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July 1.
Brooke House. |
Minutes as above. John Brigham acquaints the Company that he offered Capt. Bell 2,000 weight of tobacco for a year's employment of 20 servants, but was refused. Mat. Grover, who came home in the Robert, and was formerly employed at Dureren [Darien] with Mr. Lane, is allowed his transportation. Allowances to the wife of Sam. Bennett, a gunner in Fort Henry. Request of Fras. Grissell, to remit his transportation, refused. Various payments directed to be made. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 229–30.] |
July 2.
Whitehall. |
69. Order of the Privy Council concerning the dissensions in Virginia, the complaints of Sir John Harvey, and the injuries done by Lord Baltimore to Capt. Claybourne and others; directing the Attorney General to examine the parties on both sides, to whom Governor Harvey's letters and other writings on the subject are to be delivered for his report. |
| July 2. |
70. Minutes in Sec. Windebank's hand, for settling the government of Virginia. To be in the King's immediate power, and managed by a Council, to continue during pleasure; the Council to "give instructions to the plantation," and judge of all controversies, with appeal to the King and Privy Council; to order forts and plantations, and make laws. The ancient territories to be granted to the people; foreigners to be removed and pensions allowed. Subscribed by L. Dor[chester?], Danby, and others, who are said to have no land there. |
July 7.
Charing Cross. |
Henry Vane to his father Sir Henry Vane, Comptroller of the King's household. Has newly come back from speaking with Mr. Cradock concerning his intended journey, and thinks it his duty to communicate what seems most convenient to be done. For safety of passage, most necessary to lay hold of the present occasion of the ships now in the river, for his transportation to New England. Mr. Cradock hopes to gain him ten days to prepare himself, though the ships look every day to be gone, and has offered him all the accommodation he can desire. Begs that his pass may be dispatched, with an assurance that his father has resolved upon this place for him to go to, so that he may effectually prepare himself with all things suitable. Requests his father to believe, though, as the case stands, he is judged a most unworthy son, that however jealous his father may be of circumventions and plots entertained and practised by him, yet he will never do anything that he may not justify or be content to suffer for. Is sure, as there is truth in God, that his innocence and integrity will be cleared to his father before he dies. Protests his father's jealousy of him would break his heart, but as he submits all other things to his good God, so does he his honesty. The intention of his heart is sincere, and hence flows the sweet peace he enjoys amidst his many heavy trials. [DOMESTIC Corresp. Car. I.] |
July 8.
Warwick House. |
Minutes of a Committee for Providence Island. Payments to Lieut. Price, on behalf of Evan Jenkins, deceased, one of the eight persons employed with Mr. Lane at Darien; and to Jos. Hineson, for wages as gunner in Warwick Fort. Warrant granted for delivery of goods sent home in the Robert, belonging to Capt. Elfrith and others. Allowances to Stephen Bray and Randall Ince. Compensation to be offered to Abrah. Chamberlayne to withdraw a suit in Chancery, concerning a parcel of wood. Tobacco, cotton, and other goods now brought home, to be sold to the best advantage. Payments to Forster, the surgeon, and Rich. Field, gunner. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. III., pp. 230–32.] |
July 11.
Portsmouth. |
71. Capt. John Mason to Edward Nicholas, Sec. to the Admiralty. Account of prizes taken; above 150 sail of French brought into Dunkirk and other places. Begs him to move the Lords for a warrant for his Vice-Admiralty in New England; hopes it will be as ample as the affairs of that country require. The English plantations already extend 300 miles, and contain about 13,000 inhabitants; six sail of ships at least, if not more, belonging to them. The ships trading there exceed 40 sail. Is busy repairing Southsea Castle. Would fain be in readiness for the French against they become their enemies, "which will be very shortly, if my calendar be true." |
July 14.
Plymouth. |
72. John Martyn, Mayor of Plymouth, Robert Trelawny, and John Clement, to the Privy Council. Arrival that morning of Sir John Harvey, Governor of Virginia, who gave information of a late mutiny and rebellion in the colony. Francis Pott having been charged as a principal author and actor, they have detained him prisoner. Send letters sealed up in a trunk, from the mutineers, in charge of Thos Harwood, and desire to know what shall be done with Francis Pott. |
July 14.
Plymouth. |
73. Sir John Harvey to Sec. Windebank. Excuses his coming from Virginia without licence. Reasons for doing so. Left the assembly composed of a rude, ignorant, and ill-conditioned people. Had issued warrants for apprehending the chief mutineers, but instead of the Council intending any good, they laid violent hands upon him, charged him with treason for going about, as they said, to betray their forts into the hands of their enemies of Maryland, chose another Governor while he was yet resident in the country, and compelled him to come to England. Has used the Mayor of Plymouth's authority "to fasten upon two persons" who came with him in the ship, principal abettors in the mutiny, as also upon their letters. It is to be feared the mutineers intend no less than the subversion of Maryland. Capt. Fran. Hook told him that they sought out the Maryland boats which were trading with the Indians, and assaulted them, and that there were slain and hurt on both sides. Will hasten up to render an account of his trust. Endorsed by Windebank, "Rec. 17 at Oatlands." |
| July. |
Minutes of business to be heard before the Privy Council. That of Virginia between the Governor and the Council requires a speedy settlement. [Extract from DOMESTIC Corresp. Car. I.] |
| July? |
74. Declaration of Sir John Harvey, Governor of Virginia, to the Lords Commissioners for Foreign Plantations, concerning the mutinous proceedings of the Council there and their confederates. Was appointed by the King, about seven years since, Governor, John West, Sam. Mathews, John Utie, William Claybourne, William Ferrar, William Perry, William Peirce, and George Menefie, and some others, all of the Council, being joined with him in the government. Hearing of secret and unlawful meetings, held by Mathews about December last, he ordered William English, Capt. Martin, and Francis Pott, to be apprehended, and demanded the assistance of the Council to suppress those mutinous meetings; but on 28th April, Mathews and others of the Council armed, and with about 50 musketeers, beset him in his own house, where, with Secretary Kemp, he expected a meeting of the Council. John Utie struck him violently upon the shoulder, and said, "I arrest you for treason." Was told he must prepare for England, that he must and should go to answer the complaints against him. John Pott was in command of the musketeers, and then ordered them to retire "until there should be use of them." Guards were set in all directions, and he had no power to suppress this mutiny. English, Martin, and Pott were set at liberty, and a petition, laying many aspersions upon him, contrived by the Council in the name of the country, circulated by Fras. Pott, who, by fear and persuasion, obtained signatures, only those of Acomack refused to subscribe. Upon pretence of this petition an assembly was called on 7th May last, and proclamation made that complaints against him would be heard. The Council then chose John. West Governor, who immediately assumed the government. Seeing them run into such dangerous courses, he commanded them to disperse the mutinous assembly, but they suppressed his letter, concealed it from the people, and contrived to share his house and estate amongst them. Motives from which he considers all this proceeds. Sir John Wolstenholme having kept the country in expectation of a change of Governor, and of the renewing of a corporation; the mutinous councils of Mathews, Utie, Peirce, and Claybourne, whose quarrels with him are set forth; a grudge of John Pott for having been superseded in the government, and of his brother Francis for having been displaced Capt. of the Fort at Point Comfort; and jealousies of Sir John Wolstenholme. Leaves the consideration to their Lordships, and prays for some timely remedy, that the offenders may be reduced to obedience, and receive condign punishment, and that the reputation of him who has suffered so much may be repaired. |
| July? |
75. Petition of Henry Woodhouse to the King. About four years past His Majesty promised the petitioner the place of Governor of Virginia, the settling of which plantation has been of such long continuance "that he starveth with the expectation." Recites his former petition [see ante, p. 185, No. 24], and prays for a warrant for drawing his commission, "whereby he shall avoid further troubling of His Majesty." Endorsed by Sec. Windebank. |
| July. |
76. Petition of the adventurers of Southampton Hundred in Virginia to the Lords Commissioners for Plantations. Have expended upwards of 6,000l. in planting that hundred, and have nothing left but a stock of cattle in the hands of Capt. Utie, here-tofore their officer; many having been killed, and others delivered without any order from the adventurers Pray that they may have order for delivery of their cattle in the hands of Capt. Utie, who desires to be discharged, and for power to inquire how the rest have been disposed of. |
