Читать книгу The Life of Sir Henry Morgan. With an account of the English settlement of the island of Jamaica онлайн

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Finally the repeated applications of Modyford, supported by those of the merchants and planters, for protection from the Royal Navy, received some attention. In February, 1668, the Privy Council directed the Lord High Admiral "to assign one of his Majesty's ships of the fifth-rate for the defence of his Majesty's plantation of Jamaica, and suppressing the Insolence of Privateers upon that Coast, the Governor and Planters of Jamaica undertaking to set out and Victual the said ship and pay the wages of the seamen, and keep the said ship and furniture in repair."[128]

Almost a month later the Duke of Albemarle wrote earnestly to the Duke of York on this subject.

"The Governor of Jamaica having by several addresses made known how advantageous it would be for the defence of the island, for the suppression of Privateers, and for the advance of trade and commerce, if one of his Majesty's ships were employed thither, I have lately moved his Majesty in Council that one of the fifth-rate frigates should be forthwith fitted and despatched for that service, which was granted, and your Royal Highness was pleased to direct the Navy Commissioners to deliver the Oxford frigate for that occasion. Therefore since the Government has undertaken to defray the sheathing of the ship, it is desired that orders should be given to the Commissioners of the Navy for fitting her with all other repairs. I am assured that this will be much for the encouragement of one of the most hopeful of all the Plantations in the West Indies."[129]