land of their nativity into that desert and barren wilderness for their consciences' sake; which we could not but make manifest at this time, when, as we think, an opportunity is offered for their enlargement, and removing them out of a hard country into a land of plenty.

"3d. Considering that God, by His providence, through the many difficulties and necessities they are exercised with, had put it into some of their hearts to seek a new plantation, and particularly them of New-Haven, who (as we are informed) are upon thoughts of removing into the Bay of De la Ware; and, that the distance between New England and this island is not so great but will afford a greater convenience of trade and correspondence with their brethren they leave behind them, than the bay before mentioned; we have thought fit to make this offer to them: and, for their better encouragement therein, you are to make to them these following propositions:

"1. That in case any entire colony or colonies, or a considerable number of persons, will transplant themselves thither, such part of the island lying next some good harbour shall be set out unto them, as shall be answerable to their numbers, and shall be granted to them and their heirs for ever, with all edifices, horses, cattle tame or wild, fisheries, woods, trees, fruits, and profits thereupon, the same not being already, or shall not before an agreement made with them, be set forth to some other planters; to be held in free and common soccage, without any rent for the first seven years, and then one penny an acre and no more.

"2. That they shall have liberty granted to them, for the space of seven years, to hunt, take, and dispose of, to their own use, such horses and other cattle as are or shall be upon the said island, the same not being marked by, or belonging to, other planters; subject, nevertheless, to such rules and directions, as to their hunting and taking of horses, cattle, and other beasts, out of their own bounds and limits, as shall from time to time be made by the persons authorised for managing the affairs of the said island.

"3. That his highness will grant them letters patent, under the great seal, of incorporation; with as large privileges and immunities, both for choosing their officers and otherwise, as are granted to any city, or town corporate, within the commonwealth of England.

"4. That neither they nor their servants shall, without their own consent, be drawn out into the wars, unless it be in case of invasion or rebellion, and for the defence of the said island.

"5. That no custom, excise, impost, or other duty, shall be set and imposed for the space of three years, (to be accounted from the 29th day of September, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1656,) upon any their goods and merchandises, of the growth, production, or manufacture of the said island, which they shall transport into this Commonwealth.

"6. That his highness will take care, and be obliged to appoint, from time to time, such a governor and commander-in-chief of the said island, and such persons to assist him in the management of the affairs thereof, as shall be men of integrity, and fearing God; and that he will, from time to time, elect and constitute some from amongst them to be of that number, who, for their fidelity, prudence, godliness, and honesty, may be fit for such trust. And that, as speedy as may be, a civil government shall be settled agreeable to the word of God, and, as far as the condition of that place will admit, to the laws of England; where provision shall be made that the churches of Christ shall have liberty and protection in all ways of godliness and honesty.

"7. That, towards the transportation of themselves, their servants, and estates, his highness will furnish them with six ships of convenient burden, if they desire that number, and also a fitting convoy; they undertaking to victual ships of burden from the time the said ships shall arrive in their ports for the purpose aforesaid, until they have performed their voyage.

"8. As to the quantity, and proportion, of land to be appointed for them; according to the first proposition, you are authorised to propound, that such quantity of land shall be set forth as will answer the proportion of twenty acres for every male of twelve years old and upwards, and ten acres per poll for all other male or female to be transported as aforesaid.

9. That the said quantity of land shall be set forth unto them within six weeks after the agreement made for their transportation, and signification of their desires on that behalf to the commander-in-chief, or commissioners, intrusted for that purpose; to whom you shall direct yourself, or any other persons concerned herein, in prosecution of the premises, or any part of them.

"10. That they do engage to transport the whole number of

males, for which twenty acres to each is to be set forth, within two years after the aforesaid agreement; and, that they do begin their work of transporting some time before the end of September 1656.

"11. You shall, from time to time, as you have opportunity, or by an express, if you find it necessary, send unto us, in writing, a particular account of your proceedings upon these instructions, and of what else shall occur in reference thereunto; whereupon, you shall receive our further directions for the management of this affair as the case shall require; and such agreement as you shall make in the mean time, pursuant to these instructions, we shall confirm and ratify.

Form for Government of the Navy.

(Presented by Sir William Penn to the King, June, 1660.*)

"The principal part of the well-governing of the navy, consisteth in the form and method thereof, to his majesty's best advantage and profit.

"His advantage, by having able and experienced officers, to carry on his work understandingly.

"His profit, by their faithful disposition of his navy and stores to proper ends and purposes.

"The ancient form hath been, sometimes, by principal officers, or commissioners; and subordinate officers under them, as clerks of the stores, check, &c., who have distinct instructions how to manage their duties. The principal officers have been formerly four; viz.

A TREASURER,

A COMPTROLLER,

A SURVEYOR,

A CLERK OF RECORDS.

Books of the Council of State, vol. xxi. pp. 283, 310, 314.

The MS. is so indorsed, in the handwriting of Sir W. Penn's son.

"These have divers duties, (as at large appeareth in the Duke of Buckingham's and the Earl of Northumberland's instructions, formerly lord high admirals), which concern them jointly, and so are common to all; or are severally, and so peculiar to each.

"The principal officers, might be, were expedient in the first constitution, by reason the navy was but small, and the ships of no considerable number; whereby they could the better accomplish their peculiar duties. But now, the navy growing large, (near 160 sail), and the expense vast and great, it hath been, amongst knowing men, esteemed the best and safest way for his majesty's service, to govern the navy by commissioners; and the reasons, in short, followeth :

"1. The TREASURER, may be termed as well a commissioner as a principal officer, in respect he is only accountable for money. His great care principally concerns himself; as to his warrants that secure his payments, and his well and orderly management of his accounts. But, as for his majesty's advantage therein, it may be quereable, what check he hath upon his payments; whether the comptroller is able to manage it effectually, or not, according to his duty required.

"2. The COMPTROLLER.-It hath been never known to any one man now living in the navy, that ever he could perform his particular duty in keeping check or control on the treasurer's payments, or the cash committed to his charge, or auditing the storekeeper's accounts, as he is enjoined. If any such service was ever done, let the books of the manner how, and the form thereof, be produced. Doubtless, if any such control was at any time, it would appear in the navy records; which those (ancient in the navy) have seen no such thing these forty years; but, a rude undigested method of entries. And, if it could not be done when the navy was small, and little action, how is it possible at this time, when the navy is above two-thirds increased in shipping and charge? And therefore, to have such a title, and no performance of the duties, is but a mere shadow without a substance.

"3. The SURVEYOR. -As to his particular duty, it is of great trust (called the mystery of the navy); much depending on his clerks' fidelity, he himself leaving it wholly to his ministers' management in supplying ships out to sea, and taking remains of boatswains' and carpenters' stores at their return home; balancing their accounts, which many times, for want of better inspection, it hath

fallen out, that many a good cable hath been swallowed, and provisions sold and embezzled, the surveyor trusting to his clerks, and the rest of the principal officers leaving it as a duty incumbent on him, to manage; which, if those clerks of the survey were his majesty's servants, (with competent salaries), and without absolute dependence on the surveyor, as liable to his pleasure for continuance or discharge, and they tied to present their accounts to the view of the whole board for ratification, (having more eyes upon them than their own), it would make them more careful to preserve their reputations from dishonourable actions, and prevent many abuses, which small salaries from their masters may make them liable unto.

4. CLERK OF RECORDS, (or Acts). His duty is the same, whether a principal officer or a commissioner; to prepare and set business for signing, and recording of proceedings; but, he ought to be an excellent accountant, well versed in naval affairs, and in subordinate officers' duties, otherwise many gross errors will

ensue.

"Now, if these principal officers be reduced to commissioners to act in a joint body; why, then, particular duties may be laid aside; for, in joint commission, both particular and joint duties may effectually be performed; nay, with more safety to the action carried on, and the actors freer from blame; because, no one man can act any thing of himself, without consent of his fellows, and every man's power is alike, in carrying on the service. And there can be no entrenching one upon another's place, as in particular duties, one assuming this or that as proper to him, and not to another; but, according to the major part of the board, all things are disputed publicly, and are either allowed, or reason given to the contrary, and not left to a particular person's appointment, which hath formerly begotten irregularity, confusion, discord, and emulation amongst them, and discontent to those that had to do with the service; as is well known to some now living.

"For a comptroller upon the treasurer, is discoursed the manner how, in another paper; by appointing an able person to do that work in the treasurer's office.

"For management of the survey business, able clerks may be appointed, to be resident in the most eminent yards, and to present their transactions to the body of the commissioners; as is shewn how, by another discourse.