Governor Carlisle to Lords of Trade and Plantations [extrait]

St. Jago de la Vega, November 23, 1679 [3 décembre 1679].

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About the opening of this Session a depredation (of which your Lordships will probably hear ere long) was made on the Spaniards in the Bay of Honduras by English, French, and others, the usual composition of privateers. These vessels were commanded by persons belonging to Jamaica, of whom I had some jealousy before they left Port Royal, so I stopped several of their men and took security from some of the commanders for their good behaviour. Notwithstanding my care they made their venture, and returning to uncertain stations hovered about this Island. The smaller of them having, without my knowledge or that of any of my officers, landed her cargo of indigo in the remotest parts of the Island to leeward, the rest, who had not landed their load, reported that unless they were permitted to bring it into harbour on paying the King's duty they would leave their interest in Jamaica and sail to Rhode Island or to the Dutch, where they would be well entertained. Upon the first news I ordered His Majesty's frigate Success to cruise for them, which seized the empty vessel and brought her to Port Royal. H.M.S. Hunter having a few days before coasted round the Island for privateers, returned with one Cornelius Essex, commander of the Great Dolphin, who was tried with twenty of his men for riotously comporting themselves and for plundering Major Jenck's of St. James' parish in this Island, and two of them sentenced to death. The indigo landed was laden in small sloops, and by them entered in the Custom House at Port Royal. The quantity thereof having much abated the price, it has taken for some little time the place of our native sugar and indigo; though in the main the Island is in truth much benefited, the Treasury being near 1,000l. in arrear, which is difficult to recover where money is so scarce.

I had information some days since of the capture of a valuable ship of 28 guns, belonging to the United Provinces, by one Peter Harris, a privateer ever since the taking of Panama, I at once despatched the Success to cruise for her, and my news is since confirmed by the arrival of eleven men belonging to the Dutch ship in their long boat. This happened at the time of the Assembly's discontent and uneasiness. Not knowing that the frigates and my orders to sail in pursuit of privateersm and particularly of Peter Harris (which the King's ships have ever had from me on all occasions) they angrily hastened to me by seven of their members (some of them but lately rebuked by me for cherishing and entertaining privateers) a petition, wherein apart from their dissatisfaction at everything else they press for the doing of that which, in spite of great difficulties, I have ever striven to effect. Thus you will see my position towards this Island, which entertains my service so ill; but it is not unreasonable to hope for better, since your Lordship's own endeavours had no better success. I foresee that the Session will not be to much purpose. You shall have full information by H.M.S. Hunter which shortly sails for England.