THE
DISLOYAL
ACTINGS
OF
THE
BERMUDA
COMPANY
IN
LONDON
,
By
their
keeping
back
a
PETITION
Presented
(
from
the
General
ASSEMBLY
in
the
said
Islands
,
convented
together
there
,
according
to
the
Laws
of
the
said
COMPANY
)
to
the
Kings
Most
Excellent
Majesty
.
With
several
Grievances
,
Petitions
,
and
Papers
,
as
will
more
at
large
appear
in
the
following
Narrative
,
shewing
the
great
oppressions
the
poor
Inhabitants
in
the
said
Islands
do
groan
under
,
by
the
ARBITRARY
●OVERNMENT
of
the
SOMER-ISLANDS
COMPANY
:
In
all
humility
presented
to
the
Honourable
,
the
Knights
,
Citizens
,
and
Burgesses
ASSEMBLED
in
PARLIAMENT
,
craving
from
them
to
be
relieved
from
the
aforesaid
and
following
OPPRESSIONS
.
By
WILLIAM
RIGHTON
.
Printed
in
the
Year
,
MDCLXXVII
.
THE
CONTENTS
.
-
1.
A
Petition
presented
from
the
Assembly
,
to
the
Kings
most
Excellent
Majesty
.
Page
1.
-
2.
A
Petition
presented
from
the
Assembly
to
the
Company
.
p.
3.
-
3.
Several
Grievances
from
the
Assembly
to
the
Company
.
p.
5.
-
4.
A
Petition
of
Six
Inhabitants
to
Sir
.
John
Heydon
Governour
.
p.
13.
-
5.
A
Petition
of
23
of
the
Assembly
,
presented
to
the
Company
.
p.
14.
-
6.
A
Petition
presented
to
the
King
in
Council
,
by
four
Petitioners
,
&c.
p.
15.
-
7.
AN
Answer
made
by
the
Company
to
that
Petition
presented
to
the
King
.
p.
18.
-
8.
An
Answer
,
by
Reply
,
to
the
said
Companies
Petition
to
the
King
.
p.
19.
-
9.
A
Paper
Printed
by
the
said
Company
,
to
misinform
the
world
.
p.
22.
-
10.
An
Answer
to
the
said
Paper
,
to
undeceive
the
world
.
p.
23.
-
11.
All
presented
to
the
Parliament
,
craving
from
them
relief
.
p.
26.
To
the
Kings
Most
Excellent
Majesty
:
The
Humble
Petition
of
the
General
Assembly
,
the
representative
body
of
the
Somer-Islands
Humbly
sheweth
,
WHereas
your
Royal
Majesties
Predecessor
,
King
James
of
Blessed
memory
,
did
by
His
Gracious
Letters
Patents
on
the
29th
day
of
June
,
in
the
Thirteenth
year
of
His
Reign
of
England
,
&c.
give
and
grant
unto
the
first
Proprietors
of
these
Islands
,
by
the
name
of
the
Treasurer
and
Company
of
the
Somer-Islands
,
many
Priviledges
,
Liberties
and
Immunities
,
with
several
bounds
and
limitations
,
for
the
making
and
alterations
of
Laws
absolutely
necessary
for
the
being
and
well-being
of
these
Islands
,
and
the
Inhabitants
thereof
;
which
Proprietors
consisting
of
the
Nobility
and
Gentry
of
the
Realm
of
England
,
did
in
the
18th
year
of
His
said
Majesties
Reign
,
make
and
ordain
several
good
and
wholsom
Laws
according
to
the
said
Letters
Patents
,
which
were
to
be
kept
by
them
and
their
successors
inviolable
;
Printed
,
Anno.
Dom
.
1622
:
to
the
which
,
reference
being
had
,
may
more
plainly
appear
;
whereby
they
were
obliged
to
maintain
and
defray
the
publick
charges
of
these
Islands
,
out
of
the
Publick
Lands
which
his
said
Majesty
had
granted
to
them
,
their
Heirs
and
Successors
.
Since
which
time
,
part
of
the
interest
of
these
Islands
,
being
alienated
amongst
some
few
Traders
and
Mechanicks
,
with
whom
self-interest
being
more
prevalent
than
publick
good
,
they
have
infringed
your
Majesties
Laws
,
and
broken
the
said
Letters
Patents
,
despised
the
said
good
and
wholsom
Book
of
Laws
,
the
Acts
of
their
Progenitors
,
imposing
on
us
your
Majesties
free-born
and
most
Loyal
Subjects
,
their
Arbitrary
Commands
and
Injunctions
,
deposing
us
of
our
Birthrights
and
Priviledges
,
forbidding
to
Trade
for
any
Commodities
that
they
send
not
in
their
Ship
,
which
is
but
once
in
a
year
;
inhancing
their
goods
to
such
excessive
rates
,
that
they
have
our
Commodities
for
almost
nothing
,
endeavouring
to
bring
us
into
greater
bondage
;
unjustly
taxing
our
Tobacco
to
the
one
third
part
of
its
value
,
and
sometimes
more
;
for
which
they
were
to
supply
us
with
Ammunition
for
defence
,
and
Ministers
for
our
instruction
;
yet
have
but
one
Minister
in
the
whole
Island
,
where
there
ought
to
be
five
:
And
the
Ammunition
and
Provision
for
defence
,
was
much
after
the
same
proportion
,
although
the
Imposition
they
have
laid
upon
one
of
our
Commodities
amounteth
to
near
four
times
the
value
of
the
Publick
Charges
,
until
your
Royal
Majesty
was
graciously
pleased
,
for
the
safety
and
security
of
these
Islands
,
bountifully
to
supply
us
;
which
with
all
humble
and
submissive
boldness
,
on
the
bended
knees
of
our
Loyal
hearts
,
we
most
gracefully
acknowledg
;
resolving
in
the
Power
of
God
,
whilst
we
have
Limbs
or
Life
,
against
all
your
Majesties
Enemies
,
to
defend
and
keep
this
poor
,
yet
not
inconsiderable
Island
:
our
bounden
duty
to
your
sacred
Majesty
,
the
honour
of
our
Nation
,
and
the
respect
to
our selves
and
Families
,
obligeth
us
thereunto
;
although
we
have
otherwise
small
encouragement
,
labouring
under
such
insupportable
burthens
and
grievances
,
which
we
have
from
time
to
time
laid
upon
us
by
those
who
in
duty
were
obliged
to
have
relieved
us
,
and
from
whom
can
have
no
remedy
:
Wherefore
most
dear
and
dread
Soveraign
,
we
your
Majesties
poor
Petitioners
,
knowing
your
Royal
Majesties
Heart
,
and
the
Acts
of
your
Majesties
Royal
Favour
and
Grace
,
is
like
Fire
and
Air
,
common
to
all
your
Majesties
Loyal
Subjects
,
have
taken
this
boldness
;
our
great
necessities
compelling
us
to
seek
redress
from
your
gracious
Majesties
hand
,
who
are
the
true
pattern
of
vertue
and
goodness
to
all
your
Majesties
Subjects
.
The
Right
Honourable
Anthony
Earl
of
Shaftsbury
,
&c.
our
Honourable
Governour
,
is
able
more
particularly
to
inform
your
Majesty
of
our
deplorable
condition
;
humbly
,
and
earnestly
deploring
your
most
sacred
Majesties
gracious
assistance
,
to
succour
us
in
our
extremity
,
and
to
pardon
our
rude
Lines
,
as
coming
from
poor
distressed
Planters
,
who
are
confident
of
nothing
more
,
than
that
we
are
,
and
desire
always
to
be
Your
most
Excellent
Majesties
most
humble
,
most
obedient
,
and
most
faithful
Subjects
.
The
which
said
Petition
was
signed
by
the
whole
Assembly
;
but
the
said
Company
stifted
it
,
and
never
delivered
it
to
the
Kings
Most
Excellent
Majesty
.
To
the
Right
Honourable
,
and
Honourable
,
The
Company
of
the
Somer-Islands
.
The
Humble
Petition
of
the
General
Assembly
,
Convened
in
the
Somer-Islands
,
August
the
11th
,
1673.
Humbly
sheweth
,
WHereas
there
have
been
several
General
Assemblies
,
who
from
time
to
time
have
presented
the
Grievances
of
these
Islands
to
your
Honours
,
but
could
never
find
redress
of
those
burthens
,
taxes
,
and
impositions
,
which
have
been
laid
upon
us
His
Majesties
freeborn
Subjects
;
but
still
instead
of
relief
(
through
the
crafty
designs
,
and
sinister
practices
of
some
self-interested
persons
,
as
we
conceive
)
have
received
a
greater
addition
of
misery
,
to
the
almost
ruine
of
us
the
Inhabitants
of
these
Islands
,
contrary
to
the
Kings
Letters
Patents
,
and
the
good
and
wholsom
Book
of
Laws
,
Printed
Anno.
1622
,
whereby
the
Company
is
obliged
,
and
provision
made
to
defray
the
publick
charges
of
these
Islands
,
and
to
provide
for
us
both
Ammunition
,
Ministers
,
and
Collony-Servants
,
&c.
which
continually
of
late
have
been
wanting
;
for
until
His
Majesty
of
his
free
grace
and
good
will
,
was
graciously
pleased
to
supply
us
;
upon
strict
search
,
by
persons
thereunto
appointed
,
before
the
arrival
of
this
Magazeen
Ship
,
there
was
not
two
rounds
of
Powder
in
the
whole
Country
;
and
not
one
third
part
of
small
Arms
for
the
Inhabitants
,
although
there
hath
been
extorted
from
us
near
four
times
the
value
of
our
Publick
Charges
;
of
which
,
although
we
are
part
of
the
Successors
and
Assigns
of
the
first
Proprietors
,
yet
have
no
account
,
nor
of
the
disposal
of
our
own
Moneys
:
whereby
His
Majesties
Island
was
laid
open
to
the
violence
of
a
foreign
Enemy
,
to
the
endangering
of
the
loss
of
these
Islands
,
and
of
the
Lives
and
Liberties
of
us
His
Majesties
most
faithful
and
obedient
Subjects
.
And
whereas
there
ought
to
be
five
Ministers
maintained
in
this
Island
,
we
enjoy
but
one
;
and
these
publick
Lands
which
were
appointed
for
the
defraying
of
Publick
Charges
,
are
disposed-of
contrary
to
the
Kings
Majesties
intention
,
in
His
gracious
Letters
Patents
,
and
Orders
in
the
good
and
wholsom
Printed
Book
of
Laws
:
and
by
the
last
Letters
from
the
Company
,
we
are
commanded
at
our
own
charges
to
build
a
Fort
,
notwithstanding
by
unjust
Taxes
,
Impositions
,
and
Injuries
,
we
are
so
impoverished
we
cannot
;
and
for
such
works
there
is
other
provision
made
,
by
His
Majesty
and
the
Honourable
Company
;
and
therefore
from
such
illegal
and
rigorous
dealing
,
we
cannot
conclude
otherwise
,
than
that
some
interessed
particular
persons
of
the
Honourable
Company
,
for
their
own
private
gain
,
value
not
the
ruine
of
the
whole
Island
.
Wherefore
upon
mature
deliberation
,
and
serious
consideration
,
we
do
humbly
present
our
Grievances
,
with
our
several
Acts
,
for
your
approbation
and
consent
,
which
we
judge
the
only
way
,
through
Gods
blessing
,
to
secure
the
honour
and
interest
of
our
dread
Soveraign
,
and
establish
the
welfare
of
these
Islands
;
and
we
also
desire
to
acknowledg
the
never-to-be-forgotten
obligation
from
us
,
to
the
Right
Honourable
part
of
the
Company
,
we
mean
the
Nobility
and
Gentry
,
and
also
some
worthy
Persons
of
the
Honourable
Company
,
in
their
tender
Respects
towards
our
liberties
,
priviledges
,
and
welfare
;
who
also
have
been
abused
by
those
,
who
in
honour
and
duty
were
obliged
to
act
at
another
rate
;
we
mean
some
particular
persons
of
the
trading-party
,
whose
names
at
present
we
shall
keep
in
silence
,
hoping
their
amendment
;
to
whom
we
particularly
request
,
if
they
have
any
respect
to
the
Glory
and
Justice
of
God
,
who
beholds
the
oppressors
and
the
oppressed
,
and
heareth
the
cry
of
the
poor
and
needy
,
and
in
his
due
time
will
deliver
them
:
if
the
Interest
and
Honour
of
His
most
gracious
Majesty
our
dread
Soveraign
may
oblige
you
;
if
you
have
any
bowels
of
love
to
your
Brethren
,
your
fellow
Subjects
,
and
to
the
welfare
of
these
Islands
;
we
upon
our
bended
knees
,
for
Gods
sake
,
His
Majesties
sake
,
the
Islands
,
your
own
and
our selves
sakes
,
humbly
and
earnestly
beseech
you
,
That
you
will
take
what
we
have
proposed
,
the
fruit
of
this
Session
,
into
your
serious
consideration
;
and
laying
aside
all
by-respects
and
self-interest
,
confirm
our
Acts
,
and
relieve
our
grievances
,
that
Almighty
God
may
be
glorified
,
His
Royal
Majesties
Honour
and
Interest
maintained
and
preserved
,
and
these
Islands
advantaged
,
and
not
inthralled
to
any
particular
persons
will
and
interest
;
and
that
you
would
comply
with
the
truly
honourable
part
of
the
Company
,
of
the
testimony
of
whose
love
and
good
will
,
we
are
often
made
sensible
.
And
therefore
Right
Honourable
,
and
Honourable
,
our
humble
request
is
,
that
you
will
speedily
succour
us
with
such
holy
,
able
,
peaceable
and
painful
labourers
in
the
word
of
truth
,
that
may
break
the
Bread
of
life
unto
us
,
that
we
may
not
have
our
souls
ruined
,
although
our
bodies
and
estates
have
been
enslaved
:
And
also
do
humbly
request
that
the
Treasury
and
Husbandry
of
the
Company
,
may
not
be
in
the
hands
of
the
trading-party
;
for
so
long
,
we
suppose
,
there
can
be
little
redress
.
Thus
imploring
your
Honours
inspection
and
redress
,
in
matters
of
so
great
weight
and
importance
,
which
may
conduce
by
your
Honours
assistance
,
to
the
Glory
of
God
,
our
Soveraigns
interest
,
your
own
eternal
Honour
,
and
the
welfare
of
these
Islands
:
And
your
Petitioners
,
as
in
duty
bound
,
&c.
The
which
Petition
was
sent
from
the
whole
Assembly
in
the
Islands
,
but
no
relief
given
by
the
said
Company
to
the
Inhabitants
.
WE
the
General
Assembly
of
the
Somer-Islands
,
Convened
at
St.
Georges
,
the
11th
of
August
,
Anno
Dom
.
1673
;
and
in
the
Twenty
fifth
year
of
the
Reign
of
our
Soveraign
Lord
King
Charles
the
Second
,
Defender
of
the
Faith
,
&c.
to
consider
such
things
as
may
tend
to
the
well-being
of
the
said
Islands
,
and
also
to
prevent
,
and
if
by
any
means
possible
,
to
remedy
such
grievances
as
do
require
speedy
redress
,
having
our
eyes
and
hearts
to
the
Glory
of
God
,
honour
and
interest
of
his
Most
Gracious
Majesty
,
and
respect
to
the
Honourable
Company
,
and
welfare
of
the
Plantation
,
Upon
the
debating
the
several
Grievances
proposed
by
the
Inhabitants
:
We
also
earnestly
spread
before
you
(
the
Honourable
Company
)
the
gievous
Bondage
and
Thraldom
of
us
most
true
,
and
faithful
,
and
free-born
Subjects
of
his
Majesty
.
That
all
and
every
of
us
,
lye
culpable
in
our
persons
and
estates
,
upon
the
humour
and
pleasure
of
every
Informer
,
by
Letters
or
otherwise
,
that
can
obtain
an
Order
from
the
Company
,
or
a
Court
,
from
any
seven
of
the
Assistants
:
And
as
we
are
informed
,
they
not
being
sworn
according
to
the
purport
of
the
Kings
Majesties
Letters
Patents
,
and
Order
in
the
Printed
Book
of
Laws
,
where
it
's
appointed
that
a
formal
Oath
shall
be
advised
and
administred
to
all
Officers
of
the
said
Company
,
for
the
true
and
faithful
execution
and
performance
of
their
several
services
,
&c.
And
therefore
we
humbly
pray
,
that
all
persons
concerned
in
Judgement
of
our
persons
and
estates
,
or
such
like
affairs
,
may
,
with
the
rest
of
the
Officers
,
take
the
Oath
ordered
.
And
whereas
many
of
us
,
the
Freeholders
and
Inhabitants
of
these
Islands
,
have
been
formerly
very
grievously
vexed
and
endamaged
in
our
persons
and
Estates
,
by
Illegal
Orders
from
the
Court
at
home
,
to
the
ruine
of
some
,
and
great
impoverishment
of
others
,
no
redress
for
the
same
being
provided
:
Be
it
Enacted
,
that
no
Order
that
is
,
or
shall
be
sent
to
these
Islands
,
may
compel
or
inforce
us
in
our
bodies
or
estates
to
suffer
any
pain
,
penalty
,
damage
,
or
forfeiture
,
without
a
legal
tryal
in
these
Islands
,
according
to
his
Majesties
Laws
,
by
Twelve
of
our
Peers
or
Vicinity
.
And
seeing
it
hath
pleased
his
Majesty
King
James
of
blessed
memory
,
by
his
Letters
Patents
,
to
make
us
a
free
people
;
and
it
hath
seemed
also
good
to
our
now
dread
Soveraign
so
to
account
us
,
having
suffered
many
injuries
,
wrongs
,
and
detriments
,
both
in
our
Persons
and
Estates
by
former
deputed
Governors
,
and
subordinate
Officers
in
these
Islands
,
and
not
having
power
to
redress
our selves
,
and
to
prevent
abuses
for
the
future
:
Be
it
Enacted
,
That
all
Officers
whatsoever
resident
in
these
Islands
,
that
have
been
,
are
,
or
hereafter
shall
be
,
of
what
degree
soever
,
may
,
and
shall
be
liable
to
any
Action
or
Actions
,
that
may
,
or
ought
to
be
commenced
against
them
;
and
to
make
satisfaction
to
the
parties
sustaining
wrongs
and
damages
by
them
,
according
to
the
verdict
of
Twelve
men
:
any
former
Custom
or
Usage
to
the
contrary
in
any
wise
notwithstanding
.
Provided
always
,
that
the
Governour
here
for
the
time
being
,
shall
not
have
any
Presentment
,
Action
,
or
Suit
,
commenced
against
him
during
the
time
of
his
Government
.
Put
to
the
Vote
,
and
past
.
Hammond
Johnson
Clerk
to
the
Assembly
.
WHereas
it
hath
seemed
good
to
his
Gracious
Majesty
King
James
of
Blessed
memory
,
to
signifie
his
especial
care
,
and
Royal
will
and
pleasure
,
that
the
People
and
Inhabitants
of
this
Island
(
the
Royal
Subjects
of
him
and
his
Successors
)
should
inviolably
enjoy
those
liberties
and
priviledges
,
by
his
Majesty
granted
in
his
gracious
Letters
Patents
,
which
are
the
Forts
and
Bull-works
to
repell
the
Invasion
of
all
unjust
Impositions
and
Oppressions
,
as
in
his
said
Letters
Patents
,
reference
thereunto
being
had
,
may
more
evidently
appear
;
That
one
part
of
this
Land
,
not
exceeding
the
fourth
part
,
shall
be
allotted
,
and
reserved
to
the
Company
in
common
,
for
the
maintenance
and
defraying
of
the
Publick
Charges
of
these
Islands
;
and
the
remainder
of
the
Profits
,
after
the
said
Publick
Charges
are
defrayed
,
to
be
divided
amongst
the
several
Members
of
the
said
Company
,
according
to
the
proportion
of
each
mans
several
shares
and
parts
,
&c.
which
with
our
humble
and
thankful
acknowledgment
of
his
Majesties
Grace
we
duly
respect
;
although
some
not
weighing
their
duty
and
obedience
to
his
Majesties
Royal
will
and
pleasure
,
have
illegally
exacted
one
penny
per
l.
upon
all
the
Tobacco
of
the
growth
of
these
Islands
,
coming
to
his
Majesties
Realm
and
Dominions
(
which
is
to
be
feared
,
hath
been
a
great
means
to
hinder
his
Majesties
Customs
)
contrary
to
his
Majesties
gracious
Laws
and
Intentions
;
and
also
disposing
of
the
aforesaid
Lands
and
Hereditaments
,
by
his
Majesty
appropriated
to
Publick
uses
,
according
to
their
own
wills
and
interest
;
which
said
penny
per
l.
hath
amounted
to
near
four
times
the
value
of
the
Publick
Charges
of
this
Island
,
the
Island
yielding
some
years
300000
l.
of
Tobacco
and
upwards
;
which
said
Imposition
,
being
the
third
part
of
our
Commodity
,
sometimes
more
,
even
when
it
hath
not
yielded
our
Charges
,
we
have
been
forced
to
pay
the
said
exaction
to
our
woful
damage
.
And
it
being
an
unjust
Imposition
upon
our
Estates
,
directly
contrary
to
the
Kings
Letters
Patents
,
the
Honourable
Companies
Printed
Book
of
Laws
,
and
directly
against
,
and
repugnant
to
the
Grand
Charter
of
England
;
which
provideth
that
no
man
shall
be
amerced
in
his
Estate
,
without
his
consent
by
due
course
of
Law
.
And
although
we
the
Inhabitants
of
this
Island
,
are
Members
of
the
said
Company
,
yet
never
have
received
any
account
,
according
to
his
Majesties
gracious
intent
and
order
in
the
Printed
Book
of
Laws
;
it
being
a
very
great
oppression
,
especially
to
the
poor
Planters
,
who
have
it
taken
out
of
their
own
hard
Labour
:
And
further
,
notwithstanding
this
grievous
imposition
,
we
receive
not
the
supply
of
Arms
,
Ammunitions
,
Ministers
,
Servants
for
Governours
,
and
Sheriffs
,
Secretaries
,
Captains
,
and
all
other
Officers
,
according
to
the
Honourable
Companies
own
Book
of
Laws
.
Therefore
to
prevent
the
Judgments
of
God
,
and
the
ruine
of
these
Islands
,
and
for
the
forementioned
and
divers
other
weighty
reasons
and
considerations
,
we
do
Enact
;
and
therefore
Be
it
Enacted
by
this
present
General
Assembly
,
That
whereas
there
hath
been
an
unjust
Imposition
and
Exaction
by
some
Members
of
the
Company
,
of
one
penny
per
pound
,
of
all
Tobaccoes
coming
from
this
Island
,
of
the
growth
of
this
Island
,
that
no
person
or
persons
whatsoever
shall
presume
to
ask
,
demand
,
or
receive
any
Imposition
of
any
person
whatsoever
,
by
vertue
of
any
former
Custom
,
Colour
,
Order
or
pretence
whatsoever
,
for
Tobacco
of
the
growth
of
this
Island
,
coming
to
the
Realm
of
England
,
contrary
to
His
Majesties
Letters
Patents
,
the
Honourable
Companies
Book
of
Laws
,
upon
the
penalty
His
Gracious
Majestie
hath
provided
in
such
like
Cases
.
Put
to
the
Vote
,
and
past
.
Hammond
Johnson
Clerk
to
the
Assembly
.
WHereas
many
of
His
Majesties
Subjects
,
and
our
loving
Friends
,
sailing
to
and
fro
near
these
Islands
,
would
with
their
Ships
put
in
here
to
the
relief
of
their
wants
,
the
interest
and
advantage
of
the
Inhabitants
,
to
take
refreshments
;
but
whereas
the
Port-charges
are
so
great
and
unreasonable
upon
all
Ships
putting
in
here
,
though
but
for
Water
or
Provisions
,
that
they
are
many
times
willing
to
run
the
adventure
of
the
loss
of
their
Ships
,
and
great
misery
of
themselves
:
For
the
which
reasons
,
and
divers
other
good
considerations
,
we
do
Enact
,
and
by
the
power
and
authority
of
this
present
Assembly
,
Be
it
Enacted
,
That
any
Ship
or
Ships
coming
into
these
Islands
for
refreshment
,
shall
pay
no
Port-charges
save
Pilotage
,
and
the
Tolage
for
Water
and
Wharfage
,
unless
the
said
Ship
Trades
for
any
thing
save
for
relief
and
refreshments
;
any
Act
,
Order
,
or
Custom
to
the
contrary
in
any
wise
notwithstanding
.
Put
to
the
Vote
and
past
.
Hamond
Johnson
Clerk
to
the
Assembly
.
WE
the
Committee
of
Enquiry
,
being
Members
of
this
present
Assembly
,
being
chosen
to
take
a
view
of
the
defects
and
wants
of
the
Kings
Castle
and
Forts
,
do
give
our
report
as
followeth
.
The
defects
of
the
Kings
Castle
.
1st
.
We
find
the
Court
of
Guard
and
Palisadoes
altogether
out
of
repair
.
2dly
.
We
find
the
Platforms
at
the
South-west-point
,
(
which
we
look
upon
to
be
of
great
use
)
are
at
present
altogether
unserviceable
.
3dly
.
We
find
the
Roof
of
the
Castle
to
be
altogether
unserviceable
,
it
being
so
leaky
,
that
there
is
no
securing
of
their
small
Arms
from
damage
.
4thly
.
We
find
the
Powder-Room
much
defective
.
5thly
.
We
find
there
is
wanting
upon
the
lower
Platform
,
Wheels
and
Carrages
for
one
of
the
great
Guns
.
We
the
aforesaid
Committe
of
Enquiry
do
humbly
desire
a
speedy
repair
of
the
defects
,
and
supply
of
the
wants
,
both
of
the
Kings
Castle
and
Forts
;
and
do
humbly
present
our
judgments
,
for
the
manner
of
the
repairing
of
the
Court
of
Guard
,
Palisadoes
,
Platforms
,
and
Roof
of
the
Castle
.
1.
We
humbly
think
,
that
if
the
Wall
of
the
Court
of
Guard
be
made
up
wholly
of
Stone
,
and
so
the
Roof
laid
upon
it
,
it
may
be
very
durable
;
it
being
so
near
to
the
Sea
,
that
the
Timber
is
subject
to
damage
.
2.
We
humbly
judge
,
that
there
should
be
a
Stone-wall
made
up
against
the
Palisadoes
,
brest-high
,
for
security
of
those
that
serve
with
our
small
Arms
,
as
likewise
to
make
a
Port
for
the
playing
a
Great
Gun
to
clear
the
Shore
.
3.
We
humbly
think
fit
,
that
the
Platform
at
the
South-westpoint
,
should
be
taken
up
,
and
the
Rubbish
taken
away
,
and
the
Platform
laid
upon
the
Rock
,
and
that
there
be
a
Breast-work
made
there
.
4.
We
humbly
think
fit
,
that
the
Roof
of
the
Castle
be
new
Coated
with
Tarris
,
Brick
,
or
Lime
.
Whereas
His
Sacred
Majesty
our
dread
Soveraign
,
is
engaged
in
a
bloody
War
against
the
States
of
the
United
Provinces
,
we
His
Majesties
most
loyal
and
obedient
Subjects
,
having
due
respect
to
His
Majesty
,
and
the
welfare
of
these
Islands
under
the
protection
of
the
Almighty
,
desire
to
use
and
improve
all
lawful
ways
and
means
possible
for
the
defence
and
security
of
these
Islands
.
Upon
an
especial
view
,
finding
the
Castle
and
Forts
of
these
Islands
are
much
decayed
and
out
of
repair
,
which
earnestly
calls
for
,
and
requires
speedy
redress
;
and
seeing
the
means
and
necessaries
for
the
effecting
thereof
,
must
be
purchased
;
and
well
knowing
,
that
by
His
Majesties
gracious
Letters
Patents
,
and
the
Honourable
Companies
Printed
Book
of
Laws
,
the
Proprietors
,
their
Assigns
and
Successors
,
are
ingaged
to
defray
the
publick
charges
of
these
Islands
;
and
understanding
there
are
in
the
possession
of
the
Sheriff
of
these
Islands
,
some
of
the
Companies
Goods
(
so
called
)
:
we
the
Freeholders
,
Inhabitants
of
these
Islands
,
being
Members
of
the
Company
,
and
their
Assigns
and
Successors
,
having
a
real
interest
in
them
;
do
think
it
meet
to
Enact
,
and
therefore
by
this
present
General
Assembly
,
and
by
the
Power
and
Authority
thereof
,
Be
it
Enacted
for
the
present
and
speedy
reparations
of
the
Castle
and
Forts
of
these
Islands
,
and
other
especial
and
publick
services
and
uses
;
That
whatsoever
Goods
,
Rents
,
Moneys
,
Royalties
and
Commodities
,
belong
to
the
Publick
,
NOW
in
the
hands
of
Mr.
Anthony
Joyner
Sheriff
of
these
Islands
,
shall
remain
in
the
possession
of
the
said
Sheriff
for
the
present
;
and
to
be
forthwith
laid
out
for
the
said
needful
reparations
of
the
Castle
and
Forts
,
and
defraying
other
Publick
Charges
.
Whereas
the
Ships
and
Vessels
belonging
to
these
Islands
,
have
an
unreasonable
Imposition
,
to
their
great
damage
,
laid
upon
them
,
of
Pilotage
,
for
the
bringing
in
,
and
carrying
out
of
the
said
Ships
or
Vessels
,
although
the
Master
or
Owner
thereof
have
sufficient
abilities
in
themselves
to
perform
the
same
;
and
it
is
ordered
in
the
Printed
Book
of
Laws
,
that
Officers
Fees
for
their
service
shall
be
such
,
and
no
other
,
as
shall
be
Rated
and
set
down
by
the
General
Assembly
from
time
to
time
:
Therefore
we
have
thought
it
meet
to
Enact
,
and
by
the
Power
and
Authority
of
this
present
General
Assembly
,
Now
Be
it
Enacted
,
That
any
Ship
or
Vessel
belonging
to
the
Inhabitants
of
these
Islands
,
failing
out
of
any
of
the
Ports
and
Harbours
thereof
,
shall
not
have
any
Pilot
imposed
upon
them
,
or
pay
any
Pilotage
for
the
said
Ship
or
Vessel
,
unless
it
be
the
desire
of
the
Master
or
Owner
thereof
to
have
a
Pilot
to
carry
out
the
said
Ship
or
Vessel
;
but
if
that
Pilot
doth
come
out
to
Sea
without
the
Bar
,
to
meet
any
of
the
said
Ships
or
Vessels
coming
to
these
Islands
,
he
shall
have
20
s
.
for
Pilotage
,
whether
or
no
the
said
Ship
do
accept
or
refuse
it
.
And
further
,
Be
it
Enacted
by
the
Authority
aforesaid
,
for
divers
good
and
weighty
considerations
,
That
no
other
Port-Charges
shall
be
paid
by
the
Ships
or
Vessels
belonging
to
these
Islands
,
save
Tolage
and
Wharfage
;
and
the
said
Pilotage
in
manner
and
form
aforesaid
:
any
Law
,
Custom
,
or
Order
to
the
contrary
in
any
wise
notwithstanding
.
August
the
23d
.
1673.
The
Names
of
the
Governour
,
and
Council
,
and
of
the
Assembly
.
-
Sr
John
Heydon
Governor
.
-
Henry
Tucker
Senior
.
-
Henry
Moore
.
-
Richard
Woolrich
.
-
John
Hubbert
.
-
John
Wainright
,
Senior
.
-
Thomas
Wood
.
-
Jonathan
Turner
,
Senior
.
-
Thomas
Leacroft
.
-
Cornelius
White
,
Secretary
.
-
Charles
Whitnall
,
Speaker
.
-
John
Bristow
,
Junior
.
-
Samuel
Brangman
.
-
Boaz
Sharp
.
-
James
Farmer
.
-
John
Welch
.
-
Thomas
Stowe
.
-
Edward
Sherlock
,
Senior
.
-
Robert
Dickinson
.
-
Sir
George
Tucker
.
-
Thomas
Kersey
.
-
Edward
Chaplin
.
-
George
Bascomb
.
-
William
Basdon
,
Senior
.
-
Philip
Lea
.
-
John
Rawlings
,
Senior
.
-
Nicholas
Thorton
.
-
John
Arthur
.
-
John
Stowe
.
-
John
Esquire
.
-
John
Huchins
.
-
Richard
Hanger
.
-
George
Hubbard
.
-
William
Milborne
.
-
Lawrence
Dill
.
-
John
Cox
.
-
John
Somerall
,
Senior
.
-
Richard
Jennings
-
Richard
Peniston
.
-
Severand
Vickers
.
-
William
Righton
.
-
Thomas
Hall
.
-
George
Ball
.
-
John
Morris
,
Senior
.
-
William
Burch
.
-
Thomas
Foster
.
-
Richard
Matthewlin
.
-
Nathaniel
Butterfield
.
-
Hammond
Johnson
,
Clerk
of
the
Assembly
.
Notwithstanding
the
aforesaid
Assemblies
Grievances
and
Petitions
did
come
to
the
hands
of
the
said
Company
,
(
by
this
remarkable
token
,
That
the
Deputy
of
the
said
Company
,
William
Webb
Esq
by
name
,
said
in
open
Court
,
That
the
drawers
thereof
deserved
to
be
hanged
:
and
the
said
Mr.
Webb
did
further
say
,
That
the
Bermudians
had
no
more
to
do
with
Magna-Charta
,
than
the
Inhabitants
of
Brazeel
had
;
for
the
King
had
left
the
Government
wholly
to
the
hands
of
the
Company
)
:
yet
the
said
Company
did
stifle
the
said
Grievances
and
Petitions
aforesaid
,
and
did
deny
by
their
Councel
,
before
the
King
and
Parliament
,
that
there
came
any
such
Papers
to
their
hands
:
and
instead
of
shewing
the
said
Papers
,
as
was
desired
by
those
men
that
knew
they
received
them
;
the
said
Company
produced
before
the
King
and
Parliament
something
that
was
drawn
up
by
private
persons
in
the
Islands
,
and
signed
by
those
of
the
Assembly
;
the
which
Paper
coming
to
hand
,
with
the
Assemblies
Grievances
,
made
the
Right
Honourable
,
the
Earl
of
Shaftsbury
(
then
the
present
Governour
)
in
open
Court
,
to
say
,
He
admired
that
there
should
be
sent
such
a
Paper
in
that
strange
manner
,
in
those
words
aforesaid
,
signed
by
PART
OF
THE
ASSEMBLY
.
And
let
all
the
unbiassed
persons
in
the
World
judge
,
if
the
Somer-Islands
Company
,
(
that
have
acted
as
they
have
done
in
the
aforesaid
,
and
following
Narrative
,
as
by
the
Grievances
made
out
,
by
a
Petition
lately
presented
to
the
Parliament
by
several
Members
of
the
said
Company
will
most
plainly
appear
)
be
fitting
to
Govern
any
longer
the
said
Somer-Islands
;
nay
,
rather
it
is
to
be
desired
,
that
His
Majesty
would
be
pleased
to
send
a
Governour
thither
,
as
he
doth
to
Barbados
,
Virginia
,
and
all
his
other
Plantations
,
that
all
the
poor
Inhabitants
may
be
redeemed
from
that
Egyptian
bondage
they
all
now
groan
under
,
by
the
Government
of
the
said
Company
.
A
Petition
presented
to
Sir
John
Heydon
Governour
,
by
six
Bermudians
,
1677.
To
the
Honourable
Sir
John
Heydon
Knight
and
Governour
,
with
his
worthy
Council
.
Somer-Islands
,
April
20.
1677.
The
humble
Petition
of
Captain
John
Dorrel
,
Senior
,
Capt
.
John
Hubbard
,
Capt
.
George
Hubbard
,
Lieutenant
William
Peniston
,
Mr.
William
Righton
Senior
,
and
Mr.
William
Keele
,
in
behalf
of
the
rest
of
the
Inhabitants
.
Most
Humbly
sheweth
,
THAT
your
Petitioners
understanding
that
several
new
Laws
are
come
to
your
Honours
hands
,
from
the
Honourable
Company
,
to
be
put
in
execution
;
and
knowing
by
experience
that
the
execution
thereof
will
prove
not
only
prejudicial
,
but
the
ruin
of
the
wellbeing
of
the
Inhabitants
of
these
Islands
;
our selves
,
with
several
others
,
have
by
the
request
of
the
Inhabitants
,
presented
to
your
Honour
and
Council
,
our
humble
Addresses
to
the
Honourable
Company
;
therein
shewing
the
misery
we
lived
under
several
years
ago
,
and
must
unavoidably
live
under
again
,
if
their
new
Laws
be
put
in
execution
;
WE
in
the
behalf
of
the
Inhabitants
of
the
whole
Islands
,
humbly
begging
your
Honour
,
and
Council
,
to
stop
the
present
execution
of
those
new
Laws
,
until
the
Honourable
Companies
pleasure
is
further
known
in
Answer
to
our
Grievances
.
And
your
Honours
Petitioners
shall
ever
pray
.
-
John
Dorrell
,
Senior
.
-
John
Hubbard
.
-
George
Hubbard
.
-
William
Penistone
.
-
William
Righton
,
Sen.
-
William
Keele
.
To
the
Right
Honourable
the
Governour
and
Company
of
the
Somer-Islands
Plantation
,
the
Humble
Petition
of
the
Inhabitants
of
the
Somer-Islands
,
Most
Humbly
sheweth
,
THAT
whereas
your
Honours
have
been
pleased
of
late
,
to
make
several
Laws
for
the
Government
and
well-being
of
us
the
Inhabitants
in
this
Island
,
as
you
do
relate
;
BUT
your
Honours
living
so
far
distant
from
us
,
knowing
not
so
well
our
condition
,
as
we
our selves
do
;
That
if
those
Laws
you
have
lately
made
,
be
put
in
execution
,
private
men
may
be
gainers
thereby
;
BUT
the
generality
of
all
the
Inhabitants
shall
be
brought
to
the
same
condition
as
it
was
Thirty
and
odd
years
ago
,
Three
Men
to
one
Shirt
:
Therefore
we
most
humbly
pray
you
to
consider
our
Petition
,
as
at
large
is
there
set
forth
,
WE
flying
to
your
Honours
for
relief
,
as
Children
to
their
Parents
;
begging
from
your
Honours
,
That
the
Rod
may
not
lye
so
heavy
upon
our
backs
,
nor
the
yoak
on
our
necks
,
but
that
we
may
be
relieved
from
those
oppressing
By-Laws
you
have
made
:
And
we
shall
ever
pray
.
Signed
by
-
John
Dorrell
,
Senior
.
-
John
Stowe
.
-
Henry
Moore
.
-
Tho
.
Richards
,
Senior
.
-
John
Hubbard
.
-
William
Penistone
.
-
William
Righton
,
Sen.
-
Edward
Chaplin
.
-
George
Bauscomb
.
-
William
Williams
.
-
Anthony
Penistone
.
-
Nicholas
Thorne
.
-
Jonathan
Turner
.
-
George
Hubbard
.
-
John
Hutchings
.
-
William
Keele
.
-
Samuel
Evans
.
-
John
Squire
.
-
William
Burch
.
-
Thomas
Forster
.
-
Paul
Trimingham
.
-
Edward
Sherlock
.
-
Anthony
White
.
BUT
notwithstanding
the
abovesaid
Petition
was
received
by
the
said
Company
,
and
the
former
Petitions
,
and
the
Assemblies
Grievances
,
Printed
as
aforesaid
;
all
of
them
craving
from
the
said
Company
,
to
be
relieved
from
the
oppressing
Laws
and
Orders
made
by
them
;
YET
instead
of
giving
relief
,
they
have
a
late
ordered
their
Governor
and
Council
in
the
Islands
,
to
put
all
their
Laws
in
execution
forthwith
without
dispute
;
I
William
Righton
one
of
the
Petitioners
,
being
at
their
Courts
in
London
,
an
eye
and
ear
Witness
to
the
same
.
To
the
Kings
Most
Excellent
Majesty
,
1676.
The
Humble
Petition
of
Perient
Trott
,
and
several
other
Merchants
and
Members
of
the
Bermuda
Company
,
Humbly
sheweth
,
THAT
at
the
Creation
of
the
said
Company
,
about
the
year
1614
,
they
Traded
on
a
joynt
Stock
,
which
was
for
divers
years
managed
accordingly
.
THAT
the
said
Stock
hath
been
dissolved
near
Fifty
years
since
;
and
your
Petitioners
have
many
years
been
Traders
to
the
said
Islands
with
their
own
private
Stocks
,
since
the
dissolution
or
discontinuance
of
the
said
Companies
Stock
.
THAT
some
of
the
said
Company
,
on
purpose
to
destroy
the
Trade
to
those
parts
,
have
made
a
Law
that
no
Ship
should
be
employed
to
those
Islands
wherein
any
Member
of
the
said
Company
hath
any
interest
;
and
have
lately
sent
out
a
Ship
bound
to
the
said
Islands
,
which
was
so
qualified
,
refusing
to
suffer
your
Petitioners
(
who
are
Members
of
the
said
Company
)
to
send
for
their
own
Commodities
of
the
growth
of
the
said
Islands
,
with
their
own
Ship
provided
for
that
purpose
,
to
their
great
damage
and
ruine
of
their
Trade
.
THAT
the
said
Company
on
their
publick
account
sends
but
one
Ship
a
year
,
and
that
not
sufficient
to
bring
away
the
Crop
of
Tobacco
in
the
said
Islands
;
and
sometimes
they
send
but
one
Ship
in
Two
years
,
to
the
great
loss
of
the
Planters
and
Merchants
,
in
perishing
of
their
Commodities
,
and
the
loss
of
their
Markets
,
also
to
the
great
damage
of
your
Majesty
in
the
loss
of
your
Customs
,
the
Planters
and
others
being
necessitated
by
such
usage
,
to
Ship
their
Tobacco
and
Goods
on
any
strange
Vessels
which
happen
to
touch
there
,
which
carry
the
same
to
foreign
Markets
,
which
otherwise
they
would
not
do
.
THAT
the
Governor
of
the
said
Islands
hath
Licensed
strangers
Ships
to
Trade
there
,
which
have
carried
away
great
quantities
of
Tobacco
to
foreign
parts
,
contrary
to
several
Acts
of
Parliament
,
and
of
which
information
and
complaint
was
made
here
in
London
to
the
said
Company
,
by
one
of
your
Petitioners
,
but
they
would
take
no
notice
of
the
same
.
THAT
some
of
your
Petitioners
have
a
Ship
ready
to
set
sail
for
the
said
Islands
,
as
well
for
the
supplying
the
wants
of
the
Inhabitants
,
with
Commodities
from
hence
,
as
to
re-lade
and
bring
their
own
Goods
,
which
by
the
said
Company
will
not
be
permitted
to
lode
back
,
contrary
to
all
Law
and
Reason
,
and
the
great
hindrance
of
Navigation
,
as
at
large
appeareth
,
by
the
Affidavit
annexed
.
The
premises
considered
,
May
it
please
your
Sacred
Majesty
,
in
your
great
wisdom
and
wonted
goodness
,
for
incouragement
of
Navigation
and
your
Petitioners
in
their
Trade
,
to
direct
,
That
free-Trade
may
be
allowed
to
the
said
Islands
,
for
your
Majesties
Subjects
that
are
Members
of
the
said
Company
,
and
that
such
By-Laws
and
Orders
that
are
made
by
the
said
Company
contrary
to
Law
,
may
be
made
void
:
And
that
in
the
mean
time
the
Ship
Charles
of
London
,
belonging
to
some
of
your
Petitioners
now
Laden
,
and
ready
to
set
sail
to
the
said
Islands
,
may
by
your
Majesty
be
inabled
to
Land
their
Goods
in
the
said
Islands
;
and
bring
from
thence
into
England
the
Commodities
of
the
said
Islands
:
And
your
Petitioners
as
in
Duty
bound
,
shall
ever
Pray
,
&c.
Signed
by
-
John
Wyse
.
-
George
Day
.
-
Perient
Trott
.
-
Robert
Steevens
.
To
the
Kings
Most
Excellent
Majesty
.
The
Answer
of
the
Somer-Islands
Company
to
the
Petition
of
Perient
Trott
and
others
,
Humbly
sheweth
,
1.
THAT
it
is
true
,
At
the
first
Creation
of
the
Company
,
and
that
for
several
years
after
,
they
Traded
in
a
joynt
Stock
:
That
for
the
conveniency
of
the
Members
of
the
said
Company
,
the
Company
gave
them
leave
to
Trade
with
their
own
private
Stocks
;
but
still
they
always
managed
that
Trade
,
in
the
Companies
general
or
Magazeen
Ships
.
2.
THAT
the
Company
have
indeed
made
a
By-Law
,
That
no
Ship
should
be
employed
as
their
Magazeen
Ship
,
wherin
any
Member
of
the
Company
hath
any
share
or
interest
as
an
owner
of
it
.
3.
AND
they
have
also
made
another
By-Law
,
That
no
Member
of
the
Company
shall
Trade
thither
with
any
private
Ships
,
for
Tobacco
,
and
freight
them
there
,
before
the
Magazeen
Ships
are
fully
freighted
.
4.
AND
the
Company
do
conceive
that
their
By-Laws
are
according
to
Law
,
and
beneficial
to
Trade
,
and
your
Majesties
Customs
;
and
necessary
,
not
only
to
the
well-being
,
but
to
the
very
being
of
the
Company
:
And
this
they
do
not
doubt
,
but
to
make
out
.
5.
THAT
the
Magazeen
Ship
is
very
sufficient
to
bring
home
the
Crop
of
Tobacco
in
the
said
Islands
,
it
being
seldom
,
if
EVER
,
fully
freighted
;
and
that
Mr.
Trott
have
the
same
liberty
with
all
the
rest
of
the
Members
,
of
loading
his
Tobacco
on
Board
the
said
Ship
,
as
he
had
also
of
sending
out
his
goods
in
the
said
Ship
,
she
not
being
a
quarter
full
laden
.
6.
AND
for
any
abuses
of
the
Governour
,
in
the
said
Island
,
the
Company
knoweth
nothing
of
it
;
but
would
be
very
glad
to
make
the
discovery
,
since
in
their
proportions
they
are
the
greatest
sufferers
thereby
,
in
being
defrauded
of
their
Duties
;
whereby
they
maintain
the
whole
great
charge
of
the
Islands
and
Government
.
THE
said
Company
therefore
most
humbly
beseech
your
Majesty
,
that
in
regard
the
said
By-Laws
are
so
necessary
for
the
Company
,
and
not
at
all
prejudicial
,
but
on
the
contrary
,
advantageous
to
Trade
and
your
Majesties
Customs
,
and
the
good
of
the
Planters
in
the
said
Island
;
That
the
said
Petition
be
dismissed
.
And
the
said
Company
,
as
in
duty
bound
,
shall
ever
pray
.
And
a
Reply
made
to
the
said
Somer-Islands
Companies
Answer
.
To
the
King
.
1.
TO
the
first
Head
Answered
,
That
several
years
after
the
Company
came
into
a
joynt
Stock
,
one
Mr.
Delbridg
a
Member
of
the
said
Company
,
did
several
years
send
Shipping
there
on
his
own
account
particularly
,
as
appeareth
by
the
Companies
own
Records
;
and
so
he
continued
Trading
,
until
Tobacco
fell
from
Half
a
Crown
per
l.
to
one
Peny
per
l.
2.
To
the
second
Head
,
The
Company
hath
made
a
confession
(
there
needs
no
other
proof
)
That
they
have
made
such
a
Law
,
that
no
Ship
shall
be
sent
to
the
Island
,
that
any
Member
is
owner
of
any
part
of
her
;
which
,
as
learned
Council
affirm
,
is
contrary
to
Magna-Charta
.
3.
To
the
third
Head
,
The
said
Company
have
made
a
confession
,
that
they
have
made
such
a
Law
,
That
no
Ship
shall
be
sent
to
the
Islands
to
freight
her
,
before
their
Magazeen
Ship
is
freighted
;
BUT
the
said
Company
hath
ordered
the
Governour
in
the
Burmudoes
to
unload
a
Members
Ship
there
,
though
she
was
loaded
there
by
the
Companies
own
order
,
and
leave
obtained
from
the
Government
in
the
said
Islands
to
load
her
;
and
they
caused
all
the
said
goods
they
had
taken
out
of
her
,
to
be
put
aboard
their
Magazeen
Ship
,
that
did
not
arrive
there
until
the
next
year
after
the
time
she
should
have
been
there
,
and
forced
the
said
Members
Ship
to
return
for
England
empty
;
and
the
said
Company
hath
sent
no
Ship
thither
in
above
Two
years
time
,
and
yet
forbad
a
Members
Ship
to
be
Loaded
there
with
Tobacco
,
of
the
growth
of
the
Island
,
1673.
she
did
arrive
in
the
Island
,
in
the
time
of
the
late
Dutch
War
,
1674
;
Witness
,
Cornelius
White
Secretary
.
4.
To
the
Fourth
Head
,
The
Assemblies
grievances
doth
sufficiently
disprove
their
assertion
.
—
And
surely
Common
Reason
tells
the
World
,
That
it
is
not
therefore
that
their
Laws
must
be
good
,
because
they
affirm
them
so
to
be
;
and
necessary
,
not
only
to
the
well-being
,
but
to
the
very
being
of
the
Company
:
Behold
their
confidence
!
5.
To
the
Fifth
Head
,
That
oftentimes
it
is
so
,
that
their
Magazeen
Ship
is
not
big
enough
to
bring
away
the
Tobacco
,
as
by
several
Witnesses
can
be
proved
;
BUT
were
she
never
so
big
,
Why
should
Strangers
Ships
be
sent
to
the
Island
,
and
of
the
Members-ships
,
to
bring
away
the
Members
own
goods
;
and
for
strangers
to
eat
the
Bread
out
of
the
Members
mouths
,
that
own
the
goods
?
For
if
any
profit
be
,
Why
Strangers
Ships
should
be
entertained
,
and
the
Members
Ships
forbid
?
for
no
man
sends
Ships
thither
,
nor
elsewhere
,
but
for
an
advantage
.
6.
To
the
Sixth
Head
,
The
said
Company
did
know
the
abuses
done
by
their
Governor
Sir
John
Heydon
,
by
Letters
,
and
by
Articles
exhibited
against
him
(
and
presented
,
both
to
the
principal
Assistants
,
and
to
the
said
Company
in
Writing
;
and
the
discovery
was
made
to
the
said
Company
,
without
their
desiring
of
it
)
and
offered
to
be
made
out
by
several
Witnesses
.
THE
ANSWER
to
the
Companies
Prayer
.
The
said
Company
do
desire
the
aforesaid
Petition
might
be
dismissed
:
it
is
verily
believed
they
did
,
and
do
;
BUT
is
it
therefore
to
be
dismissed
,
because
the
Company
pretendedly
affirm
their
Laws
are
so
necessary
and
advantageous
?
BUT
for
the
confuting
of
their
affertion
,
which
is
groundless
,
it
is
desired
they
will
turn
to
the
Assemblies
Grievances
and
Petitions
that
they
received
,
and
also
stifled
.
AND
further
,
pray
consider
if
it
be
not
prejudicial
to
His
Majesty
in
his
Customs
,
and
also
to
the
Merchants
,
to
have
all
the
years
Crop
of
Tobacco
imbarqued
in
one
Ship
,
and
so
all
to
be
lost
(
as
several
times
it
hath
been
the
case
of
the
Companies
Magazeen
Ships
)
or
to
have
the
Crop
of
Tobacco
Shipped
in
several
Ships
,
that
if
one
Ship
miscarry
,
another
may
come
safe
;
well
weigh
what
is
related
aforesaid
,
and
then
if
the
Company
alter
not
their
mind
,
it
is
hoped
the
unbiassed
Reader
will
see
the
unreasonableness
of
their
assertion
;
and
further
,
see
the
fallacious
Answer
the
said
Company
hath
given
to
the
aforesaid
Petition
,
presented
by
Mr.
John
Wyse
,
George
Day
,
Perient
Trott
,
and
Robert
Steevens
,
in
the
behalf
of
themselves
and
others
,
To
the
King's
Most
Excellent
Majesty
.
1.
The
Answer
of
the
Bermuda
Company
to
the
Matters
complained
of
in
the
Petition
of
Mr.
Perient
Trott
,
humbly
offered
to
the
Consideration
of
the
Honourable
the
Knights
,
Citizens
,
and
Burgesses
Assembled
in
PARLIAMENT
.
2.
THE
BERMUDA
COMPANY
having
purchased
the
soyl
of
the
Island
,
were
incorporated
in
1614
,
by
the
name
of
the
Governour
and
Company
of
the
City
of
London
,
for
the
Plantation
of
the
Somer-Islands
,
and
thereby
had
the
sole
Government
committed
to
them
with
Power
to
make
Laws
,
as
near
as
might
be
to
the
Laws
of
ENGLAND
,
being
the
same
power
granted
to
all
His
Majesties
Foreign
Plantations
,
and
the
Company
are
still
the
Proprietors
of
the
said
Islands
;
and
if
any
By-Laws
were
made
contrary
to
their
power
,
or
prejudicial
to
the
Islands
(
as
is
untruly
suggested
)
the
Company
here
must
be
the
great
losers
.
3.
THAT
no
Lands
have
been
taken
away
from
any
person
without
due
proceedings
,
and
examination
had
according
to
the
Laws
and
Constitutions
of
the
Islands
;
neither
have
any
Records
or
due
Entries
,
manifesting
any
mans
Title
to
the
same
,
been
razed
or
altered
;
nor
hath
any
person
been
admitted
to
any
shares
in
the
said
Islands
,
but
upon
evidence
of
their
right
and
title
to
the
same
.
4.
THAT
the
penny
in
the
pound
upon
Tobacco
is
a
Tax
necessary
to
support
the
Charges
of
the
Government
,
over
and
above
the
publick
shares
set
aside
,
and
now
employed
for
that
purpose
,
and
is
duly
imposed
;
and
for
recovery
thereof
,
Actions
at
Law
are
brought
against
the
Petitioner
Mr.
Trott
,
whereby
the
validity
of
the
said
Tax
will
be
tryed
.
5.
AND
if
the
Governour
and
Council
there
do
impose
any
Assesments
upon
the
Planters
without
the
consent
of
the
Assembly
,
it
is
without
the
knowledg
of
the
Company
,
and
contrary
to
the
known
Laws
of
the
place
,
and
would
be
redressed
upon
complaint
made
to
the
Company
here
.
6.
THAT
the
managing
of
the
Trade
of
Tobacco
in
the
Companies
Magazeen
Ship
,
is
necessary
for
the
Proprietors
,
sufficient
for
the
growth
and
utmost
improvements
of
the
Islands
,
satisfactory
to
the
Planters
,
always
used
since
the
first
purchase
of
the
Lands
,
and
the
only
way
to
prevent
fraud
and
oppressions
.
7.
AS
to
the
Whale-fishing
,
the
Company
have
made
a
Lease
for
Ninety
nine
years
to
several
undertakers
,
who
expended
near
4000
l.
in
Boats
,
Tackle
,
and
other
Charges
,
for
carrying
on
the
Trade
,
and
have
intrusted
some
persons
under
them
to
manage
the
same
for
Five
years
,
and
the
said
Trustees
having
some
ways
intrusted
Mr.
Trott
therein
,
and
the
Five
years
being
expired
,
the
said
Boats
and
Tackle
was
seized
at
the
request
,
and
for
the
said
undertakers
,
who
are
the
Proprietors
and
owners
of
the
same
,
and
are
under
the
value
of
100
l.
8.
AS
to
the
building
of
Ships
,
if
the
same
were
not
restrained
,
there
would
not
be
Timber
left
,
sufficient
for
the
necessary
supply
of
the
Islands
.
9.
AS
to
Appeals
,
any
person
aggrieved
may
bring
the
same
,
unless
where
the
Cause
of
Action
is
under
the
value
of
Five
pounds
.
10.
AND
ever
since
the
granting
of
the
said
Charter
,
the
Company
have
indeavoured
to
advance
the
common
and
publick
interest
of
the
Islands
,
and
the
Rights
of
the
Proprietors
there
;
and
the
Islands
are
now
in
a
more
flourishing
condition
than
ever
they
weer
since
they
were
first
planted
.
1.
ANSWER
to
their
first
Head
,
as
to
the
Preamble
of
the
said
Companies
answer
;
They
deal
most
disingenuously
,
in
that
they
mislead
the
Reader
,
by
Printing
Perient
Trott
the
sole
Petitioner
,
when
as
the
Petition
was
in
the
Names
of
Mr.
John
Wyse
,
William
White
,
Robert
Steevens
,
and
Perient
Trott
,
in
the
behalf
of
themselves
,
and
divers
others
of
the
said
Company
,
and
many
of
the
Planters
in
the
said
Islands
,
of
which
I
,
William
Righton
,
am
one
.
2.
To
their
second
Head
,
They
also
mislead
the
Reader
,
in
that
they
quote
that
part
of
the
Charter
that
relates
to
make
Laws
,
as
near
as
might
be
,
to
the
Laws
of
ENGLAND
,
which
Clause
is
in
relation
to
Criminal
Cases
,
(
as
to
Mariners
and
others
)
but
they
leave
out
that
part
of
the
Charter
,
where
the
King
saith
positively
;
All
the
Laws
they
make
,
must
be
so
ALWAYS
,
as
the
same
be
not
contrary
to
the
Laws
and
Statutes
of
this
our
Realm
of
England
:
And
further
,
whereas
they
say
,
The
Company
are
still
the
proprietors
of
the
said
Lands
,
it
is
not
true
;
Without
they
mean
the
major
part
of
them
that
are
owners
of
near
¾
of
the
said
Lands
,
that
now
are
livers
in
the
Island
,
who
are
become
the
Heirs
and
lawful
Successors
to
the
first
Purchasers
,
as
having
bought
them
out
;
and
if
so
,
then
they
must
be
the
greatest
losers
,
and
not
the
Company
in
England
,
that
hath
few
shares
of
Land
to
lose
in
the
said
Bermuda
.
3.
To
their
third
Head
,
That
mens
Lands
have
been
given
away
from
the
lawful
owners
thereof
,
without
due
process
of
Law
;
and
contrary
to
the
Laws
and
orders
of
the
said
Company
:
and
men
are
put
into
the
said
Lands
,
and
the
said
men
have
sate
and
voted
in
their
Courts
;
and
the
Records
have
been
razed
out
,
both
in
England
and
in
the
Somer-Islands
:
Witness
to
the
same
Richard
Banner
their
Secretary
,
and
several
others
.
4.
To
the
fourth
Head
,
That
the
Tax
of
1
d
per
s.
on
Tobacco
is
unnecessary
,
as
by
the
Assemblies
Address
to
the
Company
,
more
at
large
appeareth
;
for
the
King
in
the
Charter
,
hath
set
out
one
4th
part
of
the
said
Islands
to
defray
the
publick
Charges
for
EVER
.
And
that
Actions
were
entred
against
Mr.
Trott
,
is
as
true
,
as
they
were
never
prosecuted
to
this
day
;
but
entred
only
,
and
so
Printed
,
to
mislead
the
Reader
,
and
to
make
a
noise
in
Coffee-houses
.
5.
To
the
fifth
Head
,
I
,
William
Righton
by
name
,
have
,
time
after
time
,
made
complaint
to
the
Company
,
that
the
Governour
and
Council
in
the
said
Island
,
did
impose
Assesments
on
the
Inhabitants
,
and
they
did
by
force
and
violence
gather
the
same
,
without
the
consent
of
the
Assembly
,
but
never
could
obtain
any
relief
from
the
Company
here
.
6.
To
the
sixth
Head
,
PRAY
turn
to
the
Assemblies
Petition
and
Address
to
the
Company
,
and
there
you
may
see
,
how
many
untruths
the
Company
doth
Print
in
that
Head
;
and
surely
mens
Estates
in
Two
Ships
,
is
safer
than
in
one
;
and
in
three
,
safer
than
in
two
;
and
they
send
but
one
Ship
a
year
,
though
their
own
Laws
bind
them
to
send
two
at
the
least
yearly
:
And
they
put
no
difference
between
the
Infancy
of
the
Plantation
,
when
there
was
not
in
the
Island
700
people
,
and
all
Tenants
;
and
now
there
is
as
many
Thousands
,
and
most
Freeholders
.
7.
To
the
seventh
Head
,
That
the
major
part
of
the
Whale-fishers
,
did
let
a
Lease
of
the
same
for
Seven
years
,
that
might
have
Leased
it
out
for
the
Ninety-nine
years
;
and
that
all
the
Materials
were
seized
on
,
and
the
Company
forbid
the
Whale-fishing
,
who
had
not
,
nor
hath
now
any
Interest
at
all
in
the
Whale-fishing
,
(
they
having
Leas'd
it
out
for
Ninety
nine
years
)
:
And
this
the
Company
did
(
against
the
mind
of
the
major
part
of
the
undertakers
)
as
will
be
made
out
before
a
Judge
and
Jury
;
and
the
value
of
the
Materials
are
above
300
l.
Sterling
.
8.
To
the
eighth
Head
,
No
use
so
necessary
,
as
to
build
Ships
,
with
the
Timber
of
the
growth
of
the
Islands
,
both
as
to
the
Act
of
Navigation
,
and
the
Inhabitants
interest
also
.
9.
To
the
ninth
Head
,
The
Company
have
ordered
the
Governour
in
the
Island
to
deny
the
due
Process
of
Law
,
or
he
doth
it
on
his
own
head
to
gratifie
them
,
as
appeareth
by
Appeals
lain
before
the
said
Company
in
London
,
and
in
the
Islands
,
some
Twelve
years
,
and
some
of
later
date
,
and
no
relief
can
be
obtained
from
the
said
Company
;
Witness
Richard
Banner
Secretary
.
10.
To
their
tenth
Head
,
To
confute
that
,
pray
turn
to
what
the
Assembly
saith
,
and
hath
Enacted
,
and
in
their
Petition
presented
to
the
Company
,
but
they
concealed
it
;
and
turn
to
the
Laws
they
lately
made
,
all
which
is
Printed
and
presented
to
the
Parliament
,
and
they
will
sufficiently
make
out
the
truth
of
this
Answer
:
That
if
the
Islanders
flourished
formerly
,
it
was
by
not
putting
the
Laws
in
execution
;
and
they
are
never
like
to
flourish
afterwards
,
if
those
Laws
be
ever
executed
.
Let
every
unbiassed
Reader
give
their
Judgments
in
what
the
Company
hath
Printed
,
but
have
proved
nothing
;
and
well
weigh
the
Answers
thereunto
made
,
all
which
is
ready
to
be
proved
by
several
Witnesses
:
That
done
,
Then
what
a
fallacious
,
groundless
,
and
pretended
Answer
hath
the
Bermuda
Company
made
in
Print
to
the
aforesaid
Petition
presented
by
Mr.
John
Wyse
,
(
Viz
.
)
to
the
Honourable
House
of
Commons
Assembled
in
Parliament
.
AND
now
seeing
no
relief
can
be
obtained
from
the
said
Company
,
as
it
appeareth
by
the
aforesaid
Narrative
,
and
that
the
poor
distressed
Inhabitants
have
no
remedy
left
them
,
but
by
taking
the
humble
boldness
to
fly
once
more
unto
the
high
and
honourable
House
of
Commons
Assembled
in
Parliament
,
beseeching
them
to
consider
the
miserable
and
deplorable
condition
that
the
poor
distressed
Inhabitants
in
the
Somer-Islands
do
groan
under
by
the
oppressions
of
the
said
Company
related
as
aforesaid
,
and
to
give
such
relief
,
as
the
Honourable
House
of
Commons
in
their
great
wisdoms
shall
think
fit
.
And
all
the
Inhabitants
,
both
Men
,
Women
and
Children
,
shall
ever
be
bound
to
pray
.