The John Deane Affair and Vaughan’s Accusations Against Morgan
What follows here is a chronological list of the letters and reports around the John Deane affair, also covering what Vaughan believed to be Morgan’s complicity in this case. These letters illustrate how Vaughan abused his authority while governor, which resulted in his isolation and ultimate paranoia that everything that went wrong was because of Morgan.
In the close of one Sir Joseph is pleased to take notice of the differences between Sir Henry Morgan and himself, and advises the Governor to make them up. Does not know what complaints Sir Henry might make, but in the character I am shall never represent any personal dislikes, but endeavour faithfully to do my duty and advise of all such who do not do theirs. Therefore wrote his sense of the loss of His Majesty’s stores, and impartially placed the miscarriage where he is sure the fault was. Could complain of the great ingratitude and disingenuity of the same person in having written so many false and malicious stories of the Governor, though is satisfied His Honour will not suffer the Governor to be abused by them. ‘What I most resent is, and which I consider as part of my duty to lay before Your Honour, that I find Sir Henry, contrary to his duty and trust, endeavours to set up privateering, and has obstructed all my designs and purposes for the reducing of those that do use that curse of life.’ Had by several proclamations declared he would not permit those rapines and spoils, and that he would proceed against the offenders as pirates if they came into any of our ports.
They went to Tortugas and took French commissions, and Sir Henry recommended some of our English privateers to the French Government for commissions, was himself concerned in their vessels, and put a deputation into his brother Byndloss’s hands to receive the tenths for the King of France, and has ever since corresponded with them. Relates all the circumstances concerning the seizure of John Deane’s vessel [see Beckford’s letter, ante No. 860], ‘who had the impudence to come to town.’ Doubts not, from the information and proofs sent, Secretary Coventry will be sufficiently satisfied of Sir Henry’s disobedience and unfaithfulness, and of what dangerous consequence his setting up that kind of faction may prove to the island.
The above letter was written to Secretary Sir Joseph Williamson, dated 2 May 1676, and is in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 9: 1675–1676. The following letter by Peter Beckford, Secretary to the Council of Jamaica, dated 2 May 1676, was also written to Secretary Williamson.
Seizure of a ship by Governor Vaughan; complaint of the master who brought her in that he had been robbed by privateers, upon which the Governor ordered Sir Henry Morgan to imprison the offenders, ‘which my Lord imagines he did not act cordially in,’ but on the contrary let them have advice that they might escape, and rather encouraged them, insomuch as one John Deane told the Governor he had done wrong in the seizure, so he was imprisoned, and at a Court of Admiralty, on 27 April, His Excellency sitting as Judge, was condemned of piracy, for which the multitude complain as well-wishers to piracy, but all of sense think it necessary, so that a strict peace be kept with the Spaniards.
The following day, 3 May, Lord Vaughan wrote to the Earl of Anglesea complaining of Morgan’s conduct in the Deane affair and justifying his own actions:
Acknowledges his letter, and has written fully to their Lordships relating to the island and government. Has written to His Lordship upon all occasions, finding himself under a necessity of making use of his friends when so many had appeared industrious to misrepresent him. Hopes what he has written may by this time have given resolution to their removal, so that the island and himself may be in peace. Relates the whole circumstances of a case in which ‘I have detected him [Sir Henry Morgan] of most gross unfaithfulness in his trust and a wilful breach and disobedience of my orders, only because they have obstructed his design of privateering.’
Sends the depositions and an exemplification of the trial that His Lordship may be satisfied that it is according to law, and agrees with all precedents in the Admiralty. Since the trial Sir Harry has been so impudent and unfaithful at the taverns and in his own house, to speak some things which seemed to reflect upon my justice, and to vindicate the pirate, but the people are more prudent than to be led away or persuaded by seditious discourses; however, has thought it his duty to lay it all before the Ministers, and that my Deputy Governor endeavours to set up privateering, and has, with his brother Byndloss, encouraged the King’s subjects to take French commissions, fitted them out to sea, and been concerned with them in their ships and prizes, and received a deputation to collect the tenths for the King of France.
Supposes the Ministers will not consider Sir Harry worthy of any character or authority who makes use of it only for his own ends. Knows his imprudence and weakness lead him a great way, but believes his necessities do more, which would prove of sad consequence to the island if there should be any devolution of the Government. It would be a great satisfaction to all reasonable people in the island if they could be once freed from those fears, all having great apprehensions of his succession. His brother Byndloss agitates him in all he does, has therefore given him no authority or any civil or military commission. He is a very turbulent fellow, some years since was surgeon of a ship, but can never be easy in any government. It would be a good thing if the Governor had a private instruction to put him out of the Council. Says nothing of this to any but His Lordship, as he knows he can depend upon his secrecy and friendship. Beseeches him to communicate the exemplification to the Duke of York.
On 28 July, the Lords of Trade and Plantations wrote back to Vaughan with their answer concerning Vaughan’s trial of Deane and his sentencing him to death, even though Vaughan later commuted that sentence his overstepping his power can be seen from this letter:
Find that His Lordship’s proceedings in the trial of John Deane, lately tried and condemned for piracy by His Lordship, are not warranted by the laws of this Kingdom, it not appearing that pirates were de facto tried by the civil law, though it is supposed they were so tried, but by Commission of oyer and terminer under the great seal of England, therefore their Lordships advised His Majesty that the execution of said Deane might be stopped, and a commission sent for his new trial which His Majesty approving has given directions for a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to be prepared and sent to Lord Vaughan with all speed; to the end His Lordship may cause the execution of said Deane to be stopped and proceed to a new trial.
The above letters can be found in the July 1676 Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 9: 1675–1676.