British Committees, Commissions, and Councils of Trade and Plantations, 1622-1675

by Charles McLean Andrews

To invite and Instruct the Indians and Slaves in the Christian Religion.

And you are to consider how much of the Indians, or such as are purchased from other parts for Slaves, may be best Instructed and invited to the Christian Religion and Faith, it being both for the Honour of our Crowne, and of the Protestant Religion it selfe. That all persons within any of our Territories though never so remote should be taught the Knowledge of God, and be accquainted with the Mysteries of Salvation.

To write Letters to the severall Governours to informe them of his Ma^ties great care of the Plantations in erecting this Councill as also a generall Councill for trade.

18. You are therefore forthwith to write Letters and to send them to the severall Governours of our said respective Plantations, or to their respective Deputies in all parts, wherein you are to informe them of our great care and signall grace towards our said Colonies, and of our erecting not only a general Councill for Trade, that might take cognizance of such things as may be their concerne, But of our appointing this Councill in particular which is employed only for the better care and conduct of them.

To require of them an Account of the state of their present condition and of what they judge necessairie for their Securitie, Encouragem^t, and accomodation.

You are therefore to require them, by themselves, or by the Assistance of the respective Councills or Assemblies of the said Colonies to send you an exact account of the State of their Condition at present, and of such particulars within these your Instructions as you shall in the first place thinke most necessary for them to answer or informe you of.

And that they doe further propound to you what they judge to be most immediately necessary either for their security, or for the encouragement, and accomodation of them.

To observe such other Instructions as shall be sent under his Ma^ties Signe Manuall, and if further Powers be found necessary, the Councill to adresse to his Ma^tie therein.

19. Lastly you are to follow such other Instructions concerning the Præmises, as shall be sent to you from time to time by us under our Signe Manuall.

And in all cases wherein you shall judge that further Powers and Assistance shall be necessary for you, You are to addresse Your selves to us, for our further pleasure Resolution and Direction therein.