Commission and instructions to the Earl of Carlisle, March 1-30, 1678

This manuscript contains both commission and instructions that were given to the Earl of Carlisle.The Earl of Carlisle arrived in Jamaica to take up his position as Governor, on July 19, 1678. The instructions as drawn up by the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations, sought to restrain the powers of the Jamaica Assembly, the Governor and Council desiring to prepare the drafts of laws they deemed desirable. A violent struggle between the Earl and the Assembly commenced, resulting in the Earl deposing Colonel Samuel Long from the position of Chief Justice and dismissed the Assembly. The Earl of Carlisle returned to England in 1680 and brought a series of charges against Long. Colonel Long was called before the Council in 1680 and in the presence of Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle, who then became the Governor of Jamaica was informed that the island might enjoy the same method of making its law as existed for Barbados. This was taken from the Phillips Collection no. 8681 and from the Blathwayt Papers.

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