aboarde some goods,[3] and that a Jewe did marke it, and that a Jewe
did dispose of the goods which the Shipp brought from Holland and that
Jewes name was Isaac Cardozo, and that after the Shipp was taken it
was the Mr.'s desire for to bee put ashoare, and his company likewise,
for the Mr. of the said Shipp was wounded and the Capt., meeting with
a vessell bound for Port Royall in Jameka, did graunt leave to the
said Mr. and most of his company for to goe in her for the said Port:
as witness my hand this 24. of June 1664:
[Footnote 3: At Port Royal, Jamaica. The _Blue Dove_ was taken between
Jamaica and Hispaniola, while sailing for Amsterdam.]
Taken uppon Oath this 12. of July 1664 in Portsmouth, in Pascatayvay
River, in Newe-England, in America; before mee
BRIAN PENDLETON,[4]
Comisioner.
[Footnote 4: Brian Pendleton was a selectman of Portsmouth, and one of
its leading men.]
_17. Deposition of Marcus Claesz. June 24, 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60. p. 218.]
The deposicion of Markus Claise of Rotterdam borne, passenger in the
_Blow Dove_, when shee was taken, and now prisoner aboarde Capt. John
Dowglass.
That when hee was demaunded of the said Capt. John Dowglass where the
Shipp did belong unto, that hee the said Markus Claise did say that
the said Shipp did belong unto Amsterdam, and that the Shipp was bound
for Amsterdam when shee was taken, and that the Jewes were aboarde
before wee set saile, and that most of the Company were Scotts, and
after that the said Shipp was taken that the Mr., Robert Cooke, and
most of his company did desire of the Capt. to goe ashoare uppon
Jameka, and the Capt. meeting with a Barke bound for Port Royall in
Jameka did graunt them leave, according to theire desire, to goe in
her to the aforesaid Port at Jameka: as witnes my hand this 24. day of
June 1664.
Taken uppon Oath this 12. of July 1664 in Pascatayvay River, in
Newe-England, in America, before mee:
BRIAN PENDLETON,
Comisioner.
_18. Deposition of Bartholomew Martin. June 24, 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 217a.]
The deposicion of Bartholomewe Martin, Spaniard, passenger and now
aboarde of Capt. John Dowglass:
That when hee was demaunded of the said Capt. John Dowglass whither
hee knewe if the Shipp did belong unto the Jewes, hee answered that
hee heard Isaac Cardozo a Jewe tell him privately that the Shipp did
belong unto his father in Amsterdam, and that shee was Assigned unto
him by his father from Amsterdam, and that the said Bartholomewe
Martin did see the Jewes bring Quicksilver, and that hee knowes it is
the same which was taken in the _Blew Dove_: as witness my hand this
24. day of June 1664.
Taken uppon Oath this 12. of July 1664 in Portsmouth, in Pascatayvay
River, in Newe-England, in America, before mee:
BRIAN PENDLETON,
Comisioner.
_19. Commission to James Oliver and Others. July 16, 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 220. Of the persons
commissioned, Oliver was a prominent merchant in Boston; Hutchinson
was a son of Anne Hutchinson, and was killed in King Philip's War;
Pendleton and Cutts were selectmen of Portsmouth. The signatures are
those of "Richard Bellingham, Deputy" (Governor), and Francis
Willoughby of the Court of Assistants; see document 27. Four days
later, July 20, 1664, Samuel Maverick, coming out from England as one
of the four commissioners to regulate New England, writes to Capt.
Thomas Breedon from Portsmouth, "It hapned, that as wee were ready to
come in, There went out from hence a Pinck [small ship with narrow
stern], taken as a prize by a ship of Jamaica, but by authority from
the Governor of the Massachusetts, the prize was as I understand
seized upon and those that first took her, secured as prisoners by
Capt. Oliver, and carryed for Boston," and he remonstrates against
this as a usurpation of the commissioners' authority. _N.Y. Col.
Doc._, III. 65.]
Being Credibly Informed of the Arrivall of a ship at Piscatage manned
with persons who have Given just cause of suspition and are suspected
to have seazed the said ship in a way of piracy or in a undue and
Illegall manner, Now that his Maj'ty may have his rights and dues
preserved, his Good Subjects the Right owners and proprietors of ship
and Goods releived wht [without] any such violent seizures
These are therefore in his Maj'tys name to Authorize and Require yow,
Capt. James Olliver, Capt. Edward Hutchinson, upon Receipt hereof
forth with to repaire to the sd River of piscatage and there to Apply
yourselves to Capt. Brian pendleton and mr. Richard Cutts, who are
hereby Alike Authorized and Joyned in Comission with yow, who together
or any three of yow are hereby Impowred and Required to make seazure
of the Comander, officers and Company of the said ship, whither in
piscatage River or in any other Harbor, port or place within this
Jurisdiction, in Case they shall Refuse to submitt themselves to your
comand Relating to a due triall, to secure the said ship and Goods,
and having so secured them yow are to Convey the said persons, shipp
and Goods to Boston, that so a due proceeding may be had and made
therein according to law and Justice, And that yow may be fully
enabled to dischardg the trust here Comitted to yow, All officers and
Comanders both by land and sea, in those parts, are hereby required
in his Maj'tys name on your warrant and order to be ayding and
Assisting to you therein, for wch this shall be your and their
Warrant.
Given Under our hands, with the seale of the Colony hereto Affixed, at
Boston in N E. this 16th day of July 1664.
R B D. F W.
_20. Deposition of Daniel Sprague. July (?), 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 229.]
I, Danell Sprage,
when I wasse Cleer and my wages paid me I Could get noe imployment nor
passage, not in three weeks time that I lay there, to goe to the
windward Ilands. then I thought good to goe as to Cammanus,[2] to se
if I Could get passage their, and I saild with one Captaine Hermon
towards the Cammanus, and as wee Came to An iland Called
Camman-bricke,[3] their lay Captaine John Duglasse at Anker. he sent
his boate abord of us to heer what newse from Jemecoe, and we Asked of
them wether they weare bound. the quarter Maistor Answered and said,
wee be bound to the windword Ilands. I Asked of them weither I Could
have passage with them or noe, and hee saide, "I,[4] and wellcome".
then I went Abord with my Chest and Clothes and I staid aboard all the
night and Could not speake with the Captaine, but the nixt Mornin as
soon as it wasse day I spoke with the Captaine. I desired of the
Captaine wether he wasse bound and he told me he wasse looking out for
A shipe that Came from Amsterdam in holland to Jemecoe, Called the
_blew dove_, and said, "if I Could meet with her she is A good prise
for me. I have beene ten or tewlve dayes aseeking after her and Cannot
light of her, but if I Can light of her she is Aprise for me. I have
the king of Portugalls Commishon". I, danell Sprage, [said] unto
Captaine John duglasse, "without your Commishon be very firme and that
you be sure you Can Make a prise of her I desire you not to Come neer
her, for I know what the ship is and Came out of holland in her". he
Answered and said if I would goe a longe with him he would beare me
out in all damages that shuld follow or insue upon me Conserning
takeing of the prise. then the shipe which I Came from Jemecoe in
wasse gon from the Iland over to the Cammanus and their wasse noe
other shipe left but only Captaine John Duglasse. I said unto Captaine
John Duglasse, "shuld I goe with you, and you shuld Come up with this
shipe and take her, and the Company seeing of me they will say that I
have been at the Cammanus and have fetched A shipe one purpose to Make
a prise of them". Captaine Duglass Answered and said that "I and my
Company Can testifie to the Contrarie and as far as my Commishon and
my life doth goe I will beare you out Against all them that shall
qushton you as Conserning the takeing of this shipe: I am Captaine and
I have taken her with my Commishon and I will Answer it".
[Footnote 2: The Cayman islands, NW. of Jamaica.]
[Footnote 3: Cayman Brac.]
[Footnote 4: Ay.]
thes be the men that Can testifie that they weare ten or twelve dayes
out in the pursuite after thes ship be fore I Came to them: and have
heer unto set their hands.
the Marke of WILLIAM GIBENS.
[W]
JOHN HILL. These be the two witnesses wich
[*] the Marke of CLINE the Can Justifie that I did desire the
Dutchman. Capt. that, without his Comemishon
THOMAS HUCKENS is Marke. where[5] sure, not to medle
[dot in circle] : with the ship.
SOLEMON BEGENSOUS, quarter
Maistor. The Marke of DANELL HARRESS.
[+] the Marke of HALLIGERT [four connected lines]
YOUNSON.
THOMAS BERKENHEAD. ABRAHAM WILLKESON.
[Footnote 5: Were; "unless his commission were sure."]
_21. Deposition of William Browne. July 25, 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 223.]
William Browne, age 17 or 18 yeares, Saith that he was to goe
passenger for England with mr. Robert Cook, master of the Shipe Called
the _blow dove_ of london. the sd. wm. Browne heard the master Say
that the Said Ship did belonge to Sr. wm. Davidson in Amsterdam[2] and
I know that James wattson who came owt of holand befoire the Ship, did
frawght the Sd. Ship with Some goods marked with WD. and I doe not
know certanly whether there was ane S. in the midle or not, and that
the Said James wattson was going with the Sd Shipe first for England
and then for Amsterdam, and that the Sd. wm. Browne did See a Jewe
Marke Qwicksilver and wax, which was Shiped Aboard of the Sd. Shipe,
which Jewe kept a Shope publickly in Jamaica and did dispose of Some
of the goods q'ch [which] came from holdand in the Said Shipe, and I
doe know that there was ane English man Aboard which was a pasenger
which had Some goods A board, as Cocco, 2 Tunne marked with ane O
burned with the Barrell of A mwscket.[3] the Sd Shipe coming out of
port Royall with 10 men or there About, with Some passengers, went in
Company with Captaine Hatchwell to blewefilds bay,[4] a bowte 20
Leagwes distance from Pt. Royall, and tooke in some watter and Some
Ballace, and being at ane Ankore the Captane of a little Barke with
his Company boarded them and gave them a voly of Shoat, being in
nwmber about 27 men, and being Some what darke the master was Shote in
the Arme and the men of the _blow dove_ were put in the howll of the
Shipe: and then the Asaylants Cut the Cables, and Caryed away both
veshells and them, untill they came to poynt Niggereell,[5] where they
met with ane English barke coming from Caymanws and bownd for Porte
Royall in Jamaica, where they putte the Said mr. of the _blowe dove_
Aboard According to his desire and furnished them with Some victwales
and a Caise of Spirits: and after they were gone owt of Sight they
lasht there barke aboard of the prise and took most of there things
owt of her and Let her goe Adrifte.
[Footnote 2: See document 27.]
[Footnote 3: Musket.]
[Footnote 4: This Blewfields Bay is at the SW. side of Jamaica.]
[Footnote 5: Cape Negril.]
There was Aboarde the Shipe when shee was taken from Ro't Cooke bowt
48 hogsheads of Sugar, Some Cocco, Ebbony, Granadilla, Brasilita,[6]
Oakem, Stockfish, match, Qwick Silver 29 or 30 Chists, 2 gold Crownes
with diveres other Jewelles, 1 Barill of knives, Some Swords, 1 Barill
with Sheathes and Corvall, 60 Jares of oyle, 9 Caises with Spirits, 7
or 8 packes of whyte waxe, Lignavita, Gwmme about 5 or 7 pak.
[Footnote 6: Braziletto, a wood resembling brazil-wood.]
Taken upon oath this 25th of July 1664 befor me
THOMAS SAVAGE, Commiss'r.
Acknowledged in Court 5th August 1664.
EDW. RAWSON, secret.
_22. Deposition of Robert Lord. July 26, 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 224.]
The deposition of Robert Lord aged 42 yeares July 26, 1664.
Saith
That being at Jamaica about the moneth of January last past, there
came in the pincke _blew dove_ which was seized at sea betweene
Hispaniola and Jamaica by John Morrice Captn. of the _Virgin Queene_
(an english man of war), who putt two or three of his men aboad to
bring her into Jamaica harbor, hee with his man of war bearing her
Company neere to the harbour; when the sd _blew dove_ had bin three or
foure daies at Jamaica there was a Court of Admiralty appointed for
the triall of the sd _Blew-dove_, it being expected by the sd Captn.
Morrice and Company that the sd Ship would have been a prize to them,
and their great Argument was that they were sailing towards Cuba
before they had seized them, and that they were laden with ammunition
and goods sutable to the spanish trade: but uppon triall in the Court,
their billes of Lading appeared that they were bound to Jamaica, their
cocketts and dispatches being cleere from the Kings Custome-house at
Dover; this deponent speaking in Court to Sr Charles Littelton (then
sitting Judge of the Court)[2] that hee knew the Master Robert Cooke,
and that hee lived in Ratliffe[3] neere to him, which also testifies
Captn: Isack Bowles Comander of the _Blackmore_ (one of the Royall
Companies Ships),[4] the Governor (Sr Charles Littelton) did thereupon
declare them to be a free ship, and to have their liberty of trade as
any other Ship whatsoever that was then in the Harbour; And further
saith that the aforesd Captn. John Morrice told this deponent that hee
had hoped to have had a good prize of the _blew-dove_, but hee gott
nothing of them but an English Ensigne, and a hogshead of strong
beare, and that the sd _Blew-dove_ came in with English colours, and
did on all occasions weare them.
[Footnote 2: Lord Windsor was governor of Jamaica in January, 1664,
Sir Charles Lyttelton deputy governor.]
[Footnote 3: Ratcliff, London.]
[Footnote 4: Bowles was one of the captains, and the _Blackamoor_ one
of the ships, of the "Company of the Royal Adventurers of England
trading into Africa", the predecessor of the Royal African Company.]
Taken upon oath, 27: 5: 64. Before me
ELIA. LUSHER.
_23. Deposition of John Hunter. July 26, 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 225.]
John Hunter Aged a bout 40 years deposeth and sayth
That this deponant was shipped by Captaine Robert Cooke, Commander of
the _blew dove_ of London so Caled, to sayle as a sayler in the said
shipp from Jameco to Dover and so for Amsterdam: the time this
deponant was shipped was about the begining of Aprill Last past in
Jameco.
This Shipp _blew dove_, as I was informed by the people in Jameco, was
brought in by a Captaine of a privat man of war uppon susspition that
shee was to trade with the Spaniard as a hollander, haveing Jewes
Goods on bord as thay Alleged, but was there Clered by the Governer,
sir Charles Littelton, and had fower moneths trade there afterwards.
this was the Common report of the people there. farther this deponant
testifieth uppon his owne knowlidg, being about two moneths a seaman
uppon the said Shipp before shee was taken, and when wee Came out of
Jameco wee had a let pas[2] from the Governer to saile to dover and
there to pay the Kings Customs and from thenc wee were to sayle unto
Amsterdam and to deliver our goods unto Sir william Davis[3] or his
order, as the bills of Lading maketh manifest, which this deponant did
see in the hands of Captaine Dugles Now a prisner, who desired this
deponant to Reade the bill of Lading unto him at sea as wee were
Coming in to these parts, allso a nother bill of Lading for sum smale
quantitie of wax and quicksilver which belonged unto a Jue, as I did
aprehend. also I red a nother bill of Lading for severall goods
belonging unto an Englishman Living in Jameco, who was going passenger
for dover in the said shipp, but was turned a shore in blewfilds bay
as the rest were by the said Duglas and his Company. farther this
deponant testifieth that Captaine Duglas was at Jameco and did here
that this shipp was there Clered and did then tell this deponant that
hee would take this shipp, which this deponant towld him hee Could not
Legally doe for shee beelonged unto Sir william davis in Amsterdam,
his maisties Resident there. this deponant did acquaint Captaine Cooke
what the said duglas said. farther this depont testifieth that when we
were in blewfilds bay this duglas Came Rowing upp with two oars about
eight of the Clock at night. Wee haild them and Asked whenc thay were
and thayer Answer was, from the Barbados. wee Asked who was there to
friend. thay Answered peter prier,[4] who said thay had lost Camanos
and were going to seeke for it Againe, but presently thay Clapt thayer
helme a starbord and shered Abord us giving a volly of smale shott,
in which thay shot our master through the Arme, and so Came on bord
and beate us doune in to the howld without Asking of us what wee weare
and so Cut our Cable and presently put forth to sea. farther this
deponant testifieth that two of the sailers being Englishmen Leaft the
said Captaine Cooke at Jameco, uppon which the said Cooke was forced
to shipp this deponant and a nother. and farther this deponant sayth
not.
[Footnote 2: Let-pass, a permit; see doc. no. 130.]
[Footnote 3: Davidson; see doc. no. 27.]
[Footnote 4: Probably a pun on "pry", to fob off intrusive
questioning.]
Taken upon Oath the 26th of 5th mo 1664
before mee ANTHONY STODDARD, Comissr.
owned in Court 5th August 1664 EDW. RAWSON.
_24. Deposition of Charles Hadsall. July 27, 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, pp. 231, 232.]
The deposition off Charls Hadsall, aged forty six years or
thereabouts:
Testefieth and saith that mr Robt Cooke, Comandor of the shipp _blew
dove_, together with my selfe Comandor of the shipp _Lucretia_ sett
sayl from port Royall harbor In Jemaicah with free Lett Pases from
Collonall morgan deputy Governer of Jemaicah:[2] And Coming down In
Company to blew feilds bay where we Came to An Anchor to fetch our
wood and watter on board and as soon as we were at anchor there Came
of a Conoo from Capt John Dowglas Lying Closs under the shoar on board
of my shipp with two men for to Inquire among my men whether I woold
Ingage to defend the shipp _blew dove_, I then being on board of her
the said shipp _blew dove_, with Squire wattson, Marchant of the said
shipp, with whome I went a shoare: and Coming on board about seven a
Clok In the Evning with squire wattson to the shipp _blew dove_ and
having taken my Leave of him went on board of my owne shipp: and halfe
an hour after there Came a Conoo from the vessell of sd Dowglass on
board of my shipp _Lucretiah_, where I demanded of the said men that
Came In the Conoo whether they were bound: and they Replied for the
Camanes, which they said they were formerly bound for and had mist:
and now pretended they woold goe with mee to Cemanes: And further
saith that they said they woold be at new england before mee. I
Replied, "In whatt shipp": they said It was no matter In whatt shipp:
and while these men were discoursing with mee Dowglas his barke Clapt
the shipp _blew dove_ on board, Cutt her Cables and sett sayle, and
the men that were on board my shipp with me went away on board the
said shipp _blew dove_: and soe went away, and three days after the
master, marcha[nt] and sum of the Company being putt Into a small
vessell Came Into blew feilds bay where I then Rod att Anchor and I
going on board of them, saw the master of the shipp _blew dove_, shott
In the arme, who told mee that they the said dowglass and his Company
had took all they had from them only the Close uppon his back: And
further this deponent saith that squire wattson told him that the
shipp _blew dove_ belonged to Sr Wm Davison and Captain Taillur: and
that the master and marchant of the said shipp told mee there were
Letters on board of the said shipp _blew dove_ for his majesty and the
duke of yorke:[3] being such Letters as were Considerable. And further
saith that the master and marchant of the shipp _blew dove_ told mee
that there was In Jewells on board of said shipp to the vallue of
three hundred pound sterling and about thirty Chests of quik silver
and sugger he said was on board but I have forgott whatt quantity he
spake off. And further this deponent saith that the shipp _blew dove_
Rod In Jemaicah severall sabbeth days with her english Cullers out.
[Footnote 2: Col. Edward Morgan, commissioned deputy governor January
18, did not reach Jamaica till May 21 or 22. _Cal. St. P. Col._,
1661-1668, pp. 182, 211.]
[Footnote 3: The king's brother, afterward James II.]
Taken upon oath 27: 5: 64
Before me ELIA. LUSHER.
owned in Court 5th August 1664 by the sd Hadsell
E.R.[4]
[Footnote 4: Edward Rawson, secretary of the council.]
_25. Petition of John Douglass. August, 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 230a. In response apparently
to this petition, the General Court on August 8 ordered 40 shillings
to be given to Captain Douglas, and 20 to each of his men, "to
preserve them alive till they can provide some honest imploy for
themselves, and that their particcular cloathes, so cleerely prooved
[_i.e._, if clearly proved to be theirs] ... be ... delivered to
them." _Records of Mass. Bay_, IV., pt. 2, p. 128. But the capture was
declared illegal.]
To the honored Governor, Deputy Governor, Majestrates and Deputies of
this honoured Generall Court now sitting in Boston in the
Massachusetts Colonie of New England.
The peticion of captayne John Duglas late Commandor of the Prise
called the _Blew Dove_ of Anserdam in behalfe of himselfe and Company
(servants and seamen to the said Ship belonging), whose names are
hereunder Subscribed.
Humbly shewing, That whereas the said Ship was seized uppon at
Puscataque in his Majesties name about the eighteenth-day of July-last
with all the Seamens chests and Clothes save what they have on their
backs, And that the said Seamen have bin here about fiveteene dayes
without any allowance from the Countrey and not a penny of money to
releeve themselves, so that they had perished eare this tyme had they
not bin releeved by som freinds, some of which company have bin
without victualls three dayes together, They humbly crave this honored
Court that they may have a speedy triall whether their prise be a
lawfull prise or not, otherwise that they may have their chests,
clothes and armes, which request of your Peticioners they humbly crave
may be taken into Consideration and they shall, as by duty they ar
bound, pray, etc.
JOHN DOUGLASS.
THOMAS BERKENHEAD. JOAN CLOBARTEXE [?].
THOMAS MARTTIN. LAMESTE [?]
ABRAHAM WILKERSON. WILLIAM GIOTTE.
HALLIGAR JOHNSON. JOHN HORRE.
his [X] marke his [+] Marke
MIHILL HENDERSON. PIERRE PERWALLE.
his [MH] marke SOLOMON.
CLINE the Dutchman.
his [X] marke JOAN PAGE.
_26. Plea of John Douglass. (August 8?), 1664._[1]
[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, pp. 271, 272.]
The tenth day of October, one thousand Sixe hundred Sixtey and Tow,
One Capt John Daglas Brought one Commision from the king of Portugall,
Sayling out of Lisborren[2] for to Make ware according to His
Commision in his Ship Called _St John_, force 4 Gones, with men and
Amunission Convennent, to Make Ware with the Ennemes of the Sayed
king.
[Footnote 2: Lisbon.]
Having lived about the time of 4 or 5 Monthes about the Ilandes of the
Canares with out taking any Prise, this same Capt. tucke Resselution
to Sayle to wardes the Endges[3] with his Ship and Men, and After Som
dayes of his Arivall to this Enges, som thing Neare the Iland
Martenekea[4] he Mett with a man of ware. the Sayed Captaine dagles
was ingadged to fight having a great many of his Men kild and wounded
and hee him Self Deapley Wounded with a Shote from a Mosquit, the whch
Shote Bracke his Arrem, and was in danger of his Life.
[Footnote 3: Indies.]
[Footnote 4: Martinique.]
And for his helth he and his men was forcest to Retier to the Iland of
Monseratt, inhabeated by the Engles under the Goverment of Correnall
Roger Asborn.[5] thare this Sayed Capt. was Courtiously Receved by
this Sayed Govenar and brought him a shoure, whare hee was in dyett
and dwelt a twel month upon this sayed Iland in which this his Sayed
Ship which he brought Out of Lisborne Perresed[6] thare and was
uncapabell of the ware.
[Footnote 5: Col. Roger Osborn.]
[Footnote 6: Perished.]