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Oct. 3.
Barbadoes.
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1286. Lieut.-Governor Will. Willoughby to the King. Was left
by Lord Willoughby in July last his deputy, from whom and the
Council his Majesty has herewith the full account of the misfortunes
of that undertaking, and of their insufficiency to attempt any
further remedy without his Majesty's assistance [see ante, No. 1281].
Craves authority to press ships if necessary. Indorsed, "Rec. 5th
Dec." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 148.]
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Oct. 3.
Barbadoes.
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1287. Lieut.-Governor Will. Willoughby to Sec. Lord Arlington.
Duplicate of his letter dated 30th Sept., see ante, No. 1285. Indorsed,
"Rec. 5th [Dec.]" 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No.
149.]
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Oct. 9.
Rhode Island.
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1288. Samuel Mavericke to Sec. Sir Wm. Morrice. Acknowledges
receipt of his letter of the 10th April to the Commissioners. His
Majesty's gracious letters to them and to the three southern colonies
were received on 5th August with much joy. Humble thanks for
the 200l. sent out of his Majesty's Royal bounty. It was five
weeks ere he could persuade the Governor of Massachusetts to call
his Council to deliver the King's letter to them. Has given a
more particular account of this to Col. Cartwright. Is now on his
way to New York, whence he will write a more ample relation.
His mother presents her humble service. 1 p. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XX., No. 150.]
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Oct. 15.
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1289. Warrant to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex to
deliver Sir John Towers, Bart., sentenced to death for high treason
for counterfeiting the Royal Seal and Sign Manual, but reprieved,
to John Tompson, commander of the Companion, to be by him
transported into the Colonies on bond and security for his safe and
secure transportation. N.B.—In a draft Barbadoes is named as the
place of transportation, and the clause is omitted as to security for
his safe transportation. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CLXXV., Nos. 34, 35,
Cal., p. 198.]
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Oct. 16.
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1290. Mem. That upon a petition of Sir William Davidson for
passes for two ships to New England and three to Barbadoes, his
Majesty recommended the Duke of York to grant the passes desired,
on giving security to pay his Majesty's dues. ⅓ p. [Dom. Entry
Bk., Chas. II., Vol. XVIII., p. 223.]
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Oct. 23.
Virginia.
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1291. Twenty-four Acts passed at a Grand Assembly held at
James City, Virginia, by prorogation from 5th June to 23rd Oct.
1666, but the titles only of those are given against which in the
margin is written, Repealed, Expired, Obsolete, Frivolous. Printed
in Col. Entry Bks., Nos. 89, 90, 91, see ante, No. 262. [Col. Entry
Bk., No. 88, pp. 64-69.]
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[Oct. 24.
Fort James
New York.]
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1292. (Col. Nicolls) to (Sec. Morrice). His dutiful acknowledgments
to the King for approving his endeavours as a Commissioner,
and sending him 200l. at a time when money can be least spared.
Attends only his Royal Highness' commands before he returns to
England, and gladly embraces his Majesty's liberty to do so. The
copy of his Majesty's signification to the Massachusetts was
surreptitiously conveyed over to them by some unknown hand
before the original came to Boston. Affirms it positively true that
formerly the original of Mr. Mavericke's petition to the King and
Council (concerning the Massachusetts colony) was stolen out of
Lord Arlington's office in Whitehall, by Captain John Scott, and
delivered to the Governor and Council at Boston, though Scott said
a clerk of Mr. Williamson gave it him. This same Scott, by a
pretended seal affixed to a writing, in which was the King's picture
drawn with a pen or black lead, with his Majesty's hand, Charles
R., and subsigned Henry Bennet, hath horribly abused his Majesty's
honour in these parts, and fled out of the country to Barbadoes.
Lord Willoughby sent word that he would send Scott prisoner to
England, so has given this information, that such fellows may
have some mark of infamy put upon them. The Massachusetts
persist, or rather fly higher in contempt of his Majesty's authority ;
for the General Court have resolved to send no man out of the
colony, according to his Majesty's summons. Several considerable
men both of the Council and Deputies have entered their protest
against that resolution ; and most of the considerable merchants and
men of estates petitioned the Court to comply with his Majesty's
commands, but are to be questioned as seditious persons. Makes
this narrative shorter because Mr. Mavericke will attend with more
full particulars in another ship. The eyes of all the other colonies
are bent upon this strange deportment of the Massachusetts. His
Majesty may easily chastise them, not by force, which might frighten
the innocent as well as nocent, but by a temporary embargo on
their trade, until such and such persons are delivered to justice :
the numerous well affected would soon give up the ringleaders ; nor
would his Majesty lose any of his customs, for if ships were sent
with goods suitable to New York, all the trade of Boston would be
brought hither, and hence to England ; in which case a frigate for
convoy would be necessary, indeed in their present posture, every
small picaroon of the enemy is master of all their harbours and
rivers, from the Capes of Virginia to Piscataqua. Indorsed, Col.
Nicolls to Sir William Morice, 24th October 1666. A duplicate
sent November the 2nd. Printed in New York Documents, III.,
136, 137. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 151.]
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Oct. 24.
Fort James.
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1293. Duplicate of the preceding. 3 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX.,
No. 152.]
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Oct. 24.
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1294. Petition of the Royal African Company to the King.
The impossibility of carrying on the trade of Africa without a joint
stock is too evident to be insisted on, and petitioners were in a fair
way of enriching the kingdom by exporting manufactures and
importing bullion before the loss sustained by De Ruyter. In July
1664, had provided 12 or 13 ships with rich cargoes to go to Africa,
and were more than ordinarily careful to prevent private trade, but
Capt. Giles Thornborough, contrary to the warning particularly
given him, and to the charter-party by himself signed, did lade
upon his ship great quantities of prohibited commodities, which
upon search were found on board. The Company might have confiscated
both his ship and goods, but upon his humble address, praying
them not to proceed against him in the Admiralty, and promising to
mitigate his fault by future service, they suffered the ship to proceed
and seized only the goods, no man daring to justify so foul a crime
as not only to trade to Africa without leave, but to do it in the
Company's ships, so as to make them pay freight for being wronged
and abused. But now John Kirkham impudently pretends a title
to some of those goods, and has put in an action in the Exchequer ;
pray that he may be summoned before the King in Council, to give
a reason of his proceeding, they having just cause to suspect that
Thornborough was a principal instrument in betraying their fleet,
fort, and goods to De Ruyter, and believing that Kirkham instigated
him, before he went, to watch the first opportunity of a black
treason. [Dom., Chas. II., Vol. CLXXVI., No. 25, Cal., p. 217.]
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Oct. 25.
Boston,
New England.
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1295. John Winthrop, Governor of Connecticut, to Sec. Lord
Arlington. The King's letter of the 22nd Feb. was received in July
last, with declaration of war against the French, which was forthwith
published at Hartford, New London, and other places. The
Assembly, after serious consideration of his Majesty's commands for
reducing Canada, thought it necessary that he should go to Boston
to consult with the Governor and Council of Massachusetts, and Sir
Thos. Temple, Governor of Nova Scotia, now residing at Boston. Was
detained about diverting a great body of Indians from joining the
French ; of which Capt. Baker, of Fort Albany, gave intelligence,
the French designing to draw these Indians into a confederacy on
pretence that their war was against the Mohawks. Many hundreds
of them already on the march were persuaded to return. Some few
horse sent to discover the way to Canada, and get intelligence of
the French army, which Col. Nicolls, the Commander of Albany,
and divers Indians reported to be on their march to Albany. These
horse passed with much difficulty 120 miles from Hartford, and
brought intelligence that the French were then on a treaty of peace
with the Indians, and proceeded no further than Lake Hiracoies
[Lake Champlain]. Had conference with Sir Thos. Temple and the
Governor and Council at Boston, and on consideration of the necessity
of good ships, the difficulty of passing over land, and the
lateness of the season, it was unanimously agreed that at present
there could be nothing done by these colonies in reducing those
places at or about Canada. Beseeches his favourable representation
to the King with the enclosed abbreviate. Signed and with seal.
Indorsed, Rec. Dec. 22 1666. Printed in New York Documents,
III., 137, 138. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 153.]
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Oct. 25.
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1296. Governor Winthrop to the King. The breviate of the preceding
letter therein referred to. Signed and with seal. Indorsed,
Rec. Dec. 22, 1666. 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 154.]
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Oct. 26.
Massachusetts.
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1297. Samuel Nadhorth to Sec. Morrice. Is emboldened by his
Honor's good character to write, and having been here resident for
some years, and observed the temper of all sorts of people. Though
charged with denying the King's jurisdiction, his Commissioners
had more kindness and respect shown them by this colony than
all the rest of the colonies of New England. Col. Cartwright very
well knows that this colony greatly assisted in reducing the
Manhatoes and in treating with the Dutch, and as to the charge of
denying the King's jurisdiction—the people say that they left their
native country, not with any dislike of the King, or of monarchical
power, for they esteem it the best of Governments, but that they
might worship the Lord according to His own institutions, not
being able to bear the yoke imposed on them by the then prevailing
hierarchy. So they obtained a Royal charter, which gave them
power to elect all their own officers and to govern all the people of
this place, and came to a waste and howling wilderness, where they
have conflicted with difficulties and sorrows of all sorts, scuffling
with the Dutch and French, and suffering from the savage cruelties
and murders of the wild natives, who for a time were pricks in
their sides and thorns in their eyes. In spite of the extremity of
heat and cold, and the barrenness of the land, they have wrestled
through the difficulties of first planting, and sown the seed of man
and beast, so that they are grown up to a considerable body of
people, and some small beginning of a common weal—and all this
at their own proper charge. Now they reason that, while they
own his Majesty's charter, they cannot be justly charged with
denying his jurisdiction, for they acknowledge themselves his
subjects, their Government and courts of justice were constituted
by his authority and appointment, and their writts and process of
law go forth in his name. And in case they may not be confident in
this grant, they can have no certainty of their lives and estates, and
much less of that liberty in the free passage of the Gospel, far
dearer to them than all their other comforts ; they well knowing
that if the wall of the Civil Government be pulled down, the wild
boar will soon destroy the Lord's vineyard, and that it is impossible
for them to keep the waters of the Sanctuary when that Venice
glass which holds them is broken in pieces, they not wanting many
sectaries and profane persons that are sprung up among themselves
who do long for such an opportunity. And as to the General Court
refusing to answer at the tribunal of the Commissioners, they
answer that the Commissioners interpreting their commission
contrary to the charter, was a great abuse of the power, and repugnant
to the instructions given to them by his Majesty. This people
having purchased their liberty at so dear a rate, and having lost
those privileges in the Parliament of England which their fathers
had, crave only that they may stand as the shrub among the cedars,
growing upon their own root, and not be forced to be the slaves of
rulers imposed upon them contrary to the rule of their charter. They
are afraid to multiply their supplications, their hope is in God. To
express their affection and loyalty to his Majesty they have ordered a
present of masts such as no other of his dominions can produce. It
is in his Majesty's power easily to crush them by the very breath
of his nostrils, but they have a higher esteem of their liberties than
of their lives, which are such twins as God and not nature have
joined together, and are resolved to bury their estates and liberties
in the same grave. Should his Majesty speak comfortably to them,
he has no subjects more faithful in all his dominions, and the
colony will be daily increased, to the great advance of his Majesty's
customs ; whereas, should the malicious accusations of their adversaries
prevail with his Majesty to impose hard measure upon them,
their dwellings, not desirable for luxurious minds, would not be
long inhabited. What a great pity it would be that this hopeful
plantation, raised without any expense to the King, should be made a
prey to foreign enemies ; the French are waiting for such an opportunity,
being "much fleshed by their prevailing in Christopher's
Island," last summer sent sundry ships and soldiers to a considerable
number, who last winter travelled across the Great Lake, and the
Massachusetts Patent, as far as Fort Albany. It is reported by the
Indians that 700 Frenchmen are fortifying on this side the Lake,
above our Plantations, and have built two forts, intending there to
settle. The English of this colony in their frontier towns so
alarmed that they were forced to stand on their watch last summer,
though disabled from giving them any offence. How acceptable it
would be to French and Dutch to see this colony frowned upon by
their King. Account of the present of 28 large masts now aboard
Captain Pierce, fit for another Prince Royal, and of the difficulties of
getting them. All the poor planters can do is to get bread and clothing
for their necessary supplies. True, every man has a little house
and small parcel of land, with a few cattle, but all will not purchase
5l. worth of clothing in England, and for years past God hath
much frowned upon their crops, so to obtain this present they are
forced to take up money at interest. The signification from his
Majesty requiring the Governor and others to appear in England
was neither original nor duplicate, but only a copy without any
seal. The Governor is near 80 years old, with many infirmities, and
to have exposed him to such an undertaking had been extreme
cruelty. No particulars were nominated to which they are to
answer, and the answer of the General Court to the mandates of
the Commissioners were sent over last year, wherefore the General
Court and the people generally hope that his Majesty will favourably
interpret them herein. If he shall perceive that declaring the
contents hereof will do no good to this people, humbly begs "that
it may not be improved to any provocation," being done without
the privity or authority of any person whatsoever. The truth is
that the Commissioners "putting their spurs too hard to the horses'
sides before they were got into the saddle," and the rigorous dealing
of Lord Willoughby on Barbadoes Island, have made the name of
a commissioner odious to these people. Had the Governor and
leading men of the colony adhered to the Commissioners' mandates,
the people (some discontents, Quakers, and others excepted) would
have utterly protested against their concession. Printed in New
York Documents, III., 138-142. 3½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX.,
No. 155.]
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Oct. 30.
Barbadoes.
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1298. John Reid to [Sec. Lord Arlington]. Has but little to
add to his letters of 29th September and 12th current, but that they
have no news of Lord Willoughby or his ships, and are out of hopes
ever to hear of them, for all people conclude that they were
swallowed up by the hurricane. Begs for arms and ammunition.
Sends news received from Surinam from Gov. Byam. Ships that
were to have gone to the Leeward Islands in his Majesty's service
are now loading for London. Our people at Antigua and Nevis in
a most sad condition for want of provisions and ammunition, and no
vessels can go to them. Hears a new collector or commission is
coming over to receive half the customs for satisfaction of the Earl
of Carlisle's debts ; begs his Lordship to be mindful of him and continue
his favour to his brother William. Indorsed, Rec. Jan. 29
[1667]. 2 pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 156.]
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Oct. 30.
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1299. Petition of Dr. Benjamin Worsley to the King. Whereas
upon his Majesty's encouragement petitioner has brought the growth
of senna to perfection in his Majesty's Plantations, and is encouraged
to undertake the producing of other commodities belonging to Turkey.
Prays that none may plant or import senna without his Majesty's
special grant ; that the senna imported may be examined by some
of his Majesty's physicians, and sold at a price not exceeding the
medium price for the last seven years ; that no foreign senna
be permitted to be sold till all the store imported from the
Plantations be sold ; and that, instead of a grant for the sole
planting and importing thereof for 14 years, as petitioner was
promised, he may have a lease for 12 years on paying a rent, and
at the end of that term he will resign it wholly to his Majesty, or give
an advance of rent, by which means the goodness will be preserved,
and his Majesty will receive ten times the present revenue for
customs. With reference to the Attorney-General to consider the
same and make report to his Majesty. Whitehall, 1666, Oct. 30.
On same sheet,
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1299. I. Report of Attorney-General Palmer. Has considered above
petition and the reasons annexed, and conceives that his
Majesty may grant the sole use and benefit of the new
invention in the production of senna in his Plantations for
14 years, according to the statute, and that the other
matters are fitter for the consideration of Parliament, than
his Majesty's grant, 1668, March 14. Annexed,
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1299. II. The reasons above referred to for encouraging the planting
of senna by a patent or by an Act of Parliament,
see warrant, 12 Aug. 1668. Together 4 pp. [Col. Papers,
Vol. XX., Nos. 157, 158.]
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Oct. 31.
Fort James,
New York.
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1300. Col. N[icolls], Sir R. C[arr], and Sam. M[avericke] to Mr.
Richards. Though they have just cause to believe that the cattle
arrested in the King's Province truly belonged to those arch traitors
Goffe and Whalley, they authorise him to receive them on giving
security to the Governor of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
in 100l. that said cattle be forthcoming within one year and a day.
Same to Justices of the Peace of the Province of Maine. Recommend
to their protection the case of Francis Hooke against Nathaniel
Phillips and Clement Hard, in which the authority of a Justice of
the Peace seems to have been violated.
Same to Mr. Jordan. It is well known to him that the Massachusetts
have refused his Majesty's Commissioners to hear and relieve
the oppressed, so can only remit the petition to the King.
Same to the Governor and Assistants of Rhode Island. Request
them to take the petition of James Barker into their care and protection
according to equity.
Same to Mr. Brenton. The King's declaration to the Massachusetts
that the temporary bounds set by the Commissioners between
Plymouth and Rhode Island shall stand till his Majesty finds cause
to alter the same ; which he will be pleased to receive as their answer
to his letter.
Same to Mr. Alcock. Are apt to believe well of his right to Block
Island before Rhode Island colony was established by his Majesty's
patent, yet have seen no conveyances or heard that he is excluded
from his right or molested by the gentlemen of Rhode Island. Advise
him to address himself to that Government for a confirmation of
his right, which if refused may give him just cause of complaint.
2½ pp. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX., No. 159.]
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[Oct.]
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1301. Petition of upwards of one hundred of the Principal Inhabitants
of the Massachusetts Colony to the General Court at
Boston. The petitioners being informed that the King, in letters
lately sent to Governor and Council, expressed his ill resentment of
the proceedings of the Colony with the Commissioners, and required
some persons named to wait upon his pleasure with a view to the
determination of the differences, considering the matter one calling
for serious consideration, that they may not be wanting to the Government
in withholding any encouragement that their concurrence
might afford it, nor to themselves and the country in being by their
silence involved in the mistakes of some otherwise well-minded persons,
inclining to disloyal principles, desire to have liberty to propose
their thoughts and fears about the matter. They conceive that those
who live in that age are no less concerned in the advice of the Wise
Man, to keep the King's commandment because of the oath of God, and
not to be hasty to go out of his sight, that doth whatsoever pleaseth
him : they therefore desire that the King, having already taken
displeasure against them, as if they disowned his jurisdiction, care
may be taken lest by refusing to attend the King's orders, they should
plunge themselves into greater disfavour and danger. The receiving
of a charter from the King's predecessor, and its confirmation from the
present King by their late address, sufficiently declare the Colony to
be a part of his dominions, and themselves his subjects, in testimony
of which the first Governor, Matthew Cradock, stands recorded, juratus
de fide et obedientia, before one of the Masters in Chancery,
whence it is evident, if the proceedings of the Colony have given
occasion to the King to say that we believe he has no jurisdiction
over us, they ought to free themselves from incurring his Majesty's
further displeasure by giving due satisfaction on all points ; such an
assertion would be destructive to their welfare and derogatory to the
King's honour ; the doubtful interpretation of a patent, which can
never be construed to the divesting of a sovereign of power over his
natural subjects, is too frail a foundation to build such a transcendent
immunity and privilege upon. They acknowledge to the utmost the
care and pains of the Government in endeavouring to uphold the
liberties of the colony, and would not be unwilling to run any hazard
for the regular defence of the same, and, while they are unwilling to
reflect upon the persons they so much honour, by dissenting from
them in things where they cannot approve the reason of their proceedings,
yet in a matter of so great concernment, touching the
honour of God, the credit of religion, and the interest of their own
persons and estates, they earnestly desire that no party will so
irresistibly carry on any design of so dangerous consequence as to
necessitate their brethren equally engaged with them in the same
undertaking to make a particular address to the King and declaration
to the world to clear themselves from so scandalous an evil as the
appearance of disaffection to their lawful Prince. They entreat that
nothing likely to cause the King resentment may be further proceeded
in, but that application be made to him to clear the transaction
of them that govern the Colony from any such construction, lest that,
which duly improved, might have been as a cloud of the latter rain,
be turned into that which in the conclusion may be more terrible
than the roaring of a lion. Underwritten, This petition was signed
by upward of 100 of the principal inhabitants of the Massachusetts
Colony, presented by them to the General Court at Boston, in
October 1666, upon occasion of his Majesty's letter and declaration
of 10th April of the same year. For which those gentlemen received
a severe check, the petition voted scandalous, they styled betrayers
of the liberties of the country, are still reputed ill affected to the
Government, and not suffered to be chosen into any office of magistracy.
Indorsed, The petition of the inhabitants of the Massachusetts
Colony to the General Court in Oct. 1666. Two copies. 3 pp.
[Col. Papers, Vol. XX., Nos. 160, 161.]
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[Oct.]
Boston, N. E.
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1302. Edward Rawson, Secretary, in the name of the General
Court of the Massachusetts, to Sec. Morrice. His Majesty's letter of
the 22nd Feby. was received the 17th July. Have been and are
according to their weak ability endeavouring to prepare against the
French and Dutch. The reducing of Canada not at present feasible,
as well in respect of the difficulty if not impossibility of a land
march of 400 miles over rocky mountains and howling deserts, as
of the strength of the French. The declaration of war against
France solemnly published by sound of trumpet. Have sustained
some loss by the French and Dutch in their shipping, and have
themselves taken three or four fishing ships on the coasts of Canada.
As to the writing delivered to them by Samuel Mavericke on the
6th Sept. without direction or seal, which he says is a copy of a signification
from his Majesty of his pleasure concerning this colony,
"we have in all humility given our reasons why we could not
submit to the Commissioners and their mandate the last year,
which we understand lie before his Majesty ; to the substance
whereof we have not to add, and therefore cannot expect that the
ablest persons among us could be in a capacity to declare our
cause more fully. We must therefore commit this our great concernment
unto Almighty God, praying and hoping that his Majesty
(a Prince of so great clemency) will consider the state and condition
of his poor and afflicted subjects at such a time, being in eminent
danger by the public enemies of our nation, and that in a wilderness
far remote from relief. Wherefore we do in most humble
manner prostrate ourselves before his Majesty and beseech him to
be graciously pleased to rest assured of our loyalty and allegiance
according to our former profession." 1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XX.,
No. 162.]
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