Ratification or to the end of the next Session of Parliament By the Statute of 22 Car. 2. cap. 9. Persons to be nominated by the King under the Great Seal or so many of them as shall be appointed to be of the Quorum shall have power to Treat with Commissioners to be Authorised by the Parliament of Scotland concerning an Union of the Realms and such other Matters as they shall think fit for the Kings Honour and Good of both Kingdoms Their Proceedings to be reduced into Writings or Instruments Tripartite one part whereof to be presented to the King another to the Parliament of England and a third to that of Scotland Provided that nothing to be agreed on by them shall be of force till confirmed by Act of the Parliament of England By the Statute of 4 Jac. 1.1 He that is once Tried in Scotland shall not be called in Question again for the same Offence By the Statute of 2 Ed. 4.8 Merchandize carried into or brought out of Scotland or the Isles thereof shall be first brought to Berwick in pain to forfeit the same As the Law hath wrought four Unions 1st The Union of both Kingdoms under one Natural Liege Sovereign King being so acknowledged by the Act of Recognition 2ly The Union of Liegeance and Obedience of the Subject of both Kingdoms due by the Law of Nature to their Sovereign 3ly The Union of Protection of both Kingdoms equally belonging to the Subjects of either of them 4ly The Union of the three Lyons of England with that one of Scotland United and Quartered in one Escutcheon So the Law doth make four Seperations 1st England and Scotland remain several and distinct Kingdoms 2ly They are Governed by several Judicial or Municipal Laws 3ly They have several distinct and seperate Parliaments 4ly Each Kingdom hath several Nobilities For albeit a Postnatus in Scotland or any of his Posterity be the Heir of a Nobleman of Scotland and by his Birth Legitimated in England yet he is none of the Peers or Nobility of England for his Natural Ligeance and Obedience due by the Law of Nature maketh him a Subject and no Alien within England But that Subjection maketh him not Noble within England for that Nobility had its Original by the Kings Creation and not of Nature More of which matter you may Read at large hereafter in Ireland And that the highest and lowest Dignities as a King and that of a Knight are nevertheless universal Coke's 7 Rep. 15. Calvin's Case In ancient time part of Scotland besides Berwick was within the Power and Ligeance of the King of England yet was Governed by the Laws of Scotland The Case in 42 Ed. 3.2 Ruleth it That so many as were Born in that part of Scotland that was under the Ligeance of the King were no Aliens but inheritable to Lands in England yet was that part of Scotland in another Kingdom governed by several Laws And certainly if they were Natural Subjects in that Case when the King had but part of Scotland when the King hath all Scotland they shall be Natural Subjects and no Aliens Barwick is no part of England nor Governed by the Laws of England yet they that have been Born there under the Obedience of one King are Natural Born Subjects and no Aliens There were sometimes in England whiles the Heptarchy lasted seven several Crowned Kings of several and distinct Kingdoms but in the end the West Saxons got the Monarchy and all the other Kings melted as it were their Crowns to make one Imperial Diadem for the King of the West Saxons over all Now when the whole was made the actual and real Ligeance and Obedience of one King they were all Natural born Subjects and capable of and Inheritable unto any Lands in any of the said Kingdoms Of all which matters and things last above mentioned you may read at large in Coke's 7 Report Calvin's Case By the Statute of 4 Jac. 1. For Repeal of Hostile Laws It is Enacted That no Englishman shall be sent out of England into Scotland for any Offence done in Scotland until the Realms be made one in Laws and Government There was a Proclamation the 20 of Octob. 20 Jac. 1. concerning the Kings Stile of Great Britain wherein all Judicial and Legal Proceedings are excepted Cokes 4 Inst 345. The Lesser Islands near Scotland ARE the Orcades or Isles of Orkeny in number 32 Situate against the North Cape of Scotland The chief being Pomonia whose prime Town is Kirkwal honoured with a Bishops See and strengthened with two Castles It is stored with Tinn and Lead and called by the Inhabitants Mainland The 2d Hotlands or Oceti the Inhabitants Bibacissimi sunt tamen non inebriantur These Isles in Solinus time were not Inhabited being over-grown with Rushes Now are they Populous and Fertile were first discovered by Julius Agricola and first possessed by Normans or Norwegians who surrendred them to Alexander King of Scotland 1266. They speak the Gothish Language Schetland lies two days Sailing North of Orcades and is supposed to be the Thule of the Ancients The Hebrides because Scituate West of Scotland in number 44. The chief Ila 24 Miles long and 16 broad Plentiful in Wheat Cattle and Herds of Red Deer The Isle of Sky 40 Miles long Iona famous for Sepulture of the Kings of Scotland Mula 25 Miles bigger than the other The People both in Language and Behaviour resemble the Wild Irish and are called Redshanks A COMPENDIUM OF THE Laws and Government OF IRELAND WITH THE ISLANDS Thereunto belonging Anno Domini 1699 IRELAND FROM Erinland signifying in their Language a Western Land lies on the West of England and Wales in length from the North parts of Antrim to the South parts of Cork 285 in breadth from the East parts of Down to the West parts of Mayo 160 Miles long Anciently called Juverna Hibernia Overnia Jernia Scotia minor Bernia and Vernia now by the Natives Eryn by the Welsh Yverden by the Germans Irlandt by the Italians Irlanda and by the French Irlande The first Inhabitants came out of Britain were anciently Rude and Barbarous having little Law or Government First partly Conquered by the Saxon Monarchs of England Then by the Norwegians not long after by Henry the Second of England till by little and little it was wholly Reduced to England and still remaineth so Governed by a Vice-Roy call the Lord Lieutenant or Deputy of Ireland whose Seat is at Dublin They received the Christian Faith by St. Patrick Anno 335 and are both Protestants and Papists Their Language is a Dialect of the Old British intermixed with Norwegian Danish and English The English is also frequently used among them and in some places a Mongrel Speech between both Their chief Commodities are Cattle Hides Tallow Butter Cheese Honey Wax Furs Salt Hemp Linnen Cloath Pipe-Staves Wool Frizes c. This Country is divided into Four Great Provinces Anciently Kingdoms viz. 1. Ulster Ineol Cui-Guilly on the North
which they got leave of King James to put in there for Fresh-Water in their passage to Brasile and did not offer to plant till a good while after the English were settled in the Country In 1664. His late Majesty King Charles the Second sent over Four Commissioners to Reduce the Colonies into Bounds that had before Incroached upon each other who Marching with Three Hundred Red-Coats to Manhades or Manhatees took from the Dutch their Chief Town then called New Amsterdam now New York and August 29. Turned out their Governour with a Silver-Leg and all the rest but those who acknowledg'd Subjection to the King of England suffering them to enjoy their Estates and their Houses as before Thirteen days after Sir Robert Carr took the Town and Fort of Aurania and Twelve Days after that the Fort and Town of Arosapha then De la Ware Castle Mann'd with Dutch and Sweeds so that now the English are Masters of Three handsom Towns Three strong Forts and a Castle without the loss of one Man The first Governour of these parts for the King of England was Colonel Nichols one of the Commissioners This Country is blessed with the Richest Soil in all New England I have heard it Reported says an Author That one Bushel of European Wheat hath yielded One Hundred in a Year The Town of New York is well seated both for Trade Security and Pleasure in a small Isle called Manahaten at the Mouth of the Great River Mohegan which is very commodious for Shipping and about Two Leagues broad The Town is large built with Dutch Brick alla Moderna consisting of above Five hundred Houses the meanest not valued under One hundred Pounds To the Land-ward it is encompassed with a Wall of good thickness and Fortified at the Entrance of the River so as to Command any Ship which passeth that way by a Fort called James Fort. It hath a Mayor Aldermen a Sheriff and Justices of Peace for their Magistrates The Inhabitants are most English and Dutch and have a considerable Trade with the Indians for Bever Otter Raccoon Skins with other rich Furrs Likewise for Bear Deer and Elk-Skins and are supply'd with Venison and Fowl in the Winter and Fish in the Summer by the Indians at an easie Rate The Province of New York formerly contained all that Land which lyes in the North parts of America betwixt New England and Mary-Land the Length towards the North is not fully known the Breadth is about 200 Miles The Principal Rivers are Hudson's River Raritan River and De la Ware Bay The chief Islands are Manahaten Island Long Island and Staten Island Manahaten Island so called by the Indians lieth within the Land betwixt 41 and 42 Degrees of North Latitude and is about 14 Miles long and two broad New York is seated on the West of this Island having a small Arm of the Sea which divides it from Long Island on the South Long Island runs Eastward above 100 Miles and is in some places 8 12 or 14. Miles broad Inhabited from one end to the other having an Excellent Soil for all English Grain the Fruits Trees and Herbs very good In May you may see the Woods and Fields so curiously bedeck'd with Roses and a multitude of other delightful Flowers as equal if not excel many Gardens in England There are several Navigable Rivers which run very swift and are well furnished with Variety of Fish as the Land is with all sorts of English Cattle besides Deer Bears Wolves Raccoons Otters and Wild Fowl in abundance Hudson's River runs by New York Northward into the Country toward the Head of which is seated New Albany a place of great Trade with the Indians betwixt which and New York being above 100 Miles distance is as good Corn Land as the World affords It was reduced to his Majesties Obedience by Colonel Nichols and a League of Friendship concluded between the Inhabitants and the Indians by whom they have never been since disturbed but every Man hath sate under his own Vine and hath peaceably Reaped and Enjoyed the Fruits of his own Labours New Jersey IS part of the Province of New Albion afore-mentioned and is Subdivided into East and West Jersey East Jersey lies between 39 and 41 Degrees of North Latitude being about 12 Degrees more to the South than the City of London It is bounded on the South-East by the Main Sea East by that vast Navigable Stream called Hudson's River West by a Line of Division which separates it from West Jersey and North upon the Main Land and extends it self in length on the Sea-Coasts and along Hudson's River 100 Miles and upwards The Proprietors of this Province Anno 1682. Published an Account of the Scituation Conveniences and Product thereof for Incouragement of such who had an Inclination to Settle there Which you may read in Burton's Description of America fol. 99. The Constitutions of this Country were made in the time of John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret the late Proprietors thereof in which such Provision hath been made for Liberty in matter of Religion and Property in their Estates that under the Forms thereof this Country hath been considerably increased Pensylvania BY Letters Patent Dated the 4th of March 1680. King Charles the Second in Consideration of the Faithful Service of Sir William Penne Deceased did Grant unto William Penne Esquire Son and Heir of the said Sir William Penne all that Tract of Land called Pensylvania as the same was Bounded on the East by De la Ware River from 12 Miles distance of New-Castle Town unto the 43 Degree of Northern Latitude with other Boundings and Limits therein mentioned And all Powers Preheminence and Jurisdictions necessary for the Government of the said Province And by other Letters Patent Dated April the 2d 1681. did Publish and Declare his Will and Pleasure That all Persons settled or inhabiting within the Limits of the said Province should yield all due Obedience to the said William Penne his Heirs and Assigns as absolute Proprietors and Governours thereof as also to the Deputy or Deputies Agents or Lieutenants Commissioned by him or them Whereupon William Penne taking upon him the Government in a Letter from Philadelphia the then intended Chief City Dated 16 Aug. 1683. giveth a full Description of the Province and the Soil Air Seasons and Produce thereof The Planted part of the Province being cast into six Counties viz. Philadelphia Buckingham Chester New-Castle Kent and Sussex containing then about 4000 Souls Two Assemblies had then been held with such Concord and Dispatch that in Three Weeks time at least Seventy Laws were past And for the Well-Government of the Counties Courts of Justices are Established in every County with proper Officers as Justices Sheriffs Clerks Constables c. Which Courts are held every Two Months but to prevent Law-Suits there are Three Peace-Makers chosen by each County-Court in the Nature of Common Arbitrators to hear and end Differences betwixt Man and
Man And Spring and Fall there is an Orphans Court in each County to Inspect and Regulate the Affairs of Widows and Orphans The Government of the Natives is by Kings which they call Sachema and those by Succession but always of the Mothers side For Instance the Children of â—im who is now King will not succeed but his Brother by the Mother or the Children of his Sister whose Sons and after them the Children of her Daughters will Reign for no Woman Inherits This they do that their Issue may not be spurious Every King hath his Council and that consists of all the Old and Wise Men and also the Young without which Assembly nothing of moment is undertaken The Justice they have is Pecuniary even for Murther it self And it 's agreed That in all differences between the Natives and English Six of each side shall end the matter The Chief City Philadelphia In the Center of which is a Square of Ten Acres at each Angle is or was intended Houses for publick Affairs as a Meeting House Assembly or State-House c. mary-Mary-Land THis Province is bounded on the North with Pensylvania on the East by De la Ware Bay and the Atlantick Ocean on the South by Virginia from whence it is parted by the River Patowmeck Chesapeack Bay is the passage for Ships both into this Country and Virginia and runs through the Middle of Mary-Land being found Navigable near Two hundred Miles into the Land into which fall divers considerable Rivers The Climate is very agreeable to the English Constitution especially since the clearing of the Ground from Trees and Woods which formerly caused much unhealthfulness neither is the Heat extream in Summer being much qualified by the Cool Winds from Sea and the refreshing Showers and the Winter so Moderate as doth no way Incommode the Inhabitants It is seated between 37 Degrees and 40 Degrees of Northern Latitude and was discovered at the same time with Virginia The Country is generally Plain and Even the Soil rich and fertile Naturally producing all such Commodities as are found in New England as to Fish Fruits Plants Roots c. The chief Trade of the English hither is Tobacco which is not inconsiderable since 100 Sail of Ships have in One Year Traded hither from England and the Neighbouring English Plantations It is divided into Ten Counties in each of which a Court is held every Two Months for little Matters with Appeal to the Provincial Court at St. Maries which is the Principal Town seated on Saint George's River and Beautified with several well Built Houses This Province was granted by Patent to the Right Honourable the Lord Baltimore and to his Heirs and Assigns with many Civil and Military Prerogatives and Jurisdictions as conferring Honours Coyning Money c. paying Yearly as an acknowledgment to His Majesty and Successors Two Indian Arrows at Windsor Castle upon Easter Tuesday The Lord Baltimore hath his Residence when there at Mattapany about 8 Miles distant from St. Maries where he hath a pleasant Seat tho' the General Assemblies and Provincial Courts are kept at St. Maries and for Encouraging People to settle here His Lordship by the Advice of the General Assembly Established a Model of excellent Laws for the Ease and Security of the Inhabitants with Toleration of Religion to all that profess Faith in Christ which hath been a principal Motive to many to Settle here Virginia DIscovered with others by Sebastian Cabott 1497 after was Visited by Sir Francis Drake and called Virginia by Sir Walter Rawleigh in Honour of his Mistress Queen Elizabeth In 1603 some Persons at Bristol by Leave from Sir Walter Rawleigh who had the Propriety thereof made a Voyage hither who Discovered Whitson's Bay in 41 Degrees and afterwards in 1607. Sir John Popham and others settled a Plantation at the Mouth of the River Sagahador the Captain James Davis choosing a small place almost an Island to sit down in where having heard a Sermon and read their Patent and Laws and Built a Fort They Sailed farther Discovering a River the Head whereof they called Fort St. George Captain George Popham being President After the first Discovery Virginia cost no small Pains and Experience before it was brought to perfection with the loss of many English Lives In the Reign of King James the First a Patent was granted to certain Persons at a Corporation who were called The Company of Adventurers of Virginia But upon several Misdemeanors and Miscarriages in 1623 the Patent was made void and hath since been free for all His Majesty's Subjects to Trade to It is scituate South of Mary-Land and hath the Atlantick Ocean on the East The Air is good and Climate agreeable to the English since the clearing it from Woods The Soil very fruitful but Tobacco is their chief Commodity and the Standard whereby all the rest are prized This Country is well Watered with many great and swift Rivers that lose themselves in the Gulph or Bay of Chesapeak which gives Entrance into this Country as well as Mary-Land being a very large and capacious Bay and running up into the Country Northward above 200 Miles The Rivers of most account are James River Navigable 150 Miles York River large and Navigable above 60 Miles and Rapahanok Navigable above 120 Miles Adjoyning to these Rivers are the English settled for the Conveniency of Shipping having several Towns the chief whereof is James Town commodiously seated on James River very neat and well beautified with Brick-Houses where are kept the Courts of Judicature and all publick Offices which concern the Country Next to James is Elizabeth Town well built and seated on the Mouth of a River so called Likewise the Towns of Bermudas Wicornoco and Dales-Gift The Country is Governed by Laws agreeable to those in England for the better observing whereof those parts possessed by the English are divided into the Counties of Caroluck Charles Gloucester Hartford Henrico James New Kent Lancaster Middlesex Nausemund Lower Norfolk Northampton Northumberland Rappohanock the Isle of Wight and York In each of which Counties are held petty Courts every Month from which there may be Appeals to the Quarter Court at James Town The Governour is sent over by the King of England Carolina SO called from the late King Charles the Second is a Colony not long since Established by the English and is that part of Florida adjoyning to Virginia between 29 and 36 Degrees of North Latitude On the East it is washed with the Atlantick Ocean and is bounded on the West with Mare Pacificum or the South-Sea and within these Bounds is contained the most fertile and pleasant parts of Florida which is so much commended by the Spanish Authors Of which a more ample Account cannot be given than what an English Man who Lived and was concerned in the Settlement thereof Delivered in these Words This Province of Carolina was in the Year 1663. Granted by Lett es Patent of His late Majesty King Charles
of no great Extent not above 15 Miles long lying North-East from Montserrat The English are reckoned between 4 and 500 Men who find thereupon conveniently to subsist The Soil is Fertile and well stored with Cattle and Sheep and may produce other Commodities if well Manag'd but subject to one great Annoyance as well as some other of these Islands that the Caribians of Dominico and other places many times commit great Spoils in it The Enmity and Aversion which these Barbarians have conceived against the English Nation in General being such that there hardly passes a Year but they make Irruptions into one of these Islands and if not timely Discovered and Valiantly opposed kill all the Men they meet Ransack the Houses and burn them and if they get any of the Women and Children carry them Prisoners to their own Territories with all the Booty they have a mind to Here is the Sensible Plant and Sensitive Trees Anguilla SOmetimes called snake-Snake-Island from its shape is a long Tract of Land of about 30 Miles long and 9 broad winding almost about near St. Martin's Island whence it is very plainly perceived There is not any Mountain in it the Ground lying even and low where it is broadest there is a Pond about which some English have settled themselves in Number 2 or 300 and where they Plant Tobacco which is highly esteemed by those who are good Judges in that Commodity The Island lyes in 18 Degrees and 20 Minutes on this side the Aequinoctial Before the Discovery of America there were not to be found in these parts any Horses Kine Oxen Sheep Goats Swine or Dogs but for the better Conveniency of their Navigations and supply of their Ships in case of Necessity they left some of these Creatures in several parts of this New-found World where they have since multiplyed so exceedingly that now they are more common as well on the Continent as the Caribees than in any part of Europe Montserrat REceived that Name from the Resemblance of a Mountain therein to that of Montserrat near Barcelona in Spain and hath retained the Name ever since It is of a small extent not above Three Leagues long and as much broad so that it seems almost round It lies in the Latitude of 17 Degrees on this side the Line full of Mountains whereon grow-plenty of Cedar and other Trees the Vallies and Plains being very fertile It is chiefly inhabited by the Irish with some English There is in it a very fair Church of a delightful Structure Built by the Contributions of the Governours and Inhabitants The Pulpit Seats and all the Joyners and Carpenters Work within it are of the most precious and sweet-scented Wood growing in the Country Dominica LIes in the Latitude of 15 Degrees and 30 Minutes judged to be 13 Leagues or 40 Miles long and not much less in breadth where broadest On the West side of the Isle is a convenient Harbour for Ships It is very Mountainous in the midst which Encompasses an Inaccessible Bottom where from the Tops of certain Rocks may be seen an infinite Number of Vipers Dragons and other dreadful Venemous Creatures whom none dare approach to Yet there are many fruitful Vallies producing several Commodities but especially Tobacco which is planted by the English St. Vincent IS 16 Degrees North from the Line and is about 24 Miles long and 18 broad wherein are several high Mountains between which are very fruitful Plains yielding abundance of Sugar-Canes which grow Naturally without Planting It is well Watered with Rivers and hath several good Harbours and Bays for Shipping The English have here some Plantations but they are neither very considerable nor powerful herein It being the most Populous of Caribeans of any possessed by them who have here many fair Villages where they dwell pleasantly and without any disturbance and tho' they are Jealous of the Strangers that Live about them and stand on their Guards when they come to their Roads yet they do not deny Cassavy Bread Water Fruits and other Provisions growing in their Country to them that want them taking in Exchange Wedges Hooks and other Implements of Iron which they much esteem Antegoa LIes in the Latitude of 16 Degrees and 11 Minutes between Barbadoes and Desiderado in length about 20 Miles and much of the same breadth The Access to it is dangerous by reason of the Rocks which Encompass it It was conceived heretofore that it was not to be Inhabited upon Presumption that there was no Fresh-water in it but the English who have Planted themselves in it have met with some and make Ponds and Cisterns to supply that Defect it being Inhabited by 8 or 900 Persons The Commodities this Isle affords area Sugar Indico Ginger and Tobacco It abounds in Tame Cattle and all sorts of Fish among which the Shark Fish deserves Remark Mâ—vis or Nevis IN 17 Degrees 19 Minutes North of the Line not above 18 Miles round in the midst whereof is one only Mountain which is very high and covered with Trees up to the very top about which all the Plantations are settled beginning from the Sea-side to the very highest part of it It hath within it divers Springs of Fresh-water whereof some are strong enough to make their way into the Sea One Spring hath the Waters so Hot and Mineral that from the Force of it there are Baths made found very beneficial in several Diseases The English who planted themselves there in 1628. and are still Possessors thereof being now about 3 or 4000 Inhabitants drive a very handsom Trade with Sugar Ginger Tobacco and Cotton which they Exchange for other Conveniencies It is best Governed of any of the Caribee Islands impartial Justice being administred and all Debauchery and Immorality severely punished by a Council of the most eminent and ancient Inhabitants There are Three Churches erected for the Service of God And for the Security of Vessels in the Road there is a Fort wherein are several Great Guns planted that Command at a distance which likewise all the Commodities imporâ—ed for the use of the Inhabitants are disposed and from thence distributed to those that have occasion for them It is indifferent Fruitful and hath store of Deer and other Game for Hunting St. Christophers SO named by Christopher Columbus who finding it very pleasant gave it his own Name which the shape of the Mountain likewise inclined him to for it hath on its upper part as it were upon one of its Shoulders another lesser Mountain as St. Christopher is painted like a Giant carrying our Saviour upon his as it were a little Child It is scituated 17 Degrees and 25 Minutes on this side the Line and is about 25 Leagues in Compass the Soil being Light and Sandy is apt to produce all sorts of the Country Fruits with many of the choicest growing in Europe It lies highest in the midst by reason of some very high Mountains out of which arise several Rivers which do sometimes
so suddenly overflow through the Rains falling from the Mountains that the Inhabitants are thereby surprized The whole Island is divided into Four Cantons or Quarters Two whereof are possessed by the English and Two by the French but so separated that People cannot go from one Quarter to the other without passing over the Lands of one of the two Nations The English have more little Rivers in their Division The French more of the Plain Country fit for Tillage The English exceed the French in Number but the French have Four Forts and the English only Two and to prevent Differences between the Two Nations each of them have a Guard upon the Frontiers of their Division which is renewed every Day Barbadoes IS the most Considerable Island the English have amongst the Caribees and lies in 13 Degrees and 20 Minutes on this side the Aequator and tho' not above 24 Miles long and 15 broad yet was many years ago accounted to have above 20000 Inhabitants besides Negro Slaves who are thought a far greater Number In the Reign of King James the First a Ship of Sir William Curteens returning from Fernambuck in Brasile being driven by foul Weather upon this Coast chanced to fall upon this Island and Anchoring before it staid sometime to inform themselves of the Nature thereof which was so exceedingly overgrown with Woods that they could find no Champain or Savana's for Men to Live in nor any Beasts but a multitude of Swine which the Portugals put ashoar long before for Breed if they should at any time be cast on that Shoar in foul Weather and the Fruits and Roots that grew there afforded so great plenty of Food as they multiplyed abundantly so that the Natives of the other Islands use to come hither to Hunt This Discovery being made and Advice given to their Friends in England other Ships were sent and having cut down the Woods and clear'd the Ground they planted Potatoes Plantain and Maize which with the Hogs-flesh they found serv'd to keep Life and Soul together and their Supplies from England coming slow and uncertain they were oft driven to great Extremity But in the Year 1627. when they had more Hands and having Tobacco Indico Cotton Wool and Fustick Wood to Trade with some Ships were Invited with hope of Gain to Visit them bringing for Exchange such things as they wanted as Working Tools of Iron and Steel Cloths Shirts Drawers Hose Shoes Hats and more Planters so that in a short time they grew very Considerable especially when their Sugar-Canes were grown and they had Learned the Art of making Sugar The Inhabitants which consist of English Scotch Irish with some few Dutch French and Jews were Calculated lately to be above 50000 and the Negroes about 100000. So that they can in a short time Arm 10000 Fighting Men which with the Natural Advantage of the Place is able to Defy the most potent Enemy as the Spaniards have found to their Cost having in vain Assaulted it several times It hath only one River or rather a Lake which runs not far into the Land yet the Country lying low and level they have divers Ponds and are supply'd with Rain-water by making Cisterns in their Houses The Air is very hot for 8 Months and would be more insupportable were it not for the cool Breezes which rise with the Sun and blow still fresher as that grows higher but always from the North-east except in the Turnado and then it chops about to the South and hour or two and after returns as before The other 4 Months are not so hot but like the Air of England about the middle of May and tho' they Sweat find not such Faintnesâ— as in England in August neither are they Thirsty unless over heated with Labour or strong Drink their Bread is made of the Root of a small Tree or Shrub which they call Cassavy and account it wholsom and nourishing The Chief Towns in this Isle are St. Michael's formerly called Bridge Town Little Bristol St. James and Charles Town with other Parishes of less Note and several Bayes on the Sea-Coasts The Government is by Laws agreeable to those in England for which they have Courts of Judicature Justices of Peace Constables Churchwardens and the like The Island is very strong as well by Nature as Art It is divided into 11 Precincts wherein are 14 Churches or Chapels the whole so filled with Houses that it may almost seem one Great Town Jamaica SCituate in 17 or 18 Degrees of Northern Latitude it 's shape somewhat Oval being about 170 Miles long and about 70 broad in the midst whereof runs a continued Ridge of Mountains so that some have compared the Island to a Saddle From hence flow divers fresh Springs which cause many Rivers to the great Refreshment of the Inhabitants The Island is divided into 14 Precincts or Parishes Named Port Royal St. Catherines St. Johns St. Andrews St Davids St. Thomas and Clarendon c. many whereof are well Inhabited by the English that have there very good Plantations whose Number is not certainly known but according to Survey taken and returned into England some years since there were about 1700 Families and more than 15000 Inhabitants in the fore-named 14 Precincts and in the Four Parishes on the North-side of the Isle that is St. Georges St. Maries St. Anne and St. James above 2000 more all which are now extreamly increased even to Double if not Treble that Number The great Encouragement of gaining Wealth and a pleasant Life inviting abundance of People to Transplant themselves from Barbadoes and other English Plantations every year so that in a small time it is like to be the most Potent and Rich Plantation in all America And besides the afore-mentioned Number of Inhabitants there are reckoned to belong to Jamaica of Privateers or Buccaneers Sloop and Boat-men which Ply about the Isle at least Thirty Thousand stout Fighting Men whose Courage is sufficiently discovered in their daily Attempts upon the Spaniards in Panama and other places which for the Hazard Conduct and Daringness of their Exploits have by some been compared to the Actions of Caesar and Alexander the Great The Laws of this Island are as like those of England as the difference of Countries will admit They having their several Courts and Magistrates and Officers for Executing Justice on Offenders and Hearing and Determining all Civil Causes between Man and Man ADDENDA OR A SUPPLEMENT OF Things omitteed in the Impression of the Book To be Added To The Respective COURTS in the PLACES after-mentioned WITH REFERRENCES To the same COURTS In the Book before contained By the Author Anno Domini 1699. ADDENDA OR A SUPPLEMENT Of Things omitted in the Impression In the High Court of Parliament THE manner of Debates or passing of Bills into Acts is thus It is the Practice of each House to debate not only of what the King hath proposed but of any other Lay-matters unless their Sovereign shall
make a Record of it Coke's 8 Rep. 120. Dr. Bonham's Case Justices of Peace may commit Vagrants to Prison if they will not serve and they may command the Goalers to set 'em at liberty without any other Writ F. N. B. 374. Justices of Peace shall be made of the most sufficient by the Advice of the Chancellor and King's Council without taking others dwelling in Foreign Counties except Lords Justices of Assize and the King 's Chief Steward of Dutchy Lands in North and South St. 2 H. 5. Cap. 2. 18 H. 6. None except Men Learned in the Law or inhabiting Corporations shall be Justices of peace unless their Lands be worth 20 l. per Annum Justices in Middlesex not compellable to keep their Sessions more than twice in the Year but may keep them oftner Stat. 14 H. 6. Vid. the Statutes concerning Justices of Peace Sat. 5 6 W. M. Certiorari to remove Indictments shall not be out of the King's Bench before Trial and from before Justices of General or Quarter Sessions of Peace unless upon Motion of Council and Rule in open Court and the Party indicted find two Manucaptors before one or two of the Justices in the County in 20 l. to plead to the said Indictment in the King's Bench and at their own Charges to procure the Issue joyned upon such Indictment to be tried at next Assizes after the Certiorari returnable Or if in London Westminster or Middlesex then next Term or Sitting after Term unless the Justices appoint some other time of which Notice must be given Costs against the Prosecutor of the Certiorari if he be Convicted In Vacation time Writs of Certiorari shall be granted by any Justice of King's Bench the Justice and Parties Name being indorsed and finding Sureties If upon any Indictment for not repairing High-ways the Title may come in Question upon Affidavit thereof a Certiorari may be granted to remove it into King's Bench upon Sureties found Vid. Washington's Abridgment of Statutes 152. Justices of Peace shall deliver their Indictments to the Justices of Goal-Delivery And Justices of Goal-Delivery may take a Pannel of a Jury returned by the Sheriff without making any Precept which Justices of Oyer and Terminer ought to make Coke's 4 Inst 168. For the Institution of Justices of the Peace and their Duty and Authority and of what they may inquire See the Stat. 4 H. 7. and Coke's 4 Inst 170 to 183. Justices of Peace Sheriffs in their Tourns and Lords in their Leets may enquire of false Weights and Measures c. Coke's 4 Inst 273. If the Commission of Sewers determine the Justices of Peace have Power to execute for one year Coke's 4. Inst 276. By Stat. 2 3 P. M. 18. a new Commission of the Peace or Goal-Delivery for the whole County shall not be a Supersedeas to a former like Commission granted to a City or Town-Corporate being no County Those who desire to see more of their Institution Jurisdiction and Authority may read thereof more at large in Dalt Just Coke's 4 Inst and other Authors who treat thereof and in the Statutes at large See before in Court of the Sessions of the Peace Page 210. To the Court of the Tourne THIS Court of the Tourne is the King 's Leet through all the County and the Sheriff is Judge And whosoever hath a Leet hath the same Authority within the Precinct as the Sheriff hath within the Tourne From this Court are exempted only Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons all Religious Men and Women and all such as have Hundreds of their own to be kept who are not bound to appear except for some other Cause but only in the Bailywicks where they dwell Stat. Marleb 10.25 H. 3. By Stat. 31 Ed. 3. Sess 1.15 Every Sheriff shall hold his Tourne yearly one time within the Month after Easter and another time within the Month after Michaelmas on Pain to lose his Tourne for the Time This Court is appertaining and incident to the Office of the Sheriff and ought not to be reserved therefrom and the Sheriff is to appoint Clerks under him in his Court such as he will at his Peril answer for but he cannot prescribe to take any thing for the keeping of his Tourne because he is an Officer removeable And by Magna Charta Chap. 35. he is to keep his Tourne in the Hundred at the usual Place It was Enacted by Stat. 1 Ed. 4. That all Indictments and Presentments taken before the Sheriff in his Tourne or County shall be delivered to the Justices of the Peace at the next Sessions in Pain of 40 l. who shall Arraign Deliver make Process and proceed thereupon as if they were taken before themselves and shall deliver indented Estreats of the Fines to the Sheriff to be levied to his own use And here if the Sheriff levy any Fine or commit any to Prison by colour of any such Indictment or Presentment or otherwise than by Warrant from the Justices aforesaid he shall forfeit 100 l. Howbeit Sheriffs of London shall not be restrained by this Act nor such as have had Fines formerly granted unto them Coke's 5 Rep. 112. Mallorie's Case But this extendeth only to Proceedings upon lawful and sufficient Indictments and doth not make any insufficient Indictment good Coke's 9 Rep. 26. Case of the Abbot of Strata Marcella See more in Court-Leet County-Court and Hundred-Court See before in The Court of the Tourne Page 223. To the Court-Leet or View of Frankpledge BY Stat. de Visu Franc. 18 Ed. 2. before mentioned and divers other Statutes the Court of the Leet may enquire of several Offences and amongst the things whereof the Steward of the Leet hath Cognizance and wherewith the Jury is to be charged some are such as may be there enquired of as High-Treason Petit Treason Felonies Burglaries Wilful Burners of Houses or Barns adjoyning thereunto by Night or Stacks of Corn Robbers of Churches and Chappels Takers of Doves out of Dovehouses or young Pigeons or Hawks out of their Nest in the Night or Fishes out of Ponds Stews or Trunks in the Night Stealers of Tame Deer marked Swans or Peacocks Breaking of Prison by Felons Rescuers of Felons and the like and their Accessaries before and after the Felony done Of all which the Jury must make Presentment and this Presentment is to be transmitted to Superior Courts as to the Justices of Goal-Delivery or Justices of Peace in their Sessions And other things whereof this Court hath perfect Cognizance and that may be enquired of and punished here in this Court are 1. By Common Law as the Defaults of Officers and Suitors in doing their Suit to this Court as if any living within the Precinct of the Law-day be not returned of the Decenary or being returned does not appear Or if any above Twelve years of Age have lived within the Leet and had not taken the Oath of Allegiance he was to have been presented here And