Journal, November 1722: Journal Book Y

Journal, November 1722

November 1. Present:— Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Said letter signed.

A letter to the Lords of the Treasury, in answer to Mr. Horatio Walpole's of the 28th of September last, in relation to the taking off the enumeration of rice, agreed yesterday, was signed.

Trade.

Order with account of East India Company's exports.

An Order of Council, of the 27th of the last month, referring to this Board an account of the East India Company's exports, from the 29th of September, 1721, to the 29th September, 1722, was read.

Mr. Balam, Inspector General, reminded about accounts of East India imports and exports.

And ordered that Mr. Balam, Inspector General of the Imports and Exports, be reminded of the secretary's letter, of the 18th of July last, for an account of the quantities and value of all goods imported by the East India Company in each of the three years, from Christmas, 1718, to Christmas, 1721, and likewise an account of the quantities and value of East India goods re-exported since the year 1702, under the following heads, viz.:—pepper, indigo, calicoes, wrought silk, and in one other article, the value only of all other goods.

November 6. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Nova Scotia.

Copy of letter from Canso, and of a representation of merchants concerned in the trade there.

Draught of letter for the Lord Carteret thereupon.

A copy of a letter from some gentlemen at Canso to Colonel Armstrong, dated the 10th of August last, complaining of the great decay of trade there, and the danger of that fishery being lost, for want of support from Great Britain, was read, as likewise a representation of several merchants, commanders, etc., concerned in the trade and settling at Canso to this Board, upon the same subject, dated at Canso the 1st of August last; and the draught of a letter, for inclosing copies of the said letter and representation to the Lord Carteret, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

November 7. Present:— Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Nova Scotia.

Letter to Lord Carteret about decay of trade and fishery at Canso.

A Letter to the Lord Carteret, inclosing copies of a representation from some merchants at Canso in Nova Scotia, to this Board, and of a letter to Colonel Armstrong, transmitting the same, in relation to the decay of trade there, and the danger of that fishery being lost for want of support from Great Britain, as agreed yesterday, was signed.

New England.

Woods.

Memorial from, Husk, Sharp, Bolam against Armstrong.

A memorial from Messrs. Husk, Sharp and Bolam, complaining against Mr. Robert Armstrong, Deputy Surveyor of the Woods in New England, was read, whereupon ordered that the said gentlemen be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Tuesday morning next at eleven of the clock.

November 8. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

New England.

Woods.

Mr. Armstrong's seizure and proceedings thereon.

An account of the seizure made by Mr. Robert Armstrong, Deputy Surveryor of the Woods in America, of several trees fit for masts, and of the proceedings in New England thereupon, in May, 1722, was read.

November 9. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir John Hobart.

Antigua.

Mr. Marsh's memorial upon the Act about a new church.

Their Lordships taking into consideration Mr. Marsh's memorial, mentioned in the Minutes of the 28th June last, desiring the Board to appoint a day for hearing what he may have to offer, in relation to the Act passed at Antegoa in 1715-16, entituled, An Act to indemnify Anthony Brown and John Elliot of Antegoa, gentlemen, from a certain bond and agreement by them entered into with George Pullen, carpenter, for the building of a church.

Mr. Marsh and Mr. Nivine summoned.

Ordered that the said Mr. Marsh and Mr. Nivine be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Tuesday morning next.

Bermuda.

Letter from Mr. Hope.

Spanish pirate.

A letter from Mr. Hope, Governor of Bermuda, dated June 29, 1722, giving an account of one John Lewis, lately executed there for murder, and of two of their sloops being taken by a new Spanish pirate, was read, and a paper, therein referred to, laid before the Board, viz.:—

Trail of John Lewis for murder.

The trial and condemnation of John Lewis, for murder.

Bahamas.

Petition of Mr. Curphey, etc., for a Public Seal.

A petition from Mr. Thomas Curphey, Minister of the Isle of Providence, desiring a seal may be prepared for the Bahamas, was read; whereupon ordered that a representation be prepared to His Majesty for that purpose.

November 13. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New Jersey.

Letter to Attorney General about alteration in choosing assembly.

Ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Attorney General, to remind him of the secretary's letter of the 14th of June last, relating to the alteration in electing of Assembly men in New Jersey.

Bahamas.

Representation for a Public Seal.

A representation upon the petition of Mr. Thomas Curphey, Minister of Providence, in behalf of himself and the other inhabitants of the Bahamas, desiring a publick seal for the said islands, agreed at the last meeting, was signed.

Plantations General.

Order of Council.

Petition of pirates.

An Order of Council, of the 9th inst., referring to this Board a petition from the company belonging to the ship Morning Star and brigantine Good Fortune, desiring His Majesty's most gracious pardon, was read; whereupon ordered that several West India merchants be desired to attend the Board on Thursday morning next at eleven o'clock.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Order approving instructions.

East India trade.

Copy of an Order of Council, of the 17th of May, 1722, approving an additional instruction to the Governors of the Plantations about trade from the East Indies, was read.

Jamaica.

Order approving instruction.

Colonel Dubourgay's salary.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 17th May, 1722, approving the draught of an additional instruction to the Duke of Portland, requiring him to pay to Colonel Du Bourgay one thousand pounds per annum out of the revenue of Jamaica, was read.

St. Christophers.

Order.

Major Holmes of the Council.

Copy of an Order of Council of 6th October, 1722, (upon a representation of this Board, dated the 20th of September), appointing Major Richard Holmes to supply a vacancy in the Council of St. Christophers, occasioned by the death of Mr. George Liddel, was read.

New England.

Order on representation about seizing a ship.

Rhode Island.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 25th, on a representation of a Committee of Council of the 24th of August, 1722, about a ship seized in Tarpaulin Cove by the Vice Admiralty of New England, approving the same, was read.

New York.

Order.

Van Hord and Provoost of the Council.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 25th, approving a representation of the 8th of August. 1722, for appointing (fn. 1) Abraham Van Horn and William Provoost, Esqs., councillors of New York, was read.

Order referring to Committee of Council the 2 per cent. Act.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 14th June, (upon a representation of this Board of the 5th of the same month), referring to the committee for hearing appeals, etc., An Act passed at New York for laying a duty of two pounds on every hundred pounds prime cost of all European goods imported into that country, was read.

New Jersey.

Order.

Alexander and Smith of the Council.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 19th July, 1722, appointing James Alexander and James Smith, Esqs., to supply two vacancies in the Council of New Jersey, occasioned by the death of Mr. Gordon, and absence and incapacity of Mr. Byerly, upon a representation of this Board of 5th July last, was read.

Nevis.

Order.

Pym Burt and Abbot of the Council.

Copy of an Order of Council of the 6th of October, 1722, approving a representation of this Board for appointing Mr. Pym Burt and Major Richard Abbot, councillors of Nevis, was read.

Bermuda.

Order.

Mr. Auchenleck of the Council.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 14th June, 1722, upon a representation of this Board the 13th of the same month, recommending Mr. Andrew Auchenleck to supply a vacancy in the Council of Bermuda, was read.

Barbados.

Order referring to Governor Worseley copies of petitions and other papers.

Order approving Mr. Worsely's instructions.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 13th of August, 1722, referring to Mr. Worseley copies of petitions and other papers relating to Barbados, for his examination and report thereupon, was read.

Copy of an Order in Council of the 7th of August, 1722, approving two draughts of instructions for Mr. Worseley, relating to the Government of Barbados and the Acts of Trade and Navigation, was read.

New England.

Husk, Sharp and Bolam against Armstrong Woods.

Manorial.

Mr. Husk, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Bolam attending, as they had been desired, in relation to their complaint against Mr. Robert Armstrong, Collector of the Customs and Deputy Surveyor of the Woods in America: they presented to the Board a memorial containing the several articles of their complaint against him.

Examination upon heads of complaint.

1st As to his extorting money from the masters of vessels for the clearance of their ships; in proof of which article Mr. Bolam acquainted their Lordships that he had paid, besides the usual fees, twenty pounds to the said Armstrong, before he would permit him to proceed on his voyage, Mr. Husk said further that he had been detained a month, for refusing to pay the said Armstrong's illegal demand.

2nd. As to the said Armstrong's having seized and afterwards cleared prohibited goods, upon a particular share being allowed him; Mr. Husk delivered to their Lordships a certificate signed James Davis, a Justice of the Peace at Portsmouth, that James Stutely, master of the sloop Endeavour, which came from Cales to New England, had made affidavit before him to the truth of this article.

3rd. As to the said Armstrong's neglecting his duty as Surveyor of the Woods, in suffering them to be destroyed and as Collector of the Customs permitting the said trees to be exported to Cales; Mr. Husk informed the Board, that he had seen trees from 23 to 17 inches diameter, (which could not have been cut without the said Deputy Surveyor's knowledge), put on board ships cleared by the said collector for Cales, in further proof of which Mr. Husk said he had two sailors on board his ship, who had made two several voyages to Cales and seen the said trees delivered there; that he feared these practices could never be prevented, since five of the Council were concerned in this trade to Cales, viz.: John Wentworth, Mark Hunckins, Archibald McPhedris, George Jeffreys and Henry Sherborn, who are all related to each other. He further said, that there had been two thousand mast trees cut out of His Majesty's woods, and converted into longs by Benjamin Wentworth, which were afterwards seized and sold by the Assembly, and that so great a number could not have been cut without Mr. Armstrong's knowledge.

4th. As to the said Armstrong's being disaffected to His Majesty's person and Government; Mr. Sharp having been sworn, acquainted their Lordships that he had heard Mr. Armstrong say the following words, viz.:
Is it not a shame that we should be governed by Germans and Dutch, and have such a fine English prince of our own, but I hope I shall yet live to see the right heir upon the throne.

5th. As to the said Armstrong's being guilty of perjury; Mr. Sharp said that he had not the records of the province to prove it, but that he had been told by Mr. Penhallow, the Recorder, that it appeared so there.

Persons attending to bring further memorial.

The Board then desired these gentlemen to put in writing what they now said, and what they might have further to offer upon this subject, which they promised to do accordingly.

Antigua.

Mr. Marsh about Act concerning a new church.

Mr. Marsh attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships acquainted him that Mr. Nivine not being able to attend this day, as he had been ordered, they had deferred the consideration of the Act passed at Antegoa in 1715–16, entituled, An Act to indemnify Anthony Brown and John Elliot of Antegoa, gentlemen, from a certain bond and articles of agreement by them entered into with George Pullen, carpenter, for the building of a church, till another opportunity, of which he should have timely notice.

November 14. Present:— Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Montserrat.

Act about duties for paying General Hart £500 per annum.

Their Lordships taking into consideration an Act passed in Montserrat in 1722, entituled, An Act for granting to His Majesty, his heirs, and successors, certain duties upon the impost of dry goods and liquors, etc., and for the payment of £500 annually to his Excellency John Hart, Esq., Captain General and Governor in chief of all His Majesty's Leeward Charibbee Islands in America. Mr. West's report thereupon, was read; and ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared for the repeal thereof.

November 15. Present:— Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Plantations General.

Pirates' petition.

Merchants attend.

Copy of the petition given them.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the Order of Council of the 9th, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 13th inst.), referring to this Board a petition from the company belonging to the ship Morning Star and brigantine Good Fortune, desiring His Majesty's most gracious pardon; and Mr. Gee, Captain Hyde and Mr. Harris, attending as they had been desired, in relation to the above said petition, they desired a copy thereof, in order to consult with the other merchants thereupon, which their Lordships ordered should be transcribed for them.

November 16. Present:— Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

New England.

Husk, Sharp, and Bolam's 3 accounts of Armstrong's illegal proceedings.

Draught of letter to Lords of the Treasury.

Mr. Husk, Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Bolam, attending, presented to the Board three several accounts, signed by them, of the illegal proceedings of Mr. Robert Armstrong, Deputy Surveyor of the Woods in America, which were read, and directions given for preparing the draught of a letter to the Lords of the Treasury thereupon.

November 20. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd,

Mr. Docminique, Mr. Ashe. Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New England.

Woods.

Armstrong.

Letter to Lords of the Treasury.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, (ordered to be prepared at the last meeting), in relation to the arbitrary and illegal proceedings of Mr. Armstrong, Collector of the Customs in New Hampshire, and Deputy Surveyor of the Woods in America, and made a progress therein.

Bahamas.

Letter from Captain Phenney.

Papers therein referred to.

A letter from Captain Phenney, Governor of the Bahama Islands, dated at New Providence, September 14th, 1722, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz.:—
List of councillors and of persons fit to supply vacancies therein. Minutes of Council of 20th March, 1721–22, and 7th of August, 1722.
Gunners' stores wanting at Fort Nassau, on New Providence, the 12th day of September, 1722.
Inventory of gunners stores in Fort Nassau, taken 12th September, 1722.

Which their Lordships resolved to take into consideration at another opportunity.

November 21. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New England.

Woods.

Armstrong.

Letter to Lords of the Treasury.

The draught of a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, in relation to several arbitrary and illegal proceedings of Mr. Robert Armstrong, Collector of the Customs in New Hampshire, and Deputy Surveyor of the Woods in America, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

November 22. Present:— Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Letter to Lords of the Treasury.

Woods.

Armstrong.

Signed.

A letter to the Lords of the Treasury, in relation to several arbitrary and illegal proceedings of Mr. Robert Armstrong, Collector of the Customs in New Hampshire, and Deputy Surveyor of the Woods in America, agreed yesterday, was signed.

New Hampshire.

Letter to Colonel Shute.

Complaints against counsellors.

Exporting masts to Spain.

Ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to Colonel Shute, Governor of New England, to desire him to inform himself of the truth of the complaint against John Wentworth, Mark Hunckins, Archibald McPhedris, George Jefferys and Henry Sherborn, Esqs., all of the Council of New Hampshire, in relation to their being chiefly concerned in the exportation of mast trees to Spain, and to let their Lordships have, as soon as may be, his thoughts upon this matter, and to remind him of his 8th instruction, directing him to send over lists of persons qualified to supply vacancies in the Council.

Montserrat.

Acts.

Mr. West's reports.

Their Lordships then read Mr. West's reports upon several Acts of Montserrat, and agreed upon them, as is expressed under each respective title, viz.:—
An Act for reducing interest from ten to six per cent., passed in 1717–18.

The intention of this Act being good, it may be confirmed, though it were to be wished that the clause, relating to past contracts, had been omitted.
An Act for punishing such persons as shall detain other persons' slaves or servants. Passed in 1719.
To be confirmed.
An Act for exempting the members of the Council and Assembly and others from arrests on publick days.
To be confirmed.

Plantations General.

Mr. Gee about pirates' petition.

Mr. Gee attending, in relation to the pirates' petition, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 15th inst.), their Lordships, after some discourse with him thereupon, desired he would bring in writing what he and the other merchants might have to offer upon that subject.

November 23. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Montserrat.

Acts.

Mr. West's reports.

Their Lordships taking into consideration the following Montserrat Acts, as also Mr. West's reports thereupon, (mentioned in the Minutes of the 14th inst.), resolved upon them, as is expressed under each respective title, viz.:—
An Act to repeal an Act, whereby the duties on wines and other liquors and upon licences are given to the Honourable Thomas Talmash, Esq., and for appointing the former duties to be levied on wines and other strong liquors imported into this island. Passed in 1721.

General Talmash and Mr. Nivine to attend.

Ordered that General Talmash and Mr. Nivine be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them thereupon, on Tuesday morning next.
An Act for raising a levy or poll tax, and for taxing and assessing of the houses in the town of Plimouth to pay off the publick debts of this island. Passed in 1721.
Has had its effect. No objection.

November 27. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Montserrat.

Mr. Nivine about an Act.

Mr. Nivine attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him in relation to an Act passed at Montserrat in 1721, entituled,
An Act to repeal an Act, whereby the duties on wines and other Liquors and upon licences are given to the Honourable Thomas Talmash. Esq., and for appointing the former duties to be levied on wines and other strong liquors imported into this island.

Particularly as to the manner the money arising thereby is appropriated, viz.: the payment of the Councillors and Assembly men; and Mr. Nivine acquainted their Lordships, that Mr. William Guerish, having resided in Montserrat several years, was more capable of informing their Lordships as to the customs of that island.

Mr. Guerish summoned.

Ordered that Mr. Guerish be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him thereupon to-morrow morning.

Their Lordships then considering another Montserrat Act, entituled,
An Act for raising a levy or poll tax for taxing the several houses within the town of Plymouth and for assessing each respective trader within the said island. Passed in 1722.
They had no objection thereto.

Pennsylvania.

Letter from Sir William Keith.

Mines.

A letter from Sir William Keith, Governor of Pennyslvania, dated 24th May last, in relation to some mines there, was read.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from the Lord Advocate of Scotland, about Sir William Alexander's grant.

Charge of a copy allowed.

A letter from Mr. Dundas, Lord Advocate of Scotland, in relation to Sir William Alexander's grant of Nova Scotia, was read; and directions were given for writing to him to desire a true copy of Sir William Alexander's grant of Nova Scotia; and ordered that the money to be paid for the said copy, be inserted in the next incidental accounts.

November 28. Present:— Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Montserrat.

Mr. Guerish about an Act.

Mr. Guerish attending, as he had been desired, in relation to an Act passed at Montserrat in 1721, entituled,
An Act to repeal an Act, whereby the duties on wines and other liquors and upon licences are given to the Honourable Thomas Talmash, Esq., and for appointing the former duties to be levied on wines and other strong liquors imported into this island.

Their Lordships had some discourse with him thereupon, particularly as to the allowances thereby given to the Council and Assembly men; and their Lordships desiring to know whether this allowance had ever been made before; he answered, that some years ago, when he was of the Council, there was an Act passed for allowing the Council and Assembly men six shillings per day, which continued about a year, but that the inhabitants finding that tax at that time a load, the gentlemen of the Council and Assembly acquiesced to let it drop.

Government to be acquainted with objections.

Mr. Guerish being withdrawn, their Lordships agreed that this Act should lye by and the Government be acquainted with the Board's objections thereto.

New Hampshire.

Letter to Colonel Shute.

A letter to Colonel Shute, Governor of New Hampshire, agreed yesterday, was signed.

November 30. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Carolina.

Letter from General Nicholson.

Minute of Council.

Seals.

A letter from General Nicholson, Governor of Carolina, dated 18th August, 1722, was read, as also
Minute of Council relating to the old and new seals, the Governor's speech to the Assembly, and their address to him.

Acts sent to Mr. West.

And ordered that the Acts, passed in Carolina in 1722, be sent to Mr. West for his opinion thereon in point of law, viz.:—
An Act for advancing the salaries of the clergy.
An Act for building bridges in the parish of St. James's, Santee.
An Act for the relief of poor debtors.
An Act for preventing the deserters of insolvent debtors and for the better securing the frontiers of this province.
An Act to confirm and establish two bridges, now standing over the head of Ashley River, and for building another bridge on the south side of the said river to Dorchester Town.
An ordinance to appoint John Croskeys, Country-Waiter.

Jamaica.

Act about estate of George Reid.

Mr. West's report.

Draught of representation to confirm it.

Mr. West's report upon an Act, passed in Jamaica in July, 1721, entituled, An Act for vesting certain lands in the parish of St. Thomas in the Vale in trustees for the use of George Reid, Esq., and his heirs, being read, ordered that the draught of a representation for the confirming the said Act be prepared and laid before the Board.