When
Cromwell had made peace with the
Dutch (1654) he declared war against
Spain, and sent a fleet under
Admiral Penn and an army under
General Venables to attack the
Spanish West Indies.
Edward Winslow went with the fleet as one of
Cromwell's commissioners to superintend the conquered countries.
By volunteers from
Barbadoes and the
Leeward Islands the army was increased to 10,000.
Santo Domingo was first attacked.
The
English were repulsed, and then proceeded to
Jamaica, which they easily took possession of, for it was inhabited by only a few of the enervated descendants of old Spanish colonists and some negro slaves.
Winslow died at sea soon after the repulse at
Santo Domingo, and
Sedgwick, of
Massachusetts, was put in his place.
He framed an instrument of government for
Jamaica, having a supreme executive council, of which he was the head.
Cromwell, anxious to retain and people the island with subjects of
Great Britain, ordered the enlistment in
Ireland of 1,000 girls and young men, and sent them over.
“Idle, masterless robbers and vagabonds, male and female,” were arrested and sent to
Jamaica; and to have a due admixture of good morals and religion in the new colony,
Cromwell sent agents to
New England for emigrants.
Many at New Haven, not prospering at home, were disposed to go, but, the magistrates opposing, few went.
The island was of great commercial importance when the outbreak between the
English-American colonies and the mother country occurred.
In December its legislature interposed.
They affirmed the rights of the colonies, enumerated their grievances, and, enforcing their claims to redress, implored the
King to become the mediator for peace, and to recognize the title of the
Americans to the benefits of the
English constitution.
They disclaimed any intention of joining the
American confederated colonies, for they were too weak, being only a small colony of white inhabitants, with more than 200,000 slaves.
Their petition was received by the
King, but no heed was given to it.
