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| July 2. |
34. Answer of the Virginia Company, assembled in General Court, to the Privy Council. Have taken their Lordships commands into consideration for the speedy sending of supplies to Virginia; divers hundred will be supplied by private adventure and many persons by friends. Are not able this day to come to any conclusion for a general supply, and desire respite until Friday to advise thereon in a full court Suggest that some course be taken that those indebted to the Company pay in their subscriptions. |
July 2.
Whitehall. |
35. Lord President Mandeville to Sec. Conway. The Virginia Company have been shown the letters "that make a map of the colony's misery," and measures have been taken for relief of the colony, "for relieved they must be, and that presently." The Company have begged until Friday to deliver their answer; but are taking into consideration fit rules for bettering the government of the colony hereafter. Sends such rules as were thought of by the Lords, and copy of Sandys' letter, some of the Company having alleged that no such accounts of the miseries or necessities of the colony had reached them. Incloses, |
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35. I. Rules set down by the Lords of the Privy Council for bettering the government in Virginia. Forts to be erected in healthy places. Guest houses to be built for the sick and strangers. The most fertile and wholesome towns and places to be chosen for habitation and to be seated near to one another. Ships, pinnaces and barges to be maintained at the common charge. Provisions necessary for food to be cared for before matters of profit. The men to be divided into three parts; some to be employed in public works, some in sowing and planting, and some "for strength and discoveries." Dangers from the Indians to be provided against. Men of experience in government and fit for commanders to be sent over. Churches and schools to be erected. Directions from the Privy Council in all matters of importance to be followed; and reforms to be made in the election of councillors. |
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35. II. Geo. Sandys to John Ferrar. 1623, April 8. [See Calendar of this date, p. 42, No. 27.] |
July 2.
Virginia. |
36. Dephebus Canne to John Delbridge. Writes by a bark from Canada on her return thence. All his fish sold; errors in the accounts. Hopes the Bonaventure and Success have arrived. Would to God that the apparel and frieze which came in the Success were turned into meal, oatmeal, and peas. The land is destitute of food, and they pray for relief. Great hopes of a good harvest of corn. The Seaflower, looked for these three months, not yet arrived. Great crop of tobacco expected; the weather has been good and seasonable. Ships daily expected from Canada and Newfoundland, with supplies of fish for the plantation for a year. The Indians quiet; it is thought they have fears for their corn, which he thinks will be shortly destroyed. Some 13 persons went in a shallop to make peace with the infidels, who met them in great numbers at the river side, and after getting "our english people" in the shallop, there was a watch word given, the English shot and killed some 40 Indians, among them Apachaniken, the commander of all the other Indians, and two chiefs. Hopes they may gather their crops free from the danger of the savages, for he has "a great desire to make clear of the country." Endorsed, "To the Wors. Jno. Delbridge, Merchant in Barnstaple, by the way of Canada." |
| July 3. |
[Sec. Conway] to Lord Treasurer Middlesex. The Privy Council are by strict examination to sift out whether the refusal of the Virginia Company to comply with the King's request be on account of being bound by their laws, or a pretext to colour a wilful breach of His Majesty's commands. The Attorney General is to examine into the foundation and limitations of their commission and behaviour, and to inquire whether, in such extreme conduct, the commission is not void. [DOMESTIC Corresp., Vol. CXLVIII., No. 19, Cal. p. 4.] |
| 1623? |
37. The King to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. The undertakers of the plantation of Virginia, wherein good progress is made, being about to erect churches and schools for the education of the children of the infidels there, they are required to recommend to their clergy the raising a liberal contribution for so good a work, to be collected four times in the two next ensuing years. [Draft.] |
July 4.
Whitehall. |
Order of the Privy Council upon a representation of Lord Cavendish and others of the Virginia Company. Concerning the relief to be afforded to the plantation of Virginia, the inhabitants being in great danger of perishing by famine. Divers private members had underwritten for 700l., to be layed out in meal and immediately dispatched, and another sum of 1,800l., had also been subscribed for the supply of particular hundreds and private persons there. Directing for the supply of so great a want, that a general contribution be levied upon the whole Company, according to their shares; the meal and other provisions sent thither to be sold at reasonable prices. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., p. 207.] |
| July 4. |
38. List of names of those who will adventure, and the amounts, in victuals and necessary provision of apparel., which it is purposed to send this present summer, for relief of the colony and particular friends in Virginia. Total 1,800l. On the inner leaf is written nine times, "I will adventure" leaving a blank space for the name of the adventurer and the amount. |
| July 4. |
39. List of names of those who will adventure, and the amounts which they bind themselves to pay within ten days unto Rich. Caswell, chosen treasurer for this present magazine, for necessary provisions for the colony of Virginia, to be bought by those whom they shall appoint. Total 727l. |
July 5.
Windsor. |
[Sec. Conway] to Lord President Mandeville. The King is pleased with his careful attendance at the Council table, and with his reports, and will take time to consider the rules set down by the Lords [see ante, 2 July, inclosure1.], as also the notes offered by Lord Chichester [wanting]. His Majesty would like to hear how the Virginia Company will put in execution those rules for better government, and whether they did not make a pretext of their constitutions to break his commands. [DOMESTIC Corresp. Jac. I., Vol. CXLVIII., No. 33, Cal. p. 7.] |
| July 5. |
40. Lord President Mandeville to Sec. Conway. The Virginia Company returned answer on Friday last, "what they would presently do for the relieving of the poor souls in Virginia." They had already underwritten for 700l., to be laid out in meal and sent thither; and 1.,800l. had also been subscribed for the supply of particular hundreds, and private persons in the colony. The Company alleged that good store of butter and cheese had been sent from Flushing in May last. The Privy Council have directed that every one of the sharers in the Company shall contribute to the present relief proportionately. Did not expect to have found the Company so forward, but thinks they are willing to hold their government. They have also yielded to restore Mr. Wroth to be again of the Company and Council. The points of misgovernment on both sides are formally before the Commissioners. |
| July 13. |
41. [Sec. Conway] to the "Commissioners for examining the grievances in the plantations of Virginia and Bermudas." The bearer Capt. Baily, has given information to the King of certain quantities of ambergris found in Bermudas, which belongs, according to his relation, either to His Majesty or to Capt. Somers, "whom he terms the first discoverer." They are desired to inquire into that business, wherein complaint has been made of some great wrong done. [Draft.] |
July 19.
Whitehall. |
Order of the Privy Council for an allowance to the officers that attended the Commissioners, deputed to examine into the state of the Virginia business. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., p. 207.] |
| July? |
Project by Capt. Baily that the King should make a plantation in Virginia or New England, by which the kingdom may annually be rid of 3,000 poor, and that each should have 20 acres of land, a house, and victuals out of the store for one year. The prisons may be emptied, and much blood saved as well as relief given to many by sending them thither. Every trade should be encouraged in those plantations. Reasons why Capt. Baily induced the people to contribute to so good a work. Every man throughout England and Wales, for himself and family, that gives a penny apiece annually for ten years, to have the same privileges as he that gives 1,000l. Books to be kept in every parish to register the names ot the giver, and of those who refuse to contribute. Has made this project known to many thousands, and some have subscribed 10l. per annum; some 5l.; great numbers 20s., and none less than 2s. 6d. Profits that will accrue to the King. Desires that His Majesty will command letters to be written to the City of London, and some few counties to make a trial of his project. [DOMESTIC Corresp. Jac. I. [undated], Vol.CLXXXIX., No. 36, Cal. p.521; see also p. 56, No. 53.] |
| July 21. |
[Sec. Conway] to Sir Thos. Smythe and others. The King requests their opinion on the proposition of Capt. Baily for the advancement of foreign plantations, and on every particular proposition which may be offered by him having relation to that end. [DOMESTIC Corresp. Jac. I., Vol. CXLIX., No. 16, Cal. p. 23.] |
July 22.
Whitehall. |
Order of the Privy Council appointing Lords Grandison, Carew, and Chichester, to take certain notes into consideration, and out of them to frame such orders as they conceive most fit for regulating the government of Virginia, to be advised on by the Privy Council. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., p. 194.] |
| July 23. |
42. Account of the sums subscribed, and the supplies sent since April last for the relief of Virginia, with the names of the vessels in which they were sent over. The total money value is estimated at 3,300l. |
July 26.
London. |
Chamberlain to Carleton. Last week the Earl of Warwick and Lord Cavendish "fell so foul" at a Virginia or Bermudas Court that the lie passed and repassed. They are "got over" to try their fortune, but it is not known whether they have met. Their ladies forget not their old familiarity, and lament this misfortune. The factions in those two Companies are grown as violent as between Guelph and Ghibelines, and they seldom meet but they quarrel. If the society be not dissolved soon, or remodelled, worse effects may follow than the whole business is worth. Their old acquaintance, [John] Pory, is in prison at the Terceiras, whither he was driven by contrary winds from the north coast of Virginia, where he had been upon some discovery. [Extract. DOMESTIC Corresp. Jac. I., Vol. CXLIX., No. 48, Cal. p. 30.] |
July 28.
Totteridge. |
Lord President Mandeville to Sec. Conway. The Virginia Company are required to send their release, and to give an account of the provisions they sent [for relief of the Colony]. The Attorney General is to examine their former patents, and the returns of the last commission that the King may upon just grounds "determine" the former, and pass another [patent]. He is also to prepare a better form of government. Has delivered the notes and directions given by the King to Lords Grandison, Carew, and Chichester, the rules drawn out by the Privy Council for strengthening the government of Virginia, and the return of the Commissioners lately made. [Extract. DOMESTIC Corresp. Jac. I., Vol. CXLIX., No. 76, Cal. p. 35.] |
| July 31. |
43. Att. Gen. Coventry and Sol. Gen. Heath to the King. Have received, from the Virginia Company, an account of what has been done for the relief of that colony. Have diligently perused their letters patent, and the certificates of the Virginia Commissioners concerning the apparent abuses and miscarriage in the government, and conceive the King may justly resume it. Recommend that, so soon as the order of government has been determined upon, the King should, by proclamation, command the forbearance of the execution of those letters patent, and of the authority thereby committed to the Company; and should they not voluntarily yield up their privileges legal proceedings may be taken against them for calling in their patent. [This letter was inclosed in a letter from Lord Treasurer Middlesex to Sec. Conway, who adds that the King will thereby perceive his own power of resuming the government, and settling it for the public good. Suggests, as most of the Privy Council are out of town, that the Company be allowed to go on until they meet, about a month hence. See DOMESTIC Corresp. Jac. I., Vol. CL., No. 31, Cal, p. 45.] Inclose, |
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43. I. Note of victuals and provisions sent by private person for relief of Virginia in the George, which on Monday next is to go to Gravesend. Total 241 hogsheads, besides large quantities taken by passengers, and meal for the magazine to the value of 200l. |
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43. II. Account of the value of the provisions sent for relief of Virgina in the Truelove. Total 536l. |
