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Dec. 5.
Oxford.
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1097. The King to the Commissioners of New England. His
Majesty warned them in his late letters to apply themselves to secure
the King's Plantations from the hostilities of the Dutch, and having
cause to apprehend that the French may break with his Majesty, the
Commissioners are directed to observe the same cautions with them,
and further to damnify the French to the utmost of their power in
their adjacent Plantations, with as much privacy as they can ; the
whole management is left to them, "not being able to direct you
particularly therein at this distance." Signed by the King and
countersigned by Sec. Lord Arlington, with seal. 1 p. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XIX., No. 140 ; also Dom. Entry Bk., Vol. XXIV., No. 2.]
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Dec. 5.
Oxford.
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1098. The King to [Governor of Barbadoes?]. His Majesty has
in his late letters warned him to secure the island from the Dutch.
The remainder of this letter is a copy of the preceding. Draft partly
in Williamson's hand. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 141.]
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Dec. 5.
Oxon.
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1099. Sec. Lord Arlington to Lord Willoughby, Governor of Barbadoes.
His brother will have advertised Lord Willoughby of the
motives and reasons that have prevailed with the King to allow of
the Governor's return home ; will only say this one word, "that it is
not an easy thing to persuade the King that you have done any
[thing?] which you cannot very justly own, upon which assurance
your Excellency may come hither with all quietness of mind to
vindicate yourself and to shame those who have falsely aspersed you,
towards which I shall be very glad to contribute all good offices
on my part." The King has this day commanded Arlington to
prepare a letter for his Majesty's signature, directing Gov. Willoughby
to have a care of the French in all the neighbouring Plantations,
since they have in effect broken with his Majesty, and further
directing that he begin with them especially at St. Christopher's
rather than expect what they will do upon our countrymen. 1 p.
[Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XCIII., p. 55.]
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Dec. 5.
Boston.
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1100. Sir Robert Carr to [Sec. Sir Wm. Morrice]. Upon the report
of Col. Cartwright being taken by a Dutch privateer, again troubles
him concerning his own business lest what he wrote before should
not come to his hands. There is a tract of land lying from
Coweset south and south-west to a river called Sagatucket running
into the sea about Point Judith in the Narraganset country which
he desires to settle upon. He knows the King's promise to him
(Carr) "in your own house at a private music." The little he got
at Delaware and for which he hazarded his life, he is told is given
away and taken possession of. Begs his assistance to have the land
above-mentioned granted to him by patent. If the King keep
Delaware in his own hands it will make a very convenient trading
place for the use of the King's Province. Advantages of the Eastern
parts being under his Majesty's own Government ; all the people
very desirous he should be their Governor, and would have altered
their petition to the King, but Col. Cartwright could not stay. If
the King will take these Provinces under his own Government,
Carr will serve his Majesty as faithfully as any he shall set over
them ; hopes he will stand his friend at this distance. Wishes the
King would take some speedy course for redress of the grievances
complained of and the suppression of the insolencies of these persons
here. Hopes he will be his friend concerning the contents of
the inclosed to Col. Cartwright, which he has left open for his
perusal. The reason is something has been maliciously reported
concerning him which has come to the King's ears, and made him
displeased with Carr, but which he doubts not to clear himself of,
If Col. Cartwright be taken, begs he will present the inclosed letter
(in his stead) to the King. Printed in New York Documents, III.,
109, 110. Incloses,
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1100. I. Petition of John on behalf of his brother Daniel Hoare
to the New England Commissioners. Details his proceedings
for recovery of his brother's share of his estate, in
partnership with Lieut. Richard Cooke, of Boston, merchant,
but instead of justice was fined 50l. without any examination,
or notice to answer any charge against him, and
for want of payment sent to gaol. Prays that justice may
speedily be administered without partiality in all the actions
now depending.
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1100. II. Sir Robert Carr to Col. Cartwright. If as is here reported
it was his misfortune to be taken by a Dutch privateer,
and the writings be lost, he refers him to their letters
and papers sent by Thirston to Lord Arlington [see ante,
No. 1089]. Commits to his discretion his inclosed letter
and petition to his Majesty. Boston, 5 Dec.
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1100. III. Sir Robert Carr to the King [Cal., ante, No. 1031].
Copy attested by S. Wheat. Boston, 1st Aug. 1665.
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1100. IV. Petition of Sir Robert Carr to the King. His Majesty
promised petitioner at his going for New England, that
something there should be granted him for his advantage ;
that little which petitioner had gotten at Delaware with
the hazard of his life is given to another. Prays he may
have that tract of land in the King's Province lying from
Coweset south and south-west to a river called Sagatucket,
running into the sea about Point Judith, granted to him
by patent ; also that he may be entrusted with the
Government of either the King's Province or the Province
of Maine, or that which Mr. Mason lays claim to, if his
Majesty keep them under his own Royal Government.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 142, 142 I.-IV.]
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Dec. 12.
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1101. Duke of Albemarle to Sec. Lord Arlington. There is
danger of the Dutch and French being beforehand at the island.
Two ships should be sent from his Majesty to the Governor of Barbadoes
about the business, to help transport men from one island to
another. Incloses,
Information from a Dutch prisoner that the Dutch have
several ships for Guinea ; their private men-of-war are to be
all in by the last day of January ; the owner intends sending
them to the West Indies to spend away their provision. They
have a free trade to the French Plantations upon condition that
they will transport their soldiers from island to island. [Dom.,
Chas. II., Vol. CXXXVIII., No. 107, Cal., p. 98.]
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Dec. 12.
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1102. Warrant (to the Commissioners of the Ordnance) for 300
barrels of powder and match proportionable to be delivered to John
Champanty for Barbadoes and other the Caribbee Islands. ¼ p.
[Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XXII., p. 327.]
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Dec. 14.
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1103. George Carr to (Sec. Lord Arlington?) In obedience to his
Lordship's commands, here are the transactions of the Commissioners
in New England briefly set down, each colony by itself. The papers
by which all this and much more might have been demonstrated
were lost in obeying his Majesty's command by keeping company
with Capt. Pierce, who was laden with masts ; for otherwise in
probability we might have been in England 10 days before we met
the Dutch caper, who after two hours' fight took, stripped, and
landed us in Spain. Hearing also some Frenchmen discourse in
New England of a passage from the West Sea to the South Sea, and
of a great trade of beaver in that passage, and afterwards meeting
with sufficient proof of the truth of what they had said, and knowing
what great endeavours have been made for the finding out of a
north-west passage, he thought them the best present he could
possibly make his Majesty, and persuaded them to come to England.
Begs his Lordship to procure some consideration for his loss, suffering,
and service. Annexed,
Connecticut.—This colony thanked the King for sending Commissioners,
and made great promises of loyalty and obedience,
and submitted appeals to his Majesty's Commissioners,
who determined some differences amongst them. All forms
of justice pass in his Majesty's name. All that desire it
may be free of their corporation. They will not hinder
any from the sacraments, or using the Common Prayerbook,
provided they hinder not the maintenance of the
public minister. They will amend anything that hath
been done derogatory to his Majesty's honour. The
bounds between the Duke's Province and Connecticut were
mistaken by wrong information, for it was not intended
they should come nearer Hudson's river than 20 miles.
Have nothing to say against Duke Hamilton's patent, but
that their writings were burnt, and they bought that land of
Lords Say and Brooke, and others, and his Majesty has
confirmed it to them ; they never knew the late Marquis
Hamilton had a grant of it, for he never sent any to take
possession of it. Their eastern bounds are "a line drawn
westward from the midst of the ford in Pawcatuck river,
near to Shawe's house ; their northern bounds is the south
line of the Massachusetts, which as they complain is
stretched much too southerly." They have many good
rivers and harbours, many scattering towns, and a scholar
to their minister in every town or village, but no place
fortified except Seybrooke Fort, which is much gone to
decay, and for the most part they are rigid Presbyterians.
Rhode Island And Providence Plantations.—They thanked
the King for sending Commissioners and made great demonstrations
of loyalty and obedience. Approved that appeals
should be made to his Majesty's Commissioners, who having
determined some causes, referred others to their General
Court, Governor, and others, some of which they again
remitted to the Commissioners. All proceedings in justice
are in his Majesty's name. All who desire it are admitted
freemen. Liberty of conscience and worship allowed to
all who "live civilly." Anything in their laws or practice
derogatory to his Majesty's honour, they will amend. The
Marquis of Hamilton's patent takes in all Rhode Island
colonies, and about half of Connecticut. The Nanhygansetts
Sachems in 1664 by writing surrendered themselves, their
people and country, to the late King's protection ; two of
which Sachems surrendered themselves, people and country,
before the Commissioners, and delivered the very deed
made in 1644, which had been carefully kept by Mr. Gorton,
&c., whereupon the Commissioners entered upon the
country in the King's name and named it the King's
Province, have taken the natives into his Majesty's protection,
and appointed justices of the peace to govern it,
for this country is almost all the land belonging to this
colony, and therefore they have ordered that the magistrates
for the colony should be justices of the peace for the King's
Province. The Sachems thankfully received two coats in
his Majesty's name, and in acknowledgment of their subjection
are to pay yearly on the 29th May two wolf skins ;
and did now send "two caps of peag and two clubbs inlaid
with peag for a present to the King, and a feather mantle
and a porcupine bagg for a present to the Queene, which
were all taken by the Dutch." One of these princes
named Pessius, desired that no strong liquors might be
brought into that country, for he had had 32 men die of
drinking it. These Indian princes gave a long petition
complaining of violence and injustice from the Massachusetts,
amongst others that they had caused them to be
fined, and then took their whole country in mortgage
(according to the remonstrance sent to his Majesty) ; but
there could be no redress, the Massachusetts refusing to
let the Commissioners have the hearing of appeals. Their
western bounds are determined with Connecticut ; their
northern must be the Massachusetts southern line, which
they complain to be too southerly ; their eastern bounds
with New Plymouth could not be determined, Rhode Island
claiming a thread of land three miles broad all the length
of the mainland next to Nanhygansett Bay, which New
Plymouth could not part with, whereupon the Commissioners
appointed the water to be the natural bounds of
each colony till his Majesty's pleasure be known. William
Breton, Deputy Governor of Rhode Island, having bought,
desires he may continue to possess, a farm on that
thread of land, though it fall within New Plymouth ; and
Dr. Alcock, having bought Block Island for 400l., desires
he may not be dispossessed, he submitting to the government
of Rhode Island : both these petitions to the King
lost. This colony, which now admits all religions, even
Quakers and Generalists, was begun by such as the Massachusetts
would not suffer to live amongst them, and is generally
hated by the other colonies, who endeavoured to
suppress them, supporting other Indians against the Narragansets.
The Commissioners of the united colonies
disposed of great part of this country, pretending they
had conquered it from the Pequid Indians ; but evidence
being made that the Narragansett had conquered it first,
and that the right was in him who sold it to the Rhode
Islanders, his Majesty's Commissioners determined it for
the latter. The Massachusetts maintained Punham, a petty
Sachem, 20 years against this colony and his chief Sachem,
and with armed soldiers besieged and took prisoners
Messrs. Gorton, Howden, Wykes, Greene, and others, put
them in chains at Boston, and took 80 head of cattle from
them. This could never be acknowledged a colony, till
his Majesty's charter was published, though in 1643, finding
the King gone from London, they took a charter from
the Lords and Commons, which was more than Newhaven
pretended to, or Connecticut could show, yet these two
were admitted colonies in their great combination and
Rhode Island slighted. Nanhygansett Bay is the largest
and safest port in New England, and fittest for trade.
There are two scattered towns besides two upon the mainland
and four small villages. Only limestone is found, and
the Governor and magistrates serve at their own charges.
Here is the greatest number of Indians, yet they never had
anything allowed towards civilising and converting them.
There is no place of strength fortified. The best English
grass and most sheep are in this Province, the ground
being very fruitful, ewes bring ordinarily two lambs, corn
yields 80 for one, and in some places has grown 26 years
together without manuring. Not any places for the
worship of God, there being so many sects, but they sometimes
associate in one house, sometimes in another.
New Plymouth.—Thanked the King for sending Commissioners,
made great promises of loyalty and obedience, and submitted
appeals to the Commissioners. All forms of justice
are in his Majesty's name. Sometimes constrained to compel
men to be freemen, so far are they from hindering any.
None hindered from enjoying the sacraments, or using
any form of worship not against Christianity, provided
they contribute to the maintenance of the public minister ;
and will amend anything derogatory to his Majesty's
honour. The colony is seated upon a neck of land, the
barrennest part of the country. Were the first planters
in New England, though the Massachusetts got the first
charter, and have much straightened them, by stretching
their line too much westward. Said they were too poor to
renew (their charter), whereupon the Commissioners offered
to get it renewed at their own charge, if they would let
his Majesty choose one of three, whose names themselves
(the colonists) should send to the King, to be their Governor,
and this to be done every three or five years. The Commissioners
thought if this had succeeded well in the first
colony visited, it might have been a good example ; but
the General Assembly, with many thanks and great protestations
of loyalty, chose to be as they are. They have
about 12 small towns, one saw mill, "one bloomery for
iron," neither good river, nor good harbour, nor any place
of strength ; and are so poor, that they are not able to
maintain scholars for their ministers, but are necessitated
to make use of a gifted brother in some places.
The Massachusetts.—This colony was the last and hardliest
persuaded to use his Majesty's name in their forms of
justice. At the first coming of the Commissioners, were
many untruths raised and sent into other colonies ; as that
the King had sent to raise 5,000l. yearly for his use, &c.,
whereupon Major Hawthorne made a seditious speech at
the head of his company, and the late Governor another
at the meeting-house at Boston, but neither were so much
as questioned for it by their magistrates. The Commissioners
visited all other colonies before this, hoping that
their submission would have abated the refractoriness of
this, which the Commissioners much feared, and that the
assistance of Col. Nicolls would have prevailed much, but
nothing could prevail with them to let the Commissioners
hear so much as those particular causes, Mr. Deane's and
the Indian Sachem's, which the King had commanded
them to take care of ; yet they proclaimed by sound of
trumpet that the General Court was the supremest judicatory
in that Province, and that the Commissioners pretending
to hear appeals was a breach of the privileges granted by
the late King, and confirmed by his Majesty's own letter ;
by which they have silenced about 30 petitions for justice
against them, but which were lost at sea. To elude his
Majesty's desire that men civil and of competent estates
be admitted freemen, an Act has passed that a housekeeper
24 years old bringing certificates of civil life, orthodoxy in
faith, and paying 10s. at a single rate, may make his desire
known to the Court when it shall be put to the vote.
The Commissioners have found that scarce three in 100 pay
10s. at a single rate, and that a church member, though
he be a servant and pay not 2d., may be a freeman. None
admitted but members of their church to the Communion,
or their children to Baptism ; yet they marry their children
to such, if they be rich. Mr. Jourdain imprisoned and
barbarously used for baptizing children. Those whom
they will not admit to Communion, they compel to come
to their sermons, by forcing from them 5s. for every
neglect, yet these men thought their own paying of 1s. for
not coming to prayers in England an insupportable tyranny.
They have put to death and banished many Quakers on
pain of death, and then executed them for returning, and
have beaten some to a jelly, and been exceeding cruel to
others, and say the King allows it in his letters to them,
yet they pray constantly for their persecuted brethren
in England. Many things in their laws derogatory to his
Majesty's honour, the Commissioners desired might be
altered, but nothing as yet done. Amongst others, who
ever keeps Christmas Day is to pay 5l. A map of their
territories made by guess at their direction ; in it Fort
Albany is claimed, and beyond it all the lands to the South
Sea : by their south line they intrench upon New Plymouth,
Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and on the east
they have usurped Capt. Masons's and Sir Ferdinando
Gorge's patents, and say the Commissioners had nothing
to do betwixt them and Mr. Gorge, because his Majesty
had commanded them either to deliver possession to Mr.
Gorge or give his Majesty reasons. The Governor sent
a warrant to forbid the towns to meet to hear his Majesty's
letter read concerning the fortifying of the harbours, or to
do anything commanded by the Commissioners, and sent
an unbeseeming letter to the Commissioners, both of which
were lost at sea. Col. Whalley and Goff were entertained
and feasted in every place after they were told they were
traitors and ought to be apprehended. They were furnished
at Cambridge with horses and a guide, and sent
to Newhaven for security. Capt. Daniel Gooking being
reported to have brought over and to manage their estates,
the Commissioners seized his cattle in the King's Province
for his Majesty's use, but he refused to answer before
the Commissioners, so no more was done in it. Capt.
Pierce, who transported Whalley and Goff into New
England, may say something to their estate. They of
this colony say that Charles I. granted them a charter as a
warrant against himself and successors, and so long as
they pay the fifth of all gold and silver ore they are not
obliged to the King but by civility. They hope by
writing to tire the King, the Lord Chancellor, and the
Secretaries, and say they can easily spin out seven years by
writing, and before that time a change may come ; nay
some have dared to say, who knows what the event
of this Dutch war may be. They furnished Cromwell
with many instruments out of their corporation and college,
and solicited him by one Mr. Winsloe to be declared
a Free State, and now style and believe themselves to be
so. They demand what taxes they please. Some few
soldiers they keep at the castle ; the Governor has 100l.
yearly, every magistrate 30l., &c. They convert Indians
by hiring them to hear sermons, which the more generous
natives scorn, and appointing rulers over tens, twenties,
fifties, &c., but the lives, manners, and habits of those converted
cannot be distinguished from those who are not.
This colony, which has engrossed the whole trade of New
England, is the richest. It hath many towns but not one
regularly built within its just limits, which are "Seconnet
Brook on the south-west, and Merrimack river on the northeast,
and two right lines drawn from each of those two
places, till they come within 20 miles of Hudson's river, for
that river is already planted and given to his Royal Highness.
Boston, the chief town, is on a peninsula in the bottom
of a bay, which is a good harbour and full of fish. It was
fortified this year 1665 with two block houses. The houses
are generally wooden, the streets crooked, and neither
days, months, seasons, churches, nor inns are known by
their English names. At Cambridge they have a wooden
college, with a brick pile of two bays for Indians, where
the Commissioners saw but one. It may be feared that
this college may afford as many schismatics to the church
and the corporation as many rebels to the King as formerly
they have done, if not timely prevented. In this Colony,
too, the King has very many loyal subjects, who petition
the Court for owning his Majesty, and since for complying
with his Commissioners. Are sorry that so few (for there
are scarce above eight of the most factions) should carry
on so strong a faction, but they are so overawed they can
do nothing to remedy it. They only say it is now with
them as it was with the King's party in Cromwell's time.
In Boston lie 10 iron guns, taken from the French fort in
Cromwell's time, which would do well at Piscatoquay to
defend the mouth of that river where the masts are laden.
On Sept. 10, 1664 was published by order of the Court a
paper to deter all from making any complaints to the
Commissioners. The commodities are fish, sent to France,
Spain, and the Straits, pipe-staves, masts, fir-boards, pitch,
tar, pork, beef, horses, and corn, which they send to Virginia,
Barbadoes, &c., and take tobacco and sugar for payment,
which they send for England. There is good store of
iron made in this Province. Their way of Government
is Commonwealth-like ; their way of worship is rude, and
called congregational ; they are zealous in it, for they persecute
all other forms. [This Report so far as it relates
to the Massachusetts is printed in New York Documents,
III., 110-113.]
New Hampshire was granted to Capt. Robert Mason about 1635,
and was to begin on the sea coast three miles easterly of
Merrimack river, and reaches to Piscatoquay and 60 miles
of that breadth up into the country, but now it is usurped
by the Massachusetts, who pretend it is within their bounds,
and that the people petitioned to be within their protection ;
differences of opinion made a division amongst them,
and some few who were for congregational churches did
petition for their assistance, by which occasion, partly by
force, partly by composition, they have engrossed the whole
and named it Norfolk. When Massachusetts charter was
first granted the mouths only of the rivers Charles and
Merrimack were known, for they durst not travel far up
the country, and a house was erected three large miles
north from Merrimack, which for 17 years was called and
known to be their bounds, and in that time was this
patent granted to Capt. Mason. Mr. Wheelwright banished
out of the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts. Mr. Mason
and Mr. Cradock, first Governor of Massachusetts, who
lived in London, agreed that the Massachusetts should
have the land granted to Capt. Mason about Cape Anne,
and Capt. Mason that beyond Merrimack river granted
to the Massachusetts. This agreement was sent to Mr.
Henry Jocelin to get recorded at Boston, but hearing
Capt. Mason was dead he went not ; of this he made
affidavit before the Commissioners, who forbore to do
anything about the limits of this Province till this might
be more fully proved, though the generality of the people
petitioned to be taken from under the Massachusetts
tyranny, as themselves styled it. The Massachusetts
have since divided the land into several townships, very
large and thin, three being on Piscatoquay river, which
is a very good harbour, and very capable of fortification.
Excellent masts are gotten, and dry docks might be made ;
above 20 saw mills upon this river ; great store of pipestaves
are made, and great store of good timber spoilt.
Maine begins at the eastern side of Piscatoway and reaches to
Kenebeck river, and was so named and granted to Sir
Ferdinando Gorges by Chas. I., but was usurped also by
the Massachusetts, who named it Yorkshire. One gentleman,
who refused to submit to the Massachusetts and
suffered great losses, showed the Commissioners a warrant
which the Massachusetts made, to have him brought to
Boston alive or dead. Upon petition of the inhabitants,
the Commissioners took this Province under his Majesty's
protection and government and appointed justices of the
peace to govern them. The inhabitants afterwards petitioned
that they might always continue under his Majesty's
immediate government, with Sir Robert Carr for their
Governor. An Indian Sachem also, who lives near the
great lake from whence flows Merrimack river, petitioned
his Majesty to take him under his protection ; both petitions
were lost at sea. But few towns, and much scattered, and
rather farms than towns. In Casco Bay are very many
islands, two outlets to the sea, many good harbours, and
great store of fish, oysters, crabs, and lobsters. In all
these Provinces are great store of wild ducks, geese and
deer, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, barberries, bilberries,
several sorts of oaks and pines, chestnuts and
walnuts, sometimes for four or five miles together ; the
more northerly the country, the better the timber is
accounted.
Kennebeck.—Upon the north-east side of Kennebeck river, upon
Shipscot river, and upon Pemaquid, eight or ten miles
asunder, are three small plantations belonging to his Royal
Highness, the biggest of which has not above 30 houses,
and very mean ones too, spread over at least eight miles.
The people, for the most part fishermen, never had any
government, and most of them have fled from other places
to escape justice. Some of opinion that as many men may
share in a woman as they do in a boat, and some have
done so. The Commissioners have appointed the best in
each place to be justice of the peace, and have ordered
three of those next them in Maine to join with them in
holding sessions. In these parts are the best white oaks
for ship timber. All the lands granted to his Royal Highness
in these northern parts of New England, except these
three plantations, are also granted to Sir Thomas Temple
in the patent of Nova Scotia. Indorsed, Mr. Madder,
Mr. Mayo, at Boston ; Mr. Elliott, at ; Mr. Mayhew,
at Martin's Vineyard ; Mr. Brown, at Sudbury ; Mr. Hubbard,
at Hingham ; Mr. Hubbard of Ipswich ; Mr. Woodbridge
of Newbery ; James Oliver of Boston ; John Porter ;
Majr Hawthorne. 15½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX.,
No. 143.]
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[Dec. 14.]
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1104. Extract from the above, touching the Narragansett country.
Indorsed, Extract out of the Report from his Maj. Commissrs for the
affairs of New England in the year 1665. 1 p. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XIX., No. 144.]
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Dec. 15.
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1105. Warrant to the Solicitor-General. To prepare a grant under
the Great Seal of the office of Surveyor-General of the Plantation of
Virginia, void by the death of Thomas Loving to Edmund Scarburgh,
Esq., with all fees, &c. belonging thereto during the term of his life.
½ p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII., p. 344.]
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Dec. 22.
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1106. Warrant to the Attorney-General. To prepare a grant of full
power and authority to Sir Wm. Berkeley, our present Governor of
Virginia, Sir Chichester Wrey, Sir John Denham, and Wm. Ashburnham,
cofferer of the King's House, for renewing and putting in
execution the powers and privileges contained in a former grant of
the late King Charles I., giving Sir Wm. Berkeley license "to gather,
make, and take snow and ice with this our kingdom of England and
dominion of Wales, and to preserve and keep the same in such pits,
caves, and cool places as he should think fit," saving to the King's
loving subjects liberty to make and preserve snow and ice necessary
for their own proper use. 1 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Vol. XXII.,
p. 340.]
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Dec. 23.
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1107. Sir John Knight to Williamson. His son has received from
my Lords some packets which he has sent to Lord Willoughby with
direction to cast them into the sea in case of danger ; has ordered
him to send the other for New England with the first to Barbadoes
under a cover to Lord Willoughby, to be sent on from thence. [Dom.,
Chas. II., Vol. CXXXIX., No. 103, Cal., p. 113.]
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Dec. 29
to
1666.
Feb. 12.
|
1108. Relation of the Governor of Canada's march with 600
volunteers into the territories of the Duke of York in America. On
the 29th December last M. Courcelle marched with near 600 men to
take revenge on their inveterate enemies the Mohawks, for their
murders and spoils for many years exercised in Canada upon the
French and Indians of those parts, who being taken alive were usually
tortured and eaten or burnt. All which furnished the French with
heat enough to march over the Frozen Lake of Canada and snow
4 feet deep by the use of Indian snow shoes, "which hath the very
form of a racket tied to each foot," their provisions being laid in
slight sledges drawn by mastiff dogs. By the mistake of his guides
he encamped on the 9th February within two miles of the small
village of Schonectade, 20 miles in the woods beyond Fort Albany,
in the territories of his Royal Highness, and three days march from
the first castle of the Mohawks. Here the French encountered a
party of the Mohawks, who drew 60 of them into an ambuscade, 11
were slain and divers wounded ; the report whereof was brought by
the Indians, with the heads of four of the French, to the Commissary
of Schonectade, who immediately despatched the news to Fort
Albany, whence next day three of the principal inhabitants were
sent to M. Coureelle to inquire his intentions of bringing such a body
of armed men into his Majesty's dominions. The Governor replied
that he came to destroy his enemies the Mohawks, without intention
of visiting their Plantations, and had not heard of the reducing of
those parts to his Majesty's obedience ; but desired he might be
supplied with provisions for money, and that his wounded might be
succoured at Albany ; to all which the emissaries freely consented.
On the 12th February with great silence and diligence the French
returned towards Canada. The cause of this sudden retreat is not
known, "but surely so bold and hardy an attempt (circumstances
considered) hath not happened in any age, all which vanished like
false fire," and has given new courage to the Mohawks, who pursued
them to the Lake, but only took three and found five others dead
with hunger and cold, and, "according to their manner brought the
crowns of their heads away." Those who observed M. Coureelle, saw
him disturbed in mind that the King was master of these parts,
"saying that the King of England did grasp at all America, but he
did believe to see the Dutch the masters ere long." He inquired
what garrison or fort was at Albany, and was told a captain and 60
English soldiers, with 9 pieces of ordnance, and that Capt. Baker had
sent for 20 men from the Sopes. Thus finding his men tired, the
Mohawks resolute, the goodwill of the English doubtful, because
reports were strong that France and Holland were united against
England, M. Courcelle returned nothing effected. The two prisoners
taken by the Mohawks tell them that this summer another attempt
will be made on their country with a greater force. 4 pp. Printed
in New York Documents, III., 118, 119. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX.,
No. 145.]
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1665.
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1109. Petition of Robert Swanley to the King. Is Deputy-Governor,
under the Duke of York and Lord Baltimore, of his
Majesty's dominions of Newfoundland, where many of his subjects
are planted, who cannot subsist but by supplies from other parts,
and must inevitably perish if they have not a supply of necessary
provisions. Having engaged his whole estate in those parts, petitioner
prays for a warrant for eight seamen, and as many landsmen
as are needful, to sail his ship, the Terranova, to Newfoundland, for
the support of the Plantations. 1 p. Indorsed, 1665. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XIX., No. 146.]
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1665?
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1110. "The general description of America, or the New World" ;
Discovery, description, and situation. The natives of America at
this day are described as of three sorts ; their manners, religious
customs, and mode of warfare. Account of Virginia, where in 1659
were about 80,000 inhabitants ; of Long Island, New England,
which contains 27,000 fighting men ; Plymouth colony, about
2,500 fighting men ; Connecticut, 4,300 ; New Haven and Providence
Plantations, with about 5,400 men. Description of the Bermudas,
the Bahamas : "since I petitioned for these islands, which
was six years ago, and my abilities hindered my prosecution, Capt.
Sayle and others obtained a patent," went to an island he called
Illethuria, where his ship was wrecked, but the people saved. "I
saw him after his escape in a small boat of three tons, recovering
Virginia, where he procured a pinnace of near 25 tons, with which
he carried relief to those he left on the islands ;" but understood
afterwards from said Sayle that none of them knew the place or
were ever there before. Of Hispaniola, Cuba, "their delicatest fare
in this island is partridges, which are in great abundance ; the
Spaniards breed them up tame and esteem them the sweetest eatable
flesh in the world." St. John de Portorico, Santa Cruz, Virgin
Islands, Virgin Gorda, Blances, Anagada, Sombriro, Anguilla, St.
Martin's, Sustas (St. Eustatius), St. Bartholomew, St. Christopher's
—"this ground is so populous that ground can hardly be obtained"
—Nevis or the Snows, Barbada, Redendo, Montserrat, Antigua,
Marigalante, Dominica, Matinina, Santalusa [Sta. Lucia], Guadeloupe,
Dodos Sanctos, and Deseada. Indorsed by Williamson, Our Plantations
in America. 9¼ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIX., No. 147.]
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1665?
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1111. Petition of the Royal African Company to the King. The
advantages to the King's subjects both here and in the Plantations
by the Guinea trade have most clearly appeared by that one year's
trade enjoyed by the Company : had they not been injured by the
violence of the Dutch, they might in a few years have been able to
give the King in any time of necessity such assistance as the States
of Holland now have from a Company with them, whose wealth
was built upon the ruins of the King's subjects. Besides employment
of ships, vending of native manufactures, and furnishing the
Plantations with negroes, it hath and will bring the King supplies
of silver and gold in great quantities, which he had not from any
other commerce. But the Company being so injured, there is
wanting timely supply ; there is 17,000l. owing from members, of
which the King's part is 7,600l. ; if this be paid in, the rest will
undoubtedly follow. Petitioners pray, therefore, that direction may
be given to the Lord Treasurer, that he may find out some way to
give an assignment for 7,600l. upon anything most convenient to
the King's affairs and petitioners' occasions. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol.
CXLII., No. 1, Cal., p. 136.]
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1665?
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1112. Petition of Lieut.-Col. Amand La Louhé to the King.
Served the King and his father faithfully in the civil war ; was
Governor of Fort Latour, in Nova Scotia, for the King, till it was
surrendered to the French king ; coming from Nova Scotia last
winter with his family was taken by the Hollander, and lost in the
ship his whole estate ; but is encouraged by the King's promise
formerly made him at Bordeaux, and prays for the privilege of
importing 20 ton of French wine yearly to this city without paying
custom or excise during his life. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLII.,
No. 137, Cal., p. 153.]
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1665?
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1113. Extract from a letter. There were yesterday four young
men scourged by the hangman through Edinburgh, burnt behind
the ear, and delivered up to be sent to Barbadoes, for abusing James
Scott, minister at Ancram, in time of sermon. [Dom., Chas. II.,
Vol. CXLIII., No. 28, Cal., p. 171.]
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1665?
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1114. Statement that Mary Wood and Capt. Provise, prisoners,
who have had the King's pardon, are yet in prison for mere want of
money to discharge their fees. Pray for an order to discharge them,
and hope her Majesty the Queen Mother will send them to her
Maryland. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CXLIII., No. 77, Cal., p. 178.]
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