CCCXXX. "A Memoriall of Some Thinges wch it May Please the
lls to Insert in Their Lops Letters to Virginia and the Summer
Islandℯ"
April 21, 1623
Manchester Papers, No. 335
[130]
Document in Public Record Office, London. Indorsed in autograph of Sir Nathaniel
Rich
List of Records No. 471
A Memoriall of some thinges wch it may please the lls to insert in their Lops
letters to Virginia and the Summer Islandℯ
1
That the late Contract is vpon full heareing before their lops dissolved as
that wch was verie preiudiciall to the Plantac̃ons a Coppie of wch Contract
togeather with the reasons that were in writeing delivered against it, it
may please their lops to send them a Coppie
2
That his matie out of his princelie Care of their good is content that noe
Tobacco shalbee brought into England or Ireland but onelie such as
shalbee imported from the Plantac̃ons in Virginia and the Summer Islandℯ
except onelie fourtie Thousand waight yearelie of Spanish Tobacco (and
that but for a tyme) if they will give for it as others will.
3
That to this greate and extraordinarie favour his matie requires that all
the Tobacco wch shalbee exported from the said Plantac̃ons shalbee brought
into England a thing wch they themselves have seemed heretofore to desire
and will nowe bee most beneficiall vnto them in regard that all forreine
marketℯ wilbee glutted with excessive quantities of Tobacco likelie to be
brought from the new plantations in Brazill Guyana and other places
wch is of a farre better sorte then that wch Comes from the English
Colonies and yet wilbee afforded at lesse then halfe the price that the
English Tobacco hath heretofore binne vsuallie sould for, So that vnlesse
his matie in his great grace and wisdome should provide for the venting
of this their Comoditie within his owne dominions they should not bee
able to make any thinge at all of it in anie other place and therefore
to advise them to Call a generall assemblie and by Common Consent to
cause an Act to bee made to that purpose.4
That his matℯ great grace did not stay here but that even beyond hope
and expectac̃on his matie is pleased to bee so farre from layeing a greater
burthen vpon them in regard of this his princelie graunt vnto theis Com-
panies that he hath voluntarilie Condiscended to abate 3d of the 12d for
Custome and Impost wch they payd heretofore: So that in Summ9 his
matie grauntℯ the sole Importation and instead of a Retribuc̃on is Content
to suffer a diminuc̃on of what was formerlie payd.
[2] 5
That this his matℯ singuler favour is yet further inlarged for that
whereas he hath heard of manie Greivances and Inconveniences wch have
hindered the growth of theis Plantac̃ons he hath appointed Choice and
able Comrs to examine and inquire particulerlie into them to the end that
all hindrances of this worthie worke being removed it might hereafter
thrive and prosper.
6
To wch the Colonies are to bee admonished to afford their vtmost En-
devours by leaveing the immoderate planting of Tobacco and applying
themselves to more staple Commodities and in particuler to recommend
vnto them the Care of nourishing and Increaseing their Silkewormes.
7
That they bee Carefull to choose the most Comodious places of abode
for health and safetie, and that they plant themselves soe as they may
afford mutuall helpe and strength each to other both against E intestine
and forreigne Enymies.
8
And that his matie may bee more througlie informed what is the true
Estate of the Plantac̃ons at this present, therfore to require them vpon
their dutie and allegiance by the first shipp to returne togeather with their
answeare to this letter a perfect Cathologue of the names of all the English
men women and Children resideing in the Country, the age Condition
imployment and places of abode of everie of them: As also what houses or
Townes are at this tyme remayneing, what Ordnance are mounted at the
tyme of this ships Arrivall, what publique workes as Churches, Guest-
houses bridges ffortℯ or the like are now remayneing or haue bin heretofore
erected and now demolished Also what number of Cattle there are wch
at their pleasure they may have vse of and what otherwise; Also what
sorte §store§ of Corne and other victuall the Collonies in Virginia are
furnished with, and what is the price for wch the said Cattle Corne and
other provisions are vsuallie sold for and especiallie of late since the last
massacre. What number of persons may this or the next yeare bee Con-
venientlie sent from hence to supplie the Collonies and Entertaigned
there with [3] Convenient lodgeing and dyet vpon their Arrivall for some
reasonable tyme till they may build and plant for themselves, and generallie
as they will answeare to God and the Kings most excellent matie both
of theis and all other particulers tending to a true description of the state
and Condic̃on of the said plantac̃ons faithfullie to informe their lops that
accordinglie they may advise them for their future safetie and prosperitie
wch is the onelie thing intended by his matie and their lops to whom if vpon
this Intymation they shall not declare the whole truth fullie and reallie
all partialitie and affection whatsoeuer set aside they must expect a Just
punnishmt of so high an offence and themselues shalbe Judged as Causes
of all ensueing mischeifs9
Lastlie to admonish them to persist and Increase in the true and frequent
worship of Almightie God in love and vnitie amongst themselues and in
Couragious and industrious performance of their particular Imploymtℯ.
[Indorsed by Sir Nathaniel Rich:] Heads of seueraltyes to be inserted in ye
LL ɫres to ye Plan Colonyes in Virg9. &c. 21 Ap. 1623 Del. §then§ by
me to my L Threas. at Chelsye
