|
March 3.
St. Kitts. |
1042. Minutes of the Council of St. Kitts. On consideration of a petition of the Protestant congregation living at St. Kitts under the French government to Governor Stapleton desiring the privilege of purchasing a parcel of land in the English ground to build a church or churches, with licence to send for a pastor and privilege of meeting together to worship God according to their profession, which petition on 7th February last from Montserrat was left to the judgment of said Governor and Council in the English part of this island, it was resolved, consented, and granted that petitioners have liberty to do what they desire, provided they give notice beforehand to the Governor where they intend to build and that their meetings tend not to any disturbance of the peace. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXVIII., No. 69.] |
| March 4–5. |
1043. Minutes of the Council of Barbadoes. His Excellency acquainted the Assembly that he had received two letters, one from his Majesty on behalf of the Royal Company for the effectual getting in of what is due to them, the other from the Council for Plantations concerning the Dutch preparations against these parts. He advised them to consider about guarding the coasts, and to renew the order for a Committee to inspect the accounts and examined the powder since his Excellency went off to settle the militia. His Majesty's letter returned by Mr. Speaker with this answer, that according to his Majesty's command they had ordered it to be entered in the Assembly book that they were much troubled that the public justice of the island should be so much misrepresented to his Majesty, for it was well known that the Royal Company had the same law for recovering their debts as all other inhabitants, and that if they had met with any failure of justice, the Assembly desired it might be rectified and the offenders punished. A method for keeping guards in the island was under consideration.
March 5. Papers delivered by the Assembly in answer to letter of the Council for Plantations, and to authorise Lieut.-Col. Wm. Bate to pay a quantity of sugar to Isaac Devall. Ordered that Lieut.-Colonel Wm. Bate give a list to each Colonel of Foot of the powder within the district of his regiment, and desire him to enquire in what condition it is, and what quantity remains, that he may inform his Excellency how every post is furnished. A paper brought by the Assembly containing two votes touching his Excellency's proposals for keeping his Majesty's ships St. David and Garland, affirming nemine contradicente that the ships should be kept and victualled for two months by the country. Ordered by the Assembly, with consent of his Excellency and Council, that the treasurer pay out of the excise on liquors to Isaac Devall 1,558 lb. sugar for supply of provisions and necessaries at Manneco to Captains Baines and Cope. Address of the Assembly to his Excellency :—Having considered the letter of the Council for Trade and of the intentions of the Dutch towards them, conceive it necessary that guards be settled in the several forts by the several regiments, regard being had by the officers to ease the poor therein, and that the watches be appointed in the most convenient places for observing shipping, and further that the forts be forthwith repaired and that some strict course be taken, that those in arrear of labour or sugar by former levies forthwith make payment, or that distress be made upon them for same. Doubt not his Excellency's care in ordering the ships to be put in good posture of defence, and return their hearty thanks to the Council for Trade for their good advice and care of their safety. Signed by John Higginbotham, Clerk of the Assembly. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XI., 216–220] |
March 7.
Barbadoes. |
1044. Governor Lord Willoughby to Dr. B. Worsley, Secretary, to the Council for Plantations. His of December 17, 1662 (sic), with letter from the Council for Plantations, and all papers relating to Dominica received February 26, not having till then received one line from England since his arrival. None of the letters were so much to his satisfaction as his own, as he is now assured that he now has a friend in the Council to whom he dare speak plain English as Worsley has done. Heartily congratulates his establishment in that employment, though he suceeds a person of great parts. Is glad he knows his man, and will deal plainly with him. Is commanded by his Commission to have 12 of his Council, and seven to be of one mind in all votes; but it is rare he can procure seven to meet, and unless all be of one mind the major part do not make a Council unless they be seven. In the 4th paragraph of his instructions is obliged to administer the oaths of allegiance and supremacy; declined the latter, else had not had such a Council as directed, being obliged to continue those he found; has begged direction herein of the Lord Chancellor and Lord Arlington. To the 8th instruction will send the names and qualities of his Councillors, who are more than a good many. In the 13th instruction a latitude is pretended to tended consciences, which does not at all answer the end, for though the oaths of allegiance and supremacy are dispensed with, is obliged to give those of a judge, justice, and constable, which many tender consciences will refuse. Will instance one, a quaker and judge of a court, as well approved as any, but he refusing the oath of a judge, the Council fell severe upon him, and he must quit his place, and himself be hard put to it to find a fitter. Has acquainted the Lord Chancellor with some of these particulars: the rest of his instructions that are material will answer at the return of the London Fleet, which may sail in six weeks. Sent by J. Willoughby, the Governor's son, on 30th May, who certifies the above to be a true copy written by his father by the last ships. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 11.] |
March 7.
Shaftesbury
Papers. |
1045. Plott of land belonging to the Lords Proprietors in Carolina. "This plott represents the shape and form of the clear plantable land belonging to the Lords Proprietors of this Province whereof Colonel Joseph West now liveth, which at request of the said Colonel Joseph West I have measured and surveyed, and find it to contain 44 acres and one-half of land or near thereabouts, situate and being near Charles Town in the aforesaid Province, butting and bounding as by the plot appears; performed March 7th 1672[–3] and certified by John Culpeper, Surveyor General." Size 19 inches by 12 inches. A scale of 10 chain, 66 foot in a chain. [Shaftesbury Papers, Section IX, Bundle 48, No. 72.] |
March 8.
S. Kitts. |
1046. Minutes of the Council of St. Kitts. Ordered that the guns to be brought by Captain John Jones from Anguilla be landed at or near Cleverleys Hill for the defence of this island. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXVIII., No. 69.] |
March 11.
St. Jago. |
1047. Minutes of the Council of Jamaica. On reading the expresses sent in his Majesty's ketch from the Earl of Arlington and the Council for Foreign Plantations, advising of the preparations of the Dutch and Spaniards to attack the island, Ordered, that no vessels whatever, unless sent to give advice or gain intelligence, be permitted to depart out of Port Royal till there appear some probability of the danger being over; that all possible means be immediately used for fortifying Port Royal; and that materials for fire ships be speedily prepared, and everything put in readiness to defend the place. Ordered, that six ships make an alarum, and that Col. Freeman send it down with all speed to the Point and Lygonee, and immediately move with his regiment to the succour of Port Royal, and that Lieut.-Col. Whitfield rendezvous with his regiment at the three rivers, and that both of them advance to the Point if they find the enemy has attacked it. That there be a company in arms every day at Port Royal, for safety of the fort and harbour. That in case of invasion, all civil courts be immediately suspended, and that the Articles of War published in Sir Thomas Modyford's time then take place, and that copies thereof be forthwith distributed amongst all such officers as want them. That officers make the best provision they can in their several quarters, and if the Commander-in-Chief or any party sent out takes or buys anything for the sustenance of himself and soldiers, same be paid by public contribution. That a guard of three horse, to be relieved every 24 hours, be forthwith kept at the Three Rivers by the Lygonee troop. That the officers see that the orders of the several courts marshal already made be exactly executed, and publicly read at the next muster of the several companies. 2 1/2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XXXV., 338–341.] |
March 15.
St. Kitts. |
1048. Minutes of the Council of St. Kitts. On reading a protest of three of the French Commissioners, viz., MM. Mouchet, Poyett, and Bonnemerre, against the Act of 24 June 1672, and the Declaration of Major John Crooke of the result of the French Council of 12th March, and on proposals made by the Governor, resolved that they would adhere to the Acts passed unless enjoined to the contrary by his Excellency the General. In case the French attempt any hostility, ordered that the forces on the windward side retreat to the old road, and that the several persons hereafter mentioned be always ready with horse and arms to attend the Governor in case of any alarm. That two horsemen be in constant readiness on the windward side to send over to the Governor in case of any attempt of the French, which is left to the care of Major John Crooke. Resolved that Major Henry Crooke and Capt. Phitts attend the General to give account of the French Protest, and copy of Major John Crooke's information about the resolves of the French Council. The names of such as are to attend the General with horses and arms. In Capt. John Bedingfield's division six men to be furnished by Mr. Trebeck. In Lieut.-Col. William Freeman's division six men. In Capt. Clark's division one man. In Capt. Elrington's division six men to be furnished by Mountaigne Selotte. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXVIII., No. 69] |
| [March 17.] |
1049. Petition of Capt. John Rodney to the Council for Plantations. That Henry Carpenter, merchant, who lived long in Nevis, and is now going thither, may be heard before his departure in the cause depending between Petitioner and Sir James Russell (see ante, No. 958). Endorsed, "Read in Council 17 March 1672[–3]. 1/2 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 12.] |
| [March 17.] |
1050. Reply of Capt. John Rodney and Frances his wife to the answer of Sir James Russell (see ante, No. 958 ) in five articles, and having had the advice of able counsel, who are satisfied of the great wrong done them, they are willing to give bond to pay Sir James Russell's expenses if they make not good their charge, and hope their Lordships, when Sir James comes to London, will order him to give bond to pay Petitioners' expenses if they prove the charge. Endorsed, "Read in Council 17th March 1672." 2 1/2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 13.] |
Mar. 19–
20. |
1051. Minutes of the Council of Barbadoes. Col. Symon Lambert, the new Speaker of the Assembly, presented by Henry Sweet, late Speaker; John Knights, one of the Council, sent, according to custom, to swear in the Marshal attending on the Assembly.
Mar. 20.-Request of the Assembly that several Bills now lying before the Board be passed. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XI., 221, 222.] |
| Mar. 20. |
1052. Deposition of Ferdinando Gorges, of London, merchant. Concerning the law and custom of real estates in Nevis, about Capt. Rodney's case. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 14.] |
| Mar. 20. |
1053. Deposition of Henry Carpenter in same case. That he believes the estate of said Francis Rodney is no way liable to pay William Richardson's debts, and that the said plantation was much more worth than the 60,500 lbs. of sugar of debt for which it was sold; and that by the Act of the 4 1/2 per cent. all lands in Nevis are held in free soccage. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 15.] |
| Mar. 20 ? |
1054. Deposition of Joshua Antrobus in same case. To the same effect as the preceding, that he believes the plantation was worth above 150,000 lbs. of sugar. Has heard the present Governor say this was the only plantation so sold, and Chief Justice Symonds acknowledge that it was sold contrary to law. Endorsed, as also Nos. 1052, 1053, by John Locke, "Rodney." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 16.] |
Mar. 21.
St. Jago. |
1055. Minutes of the Council of Jamaica. Whereas the present danger of being suddenly invaded obliges all to use their utmost endeavour to fortify Port Royal, and whereas the gentlemen of Lygonee have sent over 40 able negroes for that service, and if some more hands were added it might reasonably be hoped that in 8 or 10 days the platforms at Bonham Point and the Prison Point might be despatched, the guns mounted, and the trenches made and finished, which would render the fort, point, and harbour much more tenable and be of extreme use to secure the men if attacked, Ordered, that from the precincts on this side there be immediately sent 100 able negroes; that Col. Coape choose 40 for Guinaboa and send them down with all speed, Col. Thos. Ballard 20 from 16 mile walk, and 20 more for the Town Caimanos and the Angels, and Major Anthony Collier and Capt. Long 20 more from the seven plantations; and these gentlemen are desired to be very prudent in executing this order, that the people may be satisfied and the country served. To the end that all persons who appear brave in the public service may not want due encouragement and reward, Ordered that if any servant shall by any action signalise himself he shall receive his freedom and his master satisfaction out of the public treasury; and if any person be wounded and disabled in said service from getting his future livelihood his wound shall not only be cured at the public charge, but he shall have an able negro delivered to him for ever, for his maintenance; and all those serving in fireships shall receive the rewards accustomed in England. 2 1/2 pp. [Col. Entry Bk., No. XXXV., 341–343.] |
| Mar. 23. |
1056. Warrant to the Commissioners for Prizes. To restore the Chasseur, alias Hunter, Jacob Janson master, of 200 tons, built at Honfleur, taken on her course homeward from St. Christopher's by a Dutch caper, and rescued by the Drake frigate, and deliver her, with all her apparel and lading, to Peter Bar, for the use of the Royal West India Company of France. 1/3 p. [Dom. Entry Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XL., p. 23.] |
| Mar. 25. |
1057. Governor Sir William Berkeley to (the Committee for Trade and Plantations). They have had this year an unexperimented hard winter, which has destroyed more than half their cattle, and the few ships that have come have not brought a fifth part of the goods and tools necessary for them. In extreme want of ammunition, of which he begs their Lordships' intercession with his Majesty to supply them with a small quantity. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX., No. 17; see also Col. Entry Bk., No. XCIV., p. 49, with the marginal note, "Extract read in Committee, 19th Nov. 73."] |
Mar. 27.
Navy Office. |
1058. The Commissioners of the Navy to Wm. Lord Willoughby, Governor of Barbadoes. Enclose copies of two charter parties, with Peter Hayles of the African and Richard North of the St. Peter, for transporting to Barbadoes stores and provisions for the use of his Majesty's ships St. David and Garland. Which, to prevent demurrage, they have consigned to his Lordship, according to enclosed copies of bills of lading. "True copy, attested 18th day of Augct 1673, by Edwin Stede, Dep. Secy." Endorsed by John Locke, "Read in a Comttee of the Council, 21 Oct. 73." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXX, No. 18; see also Col. Entry Bk., No. XCIV., 152.] |
