Journal, October 1707: Journal Book L

Journal, October 1707

October 13. Present:—Lord Dartmouth, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Massachusets.

Letter to the Governor.

A letter to Colonel Dudley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay [v. supra], was signed.

Letter from Mr. Southwell, with Order of Council on representation relating to Vetch, &c., directing that they give security to stand a new trial.

A letter from Mr. Southwell, of the 1st instant, to the secretary, with the following Orders of Councill, viz.:—
Copy of an Order of Council of the 24th September last, upon a representation of the 22nd April foregoing [fo. 133], proposing the repeal of 6 Acts past in the Massachusets Bay the 7th of August, 1706, for punishing Samuel Vetch and others for having traded with the French, approving the said representation and directing that the offenders do give security to stand a new trial &c.
Massachusets.
Another Order of Council directing the trying of Vetch, &c. anew.
Copy of an Order of Council of the 24th of the last month &c., directing Colonel Dudley, Governor of New England, to proceed and cause Samuel Vetch and others [fo. 133] to be tried anew for their having traded with the French.

Letter from the secretary to the Governor inclosing the same.

Which, together with copies of the said orders, were read, and the secretary at the same time laid before their lordships a letter he had written to Colonel Dudley the 3rd instant, inclosing the said orders, which was approved.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mrs. Sharp in favour of her husband.

The same to be consider'd.

A letter from Mrs. Barbara Sharp [fo. 333], signifying her having received advice from her husband, Colonel Sharp, late President of the Councill of Barbadoes, that the Governor had an intention of suspending all the counsellors who had voted for the Paper Act, from being members of her Majesty's Councill in that island, and praying their lordships' favour in relation to her said husband, was read; whereupon she was acquainted that their lordships would take the same into consideration where there should be a full Board.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Cox about his brother being turned out of his place of naval officer, &c.

Mr. Cox attending, and acquainting their lordships that he had received a letter from his brother in Barbados, informing him that Colonel Crow had turned him out of his place of naval officer there, notwithstanding his having a patent for the same; that the Governor had taken to himself as his right a power of appointing naval officers in that island, and also that he expected to be turned out from being a member of Council there, and had therefore desired leave to come home to England. Their lordships desired Mr. Cox to draw up a memorial thereupon [fo. 336], and to bring the same to the Board on this day se'nnight, which he promised to do accordingly.

Bahamas.

Two letters from Captain Jennings about the number of inhabitants, &c.

Captain Chadwell summoned.

Copies of two letters from Captain Jennings [fo. 261] to Colonel Holden (nominated by the Lords Proprietors of the Bahama Islands to the (sic) Governor there), giving an account of the number of inhabitants, their present settlement at Elutheria, and of their design of settling again at Providence upon his arrival among them, were read; and thereupon ordered that Captain Chadwell [fo. 338] (mentioned in one of the said letters) have notice to attend the Board on Monday morning next.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes, deputy from Bruxells. Accounts of imports and exports.

The secretary laid before their lordships a letter he had writ to Mr. Lowndes, the 24th of September, signifying that a deputy is expected from Bruxells to treat about trade, and desiring from the Commissioners of the Customs some accounts of imports and exports &c., which was approved [fo. 357].

October 20. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Plantations General.

Circular letters for lists of patent officers.

Ordered that circular letters be written to the several Governors in her Majesty's Plantations for a list of patent officers in each respective government.

Virginia.

Admeasurement of ships.

Mr. Perry and other Virginia merchants attending, the report from the Commissioners of the Customs to my Lord Treasurer [fo. 158, 338], touching a clause of an Act passed in Virginia, relating to the admeasurement of ships in that colony, was read. Whereupon they said that the method proposed by that report would not be comply'd with in Virginia, for by that method ships must be laid on ground in order to be measured, and there was no place there where it could be done; and they promised to bring their lordships their observations in writing upon the foresaid report, as also upon the 10th clause of an Act of Parliament past in the 6th and 7th of William the Third to that purpose (vide Keble's Statutes, vol. II, fo. 1749).

Barbadoes.

Copies of Earl of Sunderland's letters to Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Crowe, approving Mr. Sharpe's administration, &c.

Mrs. Sharp attending [fo. 330], presented to their lordships attested copies of two letters from the Earl of Sunderland, both dated the 28th of March last, the one to her husband, President of the Council of Barbadoes, signifying her Majesty's approbation of his conduct during his Presidentship in the government of that island; the other to Colonel Crowe, Governor of the said island, directing him to pursue the same methods as Mr. Sharp had done for the calming and putting an end to the heats and divisions there, and further to enquire into the authors of those disorders; which letters were read.

Barbadoes.

Merchants' memorial recommending Major Pilgrim to be of the Council.

Representation to be prepar'd proposing Colonel Frere and the said Pilgrim to fill two vacancies in Councill.

A memorial from several merchants trading to Barbadoes, recommending Major Pilgrim [fo. 335] as a person fitly qualifyed to be a member of her Majesty's Council in that island, was read, and their lordships at the same time taking into consideration the desire of Mr. Tobias Frere to be restored to his place which he formerly held in the said Council of Barbadoes, when at his own request he was dismiss'd from the said employ, for that he was unwilling to be concerned in the heats and animosities that have arisen there, and their being now two vacancies in the said Council by the dismission of Colonel Cleland and Colonel Holder, from being members of the said Council; ordered that a representation to her Majesty be prepared, proposing that Colonel Frere and Major Pilgrim [fo. 335] be appointed by her Majesty to fill up the said vacancies.

New York.

Mr. Budge about seizure of his ship, &c.

Representation to be prepared thereupon.

Mr. Budge attending, his papers relating to the seizure and condemnation of his ship at New York [fo. 328, 335] (mentioned in the minutes of the 11th July last) were again read; and thereupon ordered that a representation be prepar'd for laying the same before her Majesty.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Penn with answer to Wilcox's reasons against the Act about qualifications of magistrates.

A letter from Mr. Penn, inclosing his answer to Mr. Wilcox's reasons against an Act past in Pennsylvania, relating to the qualifications of magistrates &c. [fo. 286], was read, and ordered that a copy thereof be given to Mr. Wilcox for his reply.

October 21. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Barbadoes.

Representation proposing Colonel Frere and Major Pilgrim to be of the Council.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland therewith.

A representation proposing Colonel Tobias Frere and Major John Pilgrim [fo. 334; M. fo. 13] to be constituted members of her Majesty's Council of Barbadoes, in the room of Colonel William Cleland and Colonel John Holder [fo. 318, 350], dismissed from being of the said Council, together with a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same, were signed.

New York.

Representation upon the petition of Budge.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the petition of Mr. Budge [fo. 334, 339] to her Majesty relating to the seizure and condemnation of his ship in New York (mention'd in yesterday's minutes), and made some progress therein.

Maryland.

Sir Thomas Lawrence.

Ordinary licences.

Representation on that subject to be prepared.

Sir Thomas Lawrence attending [fo. 148, 339], his last memorial relating to the hardships he lies under by an Act past in Maryland in October, 1704, taking away the benefit of ordinary lycences from the secretary's office in that province, together with Mr. Attorney General's opinion upon the said Act, were read; and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation for laying the same before her Majesty.

Barbadoes.

Plantations General.

Order on representation about constant attendance of counsellors.

Draught of her Majesty's circular letter thereupon.

An Order of Council of the 4th of August last [fo. 190], upon a representation of the 28th of May foregoing, proposing that councillors be obliged to a constant attendance in the respective Councills in her Majesty's several plantations, approving the same; and directing this Board to prepare draughts of letters to the several governors [fo. 340], was read; and the draught of such letter for her Majesty's signature was agreed, and ordered to be transmitted.

Barbadoes.

Memorial from Mr. Cox with an abstract of a letter from his brother, who is of the Council, &c. in Barbadoes, complaining of Mr. Crow.

Mr. Charles Cox attending [fo. 331], presented to their lordships a memorial inserting therein an abstract of a letter from his brother Mr. Samuel Cox, one of her Majesty's Councill in Barbadoes, and naval officer there, acquainting him amongst other things that he had been obliged by Colonel Crow, Governor of the said island, to resign his place of naval officer, though he held the same by patent under the great seal of England [fo. 349; M. fo. 46], and that he daily expected the said Governor would turn him out of the Councill also, and further desiring leave to come to England, which memorial was read, and there being several papers referr'd to therein [fo. 346], viz.:—A report from the Commissioners of the Customs here [fo. 348], and likewise from the Lords Committees of Trade and Plantations to his late Majesty King William in favour of the said patent, Mr. Charles Cox was desired to bring copies of the said papers to their lordships, which he promised to do accordingly.

October 22. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Miscellanies.

Letter to the Lord Treasurer. New establishment for this office.

A letter to the Lord Treasurer upon the late change in the commission of this Board, proposing an addition of salary for the clerks of this office, was agreed and signed.

Virginia.

Merchants' observations on report from the Custom House about admeasurement of ships.

Letter to Mr. Savage with copy thereof.

Mr. Perry presented to their lordships a memorial, containing the Virginia merchants' observations upon the report of the Commissioners of her Majesty's Customes [fo. 332], touching the admeasurement of ships in Virginia &c. (mentioned in the minutes of the 20th instant), which was read, and directions given for sending a copy of the said memorial to Mr. Savage [fo. 371] for the opinion of the Commissioners of the Customes thereupon.

Bahama Islands.

State of defence and government.

A paper of queries made by Mr. Holden (nominated by the proprietors of the Bahama Islands to the (sic) Governor there) to Captain Samuel Chadwell [fo. 332] (who came from thence in February last), relating to the present state of defence and government of that island &c., with the said captain's answers thereunto, were read.

Bahama Islands.

Copy of a letter to Mr. Graves about attempt of the enemy on the island Providence.

Mr. John Graves attending [fo. 292, 341], presented to the Board a copy of a letter to himself from Mr. Thomas Gower, dated the 10th of May last at Charles Town in South Carolina, giving an account of an attempt made by the enemy the last year upon Providence, one of the Bahama Islands, which was read.

Maryland.

Draught of representation on the Act about ordinary licences.

The draught of a representation upon the complaints of Sir Thomas Lawrence against an Act past in Maryland [fo. 336, 340], relating to ordinary licences (mentioned in yesterday's minutes), was likewise agreed, and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

Budge.

Draught of representation on his complaints.

The draught of another representation upon the complaints of Mr. Budge against the Lord Cornbury [fo. 335, 340] for seizing his ship at New York (mentioned in the minutes of yesterday) was likewise agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Crow.

A letter from Colonel Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 30th of July last, was read.

October 23. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney.

Maryland.

Representation on complaints of Sir Thomas Lawrence.

Letter to Earl of Sunderland inclosing the same.

A representation upon the complaints of Sir Thomas Lawrence [fo. 339; M. fo. 21] (mention'd in yesterday's minutes), together with a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same, were signed.

New Jersey.

New York.

Representation on complaints of Mr. Budge. Letter to the Earl of Sunderland enclosing the same.

A representation upon the complaints of Mr. Budge [fo. 339; M. fo. 40] (as agreed at the last meeting), together with a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the same, were signed.

Plantations General.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland with instructions about attendance of counsellors.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, inclosing the draught of letters to all her Majesty's Governors in the Plantations [fo. 336, 392], mentioned in the minutes of the 21st instant, for her Majesty's royal signature, was signed.

Jamaica.

Order of Council on a representation relating to Mr. Barrow's practising the law.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 4th of August last, upon a representation of the 21st of the last month [fo. 312] on the petition of Mr. Barrow, praying to be restored to the practice of the law in Jamaica, approving the said representation, and directing the Earl of Sunderland to prepare a letter for the said Barrow's being restored accordingly, was read.

Bahama Islands.

Mr. Graves' letter about state of the islands.

Letter to be prepared to the Earl of Sunderland thereon.

Their lordships again taking into consideration the copy of a letter to Mr. Graves, relating to the state of the Bahama Islands [fo. 339, v. infra], read yesterday, gave directions for preparing a letter to the Earl of Sunderland thereupon.

Miscellanies.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Lowndes about an agent for this Board.

Mr. Sleford summon'd.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes signifying the Lord Treasurer's desire that this Board do hear what Mr. Sleford [fo. 214, 351] may have to offer in relation to his being appointed agent to their lordships, was read; and thereupon ordered that the said Sleford have notice to attend the Board on Thursday morning next.

October 24. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Bahama Islands.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland about the state of the islands.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, relating to the state of the Bahama Island [v. supra] (mentioned in yesterday's minutes) was signed.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Colonel Crow.

A letter from Colonel Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 8th of August last, was read; and the papers referr'd to therein laid before the Board, and are as follows, viz.:—
Papers of publick proceedings.
No. 1. Copy of the address of the Assembly of Barbadoes to Colonel Crow, relating to the disorders in that island.
No. 2. Copy of Colonel Crow's answer to the address from the Assembly of Barbadoes to himself.
No. 3. Copy of the address of the grand jury of Barbadoes, as also copy of the presentments of the grand inquest of the said island to Colonel Crow.
No. 4. Copy of Colonel Crow's answer to the grand jury of Barbadoes.
No. 5. Copy of the grand jury of Barbadoes address to her Majesty upon the happy uniting of her subjects; and upon her appointing Colonel Crow Governor of that island.
No. 6. Copy of Captain Clark's letter to Colonel Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, giving an account of his proceedings when he went on a cruise to Martinico and Guardaloupa &c.
No. 7. Copy of Captain Fane's letter, commander of the Lowstaffe, to Colonel Crow, desiring that he may attend on Barbadoes during the winter season &c.
No. 8. Several heads offered by Colonel Crow to the merchants of Barbadoes, relating to the good of that island, for their advice thereupon.
No. 9. Copy of the Governor's second speech to the General Assembly of Barbadoes upon their neglect of duty.
No. 10. Abstract of the proceedings of the grand sessions in Barbadoes in June, 1707.
No. 11. Copy of the Attorney of Barbadoes's opinion upon an Act for ascertaining the payment of the Bank Bills in that island.
No. 12. Account of stores received and delivered out of the magazines in Barbadoes from the 20th of March, 169⁵/6, to the 28th February, 1698/9.
No. 13. Account of stores of war received and delivered out of the magazines in Barbadoes from June, 1697, to December 6th, 1706.
No. 14. Copy of an Act for the encouragement of the importation of coine [fo. 345].
No. 15. List of twelve persons' names proposed by Colonel Crow to fill up vacancies in Councill in Barbadoes.
No. 16. A list of causes which are now depending in the Court of Chancery in Barbadoes.
No. 17. The Assembly of Barbadoes resolves against several of the members of Council and others in that island for having been concerned in the Paper Act &c.
No. 18. Answer of Colonel Sharp to the complaints of the Assembly of Barbadoes against him &c.
No. 19. Answer of Colonel Cox to some resolves of the Assembly of Barbadoes against him for being concerned in the Paper Act.
No. 20. Answer of Mr. Mills to a resolve of the Assembly of Barbadoes against him for being concerned in the Act for paper credit.
No. 21. Answer of Colonel Walker to the resolves of the Assembly of Barbadoes against him for being concern'd in the Paper Credit Bill &c.
No. 22. Answer of Mr. Holder to the Assembly's resolves against him &c. The rise, progress and determination of the bank of Barbadoes (by Mr. Holder). Amendments proposed by the Councill to the bill entituled An Act to supply the want of cash &c. Minutes of Assembly upon the said amendments. Depositions of Colonel Walker and Colonel Sharp, to prove the allegations set down in Colonel Holder's answer.
No. 23. Copy of an address from the Councill and General Assembly of Barbadoes, upon the union of the two kingdoms &c.
No. 24. Copy of an address from the Council and Assembly of Barbadoes to her Majesty in commendation of Colonel Crow, Governor of that island &c.
No. 25. Naval officers' list of ships entred and clear'd in Barbadoes from the 25th of March to the 24th of June, 1707.
No. 26. Minutes of Councill in Assembly from the 28th of March to the 7th of May. 1707.
No. 27. Minutes of Councill in Assembly from the 9th of May to the 28th of July, 1707.
No. 28. Journal of Assembly from the 21st of January, 1706/7, to the 28th of July, 1707.

Three of which papers, viz.: Nos. 14, 17 and 18, were also read.

Barbadoes.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland on Act about mony.

(Proprities) and coin in the Plantations.

Whereupon a letter was writ to the Earl of Sunderland, relating to the above-mentioned Act, for the importation of money &c. [fo. 343], and desiring his lordship to receive her Majesty's pleasure upon the representation of this Board, dated the 10th of June last, [fo. 216; M. fo. 45], touching the non-execution in some of the plantations of her Majesty's proclamation for settling the rates of foreign coins there.

Barbadoes.

Persons turned out of the commissions of peace by Colonel Crow.

A list of the persons' names turned out of the commissions of peace in Barbadoes by Colonel Crow, as also of those put into their places by him [fo. 337], although concerned in the tumults at the grand sessions held in that island the tenth of December last, was communicated to the Board by Mr. Cox and read.

Plantations General.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes for 20 copies of the Union Act.

Their lordships having some reason to apprehend that the ship whereby they sent circular letters to the several Governors on the continent of America, with copies of the Act for uniting England and Scotland, has fallen into the hands of the French; ordered that the secretary write to Mr. Lowndes, to desire him to move the Right Honourable the Lord High Treasurer that this Board may have twenty copies of the said Act, to be transmitted to the said Governors by the next conveyance.

October 27. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Jamaica.

Letter from Colonel Handasyd.

Letter to Mr. Burchet with extract thereof relating to the misbehaviour of Commodore Kerr.

A letter from Colonel Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 29th of August last, together with a list of the names of the present counsellors in that island [M. fo. 103], were read; and directions given for sending paragraph F and G of the said letter relating to the misbehaviour of Commodore Kerr [fo. 349], and to the sailing of the galleons, to Mr. Burchet, to be laid before his Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Holder's answer to the Assembly's resolves against him about Paper Act.

Mr. Holder's answer &c. to the resolves of the Assembly of Barbadoes against him for being a principal promoter and encourager of the Act for establishing a method of credit in that island (mentioned in the minutes of the 24th instant and marked No. 22), was read.

Barbadoes.

Copy of Mr. Cox's patent for naval office.

Letter from Mr. Savage with a copy of report from the Custome House on that subject.

Letter to be prepared to the Earl of Sunderland thereon.

A copy of Mr. Samuel Cox's patent under the great seal of England, constituting him naval officer of Barbadoes, as also a letter from Mr. Savage of the 25th instant, inclosing a copy of a report from the Commissioners of the Customes [fo. 337] to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, dated the 16th of February, 169¾, relating to the place of naval officer, were read; and directions given for preparing a letter to the Earl of Sunderland thereupon, as likewise upon what Colonel Crow writes about his intention of turning out Colonel Sharp, Colonel Cox, Colonel Mills and Colonel Walker [fo. 349] from being members of her Majesty's Councill in Barbadoes.

Trade.

Merchants summon'd.

Ordered that the merchants trading to Denmark and Norway have notice to attend the Board on Friday morning next [fo. 355].

Plantations General.

Mr. Dummer's packet boat.

A letter from Mr. Dummer of the 25th instant, giving an account of the sailing of the packet boat to and from the West Indies, was read.

October 28. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Burchet in answer to one writ him about Commodore Kerr.

A letter from Mr. Burchet, in answer to one writ him yesterday [fo. 347], relating to Colonel Handasyd's complaint of the irregular proceedings of Commodore Kerr in Jamaica, and to the sailing of the galleons from Carthagena, was read.

Barbadoes.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland about Mr. Crow's displacing four of the Council.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, relating to Mr. Crow's intention of turning out Colonel Sharp and three others [fo. 348; M. fo. 37] from being members of Councill in Barbadoes (mentioned in yesterday's minutes) was signed.

Mr. Charles Cox about his brother the naval officer and of the Council in Barbadoes.

Mr. Cox attending, and being asked if he knew of any other letters in town besides what he had received himself relating to Mr. Crow's taking the place of naval officer in Barbadoes from his brother [fo. 337], he said that he did not know of any. Whereupon he was acquainted that, although their lordships did beleive what his brother had writ upon that matter, yet they thought that not sufficient to make a formal representation therupon, and that they intended to write to Mr. Crow upon that subject, which they doubted not but it would have a good effect.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Colonel Park.

List of the several Council.

A letter from Colonel Park, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 4th of August last, together with a list of the names of the present counsellors in the four islands under his government [M. fo. 103], were read.

Jamaica.

Letter from Brigadier Handasyd.

Captain Gardner summon'd.

Three letters from Colonel Handasyd, Governor of Jamaica, dated the 19th and 25th of June, and 29th August last, were read, and thereupon ordered that Captain Gardner have notice to attend the Board on Thursday morning next.

Barbadoes.

Duplicate of the Queen's letter dismissing Colonel Holder from the Council, &c.

A duplicate of her Majesty's letter to Colonel Crow, Governor of Barbadoes, directing him to discharge Colonel John Holder [fo. 318] from being a member of her Majesty's Council in that island, was read, and directions given for taking a copy thereof, and for sending the original forwards by the next conveyance.

October 30. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Barbadoes.

Leeward Islands.

Jamaica.

Letters to the Governors.

Letters to the Governors of Barbadoes, Leeward Islands and Jamaica, were signed.

Jamaica.

Trade.

Spanish trade.

Merchants summon'd.

Upon reconsidering what Colonel Handasyd writes in his letter of the 19th of June last, read the 28th instant, relating to the great quantity of goods brought by the French to the Spanish West Indies, occasioning thereby a glut in that trade, ordered that Sir Gilbert Heathcote and Sir Bartholomew Gracedieu [fo. 358, 361]. with other Jamaica merchants, have notice to attend the Board thereupon on Tuesday morning next.

Trade.

Miscellanies.

Mr. Sleford about his being agent to this Board.

Mr. Sleford attending, according to appointment [fo. 341, 360], Mr. Lowndes' letter of the 27th of September last, referring to their lordships Mr. Sleford's proposal for being agent to this Board, was again read, and he being asked whether he had any thing to offer to their lordships, he said that his proposals were contained in his memorial read the 9th of June last, and being then asked whether he could give their lordships any specimens of what he proposed to do therein, he said that it was impossible to give their lordships specimens of some of the things proposed, he having not been authorized to make the enquiry necessary thereunto. But he instanced three things in which he thought he should be able to do considerable service, viz.:—In introducing a new trade to most parts of Europe, but particularly to the Northern Crowns for our English salt; in regaining the Greenland trade, and in setting up a manufacture for sail cloth, which should be as good nay better and cheaper than what is made in Holland. Whereupon their lordships agreed to take the foresaid memorial into consideration at the first opportunity.

Jamaica.

Letter from Captain Gardner about recruits.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland. thereupon.

A letter from Captain Gardner, agent to Brigadier Handasyd's regiment in Jamaica, signifying that the officers had raised 270 recruits for that island [fo. 256], and that he was endeavouring to get them shipt off as soon as possible, and desiring their lordships' assistance therein, was read, and directions given for preparing a letter to the Earl of Sunderland thereupon [v. infra].

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Baker about exportation of wool.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Baker [fo. 369], desiring him to give their lordships an account of his proceedings upon the coast of Kent and Sussex, in order to prevent the exportation of wooll since his last account, which ended the 5th December, 1703.

October 31. Present:—Earl of Stamford, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Sir Philip Meadows, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Monckton.

Jamaica.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Recruits.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, relating to the recruits raised for Brigadier Handasyd's regiment in Jamaica [v. supra], mentioned in yesterday's minutes, was signed.

Plantations General.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Additional instructions about devolution of governments.

Another letter to the Earl of Sunderland, touching the loss of the dispatches taken on board the Ruby by the French, and carried into France; also inclosing her Majesty's additional instructions to the Governors of New Hampshire, Massachusets Bay, New York, New Jersey and Maryland, relating to the devolution of government upon the death or absence of any of the said Governors, for her Majesty's royal signature, was signed.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Commodore Under down with account of his success against the French.

A letter from Commodore Underdown, giving an account of his success in an expedition against the French in Newfoundland, dated the 30th of August last, together with the papers therein referr'd to, were read; which papers were as follows, viz.:—
Papers therein referred to.
Account of the damage done the French in their fishery at Newfoundland by the expedition under Commodore Underdown and Major Lloyd in August last.
A survey of provisions in the fort at St. Johns in Newfoundland, taken the 28th June last.

Letter from Commodore Under down in favour of Major Lloyd.

A second letter from Commodore Underdown, relating to the good conduct of Major Lloyd, commander of the garrison at St. Johns in Newfoundland, in the aforesaid expedition against the French, dated the 1st of September last, was read.

Trade.

Merchants about state of trade with Denmark, Sweden and Norway, &c.

Several of the merchants trading to Denmark and Norway attending [fo. 348, 360], they were desired to give their lordships an account of the state of the trade between England and Denmark, and particularly of the grievances or difficulties they may labour under in relation to trade in those parts, which accounts the said merchants promised to put into writing, and to present the same in a few days to their lordships.

Dr. Davenant about accounts of imports and exports.

Doctor Davenant, Inspector General of her Majesty's Customs, attended, and acquainted their lordships that he was preparing the accounts of imports and exports required by the secretary's letter to Mr. Lowndes of the 24th of September last, and that he could not furnish their lordships with the said accounts in less than eight or ten days.

New York.

Mr. Attorney General's report on the Act reversing the proceedings against Bayard, &c.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon an Act past at New York [fo. 255], entituled An Act declaring the illegality of the proceedings against Colonel Nicholas Bayard and Alderman John Hutchins for pretended high treason, and for reversing and making null and void the said judgment and all proceedings thereon, was read; and directions given for preparing a representation thereupon [fo. 356].