Journal, January 1725: Journal Book B.B

Journal of the proceedings of Her Majesty's Commissioners for promoting the trade of this Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving her plantations in America and elsewhere, from the seventh of January, 1724–25, to the twenty-second December, 1725.

B.B.

Journal, January 1725

1724–25.

January 7. Present:–Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Plantations.

General Trade.

Board desire to speak with gentlemen of Admiralty and Navy. Tar.

Ordered that Sir Charles Wager and Mr. Pulteney, two of the Commissioners of the Admiralty, and Sir Jacob Ackworth [folio 3], Surveyor of His Majesty's Navy, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them, in relation to the petition of the several merchants, mentioned in the Minutes of the 18th December last, desiring the bounty on tar may be continued, on Tuesday morning next.

Tar.

Petitioners summoned.

Ordered that the several merchants, concerned in the said petition, be desired to attend at the same time.

January 8. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Pennsylvania.

Mr. West's report on an Act.

Draught of Representation.

Mr. West's report upon an Act [folio 7], passed in Pennsylvania in May last, for prescribing the forms of Declaration of Fidelity, Abjuration and Affirmation instead of the forms heretofore subscribed in such cases, was read, as also the said Act, whereupon ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared to His Majesty for confirming the same.

January 12. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Plantations.

General Trade.

Sir Jacob Ackworth.

Tar.

Sir Jacob Ackworth [folio 1], Surveyor of the Navy, attending, as he had been desired, acquainted the Board that Sir Charles Wager and Mr. Pulteney were prevented coming by other business, and therefore desired to be excused.

Plantations.

General Trade.

Several merchants and other gentlemen about tar.

Answer to queries.

Colonel Spotswood, late Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, attending, as he had been desired, as also Colonel Johnson, late Governor of South Carolina, with Mr. Carey, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Sandford, Mr. Wragg, Mr. Gale, Mr. Rollings, Mr. Godin [folio 10] and Mr. Satur, Mr. Cary presented to the Board an answer to several questions in relation to the making tar in the Plantations, after the manner prescribed by the Act of Parliament, made in the 8th year of His Majesty's reign, entituled, An Act giving further encouragement for the importation of Naval Stores and for other purposes therein mentioned, which was read, as also the reasons why it is impracticable to make tar in the Plantations after the aforesaid method, which Colonel Johnson likewise presented to the Board. And Colonel Spotswood having confirmed what the gentlemen offered to the Board, when they attended the 18th of the last month, their Lordships desired they would inform the Board what bounty they expected on tar made in the Plantations, after the expiration of the Act now in force for that purpose, to which Colonel Johnson answered, that unless the Government here would think fit to give 7s. 6d. per barrel, it would be impossible to carry on that trade any longer.

Copy of the merchants' Petition about tar.

Sent to the Navy Board for their opinion as to the premium.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, their Lordships, after some further discourse with Sir Jacob Ackworth, in relation to the premium desired as aforesaid, ordered that a copy of the petition of the several merchants, referred to the Board by Mr. Scrope's letter of the 11th, mentioned in the Minutes of the 15th of the last month, should be sent to the Commissioners of the navy, and that they be desired to give their opinion how far it may be proper to continue premiums upon Naval Stores, and in what proportion respectively.

January 13. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

St. Christophers.

Representation on Petitions of Burnet and Brown and
Letter for the Duke of Newcastle therewith.

A representation upon the petitions of John Burnet and Jeremiah Brown [folio 69], in relation to a plantation in the French part of St. Christophers, claimed by them both, ordered to be prepared the 11th of the last month, was agreed and signed, as also
A letter for inclosing the same to the Duke of Newcastle, one of His Majesty's principal secretaries of State, in order to its being laid before His Majesty.

January 14. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Pennsylvania.

Representation on an Act.

The draught of a representation for confirming an Act [folios 2, 69], passed in Pennsylvania in May, 1724, entituled, An Act prescribing the forms of Declaration of Fidelity, Abjuration and Affirmation instead of the forms heretofore required in such cases, ordered to be prepared the 8th instant, was agreed and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Letter from Colonel Hart.

Act for a settlement on Lieutenant General Matthew at

St. Christophers.

A letter from Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 10th of July last, was read, as also the Act, therein inclosed, passed at St. Christophers in May last, entituled, An Act for settling the yearly sum of £300 current money on the Honorable William Matthew, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of St. Christophers for discharging the rent of a house for his reception. And their Lordships resolved to consider further of the said Act at another opportunity.

January 15. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Colonel Spotswood about queries with Mr. Attorney General concerning several tracts of land he has in that Colony.

He desires copies.

A day to be appointed for hearing him.

Colonel Spotswood, late Lieutenant Governor of Virginia [folio 279], attending, acquainted the Board, that he had seen, at the Attorney General's, a copy of several queries from Major Drysdale, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, in relation to his several tracts of land there, and that as some of the facts, upon which the said queries are founded, were not fairly represented, he desired their Lordships would please to give him a copy thereof, that he might make his answer thereto. Their Lordships then acquainted him, that so soon as the Attorney and Solicitor General shall have made their report upon the said queries, he shall have a copy of the same, as also of the queries, and a day appointed to hear what he may have to offer against the same.

Miscellanies.

Accounts of incident charges.

The Secretary then laid before the Board an account of the incidental charges of this office, from Midsummer, 1724, to Christmas last, amounting to £461 8s. 6¼d., viz:—

Letter to the Lords of the Treasury with accounts of incidents, etc.

Whereupon a letter to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring payment thereof, and of the salaries due to the Secretary and under officers for the same time, was signed.

Plantations.

General Trade.

Letter from Mr. Godin about Plantation ships.

Letter from him about the tar trade.

To put what he has further to offer in writing.

Mr. Godin [folio 3, 16] attending, his letter proposing that all ships bound from the Plantations to Africa, Europe, Maderas or Western Islands, should be obliged to touch at and refit in Great Britain before their return to America, was read, as likewise one from him, in relation to the tar trade, and their Lordships, after some discourse with him thereupon, desired he would put in writing what he had further to offer upon this subject, which he promised to do accordingly.

January 19. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Mr. St. Amand, for Duke of Bolton.

Papers about late Lord Carbery's surrender of land in north east part of the Island.

Mr. St. Amand attending, in behalf of His Grace the Duke of Bolton, laid before the Board the following papers, in relation to the Lord Carbery's intended surrender of 1,000 acres of his lands in Jamaica, which were severally read, viz:—
A proposal [Jamaica D, folio 424] for sending Palatines to Jamaica.
The Lords of Trade's letter to the Lord Carbery [Jamaica D, folio 468], dated the 18th October, 1709, about surrendering lands in Jamaica, and settling the Palatines there.
A letter from Mr. Lowndes to Mr. Popple [Jamaica, D, folio 497], dated the 2nd November, 1709, touching the Lord Carbery's surrender.
A letter from Mr. Popple to the Lord Carbery [Jamaica, D, folio 498], dated the 3rd November, 1709, relating to a surrender of his Lordship's lands in Jamaica.
A letter from Mr. Lowndes, Secretary to the Treasury, dated the 2nd December, 1709, to the Attorney General, inclosing a memorial of the Earl of Carbery, with directions to prepare the draught of a warrant.

Mr. St. Amand then acquainted their Lordships, that as the consideration, for which the Lord Carbery had agreed to surrender his right to the said lands, viz. the release from any quit rents that might be due from his hands in Jamaica to that time, had never been complied with, the title to the said lands must remain in the Duke of Bolton, who claims in right of the said Lord Carbery.

This affair to be reconsidered with the Jamaica Acts.

Mr. St. Amand being withdrawn, their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof, when they should make their report upon the several laws of Jamaica.

New England.

Trade.

Letter from Mr. Wicherly.

Shipwrights summoned.

A letter from Mr. Richard Wicherly, praying in behalf of the several shipwrights [folio 15], whose petition is mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th of the last month, that the Board will please to appoint a day for hearing what they may have further to offer upon the subject of their said petition, was read, whereupon ordered that the several shipwrights have notice to attend next Thursday morning.

January 21. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Shipwrights attend.

Their proposals.

The several shipwrights attending, as they had been desired, their Lordships, after some discourse with them in relation to their Petition [folios 14, 16, 18], mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th of the last month, desired they would inform the Board what proposals they had to make, to prevent the inconveniences complained of by their said petition, to which they answered that if the ships built in the Plantations were confined to trade only from one Plantation to another, or to Great Britain, it would answer the end proposed, or if they were allowed to trade to foreign parts, that then they should be obliged to pay a duty of five shillings per ton each voyage they should make, and that they should also be restrained as to the bigness of such ships or vessels as should be built in the Plantations.

Letter to Inspector General for account of Exports to and from New England.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, ordered that a letter be writ to the Inspector General, to desire an account of the imports and exports to and from New England since Christmas, 1720.

New England.

Trade.

Sir Jacob Ackworth desired to come to the Board.

Ordered that Sir Jacob Ackworth, Surveyor of His Majesty's Navy, be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him upon the subject matter of the foresaid petition to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock.

Post Meridiem.

Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Tar.

Their Lordships, taking into consideration the letter from Mr. Scrope, of the 11th of December last, mentioned in the Minutes of the 15th of the same month, referring to the Board the petition of several importers and dealers in tar [folios 10, 19] praying that the bounty thereon may be continued, read

Letter from the Navy Board.

A letter from the Navy Board, in answer to one writ them the 12th instant upon this subject, as also

Memorial from Mr. Godin, and

his answer to queries about tar.

A memorial from Mr. Godin, in relation to the making tar and other Naval Stores in the Plantations, and

Draught of representation on that subject.

Mr. Godin's answer to several queries, in relation to the making tar in the Plantations, and gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

January 22. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

New England.

Trade.

Sir Jacob Ackworth about petition of shipwrights.

Sir Jacob Ackworth, Surveyor of the Navy, attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships had some discourse with him upon the petition of the shipwrights [folios 15, 24], mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, and agreed to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

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

Plantations General.

Trade.

Draught of representation about tar.

The draught of a representation upon the petition [folios 16, 20] of several importers and dealers in tar, praying that the bounty thereon may be continued, directed to be prepared the 21st instant, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

January 25. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Tar.

Representation signed.

The representation upon the petition of several importers and dealers in tar [folios 19, 22], praying that the bounty thereon may be continued, agreed the last meeting, was signed.

Barbadoes.

Letter from the Governor.

A letter from Mr. Worseley, Governor of Barbadoes, dated the 16th of November, 1724, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers therein referred to.
Copy of a petition of Jean Garraud, master of a French schooner, to Mr Worseley, relating to some turtle, etc., being taken from him by Mr. Charnock.
Copies of several depositions relating to some turtle being taken from Jean Garraud, and to Captain Cooper's seizing Mr. Charnock's sloop.
Copies of letters from several captains of His Majesty's ships to Mr. Lowther, late Governor of Barbadoes.

Copies for the Duke of Newcastle.

Whereupon ordered that copies of the said letter and papers be sent to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of His Majesty's principal secretaries of State.

An extract of Mr. Worseley's letter to be sent to the Admiralty about Captain Cooper.

Ordered that a copy of that part of the said letter, which relates to the behaviour of Captain Cooper, commander of the Lynn, stationed at Barbadoes [folio 86], be sent to Mr. Burchet, for the information of the Lords of the Admiralty.

January 26. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Plantations General.

Trade.

Tar.

Memorial from Bristol merchants.

A memorial from the Bristol merchants, in relation to the making tar in the Plantations [folio 20] and to the premiums thereon, was read.

Barbadoes.

Letter to Duke of Newcastle with copy of Mr. Worseley's.

The letter to the Duke of Newcastle, ordered yesterday to be prepared, for inclosing to His Grace a copy of Mr. Worseley's letter, read yesterday, was signed.

Letter to Mr. Burchet agreed.

The letter to Mr. Burchet, for inclosing a copy of the said letter from Mr. Worseley, directed yesterday to be prepared, was agreed and ordered to be sent.

Trade.

Letter from Lord Viscount Townshend.

A letter from the Lord Viscount Townshend, dated the 19th instant, inclosing
King of Sweden's Ordinances about navigation and trade, to be further considered.
A copy of the King of Sweden's Ordinance, relating to the navigation of foreigners to Sweden and Finland, dated 10th November, 1724.
Translation of the King of Sweden's Ordinance relating to trade, dated 28th July, 1724.
for the Board's observations thereupon, was read; and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity [folio 38].

Post Meridiem.

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

Jamaica.

Draught of representation on Acts.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the Jamaica laws [folio 25], mentioned in the Minutes of the 18th of November last, and made a progress therein.

New England.

Trade.

Draught of representation on shipwrights' petition.

Ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared upon the petition [folios 18, 26, 27] of the shipwrights, referred to the Board by the Lord Townshend's letter of the 19th October, mentioned in the Minutes of the 13th of November last.

January 27. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Acts considered.

Their Lordships took into consideration the following Acts, [folios 24, 28], passed at Jamaica, and agreed upon them, as is expressed under each respective title, viz:—
An Act to confirm the Acts of the last Assembly, passed in 1702.
This Act only relates to four Acts passed the session before, three whereof are public Acts and expired, and the fourth being a private Act for the naturalization of Josia James Hanses, a minor; and their Lordships, having determined not to report upon any private Act without a particular application for that purpose, they agreed that the aforesaid Act should be repealed.
An Act for dividing the common or salt savana in the parish of Vere.
To be confirmed.
An Act to encourage white men to come and settle in this Island.
To be confirmed.

New England.

Trade.

Draught of representation.

Shipwrights' petition.

The draught of a representation, directed yesterday to be prepared, upon the shipwrights' petition [folios 24, 27], was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

January 28. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Representation on shipwrights' petition.

Letter to Lord Townshend.

The representation [folio 26], agreed yesterday, upon the shipwrights' petition, was signed, as also

A letter for inclosing the same to the Lord Viscount Townshend.

January 29. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Acts considered.

Their Lordships took into consideration the following Jamaica Acts [folios 25, 32], and agreed upon them, as is expressed under each respective title, viz:—
An Act for the more effectual punishing of crimes committed by slaves, passed in 1777.
To be confirmed.
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, passed in 1717.
To be repealed.
An Act for preventing the frauds and regulating the abuses in trade.
To be repealed.
An Act for settling the north east part of this Island, passed in 1722 [Journal DD, folio 188].
To be submitted to His Majesty's determination.