America and West Indies: March 1684 | British History Online

Pages 601-612

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 11, 1681-1685. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1898.

Citation:

March 1684



March 4.	1570. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. The Acts of Jamaica passed on 5th September 1683 read (see No. 1239). Agreed to report that the Act for repeal of certain laws be disapproved by the King, as several other Acts are enacted in their stead, including one for the better ordering of slaves, which contains a bad clause as to wanton killing of negroes; that the Acts revived by this disapproval be repealed by order of the King, and that the Acts amended in accordance with the directions of the Committee be confirmed for twenty-one years. The Acts for shipping, and for ascertaining salt to certain parishes, read and confirmed. Several members of the Royal African Company, and the agents and other gentlemen of Jamaica, were called in. The petition of the inhabitants of Jamaica (see No. 1564) and the draft Act for the encouragement of the Company were read. Agreed to recommend the Act to the Governor, to be passed by the Assembly, and to instruct him to discourage interlopers. The parties were then informed of the Committee's decision; the Company being required to take speedy care for the supply of the Island with five thousand negroes, and the Agents being required to use their influence with the Assembly for the passing of the Bill. Agreed also to recommend the repeal of the Act for regulating the price of negroes.
	The representation of Edward Randolph as to New England to be referred to the Attorney General, who will report as to the progress of the quo warranto and the expenses necessary for carrying on the same.
	Memorandum of documents despatched. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVII., pp. 262–266.]
March 4.	1571. Lords of Trade and Plantations to the King. Having duly considered the proposals of the merchants and planters of Jamaica as to the Royal African Company and the Company's reply thereto, we have received a draft Act from each of the parties, which we propose shall be sent to Sir Thomas Lynch for enactment by the Assembly. We recommend further that you signify your intention to uphold the Company's rights, that you direct the Company to take care to provide the Island with five thousand negroes within a year, and in succeeding years with such numbers as are specified in the Act, that you give the Assembly to understand that you expect their compliance, and that the former Act for regulating negroes together with Order in Council of 12th November 1680 be cancelled. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. I., pp. 107–108.]
March 4. Whitehall.	1572. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to Governor Sir Richard Kyrle. Several Scots are leaving Glasgow for Carolina. You will permit them to settle at Port Royal if they wish, and direct their lands to be run out to them according to the agreement with Sir John Cockran and Sir George Campbell. If they desire to settle among the English, you will set out their lands for them and pass the grants in the usual way. Signed, Craven, Bath (for Lord Carteret), P. Colleton. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXI., p. 129.]
March ?	1573. Sir Thomas Lynch to Secretary Sir Leoline Jenkins. On the 19th ultimo the Assembly adjourned to the 15th January, having amended all the laws formerly sent home according to the directions of their Lordships, and made some few new ones that, I doubt not, will readily be confirmed. The revenue is now for twenty-one years. One of the arguments that I used to induce them to this was, that their Lordships had promised that these and the laws already passed should be confirmed for so long a time. I earnestly beg that this may be done, for the new laws do not touch the Royal prerogative. I am the more concerned that they should past since that drunken silly little party of Sir Henry Morgan's opposed it. They would have made a broil about raising pieces-of-eight, about the Act suppressing the Act concerning the laws of England, and at last about the Negro Act, whispering that I was bribed and partial to the Royal African Company. These things and the riots at the Point have given me more trouble than I have ever had in my life. The Council and Assembly have prefaced their laws with a loyal address to the King. Among the laws is one that repeals the Patents about harbours, mines, &c., doing that which the Lords desired shonld be done by writ of scire facias. I forward also the Journals of Council and Assembly, but for your convenience I shall give you the reasons which prompted me to remove Sir Henry Morgan, Colonel Byndloss, and Charles Morgan from the Council. I well remember that the Lords ordered Sir Henry Morgan to be put out of the Council, but that I begged that he might be put in, that we might all unite in voting the revenue to the King. So far from doing so he was uncivil to me, and mightily elated at the prospect of governing in case of my death. His principal creatures are one Cradock, Elyson [Elletson], and others, disturbers of the peace, whom he has always attempted to countenance in the Council and out of it. All the riots at the Point were the work of Charles Morgan, but Sir Henry Morgan has always protected him without respect to law, truth, or justice. He and Charles Morgan set up a club, frequented by only five or six more, wherein, especially when they were drunk, they cursed and damned the dissenters, and irritated the whole Island by assuming the name of the Loyal Club. People began to think that it looked as if he designed to be head of the Tories, and that therefore I must be head of the Whigs. But the behaviour of the club was such that it was resented in the Island, and began to die, when there came the unlucky incident of the Captain of the Falcon, which gave Churchill occasion to rave again. Churchill told me when I was sick that Penhallow and other good men had a design to murder him on the day of the rejoicing for the King's deliverance, that he was prepared for it, and therefore retired on board ship. This he said publicly before several witnesses, adding that they would murder him because his name was Churchill, and the Churchills depended on the Duke of York. He added that the Point was worse than Algiers, and that Sir Henry Morgan had told him so. Sir Henry also took me aside at this time and told me there was a design to murder Charles Morgan, for fear I should make him Major when Bach went off. Sir Francis Watson owned in Council that he said it to him, but Sir Henry afterwards seemed to deny it. Charles Morgan's accomplices having almost murdered Penhallow, who had tried to keep the peace, Sir Henry in a rage bound him over to next sessions. In his drink he abuses the Government, swears, damns, and curses most extravagantly, and if you knew all of his excesses and incapacity you would rather wonder why he ever was in employment than why he is turned out. The people were furious at being called Duke-killers by him.
	The Council minutes will show you why Byndloss was suspended. He is one of the worst men I know. If you approve of my suspension of these men, pray send me orders to that purpose that there may be no trouble in case of my death. For many reasons I would have been kind to Charles Morgan, but his drunkenness and passion are unberable. There are a number of accusations against him. I have before declared to you the necessity for taking all prospects of the Government from Sir Henry Morgan's sight; I have now made Colonel Molesworth Colonel of the Point, Bach Lieutenant-Colonel, Peter Beckford Major. I see the difference already. We have had bad weather and much sickness, especially small-pox, but more ships than ever. Among them is one large ship from Cadiz, all Spaniards aboard her but one Gill. He is trying to buy negroes here and may get three or four hundred. I beg your orders as to the encouragement of this trade. I must send the Ruby to the Main, where Coxon is in rebellion again. The Guernsey is gone to Petit Guavos to demand vessels that were taken from us. I do not know how to treat these holders of French commissions. The periagos and barques sent out against traders are frank pirates. The Spaniards treat me quite with another air now. 6 pp. Undated. Endorsed. Rec. April 10, '84. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 46.]
[March 4.]	1574. Edward Randolph to Lords of Trade and Plantations. By Order in Council of 13th June 1683 (see No. 1124), I am directed to attend the Attorney General for the prosecution of the quo warranto against the Massachusetts, and have to-day submitted to him several articles to prepare an information for next term. I must beg for a supply of money to pay the daily charges and the expenses of my witnesses. Signed, Ed. Randolph. Holograph. 1 p. Endorsed. Read at the Committee, 4 March, '8¾. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 47.]
March 4. Whitehall.	1575. William Blathwayt to the Attorney General. My Lords wish to hear from you what further steps are to be taken towards the issue of the quo warranto and what money is necessary for carrying it on. Mr. Randolph's report is enclosed (see preceding abstract.) Copy. Endorsed. ½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 48, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LX1., p. 199.]
March 4.	1576. William Blathwayt to Henry Guy. My Lords desire the opinion of the Commissioners of Customs on the enclosed Act of Jamaica for encouraging shipping and ascertaining tonnage. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol., XXX., p. 204.]
March 4.	1577. William Blathwayt to the Attorney-General. Asking his opinion whether a law passed by a Colony, but afterwards repealed, be restored to validity by the King's disallowance of the repeal. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCVII., p. 106.]
March 4.	1578. Report of the King's Counsel and Advocate General to the Lords of Trade and Plantations. On the questions submitted to us our opinion is:—(1.) That the Vice-Admiral's power extends only to lesser offences, not capital, committed within their several districts and not to offences committed on the high sea, out of their districts. That if a Court of Admiralty be erected at Jamaica and the other Plantations, such Court can proceed according to the maritime law, as was practised in the Admiralty here before the statute of 28 Henry VIII. for trial of the offences therein specified; but that law doth not extend to the Plantations, and so no Commission can be granted thither upon that law. But pirates and other offenders upon the high seas are to be proceeded against according to the maritime law in such manner as they were before the statute of 28 Henry VIII. (2.) We conceive that the Governors and Vice-Admirals in the Plantations have sufficient power to fit out ships for apprehending of pirates. Signed, R. Sawyer, H. Finch, Tho. Exton, Rich. Lloyd. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LII1., No. 49, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXX., pp. 234, 235.]
March 6.	1579. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Antigua. Address to the King voted. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIX., No. 81.]
March 7. Barbados.	1580. The Council of Barbados to Lords of Trade and Plantations. Forwarding quarterly returns of proceedings of Council and of imports. Signed, Jno. Witham, Fran. Bond, Robert Davers, Richard Howell, Sam. Newton, Edwyn Stede, Tho. Walrond. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. 16 June 1684. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 50, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. VII., p. 244.]
March 7.	1581. William Blathwayt to Henry Guy. Forwarding a proposal respecting passes, for report of the Commissioners of Customs. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCVII., p. 102.]
March 8.	1582. Circular. The King to the Governors of all the Colonies. Ordering an Act against privateers, to be modelled on the Jamaica Act, to be passed in all the Colonies. [Col. Entry Bks., Vol. XCVII., p. 104, and Vol. XCIX., pp. 295, 296. Copy of the Act, pp. 303–305. French translation of the same, pp. 307–312.]
March 10. St. James's.	1583. Sir John Werden to Governor Dongan. As to your motion about Rhode Island the Commissioners know not whether any quo warranto be brought against them or not. They desire to know what ground there is for such a process and what advantage will accrue to the Duke if he obtain a patent for the Island. The Commissioners recommend the following amendments in the Act of Revenue:—1. Goods paying duty by estimate of their prime cost should be rated according to their value in New York, or false invoices will be employed to escape the duty. The entry of the goods may be made according to invoice, but the rate of their value must be fixed by the customs-officer. 2. Goods landed ought to pay full duties, though goods unlanded may go free to another port. 3. One witness should be sufficient evidence of fraud against the customs. You will further Sir E. Andros's claim for money lent by him to the inhabitants of New York and Long Island. As to immigration of French from Canada to New York, you will have reason to encourage it, but beware of embroiling yourself with the French Governor. No land beyond the bounds of East and West Jersey should be separated from your Government on any account, and you will be careful to hinder Mr. Penn and the people of both Jerseys from obstructing the peltry trade of New York To this end you should prevent all you can the uniting of either Jersey with Mr. Penn, who is very intent on his own interest in those parts. Printed in New York Documents, Vol. III., pp. 340, 341. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXX., p. 47.]
March 11.	1584. Journal of Lords of Trade and Plantations. Report as to Jamaica and the Royal African Company approved. The Acts of Jamaica considered. Acts concerning surveyors, and paths and watering-places approved. Act against engrossing and forestalling referred to Commissioners of Customs. Acts for appropriating lands at Port Royal, for punishing idle persons, for vacating certain irregular grants, and for raising a public revenue read and approved.
	Mr. Randolph's narrative of his proceedings read (see No. 1566 I.).
	The order of the Deputy Governor and Council of Barbados of 2nd October last for erecting a Court of Exchequer and Pleas of the Crown referred to the Attorney General for report.
	Sir William Stapleton's letter of 30th November read (see No. 1419). Agreed that a copy be communicated to the Spanish Ambassador.
	The report of the Law Officers as to the powers of Vice-Admiralty read (see No. 1578).
	Memorandum of documents despatched and received. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. CVII., pp. 267–271.]
March 11.	1585. William Blathwayt to Henry Guy. My Lords desire the opinion of the Commissioners of Customs on the enclosed Act for Jamaica against engrossing and forestalling. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXX., p. 205.]
March 13.	1586. The King to [Earl of Craven]. Requiring the enactment of a law, similar to that of Jamaica, for the restraining and punishing of pirates. Countersigned, L. Jenkins. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 23.]
March 13.	1587. The like letter to the Proprietors of the Bahama Islands. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 24.]
[March 13?]	1588. Lords Proprietors of Carolina to the Governor of Carolina. Ordering an Act to be passed to restrain and punish privateers. Signed, Craven, Albemarle, Bath (for Lord Carteret), P. Colleton. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 23.]
[March 14.]	1589. Abstract of a letter from Boston to Edward Randolph. On 21st January a town meeting was held at Boston to choose jurymen. Mr. Davy and Mr. Nowell, magistrates, and Mr. Mather and Mr. Allen, ministers, were in Court. Four or five jurymen were chosen, and then the King's declaration was published. Nowell stood up and declared that those who were free to deliver up their charter and right to the country should hold up their hands. A freeman stood up and asked if this did not concern the freemen only. Nowell assented. The non-freemen then left the court, and when the freemen were to vote not a man held up his hand. Then one of the freemen held up both hands and said, "The Lord be praised! Not a man held up his hand for the delivering up of the charter." Mather then stood up and exhorted the people, telling them that their forefathers had purchased, and that if they yielded it up, even as Ahab required Naboth's vineyard, their children would be bound to curse them. They might see examples enough before their eyes (meaning London and Piscataqua). It is certain that Watertown and one or two more towns declared for the King's Government, and this is recorded at Boston. It is resolved that at the election on 7th May next there shall be a new Governor and new magistrates, Bradstreet, Bulkeley, Stoughton, and Dudley being declared enemies of their country; and that the election shall make Governor and magistrates unanimous. It is thought that they design to oppose any power from the King. The Indians eastward are preparing for war, and it is said will soon be in action. Your brother Bernard's case was called to be tried on 21st January, but one of his securities, Mr. Wharton, non-suited them to their sorrow. Added by Edward Randolph. My brother Bernard went to seize a vessel for breach of the Navigation Act. Going by water he found a boat hastening to warn the vessel, so took the boat's sail and gave the owner satisfaction. But the parties on board the boat, being relations to the vessel's commander and concerned in her cargo, arrested my brother in four actions to the value of 1,600l. as he was coming to England, but he was bailed by Mr. Wharton and others in Boston. Signed, Ed. Randolph. The whole, 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 30 May. '84. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 51].
March 15. Barbados.	1590. Lieutenant-Governor John Witham to Sir Leoline Jenkins. I beg your Honour's acceptance of a case of the spirit of citrons, of China orange flowers, and of pines, and hope you may like these (your predecessor, Mr. Coventry, highly esteemed 'em), also a dozen loaves of the best double-refined sugar. I shall be exceeding glad to understand they receive your approbation. I have little to say, having so settled the affairs of this Government that there is not one gainsaying man who appears in opposition to me. I have gained a great point in getting the Court of Pleas of the Crown established as of like authority with the Court of King's Bench, and the Court of Exchequer of as wide jurisdiction as the King's at Westminster. I have suffered no interest but my Prince's to govern me. I enclose an account of the late attack on New Providence, brought by one Abraham Passmore. Holograph. 2 pp. Endorsed. Annexed,
	1590. I. "A narrative how the Spaniards plundered New Providence, the 19th of January 1683." One Abraham Passmore arrived two days past from New Providence, which is the only settled place by the English where the vessels and the men that come to recover the Spanish wrecks in the Bahamas are refreshed. The people of Providence number about four hundred men that bear arms, and half as many women, and have got a considerable treasure out of the deep in "pigs and sows of silver," as they are termed. The Spaniards knowing this planned to recapture it. At the beginning of January about two hundred of their choicest men were fitted out from Havana, well armed, in two barco-luengos, the one of forty, the other of thirty oars. They went to a-small uninhabited island called St. Andrews, where they took an English sloop which was there for cutting timber They made the three men in her their pilots, and came to the back of Providence on 18th January and waited through the night. At daybreak they landed 120 of their men at the town, while fifty assailed the shipping—six vessels—in the harbour. The people in the town being surprised fled from it to the woods, those in the ships also deserted them and fled on board a New England vessel of ten guns. This and one more ship stood out to sea; the rest were all pillaged and three men murdered. The Spaniards killed no one in the town, but kept it till four o'clock in the afternoon, in which time they took away all the wrought and unwrought plate that they could find, a quantity of English dry-goods, and such provisions as they wanted, and loaded their booty, valued by the English at 14.000l., in a pink that they took in the harbour. While the Spaniards were in possession of the town, fourteen Englishmen got together and drove all the Spaniards before them. They would have driven them from the town and retaken the plunder if they had had powder and ball enough, and if the inhabitants had known of a rallying point, and had found but fifty firearms they might have saved all. All might also have been saved by the ship of ten guns if she had but stayed. But three men were killed, but many were carried off prisoners by the Spaniards, as suspected of being pirates. 1½ pp., Dated 13th March 1683. Unsigned. Endorsed as headed. In the handwriting of John Witham. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 52, 52 I.]
March 15.	1591. Extract of the above letter, omitting the portion about the presents. Copy. 1½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 53.]
March 15.	1592. The King to the Governor of West New Jersey. Ordering the passing of an Act on the model of the Jamaican Act against privateers. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 173.]
March 16/26. Newmarket.	1593. Memorial of the Dutch Ambassador to the King. The widow of William Hunthum and companions, Proprietors of Tortola, found it necessary at a late dangerous conjuncture to place the Island under the protection of the Governor of the Leeward Islands, Sir William Stapleton. He took possession and still holds it in the name of the said widow, but affairs are so much changed since the peace that the Proprietors wish to resume possession themselves, and have applied to Sir William for the purpose, who, however, says that he cannot comply without Royal order (see No. 1527). I beg that the necessary order may be given to him. Signed, Arnout van Citters. French. 1½ pp. Annexed,
	1593. I. Copy of Sir William Stapleton's letter to the Governor of Tortola (see No. 1527). [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., Nos. 54, 54 I.]
March 16/26.	1594. Translation of the foregoing memorial. 1½ pp. Endorsed. Recd. 1 April '84. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 55, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., p. 140.]
March 16. St. Thomas.	1595. Pass from the Governor of St. Thomas for the sloop Fox. Signed, A. Esmit. Original. Seal damaged. Danish. 1 p. Endorsed. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 56.]
March 17.	1596. Journal of General Assembly of Nevis. The Governor proposed that measures be taken, in view of the outbreak of smallpox at Montserrat, for keeping the disease out of the Island, if possible, and preventing its spread if introduced. The Council and Assembly suggested measures accordingly. The Governor proposed that a sloop should be fitted out for an attack on the Indians. The Council assented, provided that the other Islands also fitted out sloops. The Assembly consented to provide a sloop if Antigua, Montserrat, and St. Christophers sent two more. The Governor proposed that, in view of the failure of the look-outs to discover the approach of Indians and other previous shortcomings, they should be discharged. The Council and Assembly concurred. [Col. Papers, Vol. LII., No. 4.]
March 17. Copenhagen.	1597. King Christian V. of Denmark to Governor Esmit of St. Thomas. We have learned with the greatest displeasure that you have not only dared to seize an English ship and declared her good prize, but that you have protected and declined to restore seven runaway servants from Montserrat. This is contrary to your commission. You will restore both ships and men at once under penalty of summary punishment of death; and we bid you be careful to abstain from such acts of violence in future, or we will put in execution the penalties above named. 1 p. French translation. Endorsed, with copy of the original address in Danish. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 57.]
March 18.	1598. Minutes of Council of Barbados. Order for payment of six months' wages due to the gunners and matrosses of the forts in Carlisle Bay. Order for payment of 50l. to Mary, wife of Simon Cooper, for the works on the fortifications and inagazine. Order for payment of 60l. to Edward Clipsham and John Merricke, contractors for the Leeward fortifications. Adjourned to 15th April. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 520–522 and pp. 527–529.]
March 19.	1599. Commission from Robert Lilburne, Governor of the Bahamas, to Thomas Handley, to be Captain of the frigate Resolution, for defence of the Bahama Islands. Certified copy. 1 p. Endorsed. Recd. from Bermuda, 17th July 1885. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 58.]
March 19.	1600. Opinions of merchants of Jamaica, as to an Act for encouraging shipping and ascertaining tonnage. The Act is approved by William Beeston, Thomas Ducke, and Samuel Clerke. Copy. ½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 59.]
March 19. London.	1601. Opinion of the same as to the Act against engrossing and forestalling. The Act is designed to prevent small traders and Jews at Port Royal from bringing up goods from ships before the inhabitants who live at a distance have time to come down and maker their own bargain with the master of this ship; it is therefore a very good and necessary Act. Signed, Wm. Beeston, Tho. Ducke. Copy. ½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 60.]
March 20. Custom House.	1602. Report of Commissioners of Customs to Lords of Trade and Plantations. We have considered the Act for encouraging shipping and ascertaining tonnage in Jamaica, and consulted Mr. Beeston Mr. Ducke, who, as well as Mr. Samuel Clerke, the Surveyor of the Warehouse, have approved it. We have no objection to it. Signed, Ch. Cheyne, G. Downing, N. Butler, And. Newport. 1 p. Endorsed. Read 9th April 1884. Act approved. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 61, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXX., pp. 204–205.]
[March 22.]	1603. The Governor and six Magistrates of Boston to Sir Leoline Jenkins. It is the unhappiness of the country for years past, that complaints have been lodged against the Government, until at last the King has issued the quo warranto of which Mr. Randolph has given us notice. The majority of the magistrates have for several weeks declared for submission, and would have despatched our agents empowered to make that submission. But we cannot obtain the assent of the deputies, and have therefore agreed to a power of attorneyship to serve a present default, in the hope that further time may prevail for the despatch of our agents as aforesaid. We beg you to believe that we have endeavoured with all earnestness and sincerity to satisfy the King therein, feeling assured that he will regulate the charter for his own service and the good of the Colony. We know that the representation of this issue and imperfect submission will not be pleasing to you, nor acceptable to the King, but we have not dared to delay the ship, now ready to sail, in the hope of doing more at present, lest it should be imputed to us that we design only to gain time. We have therefore resolved to give you a plain and true account, and shall labour to bring the people to a better understanding before the next ship sails. Signed, Simon Bradstreet, Governor, Pet. Bulkeley, Nath. Saltonstall, Ja. Russell, William Stoughton, Joseph Dudley, William Browne, Barth. Gidney. Copy. Certified 28th April 1884. 2 pp. Endorsed. Recd. 22 March. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 62, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXI., pp. 197–198.]
March 24. St. Jago de la Vega.	1604. Sir Thomas Lynch to the Judge Admiral of Jamaica. I have your letter. You must not regard M.B., for like all the world he will press for his own interest contrary to all reason and justice. You have done well to assert the jurisdiction of your Court. If the case be given against you, you must appeal. You must notice that the Court and R[oyal] C[ompany] are particularly offended at Agent Peirson, so we must be careful what we do about the ship. Here follow further directions for the conduct of the case. Copy. 1½ pp. Inscribed, Sir Thomas Lynch's letter to the Judge Admiral about the interloper Sevenoaks. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 63.]
March 24.	1605. Circular. Sir Leoline Jenkins to the Governors of all the Colonies. Forwarding copy of the King's proclamation against pirates for publication and execution in each Colony. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCIX., pp. 298–301.]
March 24.	1606. Sir Leoline Jenkins to the Earl of Craven. Enclosing copy of the King's declaration of neutrality in the war between France and Spain.
	A like letter to the Proprietors of the Bahama Islands, with a letter to Governor Lilburne. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 24.]
March 24.	1607. William Blathwayt to Governor Cranfield. Forwarding the Circular against pirates (see No. 1582) for transmission to the four Governments of New England. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCVII., p. 104.]
March 24. Whitehall.	1608. The same to the same. Forwarding copies of the circular against enlistment of British subjects in the service of foreign princes. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCVII., p. 106.]
March 25. Whitehall.	1609. Circular. Sir Leoline Jenkins to the Governors of the Plantations. Forwarding copies of the King's proclamation against the enlistment of his subjects in the service of foreign princes. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCVII., p. 105.]
March 25.	1610. Journal of General Assembly of Nevis. Proposed by the Assembly that some way be found for paying the country's debts. Ordered by the Governor and Council that a new list of dutiable negroes be made, and another list of white men, women, and children. [Col. Papers, Vol. LII., No. 4.]
March 26. St. Jago de la Vega.	1611. Sir Thomas Lynch to the Judge-Admiral of Jamaica. Further directions as to the conduct of the case against the interloping ship Sevenoaks (see ante, No. 1604). 1 p. Copy. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 63.]
March 26.	1612. Grant from the Proprietors of Carolina of 3,333 acres to Mary Biggs. Signed, Craven, Albemarle, Bath (for Lord Carteret), P. Colleton. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 22.]
March 28.	1613. Minutes of Council and Assembly of Nevis. The Council proposed an Act to empower any two justices of the peace to order servants to be paid their wages. The Assembly concurred. [Col. Papers, Vol. XLIX., No. 81.]
March 29. Nevis.	1614. Sir William Stapleton to Lords of Trade and Plantations. I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Pym and Colonel William Burt, and some other gentlemen, my companions in the "Indian-hunting," to St. Thomas, who would have effected the matter to the life had it been possible. But only one of them, Pym, was much as admitted on shore, so jealous and conscious of their guilt are both the Governor and his wife, who indeed rules there. Pym was told that none that came from me would be trusted or entertained, and that, if he came with Joab's hand, he would have the same measure given him before he left the port. Having no latitude for open hostility against a nation in amity, my emissaries attempted nothing, though it is a pity that our hands are tied when the Spaniards take Providence, capture all the ships, and detain the King's subjects in a worse captivity than Algiers, while this nest of pirates, St. Thomas, goes unpunished. If my reply to Captain Freeman's petition be not fuller, it is because Captain Bramley is at Montserrat, where small-pox is raging among blacks and whites. It is as fatal as the plague there, and we shall be forced to forbid communication with the Island. I enclose an account of the capture of Providence. Pray pardon my frequent request for the payment of the arrears due to myself and to the two companies, that, if I go home, I may leave them some credit. I do not think of taking the King's leave until the noise, or the consequence, of the war between France and Spain be better understood and signified to us here. This is the weakest and most open frontier. I cannot give a full account of the Leeward Isles for want of a frigate. The Francis is now reported to have fallen down to Jamaica, much shattered and torn. God grant it to be true, though I doubt it, for Captain Carlile was too diligent a man to be absent from his station, as he now is, if he were safe. I have received a further reply from Captain Bramley to Captain Freeman's allegation. Signed, Wm. Stapleton. Holograph. 2pp. Endorsed. Recd. 2 June 1684. [Col. Papers, Vol. LIII., No. 64, and Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XLVII., pp. 119, 120.]