Important document from Earl of Warwick on the founding of New England.
A single page, signed document measuring 7.75” by 12”. Dated February 8, 1646.
The document concerns the outfitting and supply of a ship, and signed by the Earl of Warwick, Robert Rich, a leading figure in the early colonising of America.
The document is issued by the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty to the Commissioners of the Navy advising that a frigate under the command of Captain Biddall in the port of Portsmouth is to be fitted with supplies and provisions.
The document is also signed by Alex Bence; John Roller, and two others.
The paper is corner-mounted and framed to an overall size of 17.75” x 22”.
It is in very good condition, with paper loss to the edges, scattered light foxing, fragile horizontal folds and a few partial fold separations.
Transcription (original spelling, with minimal adjustment):
By the Com[ittee] of Lords and; Commons for the Admiralty and; Cinque Ports
Whereas the Adventure Frigott under Comand of Capt. Boddall, the Satisfaction under Comand of Capt. Robert Moulton, and the Increase under Comand of Capt. William Boddall are come into Portsmouth to be further supplyed with provisions to enable them speedy returne to sea for the Parliament’s further service, being intended to be part of the next Summer’s fleete. These are to pray and; require you to cause such a proportion of victualls to be put aboard the said severall shippes at Portsmouth as they run conveniently victualled at present. And for soe doing this shall be your warrant.
Dated at Westminster the 4th day of January 1646.
Modern Translation:
By order of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Admiralty and Cinque Ports,
Since the Adventure frigate (under Captain Boddall), the Satisfaction (under Captain Robert Moulton), and the Increase (under Captain William Boddall) have come into Portsmouth to be resupplied with provisions, so they may quickly return to sea for the Parliament’s service (and are intended to be part of next summer’s fleet),
You are hereby requested and required to provide a suitable quantity of food supplies (“victuals”) to be loaded aboard the said ships at Portsmouth, so that they are properly provisioned at present.
This shall be your warrant for doing so.
Given at Westminster, the 4th day of January, 1646.
Signed, Warwick (Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick, a leading Parliamentarian and Lord High Admiral).
Robert Rich, the Second Earl of Warwick (1587–1658), was in 1646 the commander of the fleet for the Parliamentary government in the English Civil War.
He was also head of the commission for the government of the colonies. As the President of the Council for New England he’d made substantial grants of land on the North America landmass, often to Puritan groups. His Warwick Patent of 1635 helped to establish the Saybrook Colony, which, although it did not itself survive long, was an important step in English colonisation of north-east America.
This weighty document is an important historical piece linked to the Birth of the United States and the fall of the British monarchy.
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