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.)
XXI.
May it please your Lopps.