Journal, January 1718: Journal Book T

Journal, January 1718

1717–1718

January 2. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Bladen.

Barbadoes.

Attorney— General's report.

Act.

Payment of bills.

Probationary.

Mr. Attorney-General's report upon an Act of Barbadoes passed in July, 1716, entituled, an additional act to the Act entituled, an Act to ascertain the payment of such bills as have been issued pursuant to a late Act of this Island, entituled, an Act to supply the want of cash and to establish a method of credit for persons having real estates in this Island; was read; whereupon their Lordships agreed that the said additional Act should lie by as probationary.

Jamaica.

Letter from Colonel Heywood.

A letter from Col. Heywood, Commander in Chief of Jamaica, dated the 11th of October last, was read; and the minutes of Council and Assembly, as likewise the Acts of that island, transmitted with the said letter, were laid before the Board, as under-mentioned, vizt.:—
Papers.
Minutes of the Council in Assembly, from the 7th to the 31st August, 1717.
Minutes of Assembly, from the 7th September, 1716, to 7th August, 1717.
An Act for continuing an Act, entituled, an Act to impose duties on several commodities, to defray the extraordinary charges of the Government, and applying the same to several uses.
An Act for the repairing, preserving and maintaining the wall of Port Royal, being now made use of as part of His Majesty's fortifications.
An Act for the relief of widows and orphans [fo. 59], in relation to deficiencies.
An Act for the more effectual punishing of crimes committed by slaves.

Sir N. Lawes.

And directions were given for shewing the said Acts to Sir Nicholas Lawes, to hear what he may have to offer upon any of them before his departure for Jamaica.

January 3. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Sir Nicholas Lawes attending, their Lordships had some discourse with him concerning the Acts of Jamaica, mentioned in yesterday's minutes, and upon the Act, entituled, an Act for the repairing [fo. 59], preserving and maintaining the wall of Port Royal, being now made use of as part of His Majesty's fortifications, Sir Nicholas observed, that if the said wall were not any part of the fortifications, before the passing the said Act, it was a lessening the fund appropriated by the Revenue Act for the fortifications.

Store— house.

Mr. Burchett's letter.

In relation to the store-house [fo. 54, 65], mentioned in Mr. Burchett's letter, which was read the 31st past, Sir Nicholas said, that in the plan of Kingston, annexed to an Act of Jamaica, relating to that town, three lots were set out for a store-house, for the use of the Crown, and a store-house accordingly built by the then Governor, Sir William Beeston, at the publick charge of the island, where other stores, as well as those for His Majesty's ships, were kept; and Sir Nicholas declared his opinion, that the Governor was the fittest person to have the key of such store-house, especially since there was no complaint of the Governor's refusing it to the officers of the Navy, when they had occasion for it; and he added, that this and other disputes naturally arise from the Governors of His Majesty's plantations having so little authority over the commanders of His Majesty's ships.

Answer to Mr. Burchett.

Their Lordships then gave directions for preparing an answer to Mr. Burchett's letter aforementioned.

Act.

Duty on negroes.

Letter to Earl of Sunderland.

The Act [fos. 52, 69, 82] of Jamaica, mentioned likewise in yesterday's minutes, entituled, an Act for continuing an Act to impose duties, &c., whereby a duty of 40 shillings per head is laid on all negroes exported from that island, was taken into consideration, and a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, was signed, relating to the objections against the said Act.

January 7. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Act.

Port Royal wall.

Letter to Sir N. Lawes.

Upon further consideration of the Act passed in Jamaica [fo. 57] in August, 1717, entituled, an Act for the repairing, preserving, and maintaining the wall of Port Royal being now made use of as part of His Majesty's fortifications, which was mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant; their Lordships gave directions for writing to Sir Nicholas Lawes [fo. 65], on that and other matters relating to Jamaica.

Acts.

Relief of widows.

Punishing slaves, to Attorney– General.

Ordered that the two Acts passed likewise in Jamaica in August, 1717, entituled, an Act for the relief [fo. 57, 82] of widows and orphans, in relation to deficiencies; and an Act for the more effectual punishing of crimes committed by slaves, be sent to Mr. AttorneyGeneral, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison.

Worsley's papers.

la Roche.

Treasurer of the Factory.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Addison [fo. 156], of the 6th instant, transmitting to the Board several papers received from Mr. Worsley, His Majesty's envoy in Portugal, and one from Mr. Hayes, a Portugal merchant, relating to Mr. la Roche's refusing to accept the office of Treasurer of the English Factory at Lisbon, was read; and the said papers laid before the Board, vizt.:—

Papers referred to.

Extract of a letter from Mr. Worsley, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary to the King of Portugal, to Mr. Secretary Addison, dated the 14th November, N.S., 1717.

Representation of the Consul and Factory of Lisbon to Mr. Worsley, against Mr. la Roche, dated at Lisbon November the 12th, N.S., 1717.

Reasons offered by Mr. la Roche, for not serving as Treasurer to the British Factory at Lisbon.

Copy of an abstract of two letters from Mr. Consul Poyntz at Lisbon to Mr. la Roche.

Copy of a letter from Mr. la Roche to Consul Poyntz, dated at Lisbon November the 9th, 1717.

Mr. la Roche's reasons for not accepting the office of Treasurer to the Factory at Lisbon.

Whereupon the two first of the said papers were likewise read, and their Lordships resolved to take that matter into further consideration at the first opportunity.

Patent.

Consul at Lisbon.

In the mean time ordered that the Secretary endeavour to procure a copy of the patent to the present Consul at Lisbon.

January 8. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

New England.

Mr. Dummer.

Coram's settlement.

Mr. Dummer.

Objections.

Mr. Dummer [fo. 53, 65], Agent for the Province of the Massachusets Bay, attending, in relation to the settlement which Mr. Coram and several disbanded officers and soldiers propose to make between Nova Scotia and New England; and the said Mr. Dummer being asked whether he had any thing further to offer concerning that affair, he said, he had lately received letters from New England thereupon, and promised to lay before their Lordships in a few days, a memorial of several objections against the said settlement.

Mr. Turner.

Sir B. Lake.

Mr. Turner likewise attending, in behalf of Sir Biby Lake, he was asked the same question as Mr. Dummer; whereupon he said, that unless Mr. Solicitor-General, before whom he had produced some deeds and other proofs to support the title of Sir Biby Lake, to part of the land within the limits abovementioned, had reported any thing against the interest of Sir Biby, he had nothing further to offer; but in the mean time desired to see such part of Mr. Solicitor's report as relates to him, which was accordingly shewn him.

Mr. Coram and others.

Mr. Coram attending, as likewise the Marquis de Wignacourt, and other French Protestants, as also some of the disbanded officers and soldiers, who desire to make a settlement between Nova Scotia and New England, as abovementioned.

Sir Charles Wager and others.

Amended plan.

And their Lordships being informed that Sir Charles Wager, Mr. Acworth and Mr. Swanton, Commissioners of the Navy, as also Mr. Samuel Shepheard Senr., Sir William Chapman, Mr. Robert Chester, and other merchants, appeared in favour of the said settlement, they were all desired to walk in, whereupon the amended plan for a settlement between New England and Nova Scotia by the said Mr. Coram, the Marquis de Wignacourt and others, which was mentioned in the minutes of the 22nd May last, was read; and, after some discourse at the Board, wherein the gentlemen of the Navy and merchants, &c., above-named said, they came only to represent their opinion that such a settlement might be of advantage to this kingdom, particularly on account of furnishing His Majesty's Navy with stores of several sorts;—Mr. Coram was asked whether the said amended plan was what he and the other persons concerned with him, would abide by, to which he answered, it was; but upon some objections as to some part of the scheme of government therein laid down, he said, it was what had occurred to him as the most proper, but that he submitted the establishment of the government to His Majesty;—being then asked what number of people he thought would go to America on this account, and what security he could give that they would go, if His Majesty were graciously pleased to grant what he proposed, he said, he believed, 1200 families would transport themselves; and the Marquis de Wignacourt said, he would answer for 500 persons.

Mr. Coram.

Mr. Coram insisted that the several claims under Indian deeds were invalid; but as to the present claimers, he said, he was willing they should enjoy as much of the land as they had settled, paying to His Majesty the same quit-rent as the intended new settlers, which if they did not pay, he declared, he would not pursue the undertaking.

Private titles.

Naturalization.

Mr. Coram, and the said persons concerned with him, were then acquainted that it was incumbent on them to have the several private titles which have been set up to part of the lands they desire, discussed and determined, and to consider whether they would engage in the settlement upon such right as is in His Majesty's power to grant, and that as to the naturalization of foreigners, mentioned in the plan, the laws of this kingdom were already as much in their favour as they could expect.

Representation.

The gentlemen and others, above-mentioned, being retired, their Lordships gave some directions for preparing the draught of a representation relating to the said settlement.

January 9. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

New England.

Solicitor General's report.

Coram's petition.

Mr. Solicitor summoned.

Upon further consideration of Mr. Solicitor-General's report [fo. 61, 66, 67] upon the petition of Mr. Coram and several disbanded officers and soldiers for a settlement on some lands between Nova Scotia and New England; ordered that Mr. Solicitor-General be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him to-morrow morning.

Jamaica.

Letter to Sir N. Lawes.

The draught of a letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes [fo. 59], appointed His Majesty's Governor of Jamaica, directed to be prepared the 7th instant, was agreed and signed.

Letter to Mr. Burchett.

Store-house.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Burchett [fo. 57], ordered the 3rd instant to be prepared, in answer to his of the 27th of last month, relating to His Majesty's store-house at Kingston in Jamaica, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

New England.

Mr. Hamilton, for Duke of Hamilton.

Land Claimed.

Coram's settlement.

Deeds.

Mr. Hamilton [fo. 61, 67] attending, in behalf of the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton, and being asked whether he had any thing further to offer concerning the land claimed by His Grace between Nova Scotia and New England, and the intended settlement in those parts by Mr. Coram and several disbanded officers and soldiers; he said, that the Duke's deeds relating to the said land were not found, but that abstracts thereof from Mr. Blathwayt's books had been laid before Mr. Solicitor-General, to which he had at present nothing further to add.

Trade.

Representation.

Monteleone's memorial.

Canary Islands.

Their Lordships then made a further progress in considering the draught of a representation upon the memorial [fo. 49, 68] of the Marquis de Monteleone, Ambassador from Spain, relating to the trade between the Canary Islands and His Majesty's dominions.

Letter to Mr. Martyn.

General account.

Imports and exports.

Ordered that the Secretary write to Mr. Martyn [fo. 66], to know how soon he can be ready with the general account of imports and exports, which he is preparing for this Board.

Miscellanies.

Letter to Lord Chamberlain.

Repairs.

New Room.

A letter to His Grace the Lord Chamberlain of His Majesty's Household, about repairing this Office, and the building a new room, was signed.

January 10. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

New England.

Solicitor-General's report.

Claims to land.

Coram's settlement.

Mr. Solicitor.

Charter.

Their Lordships taking into further consideration Mr. Solicitor General's report [fo. 66, 102], mentioned in the minutes of the 19th of last month, upon several claims and pretensions to the land between Nova Scotia and New England, upon which Mr. Coram and several disbanded officers and soldiers, and others desire a settlement; and Mr. Solicitor-General coming to the Board, as he had been desired, in relation to that affair, several clauses of the printed charter of the Massachusets Bay were read; whereupon their Lordships had some discourse with Mr. Solicitor, and gave directions for sending to him the said charter, for his reconsideration and opinion, in respect to the said lands.

Mr. Coram.

Mr. Coram attending, and being called in, was acquainted with the reference above-mentioned to Mr. Solicitor-General, that he may wait on him with what he has to offer thereupon.

Trade.

Representation.

Monteleone's memorial.

Canary Islands.

Their Lordships made a further progress in considering the draught [fo. 66, 70] of a representation upon the memorial of ye Marquis de Monteleone, Ambassador from Spain, relating to the trade between the Canary Islands and His Majesty's dominions.

January 13. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Inspector-General.

Imports and exports.

Coin and bullion.

Mr. Martyn [fo. 66, 72], Inspector-General of the Customs, attending, presented to the Board an account shewing the total amount or value of all goods and merchandizes imported and exported, into and out of this kingdom, to and from what foreign countries, with the excess arising thereon in seventeen distinct years, from Christmas 1698, to Christmas 1715; as also an account of the total value of foreign coin and bullion exported from this kingdom, and to what foreign countries, for the same time; and promised to dispatch the other accounts desired of him, as soon as possible.

Jamaica.

Representation from Don de Guardia and Diharce; Spanish belandra.

Papers.

A representation from Don Bernardo de Guardia [fo. 29, 71] and Mr. Diharce, dated the 10th of last month, relating to the Spanish belandra, condemned at Jamaica, and several of the papers thereto annexed, were read; and their Lordships resolved to proceed in the further consideration of that matter at the first opportunity.

January 14. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Act.

The copy of an Order of Council [fo. 58, 82], of the 9th instant, upon a representation of the 21st of last month, for repealing an Act passed at Jamaica the 31st of August, 1717, entituled, an Act for continuing an Act to impose duties on several commodities, to defray the extraordinary charges of the said Government, and applying the same to several uses, was read.

Trade.

Ireland.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Transportation of Wool.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse, dated the 10th instant, with one to the Commissioners of the Customs, relating to the transportation of Wool [fo. 111] from Ireland to France, and other illegal trade, were read; and their Lordships resolved to consider the same at another opportunity.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Mead.

Price of Canary wines.

Ordered that the Secretary write to Mr. John Mead [fo. 68, 72], to desire him to inform the Board as soon as conveniently may be, in relation to the price of Canary wines before the Revolution, during the peace concluded at Ryswick, and the present price of them; as likewise what extraordinary duty was paid there, on our goods and manufactures, during the last war. over and above what was paid either before or since.

January 15. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Petition de Guardia and Diharce, Spanish belandra.

Mr. Secretary Addison's letter.

Representation.

The petition of Don Bernardo de Guardia [fo. 69, 99] and Mr. Diharce, relating to a Spanish belandra, seized and condemned at Jamaica; and the several papers annexed to it, with Mr. Secretary Addison's letter, mentioned in the minutes of the 19th June last, were again read; whereupon their Lordships made a progress in considering the draught of a representation to His Majesty, relating to that matter.

January 16. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Mead.

Canary wines.

Mr. Mead and others summoned.

A letter from Mr. John Mead [fo. 70, 80], in answer to one writ him the 14th instant, relating to the price of Canary-wines, and the duties laid there on our goods and manufactures, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Mead be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him, and any other gentlemen concerned in that trade, whom he shall think fit, on Wednesday morning next.

Letter from Inspector-General.

Imports.

Canaries.

A letter from Mr. Martyn [fo. 68], Inspector-General of the Customs, dated this day, relating to the species and quantities of goods imported from the Canaries, from 1699 to 1716, inclusive, was read.

January 17. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Letter from Mr. Lowndes.

Mr. Lowndes.

Representation.

Exportation of silver.

Balance of trade.

House of Lords; Answer.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes, dated this day, requiring the copy of a representation made by this Board touching the exportation of silver [fo. 76], and the balance of trade, since His Majesty's accession to the Throne, to be laid before the House of Lords, was read; whereupon an answer from the Secretary to Mr. Lowndes's said letter, was immediately prepared, agreed and ordered to be sent.

St. Christophers.

Letter from Colonel Codrington.

Hearing Land he claims.

Mr. Cracherode.

Letter to Mr. Stanhope.

A letter from Col. Codrington [fo. 47, 217], dated yesterday, desiring a short day may be appointed for a hearing of him by council in relation to some land which he claims in the late French part of St. Christophers, was read; whereupon ordered that enquiry be made whether Mr. Cracherode, the Solicitor of the Treasury, have received any directions upon the letter which was writ to Mr. Stanhope, the 18th of last month, concerning that affair.

Antigua.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland.

Colonel Purcell's petition.

Governor.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, of the 13th instant, referring to the Board a petition from Lieutenant-Colonel Purcell, to His Majesty, to succeed the Governor of Antigua, was read, together with the said petition; and Col. Purcell attending, was called in, and desired to acquaint their Lordships what information he had of the Lieut. Governor of Antigua's being intended to be dismissed from that employment; to which Col. Purcell answered, that what he prayed of His Majesty, was the Government in Chief of all the Leeward Islands, and that the mention of Antigua only, was a mistake in translating his petition into French; he thereupon desired that no final resolution might be taken upon his said petition, till he had an opportunity to rectify that mistake; but being further likewise asked how he knew, General Hamilton, at present Commander in Chief of the Leeward Islands, was to be displaced from that trust; he said, there would soon be proofs produced, of the said Mr. Hamilton's disaffection to His Majesty's person and government.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Col. Purcell being withdrawn, their Lordships gave some directions for preparing the draught of a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, upon his petition abovementioned.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Carkesse.

Prohibited East India goods exported.

Ordered that the Secretary write to Mr. Carkesse, desiring him to move the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs, that this Board may have, as soon as conveniently may be, an account of the exports of prohibited East-India goods [fo. 79] from this kingdom to Ireland, Guernsey and Jersey, and to His Majesty's plantations in America, since the peace concluded at Utrecht.

Orders of Council.

East-India company's exports.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the two Orders of Council, mentioned in the minutes of the 26th November last, with the accounts therein referred to, of the East-India Company's exports from Michaelmas, 1715 to Michaelmas, 1717; ordered that a state be made of the said accounts, in like manner as that inserted in the representation of this Board, dated the 15th of September, 1715.

January 20. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison.

Commons address; Bullion exported.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, dated yesterday, and another from Mr. Secretary Addison, of this day's dated, each inclosing a copy of the Address from the House of Commons to His Majesty, relating to an account of bullion exported [fo. 73], were read; whereupon directions were given for preparing a copy of the account required, in order to be laid before the House accordingly.

Jamaica.

Attorney-General's report.

Mr. Cockburn's petition.

Profits.

Secretary's office.

Representation.

Mr. Attorney-General's report, in answer to the letter writ him by the Secretary, the 27th of November last, upon the petition of Mr. William Cockburn [fo. 82], relating to a decree against him in Jamaica, on account of the profits of the Secretary's Office in that island, whilst the same was officiated by the said Mr. Cockburn, was read; and directions given for preparing the draught of a representation upon the said petition.

Antigua.

Letter to the Earl of Sunderland.

Earl of Sunderland.

Colonel Purcell's petition.

The draught of a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, in answer to his Lordships' of the 13th, mentioned in the minutes of the 17th instant, upon Col. Purcell's petition for the Government of Antigua, was agreed and signed.

January 21. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from the Earl of Sunderland.

Lords address.

Representation.

Exportation of silver.

Balance of trade.

Answer.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, signifying His Majesty's pleasure upon an Address of the House of Peers, for a copy of the representation made by this Board, touching the exportation of silver, and the balance of trade since His Majesty's accession to the Throne, to be laid before that House, was read; whereupon an answer to the Earl of Sunderland's said letter, was agreed and signed.

New Jersey.

Solicitor-General's report.

Acts.

Representation.

Affirmation.

Quakers.

Mr. Solicitor-General's report [fo. 47, 98], in answer to the letter writ him the 10th of last month, for his opinion upon three Acts therein mentioned, passed in His Majesty's Province of New Jersey, in 1713, and upon another Act passed in the same province in 17 16/17, was read; whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation to His Majesty, in order to His Royal Confirmation of one of the said three Acts passed in 1713, entituled, an Act that the solemn affirmation and declaration of the people called Quakers, shall be accepted instead of an oath: and as to the other Acts, on which Mr. Solicitor has given his opinion in the said report, their Lordships agreed to let that relating to a duty on wheat exported out of the Eastern Division, lye by as probationary, and further to consider the other two relating to Fees and Ferriages, at the first opportunity.

Virginia.

Attorney-General's report.

Acts.

Representation.

Mr. Gee summoned.

Mr. Attorney-General's report [fo. 47, 83], in answer to the letter writ him the 18th of last month, for his opinion upon two Acts passed in Virginia in 1663, relating to Quakers and Foreign Debts, was read; whereupon ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared to His Majesty, in order to the repeal of the said Act concerning Foreign Debts, and upon the Act relating to Quakers; ordered that Mr. Joshua Gee be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him at ten of the clock on Friday morning next.

Antigua.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Act.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse [fo. 201], of the 24th of last month, with the observations of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs, upon the Act passed in Antigua, in June, 1716, relating to the importation of French and other foreign sugars, rum, etc., and about collecting the duties of 4½ per cent., were read; and their Lordships resolved to take the same again into further consideration at the first opportunity.

New England.

Mr. Borland and Plowman summoned.

Sturgeon-patent.

Ordered that Mr. Borland [fo. 39, 83] and Mr. Plowman have notice to attend the Board on Friday morning next, in relation to the patent desired for taking and curing sturgeon in North America.

Trade.

Letter to Inspector-General.

East-India goods re-exported.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Martyn [fo. 75, 81, 376], Inspector-General of the Customs, for an account of the quantity and value of East-India goods re-exported since the year 1702, under the following heads, vizt:—Pepper, indico, callicoes, wrought silks, and in one other article, the value only of all other goods.

January 22. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Mr. Mead.

Consul Cross.

Memorial.

Canary wines.

Mr. John-Mead [fo. 72, 90] attending, according to appointment, as also Mr. Cross, appointed Consul at the Canaries, Mr. Mead presented to the Board a memorial relating to the price of Canarywines, and the duties laid in those islands upon British goods and manufactures, which was read, and their Lordships agreed to take the same into further consideration at another opportunity.

January 23. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

St. Christophers.

Representation.

Stoddard's petition.

The draught of a representation to His Majesty, upon the petition of Christopher Stoddard [fo. 52, 85], relating to a plantation in the late French part of St. Christophers, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Cunyngham's petition.

The petition of Robert Cunyngham, of the said island of St. Christophers, Esqr. setting forth his services, and his claim to the said plantation for which Mr. Stoddard petitions, was read; whereupon their Lordships resolved to reconsider the same, when they shall have received an answer from General Hamilton and Mr. Milliken, as proposed in the foresaid representation.

Trade.

Inspector-General.

East-India goods.

re-exported.

Mr. Martyn [fo. 79, 376], Inspector-General of the Customs, attending, acquainted their Lordships that the accounts they had lately desired of him in relation to East-India goods re-exported, would require some time, but that the same should be dispatched as soon as possible.

New Jersey.

Representation.

Act.

Quakers affirmation.

The draught of a representation ordered the 21st instant, to be prepared upon an Act passed in His Majesty's Province of New Jersey in 1713, entituled, an Act that the solemn affirmation and declaration of the people called Quakers, shall be accepted instead of an oath, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Jamaica.

Sir N. Lawes's observations.

Acts.

A memorial from Sir Nicholas Lawes [fo. 58, 59, 69], with his observations, relating to several Acts of Jamaica, was read; whereupon ordered that Sir Nicholas Lawes be acquainted with what the Board have reported, in relation to the said Acts.

Representation.

W. Cockburn's petition.

Profits secretary's office.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Addison.

The draught of a representation, directed the 20th instant, to be prepared, upon the petition of William Cockburn, Esqr. [fo. 76, 129] praying to be relieved from a decree of the Court of Chancery in Jamaica, on account of the profits of the Secretary's Office in that island, whilst the same was officiated by the said Mr. Cockburn, was agreed and signed; as likewise a letter for inclosing the said representation to Mr. Secretary Addison, to be laid before His Majesty.

January 24. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Virginia.

Mr. Gee.

Quakers act.

Representation.

Mr. Joshua Gee [fo. 78, 95] attending, as desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him concerning the Act passed in Virginia in 1663, relating to Quakers, mentioned in Mr. Attorney-General's report, which was read the 21st inst.; whereupon some directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation, in order to the repeal of the said Act.

Plantations General.

Iron.

Naval stores.

Their Lordships had likewise some discourse with Mr. Gee, concerning the production [fo. 10, 11, 94] of iron and naval stores in His Majesty's plantations in America; and he was desired to reconsider his former memorials on that subject, and to bring in writing what he might think necessary to add thereupon.

New England.

Fishmongers memorial.

Sturgeon.

A memorial from several fishmongers [fo. 39, 180], relating to the catching and curing sturgeon in New England, was read.

Wensley and Low's affidavit.

The affidavit of Mrs. Wensley and Mrs. Low, relating to Mr. Wensley's having given Mr. Plowman the receipt for curing sturgeon, was likewise read.

Borland and Plowman.

Mr. Borland and Mr. Plowman attending, according to appointment, and two of the fishmongers with whom he is under contract to supply with New England sturgeon, attending with the former, and Mr. Shard and Mr. Goodman with the latter;

Shard, Goodman.

Mr. Plowman was called in, with the said Mr. Shard and Goodman, and the two former of those last mentioned, being asked what they had further to offer in relation to their petition for a patent to catch and cure the said fish in New England, they referred themselves to Mr. Goodman, to give account of the goodness of the sample of sturgeon taken and pickled in New England, which he had seen, who being thereupon asked how he knew the sturgeon abovementioned to be New England sturgeon, said, he saw the cask which it was brought in, and that it proved better than some he had from the East Country.—Mr. Goodman being further asked whether he saw that keg or cask opened, or any more; he said, he did not see any opened, nor more than that one cask or keg, which was of the New England make, and the fish distinguishable by the yellow cast of it; and Mr. Plowman, upon discourse with him, said, he could swear the sturgeon was of their curing.

Mr. Plowman, Mr. Shard and Mr. Goodman being withdrawn, Mr. Borland and the two fishmongers with him, were called in; and Mr. Borland was asked if he had any thing further to offer in relation to his petition for a patent to catch and cure sturgeon in North America; to which he answered, that he had not, but hoped, that in consideration of his services, he was best entitled to His Majesty's favour in this matter; and then they withdrew.

Representation.

Ordered that heads be prepared for a representation to His Majesty, upon the forementioned petitions, relating to the catching and curing of sturgeon.

St. Christophers.

Representation.

Stoddard's petition.

A representation upon the petition of Mr. Stoddard [fo. 81, 301], relating to a plantation in the late French part of St. Christophers, was signed.

New Jersey.

Mr. Smith summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Smith, Secretary of New Jersey, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Monday morning next.

January 27. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

New York.

New Jersey.

Letters from Brigadier Hunter.

Three letters from Brigadier Hunter, Governor of New York and New Jersey, to the Secretary, dated the 9th and 22nd of November, and 3rd of December, 1717, were read, and the papers referred to in the last mentioned of the said letters, were laid before the Board, vizt.:—
Papers.
List of vessels, &c., entered in wards at New York, from the 24th June, to the 29th September, 1717.
List of vessels, &c., cleared outwards at New York, from the 24th June, to the 29th September, 1717.

New Jersey.

Mr. Smith secretary.

Quakers.

Priviledges.

Mr. James Smith [fo. 12, 125, 294], Secretary of the Province of New Jersey, attending as desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him, relating to the Quakers in the said province, and being asked what necessity there was for allowing those people any greater priviledges in New Jersey than Quakers enjoy in this kingdom; he said, that the greater part of the inhabitants of that province were Quakers, and generally the most industrious, wealthy and honest;—that of the Western Division two thirds of the people were Quakers,—that Quakers were admitted to be judges and justices of the peace, and the grand juries half composed of them; but they not being allowed to be of the petty juries, the other inhabitants would never bring any criminals in guilty, even where it was very apparent they ought; and Mr. Smith instanced a particular case, where, tho' the prisoner had confessed the fact, the jury acquitted him.

Representation.

Act.

Quakers affirmation.

Mr. Smith [fo. 12, 294] being withdrawn, their Lordships agreed and signed the representation, ordered the 21st instant, to be prepared, in order to His Majesty's Royal Confirmation of the Act passed in the said Province of New Jersey in 1713, entituled, an Act that the solemn affirmation and declaration of the people called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an oath.

Mr. Smith's memorial.

Secretary's fees.

Act fees and ferriages.

A memorial from the said Mr. Smith, relating to the reduction of the fees of his office of Secretary, by some Acts of New Jersey, was read; whereupon an Act passed in the said province in 1716–17, entituled, an Act for the better inforcing an ordinance of His Excellency Robert Hunter, Esqr., Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Provinces of New Jersey, New York, &c., entituled, an Ordinance for the further establishing of fees and ferriages, was read; which Act their Lordships agreed to lay by as probationary, and resolved to consider the other Acts of New Jersey, relating to fees, at the first opportunity.

New York.

Attorney General's report.

Acts.

Letter to the Governor.

Objections.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon the three Acts of New York undermentioned vizt.:—An Act for levying and paying the several duties therein mentioned, for the use of this colony; passed in June, 1714;—an Act for a supply to be granted to His Majesty, for supporting his Government in the Province of New York, and for striking bills of credit for that purpose, passed in July, 1715,— and an Act to oblige all vessels trading into this Colony, except such as are therein excepted, to pay a certain duty, and for the further explanation and rendering more effectual certain clauses in an Act of General Assembly of this Colony, entituled, an Act by which a duty is laid on negroes and other slaves imported into this Colony, passed in September, 1716, was read; whereupon their Lordships gave directions for writing to Brigadier Hunter, relating to some objections to two of those Acts.

Attorney General's report.

Naturalization act.

Mr. Attorney-General's report upon an Act passed at New York in July, 1715, for a general naturalization, was read; and their Lordships resolved to take the same into further consideration on Friday morning next.

St. Christophers.

Rich and poor leave the island; Reason.

Letter to General Hamilton.

Their Lordships have received some information that not only many of ye poorer inhabitants [fo. 13], but some of the more substantial people of St. Christophers, had left, or were quitting that island on account of disturbance given them by General Hamilton in their possessions in the late French part of St. Christophers; ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared, to require him not to make any alteration in the present possessions there, till His Majesty's further pleasure be declared concerning the late French lands in that island, and that General Hamilton acquaint this Board with the several alterations he has made in those possessions since his government, and the reasons thereof.

Jamaica.

Plantations General.

Sir N. Lawes.

Proclamation—pirates.

Commission for trying them.

Deputy Secretary.

Additional Duty Bill.

Sir Nicholas Lawes attending, acquainted their Lordships, that he designed to set out for his government of Jamaica on Monday next, and came to take his leave of the Board; but that in the mean time he should be glad to receive His Majesty's pleasure upon the observations made relating to His Majesty's proclamation about pirates,—in relation to a new Commission for trying of pirates [fo. 145],—and concerning the removal of Mr. Page from being Deputy-Secretary of Jamaica; upon all which matters their Lordships have already represented: Sir Nicholas added in relation to the Additional Duty Bill, which their Lordships have proposed to be repealed on account of the hardships thereby laid on the South Sea Company, in the duties on their negroes; that he hoped, the objection as to it's laying a tax on two particular towns, vizt. St. Iago de la Vega and Kingston, would not be understood to forbid the passing any future Act with the like clause, for that there was but one other town in Jamaica, vizt. Port Royal, besides the two abovementioned, and that the present great decay of Port Royal was the reason of it's not being taxed as the other two; whereupon he was acquainted that the Governor ought to have given his reasons for such distinction in the said Act, which he had omitted.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Addison.

Representations.

Sir Nicholas Lawes being withdrawn, a letter to Mr. Secretary Addison, upon the several representations to which he referred, was agreed and signed.

Trade.

Canaries.

Consul Cross.

Memorial.

Mr. Cross [fo. 80, 92], Consul of the Canaries, attending, presented to the Board a memorial, which their Lordships resolved to take into consideration at the first opportunity.

January 28. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

New Jersey.

Letter to Brigadier Hunter.

The draught of a letter to Brigadier Hunter, Governor of New Jersey and New York, in answer to several from him relating to the affairs of New Jersey, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

New York.

Attorney General's report Acts.

Representation.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon two Acts passed at New York in September, 1714, entituled, an Act for shortening of law-suits, and regulating the practice of the law, and an Act for preventing the multiplicity of law-suits; was read; whereupon directions were given for preparing the draught of a representation [fo. 94] to His Majesty, in order to the confirmation of the last mentioned Act: and that a copy of so much of Mr. Attorney's said report, as relates to the former of these Acts, be sent with the next letter that shall be writ to Brigadier Hunter, with respect to his government of New York, that the Assembly there may provide against the exceptions made by Mr. Attorney to the said Act.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Mr. Keith.

A letter from Mr. Keith [fo. 32, 166], Deputy-Governor of Pennsylvania, dated the 25th of November last, was read.

Barbadoes.

Trade.

Bahamas.

Representation from Lords Committee of Council.

Act.

Royal African company.

Ships of war.

The copy of a report from the Lords of the Committee of Council, to whom three representations of this Board were referred, one relating to an Act of Barbadoes to dock the intail of Mount Lucie plantation; another concerning the petition of the Royal African Company, about assisting them with ships of war; and the third relating to the Bahama Islands [fo. 30, 96]; was read.

Trade.

Cross's memorial.

Canary-wines, etc.

The memorial presented yesterday by Mr. Cross [fo. 90, 97], appointed Consul at the Canaries, relating to the trade of those islands, to a liberty of carrying Canary-wines directly to our plantations, and to the duties on British goods in the said islands, was read; and their Lordships agreed to take the said memorial into further consideration at another opportunity.

St. Christophers.

Letter to General Hamilton.

The draught of a letter, ordered yesterday to be prepared, to Genl. Hamilton [fo. 89], Governor of the Leeward Islands, relating to the possessions in the late French part of the island of St. Christophers, was agreed and signed.

Virginia.

Letter to Colonel Spotswood.

The draught of a letter to Col. Spotswood [fo. 54], Lieut. Governor of Virginia, in answer to several letters from him, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

January 29. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Letter to Colonel Spotswood.

A letter to Col. Spotswood [fo. 48, 54, 121, 272], Lieut. Governor of Virginia, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Letter from Earl of Sunderland.

Commons address.

Representation.

Naval stores.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland [fo. 83, 110], dated yesterday, inclosing the copy of an Address from the House of Commons to His Majesty, relating to a representation made by this Board, about naval stores imported from America, was read; and a copy of the said representation dated the 28th of March, 1717, being accordingly prepared, the same was delivered to Mr. Chetwynd, to be laid before the House.

New York.

Representation.

Act.

Law-suits.

The draught of a representation directed yesterday to be prepared upon an Act, [fo. 92, 125] passed at New York in September, 1714, entituled, an Act for the preventing the multiplicity of law-suits, was agreed and signed.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Lowndes.

Bill.

British built ships; Godolphins' memorial.

Shipping of Scotland.

A letter from Mr. Lowndes [fo. 103], of the 14th instant, by direction of the Lords of the Treasury, relating to the draught of a bill for preserving the right of British built ships, together with a memorial from Mr. Godolphin, Register-General of all trading ships of Great Britain, relating to the trade and shipping of Scotland, were read; and their Lordships resolved to take the said letter and memorial into further consideration at another opportunity.

January 31. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Virginia.

Representation.

Acts.

The draught of a representation upon two Acts [fo. 83, 98] passed in Virginia in 1663, relating to foreign debts and to Quakers, which are mentioned in the minutes of the 21st and 24th instant, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Barbadoes.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Restoring Barwick.

The Copy of an Order of Council, of the 8th October, on a representation of the 18th September, for restoring Mr. Barwick to his place in the Council of Barbadoes, and granting him leave to stay some time in Great Britain; was read.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Acts.

The copy of an Order of Council, of the 17th, upon two representtations of the 11th and 14th of October, 1717, for approving the Act passed in Barbadoes, to dock the intail of certain lands in the parish of Christ-Church; and the Act laying an imposition or duty on all sugars, &c., was read.

New York.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Act.

The copy of an Order of Council, of the 24th upon a representation of the 17th October, 1717, for confirming an Act passed at New York to enable William Anderson to sell a lot of ground, &c., was read.

Jamaica.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Sir Nicholas Lawes's instructions.

The copy of an Order of Council, of the 18th December, upon a representation dated the 11th October, 1717, with the draughts of instructions for Sir Nicholas Lawes, for the Government of Jamaica, and relating to the Acts of trade, &c., was read.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Act.

Instructions.

The copy of an Order of Council, of the 9th January, 1717–18, upon a representation of the 21st December, 1717, and a letter to the Earl of Sunderland of the 3rd January, for repealing an Act of Jamaica, to impose duties on all negroes exported, &c., and directing instructions to be prepared for Sir Nicholas Lawes, on that subject, &c., was read.

Bahamas.

Order of Council.

Representation.

Captain Rogers's commission and instructions.

The copy of an Order of Council, of the 9th January, 1717–18, upon two representations, dated the 21st of November and 11th of December, 1717, relating to a commission and instructions for Captain Rogers to be Governor of the Bahama Islands, &c., was read.

New Jersey.

Order of Council.

Representation.

New councillors.

The copy of an Order of Council, of the 27th upon a representation of the 21st November, 1717, for appointing three new councillors for the Province of New Jersey, &c., was read.