Edward Cranfield letter to William Blathwayt, 1696 July 25

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Major Benjamin Hawkins the bearer hereof, being
a very deserving gallant Gentleman and one that has
been fforward upon all Occations to Signalize his
zeall for his King and Countrys Service and
particularly vnder Sir Timothy Thornhill as
Captain at the takeing of Sir Christophers; and Major
vnder Collonell Boller at the Expedition at Martinico
therefore take the ffreedom to recommend him to your
ffreindship, desireing you to afford him your ffavour
and Countenance, which I know wil be no small
advantage to him, he hath a very good plantation
here and aforehand in the world, if he Incline to
a Millitary Imployment. I dare answer will acquitt
himselfe as wel as his predesessors in Queen
Elizabeth time from whome he is descended, he is
a very Intelligible person and wel acquainted
with the State of Affaires in this Island - and will
when ever you require it give you an Impartiall
account of things here So remain.

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Barbados
25 July 1696

For the Honorable William Blathwaite
Esquire at Whitehall
London

By Major Hawkins.