Journal, March 1718: Journal Book T

Journal, March 1718

March 3. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Virginia.

Representation.

Byrd's petition.

Judges of oyer, etc.

A representation upon the petition of Mr. Byrd, relating to judges in the courts of oyer and terminer in Virginia, as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Plantations General.

Letter to Earl of Sunderland.

Counsel at law's attendance.

A letter to the Earl of Sunderland, relating to the attendance of one of His Majesty's counsel at law on this Board, for the better dispatch of the Acts of the Plantations, was agreed and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter to General Hamilton.

The draught of a letter from the Secretary to General Hamilton, Governor of the Leeward Islands, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Newfoundland.

Heads of enquiry.

Commodore's instructions.

Letter to Mr. Burchett.

The heads of enquiry and instructions for the Commodore [fo. 123, 152] of the Newfoundland convoy, being laid before the Board, the draught of a letter from the Secretary, for inclosing the same to Mr. Burchett, to be laid before the Lords of the Admiralty, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Nova Scotia.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Earl of Sutherland.

Colonel Philips's memorial.

A letter from the Earl of Sunderland, of the 21st of last month, referring to the Board a memorial from Col. Philips [fo. 145, 177], Governor of Placentia and Annapolis Royal, was read; and their Lordships resolved to take the same into further consideration at the first opportunity.

Trade.

Mr. Cole summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Cole be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Thursday morning next.

Mr. Godolphin.

Bill.

British-built ships, his answer to queries.

Mr. Godolphin [fo. 134, 138] attending, according to appointment, their Lordships had some discourse with him, relating to the draught of a Bill for preserving the right of British-built ships; and a letter from him of the 17th, in answer to the queries sent him in the Secretary's letter of the 10th of last month, was read.

Letter to Attorney General.

Mr. Godolphin being withdrawn, ordered that the Secretary prepare a letter to Mr. Attorney General, for his opinion concerning what is mentioned in the said draught of a Bill, about commuting certain forfeitures of ships into aliens duties.

March 4. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Letter to Sir Nicholas Lawes.

Wood's objections.

Act.

Disaffected persons.

The draught of a letter from the Secretary, to Sir Nicholas Lawes, [fo. 120] appointed Governor of Jamaica, upon Mr. Wood's objections to an Act passed in that Island in 1716, entitled, an Act for the effectual discovery of all persons that are disaffected to His Majesty, and his Government, &c., mentioned in the minutes of the 20th of last month, was agreed, and ordered to be sent.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Attorney General.

Bill.

British-built ships.

The draught of a letter from the Secretary to Mr. Attorney General [fo. 136, 188], for his opinion concerning what is mentioned in the draught of a Bill prepared by Mr. Godolphin, for preserving the right of British-built ships, about commuting certain forfeitures of ships into aliens duties, was agreed, and ordered to be sent.

Mr. Godolphin's answer to queries.

sent Mr. Carkesse.

Ordered that an extract of Mr. Godolphin's answer to the queries sent him in the Secretary's letter of the 10th of last month, relating to foreign built ships, (from his answer to the 3rd query inclusive, to the end) to be sent to Mr. Carkesse, in order to know whether the Commissioners of the Customs agree in the facts contained in the said extract.

Order of Council.

Bristol merchants petition against charter insuring ships, etc.

Mr. Dowse, solicitor.

Objections in writing.

An Order of Council, of the 2nd February, 1717–18, referring to this Board and to Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General, the petition [fo. 132, 144] of several merchants, &c., of Bristol, against the passing a charter for incorporating a number of persons for insuring ships, &c., at sea, was read, together with the said petition; whereupon ordered that Mr. Dowse, solicitor for the petitioners, be acquainted that their Lordships desire to have, as soon as may be, in writing, what they have to offer against such a charter.

Plantations General.

Circular letter.

Frauds. Præmiums. Pitch and tar.

The draught of a circular letter, ordered the 17th of last month, [fo. 113, 141] to be prepared, to the several governors of His Majesty's plantations on the continent of America, to use their endeavours for preventing frauds in procuring præmiums on the importation of pitch and tar into this kingdom, by the ill making up of those commodities, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Massachusets.

Letter to Colonel Shute.

The draught of a letter to Colonel Shute, Governor of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Letter from Mr. Bridger.

Answer.

A letter from Mr. Bridger [fo. 146], Surveyor of His Majesty's Woods on the continent of America, dated at Portsmouth in New Hampshire, was read, and directions given for preparing an answer thereto.

Letter from Mr. Willard.

Acts, fees.

A letter from Mr. Willard, Secretary of the Massachusets Bay, dated the 23rd of December, 1717, relating particularly to some Acts of that Province, about the fees of his office, was read; and their Lordships resolved to take the said Acts into consideration at the first opportunity.

Carolina.

Ordered that Col. Blakiston and Mr. Micajah Perry be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them to-morrow morning.

March 5. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Colonel Blakiston, M. Perry, Sir Robert Montgomery's settlement.

Col. Blakiston and Mr. Micajah Perry attending, as desired, they were severally asked their opinion concerning the proposal of Sir Robert Montgomery [fo. 132, 143], for making a settlement in the south part of Carolina, particularly as to it's affecting Virginia. Whereupon they said, they thought, it could be no detriment to Virginia, but if the direction of such a settlement were under the care of a good man, it would be a publick advantage, especially to Carolina itself.

Plantations General.

Pennsylvania.

Virginia.

Carolina.

New York.

New Jersey.

Circular letters.

Frauds.

Præmiums.

Pitch and tar.

Their Lordships signed circular letters [fo. 139], as agreed yesterday, to the Governors of His Majesty's plantations on the continent of America, for preventing frauds in procuring præmiums on the importation of pitch and tar into this kingdom, by the ill making up of those commodities.

Trade.

Ireland.

Griffith's memorial.

Wool exported, illegal trade.

Letter to Mr. Stanhope, Treasury.

A memorial from Mr. Griffith [fo. 111, 170], relating to the exportation of wool from Ireland to France, and other illegal trade, with proposals for preventing the same, were read; whereupon ordered that a copy thereof, and of the letter from Mr. Griffith, on the same subject, inclosed in Mr. Carkesse's letter, mentioned in the minutes of the 14th January last, be sent to Mr. Stanhope, to be laid before the Lords of the Treasury.

March 6. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Nevis.

South and Watson.

Debenture.

Mr. Humphry South, and Mr. Martin Watson attending, and their powers of attorney being examined at the Board, from Margaret Tovey, executrix of Anne Ling, and from Mary Frances and Anne Hill, which four last were sufferers by the French invasion of Nevis, in 1706, the debenture numbered 412, was delivered to the said Mr. South and Mr. Watson.

New England.

Letter to Mr. Cuming.

The draught of a letter from the Secretary to Mr. Cumyng [fo. 134, 417], Collector of the Customs at Boston in New England, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Letter to Colonel Shute.

A letter to Col. Shute, Governor of the Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire, was signed.

Trade.

Mr. Cole.

Treaty of commerce, Venice.

Observations.

Mr. Cole, late Resident at Venice, attending, their Lordships had some discourse with him concerning the project of a treaty of commerce [fo. 109, 162] between this kingdom and that state; (Vide Trade H. fol. 157). And Mr. Cole promising to consider the said project, and give their Lordships in writing, what remarks or observations he had to make thereupon, the project was ordered to be sent him for that purpose.

March 7. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Carolina.

Lords Proprietors.

Grant.

Sir Robert Montgomery.

Attorney General.

Upon consideration of the grant made by lease and release from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, of a tract of land in the south part of that province, to Sir Robert Montgomery, of which tract Sir Robert desires the government for his life; ordered that copies of the said lease and release be sent to Mr. Attorney General, for his opinion whether anything be contained therein, prejudicial to the right of the Crown.

Bahamas.

Lords Proprietors.

Surrender of government.

Mr. Attorney General.

The deed or instrument of surrender [fo. 30, 233] to His Majesty, from four of the Lords Proprietors of the Bahama Islands, of their right to the government of the said islands, being laid again before the Board; ordered that the same be sent to Mr. Attorney General, in order to be inrolled in Chancery, in case Mr. Attorney have no objection thereto.

New York.

Mr. Basket summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Basket, His Majesty's Printer, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Monday morning next.

Trade.

Mr. Erle, Sir William Daines, and other Bristol merchants against a charter for insuring ships, etc.

Mr. Erle and Sir William Daines, with the several other merchants, etc. [fo. 138, 163], of Bristol, undermentioned, vizt.; Mr. Thomas Merriweath, Mr. John Gosley, Capt. Freke, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Goskham and Mr. Smallwood, attending, their Lordships had some discourse with them on the subject of their petition against any charter or incorporation for insuring ships, &c., at sea, and after they had represented their own as well as the aversion of all the traders of that city, against such a charter, they were desired to put their objections and whatever else they had to offer on that subject, into writing, and to lay them before the Board, as soon as conveniently they could, which they promised to do accordingly.

Nova Scotia.

Newfoundland.

Colonel Philips's commissions.

The copy of Col. Philips's commissions [fo. 136, 177] to be Governor of the Province of Nova Scotia, and towns and garrisons of Annapolis Royal in the said province, and of Placentia in Newfoundland, being transmitted from the Secretary's Office, were laid before the Board.

March 10. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen.

Jamaica.

Letter from Colonel Heywood.

Pirates.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Addison.

Letter to Mr. Burchett.

A letter from Col. Heywood [fo. 90, 145], Commander in Chief of Jamaica, dated the 21st of December last, relating chiefly to pirates, was read; whereupon a letter was signed by their Lordships, for inclosing to Mr. Secretary Addison, a copy of that from Mr. Heywood, and directions were given to the Secretary, for sending another copy thereof to Mr. Burchett, to be laid before the Lords of the Admiralty.

Maryland.

Letter from Lord Guilford, from Captain Hart, illegal trade, French settlements.

A letter from the Lord Guilford, (guardian to the Lord Baltemore, Proprietor of Maryland) dated the 6th instant, with one from Capt. Hart, Governor of that province, and a proclamation against illegal trade with the French settlements, was read.

Newfoundland.

Nova Scotia.

Colonel Purcell's.

Captain Doucett's commissions.

The copies of Lieut. Col. Purcell's and Capt. Doucett's commissions, the former to be Lieut. Governor of Placentia in Newfoundland, the latter of Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, being communicated from the Secretary's Office; the same were read.

Trade.

Charter fishery.

Letter to Sir James Bateman.

South Sea company.

Objections.

Upon further consideration of the petition of several lords and others, for a charter for carrying on and improving the fishery; ordered that the Secretary write to Sir James Bateman, SubGovernor of the South Sea Company, to know whether the said company have any objections to such a charter being granted to the petitioners.

New England.

Letter to Mr. Bridger.

The draught of a letter, directed the 4th instant, to be prepared, from the Secretary to Mr. Bridger [fo. 139, 148], Surveyor of His Majesty's Woods on the continent of America, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

March 11. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from General Hamilton.

Papers.

A letter from Genl. Hamilton, Governor of the Leeward Islands, without date, was read, and the papers undermentioned, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, vizt.:—
Papers.
Copy of a deposition and two informations on oath relating to pirates.
List of the inhabitants of Anguilla, with their negroes.
Copy of an address from the inhabitants of Anguilla, to Genl. Hamilton, desiring to remove to Crabb Island.
List of the inhabitants of Spanish Town, taken the 18th November, 1717.
Copy of a petition of the inhabitants of Spanish Town, desiring to remove to St. Croix.
List of the inhabitants of Tortola, taken the 14th November, 1717.
List of men, and negroes able to bear arms, on Crabb Island.
Copy of instructions from Genl. Hamilton to Capt. Marshall, whom he sent to the Governor of St. Thomas, on occasion of the design of the Danes to settle St. John's.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Addison.

Pirates; man–of–war.

Letter to Mr. Burchett.

Whereupon a letter to Mr. Secretary Addison, inclosing an extract of Genl. Hamilton's said letter, relating to the pirates, and to the man–of–war at the Leeward Islands, for His Majesty's pleasure thereupon, was signed; and directions given to the Secretary for sending the like extract to Mr. Burchett, to be laid before the Lords of the Admiralty.

New England.

General Nicholson summoned.

Ordered that Genl. Nicholson be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him to–morrow morning.

Dummer's memorial.

against Mr. Bridger.

Mr. Dummer summoned.

A memorial from Mr. Dummer [fo. 146, 154], in behalf of the Lieut. Governor, Council and Representatives of the province of New Hampshire, complaining of Mr. Bridger, Surveyor of the Woods on the continent of America, was read; whereupon ordered that Mr. Dummer be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Friday morning next.

March 12. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

New England.

Nova Scotia.

General Nicholson.

Lands.

Coram's settlement.

Land.

Coram's settlement.

General Nicholson [fo. 134, 153] attending, as desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him concerning the lands between Nova Scotia and New England, on which Mr. Coram and several disbanded officers and soldiers propose to make a settlement; and General Nicholson being asked several questions, he acquainted the Board, that in the reign of King Charles the Second, the then Duke of York had a grant of the land between Kennebeck and St. Croix, in a distinct patent from the other grants made to him;— that the said land was under the government of New York, till the said Duke's accession to the Crown, when it was taken from New York, and added to the government of New England;—that the said land was not comprehended in the first charter to the Massachusets Bay;—that by the last charter to the Massachusets, the government, but not the soil, as he believed, of the tract abovementioned, was granted to that colony, as likewise all Nova Scotia, which were both, at the time of granting, in the possession of the French; that the fort at Pemaquid was built by Sir Edmond Andross, had been twice taken by the French and Indians, and that he knew not any land, to which so many various titles have been set up; and as to the bounds of the Massachusets, they remain in dispute:—being particularly asked what assistance if any, the Massachusets had given in reducing Nova Scotia, &c., from the French, General Nicholson said, they had furnished a number of men, and been at other expences in that expedition, according to his instructions from Her late Majesty, which he produced, as likewise his commission, together with a paper under the hand and seal of Monsieur Subercase, the late French Governor of Accadie or Nova Scotia, in the title whereof it appears how far the govern ment of the French extended; all which was surrendered to the English, according to that summons, whereof a copy was produced and read. [Vide New England T. 13).

Nova Scotia.

Sir Alexander.

Cairnes's petition Letter to Mr. Secretary Addison.

General Nicholson being withdrawn, their Lordships took into further consideration the petition of Sir Alexander Cairnes and others, for a tract of land in Nova Scotia; whereupon a letter to Mr. Secretary Addison, relating to the liberty of fishing on that coast, was agreed and signed.

Mr. Attorney General and Solicitor General.

summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor Genl. be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Friday morning next.

March 13. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Wescomb. South Sea company, Fishery–corporation.

Letter to Mr. Wescomb.

A letter from Mr. Wescomb, dated yesterday, desiring that the Court of Directors of the South Sea Company [fo. 132, 152, 173] may have a copy of the petition, &c., for a corporation to carry on, and improve the fishery of this kingdom, in order to the Company's returning an answer to the letter which the Secretary writ by order of the Board, the 10th instant, to Sir James Bateman, Sub–Governor of the said Company, was read; whereupon a letter from the Secretary to the said Mr. Wescomb, for inclosing a copy of the said petition, and desiring to know what the South Sea Company have done upon that part of the Act for their incorporation, which relates to the fishery, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Turkey Company's Charter.

An attested copy of the Levant or Turkey Company's Charter, was laid before the Board, and ordered to be entered for the use of the Office.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Burchett.

Heads of enquiry.

Captain Scott.

A letter from Mr. Burchett [fo. 136], Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated yesterday, signifying that the heads of enquiry, &c., for the commodore of the Newfoundland convey, have been sent to Capt. Scott, was read.

Jamaica.

Letter from Sir N. Lawes.

Answer.

A letter from Sir Nicholas Lawes [fo. 161], appointed Governor of Jamaica, to the Secretary, dated at Portsmouth, the 7th instant, was read; whereupon directions were given for preparing an answer thereto.

New England.

Lands.

Coram's settlement.

Sir Edward Northey and Sir William Thomson, His Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor–General, attending, their Lordships had some discourse with them concerning the lands [fo. 149, 154] between Kennebeck and St. Croix, on the borders of Nova Scotia, upon which Mr. Coram and several disbanded officers and soldiers, &c., propose to make a settlement; and it being observed that the said tract of land was in possession of the French, as well as Nova Scotia, at the time of granting the last charter to the Massachusets Bay, wherein that tract, as well as Nova Scotia, is comprehended; they were asked, whether the said grant was valid, to which they answered, that they thought, it was not; but they said, that the land being granted, they thought 'twas reasonable, that those grants should be confirmed after the cession made by France, there being a difference between Nova Scotia and the land above mentioned, the former having been indisputably taken and possessed by the French, and the conquest of the latter being disputed.

March 14. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

New England.

Mr. Dummer.

Memorial against Bridger.

Licenses to cut wood, etc.

Limits of Nova Scotia.

Lands.

Coram's settlement.

Different grants.

Mr. Dummer [fo. 148, 162] attending, according to appointment, he was asked whether he was Agent for the province of New Hampshire, to which he answered, that he was not, but that Mr. Newman, who was named for that employment, had declined it, and therefore the Governor of New Hampshire had desired him, the said Mr. Dummer, to lay before this Board the complaint contained in his memorial, which was read the 11th instant, against Mr. Bridger, Surveyor of the Woods on the continent of North America. Upon further discourse with Mr. Dummer, he said, he had not copy of the order issued by Mr. Bridger against cutting the woods, as mentioned in the said memorial, but that he would bring to their Lordships what papers he had relating to the said complaint; he added, in relation to any licences which might be proposed for giving liberty to persons desiring it, to cut such wood as was not fit for masts or other uses of the Navy, that such a trust lodged in any one person, would be a great temptation, except he were one of good fortune and very great probity.—Their Lordships then inquired of Mr. Dummer, what he took to be the limits [fo. 153, 162] of Nova Scotia, and had some other discourse with him concerning the lands between New England and Nova Scotia, which Mr. Coram and others propose to settle, whereupon he said that Nova Scotia extended from Cape Breton to St. Croix; that as to the lands desired by Mr. Coram, &c., the French were never in absolute possession or ever settled them, but that excursions were made on both sides, and it became a sort of derelict place; that there are various sorts of grants of lands in that place, some under the Council of Plimouth, some under the charter of the Massachusets, and others by purchase from the Indians; in conclusion, Mr. Dummer said, that if the lands from Kennebeck, to Penobscot, were confirmed to the colony of the Massachusets, they would be willing to relinquish their claims to the rest, which, upon being asked, he acquainted the Board, that he had authority to offer; whereupon he was desired to bring his proposal for that purpose in writing.

Nova Scotia.

Newfoundland.

Colonel Philips summoned.

Ordered that Col. Philips, appointed Governor of Nova Scotia and Placentia, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Tuesday morning next.

March 17. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Nova Scotia.

Newfoundland.

Report.

Comptrollers of the army.

Annaopolis Royal, Placentia, etc.

The copies of two reports from the Comptrollers of the Accounts of the, &c., dated the 22nd of June and 29th of July, 1717, the former relating to the garrison [fo. 214] of Annapolis Royal and the province of Nova Scotia; the latter concerning Placentia, and the trade and fishery of Newfoundland, were read.

Trade.

Mr. Secretary Addison's letter.

la Roche, Treasurer of the factory, Lisbon.

Consul's commission, la Roche's case.

Mr. Solicitor General.

Penalities.

Refusing.

Upon further consideration of Mr.Secretary Addison's letter of the 6th January last [fo. 60, 169], and the papers therein referred to, relating to Mr. la Roche's refusing to accept the office of Treasurer of the Factory at Lisbon, mentioned in the minutes of the 7th of the same month; ordered that a copy of His Majesty's Commission to the Consul at Lisbon, together with a short state of the said Mr. la Roche's case, be sent to Mr. Solicitor General; and that he be desired to let the Board have his opinion what penalties His Majesty may legally inflict on the said la Roche, for refusing to accept the office of Treasurer, as aforesaid.

March 18. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Antigua.

Attorney General's report.

Acts.

Mr. Attorney General's report upon three Acts passed at Antigua,

Mr. Attorney General's report upon three Acts passed at Antigua, entituled as follows, vizt.:—
An Act to prevent the increase of papists and non-jurors in this island, and for better governing those who are already settled here.—Passed March 2nd, 1715.
An Act for the erecting and building a new church in the town of St. John's in this island, in the room and stead of the present parochial church of the parish of St. John's, in the town aforesaid, and for raising a yearly reasonable tax for maintaining and constant repairing the same.—Passed in November, 1716.
An Act to quiet present possessors of lands, to limit actions, and avoid suits at law.—Passed in February, 1716–17. was read.

Petition against act about papists.

The petition [fo. 187] of several Popish inhabitants of Antigua, against the said Act to prevent the increase of papists, &c., was likewise read; whereupon ordered that the petitioners have notice to attend the Board on Friday morning next.

Nova Scotia.

Newfoundland.

Colonel Gardner for Colonel Philips, memorial.

Captain Willis.

Col. Gardner attending, in behalf of Col. Philips, who was appointed to attend this day, in relation to his memorial, read the 3rd instant, concerning Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Col. Gardner acquainted the Board that Col. Philips was very much indisposed, and if their Lordships had any commands for Col. Philips, he would signify them to him. Whereupon Colonel Gardner was desired to let him know, the Board should be glad to speak with him and Captain Willis, mentioned in his said memorial, at the first opportunity.

Barbadoes.

Mr. Lightfoot.

Memorial to be of the Council, recommended.

A memorial from Richard Lightfoot, Esqr., praying to be appointed of His Majesty's Council in the island of Barbadoes, was read, together with a recommendation of the said Mr. Lightfoot from the Duke of Newcastle and Bishop of Sarum; whereupon ordered that Mr. Lightfoot's name be inserted in the list of persons recommended to be of the Council in the said island.

Pennsylvania.

Letter to Mr. Keith.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Keith [fo. 92, 160], DeputyGovernor of Pennsylvania, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Plantations General.

Mr. Basket about printing the laws.

Mr. Basket [fo. 177], His Majesty's Printer, attending, about printing the laws of New York, and other plantations, their Lordships had some discourse with him on that subject, and being satisfied with the print and papers of the proof-sheets, produced, their Lordships proposed to allow him a penny per sheet, for printing the said laws, which was left to the said Mr. Basket's consideration.

March 19. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Secretary Addison.

Mr. Bubb, Spainsh Minister.

Valuation English goods.

Answer to Mr. Secretary Addison.

A letter from Mr. Secretary Addison, of the 6th November last, with an answer from Mr. Bubb, His Majesty's late Minister in Spain, relating to the new valuations [fo. 164] of English goods there, was read, as likewise the draught of a letter in answer to that abovementioned from Mr. Secretary Addison; whereupon a progress was made in the consideration thereof, and their Lordships resolved to reconsider the same on Tuesday morning next.

Pennsylvania.

A letter to Mr. Keith [fo. 92], Deputy-Governor of Pennsylvania, as agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

March 20. Present:—Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Three Orders of Council, under the Seal of the Privy Council, were laid before the Board, vizt.:—
Jamaica.
Order of Council.
An Order of Council, of the 9th February last, for confirming several Acts of Jamaica, therein mentioned.
Acts, confirmed.
Repealed.
An Order of Council, of the same date, for repealing several Acts of Jamaica, therein mentioned, and,
New Jersey.
Order of Council.
Acts.
An Order of Council, of the 13th of the same month, for confirming two Acts of New Jersey, therein mentioned. [This paragraph is deleted in the original, and the words "v. fol. 125" appears in the right hand margin.]

Jamaica.

Sir N. Lawes.

Whereupon directions were given for transmitting to Sir Nicholas Lawes [fo. 152, 184], the said two Orders relating to the Acts of Jamaica, with the next letter that shall be writ to him.

New Jersey.

Letter to Brigadier Hunter.

And a letter to Brigadier Hunter [fo. 125], for inclosing the Order abovementioned, relating to the Acts of New Jersey, was now agreed and signed.

Trade.

Mr. Cole's observations.

Treaty of commerce, Venice.

Mr. Cole's observations [fo. 109, 142, 209] upon the project of a treaty of commerce with Venice, were read, together with the said project, and their Lordships made a progress in the consideration thereof.

March 21. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

New England.

Letter from Mr. Dummer.

Memorial.

Lands.

Coram's settlement.

Minutes.

Bridger.

Mr. Dummer, no authority, etc.

A letter from Mr. Dummer [fo. 154–155, 207], Agent for the province of the Massachusets Bay, inclosing a memorial and petition from himself to the Board, proposing a division of the lands between the Rivers Queenebeck and St. Croix, on which Mr. Coram and others have desired a settlement, was read, as also a copy of some minutes of the Council and Assembly of New Hampshire, relating to Mr. Bridger's [fo. 154, 418] restraining the inhabitants of that province from cutting timber in His Majesty's Woods. Whereupon their Lordships agreed to consider the said proposal for dividing the lands abovementioned, with the papers which have been received from Mr. Coram, the Marquis de Wignacourt and several disbanded officers and soldiers, &c., And as to the said minutes from New Hampshire, relating to the restraint from cutting His Majesty's woods there, ordered that Mr. Dummer be acquainted that the application in that affair from the Council and Assembly, appears to be to the Governor; and that he, the said Mr. Dummer, does not seem to have any authority to move therein.

Trade.

Heads of a Charter insuring ships, etc.

Private insurers insolvent.

Reasons against the charter.

The heads of a charter [fo. 138, 144, 187], (received from Mr. Cole) for incorporating several persons for insuring ships and merchandize at sea, were read; with a list of private insurers who have proved insolvent, as also the reasons offered by several merchants of London against such a charter. Whereupon their Lordships gave directions for communicating to the petitioners for the said charter the reasons against it, as abovementioned, in order to such observations, or answer as the said petitioners may have to make on that subject.

March 25. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

Carolina.

Letter from Mr. Carkesse.

Act.

10 per cent. duty British manufactures.

Letter to Mr. Solicitor General.

A letter from Mr. Carkesse [fo. 195], Secretary to the Commissioners of the Customs, dated the 20th instant, with an extract of a letter from Carolina, relating to an Act passed in that province, by which a duty of 10 per cent, is laid on the manufactures of Great Britain, was read, as likewise the said extract; whereupon directions were given for preparing a letter to Mr. Solicitor-General, on that subject.

Jamaica.

Letter from Mr. Wood.

Beswick's petition.

A letter from Mr. Wood, dated the 20th instant, relating to the petition of Mr. John Beswick and other Jamaica merchants, was read; whereupon ordered that he be acquainted, the Board have represented that matter in their letter to Mr. Secretary Addison, dated the 5th of last month.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Valuation English goods in Spain.

Their Lordships then made a further progress in considering the draught of a letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs, in answer to that mentioned in the minutes of the 19th instant, from Mr. Addison, relating to the valuation of English goods in Spain.

March 26. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Molesworth, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Nevis.

Acts.

Two Acts passed at Nevis in October and November last, entituled, An Act for the good government of negroes and other Slaves in this island, and
An Act for laying a duty on French sugars, rum and molosses imported into this island,
Solicitor-General.
being laid before the Board; ordered that the said Acts be sent to Mr. Solicitor-Genl. for his opinion thereupon, as soon as conveniently may be.

Barbadoes.

Acts.

Their Lordships then proceeded in considering the several Acts undermentioned, passed in 1715–16, in 1716 and 1716–17, in the Island of Barbadoes, whereupon such of them as had not been before read at the Board, were now read; and their Lordships agreed upon each respective Act, according as is mentioned under the title thereof, or to note what appeared to the Board on such Act, vizt.:—
An Act for defraying the expence of the commissioners appointed for making contracts for timber, &c., for the use and repair of the fortifications. Passed the 25th January, 1715–16.
To lye by probationary.
An Act impowering ye Treasurer of this Island to discharge the arrears due to Mr. Arthur Zouch, late Clerk to the General Assembly. Passed the 25th January, 1715–16.
Has had its effect.
An Act impowering ye freeholders to choose a vestry. Passed the 21st of February, 1715–16.
Has had its effect.
An Act impowering the Committee of Publick Accounts to allow the sum of 191l. 7s. 6d. to the credit of the Honble. Thomas Maycock, Esqr. late Treasurer. Passed the 21st of February, 1715–16.
Has had its effect.
An Act for the relief of the creditors of James Vaughan, Esqr. Passed the 22nd of February, 1715–16.
To lye by, till application by the persons concerned; being a matter of private property.
An Act for the encouragement of John Perrat, gentleman, in his new improvements of windmills for grinding sugarcanes. Passed 31st May, 1716.
To lye by probationary. No objection to it.
An Act to provide for the entertainment of the Court of Grand Sessions, which is to be held on the 2nd Tuesday in June next. Passed 31st May, 1716.
Has had its effect. No objection.
An Act for giving further time to collect the late levy on the several inhabitants of this Island. Passed October 30th, 1716.
Has had its effect. No objection.
An Act appointing agents to transact and negotiate the affairs of this island in Great Britain. Passed October 30th, 1716.
Has had its effect. No objection.
An Act to confirm and make more effectual certain deeds or indentures of lease and release, &c., between His Excellency Robert Lowther, &c., and the Right Honble. Katherine Viscountess Lonsdale, and James Lowther, &c. Passed December 18th, 1716.
Being a matter of private property; to be referred to Attorney or Solicitor-Genl. when application made by any person for it.
An Act for collecting several sums of money due and in arrear to the publick. Passed December 18th, 1716.
Has had its effect.

Letter from Mr. Lowther.

Sent Mr. Burchett.

Answer to Mr. Lowther.

Then the letter from Mr. Lowther, Govr. of Barbadoes, dated the 20th of July, and mentioned in the minutes of the 18th November 1717, was again read; whereupon ordered that such part of the said letter as relates to His Majesty's ships of war, be sent to Mr. Burchett, for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty, and some directions were given in order to the preparing an answer to Mr. Lowther's said letter.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Solicitor General.

la Roche, Treasuerer, Lisbon.

The draught of a letter, ordered the 17th instant, to be prepared, to Mr. Solicitor General, relating to Mr. la Roche's [fo. 156, 177] refusing to accept the treasurership of the factory at Lisbon, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Bermuda.

Letter to Colonel Bennett.

The draught of a letter from the Secretary to Col. Bennett, Lieut. Governor of Bermuda, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

March 27. Present:—Earl of Holdernesse, Mr. Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cooke, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Bladen.

Nova Scotia.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Colonel Philips.

Colonel Philips summoned.

A letter from Col. Philips, appointed Governor of Nova Scotia, and the garrisons of Annapolis and Placentia, signifying his being better in health, and ready to wait on the Board in relation to his memorial concerning the said province and garrisons, as mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant, was read; whereupon ordered that he be acquainted, ye Board desire to speak with him on Tuesday morning next.

Trade.

Mr. Ingram and Mr. Crossland.

Orders of Council.

Woollen manufacture.

Remedy against exporting wool.

Mr. Ingram and Mr. Crossland attending, presented to the Board two Orders of Council, both dated the 16th instant, and referring to the Board, the one a petition to His Majesty from the merchants, clothiers and others concerned in the woollen manufactory [fo. 141, 177], in the County of Northumberland, the other a petition likewise to His Majesty from the merchants, clothiers and others concerned in the woollen manufactures in and about Leeds in the County of York, which said Orders and petitions were read, as also two other petitions to the Board, presented by the persons abovenamed, from the merchants and clothiers, &c., of the said places, all praying some remedy may be considered of and applied against exporting wool from this kingdom to France, Sweden and other foreign parts; whereupon Mr. Ingram and Mr. Crossland were desired to bring in writing, as soon as conveniently they could, what they had to propose for preventing the evil complained of in the said petitions, which they promised to do accordingly.

Bermuda.

Letter from Colonel Bennett.

A letter from Col. Bennett, Lieut. Govr. of Bermuda, dated the 3rd of February, 1717–18, was read, as likewise the papers therein referred to, vizt.:—
Papers.
Copy of a certificate given by Col. Bennett to such pirates as have surrendered.
Copy of a letter from Thomas Nicholls, a pirate, relating to his intended surrender to Col. Bennett, Lieut. Governor of Bermuda.
Copy of a letter from F. Leslie, a pirate, relating to his intended surrender to Col. Bennett.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs.

Pirates.

Whereupon a letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs was immediately drawn up and signed, inclosing an extract of that abovementioned from Col. Bennett, relating to the surrender of some of the pirates at the Bahama Islands.

Barbadoes.

Letter to Mr. Lowther.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Lowther, Governor of Barbadoes, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

March 28. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Pulteney.

New York.

Letter from Brigadier Hunter.

A letter from Brigadier Hunter, Governor of New York, &c., dated the 20th of January last, was read, as were likewise the papers therein referred to, vizt.:—
Nine licences for whale-fishing commissions, and Lord Cornbury's order for seizing oil, &c., in Mr. Mulford's possession.
Copy of Mr. Attorney-General's report concerning proceedings about the whale fishery at New York.
Address of the General Assembly of New York, to Brigadier Hunter.
Proceedings in the Council of New York, relating to the Assembly's Address about Mr. Mulford.
Remarks by the person who acts as Attorney-General of New York, upon Mr. Mulford's papers of complaints against Brigadier Hunter.
List of Acts passed at New York in 1717.

Mulford's petition.

Letter to Mr. Solicitor General.

Mr. Mulford's petition [fo. 107, 178], mentioned in the minutes of the 17th June last, as also the state of his case, and a paper entituled, the merchants proposal, relating to whale-fishing at New York, were likewise laid before the Board, and considered; whereupon the draught of a letter to Mr. Solicitor-General, relating to His Majesty's subjects fishing for whales at New York, without licence, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Trade.

Letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs, valuation English goods in Spain.

A letter to Mr. Secretary Craggs, in answer to that from Mr. Secretary Addison, of the 6th November last, relating to the valuation [fo. 160, 164] of English goods in Spain, was signed.

Letter from Mr. Wescomb.

South Sea Company.

Fishery–Chareter.

A letter from Mr. Wescomb [fo. 151, 152, 201, 226], by order of the Directors of the South Sea Company, in answer to the Secretary's letters of the 10th and 13th instant, relating to a charter of incorporation for the fishery, and what the said company have done, relating thereto, was read.

Bermuda.

Letter from Colonel Bennett, extract sent Mr. Burchett.

Upon further consideration of the letter from Col. Bennett, Lieut. Governor of Bermuda, mentioned in yesterday's minutes; ordered that an extract thereof, relating to the pirates, be sent to Mr. Burchett, for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty.

Barbadoes.

Letter to Mr. Lowther.

A letter to Mr. Lowther, Governor of Barbadoes, was signed.