British Committees, Commissions, and Councils of Trade and Plantations , 1622-1675 Part 15

Further information to Council regarding commissioners; Council to treat with Mason and Gorges regarding sale of their estates in New England, but not without the king's leave. (_Journal_; _Cal._, -- 512.)

St. Christopher and Leeward Is. (_Journal._)

Negroes, Leeward Is. (_Journal_; _Cal._, -- 700.)

_November 14._

"To Council, where Sir Charles Wheeler, late Governor of the Leeward Islands, having been complained of for many indiscreet managements, it was resolved, on scanning many of the particulars, to advise his Majesty to remove him; and consult what was to be done to prevent these inconveniences he had brought things to. This business stayed me in London almost a week, being in Council or Committee every morning till the 25th." (Evelyn's _Diary_, II, p. 72.)

_November 16._

Mr. Gorges, New England. (_Journal._)

_November 20._

St. Christopher; Publication by Sir Charles Wheeler and answer of the Council. (_Journal_; _Cal._, ---- 657, 658, 659.)

_November 24._

Report to the king on the same subject. (_Cal._, ---- 659, 850.)

_November 26 (7)._

St. Christopher: proclamation disowning Sir Charles Wheeler read.

(_Journal_; _Cal._, -- 661.)

Mr. Brouncker's conference with the French amba.s.sador read. (_Journal._)

"We ordered that a proclamation should be presented to his Majesty to sign against what Sir Charles Wheeler had done in St. Christopher's since the war, on the articles of peace at Breda. He was shortly afterwards recalled." (Evelyn's _Diary_, p. 73.)

_November 28._

The Answer of the Planters of the Leeward Is. read. (_Journal._)

Account of Jamaica, probably taken from Gov. Lynch's answers to queries.

(_Journal_; _Cal._, -- 663, p. 277.)

Heads of king's proclamation regarding St. Christopher. (_Journal._)

_December 7._

Report of the Council on the proclamation and the framing of something fit to be offered to the French amba.s.sador. (_Cal._, ---- 675, 677, 850.)

_December 11._

New England Case, Mr. Mason's account of the commodities of New Hamps.h.i.+re. (_Journal_; _Cal._, -- 687.)

_December 14._

Mr. Mason, the answer of the Council. (_Journal._)

_December 18._

Instructions to Mr. Slingsby to speak to members of Privy Council regarding patents to Ma.s.sachusetts. (_Cal._, -- 652.)

_December 19._

Mr. Slingsby's report about a new governor for the Leeward Is.

(_Journal._)

_December 20._

Draft of commission for governor of Leeward Is.; revocation of Wheeler's commission; report to king concerning Col. Stapleton, the new governor.

(_Cal._, ---- 699, 707, 738, 740, 744, 804, 805, 850.)

1672.

_January 22._

Commissioners for New England. (_Cal._, -- 512.)

_February 6._

Report of Mr. Gorges, "Commissioner for the province of Maine" read.

(_Cal._, -- 753.)

_February 12._

"At the Council, we entered on enquiries about improving the Plantations by silks, galls, flax, senna, etc., and considered how nutmegs and cinnamon might be obtained and brought to Jamaica, that soil and climate promising success. Dr. Worsley being called in, spake many considerable things to encourage it. We took order to send to the Plantations, that none of their s.h.i.+ps should venture homeward single, but stay for company and convoys. We also deliberated on some fit person to go as Commissioner to inspect their actions in New England, and, from time to time, report how that people stood affected.--In future to meet at Whitehall." (Evelyn's _Diary_, II, p. 74.)

_February 13._

Instructions from Secretary of State to prepare commission, etc., for New England Commissioners. (_Cal._, -- 512.)

_February 16._

Account of the militia in the Province of Maine read. (_Cal._, -- 762.)

_February 20._

Letter from Sir Thomas Lynch to the Council read. (_Cal._, -- 640.)

_March 1._

"A full Council of Plantations, on the danger of the Leeward Islands, threatened by the French, who had taken some of our s.h.i.+ps, and began to interrupt our trade. Also in debate, whether the new governor of St. Christopher's should be subordinate to the Governor of Barbadoes.

The debate was serious and long." (Evelyn's _Diary_, II, p. 75.)