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July 1.
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122. Minutes of the Council for Foreign Plantations. That it
be declared in the King's Proclamation for the encouragement of
planters upon Jamaica that they shall be governed by the laws of
England. The report and propositions touching supplies of servants,
that is to say, of persons condemned by the law, vagrants, and others
to be sent to the Foreign Plantations referred for consideration. ½ p.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XIV., No. 59, pp. 33, 34.]
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July 2-3.
Point Cagua.
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123. Orders of the Governor and Council of Jamaica. That the
persons apprehended for mutiny be tried by court-martial. That
all trespass actions committed before May 29 last be utterly remitted,
and that Captain Robert Dey be released from imprisonment.
July 3.—That the former orders concerning rum, sugar, and hammocks
be still in force, viz., one half to be forfeited to the King, and one
half to the informer. That Major Fairfax, Captain Burroughs and Mr.
Povey report on Lieut. Edgoose's business. That an attempt be made
for trade with the Spaniards on Cuba. That certain Acts of Barbadoes
be in force here, viz., servants under 18 years to be bound for seven
years, and over 18 for five years ; that such as lay violent hands on
their masters shall serve two years after their time ; and such as
beget a woman-servant with child, shall serve her master three
years. That no ship shall unload until her master hath been with
the Governor ; no person leave the island without his name be up in
the Secretary's office 21 days, all underwritings cleared ; and that
any servant marrying without his master's consent, shall serve four
years after time. That 50l. be raised for repairing the storehouses,
to be paid when the pig lead and two copper guns are sold. That
40 licenses to sell drink be granted to the inhabitants of Point Cagua,
10 for the town, four for Passage Fort, three for Lygonee, two for
Yallah, and two for Port Morant. That Quartermaster Hoy have a
barrel of beef and 200 lbs. of bread for his present relief. That
marriages, deaths, and burials be recorded in the Secretary's office,
and no minister to marry without the Governor's license. The
commander of each regiment to send two persons to assist Mr.
Bispham in surveying the stores, and making a dividend thereof to
the army, iron and guns excepted. That Major Fairfax and Capt.
Burroughs survey and report on the stores, and be satisfied for their
trouble out of the sale of goods. [Col. Entry Bks., No. 34, pp. 5-8,
and No. 37, pp. 2, 3.]
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July 3.
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124. Proclamations of Edward D'Oyley, Governor of Jamaica,
concerning the duty on the tunnage of shipping trading to the
island, and the transporting persons from off the island, and prohibiting
any but the Provost-Marshall from going on board a ship
until the master has been with the Governor, under a penalty of
500 lbs. of sugar. [Col. Entry Bks., No. 34, p. 17, and No. 37,
p. 6.]
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July 3.
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125. Orders of the Governor of Jamaica regulating the length of
service of servants at the end of which they shall receive 400 lbs.
of sugar ; for the punishment of servants assaulting a master or
mistress ; imposing penalties for the seduction of maid servants ;
prohibiting any merchant to trade without security first given, or to
leave the island, or take away any person without a ticket from the
Governor, under a penalty of 500 lbs. of sugar ; regulating the
transporting of persons wishing to leave the island, names to be first
set up in the Secretary's office twenty-one days ; and concerning the
marrying of servants during the time of their apprenticeships.
3½ pp. [Col. Entry Bks., No. 34, pp. 17-20, and No. 37, pp.
6, 7.]
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July 3-4.
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126. Propositions of the President and Council [of Barbadoes]
for the consideration of the Assembly, with answers. 1. To consider
the particulars in the letter received from Sir James Drax : the
Assembly conceive that their late petition to the Council for Foreign
Plantations is as much as needful at present to be done. 2. To
take a speedy course for payment to Mr. Hart, to whom 36,000 lbs.
of sugar is due for the King's Proclamation for General Sessions,
and all other charges at the meeting of the President and Council :
the Assembly order Henry Hart to deliver his account to the Committee
of the Public Treasury who are ordered to pay what is due.
3. That the Treasurer's account be paid : said Committee ordered to
view said account and pay what is due. 4, 5. That speedy course
be taken for repair of the gaol ; also of the forts and gun-carriages :
as soon as the Assembly see what the country's stock is, care will be
taken to have the prison repaired, in the meantime it is desired that
persons of judgment be appointed to view and report what the
charges for repair of the forts may amount to. Signed by Geo.
Thornburgh, Clerk of the Assembly. To the 6th proposition,
earnestly desiring that an Act may now pass for repealing all Acts
that have been made since the rendition of this island, and for confirmation
of such new Acts as shall by the President, Council, and
Assembly be thought fit : the Assembly returned no answer.
July 4.—Propositions [of the President and Council of Barbadoes]
to the Assembly. Copy of those calendared in the following abstract,
No. 127, ending On this finding no hope of good to be done we
dissolved the Assembly intending to issue out writs suddenly for
the election of a new. Certified copy by Thos. Bartlett, Dep. Sec.
Indorsed, For the Secretary of State. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol.
XV., No. 69.]
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July 4.
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127. Propositions (of the President and Council of Barbadoes) to
the Assembly :—1. That a petition be sent to the King against the
Act of Trade, so far as concerns sugars, and against the propositions
of 4 per cent., and to pray that they may have their lands as heretofore
in free soccage, paying an impost of 2 and 4 per cent. ; (2) that
a handsome present be sent to the King along with said petition ;
and ; (3) that some one be employed, with a competent sum of
money, to negociate their business at Court. Also,
Letter from the President and Council to the Assembly. As
they have already approved of the propositions, it is hoped they will
act further for the good of the country, by abolishing the law of
outcries, against the oppressions of which all the people of the
island cry out ; if they will not do this, the President and Council
cannot pass the Act of Laws presented to them. Fear there is a
faction amongst the Assembly in league with their enemies in
England, and if their consent cannot be obtained, shall be forced,
though with extreme grief, to dissolve an Assembly which has sat
so long, and done nothing for the country. Also,
The answer of the Assembly to the preceding letter. The first
three proposals they thought good, but did not consider the present
time convenient, as they daily expect the King's further commands.
As to the law of outcries, it was agreed on nem. con., and therefore
there could be no faction in it, and was considered necessary for
the honour and credit of the trade of the place. They abhor and
detest the charge of uniting with agitators at home to the prejudice
of the inhabitants ; and shall never be fright from the faithful discharge
of their trust by menaces of being dissolved or the refusal
to pass the Act for enforcing those laws made for the good of the
island, and as they have been informed by the Clerk of the Council,
already consented to. Upon which the President and Council dissolved
the Assembly on 9th July 1661. 3 pp. [Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. XI., p. 53-56.]
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July 6.
Barbadoes.
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128. John Dooke to Lowrie. Has just received his letter, and
heard of John Foster's arrival. All diligence would be used to
make good the mistakes complained of in his accounts, for which
his wife was to blame, because she had not given him notice of the
goods in her possession. ½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XV., No. 1.]
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July 10.
Barbadoes.
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129. The President and Council of Barbadoes to [Sec. Nicholas?].
They have presumed to present a petition to the King, preferring
their complaint against the unfit behaviour of the Assembly towards
them, which they entrust to Nicholas to communicate to his Majesty
at a seasonable hour. They hold their authority by the King's
mandamus for Lord Willoughby, who appointed Hump. Walrond and
eight others to be his Council, all of whom have signed the petition
except Sir Richard Peers [? Pearce], who is dead, and Col. Henry
Shelley, gone to England. They continue to exercise their authority,
although the King has invested the proprietorship of the island
in himself, being confident that his Majesty would not leave the
people without government, and would have declared his will if he
intended them to "surcease" the administration thereof ; but if his
Majesty order the cessation of their office, they will cheerfully
submit to such authorities as he shall appoint over them. They
fear the condition of the island has been represented to the King
far richer than it is, and that offers have been made to raise taxes
greater than the people can well bear, which would grieve his good
subjects in Barbadoes. The land is much poorer, and makes much
less sugar than heretofore, and much worse ; the people generally
poor and vainglorious, making ostentation of riches which they
have not. All people are so generally indebted to the merchants
that they have but a small portion in their own estates. Sugar is
at so low a rate that the merchants send no goods to Barbadoes, but
only empty ships to take away the sugar, which if they send away
on their own accounts yields so contemptible a rate, for the merchants
having them in their power can give what they please, and sell it
for what they list, for they have the market to themselves, "and
make us simple planters only the property of their gain, and sell
the poor for bread, and the rich for shoes." Pray to be released
from the regulations of the Act of Navigation, and, lest his Majesty's
revenue should be diminished, propose that a Custom House be established
in Barbadoes, where the duties should be paid before the
ships leave ; and that no produce be exported except in English
bottoms. If the Government of the island do not faithfully observe
these conditions, let the Act of Trade be imposed again without
redemption. They beseech the King not to impose the tax of four
per cent., and that his Majesty will not be a harder master to them
in their poverty than his nobility were in their best prosperity ;
that they may enjoy their lands as formerly, paying the impost of
two and four per cent., the proprietors paying all public charges ;
and that they may hold their lands in the former tenure of free
soccage at the rent of one pepper-corn per annum if demanded,
as was long since bargained and contracted with the former proprietor
in a full assembly of the country. Those who would counsel
his Majesty to burden and grieve his good people of Barbadoes they
fear are both in their Assembly and at home, who, conscious of their
own guilt in formerly betraying the island, hope to obtain a pardon
by ingratiating themselves into the King's favour, though to our
absolute ruin, and so to creep back to that power which they had
in the rebels' time ; but they trust the King will not [give] us poor
innocent sheep to the keeping of the wolf. Have therefore petitioned
that the Lord Willoughby may be sent to govern them,
knowing he would scorn to wrong those in one hair or mite who
the King hath pardoned. Reasons for their having dissolved the
Assembly :—They have sat six months and done nothing for the
country, but adjourn from time to time in hope of change. They
refused to join in the annexed petition, so were dissolved as unprofitable
members to their country and obstructors of that good which
might be done for the people, but upon no personal or private
animosities whatever their correspondents at home may suggest.
They had also refused to grant a present to his Majesty or to give
support to some "loyal confident" to carry the petition to the King.
The Council therefore fly to his Majesty for relief, and pray the
intercession of the Secretary of State in their behalf, for which
their poverty and disappointments enable them only to promise
their eternal gratitude. Signed by Hum. Walrond, Daniel Searle,
Tho. Ellice, Ja. Browne, John Yeamans, and Will Kirton. Annexed,
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129. I. Petition of the President and Council of Barbadoes to the
King. That they hold their power from his Majesty, and
are desirous of laying before him the true state of island
and of drawing up a petition against that clause in the
Act of Trade relating to the transporting of their sugar,
which is their utter undoing, and against the tax of four
per cent. now proposed ; also of sending a handsome
present to his Majesty, in charge of a "loyal confident"
of the island. To all which the Assembly, though they
considered them for the benefit of the country, refused
their assent on the plea that they expected a change in
the Government. Wherefore they had dissolved the Assembly
with the intention of calling another, if possible
of more temperate and public spirit. Sec. Nicholas will
communicate to his Majesty their further grievances.
Prays that Lord Willoughby may be sent out as their
Governor, and that the King would grant them his
favour. 1661, July 10. Signed as above, also by Edmund
Reade. Indorsed, Received 27 August. Together 4 pp.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XV., Nos. 70, 71.]
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[July 12.]
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130. Petition of the planters, merchants, mariners, and traders
in Barbadoes, to the King. That several of them have laid out the
greatest part of their fortunes in improving the trade and plantation
of said island, which now and for some time has employed
two hundred sail of shipping yearly : that scarce any island in the
world (known to petitioners) yields so great a revenue or employs
so much shipping and stock : that the price of sugars has thereby
been reduced from 3l. 10s. per hundred to less than half : that such
is the flourishing and increasing state of said Plantation, that on a
few hours' warning they can arm 10,000 men, all the King's subjects,
on the island ; and it is a nursery for planting Jamaica, Surinam,
and other places : that the destruction of said island would not
only be the ruin of the petitioners, but also in a great measure ruin
to the stock, navigation, and shipping of England, as also to the
King's revenue of customs : that such has been the increase and
unmerchantableness of the sugars lately made, that the value of
said commodity is utterly destroyed, not yielding above one or two
and twenty shillings per hundred. Pray that such countenance be
given to said commodity as may answer the duty of thirty shillings
per hundredweight fixed upon all unpurged sugars of said island,
so that none may dare to make that which is unmerchantable, nor
any be permitted to sell what shall be imported under the price
current. Annexed,
Order of the Privy Council referring above petition to the
Council for Foreign Plantations for their report. Whitehall,
1661, July 12. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XV., No. 31, pp. 12-14.]
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July 15.
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131. Orders of the Governor and Council of Jamaica. All marriages,
deaths, and burials to be recorded in the Secretary's office.
The wherry-men every Sunday to take turns in carrying over Mr.
Johns to Passage Fort for 6d., on pain of forfeiting their licenses.
The justices of peace of Guanaboe to nominate a person to sell
drink at the Cowhides. Mr. Townes to assist Mr. Long in making
an inventory of Col. Philip Ward's goods. Col. Saml. Barry to be
judge of the court to leeward of the precincts of Yallah. [Col.
Entry Bks., No. 34, pp. 23, 24, and No. 37, pp. 7-9.]
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July?
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132. Report of the Council for Foreign Plantations to his Majesty.
That the following may be the heads of a letter to be sent in the
Charity, which is instantly going to Jamaica :—That his Majesty is
resolved to provide for the security, supplies, and improvement of
the colony ; and considering its fruitfulness, situation, and capacity
of being made the most eminent plantation of all his Majesty's
distant dominions, will cheerfully countenance all overtures for
rendering it more considerable ; and understanding that Col. D'Oyley
is pressed by private affairs to leave the island, to advance its reputation
his Majesty has appointed Lord Windsor, Governor. Meantime
the present Governor and Council are to lay up in the public
stores the provisions sent in the Charity, principally if not only for
the repairing and finishing of the fort. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XV.,
No. 72.]
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July 18.
Whitehall.
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133. The King to the Governor and Council of Jamaica. To the
same effect and almost in the same words as the preceding report
of the Council of Foreign Plantations, countersigned by Sec. Nicholas.
1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XV., No. 73.]
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July 19.
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134. Declaration of the President and Council of Barbadoes to
the inhabitants of their reasons for dissolving the late Assembly.
As magistrates are not magistrates for themselves, but for the good
of the people, it is but rational that the people should have an
account (in fit measure) of the transactions in which they are concerned,
and therefore to prevent false rumours a true account is now
published of the reasons for dissolving the late Assembly. The
President having received a letter from Sir James Drax that persons
at home were persuading the King to impose a tax of 4 per cent. on
commodities, alleging that it would bring in 25,000l. per annum,
"a strange wild computation," three propositions were sent to the
Assembly, to which was returned this short answer [see ante, No. 127].
The Assembly is accused of "a hope of change, as now at least they
plainly tell us," and of their wishing to have either the King of
Spain or other foreign prince as their proprietor. The President
and Council solemnly declare they have no personal animosity or
prejudice against any of said Assembly, but seeing they were unwilling
to join in what was thought necessary for the public good, they
have been dissolved and writs issued for the election of a new
Assembly, and it is hoped that unbiassed persons and those in
obedience to the King and careful of the public good will be sent
up by the respective parishes. Signed by Humphrey Walrond.
5 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., Vol. XI., pp. 56-60.]
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July 20.
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135. Grant to Thos. Lord Windsor of the office of Governor of
Jamaica during pleasure, with the yearly fee of 2,000l. payable out
of the Exchequer. His commission is dated 2 Aug., see No. 145.
[Dom., Chas. II., Docquet Bk., p. 127.]
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July 20-21.
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136. Proclamation of Edward D'Oyley, Governor of Jamaica.
That the former order concerning hunting was only intended to
prohibit such as make it their business to destroy cattle ; all persons
really intending to settle may have license from a justice of the
peace to hunt hogs. For the undeceiving and clearing of all controversies
in trade, ordered that from June 26 last all bonds, bills,
and contracts shall be payable and recoverable according to the
literal words written upon them.
July 21.—Granting license to Quartermaster John Hoy to hunt
cattle with a gang of dogs not exceeding 25, he being incapable of
maintaining himself and family by any other means. [Col. Entry
Bks., No. 34, pp. 21, 22, and No. 37, p. 7.]
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July 22.
Inner Court
of Wards.
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137. Minutes of the Council for Foreign Plantations. Petition
of the merchants, planters, mariners, and traders in Barbadoes,
referred by an Order in Council of 13th inst. July, read, and a committee
appointed to report thereon concerning a law made in Barbadoes
for raising the goodness, credit, and price of sugars made
upon that island ; for preventing deceipt in factors, and on the
merchants' propositions to contract for sugars here at the rate of
30s. per cwt. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XIV., No. 59, p. 35.]
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1661?
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138. Petition of Jacob Jeosua Bueno Enriques, a Jamaican Jew,
to the King. For license to work a copper mine in the island, if he
can discover it, of which he has heard from a Spaniard named
Domingo Frano. Platero, formerly a resident on the island, who was
brought to Cagway Point with other Spanish prisoners by the French
buccaneers of San Domingo. And that he and Josef and Moise Bueno
Enriques may use their own law and hold synagogues. Spanish.
3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XV., No. 74.]
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July 24.
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139. Grant of denization to Daniel Bueno Henriques, merchant,
native of Spain, and now resident in Barbadoes. [Dom., Chas. II.,
Docquet.]
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[July 24.]
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140. Report of the Council for Foreign Plantations to the King.
On petition of B. de Caseres and two others, who strangers and
Jews are forbidden by the Act of Navigation to trade to his
Majesty's Plantations. It has long been debated whether it stands
with his Majesty's interest and that of the colonies to admit Jews
to reside and trade there, judgment differing according to the
interest of the parties concerned. The merchants have urged that
the Jews are a people so subtle in matters of trade, and that they
and their stocks are so settled in other nations that in a short time
they will not only ingross trade among themselves, but will be able
to divert the benefit thereof to other places ; whereas it seems the
interest of his Majesty to keep his own trade, that the whole profit
may flow in hither and the trade be carried on by the manufactures
and navigation of these kingdoms. On the other side the planters
urge that the admission of Jews or any other accession of free trade
will tend exceedingly to the advantage of the Colonies, and consequently
of his Majesty and trade ; and that the merchants principally
aim at appropriating the whole trade and necessitating the
planter to accept any prices they think fit. These arguments being
of great weight, the Council have not thought fit to give any judgment
thereon, but offer that these three Jews being recommended
by the King of Denmark, and having behaved with general satisfaction
many years in Barbadoes, may have a special license to reside
there or in any other Plantation. Signed by Philip Froude. Indorsed,
Received 24 July 1661. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XV., No. 75.]
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July 24, 25.
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141. Minutes of the Council and Assembly of Barbadoes. Col.
Walrond, President. List of the names of burgesses elected to the
General Assembly, the changes from the previous list (see ante, No. 1),
being as follows :—Captains Wm. Sandeford and Alex. Pulline, for
St. Peter's ; Thomas Wardall and John Worsam, for St. Joseph's ;
Lt.-Col. Humphrey Hooke [vice Thomas Peade] for St. Thomas' ;
and Nicholas Edwards [vice Capt. Richd. Andrews] for St. Andrew's.
Col. Thos. Modyford chosen Speaker. It was agreed to repeal all
laws from the "Rendition of the island until its restoration to the
King's government," but those laws which were made for the better
administration of justice to be re-enacted. 2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk.,
Vol. XI., pp. 61, 62.]
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July 31.
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142. Orders of the Governor and Council of Jamaica [Capt.
Wm. Daylison also present]. That Capt. Wm. Valet do not depart
from the island without further order from the King. Major Coape
and Capt. Burroughs to examine and report on the difference
between Capt. Harrington, Capt. Kent, and Lieut. Barfield, "or endeavour
to make an expedient there." Sec. Povey to be empowered
to issue and sign letters of administration. [Col. Entry Bks., No. 34,
p. 24, and No. 37, p. 9.]
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July?
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143. Petition of Philip Roberts to the King. To bestow upon him
some small employment suitable to his quality and present sufferings.
Has been employed in the West Indies these six and twenty years ;
in the year 1642 had command of a company under command of
Capt. Wm. Jackson against the Spaniards in the West Indies, having
taken and plundered many towns whereby he had purchased much
diamonds, pearls, and other rich jewels ; but coming for England in
1646 was taken by Dunkirk men-of-war, who sunk the ship and all
the goods ; in May 1660 was retaken by Spanish ships in the West
Indies, and carried into St. Jago upon Cuba, escaped by stealing the
Governor's canoe and came to Jamaica in a most miserable condition ;
by long experience of the West Indies has discovered that which
will much enrich the King's dominions and revenue, and also highly
advance his Majesty's island of Jamaica. Annexed,
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143. I. Certificate of his miserable condition when rescued from
the Dunkirkers.
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143. II. Certificate by Sir Edw. Massey showing that Roberts was
one of those engaged with Jackson in a voyage for the
West Indies in making discoveries there, that he was
reputed a very honest, expert, and valiant soldier, that he
had suffered much misery and loss by being taken by the
Spaniard, and that his imprisonment has gained him
such knowledge of the Spaniard's Plantations as renders
him very capable of doing his Majesty good service. [Dom.,
Chas. II., Vol. XXXIX., No. 128, Cal., p. 51.]
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