THE HOLY GHOST.
7. Declaration of the Massachusetts Council, July 20, 1653.[1]
Att A Counsell held at Boston 20th July 1653.
Captaine Robert Harding[2] presenting unto us a certificate in the Dutch language with the seale of Amsterdam affixed to it that the ship called in the certificate the holy ghost togather with the skipper thereof did belong unto the united provinces (Although at the first arrivall of the s'd ship diverse rumors were spread which did render them suspitious to have unjustly surprised the s'd ship) whereupon the Counsell thought it there duty to enquire into the matter, yet having now examined the s'd Captaine and Considerd the Certificate afores'd together with a charter partie found in the s'd ship, Wee doe declare that wee have nothing wherewith to charge the sd Capt. or the company but have discharged the said Captaine and the rest of the company heere, together with their clothes, And therfore doe signify unto them that they have free liberty to enter our harbours where they shall have protection from all injuries and liberties of free trade with any of our inhabitants as any other ships whatsoever have had amongst us.
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20 July 1653. was signed by Jno. Endecot, Gov. Ric. Bellingham, Dept. Gov. Increase Nowell. Symon Bradstreet. Samuell Symonds. Robt. Bridges. Jno. Glover. Daniell Gookin. Daniel Denison, Maj'r Gen'll. | A True Coppie of the paper written to the Capt and Company of the dutch prise—20th of the 5th mo. 1653.[3] Edward Rawson, Secret'y. |
[1] Massachusetts Archives, vol. 60, p. 175. The document is a declaration of the Court of Assistants acting in its executive capacity, as a council.
[2] Capt. Robert Harding, now of Ratcliff, London, was well known in Boston, being, apparently, the same who came out with Winthrop, went to Rhode Island, was an assistant there, and then returned to England.
[3] The fifth month, in the reckoning usual among the English at this time, was July, March being the first. The civil year began on March 25.
8. Declaration of Governor Endicott. August (?), 1653.[1]