Journal, May 1751: Volume 59

Journal, May 1751

Friday, May 3. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Fox, his Majesty's Secretary at War, dated the 30th of April, 1751, in answer to one from the Board, dated the 21st of last month, relating to provisions issued to non-effectives in Nova Scotia.

Read two letters from Mr. Robert to Mr. Hill, dated the 11th and 30th of April, 1751, relating to his proceedings with Monsieur du Pasquier in Switzerland.

Ordered that the Secretary do send Mr. Dick a copy of Mr. Robert's letter dated the 30th of April.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford with copies and extracts of some letters and papers received from Mr. Wentworth having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 30th of April, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Massachusets.

It appearing to the Board that Mr. Phips, Lieutenant-Governor of his Majesty's province of the Massachusets Bay, had been very negligent of his duty in not sending any account to the Board of the state of affairs in that province since the administration of the government devolved upon him, the Secretary was ordered to write a letter to him reminding him of this neglect and to require him to pay a more due obedience to his instructions for the future.

Leeward Islands.

Read a letter from Gilbert Fleming, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor of the Leeward Islands, to the Board, dated at Antigua, January 25th, 1750–1, inclosing:—
Minutes of Assembly of Antigua from the 14th of May to the 8th of November, 1750.
Minutes of Assembly of Montserrat from the 25th of June to the 25th of December, 1750.
Three Acts passed at Antigua in November, 1750, and January, 1750–1.

Ordered that the Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law, as soon as conveniently may be.

Tuesday, May 7. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

New Hampshire.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, ordered to be transcribed by the minutes of the 3rd instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Nova Scotia.

Ordered that the Secretary do write an answer to the two letters from Monsieur Robert mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant.

Nevis.

Vide minutes of December 18 last.

This day being appointed for taking into consideration the Act passed in the Island of Nevis in 1748 for establishing a Register's office, the minutes of the 18th of December last were read; but one of their lordships having acquainted the Board that he was informed that there was good reason to believe that the legislature of the said Island were now passing a new law for the same purpose, in which they proposed to appoint Mr. Smith to be the Register, the consideration of this affair was further postponed, until their lordships should receive some further account of this affair from the Island.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from his Grace the Duke of Bedford, dated 30th April, 1751, directing the Board to prepare a new Commission and instructions for Francis William Drake, Esquire, appointed Governor of Newfoundland.

Ordered that the draught of a Commission and instructions be forthwith prepared, together with the draught of a representation thereupon to his Majesty, and of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford inclosing the same.

Their lordships at the same time took into their consideration a letter from Captain Drake, dated the 26th December, 1750, representing the necessity of having a power of executing as well as trying capital offenders; and the Secretary was directed to send a copy thereof to his Majesty's Attorney General for his opinion thereupon, and to desire to know whether he has any or what objection to give such power.

Barbados.

Their lordships then took into consideration the letters which have been received from Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, since the Board's last letter to him, and ordered the draught of an answer thereto to be prepared.

Wednesday, May 8. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Jamaica.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the proposal of Mr. Price of the Island of Jamaica for draining and improving two morasses or lagunes there having been transscribed pursuant to the minutes of the 30th of April, was laid before the Board and signed.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a commission appointing Francis William Drake, Esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board and approved of, and the draught of a representation thereupon to his Majesty, and of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford having been also prepared, were agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Barbados.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, in answer to those received from him since the Board's last letter having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Jamaica.

Read two reports of Mr. Lamb, the one dated the 1st of December, 1750, upon six Acts, the other dated the 6th of February, 1750–1, upon sixteen Acts passed in the Island of Jamaica in the year 1749.

Jamaica.

Their lordships taking the said Acts into consideration, as also nine others passed in this Island in 1747 and 1748, came to the following resolutions thereupon, viz.:—

Resolved, that the following Acts are proper to be confirmed, whereupon ordered, that the draught of a representation to his Majesty for this purpose be accordingly prepared.
An Act for making free negroes, Indians and Mulattoes, evidence in all causes against one another in all the courts of this Island.
An Act for causing the streets, ways and avenues leading into and out of the town of St. Iago de la Vega to be cleansed and for keeping the same constantly clean and in good repair.
An Act for the better order and government of the negroes belonging to the several negro towns and for preventing them from purchasing of slaves.
An Act for raising companies in the several negro towns and encouraging them to reduce rebellious and runnaway slaves.
An Act for amending and rendering more effectual an Act intituled An Act for causing the streets, ways and avenues, leading into and out of the town of St. Iago de la Vega, to be cleansed and for keeping the same constantly clean and in good repair.
An Act for vesting the toll heretofore granted to William Peete, by virtue of an Act intituled An Act for impowering William Peete to keep the Ferry and erect the toll gate or turnpike between St. Catherine's and St. Andrew's and taking up runaway negroes, in trustees for repairing the roads between Rio Cobre in the parish of St. Catherine, and Waterhouse Savannah in the parish of St. Andrew, and other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to inflict further and other punishments on runnaway slaves and such as shall entertain them.
An Act to enable the directors of the Bath of St. Thomas the Apostle to grant certain lots and parcels of the Bath land in fee and adding directors to those already appointed and for rendering the said Bath more useful to the publick.
An Act for the total remission of several debts due to the publick from divers of the new settlers at Norman's Valley, Manchionel and Portland, and for vesting a lot of land upon the bay or harbour at Manchionel in each of the settlers there for the convenicney of landing, storeing and shipping their goods to market in lieu of other lots adjacent to the barracks.
An Act to appoint proper and certain days for the freeholders of the several parishes within this Island to meet and chuse the vestrymen and other parochial officers and for protecting freeholders from arrests on the days of election of members to serve in the Assembly.
An Act for balancing the several accounts of his Majesty's old revenue, and for applying so much of the surplusage of his Majesty's old and new revenues as may be necessary to discharge a certain sum advanced and paid by the Receiver General, to the use of the parties heretofore raised for the reduction of rebellious negroes.
An Act for the relief of minors and persons absent from this Island in the giving in their lands and payment of their quit rents, and also for the relief of persons who have made mistakes and errors in such givings and payments.
An Act to prevent the clandestine killing and marking of cattle and for the better regulating of hunting.

Resolved, that as the following Acts were passed for a temporary service and are either expired, are near expiring, or have had their effect, it is not necessary to report to his Majesty thereupon, viz.:—
An Act for laying a duty on all wines, rum and other spirituous liquors retailed within this Island and applying the same to several uses.
An Act for raising several sums of money and applying the same to several uses for subsisting for twelve months the officers and soldiers of the regiment of foot of which his Excellency, Edward Trelawney, Esquire, is colonel, and preventing the exportation of several commodities into the French, Dutch and Spanish Islands, and for preventing several frauds committed by persons trading to and from the northern colonies.
An Act for raising a certain number of negroes to be employed in his Majesty's service for a time therein limited.
An Act to oblige the several inhabitants of this Island to provide themselves with a sufficient number of white men capable of bearing arms or white women or children or pay certain sums of money, in case they shall be deficient, and applying the same to several uses, and to enlarge the time for the several parishes of this Island to return the accounts of quit rents given in such parishes to the Receiver General, and for authorizing and impowering the commissioners for erecting a house or edifice for the use of the Council and Assembly for the better preserving the publick records and for the reception of the small arms, to purchase lands and tenements adjoining to the parade in St. Iago de la Vega, for the use of the said house or edifice.
An Act for appropriating the sum of £6,806 2s. 11d. to the use of the forts and fortifications and other uses and for laying a duty on the tonnage of shipping for the use thereof and for appointing commissioners for ordering and inspecting the works to be performed in and about the same.
An Act for raising several sums of money and applying the same to several uses for subsisting for six months the officers and soldiers of the regiment of foot of which his Excellency Edward Trelawney, Esquire, is colonel, and for preventing the exportation of several commodities into the French, Dutch and Spanish Islands and for preventing several frauds committed by persons trading to and from the northern colonies.
An Act for laying a duty on all wines, rum and other spirituous liquors retailed within this Island and applying the same to several uses.
An Act for raising several sums of money and applying the same to several uses for subsisting for twelve months the officers and soldiers of the regiment of foot of which his Excellency Edward Trelawney, Esquire, is colonel, and preventing the exportation of several commodities into the French, Dutch and Spanish Islands, and for preventing several frauds committed by persons trading to and from the northern colonies.
An Act for laying a duty on all wines, rum and other spirituous liquors retailed within this Island and applying the same to several uses.
An Act for establishing commissioners for settling the publick accounts.
An Act for building of a guard house and barracks in the town of Kingston.
An Act to impower the Honourable Benjamin Hume, Esquire, the present Receiver General, to retain in his hands as commissioner the surplusages of the several funds, those arising by the revenue only excepted.

Mr. Lamb in his report to their lordships, dated the 6th of February last, having taken notice to their lordships, that the Receiver General of the Island of Jamaica had made complaint of the first of the following Acts, as setting aside his patent from his Majesty, by the nomination of a commissioner for the receipt and issue of the publick money, and it appearing to their lordships that such nomination was expressly contrary to his Majesty's instructions to his Governor, their lordships ordered the Secretary to write to Mr. Sharpe, agent for the Island of Jamaica, to desire his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning, in order to have some discourse with him upon this Act, as well as upon the other following Act, which is liable to the same objection.
An Act for the better and more effectual encouragement of white families to become settlers in this Island, and for giving a bounty to certain artificers to come and exercise their several trades.
An Act to amend an Act intituled an Act to repeal part of an Act, intituled An Act for the more effectual punishment of crimes committed by slaves and to oblige the several parishes to pay for all negroes executed in each respective parish.

The following Act being referred to in the address of the legislature of the Island of Jamaica, relating to the taxing absentees in a greater proportion than residents, mentioned in the minutes of the……, their lordships agreed to consider this Act when that affair is again taken up.
An Act to oblige the several inhabitants of this Island to provide themselves with a sufficient number of white men or white women or children or pay certain sums of money in case they shall be deficient and applying the same to several uses.

Jamaica.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that the Lord Bishop of London had desired he might attend the Board when the following Act was taken into consideration, it was agreed to defer the consideration thereof until a day could be fixed for that purpose.
An Act for regulating and settling the livings of the clergy and ascertaining the same and giving the Bishop of London ecclesiastical jurisdiction over them.

The following Act being of a private nature was agreed to be laid aside for further consideration when the parties concerned shall apply.
An Act for the encouragement of Archibald Bontien, his Majesty's Engineer for this Island, in his projections of making machines or mills for grinding sugar canes in the said Island.

The following Act having a relation to his Majesty's revenues, the Secretary was ordered to send a copy thereof and also of a letter from Mr. Trelawney thereupon to the Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury to be laid before that Board.
An Act for the more effectual carrying into execution a clause in an Act for encouraging white people to come over and become settlers in this Island and for the more easy and speedy settling the north east part thereof for making Port Antonio a port of entry and clearance for all ships and vessels.

North Carolina.

Mr. Abercromby, agent for Mr. Johnston, Governor of North Carolina, attending, moved their lordships to appoint a day for taking into consideration the complaint of Mr. McCulloch against the said Governor, to the end that a report might be made to their lordships upon the state of that province and the Governor's conduct now under their lordships' consideration.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. McCulloch to desire he would fix a day with Mr. Abercromby for bringing on this affair before their lordships and give the Board notice thereof.

Thursday, May 9. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Barbados.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Grenville, Governor of Barbados, in answer to two received from him, having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.

Jamaica.

Mr. Sharpe, agent of the Island of Jamaica attending, as desired, their lordships acquainted him with the difficulties which they were under with respect to several laws passed in Jamaica, wherein the Assembly have taken upon them to appoint a commission for the receipt and issue of publick money contrary to his Majesty's instructions; whereupon Mr. Sharpe informed their lordships that these acts of the Assembly arose from the resentment against the Receiver General for having appointed a person to be his deputy that was obnoxious to them, but that this affair being now accommodated, the Assembly had in their last money bills receded from this encroachment upon the Crown's prerogative.

Resolved, that in the Board's next letter to Mr. Trelawney it be recommended to him to prevail with the Assembly to re-enact the law for the encouragement of white persons to settle in this Island, and also that for the further punishment of negroes, not liable to the same objection.

Nevis.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon five Acts passed at Nevis between March, 1748 and July, 1749, dated 1st December, 1750.

Montserrat.

Read Mr. Lamb's report upon six Acts passed at Montserrat between August, 1748 and August, 1749, dated December 1st, 1750.

Their lordships taking the said Acts into their consideration came to the following resolutions thereupon.

Resolved, that the following Acts are proper to be confirmed, whereupon ordered, that the draughts of two representations to his Majesty for that purpose be accordingly prepared.
An Act to prevent negroes from going off this Island without licence of their owners.
An Act to encourage persons to come and settle upon the Island of Nevis.
An Act for the more speedy recovering certain debts becoming due to persons trading to this Island of Montserrat.
An Act for appointing Henry Wilmot agent for this Island and for providing a recompence for his trouble.
An Act to prevent the abuses in carrying on the inland trade of this Island.

Resolved, that as the following Acts were passed for a temporary service, and are either expired, are near expiring or have had their effect, it is not necessary to make any report thereupon.
An Act to prevent slaves from selling any thing without a ticket from their masters.
An Act for raising a poll tax on negroes and other slaves belonging to the plantations and inhabitants of the Island of Nevis.
An Act to raise a levy or poll tax upon the slaves and to tax the houses in the town of Plymouth and parts adjacent.

Resolved, that the following Act do lye by probationary.
An Act for constituting a court merchant.

The Secretary having acquainted the Board that Mr. Sharpe, agent for several of the inhabitants of Montserrat, had desired to be heard against the following Act, he was directed to desire Mr. Sharpe would agree with Mr. Wilmot, agent for the Island, who appeared in support of it, upon a day to bring it to an hearing before the Board.
An Act to regulate the Assembly of this Island and the elections of the members thereof.

Resolved, that in the Board's next letter to Mr. Fleming, he be desired to recommend to the Assembly to re-enact the following law, not liable to the objection stated in Mr. Lamb's report.
An Act to prevent the carrying off any person or persons from this Island without a lawful ticket.

North Carolina.

Mr. Abercromby and Mr. McCulloch attending, Mr. McCulloch moved the Board for a copy of Governor Johnston's answer to his complaint against him, which was agreed to by the Board, and ordered to be delivered to him; and it was recommended to him to prepare with all possible dispatch to be heard upon it.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. John Dick, merchant at Rotterdam, to Mr. Hill, dated May 14th, 1751, N.S., relating to his agreement with the passengers on board the Speedwell., and to his preparations for M. du Pasquier's people, and transmitting:—
Certificate concerning the goodness of the provisions and victuals bought by Mr. John Dick at Rotterdam for the use of the passengers on board the ship Speedwell, bound for the port of Halifax in Nova Scotia, dated at Rotterdam, the 10th of May, N.S., 1751.

Ordered that the Secretary do write an answer to Mr. Dick's letter.

Friday, May 10. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Dick to Mr. Hill, dated at Rotterdam, May 18th, 1751, N.S., acquainting him with the departure of the Speedwell, Joseph Wilson master, with foreign protestants for Nova Scotia; and inclosing:—
List of the number of freights and persons of foreign protestants on board the Speedwell, Joseph Wilson master, bound for Nova Scotia.
List of such foreign protestants on board the Speedwell, as not being able to pay their freight have engaged to work it out in the government works.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Dick to Governor Cornwallis, dated May 18th, 1751, N.S.

Tuesday, May 14. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Jamaica.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of several Acts passed in the Island of Jamaica in 1747, 1748 and 1749, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 8th inst., was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Montserrat.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of three Acts passed in the Island of Montserrat between August, 1748 and August, 1749, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 9th inst., was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Nevis.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of two Acts passed in the Island of Nevis in 1749, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 9th inst., was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. John Peter Robert to Mr. Hill, dated at Neufchatel, the 17th of May, n.s., 1751, relating to his proceedings there in embarking several foreign protestants.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from the Commissioners of the Victualling, dated the 8th of May, 1751, desiring they may have an account from this office of the number of people debarked from the Baltimore transport at Nova Scotia, and the respective times of their entering upon the victualling books there.

Ordered, that the Secretary do acquaint the said Commissioners by letter, that no returns have been transmitted to this office of the number of people debarked from on board each ship respectively, or of the respective times when they were entered upon the victualling books.

Virginia.

Read three reports of Mr. Lamb, dated the 31st of January, 1750, upon eighty seven Acts passed in Virginia in 1748 and 1749.

Their lordships taking the said acts into consideration made some progress therein.

Wednesday, May 15. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Virginia.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the laws passed in Virginia, mentioned in yesterday's minutes.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. John Peter Robert to Mr. Hill, dated at Neufchatel, the 10th of May, N.S., 1751, inclosing copy of one he writ to Monsieur Villettes the 8th instant May.

Thursday, May 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Virginia.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the Virginia laws.

Newfoundland.

Read a report of his Majesty's Attorney General, dated the 16th of May, 1751, in answer to a letter from Mr. Hill, signifying this Board's desire to have his opinion as to giving the Governor of Newfoundland a power of executing criminals convicted of capital offences where he sees just cause, as well as of trying such offences.

Ordered, that a draught of instructions for Capt. Drake, Governor of Newfoundland, be forthwith prepared, and that an alteration be made in the seventieth article of those given the last year, agreeable to the opinion of his Majesty's Attorney General.

Ordered, that the draught of a report to his Majesty upon the said draught of instructions be prepared, and also a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing the same, and that there be inserted in the said draught of a letter a state of the observations of Capt. Drake, relative to the great number of Irish Roman Catholics, who settle in Newfoundland.

Friday, May 17. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Dupplin.

Newfoundland.

A draught of instructions for Francis William Drake, Esquire, appointed Governor of Newfoundland, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the said draught of instructions, and the draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford inclosing the same, having been also prepared pursuant to the said minutes, were laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Leeward Islands.

Their lordships took into consideration a letter from Mr. Fleming, Lieutenant-General of the Leeward Islands, mentioned in the minutes of the 3rd instant, and ordered an extract to be made of such parts thereof as relate to his transactions with the Governor of Porto Rico, concerning the protection given by him to runaway slaves and to the captures at Crab Island, to be transmitted to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, and that the draught of a letter to his Grace thereupon be accordingly prepared.

Ordered, that the draught of an answer to Mr. Fleming's said letter be prepared.

Tuesday, May 21. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Jamaica.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of several Acts passed in the Island of Jamaica in 1747, 1748 and 1749, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 14th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Montserrat.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of three Acts passed in the Island of Montserrat between August, 1748 and August, 1749, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 14th instant, was laid before the Board and signed.

Nevis.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing the confirmation of two Acts passed in the Island of Nevis in 1749, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 14th inst., was laid before the Board and signed.

Leeward Islands.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing the extract of one from Mr. Fleming, Lieutenant-General of the Leeward Islands, relating to his transactions with the Governor of Porto Rico concerning the interruption given by him to the English wood cutters and fishermen at Crab Island, and also the protection given at Porto Rico to negroes deserting his Majesty's settlements, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Fleming, in answer to the last received from him, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the Virginia laws.

Wednesday, May 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Virginia.

Their lordships made a further progress in the consideration of the Virginia laws.

Leeward Islands.

The draught of a letter to his Grace the Duke of Bedford, inclosing the extract of one from Mr. Fleming, LieutenantGeneral of the Leeward Islands, having been transcribed pursuant to the preceding day's minutes, was laid before the Board and signed.

Thursday, May 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Townshend.

Georgia.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 25th of May, 1751, referring to the consideration of the Board some parts of the memorial of the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia relating to the further government of that colony.

Agreed to take this affair into consideration after the holidays.

The Secretary laid before the Board the following copies of Orders of Council received from that Office:—
Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 16th of January, 1750-1, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing Philip Ludwell, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of Virginia by the death of Colonel Lee, President and Commander in Chief of that colony.
Plantations General.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 22nd March, 1750–1, directing upon occasion of the death of his late Royal Highness Frederick, Prince of Wales, an alteration to be made in the Book of Common Prayer, in such parts where the Royal Family is appointed to be prayed for; and that the same form be observed in all his Majesty's plantations in America.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 24th of April, 1751, directing (upon his Majesty's having been pleased to create his Royal Highness Prince George, Prince of Wales) an alteration to be made in the Book of Common Prayer, in such parts where the Royal Family is appointed to be prayed for; and that the same form be observed in all his Majesty's plantations in America.
New Jersey.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing David Ogden, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of New Jersey by the suspension of John Coxe, Esquire.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing Lewis Ashfield, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of New Jersey by the death of Richard Smith, Esquire.
Nevis.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing James Brown, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of Nevis by the death of William Pym Burt, Esquire.
Leeward Islands.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving the draught of an additional instruction prepared by this Board for General Mathew, Governor of the Leeward Islands, relating to the vesting the power of presiding in the Court of Chancery, in the absence of the CaptainGeneral, Lieutenant-General and Lieutenant-Governor from Antigua, in the President of the Council of the said Island.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated April 30th, 1751, approving the draught of an additional instruction prepared by this Board for William Mathew, Esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands, relating to the deputation of a person to exercise the office of Ordinary, during his absence from any of the said Islands.
Newfoundland.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated May 13th, 1751, approving the draught of a Commission prepared by this Board for Francis William Drake, Esquire, appointed Governor of the Island of Newfoundland in America.
Pennsylvania.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated May 13th, 1751, approving a representation of this Board to his Majesty, proposing the confirmation of six Acts passed in the province of Pennsylvania in January, 1749–50.

Virginia.

Their lordships proceeded further in the consideration of the Virginia laws, and having gone through the same, came to the following resolutions thereupon, viz.:—

Resolved that the following laws relative to the particular circumstances and government of this colony, and no ways derogatory of his Majesty's authority and instructions, or contrary to the laws of this kingdom, are proper to be laid before his Majesty for his royal approbation.
An Act for the better management and security of orphans and their estates.
An Act directing the manner of granting probates of wills and administration of intestates' estates.
An Act for establishing county courts and for regulating and settling the proceedings therein.
An Act to prevent frivolous and vexatious suits.
An Act for prescribing the method of appointing sheriffs, and for limiting the time of their continuance in office, and directing their duty therein.
An Act declaring the laws concerning executions and for the relief of insolvent debtors.
An Act directing the method of trial of criminals for capital offences, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for better securing the payment of rents, and preventing the fraudulent practices of tenants.
An Act for the settlement and regulation of ferries, and for the dispatch of public expresses.
An Act concerning seamen.
An Act for the better securing the payment of levies and restraint of vagrants, and for making provision for the poor.
An Act directing the duty of surveyors of land.
An Act for preventing trespasses by unruly horses, cattle, hogs, sheep or goats, and by taking away boats or other vessels.
An Act concerning tithables.
An Act to prevent the clandestine transportation or carrying of persons in debt, servants or slaves out of this colony.
An Act for prevention of abuses in tobacco shipped on freight.
An Act prescribing the method for proving book debts.
An Act concerning water mills.
An Act for appointing public storehouses and ascertaining the prices of storage.
An Act concerning highways, mills, dams and bridges.
An Act for clearing rivers and creeks.
An Act for regulating ordinaries and restraint of tipling houses.
An Act for preventing excessive and deceitful gaming.
An Act concerning marriages.
An Act ascertaining the damage upon protested bills of exchange, and for the better recovery of debts due on promissory notes, and for the assignment of bonds, obligations and notes.
An Act for dividing the County of Orange.
An Act for dividing the County of Gooch Land.
An Act for continuing the Act intituled, An Act for reducing the laws made for laying a duty upon liquors into one Act of Assembly.
An Act for enabling the justices of Prince William to levy tobacco on the inhabitants of the said county, to defray the charge of clearing the road therein from the Pignutto the Blue Ridge.
An Act for destroying crows and squirrels.
An Act for establishing a town on the land of Richard Littlepage, gentleman, in the county of New Kent.
An Act to impower the vestry of the parish of St. Martin's Brandon in the county of Prince George, to sell the glebe land in the said parish, and to purchase a more convenient glebe in lieu thereof.
An Act for dividing the parish of Raleigh in the county of Amelia, and erecting the same into four distinct parishes.
An Act for establishing the towns of Petersburg and Blandford in the county of Prince George, and for preventing the building of wooden chimneys in the said towns.
An Act for giving a certain sum of money to trustees for the clearing roads over the Great Mountains.
An Act to impower Thomas Dansie to make a causeway through the marsh opposite to his wharf.
An Act for the better support of the clergy, and for the regular collecting and paying the parish levies.
An Act to restrain the taking of excessive usury.
An Act concerning the publick prisons, and directing the method of appointing the keepers thereof.
An Act for encouraging adventurers in iron works.
An Act for encouraging the making tar and hemp.
An Act for making provision against invasion and insurrections.
An Act to impower the trustees of Leeds Town to make a causeway through the marsh opposite thereto, and for appointing a public ferry.
An Act for dividing the country of Isle of Wight into two distinct countries, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for obliging the country of Gooch Land and parishes of St. James Northam and Southam to repay the country of Albemarble and parish of St. Anne's a sum of money and tobacco therein mentioned.
An Act for erecting a town in the country of Prince William.
An Act for giving a reward for killing wolves.
An Act against stealing hogs.
An Act for preventing losses from drivers passing with horses and cattle through this colony, and for laying a duty on horses imported, and the more effectual preventing horse stealing.
An Act for inspecting pork, beef, flour, tar, pitch and turpentine.
An Act for establishing a town near Warwick in the country of Henrico.
An Act for erecting a town at Hunting Creek Warehouse in the country of Fairfax.
An Act for dividing the country of Henrico into two distinct countries.
An Act to impower the vestry of the parish of Newport in the country of Isle of Wight to sell the glebe lands in the said parish, and to purchase a more convenient glebe in lieu thereof.
An Act for dividing the parish of Truro, and dissolving the vestry of the parish of Suffolk, and other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for repealing several Acts of Assembly therein mentioned.
An Act concerning strays.

Resolved, that the following laws being liable to many objections are proper to be laid before his Majesty for his disapprobation.
An Act declaring slaves to be personal estate, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for the distribution of intestates' estates.
An Act for establishing the general court, and for regulating and settling the proceedings therein.
An Act for the limitation of actions and avoiding of suits.
An Act concerning servants and slaves.
An Act to prevent the tending of seconds.
An Act for allowing fairs to be kept in the town of Suffolk, and preventing hogs and goats going at large therein, and for altering the times of holding fairs in the town of Newcastle.
An Act for the better support of the College of William and Mary.
An Act for establishing a town in Augusta County, and allowing fairs to be kept therein.
An Act to prevent the building of wooden chimneys in the town of Walkerton, and also to prevent the inhabitants thereof from raising and keeping hogs.

Resolved, that the following laws do lye by probationary:—
An Act concerning juries.
An Act for rebuilding the capitol in the city of Williamsburg.
An Act for confirming the grants made by his Majesty within the bounds of the Northern Neck as they are now established.
An Act for continuing an Act, intituled, An Act for the better regulating and collecting certain officers' fees, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for obliging the justices of the Isle of Wight to build a bridge near Blackwater Swamp.
An Act for appointing a treasurer and other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for reviving the Act to impower the justices of Elizabeth City County to erect pounds, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to enable the Pamunkey Town Indians to sell a certain tract of land, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to enable the Nottoway Indians to sell certain lands, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act directing the trial of slaves committing capital crimes, and for the more effectual punishing conspiracies and insurrections of them, and for the better government of negroes, mulattoes and Indians, bond or free.
An Act for regulating the practice of attorneys.
An Act for annexing certain lands to the town of Tappahanoch, and vesting the same in the feoffees of the said town, and for other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act to restrain the keeping too great a number of horses and mares, and for amending the breed.
An Act for altering the method of holding courts in the counties of Brunswick, Fairfax, Lunenburg, Frederick, Albemarle and Augusta.
An Act for dissolving the vestry of the parish of Cumberland in the county of Lunenburg and electing a new vestry in the said parish.

Resolved, that the following laws, which relate to his Majesty's Revenue and Customs, be sent to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury.
An Act for settling the titles and bounds of lands, and for preventing unlawful hunting and ranging.
An Act for amending the staple of tobacco and preventing frauds in his Majesty's Customs.
An Act for preventing frauds in the Customs and in clearing of ships, for ascertaining collectors' and naval officers' fees, and to prohibit and prevent the casting ballast or dead bodies into the rivers or creeks.

Virginia.

The two following laws are expired and have had their effect:—
An Act for the raising a public levy, and other purposes therein mentioned.
An Act for paying the burgesses wages in money for this present session of Assembly.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty upon the said Acts be prepared, conformable to the aforementioned resolutions.