Examinations taken by us underwritten according to ye order of
ye l4th of October 1631, from ye Rt. ho[ll] ye Lords of his
Majesties ho. Councell.
James Ricroft, Pilott of ye Eliz of London, examyned saith that
Captaine Kirke and others professinge themselves to be a
Companie did imploy him in the yere 1630 to Canada, and that he
was paid by Mr. Eyres (beinge casheere for the said pretended
Companie) sixe weekes after the end of ye voyage and that
untill he was imployed by that Companie he never was in ye Gulf
of Canada. That he heard ye Forte of Kebecke in those partes
was in ye yeere 1628. surrendred by ye French to the said
21/1433 pretended Companie and saith, that when he was there imployed
by ye said pretended Companie Captaine Lewis Kirke held ye
possession of the said Forte.
This examinate denyes that ever he knewe of or ever saw anie
pattent to the said Companie untill he came last from sea.
This examinate confesseth that he hath since 1630 bene imployed
in a voyage to Canada by Capt. Eustace Man and one Hen. West in
the Eliz of London. And did trade at Todasecke with ye savages
that come thether for Beaver skins, and Elke skins, but he
cannot tell to what quantity or vallue; but referres himselfe
to the Customers Books for the Certaintie thereof. He saith
that there was an order from his Merchants for his trade to the
North parte of Canada and else where, which order is in the
custody of Captaine Eustace Man, and confesseth that he did
call to the Mr. of the Eliz (he beinge then deteyned as a
prisoner by Captaine Vincent Harris, Capt. of the said
Companies shippe named the Thomas) willing him to trade 3 for
one which he sayeth was 3 Elkes skins for one Blankett. He
denyes that he hath anie Charter parties, writinges or Bookes
of accompt concerning his voyage.
Jo. Baker Mr. of ye Eliz of London examyned saith that he did
[not] know when he went out that there were anie that professed
themselves to be of ye Companie of Canada, but heard that Capt.
Kerke and others kept a Fort in Canada. And further sayth that
James Ricroft his Pylott beinge deteyned by the Companie did
send ye letre nor shewed him subscribed by Ricroft, and upon
receipt thereof he refused to deliver anie goods therein
required to be delivered and came for England with five Caskes
and halfe of Beaver skins and some Elkes skins, for the
certaine number whereof he referreth himselfe to the Customrs
books, And faith that he was with ye said shippe tradinge in
the said Gulfe about 20 dayes and that he had for his
particuler about 40 pounds of Beaver skins; He denies that he
wrought by way of challenge to Captaine Vincent Harris, but if
he spake any wordes it was in his drinke and is forrie for it.
Captaine Eustace Man one of the owners of the Eliz examined
saith that he did sett forth the said Eliz (whereof Jo. Baker
was Mr.) upon the motion and perswasion of James Ricroft for
Canada and other partes and that untill his said shippe was
gonne to sea he knewe not of, nor heard not of anie pattent
graunted to anie Companie. That the order given ye Mr. for that
voyage is in the Isle of Weight; That there were 531 Bearskins.
that were brought from Canida and that they are all sold for
above 500 £. And 100 and odd Elkes skins which were sold for
above 100 £. But for the truth and certaintie of ye number of
the said skins, he referreth himself to the Customers books And
deneyeth that he hath any writinge Charter parties or bookes of
accompts for he saith that the Mr. never gave him anie accompt
in writinge of that voyage.
Wm. Holmes purser of ye Thomas examyned saith that he did
wright the letre produced dat. 12 May 1630 and read it unto Wm.
Ricroft and saw him subscribe the same, In which letre it is
apparent that Ricroft knewe of the Comission granted to Sr.
Willm. Allexander.
Edward Lees attendant upon Capt. Vinc. Harris Captaine of the
22/1434 Thomas, confesseth as much as ye said Holmes. Samuell Peirce
Bever maker examyned saith that he bought of one Mr. Tho. Man,
a Woollseller dwellinge by London stone about August last, ye
quantitie of about 880 pound weight of Beaver skins in six
hogsheads, which the said Tho. Man told him he had bought and
received of one Captaine Eustace Man Merchant and owner of a
shippe that came from Canada, for which said skins he paid to
the said Thos. Man 880 £. saith that he and some other Beaver
makers whome he can name, bought of severall seamen that said
they were belonginge to the said Capt. Mans Barque severall
quantities of Beaver skins to the vallue of 300 weight.
Captaine Vincent Harris Capt. of the Thomas examyned said that
beinge imployed by ye Companie of Canada this last yeere to
trade in those partes, and seeing ye said Eliz whereof Ja.
Ricroft was pilote come into that Gulfe he commanded him to
come aboard, and when he came he demanded by what authoritie he
came thither, & what he did on that coast, whereto he answered
he came to trade there aswell as this Examinate, whereupon this
Examinate shewed him the Companies Com[on], and gave him the
same to read which he did, and then sleighted it very much, and
to expresse the Contempt he had of it went upon the decke and
cryed to his shipp the Eliz that they should give 3 for one of
that those of the Thomas did trade for, whereby those of the
Company of Canada were constraincd to leave of the trade and
goe from thence in regard the Savages would not come unto them.
But reported that the Companie came to deceive them for that
there were other of their Countrymen would give three tymes as
much as they.
(_State Paper Office, Colonial Papers_, vol. VI, art. 33.)