Journal, March 1717: Journal Book S

Journal, March 1717

March 4. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Newfoundland.

Valier, Toulon.

St. Peters.

Mr. Valier, agent for Olivier Tulon, attending, according to appointment, their lordships had some discourse with him relating to the fish taken by the said Tulon at St. Peters near Newfoundland; and since seized at Bilboa in Spain; whereupon Mr. Valier was desired to attend again on Thurdsay morning next, with the forementioned Tulon, who, he said, was in town, and that they bring with them at the same time what authentick papers they had upon that subject.

Carolina.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Mr. Boon and others.

Carolina tar.

Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford, agents for Carolina, attending, together with Mr. Baron, Mr. Crane, and Mr. Godin, who trade thither, they produced a certificate from several ropemakers relating to the goodness of Carolina tar, which was read; and Mr. Crane, who said, he procured the said certificate, acquainted their lordships, that there is scarce a ropemaker here, but uses Carolina tar, most of them having quantities of it by them, and none making objections to it. Sir Thomas Johnson, member of parliament for Liverpool, coming likewise to the Board, acquainted them, that in the trade wherein he is concerned Carolina tar is now and has been made use of for cordage these four years past, without any manner of complaint, though it was necessity at first made them take it, the Swedish tar being till then reputed the best, though at present the plantation tar is found as good.

Boon's memorial.

Naval stores.

Sir Thomas Johnson, iron.

Hemp.

A memorial from Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford, relating to the encouragement necessary to be given for the raising and importing to this kingdom several species of naval stores from the plantations, was presented to the Board, and read; and the gentlemen abovementioned concurring in opinion therein, signed the same. Sir Thomas Johnson further observed, that if good encouragement were given for bringing iron from America, it would facilitate the bringing of hemp, which latter would pay the easier freight, when iron served as ballast.

Massachusets.

Coram.

Iron.

Hemp.

Mr. Coram attending, at the request of Mr. Dummer, agent for the Massachusets Bay, acquainted their lordships, in relation to the iron made there, that having built a vessel in that country, he made use of New England iron, such as he had bespoken for the chain plates and rudder-irons; that there is only want of encouragement and good workmen to make the best iron there; whereupon he was desired to bring a memorial thereof in writing, and to give his opinion what encouragement might be sufficient for the bringing hemp as well as iron from those parts into Great Britain; which he promised accordingly.

March 5. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison.

Leeward Islands.

Barbadoes.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Burchett.

Men of war.

Pirates.

A letter from Mr. Burchett, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated yesterday, upon one writ him the 18th of last month, relating to men of war for the Leeward Islands, Barbadoes, and Jamaica, and to the instructions given to their commanders concerning pirates, was read.

Nova Scotia.

New England.

Mr. Armstrong.

Order of Council.

Disbanded officers.

Settlement.

Mr. Armstrong attending, presented to the Board an Order of Council, of the 2nd instant, referring to their lordships a petition from himself and others, late officers and soldiers in the service of the crown, praying a settlement for themselves and their families in certain unhabited lands and islands between Nova Scotia and the province of Main in New England in America, which order and petition were read; and the said Armstrong was desired to bring in writing on Friday morning next, what he had further to offer upon that subject, which he accordingly promised.

March 7. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Valier.

Tulon's petition and papers.

Tulon to attend.

Mr. Valier attending, as desired with Olivier Tulon, a petition with several papers thereto annexed, were presented to their lordships from the said Tulon, the said petition setting forth that he is an old inhabitant of the island of St. Peters near Placentia in Newfoundland, and has taken the oath to his Majesty King George, that he had been molested in his habitation there, &c., and praying he may have justice done him not only in relation to a quantity of codfish that has been stopped at Bilboa in Spain, but that for the future he may live peaceably in his said habitation with the same privilege, and no other restriction than the rest of the British subjects, which petition was read, and the said Tulon being thereupon asked several questions, he said, he had been five or six years in possession of one half of the plantation he has now at St. Peters, the other half having been purchased by him since; that his ordinary abode both before and since the late peace with France, was at the island of St. Peters; that he and the other French inhabitants who stayed, were authorized to fish by a declaration of the Governor of Placentia, pursuant, as he conceived, to the treaty of peace; which declaration, he said, was fixed to the church doors; that Capt. Taverner was sent by the said Govr. to administer the oaths to the inhabitants at St. Peter's, and the said Tulon produced a certificate under Capt. Taverner's hand, of his having taken the oaths to Her Majesty, the 20th of July, 1714; that there are at present about 150 French on the island of St. Peters, 7 or 8 whereof are masters of families, who fish there, and none of them have been molested besides himself, tho' they had servants likewise from France. The said Tulon was then desired to bring to the Board on Monday morning next an account in writing of such French as have brought and employed any servants from France in the fishery at St. Peter's or other parts near Newfoundland, which he promised accordingly.

Trade.

Carolina.

Plantations General.

Mr. Gee.

Memorial.

Naval stores.

Iron.

Mr. Joshua Gee attending, presented to the Board a memorial relating to the several species of naval stores to be produced in Pennsylvania, Carolina, and other parts of America, and to the encouragement necessary to be given for importing each sort into this kingdom, which was read. And in discourse, Mr. Gee assured their lordships, as to iron in particular, that if fitting encouragement were given for making it in America, he had good reason to believe there would not want undertakers to engage in it, for the better supply of this kingdom.

March 8. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Molesworth.

New England.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Armstrong, disbanded soldiers.

Mr. Armstrong and others attending, presented to their lordships an estimate of the charge of settling a colony of disbanded soldiers in North America, according to their petition, mentioned in the minutes of the 5th instant, which estimate was read, and their lordships resolved to take the same into further consideration at the first opportunity.

Newfoundland.

Trade.

Papers.

Fish, Bilboa.

Tulon.

The following papers relating to some fish seized at Bilboa, which had been taken at St. Peter's near Newfoundland by Olivier Tulon, being received from the Secretary's office were severally read, vizt.:—
Copie de la lettre de Monsr. Bubb au Marquis de Grimaldo dix septieme de Decembre, 1716.
Traduction du Memoire du Capitne. Mesurer, a sa Majeste Catholique.
Extract of a letter from Mr. Secry. Methuen to Mr. Bubb, dated the 3rd of January, 1716/17.

March 11. Present:—Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Virginia.

Plantations General.

Micajah Perry and others.

Naval stores.

Mr. Micajah Perry, Capt. Hyde, Mr. Bradley, and Mr. Joshua Gee, attending, their lordships had some discourse with them, relating to the production of naval stores in Virginia, as well as other parts of America; whereupon the three gentlemen first mentioned, particularly said, that if proper encouragement were given, all sorts of naval stores and iron might be had from that colony, and Mr. Gee concurring with them in a complaint of inconveniences to which our Plantations are subject by a statute now in being here, relating to the transportation of servants thither; these gentlemen were desired to consult together, and lay before this Board what they might have to offer, either on the subject of naval stores, or the prejudices arising to the Plantations from any Act of parliament at present in force, which they promised to do accordingly.

Newfoundland.

Mr. Valier, Tulon.

Mr. Valier attending with Olivier Tulon, they presented to the Board, a copy attested by Capt. Taverner, of Col. Moody's declaration which was first at the church door on the island of St. Peters, near Newfoundland, relating to the French inhabitants selling their effects, or remaining as British subjects there, after the late treaty of peace with France; as likewise a list from the said Taverner, of the French inhabitants who remained at St. Peter's; which papers their lordships resolved to consider the first opportunity.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Representation.

Naval stores.

The draught of a representation relating to the production of naval stores in America and the encouragement to be given for bringing the same to this kingdom, was read, and a progress made in the consideration thereof.

Persons summoned.

Ordered that Sir Thomas Johnson, Mr. Byrd, Mr. Bridger, and some of the ropemakers, who have been lately at the Board, be acquainted that their lordships desire to speak with them on Wednesday morning next.

March 13. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Carolina.

Sir Thomas Johnson.

Naval stores.

Twine.

Sir Thomas Johnson attending, as desired, their lordships had some further discourse with him relating to naval stores to be produced in his Majesty's Plantations; and the samples of twine dipped in Carolina and Swedish tar, which were lately brought to the Board from the ropemakers, being shewn to Sir Thomas and his opinion asked thereupon, he said, is was hard to judge but by the wearing of the cordage; that the ropemakers whom he had employed, assured him, the Carolina tar was very good, which he had reason to believe; and being asked whether oil was not sometimes mixed with tar to correct the ill quality of it, he said, he never made use of any, tho' he knew not but others might.

English hemp.

In relation to hemp of the growth of England, Sir Thomas said, it was found very good for white ropes, but it does not take tar so well as the hemp from the east country; that one tun of hemp may take up in working about a fifth of a tun of tar.

Iron.

As to iron, he said, it may be had from the Plantations, and that we cannot distress the Swedes more than in procuring that commodity from thence. That the iron made in England is very good, but properest for fine work.

Oak.

In relation to oak, he said, that tho' many ships were built of Plantation oak, yet it did not come up to our English oak in goodness.

Virginia.

Trade.

Mr. Byrd.

Hemp.

Iron.

Mr. Byrd, likewise attending, their lordships made some inquiries of him concerning the raising hemp and making iron in Virginia; whereupon he acquainted them, that he had raised hemp in that country for his own use these six or seven years; that the ropemakers declare they never saw better from the east country, it having a fine grain and taking tar as well as any, that those lands in Virginia which are proper for hemp, are not fit for tobacco; as to iron, he said, there was a deal of ore in Virginia, tho' not yet found rich enough, but that very good ore was discovered in Pennsylvania. And Mr. Byrd being desired to bring a memorial of what he could offer to their lordships for promoting the importation of these and other naval stores from America, he promised to do it on Monday morning next.

Trade.

New England.

Mr. Bridger.

Naval stores.

Mr. Bridger, likewise attending, he was desired to peruse his late memorial and papers presented to this Board, relating to naval stores, and to add what he might have further to offer upon that subject, which he promised accordingly.

Trade.

Carolina.

Mr. Boon and others.

English hemp.

Mr. Boon and Mr. Beresford agents for Carolina, attending, with Mr. Crane, as likewise Mr. Allen, the ropemaker, they were asked their opinion concerning hemp of the growth of England; whereupon Mr. Allen said, that English hemp does not take tar well, but is very good for white ropes; and the samples of twine above mentioned being produced again to Mr. Allen for his opinion whether there did not appear some difference therein, he said, the difference, if any, was not in the quality of the tar, but the hard or looser twisting the hemp, whereby it received more or less tar, and he as well as the gentlemen abovementioned concurred in their former opinion that the tar lately brought from Carolina, was as good for cordage as any whatever.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Capon summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Capon, lately arrived from Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, be desired to attend the Board on Friday morning next.

March 15. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Addison.

Trade.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Capon.

Account of the province.

Cape Breton.

Mr. Capon, lately arrived from Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, attending as desired, he was asked several questions relating to that province; whereupon he gave their lordships the description of several convenient harbours and fishing places, the plenty of fish taken there, the fertility of the soil in most places of the said province, which, he said, produces good corn of all sorts, and several parts are fit for hemp, wherewith the French inhabitants already supply themselves; he likewise gave the Board some account of the French settlement and fishery at Cape Breton; and Mr. Capon being desired to put into writing, and bring to this Board the most material parts of what he had now said upon each particular head, he promised to do it accordingly.

March 18. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Addison.

Trade.

Virginia.

Plantations General.

Byrd's memorial.

Naval stores.

Mr. Byrd, attending, presented to their lordships a memorial and representation relating to the propagation of hemp and other naval stores in Virginia, and other his Majesty's Plantations in America, which were read.

Trade.

Pennsylvania.

Plantations General.

Gee's memorial.

Naval stores.

Mr. Joshua Gee likewise attending, presented to the Board a memorial relating to the production of naval stores in Pennsylvania, and other parts of America, which was read, and the said memorial containing the same as that from him, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th inst., besides a clause relating to the transporting servants to the Plantations, Mr. Gee, upon his request, had the former memorial returned him.

March 20. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

New England.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Bridger's memorial.

Naval stores.

A memorial from Mr. Bridger, relating to naval stores and the premiums upon importation of them from America, was read.

Letter from Coram.

Hemp, iron.

A letter from Mr. Coram to the Secretary, of the 18th instant, with a memorial relating to hemp and iron to be produced in the Plantations, were likewise read.

Virginia.

Plantations General

Trade.

Naval stores.

And the memorial and representation from Mr. Byrd, mentioned in Monday's minutes, upon the same subject of naval stores, were again read.

Report.

Whereupon their lordships resolved to proceed tomorrow morning in the further consideration of the draught of a report to be made about supplying this kingdom with naval stores from America.

Barbadoes.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Naval officers lists &c. from Skene.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, Secretary to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs, dated the 16th instant, was laid before the Board, with a letter from Mr. Skene, late secretary of Barbadoes, and some naval officer's lists of ships entered and cleared at that island from Michaelmas, 1703 to Lady Day, 1704, and duplicates of other papers which have lain in the custom house.

March 21. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Representation.

Naval stores.

Their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a representation relating to the production of naval stores in America, and the encouragement to be given for bringing the same to this kingdom, and resolved to proceed therein again tomorrow morning.

March 22. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Miscellanies.

Mr. Loggan resigns.

Mr. A. Popple admitted.

Clerks salaries.

The Secretary acquainting the Board, that Mr. Justinian Loggan, having lately obtained a commission in his Majesty's Guards, desired leave of their lordships to quit his employment of clerk in this office; their lordships agreed thereto, and were pleased to admit Mr. Alured Popple, who was recommended by Sir Jacob Astley, to supply the vacancy of a clerk's place, at the rate of 40l. per annum. And ordered that the other clerks be advanced according to their seniority in the office, whereby the said clerks will have allowances, as follows, vizt.:—

Plantations General.

Trade.

Representation.

Naval Stores.

Their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a representation, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, relating to the production of naval stores in America, and the encouragement to be given for bringing the same to this kingdom, and resolved to proceed therein again tomorrow morning.

March 23. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique.

New England.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Burchett.

Naval Stores.

A letter from Mr. Burchett, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, together with the copy of one from Mr. Bridger, relating to naval stores, and the Act of Parliament for encouraging the importation thereof from America, were read.

Trade.

Letter to Inspector General.

Exports—imports.

Scotland.

Linens exported.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Martyn, Inspector General of the Customs, to know, as soon as may be, whether in the accounts of exports and imports, which he has from time to time laid before this Board, Scotland be included; in case it be, to desire he will let their lordships have out of hand an account of the exports of linens from Great Britain for the last year. If Scotland is not included, then only an account of the said exports from England for the said time.

March 25. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Antigua.

Byam's petition.

Archibald Cochran, councillor.

Representation.

A petition from Mr. Edward Byam, of London, merchant, praying that Archibald Cochran esqr. may be recommended to be of his Majesty's Council of Antigua, being read; the draught of a representation, recommending him to be of the said Council, was agreed and signed.

Trade.

Ireland.

Letter from Thorn, sugars.

Attorney General summoned.

A letter from Mr. Thomas Thorne to Mr. John Earle, merchant at Liverpool, dated the 19th of last month, relating to some sugars brought to Ireland from France or the French Plantations, being communicated to the Board by Sir Thomas Johnson, the same was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Attorney General be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him concerning the subject of that letter on Wednesday morning next.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Representation.

Naval stores.

Their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a representation, mentioned in the minutes of the 22nd instant, relating to the production of naval stores in America, and the encouragement to be given for bringing the same to this kingdom, and resolved to proceed therein again on Wednesday morning next.

March 27. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Addison, Mr. Molesworth.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Representation.

Naval stores.

Their lordships made a further progress in considering the draught of a representation, mentioned in the minutes of the 25th instant, relating to the production of naval stores in America, and the encouragement to be given for bringing the same to this kingdom, and resolved to proceed therein tomorrow morning.

Trade.

Ireland.

Attorney General.

Sugars.

French plantations.

Act of navigation.

Mr. Attorney General attending, as desired, their lordships had some discourse with him relating to the importation of sugars, &c., from the French Plantations to Ireland; whereupon he said, there was no other restriction in that matter, but what is contained in the Act of Navigation, which he was of opinion, did not extend to the hindering French ships from bringing the goods of the growth of their own Plantations to Ireland. [N.B.—Mr. Attorney Genl. gave another opinion in writing on the 10th May following, which was read ye 13th of the same month].

Letter to Lords of Treasury.

Thorne's letter.

Their lordships then agreed and signed a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, inclosing a copy of the letter from Mr. Thomas Thorne, upon this subject, mentioned in the minutes of the 25th instant.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Earl of Sutherland.

Penn's declaration.

A letter from the Earl of Sutherland, desiring an authentick copy of Mr. Penn's declaration, relating to the three lower counties on Delaware river, which was made when Mr. Keith was sent Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, was read; and a copy of the said declaration ordered, as his lordship desired.

Trade.

Letter to Inspector General.

Linen exported.

Ordered that Mr. Martyn, Inspector General of the Customs, be reminded of the letter writ him last Saturday, for an account of linnen exported from Great Britain, and that his answer be desired as soon as may be.

March 28. Present:—Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Addison.

Trade.

Plantations General.

Representation.

Naval stores.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Methuen.

Their lordships agreed and signed the representation, relating to the production of naval stores in America, and the encouragement to be given for bringing the same to this kingdom, as mentioned in yesterday's minutes; as likewise signed a letter for inclosing the said representation to Mr. Secretary Methuen, in order to be laid before his Majesty.

March 29. Present: Sir Jacob Astley, Mr. Cokburne, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth.

Trade.

Letter from Inspector General.

Exports, imports, Scotland.

Letter to Mr. Lowndes, annual accounts.

A letter from Mr. Martyn, Inspector Genl. of the Customs, in answer to that writ him the 23rd instant, relating to the exports and imports of Scotland, and the exports of linnen from Great Britain or England, was read; whereupon directions were given to the Secretary, for writing to Mr. Lowndes, to move the Lords of ye Treasury, that this Board may have an annual account of the general imports and exports to and from Scotland, as promised by ye Commissrs. of the Customs in that part of Great Britain by their letter, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th Decbr., 1710. [Trade, Bund. L. No. 73].