332 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT [BOOK n. 



The lords, being met to consider the business of Jamaica, order the 

 proclamation published in my Lord Windsor's time to be read : and there- 

 upon their lordships express their opinion, that his majesty did thereby 

 assure and settle the property of the inhabitants but not the government 

 find form: thence these questions did arise j viz. 



i st. Whether, upon the consideration of the commission and instruc- 

 tions to col. D'Oyley and Sir Charles Lyttleton, and the constitution of the 

 island thereupon, the acts of council made by col. D'Oyley and Sir Charles 

 Lyttleton were perpetual laws, binding to the inhabitants of the island? 



zd. Whether, supposing those laws good and perpetual, any of the 

 Subsequent laws, or the proclamation in my lord's Windsor's time, have 

 taken away the force of these laws ? 



And because the gentlemen of Jamaica made divers objections against 

 the validity of those laws, as being made by the governors and council 

 without an assembly, and against the perpetuity of them, as being repeal- 

 ed by subsequent laws j their lordships do therefore think it most condu- 

 cing to his majesty's service, that colonel Long, major Beeston, and 

 Mr. Ashurst, do attend my lord chief justice North, in order to explain 

 to his lordship what is chiefly expected by them, whereby they may be in- 

 duced to settle the revenue for the support of the government, to the end 

 matters may be brought to an accommodation. 



NUMBER XXXVL 



JAMAICA. 



At the committee of Trade and Plantations, in the council-chamber at 

 Whitehall, Wednesday the ^7th of October, 1680, 



PRESENT, 



Lord Privy Seal, Earl of Bath, 



Earl of Bridgewater, Earl of Halifax, 



Lord, Chamberlain, Mr. Chan, of the Exchequer. 



MY lord chief justice Noith reports, that he has been attended by the 

 gentlemen of Jamaica, who have declared themselves willing to grant 

 the perpetual bill for the payment of the governors, and another bill for 

 the payment of contingencies to continue for seven years, provided they 

 may be restored to their ancient form of passing laws, and may be as- 

 sured of such of the laws of England as may concern their liberty and 

 property. 



Their lordahips taking notice, that the revenue of Jamaica will ex- 

 pire in March next, direct a letter to be prepared, for the approbation of 



