I Received your last by honest Captaine Allen, who was as welcome to these Jsles as possible we could make him, and I hope His Majesties Navy will have good cause to resort here often, and make themselves and us fortunate: and in a short time make His Majestie rich and formidable, a small brother of Virginia did yesterday faile near some outward rockes called the Bishop and his Clerkes (which often prove more fatall then the Popes Bull) and being discover­ed from the top of the Castle; a signal was given and a Boate sent to the Roe Bucke; who was as nimble as a Hawke, and presently drew up his Anchour and went to faile: The Charles was in chase two houres before of another great ship, who was passing 500 Souldiers for the King of Spaine to Oastend, but that service understood, Captaine Allen dismissed her [Page 2] for the King of Spaines sake, and the Charles and the Roe Bucke made towards the Virginia Merchant, who yeelded speedily without so much as one verily, or in­deed, and now you see in a second experience how considerable this eye of England is, which if tender­ly regarded may make London and all England weep, and command their wealth, who at first fomented, and as yet maintained this blacke treason, murther and Rebellion. To observe another blessing upon the Navy this day, by an increase upon Sir Hen. Stred­ling, and another addition of fortune, who though he was carried Easterly besides the Islands, yet hath gained even his mistake of the Isles, and hath taken another brother of Virginia, who is laden with To­bacco, and some Beaver-skins, thus God gives new additions of strength and victory daily for His Maje­sties service, and I hope His Majesty, will thrive to a very great condition in short time, now as the Navy groweth daily most happily, so do these Islands, by Prince Ruperts great care and favour) thrive into a greater security, and our noble Governour is more fortunate of nothing, then in his highest thoughts of this place, not doubting but these Isles will prove a­nother treasure in short time by Gods blessing, and the mutuall industry of the Prince and our Govern­or. And at present the hot distempered luxury of some giddy discontented Islanders and others (too apt to mutiny) is allaied by the arrivall of those Officers, and Souldiers; which his highnesse hath so carefully sent to the Isles, and now at last you will, ex confu­sione nascetur ordo, that all things will march on toge­ther with order and power, yet there is a present in­terruption to the Governours intendments, occasioned [Page 3] by a violent f [...]av [...]r (accompanied with a double ter­tian) which hath most miserably afflicted the good Governour these 14 da [...]es together, which disease hath been so sharpe and fierce, that it hath much weak­ned him, yet even in this extreamity with great peril to his health; and in the intermission of his fit) he hath this hight adventured to sit up and write to the Princes highnes and if the P▪ discerve any now, a composure in his letter the Govern. is confident of his pardon, who rather chuseth to adventure the hazzard of his health, then his respect and civillity towards his Highnesse.

Among many other of the Governours friends, I am appointed by him to give you speciall thankes for the particular care & solicitude (on al occasion for the Isles, & the Gover. acknowledgeth freely how every ex­ceeding much he is oblieged to you for your kindnes and tokens, of Orrenges, Olives and other rarities; and he bids me assure you, that he will watch all opportunities to requite and gratifie your love, now desiring your excuse that hee cannot returne you at present some remembrance of his love suitable to his mind. Yet I am to whisper into your care that Cap­taine Allen hath had a better, more easie, and kind dispatch in his businesse, for your sake, and Sir John Moens, on whose trinall friendship he hath so great value and estimation, that he studieth all wayes and meanes how to serve persons of such honor and trust, and now. I am to acquaint you with our conditi­on concerning ammunition and provisions, which by reason of the daily addition of Souldiers, and strangers cannot but wast; and therefore you will do His Majesty very good service to put the Prince in mind of sending of them on all opportunites to the [Page 2] [...] [Page 3] [...] [Page 4] Island, especially, Salt, Powder, and Corne, (for whatsoever Captaine Cornelius hath befallen those things are in an hourely consumption, and their sup­ply so very necessary, that there is not above three months provisions of Corne, and the way to the Market is very dangerous, and therfore the Governor desires you to present to the Prince, that His High­nesse will please to have such thoughts of the Maga­zeens and stores here, as to advance them to a years provision at least, and I am bold to tell you that the advantage will prove as considerable to the Navy as to the Island, which on all occasions cannot reach o­ther Islands, and therefore must sometime be forced to seek them here (as most probable the surest and fit­test place.)

I am to acquaint you that salt of all other commo­dities, and powder are to be sent, salt for to season the fish that is taken round the Island, & in particular, here is a good Ling caught as any in the Ocean, and if there were an 100 Fisher-men, and boates, and nets, here is work and wealth for them all, and there­fore the Governor very much desires a very great pro­portion of salt and powder stores if possible. I must mind you likewise of Coale, Timber, hempe to make Coards, Ropes, and Cables, here is a most excel­lent Roper, who hath skill for making twisted silke to make Cables for the Kings best ships. I must a­gaine remember you of 500 paire of shooes and Sto­kins, and if you dare take a Priests word and no Mer­chant, you shall have as the Governour assureth you a very good returne, the Fleming with us, I doubt not, before this is adjudged a prize, and there breaks out here a clearer light to that purpose, by reason the [Page 5] Scrivenor is found out here to be but purser in a guise, and an Italian in language, but a Fleming by birth, and doubtlesse the nephew of I [...]gnor Vandermarch, who liveth in London nere Cheape side, so that bu­sinesse, I hope will prove of good consequence to His Majesties service. And now from these more pub­licke affaires, let me acquaint you that the Church of England is practised here according to the Patterne at the Kings Chappell as nere as possible, and as esta­blisht by Law, and the Governour is so carefull of Gods honour, that though Papists or Sectaries may Land or Trade, or live here, yet none shall dare to defame or disturbe the Catholicke service of God, and desire you and your fellow Commissioners on all faire occasions to supply this place with bookes, if they come to be dispossessed, for wee would if possible, have learning here, and a publick Library; to maintain Gods worship and ser­vice.

And if you can tune the Organs for any o­ther place more propperly, in the name of God use your discretion, yet if you can bee an assistant to make Gods service more so­lemne here, you will shew your selfe a good son of the Church of England.

I am bold to acquaint you that I have (with the Governours good leave) prepared a little Cellar, which will hold some three Butts of [Page 6] Canary and some lesser knacks as Ancho­vies, Olives and such collation stuffe, and I hope you will season it with three choyce pipes of the purest Canary, that the Gover­nour may entertaine you more pleasantly with an Island Bottle, and now I must desire you to remember mee most respectively to Sir John Moens, Sir John Beale, and Doctor Wats, and to continue in your good opini­on, the affection, and resolved service of