GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT TO SUCH AS SHALL TRANSPLANT THEMSELVES TO
JAMAICA.
Whereas the Island of Jamaica in America, is by the Providence of
God, in the hands and possession of this State,[1] the Enemy which
was found upon it, being fled into the Mountains with an intention
to escape into other places, save such of them as do daily render
themselves to our Commander in chief there, to be disposed of by him;
and We being satisfied of the Goodness, Fertility, and Commodiousness
for Trade and Commerce of that Island, Have resolved, by the blessing
of God, to use Our best endeavours to secure and plant the same. For
which end and purpose, We have thought it necessary to publish, and
make known unto the People of this Commonwealth, and especially to
those of the English Islands, Plantations and Colonies in America, our
Resolutions and Intentions on that behalf, as also to declare unto
them the Encouragements which We have thought fit to give unto such
as shall remove themselves, and their habitations into the aforesaid
Island of Jamaica, within the time mentioned and expressed in these
Presents. And first, concerning the securing thereof against the Enemy,
We have already upon the Island, which landed there in May last, above
six thousand Souldiers, and the beginning of July after, we sent from
hence a Regiment of eight hundred more, drawn out of Our old Regiments
in England, with eight Ships of War, besides Victualers, to be added to
twelve others, that were left there by General Pen, under the command
of Captain Will. Goodson, all which are appointed to remain in those
Seas for the Defence of the said Island; and We shall from time to time
take care to send thither other, both Land and Sea Forces, that We may
have alwaies in those parts, such a strength as may be able, through
the blessing of God, to defend and secure it against any Attempt of the
Enemy; that whereas the Planters in other Places have been at Great and
vast expences at their first sitting down, and in the very beginning
of their Plantations for their necessary defence, as well against
the Natives of the Countrey as other Enemies, those who shall remove
thither, will be under the immediate Protection of this State, and so
eased both of the danger and charge which other Plantations are subject
to, and shall have, for their further encouragement, the terms and
conditions following.
1. Those who shall transport themselves as aforesaid shall have
land set forth unto them, according to the proportion of twenty
Acres, besides Lakes and Rivers, for every Male of twelve years old
and upwards, and ten Acres for every other Male or Female, in some
convenient place of the said Island; and in case any whole Plantation,
That is to say, the Governours and greatest part of the people shall
remove themselves, they shall be preferred in respect of the place of
their sitting down, that it may be near some good Harbour commodious
for Commerce and Navigation.
2. That the said Proportion of Land shall be set forth unto them,
within six Weeks after notice given by them under their hands, or the
hands of some of them on the behalf of the rest, unto his Highness
Commander in chief, or Commissioners there, appointed for that purpose
of their resolutions to remove, and of the time they intend to be upon
the place.
3. That they shall have Liberty for the space of seaven years to hunt,
take and dispose of to their own use such Horses, and other cattle as
are, or shall be upon the said Island, the same not being marked by,
or belonging to other Planters, subject nevertheless to such Rules and
Directions as to their hunting, and taking of Horses, Cattle, and other
Beasts out of their own bounds and limits, as shall from time to time
be made by the Persons authorized by his Highnesse, for mannaging the
affairs of the said Island.
4. That they shall hold the said Land with all Houses, Edifices, Woods,
Trees, Profits and Advantages thereupon, to them and their Heirs for
ever, to be held in free, and common Soccage, without any Rent for the
first seven years, and then one penny an Acre, and by no other rent,
tenure, or service whatsoever.
5. That after the said Proportions of Land are set forth as aforesaid,
His Highness, or his Successors, upon the desire of the Owners thereof,
shall by Letters Pattents, under the Great Seal of England, or by such
other sure ways as shall be devised by their Counsel learned in the
Law, give, grant, and confirm unto him or them, their heirs and assigns
the said Proportions of Land, together with all and singular the
Privileges, Jurisdictions, Profits and advantages which are intended
hereby to be enjoied by them, with power to erect and create any
Mannour or Mannors, with tenures in free and common Soccage within such
Plantation, or Plantations, as shall be capable thereof.
6. That they shall hold and enjoy all, and singular Mines of Copper,
Iron, Tin, or other Minerals whatsoever (excepting Gold, and Silver
Mines) and all Mines of Quarries, Coal, Stone, Allum, or other Mines,
whatsoever (except as aforesaid) within the circuit, Meets or bounds
of the said several and respective proportions of Land; and also all
Fishings, and Piscaries whatsoever upon or within any of the Lakes,
Streams or Rivers within their Meets, and bounds; and also full power,
and authority to man, and send forth to Sea, and unto any the Coasts,
and Shores, Roads, Harbours or Creeks within or near the said Island,
any Ships, Boats or other Vessels to fish for, find out, or take any
Pearls, precious Stones, or Jewels therein being, and to enjoy the
same to his and their own use or uses, rendering and paying to the
Governour of the said Island for the time being, or to such other
person or persons, for the time being, as His Highnesse shall authorize
to receive the same, to his Highness use, the full fifth part only, and
no more of all such Pearls, precious Stones and Jewels as shall be got,
found, and taken, as aforesaid; and also one tenth part of all such
Mettal as shall be had, found, and gained in the Mines, granted hereby
to the aforesaid Planters.
7. That no Custom, Excise, Impost, or other duty shall be set or
imposed for the space of three years to be accounted from the 29. day
of September, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1656. upon any of
their Goods and Merchandizes of the growth, production or Manufacture
of the said Island, which they shall transport into this Commonwealth:
Nor shall they or their Servants, without their own consent, be drawn
out into the Wars, unlesse it be in case of Invasion, or Rebellion, and
for the defence of the Island.
8. That they shall have power to build Walls, and raise Bulwarks and
Castles upon their own Land for the defence, and security of their own
plantations, and also to arme themselves, and servants, and to lead,
and conduct them against any Enemies, or Rebels within the said Island;
Subject nevertheless to such Orders, and directions as they shall on
this behalf receive from the Governour or Commander in chief of the
said Island for the time being.
9. That all and every person and persons, that shall hereafter happen
to be born within the said Island, shall be, and shall be deemed, and
accounted to be free Denizons of England, and shall have and enjoy
all and every such benefits, privileges, advantages and immunities
whatsoever, as any of the Natives or People of England born in England
now have and enjoy in England.
That all such professing the Protestant Religion, who shall transport
themselves into the aforesaid Island within two years to be accounted
from the said 29. day of September 1656. and shall make a beginning
therein by transporting to the said Island one third part of their
number before the 29. day of September next, shall have, and enjoy the
aforesaid Privileges, and Advantages. And for the more certain carrying
on of this businesse, and answering Our intentions herein, We do hereby
authorize and require Our Commander in chief of the said Island, for
the time being, and also the aforesaid Commissioners that they take
notice of the Premisses, and cause a due and effectual execution of
the same from time to time as there shall be occasion, according to
the purport, et true meaning hereof, for which these presents shall be
their sufficient warrant. Given at White-Hall the 10. of October 1655.
London Printed by Henry Hills and John Field, Printers to His
Highness, MDCLV.
_2 pp. folio. Copy in Guild. Manuscript draft in P. R. O., State
Papers, Dom. Interreg. 76A, pp. 152-154. Printed in Thurloe's "State
Papers," iii, 753, and in "Interesting Tracts relating to the Island
of Jamaica," 1800, p. 1._