the royal council for
Virginia.]

To all to whome theis presents shall come, we the Governor and Company
etc. send greetinge. Wheras our gracious Soveraigne Lord King Charles
hath by his Letters patent bearing date the 4th day of December in the
6th yeare of his Raigne,[3] for himselfe, his heires and successors,
given and graunted to us and our successors, assignes and deputies for
ever All Admirall rights, benefits and jurisdiccions and likewise all
priviledges and Comodityes to the said Admirall jurisdiccion in any
wise appertayneinge or belonging, in and upon the seas rivers and
Coastes of the Island of Providence, Henrietta[4] and all other
Islands within the Limits of his Majestys grant to us made and everie
or any of them within 40 Leagues of any the said Islands and in and
upon all other Rivers and Creekes within the said Limits, And likewise
power to hold and determine all manner of Causes and pleas for and
Concerning the same,[5] Now know ye that we the said Governor and
Company confiding in the Fidelitie and Judgment of Captain Nathaniel
Butler, now bound in a voyage to the Island of Providence, have
elected, Constituted and deputed and doe hereby elect, constitute and
depute the said Captain Nathaniel Butler, to be Admirall of the said
Island of Providence, Hereby giveing and graunting to the said Captain
Nathaniel Butler full power and authority to doe and execute (with the
advise of the Counsell of warre which shall from time to time be
established by us in the said Island) all matters and things
concerning the said place of Admirall according to the Instruccions
that we or our successors shall from time to time give and direct for
and Concerning the execucion thereof, Nevertheless reserving to our
selves all such Admirall duties as shall be payable and accomptable
for or in respect of the same, other then[6] such priviledges and
benefits as shall upon agreement betweene us and the said Captain
Butler be assigned and appropriated to him, To have, hould and
exercise the said place of Admirall of the said Island untill we shall
otherwise dispose of the same. And we do require all persons
whatsoever from time to time resideing in the said Island that shall
at any tyme abide or be in the harbours, ports or Creeks of the same,
to yeild and give all due obedience and respect to the lawfull
Commands of the said Captain Butler as Admirall of the said Island, as
they will answer the Contrary at their perills. Give