Newsletter [résumé]

Jamaica, February 9, 1677 [19 février 1677].

Lord Vaughan intends to send to St. Jago to expostulate with that Governor on the wrongs and injuries our fishermen have received by a Spanish vessel fitted at the Havanna. The Marquis de Maintenon likely to do nothing, although he has all the French on Hispaniola and all their vessels ready for a design. The Governor of Tortugas lately made prize of two of our vessels and forbids trade. He expects Count d'Estrées will be there speedily with his fleet. Cannot hear of any Dutch men of war at Curaçao, one of 40 guns cruising off Hispaniola. Two French vessels lately well beaten by a Spanish hulk in the Gulf of Mexico with the loss of 80 men, Captain Bennet killed in the engagement. Apprehends the loss of San Domingo, for unless the Dutch assist it will be impossible for the Spaniards to save it.

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source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1677-1680: no. 53.

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Memorial of the Comte de Bergeyck, the Spanish Envoy [résumé anglais de l'original espagnol]

[avril 1677]

Touching a Spanish ship, the Buen Jesus de las Almas, with 46,471 pieces of eight, seied by Captain Bennet, near San Domingo, and other hostilities committed by him on the coast of Hispaniola.

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source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1677-1680: no. 203.

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Sir Thomas Lynch to Sir Philip Llyod [résumé]

Leicester Fields, May 3, 1677 [13 mai 1677].

Enclosed a narrative of what he knows of Bennet and the brigantine that took the Spanish prize. Dares not presume to direct what should be answer to the Memorial, though the matter be obvious enough, for the brigantine was run away with, and the Governor of Jamaica was at great charge in endeavouring to retrieve her. Neither she, her men, nor any English that had French commission, ever came into any port in Jamaica which the Governor knew of. The vessel was in the French Governor's power. Bennet had Frenchmen on board, French commission, fought under French colours, had the prize condemned and adjudged in French ports. Does not see how His Majesty's Government can be charged with the misdemeanours of particular persons, that they would punish if they had the power, or why the Spanish Minister here complains, since the King has subjects that serve them as well as the French.

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source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1677-1680: no. 203i.

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Governor Lord Vaughan to Secretary Sir Joseph Williamson [résumé]

Jamaica, May 14, 1677 [24 mai 1677].

Account of a privateer landing about 150 negroes in a remote bay of this island. Finding the ship gone, discovered and apprehended some of the seamen, who were examined. The commander was a Scotchman named Browne, most of his men English, the rest French and Dutch; that they left Jamaica about eight months since for Carthagena, where they met with this Dutch vessel trading on the coast and killed the Dutch captain and several of his men. Sent out the frigate and seized 100 negroes concealed in several planters hands. Intends to have them condemned in the Admiralty as goods piratically taken, and to be restored to the right owners. Is sending to Curaçao to acquaint the Governor with what he has done.

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source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1677-1680: no. 243.

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Governor Lord Vaughan to Secretary Coventry [résumé]

Jamaica, June 26, 1677 [6 juillet 1677].

The Assembly have not yet finished their business. Has transmitted some Bills passed. Remarks on an Act declaring it felony for any of His Majesty's subjects belonging to this Island to serve under a foreign prince. Advice from Petit Guavos that the Dutch had burnt all French vessels on the coast of Hispaniola, and had taken Curaçao [sic] with 500 negroes and 32lbs. of gold, and gone to Caymanos. Thinks d'Estrées is still at Martinique. It grieve him to be forced to send home the frigate when there is so much need of her, begs that another be speedily sent to preserve their trade.

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source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1677-1680: no. 313.

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Newsletter of Sir Thomas Lynch [résumé]

Jamaica, 18 July 1677 [28 juillet 1677].

Five or six French and English privateers lately come to Jamaica from taking Santa Martha, Barnes being one and Coxon expected every hour. On board the governor and the bishop, and captain Legarde has promised to put them on shore. The plunder of the town was not great, money and broken plate about 20 pounds a man. Tomorrow captain Lynch, a Dutchman, of 25 guns, goes out of harbour, two Frenchmen wait for him, but is resolved to fight them both. The Governor and the bishop, that the town might be burnt, agreed with them for the ransom, but instead pieces of eight, the governor of Carthagena sent 500 men by land and three vessels by sea, but privateers fought them and killed about 50 in their first volley, the rest fled.

23 July 1677 [2 août 1677].

Two days since, Coxon came in and surrended and brought ashore the bishop and a friar. His Lordship (Governor Vaughan) has taken care to lodge the bishop well, "the good man is exceedingly satisfied". Means taken by governor Vaughan to procure the liberty of the governor and others, but finding them (the privateers) all drunk, it was impossible to persuade them to do anything by fair means. Colonel Ballard and myself now going to see what we can do. The taking of Santa Martha was by surprise and at daybreak, as most of their entreprises are. The French came not near till the fort was taken and they out of danger of great guns, so that Coxon and the English with him did all. The (Spanish) ships perceiving the French colours set up on the castle and town, sailed away. So this great expedition ended, in which most of the warriors at Carthagena were engaged, and old Quintano, admiral at sea.

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source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1677-1680: no. 347.

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Peter Beckford, Clerck of the Council, to Secretary Williamson [résumé]

Jamaica, August 1, 1677 [11 août 1677].

Sends the Acts already passed. The Assembly met 9th April last [19 avril], and sat after two adjournments till 26th July [5 août] ; they had prepared more Acts, but some difference arising, the Governor after he had consented to these Acts, dissolved them, and new writs are out for a new Assembly to convene 6th September [16 septembre]. Supposes they may finish all there is to do in a week. The last difference arose from one Browne, a privateer, taking a Dutch ship freighted with negroes to trade with the Spaniards. Relates the circumstances. At least 300 come in since the passing of the Act against serving under a foreign prince. Men will not venture their lives to serve the French, it being death by said Act to do so. Several Spanish towns taken by the French of late at the taking of Sta. Marta, they had about 100 English, who have all since come in upon the Act. Some of the prisoners taken brought to Jamaica by the French. Begs to be favoured with an open letter of recommandation to deliver at the arrival of the Earl of Carlisle, as Williamson gave him to Lord Vaughan.

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source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1677-1680: no. 375.

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Sir Thomas Lynch to Secretary Williamson [résumé]

Jamaica, 5 August 1677 [15 août 1677].

Was to have waited upon him with further advice received yesterday from Jamaica. governor Vaughan's endeavours to restrain governor of Santa Martha and other Spanish prisoners aboard captain Legarde, proved ineffectual, "the French being obstinate and damnaly enraged the English had left them" for divers of our privateers are come in since that upon Act. The bishop of Santa Martha still here, Governor Vaughan in hiring a vessel to send him to Carthagena with which he is exceedingly pleased. My Lord and the Assembly have not agreed, so he has dissolved them. Relates the circumtances of the taking of a Dutch negro ship by one Browne a Scotchman, who had a commission from Monsieur Ogeron, governor of Tortuga, who has been dead above a year; the trial and condemnation of Browne and his company for piracy, Browne was ordered to be executed, his men being pardoned but he petitioned the Assembly that he might have the benefit of their Act, who petitioned the governor for a reprieve, but he sent orders for immediate execution "whereupon the fellow was hanged." Half-an-hour after the marshall came with an order signed by the Speaker to observe the Chief Justice's writ of habeas corpus which had been granted, but superseded by the governor's order. My Lord resented this proceeding and immediately sent for Assembly which after reproving he dissolved.

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source: P.R.O. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series: America and West Indies, 1677-1680: no. 383.