SIR WILLIAM PHIPS’S COMMISSION as VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY

29 December, 1691

LITERÆ PATENTES GULIELMO PHIPS MILITI PRO OFFICIO VICE-ADMIRALITATIS PROVINCIÆ ET TERRITORII DE MASSACHUSETS-BAY IN NOVÂ ANGLIÂ CONCESSÆ

Gulielmus & Maria Dei Gratiâ Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ & Niberniæ Rex et Regina fidei Defensores &c. Dilecto Nobis Gulielmo Phips Militi salutem.

Ad cognoscendum et procedendum in quibuscunque Causis civilibus et maritimis atque querelis contractibus, delictis seu quasi delictis criminibus placitis debitis, excambiis computis Chartis partitis conventionibus litibus transgressionibus, injuriis extortionibus et demandis ac Negotiis civilibus et maritimis motis seu movendis quibuscunque inter Mercatores aut inter Dominos et Proprietarios Navium & aliorum Vasorum et Mercatores seu alios quoscunque cum eisdem Dominis et Proprietariis navium et ceterorum vasorum quorumcunque infra Jurisdictionem maritimam Admiralitatis nostræ Provinciæ et Territorii nostrorum de Massachusets bay in novâ Angliâ occupatorum vel usitatorum seu inter quascunque alias personas qualitercunque habitis factis initis seu contracts pro aliqua re materiâ Causa vel Negotio seu injuriâ quacunque infra Jurisdictionem nostram maritimam prædictam expeditis seu expediendis unacum omnibus et singulis suis incidentibus emergentibus dependentibus annexis et connexis Causis quibuscunque ubicunque seu qualitercunque hujusmodi Causæ Querelæ contractus ac alia premissa supradicta vel eorum aliquod oriri celebrari, contrahi vel fieri contingat juxta Jura, Statuta, Ordinationes, Leges et Consuetudines ab antiquo observatos164 audiendum & terminandum ac insuper in omnibus et singulis Querelis, Contractibus conventionibus ac Causis et Negotiis civilibus et maritimis ultra Mare perficiendis ultrave Mare contractis qualitercunque emergentibus seu contingentibus ac etiam in ceteris causis et materiis omnibus et singulis quæ Jurisdictionem maritimam Admiralitatis nostræ predictæ in dictis Provinciâ et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto, et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque quovismodo tangunt seu aliquo modo concernunt vel ab Antiquo pertinere debuerunt aut debent. Et generaliter in omnibus et singulis aliis Causis Litibus, Criminibus, delictis excessubus, injuriis Querelis, maleficiis seu quasi maleficiis, transgressionibus, Regratariis forstallariis et Negotiis maritimis quibuscunque per Loca predicta infra Jurisdictionem maritimam Admiralitatis nostræ Provinciæ et Territorii nostrorum de Massachusetsbay predicto per Mare vel Aquam aut Ripas seu Littora eorundem qualitercunque factis, commissis, perpetratis aut emergentibus Necnon ad inquirendum per Sacramentum proborum et legalium hominum de dictis Provincia et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque tam infra Libertates et ffranchesias quam extra ubilibet commorantium tam de omnibus & singulis quæ de jure, Statutis, Legibus, ordinationibus, et consuetudinibus ab Antiquo observatis inquiri solent, vel deberent quam de Wrecco maris ac de omnibus et singulis bonis & Catallis quorumcunque proditorum, Piratarum, Homicidarum, et felonum qualitercunque infra Jurisdictionem maritimam Admiralitatis Nostræ Provinciæ & Territorii nostrorum et Massachusets bay predicto delinquentium ac de bonis debitis et catallis omnium et singulorum eorum manutenentium, accessariorum, consulentium auxiliantium vel assistentium quorumcunque atque etiam de bonis debitis et catallis quarumcunque personarum, felonum de se, et cujuslibet personæ felonis de se infra Jurisdictionem nostram maritimam prædictam quovismodo, seu qualitercunque ad mortem devenientium ubicunque bona debita et catalla hujusmodi aut aliqua parcella eorundem per Mare Aquam vel Terram in dictis Provinciâ & Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque tam infra Libertates et Franchesias quam extra fuerint inventa seu invenienda forisfacta seu forisfacienda vel existentia quæcunque Et etiam de bonis debitis et catallis quarumcunque aliarum personarum felonum de se, et cujuslibet alterius personæ felonis de se infra Jurisdictionem nostram maritimam prædictam repertis, seu reperiendis contingentibus quibuscunque Et præterea tam de bonis, debitis et Catallis quorumcunque aliorum proditorum Felonum Homicidarum ubicunque locorum delinquentium ac de bonis debitis et catallis eorum manutenentium accessariorum consulentium auxiliantium vel assistentium quam de bonis debitis et catallis quorumcunque fugitivorum convictorum, attinctorum, damnatorum, utlegatorum vel in exigendo165 pro proditione feloniâ Homicidio vel murdro, seu aliquo alio quocunque Offenso aut Delicto qualitercunque posito sive ponendo166 ac etiam de bonis waviatis, flotzon, Jetzon, Lagon Shares Thesauro invento seu inveniendo Deodandis ac de bonis quorumcunque aliorum pro Derelictis habitis vel habendis, seu casu fortuito repertis aut reperiendis vel qualitercunque debitis seu debendis ac de omnibus aliis casualibus tam in super vel per Mare Littoraque Crecas aut Costeras Maris vel partes maritimas quam in super vel per Aquas dulces, Portus, fluminia167 publica, Rivos, seu Crecas aut Loca superinundata quæcunque infra fluxum et refluxum Maris, seu Aquæ ad plentitudinem aut super Littora vel Ripas alicujus eorundem infra jurisdictionem nostram maritimam prædictam qualitercunque quandocunque vel quomodocunque emergentibus, contingentibus sive provenientibus quibuscunque vel ubicunque bona, debita et catalla hujusmodi aut cætera premissa vel aliqua parcella eorundem infra jurisdictionem nostram maritimam prædictam reperiantur aut inveniri seu reperiri contigerint Ac insuper de Anchoragiis et Lastagiis seu arenosâ Navium oneratione, et de Piscibus regalibus viz^t Sturgeonibus, Ballenis, Cetis Porpesiis Dolphinis Riggis et Graspiciis, et Generaliter de cæteris Piscibus quibuscunque magnam sive ingentem crassidutinem168 sive pinguedinem in se habentibus, ab antiquo de jure vel consuetudine ad Nos quovismodo pertinentibus aut spectantibus seu aliquo modo consuetis Eademque Wreccum Maris ac bona debita et Catalla, ac cætera premissa omnia et singula unacum omnibus et omnimodis finibus, mulctis exitibus forisfacturis, amerciamentis, redemptionibus et recognitionibus quibuscunque forisfactis seu forisfaciendis et pœnis pecuniariis pro transgressionibus delictis injuriis, extortionibus, contemptibus, ac aliis maleficiis quibuscunque vel pro aliqua Re, materiâ seu causâ quacunque impositis vel inflictis imponendis vel infligendis qualitercunque in dictis Provincia et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay prædicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque in aliquâ Curiâ, Admiralitatis nostræ ibidem tentâ, seu tenendâ presentatis seu presentandis assidendis afferendis forisfaciendis seu adjudicandis ac etiam unacum Amerciamentis exitibus, finibus perquisitis Mulctis et pœnis pecuniariis quibuscunque ac forisfacturis quarumcunque Recognitionum coram vobis vestrove Locumtenente Deputato vel Deputatis in dictis Provincia et Territorio Nostris de Massachusets bay prædicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque audiendis et terminandis assignatis seu assignandis contingentibus seu impositis aut imponendis vel infligendis seu aliquo modo assidendis afferendis forisfaciendis seu adjudicandis aut aliquo modo occasione premissorum Nobis, vel hæredibus, seu successoribus Nostris in ea parte qualitercunque debitis sive debendis quibuscunque petendum exigendum levandum capiendum colligendum recipiendum et obtinendum ac ad usum nostrum et officii Magni Admiralli nostri Angliæ prædicti pro tempore existentis custodiendum, et conservandum. Ac insuper recognitiones Cautiones Obligationes & Stipulationes quascunque tam ad usum nostrum quam ad quarumcunque partium instantiam pro conventionibus seu debitis ac aliis Causis quibuscunque capiendum Easque executioni ponendum et exequi faciendum & mandandum Necnon Naves personas res bona, merces et mercimonia quæcunque pro præmissis et eorum quolibet ac aliis Causis quibuscunque ea concernentibus ubicunque Locorum per dicta Provinciam et Territorium nostra de Massachusets bay predicto ac partes maritimas eorundem et eisdem adjacentes quascunque infra Libertates et ffranchesias vel extra fuerint inventa seu reperta Atque etiam pro aliis conventionibus, Causis seu Debitis quibuscunque qualitercunque contractis sive emergentibus dummodo bona seu persones debitorum reperiantur infra Jurisdictionem nostram predictam juxta Leges Civiles et maritimas et consuetudines ab Antiquo usitatas realiter arrestandum et arrestari faciendum, et mandandum Ipsasque cum suis emergentibus dependentibus incidentibus annexis et connexis Causis et Negotiis quibuscunque unacum ceteris Causis civilibus et maritimis atque Querelis contractibus et aliis premissis omnibus et singulis quibuscunque superius respective expressis juxta Leges et Consuetudines predictas ac aliis Viis, modis et mediis legitimis quibus melius sciveris, aut poteris, audiendum examinandum discutiendum et fine debito terminandum ac personas quascunque in ea parte prout casus exiget comparere et respondere cum cujuslibet coertionis temporalis alteriusque pœne et mulcte potestate juxta Leges et Consuetudines predictas compellendum et justitiam faciendum et ministrandum etiam Juris ordine servato seu velo levato sine strepitu et figura judicii sola facti et rei veritate inspecta procedendum. Reosque et Contemptores ac Juris seu Juris [diction]nis Admiralitatis Nostræ predictæ violatores Usurpatores Delinquentes et contumaciter absentes Naucleros Marinarios Remiges Piscatores Naupegos et alios Operarios et Expertos quoscunque res nauticas quascunque exercentes juxta jura, Statuta, Leges, Ordinationes et Consuetudines ab antiquo observatas mulctandum, corrigendum, puniendum, castigandum et reformandum ac in quibuscunque Carceribus infra Provinciam et Territorium nostros169 de Massachusets bay predicto existentibus incarcerandum et incarcerari faciendum et mandandum Incarceratosque quoscunque in ea parte qui deliberandi fuerint deliberandum et penitus exonerandum et exonerari faciendum et mandandum fluminaque publica, portus, Rivos et aquas dulces ac Crecas quecunque infra jurisdictionem nostram maritimam predictam ubicunque Locorum in dictis Provincia et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque existunt pro conservatione tam classis nostræ quam Classium et Navigiorum Regnorum et Dominiorum Nostrorum predictorum quam Piscium in eisdem fluminibus et locis predictis crescentium quorumcunque Necnon Jura, Statuta, Leges, Ordinationes et Consuetudines ab antiquo observata in dictis Provincia et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque conservandum et exequi et conservari faciendum Omniaque et singula alia faciendum exercendum expediendum et exequendum in premissis et eorum quolibet prout de jure et secundum Leges et Statuta Ordinationes et Consuetudines predicta fuerint facienda Ac insuper Retia nimis stricta ac alia Ingenia sive Instrumenta quecunque illicita circa prensionem Piscium ubicunque locorum per mare aut flumina publica, Portus, Rivos, aquas dulces seu Crecas quecunque per Provinciam et Territorium nostros170 de Massachusets bay predicto et partes maritimas eorundem et eisdem adjacentes quascunque infra Jurisdictionem nostram predictam ubicunque Locorum per Aquam occupata sive exercitata ac exercitatores et occupatores eorundem juxta Jura, Statuta, Leges, Ordinationes et Consuetudines predicta puniendum, corrigendum et reformandum Sententiasque et Decreta quecunque fulminandum, promulgandum et interponendum Eaque executioni demandandum cum cognitione et jurisdiction quarumcunque aliarum Causarum civilium et maritimarum que sunt maris seu que mare vel maris per Transitum sive passagium aut Iter navale sive viagium maritimum vel Jurisdictionem nostram maritimam supradictam seu Loca vel Limites Admiralitatis Nostræ predictæ et cognitionem antedictam ac alia quecunque expedita vel expedienda quovismodo concernunt seu respiciunt etiam cum potestate procedendi in eisdem juxta Jura, Statuta, Leges, Ordinationes ac Consuetudines predicta ab antiquo usitata tam ex officio mero mixto vel promote quam ad alicujus partis instantiam prout casus exiget et expediens visum fuerit Et etiam cum cognitione et decisione de Wrecco maris magno seu parvo, ac de morte submersione, et visu corporum mortuorum quarumcunque personarum in mare, vel fluminibus publicis, portubus, aquis dulcibus, seu Crecis quibuscunque infra fluxum maris, et Aque ad plenitudinem per dicta Provinciam, et Territorium nostros171 de Massachusets bay predicto et partes maritimas eorundem et eisdem adjacentes quascunque vel alibi infra Jurisdictionem nostram predictam qualitercunque interfectarum sive submersarum aut interficiendarum seu submergendarum sive murderatarum vel murderandarum aut aliquo alio modo ibidem ad mortem devenientium unacum cognitione de Mahemio in locis predictis infra Jurisdictionem nostram maritimam predictam ac fluxum maris et aque ibidem contingenti172 cum potestate etiam puniendi Delinquentes in eaparte quoscunque juxta juris exigentiam et Consuetudines predictas Cæteraque omnia, et singula que in premissis tantum, et circa ea necessaria fuerint, seu quomodolibet opportuna juxta et secundum Jura, et Statuta, Leges, Ordinationes et Consuetudines predicta faciendum exercendum expediendum et exequendum Tibi de cujus Fidelitate et circumspectionis industria plurimum in hac parte confidimus Vices et authoritatem Nostras in et per Provinciam, et Territorium nostros173 de Massachusets bay predicto et partes maritimas eorundem et eisdem adjacentes quascunque Atque etiam per omnia et singula Littora maris Fluminaque publica, Portus, aquas dulces Rivos Crecas et Brachia tam Maris quam Fluminum et Costeras quecunque dictorum Provincie et Territorii nostrorum de Massachusets bay predicto et partium maritimarum eorundem et eisdem adjacentium quarumcunque infra Libertates et ffranchesias ac extra comittimus per presentes ac concedimus cum potestate alium vel alios Deputatum sive Deputatos quoties Tibi expediens visum fuerit loco tuo in premissis deputandi et surrogandi et etiam cum potestate quoscunque alios Officiarios et Ministros pro dicto Officio et exercitio ejusdem in dictis Provincia et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque sub Te necessarios idoneos et opportunos (Judice Registrario et Mariscallo exceptis) de tempore in tempus nominandi, preficiendi, ordinandi, assignandi, faciendi et constituendi Salvo semper Jure Supreme Curie Admiralitatis Nostræ Angliæ necnon Judicis et Registrarii ejusdem Curie quibus et eorum alteri in aliquo nolimus derogare per presentes et salvo jure cujuscunque lesi et gravati per aliquam Sententiam definitivam sive Decretum interlocutorium in Curia Vice Admiralitatis Provincie et Territorii nostrorum de Massachusets bay predicto ferendum ad Supremam Curiam Admiralitatis Anglie predictam appellandi Teque prefatum Gulielmum Phips militem Vice Admirallum Commissarium ac Deputatum nostrum in Officio Vice Admiralitatis in Provincia et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque unacum omnibus et singulis feodis proficiis advantagiis emolumentis commoditatibus et pertinenciis quibuscunque eidem Officio vice Admiralli Commissarii et Deputati in dictis Provincia et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque juxta Ordinationes, et Statuta Supreme Curie Admiralitatis nostre Anglie predicte debitis et spectantibus ordinamus preficimus et deputamus per presentes ad beneplacitum nostrum tantummodo duraturum174 Proviso tamen semper et sub hac Lege et Conditione quod si Tu prefatus Gulielmus Phips Nos et Locumtenentem nostrum Supremæ Curiæ Admiralitatis nostræ Angliæ et in dicta Curia et Officialem principalem Commissariumque Generalem et Specialem ac ejusdem Curie Presidentem et Judicem de omni eo quod de tempore in tempus vigore presentium feceris et executus fueris collegeris aut reciperis175 in premissis vel premissorum aliquo annuatim (viz^t) in fine cujuslibet anni inter Festa Sancti Michaelis Archangeli et Omnium Sanctorum cum pleno et fideli Computo tuo superinde sub authentica forma conficiendo ac Sigillo Officii Nostri in custodia tua remanenti sigillando debite non certificaveris et certiorem reddi feceris cum effectu extunc et post Defaltam in ea parte hujusmodi Littere nostre Patentes de Officio vice Admiralli predicto Tibi (ut prefertur) concesse vacue et irrite erunt nulliusque roboris aut effectus Mandantes omnibus et singulis Proceribus Justitiariis majoribus Vice Comitibus, Capitaneis, Senescallis, Ballivis, et Custodibus Gaolarum et Carcerum nostrorum quorumcunque et Constabulariis ceterisque ministris et fidelibus Subditis et Ligeis nostris quibuscunque et eorum cuilibet tam infra Libertates et ffranchesias quam extra quod Tibi et Deputato tuo cuicunque aliisque officiariis ejusdem vice-Admiralitatis nostre in Provincia et Territorio nostris de Massachusets bay predicto et partibus maritimis eorundem et eisdem adjacentibus quibuscunque per Te assignatis seu assignandis circa executionem premissorum et eorum cujuslibet intendentes, faventes, auxiliantes parentes pariter et obedientes sint in omnibus prout decet sub pena Juris et periculo incumbenti.

Datum Londini in Suprema Curia Admiralitatis nostre Anglie sub sigillo ejusdem magno 29^no die mensis Decembris Anno Domini 1691 Regnique nostri tercio.176

— Royal Courts of Justice, Admiralty Registry, Muniment Books, Volume 4, pp. 63–67.

1 Later Mr. Goodell gave copies of the Commissions of Vice-Admiral.

2 In an Instruction issued to Addington on December 11 it is stated that “His Majesty” has “been Graciously pleased, by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England, to Grant unto you the Office and Place of Secretary of their Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England” (Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 5, Vol. 905, p. 404). Hence Addington’s Commission must have been issued on or before December 11, 1691.

3 Stoughton’s Commission was presumably issued in December, 1691.

4 This Commission of Tailer was presumably issued in the spring or summer of 1711, as he was sworn on October 4th (Council Records, v. 456).

5 The exact date of this Commission has been obtained from the Council Records (vi. 379) for September 24, 1715.

6 Dummer’s Commission was presumably issued in the spring or summer of 1716, as he was sworn on October 5th (Boston News Letter, October 8, 1716, p. 2/1).

7 The Commission of Burges (1715).

8 These two volumes, it may be added, contain many documents besides Royal Commissions. The volume labelled “Crown Commissions, 1677–1774” has no index. The volume labelled “Crown Commissions, 1628–1663” has an index, doubtless made many years ago, but this index is worthless since it wrongly describes some of the documents and omits others altogether. Consequently, in order to ascertain exactly what documents are in the two volumes, the latter must be examined page by page. Moreover, the documents in the two volumes are not included in the Index volumes to the Archives. Hence an adequate index to the two volumes would be serviceable.

9 As already stated in the text, however, copies of two earlier Commissions (1685 and 1686) are in the Massachusetts Archives, cxxvi. 95–96, 7–16.

10 Council Records, iii. 325.

11 Council Records, ix. 83.

12 There are two pieces of evidence to support the statement in the text. First, the words “Old volume 3” are written in ink on the recto of the first leaf, unnumbered and otherwise blank, of the volume labelled “Crown Commissions, 1677–1774.” That volume contains, besides the leaf just mentioned, two leaves unnumbered and blank; seventy-nine leaves containing records, the folios numbered from 1 to 158; and then forty-nine unnumbered and blank leaves.

Second, on pp. 45–48 of the volume labelled “Crown Commissions, 1628–1663” is recorded the “Commission of William Burnet &c Commissioners for the trial of Pirates,” dated December 13, 1728. After the Commission is written (on p. 48) “Examined p^r J Willard Se͞c͞r͞y,” the words “J Willard Se͞c͞r͞y” being in the hand of Willard himself. Then follow these words, not in the hand of Willard: “Recorded in the Secretary’s Office in Boston in the Book of Commissions &c^a from the Crown, from Page 297, to Page 303. — ꝑ J Willard Sec̄ry Dec^r 23. 1729.” This “Book of Commissions &c^a from the Crown,” which must have been in existence in 1729, is not now extant. Following the entry dated December 23, 1729, are these entries:

Recorded the 6^th of October 1738 ꝑ Ja^s Martin Sec͞ry

The fifteen preceeding Pages make a true Copy of his Majesty’s Commission for the Trial of Pirates &c. as the Same stands on the Publick Records of the English Colony of Rhode Island &c. taken therefrom & duly Examined this first day of April 1748 By Tho Ward Sec͞ry.”

It is obvious, therefore, that this Commission of December 13, 1728, was not entered in “Crown Commissions, 1628–1663” before April, 1748. Cf. the note immediately below.

13 The fire of 1747 occurred on the morning of December 9. The same afternoon a committee was appointed in the Legislature to consider what should be done with regard to the loss of documents, and on the 11th —

Josiah Willard Esq^r from the Committee of both Houses appointed to consider the Circumstances of the Province in relation to the Desolation of the Court House, gave in the following report, viz^t

The Committee . . . Report as their Opinion . . . That the Secretary record in his Office the first or old Charter of this Province & the Charter of King William & Queen Mary with the Commissions of the Governour, Lieu^t Governour Justices of the Superiour Court & his own (Court Records, xviii. 275–276).

Now the first forty-five pages of “Crown Commissions, 1628–1663” contain, in the order named, the Colony Charter (1629), the Province Charter (1691), the Explanatory Charter (1725), Secretary Willard’s First (1717) and Second (1728) Commissions, Lieutenant-Governor Phips’s Commission (1732), and Shirley’s Commissions (1741) as Governor and as Vice-Admiral. All these, with the exception of the last two, are in the hand of Willard, and even the last two are attested by Willard. The inference is irresistible that this particular volume, which in no event could have been begun later than 1756 (in which year Willard died), must have been begun soon after the fire of 1747 in response to the report of the committee made December 11, 1747. The three Charters were saved and so could be copied, while the Commissions were doubtless in the possession of the three officials and not in the Town House. Cf. p. xviii note 4, ante. It may be added that on December 11, 1747, the house “Voted, That his Excellency the Governour be desired . . . to appoint a Day of Humiliation and Prayer throughout this Province . . . on Occasion of the great Difficulties the Province Labours under, and the Frowns of Divine Providence, more especially in Regard of the Destruction of the Court-House in Boston, and great Part of the publick Records by Fire” (House Journal, p. 186). Whoever has had occasion to search in vain for documents that must once have been in the State House realizes how fearful was the loss occasioned by the fire of 1747.

14 None of the Commissions in Vice-Admiralty previous to 1741 are in the State House, and consequently those from 1685 to 1730 are printed from copies obtained from the Royal Courts of Justice. The Commissions from 1741 to 1774 are in the State House and are here printed from copies obtained from that source. But copies of these Commissions are also in the Royal Courts of Justice, Admiralty Registry, Muniment Books, the references being as follows: Shirley (1741), Vol. 8, p. 182; Pownall (1757), Vol. 9, p. 114; Bernard (1760), Vol. 9, p. 127; Bernard (1761), Vol. 9, p. 139; Hutchinson (1771), Vol. 10, p. 128; Gage (1774), Vol. 10, p. 155.

15 The figures within parentheses, here and elsewhere in these extracts, of course refer to the twelve stages mentioned in the text, pp. xxi–xxii.

16 Second Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records, London, 1841, pp. 26–27, 28, 30, 32–33, 40, 41.

17 Ibid. pp. 41, 43, 44, 46.

18 Statutes at Large (1734), vi. 307. The Act of 4 George II, Ch. 26, was in 1733 extended to Wales by the Act of 6 George II, Ch. 14 (Statutes at Large, vi. 485).

19 For this information, the Editor is indebted to Miss Lucy Drucker.

20 Some Notes on the Commissions are in preparation and will be printed in a later volume of Publications.

21 All dates in the Preface, in these Lists, and in the Index, are New Style.

22 This date is approximate: see p, xvi note 2, ante.

23 His Commission is not extant.

24 This date is approximate: see p. xvi note 1, ante.

25 His Commission is not extant.

26 The exact date of this Commission is not known: see p. xvii note 1, ante.

27 His Commission is not extant.

28 His Commission is not extant: see p. xvii note 2, ante.

29 The exact date or this Commission is not known: see p. xvii note 3, ante.

30 His Commission is not extant.

31 His Commission is not extant.

32 This date is approximate: see p. xvi note 1, ante.

33 His Commission of 1716 is not extant.

34 The exact date of this Commission is not known: see p. xvii note 3, ante.

35 His Commission is not extant.

36 This date is approximate: see p. xvi note 2, ante.

37 His Commissions of 1711 and 1715 are not extant.

38 The exact date of this Commission is not known: see p. xvii note 1, ante.

39 This List is based on data obtained from the Council Records, the Court Records, the Massachusetts House Journals, the Boston newspapers, and other contemporary sources.

40 Stoughton held this office not by Royal commission, but by appointment from President Dudley.

41 The Andros government was overthrown on April 18, 1689.

42 The Andros government was overthrown on April 18, 1689.

43 The Andros government was overthrown on April 18, 1689.

44 The names or Acting-Governors are printed in italics, as is also the Council when the government devolved upon the latter.

45 Stoughton died July 7, 1701.

46 Burges never came to this country.

47 Burnet died September 7, 1729.

48 Spencer Phips died April 4, 1757.

49 The outbreak or the Revolution makes it impossible to say exactly when Gage, Thomas Oliver, and Flucker left office.

50 This date is approximate: see p. xvi note 2, ante.

51 Stoughton died July 7, 1701.

52 This date is approximate.

53 The exact date of this Commission is not known: see p. xvii note 1, ante.

54 The exact date of this Commission is not known: see p. xvii note 3, ante.

55 Tailer died March 1, 1732.

56 Spencer Phips died April 4, 1757.

57 Andrew Oliver died March 3, 1774.

58 See p. xxxiv note 6, ante.

59 This date is approximate: see p. xvi note 1, ante.

60 Addington died March 19, 1715. On March 26, 1715, Gov. Dudley appointed Addington Davenport and Paul Dudley to keep the Seals.

61 This date is approximate.

62 Willard died December 7, 1756.

63 Andrew Oliver was appointed Secretary by Lt.-Gov. Phips on December 13 and took office December 15, 1756. He was sworn under his Royal Commission June 1, 1758.

64 See p. xxxiv note 6, ante.

65 See Province Laws, i. 753, footnote †, respecting the change in enumerating the Year occasioned by the death of Queen Mary which occurred 28 December, 1694.

66 Sic.

67 These words occur in the printed copies, but are not in the original. See also Colony Charter.

68 Omitted in the original.

69 Sic.

70 Sic.

71 Sic.

72 Liberties.

73 Narragansett.

74 Sic.

75 Sic.

76 In printed copies this is “the,” but the omission in the original seems better supplied as above.

77 Sic.

78 Sic in the original, but “for” in the printed copies.

79 profession.

80 Sic.

81 Sic.

82 rejected.

83 Sir John Trevor, Sir William Rawlinson, and Sir George Hutchins were appointed Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, 15 May, 1690; and were succeeded by Lord Somers as Chancellor, 3 May, 1693.

84 This heading, as throughout the volume, is not a part of the Commission, having been inserted for convenience by the Editor. A short rule always separates the heading from the Commission.

85 Sic.

86 Sic.

87 Sic.

88 Sic.

89 Sic.

90 Sic: our high.

91 Sic: settle.

92 The copy of Dudley’s Commission as President recorded in the Public Record Office, Colonial Office, Class 5, Vol. 904, pp. 252–258, bears date 27 September; but the copy on the Patent Roll bears date 8 October: see p. 43, ante.

93 In the Commissions of which there are copies both in the Public Record Office in London and in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, words and letters in brackets are such as appear in the Record Office copies, but not in the copies in the Secretary’s office; and words in brackets, italicized, occur in the copies in the Secretary’s office, but not in the copies in the Record Office. Trivial differences — such as the use of the ampersand, punctuation, initial capital letters, and spelling (as “Massachusetts” or “Massachusets,” “mere” or “meer,” “tried” or “tryed,” “shore” or “shoar,” “well beloved” or “welbeloved,” “Lieutenant” or “Lieu^t,” “territories” or “territorys,” etc.) — are not noted.

94 Sic: on.

95 Sic: any.

96 Sic.

97 Sic: and grant.

98 Sic: the same.

99 Sic: by you.

100 Sic.

101 Sic.

102 Dudley’s Commission of 13 February, 1701–2, of which a copy came too late for insertion in its proper place, will be found in the Appendix, pp. 391–396, post.

103 The final “e” or “æ” is omitted for lack of space on the parchment.

104 This paragraph is in the Exemplification, but not in the copy in the Patent Roll.

105 These words are in the copy in the Patent Roll, but not in the Exemplification.

106 What follows is found in the Exemplification only.

107 This Exemplification, which was given to the Massachusetts Historical Society about 1810, is the only document of the sort (among the Commissions printed in this volume) that is now known to be extant. It is engrossed on three sheets of parchment (the initial letter containing a representation of George I), and appending is the Great Seal of England (now broken).

108 The differences between the Exemplification and the copy in the Patent Roll are noted in footnotes.

109 Sic: further Pleasure.

110 Sic.

111 Sic: if it.

112 Sic: same or.

113 Sic.

114 Sic: the Third.

115 Sic.

116 Sic.

117 Sic: Province.

118 Sic: which shall.

119 Sic: to.

120 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

121 Sic.

122 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

123 Gov. Bernard was created a Baronet 5 April, 1760.

124 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

125 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

126 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

127 Doubtless a clerical error for “twenty eighth:” see p. 173, ante.

128 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

129 In our texts of Latin documents, abbreviations are expanded in italics, and letters omitted without marks of abbreviation are placed within square brackets.

130 Sic: Portorico.

131 Sic: per.

132 Sic: eorum.

133 Sic: eorum.

134 Sic: eorum.

135 Sic: assistentium.

136 Sic: repertis.

137 Sic: Forisfactis.

138 Sic: Poenis.

139 Sic: ad.

140 Sic: commissa.

141 Sic: eorum.

142 Sic: dependentibus.

143 Sic: Potestate.

144 Sic: eorum.

145 Sic: earundem.

146 Sic: eorum.

147 Sic: eorum.

148 Sic: eaque.

149 Sic: et.

150 Sic: exiget.

151 Sic: eorundem et eorum.

152 Sic: provisorum.

153 Sic: earundem et earum.

154 Sic: eorundem et eorum.

155 Sic: eorundem et eorum.

156 A translation of this Commission will be found in the Appendix, pp. 357–368, post.

157 Sic: quadraginta.

158 “Lord” omitted by mistake.

159 See pp. 187–198, ante. A translation of this Commission will be found in. the Appendix, p. 369, post.

160 See pp. 187–198, ante.

161 Sic: quadraginta.

162 Sic: but the letters doubtless belong to the next entry.

163 See pp. 187–198, ante. A translation of this Commission will be found in the Appendix, pp. 370–371, post.

164 Sic: observata.

165 Sic: exigendam.

166 Sic: positorum sive poneudorum.

167 Sic: flumiua.

168 Sic: crassitudinem.

169 Sic: nostra.

170 Sic: nostra.

171 Sic: nostra.

172 Sic: contingente.

173 Sic: nostra.

174 Sic: duraturas.

175 Sic: receperis.

176 A translation of this Commission will be found in the Appendix, pp. 372–380, post.

177 The Commission of Sir William Beeston, Governor of Jamaica, dated 15 September, 1692, is entered in Royal Courts of Justice, Admiralty Registry, Muniment Books, Vol. 4, p. 98. It is identical with that of Sir William Phips (pp. 206–215, ante) except as regards the names and date and that against the words “(Judice Registrario et Mariscallo exceptis)” (p. 213, ante) there is written in the margin “This clause was by order of Sir Ch. Hedges y^e Judge left out in this patent.”

178 This Commission and the five following Commissions were not enrolled in full, the Commissions to Beeston, Crow, etc., mentioned therein having numbers put in to correspond with the numbers in the margin to show where the differences lay. This was a common practice in these Admiralty Muniment Books to save time in enrolling.

179 The Commission of Mitford Crow, Governor of Barbados, dated 26 February, 1701–2, is entered in Royal Courts of Justice, Admiralty Registry, Muniment Books, Vol. 5, p. 58. It is identical with that of Sir William Phips (pp. 206–215, ante) except as regards names and date, and as follows: The words “(Judice Registrario et Mariscallo exceptis)” (p. 213, ante) do not appear, nor is there any note about them. Also, at the end, where Phips’s Commission reads “decet sub pena Juris et periculo incumbenti” (p. 215, ante), Crow’s Commission reads “decet sub poena contemptua Literarum patentium ipsius Regiae Majestatis de et super premissis omnibus et singulis Nobis factarum et concessarum et periculo incumbente Datum” etc. And at the end is this note:

This I approve of as a standing forme of a vice Admirall’s Patent for the Forreigne Plantations.

Feb. 23 1701–2	HEN: NEWTON.
19° Feb. 1701°	Jurat sub valore 50^ɫ ꝑ annum

180 The Commission of Robert Lowther, Governor of Barbados, dated 12 February, 1714–5, is entered in Royal Courts of Justice, Admiralty Registry, Muniment Books, Vol. 6, p. 161^b, and is identical with that of Sir William Phips (pp. 206–215, ante) except as regards the names and date and that the words “(Judice Registrario et Mariscallo exceptis)” (p. 213 ante) do not appear, nor is there any note about them.

181 See the note to Elizeus Burges’s Commission, page 225, ante.

182 The Commission of Robert Hunter, Governor of Jamaica, dated 11 September, 1727, is entered in Royal Courts of Justice, Admiralty Registry, Muniment Books, Vol. 7, p. 120, and is identical with that of Sir William Phips (pp. 206–215, ante) except as regards names and date and that the words “(Judice Registrario et Mariscallo exceptis)” (p. 213, ante) do not appear, nor is there any note about them.

183 The Commission of George, Lord Forbes, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated 8 January, 1729–30, is entered in Royal Courts of Justice, Admiralty Registry, Muniment Books, Vol. 8, p. 10^b, and is identical with that of Sir William Phips (pp. 206–215, ante) except as regards names and date and that the words “(Judice Registrario et Mariscallo exceptis)” (p. 213, ante) do not appear, nor is there any note about them.

184 Sic: Rowers.

185 Sic.

186 Sic: wont.

187 Sic: forfeitures.

188 Sic.

189 Sic.

190 Sic.

191 Sic: Treasures.

192 See pp. 257–266 ante.

193 Sic.

194 Sic: artificers.

195 Sic: our.

196 Sic.

197 Sic: Sentence.

198 Dummer’s First commission (1716) is not know to be extant.

199 Tailer’s First Commission (1711) and his Second Commission (28 April, 1715) are not known to be extant.

200 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

201 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

202 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

203 Sic.

204 See footnote, P. 56, ante.

205 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

206 See footnote, P. 56, ante.

207 Sic: to be.

208 See footnote, p. 56, ante.

209 See footnote, P. 50, ante.

210 Sic: New England.

211 The late Mr. R. E. G. Kirk of London, to whom we were indebted for collating our copy of this Commission with the Patent Roll, stated that this enrolment is a transcript from the original letters patent, which may still be extant, perhaps in the Registry of the Bishop of London. As usual in enrolments, the first and last clauses are abbreviated. The letters patent no doubt began thus: “Georgius, Dei gratia Rex Magne Britannie,” etc.; and ended thus:

In cuius rei testimonium presentes has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso, apud Westmonasterium, nono die Februarij, anno regni nostri terciodecimo.

With respect to this Commission, see the Publications of this Society, v. 112–115, where will be found an English translation of a part of the Commission and a letter from Mr. Goodell relating to it. A translation of the Commission in full will be found in the Appendix to this volume, pp. 381–385, post. This Commission was revoked and a new Commission, which follows, was issued to Gibson by George II on 29 April, 1728.

212 Mr. Kirk, who furnished us with a copy of this Commission from the Patent Roll, stated that in the printed copy “ꝑtiñ ꝑagenđ” are said to be inserted in the original, “as it seems by mistake of the clerk.”

213 Mr. Kirk stated that the original, in Colonial Office, Class 323, Volume 9, No. 10, begins thus: “Georgius Secundus, Dei gratia Magnæ Britanniæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ, Rex, fidei defensor, &c. Reverendo,” etc.; and ends thus:

In cujus rei Testimonium, has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium, vicesimo nono die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri primo. Per Bre’ de Privato Sigillo. Bisse & Bray.

It should be added that this Commission is printed, both in Latin and in English, in Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, v. 849–854. A translation will be found in the Appendix to this volume, pp. 386–390, post.

214 The translation of the Latin Commissions of Vice-Admirals (pp. 187–236, ante) has been made with constant reference to the English phraseology of William Shirley’s Commission (pp. 237–246, ante), and of the Commission of Hans Stanley as Vice-Admiral in the Isle of Wight in 1765 (as printed in Sir Sherston Baker, The Office of Vice-Admiral of the Coast, 1884, pp. 51–63).

215 The Latin text of this Commission will be found on pp. 187–198, ante.

216 Or Binney, as Benin was then sometimes called. See Rymer’s Fœdera, xix. 370. The Latin text (p. 187, ante) has Binniœ.

217 The Latin text (p. 188, l. 26, ante) has vel, but we should certainly read per (“throughout”). See Andros’s Second Commission, p. 204, l. 23, ante, and cf. Rymer’s Fœdera, xv. 158, 194.

218 Here ubicunque should doubtless be inserted in the Latin text (p. 188, l. 31, ante). See Phips’s Commission, p. 207, l. 2, ante.

219 The Latin text (p. 189, l. 29, ante) erroneously omits quœ. See Phips’s Commission, p. 207, l. 29, ante.

220 The Latin text (p. 190, l. 22, ante) has existentium by error for assistentium. See Phips’s Commission, p. 208, l. 22, ante.

221 The Latin text (p. 190, l. 30, ante) has reportis by error for repertis. See Phips’s Commission, p. 208, l. 30, ante.

222 An old word for “whale.”

223 The Latin text (p. 191, l. 23, ante) has forisfacturis by error for forisfactis. See Phips’s Commission, p. 209, l. 18, ante.

224 Made agrees with letters, above.

225 Here the Latin text (p. 192, l. 6, ante) has Ac and begins a new paragraph. The ms is unreadable as printed. The scrivener or copying clerk did not heed or understand the sense. The emendation ad is certain (see the formula in Rymer’s Fœdera, xv. 195). The connection is: “appointed or to be appointed . . . for hearing and determining . . . all and singular the treasons,” etc.

226 These participles and adjectives belong grammatically to “amercements, issues, fines, perquisites, mulcts, and pecuniary punishments whatsoever and forfeitures of [all] recognizances” in lines 26–28, p. 361, ante.

227 I. e., the premises.

228 The Latin text (pp. 192–193, ante) is somewhat corrupt here. For a better reading, see Phips’s Commission (p. 211, ante; with translation, p. 376, post, and the footnote).

229 The Latin text (p. 194, l. 3, ante) erroneously omits “being” (existentibus) here and adds “and being” (ac existentia) to “adjacent” (adjacentia). Compare Phips’s Commission, p 211, l. 11, ante.

230 See p. 377 note 1.

231 Literally “made” (factam) (p. 194, l. 17, ante).

232 The Latin text (p. 195, l. 2, ante) has eosque by error for eaque. See Phips’s Commission, p. 212, l. 9, ante.

233 The Latin text (p. 195, l. 8, ante) has ad (“to or for”) by error for et (“and”). See Phips’s Commission, p. 212, l. 14, ante.

234 See p. 378 note 1.

235 The Latin text (p. 195, l. 14, ante) has exigit (“requires”) doubtless by error for exiget (“shall require”). See Phips’s Commission, p. 212, l. 20, ante.

236 Per is accidently omitted in the Latin text (p. 195, l. 20, ante). Cf. p. 358 note 1, ante.

237 Grammar requires editorum et provisorum for the edits, et provisa of the Latin text (p. 195, l. 30, ante.) The sense is beyond question.

238 Happening belongs to mayhem.

239 See p. 379 note 2.

240 The Latin text of this Commission will be found on pp. 199–200, ante.

241 The Latin text (p. 200, l. 1, ante) has quadrigenos (“four hundred”), an error for quadraginta (“forty”). The same error occurs in Andros’s Second Commission, p. 204, l. 4, ante.

242 The Latin text of this Commission will be found on pp. 203–205, ante.

243 The Latin text (p. 204, l. 4, ante) has quadrigenis (“four hundred”), a manifest error for quadraginta (“forty”). Cf. Dudley’s Commission, p. 200, l. 1, ante.

244 The Latin text of this Commission will be found on pp. 206–215, ante.

245 The Latin text (p. 208, ante) omits aut.

246 The words here translated by “to be heard and determined, assigned or to be assigned” (audiendis et terminanais assignatis seu assignandis, p. 209, ll. 33–34, ante), are an erroneous adaptation by the scrivener of a formula belonging to a provision not contained in Phips’s Commission (see pp. 192, 209, ante). They may be disregarded. The participles that follow (“happening,” etc.) belong to “amercements, issues,” etc., in l. 14, above.

247 I. e., the premises.

248 The words translated thus (“to proceed . . . thing”) refer to summary process. The Latin (p. 211, ll. 1–2, ante) is “velo levato sine strepitu et figura judicii sola facti et rei veritate inspecta procedendum.” Velo levato is a formula of the civil law meaning “openly and plainly” (literally, “the curtain being raised”). Strepitus judicialis (or judicii) and figura judicii are practically synonymous phrases for “formalities or technicalities in procedure.” An English commission for the trial of pirates (May 29, 1519) authorizes the court to proceed “summariè et de piano sine strepitu et forma seu figura Judicii ac solâ Facti Veritate inspectâ” (Rymer’s Fœdera, 2d edition, xiii. 700), these phrases occurring in a treaty of 1518 between England and France which had for its object the execution of summary justice in such cases, with avoidance of vexatious appeals and dilatory motions (Fœdera, xiii. 650). See Ducange, s. vv. velum, strepitus, figura, planum; Fœdera, xv. 161, 197; R. G. Marsden, Select Pleas in the Court of Admiralty, vol. i. p. lvi (Selden Society Publications, vi).

249 The words translated thus (“to proceed . . . thing”) refer to summary process. The Latin (p. 211, ll. 1–2, ante) is “velo levato sine strepitu et figura judicii sola facti et rei veritate inspecta procedendum.” Velo levato is a formula of the civil law meaning “openly and plainly” (literally, “the curtain being raised”). Strepitus judicialis (or judicii) and figura judicii are practically synonymous phrases for “formalities or technicalities in procedure.” An English commission for the trial of pirates (May 29, 1519) authorizes the court to proceed “summariè et de piano sine strepitu et forma seu figura Judicii ac solâ Facti Veritate inspectâ” (Rymer’s Fœdera, 2d edition, xiii. 700), these phrases occurring in a treaty of 1518 between England and France which had for its object the execution of summary justice in such cases, with avoidance of vexatious appeals and dilatory motions (Fœdera, xiii. 650). See Ducange, s. vv. velum, strepitus, figura, planum; Fœdera, xv. 161, 197; R. G. Marsden, Select Pleas in the Court of Admiralty, vol. i. p. lvi (Selden Society Publications, vi).

250 The words in brackets are not omitted in the Latin by accident; they are involved in the Latin conservandum et exequi et conservari faciendum (p. 211, l. 27, ante).

251 The Latin text (p. 211, l. 21, ante) has “as” (quam).

252 Of course per Transitum is to be read as one word (pertransitum), as in Willoughby’s Commission, p. 195, l. 5, ante.

253 “Mere office, i. e., inquisition. Office promoted, i. e., accusation.” (Sir Sherston Baker, The Office of the Vice-Admiral of the Coast, p. 83 note.)

254 Happening belongs to mayhem.

255 So the MS.

256 The Latin text (p. 214, l. 13, ante) has duraturum by error for duraturas.

257 All these titles belong to one and the same person.

258 The Latin text of this Commission will be found on pp. 341–347, ante.

259 That is, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench.

260 The Latin text of this Commission will be found on pp. 348–353, ante.

261 Sic.