Colonel Lovelace committed to the Tower. "by virtue of the 6th Article of our last Treaty with the States General." His Majesty, having granted said Colony to the Duke of York, commands them as soon as they shall have possession to comport themselves as to the future government and revenues according to the Duke of York's instructions (400). A few months later, in February 1675, Colonel Francis Lovelace "late Commander of the Fort of New York," for not having defended it, was committed to the Tower. He besought the King to appoint Commissioners to examine him in order to clearing himself. So a warrant was issued to the Duke of Monmouth and others directing any five or more of them, with the Judge Advocate, to examine Colonel Lovelace concerning the rendering the said fort and Colony to the Dutch in the late war, and report to His Majesty what he has to say upon the whole matter. The same day the Lieutenant of the Tower was ordered to send Colonel Lovelace at such time and to such place as shall be testified under the hands of the Duke of Monmouth and the rest of the Lords appointed to examine him (441-2). Neither of these are printed in Broadhead's New York Colonial Documents (11 vols., 4to.). Colonel Lovelace was still a prisoner in the Tower at the end of April, when we find him dangerously ill of a dropsy, and he was, by warrant, allowed to have his liberty, on giving security in 500l. to render himself again a prisoner when duly required (530). In "a narrative of the settle"ment of the corporation of Massachusetts Bay, and Captain Wyborne's account of things," laid before the Lords of Trade and Plantations, it seems that Wyborne had proposed to the Boston Magistrate the reducing of New York, offering his service with the King's frigate, but received for answer "that they would contribute their "endeavours provided it might be annexed to their Govern "ment," and if this were refused, they had rather the 66 The Duke of York and an possession of New York remained with the Dutch than come under such a person as Colonel Lovelace who might prove a worse neighbour (721). When Major Andros was Major Andros, governor the Duke of York applauded him for discouraging Governor. any motion for an Assembly, as being not comprehended in his instructions, nor consistent with the form of government established, nor necessary for the redress of grievances, "as such may be easily obtained by an Address to the Governor" (513). And in another letter, nearly a year later, the Duke declared that he could not but suspect Assembly. an Assembly would be of dangerous consequence, nothing being more known than the aptness of such bodies to assume privileges destructive to the peace of the Government. "I do not see any use of them which is not as well "provided for while the Governor and Council govern "according to laws established." However, the Duke goes on to say, if Governor Andros continues of the same opinion, he will be ready to consider any proposals to that purpose (795). There is a large folio MS. Volume of 433 pages containing the records of all grants of land in New York from the first establishment of the Colony in 1664 to the end of the administration of LieutenantGovernor Delancey in 1760, and from 1761 to 1765 (371). There are numerous papers relating to Newfoundland, Newfoundmany of which concern the fishery and furnish statistics of value, while others refer to the government of the country, and the total abandonment of it as a settlement or colony. Sir John Berry, writing from Her Majesty's ship" Bristol " in the Bay of Bulls, to Secretary Williamson, in September 1675, reports that this year there were 175 ships with Statistics 4,309 men and 688 boats which, at 250 kintals per boat at Fishery. 12s. per kintal amounted to 103,2007.; 7 hogsheads of oil per boat at 40s. per hogshead is 9,8161., besides 20 kintals of "core fish" 3,440., all which comes to 116,2721. There land. of the The Settlement to be abandoned. were planters 1,655 men, women, and children, who employed 277 boats and cured merchantable fish mostly shipped to England valued at 46,8137., more than a third of the fish taken by the merchant adventurers. By this," says Sir John Berry," His Majesty will see what a "loss he will have if those poor people should remove, for 66 66 they design to settle amongst the French on the other side "of Cape Race unless His Majesty will let them continue (665). The above figures slightly vary in the accounts of Captains Russell and Wyborne, furnished by order of the Lords of Trade in 1676, while the total of English inhabitants is set down at 1657, or two more than the year before (1175 XII.). In another letter, Sir John Berry encloses "a list of the planters' names" (666 11.). The arguments for and against a settled government in Newfoundland, or the plantation being abandoned (470, 475), were the subjects of "great debate on several occasions at the Board of Trade and Plantations (482, 498, 524). The Board reported to the King that unless they saw reasons for a colony they could see none for a Governor, and against a colony there were not only the rigours of the climate and infertility of the land, but the inhabitants chiefly consumed the products of New England and would in time tread in the same steps to the loss of England, for a like regulation on the products of Newfoundland as on those of other plantations could not be expected, because fish cannot bear the charge of coming home but must go directly to the markets abroad. So an Order in Council declared the King's pleasure that all inhabiting that country be discouraged, and that all planters come voluntarily away, and His Majesty's convoy assist in transporting those desirous to return home or to betake themselves to other Plantations (550). Some three months after the date of this Order in Council, Sir John Berry reported to the Secretary of State that he had declared the King's pleasure to all the planters, but the greatest part are too poor to remove unless His Majesty will send a ship for them," and at last they must be put on the parish when"ever they come. A labouring man will get in a summer "season near 207., and their daily food comes out of the sea, "while such a person would not get 31. in England." He has, he says, made diligent enquiry into all those things laid to the planters' charge by the merchants, and finds most of them false, "but some self-ended persons have a mind to engross all into their own hands." If these be removed from the country, argues Sir John, His Majesty's subjects would, in a few years, find the ill-effects of it, for undoubtedly the greatest part would settle among the French where they are already invited with great promises, or else for New England, and they implore His Majesty's favour to continue and promise all obedience, to what orders shall be given (628). "I cannot but pity the poor inhabitants," says Sir John Berry in another letter, "considering so many false informations have been laid to their charge as formerly reported" (744, see also 769). 66 66 "A particular list" specifies the names of the officers of Jamaica. the five regiments and a troop of horse "under the command of General Venables (212) destined for Jamaica. ViceAdmiral Penn reported to the Navy Commissioners on the 17th March 1655, "what a gallant passage the Lord gave 66 us, and that both seamen and soldiers were in health and "in a quiet and cheerful posture" (213). They had arrived at Barbadoes nearly two months before on 29th January, and seized all foreign ships trading there contrary to law. Fifteen were fitted for transportation of the forces raised in the Island, above 3,000 foot and two troops of horse. Penn dwells on the great increase of the number of mouths made by this accession, and 'begs the Com England takes possession. Generals Penn and Venables committed to the Tower. Cromwell's tion. missioners consider how much "this great and honourable design" is concerned in the care that shall be taken touching supplies. The English took possession of Jamaica on 10th May 1655, the people found upon the place to the number of 1,400 having fled to the hills except some negroes and Portuguese who submitted.* About four months after Major-General Sedgwick arrived in Barbadoes road "with the whole squadron, God was pleased to smile upon us in a very comfortable passage.' He tells the Navy Commissioners there is no news since " the repulse "at Hispaniola. I hope God hath brought down our con"fident spirits to fill us for some more noble work. Many (he says) think Jamaica a more considerable island than Hispaniola and may effect more than the other. I find "both soldiers and seamen active and willing and not "discouraged, and therefore I hope God has yet a blessing "for them and that this design is his and that he will own "it" (221). Both Penn and Venables arrived in England about the date of this letter, 6th September 1655, and after having given a narrative of their proceedings to the Council of State were apprehended and committed to the Tower, General Robert Venables, General of the English forces sent to America, for having " deserted the army committed "to his charge contrary to his trust; General William "Penn, General of the English fleet sent to America, for "having, 'without license, returned from thence contrary "his trust."" General Penn was a prisoner in the Tower five weeks, General Venables a week longer, but they were then released "in consideration of their acknowledgment of their fault and their submission."+ On 10th October, Cromwell issued a proclamation giving encouragement to such as shall transport themselves to First Vol. of Colonial Calendar, p. 429. ↑ Ibid, p. 429. |