Oeuvres de Champlain
Chapitre XX
[L. S.]
At Whitehall, the 14th. of October 1631.
Present:
Lo. Keeper
Lo. Trear.
Lo. Privy Seale
Ea. Marshall
Ea. of Kelley
Lo. V. Falkland
Lo. Bp. of London
Mr. Secr. Coke.
Whereas Captaine Kirke and others the adventurers to Canada, did humbly
shewe to the Board, that they having the sole Trade into those partes
graunted unto them, prohibiting all others to trade thether, That
neverthelesse divers persons viz. John Baker, James Ricrofte, Captaine
Eustace Man, Henry West and others, have as Interlopers presumed to trade
thether, carrying away a great parte of the said trade, to the great dammage
and disablement of the said Adventurers to maintaine theire Collonie there
for defence of the said Island or to proceede in the said Trade. Forasmuch
as the said persons were thereupon this day convented before the Board
some of the said Adventurers being then also present, And upon Entrance
into the hearing of the Cause however the said Information in the generall
appeared to be true, Yet for that the Examination of divers particulars
objected on either parte, required a further tyme then the leasure of the
board could permit. Their Lordshipps did thincke fitt and order that the
further examination hereof be referrd to Mr. Sergt. Barkeley, Sr. Willm.
Beecher and Mr. Nicholas, authorizing and requiring them to call for and
peruse, all such writings, letters, Charter parties and Bookes of Account as
they shall think fitt; As likewise to call before them and examine all such persons as they shall find cause, aswell for the finding out of the
contemptuous carriage of the persons complainde of, as for the discoverie
of the particular goodes and comodities and the true vallue of the same, by
them brought from thence. And thereupon to make certificate to the Board,
to the end such further order may be given as shalbe requisite. Lastly it is
ordered that the persons complainde of shall enter into sufficient Bond to
his Majestys use before the Clarke of the Councell attendant, not to sett out
from henceforth any more Shipps to trade thether without lycence from his
Majestie, or this Board. And shall give theire attendance de die in diem and
not departe the Towne untill further order which Bond if they shall refuse to
enter into, then to stand comitted to the custodie of a Messenger untill they
shall conforme themselves.
Ext. T. Meantys.
(Sur le dos est écrit.)
Canada 14th. Octob. 1631. Lodds of ye Councells order of Reference
concerning examinations of ye contempt agt ye company of Canada.
(State Paper Office, Colonial Papers, vol. VI, art. 27.)