Declaration Upon the Coasts of America, Letter 1
A declaration of the Right Honourable ROBERT, Earle of Warwick, Lord High Admirall of ENGLAND, and of all the Plantions belonging to any his Majeſties, the King of ENGLANDS Subjects upon the Coaſts of AMERICA, Governour of the Company of LONDON for the Plantation, of the Summer ISLANDS; And of the ſaid Company: To the Colony and Plantation there
AS the Happineſſe of a Chriſtian People is ever beſt advanced, by their conſtant Progreſſe in the waies of Peace and Holineſſe: So are they in nothing more miſerable themſelves, and offenſive to others, then in their uncharitable Contentions, and Diſcords interrupting the ſame. We have therefore thought meet, out of our moſt affectionate deſires of your Welfare, to make this enſuing Declaration; wherein, firſt, and above all things, we do, with all earn…neſſe, beſpeake all, and every one, That in their ſeverall Places and Conditions, they will endeavour, by following the Truth in Love, to advance the Glory of God, and of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.
We intend not to anticipate, or prevent the Honourable Houſes of Parliament, in any their Determinations, in matters Eccleſiaſticall, or Civill; but with Prayer, and Patience attend that Reſolution, which it ſhall pleaſe the Lord to direct them unto. And whileſt we thus waite, we deſire, and hope that you will doe the like.
What the thoughts of the Parliament have been, and are, for all the Plan… tions upon the Coaſts of AMERICA, The Ordinance of Parliament therewith ſent, will abundantly declare; And what our endeavours are for your happineſſe, this writing is a Witneſſe; wherein we ſhall expreſſe our Deſires in ſome particulars.
We have thought meet, for the preſent, to continue the Government, as now it ſtands, by Commiſſion, together with all Officers, and Commanders formerly choſen by us, untill we ſhall give further direction therein; as to prevent that diſturbance which an alteration might occaſion; ſo for the better moderation, and improvement of Authority, to encourage Piety, Goodneſſe, and Induſtry, and to ſuppreſſe Prophaneneſſe, wickedneſſe, and idleneſſe in all ſorts of People, and places of the Colony.
We thinke it not meet, for the preſent to give any intimation, either to Miniſters or People, touching the the publike Adminiſtration of Gods Worſhip, being in expectance of that Directory, which the Parliament, with the advice, of the Aſſembly of Divines, ſhall hold forth according to ſacred Scriptures. In the meane time, we deſire you would follow Peace with all men, and Holineſſe, without which no man ſhall ſee the Lord; looking diligently, leſt any man faile of the grace of God, leſt any root of Bitterneſſe ſpringing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
As a good meanes to promote Pietie in the minds of all, and to prevent Prophaneſſe: we doe, in a ſpeciall manner, recommend unto your beſt care, the obſervance of the Lords day; whereon, as wee hope the Miniſters will ſo improve their Labours at every Church within their ſeverall Tribes, that all the people may have the beſt conveniency to heare the Word of God Preached: So we alſo truſt, that Maſters of Families will be carefull by Catechizing, and otherwiſe, ſo to inſtruct their Children, and Servants, that all may come to the knowledge of God, and of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, whom rightly to know is life eternall. And that both Magiſtrates, and Maſters of Families will reſtraine them under their Commands, from careleſſe and ſinfull expence of that precious time, in ſloth, idleneſſe, or any way to Gods diſhonour, and their own hurt. For your better direction herein, we herewith ſend you an Ordinance of Parliament.
The Company is very ſenſibly affected with your want of a Miniſter: And that thereby any particular perſon, or part of the Colony ſhould ſuffer a Famine of the Word of God, is very grievous unto us. We intend, God willing, by the very firſt opportunity, to ſupply your want herein. In the meane while, we earneſtly deſire the Miniſters would double th…ir diligence in teaching the knowledge of God through the Land; knowing, that as their Labour therein cannot be in vain in the Lord; So ſhall they thereby exceedingly indeare themſelves into the good Affections of the Company, who deſire nothing ſo much as the Salvation of your ſoules.
For Counſellors, Captains, and all other Officers, as we require all due honour, and reſpect to be given them: So, as a meanes thereof, we deſire they may be as a Sanctuary, and City of refuge to all ſuch as love the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in ſincerity; improving all their Power, and Authority, as for the ſecuring of the Iſlands, preſerving of Peace, and promoting the power of Godlineſſe in all places, and Perſons; ſo, for ſuppreſſing of all manner of ſinne and wickedneſſe. And, for that Tipling Houſes, Idleneſſe, and ill Company, are thoſe Anvils, whereon Satan, with our owne Luſts, Forgeth out all manner of ſinne and wickedneſſe; We deſire great care be taken to prevent the ſame: That ſo, by the Officers faithfull performance of their Duties in their ſeverall places, The people being kept in Peace and Amitie, The multitude of Indictments and P…eſentments, commonly brought to the publi… Aſſize…, may be prevented. And though we would not encourage Appeales, which proofe ſo troubleſome, and chargeble to them that make them: Yet in that caſe, we ſhall expect to receive from the publike Officers what ever may cleare the buſineſſe to us; who, by Gods Grace, ſhall proceed according to the merit of the Cauſe, without reſpect of Perſons.
In all Cauſes wherein Oathes are Adminiſtred, wee deſire great care may bee uſed to informe both the Jury, and Witneſſes, of the horrible ſinne of Perjurie, with the dreadfull ſeverity of Gods puniſhments thereupon, That ſo they may not adventure to ſweare, but in Truth, Judgement, and Righteouſneſſe.
We had good hope that ere now, by the ſmall quantity, meane condition, and ſhort returnes you have found of Tobacco, you would have beene put upon that diligence and induſtry, which might have introduced ſome more profitable and ſtaple Commodity: whereunto, as we formerly have, ſo we are ſtill ready to affoord all poſſible encouragement, and aſſiſtance. We ſhall now deſire all thoſe that have made any eſſayes therein, with ſuch others as have affection thereunto, That they would improove their beſt Obſervations, and Experience, to finde out ſomewhat which may be of more benefit to you, and ſatisfaction to us; which, as we ſhall accept as an evidence of Affection to the Publike Good; So, we ſhall conſider of ſome way for compenſation, according to their charge, and endeavours therein.
We have juſt cauſe to complaine of the wrong we have ſuffered in the Caſe of Wrecks; not only by more private perſons, but by publike Officers. And, truely, we are much troubled to finde ſo great injuſtice among you, as might occaſion us to revoke that Law, which, in great favour, allowes a Moitie to the Recoverers. We ſhall expect, and hope for better Accompts then yet we have received, both of that which lately happened, and what hereafter may.
We have ſeriouſly conſidered of the want of Linnen Cloth, and other neceſſaries, by the publicke Letters, intimated to be in the Colony; which ſeems the more ſtrange unto us, when we heare the Adventurers declare, that of great Proportions of Goods which they have ſent to you, they have received very ſhort Returnes. If there be a ſcarcity, we conceive it ariſeth from your ſelves, …eſt Factours are ſo unfaithfull in making returnes; private Perſons ſo backw…r… in paying their dues; publike Officers ſo remiſſe in executing Juſtice herein; and all or moſt ſo deſirous to trade rather with Strangers then with the Company, which appeares by keeping their Tobaccoes untill our Ship be come away; whereby, both the Merchant is diſcouraged from ſending, and the Company prevented of the duties. If any complain, that the Adventurers, or their Factours doe overpriſe their Commodities, we feare your ſlow payments are acceſſary to that errour, which we are ſo farre from excuſing; that, when you have taken order, that ſpeedy Returns be made, we ſhall endeavour, what is in our power, that no oppreſſion be uſed. And, becauſe we would remove all colours of complaint, we have deſired particular Members of our Company, that they will, at preſent, ſend ſuch Proportions as may ſupply your occaſions; We hope they ſhall receive ſuch Returnes by this Ship, as may both manifeſt your good Affection, and encourage their future … others.
We are not unmindful of your deſires for a free Trade, which you have both intimated to us, and ſought for from the Governours with you: But the truth, is for the preſent, the Conſtitution of the Company, the Obligations upon them, and the propriety of the Owners are ſuch, as be inconſiſtent with that freedome of Trade which is required.
When, upon a ſerious conſideration of all particulars, with a diſ-ingaged reſpect to the common good, it ſhall appeare, that what is required, is according to Right and Juſtice, and ſuch as the Company can in faithfulneſſe aſſent unto, you may reſt aſſured, That we ſhall be moſt ready to manifeſt our Affection to any Liberty or Priviledge, which is for the good of the Colony: In the meane time whilſt we concurre in allowing freedome of Trade for ſuch Proportions of Cattell, Hogs, Fruits, and other Proviſions as may be very well ſpared, without dammage to the Colony, danger of a Famine, prejudice to the poorer ſort, or preventing the Owners of their dues; and, untill farther order hence, onelyonly reſtraine Trade for Tobacco, which (as neceſſitie compels) we doe hereby abſolutely prohibite; That ſo, both we may receive our Rents; and by the duties thereupon, the Miniſters may have their exhibitions, Ammunition, and other neceſſaries for the ſafety of the Ilands, ſatisfaction of the Officers there, and the charge of the Company be provided for, we hope no man will finde juſt cauſe of Offence.
But however, we deſire to approve our ſelves to every mans conſcience in the ſight of God, and ſo to carry on al matters, as that we may be free from each mans want, and from neglect of any thing, which is in our power to procure, for the good and happineſſe of the Colony; whereto, as we are in neereneſſe of relation, ſo we deſire to manifeſt our good will and affection in every kinde of way.
We ſhall conclude with that of the Apoſtle, Finally, Brethren, Fare yee well, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one minde, live in Peace; and the God of Love and Peace ſhall be with you.
Given under the Hands, and common Seale of the Governour and Company at a generall Court, the 23 of October, 1644.
Warwicke Governour.
Wil: Say and Seale.
Arthur Wodenoth, Deputy.
Thomas Allen, Treſurer.
Perien Trot, Husband,
Gilbert Gerard.
I. Danvers.
Ben. Rudyerd.
Richard Knightley.
… Holland.
Iohn Heydon.
Anthony Wither.
Edw. Carter.
Owen R…e,
Gabriel Barber.
Richard Caſewell.
Gedeon de Lawne.
Maurice Thompſon.
Fancis Allein.
Iohn Iohnſtoun.
William Ieſſop.
Iohn Graunt.
Robert Coytmor.
William Felgate.
George Turbervile.
Iohn Alcock.
Robert Haughton.
George Prynne.
Anthony Pennyſton.
Elias Roberts.
Iohn Welden.
William Web.
William Burges.
Nath. Hawes.
Tho. Turner.
George Ward.
William Price.
Will. Wilkinſon.
Ioſeph Todd.
Michael Evans.
Richard Hunt.
Abra. Sheeres.
Iohn Bardwell.
Charles Calley.