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A
FACSIMILE REPRINT
of
A B RIEFE
RELATION
of the late
Horrid Rebellion
Acted in the Island
Attention Reader:
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Please handle with great care
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARY-CONSE]
A
'NSEl
Mdccclxxix.
Price Eighteenpence.
FACSIMILE REPRINT
i
of
A B RI EFE
RELATION
of the late
Horrid Rebellion
Acted in the Island
BARBADAS,
In the West-Indies.
LONDON:
C 3lmprinten 6g unwin brothers, at the
Signe of The Grafshopper. And to be sold by
Bowen & Sons,BARB ADO S> WestIndies.
Mdccclxxix.
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TO
tyi& (Bcace ttje 2Dukc of S^ancljejSter,
THE CHAIRMAN,
AND TO
THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
or
THE ROYAL COLONIAL INSTITUTE,
€&i0 Eteprint
IS DEDICATED,
BY
A FELLOW OF THE INSTITUTE.
Royal Colonial Institoti,
15, Strand, W.C.
1st December, 1878.
B RIEFE
RELATION
of the late
Horrid Rebellion
Acted in the Island
BAR BAD AS,
In the West<-Indies.
Wherein is contained,
Their Inhumane Acts and
Actions, in Fining and Banishing the ]
Well-affe&ed to the Parliament of;
England (both men and women) with- \
out the least cause given them so to doe: \
Dispoffessing all such as any way op- j
posed these their mischievous actions. \
Acled by the Waldronds and their - \
Abettors, Anno i650.
Written at Sea by Nicholas Fofter. \
LONDON,
Printed by J. G. for Richard Lowndes on Ludgate-hill: ;
and Robert Boydell in the Bulwarke neere the Tower. ;
MDCL.
U lib-/fit
/6KY
I
3"
' READER,
IF thou art pleafed here to fix thine eye,
Thou mayfi behold Barbada's Infancie,
And what fmall Jigns of future fortunes
To the Inhabitants did then appear. [there,
The Merchant he is weary of fupplying,
And this poore Infant IJle, lyes now a dying :
But whiljl it faintly laboureth for breath,
Expecting nothing leffe then fudden death,
Some there of worth and ingenuity,
With care did Jludy its Recovery:
And being by Gods Providence direBed,
The fame (in time) was happily effeSled;
So that its fickneffe fuddenly is ceafing,
And in it Health & Wealth is fo increqfing,
That now Barbada's far exceeds the reft,
And is become the Glory of the Weft :
But whilft it is triumphing in its glory,
Behold a dolefull and intejiine story
a 2 Oj
Of an abhorred and Rebellious crew,
Who take up Arms, the Honejl to fubdue;
And all that will not to their AcJs confent
Must pay great Fines, andfujfer Baniflimen
They muft leave their Eft ate s, & all relatioi
And returne Exiles to their native Nation:
Where now we are, JubjeBed by the Fates,
Whiljl Rebels are confuming our Ejlates.
-
A BRIEFE
RELATION
Of the late
Horrid REBELLION,
Acled in the Ifland BARB AD AS
in the Weft Indies, &c.
Lthough this Ifland is now be-
come famous, by reafon of the
Rich Commodities there pro-
duced ; Yet in regard it is but of
late yeeres that it hath been had
in fuch high eftimation, we fliall give you a
briefe relation of its former eftate and condi-
tion, and how it hath attained to that height
it is now in.
Not many yeeres fince, this Ifland was in a
very low condition, in regard the Commodities
(then there produced) were onely Tobaccoes
A3 and
w
and Cotton-wools, which (by reafon^of the
great quantities tranfported from thence, and
other places) was of very fmall value: Info
much that Merchants begun to neglect the
fupplying of it in fo large a manner as for-
merly they had done, which prefented it in a
declining condition, and fmall hopes appeared
of raifing any fortunes there for the future,
the Inhabitants (being fo wearied out with
the fmall profits they reaped in their toylfome
labours) daily run from the Ifland in Boats,
being very much indebted both to the Mer-
chants, and alfo to one another.
The decaying condition of this Ifland (fo
plainly appearing) fome of ingenious fpirits
fet their wits at worke to confider which way
the defolation of this Plantation might be pre-
vented ; which could not poffibly be effected,
without the producing of fome richer commo-
dities to invite the Merchant to supply them.
And confidering Sugar was not the leaft
of commodities (finding the fcituation of the
place promifing that way) refolved to make
tryall thereof, and accordingly did; and with
divers yeeres paines, care, patience, and in-
duftry, with the difburfing of vaft fummes
of money, brought the fame to perfection.
The Originall whereof were fome that now
are forced from thence, and unjuftly compel-
led to leave their relations and eftates; who
communicating their knowledge therein to
others,
^
[3]
others, caufed a farther going upon this de-
figne, infomuch that in few yeares there was
a confiderable number of works erected, fo
that (for thefe divers years laft paft) there
hath been, and is, a very faire correfpondency
held with England, New England, Holland,
Hambrough, and other places, many both
Merchants (and others) having thereby raifed
themfelves very confiderable Fortunes. There
being many Millions of Sugars tranfported
from thence yearely, and the number of Ships
that come yearely to that Ifland, not lefle
then a hundred Sayle; the commodities (being
not onely Sugar) but alfo Indico, Ginger, with
Cotton-wools and fome fmall quantities of
Tobacco.
All the time of Englands troubles we re-
tained peace amongft us, (though not with-
out heart-burnings from thofe of the Kings
party, towards thofe that wifhed the Parlia-
ments profperity) and although Commiffions
came over, (fome from the King, and others
from the Parliament) yet we confidering
that it could not any way conduce to their
advantage, (for us to have Parties and
Sidings amongft us) conclude rather to im-
brace Neutrality,and accordingly doe, holding
a very faire correfpondency each with other
for feverall years together with great content.
Towards the latter end of the Warrs,
(when the Sun of the Cavaliers expected
a 4 Conqueft,
w
Conqueft, begun to be retrograde, and
God was pleafed to (hew himfelfe, highly'
countenancing the Parliaments Forces; and
by his (ever to be honoured) Instruments
began to vanquish the Cavalre, divers of
them came over to our ISland, pretending
to have done great fervice for his Majefty,
and that therefore the Parliament had Se-
queftred their Eftates, and themfelves forced
to fly for refuge.
Thefe men were by the Governor (and
others of their owne Spirits who had the
Government in their hands) very courte-
oufly Imbraced, and looked upon as the
men onely truly deferving, in fo much that
in fhort time, they begin to poflefle Eftates,
(though other mens) and by the. fubtile
practicing of Abfalons pollicy, began to in-
sinuate themfelves into the peoples favour,
and to gaine the efteeme and repute of the
onely knowing men ; Infomuch that not-
withstanding their little or no knowlodge of
the Country, the People, (or the Eftate or
condition of either) they muft and were
made Counfellers, and no Seate could become
them to Sit in, but at the helme of State ;
And now the fhip of that flourishing Com-
mon-wealth muft run what courfe they
pleafe.
But this is not all, after their advance to
this height of Eminency; they are upon new
defignes,
v
defignes, and (under pretence they had
received Letters from England, that the
Spaniard would vifite us) the Country muft
be put in a pofture of Warre, themfelves
being Commanders in chiefe, creates fuch
inferiour Officers under them (as refem-
bling a nofe of wax was fubject to (land
any way they pleafed to fet it) and fit to
receive any Impreffion they fhould put
upon it.
Having fitted themfelves for their in-
tended progrefie, they begin to Act in a very
high nature, and with no lefle feverity then
cruelty begin to profecute all fuch perfons
as any way feemed to declare their appro-
bations of the Parliaments proceedings
againft the King; cutting out of tongues,
Stigmatizing and Baniftiing all fuch per-
fons, as they had any thing againft concern-
ing him.
Thefe things (how unjuft foever deemed
and apprehended by many) yet for quiet-
nefle fake were pafled by, and not publikely
fpoke againft by any.
Thefe new - modell'd Magifters being
very active in their places, (and no lefle
ftudious how to pick a quarrell with the
Parliaments friends in generall, then for-
merly they had beene extreame in Executing
their pleafures upon fome iir particular)
fet their wits at work which way they
fhould
'[6]
fhould bring thefe their defignes to perfec-
tion ; And (not finding the leaft fymptome
or appearance of any caufe given them by
thofe they would fo gladly quarrell withall)
were very much at a ftand; but at length
refolve upon the bufineffe, and from amongft
themfelves, viz. the Counfell and Aflembly,
make choycc of a certaine number of fuch
perfons, (as were moft fubject to conception,
after a receptance of Sathans feede) giving
them power to fit in Counfell, and to pre-
fcribe a way to the reft, how to accomplifh
their fo earneft defires.
Thefe Commiffioners (as we muft call
them, for they will not be called a Com-
mittee) having conceived, inftead of a Man-
child brought forth a Monfter called Prefent
Banijhment; concluding that Forces fhould
be raifed and kept afoot, till all fuch as they
pleafed to nominate were fent off the Ifland.
But ere they begin to fall into extremity,
(to be delivered) they fweare each other to
fecrecy, that whatfoever was nominated or
propounded in their time of private Con-
sultation, fhould not be revealed to any
whatfoever.
After their deliverance (when conve-
niency of time prefented) this monfter was
prefented to the Governour, Counfell
and Aflembly, (firft fwearing them) that
if what they had to prefent them withall
fhould
[7]
mould not be approved of and accepted, they
mould not reveale the fame, nor any one
particular that mould occafionally pafle
amongft them, fwearing to profecute that
party to death that mould divulge their fe-
crets in any of thefe particulars.
This is concluded on. And now it onely
remaines to be difputed, whether the fruits
of their conception, great travell, and tedious
paynes, is fit to have admittance, or whether
to be buried in the grave of oblivion, as an
abortive, or rather an abominable birth.
A long difcourfe is entertained upon this
fubject; And the Parents of this new birth,
being much taken with it, and though it ap-
peared, and was a Monfter in the efteeme of
others, yet being the fruits of their Travells
it appeared a Child to them. And therefore
no Arguments muft prevaile againft its ac-
ceptance, yet at last (though with much
difficulty) it was dif-owned totally, for this
reafon ; That to banifh men, and mow no
caufe, nor appearance of caufe, neither any
pretence of caufe, would be a thing appre-
hended of all to be ridiculous, and might
caufe a too quick difcovery of their intentions.
Before we proceede any further in this
our intended Difcourfe, it will be necefTary
to anfwer an Objection which haply fome
may make thus.
Objeff. How we came to know their
private
[8]
private Conferences had together, they hav-
ing fworne each other to fecrecy, and fur-
ther to profecute that man to death that
mould reveale any one particular.
Ans. Our anfwer to this Objection is;
That Lt. C. C. C. one of themfelves was the
difcoverer of thefe and many more their in-
tents and purpofes, who acknowledged him-
felfe apprehenfive of ah obligation binding
his conscience to reveale things of so, high a
nature as this; feeing there was no reafon
for the doing of any fuch thing. For this
his offence he was cenfured to pay twenty
thoufand pounds in Sugar, fine, and to de-
part the Ifland.
To proceede in our Difcourfe, we mufl
take notice that at this inftant of time, when
this thing called [Bani/hment] was objected
againft, as not convenient at that time to be
put in Execution ; A brother of that Fra-
ternity, being fearfull his brethren might
mifcarry, had drawn up an Act and Oath,
which hee .then prefented to the Affembly,
who after a ferious view taken thereof, find-
ing enough in it to procure a diflike of it,
in all or moft men, efpecially in thofe that
made confidence of their wayes, confirmes it.
And ordered the publifhing thereof, in the
feverall Pariflies of the Ifland.
A Copy wherof you have here ensu-
ing : viz.
An
M
An Act for the uniting of the In-
habitants of the Island, under
the Government thereof.
T/f/'Hereas we have beene fad wit-
nejfes of the miferable effects of the
fever all changes of Government, long fettled
in many Kingdomes and Ejlates ; whereby
the Inhabitants offuch Kingdomes are to-
tally ruined in their Lives and Fortunes,
being given up as a prey to the rude Soul-
diery, and a fpoyle to the covetoufneffe of
others, and mojl commonly all this having
(under pretence of' tender neffe of confcience
and differing in Religion) from what is mofl
publicly profeffed in this Government. As
well therefore to preventfuch or the like mife-
ries in this yet fowing I/land, as alfo to fop
themouthes ofallfuch asjhallmake Religion,
or tender neffe of confcience, the cloke of their
mifchievous actions; Be it Ordained and
Enacted, and it is Ordained and Enacted,
by
[IO]
by the generall Affemb/y, That coercive
Eccleftajlicall Lawes, and the penalties
thereof, and every claufe and particle in
any former Law or Statute concerning the
fame,JJiall be and are hereby fully, abfolute-
ly, and totally repealed, to all intents, con-
[irublions, and purpofes whatfoever. And
that all obedience be yeelded to the Go-
vernment, or any the Lawes of the fame
in being now in this I/land, and the per-
fons that now are or may be intrujled in
the fame.
And whosoever shall by any Deeds or
Words malicioujly deprave, vilifie, or oppofe
the faid Government, or any the Lawes of
the fame, and be thereof conviSled by the
Oath of two credible witneffes, or his own
confefjion, Jhall be taken, deemed and ad-
judged as an enemy to this I/land, and the
peace thereof, and be proceeded again/l by
the generall Affemb/y according to his offence.
And for the better prefervation of the Go-
vernment aforefaid, and the removing of all
feares and jealoufes that may be occajioned
inthefame. Be it Ordained and Enacted
That
[»]
That all and every perfon or perfons who
Jhallgoe or come to any Conventicle, or/hah
labour to feduce any perfon or perfons from
repairing to the publick Congregation, or
receiving of the holy Sacrament, Jhall by
any "Jujlice of peace (upon complaint there-
of to him made) be committed to Pri/bn,
there to remaine without bayle or maine-
prize, till the next generall Se/fions of
the Affembly: and upon conviction thereof,
by confefjion or due proofe in Law at
the next or any fubfequent meeting of the
Affembly, Jhall for the firjl offence be
imprifoned for the fpace of three moneths
without bayle or maineprize, and fined
and ranfomed at the pleafure of the Af-
fembly; And for his fecond offence (upon
complaint made to any fujlice of Peace J
fliall be committed as aforefaid, and
being thereof convicted, as aforefaid,
fliall forfeit all his Lands, Goods, Chat-
tells and Debts; and be held an Enemy to
the peace of this I/land, and proceeded
againjl accordingly. And lastly, as a fur-
ther expedient for the fupportation of the
Government
[«]
Government aforefaid, Be it enaBed by the
authority aforefaid, that the enfuing Oath
be tendered to the fever all Inhabitants, and
Refi'dents in this I/land, by them to be
taken, in fuch fnanner, and fuch perfons
as the Generall AJfembly fhall appoint.
Before we proceede to the particulars of
the Oath (before mentioned) let us a little
take notice of thefe mens proceedings, how
plainely and palpably they throw dirt in the
faces of thofe that differ in judgement from
themfelves. And how odious they en-
deavour to make them appeare unto the
people, by fathering upon them all the
defolations, and diffolutions of Kingdomes
and Eftates; and that they profeffe Religion
for no other end nor purpofe, then to make
it the cloke of their mifchievous actions.
And under the pretence of granting liberty,
would bring us under the greateft of bond-
ages, for by this their Act, if any man be
found comming or going to or from (any
thing they pleafe to call a Conventicle) mall
for the firft offence be committed to prifon,
there to remaine for the fpace of three
moneths without bayle or maineprize; and
not onely fo but muft be fined and ran-
fomed at the pleafure of the Affembly; And
for his fecond offence fhall be imprifoned
(therein
(therein his body fuffers) and fhall forfeit
all his Lands, Goods, Chattells and Debts;
(hereby is all his Eftate gone:) but this is
not all, he fhall be deemed a publick Enemy
to the Common-wealth, and proceeded
againft accordingly. Now, no doubt his
life goes to it, for all befides is gone.
Hereby you may plainely see the tempers
of thefe mens Spirits, that under the pre-
tence of liberty doe most subtilly labour to
infnare us in the greateft flavery that ever
was exercifed upon the Theater of the earth.
The Bifhops (in their time) were content
with part of all, but thefe men will have
all; all Bodies, all Eftates, and nothing
founds well with them but All, All; Oppref-
fions, Tyranny, Slavery and Cruelty; whileft
they pretend freedome and liberty : And
if you pleafe to take notice, you fhall finde
them by and by (as foone as they perceive
the myftery of their iniquity difcovered)
acting quite contrary to this their Acl: of
grace (as they call it) and are fining and ban-
ifhing all fuch as will not pin their faiths
upon their fleeves, and beleeve as they do.
Having obferved the contents of this
their Ad, let us proceede to the Oath, which
they entitle a further expedient for the
fupportation of that their then prefent
Government.
The contents whereof is as followed :
viz. B
[14]
I, A. B., doe 'voluntarily and freely
without feare or compuljion, acknowledge
and declare in my confcience before God
and the world, that chill Government is
a neceffary Ordinance of God, and ought
as well for conscience sake, as fear, to he
obeyed by all Chrijlians, how different
fever in opinion concerning matters of
Religion ; And do further believe that the
forme of Government now being in this
I/land is lawfull and jujl; And there-
fore I fsaving my allegiance to our
Soveraigne Lord the King,J doe sweare
that I will not wilfully or knowingly
oppose the same ; But shall and will to the
utmojl of my power and indeavour with my
life and fortunes, maintaine, uphold, and
defend the fame, againjl any power or
oppofition whatfoever. And alfojhall and
will to the utmojl of my indeavours make
known and difcover to the Governor, or any
other of his counfell, all Plots, Conspiracies
and
M
and Attempts againjl the fame, fo foone
as I Jhall know or heare the fame ; and to
the utmojl of my power will oppose, and
defeate the fame. And I do believe and
in my confcience am refolved, That no
pcwer but of the said Government can
abfohe me of this Oath, or any part
of the fame, which I acknowledge to be
by good and lawfull Authority adminis-
tred unto me.
Thefe things I doe plainely and jincerely
acknowledge, and doe fweare according to
the expreffe words by me fpoken, and
according to the plaine fence and under-
flanding of the fame words, without any
equivocation, mentall refervations, orfecret
evafions. And I doe make this Recog-
nifance and acknowledgement, willingly,
heartily. and truly, upon the faith of a
Chrijlian.
So helpe mee God, and the
contents of this holy
Booke.
b.2. The
[i6]
The policy of the Author, in this thing,
is not altogether to pafTe without an ob-
servation, how fubtilly hee begins with
undeniable truths, and with fo much pollicy
prefents his Ammazella, that the fplendour
of her beauty feems to be of force to attract,
not onely the Eye but the heart (upon
the firft view) to apprehend it a rarity com-
posed of vertue it selfe, and to cause a gene-
rall embracing of it by all men, for its very
out-fides fake, without any examination of its
inward properties : but as the Serpents fting
is in his Tayle, fo the poyfon of this lies in its
hind parts, fo that whofoever fhall difcover
his ftrength to this Delilah, fhall be fure to
lofe it, and have the Philistims come upon
him, who will pull out his Eyes, and make
him flave in the Mill of their pleafures.
This Oath is prefented to thePeople, by them
to be taken voluntarily and freely, and is to
proceed from them as a free-will-offering, fo
that the People fhall voluntarily and freely
(without feare or compulfion) inslave them-
felves, and give away their birth-rights for lefle
then a mefTe of Pottage. They doe not tell
us what they will doe to thofe that deny this
Oath, but deny it and you fhall be fined and
banifhed; If you will not give away your
just rights and priviledges, you shall be forced
from your Relations and Eftates; and if you
wiir not both be their flaves and vaflalls,
one
[>7]
one of them you muft and mall: and if
you defire Law and Reafon to be fhowen
you for thefe their proceedings, they will
mow you an Army of devouring Cater-
pillers, that mall eate you into better man-
ners, then to oppofe their proceedings. By
this Oath you acknowledge their Govern-
ment to be lawfull and juft, and fweare to
maintaine it with your life and fortune;
now what unjuft Act foever they are guilty
of, you muft not onely ceafe to oppofe it, but
muft approve of and defend them in it; And
having already acknowledged that no power
can abfolve you of that Oath, but that which
adminiftred it, you muft never expect they
will abfolve you of this Oath, to accufe them
guilty of unjuft actions. If you take notice of
this their Act andOath.vou fhallfindeitmeere-
ly a painted Sepulcher, full of rotten bones,
and all manner of abominable filthinefle.
This Act and Oath being (by the Governor,
Councell, and Affembly) confirmed, was
Ordered to be publifhed in the severall Parifhes
in the Ifland, andafter publication, the Oath to
be adminiftred to the Inhabitants in generall.
But before the publifhing thereof, one
of the grand Agents therein prefented
a copy of it to fome friends of ours,
and (Serpent like) ufed all the faire pre-
tences that might be to animate them to
relifh it, alledging the great conveniencies
B.3. contained
r
contained in it for the uniting of the In-
habitants, with divers other expreffions.
But the parties to whom it was fhowne,
declared their utter diflike of it, That it
tended to the perpetuating them and theirs
in place of authority; and to the fetting
up of a Government of will and power.
That there was no reafon why they mould
have fuch a tie upon the people, feeing they
had no ingagement from them to govern
according to the known Lawes of the Land;
That the Ifland was in peace, and like fo to
continue; and for any fuch ingagement
there was no apparent neceffity. That the
People were, in generall, obedient to the
prefent Government, and what would they
defire more ?
The party that prefented the aforefaid
copy, feemed not a litle troubled, that this
Oath, and Act was no better relifhed;
affirming there was nothing in it but what
tended to the uniting of the People, and the
continuation of peace amongft them.
These our friends having had a fight and
view of this Act and Oath, gave others to un-
derftand the contents thereof, finding it to in-
trench too much upon the Peoples juft rights
and priviledges, bethought themfelves which
way it might be possible to prevent the publifh.-
ing thereof, which they apprehended muft be
by repairing to the Governour, which they did
defiring
[I9]
defiring him to take into his consideration
the large extent thereof; That it was con-
trary to the Law of God, Nature and Nation?,
for them to impofe any fuch Oath upon a
free People as they were ; That of neceffity
they had fome unifier ends in it, it being
fuch a thing as no preterit time could fhew
any prefedent for.
Hereupon the Governor expreft himfelfe
to this purpofe, That he had fuffered this
Act and Oath to pane, onely for quietnefle
fake, having to do with men of violent
fpirits : his oppofing them might caufe
farther troubles, and his defire was for the
prefervation of that precious Jewell, Peace,
which we had fo long happily injoyed: that
although he had fuffered them to pafTe, yet
he apprehended inconveniencies in them ;
That if they pleafe to leave him to himfelfe,
he would not be backward in applying him-
felfe to the considering of what was beft to
be done.
These Gentlemen had not been long
gone from the Governour, but Colonell
Humfrey Wallrond came, to whom the
Governour after fome difcourfes had to-
gether, declares hee had that day received
a Letter from a Magiftrate, wherein he
gave him to underftand that the Clarkes
(in drawing of feverall Copies of the Act
and Oath) had miftaken themfelves, and
writ
[«>]
writ nonfence; And for that reafon it was
concluded, with Waldronds advice, absolute-
ly neceflary they mould be cal'd in, and the
errors of the Clarks rectified.
This opportunity was imbraced by the
Governour, and his Letters fent to the
Priefts of every Parifh to omit the publifh-
ing thereof, which was in like manner done.
This flop being made in the bufinefles
for the prefent, did well; but the life of
our liberties being now in much danger,
fpeciall care was taken how to prevent the
publishing of thefe totally. And after due
and ferious confideration taken, it was con-
cluded upon, that the Governour mould be
petitioned for the choyce of a new AfTembly,
wee apprehending it our juft rights and pri-
viledges to have a yearely election. By this
time feverall copies of this Act and Oath is
procured, and the Countrey fenfible of the
contents thereof, which they generally dif-
relifb.,and conclude to petition for the choyce
of a new AfTembly : which they accordingly
doe. A Copy whereof for the Readers
better information wee have here inferted :
viz.
To
[21]
To the Honourable,
PHILIP BELL,
Governour of the Ifland
B A R B A D A S :
The humble Petition of
the Inhabitants of Philips
Parish, whose Names are
subscribed.
Humbly Sheweth
' I sHat whereas we cannot otherwayes
conceive, but it is the Liberty and
Priviledge of free-borne Englijh-men,
that are Inhabitants and free-holders in
this ljland, to chufe the Gentlemen of the
Affembly here, once every year, none hav-
ing fat fo long as the Affembly that now
is; And whereas (to our great grief)
we
[22]
we perceive there hath been an A5l and
Oath pajl, at their lafi Jitting thereby
to Jet up themfehes f above legall or in-
tended power) by us; to the injlavtng of
the free People Inhabitants of this If and,
in which fome of good integrity have bin
over-borne, whom we cannot but deem
lovers of the Liberties of thofe that in-
truded them. Now ft'thence by the long
continuance of this prefent Affembly, fuch
an ill confequence was like to enjue.
We humbly defreyour Honour would
be pleafed, forthwith to iffue forth
your Warrants, for the fpeedy
chufng of a new Afembly and a
time be appointed yearly for the
like election, it being the Rights
and Liberties of us, which we
humbly commend to your care and
prefervation (being our honoured
Governor J whereby you will
ever ingage us to be ready toferve
you with our lives and fortunes
from all oppofers, And to pray,
&c. ' The
The Governor being fenfible of the Coun-
tries difapprobation (with reference to the
Ad and Oath) calls his Councell together
to confider (as is fuppofed) what was beft
to be done in this bufinefle. This oppor-
tunity was taken (by the Country) and being
fenfible of their then Sitting, prefented their
Petitions, who were accepted of, and (by the
Governour granted) they containing nothing
but the Peoples juft Rights and Priviledges.
But the Councell and Aflembly (confider-
ing that upon the choyce of a new Aflembly,
fome of them might be difmifled, and being
out of place were Jyable to give an account
of all their illegall actions, and unjuft pro-
ceedings ; which they well knew would ap-
peare very foule, and a taflce which they
were very unwilling to undergoe) were very
much difcontented at the granting of thefe
Petitions, or as we may juftly fay, inraged
to fee that their defigne of Inflaving the
Country, began to be difcovered, infomuch
that now they muft not neglect the attempt-
ing of any thing, (how unjuft foever) where-
by they may keepe themfelves in places of
Authority. And to that purpose pretend
they will procure crofle Petitions, wherein
the Country fhould approve of their pro-
ceedings, and defire their Continuance.
But knowing this to be in vaine, (the
Countries minds being already expreft in
their
M
their petitions) they conclude upon another
defigne, and informe the people, of that
part of the Country where their chiefeft
motion was, that the Petitioners were Inde-
pendents,- and that they had a defigne to cut
off all the Loyall affected to his Majefty,
and to alter the Government of Church and
State, by bringing in the Parliaments power,
for the Eftablifhing of which they had
Commifllons from the Parliament. That
now it was high time to look about them,
the which if they neglected they were all
dead men. ^.Hedging that they muft not
expect fairer tearmes from thofe here, then
his Majefty (and others) received from
their Brethren in England: with many
other perfwasions whereby to intice and stir
up the people to mutiny and Rebellion; to
which purpofe they write feverall libells, and
fcandalous papers, throwing fome up and
downe, and putting others upon Pofts;
severall whereof we have here inferted, being
as followeth, viz
T^Riends, take my advice, There is in hand
a most damnable dejigne, the Authors
are Independents, their ayme is wholly
to CaJJieere the Gentry and Loyall, and to
change for our Peace Warre, and for our
Unity Divifion, Colonel Drax that devout
Zealot
[25]
Zealot (of the deeds of the Devil1, and
the caufe of that feven headed Dragon
at Weftminflery is the Agent: Now
that the workeman may have his hire, I
could wifh that there were more Cove-
nanters bejides my self, for (truly I cannot
conceale it J I have vowed to impeach him
and profecute him, but not in point of
Law; for then I know he would fubdue
me (but at the point of Sword): Let me
dejire such as tender Religion, the Loyall,
the fafety of the Island, and being of our
present Government, they be fore-armed
againjl the pretence of Liberty, for there-
by is meant Slavery and Tyranny. But
I halfe repent this motion of the Pen,
purpofng with all expedition to Action.
My ayme is at Drax, Middleton
and the rest
Vivat Rex
Gentlemen
./
[26]
Another.
Gentlemen Planters,
T Have a good opinion of your Loyalty, I
doubt not but you know the pretence
for ruine, that of liberty, and dijfolution
of our Government, whereby our peace only
ftands: fome of you I beleeve are ignorant
of the deceit that is in the cunning of
felfe will-workers: if you inquire after
Englands Troubles, her fadneffe, her for-
rowes, her divijions, her Warres, tier
Rapines, her Murders, you will find that
it came from pretence of Liberty; fuch now
is that of Drax, (who as by Letters
appears) is factorfor the Rebells in Eng-
land, and here is to vent his trade of
dijloyalty, Rebellion, and Ruine; and to
cleare this, if you looke upon the late Pe-
tition, there is the height of his charge
of Roguery, net cnely with aparty to
overthrew our slffembly, but impeaching
the judgements of all the IJlanders. Sirs,
pray
[27]
pray take notice, and dreame not, if the
Devi// can performe for you any good, then
expeSl it from thofe Imps of the Devi//,
not otherwife: for my owne part if no
punifhment extend to thefe Traitors, Imuft
to exercife at Armes, to which I dejire
there may be a redinejfe in you all
Vivat Rex. Till the next, farewell.
To the Islanders
Another.
Gentlemen,
T Lately Jaw from England two Letters,
Dated the 19 of September, 1649.
wherein, though I have little Interejl in
Barbadas, farther then peace is preferved,
yet I found much of difcomfort. To be brief,
the subjlance of both was matter offchifme
and divifion, wherein was promifed much
of affijlance from the Parliament, provided
the Independents here could make any divifon
betwixt the Governour and the Kings party ;
but wit hall, that there might not be prefent
hopes
[28]
hopes in regard of Englands troubles,
•which the Letters spoke much of from the
North, James Drax confirmed in the ef-
teeme of the factious party in England,
•who is ordering things anfwerable to the
dejires of his brethren in England: and
now Idejire to put this quejlion, how Drax
can any way benefit this IJland by a Peti-
tion that tends to the breach of the peace;
and whom it is manifejl is engaged to
Englandyor a faithful/agent of Rebellion ?
Gentlemen, pin not your Faith upon other
mens jleeves; I never knew but deJlruSlion
of a Nation was pretence of Liberty, and
to this purpofe I could write much, but I
doubt not of the purpofes of the General/
as to matter of prefent Government and
Loyalty. Let this be an admonition
again]/ the fnare that is laid, that is, not
to owne pretences of piety, where there is
not fo much as the fhadow of Loyalty :
where is Loyalty there cannot but be
piety, but there can be no piety, where there
is no Loyalty. For my particular I am
refolved to hazard my life againjl thefe
Libertines in the behalfe of the King.
Vivat Rex.
M
Another.
To the Gentlemen Cava-
liers by the Planters.
Gentlemen,
^SJ'Ou are men experienced in the World,
and as you well know what truth is,
Jo doubtlefs you are experienced in the
practices of the Enemies of truth; which
in all mifchievous defgnesfo ufe the paint-
ing of pretending Liberty; herein mojl
vijibly is the late appearance of the Type
ofthatfeven-headed Dragon ^Westmin-
ster, Colonel James Drax, as is declared
by a Petition the 23 of Aprill inftant,
1650. me thinks the fad fpeSlacle of
England Jhould not have given over Jo
many to Jo eafe allurements: though 1
know not of any of Piety or Loyalty that
were Subjcribers; yet I wonder Jo deluding
a pretence Jhould prevaile with any,
c Jor
M
for my owne particular I am fo capable
of the devilijh intents of fuch pretenders,
that I fhall be fo far from owning the Pe-
tition, or any thing therein contained, as I
foall thinke my bejl rejl but difquiet, until/
I have jheathed my fword in his Bowells
that firJl began it, unleffe regular power
make an appearance againjl it: and 1
think that without mi/lake my knowledge
amounts to the number of one hundred
friends, of the fame minde; the vilifying of
the Counfell I looke upon as broached in
England, there being to my knowledge Let-
ters came enjoyning many Agents to excite
divifions between the Governour and tliem,
whereby our en/laving may the moreeafily be
facilitated, and therefore Iwifh all with me
would endeavour to vindicate thofe worthies
by whom we have received fo much happi-
nejfe, and labour to profecute to the Terrour
of thofe Injlruments of this evill amongjl
us; for voiding this Affembly the be'ft
truth andfecurejl happineffe is againjl it,
and therefore thofe felfe-feekers that
labour for it, and lam confident without the
appro-
N
IsC.'
[3i]
approbation of the IJland, more then of
Jiich whofe advancements are hoped for
upon Ruines of others. Gentlemen, be of
Courage, our abilities are not wrapt up in
the opinion of any, neither doe we look upon
the late proceedings by way of Petition, as
from the Country, but rather from fuch as
dejire to enfave us all; as Col. Drax,
Midleton, Allyne, &c. Gentlemen, be
comforted, and waite, diflrufl not your
Afjijlance.
V i v a t Rex.
Another.
Gentlemen,
"V7" Ou have had thefowretajle of the event
of the pretence of Liberty in England,
I hope you will prevent an enforced one
here, the Independants have the faculty of
majking underjlanding : let your experience
teach you the contrary to deny the wearing
of it: fure I am, however the late Petition
c 2 went
M
went under a notion of Liberty ; yet let
me tell you, we are not fenfible of truth
from the mouths of thofe friends that pre-
fented them: and to fpeake home, affure
your feIves Piety and Loyalty dwells in our
breajls, and if you will hold up your Lant-
horne, doubt not but we will put in our
Lights; and if you pie afe, Diogenes -like,
feeke towards Colonel Drax to finde out
an honef man. Gentlemen, we under/land
ther's Letters come from England, to move
drvijion betweene you and the Governour,
and if pofjible to ruine you; if you will
appeare, doubt not but our Loyalty will
ajjiji you, for indeed your vertues and the
happineffe we have received by you, engages
us to it. To let you know you have fome
friends fenfible of your parts and worth,
and of the Injuries you have received, I
dare warrant for my poore particular, to
be the leader of five hundred men, at your
Command and occafion, (and I am confident
the befi part of this I/land is well inclined)
IJhall not ceafe to be aBive in your behalfs,
and not infenfible of one we had better hopes
of.
133]
of ExpeSl to hearefrom us to your com-
fort, and as we are bound in duty.
Vivat Rex.
Another.
Gentlemen, *
T T Aving found a Libell disperfed to the
fcandall of the authority now in being,
and undervaluing of the "Judicious of the
whole IJland, as to thsir chiefe of the Af-
fembly, and their concurrence with them
in outcries and exceptions againjl parti-
cular men, of knowne worth and Loyalty,
we could not but proceed to this Declara-
tion,
i. That conformity is the beftjlep and
advance to fecurity, that thofe worthy
Gentlemen that are fcandalized, having
endeavoured thereto, we looke upon as the
bejt helpers to this Common wealth.
2. That whereas imprecations are vented
against Lawyers, (to the renowne of those
Worthies the Waldronds be it spoken)from
them
!"
-
[34]
them is our General! happinejfe derived.
3. That "whereas they are clamorous
againfi the intended (OathJ with feditious
Petitions fpred as from the Generally we
declare the extent of the Oath to all peace-
able being; nothing therein binding further
then to fubmifjion, so the power proceeds
from our Election, and vote of all men, and
Loyalty to our King : That we difclaime
the proceedings of Drax, Middle ton,
Allyne, and the rejl, as moft Seditious
difturbing of our Union and prefent being
in peace, and the mojl horrid foundation of
further intended mifchiefe; as derived and
taken from the practice ofthofe Imps of the
Devill, the devouring Rebells at West-
minster.
5. That we looke upon countenancers of
the late Petitions, as the mojl dangerous
of Enemies, and in the refolution, and of
prefent appearance, unlejfe better fatisfac-
tion, we are refolved to live and dye, to the
comfort of the Loyall.
Vivat Rex.
Here
.
Here we may fee at a diftance, the intentions
and refolutions of the ftudiers of our de-
ftructions; They have long laboured to find
out fome feeming caufe or pretence for a
quarrell, that the chiefeft of them may not
faile of their purpofes, to pay their old debts
by a new device. Waldrond and his aflbciates
being in place of Authority, have a promi-
fing opportunity, & all their time is, and muft
now be imployed to ftirre up the people to
an extremity of zeale to his Majesty; de-
claring his great hopes of their forwardnefle
to shew their Loyalty. That now is the
time to vanquifh the Parliaments friends,
otherwife (if not speedily put in Execution)
themfelves fhould be all routed; he knowing
this to be one way to pay the Creditor, puts
on his mafke of pretended Loyalty, and
forthwith gets company enough. For moft
of the brethren, of his fraternity is more on
the Debter then Creditors side of the book;
and they call up their Caps and cry, heigh
for King Charles! By and by comes a
company, and they are refolved men, and
scorn whifpering, or any thing leffe then
God Damne'm heres a health to King
Charles. Thefe (you may take notice) are
a Gener .tion of young Cavees lately come
over from England; (I doubt fome not
unfent for) and being Heires to great in-
heritances in England, (which is kept
from
[36]
from them by the right owners) pretend all
is sequeftred by the Parliament, and they
having loft that they never had right to
there, intend to make that theirs here, which
was never intended them; well, thefe are
welcome to Waldrond, with a Gentlemen Tle
mount you, fhortly &c. By and by comes
a Troop bravely mounted, and they exceede
thofe formerly fpoken of, for they fweare
God Damne'm they will fheath their Swords
in the hearts of all thofe that will not drink
a health to the Figure of II. and another to
the confufion of- the Independent doggs.
Thefe are likewife welcome to Waldrond,
with A-1 wonder Gentlemen you were not
the firft, having Horfes at Command: But
let us a little examine what thefe are; well,
thefe are a Generation of people called Agents
or Factors for their Matters (the London
Merchants and others) and having out-run
the Constables in England, and run out
their principalls here, refolve to foote it
no longer, but now let the Sugar-mxW ftand,
and their Masters expect returnes; they
will waite on fValdrond, for he is the man from
whom theyexpect honour and preferment, for
by Banijhing the Roundheads, and bidding
defiance to the Parliament, they shall procure
a Proclamaton of Rebellion against them,
which will be a notable excufe for their not
comming home to give their Mafters an
account
[37] v
account there. And if to that purpofe they
fend hither, their fervants are advanced to
place of authority, and their time is fo taken
up about State matters, that they are not at
leafure to draw up accounts.
By this time they have perfwaded the
People (refiding in that part of the Countrey)
that the Independents had a defigne, as afore-
faid, and that they onely were the originalls
of the Petitions to accomplifh the ends
aforefaid; And now the bufinefle begins to
worke very well to their purpofes, fo that
they are ready to give the Allarum; In which
pofture wee will leave them, and come to
fpeake a word or two of the Governour,
who hearing of their continuall motion
amongfl the People, animating them to take
up Armes, not knowing any caufe they had
given them fo to doe; and having had the
experience of the difpofitions of the Wald-
ronds and others, that their Aime was to
difturb the peace of the Countrey for the
accomplifhing of their owne ends, upon the
nine and twentieth day of April 1650. put
forth a Declaration, under his hand, (the
particulars whereof you have at large in the
enfuing Declaration) That no man should
take up any Armes, nor act in any hoftile
manner upon paine of death; but this is
not taken notice of by thofe men, they have
more refpect to their owne ends, then to
any
[38]
any obedience to Government and therefore
must and will proceed. Upon notice given of
their perfeverance herein, the Governour fent
forth particular commiffions to Lieutenant
Colonell Drax, and others, to raife forces for
the prefervation of our peace, which hee found
much threatned by fome turbulent fpirits,
which were very active in labouring to im-
broyle the Inhabitants in an unnaturall War.
By this time thefe men have raifed an Ala-
rum, and are advancing towards the Bridge;
here upon the Governour fends away a
fecond Commiffion to Lieutenant Colonell
Drax, to this purpofe, that he mould ap-
prehend the bodies of the Waldronds (and
their abettors) as fomenters of Rebellion;
upon the sending of this Commiffion the
Governour fends Commiffary Generall John
Parrat, to require Waldronds appearance be-
fore him. And in cafe of refufall to command
his Commiffion from him, the which if he
mould deny to deliver, then to proclaime
him Rebell. Upon the receipt of theGover-
nours Letter, Waldrondgoes along with the
Meflenger, with whom we will leave him, and
come to fpeak of the Governour, who having
received an invitation to dine at the Bridge
that day, (with fome Neighbours accompa-
n i ng him ) rid thi therward; w ho,upon the way,
was met by Colonell Edmund Reade, who then
commanded a Troope of Horse and after the
exchanging
V
.[39]
exchanging some few words with him, wheeles
about, and leaving him, rides with his Troope
towards the Bridge, where ere long the
Governour came, and entered the Houfe,
where fometime himfelfe and Counsell
used to fit. About three or foure houres
after Waldrond came to the Governour, and
prefents himfelfe more like a Saint then a
Rebell, and pleads Not guilty of any inten-
tion of evil in the leaft. In briefe, he was
difcharged at that prefent, upon which he
forthwith repaires to the Army, then upon a
march, from whom the Governour in fhort
time receives Propositions. And wee may
take notice that Waldro .d, who (ere while)
prefented himfelfe a compofure of innocency
it felfe, to the Governour, is now become
the head of the Rebellious Army, for fo we
may juftly call them, in regard they did
not onely take up Armes, without but con-
trary to the Governours command in con-
tempt thereof in the higheft nature. Thefe
Propofitions were prefented the firft of
May, and anfwered the fecond with fome
exceptions, the third of May, the Replies
were made to the Exceptions, and the
Propofitions granted by the Governour,
the particulars of all which is here enfuing,
as followeth, viz.
Certaine
M
Certain Propositions
presented byColonell Hum fry
Waldrond, and Colonell Edmond Reade,
from divers well-affetted to His Ma-
'jejly, with the Governors rejpetiive
Anfwers thereunto, viz.
TMprimis, We are Resolved with our
■*■ Lives and Fortunes, to maintaine
and defend Captaine Phillip Bell to
continue Governour of this Island,
according to our Protestation taken the
last yeare.
Ans. Agreed upon.
2. We desire that Sarjeant Major
Wi'Pam Byam, Major to Colonell Shelly
his Regiment, be presently sent unto
us.
Ans. Granted and performed.
3. That all Independents, and the
other disturbers of the peace of this
Island, may by your Order be presently
disarmed, and their Armes put in
security.
Ans.
[4i]
Ans. To the third, that all Inde-
pendents deciphered unto us by Colonel
Humfrey Waldrond, as non-C'onformiJls
to the ancient difcipline of the Church of
England, ejlablished by A51 of Parlia-
ment ; And all other difturbers of the
peace of this IJland, which have bin de-
clared by him to be fuch as have raifed
any Armes, or acted any hojlil e power
againji this prefent eftablished Govern-
ment, by the Governour and Counjell; /hall
receive my fpeedy command to deliver up
their Arms to the principall Officers of
your Army, your felvesfirjl ingaging for
their fifties, and that no hojlil e AB be
ufed againft them.
4. That the Magazine at the Bridge
be so secured by your Honours advice,
and counsells, as may free it from the
seisure of those knowne disaffected to
His Majesty, and the peace of this
Island.
Ans. To the fourth, It is already done,
and upon my honorable word I will have
a care of it.
Reply. That the Magazine be put
in our trust and guard, untill it can be
disposed
[42]
disposed of, according to the former
Orders of the Assembly.
Ans. This is granted.
5. That those persons be brought
to condigne Punishment, which have
any wayes fought or endeavored to
obstruct the peace of this Island, and
laboured the ruine of those loyally
affected to His Majesty. In order
whereunto we doe desire that twenty
such persons as we shall nominate
(after the grant of these Propositions)
be put into our custody, untill they be
brought unto their legall tryall.
Ans. To the fifth, if thofe twenty
which you defire to be delivered into your
cuftody, fhall upon nomination and orderly
fummons, rejufe to come to a legall tryall,
I [hall ufe my power and your /IJJiftance
to bring them to it.
Reply. The intentions of our desires
that the twenty be presently (by your
sumons) apprehended, and put into our
powers, and that your honor hasten
the calling of the Generall Assembly,
that they may come to their speedy
tryall,
[43]
tryall, because our forces cannot dis-
band till it be effected; But upon our
honours they shall receive no injury,
untill they come to such Tryall.
Ans. It is granted.
6. That our lawfull Soveraigne
[Charles the second) be instantly in a
solemne manner proclaimed King.
Ans. As for the laft, we doe acknow-
ledge our loyalty to our Soveraigne Lord
King Charles the fecond, but for the
prefent, Proclaiming of him according to
your requeft, we conceive it to be of such
confequence, as not to be concluded without
the refult of my self, and the Generall
Affembly, if they approve of it I shall give
my confent.
Reply. The Assembly being called
according to our former Proposition,
wee are content to suspend it.
7. That when the Generall As-
sembly shall dissolve, which we pre-
sume it will do upon reasonable motion;
The new elected Members shall not
be chosen and admitted, but out
of
[44]
of such men as are known well affected
to His Majesty, and are conformable to
the discipline of the Church of Eng-
land, formerly established.
Ans. It is granted.
8. Our intentions and desires are for
an act of oblivion, for the lawfull
Armes we have taken for the defence
of your self and the publick ; And that
an Act of Indemnity passe to all per-
sons that have ingaged with us.
Ans. They are granted.
9. We further desire your Honours
safe conduct to all Officers of what
degree soever, being Members of that
Assembly, for their peaceable comming
and going therein.
Ans. That is granted.
Lastly, if your Honour vouchsafe to
consent, you forthwith please to come
unto us (without any known disaffected
person in your company) and you shall
receive all civill observance, and due
obedience belonging to your Person
and Place.
Performed on both parties.
1 These
V
[43]
These foregoing Proposi-
tions were subscribed
by these Men, whose
Names are here-
under fpecified, viz.
HFnry Shelle. WilliamByam.
Edmund Read. ChrjiopherGill
Humfry Waldrond. John Warr.
Thomas Modiford. Paul Godwin.
Edward Waldrond Thomas Reade.
William Kirton. Charles Harvy.
Benjamin Berringer. Daniel Kendall.
Thomas Ellis. Phillip Miller.
James Browne. Robert Carleton.
We have here a particular of the Pro-
pofitions, and wha' they containe (which is
diverfe particulars) as to have the Indepen-
dents, as they call them, difarmed: the Ma-
gazine delivered up to them, the King
inftantly folemnly proclaimed. Twenty
fuch as they fhall nominate delivered
into their cuftody, to be brought, 'fay
they
[44]
they, to a legall tryall : alfo an Act of
Indemnity for all that have ingaged with
them. In briefe, they will have all power
in their own hands, that they may act all
what they pleafe, the Governour muft ftand
for a cipher if he will not fubfcribe to their
pleafures. If hee will fubmit hee may re-
paire to them, but if hee will not, they have an
Army on foot to force the accomplifhing of
their ends. The Governour loving peace, and
looking upon thefe their fo fuddaine unwar-
rantable Actions, as proceeding from heate
of bloud occafioned by fome falfe informa-
tions, fubfcribes their Proportions not ques-
tioning but upon due deliberation taken, and
both parties being heard fpeak, things would
be moderated, and thofe pretended differences
happily compofed. But alas, the Serpent is
as fubtill as the Dove is harmelefTe; for
after (with their pretences) they had pre-
vailed with the Governour to come to them,
they will have all things as they pleafe ; and
he muft iffue forth his Warrants for the
accomplifhing of their felfe-ends.
Thefe difturbers of our peace, muft and
will have an Act of indemnity ; for (fay
they to the Governour) the lawfull Armes
we have taken for the defence of your
felfe and the publick; if they had said
(for the offence of your felfe and the
publick) they had both fpoke truth
and
[45]
and fenfe, but now they fpeak neither; if
they had beene taken up for the defence of
the Governour and Countrey, then lawfully
taken up ; and if lawfully taken up, what
needs an Act of oblivion and Indemnity ?
but they were taken up contrary to the
Governours expreffe command in his De-
claration put forth upon paine of death, to
force both him and the Countrey to fubmit
to their illegall, and moft horrid proceed-
ings, to the Countries exceeding loffe, hin-
derance and prejudice.
This done, they nominate the twenty men,
mentioned in their Propqfitions whofe Names
we fhall give you by and by, who were,
divers of them, required by a Colonell of
their party, to repaire with him to their
Armies head quarters, who after fome time
being there, were permitted upon their Pa-
roll, to returne to their Habitations, where
wee will leave them till the next fummons,
and give you the relation of a further po-
licy which they acted with as much fallacy
as fubtilty, thus. Waldrond bethinking
himfelfe that whileft hee was active in
rayfing forces, hee had given out that the
Independents were in Armes, intending to
cut them off, and well knowing there were
none in Armes (befides themfelvesjbut onely
thofe that were rayfed by Lieutenant Colo-
nellDrax, by theGovernours especiall Order,
D2 ar.d
'
[46]
and particular Commiffion to that purpofe;
They being but twenty Horse, and betwixt
eighty and a hundred Foote, who had not
acted any thing at all, faving onley the ap-
prehending of one of Waldronds fonnes, who
was with an Officer pofling about to rayfe
Forces for the Armies affiftance. Forthwith
advifes a Colonell of their owne party (whofe
Name we mall omit to infert) to send Order
to his Lieutenant Colonell and Major for
the rayfing of his Regiment, and their ad-
vance to a place by him appointed. This
Colonell (to the end they might bring about
their defigne with applaufe) repaires to the
Governour, and prefents his Regiment at
his fervice as a guard to attend him, who
knowing nothing of their defigne, gives way
to the rayfing of the Regiment, and com-
mand is forthwith fent to the parties afore-
faid ; and by way of private Alarum, the
Souldiers are in Armes, and appeare in their
ufual place of exercife, and from thence
are commanded to march, which they doe,
and as a further expedient for the ac-
complifhing of the defigne intended, it
is given forth by the Officers of the
Regiment, That Waldrond had rayfed
Forces, and furprifed the Governour, and
that their march was for his reliefe.
That night they pitcht their colours in
the Field, expecting in the Morning to
march
[47]
march for the Governours reliefe (as was at
firft pretended they mould) but alas they
are miftaken, inftead of marching they muft
counter-march home every man to his habi-
tation upon paine of death; Waldrond hath
effected his dcfigne, and now his pretence is
that this Regiment was rayfed in oppofition
to him, and therefore are held and deemed
Delinquents and Difturbers of the peace, and
muft be proceeded againft accordingly; And
Forces of Foote and Horse imployed to dif-
arme them forthwith, which was done, and
they left to the cruelty of their flaves, who
were of ability enough to deftroy, and mur-
ther them, had not God in mercy reftrayned
their cruelty.
Having given you the particulars of this
their Device and Invention, we mall returne
to fpeake further of Waldrond and his crue,
who now require the Governour to performe
his ingagement with reference to his fub-
fcribing the Proportions; which begins to be
done, and in order thereunto the twenty
fpoke of formerly in their Propofitions, is fent
for by a Troope of horfe, whofe Names we
fhall give you ere we proceede any further,
which is as followeth, viz.
D 3 Thomas
r
*~T^Homas Mathews
■*■ 'John Klincket.
John Bayes.
Conjlant Silvejler.
Col. Io. Fitz James.
Major William
Forte/cue.
U" Thomas Rous.
L'- John John/on.
Richard Haukins
Thomas Pears.
Chriftofer Lyne.
Samuel Hyat.
Henry Majfey.
Lieut. Col. lames
Drax.
Captaine Thomas
MideIton.
Captaine Renoald
Alyne.
Captaine David
Bix.
Captaine Lewis
Morris.
Captaine Iohn
Hockeridge.
Captaine Peter
Edney.
You may obferve that divers of these
Gentlemen are gone aboard a Ship (ere thefe
are fummoned) not thinking it fafe to ftay the
tryall of any further of their enemies proceed-
ings, rinding their beginning fo unjuft; but
thofe not gone aboard, made their appearance
before the AfTembly, who had drawne up a
charge
[49]
charge againft them: containing matter of
high crime and mifdemeanour, as indeavour-
ing the ruine of thofe loyally affected to His
Majefty; altering the Government of Church
and State (formerly eftablifhed) and bring-
ing in of the Parliaments Authority, with
fome additions, concluding their charge with
this fentence, 'that for thefe their crimes and
offences they Jhould pay one Million of Sugars
fine, and be banifhed the Ifland.
This charge is denied, and the impeached
defire to anfwer to every particular charged
againft them, but this is denied; They f ur-
•ther defire a legall tryall, but this is an-
fwered with, The Army muft be kept a
foote till their tryall was over; which would
be a great charge, and will undoubtedly fall
upon them; others threatning the Army
fhould advance and eate them into better
manners. With thefe and the like expref-
fions they were difcharged, and for that
night committed to a guard, till the next
morning, at which time they were againe
(by order) brought before the Afiembly;
who againft their comming had provided
their Sentence, which was read unto them.
The contents whereof was to pay thefe
feverall fums of Sugar following and to de-
part the Ifland three moneths after, viz.
d 4 Lieut.
.[50]
T Ieut. Colonell Drax, fined
-"-^Capt. Thomas Middleton,
Lieut. Tlwmas Rous,
Lieut. Iohn Iohnfon,
Conjlant Sihejler,
Capt. Iohn Hockeridge, and)
Thomas Pearfe. )
Capt. Renoyald Alyne,
Thomas Mathews,
80000I.
20000L
20000I.
40000I.
iooool.
iooool.
5000I.
5000L
fir The fum is in Sugar. 190000I.
Here you fee the Legall Tryall they fpake
of in their Prepofitions, I queftion not but
the Reader will take notice they are men
that are capable of putting a quick difpatch
to bufinefle; There is no reply to be made
to their Sentence, but it muft be as they have
concluded, and this is the Legall Tryall they
intended, only they have not fined all they
called before them, becaufe they aime at all
they have.
At this their prefent fitting theyproceede
to an Act of extent (as we may call it) but
they call it, viz.
An
[Si]
An Act for the present
and future peace of
the Island,
And for the punifhing of the late dis-
turbers thereof.
TX^Hereas divers /editions, fchifmati-
* " call and factious perfons, incited and
Jlirred up by many falfe fcandalls and
fuggejlions ; fomented and fpread abroad
by the heads of the Independent party,
and others the dijlurbers of the peace, have
put them/elves in Armes and ASled in an
hoftile manner, to the utter ruine of the
Loyall Inhabitants of this IJland, had not
God in his great mercy prevented the fame.
Therefore to ejlablijh the peace of this
IJland for the prefent, and to prevent the
like mi/chief for the future, and punifo-
ment of the perfons aforefaid. Be it
Ordained and Enadted by the unani-
mous confent of the Governour, Counfell
& Gentlemen of the Affembly; that
all
M
all the Independent party, non-confor-
mijls to the antient Difcipline of the
Church of England, and all other Sec-
taries ; and allfuch as have adhered unto
them, in the late endeavour to supprejfe
the reformed Religion formerly EjlabliJhed,
in the Raigne of our late Queene Eliza-
beth ; within the Kingdome of England,
and fuch as are dijloyally affeSled to his
Majefiy, deliver all their Armes and
Ammunition to the next field-Officer of the
Regiment, within ten dayes after publica-
tion hereof And like-wife within three
Months after publication hereof depart this
I/land, and not returne again upon pain of
death, and forfeiture of the Ejlate and
Ejlates of fuch perfon or perfons fo re-
turning, unleffejiich perfon or perfons Jhall
first obtaine licence for the fame from the
Generall Affembly, (for the time being)
or from the Governour and Counfell, if
tfiere be no Affembly ; The faid licence not
to exceede the fpace of three months. And
be it further Enadted by the Authority
aforefaid, that the faid Independent
party, Sectaries, non - conformijls, their
aydorsy
A
[53]
ayders, abettors, nor no perfon that Jhall
be fufpeSled by the AJfembly or Counfell,
(for the time being) Jhall be fuffered to
keepe any armes or Amunition, and this
prefent AJfembly Jliall not diffolve untill
after the expiration of the faid three
Months. And be it further Enacted by
the Authority aforefaid, That the faid
Independent party, Sectaries, non-con-
formifls, their ayders, adherents, Coun-
fellers and abetters, in the late defigne &
Intention, to fupprefs the faid reformed
Religion, and the well affeSled to his
Majefly in this I/land, shall federally pay
for the publick ufe of the Country, (to
fuch trufly perfon or perfons, as by the
Governour and Affembly Jhall be appointed)
for a Fine and Ranfome for their offence
and Delinquency as aforefaid, the full
quantity of fifty pounds of good wel cured
Merchantable mufkovado Sugar,per Aker,
for fuch plantations where there are
Sugar works; And fifty pounds of
Sugar per Aker, for fuch plantations
where there are no Sugar works, or
Commodities to that value, Except thefe
perfons hereafter named, who have
voluntarily
[54]
voluntarily confented to pay thefe fever all
Summs of the like Sugar, hereafter men-
tioned,v'iz. Lieutenant Colonell'James Drax,
eighty thoufand pound : Captaine Thomas
Middleton, twenty thoufand pounds: Lieu-
tenant Thomas Rouse, twenty thoufand
pounds: Lieutenant John Johnson, the
fumme of forty tlioufand pounds: Constant
Silvester, the fumme of five thoufand pounds :
Captaine John Hockeridge, ^WThomas
Pearfe, the fumme of ten thoufand pounds :
Captaine Renoyald Allyne, the fumme of
five thoufand pounds: Thomas Mathews,
the fumme of five thoufand pounds of the
like Sugar.
And except thofe that have no E/lates
in Lands, or are fied aboard Ships, who
are left to the difcretion of the Committee,
chofen and appointed for that purpofe ;
which faid fummes Jhall be imployed for
ameete reward of the Soldiery, defraying
the charges of the Armies quarters, for
provifions fent in from well-afiected per-
fons adjacent thereunto, furnifhing the
Magazineprefent,fortifying the IJland, and
other
[55]
other publick ufes : and if the feverall
Jiimms of goods afore/aid, Jhall not amount
to the fatisfaction and effecting of thefe
ends aforefaid, whereunto they are ap-
pointed to be imployed ; that then the faid
rates upon their Land to be augmented
and advanced according to the difcretion
of the faid Committee. And be it further
Enadted by the Authority aforefaid, that
all and every perfon or perfons of the
Independent party, Sectaries, Non-con-
formijls, their adherents, ayders, Coun-
fellors, or abettors in the defgne, and
invention aforefaid, paying their faid
feverall fines, and fubmitting to their
Bani/hment; Jliall'be hereby pardoned, fully
remitted & difcharged of all the crime
& offence aforesaid, or anything concern-
the fame; And Jhall have and enjoy the
full benefit and profit of their rejpeclive
Eftates that they now have, or hereafter
at any time may have in this IJland,
to be managed by fuch perfon or perfons,
as they Jhall appoint; and the publick
can confide in. It is alio further
Enadled by the Authority aforefaid,
for prefervation and supprejton of all
future
[56]
future infurreSlions, and machinations of
the like nature, It may and JJiall be law-
full for all Colonels in Command, and their
Officers, upon any hojlile attempt of the
aforfaid Independent and malignant party,
to raife their Souldiers in Armes, and to
fuppreffe the fame, and in cafe of refifiance
to purfue the oppojers to death; Alwaies
provided that Colonel John Fitz James,
and Captaine John Maniford are excep-
ted out of this Acl, or any benefit accruing
thereby ; It is further Enadted and Or-
dained, That the particular Officers in
Commiffion of Militia; who have aSfually
taken up Armes againft the publike, be
tryed by a Court Mar/hall, and alfo
Colonell John Fitz James, and Captaine
John Maniford. May then. i650:
Ordered, That this and all other Acts
and Orders of the Gouvernour and Af-
fembly, be hereafter certified under the
hand of the Secretary, to be publifhed
in Philips Parifh.
Henry Goldwell Sec'
The
[57]
The further we proceede in our difcovery
of thefe mens Actions, the more fallacies we
fhall meete withall, If they had faid thefe
Gentlemen formerly fined (being part of the
twenty) had voluntarily and freely promifed
to pay one hundred and ninety pounds of
Sugar, they had spoke fenfe, though not
truth; but they fay confented : now where a
confent is given there muft be fomething
Commanding, requiring or defiring a con-
fent, which being granted, the Act is not
free nor voluntary, but is occafioned either
by force or perfwafion; you have already
heard the moving caufe which is compulfive,
they muft pay thefe Fines, or the Army fhall
eate them into better manners; If this be
not enough, pray take notice of their pro-
ceedings (with the reft) in this their Act,
where they fay exprefly, fhall pay fuch
quantities of Sugars and Tobacco for a Fine
and Ranfome for their offence, and Delin-
quency, &c. Now that thefe they looke
upon as their chiefe oppofers, fhouldbe left to
afreechoyce ofpaying or not paying of Fines;
And thofe that are not in fo high a Nature
lookt upon, is compell'd to it, this we under-
stand not; and that thefe menfhould voluntarily
give away 190000. pounds of Sugar, who-
foever beleeveswill findehimfelf guilty of mif-
taking; but we muft not expect to find either
orderorhoneftyin their proceedings, they are
refolved
[58]
refolved upon the defigne, and it muft and
fhall goe forward right or wrong. They are
still putting falfe names upon their Acts and
proceedings, in their Propofitions they are
requiring an Act of oblivion for their law-
full taking Armes (as they fay) for the de-
fence of the Governour and publick, but it
plainly appears it was for the offence of both;
theyproceede and title this their Act, [an Acl
for the prefervation of the prefent and future
peace of this Ifiand) when experience cries
already aloud in our eares, and tells us, it is
for the (deftrucYion)of the prefent and future
peace of the Ifiand. They add, and for the
puni/hing of the latediflurbers thereof, this they
might moft properly have left out, (them-
felves being the men) whom time and happy
fuccefTe may caufe to be found out without
a Lanthorne and a Candle : Thefe Officers
they nominate to be tryed by a Court Mar-
fhall,are the Commanders of thofe forces now
raifed by the Governours Command; and of
that Regiment raifed by their owne device,
as was formerly hinted in the preceding
part of our difcourfe. This is the fruits
of their firft weeks proceedings, (which
muft be and was publifhed in every Parifh
Church in the Ifiand, for the peopler Satis-
faction, who expect to heare of a plot dif-
covered, in which expectation we will leave
them, and proceed to the next, which
is
fe9] • r
is (by them called) a Commiflion for Com-
positions of Delinquents Eftates.
By the Governour, Coun-
cell, and Assembly:
/^Rdered that Sir Richard Pearse,
Colonel Humfry Waldrond, Lieu-
tenant Colonel Thomas Ellis, Captaine
George Martin, Captine Henry Guy,
Captaine George Standfast, Major Peter
Watson, and Majler John Wadlo, or
any three of them, whereof Colonel Wald-
rond, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ellis,
or Captaine Henry Guy, to be one)
Convene and Jit at the houfe of Majler
John Jobsons at the bridge, three dayes
every weeke, and oftner, if they fee
occajion; For the auditing and receiving
of the accompts of all fuch well - af-
jfeSled perjons, who have fuftained any
damages by quartering the late forces,
or who have contributed to the re-
E liefe
[6o]
liefe and fupply ofprovijions, and to order
payment, as goods fhall be brought in or
levied upon Delinquents EJlates; which
by the /aid Commi(Jioners or any three of
them, (whereof thefaid Colonel Waldrond,
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ellis, or Cap-
taine Henry Guy to be one) is to be
Rated and Affeffed according to the tenour
of an AB of the Governour, Counce /1, and
Afembly, already publifhed; and levie the
fame by dijlreffe and prefent Sale, if not
otherwaies fatisfed ; Tlie fame to be done
byfuch perfon or perfons as the faid Com-
mifjioners or any three of them, (whereof
the faid Colonel Waldrond, Lieutenant
Colonel Ellis, or Captaine Guy to be one J
Jhall appoint, giving and allowing themrea-
fonable fallariesfor the fame out of the said
Affeffments; and where they fhall finde oc-
cafionto Rate andAffeffe higher or lower then
is mentioned in the faid A£l; and if the
party Delinquent will not fubmit to it,, the
fame to be referred to the Affembly; Power is
here likewife given to the faid Commiflioners
or any three of them, (whereof Colonel Wal-
drond,
[6i]
drond, Lieutenant Colonel Ellis, or Cap-
taine Henry Guy to be one) to Sequejler any
Delinquents EJlates or goods that are gone
away off the IJland, and the fame put in
fuchfafe hands, that the pub lie ke may be
anfwered of the maine profts and proceede
thereof. Further they are hereby enabled to
receive the faid Ajfeffments and prof ts of
Sequestrations, and to take account of the
charges of the Army, and makefatisfaction
according to the Act, and to receive allfuch
debts as are any waies due to the said De-
linquents. And if the Efates of the faid
Independents (by yearely revenue cannot
in refonable time defray the faid Ajfeff-
ments and fatisfie their jufi debts; The
aforefaid Commiffioners or any three of
them have hereby full power and authority,
to fell or otherwaies difpofe oft he Delinquents
EJlates both perfonall, andreall to defray
the fame; having refpeSl to the Wives and
Children of Juch the faid Independents
which are in this If and; and in what-
foever claufe or thing herein exprejl, the
power intended to be granted is not fully
E2 given;
.C62]
given; the fame is left to their judgements
and difcretions, or any three of them,
(whereof the faid Colonel Waldrond,
Lieutenant Colonel Ellis, or Captaine
Henry Guy to be one Jhallfeeme good, and
conduce to the end of orefaid;
To be published in Philips-Parish,
May 23. i650.
H: Goldivell Sec'
You here fee the great care they take for
an exact proceeding and clofe carrying on
of their defigne, and having begot a beliefe
in the people of their owne Faction, that the
aforefaid plot (fathered upon the Indepen-
dents) was a most horrid plot, and would un-
doubtedly have beene broughtabout, had not
their wifdomes difcovered and prevented it;
with this Siren song they have lull'd the
poore People faft afleepe, and fo leave them,
and proceed to the further putting off their
defignes in execution, to which purpofe (as
here you fee) they have drawne up a very
large Commiffion for the Levying of Fines
upon mens Eftates, higher or lower, at
their pleafure, and to make Sale thereof, if
the Fines they impofe be not fatisfied ac-
cording
"
[63]
cording to their Order and Commands.
But not a word now of a Legall tryall, such
proceedings are out of date with them,
and now Will and Power is all in fafhion : In
their firft Act they are pleafed to give us leave
to enjoy (or rather looke upon our Eftates
whilft they enjoy them) for the space of
three months next enfuing; But here is
new news a comming by and by, you muft
not expect any (acting by such principles
as they doe) but be reall in any thing but
fallacies* plentifully indued, with which we
will leave them, and a litle take notice of the
people, who generall begin to be weary with
fleeping, and now grow sick of an expecta-
tion, wondering there is no further dis-
covery made of this Independents plot fo
long difcourft of, and hearing of the great
Fines and Banifhment impofed upon them
without any Legall tryall in the face of the
Country as was expected, they begin to
whifper somewhat loud, and to expoftulate
the bufinefle thus ; That if \hzk Independents
(as they call them) were guilty of fo horrid
a plot as they had given out they were, why
were they not profecuted in law, and pun-
ched according to the nature of their fo
heinous offence ? But if they had not of-
fended inthatnature, why weretheyfo highly
Fined, (and Bammed) notknowingforwhat?
Further alledging that these men fo fined and
e 3 Bani filed,
r
[64]-
Banifhed, had (the mcft of them) lived a long
time inthe Ifland, many of themhaving beene
men of Eminency in place of Authority, and
had ever laboured and endevoured to fet
defignes a foote for the good and benefit of
the Ifland; That they were (generally)
men of good Eftates.in the Ifland, and hav-
ing fo long beene Studiers of peace, it did not
found well that they fliould now be difturbers
of the fame, further confidering that Waldrond
and his adherents were men but newly ad-
vanced to place of Authority, and befides
men of no fortunes there, onely had thruft
themfelves into Plantations; which as yet
more properly appertained to others then
themfelves; That they had deluded them
by pretending the Independents were in
Armes, intending their surprifall and Ruine.
That being advanced very neere them they
found it not fo, but to the contrary none
were in Armes but by the Govef nours order,
and who had upon his Command difbanded
and the like, upon these and the like
confiderations; The Soldiery Petitioned
to be difbanded, feeing none was found
in any such pofture as was pretended to
them. Waldrond and his abettors, finding the
people begin to grow fenfible, and by their
difcourfe had together to sift out the truth
of the bufinefle: Theymuft take counfell to-
gether, whatis belt, to be done to prevent the
peoples
[65]
peoples any further being privie to the myf-
tery of their iniquity; and finding no way of
conveniency but one, they conclude to hal-
ten the departure of thofe they purpofed to
Banifh, which they proceede in, and per-
forme, under the pretence that keeping of
forces a foote was very chargeable to the
Country. Now what neede there was for
keeping of forces a foote, (seeing they had
difarmed all they pleafed) we fhall leave to
the judicious to confider of; and proceede
to the Act for prefent banifhment, it being
as followeth.
By the Governour and Gentlemen of
the Assembly, the 23. day of May,
Anno. i650.
AX^Hereas by a Statute lately Enabled
andpubltfhed within this Ifland, it was
declared that all Independents, Non confor-
mifts to the DocJrine and Difcipline of the
Church of England, and others their Aydors,
and abettors, in the difturbance of the peace of
this Ifland, fhould befides their Fines depart
from hence within three Months after the pub-
lication ; And that till then the Guards of
Horfe and Foote were Ordered to be kept for
the fecurity of the Ifland, in foure feveral
14 places.
[66]
places of the fame, which Guards are
fince found to-be a matter of great charge,
and to bring many other great Inconveniences
to the Inhabitants. It is therefore Ordered
hereby, that for thefpeedy freeing of the
Country from their aforefaid great charges and
feares. 'Thatfuch oft-hefaid Independents
(and their adherents) as are hereafter nom-
inated fhall depart this IJland, on or before
the fecond day of July now next enfuing,
under paine of Confifcation of their whole
Eftates, and incurring the further cenfure of
the Governour and Counfell. - And it is fur-
ther Ordered, that Captaine John Maniford,
Captaine George Briggs, Captaine Robert
Houper, Captaine John Hokeridge, Cap-
tame Henry Ferris, and all other adherents
to the late dtjlurbers of the peace of this IJland,
who have CommiJJions either Mar/hall, or
Civill, forthwith bring them in to the Commif-
fioners of Examination at Mafter John Job-
sons Houfe to be cancelled, and Atl no more
by vertue thereof; And that whofoever of
thefaid Delinquents (or their adherents) fhall
after notice hereof be found to weare any
weapon or Armes offenfive, Jhall forthwith by
any Officer Civill or Marjhatl, (or by any Autho-
rity derivedfromthem) be difarmed and Com-
mitted to cu]lody,untill he be sent off the IJland.
To be publifhed in Philips Parifh
Henry Goldwell.
[67]
The Names of the De-
LINQVENTS.
In Peters
and All Saints
Parish.
^XTllliam Garrit.
* Rich. Ormond.
Robart Clark,
lohn Wood,
lohn Nokes.
lames Clinkett, and
his Wife.
Thomas Miller.
'Thomas Bennit.
Thomas Martin.
William Gibbs.
Captaine Nathaniel
Stark.
In Andrew
Over-Hills
Parish.
TTUgh Lemmon.
■*■ -■■ lohn Clincket,
and his Wife.
lohn Parr is.
Humfrey Waterman
William Mar/hall,
and his Wife.
Iojias Gardiner.
Capt. lamesFutter.
lohn Thurburne.
Adam Morgan.
Thomas Wall,
Merchant.
In
[68]
In Phillips
Parish.
A Ndrew Walm-
A Jley.
Capt.Rich.Sanders.
lames Curtis.
Nicholas Fofier.
Iohn Lea.
Lieut.Miles Br ath-
wart.
William Evans.
Lieutenant Francis
Whitfield.
Robert Pike.
Thomas Perkins,
Chirurgion.
Captaine Renoald
Alline.
Martin Linton.
Martin Bently.
Lieut. Iohnlohnfon.
Lieutenant Thomas
Roufe.
In Georges
Parish.
T?Rancis Reaines,
*■ and his Wife.
Iohn Faune, Esq.
Iohn Bonner.
Thomas Parker.
Henry Thrall.
Captaine Thomas
Midelton.
LieutenantColonel
lames Drax.
Conjlant Sihejler.
lames White.
George Frye.
In Iames, and
THOMAS
Parishes.
T
kins.
Homas Smith.
NathanielJVat-
Nicho-
[69]
Nicholas Simmons.
Morgan Powell.
Iohn Bonner, Chir.
Iohn Dorrill.
Thomas Ratfey.
Thomas Nowell.
Thomas Pearfe.
Captaine Edward
Thompfon.
Francis Deane.
Thomas Mathews.
Iohn Lake.
Rodger Collumbell.
Serjant Major
Oufley.
Samuel Hall,
lames Teague.
William Banejler.
Walter War.
lojias Verin.
Harris, dwelling
with Bonner the
Chir.
George Balle.
Iohn Lownes.
Iohn Aldredy.
Prat 2l Carpenter.
Giles Lorance..
In Iohns
Parish.
TOhn Howlder.
*■ Iohn Tot.
George Fo/ler.
Peter Garrit.
Mistris Pyard.
In Michaels
Parish.
A Nthony Laine.
-*■*■ Samuel Clark.
Captaine Iohn Ma-
niford.
Nicholas Butler.
Iohn Redman.
Chrijlopher Line.
Daniel Kempe.
Captaine Howell
Morris.
Ro-
[70]
Roger Hogburne.
Thomas Brorwi2mg.
In C'hrist-
Church Parish.
"H Ichard" Berry.
A Lieu. Chrif-
tian Broukhaven.
Iohn Berre.
Iarves Wiber.
Ieremy Deacon.
Lieutenant Thomas
Hackelton.
*
This Aft being (by their Order) pub-
lifhed, in fo farre from giving the People
satisfaction, that it rather begets further
jealoufies; for they looke upon this Act as
the conclufion of the bufinefs, and that now
it is in vaine for them to expecl: any further
or other proceedings, but that all is meerely
done under a pretence to bring defignes
about for the accomplishing of their owne
private ends. This doth not a little trouble
thefe npw modelFd States men, to see that
the People begin more and more to difcover
them; And therefore they conclude (once
more) to make a mow of doing fomething
to the purpofe, and therefore a Commiflion
is forthwith drawne up for certaine particu-
lar men therein nominated; for the fitting
and fummoning in of such of the Countrey,
as they shall thinke fit, to fee if poflibly
they
[7i]
they could fright fome (children-like) to fay
after them, that fo if poffibly they might
pick up fome thing or other to charge us
withall, that might be futeable to their
fcandalous Libelk and forgeries, which they
have unjuftly charged us withall, in their
Acts and Declarations formerly by their
Order pubjilhed.
'The Commiffion followeth, viz.
By the Governour,
Councell and Assembly :
A Commission for the
Examination of Witnesses;
Concerning the late Difturbers of the
Peace of this Ifland.
QRDERED, That Col. Thomas
^^ Modiford, Edward Waldrond,
Esq. Mr. Francis Williams, Captaine
John Higinbotham, Captaine Jabez
Whitticar, Lieutenant Colonell James
Browne
[72]
Browne, and Majler Nicholas Ed-
wards, or any three of them {whereof the
faid Colonell Modyford, Edward Wald-
rond Efquire, or Captaine Jabez Whit-
icar to be one) convene and fit three days
every weeke {or oftner if they fee occajion)
at the Houfe of Majler John Jobson at
the bridge; and to adminijier {Oath) to
any perfon or perfons, whom they shall
thinkeft, For the discovery of the late
Disturbers of the Peace of this Island;
And to commit to prifon fuch perfon or
perfons, as they in their judgments shall
thinkeft to deferve it: And it is further
Ordered, and the faid Commifjioners or
any three of them {whereof Col. Thomas
Modiford, Edward Waldrond, Efquire,
or Majler Francis Williams, to be one,
have hereby full power and authority, by
Warrant {or otherwayes,) Tofummon any
perfon or perfons whatfoever to appeare
before them, to give in their evidence and
tefimony about the Premijfes, and to
punijh the refufers, and contemners as they
in their difcretions Jhall thinkeft, accord-
ing
' [73]
ing to the nature of the contempt. Aljo the
Commfjioners for Compofitions are ordered
to pay the Meffengers, and Clarkes im-
ployed, or that Jhall be imployed in the
Execution of this Order and Commiffion,
and defray the charges for the diet of the
/aid Commfjioners, who, or any three of
them (whereby Colonell Thomas Modi-
ford, Edward Waldrond Efquire, or
Mafler Francis Williams to be one) have
hereby full power and authority to a5i, and
doe all things requifte,for the Discovery
of the faid Disturbers, as to them /hall
feeme good and conducing to the ends
aforefaid.
H. Goldwell. Seer.
May 23.
i650.
You may take notice of their former Acts
for Fines and banishment, wherein they have
proceeded fo far, that they have nominated
every particular man they aime at, and have
prefixed an abfolute day by which they are to
depart, under the penalty of forfeiting all their
whole Eftates; but this all is not all the all they
have
r
[74]
have to fay, for we muft undergoe a further
cenfure of the Governour, Counfell, and Af-
fembly; doubtlefle they will now have our
Li ves, for our Eftates are already gone, and yet
a further cenfure is to pafle upon us. If we
will not be gone by the second oijuly, and
leave our eftates to be managed by fuch as
they can confide in; whether any fhips will
carry us or not, gone we muft be, and no
queftion fhould, to our long home, had not
the providence of God otherwayes provided
for us.
You have feene their proceedings in their
former Declarations, and Commiflions (be-
fore this laft) wherein they accufe feverall per-
fons of being Sectaries, Non-conformists, Dif-
turbers of their peace, and the like : you finde
them fining and banifhing men under thefe
pretences, and by thefe Fines and Banifh-
ments to put an end to that bufinefle. But
you may pleafe to take notice, that after all
this is done they grant a Commiffion to fuch
and fuch men, to call before them fuch per-
form as they fhall thinke fit, For the difcovery
of the late Difturbers of the Peace of this lf-
land. Firft, they Fine men (naming them)
which they Fine and banifh as Difturbers
of the peace, and then grant a Commif-
fion for the examining of Witneffes, and
to doe all things requifite for the dif-
covery of the faid Difturbers, pleife but
to
[75]
to view their Commiffion, and there you
fhall finde the exprefle words of it; which
prefent you with an admirable (we will not
fay excellent) piece of injuftice. This is ab-
folutely to hang men, and then fit and judge
them ; But Waldrond' wants hot an excufe
for this, he hath not ferved an Apprenti-
fhip for nothing, he can father this illegiti-
mate upon the Clarke, as his brother did the
nonfence in the Act and Oath; and tell you
it was granted for a further difcovering of
the intended plot, the Independents had
again ft them; or the difcovery of a greater
number of perfons, that thereby their fummes
of Sugars might be augmented. And this
wee are fubject to believe, for fome of them-
felves have boafted that their defignewas for
Sugar, of which (by the courfe they have
taken) they are in a great poffibility to be
mafters of vaft fiims, for we are banifhed,
and muft not leave any to act for us, but
fuch as they can confide in ; so that in plaine
englifh, they have granted this laft Commif-
fion to blinde the Countrey, and to deprive
us of all, for in their whole difcourfe they
cry for nothing lefie than all, all, all; ac-
cording to the tenor of the Commiffion
(last mentioned) the Commiflioners fit,
and call before them fuch perfons as
they know are fit fubje&s for them to worke
upon.
f Firft,
[76]
Firft, adminiftring the Oath Ex officio;
and then, having nothing elfe to difcourfe of
examine them who it was that told them
that the Act and Oath did intrench upon
their Liberties ? and who it was that brought
the Petition to them ? Perfwading them that
the Independents were the originalls of it;
and further, that they admired they would
feeme to have any hand in fubfcribing a
Petition with them, feeing they were Here-
ticks ; And had murthered their Gracious
dread Soveraigne Lord King Charles, and
had banifhed his Sons, the now Charles
the fecond, and his Brother the Duke
of Torke, and moft miferably ruined the
moil Glorious Kingdom (one of them) in
the World.
That their Religion let them to fuch
actions, and therefore they muft beware
how they had a hand with them in any of
their proceedings.
Then fpeakes another of that Fraternity
and declares that the man (now in queftion
before them) was his acquaintance, and had
beene many years. That hee had borne
office in the Church, and was very zealoufly
affected that way: and never knowne to ufe
the company of any Heretick or Sectaries,
with any affection to their wayes. ,
Then another Brother he makes reply, that
he heard a very good report of him, and that
he
X
[77]
he was perfwaded the man had not willingly
fubfcribed the Petition, but was meerely
drawn in by thefe fubtill Sectaries. Then
Sir John fubject to the times, viz. one
of the Burgeffes of the Parifh, he begins to
declare himfelfe to the great vindication
of his Parifhioners, affuring them that
undoubtedly he was animated to it by
others : for himfelfe was a man fubject to
yeeld all due obedience to authority, and
was never knowne to be guilty of any fuch
thing before, craving their pardon for him,
undertaking that he fhall never offend in
the like kinde any more; by this time
they have difcourft old Jeremy into a pale
countenance, and a wondering what will
become of him at laft; but whileft he is
betwixt hope and defpaire, the head of the
combined Faction begins to recrute his
routed fences, by telling him that all the
Gentlemen there had a good opinion of him,
and for that caufe they would for this
offence omit fining him, in regard they had
fuch a good relation of him, advertifing
him to avoide bringing himfelfe into the
like Premunire for the future. That he
might fee what mifery the Independents had
brought upon themfelves by not fubmitting
to them, advifing him to take example at
them, and learne not to oppofe nor queftion
the actions of men in authority, &c.
f 2 This
[73]
This poore foule goes away very thankfull,
apprehending their clemency hath extended
wonderfully towards him, and having efcaped
once, refolves that Balaams Affe mall re-
maine alone upon Record for complaining
of his Matters cruelty towards him ; as for
his part he will be an Aflembly mans Affe
to ride upon while he lives, ere he will be
fo frighted againe. Thus they fright poore
fimple Creatures into any thing they will
have them to be or fay. Now we muft
take notice that whileft thefe Commiffioners
are fitting, and examining fuch as they fee
convenient for their purpofes; There is
another Generation, viz., the Commiffioners
for Compofitions of Delinquents eftates, (as
their brethren title themin their CommifTion)
they fit under the fame roofe, and their
bufinefle is to fummon all thofe that are
nominated to be banifhed. And (becaufe the
Countrey fhall thinke they will at laft doe
fomething) Warrants are publifhed in every
Parifh-Church, (to this purpofe) that all
fuch perfons as are appointed to depart
the Ifland, make their perfonall appear-
ance before the Commiflioners at the
/Wra#-Bridge on fuch a day; and for
the further perfwading the people into
ignorance, the Commiffioners for examina-
tion, iflue forth their Warrants to the
Conftables of every Parifli, to fummon all
thote
[79]
thofe that fubfcribed the Petition (that were
not ordered to depart the Ifland) to make
their appearance at the Houfe of Matter
John Job/ons at the Indian Bridge, and there
give their attendance, and not depart till they
have licence from the faid Commiffioners so
to do. Well, now the Countrey is pofleft
with a new faith, and have a ftrong beliefe,
that now at laft this plot will be difcovered,
and their long expectations fhall now be
accomplifhed; But alas poore foules!
they are as farre from the marke as ever
they were, and are meerely drawne into a
fooles paradice, for there is a plot found
out, but not that they expected. The
Commiffioners for Compofitions doe (in-
fteed of bringing men to a legall Tryall)
take a Lift ot mens Lands, and under them
to bring in their fines according to their
firft Act made and publifhed to that purpofe.
In plaine Englifh, giving them to under-
stand, that if they were not very quick in
bringing in their Fines, they would take
it by way of ftraint, or otherwayes make
fale of their Eftates according to the
tenor of their Commiffion ; this and onely
this is their whole and onely bufineffe:
and as for their brethren (the Commif-
fioners for Examination) they proceede as
hath beene faid, calling the Inhabitants of one
Pariih (this weeke) and the Inhabitants or
F 3 the
[8o]
the next Parifh the next weeke, and fo divers
weekes are fpent in deferring of time till
the Fines were gathered in, and the time
expired that the banifhed had to ftay, and
if jhey could but blindefold the People till
then, all would be well. All this time their
Troops of Horfe are riding about the Coun-
trey, and thofe Cavees we formerly fpoke of,
are now mounted indeed, upon the choiceft
Horfes in the Countrey, and if they are not
well mounted to day, to morrow they ■will
be, for all the Horfes the Independents have,
are, (nay muft, fhall be at their fervice) and
no oppofition muft be made againft them,
for they have an Act of oblivion, and In-
demnity already past for what they had, or
fhould doe whileft they were in Armes.
Thefe are now the Lords of the Land,
and command what they pleafe, quartering
one while at one Plantation, and another
while at another, deftroying and confuming
the choyceft Provifions the Countrey doth
afford : and all too little to give them con-
tent, but muft and doe receive from them all
the incivill and abufive language they can
devife ; And this all done to perfwade the
People that the plot begins to be difcovered,
and was dangerous, that notwithftanding we
were all long before difarmed, yet they
durft not difcharge their forces of Horfe,
for feare of fome treachery: with thefe
pretences
[8i]
pretences they have anew befotted and
blinded the People, hoping fo to keepe them
till we were gone, and then the worke would
be finifhed.
But whileft they feede themfelves with
thefe hopes, the people begin to awake from
their long dreame of expectation, and con-
fider with themfelves what the event of all
this would be at laft; They likewife take
into ferious confederation thefe Peoples
grofle abufes they put upon us, and how con-
trary to all reafon they kept their Forces of
Horfe ftill up, to the great prejudice of the
Countrey, and that a great uprore had beene
raifed in the Countrey to the Inhabitants
great difquiet, and all under pretence of that
which in all this time they had not in the
leaft made appeare. That it appeared to
them that they had a defigne to fet up them-
felves and their adherents, and to make that
Ifland a receptacle for men of their owne
spirits: intending the ruine of all thofe that
ihould oppofe them ; fo that now it did
concerne all men to looke about them,
and if poffible (to the utmoft of their
powers) labour the prevention of what
was like to fall upon them in generall.
Thefe confiderations caufe many People
(though Cavaliers) to murmur at their pro-
ceedings : infomuch that fome of them
were queftioned, and lookt upon as ad-
F4 herents
m
herents to and favourers of the Independents
(as they call them.) This fire being kin-
dled would not be fo fpeedily quenched, but
they refolve (in fome meafure) to make the
grandees acquainted with their thoughts
concerning their proceedings, and to that
purpofe, being at a Feaft (which at prefent
is the greateft of their imployments.) The
twelfth day of Iune, i650. the Captaines of
their Army being likewife invited with them,
made repaire into the roome where they
were, and expreft themfelves unto them to
this purpofe; That they heard there were
great difcontents in the Countrey occafioned
by their fo harfh dealing with the Indepen-
dents, fearing that thereby Trade might be
obftructed, which would be the certaine
ruine of the Countrey; and that by their
bidding defiance to the Parliament, (in fo
high a nature) they fhould be proclaimed
Rebellsto their nativeCountrey,and deprived
of all their faire & free corefpondency, which
they had fo long enjoyed; That when they
commanded them in Armes they pretended
ir was onely to fhow their loyalty, and
forwardneffe to and for His Majefty;
And further that a plot was pretended
to them that the Independents had to
deltroy all the loyally affected to His
Majefty, which as yet had not appeared
according to expectation, with divers
the
[83]
the like expreffions, defiring them that fuch
a compofure might be made of all differ-
ences betwixt them, and thofe rhey had ac-
cufed, that a finall destruction and perpetuall
ruine might not enfue, which was much
feared by divers the Inhabitants of that
Ifland.
Thefe difcontents of the People they feeme
to remove, with incouraging them, that
they needed not suffer their thoughts to be
pofTeft with any fuch thing, as that the
Parliament would take notice of their pro-
ceedings againft them, alledging, they had
their hands full otherwayes, that if it were
not fo, they might fix their eye upon Vir-
ginia, Bermoudas, and the like, who had
fhown them a prefident for what they did;
and yet the Parliament had not once taken
notice of it; That they would find wayes of
protection, viz. by the Hollanders, fo that
they neither did, nor would, neither had
caufe, to mind the Parliament, nor what
they would, or could doe to them, with
divers fleighting expreffions, and contume-
lious words to the fame effect.
These expreffions (however fmoothed up,
and feemingly taken no notice of to the eye
of the People) yet notwithftanding is Gall and
Vineger, bitter unto them ; now they appre-
hend the myftery of their iniquity begins to be
difcovered through the thin vaile of their pre-
tences,
P4]
tences, and Simeon accuses Levi of the fame
iniquity he himfelfe is guilty of; So that now"
or never they muft fave their credits with
the People, who begin to be jealous of them ;
and the more becaufe their Generall Wald-
rond his Mafke of pretended loyalty is grown
fo thredbare, that the face of covetousnefTe
appears through it moft apparently : the ap-
pearance of which frights the People out of
a good opinion of them into a bad, and there-
fore with all expedition something or other
muft be done: to which purpofe, having
nothing elfe to helpe themfelves withall,
they make this infuing pretence, and publifh
it, concluding that they wil at laft satisfie
the Peoples expectations, and their own
lufts at once.
By the A ssembly, the 13. of
yune^ 1650
"\X7Hereas the perfons hereafter named,
and others, have bin cenfured to de-
part this IJland, have made ufe of the
favour given them bythe Generall A fembly
in
[85]
in- their freedom and liberty hitherto al-
lowed them, to no other purpofe but to
travell from place to place to ajfert their
own innocency, and the opprefjion of the
Generall Affembly in the punijhing of
them, which Jhall upon their Try allappeare
to the whole World to the contrary, which
Jhall with as much fpeed as may be poffible
be profecuted againft them. And they
have ufed likewife many feditious and
fcandalous fpeeches, to Jlir up many good
People to ingage with tltem, anddifcontents
His Majejlies Subjects in this IJland, by
telling them we have loft our Trade with
England, and impudently affirming the
Generall Affembly are ajhamed of what
they have done; And that none of them
(hall be baniPied, but that all banifhment
and order againf them Jhall be repealed,
of all which good proof in due time Jhall
be made, to their further Jhame andpunijh-
ment ;' And alfo to fatisfie His Majejlies
loving Subjects, who have refented the li-
centioufnejje of thefe mens tongues famili-
arly apparent in all parts of this IJland.
Be
[86]
Be it therefore Ordered, That Lieu-
tenant Colonell James Drax, Capt.
Thomas Midelton, Captaine Renoyald
Aline, Majler Edward Thompson,
Majler Constant Silvester, Lieutenant
Thomas Rouse, Lieut. John Johnson,
Majler Thomas Perkins, and Majler
Christopher Lyne, be committedprifoners
to the Houfe and Plantation of the faid
Lieutenant Colonell James Drax; whither
they are to repaire on Munday next enjuing,
and there to remaine untill they be duly de-
liveredbythe Order of the GenerallAffembly,
and not to depart thence in the meane time
without Licence of two Jujlices of the
Peace, or the Summons of the fudge of a
Court, to which upon any juft occafion
their attendance may be required, and that
in their fafe keeping, Colonell Waldrond,
and Colonell Modiford, are hereby defred
to raife a Guard of eighteene Mujketeers
commanded by an Officer in CommiJJion,
according to Marfja/l Difcipline untill
the faid Guard jhall by the Order of the\
Generall Ajfembly, bee discharged, and
the
[87]
the fame to be maintained at the charge of
the perfons above named.
And be it further Ordered, That
all other the /aid perfons nominated to goe
off this I/land, be confined to their Houfes
and Plantations, and not to depart from
thence untill the time appointed for their
departure be accomplijhed, upon paine of
forfeiting all their whole Ejlates, unleffe
upon any fuch departure, they have a
Licenfe under the Hand of the two next
fujiices of the Peace, or Warrant from
the Judge of a Court, who are hereby
authorized upon any extraordinary occa-
fion, to grant the fame, and not other-
wayes.
H. GOVLDWELL.
Secretary.
Thefe men want not of refolution to
carry on their defigne, they Banifh us from
all thats deare unto us, (that they can
Banifh us from) and yet they will have us
acknowledge they have dealt very favour-
ably with us ; They charge us with Impu-
dence, but it is Shimeis difpofition to raile,
and therefore we will pafle it by as an
Im-
X
[88]
Imperfection in him, and onely take notice
that their proceedings are carried on with con-
fidence in the beft nature; charging us with
moft palpable untruths, in all their Declara-
tions, and who fo will but take notice of them,
fhall find them fathering all manner of for-
geries upon us. They charge us with going
from place to place to ftir up the people to fide
with us, accufing us of reporting they were
afhamed of what they had done, which thing
is moft falfe. But this we conclude, that if
thefpiritof grace werefoprevalentwith them,
as the fpirit of deceit and falshood is, they
would and juftly might be afhamed of that
way they have founjuftly and pernicioufly pro-
ceeded in ; But it fares with them as with the
Bankrout, when feeing he is over-shoos,steps
further into the deepe of a defperate condition,
and concludes it cannot be worfe then, it
is; Thefe men have decreed a wicked decree
to ruine men, their Wives and Children to
perpetuity, to advance themfelves and theirs,
and the Serpent that perfwaded them to begin
it (as yet) failes them not, but prefles them
on to effect the bufinefs they have begun;
And to that purpofe fits them with new
supplies of falfe and fcandalous suggeftions,
fathering the difcovery of all their mif-
chievous actions upon us, when all that
are not wilfully blind may run and
reade them. It is worthy the taking no-
tice
v
[»9]
rice of, how this potion (given them by their
owne party) works, It inflames the blood, of-
fends the ftomach, difturbs the braine in fo
high a nature, that they are no better then
meerely mad ; and feeing their defignes dis-
covered (ere it was totally effected) they are
now refolved that as the Father of lies hath
(hewed them the way, they will with all dili-
gence proceede anc^ finilh a bloudy Tragedy,
(if God by his providence doe not gratioufly
prevent it;) And being brought to their laft
fhiftjthey will notlooke upon any thing as an
obftacle in their way, but lives as well as Es-
tates fhall goe to fatisfie their lufts. It was the
exprefle words of Colonel T. M. (one that
is no fmall man amongft them) to one of
our friends, that if he acted fo high in the
bufinefie as the Waldronds did, he would
hang good ftore of us, and by that means
engage the Country in the quarrell; So
that the Country (if any opposition came)
being as deeply engaged as themfelves,
might stand by them : You .may ap-
parently fee what their Intentions are, by
this their Act of Imprifoning and confining
men ; for feeing the Country will not have
a good opinion of them, they will endeavour
to procure it though by bloud, which
they may easily doe, by picking out fuch
a fort of men for Juries as they know are
of their owne temper, and will not faile to
' , accompli (h
M
accomplifh their defignes for them, to the ut-
moft of their defires, in hopes of being ad-
vanced (by them) to places of Honour and
Eminency ; The confideration of thefe their
utmoftandunparalleld proceedings againft us,
their variable proceedings in Acting,and re-
acting, in their Proclaiming and Anti-pro-
claiming of this, and that, one thing this day,
and another the next, argues them to be double
minded men, and unftable in all their waies;
making Lies the original 1 of this their utmoft
quarrell,and their refuge in all their proceed-
ings; and therefore fo many of us as had any
conveniency or opportunity, thought it more
fafe to submit to their former Acts of Banifh-
ment, then to stand to what might ensue,
knowing their wills to be their Law, and
having forces on foote to compell their wills
to be Executed, there remains fmdl hopes
of any juftice in their proceedings: and fur-
ther, we hadcertaine Intelligence from fome
that Act with them, (though unwillingly)
onely for the prefervation of their Eftares,
That they were refolved upon the bufinefle;
and their refolution was to Condemne fo
many men, by vertue of which Condemna-
tion their Eftates would be confifcated;
(which is the onely thing they aime
at) this being done as they fee occafion,
they would Reprieve fome, or it might
be moft of them, upon acknowledging
of
[9I]
of their proceedings to be juft, and they mer-
cifull men; If any feeme to be faithlefte in the
bejiefe of this thing, in regard it is of fo high
and horrid a nature, that men mould afore-
hand determine of proceedings in this nature,
we mail cleare it by good & perfect Tefti-
mony. But that will not neede, for we reft
confident, wofull experience hath made it
manifeft ere this time, upon our friends left
behind us; if the wifdome and providence of
God doe not gratiously prevent them, by put-
ting a hookeinto their Noftrils, as many times
he doth, whereby he reftrains the Rage of un-
godly, cruell, & bloudy minded men.
This (courteous Reader) as briefely as with
conveniency we could, you have the true and
perfect relation of all their proceedings, of
which if thou doft but take a ferious view,
(with the eye of impartiality) thou wilt find
them (whilft charging us with a plot againft
them) raoft plainly plotting, complotting, and
conspiring firft againft us forour Eftates, and
now at laft for our lives; we fhall now pro-
ceede to a Declaration, wherein we fhall not
aftert any thing but truth it felfe, which we
declare and affirmetoGod and the world, (be-
ingwell aftured that we muft give an account
thereof, as well as of all other our words
and actions at the last and dreadfull day of
the Lord;) By which their fhame and our
innocency will moft plainely appeare.
A
M
DECLARATION, &c.
Hereas by the feverall A5ls and
Declarations ofthe publick Enemies
of the peace of that late flourijhing Ifland
Barbadas; thefe our faid Enemies doe
{for the vindication of themfelves and their
mifchievous Actions) mojl maliciously charge
us guilty of intending and endeavouring
the di/lurbance of the peace, and deflruction
of them, and the alteration of Government
in Church and State; with divers other
fuggejlions, and fomentations, wherewith
they labour to blindefold thofe thatigno-
rantly pin their faith upon their owne rela-
tion ; withoutferioujly examining theirfub-
till practices, and proceedings, of which
{though) whofoever takes a ferious view,
may receive full and abfolute fatisfac-
tion; Yet for the further and better
information
[93]
information of Impartiallfpirits, we have
put forth this Declaration, which with
their fever all proceedings againjl us, we
defire them to perufe and impartially to
judge of; And if we in any particular
appeare guilty of their Charge laid againjl
us, then let the righteous fmite us, and it
fall be a kindnefs; let them reprove us,
and it Jhall be an excellent oyle which
Jhall not breake our head.
In the firfl place (as a prime piece of
their policy J they begin with matter of
Religion; Calling usfeditiousfchifmaticall,
and factious perfons, hereby endeavouring
to make us appeare odious to the people, and
Hereticks in their efieeme, and appearingfo
to them. It is lawfull (in their judgements)
to perfecute and profecute us to death;
Their proceedings makes this appeare to be
one of their Tenets,which they Imbracefrom
the Popifh faith ; To which we anjwer,
(very briefly) in the words of the Apoflle;
That we confesse after the way which
thy call Heresie, so worship we the God
of our Fathers, believing all things that
G2 are
r
[94]
are written in the Law and the. Pro-
phets, dejiring with the Apoftle, to know
nothing but Jesus Christ, and him
crucified; being stedfaftly affured that
there is no other name under Heaven,
whereby we shall be saved, then by
"Jesus Chrift; who is to us justification,
Sanctification, and Redemption; defi-
rous to be zealous of good works, becaufe
the Lord hath commanded us to be
Holy, as he is Holy, and because
good works are profitable unto men, but
not dreaming {as some doe) to merit our
owne Salvation thereby; which glorious
inheritance Jesus Christ hath already
purchased with his precious bloud ; To
which precious fountaine, who so doth
not come to wash, shall remaine be-
spotted with the Leprosie of Sin, and
guilt to all Eternity. But we intend
not any large difcourfe {at prefint) upon
this particular, onely thefefew words that
arefpoken, are to the apprehenfions of thofe
we defire to givefatisjaclHon to, in this first
particular, which is to point of worJJiip.
The next thing they objeSl againfl us is,
cur
[95]
our being jiirred up by manyfalfe fcand alls
and suggejlions fomented and spred abroad
by the heads {say they) of the Indepen-
dent Faction ; In anjwer to which we poft-
tively declare, that we were not moved to doe
what we did, {which was onely to Petition)
by any other perfon or perfons, thing or
things whatfoever, fave only the perfons &
aSlions of themfelves declared in their A<ft
& Oath, which they would have impofed
upon us, whereby at once they went about
to deprive us of all our lawfull Rights and
Priviledges, and to make us, and ours,
flaves and vaffalls to them and theirs to
perpetuity ; Obliging us by Oath, to main-
taine them and their actions (with our
lives and fortunes) againft all power
ivhatfoever that jhould oppofe them: So
that though they Jhould be guilty of all the
unjuji aBions that it is pofjible for men to
be guilty of under the Sun (as they are fub-
ject enough to be) whether committed againfl
our felves, or the authority ejiablijhed in
England, (or both) or any authority from
them derived, whereby they might (or
Ihould) call them to an account for their un-
C2 juft
[96]
jujl and dejlable aSlions of what nature
foever; Tet we muft maintaine and defend
them in their actions, and not onely Jo, but
mujl acknowledge them done by good and
lawful! 'authority ; we would gladly pro-
pound one question, which we state very
plainely thus, A Servant engaged to
ferve his Master for a certaine tearme
of yeares, is by his faid Master (without
any caufe at all) fo a faulted, and beaten,
that his life is in great danger thereby ;
or at the best he Jhall lofe an Arme, a
Hand, an Eye, or feme principall member,
whether thefaid Servant may not crave
his patience, and petition him to forbeare
hisfo violent proceedings, without offending
the Law ? This I prefume is granted
he may freely doe, without any offence given
to the Law at all; How unjust then
doe thofe men appeare, in the judgements
and apprehenjions of all men: ivho
be caufe we have petitioned for the Arme
of our just rights, the Hand of our knoivne
customers, and the Eye of our antient pri-
viledges, which is our birthright; willmoft
wilfully and cruelly destroy both Armes,i
Hands,
[97]
Hands, Eyes, Bodies, and Lives at once f
That this they have endeavoured to doe,
doth most evidently appeare by all their
actions and proceedings, which we will
leave to the judicious Reader to judge of,
and proceed to the third particular of
their accufation, which containes their
grand charge in mattter of fact, viz.
Have put themselves in
Armes, and A&ed in
an hoftile manner, to
the utter ruine of the
Loyall Jnhabitans of
this Island, had not
God in his great mercy
prevented the same.
This Charge containes matter of
Fact in a very high nature indeed,
& were it not that Sathan can trans-
forme himfelfe into an Angell of light, and
when he intends the greatest mifchiefes,
G 4 pretend
[98]
pretend the moft of goodnefle, we fhould
more then admire the fallacies of fraile
man, (whofe breath is in his Noftrils) who
in the Morning flouriftieth and boafteth
great things, and in the Evening is cut
downe and withered; who doth attempt to
make God himfelfe, as it were a Fig-leafe,
to cover the nakednefle of their moft deteft-
able and abhorred actions: But leaving this
we come to answer the particulars of their
Charge. And firft, as for Armes there were
none taken up but by the Governours ex-
preffe order, and particular Commiflions
then immediately directed to Lieutenant
Colonell James Drax and others. Secondly,
the forces that were raifed, did not exceede
the number of one hundred and forty both
Horfe and Foote; who acted no hoftility
at all, save onely that one of Waldrond his
Sonnes rideing about (with an Officer of
theirs) to raife forces for the Affiftance of
their Army, was taken by one of the Scouts
and brought to the houfe of Lieutenant
Colonel Drax, where he received all civill
refpect, and was difcharged soone after
upon the Governours order; This is all
that was done or offered to be done by
any of the faid Forces, (for which they had
the Governours expreffe order) upon whofe
Command they difbanded, being not guilty
of any other Act of hoftility then what
is here declared. You may take notice
of
of a fmall party of Horfe which the Govern-
our had to waite upon him (after he had
notice Waldrond was refolved to raife Re-
bellion) the number of which did not exceede
thirty. As for any other Forces there
were none rayfed, fave onely one Regiment,
and that was by exprefle Order from the
Colonell thereof, who is none of the leaft of
Waldronds Abettors; This Regiment was
commanded into the Field by the Lieuten-
ant Colonell, Major, and feverall Captaines
thereof, at night, and in the morning they
were all difcharged, every man reparing to
his owne Habitation, not having acted any
hoftility at all in the leaft.
This piece of Treachery you may reade
at large in the foregoing Relation, which
for brevity fake, and avoyding of reiteration,
wee have omitted to infert here.
Thus Reader, thou haft a particular re-
lation of all the forces raifed (befides their
owne Army) and of their Actions and Pro-
ceedings ; by any of which, if we appeare
guilty of their ruine, and the deftruction of
the Peace of that Ifland, doe Thou judge
and paffe sentence betweene Us; whileft we
minde you of the Originall caufe of the Go-
vernours ijfuing forth of thofe Commiffions,
formerly granted for the levying of thefe
few forces formerly fpoken of; which was
the contempt of his Declaration, which
hec
[ioo]
hee put forth, upon his being given to un-
derstand, how active Waldrond and his
abettors were in moving the People to
Mutiny and Rebellion, as well by their
fcandalous Papers, and falfe Reports throwne
and fpread abroad, as otherwayes. A Copy
of which Declaration, we have here inferted,
viz.
:*0O3C*3£
By the Governour,
m
TXZHereas notice hath beene taken of the
frequent fattering of fcandalous
Papers, in many parts of this If and, and
many falfe rumours and reports have beene
raifed on purpofe to beget intejline, and
chill broyles, to the ruine and dijlurbance
of the Peace and quiet which we now
injoy.
I doe therefore declare that allfuch per-
fons as shall hereafter be found guilty of
fpreading any fuch fcandalous Papers,
falfe Rumours and Reports, shall be pro-
ceeded againf and punished as Enemies to
the
[IOI]
the publick Peace of this IJland; And I
doe hereby require aWJuJlices of the Peace,
and other Officers in the fever all parts of
this IJland (whom it may concernej care-
fully to apprehend all fuch perfon's, and
fend them as Rebells to the Gaole.
And I do likeivife forbid any perfon, or
perfons to take up any Armes offenjive to
the Peace: or in any hojlile manner upon
paine of Death.
Given under my Hand this 29th day
of April, Anno Bom. 1650.
Phillip Bell.
You fee this Declaration bearing date the
29. day of April 1650. And the thirtieth
day of the fame Moneth they are in Armes,
and have raifed an alarum in that part of
the Country, where their rifing was, in
contempt of the Governours Authority.
You may alfo take notice that this De-
claration doth enlarge our vindication; for
themfelves owne thefe Libells (mentioned
at large in the Relation) containing fuch
matter as is in them, which faid Libells
are by the Governour (juftly Titled)
fcandalous
[ioa]
fcandalous Papers, and the Libellers fedi-
tions,and turbulent perfons, whofeendeavour
was to beget inteftine and civill broyles
amongft us. And good and juft caufe he
had ib to tearm them, for he sending to
Colonell Shelle (who commanded the firft
Regiment that tooke up Armes,) That he
should difband his forces, Hee received this
Anfwer, that they would march up with
Bullets in their mouths. Thus you fee how
they contemned authority in the higheft
nature, and whileft accufing others, them-
felves are the incendiaries that have studied
and practized the Difturbance, Diftraclion
and Defolation of the most nonfiling Ifland
(inhabited by the Englifh) in that part of
the World.
Notwithftanding the plaine and palpable
difcovery of thefe mens deceitfull, and
diabolicall actions towards us, yet they still
perfift in their accufing of us guilty of a de-
figne againft them; of the which (God is
our faithfull witnefle in Heaven) we are fo
cleare that fuch a thought hath never entered
into our Hearts; but (notwithftanding all
their uncivill and moft abfurd carriage
towards us from time to time) wee have given
all due refpecT: to thofe in authority, both
in matters Civill and Martiall. This we
confefle, that some amongft us have from
time to time, earneftly defired that fome
moderation
[i°3]
moderation might be uied, when wee have
heard and seene them both Act and Speake
in fo high a nature as (from time to time)
they did, both againft Parliament and
Army, endeavouring to make them appeare
(in the eye and efteeme of the People,) the
moft odious of men that ever acted upon
the Theatre of the Earth; but all our
defires were in vaine, for when we spoke of
peace, they made themfelves ready for war.
And wee muft either subfcribe to their
Proceedings, and fweare their Proteftation
againft all oppofition whatfoever, or other-
wayes leave the Fruits of our long and
tedious labours, and endeavours, which
with the suffering of many and great
hardfhips, and the pafling through of many
difficulties, wee have (through Gods blefling
upon our indeavours) brought to fuch a
meafure of happy perfection, That no
People under the Sun could have lived in
a more happy condition then we should
have done, had wee therewith injoyed a
civill Government; But now these de-
vouring Caterpillers have overcome the
Land, and the fruits of our labours (for
thefe many yeeres under that Torrid Zone)
is now become a prey to their licencious
covetoufnefTe, whileft wee muft returne
exiles to the Land of our nativity; which
wee rather imbrace then to live (though
with
[io4]
with the injoyment of our owne) under
the Tyranny and Cruelty of such Anti-
chriftian People as they are, whofe Belly is
their God, whofe glory is their shame, and
whofe luft is their Law; who fcoffe at
Religion, and make it a fcorne and a by-
word, who have to doe Juftice : and as for
Judgement it is farre from them; As for
the Lord Hee is not in their thoughts,
. neither doe they regard Him, nor will
they chufe any of His wayes.
It had beene a double happinefTe to us, if
Providence had prevented (thefe detractors)
from ever comming amongft us, seeing their
onely defires and delights are, to fifti in
troubled Waters, who like devouring Cater -
pillers, and gnawing Wormes, have endea-
voured the confummation and deftruction of
that Commonwealth of England; And being
(as hatefull Birds) routed out from thence,
have laboured the eating out our bowells alfo.
They have had a suddaine rife from
eating their bread at other mens Tables
(the very chiefeft of them) to pofTefTe
Plantations, Houfes, Bread, tables and all;
whileft the right owners are (by them
banifhed) from relations, eftates. But time
and Providence may fruftrate their ex-
pectations (which is to injoy them for ever)
and caufe the fruits of their mifchievous
actions juftly to fall upon them, and their fud-
daine
[io5] _
daine forings aloft receive as fpeedy a
downfall, when their waxen wings shall be
diflblved by the bright rayes of the Sun of
impartiall Juftice; which is now abroad in
the World, and will in time (no queftion)
finde them out, notwithftanding they have
made a Covenant with Hell and Death,
and having got the power of that part of
the Earth into their hands, they thinke the
power of Heaven cannot finde them out;
but the contrary will (in good time) ap-
peare to the World which, will make the
very remembrance of them to be odious
and hatefull.
This briefe Declaration we own, and
affirme to be really truth it felfe, the which
(with the foregoing Relation) we refer not
to immoderate and partiall men, for them
we difowne, as impertinent Judges, knowing
they rejoyce at their brethrens proceedings
and fucceffes, repining at nothing more
then that themfelves had not a hand in the
bufinefle; hoping they may have it for a
place of refuge when England (afhamed and
overburthened with their abominable filthy
loathfomeneffe) fhall spue them out; But
to the moderate, judicious, and impartiall
Reader, wee refer their proceedings and our
Declaration to judge of; who is beft able
to difcerne of things, who will fee our in-
nocency moft eminently fhining through the
darke
06]
darke clouds of their afperfions, which they
have rayfed for a pretence of their imperious
Actions and Proceedings; which they have
writ in fuch Characters, that all the World
may run and reade: To the never-dying
infamie of them and theirs, to all fucceed-
ing Ages.
Hold not thy Tongue O God; keepe not JIM
filence; refraine not thy Selfe O God, for
thine enemies make a murmuring, and they
that hale thee have lift up the head; They
have imagined craftily againft thy People,
and taken counfell againji thy fecret ones;
They have [aid, come, and let us root them
out that they be no more a People, and that
the name of Ifrael may be no more in remem-
brance, Pfal. 83. i, 2, 3, 4.
This
[io7]
T his Booke, who doth perufe, may plainely fee
H orrid Rebellion, mafk'd with Loyaltie,
I mpeaching others, of abhorred crimes,
S uch as were never ailed, ere thefe times;
B ould Tyrants, that in England many yeares
O h grief to think i hath caufed mournefuli
teares,
0 pprejfing her with Rapines, Murthers, and
K Ming her Children, both by Sea and Land:.
E ach ftriving how, he others might exceede,
W hileft this poore Isle, almoft to death doth
bleed;
A rid all pretend, tis for this very things
S ubjeclion and obedience, to the King,
W hileft this impious cruell Generation
R ejqyce to worke the mine of that Nation,
1 ehovah,from his higheft Throne lookes down
T ofee their anions, and thereat doth frown.
H Becauft
[io8]
B ecaufe I am not in your wayes at all,
Y oujhall, faith he, with your inventions fall;
N ow at th' Eternalls Word, thefe Nimrods
were
I n every place,purfud, andchaf'dwithfeare,
C hafed in minde, by Gods Impartiall hand,
H ence they doe flie unto another Land.
O h Land, thy forrowes, never did begin
L oe, till these bloudy Tyrants entreed in,
A nd now the froth, and fcum of Englands
Nation
S trives for their ends, to worke thy defolation ;
F orfincethatEnghndwouldnot, thoufhalt be
O pprefi, and ruin'd, by their Tyrannie :
S eafe Tyrantsfeafe, or Heavens will'findeyou
out
T hefecond time, and give you fuch a Route,
E re long, that you Jhall forced be to flie
R ejetled whileft you live, and live to die
:: The Sonnes of ever living infamy.
>,
In
[io9]
In the Island BARB AD AS,
May the third An. Dom.
i650.
QHARLES ST V ART,
Son to the late King, was with great
folemnity proclaimed King of England,
Scotland, France, and Ireland &.c Im-
mediately thereupon the Booke of Common
Prayer was declared, to be the only Pattern
of true worjhip, And commanded to be
diflinSlly, and duly read in every Parijh
Church, every Lords Day &c.
H. GOVLDVVELL.
Secretary.
H2
At
[no]
T
At a Meetingof the Gover-
nour, Counsell& Assembly,
May the J.
"HE RIGHT HONORABLE,
Francis Lord Willougby, of Par-
ham, having brought a Commifjionfrom the
Right Honourable, James Earle of Car-
lile, as his Lieutenant General! of all the
Crebe I/lands, his Honour was willingly,
and humbly received, and his CommiJJion
accepted of according to the Power and
Contents thereof; And whereas it was
the humble defires of the Governour, Coun-
Jell, and Affembly, to the Right Honorable
the Lieutenant General!, That in refpeSl of
the incertainty and diftraclions of the pre-
Jent Times,his Lordship wouldpleafe to con-
defcend to the continuance of this prefent
Affembly, and Government, under all Of-
fices both Civill, and Marsliallforthefpace
of three moneths. His Lordship was
•pleased to affent thereunto; and ordered
accordingly.
H. Goldwell, Sec
[Ill
POSTSCRIPT.
"VXfHereas the Reader may haply befo
cur tout, as to dejire the Names of thofe
perfons that have fuffered in the IJland
Barbadas ; He may take notice that John
Webster, Mate to Captaine Benjamin
Treneman, had his Tongue cut, and was
burnd in both Cheekes with the Letter T.
Alfo Lieutenant John Brandon was
burn'd in the Cheekes as aforefaid: thefe
both fuffered the 1z day of January, 1649.
about 'Jwelve a Clock ; And whereas you
finde the Difcoverer of our Enemies mif-
chievous intentions to be deciphered only by
L.C.C.C. the Gentleman is Lieutenant
ColoneII'Christopher Coddrington. Like-
wise the Colonells Name that raifed the
Regiment, which you finde fpoke of that
was betrayd, is Colonell Thomas Modi-
ford;
[II2]
ford; one thing you may take notice of,
That Jince the committing of this to the
Prejfe, there are divers more of our Ba-
nished Brethren come for England; and
whereas youfinde the Enemies of our Peace,
in their Proportions, promifng to main-
taine and defend Captaine Phillip Bell,
to continue Governour of that I/land, they
have turned him out with as much
difgrace, as they promifed
Fidelity.
* *
*
FINIS
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