Journal, May 1753: Volume 61

Journal, May 1753

Tuesday, May 1. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Oswald.

Trade.

Messrs. Edward Atkins, Edward Waldo, Thomas Lees, John Denison, Peter Ab Luard.

Their lordships being informed that several gentlemen concerned in the linnen trade were attending, and had something to offer to the Board they were called in, and they acquainted their lordships that a Bill having been brought into Parliament by which the importers of linnen and drapers apprehended they would be much affected, they were a committee appointed at a general meeting of the said importers and drapers to present a petition against the said Bill, and desired to know whether they might be permitted to lay their sentiments before this Board; whereupon their lordships acquainted them that it would not be proper for them as a Board to give any opinion or judgement in a matter now before Parliament, but that they were now and always should be ready to hear anything which any persons might have to lay before them relative to trade. The gentlemen then acquainted the Board that they would prepare their case in writing and lay it before the Board; and then they withdrew.

Virginia.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation affairs, dated the 19th of April, 1753, referring to this Board a report of the Board of Ordnance upon a letter from the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia desiring some cannon for forts which are intended to be built in that province, and directing them to report their opinion thereupon, and what is the nature of the forts intended to be built.

Massachusets.

Ordered that the draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council thereupon be prepared.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 19th of April, 1753, relative to the Assembly of the Massachusets Bay refusing to revise their laws, and recommending it to the Board to discourse with Governor Shirley thereupon before he returns to his government.

Georgia.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Shirley to desire his attendance at the Board on Thursday next, at twelve o'clock.

Read an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the 19th of April, 1753, directing this Board to prepare and lay before their Lordships a plan for establishing a civil government in his Majesty's colony of Georgia.

Leeward Islands.

Virgin Islands.

Resolved that the said Order be taken into consideration on Friday next, the 4th instant.

Read a letter from Captain Purcell, Governor of the Virgin Islands, dated at St. Christopher's, the 31st of January, 1753, in answer to one from Mr. Hill, dated the 29th of April, 1752, relating to the state of those Islands.

Nova Scotia.

Wednesday, May 2. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Their lordships took into consideration Mr. Kilby's report upon Mr. Martin's petition for money due to him on account of the service of Nova Scotia, mentioned in the minutes of the 10th of April, and Mr. Martin attending he was called in, and their lordships after hearing what he had to offer thereupon agreed further to consider thereof at another opportunity.

Read a memorial of Lieutenant Armstrong praying a payment of £12 2s. 9d. for his expences in coming express from Plymouth with a packet to the Board from Governor Hopson.

Ordered that Mr. Kilby do pay the said sum of £12 2s. 9d. to the petitioner, but that no charge of this nature be allowed of for the future, unless the person making such charge do produce a certificate from the Governor of his having been intrusted to deliver such packets as soon as possible.

Jamaica.

Read a letter from Charles Knowles, Esquire, Governor of Jamaica, to the Board, dated the 1st of February, 1753, transmitting:—
Minutes of Council from February to December, 1752.
Minutes of Council in Assembly from September to November, 1752.
Minutes of Assembly for the same time.
Acts passed at Jamaica in October and November, 1752.

Ordered that the aforementioned Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

New York.

Read a letter from Mr. Clinton, Governor of New York, to the Board, dated 21st December, 1752, transmitting several publick papers, viz.:—
List of persons naturalized from the 23rd of October, 1750, to the 29th of July, 1752.
Minutes of Council from the 30th of July, 1751, to the 16th of November, 1752.
Minutes of Assembly from the 1st of October, 1751, to the 11th of November, 1752.
Acts passed at New York in November, 1751, and November, 1752.

Ordered that the said Acts be sent to Mr. Lamb for his opinion thereupon in point of law.

North Carolina.

Read a letter from Mathew Rowan, Esquire, one of the Council of North Carolina, to the Board, dated February 14th, 1752, giving an account of the death of Nathaniel Rice, Esquire, late President of the Council and Commander in Chief of the said province, and of his having taken upon him the administration of that government.

Georgia.

Read a letter from the President and Court of Assistants of Georgia, dated at Savannah, the 27th of January, 1753, acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the Board, dated the 16th of July, 1752, together with the Lords Justices' proclamation, and 200 printed copies of it.

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, dated the 5th April, 1753, referring to this Board for their consideration and report a copy and extract of two letters from Colonel Yorke, the King's Minister at the Hague, with a paper inclosed in them relative to disputes between the African Company of England and the Dutch West India Company.

Resolved that this affair be taken into consideration on Wednesday next, the 9th instant, and that the Secretary do write to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa to desire their attendance.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Mr. Gould, dated the 19th April, 1753, in answer to one from Mr. Pownall inclosing a copy of Mr. Kilby's report upon Mr. Gould's memorial.

Read a letter from Mr. Bogdani of the Board of Ordnance to Mr. Hill, dated the 17th of April, 1753, relating to wall pieces, etc., lent by Captain Dove of the Hound sloop to the use of the government of Nova Scotia.

Ordered that the Secretary do acquaint Mr. Bogdani that the Board have no objection to the sum of £9 2s. 10d. being charged in the next year's account of supply for Nova Scotia.

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

Massachusets.

Mr. Shirley, his Majesty's Governor of the Massachusets Bay, attending was called in, and the instructions given to the Governors in America relative to a revisal of the laws, Mr. Phipps letter to the Board relative to the Assembly of the Massachusets Bay declining to take any notice of that instruction, and the Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council upon it, having been read to him, he was directed to use his utmost endeavours upon his arrival in his government to induce the Assembly to pay a proper obedience to his Majesty's orders, and to represent to them the utility and necessity of a revisal of their laws, and then he withdrew.

Bahamas.

Read a letter from Mr. Scott, President of the Council and Commander in Chief of the Bahama Islands, to the Board, dated the 23rd of December, 1752, transmitting:—
The Treasurer's accounts between Christmas, 1751, and Midsummer, 1752.
Journal of the Council between Christmas, 1751, and Midsummer, 1752.
List of shipping inwards and outwards between Christmas, 1751, and Midsummer, 1752.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from Francis William Drake, Esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, to the Board, dated in the Downs, March 24th, 1753, transmitting the following papers and acquainting the Board that he had reprieved William Murphy under sentence of death for a murder until his Majesty's pleasure be known:—
General scheme of the fishery and inhabitants of Newfoundland for the year 1752.
Answers to the queries contained in his Majesty's instructions to Francis William Drake, Esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, etc., together with a copy of the proceedings of the court of Oyer and Terminer.
Returns of the troops in garrison at St. John's and Placentia, a state of the fortifications for the defence of the harbour of St. John's, and an account of the remains of ordnance stores in both garrisons.
Copy of William Murphy's tryal before the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer at St. John's, Newfoundland, for the murder of William Quinn, for which he had sentence of death passed on him.

Ordered that the proceedings upon the tryal of William Murphy be copied to be transmitted to the Secretary of State, and that the draught of a letter to Lord Holdernesse therewith be prepared.

Friday, May 4. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration several letters received from Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, mentioned in the minutes of the 6th of February, 3rd of April, and 2nd instant, and ordered the draught of a letter in answer thereto to be prepared.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a letter to Lord Holdernesse, inclosing the copy of one from Francis William Drake, Esquire, Governor of Newfoundland, and also a copy of the proceedings upon the tryal of William Murphy for a murder committed there, having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Georgia.

The consideration of the Order of a Committee of Council directing this Board to prepare the plan of a civil government for Georgia appointed for this day, was postponed.

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

Pennsylvania.

Maryland.

This day being appointed to take into consideration Mr. Penn's petition to his Majesty praying that the boundaries between the province of Pennsylvania and his Majesty's provinces may be ascertained and set out, and Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of Mr. Penn, and also Mr. John Sharpe, sollicitor in behalf of Lord Baltimore, attending, with Mr. Pratt and Mr. Henley his counsel, they were called in; and Mr. Paris acquainted their lordships that Mr. Penn having on Saturday last received a proposition from Lord Baltimore for an amicable decision of their mutual rights, that proposition was now under consideration by Mr. Penn, and therefore he proposed to their lordships that the consideration of this affair might be postponed to a further day, which was agreed to by their lordships, and Tuesday the 22nd instant was fixed for taking the same into consideration.

Jamaica.

The parties being withdrawn their lordships took into consideration the draught of a letter to Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, prepared pursuant to the minutes of Fryday last and made some progress therein.

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

Trade.

Africa.

Read a letter from Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty dated the 3rd instant, inclosing copies of all such papers relating to the British forts and settlements on the coast of Africa as have been saved out of the wreck of his Majesty's late ship the Assurance, viz.:—
State and condition of Winnebah Fort etc., without date.
Copy of a letter from Captain Howe of the Glory, in Cape Coast Road, to the Captain of a foreign ship, dated 15th of October, 1751.
State and condition of Cape Coast Castle, dated November 6th, 1751.
Report of the state of Dixcove Fort, the 18th of February, 1751–2.
Report of the state of Seccondee Fort, the 9th of March, 1752.
Report of the state of Commenda Fort, the 10th of March, 1752.
Copy of a letter from the agents at Cape Coast Castle to Captain Daniel of his Majesty's ship the Assurance, dated the 19th March, 1752.
Copy of a letter from Mr. Melvill to Captain Daniel of his Majesty's ship Assurance, dated 23rd March, 1752.
Copy of Captain Daniel's letter to Mr. Van Voorst at La Mine, dated the 24th of March, 1752.
Translation of a letter from Captain Daniel of the Assurance to the Commander of the Dutch Fort at Acqudah, dated 24th of March, 1752.
Letter from Mr. Melvill to Captain Daniel of the Assurance, dated Cape Coast Castle, 28th March, 1752.
Trade.
Africa.
Mr. Van Voorst's letter to Captain Daniel of his Majesty's ship Assurance, dated the 6th of April, 1752.
State and condition of Tantumquerry Fort, the 8th of April, 1752.
State and condition of James Fort at Accra, the 15th of April, 1752.

The Secretary laid before the Board the two following papers received from the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, viz.:—
Copy of a letter from Thomas Melvill, Esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, dated the 7th of January, 1753.
Copy of a letter from Thomas Melvill, Esquire, Governor of Cape Coast Castle, to the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, dated the 25th January, 1753.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of the 2nd instant, took into consideration a letter from the Duke of Newcastle, referring copies of two letters from Mr. Yorke, his Majesty's Minister at the Hague relative to his negotiations with the Ministers of the States General concerning the disputes upon the coast of Africa, and the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa attending, as desired, the copies of the letters from Mr. Yorke having been read to them and the following points were referred to them, viz.:—
1st. To give the Board all such additional evidence of our right with respect to the two points in dispute, as they could furnish, and particularly in answer to what the Dutch have alledged.
2nd. To lay before the Board their sentiments upon the expedients proposed for an accommodation.
3rd. To lay before the Board copies of the conventions in 1707, 1708 and 1728, if they can be found.
4th. To lay before the Board such further information and opinion upon the several points as they shall think proper.

Ordered that a copy of the certificate of Monsieur Van Stackenburg relative to the toll upon fish referred with the Duke of Newcastle's letter, be delivered to the Committee.

Their lordships then took notice to them of the defenceless state of several of the forts, and copies of the states of the several forts received from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were ordered to be given to them.

Thursday, May 10. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Virginia.

The draught of a report to the Lords of the Committee of Council upon a report of the Board of Ordnance concerning some small cannon for the colony of Virginia having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 1st instant, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Jamaica.

Their lordships took into consideration the draught of a letter to Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, and the same having been agreed to, was ordered to be transcribed.

Friday, May 11. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Leeward Islands.

Virgin Islands.

Their lordships took into consideration the letter from Mr. Purcell, Lieutenant Governor of the Virgin Islands, and ordered the Secretary to write an answer thereto.

Tuesday, May 15. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Georgia.

Their lordships took into consideration an Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council, mentioned in the minutes of the 4th instant, directing them to prepare the plan of a civil government for Georgia, and made some progress therein.

Wednesday, May 16. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Nova Scotia.

Read the following letters and papers from Mr. Hopson, Governor of Nova Scotia, viz.:—
Letter from Mr. Hopson to the Board, dated at Halifax 28th March, 1753, giving an account of the rise of the complaints made by the inhabitants of Halifax against the justices of the inferior courts; proposing that a Chief Justice and Attorney General should be sent from hence and giving some account of the state of Indian affairs, and transmitting:—
Copy of the Commission given by the late Governor Cornwallis to Ephraim Cooke, Esquire, appointing him a justice of the peace in the township of Halifax.
Letter from Mr. Hopson to the Board, dated the 14th April, 1753, relative to the out settlement of the foreign protestants, and to the necessity of sending out provisions for them from hence with all expedition, and transmitting:—
Minutes of Council from December 5th, 1752, to the 2nd April, 1753.
Copy of Governor Hopson's letter to Benjamin Green, Esquire, requiring his resignation either of the post of Judge of the Admiralty or that of Naval Officer.
Mr. Green's answer to Governor Hopson's letter concerning his resignation of the office of Judge of the Admiralty or Naval Officer.
List of Bills drawn on Mr. Kilby between the 1st of November, 1752, and 31st March, 1753.
List of out lots of land laid out to the inhabitants of Halifax within the Peninsula; of persons who have obtained liberty to build wharfs on the beach before the town; and of grants of land passed by the late Governor Cornwallis.
Vouchers for money paid by the Treasurer at Halifax from 1st August to the 31st of December, 1752.
Naval Office entries from Michaelmas to Christmas, 1752.
Naval Office clearances from Michaelmas to Christmas, 1752.

Letter from Colonel Hopson to the Board, dated at Halifax, 28th March, 1753, acquainting their lordships with his having ordered and received from Boston provisions for the augmentation of his regiment and transmitting:—
General account of provisions received and issued for the settlers in Nova Scotia, between 24th August, 1752, and 18th February following, audited by a Committee of Council.
Thomas Saul, Esquire, his account of provisions with John Cunningham between 23rd August, 1752, and 18th of February, 1753, audited by a Committee of Council.
State of provisions received and issued to the augmentation of Governor Hopson's regiment between 3rd August, 1752, and 28th January following, audited by a Committee of Council.
Contingent account of provisions in victualling settlers in Nova Scotia, between 24th August, 1752, and 18th February following, audited by a Committee of Council.
Contingent account of provisions in victualling the troops in Nova Scotia between 3rd August, 1752, and 28th January following, audited by a Committee of Council.
A return of dry stores. 18th February, 1753, audited by a Committee of Council.
Copy of the minutes of a Committee of the Council of Nova Scotia appointed to audit and examine the accounts of Thomas Saul, Esquire, as Commissary of Stores and Provisions, 14th March, 1753.
Victualling list for Governor Hopson's regiment, between 6th November and 3rd December following.
Governor Hopson's lists for victualling his regiment, between the 4th and 31st December, 1752.
Governor Hopson's regiment victualling rolls between the 1st and 28th January, 1753.
List of persons victualled of Governor Hopson's regiment between 29th January and 25th February, 1753.
Governor Hopson's victualling lists between the 26th February and the 25th March, 1753.
A list of artificers, labourers, etc., victualled at Halifax between the 24th of August, 1752, and the 29th of October following.
A list of Swiss inhabitants, etc., victualled between the 30th of October and 24th December, 1752.
A list of inhabitants victualled between the 25th December and 18th February, 1753.
List of artificers and labourers victualled at Halifax, between 19th February and 15th April, 1753.
Invoice from Messrs. De Lancey and Watts per the Charming Hannah, [Rudyard], November 8th, 1752.
Protest of John Rudyard, master of the sloop Charming Hannah of New York, taken at Halifax 5th December, 1752.
Captain Rudyard's letter to Messrs. Foster and Shippey to survey the hatches etc. of the sloop Charming Hannah, with their report thereon. Dated 8th December, 1752.
Report of a survey of the provisions on board the sloop Charming Hannah of New York, John Rudyard, master.
An account of the sales of the provisions condemned of the cargoe of the Charming Hannah, John Rudyard, master.
The government's account with Messrs. Evans and Morcomb in relation to the survey of the sloop Charming Hannah's cargo, December 19th, 1752.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Shirley, Governor of the Massachusets Bay, to desire his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, dated the 8th instant, signifying his Majesty's appointment of Captain Hugh Bonfoy to be Governor of Newfoundland and directing this Board to prepare draughts of a Commission and instructions for him.

Ordered that the draughts of a Commission and instructions for the Governor of Newfoundland be prepared, and also the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon.

Jamaica.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Knowles, Governor of Jamaica, having been transcribed pursuant to the minutes of the 10th instant, was signed.

Georgia.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to the Secretaries to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and Admiralty to know what establishment they think proper to be made in Georgia relative to matters under their jurisdiction.

Thursday, May 17. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Nova Scotia.

Their lordships took into consideration Mr. Kilby's report upon Lieutenant Martin's petition, mentioned in the minutes of the 2nd instant, and Mr. Kilby and Mr. Martin attending were called in, when their lordships had some conversation with them thereon, and Mr. Martin was ordered to attend again to-morrow.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Colonel Cornwallis to desire the favour of his attendance at the Board to-morrow morning.

Massachusets.

Mr. Shirley, Governor of his Majesty's province of the Massachusets Bay, attending as desired, their lordships had some discourse with him concerning the arms and military stores returned for his Majesty's use after the intended expedition against Canada, and he acquainted their lordships that there was a considerable part of these stores now lodged in his Majesty's Castle William at Boston, as also in the other governments concerned in this expedition; Mr. Shirley being withdrawn their lordships ordered the draught of a letter to Lord Holdernesse to be prepared, desiring that Mr. Shirley may have orders to collect 500 musquets and accoutrements from amongst the above-mentioned stores and to send them to the Governor of Nova Scotia for the use of the foreign settlers, and likewise that he may be authorized to demand the stores now lying in the other New England governments, and lodge them in his Majesty's Castle William for his Majesty's service.

Newfoundland.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty with the draught of a Commission and instructions for the Governor of Newfoundland having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Friday, May 18. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Nova Scotia.

Colonel Cornwallis attending, as desired, their lordships took into further consideration Mr. Martin's petition, and Mr. Martin being without, was called in, and after some conversation with him thereupon, their lordships resolved upon the following liquidation of his demand, viz.:—

Ordered that the Secretary do give directions to Mr. Kilby to pay the above ballance of three hundred, eleven pounds, nine shillings and four pence to Mr. Martin, and place it to the account of the service of Nova Scotia.

Massachusets.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter to Lord Holdernesse having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Tuesday, May 22. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane.

Pennsylvania.

Maryland.

This day being appointed for taking into consideration Mr. Penn's petition to his Majesty praying that the boundary line between Pennsylvania and his Majesty's territories in America may be set out and ascertained, and Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of Messrs. Penns, and Mr. Sharpe, sollicitor in behalf of Lord Baltimore, attending with their counsel, they were called in, and Mr. Henley acquainting their lordships that it having been found necessary in consequence of the proposition which had been made to Messrs. Penn by Lord Baltimore to inspect a great variety of deeds and acts of settlement, the time allotted by the Board at their last meeting upon this affair for the consideration of this proposition had been found insufficient, and therefore prayed a further time which being acquiesced in by the counsel on behalf of Messrs. Penns, their lordships were pleased to comply therewith, and to fix Thursday the 21st of June for taking this affair into consideration, and then the parties withdrew.

Plantations General.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing that an additional instruction should be given to the Governors of all his Majesty's colonies in America for the better regulation of appeals to his Majesty in Council from the Courts there in cases of error.

Massachusets.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Kilby attending was called in, and he acquainted the Board that he had been informed by Mr. Waldo, Brigadier General upon the intended expedition against Canada, that there was not so large a quantity of arms in his Majesty's Castle William at Boston as had been represented by Mr. Shirley.

Ordered that the Secretary do write to Mr. Shirley and Mr. Waldo to desire their attendance at the Board to-morrow morning.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from Colonel Hopson, Governor of Nova Scotia, to the Board, dated at Halifax, the 16th of April, 1753, giving an account of the arrival of two men of that town in an Indian canoe, with six Indian scalps and inclosing:—
Copy of their examination, dated the 16th April, 1753.

Virginia.

Their lordships took into consideration the last letter received from Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, and ordered the draught of an answer thereto to be prepared.

Wednesday, May 23. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Massachusets.

Mr. Shirley and Mr. Waldo attending as desired, they were severally called in, and it appearing from what was alledged that there was not a sufficient quantity of arms now lying in Castle William to answer the demand of Governor Hopson, Mr. Kilby was directed to purchase five hundred arms with all expedition.

Nova Scotia.

Mr. Kilby laid before their lordships a memorial to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury praying that.… may be issued to him for payment of certain services relative to the settlement of Nova Scotia, and the said memorial having been read and approved of, their lordships directed Mr. Kilby to present the same to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for their directions thereupon.

Nevis.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that Charles Pym Burt, Esquire, may be appointed of his Majesty's Council in the Island of Nevis was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Bahamas.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that John Gambier, Esquire, may be appointed of his Majesty's Council in the Bahama Islands was laid before the Board, agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Thursday, May 24. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Townshend, Mr. Oswald.

Barbados.

Their lordships took into consideration Mr. Braithwaite's memorial praying the repeal of an Act passed in Barbados in the year 1713 relating to the Three Springs Rivulet, mentioned in the minutes of the 25th June, 1752, and after some time spent therein, agreed further to consider thereof at another opportunity.

Friday, May 25. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Fane, Mr. Oswald.

Trade.

Africa.

The Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa attending were called in, and they presented to their lordships the following papers, as their report upon the several points referred to them with respect to the disputes with the Dutch upon the coast of Africa, viz.:—
State of the English right of the landing place of Commenda and the towns of Busha and Alchua upon the Gold Coast of Africa.
Evidence of the English right to Commenda landing place, Busha and Alchua referred to by the Committee of the Company of Merchants trading to Africa, No. 1 to No. 7.
Copies of treaties made between the English and Dutch African Companies in 1707, 1708, and 1728.

The said papers having been read the Committee desired that Messrs. Roberts and Chalmers who had been formerly agents and officers of the company upon the coast of Africa might be admitted to give their personal evidence with respect to our right to Alchua, and Mr. Chalmers and Mr. Roberts being called in, Mr. Chalmers acquainted their lordships that he was at Dixcove at different times from the year 1744 to 1749; that the Dutch during that time did not dispute our right to Alchua; that it was usual for the English to cut wood and gather lime stones there, and that when the Dutch went thither to get palm wine, it was usual for the English sawyers there to take toll of them; that the Dutch while he was there sent a party of their people to Panjare to get provisions, etc., at Alchua, which occasioned our people to complain, whereupon he gave orders to seize such Dutch as might come there for that purpose, and sent notice of it to the Dutch commander who made no complaint, nor did the Dutch come there again; that one Abyankie who was a dependant upon the Dutch came to settle at Alchua, and expressing apprehensions of the resentment of the Dutch for leaving them, he, Mr. Chalmers, gave him a note to shew that he was settled under the English authority: that it is a custom there when the paths through the woods or bushes are grown up for each nation to clear within their own territory, and that the Dutch always cleared to a little river to the windward of Alchua Bay, and desired we would clear all the rest as our territory, which was accordingly done as far as a hill beyond Alchua Bay; that the English have always cut timber ever since the year 1708 in the Alchua country, to the extent of three leagues from the fort.

Most of the foregoing particulars having been confirmed by Mr. Roberts their lordships acquainted the Committee that they should forthwith take this affair into consideration; and then they withdrew.

Tuesday, May 29. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Right Honourable Horatio Walpole, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Grenville, Lord Dupplin.

New Jersey.

New York.

Their lordships pursuant to the minutes of the 9th of February last, took into consideration an Act, passed in the province of New Jersey in 1747–8, for running the line of partition betwixt that province and New York, and Mr. Paris, sollicitor in behalf of the Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey, attending, with Mr. Hume Campbell and Mr. Henley, his counsel, in support of the said Act, and Mr. Charles, agent for the province of New York, attending with Mr. Forester and Mr. Pratt, his counsel, against the said Act, they were called in, and the Act having been read, their lordships heard what each party had to offer thereupon, and it being late, they were ordered to withdraw, and their lordships agreed to consider further of this affair on Tuesday next when both parties were ordered to attend again.

New York.

Ordered that the draught of a representation to his Majesty be prepared proposing that Sir Danvers Osborn, of Chicksands, in the county of Bedford, Baronet, may be appointed Governor of the province of New York in the room of George Clinton, Esquire, who has desired leave to return to England.

Wednesday, May 30. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.

Read the following copies of Orders in Council, viz.:—
Plantations General.
Virginia.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 7th March, 1753, upon the representation of the Judges of the General Court of the colony of Virginia directing the Lords of the Treasury to give the necessary orders for paying to the said Judges the sum of £1,200 annually out of the fund of 2s. per hogshead of tobacco according to the prayer of their said representation.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th of May, 1753, approving Mr. Dinwiddie's proposal of granting £1,000 out of the duty of 2s. per hogshead of tobacco for presents to the Twightwees, and directing the Lords of the Treasury to prepare a proper warrant to authorize the payment of said sum.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th of May, 1753, approving the draught of an additional instruction prepared by this Board for his Majesty's Governor of Virginia, impowering him to give his assent to any Acts which shall be passed by the Council and House of Burgesses of that colony for the re-enacting two laws which had been repealed by his Majesty.
Leeward Islands.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th of May, 1753, approving the draughts of general instructions as also of those relating to the Acts of Trade and Navigation prepared by this Board for George Thomas, Esquire, Governor of the Leeward Islands.
Bermuda.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th of May, 1753, approving a report of this Board proposing Thomas Jones, Esquire, to supply a vacancy in the Council of the Bermuda Islands by the death of Nathaniel Bascome, Esquire.
Pennsylvania.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th May, 1753, approving a representation of this Board proposing the confirmation of twelve Acts passed in Pennsylvania in the years 1750, 1751 and 1752.
Maryland.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 10th of May, 1753, approving the draught of instructions relating to the Acts of Trade prepared by this Board for the Lord Baltimore, Proprietor of the province of Maryland.
Massachusets.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 21st May, 1753, on a report from the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, proposing that a proportion of ordnance stores be sent to Castle William in the province of the Massachusets Bay in lieu of those lost in his Majesty's service upon the reduction of Cape Breton.
Newfoundland.
Copy of an Order of Council, dated the 21st of May, 1753, approving the draughts of a Commission and instructions prepared by this Board for Hugh Bonfoy, Esquire, appointed Governor of Newfoundland.

Bahamas.

Read an Order of Council, dated the 21st May, 1753, approving a representation of this Board proposing John Gambier, Esquire, to be of the Council of the Bahama Islands, and directing that a warrant be prepared for that purpose.

Ordered that the draught of a warrant for appointing the said John Gambier, Esquire, to be of the Council of the Bahama Islands, and also the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon be prepared, and the said draughts having been accordingly prepared were agreed to and the representation having been transcribed was signed.

Nevis.

Read an Order of Council, dated the 21st of May, 1753, approving a representation of this Board proposing Charles Pym Burt, Esquire, to be of the Council of Nevis, and directing that a warrant be prepared for that purpose.

Ordered that the draught of a warrant for appointing the said Charles Pym Burt, Esquire, to be of the Council of Nevis, and also the draught of a representation to his Majesty thereupon be prepared, and the said draughts having been accordingly prepared, were agreed to, and the representation having been transcribed was signed.

Nova Scotia.

Read a letter from the Lieutenant General and principal officers of the Board of Ordnance, dated the 22nd of May, 1753, inclosing copy of a memorial from the Commissary and Clerk of Ordnance Stores at Halifax in Nova Scotia, dated the 16th of April last, praying that their allowance for firewood, etc., stopped by Colonel Hopson may be restored to them.

Ordered that the draught of a letter in answer thereto be prepared.

Newfoundland.

Read a letter from the Earl of Holdernesse, dated the 25th instant, acquainting the Board that his Majesty had been pleased to grant a free pardon to William Murphy tried and condemned for the murder of William Quinn at St. John's in Newfoundland, and inclosing a copy of a warrant for that purpose.

Ordered that the Secretary do transmit a copy of the said warrant to Captain Bonfoy, lately appointed Governor of Newfoundland.

New York.

The draught of a representation to his Majesty proposing that Sir Danvers Osborn, Bart., may be appointed Governor of New York in the room of Mr. Clinton, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 29th instant, was agreed to, transcribed and signed.

Virginia.

The draught of a letter to Mr. Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, having been prepared pursuant to the minutes of the 22nd instant, was agreed to and ordered to be transcribed.

Thursday, May 31. Present:—Earl of Halifax, Mr. Pitt, Lord Dupplin, Mr. Oswald.

Georgia.

Read a letter from Mr. Clevland, Secretary to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated the 30th May, 1753, in answer to one from Mr. Pownall relating to establishments necessary to be made in the colony of Georgia relating to matters subject to the jurisdiction of the Admiralty.

Nova Scotia.

The draught of a letter from the Secretary to the Lieutenant General and principal officers of the Ordnance having been prepared pursuant to the preceding minutes, was laid before the Board, agreed to and signed.