Journal, June 1726: Journal Book C.C

Journal, June 1726

June 7th. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

East India.

Letter from Mr. Woolley.

Decrease in exports of woollen manufactures.

A letter from Mr. Woolley, Secretary to the East India Company, in answer to one writ him the 19th of May, relating to the causes of the decrease in the Company's exportation of woollen manufactures, was read.

Trade.

Turkey.

Letter from Mr. Spiers, memorial from the Company about duty on English cloths.

Draught of representation on Dutch Envoy's memorial.

A letter from Mr. Spiers, assistant Secretary to the Turkey Company, inclosing a memorial from them, in relation to a duty of 20 per cent. procured to be laid on all English cloths, if imported to Turkey by Dutch, French or Jews, was read. Whereupon ordered that the draught of a representation be prepared upon the memorial of Monsieur Hopp, Envoy Extraordinary from the States General, upon this subject, referred to the Board by the Lord Townshend's letter of the 7th, mentioned in the Minutes of the 11th of last month.

The copies of the seven following Orders in Council, were read, viz:

New York.

Order in Council, new councillor.

Order in Council of the 18th April, 1726, upon a representation of the 17th of March foregoing, for appointing Archibald Kennedy, Esquire, of the Council of New York.

Pennsylvania.

Order in Council, Major Gordon, Deputy Governor.

Order in Council of the 18th April, 1726, declaring His Majesty's approbation of Major Patrick Gordon to be Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, with limitation of time and of the Three Lower Counties during only His Majesty's pleasure.

Order in Council approving draught of instructions for Major Gordon.

Order in Council of the 18th of April, 1726, approving the draught of instructions relating to the Acts of Trade for Springett Penn, Esquire, and Hannah Penn, widow, to be by them given to Major Gordon, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania.

Antigua.

Order in Council, new councillor.

Order in Council of the 18th April upon a representation of the 30th of March, 1726, for appointing George Lucas, Esquire, of the Council of Antego.

St. Christophers.

Order in Council on reports about lands in dispute between Burnet and Brown.

Order in Council of the 18th April, 1726, upon a report of the Lords of the Committee and a representation of the Board of Trade relating to 40 acres of land in St. Christophers, which was in dispute between Mr. Burnet and Mr. Brown, and directing a new grant thereof to be passed to Mr. Brown.

Order in Council.

Mr. Brown to have quiet enjoyment of 80 acres of land.

Order in Council of the 18th of April, 1726, upon a representation of the 25th of February foregoing, directing that Mr. Jeremiah Brown do remain in quiet enjoyment of 80 acres of land in St. Christophers, and that any grants, which Governor Hart may have made to dispossess Mr. Brown, be recalled.

Order in Council, new councillor.

Order in Council of the 10th May upon a representation of the 21st April, 1726, for appointing Edward Mann, Esquire, to be of the Council of St. Christophers.

Trade.

Africa.

France.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 7th of June, 1726 [folio 362, Journal Dd. 34], was read, referring to the Board
Letter from Duke of Newcastle.
Memorial etc. from French Ambassador.
A memorial from the Count de Broglio, in relation to a French factory on the African coast being demolished by some of the English African Company's servants there.
Modele de la lettre que M. Julien Dubellay doit écrire au Generale Anglais.

Whereupon ordered that copies of the said papers be sent to Mr. Lynn, Secretary to the Royal African Company, for their answer thereto.

June 8. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Trade.

Turkey.

Representation upon Dutch Envoy's Memorial.

A representation upon Monsieur Hopp's memorial, ordered yesterday to be prepared, was agreed and signed.

June 9. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Trade.

Africa.

Papers again considered.

Their Lordships took again into consideration the several papers relating to the African trade, mentioned in the Minutes since the 23rd February last, and made a progress therein.

June 14. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Several papers read and considered.

Their Lordships took again into consideration the several papers in relation to the African trade, mentioned in the Minutes since the 23rd of February last, and read the following papers, received at several times since, viz:
An account of ships belonging to the Port of London, that are imployed in the trade to the coast of Africa, together with an account of the names of the commanders, owners and number of negroes each ship is designed for to carry to the Plantations and Colonies of America.
March 30th, 1726.
A list of the Royal African Company's ships imployed in 1720, 1721, 1722, 1723, 1724.
Account of ships sent out by the Royal African Company of England, with their cargoes for the following years, viz:—1720, 1721, 1722, 1723, 1724 and 1725.
Copy of the petition of Samuel and Joseph Travers of London, merchants, relating to their being interrupted by the French in trading to Africa.
Copy of a petition of several merchants about the ship Enterprize, seized by 3 French ships on the coast of Africa.
An account of guineas coyned out of gold imported from Africa by the Royal African Company of England, from 1675 to 1725.

Draught of representation.

Their Lordships then gave some directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

June 15. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Draught of representation.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation, ordered yesterday to be prepared, and made a progress therein.

June 17. Present:—Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen.

Further considered.

Their Lordships took again into consideration the draught of a representation upon the state of the African trade, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, and made a progress therein.

Trade.

Calicoes, etc.

Letter to Mr. Balam, Inspector General.

Calicoes and chints imported.

Ordered that a letter be wrote to Mr. Balam, Inspector General of the Imports and Exports, for an account of the quantities and value of white calicoes, annually imported into Great Britain, since Christmas, 1722, distinguishing the amount of each year, as also an account of the number of pieces of calicoes or chints, with their value, for the same time.

June 21. Present:—Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

New England.

Plantations General.

Letter from Mr. Armstrong, woods.

Letter to Mr. Fane with queries.

The copy of a letter to Mr. Burniston, Surveyor General of the Woods in America, from Mr. Armstrong, his deputy, dated at Boston, the 10th of March, 1725, in relation to the woods, was read. Whereupon ordered that some queries therein stated, be sent to Mr. Fane, for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

Bahamas.

Letter from Governor and Council.

A letter from the Governor and Council of the Bahamas to this Board, dated the 26th January, 1725–6, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Papers therein referred to.
The treasurer's account of cash.
The draught of a patent for granting land in the Bahama Islands.

Letter from Captain Phenney with several papers.

A letter from Captain Phenney, Governor of the Bahamas, to the Board, dated the 28th of January last, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Minute of Council of the 25th October, 1725.
List of councillors that have died, resigned, been suspended and expelled, and of the present Council.
List of proper persons to supply vacancies in the Council.
Answer to the queries sent by this Board.
A list of fees appointed to be taken by the officers of the Government.
The deposition of Richard Thompson, Esquire, relating to negroes and some other effects, which the Spaniards robbed him of.
Copy of a letter from the Governor of the Havana to Captain Phenney.
List of christenings, marriages and burials.
An account of what powder and other stores of war are wanting for Nassau Fort in New Providence.
An account of what powder and other stores of war have been expended, and what remain.
List of ships and vessels, entered inwards and cleared outwards, from the 13th November, 1721, to the 25th of December, 1725.
The draught of the outworks of the fort Captain Phenney has been building.

Whereupon ordered that the draught of a letter be prepared to Captain Phenney, and a representation to His Majesty, in relation to the appointment of an Assembly.

June 22. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the several Bahama papers, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, gave directions that the Lord Londonderry and the other lessees for the Bahama Islands, should be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them on Wednesday morning next.

Virginia.

Their Lordships also taking into consideration the several letters from Major Drysdale, Lieut. Governor of Virginia, received since the Board's letter to him of 19th May, 1724, gave directions that the Secretary should make him an answer thereto.

June 23. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer.

New York.

A letter from Mr. Burnet. Governor of New York, dated 12th May, 1725, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
List of ships trading outwards, from September, 1724, to March, 1725.
List of vessels trading inwards, from September, 1724, to March, 1725.

A letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York and New Jersey, to the Secretary, dated the 24th November, 1725, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Six Acts passed at New Jersey in August, 1725.
Minutes of Council of New Jersey, from the 20th April, 1724, to the 23rd August, 1725.
Journal of Assembly of New Jersey, from the 25th May, 1725, to the 23rd August, 1725, both days inclusive.
List of vessels trading inwards and outwards at East New Jersey, from Michaelmas, 1724, to Midsummer, 1725.

N.B.—This letter and the 4 subsequent paragraphs or titles, relating to New Jersey, are duplicates of the same papers, mentioned in the Minutes of the 16th of March, 1725–6.

List of vessels trading into and out of New York, from Ladyday, 1725, to Michaelmas following.

A letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, etc., to the Board, dated the 24th of December, 1725, was read.

A letter from him to the Secretary of the same date, was likewise read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
Minutes of Council and Council in Assembly, from the 13th May, 1725, to the 10th November, following.
Minutes of Assembly, from 31st August, 1725, to the 9th November, following.
Four Acts, passed at New York, the 10th November, 1725.
Quantities of European goods imported, and skins and furs exported, to and from New York, between Christmas, 1724, and Christmas, 1725.

New Jersey.

A letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New Jersey, etc., dated the 2nd January, 1724–5, relating to the death of the Chief Justice there, and desiring the person he has nominated to succeed in that office, may be confirmed, was read.

New York.

A letter from Mr. Burnet, without date, transmitting Minutes of Council of New York, from 8th October, 1724, to the 19th April, 1725, was read.

A letter from Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York, etc., to the Secretary, dated 28th April, 1726, transmitting printed votes of the Assembly of New York, and promising an account of their proceedings when they are over, was read.

New Jersey.

Mr. Fane's report upon three Acts, passed at New Jersey in 1723, dated 11th December, 1725, was read.

New York.

New Jersey.

Ordered that the draught of an answer be prepared to the letters received from Mr. Burnet.

Carolina.

Virginia.

A letter from Mr. Shelton, Secretary to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, in relation to the boundaries between North Carolina and Virginia, was read.

Plantations General.

A memorial from Mr. Gray, in addition to his proposals for preventing insults from the Indians in the Plantations, was read.

Trade.

Accounts.

Straw hats.

The two following accounts received from the Custom House, were laid before the Board, and read, viz:—
Straw hats imported into England for five years ending at Christmas last, as also the quantity exported during the same time, with the amount of the customs paid thereon, distinguishing each year.
Snuff.
Snuff imported into England for five years to Christmas, 1724, also the quantity exported in the same time, with the produce of the several duties arising thereby, distinguishing each year.

June 24. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New York.

New Jersey.

Letter to Mr. Burnet.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Burnet, Governor of New York and New Jersey, ordered yesterday to be prepared, was agreed and signed.

Account of furs to be sent him.

Ordered that the Secretary do send to Mr. Burnet the account received from the Custom House, of furs imported from New York, from Christmas, 1717, to Christmas, 1723, and that he desire him to send over his account of furs prepared in the like manner.

June 28. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

New Jersey.

New York.

A letter to Mr. Burnet, Governor of New Jersey and New York, ordered to be prepared the 23rd inst., was agreed and signed.

Jamaica.

Captain King attending, with Mr. Sharpe, his solicitor, and desiring their Lordships would please to take into their consideration the Act, passed in Jamaica in December, 1722, entituled, An Act for encouraging the speedy settling of the plantation commonly called Pero or Pera Plantation situate at Port Morant in the Parish of St. Thomas in the East in this island, and for obliging all persons entituled to the equity of redemption thereof to redeem the same by a prefixed time; their Lordships resolved to consider thereof to-morrow morning.

In the meantime, ordered that Mr. Hughes, whose caveat against the said Act was read the 16th February last, and Mr. Huggins, who likewise opposes the confirming the said Act, may be desired to attend at the same time.

Virginia.

The Secretary then laid before the Board the following accounts, which he had received from Colonel Spotswood, late Deputy Governor of Virginia, of negroes imported from 1710 to 1718, and the said accounts were read, viz:
List of slaves imported into York District in Virginia, from 10th December, 1710, to 10th December, 1718.
The like account for James River Upper District.
The like account for James River Lower District.
The like account for Rappahanock District.
The like account for Potomack District.

The draught of a letter to Major Drysdale, Lieut. Governor of Virginia, directed to be prepared the 22nd instant, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

A letter from Major Drysdale, Lieut. Governor of Virginia, dated the 20th April, 1726, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:
Account of His Majesty's Revenue of 2s. per hogshead, from 25th April, 1725, to 25th October, following.
Copy of the Northern Neck Charter from King Charles the 2nd.
Copy of the Northern Neck Charter from King James the 2nd.
The state of the case between the King and the Proprietor of the Northern Neck.

Ordered that an extract of the said letter [Journal Dd. fol. 219], and copies of the said Charters and case, be sent to Mr. Attorney and Solicitor General, for their opinion thereupon in point of law.

Bermuda.

A letter from Colonel Hope, Lieut. Governor of Bermuda, dated the 20th of March, 1723–4, was read, and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:
Minutes of Council, from the 8th of May, 1722, to 16th March, 1723–4.
Minutes of Assembly of the 3rd and 4th March, 1723–4.
Copy of an Act against Bastardy and Incontinency passed.

A letter from Colonel Hope, Governor of Bermuda to the Secretary, dated the 10th of August, 1724, was read; and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
List of six persons fit to supply vacancies that may happen in the Council of Bermuda.
Copy of a Minute of Council of 21st July, 1724, and of the Governor's speech.
Minutes of Assembly of 21st, 22nd and 23rd of July, 1724.
Major Henry Tucker's account of the liquor tax, commencing the 3rd of August, 1723, and ending the 29th January, 1723–4.
Account of Colonel Richard Jennings, Receiver of the 5 per cent. duty on dry goods, commencing the 15th August, 1723, and ending the 11th of January 1723–4.
Richard Tucker, Deputy Provost Marshal, his account of the public rents, commencing the 25th of December, 1722, and ending the 25th of June, 1723, as to the receipts; and of disbursements, from the 4th of July, 1723, to the 5th of December following.
Richard Tucker, Deputy Secretary, his account of powder money, commencing the 15th of July, 1723, and ending the 24th of January, 1723–4.

June 29. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Bahamas.

The Lord Londonderry, Captain Hyde and Captain Lisle, three of the lessees of the Bahama Islands, attending, as they had been desired, their Lordships had some discourse with them in relation to the want of stores of war, and to the granting of land to particular persons there; whereupon Captain Hyde acquainted their Lordships that about four years ago, they had sent over thither 200 barrels of gun powder and ball in proportion, but that they have not sent over any since: that they have likewise sent over thither a person to inquire into the nature of that place, and to consider and consult with the Governor about proper methods for granting of land there, and that they daily expected his return, and then they promised to give the Board a full account of affairs in those islands. Their Lordships then inquired what they thought of an Assembly being formed there, they said, they had no objection to it, as they thought it might be of advantage to those islands. And being asked what quit rents they had reserved upon land there, they said, £5 per acre, but that they were very ready and willing to give all reasonable encouragement for persons to come and settle in those parts.

These gentlemen being withdrawn, their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a letter to Captain Phenney, Governor of the Bahama Islands.

Jamaica.

Captain King, with Mr. Sharpe his solicitor, attending, as he had been desired, as likewise Mr. Nivine and Mr. Hughes, in relation to the Act, passed in Jamaica, entituled, An Act for encouraging the speedy settling of the Plantation commonly called Pero or Pera Plantation etc., mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, Mr. Hughes desired their Lordships would be pleased to defer the consideration of the said Act for some further time, because he was not yet fully prepared to lay before the Board his objection to the said Act. Whereupon their Lordships agreed to defer the consideration of the Act above mentioned till this day sen'night.

Bermuda.

Ordered that Colonel Bennet and Mr. Aytoune be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with them to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock.

June 30. Present:—Earl of Westmorland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer.

Colonel Bennet, late Governor of Bermuda, attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships desired he would give his opinion whether he thought it would be any advantage to the Island to lessen the number of the Assembly, as proposed by an Act for this purpose, passed the 6th March, 1722–3, whereupon he acquainted their Lordships, that the Assembly of the Island was generally composed of people, whose chief imployment was at sea, so that during the time of the meeting of the Assembly they were hindered from their business, which was a great inconveniency to them. For which reason Colonel Bennet said, that if the number of the Assembly was reduced to one half, and if their pay was augmented, he believed it would be an inducement to people of greater abilities and fortunes to serve in the Assembly, and thereby the meaner sort of people would be eased of this inconveniency, and business would be better done.

Colonel Bennet being withdrawn, and Mr. Aytoune, late Collector of the Customs in Bermuda, attending, as he had been desired, their Lordships desired he would inform the Board what had been done at the Admiralty Court here upon the appeal from Bermuda against the sentence of condemnation passed upon the ship Salamander in 1724 for importing India goods, etc., without cocquets, and Mr. Aytoune acquainted the Board that the sentence had been reversed.