IN July 1651. the Fleet appoynted for the re­ducing of Barbadoes, under the Command of Sir George Aiscough, set saile from Pli­mouth, viz. the Rainbow, whereof Ad­mirall Sir George Aiscough of 52 Guns, the Amity whereof Vice Admirall Mi­chael Packe of 36 Guns, the Su [...]ses whereof Captaine Witheridge, the Ruth whereof Captaine Thomson, the Maliga Marchant whereof Captaine Colin, the Brazeel Frigot whereof Captain Heath, the Encrease whereof Captaine Varvill with some Marchant men and Victuallers: this Fleet set saile from Plimouth the 27, of the month aforesaid, and at the beginning of August fol­lowing we arrived before Lisbone, where having stayd three dayes, and understanding that Prince Rupert was not there, wee departed from thence, and on the 26. of August we arrived at the Cape Verde, where we stayd to refresh 11 dayes, and in regard our beer stanke, we were constrained to throw it over board, and to fill our Caskes with water; which having done, we proceeded on a direct course in our voyage to Barbadoes, in which we were very long, by reason of the exceeding heavy saying of some of our ships, viz. the Bra­zeel Frigot, the Encrease, Ruth, and Maliga Marchant, so that it was the 16. of October before we arrived at the Barbadoes, early in the morning.

Being arrived as is before mentioned, Sir George Aiscough sent three ships, viz. the Amity, Surses, and the Maliga Marchant, to take a view of Carlile Bay, the Body of the Fleet comming af­ter with what speed they could into S. Austins Bay; having before appoynted, that if any occasion were for a remove to our ships at Carlile Bay, that the Amity should make a signe, which they sayd they did, but it could not be seen by the Officer who was appoynted to watch for the same; however, presently after we saw those ships go into the Bay by one of the Island Forts, and a Shalop came from [Page 4] them, and informed us thereof, and also of their being fifteen saile of ships and Galiots in that Bay, whereupon Sir George immediatly commanded the whole Fleet to weigh Anchor, and fayle downe to the Bay, and was met by a small Boat with a flag of Truce in her, and being commanded to come on board us, they refused, where­upon we fetch'd them in, and in her there was the Lord Wiloughby [...] Martiall, whom we detained Prisoner; but in the mean time the Shalop returning which came to us was twice shot at from the Fort at Nedam poynt.

Whereupon Sir George commanded the Master of the Rainbow to sayle as neare the Fort as possible he could for depth of Water, and so we came within halfe Musket shot of the Fort, which pre­sently gave us many shot. some of which took place in our ships, but the whole Fleet lost but one man; but Sir George caused the Rainbow to power a whole broad side upon them of no lesse then 26 great shot, which (being so neare) we beleeve was to purpose; also the rest of our ships, as they passed by, shot at them many shot, and so we came all into Carlile Bay, where we found that our three ships (which we had before sent thither) had seized on all the ships in the Bay, except three of the smallest, who saved themselves by running a ground: thus we surprized 12 sayle of ships and Galliots, the which were all Dutch and Hamburgers. Sir George now caused more men to be put aboard of every ship, and commanded them to be brought from under the Command of the Forts, which were four in all, viz. the Fort at Spikes Bay, the Fort at St. Austins Bay, the Fort at Carlile Bay, and the Fort at Nedam poynt; the next day we took another Dutch ship comming to Trade here, she was a Vessell of 25 pieces of Ordnance, her lading also was of a considerable value; those we had before taken in the Bay, were some of 18. 16. 12. and 10. Guns, and some lesse; the Commanders of all these ships being on board us, they had given them an empty Vessell to carry them to Antego, they earnestly desiring the same.

After we had proceeded thus far in order to the reducing of this Island, and not withstanding our tedious voyage, which was full 11. weeks, yet all our people were in health, although by reason of our going to Portugal held so southerly a course that we did expect some sicknesse, and then at our arrivall to surprize so many Vessels under all their Forts, with the losse only of one man, although we exchan­ged [Page 5] many pieces of Cannon with them, all which we had abundant cause to acknowledge were the Lords transcendant mercies unto us.

All this while the Lord Willoughby so little regarded our being here, as that he with Col. Wolrond, Col. Mudiford, and other of his chiefe Officers continued feasting of it 12 miles up in the Island; the cause of this their contempt of us, (wee heard) was because that some Dutch men (who arrived here a little before us) had published about the Island, that before they came from Holland, certaine In­telligence was come thither, how that the Scotch King having row­ted the Lord Generall Cromwell in Scotland, was marched into En­gland with an Army of 40000 men, and that he was very near, or in London; and moreover, that our Fleet was ran away from England, to seek for shelter in another place: and for the better confirmation of it, they brought with them severall printed Duch Diurnals, all relating the same matter.

But now the Lord Willoughby hearing that his Martiall was taken by us, first sent a Message unto Captaine Packe, thereby desiring the speedy release of his sayd Martiall but Captain Pack returned An­swer, that Sir George Aiscough had the Command of the Fleet, with­out whose Order his Lordships Martiall could not be released.

Whereupon his Lordship presently sent a Letter to Sir George, therein signifying, that he having understood from Capt. Pack that his Martiall detain'd, could not be released without his Order, he therefore desired that his sayd Martiall might forthwith be released, and returned unto him with his Trumpeter who brought his Lord­ships Letter; but Sir George returned this for Answer, that his Mar­tiall being taken without his Lordships Passe, he therefore desired to be excused, if at present he did not satisfie his Lordships request in that particular.

Shortly after this Sir George sent a summons unto the Lord Wi­loughby to this effect, that the Island of Barbadoes being a Colony and Plantation, settled at the cost, and planted by the people and Parliament of England, and ought therefore to be subject to such Lawes, Orders, and Regulations as are, and shall be made by the Parliament of England; and whereas many Acts of Rebellion had been committed among them, setting up themselves opposite to, and distinct from the State and Common wealth of England, as was mentioned by an Act of Parl. bearing date Sept. 1650. passed to that purpose.

And that the Parliament of the Common wealth of England, the supream Authority of that Nation, having taken the defection of that Island from their due obedience into their consideration, had armed and set forth a greet Fleet of Ships under his Command to endeavor (by the blessing of God) the reducing of that Island; and being safe­ly arrived there to prevent the ruine and destruction of the Island, by such acts of hostility wherewith he was sufficiently able to annoy them: he did therefore think fit to send unto his Lordship this sum­mons to deliver up to him the said Island of Barbadoes, with all the Strengths, Fortifications, Ports, and places thereof, for the use of the Parliament of England. The Lord Willoughby having received this summons, returned a peremtory answer, to this effect.

That upon the arrivall of Sir George his Messenger, he rather ex­pected some overture about our making reparation for those acts of hostility committed by us, upon those ships in the Bay, and the per­son of his Martiall, then such an unreasonable demand, as in his esti­mation Sir George his summons was: and his Lordship returned Answer, briefly thus: That he acknowledg'd no Authority over English men, but the King; for whom, he sayd, he was resolved to defend and keep the Island, unto the utmost of his strength and po­wer; all which he assured us was his firme resolution; withall di­recting it to, on board His Majesties ship the Rainbow.

Sir George finding now that the way of summons would produce no effect, and not being then in capacity to attempt any thing on shore; he resolved to hinder them from having any Trading at sea, and also to alarum them constantly, from place to place about the Island, thereby to hinder them from planting and managing their affaires in the Island; it being conceived that this way might prove most conducible and effectuall to bring them to their due obedience. And to the end no rationall opportunity might be left unassay'd by us, whereby we might make this, then stubborn Island, know their obedience to their Lawfull Superiors, it was resolved that a Declaration should be drawn up and signed by the Parliaments Commissioners, on board the Fleet, and sent it unto the Islanders, the which Declaration was to this effect.

That they the Commissioners thought it not amisse to send unto them the Gentlemen, Inhabitants, and free people of the Island of Barbadoes, the Copy of a Summons sent unto the Lord Willoughby, [Page 7] upon our arrivall before this Island; from whom they having recei­ved no satisfactory Answer, and being tender of the good and wel­fare of the Island, and being not willing to omit all amicable and friendly wayes to reduce it to its due obedience, before they procee­ded to acts of hostility; did think fit, to send the same or sayd sum­mons unto them, viz that the Island being a Plantation and Colo­ny which ought to be subordinate to, and depending upon the Com­mon wealth of England; and had ever since the planting thereof been, and ought to be, subject to such Lawes, Orders, and Regula­tions, as were or should be made, by, and derived from, the Parlia­ment of England: and whereas divers acts of Rebellion had beene committed by some persons amongst them, setting up themselves in opposition unto and distinct from the State and Common wealth of England; the Parliament of England, the supream Authority of that Nation, having taken into their consideration the defection of the Island, from their due obedience, and resenting the burthens and opprested estate the people of the Island then lay under, by the present prevailing power over them: and they being studious to promote the peace and welfare of the Island, under their power and protection, had not spared the expence of a great sum of Treasure, to arme and set forth a great Fleet of ships, though at a great distance of place, and having appoynted themselves as Commissioners, to endeavour by the blessing of God the reducing of the Island, and to settle the peace and safety thereof, and to establish them in their wonted priviledges and immunities, as might conduce to the well being, and flourishing state of the Island.

And that they being by the blessing of God in safety arrived here, had as much as in them lay, endeavoured to prevent the ruine and destruction of the Island, by forbearing such acts of hostility, by which we were sufficiently able to annoy them; not doubting but seeing their owne liberty, and safety both of their persons and e­states; lay at stake, by their complying with such as were, or should continue to be theirs and the enemies of the Common-wealth of En­gland then amongst them; but if they would so do, it would con­straine us to use such hostile wayes to reduce the Island, as by which their long labour'd for estates, and in joyments would be endange­red; but rather that they would lay hold on this opportunity, to regaine their freedome and wonted priviledges, and not rashly en­gage [Page 8] themselves in a quarrell against the Common wealth of Eng­land; and at length instead of reaping the benefit and fruit of their many years labour and industry in this so hopefull and flourishing an Island, make it become the seat of War, the sad events and conse­quences thereof in the Island, if God prevented not, they would be (when too late) sufficiently sensible of, to the ruine of themselves and their posterities; whatever the specious pretences of any a­mong them were, as if they minded the good and welfare of the I­sland, and that they could not be ignorant, but they were altogether unable to give them protection or liberty of freedome, without which the Island could no way subsist, but in their due obedience to the Common Wealth of England, whose Authority God hath sea­led, to the astonishment of their Neighbor Nations, having won­derfully appeared for them in their Armies by Land, and Navies by Sea, against their Enemies in England, Ireland, and Scotland, the two former whereof, being by the blessing of God, on the unwea­ried endeavours of the Parliament, with the expence of much bloud and treasure, setled in their long desired rest and Peace, from the bon­dage and servitude they were so long held under, by Tyrannicall Kingly power, and government: and are become a Republick, a Free State: and that the foundation of War having been by the same Enemy layd and carried on in Scotland, God hath there also won­derfully appeared for us, and brought that War to a narrow compass, if not ere then to a period, the power of God being so eminently seen in our Armies, as that the Enemy have not been able to stand before them. These things the Commissioners layd before them, if they pleased to take them into consideration, to prevent the effusion of bloud, and a devastation of their estates injoyments, which ine­vitably would follow their contempt of timely offers of peace and mercy: and that wherever the interest of the Commonwealth of England lyeth, be it at never so great a distance, they would not be soon wearied to lay out that power God hath put into their hands, to reduce such to their obedience, as shall obstinately stand out; but that they rather hoped that the Lord, who is the searcher of hearts, and knew the bottome of their designes, to be no other but to settle the Island in peace and happinesse under that Government, who is both willing and able to protect them against all opposers, and that they hoped the Lord would so incline their hearts, that from thence­forth [Page 9] they would be able to judge who were their reall friends, and decline giving their assistance to those evil affected persons, as should persist in their rebellion, to involve them altogether in misery and destruction; but rather use their best endeavours to suppress them; and in their actings of this kind, they assured them that they might rely upon the diligent assistance of the Fleet; and for the better ef­fecting of those ends, they desired to hold frequent intelligence with them, and for their further incouragement, they did assure them in­demnity to all such as should for the future decline assisting the ene­mies of the Common wealth of England, then among them, and endeavour to promote the reducement of the Island, to their obedi­ence under their government and protection.

This Declaration of the Commissioners being published about the Island, tooke such impression upon the people of the Island, that in all probability the Island had been ours without any further hosti­lity, had they not been over-awed and kept under by the Lord Wil­loughby, and his Complices; so that they durst not appear for us o­penly, they being (as they had great cause to be) very sensible of the decay and want of Trade amongst them, in regard that no ships durst venture to come and traffique with them, by reason of our being here; as also their being continually kept upon watch and duty, to defend the Island against us, whereby the Island was much impove­rish'd, the planting and n [...]uring of the Island being almost wholly neglected upon which accompt the people would gladly have been freed, upon any rate, as afterward we found at our Landing.

But now advertisement came unto Sir George Aiscough, how that the Governour of S. Christophers was drowned, and that there was a contest between two persons in that Island for the Government thereof. Sir George not knowing at present how their affections stood, in reference to the Common wealth of England, resolved with the Commissioners of Parliament to send a Declaration unto them, to this effect:

That they being informed the Governour of that Island was car­ried away by a floud, and that there was a contest between two per­sons among them, for the Goverment of the Island, and they not knowing either of their, or the Island affections to the Parliament of England; did therefore require them speedily to give an accompt unto them, how the affairs of the Island stood, in reference to their [Page 8] [...] [Page 9] [...] [Page 10] [...] [Page 11] [...] [Page 10] obedience to the Common wealth of England; and not to choose a Governour, other then such as they should appoynt: with this far­ther intimation, that in case they did otherwise, such course should speeddy be taken with them, as might make them sensible of their defection.

We having now been before this Island, from the 16 of October 1651 unto the 10 of November following, the greatest part of the which time we spent in coasting, from place to place, about the I­sland, thereby to keep them in alarums in all parts of the Island, ho­ping that way would conduce to the speedy rendition of it; also within compasse of the said time Sir George Aiscough sent a second, and a third summons unto the Lord Willoughby, the which proving ineffectuall, it was resolved at a Counsell of War, held on board the Rainbow to attempt something ashore, at a place called the Spikes Bay; the which we were now the better able to doe, by the arrivall of another Fleet of Merchants, and some Men of War from England: and to the end aforesaid, a Regiment was formed out of our ships, which consisted of 600. men, whereof 200. were Scots, being some of those taken at the defeat at Worcester, and brought hither in the Merchants ships aforesaid.

The Enemy having notice of our designe, four houres before our landing, they had nine Companies afoot, and three Troopes of Horse, to oppose our landing at that place; and our Boats being ready to set the men on shoar forthwith stood in for the Spikes bay; and having set the men on shoar, the Enemy presently gave a very resolute Charge upon them: but no sooner had we embraced their onset, but we immediately fell in among them, and after a short, but hot dispute, we routed their whole Brigade, their Comman­ders like persidious Cowards ran away, and left the Foot ingaged; who also retreated to their Fort Royal: the which our men present­ly stormed, with the losse of nine men, and some few hurt, as Col. Morris, who commanded our men; his Major, and some others; the said Col. Morris did behave himselfe very gallantly, both at this place, and also before at the reducing of the Isle of Scilly: the which we performed, with the assistance of Generall Blake, in our Voyage hither: we killed about 50. of the Enemy, and tooke about 1 [...]0. Prisoners, 4 Peeces of Ordnance, and razed downe the Fort, and burnt many houses, the place not being tenable.

Sir George againe sent a Trumpeter, with another Summons to the Lord Willoughby, the which produced a Treaty, and Hostages be­ing given, Articles were concluded on, viz. that the Islands of Bar­badoes, St. Christophers, Antego, and the Mevis, should be surren­dred to the obedience of the Common-wealth of England: that the Lord Willoughby, Col. Wolrond, Col. Mudiford, and others of their Party should have protection for the enjoyment of their Estates, either in England or elsewhere: and also be pardoned and indem­nified for all past by Actions, done or committed by any of them: that the Inhabitants of the severall Islands should be protected from the fury of the sword, and to enjoy and live peaceably in their Ha­bitations; acting nothing prejudiciall to the Government which should be established over them, by the Parliament of the Com­mon-wealth of England.

And that Col. James Drax, Col. Lewis Morris, Serjeant Major Hilliard, Captain Gregory, and all others, who had been banished the Island, and their Estates sequestred for their good affection to the Common-wealth of England, should be invested in all their E­states; notwithstanding the former Confiscation thereof; and that restitution should be made unto them for all damages and losses which they had sustained.

But now the Inhabitants of the Islands of St. Christophers, Ante­go, and St. Mevis, hearing of the rendition of Barbadoes to us, did all of them immediately send unto us, assuring us that they would chearfully submit to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of Eng­land; and that they would be subject only to such Lawes, Orders, and Regulations, as the Parliament should please to impose upon them: Also they desired us to appoynt in the mean time such Go­vernors over them, as were of good integrity, and affection to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England.

Thus were all these remote Islands reduced to the obedience of the Common-wealth of England, from which they revolted in the year, 1650. and proclaimed Charles Stewart, King over them, and did accept of such Governors as he appoynted over them viz. Fran­cis Lord Willoughby of Parham, Governor of Barbadoes, who land­ed there in April. 1650. and with the assistance of Col. Wolrord, and Col. Mudiford, and some other evill affected persons, he outed Ma­jor Philip Bell, who was then Governour for the Parliament of [Page 12] England: and also banished all those who would not joyn with them in their pernicious wayes, or take the oath which the said Lord Willoughby and his Associats had prepared to administer, to the In­habitants of the Island: the which they compelled every man in the Island to take, upon pain of banishing their Persons, and confiscating the Estates of all such as should refuse to subscribe thereunto: but notwithstanding all this their sharp Rhethorick and violent dealing, yet several conscientious persons of the best repute & quality in the Island, did utterly refuse either to joyn with them, or take the Oath aforesayd, who were therefore banished the Island, and their Estates sequestred wholly, both reall and personall; the chiefe of them who were thus proceeded against, were Lievtenant Colonel James Drax, Lievtenant Colonel Lewis Morris, Serjeant Major Hiliard, Captaine Gregory with many others, whose names for brevity sake shall be omitted: also the Governor appointed at the same time of Antego, was one Poynz, formerly known in England by the name of Generall Poynz; those also who were appointed Governors of the other Islands being of the same Royall Stamp, were no whit be­hind the former in oppressing and tyrannizing over those people, from all which they were happily delivered by the blessing of God upon the indeavours of the Parliaments Fleet, Commanded by the worthy and right valiant Sea Commander, Sir George Aiscough.