This day a letter & Commissn from his Majty constituting and appointing the governt of this and the rest of the Caribbee Islands to bee in Henry Willoughby Esqre William Willoughby Esqre Col. Henry Hawley & Col. Samuel Barwick was read upon which the Conncillors then present that were not named in the said Commission declared they did beleeve themselves discharged as Councellors by vertue of the said Commissn whereupon they withdrew
Here follows the above Commission dated 5th Dec. 1666.
Ordered that this Declaration following bee forthwith published by beat of drum in St. Michael's Towne & all the Parish Churches next Sabbath Day Vizt:
BarbadosWhereas his Majty by his Commission bearing date the fifth of December 1666 hath impowered us to bee Chiefe Govrs of this and the rest of the Caribbee Islands in the absence of his Excellency Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham or untill his Maj. pleasure be further knowne.
In obedience to which wee have received the said Government and doe hereby publish and make Knowne that all officers both Civill & Military in this Island doe continue to execute their said offices till further order. Given under our hands this fifteenth of February 1666 (-7.)
(signed)HENRY WILLOUGHBYEWILLIAM WILLOUGHBYEHENRY HAWLEYSAMUELL BARWICKE
After which they fell on debate of choosing a Councill which being concluded they chose Sir John Yeamans William Kirton Esqre Thomas Wardell Esq Phillip Bell Esqre Robt. Hooper Esqre Christopher Codrington Esqre to whom was administered the oath following Vizt:
Barbados.I doe sweare that I will give true and faithfull Councill to Henry Willoughby William Willoughby Henry Hawley and Samuell Barwick Esqres as chiefe Govrs of this & the rest of the Caribbee Islands appointed by his Maj. Commission beareing date the fifth of December 1666 in which I will perform all things that belong to a faithfull Councillor according to the best of my skill and judgment during the absence of his Excellency Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham or untill his Maj. pleasure bee further knowne
Soe help me God
and then adjourned till Monday next.