[1] This ordinance, appointing the Earl of Warwick governor of the Plantations, is printed in the _Journal of the House of Lords_, vi, 291, and in Husband's _Collection of Orders, Ordinances and Declarations_, p. 378.
[2] The imprint in the only known copy of the original is missing, but it was undoubtedly "_Oxford: L. Lichfield: 1643_," as in proclamations immediately preceding and following this date.
GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT TO SUCH AS SHALL TRANSPLANT THEMSELVES TO JAMAICA.
Whereas the Island of Jamaica in America, is by the Providence of God, in the hands and possession of this State,[1] the Enemy which was found upon it, being fled into the Mountains with an intention to escape into other places, save such of them as do daily render themselves to our Commander in chief there, to be disposed of by him; and We being satisfied of the Goodness, Fertility, and Commodiousness for Trade and Commerce of that Island, Have resolved, by the blessing of God, to use Our best endeavours to secure and plant the same. For which end and purpose, We have thought it necessary to publish, and make known unto the People of this Commonwealth, and especially to those of the English Islands, Plantations and Colonies in America, our Resolutions and Intentions on that behalf, as also to declare unto them the Encouragements which We have thought fit to give unto such as shall remove themselves, and their habitations into the aforesaid Island of Jamaica, within the time mentioned and expressed in these Presents. And first, concerning the securing thereof against the Enemy, We have already upon the Island, which landed there in May last, above six thousand Souldiers, and the beginning of July after, we sent from hence a Regiment of eight hundred more, drawn out of Our old Regiments in England, with eight Ships of War, besides Victualers, to be added to twelve others, that were left there by General Pen, under the command of Captain Will. Goodson, all which are appointed to remain in those Seas for the Defence of the said Island; and We shall from time to time take care to send thither other, both Land and Sea Forces, that We may have alwaies in those parts, such a strength as may be able, through the blessing of God, to defend and secure it against any Attempt of the Enemy; that whereas the Planters in other Places have been at Great and vast expences at their first sitting down, and in the very beginning of their Plantations for their necessary defence, as well against the Natives of the Countrey as other Enemies, those who shall remove thither, will be under the immediate Protection of this State, and so eased both of the danger and charge which other Plantations are subject to, and shall have, for their further encouragement, the terms and conditions following.