WHereas the Iſland of Jamaica in America, is by the Providence of God, in the hands and poſſeſsion of this State, 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, aſwell 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.

1. Thoſe who ſhall tranſport themſelves as aforeſaid ſhall have land ſet forth unto them, according to the proportion of twenty Acres, beſides Lakes and Rivers, for every Male of twelve years old and upwards, and ten Acres for every other Male or Female, in ſome convenient place of the ſaid Iſland; and in caſe any whole Plantation, That is to ſay, the Governours and greateſt part of the people ſhall remove themſelves, they ſhall be preferred in reſpect of the place of their ſitting down, that it may be near ſome good Harbour commodious for Commerce and Navigation.

2. That the ſaid Proportion of Land ſhall be ſet forth unto them, within ſix Weeks after notice given by them under their hands, or the hands of ſome of them on the behalf of the reſt, unto his Highneſs Commander in chief, or Commiſſioners there, appointed for that purpoſe of their reſolutions to remove, and of the time they intend to be upon the place.

3. That they ſhall have Liberty for the ſpace of •• ven 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 authorized by his Highneſſe, for mannaging the affairs of the ſaid Iſland.

4. That they ſhall hold the ſaid Land with all Houſes, Edifices, Woods, Trees, Profits and Advantages thereupon, to them and their Heirs for ever, to be held in free, and common Soccage, without any Rent for the firſt ſeven years, and then one penny an Acre, and by no other rent, tenure, or ſervice whatſoever.

5. That after the ſaid Proportions of Land are ſet forth as aforeſaid, His Highneſs, or his Succeſſors, upon the deſire of the Owners thereof, ſhall by Letters Pattents, under the Great Seal of England, or by ſuch other ſure ways as ſhall be deviſed by their Counſel learned in the Law, give, grant, and confirm unto him or them, their heirs and aſſigns the ſaid Proportions of Land, together with all and ſingular the Privileges, Iuriſdictions, Profits and advantages which are intended hereby to be enjoied by them, with power to erect and create any Mannour or Mannors, with tenures in free and common Soccage within ſuch Plantation, or Plantations, as ſhall be capable thereof.

6. That they ſhall hold and enjoy all, and ſingular Mines of Copper, Iron, Tin, or other Minerals whatſoever (excepting Gold, and Silver Mines) and all Mines of Quarries, Coal, Stone, Allum, or other Mines, whatſoever (except as aforeſaid) within the circuit, Meets or bounds of the ſaid ſeveral and reſpective proportions of Land; and alſo all Fiſhings, and Piſcaries whatſoever upon or within any of the Lakes, Streams or Rivers within their Meets, and bounds; and alſo full power, and authority to man, and ſend forth to Sea, and unto any the Coaſts, and Shores, Roads, Harbours or Creeks within or near the ſaid Iſland, any Ships, Boats or other Veſſels to fiſh for, find out, or take any Pearls, precious Stones, or Iewels therein being, and to enjoy the ſame to his and their own uſe or uſes, rendering and paying to the Governour of the ſaid Iſland for the time being, or to ſuch other perſon or perſons, for the time being, as His Highneſſe ſhall authorize to receive the ſame, to his Highneſs uſe, the full fifth part only, and no more of all ſuch Pearls, precious Stones and Iewels as ſhall be got, found, and taken, as aforeſaid; and alſo one tenth part of all ſuch Mettal as ſhall be had, found, and gained in the Mines, granted hereby to the aforeſaid Planters.

7. That no Cuſtom, Exciſe, Impoſt, or other duty ſhall be ſet or impoſed for the ſpace of three years to be accounted from the 29. day of September, which ſhall be in the year of our Lord 1656. upon any of their Goods and Merchandizes of the growth, production or Manufacture of the ſaid Iſland, which they ſhall tranſport into this Commonwealth: Nor ſhall they or their Servants, without their own conſent, be drawn out into the Wars, unleſſe it be in caſe of Invaſion, or Rebellion, and for the defence of the Iſland.

8. That they ſhall have power to build Walls, and raiſe Bulwarks and Caſtles upon their own Land for the defence, and ſecurity of their own plantations, and alſo to arme themſelves, and ſervants, and to lead, and conduct them againſt any Enemies, or Rebels within the ſaid Iſland; Subject nevertheleſs to ſuch Orders, and directions as they ſhall on this behalf receive from the Governour or Commander in chief of the ſaid Iſland for the time being.

9. That all and every perſon and perſons, that ſhall hereafter happen to be born within the ſaid Iſland, ſhall be, and ſhall be deemed, and accounted to be free Denizons of England, and ſhall have and enjoy all and every ſuch benefits, privileges, advantages and immunities whatſoever, as any the Natives or People of England born in England now have and enjoy in England.

That all ſuch profeſſing the Proteſtant Religion, who ſhall tranſport themſelves into the aforeſaid Iſland within two years to be accounted from the ſaid 29. day of September 1656. and ſhall make a beginning therein by tranſporting to the ſaid Iſland one third part of their number before the 29. day of September next, ſhall have, and enjoy the aforeſaid Privileges, and Advantages. And for the more certain carrying on of this buſineſſe, and anſwering Our intentions herein. We do hereby authorize and require Our Commander in chief of the ſaid Iſland, for the time being, and alſo the aforeſaid Commiſſioners that they take notice of the Premiſſes, and cauſe and due and effectual execution of the ſame from time to time as there ſhall be occaſion, according to the purport, & true meaning hereof, for which theſe preſents ſhall be their ſufficient warrant.