Petition of Moses Henriques and others of the Jewish Nation in Jamaica to King William III

Petition by the Jewish residents of Jamaica to the King of England, William III. The petition was sent shortly after the earthquake which devestated Port Royal in 1692. The petitioners seek to maintain the rights they were granted by Charles II; to be taxed no more than non-Jewish residents and to be excused from military service on their holy days.

1 item ([2] pages)

[Recto]

To the Kings most Excellent Majestie
The Humble Petition of Moses Henriques Damisquita, Issac
Israel Henriquez, on behalfe of themselues & others of the Nation of the
Jewes in the Island of Jamaica

Humbly Sheweth
That seuerall Families of Jewes settled in your Majesties said Island, and enfrachiz
ed by Letters Patents from the Governour haue from time to time promoted Trade there & seuerall that
remoued from Curacao, and had correspondence with the Spaniards on those Coasts, introduced
the Trade of English Manufactures with them, which hath been ever since of Vast advantage to the
English and especially to the said Island of Jamaica, That others of the Jewes became Planters, & haue
built Houses each according to his ability, all which, hath tended to the advantage of the said Island & increase of Trade
That since by meanes of the latte dreadfull Earthquake most of the Jewes haue been utterly vndone and haue
no other hopes of recouering part of their great Losses, but that they may under the security of your
Majesties most gracious Protection freely Trade & Liue there without appression or disturbance

Therefore your Petitioners doe most humbly beseech that Your Majestie would be Graciously
pleased to order the Governour & Assembly of the said Island, to lett the Jewes of the said Island enjoy the
same Priuiledges as formerly Naturalizing such of them as shall desire the same as was done by the Late King
Charles the Second in the time of the Lord Vaughan and euer since untill the death of the Lord Insiquin
And alsoe to order That they may not be Taxed in the Publick and Parish Taxes more then the natiues, nor be
Compelled to appeare in Armes on their holy dayes, unlesse in case of Invasion (which God forbid) which happening they
will with the first take up Armes in deffence of your Majesties said Island

And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall euer pray.

[In the upper left margin]
Petition of Moses
Henriques & others
of the Jewish Nation
in Jamaica.

Ink on paper