Journal, May 1727: Journal Book D.D

Journal, May 1727

May 2. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Virginia.

Letter to Mr. Carter,

The letter to Mr. Carter, Commander in Chief of Virginia, ordered to be prepared at the last meeting [fo. 103], was agreed and ordered to be sent, as also

Jamaica.

The letter to Mr. Ayscough [fo. 102], Commander in Chief at Jamaica, and

Trade.

and Mr. Tigh.

The letter to Mr. Tigh [fo. 102], Consul at Elsinore.

May 3. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Newfoundland.

Heads of Inquiry answered by Commodore Bowler.

Commodore Bowler's answers [fos. 107, 143] to the heads of inquiry for the year 1726, were read; and their Lordships agreed to consider thereof to-morrow morning.

Capt. St. Loe summonded.

Ordered that Capt. St. Loe, Commander of the Ludlow Castle [fo. 114], be acquainted that the Board desire to speak to him on Wednesday morning next.

Letter from Mr. Burchet.

Heads of Inquiry.

A letter from Mr. Burchet [fo. 107], dated yesterday, signifying the Lords of the Admiralty's desire that the necessary instructions and heads of inquiry may be prepared for Capt. Bowler, appointed Commodore of the Newfoundland convoy, was read; and ordered that the instructions and heads of inquiry be prepared accordingly.

May 4. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

Letter from the Duke of Newcastle.

General Hunter's additional salary.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle [fos. 68, 109] signifying His Majesty's pleasure that the Board do prepare an instruction for Major General Hunter, who is appointed Governor of Jamaica, allowing him to receive an additional salary, was read; and their Lordships gave directions that the draught of an instruction be prepared accordingly.

Newfoundland.

Answer to heads of inquiry considered.

Heads of inquiry to be prepared.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration Commodore Bowler's [fos. 105, 111] answers to the heads of inquiry for the last year, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, as also the letter from Mr. Burchet, read at the same time, desiring the Board to prepare the necessary heads of inquiry for Capt. Bowler, appointed Commodore of this year's convoy to Newfoundland, their Lordships gave directions for preparing the heads of inquiry accordingly.

The nine following Orders of Council, being laid before the Board, were severally read, viz:—

Plantations General.

Order in Council.

Decrees.

Order in Council, of the 8th of February, 1726–7 [Jour. C.C. 294], approving a representation from this Board, with the draughts of additional instructions to His Majesty's Governors of America, about the execution of Judgments or decrees in cases of appeals to his Majesty.

Rhode Island.

Connecticut.

Boundaries.

Order of Council, of the 8th of February, 1726–7 [fo. 12], approving a report from the Lords of the Committee of Council, upon a representation from the Board of Trade, relating to the boundaries between Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Bermuda.

Order of Council.

Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Jones.

Counsellors.

Order of Council, of the 8th of February, 1726–7 [Jour. C.C. fo. 348], upon a representation of this Board, proposing John Butterfield and Francis Jones, Esqrs., to supply two vacancies in the Council of Bermuda.

Antigua.

Andrew Murray's Act.

Order of Council, of the 28th of March, 1727 [Jour. C.C. fo. 333], upon a representation from this Board, for approving An Act, passed at Antigua 1724–5, for selling certain lands lately belonging to Andrew Murray, Esq.

Virginia.

North Carolina.

Boundaries.

Order of Council, of the 28th of March, 1727 [Jour. C.C. fo. 307], approving certain proposals for settling the true boundaries between Virginia and North Carolina.

New England.

Colonel Shute's petition.

Salary.

Order of Council, of the 28th of March, 1727 [Jour. C.C. fo. 293], upon Colonel Shute's petition that some certain salary may be settled upon him and all future Governors of New England; and that he may be paid his arrears of salary, during his absence.

Maryland.

Order in Council.

Instructions.

Ld. Baltimore.

Order of Council of the 21st of April, 1727 [fos. 83, 203], referring a report of this Board with a draught of instructions for the Lord Baltimore, relating to the Acts of Trade, to a Committee of the Privy Council.

Jamaica.

General Hunter's Commission.

Order of Council, of the 21st of April, 1727 [fos. 106, 113], upon a representation from this Board, with the draught of a Commission for Robert Hunter, Esq., to be Governor of Jamaica, approving the said draught.

Proceedings of the Assembly upon the Revenue Bill.

Order of Council, of the 21st of April, 1727 [fo. 81], referring to a Committee of Council a letter from this Board to the Duke of Newcastle, with one from the President of the Council at Jamaica, relating to the proceedings of the Assembly upon the Revenue Bill there.

May 5. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir John Hobart.

Virginia.

Colonel Spotswood's petition.

Grants of Land.

Their Lordships, taking again into consideration the draught of a representation [fos. 94, 112], mentioned in the Minutes of the 21st of the last month, upon Colonel Spotswood's petition in relation to his land in Virginia, made a progress therein, and ordered that Colonel Spotswood and Mr. Clayton, Attorney General of Virginia, should be acquainted with the Board's desire of speaking with them on Tuesday morning next.

May 9. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Plantations General.

Order in Council.

Blasphemy.

An Order of a Committee of Council [fo. 127], dated the 3rd inst., directing the Board to prepare instructions for all His Majesty's Governors in America, that they cause all laws already made against blasphemy, profaneness, adultery, fornication, etc., to be vigorously executed, was read; whereupon ordered that the draughts of such instructions be prepared accordingly.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Mr. Corbet.

Heads of Inquiry.

A letter from Mr. Corbet [fo. 107] signifying the Lords of the Admiralty's desire that the heads of inquiry for the Commodore of Newfoundland may be forthwith dispatched, was read; whereupon ordered that a letter be writ to Mr. Burchet, inclosing the same, and that he be desired for the future to give earlier notice, when any Commodore shall be appointed.

Virginia.

Colonel Spotswood's lands.

Colonel Spotswood and Mr. Clayton, Attorney General of Virginia, attending [fos. 110, 116], their Lordships, after some discourse with them upon Colonel Spotswood's land in Virginia, made a progress in considering the draught of a representation upon this subject, mentioned in the Minutes of the last meeting.

St. Christophers.

Letter from the Duke of Newcastle.

Earl of Denbigh's petition.

Pensez y bien plantation.

A letter from the Duke of Newcastle [fo. 114], referring to the Board a petition from the Earl of Denbigh [Jour. B. 6, 165], relating to a plantation called Pensez y bien in the French part of the Island of St. Christophers, was read; and their Lordships resolved to consider further thereof at another opportunity.

Jamaica.

Duke of Newcastle's letter.

Hunter's additional salary.

Returned.

The Secretary then acquainted the Board that he had delivered to Mr. Prevereau, Chief Clerk in the Duke of Newcastle's office, by order of His Grace, the letter from His Grace [fos. 109, 118], signifying His Majesty's pleasure that the Board do prepare an instruction for Major General Hunter, who is appointed Governor of Jamaica, allowing him to receive an additional salary, mentioned in the Minutes of the 4th inst., whereupon their Lordships were pleased to order that the instruction then directed to be prepared should lye by till further order.

May 10. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Plummer, Mr. Ashe, Sir John Hobart.

Newfoundland.

Letter from Capt. St. Loe, excusing his attendance.

A letter from Capt. St. Loe [fos. 105, 111], Commander of the Ludlow Castle, desiring to be excused his attendance on the Board this day, was read.

St. Christophers.

Earl of Denbigh's petition.

Pensez y bien.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the letter from the Duke of Newcastle [fos. 112, 119] referring to the Board a petition from the Earl of Denbigh, relating to a plantation called Pensez y bien, in the French part of the Island of St. Christophers, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes; ordered that his Lordship be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him thereupon on Wednesday next.

Miscellanies.

Mr. Spencer discharged.

Ordered that Mr. John Spencer [Jour. X. fo. 336], a clerk in this office, be discharged.

Mr. Rogers appointed a clerk.

Mr. Plummer then recommended Mr. Richard Rogers to supply the vacancy of a clerk's place, occasioned thereby; and he was appointed accordingly. Whereupon ordered that the other clerks be advanced, according to their seniority in the office [fos. 85, 184], whereby the said clerks will have the following allowances, viz:—

May 11. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Virginia.

Improvements made by Colonel Spotswood on his lands.

Representation ordered.

A state of the several improvements, which Colonel Spotswood had made upon his land in Virginia [fos. 112, 117], was read; and their Lordships taking into consideration the draught of their representation upon this subject, mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th inst., the same was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

Nova Scotia.

Order in Council.

Civil Government.

Woods, etc.

Representation ordered.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, dated the 15th of February, 1726–7 [fos. 98, 118], requiring the Board to consider of and prepare a scheme for establishing a form of Civil Government in Nova Scotia, and for better peopling that Province and preserving the woods, etc., mentioned in the Minutes of the 26th of the last month, gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

May 12. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Virginia.

Representation, Colonel Spotswood's lands signed, and a letter to the Duke of Newcastle.

The representation upon Colonel Spotswood's petition [fos. 116, 203], in relation to his land in Virginia, agreed yesterday, was signed, as also

A letter for enclosing the same to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle.

Jamaica.

Trade.

South Sea Directors to attend.

Their petition.

Ordered that the South Sea Company [fos. 113, 121] be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with some of the Directors, on Thursday morning next, in relation to their petition, mentioned in the Minutes of the 18th February, 1724–5 [Jour. B.6. fo. 40].

May 16. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Nova Scotia.

Letter from Mr. Short, with draughts.

A letter from Mr. Short [fos. 116, 120] inclosing, by order of the Board of Ordnance, an account of Nova Scotia, with some draughts of the Fort at Annapolis Royal, with an estimate of the charges of repairing the same, was read.

Representation considered.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the draught of a representation upon the state of Nova Scotia, and in relation to the appointing an Assembly there, ordered to be prepared the 11th inst., and made a progress therein.

May 17. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

St. Christophers.

Earl of Denbigh.

Pensez y bicn.

The Earl of Denbigh [fo. 114] attending, as he had been desired, in relation to his petition, mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th inst., desiring a grant of a plantation in the late French part of St. Christophers called Pensez y bien, his Lordship desired the Board would defer for some time their making any representation upon the said petition; and their Lordships resolved to defer considering thereof till further application.

Jamaica.

Order in Council.

Instruction.

Revenue Act.

An Order in Council, dated the 13th inst. [fos. 118, 121], directing the Board to prepare an instruction for Major General Hunter, appointed Governor of Jamaica, in relation to the passing an Act for settling the Revenue of that Island, was read; whereupon ordered that the draught of an instruction be prepared accordingly.

Nova Scotia.

Representation.

State of this place.

Colonel Vetch Summoned.

Their Lordships taking again into consideration the draught of a representation [fos. 118, 123], mentioned in yesterday's Minutes, made a progress therein, and ordered that Colonel Vetch should be acquainted that the Board desire to speak with him on Friday morning.

May18. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Jamaica.

South Sea Company's petitions about duties on negroes.

Appeals.

Instructions to be prepared.

Some of the Directors of the South Sea Company attending, as they had been desired [fos. 120, 125], their Lordships had some discourse with them upon the subject of their petition, referred to the Board by an Order in Council of the 10th December, 1724, mentioned in the Minutes of the 18th of February, 1724–5 [Jour. B.6. fo. 40], desiring that the Governor of Jamaica may be instructed not to pass any Act for laying of duties upon the said Company's negroes landed only for refreshment, or upon flour imported. Their Lordships also considered their petition, mentioned in the Minutes of the 19th October, 1726, [Jour. C.C. fo. 324], upon this subject, as also desiring that they may have the liberty of appealing for any sum; and after some further discourse with them thereupon, their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of an instruction to Major General Hunter, appointed Governor of Jamaica, not to pass any Act for laying of duties upon negroes landed for refreshment only.

May 19. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

Nova Scotia.

Colonel Vetch about peopling of it.

Colonel Vetch attending, as he had been desired [fos. 120, 131], their Lordships had some discourse with him, in relation to the manner of settling and peopling Nova Scotia, and Particularly asking him what he thought would be the greatest inducement to people to go thither; he said, that he had heard of some hundreds of families that would go to Canso, were they sure of being protected against the Indians, being transported thither free, having land given to them and tools to work with; he further said, that a great encouragement to the fishery upon that coast would be the erecting of three forts, one at Canso, one at Lehave, and one at Cape Sables, because then, if any privateer or other should offer to molest them, they might with any wind get under the protection of any one of them. Their Lordships, after some further discourse with the Colonel upon this subject, desired he would consult with the several gentlemen, who had made proposals for settling Nova Scotia, and let the Board have, as soon as possible may be, what they may have to offer upon this head.

St. Christophers.

Letter from Colonel Hart, with papers.

A letter from Colonel Hart, Governor of the Leeward Islands, dated the 15th February, 1726–7, was read; and the papers, therein referred to, were laid before the Board, viz:—
The Governor's speech to the Council and Assembly, and their addresses.
An account of negroes imported into St. Christophers, from the 20th December, 1721, to the 25th December, 1726.
Antigua.
An account of negroes imported into Antego, from the 20th December, 1721, to the 25th December, 1726.

St. Christophers.

Letter from Colonel Hart.

Depositions

A letter from Colonel Hart, dated at St. Christophers, the 5th of March, 1726–7, was read; and five depositions relating to the seizure of several English vessels by the Spaniards, therewith transmitted, were laid before the Board.

sent to Duke of Newcastle.

Whereupon a letter to the Duke of Newcastle, inclosing the said depositions, and so much of Colonel Hart's letter as relates thereto, was agreed and signed.

Jamaica.

Letter from Duke of Newcastle.

Additional salary.

The letter from the Duke of Newcastle of the 4th inst. [fos. 121, 127], returned to His Grace, as mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th inst. [fo. 113], directing the Board to prepare an instruction for Major General Hunter, Governor of Jamaica, to allow him to receive an addition to his salary, being again received, was read; and the instruction for this purpose, ordered to be prepared the 4th inst. [fo. 106], was considered.

May 24. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer.

King's letter.

Revenue Bill.

The copy of His Majesty's letter to the Duke of Portland, dated the 7th of July, 1726 [Jour. C.C. fo. 309], transmitting the draught of a Revenue Bill, to be passed at Jamaica, was read.

Jamaica.

South Sea Company's and Jamaica merchants petitions.

Their Lordships then taking into consideration an Order in Council, dated the 10th December, 1724 [fos. 125, 129], (mentioned in the Minutes of the 10th of February, 1724), refering to the Board the petition of the South Sea Company, complaining of duties laid in Jamaica on negroes and flour, imported and exported; as also another Order in Council, of the same date, and mentioned in the same Minutes, referring to the Board the petition of several merchants trading to Jamaica, praying His Majesty's disapprobation of two Acts, passed there, laying duties on negroes and flour, their Lordships gave directions for preparing the draught of a representation thereupon.

Plantations General.

Bishop of London.

Blasphemy.

Their Lordships then took into consideration the Order of a Committee of the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council of the 3rd [fos. 111, 130], mentioned in the Minutes of the 9th inst., referring to the Board a petition of the Bishop of London, praying that the Governors of His Majesty's Plantations may be instructed to cause the several laws already made against blasphemy, profaneness, etc., in their several Governments, to be vigourously executed, etc. Their Lordships then resolved to consider further of this affair on Friday morning next, and ordered that the Bishop of London be acquainted that the Board desire his assistance at the same time.

May 25. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Jamaica.

Representation.

South Sea Company's and merchants petitions.

Their Lordships took into consideration the draught of a representation, ordered yesterday to be prepared, upon the petitions of the South Sea Company and Jamaica merchants [fos. 127, 130], and made a progress therein.

May 26. Present:—Lord Bishop of London, Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Plantations General.

Their Lordships, taking into consideration the draught of an Instruction, ordered to be prepared the 9th inst. [fos. 127, 132], for the several Governors in America [fo. 111] in relation to the putting in execution the laws against blasphemy, profaneness, etc.; their Lordships made a progress therein.

Jamaica.

The draught of a representation, mentioned in yesterday's Minutes (fos. 129, 132), upon the petitions of the South Sea Company and other merchants trading to Jamaica, in relation to the duties paid there on negroes and flour, was agreed and ordered to be transcribed.

May 30. Present:—Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Plummer, Sir John Hobart.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Coram, one of the persons concerned in the petition for a tract of land in Nova Scotia [fos. 123, 133], mentioned in the Minutes of the 8th June, 1713, attending [Jour. P. fol. 365], their Lordships desired he would let them have an account of what he judged would be sufficient encouragement for people to go over to settle in Nova Scotia, which he promised to give their Lordships as soon as possible.

Plantations General.

Their Lordships then took into further consideration the draught of an instruction, mentioned in the last Minutes [fos. 130, 139], in relation to the putting the laws in execution in the Plantations against blasphemy, profaneness, etc., and agreed thereto.

May 31. Present:—Earl of Westmoreland, Mr. Chetwynd, Mr. Docminique, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Bladen, Mr. Ashe, Sir John Hobart.

Jamaica.

The representation upon the South Sea Company's petition [fos. 130, 140] in relation to the duty paid on negroes in Jamaica, agreed the 26th inst., was signed [fo. 201].

Miscellanies.

A letter to the Lords of the Treasury to remind them of one from this Board of the 22nd of February last [fo. 38], in relation to the re-building one of the partition walls of this office, was signed.