their several duties. John Butler is appointed the Company's agent and overseer. Capt. Parker to be sent to New England if the ore prove good, to hire ships. The "bargain for negroes" has been altered; they are to be employed in digging for ore. Planting tobacco to be restrained and cotton encouraged. Weavers and spinners are sent over with fit engines and instruments; also brick to build a powder house. Have not provided any great magazine, former disbursements having made but little or no return. Maurice Thompson carries shoes and shirts, and things most useful for the inhabitants. When once the colony is put into a course of subsisting, either by mineral or manufacture, will do their parts. Are inclined to yield that trade be left free, as in other plantations. Congratulations on the colony's deliverance from the negro rebellion. Direct him to be more watchful, and keep them harder at work. Embezzlements of Nath. Marston. Prohibitions against fetching ore. Approve of the bargain for Capt. Elfrith's negroes; directions to sell or otherwise dispose of them; also concerning the purchase of cattle, and freight of Thompson's ships. Have used all possible endeavours to take off inconveniences "for want of administration of the sacrament;" but pray the colony at present to rest satisfied with Mr. Sherhard, and to give him and his particular congregation every liberty and favour. "God makes no difference between them that do faithfully and heartily seek him, though there be in the appearance of men some difference between them in opinion and practice, concerning outward things." Hope to make a correspondence with New England very beneficial, and entreat him to take away all occasion of faction among themselves, and of any "breach with those Churches." It is hoped that they likewise [of New England] will carry themselves moderate, be content with their own freedom, and leave others to theirs. Lord Brooke's accounts. Capt. Francis and the stores. Robt. Woodfall's negroes to be restored. Goods left in the hands of Thos. Mascall and Rich. Bird. Wil. Browne and Ed. Turton, who have been condemned to death, to have their liberty, but not be allowed to leave the island. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 138–42.] |
| [June 7.] |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Hunt. Cannot at present return a particular answer to what has been received from him. Conceive that the exceptions against his government proceeded from want of experience, not from willingness to offend. Encourage him to go on cheerfully in his public employments. Have been disappointed in their desire to send a minister by this ship. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 143.] |
| [June 7.] |
The Company of Providence Island to the Governor and Council. Desire they will give over the planting of tobacco; can give no manner of hopes that it will be worth their pains. Cottons will be a certain commodity. Have sent weavers and spinners, engines, and other fit instruments, for setting up a manufacture. Maurice Thompson will supply a magazine. Free trade for all English and Dutch. Forbear to send over any great number of servants, until the colony can make profit by and pay for them. Good store of provisions to be raised in the island. Have laid aside thoughts of selling their negroes; if the number be too great to be managed, they may be sold, and sent to New England or Virginia. Would have realised 15l. per head by Mr. Woodcock's bargain; his death brought great losses upon them. Intimation to those inhabitants who expect servants. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 143–44.] |
| [June 7.] |
The Company of Providence Island to Mr. Sherhard. Acknowledgment of his services, and the difficulties he has undergone. Have been disappointed in their desire to send another minister to take off part of his burden. His moderation is much commended in having as yet forborne any public administration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and thus avoided the discontent of those not of his congregation. Heartily wish that they could supply others to administer the sacrament of Baptism to content of those who wish it. Entreat that no offence may be given to those not fully of his judgment and practice. Forbear to write more "in regard of their great haste and many foul distractions." [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 144–45.] |
| [June 7.] |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Parker. Have received his letters, and thank him for his information concerning Nath. Marston's embezzlements. Hope he will take better care to prevent similar abuses hereafter. Sorry he is not thoroughly furnished with victuals; Mr. Woodcock's death the cause. Are informed that the island abounds with all kinds of provisions. This ship is sent on a particular design for the Bay of Darien. Directions for his guidance in case the ore prove good. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol., IV., p. 145.] |
| [June 7.] |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Brent. Have received his letter and approve of his proceedings with his mutinous crew. Complain of his having joined with others about the supposed mine, which he has found in the Bay of Darien, and for having forborne to give them advertisement of it. Are willing to pass by the remembrance of it, conceiving him to have been misled. For his encouragement, he is employed in the further discovery and improvement of the mine, to which the remainder of this letter refers. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 145–46.] |
| [June 7.] |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Woodcock. Have received his letters. Have respited sending men till some more beneficial commodity than tobacco, of such base value, is undertaken. Hope the setting up a manufacture of cotton will put the colony into a good state of prosperity. May employ him more to his advantage than the following of a plantation. Desire his care to assist the Governor, also for the fortifications. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 146.] |
| [June 7.] |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Carter. Thanks for his advertisements concerning the prizes taken by Capts. Axe and Parker, and the goods embezzled. Have sent over his wife with three servants at their charge, and hope they may be able to reward his good service more liberally. Will never be wanting to encourage "such a man as you are." [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 146–47.] |
| June 7. |
Commission from the Company of Providence Island, appointing John Butler, Mr. Symonds, and one other [not named] commanders of the passengers bound thither in the Mary of London. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 149.] |
| June 7. |
Commission appointing Capt. John Brent, now in Providence Island, captain of the Mary of London, according to the instructions he shall receive from Capt. Butler and the rest of the Commissioners for managing "the design" [of the mine]. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 149–50.] |
| June 7? |
The Company of Providence Island to Capt. Sam, Axe. Have received his letter. His success not answerable to their expenses. Explain that the silver ore, concerning which he had joined with Capt. Butler and some others, is within the limits of their second patent. Hope he will take that course which becometh a faithful servant. Require him to forbear all private designs and promise encouragement. Embezzlements of Nath. Marston. Directions to be careful in that particular. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 150.] |
| June 7–20. |
Minutes of letters addressed to the Governor and Council of Providence and others, by the Company of Adventurers for that island, and agreed to be sent thither by the Mary, "being taken upon the design of Darien." All calendared under their respective dates. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 361–62.] |
| June 10. |
Articles of agreement between the Company of Providence Island, and Ant. Hooper of London, merchant, Theophilus Bolton, linendraper, Abraham De Leau, and Capt John Dell, for setting forth a ship of 130 tons with 14 pieces of ordnance and 60 seamen under the command of Capt. Dell, for taking Spanish prizes in the West Indies. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 152.] |
| June 12. |
Warrant from the Company of Providence Island, for the apprehension of Nathaniel Marston, for embezzling a wedge of gold and some gold dust from one of the prizes taken by Capt. Axe in the West Indies. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 142.] |
| June 12. |
25. Sale of lands upon Long Island by James Farrett, Deputy to the Earl of Stirling, to Edward Howell, Daniel How, Job Sayer, and their associates, in consideration of barge hire, besides they being driven off by the Dutch from where they were planted by Farrett, to their great damage, with a sum of money in all amounting to 400l. [Certified copy, endorsed, "Read in Council 19 July 1672."] |
| June 20. |
Instruction from the Company of Providence Island to Sam. Border, master of the Mary of London. After leaving Barbadoes to direct his course to the Bay of Darien, and there have some of the ore tried by John Butler, the Company's agent. If good, to bring a good freight to England, where it will be refined. If it be not of value, the ship may be employed for prizes for one month. Defence of Providence, in case of any hostile attempt, and disposal of prizes. Captain John Brent to be captain. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., p. 147.] |
| [June 20.] |
Instruction from the Company of Providence Island to Capts. Butler, Axe, and Carter. Concerning a further trial of certain ore [at the Bay of Darien], information of which has been received by Capt. Brent and Sam. Border; John Butler to be present at all the trials; hiring of a vessel to bring the ore to England; and other matters in connexion with it. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 147–48.] |
| [June 20.] |
Instructions for John Butler, agent and overseer of the Company of Providence Island, of all men employed "in digging and lading of a mine of that ore whereof we have been informed." [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. IV., pp. 148–49.] |
June 28.
Warwick House. |
Minutes of a Court for Providence Island. Concerning Capt. Newman's deliverance from Dunkirk. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., p. 362.] |
June 30.
Warwick House. |
Minutes as above. Monetary matters. Four hundredweight of sarsaparilla to be delivered to Capt. Newman. Mr. Butler's bills for refining to be discharged. Money disbursed about Capt. Newman's business. Two negroes in Providence to be restored to Robt. Woodfall on his return. Mrs. Carter, desirous to go to her husband, to be transported with her three servants free of expense; both her and her husband to have liberty to come home when they choose. Rice James, his wife and child, to be transported at the Company's charge, he to enjoy such offices upon the island as formerly; as also the wife of Aaron Butcher and servants. John Rundall and Peter Gates, a smith, to have their negroes restored on their arrival. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 362–63.] |
