|
1679. Jan. 2.
Whitehall. |
858. Journal of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. Read,
Answer of the Warwick Deputies to the return in William Harris's
case, representing that if their business were again referred to the
Massachusetts and other Colonies they would be ruined by the
extraordinary charge, and stand in great danger of being condemned by the malice of their declared enemies, the Massachusetts.
Their Lordships, taking notice that by the disagreement of the
Commissioners the whole matter is referred to His Majesty's final
determination, agree to report that William Harris, having laid
claim to no other lands than those of Patuxet, and the Deputies
being only concerned for those of Warwick, the inhabitants of
Warwick be not disturbed in the possession of their lands till
Harris or his partners make out their title before His Majesty
in Council. Mem.—At a meeting of the Council Chamber on
the 15th instant, Mr. Mason's petition concerning his pretensions
in New England is ordered to be sent to the Agents of Boston to
make answer thereunto. 2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV.,
p. 289.] |
Jan. 6.
Nevis. |
859. Governor Stapleton to Lords of Trade and Plantations.
I hoped before this to have reported a conference with the French
General respecting some misunderstandings betwixt the subjects
of both Crowns in their respective garrisons of St. Christopher's,
occasioned altogether by the French soldiers and customers who
interrupted His Majesty's subjects in the carriage of their goods
to the English quarter to windward of the Island, contrary to all
ancient and late Articles. The difference is not come to any height,
only the Deputy Governors of both sides and the National Commissioners cannot or will not compose it or redress the parties
aggrieved until we meet; and that cannot be these two months,
for the French frigates (for which the French Governor waits)
which are designed for the guard of their islands do not sail from
Europe till the beginning of this January. Six men-of-war arrived
at Martinique, but were sent to recover the guns lost in the wreck
of Count d'Estrcés fleet at Aves. It is supposed that the Dutch
from Curacoa have been beforehand with them for some of the
ordnance. I would suggest that your Lordships should order all
ships trading hither to bring out for sale ten or twelve firearms,
each ship's master or merchant, of 20 or 25 shillings price apiece,
and a dozen swords. This will check the expense to His Majesty
of transporting arms hither and the importunities of his subjects
to be supplied, and will in two years arm the naked and supply all
decayed arms. Read in Council, 20 March 1679. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XLIII., No. 1, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVI., p. 340.] |
| Jan. 15. |
860. Answer of Edward Randolph to the question of the King
in Council concerning the disadvantage arising to inhabitants of
the Massachusetts Colony who are conformable to the Church of
England. They have not the free exercise of their religion, being
constrained under a fine to attend their Congregational meetings
as by law. They are not admitted to be freemen nor capable of
being elected to the magistracy; no person, belonging to a Church
gathered without the approbation of the Magistrates and of the
Churches, being admitted to the freedom of the Commonwealth.
It is therefore prayed that, till the further settlement of the
Colony is decided upon, the Massachusetts and other Colonies be
directed to admit to the freedom all persons declaring to the next
magistrate their conformity to the Church of England and having
taken the Oath of Allegiance; that they be exempted from the
obligation to come to the Independent churches, and that all
Ministers have liberty to read divine service and administer the
Sacraments according to the rites of the Church of England. On
the margin a reference, dated 15 Jan. 1678/9, to the Committee of
Trade and Plantations, signed Robert Southwell. Superscribed,
"Read at Comtee 6 Feb. 1678." 1 p. [Col Papers, Vol. XLIII.,
No. 2.] |
Jan. 15.
Council Chamber. |
861. Secretary to Lords of Trade and Plantations to the Agents
for New England. Forwards a letter from Mr. Mason for their
report, and requests in particular information in writing as to how
far the northern bounds of their Colony extend either as to soil
or Government or both. Draft in the handwriting of William
Blathwayt. Enclosed, |
|
861. i. Petition of Robert Mason to Lords of Trade and
Plantations. Setting forth that he is the sole and lawful
proprietor of New Hampshire, a tract of about thirty
miles between the Merrimac and Piscatawa rivers, many
years since usurped by the Government of Massachusetts
under pretence of a grant from King Charles I. Prays
that the Agents of Massachusetts be required to state in
writing what lands they pretend to have right unto in
New Hampshire, and that a time may be appointed for
them and petitioner to wait on their Lordships. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XLIII., Nos. 3, 3 I.; copy of letter, Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. LX., p. 317.] |
Jan. 20.
Whitehall. |
862. The Duke of Monmouth to Lords of Trade and Plantations.
Furnishes, in compliance with Order in Council of 15th May last
(see ante, No. 700), estimate of charge for 1,000 soldiers in ten
companies for one year, with arms and ammunition and cost of
transport to Leeward Islands, as certified by the Master of the
Ordnance and the Commissioners of the Navy. The cost of raising
the men cannot so certainly be computed; would suggest 12d. per
man listing money, and each soldier to be entertained in the King's
pay from the day of his listing; officers, commissioned and noncommissioned, to receive pay from the time when they muster fifty
soldiers in their respective companies; a short day certain to be
fixed whereby the captains shall complete their companies; vessels
to be ready to transport them; clothes to be bespoke for the men
as soon as it is resolved to raise them, such clothes to be paid for
by the usual deduction of 2d. per diem to each man. Signed,
Monmouth. Recd. 20 Jan. 1678–79. Annexed, |
|
862. i. Estimate of charge for 1,000 soldiers and officers in ten
companies:— |
|
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Ten captains at 8s. per day each |
4 |
0 |
0 |
per diem. |
|
Ten lieutenants at 4s. per day
each |
2 |
0 |
0 |
" |
|
Ten ensigns at 3s. per day each |
1 |
10 |
0 |
" |
|
Thirty sergeants at 18d.per day
each |
4 |
5 |
0 |
" |
|
Thirty corporals at 12d. per day
each |
1 |
10 |
0 |
" |
|
Twenty drummers at 12d. per day
each |
1 |
0 |
0 |
" |
|
1,000 privates at 8d. per day each |
33 |
6 |
8 |
" |
|
|
45 |
11 |
8 |
" |
|
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Charge per month, 30 days |
1,367 |
10 |
0 |
|
|
" year, 365 days |
16,637 |
18 |
4 |
|
|
If the companies be regimented, there will be additional cost
for field and staff officers as follows:— |
|
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Colonel, per day |
0 |
12 |
0 |
|
|
Lieutenant-Colonel, per day |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
|
Major, per day |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
|
Aid Major, per day |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
|
Quarter Master, per day |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
|
Chaplain |
0 |
6 |
8 |
|
|
Chirurgeon |
0 |
6 |
8 |
|
|
Chirurgeon's Mate |
0 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
Or |
2 |
7 |
10 |
per day. |
|
|
71 |
15 |
0 |
per month. |
|
|
872 |
19 |
2 |
per year. |
|
The charge of ten companies regimented will be:— |
|
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Per day |
47 |
19 |
6 |
|
|
" month |
1,439 |
5 |
0 |
|
|
" year |
17,510 |
17 |
6 |
|
|
Received from the Duke of Monmouth 20th January 1679. |
|
862. ii. Estimate of charge of arms for 1,000 soldiers in ten
companies with one year's ammunition:— |
|
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Muskets, 667 at 16s. apiece |
533 |
12 |
0 |
|
|
Pikes, 333 at 4s. 6d. apiece |
74 |
18 |
6 |
|
|
Bandoliers, 667 at 2s. 4d. apiece |
77 |
16 |
4 |
|
|
Partisans, 10 at 10s. apiece |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Halberds, 30 at 8s. apiece |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Drums, 20 at 25s. apiece |
25 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Corn-powder, 60 barrels, at 3l. 2s. 6d. a
barrel |
187 |
10 |
0 |
|
|
Match, 60 lbs. at 1l. 9s. per lb. |
87 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Musket shot, 60 lbs. at 1l. 1s. per lb. |
63 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
1,065 |
16 |
10 |
|
|
An officer to take charge thereof, per
annum |
60 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Cost of transportation, &c. |
80 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total |
1,145 |
16 |
10 |
|
|
Signed, Jonas Moore, Edward Sherburne. |
|
862. iii. Estimate of cost of transporting 1,000 soldiers in ten
companies from England to the Leeward Islands, including all provisions necessary both for officers and
soldiers during their passage:— |
|
Passage, victualling, and landing expenses are reckoned
at 5l. 10s. per man. Total, 5,500l. |
|
Allowance to surgeons for care of men during the
voyage, "the usual allowance," 2s. 6d. per man.
Total, 125l. |
|
Allowance to the men on the voyage:—500 gallons of
brandy, 80 bushels of oatmeal, 5 cwt. of currants,
2½ cwt. of sugar. Total, 148l. 10s. |
|
One thousand "hamaccoes" and as many rugs for the
men. Total, 283l. 6s. 8d. |
|
Grand total, 6,056l. 16s. 8d. |
|
Dated Navy Office, 15 June 1678. |
|
Signed, J. Tippetts, R. Haddock, A. Deane, Tho. Hayter. [Col.
Papers, Vol. XLIII., Nos. 4, 4 I.–III.; and Col, Entry Book, Vol.
XLVI., pp. 384–388.] |
Jan. 20.
Montserrat. |
863. Governor Stapleton to Lords of Trade and Plantations.
Comes as a humble suppliant for defence against a claim made on
him by the Dutch Agent for some negroes brought to Montserrat
from Tobago in the King's ketch, half whereof were sold by the
captain. Begs their Lordships to consider his own title to the
negroes, viz. (1.) His Majesty's to gracious grant under the Privy Seal
for the negroes. (2.) Two successive possessions of hostility, the
one by the French of the island, who remained there after the fort
was blown up 15 days to rase and level the rest of the fortifications, the other of the heathen Indians after the French; they
carried away some negroes, and would have carried these too if
His Majesty's ketch had not been there. (3.) There being no
Dutch Commission upon the land, Stapleton trusts their Lordships
will not judge any jus gentium to give the States any title to the
negroes, whereof some are really English negroes taken and
retaken, while others have proved their freedom ab origine, and are
really set free by himself. Stapleton finally begs for the payment
of his arrears in Sir Tobias Bridge's regiment, and for some consideration for contingent expenses. Inscribed, "Concerning the
Tobago negroes and his arrears in Sir Tobias Bridge's Regiment."
Received 29 April 1679. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIII., No. 5, and
Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVI., p. 353.] |
| Jan. 21–23. |
864. Journal of the Assembly of Barbadoes. Colonel Richard
Guy chosen Speaker, and took the chair. Voted that the removing
the Court of Common Pleas from Austin's Town is a violation of
the law. |
| Jan. 22. |
Several Acts, the titles of which are given, being near
expired, Ordered that a Bill be drawn to continue said Acts some
further time. The Bill was read and passed unanimously, as was
also, on petition of Richard Forstall, a Bill for continuing an Act to
enable the executors of Richard Plumley, deceased, to sell his
estate for payment of his debts. Ordered, that John Hallett,
Treasurer, pay the salaries due to the gunners and others at
Charles, James, and Willough by forts. Also that he ship thirty
butts of muscovado sugar to Colonel Henry Drax and Sir Peter
Colleton in London to make use of for the benefit of the island.
Having sent for the Treasurer it was found that the fund on which
this thirty butts of sugar is laid is all expended, therefore to think
upon some other expedient for raising a fund for the uses mentioned. Act for raising a levy to defray the charge of building,
rebuilding, and finishing the several fortitications and breastworks,
and other public occasions passed unanimously. It was agreed on
debate that the levy should be two pounds of sugar per acre upon
land, five pounds of sugar per head upon negroes, with a levy upon
the towns and traders in the Island. The Assembly, having deep
resentment of the horrid and hellish plot, contrived and carried on
by Popish recusants against the life of the King to the subversion
of the Government and the Protestant religion, move his Excellency
and Council that a day of fasting and humiliation be appointed to
be solemnly kept, and that the test appointed by the Parliament
in England, with the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, be
forthwith imposed upon all to whom power, place, office, or trust
is committed. This address is well approved by His Excellency
and Council, who recommend it to the Assembly to draw up an
Act for administering said oaths, His Excellency resolving in due
time to order a day of humiliation throughout the island. Ordered,
that the Treasurer pay to John Higginbotham, Clerk of the
Assembly, 10,000 lbs. of muscovado sugar for six months salary. |
| Jan. 23. |
An Act for the more effectual putting in execution a statute of
England entitled "An Act for preventing dangers which may happen
from Popish recusants," passed unanimously. Ordered, that
Colonel William Bate and Major John Hallett be empowered to buy
great guns and shot at reasonable prices for the use of the country,
to be paid for out of the excise on liquors imported. Also that the
Treasurer, as soon as the public stock will enable him, ship thirty
butts of muscovado sugar out of that half of the excise reserved
to public uses, and consign them to Sir Peter Colleton and Colonel
Henry Drax in London to make use of for the benefit of this island.
The Act for raising the levy above referred to, with amendments
and additions passed unanimously. Ordered, that the Treasurer
pay to John Forbes, their marshal, 1,500 pounds of muscovado
sugar for six months salary. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XIII., pp. 329–385.] |
Jan. 23.
Whitehall. |
865. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. On information
of a ship going to Jamaica, Ordered, that Lord Carlisle be acquainted
with the progress made upon his letter of August last concerning
the clause in the Militia Bill and the erection of a mint, it being
already agreed to advise that the Bill remain unaltered and that
the matter of the mint be referred to the officers of the Mint.
Mr. Slingesby to be quickened in furnishing his report on the Mint.
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV., p. 291] |
Jan. 24.
Whitehall. |
866. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. In reference
to an examination (continued from 18th December 1677) of the
grievances presented to His Majesty's late Commissioners by the
people of Virginia: report agreed to be presented to His Majesty
thereon. Draft of Commission for Lord Culpeper to be Governor
of Virginia, read; several amendments agreed upon; five to be a
quorum of Councillors instead of three, unless upon extraordinary
occasions. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CV., pp. 292–294.] |
Jan. 24.
Whitehall. |
867. Order of the King in Council. On representation of the
Commissary of the united provinces respecting the piratical seizure
of the ship Sun, with cargo of 200 negroes, the property of the
Dutch West India Company and of Balthazar de la Rue, by Captain
James Brown, off the coast of Carthagena in 1677, some of which
negroes were landed in Jamaica and sold by order of the Governor
and Council, and the proceeds deposited for restitution to the right
owner: Ordered, that the Committee for Trade and Plantations do
examine the business and report to His Majesty in Council. Signed
Robert Southwell. Subscribed, " Rec. 27 Jan. 1679. Read
10 Feb. 1679." [Col Papers, Vol. XLIII., No. 6, and Col.
Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX., p. 263.] |
| (Jan. 24.) |
868. Petition of John Crown, in behalf of his father, William
Crown, to the King and Privy Council. In 1621, Sir William
Alexander, Lord of Menstrie, Principal Secretary of State for
Scotland, obtained from James I. a grant of New Scotland and Acady;
in 1631 Lord Alexander granted this country to Sir Claud St.
Stephen, Lord de la Tour, who in 1656 made over his right for 3,370l.
to the petitioner's father and Sir Thomas Temple, who enjoyed
the same till it was delivered to the French, whereby petitioner
and his family have sustained almost utter ruin, to which for almost
12 years they have patiently submitted, never presuming to importune the King for compensation. There now being at the King's
disposal a small tract of land in New England called Mounthope
at present desolate and uninhabited, prays the King to bestow the
same on him for the support of his parents and family. Endorsed,
A reference to the Committee of Trade and Plantations. 24 Jan.
167 8/9. 1 p. [Col. papers, Vol. XLIII., No. 7.] |
Jan. 26.
St. Jago de la Vega. |
869. Governor Lord Carlisle to Secretary Coventry. Since
15th December I have had many complaints from Trist in the Bay
of Campeachy of the disorders owing to want of some government for the security of life and property; which once secured
would profit this Island and settle the logwood trade, without
which England's interest in these parts will not be so duly
improved nor Jamaica so well supported. I therefore beg that an
early arrangement may be agreed on with the Spaniards who, if
they will not grant us logwood, must of necessity expose their gold
and silver to a number of English who are abroad and have
nothing to live on but the logwood trade. Some few days since
I wrote to one Captain Cook bound to Trist to inform himself
among the inhabitants of some persons fit to undertake the government and of the allowance they can make for his support; and in
this I beg for His Majesty's speedy directions. Some of the
French in Hispaniola are very desirous to trade with Jamaica, and
bring us cacao and moneys for the manufactures here of England.
Without this trade, privately or publicly carried on, it will be hard
to manage an inland trade in this Island, for all ships from Ireland,
Bermudas, New England, and New York, laden with provisions,
carry off ready money for them; and ready money is so scarce that
unless we be relieved by private trade with the Spaniards our
want thereof will be very great. The French have lately sacked
Marrikey, Truxillo, and another town of the Spaniards in the Main,
and brought off great booty to Petit Guavos in Hispaniola. A vessel
from Surinam, lately driven here by stress of weather, brought us
news of the Indians having cut off most of the English and Dutch
remaining there, burnt all their canes and destroyed their sugars
with their houses, coppers, stills, and provisions. The residue of
the English would have embarked for this island but the new
Governor Herr Heinsius would not permit one to stir, being with
the Dutch forced into the castle for defence. The tediousness of
the voyage is my reason for not sending a King's frigate to bring
off the rest of the English that desire to be transported hither;
but for this I want His Majesty's order (one frigate being gone to
the Havanna for English prisoners); not being acquainted how
affairs stand at home, I cannot forsee what employment I may
have for the Jersey in her present station. The master's chief mate
and four other men of the Jersey are in prison at Port Royal
accused of sodomy, and will be tried for their lives on Tuesday
next. I am in little pain with gout, but in much to hear from you
in answer to my many letters. 3 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIX.,
p. 286.] |
Jan. 29.
Council Chamber. |
870. [William Blathwayt] to Agents of Warwick and Boston.
The Lords of Trade and Plantations desire to be informed, with
reference to Mr. Crown's petition for a grant of Mounthope (1)
What is the area of Mounthope? (2) What is the present value of
the land? (3) Whether there be any claim of propriety made
thereto by any of the neighbouring corporations or the inhabitants
thereof. 1 p. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LX., p. 318.] |
Jan. 29.
Falmouth [Antigua]. |
871. Minutes of the Council of Antigua. Present: Colonel
James Vaughan, Governor, Captain Paul Lee, Captain John
Cade, Captain William Thomas, John Parry, Colonel Rowland
Williams, Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Ayres, Major Jeremiah
Watkins, Captain Samuel Joues, and Captain Harvey Keynell.
Ordered, that Colonel Philip Warner be Speaker of the new
Assembly according to election. Ordered by the Council and
Assembly that an augmentation of 4,000 lbs. of sugar or tobacco
annually be made for the ministers, so that they receive 16,000 lbs.
per annum; that a register of all burials and christenings be kept
by the clerk of every parish, and that he have "a salary of 2,000 lbs.
of sugar or tobacco therefore"; that the forts be repaired, and the
duty on liquors set apart for that work; that an Act pass declaring
all lands and houses in towns to be freeholds as lands in the country,
provided it do not bring into question any past action touching the
premises; that an Act pass obliging all persons that shall take up,
or have taken up lands in the said towns, to build such houses as
the Governor, Council, and Assembly shall appoint; that two of
the Council and three of the Assembly forthwith go about viewing
the Acts of this Island; that boats and men be pressed sufficient
to aid the Surveyor in taking the map of the Island against the
10th February next. Names of "persons sworn to the Acts of
Trade," viz., Captain Paul Lee and Major Jeremiah Watkins, Judges,
John Ley, Secretary, John Gunthorp, Marshal Edward Dendy, and
Aquila Stoughton, Deputy Secretaries. 1½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol.
XXV., No. 55*, pp. 762, 763.] |
Jan. 31.
Whitehall. |
872. Order in Council on the Report of the Committee for
Plantations concerning William Harris and the Warwick agents,
The report describes at length the differences between Harris and
Holden and Greene in behalf of Warwick; the complaint of the
Warwick agents about the proceedings of the Commissioners with
regard to Warwick; the report of Governor Leverett of 15th October;
the answer of Holden and Greene thereto; and advises that
commands may be given that the inhabitants of Warwick be not
disturbed in the enjoyment of the lands claimed and possessed by
them, and that all things relating thereto remain in the same state
they were in before the meeting of the Commissioners, until Harris
or his partners make out a sufficient title to the lands before His
Majesty in Council. Order accordingly, that the inhabitants of
Warwick be not disturbed, and that William Harris and his
partners be peaceably possessed of Patuxet. 11 pp. [Col. Entry
Bk., Vol. LX., pp. 319–329.] |
| [Jan.?] |
873. Petition of Lieutenant Edward Rous to the King. Has
long and faithfully served His Majesty and particularly in Virginia,
where, during the sickness of the late Colonel Jeffreys and the
disability of Sir William Berkeley, he had the chief care of the
forces sent thither; but on his return, another was made (contrary
to the usual practice) Captain of the Company whereof he was
Lieutenant. The Captain of his present Company being dangerously
ill, prays for the command so soon as it shall become void.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XLIII., No. 8] |
| [Jan.?] |
874. Petition of Edward Rous to the King. Has served ten
years as ensign in His Majesty's own regiment of foot guards, and
being amongst other officers commanded to Virginia to suppress the
insurrection of Bacon, the greatest trouble of that business devolved
upon him through the continual indisposition of Colonel Jeffreys.
Since his return, a captain's place in said regiment has been
given from him, prays for the Company whereof Captain Langley
was late Captain. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIII., No. 9.] |
| [Jan.?] |
875. A humble proposition addressed to the King and Parliament
to give retreat to Protestant and proselyte foreigners in his
American colonies and particularly in Carolina. French. Two and
a half closely written pages setting forth the advantages of
establishing foreign colonies in America. Unsigned, but doubtless
emanating from Réné Petit or one of his associates. See Nos. 918,
919. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIII., No. 10.] |
