have the Ships victualled according to the Proportions of the time of War; but his Royal Highness would not have the Companies taken on until the Ships are all ready, except to two or three Ships, for faving unneceffary Charges, whilst one stays for another; the reafon of fitting out two or three, is only for the Service of the Downs, whilft more are ready in order to which, I defire you to fend me word, which you conceive will be fooneft ready, and how foon, that fo Orders may be given accordingly. I am, March 22. 1660. Tour affectionate Friend and Servant, GENTLEMEN, W HEREAS I have thought fit to make an Agreement with Colonel Thomas Middleton and Company, Merchants, according as is hereafter expreffed; viz. That his Majesty's Ship, the Charity, together with her Tackle, Apparel, Furniture, and 20 Guns, and to be furnished with ordinary Stores for fix Months, fhall be received into the Poffeffion of fuch as they fhall appoint to receive her. That they shall be obliged to return the faid Ship in good Condition, into the Charge of the Officers of his Majefty's Yard at Woolwich, within the Space of twelve Months, now next enfuing, the Danger of the Seas excepted. That they fhall mann the faid Ship with 45 Seamen at leaft, and defray the Charges of Victuals C 2 tuals and Wages for them, and all the Charges during the Voyage. That they fhall tranfport into the faid Ship, unto the Iiland of Jamaica, fuch Quantity of Goods or Stores as his Majesty shall think fit to fend, not exceeding 150 Tuns. That they fhall provide and transport from hence, upon their own Account, in the faid Ship, unto Jamaica, 250 Planters. That they fhall likewise permit to be received on board the faid Ship at the Caribbee Iflands, and tranfport to Jamaica 500, or more Passengers; and to that Purpose, that the faid Ship fhall continue at the faid Islands for the space of 14 Days at least, to receive on board fuch Paffengers as fhall be willing to go, the faid Paffengers to provide Victuals for themfelves during their Paffage. That they fhall deliver the faid Planters and Paffengers at the Ifland of Jamaica, by Mufter, into the Charge of fuch Perfons as the Governor fhall appoint to receive the fame; and in case of the Death of any of them during the Voyage, the fame to be attefted under the Hand of the Officers of the Charity. In pursuance of the faid Agreement, I defire you will forthwith give order for the fitting of his Majefty's faid Ship, the Charity, and furnishing of her with ordinary Stores for fix Months, and caufe her to be delivered into the Poffeffion of the faid Colonel Middleton and Company, or fuch as they shall appoint to receive the fame accordingly; and that you take good Security of them for the punctual Performance of the feveral 3 veral Particulars aforementioned, referving unto me the Nomination of the Commander to be approved of by them. April 3. 1661. To the principal GENTLEMEN, U I am, Tour affectionate Friend, JAMES. PON confideration had of your Letter of the 29th of March laft, wherein you certify, as your Opinion, that John Falkner, Clerk of his Majefty's Rope-yard at Woolwich, may well deferve the Sallary of fixty Pounds per Ann. I think fit to direct, that you cause the Sallary of the faid John Falkner henceforward to be paid unto him after the rate of fixty Pounds per Ann. accordingly, until farther Or I am, der. April 4. 1661. To the principal Tour affectionate Friend, Sir RICHARD STAYNER, H'E JAMES. IS Royal Highness being defirous to give Encouragement to fuch young Gentlemen as are willing to apply themselves to the learning of Navigation, and fitting themselves to the Service of the Sea, hath determined, that one Volunteer fhall be entered on every Ship now going forth; and for his Encouragement, that he fhall have the Pay of a Midshipman, and one Midshipman lefs to be borne on the Ship: In C 3 pro profecution of this Refolution, I am to recom mend to you the Bearer Mr. Tho. Darcy; and to defire you that you would receive him according to the Intentions of his Royal Highness, as I have acquainted you; and that you would fhew him fuch Kindnefs, as you fhall judge fit for a Gentleman, both in the accommodating him in your Ship, and in farthering his Improve ment. GENTLEMEN, TH HE Mafter Shipwright of Deptford and Woolwich, hath acquainted me, that there is payable to him out of the Exchequer, à Fee of 20 d. per Diem, the obtaining which out of the Exchequer, occafions him much Expence of Time, and fome Charge; whereas it would not be any lofs to the King, and yet much eafe to him, if it were paid to the Treasurer of his Majefty's Navy, making it his humble Suit, that it may be fo, to which I (having confented) defire you to take order in it accordingly. I am, Your affectionate Friend, May 9. 1661, JAMES. GENTLEMEN, B EING informed that of late it is a ufual Practice in his Majefty's Navy, that upon the fitting forth to Sea of his Majefty's Ships, feveral feveral new Cabbins are fet up at the Defire, and for the Accommodation of the Officers of the Ships, not only to the great and unneceffary Expence of his Majefty's Stores, but also to the Prejudice of the Ships, in point of Stowage, and otherwise I thereupon think fit to direct, that you give it in efpecial Charge unto the Mafter Shipwrights of his Majefty's Yards refpectively, that for the future, upon fitting out of any of his Majefty's Ships, they do not order the erecting of any new Cabbins, or other Accommodations on board the faid Ships, unless upon the particular Defire of a Flag-Officer at leaft; but that the Officers be content with fuch Accommodations as were in the former Voyage. I am, May 14. 1661. To the principal GENTLEMEN, U Tour affectionate Friend, JAMES, Nderstanding that the Hill-house at Chatham is lately lett by the. Dean and Chapter of Rochester unto one Leere, who insists on a Fine for the fame, befides twenty Pounds yearly Rent; and the faid House being very convenient for the Service of his Majefty's Navy, I defire you will confider whether it will not be more for the Advantage of his Majefty to purchase the Leafe of the faid Houfe, than to pay Rent: and thereupon to treat with the faid Leere concerning it, and if you find it will come |